Are you one of those resourceful people who work with what they’ve got instead of whining about what they don’t have? This tip just skims the surface of your MacGyver-like capabilities, but it may help you in a dog-walking emergency.

Let’s say you’re walking Fido using a choke collar when you decide to run into a café and use the restroom. How can you tie him up (in the shade) without worrying he’ll choke himself?

• Hold the collar by one ring, pick up the other ring and hold both rings in one hand
• Drop the folded collar through both links
• Let it fall all the way to the end.

Test to be sure the collar will not act as a choker. One ring will be dead. Pulling on the other will unlock the collar. If you are using a properly fitted collar, it should be just big enough to slip easily over your dogs' head without being loose enough that it is liable to fall off.

Photo CC 2.0, This Year's Love

Your health insurance probably doesn't cover your cat, but that doesn't mean you need to drain the vacation fund just because Fluffy hurt her leg. Consider these suggestions from ineed2know.org:

Tip #1: You don't have to buy your drugs from the vet.

Many prescription drugs for animals are available in drug stores or online because they are the same drugs that are used for humans. And, they are likely to be much cheaper than buying them from the vet.

Tip #2: Do some medical research.

There are a number of pet medical reference guides online and at your library. See if you can diagnose the problem and find a solution.

Tip # 3: Shop around, and get a second opinion.

If fact, get a third and fourth opinion. If you're dog has a broken leg, call several vets to see what they will do and what they charge. The costs can differ by hundreds of dollars, so ask for an estimate.

Tip #4: Ask for a discount.

It can't hurt. Many vets have discounts for seniors or other reasons. Find out if you qualify.

Photo CC 2.0, McBeth

Unless you have a freak-of-nature animal that never sheds a bit of fur, you’ll spend the rest of your pet-owning days removing hair from your furniture and floors. One TipKing reader offers this suggestion to simplify things:

“You can also make it easier to lift pet hair if you use liquid fabric softener. Simply mix with plain water and add to a spray bottle. Spray lightly on fabric that is covered in pet hair, allow to dry, then vacuum or brush off. Or add to your soap/cleaning solution when mopping the floor or wiping counters and voila! The hair just wipes right up.”

Photo CC 2.0, y-a-n

Really? Garlic? I know—I thought the same thing. I was so misguided. Your clove’s possibilities are endless!

Use garlic:

To Treat Acne

“It has blood cleansing and antibiotic properties that can be effective against acne and other skin ailments.”

To Repel Mosquitoes

“It’s not clear why they can’t stand it but it is said that the plant’s compounds are harmful to mosquitoes, so they have evolved to avoid them.”

As a Garden Pesticide

“Many commercial pesticides are harmful to the environment. Garlic though is all-natural but it can be as effective as any of these commercial variants. Simply mix garlic cloves and extracts with pepper and a bit of soap to make your own garlic pesticide.”

To Protect Your Pets

“Garlic not only repels mosquitoes, but it also repels ticks, fleas and other parasites.”

As Glue

“Take the cloves out and crush them. Garlic glue can be made by rubbing garlic juices on paper or glass. Adhesives made of garlic have been used to repair glass in China.”

*Visit the source to read five more unusual uses for garlic.

Photo CC 2.0, Ian-S

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