Dear Heloise: Our beautiful golden retriever has a full life on our farm, taking care of horses, helping with all the chores and generally enjoying life. However, she comes in with her coat full of burrs. I’ve found that if I keep handy a bottle of after-shampoo conditioner and rub it into the burrs, they practically dissolve. Then a good bath, and she is ready for her next adventure.

The burrs are much easier to remove this way, even if I have to use the comb, and I’m sure it hurts her less.—Alice, via e-mail

Burrs can really be a pain for dog and owner! I’m going to ...

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