Cats and Birds information on net.

Dear Readers: If you love birds and want to attract them to your yard, here's how to roll out the birdie welcome mat.

One of the best ways to have birds visit your yard is to hang out a bird feeder as a "welcome" sign. Here are a few hints to get you started:

-- Make sure the bird feeder is at least 4 feet off the ground to keep predators -- like cats and dogs -- away from your feathered friends.

-- Be sure to hang it either right next to a window or far away from one to lessen the chance that a bird will fly into the glass.

-- Remember to replace and replenish bird food often. Birds shouldn't eat moldy or bug-infested food.

-- For hummingbird feeders, use a solution of 4 parts boiled water to 1 part white granulated sugar. No need to dye the solution red -- a color that is notorious for attracting hummingbirds. A red feeder or red ribbon tied around it will work, too.

-- Different birds like different foods, so experiment with a variety of choices or consider visiting your local bird store for advice on what the "native birds" in your area seem to enjoy most. - - Heloise

Dear Readers: Leanne Teinert of New Ulm, Texas, sent us a photo of her two 10-week-old puppies, a border collie/blue heeler mix. One puppy has black eyes, and the other one has blue eyes. She named the puppies Black and Blue, and they are darling! Send your favorite, unusual pet photo to: Heloise/Pet Photo, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000. -- Heloise

Dear Heloise: I prefer to brush my dogs outside rather than get hair all over the house. I have an old table in the shade and put the dog on it. I hang an old flowerpot from the tree and use that to hold the brushes, combs, etc. -- Judythe Samter, Thayer, Ind.

Dear Heloise: We live in the country and occasionally have possums and raccoons outside the house. One morning there was a possum lying on the porch that looked dead. I got some heavy gloves and a pair of long-handled pliers, grasped it by the tail and noticed its eyes rolling a little. I realized it wasn't dead -- just playing possum!

So, I would urge others to wait a little bit before moving a possum -- because it might just wander away on its own. -- No name, via fax

Dear Heloise: I wanted to pass along the following: Before you buy fish for your aquarium, do a little research. Be sure you only buy fish species that get along with each other. It's also important to know how big fish will get, because they could quickly outgrow a small aquarium.