Dear Heloise: I realized my dog was losing his hearing, so I started not only talking to him, but also using hand signals and facial expressions to communicate. It’s so important to pet your senior dog and make sure he knows he’s still loved.
Brush them often and feed them as close to a regular schedule as possible. Eye contact is vital. Most dogs will pick up on hand signals, especially if they are petted or simply patted on the head afterwards. To wake up my dog, I pet him slowly and gently until he opens his eyes. I give him more treats and walks now that the deafness is gaining ground.
She will be 15 in October, but no matter how old she is, she will always be an important member of this family. — Gallen W., Stone Mountain, Georgia
Gallen, it seems to me that the older a pet gets, the more special it becomes. They have gone through all of our traumas, traditions and tragedies, as well as our happy times and holiday joys. As they get older, they rely on us to take care of them when needed. I think you are doing a wonderful job taking care of your sweet and furry family member. — Heloise
San Antonio, Texas 78279-5001
LIPSTICK TRICKS FROM THE TRADE
Dear Heloise: Until fairly recently, I worked for a company that made lipstick, and it made me observe and become aware of how women wear their lipstick. I have a few tips for your lipstick-wearing readers:
1. Open your mouth when applying lipstick.
2. Never use a dark liner on your lips. Instead, opt for a nude color. A dark outline ages you and draws attention to the “smoker’s lines” above the mouth.
3. Apply a drop of foundation to your lower lip, then apply lipstick to make your lips look fuller.
4. Stay in the outer edge of your lips. Excessive drawing of your natural lip line dates you.
5. If your lips are really dry, mix a small dab of foundation and Vaseline in the palm of your hand and pat gently on your lips. Then apply your lipstick.
6. Get used to applying lipstick with a brush. You get much better coverage. — Anonymous, by email
Dear Heloise: Christmas may be over, but I found a great use for the wreath holder that goes above the door.
I usually hang my purse using the wreath holder, which hangs on the back of my bedroom door. That way I don’t have to hang it on the doorknob, which is easy to get in or knock off. Sometimes I hang my heavy bathrobe on the wreath rack or even my straw gardener’s hat. It has multiple uses! — Allis M., Lubbock, TX
Allis, a crown holder is a very handy tool. I’ve used one to hang a tennis racket, an umbrella, and sometimes to hold an outfit I plan to wear so I can inspect it to see if it needs ironing. — Heloise
