HELPFUL HINTS

— DEAR HELOISE: Your list of questions to ask when finding a veterinarian was very helpful. When moving from the northeast to Texas recently, I found myself in this very position. Here are some additional suggestions:

Schedule an appointment with the doctor, without your pet. Not only will you learn about the doctor’s approach to medicine, but you’ll also be able to assess if his personality is one with which your pet will be comfortable.

Is the vet available for an occasional or emergency house-call visit?

Can you be with your pet as it emerges from anesthesia following surgery?

Does the office have afterhours contact numbers for emergencies?

I’m happy to say that I found an excellent match, and my pets are in good hands.

- Judy, via e-mail

DEAR READERS: Hamsters can be a fun addition to the family, but they also can be a lot of responsibility. Things to know:

A cage, metal exercise wheel (they could chew through a plastic one), food dish and water dispenser all are necessary, and don’t forget an exercise ball.

Remember to clean the cage often, supply hamster food and fresh water daily, and keep the cage out of the kids’ rooms, because hamsters are nocturnal and can be noisy at night.

Hamsters can and will escape if given the chance, so make sure they are secure in the cage, and one hamster per cage is best. They are territorial, and they may fight.

If a hamster does escape, fashion a sort of “trap” for it. Use a small bucket, a yardstick as a ramp, and some carrots or cheese in the bucket. He’ll run up the ramp to get the food and land safely in the bucket.

Also, it’s important to know that hamsters have a very short life span.

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail

[email protected]

HomeStyle, Pages 34 on 07/24/2010

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