Invisible, Electric Dog Fences - Do's And Don'ts

It is always good to know a bit about how something works when you have it installed in your home. Especially if it is something like an alarm, a heating and / or cooling system, or an electric fence, for example. Usually people get to know their gadgets, just in case a quick fix is required. A window air conditioning unit, for example, may be something that breaks frequently but that you can fix easily because you understand how it works.

An electric fence, however, is different. How are you to know if it is not working properly? There are ways to check, of course, but to fix an electric fence is more difficult than repairing many other kinds of electronic home merchandise. The secret to a long lasting invisible dog fence is in the installation of it. Reduce the risk of damage, wear and tear, and so on. This is, of course, to ensure a high quality result with the right merchandise and, of course, the right manner of installation.

A high quality electric fence should be composed of solid wire, the less flimsy the better. It may be a bit more of a challenge for you to install, but solid wiring has the benefits of being more durable and less expensive. Be sure that all connections are good, solid and secure, without clean, tight connections there are, of course, additional risks to your fence and how effectively it will operate especially considering weather and regular wear and tear.

Use grounding rods that are about six to eight feet long - these should be composed of either copper or they should be galvanized. It is essential that you use a good ground return wire, and / or strong ground clamps - especially if your ground soil is particularly dry or stony. Also, be sure to use high quality insulation. Porcelain insulation systems, reinforced plastics, as well as glass, are all among the very best insulation materials you can use for your electrical fence.

You need to be sure not to run your electric dog fence wiring parallel to any telephone or power lines. Therefore, you will have to be aware of where these phone and / or other power lines lie - especially if they are underground wires. Do not splice your wiring (or, fencing) incorrectly. You should always use a secure figure-eight knot, a western union knot or the most recommended method, a secure joint clamp for splicing solid wire fencing - a sloppy knot can render your fence defective. Never let wet vegetation com into contact with the wiring underground, if you do so your fence will certainly be less effective.

All of these tips will be important to remember, because each element of your fence, the strength of the materials used and the manner in which it is installed will all be essential variables to consider. Therefore, if you are sure to use the right tools, wires, metals, and insulators for your fence your fence will likely perform better than if you "cut corners" around these suggestions.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her articles on pet enclosures, please visit InvisibleElectricDogFence.com, supplier of high quality Invisible Pet Fences and Electric Dog Fences.

8 Things to Discuss Before Getting Married

Before getting married and pledging to spend the rest of your life with someone, there are some key things that you should know about that person. Below are a list of eight things that you should discuss before saying 'I do'.

1. Money: This is one of the most important things to discuss before getting married, because it is the number one reason that people divorce. You and your future life partner need to talk about how you will combine incomes and share expenses. In a marriage, one person is usually responsible for paying the bills each month. The two of you should be aware of the other's spending habits. You should also talk about how much money will be put into savings, 401 K, retirement and other investments. Definitely talk about your debt and how will you manage this obligation as a couple.

2. Communication: Talk, talk, talk. Communication is the foundation to a happy, healthy, long-lasting marriage. Communicate before you get married and after you get married. Never stop communicating about what is important to you. In a marriage, nothing is too large or too small to be talked about.

3. Jobs: Delegate responsibilities and jobs such as paying bills, shopping, walking the dog, cleaning the house. Will one of you stay at home with the children, while the other works?

4. Children: Before getting married, you and your fiancé should definitely be on the same page about children. If you want kids, how many? If you can't have children, this information should definitely be disclosed before you tie the knot. Do you want to adopt, remain childless, use a surrogate or in vitro fertilization? If your spouse has children from another relationship, you should definitely discuss how the children will be parented. You should even talk about your discipline styles. Talking about these things before you get married, will bring you a world of peace down the line.

5. Expectations: Before you get married, talk about where you see your marriage in the short-term and long term future. Also, talk about where you see yourself. Communicating about this early on will help you two work toward fulfilling each other's expectations in your marriage.

6. Sex: If you are a person who needs sex on a daily basis, your future life partner should know this in advance. If you have expectations in the bedroom, communicate openly about your needs. Not being on the same page about sex in your marriage can open up the door to a lot of hurt.

7. Beliefs: Be open about your religious beliefs. The two of you need to determine if you will attend church as a couple or as a family. You need to talk about the impact that religion will have in the upbringing of your children. Are you willing to compromise your religious beliefs or are you unyielding in your religion.

8. Location: You need to discuss where you will reside after you are married. Do you want to live in another city?

Communicating about these things before your are married will help you build a solid foundation for your marriage, or may help your realize that the person your are marrying may not be right for you.

Anne Nichols
Author of Online Marriage Counseling & Advice
http://www.marriagecounselingonline.net

REVEALED! Techniques to Blow Her Mind in Bed

Let's face it; some men are hung like horses and some like miniature poodles with some as thick as a summer sausage and others as thin as a hot dog with my point being that we all got what we got. We've all heard the cliches that 'it's not the size but the quality' or 'it's not the size but how you use it' or even 'the potion is in the motion' and when it comes to satisfying your lady in bed the techniques in the cliches are the ones to take note of if you want to blow her mind and keep her in a state of ecstasy.

I am going to give you three basic techniques that are "any size penis" techniques to blow her mind.

Before we move to the meat of the subject I do want to add a thought of conscious, foreplay!

You want your lady squirming for the main course not just putting it out in front of her and hoping she likes it. Women don't arouse like us so we have to put a little work in front of the pleasure. You know what to do; you just sometimes forget to do it so keep the foreplay thing in mind.

The Techniques:

The techniques are basic and easily positioned which makes them smooth maneuvers. Forget all those contortionist positions that have her tied up in some awkward knot because she'll be so uncomfortable she won't feel the pleasure.

1. The Missionary Position

This should be called the missionary plus pillow technique because a pillow will make all the difference in her pleasure. With her obviously on her back, raise her hips and buttocks up onto a pillow. This aligns your penis with her vagina but also your pelvic pad with her clitoris. The "G" spot is within two inches of the vaginal opening so you are as well aligned to massage the "G" spot and clitoris with every motion and blow her mind.

2. Women Top  Mount Position

There is little to say here because she's in control and knows just how to move to get what she wants as fast or as slow as she wants it. Of course there are some very erogenous zones with in your reach that will blow her mind in pleasurable ecstasy.

3. Leg Lift Position

This position gives your full groping rights because you come from behind with her on side and lift her leg. Now you're positioned to touch on her clitoris and breasts.

By coming from behind, you lift her leg and thrust deep. This way you can fully satisfy your woman because you can touch her breasts and her clitoris all at the same time. Rock her senses!

Bonus Tip: If you really want to satisfy your girl all night long, there is a proven step-by-step technique that can help. You can cause 2-4 explosive orgasms EVERY NIGHT!

=> http://www.OrgasmHelpExpert.com

You WILL give your girl MIND BLOWING orgasms with this technique so she won't be letting you get out of bed. Don't schedule any other activities for the day after.

Fly Fishing - Fly Tying

Fly tying can be easy and fun. It is important not only to select the right knot for a particular job but to tie it properly. Poorly Tied knots will mean lost fish. In this article, we discuss a few basic steps to follow when fly tying all knots for fly fishing, followed by some ingenious ways you can obtain free fly tying materials.

Three Basic Steps

Lubricate knots: Before you tighten a knot, lubricate it with saliva or by dipping it in the water. This will help the knot slide and seat properly. Lubrication also decreases excessive heat which dramatically weakens monofilament. Heat is generated by the friction created when knots are drawn up tight.

Seat the knot: Tighten knots with a steady, continuous pull. Make sure the knot is tight and secure. After it is tied, pull on the line and leader to make sure it holds. It is better to test it now than when a fish is on.

Trim neatly: Use nippers to trim the material as close as possible without nicking or damaging the fly tying knot.

Free Fly Tying Materials Around Your Home A quick browse around your house may yield some inexpensive and creative fly tying materials. If you need some glow ball material so you can tie a few eggs try the yarn you have in the house. Use some colors you think might work well. Pull a few strands off and begin tying your eggs. Mixed a few colors just to see what patterns you get.

These have been reported to work really well on the Colorado river. POW! Fish go for the egg. Cast after cast will yield some nice trout in the 16-24" range. The best pattern is an orange yarn with a pink strand.

Consider also some of the following fly tying materials:

Dubbing Dryer Lint - Choose the right color close to dry and then pull the lint out and use as common dubbing materials.

Brush the Dog - Several breeds such as Chows have thick undercoats. The fur makes a great natural material for dubbing.

