LITTLE ROCK — DEAR READERS: What should you do if you find a lost dog? Nothing? Take it in? Call the pound? If you do encounter a “lost” dog, carefully approach the animal; a scared dog is more apt to bite. If the dog is friendly, you’ll want to keep it out of harm.
First, call the veterinariansand shelters in your area. They almost always have a lost-and-found bulletin board. The vet’s office can scan the animal fora microchip, which should contain contact information.
Make up posters with a good description of the animal and your contact information. If you can, include a picture of the dog. Place the posters around the neighborhood and near where you found the dog. Local businesses may allow you to put up your poster; just ask the manager.
Most newspapers will run a “Found” ad for the dog in the paper and online at no charge. Glance over the “Lost” ads also, to see if any dogs match the dog you found. Kindhearted agencies (listed in the paper) also will try to match up dogs and owners.
Lastly, if you are not able to care for the animal, try to find it a home by telling your friends, family and co-workers. You would be amazed at the large number of dogs and cats that find warm, loving homes through word-ofmouth “advertising.” A friend, or a friend of a friend, just may be looking for a pet!
DEAR HELOISE: For those of us who have beautiful flowers that the birds envy, I found that using rubber snakes keeps them out. I put the snakes down in the middle so they aren’t seen by the casual observer, but they frighten the birds away.
- Karen in Woodstock, Va.
DEAR READERS: Use spare quiet time with your pets to, well, pet them. Massage them and feel in areas they may not be able to reach. You might find lumps that need to be monitored.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to
HomeStyle, Pages 34 on 07/31/2010