5 Practical Tips to Help Your Overweight Dog!

The obesity epidemic is hitting humans hard, with more than 1/3 of adults in the US and UK clinically overweight or obese. Our pets are quickly following suit. Some experts blame processed commercial dog foods while others place the blame on heavy-handed feeding practices. Food is love, right? Wrong.
It's true that most of us over-feed our pets. We give snacks and treats as often as we can and give in to their begging behavior. Veterinarians may charge us with the task of helping our dog to lose weight, but many don't know how to begin. Let's take a look at some basics on how to put your overweight dog on a diet.

Tip #1: Visit to the Vet
If you're not sure what your pet's ideal weight should be for their age and breed, ask your veterinarian. A physical examination will help determine your pet's body condition score and level of obesity. The vet can then help you determine what kind of diet your dog needs to be on. Some veterinarians will offer nutritional counseling, providing you with a very specific meal plan, number of calories per day or prescription diet.
Tip #2: Measure the food
Commercial dog foods have published feeding instructions on the side of every bag of dry dog food. Some canned foods also have feeding recommendations. Feeding recommendations are based on current body weight.

Always remember that the recommended amount to feed is the DAILY RATION.

If you feed your dog twice a day, you must split the recommended amount in half. It is a common mistake for owners to read the bag and give that amount twice a day - essentially feeding twice as much as the dog needs. If you read the bag and realize that you have been overfeeding, go ahead and feed what is recommended. Your pet may begin to lose weight from this simple change alone. If your veterinarian recommends a certain amount, be sure to measure it out accurately using a standard imperial dry-measure cup or weight it out in grams.
Tip #3: No Snacking
It's thought that the French have one of the lowest rates of obesity in the world due to their cultural "ban" on snacking. Americans are the worst about eating all day long, snacking in between meals and eating more calories than we should. Many of us do the same for our dogs. Even if we have a "healthy" snack, such as an apple, we may give some of these extra calories to our patiently waiting pooch.
If you do give your dog treats or snacks, stick to low-calorie options and very small portions - no larger than your thumbnail 1-2 times daily. Also incorporate this treat as a reward during training or physical exercise. Your dog will simply be happy that you are giving them attention and affection, even if it is less food.
Tip #4: Begging Behavior
Don't give into the begging! This is one of the reasons that pet diet plans fail. When you cut out the snacks and reduce the amount of food that they are eating - sometimes they will beg for more. If you give in to this annoying habit, you are actually positively reinforcing the behavior - making them more likely to beg in the future!
Tip #5: No Table Food
If your dog eats the same way that you do, this can be the cause of their obesity. Many dogs don't eat commercial dog food and can suffer the ill effects of a high calorie 'human' diet. To remedy this, cut back on the table food very gradually, as going 'cold turkey' can cause annoying begging behavior. If your dog will only eat roast beef and boiled rice, mix it in with a high-quality canned dog food. As your dog gets used to the new textures and flavors, slowly phase out the 'human food.'
Eating a balanced diet will do wonders not only for the waistline but for their overall health as well. These tips should set you and your pudgy pooch up for dieting success. Always remember to discuss weight loss plans with your pet's veterinarian. 'Crash diets' and suddenly reducing calories can be stressful for you and your pet. Remember: slow and steady wins the race.

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Horse Training: 7 Essential Steps for Safely Handling Your Horse's Feet

Handing your horse's feet regularly is necessary for his health and wellbeing. But did you know that how well your horse behaves about having his feet handled is also a sign of how much he trusts you?
It takes a huge amount of trust for your horse to be relaxed while having a foot held. As a flight animal your horse's natural instinct is to resist having his feet restricted in any way.
If your horse won't let you handle his feet or behaves badly when you try, it is not only frustrating it can also be dangerous.
Follow these tips if you are nervous about handling your horse's feet or if your horse has any of these or similar behaviours:

• refuses to lift his foot
• slams his foot down as soon as you pick it up
• leans his weight on you when you pick up his foot
• rears, strikes or kicks when you try to pick up a foot or touch his leg

