DEAR HELOISE: My dog is part vegetarian, I think. He loves to eat raw -- and cooked, for that matter -- broccoli, pea pods, carrots and cauliflower.
-- Harriet P. in New York
DEAR READER: Celery, brussels sprouts, spinach, zucchini, bean sprouts, squash, green beans ... the list goes on and on -- these vegetables are considered safe for your dog to eat.
Couple of caveats: Cut pieces into small bites to reduce choking risk. Vegetables are an OK and healthy snack, but your dog could experience tummy trouble, so watch for that. And when cooking the vegetables, avoid spicy seasonings, salts and sauces. Those can lead to more sour stomach.
Avoid giving the following foods to your dog: onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, avocados. Give potatoes only in very small quantities; they can lead to weight gain. Check with your veterinarian for more information.
DEAR HELOISE: I hardly ever buy new hand tools, yard tools, etc. I look for them at garage and estate sales. The prices are wonderful, and the quality is usually much better than today's merchandise.
-- Robin R. in Texas
DEAR HELOISE: A foolproof way for shoelaces to not come untied: I crisscross the laces, one over the other like normal, and make the first "bunny ear." Then, instead of wrapping the other lace around the ear once, I wrap it twice and then make the second "ear," pull the lace through, and fluff out the bow.
Pretty guaranteed to last all day, and to untie, just pull like normal.
-- Ainsley E. in Florida
DEAR HELOISE: Here's a popular dog cupcake recipe.
Dog Cupcakes
2 smashed bananas
½ cup applesauce
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 eggs, beaten
¼ cup peanut butter
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
Beat together bananas, applesauce, flour, baking powder and eggs. Scoop into greased muffin tins or a silicone mold and bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Mix peanut butter and softened cream cheese. Frost cooled cupcakes with peanut butter mixture.
It's doggone delicious.
-- Mary J. in Pennsylvania
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