If you take your dog, take water, too

Dear Heloise: The hint for traveling with your pet was very good, except for (my opinion) a serious omission. I strongly urge that people traveling with a pet pick up and carry a gallon or so of distilled water when traveling a substantial distance from home territory. An abrupt change in water can bring on a problem one doesn't need — diarrhea. It's best not to let a pet drink from a stream or lake on your vacation itinerary. If you're going to grandma's and you're going to be there for a while, work the dog over to the local water gradually. Keep an eye on the stools.

The same goes for changing diet. Never offer an abrupt change of diet at home or on the road. Repeat the water procedure upon returning home. —George Marshall, Ojai, Calif.

Dear George: This is a very good addition, and one that most people would not think about, so thanks for passing it along. Woof, woof. —Heloise

Dear Heloise: The best hint I have — one that my husband and I have benefited from — is making a bed for the cat out of an old plastic foam cooler. We put a soft rug in there for her, and she loves it. When I slip my hand in there to pet her, she is warm and toasty, even on cold days.

She is an outside cat (or garage cat) because the mice were cutting the wires in our cars and making nests in them, were stealing the dog bones and having their children around the car motor. Our mechanic would have to blow the debris out. Now that we have Cleo, no more mice, so thank you again. She can stay in the garage to protect our cars, and we don't have to worry about her getting cold. —Janet Tuttle, via e-mail

Dear Readers: Bob and Barb Wagner of Dixon, Ill., sent in a photo of their Havanese (a breed of dog — Heloise), Waffle, taking a break from playing with her favorite toy, an empty plastic soda bottle.

Our Cabbie loves to play with these plastic bottles, too. She just carries them around and seems to like the noise they make. She also likes to take the lids off — no matter how much you tighten it, she can get it off in record time.

Send your favorite, unusual pet photo to: Heloise/Pet Photo, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279. —Heloise

Dear Heloise: My mother discovered this easy trick years ago to get our dog to take his pill. She would dip the pill in peanut butter and give it to him like that. Frisky just loved it and would gobble down the coated pill! —Michelle Tanenbaum, Los Angeles

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