I never had a dog as a child. I had three brothers and three sisters so my father was not to keen on another mouth to feed.

The first dogs I ever owned came with a seven acre horse farm we purchased in Virginia Beach. The owners moved out of state and “forgot” to take their two dogs.

Chessie was an aloft Chesapeake Bay Retriever who spent her days chasing ducks and birds, while Bobbi, the black Lab, spent his days swimming across Back Bay and hiking to the Ocean Beach at Sandbridge. Animal Control would arrest him for being a public nuisance and lock him up on a weekly basis.

Both dogs grew to love my ex-husband and tolerate me as I slowly learned the intricacies of dog ownership. Over the next several years we became a family and when we lost Chessie to Coon Dog fever I felt the empty space left in my heart.

A new baby and a move to a smaller lake house a hundred miles away meant that our Bobbie also made a move of his own to a friend’s farm where he would continue to have plenty of room to roam and new places to explore.

With a husband that constantly traveled and a new baby to care for, another dog was out of question. Besides, I missed Chessie and Bobbi and didn’t feel they could be replaced.

When my son was five, my ex-husband decided it was time to get him his first dog, of course I knew the dog wasn’t for my son but it was my ex’s way of getting a pet and having me take charge of caring for the pet. He chose a cute little German Sheppard puppy that quickly turned into a 100 lb rambunctious puppy. Samson was a sweet-heart, but it was obvious from the start, that he was not the right dog for a five year old. He found it amusing to tackle my son and his friends and treated them like toys. Even after some very expensive training, Samson had to be locked up in his pen whenever children were around.

Chasing the neighbor’s chickens, cars and anything that moved forced us to keep him penned up for his own safety. Somehow, Samson just didn’t seem to fit into our family.

It was very different when we found Bonkers, a tiny bundle of Shih Tzu fluff, we knew from the moment we met that he belonged with us. My son was eleven by this time and ready to care for a pet. Bonkers is a tough little guy that can take all the rough housing that a herd of pre-teens can dish out and still smart enough to run to Mommy when he’s had enough. He has even won over the cat.

I can’t tell you what dog is right for you, but I can give you some basic guidelines and tell you to follow your heart.

1. If you have children, make sure you choose a child-friendly, size appropriate pet.
2. Wait until your children are the right age to care for a pet
3. Puppies are like babies, so if you’re not prepared to put in the extra time, get an older dog.
4. When buying a puppy, watch how the puppy interacts with his litter mates. You want the one that is not the leader or the wimp. The leader can often be more aggressive and challenge you or your children’s authority. This was our problem with Samson. He wanted to be “lead dog, alpha male”. A puppy that is wimpy and easily frightened can react with aggression out of fear.

I love having pets and can no longer imagine life without a dog in the house, but I do recommend that you take the time to find the “right” dog for your home and give them plenty of dog treats

They are cute, and to some people, irresistible. Pet store puppies are placed in areas that are easy to access so those with interest in adopting them can play with them. This is part of the sales process. It is designed to pull people in, introducing them to puppies that need a home. But hidden behind the bright lights and cute, playful dogs are potential problems that may not surface until later.

A lot of professional trainers recommend staying away from canines sold through pet stores. But the reasons may be unclear. Below, we’ll present several compelling arguments for resisting the urge to adopt one.

Potential Health Issues

Most of the canines in pet stores arrive from puppy mills. These are facilities that are designed specifically to breed dogs. Very little care or attention is given to the health of the animals in the mill’s care. They live in unsanitary conditions, and often suffer from problems affecting their digestive systems, hearts, lungs, and other organs. Nutrition and veterinary care is a low priority for those who operate the mills.

The result of this attitude is that the canines often suffer severe health problems that cannot be easily resolved. Unfortunately, these issues are usually hidden from customers. In many cases, the employees at the pet stores are unaware of them.

Many people adopt dogs from the stores only to discover later that a major health issue exists. Sadly, some owners abandon the animals to shelters due to the costs of treating the issues.

