Dear Readers: If your garden yield is too big for your personal use, consider donating extra vegetables and fruits to your city's food bank to help the needy in your community. Give them a call. - Heloise
Adopt A Dog
Dear Readers: It's time to celebrate shelter dogs. When you adopt a dog from a shelter, the staff can only approximate the age of the dog, so Aug. 1 is designated as the shelter dogs' universal birthday for all.
To celebrate, take your dog to the park for a play date, throw a party at home or treat your dog to new toys, treats and a new, fluffy and comfy bed. - Heloise
P.S.: According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA.org), 1.6 million dogs are adopted from shelters every year. Let's push for 2 million. Go find a friend!
Pet Pal
Dear Readers: Let's meet a couple of shelter dogs here in the offices of Heloise, Inc.
Striking a pose are Duncan and Daisy, a sweet rat terrier and a sassy fawn chihuahua. To meet these two, visit Heloise.com and click on "Pet of the Week."
To find your own four-legged, furry forever friend, visit your local shelter or rescue group. Email a pic and description of your perfect pet to HeloiseHeloise.com. - Heloise
Off The Cuff
Dear Heloise: When I launder my cuffed shorts, I make sure to unroll them first. Crumbs and debris can accumulate in the folds of the cuffs. Then it's an easy matter to recuff them. - Heidi in Tennessee
No Cheese Dip
Dear Heloise: Instead of cleaning gooey, messy cheese that has melted off burgers and onto my barbecue grill, I realized if I fold the corner of the cheese up into the center of the slice, then onto the burger, the mess is avoided altogether.
And perhaps the best part nobody feels shorted of cheese. - Mike, via email
City Strolling
Dear Readers: Walking in the city on a summer's evening is great exercise, but it must be done safely. According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA.gov), stay safe by:
Staying on the sidewalk, but if there's no sidewalk, walk facing on-coming traffic.
Carrying a flashlight, ID and your cellphone.
Wearing bright or reflective clothing.
Crossing only in marked crosswalks and obeying traffic signals. - Heloise
King Features Syndicate