Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: Recently, my husband, Don, and I were stretched out in our recliners watching a ballgame, and our 13-year-old golden Shih Tzu, Boomer, was lying on the footrest of Don’s chair. Don reached into his snack sack, laid a handful of trail mix on his chest and proceeded to eat it a piece at a time, and Boomer never even raised his head in an attempt to get any. A few minutes later, Boomer jumped from the footrest and left the room, but returned shortly and sat up in front of Don’s chair. Don lowered the footrest, and Boomer climbed up and laid a mouthful of dry dog food on Don’s chest and ate it one piece at a time. He had never done that before, nor since. We got a good laugh. – Ruth Ann Tooloose, Terre Haute, Ind.

Dear Heloise: I have three cats who kept pushing out the window screen. I decided to try one of those gates that you use to block doorways to keep toddlers out. I can open my window, but the cats stay in. – Juanita Fletcher, Tyler, Texas