The Pursuit Of Profit Over Breed Quality

Pet stores and puppy mills are focused on breeding as many purebreds as possible. Little attention is given to preventing genetic diseases from contaminating the breed. Instead, the emphasis is placed on profit. The more purebred canines, the more money the mills and stores will make. This is the reason many purebred dogs suffer from serious genetic problems, such as hip dysplasia, deafness, and a variety of recurrent skin diseases.

By contrast, when professional breeders produce canines, they dedicate themselves to keeping the breed clean. If they discover signs of genetic problems in a dog, the animal is prevented from contributing to future offspring. Here, breed quality is prioritized over profit.

Potential Behavioral Problems

Many of the animals found in puppy mills – and eventually, pet stores – suffer from one or more behavioral issues. The reason is because they have never had the opportunity to learn social signals. Nor have they been exposed to other people and animals outside the mill. In many cases, these puppies are taken from their mothers and littermates too early, depriving them of the chance to learn their first socialization cues.

When these animals are introduced to a home environment, they often become frightened and shy. If they are approached in a way that seems threatening to them, they may react with aggression. Pet store dogs can be trained to accept others, and respond with friendliness, but the training may require substantial time and patience on the part of the owner.

One notable problem involves housetraining. Under normal circumstances, a canine will avoid urinating and defecating where he sleeps and eats. However, dogs found in mills and stores are usually forced to do so. This makes it more difficult for their new owners to teach them appropriate elimination.

Save A Shelter Dog’s Life

Shelters are overcrowded. Animals that are not adopted are euthanized. According to the Humane Society, millions of would-be pets meet this unfortunate fate each year. When you adopt a dog from a shelter, you essentially save his life. On the other hand, when people buy canines from pet stores, they support and perpetuate the puppy mills.

Is it possible to adopt a healthy, socialized, and pleasant canine companion from a pet store? Yes. But given the risks involved, most people would be better-served by working with a reputable breeder, or visiting a local animal shelter.

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Taking care of your teeth by brushing and flossing daily can help prevent most dental problems. It’s also important to visit your dentist every six months for routine checkups and cleanings. These steps alone can all but ensure your teeth and gums remain clean and healthy.

Yet, millions of people in the U.S. suffer from an assortment of dental care issues. Even worse, many neglect to have them resolved once signs of problems become clear. This is a sure path to dental pain and tooth loss. Below, we’ll provide a list of the most common dental issues along with a few suggestions for getting them resolved.

#1 – Tooth Decay And Cavities

Decay begins when bacteria interacts with the sugar and starch content in items we consume. This interaction causes the formation of plaque. Plaque is a thin film of sticky material that adheres to the surface of our teeth, allowing acids to break down the enamel. With time, the acids breach the underlying layer of soft tissue (dentin), and ultimately reach the pulp chamber. At that point, a root canal may become necessary to save the tooth.

Brushing and flossing are critical steps to prevent plaque from forming, or to remove it if it has already formed. Since foods and beverages containing sugar and starch contribute to decay, reducing your intake of both is also important.

#2 – Gum Disease

Gum disease is the most common reason teeth are lost. Plaque turns into tartar, and causes inflammation in the gum line. At this stage, it is known as gingivitis. Plaque eventually hardens into tartar, which causes the gums to recede. The condition becomes known as periodontitis.

Tartar cannot be removed from your teeth by brushing and flossing. A dentist must scrape it away with specialized tools. Unfortunately, many people fail to have gum disease addressed, and end up with bone loss, tissue damage, and lost teeth.

#3 – Toothaches

There are several potential causes for a toothache. Broadly defined as pain in the jaw or teeth unrelated to trauma, it can be triggered by cavities (dental caries), impaction, TMJ, or gum disease.

Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Advil, can provide temporary relief. Also, flossing around the affected tooth will help remove small pieces of food and other debris. If the pain continues, call your dentist. Treatment will depend on the cause of your discomfort. For example, a cavity warrants cleaning the tooth, and filling it. Advanced gum disease may require scaling and root planing.

#4 – Overly-Sensitive Teeth

Similar to toothaches, this condition can be caused by many factors. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth, some or all of them may become sensitive to heat, cold, or pressure. Brushing too aggressively can also lead to sensitivity. Occasionally, dental procedures (root canals, dental cleanings, etc.) may cause one or more teeth to become sensitive.

