Dear Heloise: Maybe you can help me. I infer from reading your column in the Omaha World-Herald that you have an affinity for pets. This leads me to ask you what may be an unanswerable question. I’m a widowed nonagenarian who yearns for a cuddly comfort. Although she’s been deceased for nearly seven years, I still feel so attached to my wife of 63 years that I don’t want a new romance. But I love dogs. I’d love to have a miniature Goldendoodle to snuggle up next to me. I would enjoy the companionship and having a loving, nurturing, living being beside me.

The problem is that in my old age, I have a heart issue that makes it impossible for me to take it for walks. Our winter and stormy times are additionally prohibitive for walking outdoors. I live in a senior living apartment, so I don’t have a fenced-in yard.

I’m an old, retired pastor who doesn’t feel like he can afford to hire someone to walk the dog. So, is there a solution for me? Or should I give up the dream? Thank you. You bless a lot of lives. — J. Keith C., via email

J., it seems that at this stage of life, a dog is not really the answer. They have vet bills, need to be walked, and need to have a caretaker if you are not there to take care of them. They also need to be bathed and groomed.

However, one of my readers told me that she sleeps with a fairly large-sized teddy bear so that she can cuddle with it at night. Another reader said she uses a long pillow that is almost as long as she is so that she can wrap herself around the pillow.

Readers, do any of you know of a solution that works for you or someone else you know? Write to Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise

HINT FOR

DRY-ERASE BOARDS

Dear Heloise: I’m not sure if many of your readers can use this tip, but I have a dry-erase board that I use for working at home. I know some use it for family schedules. Over the years, I tried dry-erase sponges and cleaners that never quite got the ink off. Recently, I was out of sponges, so I tried using a Kleenex; it got everything off perfectly and even left it shining!

I always learn a lot from your column, which I read in the Plain Dealer. — Susanne S., in Shaker Heights, Ohio

WHEN STORING A WILL

Dear Heloise: I have to disagree with Ken F., in Nebraska, who suggested placing wills and funeral instructions in safety deposit boxes.

If the co-personal representative for the deceased is a co-owner of the box, they may be able to get access. But if they are just a cosigner on the box, then their access ends after the owner of the safety deposit box dies. The safety deposit box is usually sealed until a court appoints a personal representative (an executor), who presents a death certificate and a court order to the bank.

If the will and funeral instructions are in the safety deposit box, they will not be readily available if they’re stored this way. I learned this the hard way after my parents’ deaths. — Ruth D., in Louisiana