Follow these tips to help your horse pick up his feet willingly and safely.
Set up for Success: Always work with your horse in a quiet area where you are both away from distractions so you can focus on each other. If you tie your horse, always use a quick release clip or not and have the tie long enough so his neck can be level.
Establish your personal space. Horses determine their place in the herd by who move who. Respectfully ask your horse to move out of your space. If your horse responds aggressively (biting, striking or kicking), get help from a professional horse trainer.
Build trust about being touched everywhere. Using a whip to extend your reach, stroke your horse gently starting on his withers and shoulder then down his front leg finishing by tapping the hoof. Next, stroke along his back, barrel, and croup then down his haunches and back legs tapping the hoof. Pay attention to your horse's body language. If he shows signs of stress, return to somewhere that he was comfortable until he relaxes again.
Balance matters. Your horse is balanced when he is standing with his feet square and under him. When he is standing square, ask him to shift his weight off the leg you want him to pick up. As he lifts the foot, support the fetlock and hoof with your cupped hand. Keep the foot lined up with the knee to avoid pulling on the shoulder, knee or fetlock. Gently lower the foot to the ground placing the toe down being careful not the drop it.
Prepare for picking and trimming. At first, only hold the foot up an inch or two for a second or two. Gradually increase the height and the length of time. When your horse comfortably holds his foot up for about 30 seconds, gently brush ad then tap the sole with your hand, a brush or a hoof pick.
Protect your back. When handling your horse's feet, keep your knees bent and your weight shifted slightly more over your outside leg (farthest from your horse). Stand close to your horse but be aware of where your feet are to avoid being stepped on. Your horse can't see your feet.
Quality is more important than quantity. The length of your sessions is less important than the quality of the experience for your horse. The goal is for him to be calmer at the end of the session than he was at the beginning.

The Bottom Line - The absolute best way to develop a true partnership with your horse is by building your confidence and trust in each other.

How to Prepare Your Cats for a New Kitten

It is often said that it is easier to introduce a dog to a cat than a kitten to a cat. This is because the dog won't be viewed as competition for resources, territory and affection in the way a kitten is. But this isn't to say that it can't be done successfully and here are a few tips.
Understanding your cat
Cats have a territory even if this constitutes the rooms in the house and the arrival of a new kitten can be seen as an infringement on this territory. One of the best tips when it comes to selecting a new kitten is to understand the personality of your existing cat and pick a kitten accordingly. For example, if your existing cat is nervous and shy, then don't purchase an overly confident kitten who could intimidate the cat and cause conflict. Try to get cats that have similar personalities in the hope that they will gel together.
Of course, this is difficult to do in some situations, such as from a shelter. You don't spend enough time with the kitten before adoption to get a feel for who they are. Then the other plan is to make sure you can separate the kitten from the cat while they settle in.
Kitten crate
The ideal of a kitten crate or box may sound harsh but it a good safe way to introduce an adult cat to the newcomer. This prevents fights that can lead to long term animosity and problems as well as possible short term injuries. Purchasing a cat crate to use for the kitten until things have settle down can be a worthwhile purchase.
Inside the crate needs to be their new food and water bowls, their own cat litter tray and their own toys. It is important these are all new and not taken from the other cat, as the smells will cause confusion. The cat will not like that the kitten has its things and the kitten may be afraid of something that smells of another cat and not use them.
First meeting
Once you bring the kitten home, don't introduce the cat to it straight away. Let it become familiar with its surroundings and limit it to the room where you have located the crate. Once the kitten has settled down, then pop it in the crate and open the door of the room. Make sure you are present when the cat first comes in and watch the reactions. It can be an idea to put a small box in the crate so the kitten can hide if it feels threatened and leave the door open so the cat can leave when they want to. Sometimes putting a small bowl of the cat's favourite food or treat in the room is a good idea as this immediately associates the kitten with something good in the cat's mind. Watch their interactions and once there is no signs of trouble, you can then let the kitten out of the box and monitor their reaction to one another. While they may never be best friends, most cats adapt to each other and live by happily ignoring the other.

