DEAR HELOISE: How do I go about telling people that I do not want them to bring their dog into my house without hurting their feelings? The dog is very well-behaved, but I am not a dog lover.
He eats people food, and they feed him the food I cook, from the table, while we are eating a meal. Don’t you think it is rude for them to expect others to “enjoy” their dog as much as they do?
- A Traveling Reader, via e-mail
DEAR READER: I guess the best way is to just be honest and explain how you feel. Not everyone is a dog lover, and many don’t enjoy having a dog in their home. They (or you) may be afraid because of an incident when young, or they never had a dog as a pet.
Simply say what you told me in this letter in a nice way.
DEAR HELOISE: When I make a reservation at a hotel, I immediately put the phone number in my phone. I delete it after my visit.
- Chuck Reinbolt, via e-mail
DEAR READERS: My husband, David, and I take our miniature schnauzer with us when we travel by car. She likes to rest her paws on the console, so I made a Cabbie Console Cover out of some old towels. I sewed two tea towels together, leaving one long end open to slip it over the console. It worked great!
DEAR HELOISE: From a guy who has to replace the missing buttons in the household: Use dental floss rather than regular thread. It lasts forever. If color is a problem, just touch up the thread with the appropriate-colored permanent marker.
- Leonard, Louisiana
DEAR HELOISE: Although Christmas is a ways away, I wanted to share a hint. I had bought some plain, clear glass ornaments and never did anything with them. When a friend came over and saw them, she suggested decorating them with bits of old jewelry, etc. I made one, and it came out great. Guess what my family is getting for Christmas?
- Crafty Cathy, via e-mail
DEAR HELOISE: I carry a tube of lipstick or lip moisturizer in my pocket only to find it gone at the end of the day. Now, I wrap a rubber band around one end, and I haven’t had a tube slip out since.
- Jennifer, California
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 38 on 05/25/2013