Dear Editor,

The holidays are fast approaching, with plans for guests, parties and celebrations. All the new activity and excitement in your home can be stressful for your dog. A little planning now can make the holiday season a safe and fun one for the two-legged and four-legged members of your family.

The IACP and Complete K9 suggests the following tips for keeping your dog and guests safe over the holidays:

Know that the excitement over the holidays may stress your dog, making them prone to barking or even biting. Supervise your pet at all times, especially around children.

Dogs do not like to receive hugs; especially from people they don&8217;t know well. Tell your guests to greet the dog by lightly stroking him under the chin, and do not let your guests over-touch your dog.

Have a quiet room in your home where your dog can go to relax and rest, undisturbed.

Watch your dog for stressful behavior

if he is moving away from a person or situation, if he is yawning or licking his lips excessively, or if he suddenly stands very still, it&8217;s time to remove the dog and take him to his quiet room.

With all the coming and going, it&8217;s very easy for a dog to slip out the door unnoticed. Consider letting your dog drag a leash around the house, since it makes an extra-long handle if he tries to slip away. Always make sure your dog is wearing a collar with proper identification tags.

By being aware of some of the safety issues, dog owners can ensure a happy, safe holiday season for everyone.

Chris Amick, Clay

Senior citizens in Alabama and across the nation can sign up for Medicare&8217;s Prescription Drug Program or make changes to their existing coverage beginning on November 15.

It is important to take time to understand what changes have taken place.

New plans are available, costs have been adjusted and the drugs covered by the various plans have changed.

While you&8217;re evaluating your prescription drug plan, it&8217;s also a good idea to review all of your healthcare coverage.

You go to the doctor every year for a physical check up, so it makes sense to have an insurance coverage check up.

You need to review your health insurance and Medicare benefits every year to make sure you have the coverage that best fits your needs and that you have taken advantage of the preventive benefits Medicare offers.

Besides keeping your benefits current, yearly check ups can detect Medicare fraud the same way a credit check detects identity theft.

You can protect yourself against fraud by guarding your Medicare number as closely as you do your credit card number and never give out personal information to anyone that comes to your home uninvited.

To get a check up on your Medicare benefits and health insurance coverage, contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselors at your local Area Agency on Aging.

The counselors can also answer your questions about Medicare&8217;s Prescription Drug Plan and other insurance matters.

Call 1-800-Ageline (1-800-243-5463) to reach your Area Agency on Aging.

Senior citizens have many decisions to make when it comes to Medicare and other insurance plans.

That&8217;s why it is so important to seek out a trusted source like the local Area Agency on Aging for guidance.

Irene Collins, Executive Director, Alabama Department of Senior Service