DEAR HELOISE: As a pet sitter, I read with interest the letter from Mandy, in Texas, regarding things that pet owners should remember to do before leaving their pet for a few days. She had really good tips, but I’d like to add a few that are usually forgotten:

�–� Leave your plumber’s, electrician’s and landlord’s numbers handy, as well as the number for a neighbor or friend.

�–� Leave your complete correct address and phone number. Many times, sitters don’t know the correct address.

�–� Leave a note or inform your vet that your pet is to be treated if brought in by the sitter.

�–� I also tell my clients that I will give them a ring after I have made the proper calls (to the plumber, electrician, fire department, etc.) or transported the pet. Always handle an emergency first since time is of the essence.

— E., in Connecticut

DEAR HELOISE: In a recent column, someone suggested a little red box of raisins as a healthy snack for children. Please be careful, however, if you have dogs or cats. Grapes and especially raisins are toxic to them. Even a small amount (as little as one raisin in some pets) can cause severe kidney failure and/or death. Contact your vet immediately if they ingest grapes or raisins as this can be a medical emergency.

So, please educate your children, or better yet, for the safety of your pet, choose a different healthy snack.

— Barbara K., in East Aurora, New York

DEAR HELOISE: To your reader Fran R., from San Antonio: Most doctors want to spend their appointment time speaking face-to-face with a patient. Currently, most patients complain of “shorter encounters” with their doctors. It has become this way with our medical system because of time-consuming mandates that are given by the government and insurance companies.

Staff must provide volumes of information for bills, as well as electronically record the visit while also reducing or denying the payment for the visit. This has forced physicians to see more patients, with less time for each patient. To optimize the face-to-face time with each patient, patients are asked to come in earlier to have the administrative information filled out and reduce any loss of face-to-face time.

It would be even more effective for a patient to discuss their insurance or government plans beforehand. This would reduce the volume of administrative information that billing and recordkeeping requires, which also interferes with their time with their physician.

— Coleen, M.D., via email