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Life

Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2009

Book offers common-sense advice on taking care of your dog.

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"The Complete Healthy Dog Handbook," by Betsy Brevitz (Workman Publishing, $19), answers questions on health, safety and daily grooming.

Here is a tip to know as summer begins and you and your dog will be spending more time outdoors: What do you do if your dog gets into something really sticky, such as chewing gum or tree sap, and you don't want to cut his fur to get it out?

Brevitz's solution: Work some vegetable oil into the goo with your fingers. As you move it around, the mess should break up and wipe out of the fur. Then give your dog a bath using mild pet shampoo. The goo and the vegetable oil should be gone without any problems.

And on a cautionary note: Do not use any chemicals such as turpentine or nail polish remover to remove anything from your dog's fur. These chemicals, writes Brevitz, are dangerous to dogs if licked off or absorbed into the skin.

-- The Washington Post