If the inside soles of your shoes are a little stinky, it’s easy to give them a freshening up without having to scrub them clean. First, sprinkle baking soda inside and let it sit for a few hours; the natural deodorizing properties will help lift odors. Then shake out the excess and spritz some vodka or rubbing alcohol inside to sanitize. Finally, stuff the shoes with newspaper; the newsprint is designed to absorb ink, so it’ll absorb excess odors and moisture, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It’s something every pet owner dreads, but if your companion animal ever goes missing, have an action plan in place. The ASPCA has created a mobile app that has everything you need to help you recover your pet. It lets you store your pet’s health records, create a digital flyer that can be shared on social media, and get step-by-step instructions on how you can best search for, locate and recover your animal. The app is free and easily downloadable on your smartphone.

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Your dog may love taking a ride in the car with you, but the American Humane Society says there are some rules to make sure they’re safe and sound. First, never let a dog ride in the back of a pickup truck; the organization estimates nearly 100,000 dogs die each year in accidents involving riding in truck beds. Leashing your pet in the truck bed can be deadly; many dogs accidentally strangle themselves this way. And as much as they may love it, try to limit the amount of time your dog sticks its head out of the window. The nonprofit says “wind can seriously irritate mucous membranes and blow pieces of grit into their eyes.”

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