Feathers A look around the yard or park can yield some interesting feathers to use for tying. Just a note however, wild birds are known for mites so take steps to insure you don't end up infecting your purchased features with these nasty critters.

Suggestions for avoiding mites:

Zap the materials in the microwave for 30sec. Put them in a plastic baggy and freeze them for a few days.

Stay away from dead birds. They could have been infected with a disease.

Foam body Packing foam commonly used for electronics work great. Just cut off a small strip and presto you have your body material. Need a different color than white, pull out a permanent marker such as a Sharpe and apply the desired color.

Furs Any old stuffed animals laying around? Some synthetic furs will work well on your hand tied flies.

Just take a look around the house and you will find items to substitute your traditional fly tying materials. Its a great way to save a few dollars and expand your creativity. You might even find that perfect combination to land that Fly Fishing trophy!

Another alternative is too take a trip to the local craft store. They also are a great resource for Fly Tying materials such as feathers, furs, threads, beads, etc.

For a goldmine of information about fly tying and everything else about fly fishing you'll ever need to know, visit Fly Fishing Guide

Tips On Dog Training For Your New Companion

Getting a new puppy is a huge commitment and an exciting chapter in most people's lives. Training your new puppy in the basics of doggy etiquette takes a lot of dedication. Some tips on dog training are discussed below. Each breed is a bit different, but the following tips are useful for just about any breed of dog.

Tip Number One - Potty training is easier when using a crate:

Kenneling your new pup might seem a bit cruel, especially when he starts whining and crying. It can be heart breaking even. However, using a crate to teach your puppy about potty training will ultimately make this task easier for the both of you.

A crate gives the pup a safe place to hang out. Put a soft bed or blankets in the crate, along with a bunch of puppy-proof toys. Dogs will usually sleep in their bed and not make a mess in it too. Take the pup out every hour or so, until you figure out if he can go longer in between bathroom breaks. Place him in the grass as soon as he gets out of the kennel. Eventually he will begin to associate the outdoors with going to the bathroom.

Tip Number Two - Curb biting as soon as it starts:

No one wants to be a chew toy and puppy teeth don't exactly tickle. When your puppy beings to use your hand or one of your new shoes as a chew toy, firmly say, 'No' and remove the item. Immediately give him one of his own toys. If you think he might be teething, then you can put some ice cubes in an old sock and tie a knot in it. This will give him something cool to gnaw on and get some relief for his sore gums.

Tip Number Three - Teach basic commands before the silly ones:

Sure, it's cute for a puppy to learn to do little dances for a treat, but should this be the first command he learns? For his own safety - and your sanity - it's best to teach him the basics first; sit, stay, and down. Sit is often one of the easiest, especially if you entice your pup with treats during the training. Many puppies will begin to associate sitting down with getting a treat at a very early age.

Each of these tips on dog training are very basic, but should help you get started with turning your pup into a well-behaved member of the family.

Do you need some tips on dog training? If so then visit http://www.topdogtrainingcourses.com now where you can get some great advice and a free dog training report and newsletter to help you on your way.

Expressing Your Dogs Anal Glands

Expressing your dogs anal glands is not something that every pet owner needs to worry about but for some it can be a real problem. The anal glands are located on each side of the dogs anus. Most dogs can easily express their own glands and do so on a regular basis. Although some smaller breeds may have difficulty and need help to fully empty the gland sacs. Almost any dog groomers can perform this procedure for you. Although, it is an easy procedure that many pet owners can do themselves. Most vets will be happy to show you how to express your dogs glands. In this article we will discuss how and why you may need to help your dog in expressing his glands.

All dogs have anal glands. They use them for marking territory and leaving their scent for other dogs. The glands are always refilling and expressing it is an on going cycle. Many dogs will never have a problem with emptying the glands but if you notice your dog is scooting on the floor it could be that they are having an issue with expressing the glands. Some dogs may even show pain if their glands are not expressing correctly. If your dog is whining when it sits or you find that it is licking its hind end a lot this may be the case. Glands can get sort of clogged up at times and when they do your dog will need to have them expressed by either you, a vet, or a groomer.

While it is not a pretty job it is necessary to help alleviate your dogs discomfort. Because it has such and odor it is best to express glands while you are giving your dog a bath. This way you can simply wash the odor away once the glands have been emptied. To express your dogs glands simply place your thumb and index finger on each side of your dogs anus. You will feel two knot like areas this will be the glands. You will want to push in and up slightly to express the glands. This may take a couple of tries to get it right. Do not use excessive force and if your dog seems to be in pain you will want to seek veterinary care as they may have a more severe blockage and external expression may not be possible. When you push in and up a substance will shoot out. If will smell very foul. The substance can range in its consistency. It may be as clear as water and come out quite easily or it may be more yellow, it can also be slightly gooey and brown. Every dog is a bit different so don't be shocked at what may come out.

This is defiantly not a job for those with weak stomachs. You may find it is worth paying a professional groomer or vet to handle it but it is necessary for some dogs. Of course you will want to wash your hands immediately after doing this. You can also use a folded paper towel between your hand and the dogs bum to catch the glands expression and to keep form touching the anal area. Although, it may be a bit harder to feel the glands this way.

If you are looking for a great Austin Grooming Salon check out Doggie Styles Grooming Spa. They can schedule your grooming appointment for anytime that is convenient for you 24/7 365 days a year. Doggie Styles Grooming Spa is dedicated to providing top quality grooming in Central Texas! They also offer a great assortment of toys, treats, pet fashions, and grooming supplies to meet all your best friends needs.

A Good Love Poem

Please find below what I believe is a good love poem:

What Our Love Means To Me

Your Love makes me feel complete
and there is no one who can compete.

For if we could take what we have together
and share it each day, what could be better

Each day I wake with you on my mind
you are the person I always hoped to find

So with each day I share with you
there is no doubt our love is true

Be with me forever and awhile
this relationship makes me smile.

Knowing you will always be with me
is the best future I can see

So if it is possible to grow together more
let's continue and see what is in store.

The end.

If you enjoy a good love poem please use this. If you have a love you don't want to lose or you are worried that you are losing the love of your life then by all means use this poem on a card with flowers.

Ok, so may be flowers will help too. Just remember the more serious the problems the bigger the bouquet should be!! Seriously love is so involved and when we find it we want to treasure it. If you have problems maybe you need to have a different perspective.

I do believe there is power in a good love poem but I think maybe we can listen to advise from others just make sure it is good advise. Happiness and Love to all!

Try A good Love Poem or maybe you need more.

If you are in a relationship that just broke up or needs help, you can find it here [http://www.squidoo.com/PoemForExLover] There is nothing greater than having someone to love and someone who loves you! Make it the best it can be! Again enjoy the Poem and feel free to use it if you want to. Learn more about getting your ex back too! [http://www.squidoo.com/PoemForExLover]

Top Six Poetry Sites to Submit Your Poems

Here is my top six poetry list of websites to post your poems. To prevent any bias I have omitted to include my own poetry websites. All of these sites you provide the general online poet a home to submit and share their work.

1. poemhunter.com

Poemhunter has plenty going for it. A very large community base, free to join and a decent poet ranking system. The downside is the intrusive advertising. Well worth a visit though.

2. facebook.com

Not a specialist poetry site and the fact it's in the list might surprise you. However it contains a poetry community to cater for every poets interest. It's also user led so you can create your own community. As for protecting the copyright of poets - I'd be as confused as the next person on this one.

3. thepoetsanctuary.net

Has a nice forum layout although the navigation is slightly confusing and 40,000+ members so it's one of the biggest dedicated communities. Also has a chat function. Has a few ads but they are not intrusive in anyway. A good site.

4. allpoetry.com

I want to say something positive about every site. For me the main positive on allpoetry is the community. Had a scroll through member comments and they seemed constructive and useful. The community is 440,000+ plus, although weekly visits takes it down to 13,542. Still a very good sized community. Just a note that this community has higher levels of paid for membership.

5. poem.org

A forum based community with a good categorizing of poetry so you can post as either a novice, medium or advanced. A total membership of 1500+ with a mild level of activity. Navigation felt a bit awkward between the forum section and the main site. Community comments felt fair and constructive. Ads were at times annoying especially during the registration phase.

6. writing.com

Not a specialist poetry community as it also includes writing but a very large community with 660,000+ members. Good information on copyright. Probably asked for a bit to much information during registration. Has free membership with paid upgrade options. Displays a lot of ads but they do not appear to be intrusive. The kind of website with plenty to do you could get lost in the site for weeks having unlimited fun.

