Kill bad breath with stainless steel lollipop

Nothin’ says clean breath like sucking on stainless steel. That’s right. Stainless steel.

Zilopops are the new thing in bad-breath control — a stainless-steel lollipop you suck on for two to three minutes (depending how much garlic you ate) and voila! No more stinky breath.

True, stainless steel might not be the first thing you think of as a breath freshener, but it supposedly removes odors from skin, and is often recommended to remove fishy or garlicky smells from the hands.

The suckers are made from a high-grade stainless steel and come in plastic cases in a variety of colors for fanciful yet discreet fresh-breath makin’. You can use the lollipop again and again.

The company says the pops have been tested and are safe, but it warns against using them if you have chrome or nickel allergies. Zilopops cost $12.95 and are available at zielonka-shop.com/us.

Young readers can practice on dogs

Is your child a reluctant reader for any reason? You might be surprised at how interested your child is in reading to a dog. Yes, a dog. Paws to Read is a program in which elementary school children practice their reading skills by reading to registered therapy dogs (kids gain confidence because dogs are not judgmental!). This summer, the Animal Rescue League of Southern Rhode Island is participating in this program with the Peace Dale and Kingston libraries.

Children are invited to Paws to Read at the Peace Dale Public Library — (401) 780-1555, ext. 114 — on Tuesday mornings (July 8, 15, 22 and 29) and Kingston Library — (401) 783-8254 — on Monday mornings (July 7, 14 and 21). The therapy animals will be in the library from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children may reserve a 15-minute session by calling the youth services desk at either library.

— With Journal wire reports