Dear Heloise: I have a bamboo back scratcher that I use frequently. Another use for it is to flip it over and apply a blob of thick lotion to the curve on the backside. I can easily reach parts of my back that itch this way. — L.C.S., via email

RESPONSE TO

“TRAVEL POLITELY”

Dear Heloise: A recent letter about politeness when traveling reminded me of a quote by author James A. Michener: “If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.”

Our family’s lives have been enriched by traveling to different countries and interacting with the people of India, Nepal, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia and others in Central America. — Julie T., Harrisonburg, Virginia

FEEDING BONES

TO YOUR DOG

Dear Heloise: I read this column every day in the Maui News. The reader in New Mexico is right about feeding bones to cats or dogs. Never feed “cooked” bones to any bone-eating animal. Here’s why:

Cooked bones splinter, but raw, uncooked bones shatter. Dogs can digest raw, shattered bones in as quick as two hours, but cooked bones can poke them and get stuck in their throat or digestive tract. It can even cause a painful death.

Thanks for so many of your great hints over the years! — D. May, in Maui, Hawaii

DELIVERY BAGS

Dear Heloise: I use some of my package delivery bags in my small trash cans, like the ones in bathrooms and laundry rooms. I cut slits on the side so that they go over the cans.

I also use these bags when traveling to wrap bottles of liquid and to further protect my clothes. I use boxes from packages and fill them with items to be donated. I also use markers to cover up my name and address if I cannot remove the label. — Jackie, in Colorado Springs, Colorado