Hints from Heloise: What's considerate guest to do with bed after snooze?

DEAR READERS: The question? If you are an overnight guest in someone's home, do you strip the sheets or not? Here are just a few of the many, many responses on this topic:

• K., via email, said: "When I have a guest sleep over, I want the person to make the bed the next morning. I like the house to be neat, and I may not be able to get around to changing the sheets until later in the day. It's just like I wouldn't leave dirty dishes throughout the house or towels thrown on the floor."

• Viv G. in Minnesota wrote: "I make the bed up nice and neat every morning. If I stay for some time, I remove everything from the bed, fold the sheets and blankets, and leave them at the foot of the bed on the covered mattress."

• Kathy in Maryland wrote: "The last day of my visit, I continue to make the bed, but I turn down a corner of the sheet, blanket or spread. I leave a small gift in the exposed corner (a box of chocolates or a scented candle) in appreciation of the hospitality."

• Shirley R. in Wisconsin wrote: "When we visit (usually family), I take my own sheets and pillowcases. I remove the sheets on the bed and put mine on. When we leave, I put the original sheets back on. Your hostess will appreciate less wash."

• C.L. in Louisiana wrote: "While attending a friend's wedding, I decided to be helpful and strip the bed, but I did not think to ask my hostess. To my horror, I found layer after layer after layer of sheets and coverings. I didn't know when to stop, and I couldn't figure out how to put things back together! I'm sure the hostess would much rather have been asked, but I was too shy."

DEAR HELOISE: When attempting to give my dogs pills, they would just spit the pills out, even when I would wrap them in a piece of sliced cheese.

One Thanksgiving, I discovered that my dogs love pumpkin, so I keep canned pumpkin on hand. I divide the pumpkin into small plastic bags and freeze it so I can take it out as needed and the rest doesn't go bad.

Take a small amount (about a teaspoon) and bury the pill in the middle, then hold out your hand, and they just gobble it up!

– Suzanne In Oregon

DEAR HELOISE: While at work, I had a drink that I wanted to keep on my desk throughout the day, but it had condensation on it. I grabbed a couple of sticky notes to place under the cup. This kept my desk dry. I made sure to bring in a coaster the next day.

– K.G., via email

Order Reprint