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A treat for cats? Maybe not

HELOISE

Dear Readers: Cats are so cute, and we love them and want to keep them healthy. What are some “people foods” that they SHOULD NOT EAT? Here are some foods, and the reasons why:

Tuna: Cats love seafood, right? Well, tuna fish for people doesn’t have the nutrition cats need. And too much tuna? Too much mercury, which can be poisonous. Tuna specially made for cats is available — look for it.

A saucer of milk: We’ve all seen this familiar and ordinary device in comic strips, on TV, etc., but many cats cannot digest milk, which can lead to tummy trouble and diarrhea.

Meat fat and bones: Fat can cause upset tummies, and bones can splinter, which could get stuck in the intestines.

Raw eggs: Loaded with bacteria, raw eggs are a bad idea, and the egg whites can disrupt vitamin B absorption in cats.

Dog food: A small amount occasionally is not harmful, but don’t substitute dog food for cat food — the nutritional needs of the cat will not be met.

Treats: Too many can lead to a fat cat.

Keep the number of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at your fingertips in case your cat ingests something it shouldn’t. The number is 888-426-4435. This line is staffed with veterinarians and is answered live 24 hours a day.

Check with your veterinarian about recommendations for healthy cat foods. — Heloise

GETAWAY GEAR

Dear Heloise: Here’s my method for packing a duffel bag for a weekend getaway:

First, I lay two pairs of heavier jeans or pants in the bottom of the bag to form a base, and to give the bag some shape.

Next, I roll a couple of sweaters, a nightgown and a few T-shirts and yoga pants for relaxing and tuck them in and around the sides of the bag.

Then a handful of underwear and socks goes in the middle. I lay a pair of heels and a pair of flats wrapped in newspaper sleeves next.

Finally, my makeup and toiletry bag go in. A lot can fit in a duffel bag if it is packed correctly. — T.W., via email

BAG LADY

Dear Heloise: I use those 40-pound bags that wild birdseed comes in to make a dropcloth or tarp for small projects around the house, with easy cleanup. I cut the bottom seam off the bags and cut them down the middle, open them and duct-tape them together. — Tracy K., Frenchville, Pa.

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Dear Readers: Today’s SOUND ON comes from a reader who, along with her neighborhood, is trying to make a positive impact on rebuilding the declining monarch butterfly population. She wrote:

“My neighborhood has become afflicted with ‘monarch madness’! We are trying, one plant at a time, to make our ‘hood’ into a monarch butterfly oasis. There are several houses on each block that have milkweed plants, which provide food for the monarch caterpillars and the hatched butterflies.

“Our local hardware and garden center found out about the monarch project and offered a very nice discount on the plants.” — Karen in Oxnard, Calif.

For those who might not know, the milkweed plant is a hardy plant that is easy to grow and maintain. The blooms are colorful and provide food for many species of butterflies, as well as hummingbirds and bees. — Heloise

Dear Readers: Here is a list of other things you can use as ornament hooks:

* Paper clips

* Bread-bag ties

* Thin, decorative ribbon

* Natural jute or twine

* Large safety pins.

— Heloise

LETTER OF LAUGHTER

Dear Heloise: I used to be a secretary in customer service at the Naval Supply Center in San Diego. In addition to U.S. ship personnel, we received calls from personnel assigned to foreign ships visiting the area.

I always answered my phone, “Customer service, Kathy Potts.” I answered as usual one day and was greeted by silence. I could hear background noise and knew that connections were not always clear, so again I said, “Customer service, Kathy Potts.”

Someone cleared their throat on the other end of the line. I said, “Good morning, this is Kathy Potts in customer service.” A heavily accented voice on the line asked, tentatively, “Coffee pots?” I still laugh aloud when I share this story. — Kathy Potts, via email

FREE GIFTS

Dear Heloise: A while back, David W. wrote in about putting money in library books. While that would be a nice treat to find, I would be concerned that someone had “accidentally” left it there and then would be out the money, especially if it is a large bill.

So, I would like to suggest that he put a note with the money, stating something to the fact that this is a free gift. Enjoy! — A Reader, via email

This is what I would call making an original hint even better! I’ll bet many of us would do exactly as this reader and not recognize a free gift if it fell in our lap! — Heloise

THREE RULES FOR CONQUERING STAINS

Dear Readers: When you are ready to conquer a stain, keep these helpful hints in mind:

1. The sooner, the better. The longer it is left on fabric, the more difficult it will be to remove.

2. Lift the stain slowly. Some stains will require time, patience and perseverance.

3. Repeat as often as necessary. Some stains require more than one attempt.

— Heloise

EDITOR’S NOTE: Send your great money-saving or timesaving hint to to Heloise at P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, Fax to 1-210-HELOISE, or email to Heloise@Heloise.com. She can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in her column.

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