Dear Heloise: A recent column included a letter from Mark in South Carolina. He said that the posts for lost dogs versus found dogs can be confusing. I agree that they can be. He gave suggestions about posting pictures. I agree with this only if you lost a dog. You want everyone to know what the dog looks like. Wide coverage and details will usually help the lost dog get back to its owner.

However, posting too much information about a found dog may cause the dog to be claimed by someone other than the owner. It’s better to let the real owner give the finder details about the dog. Don’t give out any information except where the dog was found and its general colors. Don’t identify the gender, what color the collar is, nothing. The real owner should be able to fill in all of the blanks.

People should get their pets micro-chipped and be sure to keep the information up-to-date. Also, please don’t post a lost pet notice, then ghost people who reach out! This has happened to me a couple of times. If I lost a pet, I’d never let my phone go to voicemail! — Linda Dee, via email

BERRY-PICKING SEASON

Dear Heloise: I always heard that you should never wash berries before you are ready to serve them. However, my friends, Bernie and Elilzabeth, tell me that you should wash them immediately with 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar. They say it gets rid of the mold spores.

Be sure to rinse and drain. You can even use a paper-lined salad spinner. Store them in a somewhat open container with paper towels. I so enjoy your column! — Ann C., Manhattan Beach, California

Ann, your advice is followed by many of my readers, but I have been told to never wash blueberries until right before you’re ready to eat them. It’s difficult to know which is correct! “To wash or not to wash?” That is the question. Readers, what say you? — Heloise

TRAVEL SCRAPBOOK

Dear Heloise: I get so much from reading your column, and I hope this idea resonates with others, too. Recently while traveling to two foreign countries, I gifted my granddaughters a journal, a pen, a drawing pencil, an eraser, and a sharpener. All were placed in a cloth bag that was just big enough to hold everything and be packed easily. One of my grand-daughters was already into scrapbooking and had glue sticks and other supplies with her for our trip.

Each night, our three granddaughters would unload various mementoes (ticket stubs, underground transport maps, candy wrappers, etc.) that they’d accumulated that day and work on their scrapbook of our trip. I was floored by their creativity, and they ended up with a wonderful memento of our vacation.

As a bonus, they loved winding down together at the end of each day by crafting and sharing memories. — GranMolly

GranMolly, what a great idea! They get to make their own memories and keep the experience of this trip all their lives. The first time you go anywhere is usually one you keep all your life.

I’ve been to Europe many times, but the first trip when I was in my mid 20s was the most exciting. I saw things I’d only seen in books and walked streets that had been walked by the kings and queens of old. I hope others follow your idea. — Heloise

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