Dear Readers: It's the middle of August, it's hot, but our dogs still need their exercise. Here are some dog-walking hints from the Humane Society (humanesociety.org):
- Get outside early in the morning or late in the evening. The heat at noon and into the afternoon can be unsafe.
- Hot pavement is a real menace. Touch the roadway. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for the pads on your dogs' feet. Get on the grass, or look into booties to protect that delicate skin.
- Take a bottle of water with you, and offer some to the dogs throughout the walk. Seek out shaded areas to walk in. If the dogs are panting aggressively, it's time to go inside.
Enjoy this time with your pets, but be mindful of the HOT temperatures. Safety is always No. 1. - Heloise
P.S. Did you know that shaving your dog is NOT recommended? A dog's coat acts as insulation from the heat and protection from sunburn. Use an undercoat rake to remove loose fur.
PetPal
Dear Readers: A restaurant patron in Syracuse, Ind., snapped a picture of a curious turtle scurrying back into one of the many lakes in the area. Did he just score some delicious restaurant fare?
To see this tenacious turtle and our other Pet Pals, visit Heloise.com and click on "Pet of the Week."
Do you have a furry, funny or fickle friend? Email a picture and a description to [email protected]. - Heloise
A 20-Percenter
Dear Readers: Vinegar, as you know, is my go-to household helper. It's cheap, environmentally safe and readily available. Vinegar is made of acetic acid, and you'll typically find it in the grocery store at strengths of between 5% and 9%.
However, you can head over to your home-improvement store to find vinegar in a whopping 20% concentration. This vinegar is NOT for cooking or general cleaning around the home. It does make, however, an excellent, safe and nontoxic weedkiller for the yard.
You'll need a pump sprayer and a mixture of 1 quart 20% vinegar and 4 ounces lemon juice. Other things you need: a bright, sunny day, no wind and a couple of treatments to kill the roots of the weeds.
Of course, spray only the weeds you desire to eliminate. Weeds ARE hearty, so be patient.
I have compiled my favorite vinegar hints into a handy pamphlet. If you'd like to receive one, visit Heloise.com to order, or send a long, stamped (70 cents), self-addressed envelope, along with $5, to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Although 20% vinegar is safe, you might try rubber gloves and a mask, just as a precaution. - Heloise
Dire Dryer
Dear Heloise: My hairdresser says the hair dryer will feel exceptionally hot when there is a problem with the lint filter. I use a small brush to get off all the "gunk." - Nancy C., Clemson, S.C.
Readers, your hair dryer's motor will last longer with a clean filter. Don't forget to unplug it first before cleaning it. - Heloise
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