Get your pet tattooed so it won't get lost

Dear Readers: Do you ever worry about your cat or dog running away or getting lost? You can have your beloved pet tattooed and registered in a national registry service to help identify your lost and hopefully found friend.

Ask your veterinarian for a suggestion on how to locate a pet registry and a business that does the tattooing. -- Heloise

IT'S A FACT

The National Bird-Feeding Society sent some interesting information about birds.

In the winter, birds eat all day long since they can use up to 20 percent of their body weight each evening just trying to keep warm.

If you feed birds, be sure you keep their feeders full continuously. Their survival might depend on you. -- Heloise

PET DISH

Dear Heloise: If your outdoor pet keeps knocking over its water dish, here is a simple way to keep it secure.

Just get an angel-food-cake pan (it has a hole in the middle), then drive a stick through the hole into the dirt. The pan stays put, and not a drop of water is lost. -- T.A., Bulverde, Texas

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000 or fax it to 210-HELOISE. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.

GRASS IN WRONG PLACE

Dear Heloise: Some time ago, I believe you had a household hint on how to stop or deter the growth of grass coming through the paved driveway or walkway. Could you pass this along again? Many thanks. -- George M., Portsmouth, N.H.

Pass the salt and vinegar, too! Here's the answer for you: My readers through the years have proclaimed each as the best way to kill unwanted grass. Either will work. Just use the one that's easiest for you!

1. Sprinkle some regular table salt liberally on the misplaced grass.

2. Pour good ole white household vinegar on the unwanted grass.

Then stock up on more vinegar, because it has loads of other uses. -- Heloise