Steps you can take at home for relief include using a toothbrush with softer bristles, rinsing your mouth with a fluoridated mouthwash, and limiting your consumption of high-acid foods. But schedule an appointment with your dentist so he or she can determine the root cause of the sensitivity. A more effective therapy option may be available.

#5 – Erosion Of The Tooth Structure

Erosion is often related to tooth decay and gum disease since both gradually affect the enamel and dentin of teeth. It refers to the wearing away of the tooth as a result of acid. In its beginning stages, you might experience sensitivity, and notice spots of discoloration on the surface of the tooth. As erosion progresses, the tooth may develop cracks along the edges.

The dental problems we’ve covered thus far are among the most common; they affect millions of people. If you notice symptoms, consult your dentist. He or she can suggest the most appropriate treatment options given the extent of the damage to your teeth.

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There are millions of tires which end up in landfill every year, but there are a number of uses for old tires which will help you get the most out of your garden too. You can use old tires for a variety of uses within your garden – as planters, protection nurseries, bringing on vegetables and many more uses.
First of all, a question I’m frequently asked is whether it is safe to use tires, especially as they do contain some toxins, such as heavy metals. The answer is they are perfectly safe to use because the chemical components of a tire are “fixed” within the rubber and will not leach into the soil to be taken up in the roots of plants and vegetables you are growing. Some elements in tires are in fact desirable, zinc for instance, but the issue of harmful toxins getting into your soil and harming plants is fallacious.

A major advantage of using old tires is that they will not rot. They will last for decades and they can be painted to blend into the environment you are creating. From this perspective, tires are a really useful adjunct to landscaping and practical useful in the garden. You can also find old tires easily enough – most tire dealers will gladly let you look through their piles of old tires and take what you want – if they keep them it will cost them money to dispose of them properly, so you taking some of their hands is worth money to them.

Let’s take a look at some uses of old tires in the garden.

Creating a Hotbed

Once winter starts to loosen its grasp, the thoughts of many gardeners turn to planting for the next season. Take an old tire, preferably as large as you can find and take a tool knife and cut the tire into a half around the center of the tire. Take one half and sink it into the ground. Take some manure, making sure it is fairly well rotted but not completely, and pack the manure around the tire and in the bottom of the pit you cleared and in which the tire now sits. Fill the inside of the tire with compost and you have a first class incubator to bring on salad seedlings. The manure will continue to compost which will generate heat enough to make sure your new plants do not freeze if there is a cold snap.

Raising Roots

If you live in a cold region, you are already probably aware of the advantages of growing vegetables in a raised bed. You can use old tires to do this easily and conveniently, and there are numerous advantages to doing so:

The soil temperature rises faster because the soil is above the colder surrounding ground and there is an effect from the rubber itself plus the black color retains more heat from the sun;
The tire beds will dry out faster which helps drainage;
Plant roots have deeper soil to take hold of;
Planting can be done sooner in the season; and
The tire will help congregate and concentrate your seedlings and provide physical protection.

An industrial heritage is exactly what it sounds like – it is the actual buildings, factories, quarries, and other aspects and relics of industry that tell us something about an area’s industrial past. For instance, in the United States, the American Rail System is part of America’s industrial heritage that is still being used today.

In Europe, the European Route of Industrial Heritage is a scenic route through many parts of Europe that shows the industrial history of the cities and towns it goes through. Not only does it highlight the industrial history of a particular region, but when studied altogether gives the person experiencing or studying it a greater overall understanding regarding the industrial history of Europe. This not only educates, but it also promotes tourism in many of the towns and cities of some of the European Countries.

The European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) has about 845 total sites in almost thirty of the European countries, and sixty-six Anchor Points – places that are considered the most historically significant, and most tourist-friendly. In conjunction with the ERIH, there are also ten European Theme Routes for those interested in a particular aspect of Europe’s industrial heritage. The ten Theme Routes are: industrial landscapes, service & leisure industry, housing & architecture, transport & communication, iron & steel, water, mining, textiles, production, and energy.