John Nightingale owns the online poetry communities at http://www.coffeeconnectionpoets.com/ and http://www.poetspoetrypoems.com/.

After a career as an administrator in the education sector John decided to explore his passion for poetry.

John is married and lives with his wife, two daughters and two dogs in Rochester, Kent, England.

Missing Links - Off-The-Cuff Christmas Gifts For Him

Christmas is a magical time of year, where families get together and do their best to infuse themselves with as much of the Christmas spirit as they can. After all, it is the season of goodwill! Christmas is also a time for gift giving, and - unfortunately - a potentially stressful time as we try and work out exactly what type of Christmas gifts our nearest and dearest will enjoy.

So, when buying for him this Christmas - and it could be either a friend, or a loved-one - why not help him bring out his more stylish side with a pair of beautiful cufflinks? Designed for use with the delightfully decadent double-cuff shirt, cufflinks are the ultimate in Christmas gifts for men. Cufflinks can also be worn with some convertible cuffs, so the possibilities for wearing such an amazing gift have never been greater!

But what is the behind these wonderful items of male apparel? It has been claimed that the history of the humble cufflink actually goes back as far as the Middle Ages, when gentlemen would fasten their cuffs with something known as a cuff string. However, the London Gazette reportedly made the first reference to what we now universally regard as a cufflink in 1684; but it was not until the 1860s that these little gems made it into the mainstream and became affordable to the wider public.

Cufflinks are a great way to compliment his own unique sense of style. In addition to designs crafted from any number of different types of metal - whether precious or otherwise - cufflinks can also be crafted from silk knots, and it is even possible to obtain versions designed to resemble doubled-up buttons; although a cufflink or silk knot is a far more sophisticated option.

But when it comes to buying Christmas gifts, what's the best style to go for? Construction materials aside, cufflinks chosen as Christmas gifts should fit the personality of the wearer. Science fiction enthusiasts might like to wear cufflinks featuring the Daleks, those not-so-loveable characters from the long-running series Doctor Who. Dads might like to receive cufflinks advertising that they have become proud new fathers - although the bleary-eyed sleep-deprived look should be quite a giveaway - and existing dads with daughters might like to wear on their sleeve the fact that their daughters love them.

And for men who like their sport, there are cufflinks designed to declare a love of football, rugby, and even pastimes such as cricket and snooker. But that isn't all, as cufflinks can also be a great way to wish someone luck, show how fantastic it is to reach a certain age, or even for people to let the world know that they've managed to hold their own and make it through university; the number of messages that these Christmas gifts can potentially convey are almost unlimited!

The only difficulty with cufflinks is knowing how to wear the cuff as, in addition to the much-worn 'kissing' model, it is also possible to wear the cuff barrel-style. However, following the latter option forces the cuff ends to overlap one another and the incredibly stylish cufflinks might not be quite so visible to those located nearby.

However, cufflinks are actually pretty easy to put on; if the pair in question features a ball at the end of the bar, it is only necessary to push the ball through the hole, in a manner not dissimilar to fastening a cuff equipped with buttons. However, if the cufflink is designed to feature a bar end, this should be closed before pushing through the cuff; securing the link then becomes as simple as closing the bar into a horizontal position.

Most importantly however, when buying cufflinks as Christmas gifts, all that needs to be ensured is that the gift fits the personality and tastes of the recipient. After all, he is going to be wearing one of the most important and visible items of apparel in a man's wardrobe of formal attire.

Written by John Smith co-founder of [http://www.gettingpersonal.co.uk]

GettingPersonal are one of the UK's leading on-line retailers of Gifts, personalised gifts and Xmas Gifts [http://www.gettingpersonal.co.uk]. Their website is packed with over 1,500 gifts for any special occasion.

Water Aerobics Routines For All-Around Fitness

Water aerobics routines are something that can offer a complete physical workout. A complete workout consists of aerobic, resistance and stretching exercises and all these can be incorporated into a water aerobics routine. The best part about water aerobics is that water exercises will work for groups of people that cannot do other types of exercises, such as; individuals that are morbidly obese and persons that have problems with arthritis.

The water aerobics class I attend from time to time is at a new health club and the nice thing about it is you do not have to be a member of this club to take the class. This class has a huge range of people that attend this workout session. It has almost as many men as women and most of the people are 40 or over. The younger crowd tends to opt more for high-impact aerobics and kickboxing.

We usually warm-up by walking against the current in the lazy river and then changing directions abruptly, causing us to feel like we are walking against a brick wall. If you have ever tried walking against the current when it has momentum, you will find that you do not get very far very quickly. Usually the whole class ends up laughing hysterically, but it is a great warm-up.

Next the instructor introduces that aerobic portion of the workout. This is where you increase your heart rate to target workout rate. This usually includes water walking and other exercises that will elevate your heart rate, such as; jumping jacks and kicking exercises.

Then comes resistance exercises and this is where you work specific muscle groups to build muscle strength. My instructor likes to use swimmers noodles tied in a knot to create resistance as they are dragged through the water. We also use water belts that cause resistance and added weight for strength training.

The class ends with a cool down period that involves stretching the muscles and it feels great. These classes usually have music that makes you feel motivated to move. If you have a good instructor, this can be one of the most enjoyable hours of the week. This class offers a complete workout for anyone.

These are the types of exercise classes that are being offered at many health clubs. They offer complete workouts, making it easy for the busy person on the go to get everything they need out of one class.

Marjorie is an author that enjoys writing about health and finance. You can visit her latest site at http://wateraerobicsequipment.net where you can find information on water aerobics equipment.

The Maine Coastline

A trip to Maine would not be complete without a journey along the eastern coastline. With close to 500 miles of Atlantic coast to explore, Maine offers many interesting and beautiful places worth discovering.

Much of the eastern coast can be accessed from Route 1. But, while this may be the quickest route to take, you will likely want to take a variety of side trips along the smaller rural routes. These roads offer a far better view of the region and are the only way to access many of Eastern Maine's best attractions.
 
At the southern end of the coast we will begin our journey at Bath. This town located at the mouth of the Kennebec River started out as a boat building center. Many wealthy merchants settled here, building fine mansions along the prosperous Washington Street. The history of the region is showcased at the local Maine Maritime Museum. To this day ships continue to be built in Bath at the bath Iron Works.
 
After enjoying Bath, take a side trip down Route 127 to Reid State Park. Here you can enjoy a mix of marshlands, sand dunes, and rocky shores. Bird lovers will enjoy spotting Piping Plovers and Least Terns as they nest along the beaches. If you enjoy rocks, take some time to scout out the calcite, garnet, mica, quartz, and hornblende deposits found in the region.
 
Back on Route 1 you will pass Wiscasset and Damariscotta, where you will reach route 130 which takes you down to Pemaquid Point. Here you can visit the famous 1827 lighthouse, enjoy the Fisherman's Museum, and enjoy the Pemaquid Art Gallery.From here you will want to follow the coastline along Route 32. This will lead you to Waldoboro, another shipbuilding village. 
 
Continue along Route 1 from Waldoboro to the picturesque Rockport. This is a nice place to stop for an evening. If you prefer camping or staying in your RV, pull into either the Camden Hills RV Resort or Megunticook Campground. For those looking for a room, the Spruce Ridge Inn is just one of many B&B's in the area that will welcome you with a comfortable room, fabulous view, and great food. Try to catch the Spruce Ridge Inn Lobster Cookout which runs from late May to late October for a true taste of Maine. After dinner, enjoy one of the weekly classical concerts at the opera house. Art lovers can explore the Maine Coast Artists Gallery, while photographers will enjoy the Maine Photographic Workshops.
 
Begin your next day, by heading a bit north. Not far from Rockport lies Camden and the Camden Hills State Park. The 18th century Conway house is a neat place to stop, featuring an historically accurate household, barn, and blacksmith shop. The state park offers numerous nature trails through the 5000 acre wildlife refuge.
 
As you continue along Route 1 you will eventually reach Ellsworth, the commercial center of this part of the Maine coast. Architectural wonders worth seeing include the 1828 Colonel Black Mansion and the First Congressional Church. Nature lovers will enjoy a stop at the Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary which is known for the variety of birds who live around the Sanctuary's three ponds. The Sanctuary is also home to a wildlife recovery centre where injured birds are treated and returned to the wild when fully recovered.
 
