Trending
Dear Heloise: Most recently, I had to have my sweet dog put to sleep. I had her for 18 years — almost from the time she was born. I petted her head and spoke to her during the whole ordeal, and I cried on and off for four days afterward. But I’m so glad I stayed with her. She had been my shadow, my little companion. Nothing made me happier than to spoil her with treats and little outfits. She’s buried in my garden.
If you have a pet who must be euthanized, stay with them until the end. As difficult as it may seem, your pet was there for you all throughout their life, so you should be there for them when theirs comes to an end. Never let them think that you abandoned them when they were old, ill or slowly dying.
My dog had cancer and couldn’t be saved, but for 18 years, she was loved and care for until the life and the light left her eyes. — Grace A., in Springfield, Illinois
Grace, I’m sorry about your loss. We become so attached to our pets that we often forget that their lives are shorter than ours. They’re unconditional love on four paws. — Heloise
SEND A GREAT HINT TO:
Heloise@Heloise.com
A REPAIRMAN’S ADVICE
Dear Heloise: From a retired service repairman, the lint screen in the dryer should be washed about once a week. Did you know that your dryer sheet is loaded with chemicals that stick to the lint screen, which stops proper air flow?
If your dryer vent goes up the dryer, it can only push hot air up by 3 feet. It needs to be cleaned at least two times a year, possibly more. If the vent goes straight out the back, then check the flapper on the vent for trapped lint. Be sure to vacuum it up as well by using the plastic vent hose.
By the way, plastic hoses can melt, so use a flexible, metal vent hose. Never use a long vent hose; use one that fits properly and is just the right length to suck up lint. Some technicians carry a small vacuum, so be sure to ask them about this before having them do repairs. I was a repairman for 45 years. — Joe W., via email
Joe, thanks for this advice, especially the information about plastic hoses! — Heloise
ADOPTING AN OLDER PET
Dear Heloise: I’d like to suggest something to elderly people. If you’re over 70 years old and want to adopt a pet, get an older cat or dog. Last week, I adopted a 15-year-old dog. Since he’d lived with cats, I also adopted a 12-year-old cat to keep him company. We’re the three old Musketeers!
Both my cat and dog were housebroken and gentle, and I’m so grateful to have them. Yes, they’ll probably die before me, but while I have them, they’ll never go hungry, be lonely, or go without a roof over their heads. Old pets are all too often overlooked by people, but they’re ideal for elderly people like me. (I’m 77 years old.) — Marcus B., Max the Cat, and Simon the Dog, via email
SPLASH GUARDS
Dear Heloise: This is in response to Andrea C., regarding paint getting on her arms while she’s painting the ceiling. We’ve used splash guards around rollers for years. The paint goes into the splash guard instead of the painter’s arms, hair, etc.
I was looking for these at a big-box store just to get a fresh one, and the young man at the paint counter had no idea what I was talking about. They’re sold online by a well-known retailer. I love your column and read it in our Dayton Daily News. — Jane H., via email