The majority of the Anchor Points are in Great Britain and Germany, with a few in France and the Netherlands. Some of the Anchor Points fall into the Theme Route of mining, while others fall into the textile category and even others fit into more than one category.

For instance, the Kew Bridge Steam Museum falls into both the energy and water categories. Located in Brentford (west London, England) on the River Thames, the museum resides on the site of the Kew Bridge Pumping Station, a pumping station that opened in 1838. In 1944 the station expanded, and although the site adopted diesel and electric pumping methods, they kept on the steam pumps because they knew they would be historically important.

Another Anchor Point that is a popular stop along the route is the National Slate Museum, locaed in Llanberis, Wales. The museum resides in what used to be workshops used for the production of slate in the nineteenth century. The workshops were associated with the Dinorwic slate quarry, so while the National Slate Museum falls into the Theme Route of production and manufacturing, it surely wouldn’t exist without the industrial heritage of mining, as well.

The slate would be brought from the Dinorwic quarry, and exported from the workshops via railroad, eventually. The National Slate Museum has the largest working waterwheel in all of mainland Great Britain, which can be explored from many angles. The National Slate Museum is situated on a picturesque bit of land, overlooking a glacial lake and surrounded by many aspects of the natural beauty of Wales.

One extremely popular tourist attraction on the ERIH is the Heineken Experience – Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam. The original brewery was built in 1867, and it is the actual Anchor Point. In 1991 the original brewery was converted into a visitor center, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Amsterdam. That’s probably because you can sample the product.

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Selling our old gold jewelry is something many of us are thinking about more and more. The price of gold is at an all time, record high (currently more than $1,300 an ounce!) but at the same time, our finances are under severe pressure because of the economy. The question isn’t whether we should sell or not; it really is a question of how to get the most value out of the transaction and do it safely and conveniently.

Finding a Buyer

There are plenty of buyers waiting to hear from you, however as the price of gold has soared, the dealer market has become populated with numerous outfits offering “top dollar”.

Who do you trust to get the best price?

There are three main categories of gold buyer – refiners; jewelers; and third party broker operations.

You always should look to sell to a refiner because they are the ones who will ultimately buy your old gold. A jeweler may buy them at a decent price to sell on as intact pieces, or they may refine the gold themselves for use in making new jewelry, however it is just as likely that they will be selling on to a refiner themselves too. Third party brokers will be selling on to refiners as well and what this all means is that if you are dealing with someone between you and the refining operation than you are losing part of the value in your gold to that middle man.

Cut out the middle man and deal direct with a refiner.

All That Glitters is Not Gold – Look Out for Diamonds and Jewels

Your gold jewelry will contain other valuable items and metals, such as diamonds, rubies, pearls and sapphires. There may be other metals aside from gold which are valuable too; however you need to be careful because the dealer may only be offering you a price for the gold (and not the rest of the valuable stuff!).

Make sure you get a price which includes diamonds and such; where there is no price offered, you should arrange to have these valuable items removed before you sell them to the gold merchant and look to dispose of them elsewhere. This way you maximize your money and profits from the transaction.

Timing – Should You Wait to Sell?

The price of gold has increased dramatically in the last two years because of the economic climate. When recessions occur, institutions and national governments buy gold in increasing volumes as a hedge against inflation. This drives the price upwards until the recession starts to end and the recovery starts. When recovery signs start showing, gold is sold in huge quantities to raise the money to buy back into the stock markets. Selling such huge quantities of gold means the price falls, and it falls very fast; it can be so quick that it is an overnight collapse.

This means that now is the best time to take your profits because the recession has ended and recovery is starting to appear. It is therefore only a matter of time before the top price you can get for your gold disappears.

Like most powerful tools, email can be a double-edged sword. If used properly, it can boost your productivity while allowing you to keep in touch with friends, relatives, and acquaintances from around the world. Of course, like a hammer placed into the wrong hands, it can also carry negative consequences. If you allow it to, it can destroy your productivity, embroil you in fruitless arguments, and make a lasting negative impression that will be felt for years.

Fortunately, staying productive while taking full advantage of emailing others is simple (though it takes diligence). Below, we’ll provide a few helpful tips that you can put to use immediately.