About 25 miles past Ellsworth you will reach Route 186, which takes you on a tour of Schoodic Peninsula. Here you can find lovely hiking trails and enjoy the marine life found in the tidal pools of the area. On the way back up to Route 1 you may want to drop by the Bartlett Maine Estate Winery for some lovely fruit wines.
 
Another great stop for the fruit lover is Cherryfield, the "blueberry capital of the world". While it is a bit out of the way, in blueberry season you are sure to enjoy some lovely berry treats.
 
The town of Machias is home to the Fort O'Brien State Historic Site. This locale is very close to the site of the first naval battle of the Revolution in 1775. If you travel a bit further down Route 92 you can stop at Jasper Beach, where you can enjoy the unusual jasper and rhyolite pebbles that make up the shores.
 
At the north end of Route 1 you will reach the town of Perry. From here you can take a short detour along Route 190 to the Pleasant Point Indian Reservation. Here you can learn about the Passamoquoddy Indians, where over 800 still live on the reservation. One of the world's largest whirlpools can be found at the end of Route 190 near the town of Eastport. The Old Sow Whirlpool is by Dog Island. It is best seen around 2 hours before high tide.
 
Finally you can follow Route 1 along the Canadian border to Calais. You can enjoy the tremendous granite cliffs along the St. Croix River and see the island where Samuel De Champlain landed in 1604, forming the first white settlement north of St. Augustine, Florida. At Calais you can stop at the Moosehorn Wildlife Refuge, home to many rare birds including the American Bald Eagle.
 
The Maine coastline may be long, but it is filled with places to see and things to do. Be sure togive yourself plenty of time to stop and enjoy the sites both on and off the main routes.

Nothing is more freeing than the open road! For generations, Americans have enjoyed the wind in their hair traveling from coast to coast seeking romance and adventure. Road trips are as American as baseball and apple pie. If you have always dreamt of taking that journey, Road Trip Journal has the information you need to plan that rite of passage. Visit us today at http://www.roadtripjournal.com.

What is a Dog Knots Man? Is it Very Embarrassing?

When you hear the term dog knots you might not understand. When you look at dog knots man you might think that this is something terrible, but it can actually just be a term used to describe part of the mating ritual between dogs. The dog knots are often called this due to the fact that when dogs are mating you cannot get them apart. It is like they are stuck or knotted together.

When you have a puppy you will want to make sure that he or she is neutered and prevented from having puppies, but if you do want to raise puppies then you can find a dog knots man who will gladly help you with the mating. These are mating places where the perfect puppy is chosen to maintain the breed of the puppy.

You can also do this yourself by searching around for a mating partner for your puppy. This can be within your local classifieds, or you can place an advert into one of the websites. There are many meanings for the dog knots term, and you will find that most of them are linked to the puppy mating version. This is something that you will find is very specific and only happens to a few breeds.

What happens is that the penis of the dog enlarges when it is time to mate and then it cannot come out again until it is smaller. This is why you will see mating dogs often seeming awkward like they want to move apart but cannot.

This is something that you will have to understand when you are trying to breed your puppy and want to start the mating process. This term is used frequently by puppy breeders and trainers and you should know what it means when you are looking into breeding partners for your puppy.

To learn more puppy training tips, Please Visit Behavior Dog Training.

For more information on Secret of Healthy Puppy Foods, Please Visit Homemade Dog Foods.

Women's Silk Scarves - If They're Good Enough For Royalty, They're Good Enough For You!

Over the years, millions of women around the world have fallen for the appeal of luxurious and elegant silk scarves, and not least the rich and famous. Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn and Greta Garbo have all taken their turns at making these gorgeous accessories all the more desirable to the average woman, but royalty too have played their part in increasing their popularity.

Princess Grace of Monaco, formerly iconic actress Grace Kelly and surely one of the most beautiful women to have graced the silver screen, was rarely seen without a stunning scarf wrapped around her hair, no mattered whether her image was captured on a yacht, in a car or on the street. Her look was one which was admired and emulated by fashionable women from around the globe.

Past and present members of the British royal family too have been huge fans of the silk scarf. The Queen Mother, Queen consort of King George VI, was frequently seen sporting some fine examples, particularly when she was relaxing and taking part in long country walks and enjoying sporting events. To this day, her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, carries on the tradition and has been photographed in everything from the more traditional square scarf tied around her hair and under her chin, to a long, flowing one which she wore as a mark of respect when visiting a mosque during a trip to Turkey, an occasion which saw her nicknamed 'the Queen of scarves' by one of the British newspapers. Like her mother, she clearly found them a particularly useful accessory when out walking the dogs at Balmoral.

Princess Anne, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, must surely have picked up some of her fashion sense from her mother and grand-mother and is probably most famous of all for her penchant for wearing head scarves.

Perhaps the member of the British royal family who did most for the reputation of the silk scarf, however, is the late Princess Diana, whose beauty and gentleness captivated the world and whose tragic death shocked them to the core. In her travels around the world, as well as in her own country, she was frequently seen wearing scarves of all descriptions, from smaller examples worn in a simple knot around her neck, to long, elegant scarves which were sometimes worn in the style of Grace Kelly.

Even Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, formerly Camilla Parker Bowles and now Prince Charles' second wife, has joined the ranks of women scarf-wearers. In a visit to Kuwait in 2007, she was photographed with her head covered by a scarf in a pose which was described as being 'eerily reminiscent of Princess Diana' who had also visited the city 18 years previously.

While these rich and royal ladies may have set or continued the trend for wearing beautiful silk scarves though, these gorgeous accessories are, thankfully, within the reach of us mere mortals. For much less than most people would ever imagine, ladies everywhere can look like royalty in a stunning hand painted silk scarf, and without breaking the bank.

Interested in silk scarves, or shawls? Visit WomenClothingToday.com to browse a gorgeous collection of scarves and shawls perfect for accessorizing or for giving as a unique gift

Yoga Moves and Grooves - Legs Here Arms There

Yoga Moves To Create Mind Body Balance

So there I was, trying to hide in the back row - doing my yoga moves and grooves - well my version of them anyway - ever been there? Legs tangled up in knots or crossed in a position I can't get out of. If only I had been listening to our instructor, instead of having an attack of the giggles with my sister-in-law. However, I hung in there in the hope that in time I would become more in tune, have more balance, have coordination and feel the benefits that others told me about. So what are they anyway?

Health benefits of yoga moves include increased balance and flexibility, mental clarity, improved strength, relaxation and energy. It works to integrate mind, body and spirit.

Your yoga stretches will increase the range and flexibility of your muscles and joints. Different yoga positions promote different skills and varying balance, encouraging strength with supporting your own body weight.

This type of exercise, as does Pilates, can help to improve your back alignment, strength and flexibility. Back pain is so common these days and one way to manage pain could be beginning yoga. For men, classes are welcoming and encouraging, as it is for seniors, where exercises, if necessary, can be done in a chair. You come away feeling invigorated, and relaxed with a greater sense of well being.

Learning to breath correctly can help focus the mind and breath. Most of us do not breath correctly. Deep belly breathing is encouraged. Getting more oxygen into your body, focusing on having depth and rhythm in your breathing, quietens your body. Mentally concentrating on your breathing can help calm your mind, which in turn relieves stress, and we could all do with a bit less of that couldn't we!

Being aware of your body and in tune with how it works, can help you with the signs of breast cancer. Since I am passionate about breast health and encouraging women to become breast aware, doing their monthly breast examination, I feel yoga is another thing women can do to improve their health. Proactive women taking care of their health often do breast self exam. Being aware of how your body moves and feels, puts you in a good position if changes were to occur with your breast. The health benefits of yoga are many, so what are you waiting for, have a go, listen to your instructor and avoid the giggles in the back row!

Suzanne Early
http://www.early-detection-for-breast-cancer.com/health-diet-fitness.html
Suzie likes to share down to earth, easy to understand information on breast cancer basics, with warmth and sensitivity. Having a friend with breast cancer and a career in Adult Education, Suzie understands how important it is to share and learn about this women's issue, in the hope that other women will be encouraged and empower themselves, becoming proactive in their breast health. Early detection is key!

DIY Dog Grooming to Bring Out the Dog in You

The term dog grooming may sometimes give an impression of complicated procedures coupled with devices which bear semblance to medical or beauty devices. That is where the misconception lies as it is basically a practice no different to how man takes care of himself. As everyone requires self maintenance in the areas of beauty and hygiene, so do our dogs. Since there are varying levels of grooming needs, it is recommended you do some research before landing yourself with a high maintenance project. Numerous tips and guidelines are readily available in pet grooming books as well as online sites.

