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The benefits of spaying or neutering

Dear Heloise: Do I really need to SPAY OR NEUTER MY PETS? — A Reader in Philadelphia

Spaying or neutering your pets is, in fact, one of the best things you can do for them. The benefits are many. According to the Humane Society of the United States (www.humanesociety.org), neutered or spayed animals:

¯ live on average 20% longer than unneutered ones;

¯ have a reduced risk of cancer;

¯ are less likely to “mark” their territory;

¯ can be less aggressive, and less likely to roam or bark excessively;

¯ are 100% guaranteed to not reproduce.

If you are concerned about the cost, look for a low-cost spay/neuter clinic. — Heloise

PET PAL

Dear Readers: Meet Kody and Iroquois. Kody is a 5-year-old lovable keeshond. He loves hiking and his little buddy, the plush family mascot Iroquois. Kody’s mom, Donna, is out hiking with this pair by a sparkling stream.

COLOR ME BORED

Dear Heloise: I have spent months looking at furniture stores that might carry the color fabric I want for new furniture. All carry exactly the same range of dull, bland colors that are supposed to be “in.”

How about pastels and small designs on fabric? What happened to green and yellow? Wake up, manufacturers — not everyone wants gray, blue or beige! Thank you. — Jane in Fredericksburg, Va.

Jane, I hear you. Fresh greens and yellows can add light and energy to a room! — Heloise

A PICTURE OF A PICTURE

Dear Heloise: Regarding the woman who was dismayed to find that many of her family photos had become stuck to the glass in the frame: While reading the steps of the solution (putting it in the freezer, etc.), I kept thinking to myself, “Why does this have to be so hard?”

Just take it to someplace where there’s no reflective glare and use your cellphone to take a picture of the photo. Then you can have prints made from that. I do this, especially with odd-shaped old photos. — Joy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Dear Heloise: I cut out a piece of waxed paper and line a window for privacy when I haven’t hung up curtains or drapes yet (for example, when I move into a new apartment or home). It allows light in, but no one can see in. I really hope this helps someone in a pinch. — Donna R., via email

EFFICIENT DISPOSAL

Dear Heloise: Women of a certain age sometimes have bladder leakage. The pads they use can be an unattractive nuisance in the home garbage.

Possible solution: A baby diaper disposal system, which keeps things sealed up, out of sight and smell, and is efficient. — A Reader, via email

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Dear Heloise: After graduation from college, my two girlfriends and I want to BACKPACK THROUGH EUROPE. The problem is that we need to stay in some very cheap places (other than park benches). Any suggestions? — Ashley H., Boulder, Colo.

Ashley, the first thing to check on are hostels. Many of them are clean, modern and cheap accommodations. A unique option is monasteries, which usually have reasonable rates, but they all have curfews. There are a number of other possibilities, so check them out thoroughly, and good luck! — Heloise

JAMAICAN LOTTERY

Dear Heloise: Have you heard about the Jamaican lottery scam? It might be a phone call or an email that alerts you that you have won an unbelievable amount of money. Do not give out any financial information — in fact, DO NOT respond. When you respond, they target you for more scamming tricks. — Pearl K., Dudley Gap, W.Va.

HANDY HINT

Dear Heloise: To keep my earrings together and in one place, I bought a nuts-and-bolts box with lots of small drawers and hung it in my closet. Now it’s easy to find what I want, and they have a place of their own. — Kaysene M., Orange, Calif.

FRYING STEAK

Dear Heloise: My husband likes his steaks pan-fried, but frying makes them so tough! Any help would be appreciated. — A Reader in Ohio

First, do you use a cast iron pan? It’s the best for frying steak. Next, let your steak warm up a little before frying. Take it out of the refrigerator and let it sit for a few minutes. Blot with a paper towel to get moisture out (too much moisture boils the meat). Next, make sure your pan is very hot when you drop the steak in, and sear it on both sides, after which you can turn the heat down to medium. Don’t overcook it or it’ll be dry and tough. When you’re done cooking the steak, let it sit on a plate for a few minutes so that all the juices flow back into the center. — Heloise

HOME SECURITY

Dear Heloise: Most break-ins occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. through ground-level windows and doors, so check both window and door locks, and add window bars for extra security. You can also add security cameras or motion detectors. If you can afford a security monitoring system, all the better. If you are home while a burglar is trying to get in, go to a neighbor’s house or a store nearby and call the police. Tell them there is a robbery currently in progress. Your safety is your first priority. — Janet S., Waco, Texas

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Dear Heloise: A freezer bag will have white space on it for writing about the contents of the bag (use-by date, cooking instructions, etc.). A nonfreezer bag will not have any white space, so you can tell the difference. — Mary, via email

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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