Close It Down Or Turn It Off

How many times have you caught yourself checking for new emails several times each hour? It’s impossible to remain productive when you’re pulling yourself away that often from whatever you’re doing. Whether you’re checking online within your browser or using a completely separate emailing application, close it down. If it’s not in front of you while you’re working, you won’t be tempted to check it.

Consider setting specific times throughout the day for checking and responding to email. For example, commit to only retrieving new messages at 8:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. By establishing set times, you’ll be less tempted to check sporadically.

Hide Your Emotions

One of the most dependable rules of the internet is that emailing an angry or rude message to someone will come back to haunt you in the future. For example, suppose you’re upset with a friend and to express your annoyance, you send her a rude, offensive message. Further suppose that your friend becomes incensed at your note and places it on her personal Facebook page for everyone to see.

Stay in control of your emotions when emailing people you know. There’s little value in emailing criticisms, insults, and other polarizing comments to people. One message sent in haste can impact your relationships with others for years. If you would prefer your comment not appear across the entire internet, save it for a conversation on the phone or in person.

Lean Toward Being A Minimalist

Keep in mind that every email you send represents an unspoken request to the recipient for a response. This is the reason servers around the world are clogged with messages that say little more than “thanks,” “you’re welcome,” and “me too.” Try to be an emailing minimalist; only send messages that are necessary, especially if you’re planning to see the recipient in the near future.

While it may be difficult to imagine, you can stay productive while enjoying the benefits of email. The keys are to be sensible regarding how often you check it, avoid letting your emotions run wild, and email when you’re able to add value. You’ll discover that you can get much more accomplished throughout each day.

If you’re making the transition from cable television to a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service, you’ll need to compare the features between the two largest providers. Both DirecTV and the Dish Network have millions of customers. Without spending time comparing the two, it’s often difficult to determine which company provides the best service. Comparing the monthly price or current promotions doesn’t reveal much; they both periodically offer outstanding promotions at a reasonable monthly cost. What’s more, both companies offer responsive support to their subscribers.

In this article, we’ll take a look beyond the promotions and focus primarily on the features that each company offers. We’ll describe a few popular programming choices, the receivers, and the parental controls they place at your disposal.

Sports And Other Programming Packages

Both DirecTV and the Dish Network have carved a name for themselves with their respective sports packages. Both satellite providers offer packages devoted to the highest profile sports, such as basketball, baseball, football, soccer, and hockey. Plus, they allow their subscribers to purchase single games, multi-game packages, and half and full seasons. Currently, Direct TV also offers rugby and NASCAR.

The Dish Network has maintained a channel that is only available to their subscribers. The programming consists of horoscopes, weather, sports scores and similar content. DirecTV also maintains an exclusive channel. It offers many of the same programming options as their competitor, but also provides special live music events.

Both providers also offer a number of channels that are dedicated to music. The Dish Network partnered with SIRIUS Music a few years ago to stream over sixty music channels. For its part, Direct TV streams XM Radio across over seventy channels.

High-Definition DVR Receivers

Both services have maintained top-notch HD-DVR receivers for their subscriber base. At the time of writing, subscribers of both DirecTV and the Dish Network are not required to purchase their receivers from either provider. While both companies offer high-quality equipment, they allow their customers to purchase it elsewhere. Having said that, Direct TV seems to have a larger network of vendors who are designing HD-DVR receivers and dishes that are compatible with the service. That has accelerated the time to market for equipment that boasts more features and functionality.

Parental Controls

Both satellite providers give their customers strong parental controls for free. Both allow subscribers to lock specific channels and also to lock down movies based upon their MPAA rating (for example R-rated films). The Dish Network provides a feature which lets subscribers lock films based on ancillary ratings descriptions (for example, violence). On the other hand, DirecTV lets their customers establish ceilings on the amount of money they can spend on pay-per-view programming.

To be sure, DirecTV and the Dish Network have become titans in the direct broadcast satellite industry because they have aggressively tried to cater to their subscriber base. The decision regarding which service you should choose will depend heavily on the features and programs that most interest you and your family.