To keep a dog at its best condition, it needs to be kept clean at all times. Depending on type of dog breed, each has its own set of physical characteristics. A longer-haired dog obviously needs more frequent brushing to remove tangles, matting and excess shedding. Unless you are one with the time and patience for such a discipline, a shorter-haired breed may be more up your alley. Hair cuts are also a must as overgrown hair tends to encourage knots and obstruct your dog's vision. A dog with a disheveled appearance is not the best-looking man's best friend. Unless you have the proper devices and skills on how to properly trim your dog's hair, this can be a task best left to the experts.

Since dogs and children share commonalities in attracting every possible piece of dirt when playing outdoors, bathing is an essential part of dog grooming. Putting right a common fallacy that dogs are adverse to water, it is often the opposite. Dogs just dislike water running into their ears which explains the constant shaking of heads and the occasional dash for freedom whilst dripping throughout the house.

A dog with long and floppy ears needs more attention as it is more prone to ear infection. It is normally caused by lack of ventilation to the ear canal, type of dog breed, allergies and lack of hygiene. By observing proper ear care procedures as advised by the vet, your dog should be spared of this misery. A dog's nails also need to be kept in check with periodic trimming. To avoid over clipping them, file them to recommended lengths.

By grooming your own dog, the chore takes on a new turn as a bonding opportunity between owner and pet.

Author enjoys writing on wide range of topics such as Dog Shear and Dog Grooming Shears. You may visit for more details.

How to Wash Your Dog at Home - The Essential Tips

To wash your dog at home you will firstly need to give your dog a good brush to get all knots and tangles out before you wash him. Then you need to gather the items needed. For this you will need a dog shampoo, two towels, hair dryer (optional) and a small bucket or container to rinse him off.

Once you have got the essentials to wash you dog you need to put some warm water into a bath tub or laundry sink about three inches deep. Then you need to slowly and calmly pick up your dog and put him into the tub. Once your dog is in the tub you will need to rinse him down from head to tail and the underside of him, try not to get any in his eyes or ears as this can cause irritation and infections.

Now that your dog is all wet you can start to rub the shampoo into his coat starting at his head down to his tail and legs and into all of the crevices underneath him. Once you have done this you need to empty all the dirty water and fill the tub up again with clean water once done you need to rinse him off again to get all of the shampoo off him.

Now he is all clean you need to put him onto a towel that is on the ground and dry him off with the other towel. Try to dry him off the best you can and then if you want to you can get your hair dryer (with a no heat setting) if you have one and dry him off further with it. If you are using a hair dryer make sure that it is about six inches away from him skin so it does not burn him.

When washing a thick coated dog or corded breed you will have to be extra thorough as the exterior may be clean and dry but if the undercoat is still wet it can cause mold. If you wash your dog at home you can save a lot of money each year.

Christopher Hogan is an entrepreneur and internet marketer with the love of animals he has just started his latest web site http://smartdoggrooming.com/ so check it out here

Kanga - A Story of Rescue and Hope

On 24/7/2010 a report was transmitted via Sky news to other world news services, including Telstra Big Pond Internet News, entitled -

'Roo Row Sees Australia Condemned by EU'

Animal Rights campaigners tell of the horrific deaths of baby kangaroos at the hands of 'roo hunters in Australia -- and compare this inhumanity to the clubbing of seal cubs in Canada. Although I have no question about the need to 'cull' an animal population that has soared out of all proportion in the last decades, I have personally witnessed the slaughter described, and been sickened. I don't know what the answer is. I do know the following story was my response to what confronted me, some 40 years ago.

The night was not so dark at all. A near full moon bathed the open spaces in soft grey light, striped with long dark shadows from the gum trees. It just felt darker when the lights of the ute were on full beam, and the spotlight pointed its invasive finger through the bush.

I wished we could stop again to stretch our cramped legs. Last time had been beautiful. Not just the stretching, although that was overdue and good. But the sudden absence of artificial light and noise...the feeling of being surrounded by an eternity of space and quiet...alone, and yet not lonely. Strange and lovely it was. I had never seen the stars so dazzling, the moon so large and benevolent, the sky so all-encompassing. I didn't know the sound of silence could be this total, the air this fresh and clean. The harsh bush was so different...soft now, dressed in its nightwear. I had never felt smaller or more insignificant.

"There's one! Quick, spot to the left. No! Bloody further left!" The harsh words and a lurching turn of the ute jolted me out of my reverie, and as my eyes refocused outwards again, the cause of the shouting and the sudden forward thrust of the roaring motor was immediately apparent.

He was magnificent. A big red old man kangaroo. Sailing, pounding down, sailing again. Weaving in and out of the scrub and the light, every move so gracefully fluid, so effortless. Out into an open expanse, muscles rippling, long legs stretching then bunching, head constantly turning, seeking escape. And suddenly he found his goal - a narrow, well-flattened path into dense scrub.

Shots rang out...close...very close. But the trees deflected the whining bullets, sheltering their own from the intruders. Curses from the men, joy from me, as the ute slewed around and the hunters were left with only frustration as their prize. Much earlier, when the men had been discussing the build-up of kangaroos on the station and decided to go spotlighting, they had challenged my husband and myself, saying, "What about you, townies? Coming with us?"

It had seemed exciting then, an adventure. The first hour had been all of that and more. Much fruitless searching, and then a sudden sighting of a small mob quite close to thick scrub. Too far away for shots that time. But near enough to see the red alert of alien sound and smell flicker through the peacefully grazing group like an electric current. A shivering moment of standing tall, ears turning like sonar trackers, skin flinching. Then a slight sinking down as the mighty springs of their muscles coiled for flight. In three, maybe four huge leaps, they were gone.

Now, after the chase of that dignified old man roo, I felt uncertain. I understood the increasing numbers were a problem. I understood shooting by good marksmen was humane compared to poisoning. But somehow, knowing all these things just didn't help. A knot of hurt and sadness began in the pit of my stomach, as I tried to keep up a good front. After all, we were guests, and the men were doing what they assured me they had to do. So I became a whole lot quieter as I wished desperately that we wouldn't find anymore this night. But my wish was in vain. The worst was still to come.

They shot ten kangaroos that night. Some were dropped in full flight - others as they began to turn away from the dazzling brightness of the pitiless spotlight. Almost all were dispatched with a single shot and none were left to suffer - but it was small comfort to me, or the roos. The last was a gentle grey doe, mesmerised by this alien light. Her soft stricken eyes stared in confusion and terror, and she was a perfect target. After she had fallen, we could all see movement still continuing in her pouch.

My pain became an overwhelming sickness as one of the men pulled a joey from her. And then red-hot rage engulfed me as he said, "I'll just put this little bugger out of his misery." He took a firm grasp of the baby's tail as he spoke, and began to move towards a nearby tree. I could see what he planned. Guest or not, I couldn't control myself any longer. I exploded out of the ute, physically and verbally.

I'll never remember the words I said as I took the baby and bundled the confusion of legs and tail into my jumper. I only know that three strong men stood there like shamefaced schoolboys as my fury boiled over. My horror and their embarrassment were such that I was given their promise that any future joeys would be given to me. Thankfully, they kept their word and I would successfully raise nine kangaroos to adulthood.

The one who would grow up to be the biggest and best of these babies was this first one, my Snoopy. He became a Big Red Boomer who stood taller than me - an 'old man roo' who never failed to melt at the sound of my voice...the touch of my hands. Despite everything, I was his Mother...and he was my baby.

© 2010 CHRISTINE LARSEN All Rights Reserved

http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/cdcraftee

How to Make a Cheap Rope Dog Toy Using the Monkey Fist Knot

If you've got some old rope, two hands and a little patience you CAN make this rope toy for your dog! Once you have mastered tying the knots, you can make a toy like this is under 15 minutes. These toys would make great fundraisers for any dog event!

Tools & Supplies

You only need a few things to make this toy, 20 feet of rope, a pair of scissors and a lighter.

Making the Monkey Fist Knot

STEP 1 - Starting in the middle of the rope, wrap it around your hand three times.

STEP 2 - Wrap the rope three times around the middle of the outside of the rope.

STEP 3 - Wrap the rope three times around the "core" of the rope.

STEP 4 - Tightening the knot is the hardest part, and you probably won't get it right on the first try. Tighten up the knot like you are trying to undo it. Work slowly and keep at it.

Making The Chain Sennit Ends

Now you have to finish the loose ends of the rope

STEP 1 - Make a loop in the rope.

