Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: Please warn your readers of the fact that all dogs do not instinctively know how to swim.

Dogs can and do drown. Just as parents must make sure their children are safe in the water, owners must make sure their dogs can paddle to safety.

Also, I would like to share a hint we discovered for making dog bath time safer and easier. We place a plastic grasslike doormat in the bottom of the tub so our dog does not slip.

We can use both hands to wash and to reassure the dog during the process. The mat rinses and dries quickly. - Nancy Meding, Jacksonville, Fla.

Great idea! Some dogs don’t like bathing, and anything to make them more comfortable is a plus.

Also, when David and I go boating and take our little schnauzer, Savvi, we make sure she is wearing her dog life jacket. It’s bright yellow and much easier to spot in the water than her gray fur. She knows she looks cute in her jacket and doesn’t mind wearing it. - Heloise

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