Heloise

Dear Heloise: As a professional pet sitter, I have some advice for people who are leaving for a few (or several) days. Your pets will be OK if you remember the following common-sense things to do:

— If your pet is on medication, write out when and how the medication is to be taken. Make sure that there is enough for the whole time you’re gone.

— Write out instructions on when to walk a dog or whether your cat is allowed outside. We’ll need a summary of your pet’s schedule, likes and dislikes, favorite toys, and foods it cannot have. Make absolutely sure that you have more than enough food and kitty litter on hand.

— Leave all emergency telephone numbers taped to the front of your refrigerator. This includes your veterinarian’s contact info and how to contact you should there be a need to get hold of you.

— Never lock a pet in a garage, house or yard and think that by pouring some food in a bowl, it’s enough. When you return from your trip, you could be facing a charge of animal abuse. Several states now require animal abusers to register and pay a stiff fine.

— Ensure that your dog, cat or other animals have up-to-date vaccinations. — Mandy, in Texas

SHELLFISH ALLERGIES

Dear Heloise: A lot of people, including me, have shellfish allergies — which is anything shellfish, including oyster sauces, clam juices, and fish sauce especially! If these are put into foods that are not shellfish, it’s still a problem for people with shellfish allergies. Please tell restaurants to advise their customers if shellfish juices are in a food item.

Also, I wish it would be a law that shellfish has to be fried in separate vats from french fries, fried chicken, onion rings, etc. I cannot eat these items in a restaurant if they fry shellfish in the same oil. — Bonny S., in Summerfield, Florida

BUBBLE TROUBLE

Dear Heloise: Is there a secondary use for bubble bath? I am strictly a shower person, but occasionally someone gifts me with a spa basket, which invariably includes bubble bath. I just hate to throw it out. — Elaine T., via email

Elaine, use bubble bath to clean out the tub and shower. It can be substituted for hand soap, to clean combs and brushes, and to wash dishes by hand in the sink. It can also clean intimate items, and it works as a pre-treater, too. Finally, you can use bubble bath to clean your eyeglasses and sunglasses. — Heloise

A GOOD MAT

Dear Heloise: A woven, straw outdoor doormat can make a good bathmat. It is waterproof and durable, and it won’t slide around. — Ken M., in Louisiana

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: My rescue babies, Louie and April, enjoying their view! April in her pink cadillac and Louie lounging by the orchids! — Helen Davis, via email

Readers, to see Louie and April, as well as our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”

Do you have a furry friend to share with our readers? Send a photo and a brief description to Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.

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