STEP 2 - Make another loop in the rope and push it through. Tighten the previous knot

STEP 3 - Keep going until you have reached near the end of your rope.

STEP 4 - Push your working end of rope through the last loop and tighten to end the chain.

Repeat these steps with the other end of the rope.

Finishing The Rope Ends

Trim the ends of the rope with a scissor so that they are even and melt the ends with a lighter so that they don't unravel.

Your dog toy is now finished! With all dog toys, please supervise playtime with this toy for safety reasons.

Karen Friesecke is the author of Bloggie Stylish a new blog dedicated to recipes and free projects for dogs. Please visit Rope Dog Toys to see this tutorial, complete with pictures.

Old Sweatshirts Can Be Recycled

Have you ever wondered what to do with old, worn out sweatshirts? Individuals have discovered that they should not be thrown away or donated, because there are some great uses for old, worn out sweatshirts.

Sweatshirts can be recycled so that they are turned into something new that can be useful. Sweatshirts can be cut into octagon shapes so that they can be sewn together to create wonderful quilts. Start by cutting off the arms of your sweatshirt, then continue by cutting off the top and bottom off of your sweatshirt. Now what is left is only the body that is close to the shape of a square, which needs to be turned inside out so that the right sides are facing up.

Begin cutting out three inch squares from each corner of what is remaining of the sweatshirt, then take two of the cut outs and sew them together so that the right sides are together. Once you have sewn them together they need to be turned inside out. As you continue sewing these cut outs together set them aside until you have collected enough to sew them all together. Take a rectangle template to make sure that all the pieces are cut as evenly as possible.

Continue cutting each side three inches up and about three-quarter inches wide, which will create frills onto the edges. Tie all of the frills together in a loose knot so that they can be attached to both sides. Once you have tied all of the frills together in loose knots along both sides, then you have a nice hand made quilt or blanket that is great for your house hold pet to sleep on. Or you can continue by cutting a strip of the sweatshirt out in a long rectangle then frill the edges to create small scarves for your children.

The sleeves that you cut out can be turned into wonderful cleaning rags or rags to polish your furniture with by cutting the sleeves in half. Another idea is to create a sweater for your household pet out of your old sweatshirts by again removing the sleeves with pinking shears. Then measure your cat or dog up against the sleeve of the sweatshirt, then cut out two holes in the appropriate places for the front legs of your household pet. Now cut the sweatshirt sleeve down the middle so that a zipper or buttons can be added to finish creating the sweater. Once this is completed, then you can place designs on the sweatshirt sweater you have created by using fabric paint.

Other great creative ideas to recycle your old sweatshirts is to create dog rope toys by cutting your sweatshirts into different size strips and then knotting them up. If your sweatshirts are simply too stained to be worn anymore, then another idea is to tie dye your sweatshirts to make them seem brand new and will also hide the stains. Then if you simply do not have a creative bone in your body, instead of tossing them out donate them to homeless shelters where other individuals can enjoy the warmth that they will deliver.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for sweatpants, sweatshirts, outdoor gear, sports clothing, and model motorcycles. Click here when you want to find recycled sweatshirts, outdoor gear, sports clothing.

Buying a Guinea Pig - Grooming

Supplies needed:

Nail clippers - small animal, can range any where from $2 to $7 or more.

Brush - small animal, from $3 to $5 and higher

Shampoo - $4 to $8 and more

Ear cleaner - around $4

Scissors - anywhere from $2 to $10

Grooming is essential to owning a guinea pig. Improper care can lead to a decline in your little friend's health. So first things first, you need to make sure you have all of the required supplies listed above.

Basic grooming for short-haired guinea pigs does not really need anymore than gentle brushing with a soft-bristled pet brush. Normal stroking will remove loose hair. Try dampening your hands while brushing so that the loose hair will stick to your hands. Always remember to check their nose, ears, little bottoms are clean, free of discharge, scabbing, etc, and if necessary, wipe gently with a damp cloth. If left for too long without being properly groomed it can lead to serious health problems.

Basic grooming for rough haired guineas, like short-haired piggy's, only need minimal grooming. A soft-bristled brush will suffice.

Basic grooming for long-haired guinea pigs requires regular combing with a wide-toothed comb to tease out knots and tangles. Trimming and shampooing are also required as the hair is easily dirtied while the piggy is roaming about.

How often should my guinea pig be shampooed?

An often debated question but you should definitely shampoo your pig whenever it is required, though no more often than 3 month intervals. This will prevent their natural oils from being dried out and causing irritation. Guinea pigs, especially short-haired breeds, are mostly successful at keeping themselves neat and tidy. Keep in mind that if your piggy is undergoing treatment shampoos, shampooing them more often may be necessary.

Why should I trim my piggy's hair?

If you have a long-haired piggy, you have probably noticed how quickly their coats tend to get damp, tangled, and matted if you do not keep it trimmed short. Make sure you trim your piggy's hair regularly to avoid making him or her uncomfortable. You should try to trim your piggy's hair every 3 months before you shampoo them. Do I need to trim just the bottom, or do I need to cut all of his hair? Mostly this is at your own discretion. For health and hygienic reasons, a small trim around the bottom area is all that is needed, though sometimes if you trim her whole coat your piggy will be more energetic. A good pair of scissors for trimming, an apron, to prevent the loose strands from sticking to your clothes, a wide-toothed comb for tangles, a spray bottle of water, to dampen the hair and make it easier to trim, treats, to keep your piggy busy while you groom him or her, and a long sleeved top to prevent uncomfortable nibbling from your little friend are all the things you need to groom your long-haired guinea.

*Note: If your piggy is making a huge fuss while you trim them, do not panic. This is natural because they do not enjoy being trimmed. Just be as gentle as you can during the process and when you are finished let him settle down.

Why do I need to trim my guinea's nails?

There are quite a few reasons to trim your piggy's nails.

1 - You do not want them to get caught on something while they are running around and cause injury

2 - If a guinea's nails grow too long they can curl under and grow into the soft padding of their paw, this can be extremely painful and easily get infected.

3 - You furry little friend will feel much better with trimmed nails, they will be much more comfortable running around.

4 Your piggy can grow 'spurs'. Spurs are a sort of hardened nail growth from the side of her paw that can also curl under their foot if not clipped. They can be painlessly clipped off when you trim your guinea's nails to prevent them from catching or tearing. However, if you are not 100% certain it is a spur do not clip it. Consult a vet so that you do not injure your pet.

Remember to check your guinea's nails every week or so, just to keep an eye on them. It usually works out to where you should only have to trim them every month to a month and a half. All you need is a small nail clipper like the kind used for small dogs and cats, a hand towel to wrap around your piggy in case they like to squirm, and another set of hands to help hold your guinea while you clip their nails.

Gwen Garrett is a Guinea Pig enthusiast. She has owned at least one piggy since she was five years old! To find out more about Guinea Pigs click here Guinea Pig Guides Subscribe to out Mini Course to access our forum!

What is a Dog Knot?

The term dog knot pertains to different things. The dictionaries of both the formal language and the colloquial phrases had found several meanings to this term. As such, it was defined beneath altering concepts. Dog knot can be described in different points of views, and each one of them explained in an entirely different context.

A dog knot can be explained in an engineering context. In this circumstance, it is explained as an enlarged section of a pipe or a rod use to retain it in a hole. This structure can be seen inside buildings and similar edifices. Dog knots in engineering are rarely used and are not really that popular. However, it is the initial concept of this term. But then, the meaning has evolved extremely over time, with its real connotation had gone out of context.

Literally speaking, a knot is a type of knot used to be tied around a shaft or any similar construction so it will not come lose. The people who are experts in making knots definitely know how to make this one. It is quite useful in certain situations, more particularly when one needs a strong, rigid knot to tie two things together.

However, a dog knot, as people know it today, is highly related to sex. They are the term usually given to two dogs that are mating with each other. Usually, two dogs mate with the back of the bitch against that of the male dog. It is impossible to take them apart during the length of the intercourse. As such, the condition is referred to as the dog knot by many breeders and pet owners.

The biological definition of dog knot is highly related to this concept. A knot in this context is defined as the inflation of the dog's penis, which was used during the intercourse or penetration. The inflation is what causes the dog knot, which in turn, is the one that makes it hard for anybody to take the two mating dogs apart. The two dogs can only break free from each other if the inflation had toned down.

