Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: When a new puppy would join our household, Mom would find the perfect box with sides fairly high so the pup could not jump out, the perfect soft blanket and she would get out the old windup alarm clock.

She would put the clock in a couple of pairs of my father’s old cotton socks. When it was bedtime she would put the pup out one last time, wind the clock as far as it would wind and put it in the bed with the puppy.

The rationale was the puppy would think the ticking clock is a heartbeat and would nestle in the soft bed and be content. I saw this practice work for every new puppy we had, which was at least four or five.

Mother was a nurse and probably the kindest person I will ever have the privilege of knowing. I do hope this bit of shared knowledge will help some of your readers. - Anna Shera, Savannah, Ga.