Dear Heloise: We travel with two small Chihuahuas, 4 and 7 pounds. Here are our ideas: Always clean up after your pet, no matter what size. We use a portable fence so they can play around us without a leash, but we never leave them alone. Be sure to carry all their papers, as state laws vary.

Retired in a Motor Home, via e-mail

It seems a lot of readers travel with their pets and have great hints and stories to share.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I just read the hint in today's Abilene Reporter-News about collecting loose cat litter with a box outside the cat box. I've been doing this, but here's my hint: I use the top half of a takeout pizza box, cutting or tearing it off at the perforation on the hinge. Using the top allows me to slip it right under the edge of the litter box. Also, sprinkling baking soda in the box lid helps to keep it dry and a bit cleaner.

Lynn Bennett, Abilene

Dear Heloise: A recent column mentioned a dog wearing a collar and how tags could get caught in something and strangle the dog. It was recommended by the reader that the collar be removed when the dog is in the house.

I removed my dog's collar. Within the hour, someone came to the door, and she dashed out into the street without her dog tags. What if she'd gotten lost?

I looked online and found breakaway pet collars and immediately ordered one.

Stan Faye, San Antonio

Write to Heloise at P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279, or fax to 210-435-6473.