Helpful Hints

DEAR READERS: Here is this week's Sound Off, about disposing of dog waste:

"I frequent several parks. Many provide bags to dispose of dog waste. There is often a trash can, too. My sound off is dog owners who use the bags for their dogs but then throw the bags on the side of the trail. What is the point? Why put it in the bag if you aren't going to throw it away? It sits there, or someone else picks it up to throw away. Please do the right thing."

-- A Concerned Reader in Texas

Hmm -- what are they thinking? "Oh, I'm going to bag the waste, which is good, but toss it on the side of the trail, which is bad"? Or maybe they think the bag will decompose? Carry the darn bag with you to the next trash can! If you find it yucky, then don't walk your dog in a public park.

DEAR READERS: Other uses for shoulder pads:

• Stuff with catnip and sew into cat toys.

• Stuff a pillow for a dog bed.

• As bra uplift pads.

• Pin to a hanger -- no bumps on sweaters.

• Pad heels or toes in shoes.

DEAR READERS: You are inventive and creative as always. I asked for your hints about a second life for a changing table. Here are just a few:

Nancy P., via email, "Besides having two for garden supplies and a work station, I have one that I use for a grooming table for my Scottish terrier -- sure beats bending over."

Sara Clark in Fullerton, Calif., wrote, "When baby is not visiting, my two cats use the changing table as a comfy place from which to look out the window or take a nap."

S.S. in Texas wrote, "I took the pad off and use it as a shoe rack for all of my son's shoes, now that he is older."

Sandi, via email, wrote: "We cut the legs off our two-tier changing table, have cushions on both tiers and have 'doggie bunks.' Our Brittany spaniel has the top bunk, and my son's roommate's dachshund has the lower bunk."

Thanks for all the great ideas!

DEAR HELOISE: It was always a fight to get my son to wear a helmet while riding his bike. To make it "cooler," I got some cheap craft foam, and we decorated it to look like a dinosaur. We painted it and used double-sided tape to put it on his helmet. Now he wears his helmet, but I do have to remind him once in a while.

-- Cathy, via email

DEAR HELOISE: Sometimes I forget to put in my hearing aids as I dash out the door. I wrote a small note on neon-colored paper that says "remember," and taped it right above the handle on my storm door. Reminds me every time.

-- A Reader, via email

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

[email protected]

ActiveStyle on 07/27/2015

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