Dog knot is only applicable to the dog species. However, humans are also adapting it in referring to their own sexual relations. Dog knots, when spoken of in a human's intercourse and point of view, pertains to the act of being tied to a woman in the same way the two dogs are attached together. Aside from the back-to-back mating position, dogs can also mate with the male dog on top of the female dog. This position is the one most applicable to the knot, the human context. Humping may also be involved in such a position. This knot meaning is a part of the colloquial or slang terms, and is not used in formal writing.

The last, and maybe one of the more common associations to a dog knot, is dog poo. Oftentimes, a dog's feces are referred to as a knot because it resembles that of a pretzel. This is very true with large dogs. Some people wouldn't want to refer to the poo as what it is so they simply call it a dog knot, which the pet has left on the floor or on the ground. This meaning of a knot is highly associated to the dog's nature call. It too, is a colloquial or a slang term and is rarely used in formal cases.

The true meaning of a dog knot depends entirely on how the term was used in a sentence. There's no way to understand what it means on the mere credits of the words. They have to be used in a declarative sentence so that its meaning would be evident and its association can be clearly conveyed.

The concept of dog knots are not truly understood or accepted by many, so one should be very careful with uttering it in front of a group or another person. Because it has multiple meanings, proper discretion is required when you decide to use the term in your speech. Some people may not accept the actual meaning of this term so be sure to assess your audience first before saying it.

Do visit William's latest website at 18 inch dishwasher which contains reviews on general electric dishwasher and other information about dish washers.

Balloon Clips - Advantages of Using Them

Traditionally, people have been either tying inflated balloons into a knot at the opening or using a string to keep the air in. During ceremonies where balloons are commonly used, this can be wearying. It is a time consuming and tiring process that often requires the efforts of two or more people to get the task done quickly.

However, the invention of balloon clips has made everything so much easier. These little clips are handy for functions that require more than 50 balloons to decorate. They are sold in packs at very reasonable rates. Most packs come with 100 clips, with other packs having 144, 500 and even 1000 pieces.

There are many advantages of using balloon clips.
- Top on this list is time saving. You will be able to clip all your balloons within a short time, freeing you to finish other tasks. Using balloon clips saves more than half the time you spend tying the balloons using fingers.
- They are also easy to use, much easier than trying to tie the balloons using your fingers.
- They are cost effective. For someone holding a party where they hope to put up 200 balloons or more, the alternative would be to sub contract one or more people to tie the balloons for you.
- They are re-usable. After buying one pack, you can keep using the clips repeatedly; there is no limit to the length of time you can use them.
- They are durable. Balloon clips are made from durable material.
- They are safe to use, both for humans and for the environment.

The method of operation may slightly differ with different brands, but the principle is basically the same. You can buy clips in two forms: either loose clips or chain clips. To use the loose clip, simply snap the clip around the neck of the balloon using your fingertips. If you are adding ribbons to your balloons, you can easily clip this together with the balloon.

To use the chain clips, you will need a clipper, which you can buy separately. Other clips have two slots, whereby you need to insert the balloon neck in one slot and tuck it into the second one to seal it.

When you use the clips for the first time, you will probably find yourself doing it at a much slower pace. However, with a few trials, your speed should increase. If you find yourself taking too much time, just to pinch the opening in order to put it through the slot, try pushing it from the bottom up. It snaps easier this way. Whichever way you opt to use, be sure to twist the neck because this is what keeps the air or helium from escaping.

The other option to using balloon clips is tying them up using the fingers as we have mentioned. A variation of this method is using a string to tie the balloon's opening. Both are time consuming and if you have sensitive hands, you will find yourself developing blisters after tying the balloons for a while. If you are planning to host an event that will use of lots of balloons, then make use of balloon clips to make work easier.

To learn about different types of balloon suppliers and sources, visit BestBalloonSuppliers.com, where you'll find this and much more, including how to find the best discount balloons for your party.

In Bed With the Enemy: How to Successfully Partner With Your Competition

Strategic alliances are today commonplace among large corporations. The advantages allow these companies to successfully compete in the global marketplace. Powerful synergies are the outcropping of these alliances. Smaller companies can derive the same advantages through alliance relationships. In this article, I will focus on what I call Synergistic Partnering Alliances where competitors can realize great value by building relationships of integrity with one another.

To begin, you must search for the perfect mate. How do you find competitors with whom who can successfully become a synergistic alliance partner? First, talk to your suppliers. They already have a great deal of experience with your competitors. They also have a good handle on the integrity or lack there of. Also, your trade associations can be quite helpful. The board members and staffers are usually knowledgeable about the players in your industry. Other possibilities are your local chambers of commerce and the better business bureau.

The key is to find a partner with the same core values as you. This will make life together better. Ask IBM and Apple why their alliance did not work out. If you can find anyone that will tell the truth, they will most likely blame the fact that the cultures of the two companies were too different. A significant point in selecting a partner is to keep in mind that your alliance will only be as strong as its weakest link. What I mean to say is that you want a winner, not a looser on your team. Do not build an alliance with a needy person or organization, especially if they/it that cannot make it on their own. Trust me--you will regret it if you do.

Next, you must court your future alliance partner to start building a relationship. Assisting your future synergistic alliance partner to have an emotional ownership in the partnering paradigm will be your primary mission at this point. Intellectually, your partner can see and realize the benefits of a synergistic relationship but the fear of losing control might block their emotional ownership to a commitment. Without their emotional ownership, not buy-in, any commitment made will have been done on a shaky foundation.

Now, they might be experiencing the getting married jitters. You must successfully deal with the fears and issues in synergistic alliance partnering with competitors. Sensitivity and understanding of your potential partner's situation are crucial at this juncture. Talk about the up side and the down sides to your intended alliance. Talk about how you might deal with the relationship if things do not work out. Plan an exit strategy. Getting fears and issues out on the table rather than hiding them in the dark will serve all involved extremely well.

Where are you going to live? The question is about your individual and combined marketing areas. Also, talk about new buying habits and information recovery systems. You will need to track new information to detect the value gained in the alliance. Selecting the alliance marketing area, geographically and service/product mix is no easy task. You will need to pay close attention to the small and large details alike. Might you share warehousing or delivery facilities or possibly even employees to overcome personnel challenges?

Who's Going to Do the Chores? Alliance partner responsibilities and activities make the relationship a success or failure. Too often this is the area where unrealistic expectations of one another rear themselves. Be clear, commit it to writing, who will be doing what. The palest ink is better than the most powerful memory. It is too easy to forget your commitments in six months, a year or a decade later. Regular value updates on the alliance relationship will be very helpful. Too often we keep issues to ourselves and the issues fester like a splinter. This is not the way to build a successful relationship. The relationship value updates should consist of expectations (met and missed) and profitability targets. This information will assist you in determining to upgrade, downgrade or maintain the relationship as is.

Time to tie the knot. The synergistic alliance partnering agreement should be in writing. It should contain detailed explanations of activities, expectations and responsibilities of each partner. This document will be your guiding light or road map for your successful alliance relationship. When in question, you will refer to the "Partnering Charter." Now that you are in a relationship, it will be necessary to make regular relationship bank deposits of physical and emotional energy. Always meet your partner more than half way. By giving more than half, a robust synergy follows and so much more is possible by working in concert than singularly.

Surviving under the sheets? Yes! Being in an alliance relationship is much like being married. Once the synergistic partnering alliance is in place it becomes essential to learn how to become successful cohabitants. While each of you is responsible for your own success, you now must consider how your actions will affect your partner's business. Be aware of the things you do and how your actions might create a need for your partner to change their strategic plan. Confer before you act. After all, you are in bed together. To get space, you must give it first.

When your partner takes all the covers it is not much fun. To Successfully deal with the regular and normal issues and challenges of the relationship, you must get past the "Denial Syndrome." Denial is an insidious situation that generally results in personal destruction. The expression, putting your head in the sand like an ostrich is applicable to denial. The problem with putting your head in the sand is that you leave your posterior undefended. Too often in conflict, one finds it easier to ignore than confront. A confrontation does not have to be a knock down drag out affair, especially if you selected your partner well. Open communication is the key element in dealing with missing covers, or anything else. Remember, if you steal your partner's sheets today, they might take yours when you are cold and in need.

We must go to the marriage counselor. When relationship roadblocks occur, it may be necessary to seek third party counsel for mediation. In this situation, authenticity and openness are meaningful. Since you took the time to choose well, it is usually worth the time, energy and expense necessary to rebuild the partnering bridge. Mediation is becoming a popular method for resolving conflict and it will be easier than you might think to find a qualified mediator. In this process of reconciliation, focus on the reasons for selecting your partner and the benefits you hoped to receive rather than the anger, rage or hurt feelings.

