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Dear Heloise: As we approach the holiday season, I'd like to remind your readers that gifting someone with a puppy or kitten may seem like a good idea to some, but you should really stop and think about it for a minute. Here are a few ideas to consider:
-- A lot of children ask for a pet at Christmas, but I don't recommend that a child have a pet until they're at least 9 or 10 years old. You need to make them responsible for some of the work that's needed to take care of the pet, such as walking them and picking up poo.
-- Also, if the pet's a gift, make sure that you ask the person first, then let them pick out the animal themselves. You might want to get them a Yorkie from a breeder when they'd rather have a medium-sized rescue dog.
-- Never just surprise someone with a pet. Just because someone likes a pug and thinks it's cute, this doesn't mean that they want the extra work or responsibility of owning one.
-- Go to shelters and the city pound first. There are so many amazing animals who are waiting for someone kind and loving to take them to their forever homes.
-- Have the pet neutered or spayed and make sure that they have all their shots. Seriously consider microchipping as well.
-- Last of all, an animal isn't a toy. They are a family member and need to be kept indoors during bad weather. They also need to be played with, fed on a regular schedule, and treated with kindness. You should never hit a pet. The only thing that they'll learn from this is to be afraid of you and, eventually, to hate you. -- Shelly W., in Huntington Beach, California
DON'T FEED THE SKUNKS
Dear Heloise: I enjoy your column in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. You had two letters recently about feeding wildlife and leaving standing water. As to feeding wildlife, the food does a great disservice to the wildlife and your neighbors. We had a neighbor who liked to feed skunks, and we couldn't go outside at night without running into them.
Finally, animal control convinced her to stop. I don't know if it was through fines or neighborhood pressure. It took years for the skunks to stop congregating near her house. Also, animals who are too habituated to the feeding could be destroyed if they become a threat to people. We have coyotes, bobcats, and the occasional bear and mountain lion.
As to the clean water issue, I have many potted plants -- some in quite large planters with saucers because I can't bend over and handle the weeding anymore. I use Mosquito Bits for the small saucers and Mosquito Dunks for the larger ones. If I see some mosquito larvae that I missed, the Mosquito Bits generally kill them within the day. -- Nancy H., via email
SHOWERING HINT
Dear Heloise: I've found a wonderful way to save time, water and soap while showering. I just turn off the shower water before I start applying soap to my body. It's a more efficient way to shower. -- Steve, in Fredericksburg, Virginia
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.