Heloise

Dear Readers: Aug. 8 is International Cat Day, a celebration since 2002. Its purpose is to raise public awareness and understanding of the domestic house cat and learn ways to help protect them.

This year’s theme is “Each Cat Matters.” Drop us a picture and description of your adorable cat to Heloise@Heloise.com. Your photo just might wind up in the Pet Pal section of my website! – Heloise

PET PAL

Dear Readers: If you’re ever feeling down and in need of some encouragement, turn to Tubbs. Jay’s happy puppy, Tubbs, is a Shih Tzu, age 3. Jay says Tubbs will fling his own toys and fetch them if no one can stop and play. And he knows each of his eight toys by name!

To see Tubbs and our other Pet Pals, visit www.Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.” – Heloise

TO TRAP A TICK

Dear Heloise: To dispose of a tick, I get an inch or two of ordinary transparent tape and hold one end of the tape while touching the sticky side to the tick.

I fold the tape over, encasing the tick in the tape. Now it can go into the trash, with no chance of escaping. If I need to take a closer look to ID it or take it to someone else to ID, the tick is still intact and visible with no danger to anyone. – A Kansas reader, via email

OLD ODOR

Dear Heloise: I read your column in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Years ago, an elderly neighbor died. Her family passed on to me a pretty wooden jewelry case with a hinged top and two pullout drawers. The interior is lined with a velvet-type fabric.

I very much like it, but the smell has not subsided. The only way I can think to describe it is “old lady perfume” odor.

I have had the drawers out and the top standing open for over a week now, and it has not helped. Any suggestions you can give me would be greatly appreciated. – A Reader, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Giving you the jewelry case is a lovely gesture, although getting rid of the odor might take a little effort. Place the jewelry box with the lid and drawers open in a large plastic bag with an open box of baking soda. Seal the bag and leave it undisturbed for a couple of weeks.