Conducting an online meeting can reduce expenses, boost employee productivity, and improve the level of communication between participants. Having said that, like any business gathering, its effectiveness is largely dependent upon its execution. There are several aspects that can increase the likelihood that your online meeting will yield the results you want. In this article, we’ll provide an overview regarding how to conduct a successful web conference.

Start On Time

Beginning late is a common mistake and it’s even made by experienced facilitators. Often, the reason it happens is not because the facilitator is running behind schedule. Instead, he or she waits for late participants to arrive before starting. The problem is that the people who logged into your web conference at the scheduled time are penalized by having to wait for others. Start on time and let the late parties catch up on their own.

Choose A Person To Manage Questions

If your online meeting is small (for example, less that seven people), you can probably field questions simply by opening the call to the floor. However, doing that with larger groups can quickly become unmanageable. If you plan to have more than ten people participating, select somebody to whom others can direct questions. That person can manage their priority and let you field them at your pace. Not only is that easier to manage, but you’ll be able to stay on track without getting distracted.

Consider A Second Screen

If you’re planning to share applications so other attendees can see your screen, consider using an extra monitor to log into the meeting as a normal participant. Sometimes, you might think other people are able to view your screen flawlessly when they’re actually observing something different. The second screen will allow you to monitor what they’re seeing. If you need to make technical changes on your end, you can do so quickly without wasting a significant amount of time.

Conserve Performance Capacity

As the presenter, it’s possible to reduce your web conference’s performance if you have several applications running at once. Before your meeting begins, close other software you won’t need during your presentation. That will prevent them from creating a lag.

Close Your Instant Messaging Client

There are few things that are more distracting when presenting a web conference than a pop-up instant messaging client. Now, consider how distracting it can be for your meeting’s participants. Make sure you disable the software before your conference begins.

Web conferencing can be a great way to bring a large group of people together for a common project. Not only can they be organized quickly, but they won’t take people away from the office. Use the guidelines above to make sure your next online meeting is a roaring success.

Enjoying an online connection at home comes with a host of potential dangers. Viruses, spyware, and Trojans lurk in the deep recesses of the internet and wait for unwary passersby. If they gain access to your PC, they can cause an assortment of problems. These programs can duplicate themselves and hijack the functions of your hard drive. Fortunately, protecting your computer from these online threats is simple. Below, we’ll explain the dangers and describe the steps you should take in order to safeguard your PC.

The Dangers Explained

Viruses are particularly nasty programs. While some are relatively benign, others can trigger processes that damage your machine. For example, they might begin to arbitrarily delete files, hamper your RAM, or wipe your entire hard drive clean. These bugs usually need a host file to trigger them.

Worms are a bit different. They can do most of what a virus does, but do not need to travel with another program in order to spread. Instead, worms can duplicate themselves and distribute copies across an entire network.

Trojans masquerade as helpful programs that perform a requested function. However, underneath the surface, they’re programmed to trigger processes that are unauthorized. They don’t replicate themselves like the other bugs, nor do they infect other files. But, they can still wreak havoc on your machine. Hackers will often use them to gain remote access to a person’s computer and retrieve private information.

Easy Steps To Protecting Your Computer

If you’re using a Windows computer, make sure you’re downloading all Windows updates as they’re released. Newer machines should be programmed to do this automatically. The updates often have small patches that help prevent viruses, worms, and Trojans from getting through to your PC.

You should also invest in a good antivirus software. Check with your internet service provider; they might offer a free option. Whether you use your ISP’s antivirus software or a package that you download elsewhere, be sure to keep it updated. There are new bugs that are created each week.

Next, install a firewall to close off unnecessary ports and keep hackers from accessing your PC. Windows XP comes with a free firewall; most wireless routers do, too. That said, you can also find robust, practically bulletproof alternatives online.

Finally, be wary about downloading software from websites that are unfamiliar to you. Many of the bugs that circulate online find a way onto surfers’ computers through these downloads. If an application is offered by Microsoft or another well-known site, it’s fine to download it. If it comes from a foreign site that you have never visited before, take caution.

Residential high-speed internet access has changed the way we live our lives. But, keep in mind that viruses, worms, and Trojans lurk online. By taking the steps described above, you can enjoy your connection to the internet while making sure your computer is protected.