Oh no, divorce! You truly tried but it did not work out. For a myriad of reasons, this sometimes happens. No reason to feel like a failure or declare that you'll never again be in a relationship. In dealing with separation issues, be the bigger person and again meet your partner more than half way. Otherwise the rage and anger will fester and you will become immobilized. If there is "community property" dispose of it fairly or offer to buy out your partner. Either work it out, or take court ordered pennies on the dollar. Only outsiders win in this situation.

We did it, and look at the profits. Yes, success is my hope for you and your partner. Enjoying the journey with your alliance partner and looking for additional opportunities is what make all the work worth the energy. Maybe your alliance will simply be a buying consortium. Perhaps it will be an alliance to serve a large multi regional customer. It could be to share a pool of employees or an advertising coop. What ever you select, have fun in your partnering journey. Enjoy the process and the rewards. And I assure you, build your alliance correctly, and there will be rewards.

To access helpful additional information from Ed Rigsbee at no charge, please visit http://www.rigsbee.com/downloadaccess.htm.

Ed Rigsbee, CSP is a leading national authority on business relationships. He is the author of PartnerShift-How to Profit from the Partnering Trend, Developing Strategic Alliances and The Art of Partnering. All his books are available at Amazon.com. Rigsbee has over 1,000 published articles to his credit and is a regular keynote presenter at corporate and trade association conferences across North America. Contact him for your next meeting at 800-839-1520 or EdRigsbee@aol.com. Visit his Partnering University web site at http://www.rigsbee.com.

Pet Loss, or, Have Ashes, Will Travel

"I can't go on like this," I bawled to the empty room.

Markus, my beloved canine companion who had been with me for over 14 adventure filled years, had passed away two weeks ago. It was the worst time of my life, and I was so busy suffering that I wouldn't answer the phone or the doorbell to allow kind friends to comfort me. I wanted no consolation for none could dissipate the knot in my chest, nor fill the place in my heart where Markus once lived. It was a far worse natural disaster than previously experienced, like fires and earthquakes. They only took my home. This one took my heart.

About a week into my period of self-imposed isolation, someone shoved a newspaper clipping under the front door. It was from the Los Angeles Times. It said grief counseling for pet owners was to take place at 7:00 p.m. that very evening at the Glendale Adventist Medical Center, about 40 minutes drive from my house.

"Maybe I'll go," I muttered, "I really must do something. I can't go on like this. It's time to get a grip," and I weaved through the freeway traffic to Glendale. Perhaps professional help would ease the pain and enable me to function.

At the Information Desk in the Medical Center, I showed the man in charge the newspaper article and confirmed that pet owner grief counseling was to be held in the Chaplain's office in half an hour. The man clucked sympathetically, pointed me toward the appropriate door, and pushed a pamphlet across the desk claiming that reading it would help me accept and ultimately overcome my pain.

Waiting in the hallway for the chaplain to arrive and unlock his office was a sad-looking woman dressed in black. She was shifting from one foot to the other, her hands twisting a damp handkerchief with which she occasionally daubed at her eyes.

Perhaps, I thought, if I can get her to talk , it will distract me from my own loss. Isn't that what life is all about? People helping people? Finding a connection?

She looked at me and I don't think I ever before saw so much sadness in a pair of eyes. She looked as I felt. A kindred soul.

After introducing herself, she asked compassionately, "When did you suffer your loss?"

"I lost my Markus two weeks ago," I sniffed, feeling my chin begin to tremble and my eyes to well up.

"It's been nearly a year since I lost my Kenny and I'm not over it yet," she said slowly, gazing into the distance at an invisible horizon.

We talked about how difficult it was to be with someone for years and years only to have them suddenly go. Just like that. Snatched away when you weren't expecting it. We talked about how, even if we had expected it, there's really no preparation for the devastating feelings rampant in the survivor.

She had opted for Kenny's cremation, as I had with Markus, and both of us had decided not to scatter the ashes but to keep them with us.

"My ashes, I told the woman, "are in my car in the parking garage downstairs. I couldn't bear going anywhere without Markus."

"Mine are in the bedroom we shared for so long. It's comforting to know that part of my Kenny is still with me.

I confided that when I wasn't driving around with his ashes, Markus also was kept in my bedroom just like when he was alive.

"Twin beds?" Catherine inquired, continuing, "That's what we had after my Kenny got the cancer."

"No, we slept in the same bed. Markus never got sick. He just died. No warning, just died."

"Oh you poor thing," she said, putting her arms around me.

What people say about sharing feelings and the magic of a hug is true. A bit of the sadness lifted from my mind and I began to hope that it wouldn't be too long before I could return to work.

It was right about then that she said, "It's worse for me at this time of year. My Kenny was going to get an RV and drive us to Phoenix."

"What?"

"Kenny was going to rent an RV and we were going to drive to Phoenix," she said louder, "Say, what's the matter. You've gone all white. You look just awful."

The woman was talking about her husband and I was talking about my dog. I had been directed to the wrong grief center, the one for spouses, not pets.

"Uh, I don't feel well," I said, swiping at my forehead with a Kleenex.

"I understand dear," she said patting my arm, "It's just too soon for you to be out in public."

Once in the parking garage of the medical center, I turned to the silvery box in the passenger seat containing the remains of my Markus and said, "Some day, this will be funny enough to write about. Not today, but some day."
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http://www.maggievanostrand.com

Maggie Van Ostrand's award-winning humor column appears in local hard copy newspapers and online publications in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Her articles appear regularly in the Chicago Tribune, and have appeared in the Boston Globe, Newsday, the Philadelpha Inquirer, Amarillo Globe-News, Sun-Sentinel, and many other national newspapers, as well as national and niche magazines.

A prolific writer, Maggie churns out three humor and one human interest columns weekly, plus a monthly humor column.

She is a member of National Society of Newspaper Columnists, the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop, and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists in the U.K.

Maggie was also a judge of the worldwide Erma Bombeck Writers' Contest in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and judge of 2007 Arizona Press Club Award for journalism.

Leash Training and Obedience Training For Your New Dog

Leash training is the most difficult part of the entire of obedience training package. Generally leashes make the dogs feel restricted and tied up. This can cause your dog to show weird behavior. It is much more difficult that arranging for nice dog beds or making your dog stay in a crate. You will have to extra careful while giving your dog this kind of training. There are some important aspects of dog leash training. Follow the right steps to take effective results from dog leash training.

The primary part of training your dog not to pull you at the conclusion of the leash is to encourage in them a sagacity of peaceful and calm mind prior to the leash ever goes on. Dogs are risky animals and the spectacle of the leash is an indication for them that they are going out on a splendid exploration or some exciting activity. They turn out to be very energized by the panorama and it can be tricky to even get the leash stuck to their collar let alone manage the dog. So we require the aid of an additional authority. The thought is to make your darling peaceful and quiet adequately that you do not have to struggle to fix the leash and the saunter should not in the slightest of manner begin until the pet has reassured. If you consent to the pet to lay down the frame of mind for your walk as excitement, then they will keep on the waling at the equivalent rate of knots.

Now that you have accomplished placing the leash on the collar, half of your work is already done. This is the trickiest part of your dog training and you are just through with it. You might have observed your pet wobbly in anticipation as you were fixing the leash. Your dog is all set for a nice walk and just an not pass the time keep hold of the end of the leash strongly and place in the ground both feet resolutely for the reason that as soon as you let go the collar, two things are going to come to pass. Initially, your pet is going to run off like crazy all over the place in a transformed emotion of thrill and, secondly, you are going to experience as if your arm is going to be jerked from its opening.

To bring to a halt an opportunity occurrence like this, try a straightforward method. Just relax and stand quietly. Your pet will rapidly arrive at the last part of the leash and stand still at the end of it. Hold your position in anticipation of the time when it comprehends that you are not going somewhere at all. When the animal cools down and comes back to you admire her liberally. Then amble around the room with her a bit. If your dog repeats the pull behavior, another time rest for some time. Your dog will rapidly become skilled at it. Stay patient. Again go into raptures over your dog for being an excellent dog.

This author lives in Clinton, NJ with beautiful 16 month old daughter and her husband of many years and love contributing to dog beds and baby sites where her expertise and interest are combined. She loves writing about topics such as dog supplies, dog training, baby and kids development, pregnancy health and more. Her favorite pet boutique which offers unique dog feeders and orthopedic dog beds keeps her busy shopping for her family Pit Bull and adorable cat.