— Gary R., in Indiana

a love of PARSLEY

Dear Heloise: I love parsley (the Italian type) and put it in mostly everything I cook; plus it is good for us. I keep it fresh for a month in a heavy jar or glass of water in the door of my refrigerator. I just pull out it out whenever I need it. I also put dried parsley in the microwave on a paper towel for about 30 seconds — not a second longer.

Love your column!

— Lucille, in Reseda

SURRENDERING PETS

Dear Heloise: I realize people surrender their pets to a shelter because there usually is a dire need to do so, such as an elderly person who can no longer take care of the pet. There are also people who are very ill, and we’ve had a couple who said they were dying of cancer and wanted someone to give their pet a good home. However, the other day, we had a couple come into the shelter, and they brought in their elderly dog who was 11 years old. They didn’t want him any longer and wanted to adopt a younger dog, a 6-week-old puppy to be exact. We told them “no.”

A pet is a lifelong commitment, not some used vehicle that you trade in for a flashier model. It was suggested that they adopt the young dog as a companion for the elderly dog. This time, they were the ones who said “no.”

Please remind readers that pets become attached to people and places and deserve better treatment than being dumped in a shelter just because they are old. Pets are family members. Treat them with love and respect until they take their last breath.

— Penny B., Fairborn, Ohio

POISON IVY

Dear Heloise: Please advise your readers to teach their children what poison ivy and poison sumac looks like. You might not think it’s serious, but for those who have experienced it before, they know it’s very important. My 10-year-old daughter was sent home from camp this past summer because it had spread to several areas of her body, and she was miserable. There was no need for her to suffer if she had known what the plant looked like.

— Angela R., Somerset, New Jersey

NO MACHISMO HERE

Dear Heloise: It’s with great pleasure that I get to write to you in regard to Frank A.’s question. In most situations, it’s not a macho/male thing that women have to carry bags or push heavy carts instead of their husbands. My husband, Manny, had a quadruple bypass in 1995. Since then, I will not allow him to carry heavy items or push a heavy cart. My husband gets embarrassed because I do so, but I tell him, “I know I don’t have to but want to.”

— Mrs. Adela Vega Munoz, in San Antonio

Send a great hint to Heloise@Heloise.com.