Donate pet food to local food bank

Dear Readers: Some people are struggling to feed all members of the family, including those of the four-legged variety, with the economy the way it is. There are those who are, unfortunately, surrendering their animals because they cannot afford to feed them.

Many food banks accept dog and cat food, and they distribute it when requested. Merchants who may have an extra supply of food, or a damaged delivery, often donate it to a food bank.

Most food banks also will take donations of pet food. So no matter which side of the equation you're on, if you can give to your food bank or you need assistance to feed a pet, check out your food bank. It is a very worthy cause.

— Heloise

Dear Heloise: When we got our new kitten, she loved to hide out in the folds of our recliner. We quickly made it a habit to check the recliner before sitting or reclining in it — A Reader, via e-mail

Thank you for reminding us! While a recliner is comfortable for humans, it can be dangerous for our furry friends.

— Heloise

Dear Heloise: For the past few years, I have been making pet beds for a local pet society. I go to estate sales, garage sales and thrift stores to get pillowcases, old comforters and mattress covers.

I launder them and lay the pillowcase on the comforter for a pattern, and cut enough layers to make it cushy. I pin the "inside layers" so they won't shift until they are sewed. When I have a big stack ready, they are sewed up by making an inset square (in a couple of inches, like a sham) and then sewing across the opening. By using comforters or bat-filled mattress covers, the beds are easy to launder, and they dry easily. A king-size pillowcase makes two nice kitty beds when it's cut in half before stuffing. This is a very gratifying project — easy to find the supplies and easy to put together, and such a comfort to the critters who have the nice, cushy, soft beds in their cages. — Cora, Kerrville, Texas

Dear Heloise: My two kitties loved to dig in the soil around some of my plants until a friend told me to place untreated pine cones on top of the soil. It works great. It is still easy to water the plants, and no more mess! — Peg in Maine

Dear Heloise: With the temperatures about to skyrocket this summer, we plan to plop some ice cubes in our pets' water bowls to keep them cool. — A.B. in Arkansas

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