Dear Readers: Today’s SOUND OFF is about people who think they are entitled to push others aside instead of waiting for their turn. — Heloise

“Dear Heloise: Yesterday, I was waiting at a deli counter, along with a few other people, when a man walked up to the counter and started to rap his large ring on the glass case to demand attention. The deli man walked over to me to take my order (I was next in line), and the man started to slowly shove me aside to place an order. I won’t bore you with what I said, but I made it clear he could wait for his turn like everyone else. If this had been a medical emergency, I wouldn’t have minded, but it was a local deli counter. When did people start losing their manners? Being obnoxious isn’t cute, and women don’t respect men who act rude, crude or low-class.” — Monica N., Atlantic City, N.J.

FAST FACTS

Dear Readers: Here are a few suggestions to brighten up your home for very little money:

* Replace old cabinet doorknobs with new ones.

* Buy new throw pillows for the sofa.

* Paint the front door a nice, new, pretty color.

* Plant flowers in the front yard.

* Change out old lampshades for new ones.

* Declutter your home from top to bottom.

— Heloise

HEARTWORMS

Dear Heloise: I took my dog to the vet and discovered he had heartworms. My dog is now on medication to kill the worms, but my vet said dogs should be tested annually. Apparently, cats can also develop heartworms. This is preventable! “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” as my granny used to say. Ask your vet if your cat or dog should be on heartworm medication, or check with www.heartwormsociety.org for more information. — Connie L., Tulsa, Okla.

SWEET LULLABY

Dear Heloise: Sometimes I’ll hear a song on the radio but don’t know the name of it or the artist. However, if I type in a few words of the lyrics to search on my computer or cellphone, the title, artist and entire lyrics come up. — Myra D., Bellingham, Wash.

DONATE PET SUPPLIES

Dear Heloise: When my mother’s cat died, Mom had two carriers, three pet beds (two of which were new) and several cans of high-quality cat food. I called a local animal shelter, which was so grateful to get the donation of these items. Please tell your readers that animal shelters always need supplies, and they welcome financial aid as well. So, if you lose a pet, you can help these organizations out by donating items or money to help them as they help animals. — Lana W., Jackson, Wyo.

LETTER OF LAUGHTER

Dear Heloise: After my handyman retired from his full-time job, he thought he’d do just a little handyman work a couple of days a week to keep busy and earn a little extra money. He came over to my house to fix my faucet, and when he went out to his truck, he found 15 notes under the windshield wipers from people needing his services. Retirement over! — Patty T., Racine, Wis.

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.