The Basics of Cat Care

Whether you're considering buying or adopting a cat for the first time, already own a cat but just want to make sure you're doing everything right, or simply want to find out more about cats and their care requirements, it can be hard to know where to turn!
Everyone has their own unique ideas about the best way to care for our feline friends, so if you're having problems sorting the wheat from the chaff and want to make sure that the information you're reading is reliable and accurate, search no further; read on to learn more about the basics of good cat care, and where to go to improve your knowledge and understanding.
Responsible cat ownership
Before you make the commitment to take on a cat, you should be sure that you will be able to afford to care for it, and intend to own it and look after it appropriately for the duration of its hopefully long life.
You should review your home and surrounding area critically to ensure that it is a safe and suitable environment to bring a cat into, and also, ensure that if you rent or live in a leasehold apartment, you are permitted to keep cats within your home.
When you actually get your cat, you should take steps to make sure that your cat is not a nuisance or inconvenience to others, and also, that you spay or neuter them as soon as possible, if this has not already been done for you.
Veterinary care
All cats should be vaccinated against all of the core communicable feline diseases, and receive an annual booster and vet check every year. It is also important to be able to recognize other times when your cat may need to see a vet, such as if they become sick or injured. You will also need to budget for flea and worming treatments, and preventative care such as looking after your cat's teeth. Finally, you might want to consider insuring your cat, to help with the cost of any unexpected and potentially expensive veterinary treatments.
Feeding
Cats need to feed little and often, and so should be given free access to the appropriate food, and also clean, fresh water at all times. What you choose to feed your cat is up to you, and the like-for-like price of different cat foods can vary considerably across different ranges! When making your decision, you should take into account your cat's life stage and lifestyle when picking the right food, and you will also need to decide if you wish to feed wet food, dry food, or a combination of both. Wet and dry food each have their advantages and disadvantages, and no one can tell you what is best for your own cat! Make sure that the food that you feed to your cat is a complete food, rather than a supplementary one, as only a complete food will take care of all of your cat's nutritional requirements. Also, go easy on the treats; too many treats can soon cause your cat to pile on the pounds, which can lead to a whole range of potential health problems.
Understanding your cat
Cat communication is complex, and very different from that of humans! You will need to make sure that you understand the basics of cat communication, how to interpret your cat's moods and needs, and how to tell if something is wrong with your cat, such as if they are stressed or unhappy. You should also learn how to provide a safe, comfortable environment for your cat, which includes considerations such as where to locate their beds, food bowls and litter trays, how to make your cat feel secure, and how to recognize when they want to be left alone!
Enabling a natural lifestyle
Most cats are indoor/outdoor cats, meaning that they have a warm home to stay in when they want to, but also have free or regular access to the outside world. This will help your cat to live a natural lifestyle and manifest their natural behaviors, as well as helping to keep them both fit and entertained. In some cases, certain breeds of cats may do better with an indoor-only lifestyle, such as the very un-streetwise Ragdoll, or hairless cat breeds that are apt to get too cold in the winter, or get burnt in the summer. If this is the case with your cat, you will have to go a lot further when it comes to enabling a natural lifestyle for them, and keeping them entertained.
Life stages
The natural behavior of cats will change as they age, starting with a boisterous, fun-loving kitten who is into everything, through your calmer, adult cat, to the specific traits and care requirements of the feline old-timer. Learning to recognize what is normal and appropriate for your cat at every stage of their lives, and knowing how to provide this, is also essential information.
Troubleshooting
If your cat suddenly starts urinating in the house, clawing the furniture, acting aggressively or otherwise doing something out of the ordinary that indicates unhappiness or an underlying problem, you should learn how to recognize this, and develop a good understanding of the potential causes of problem behaviors and how they can be resolved.

How To Know Which Protein Powder Is Right For You

If you're trying to identify the top rated protein powders, it's hard to get a clear answer, as everyone has a different opinion. It isn't easy to compare two or more products, when they have been created for different purposes, like protein powders. How much extra protein you actually need must be considered when looking for the right product that can help you reach your goals for fitness and health. Also, in case you're interested, you should definitely have a look at the Shakeology meal replacement shake highly recommended.
Eggs are thought to be one of the most-perfect foods by many nutritionists. They have all of the essential amino acids, are low in fat and are very high in protein. There is a reason why you see some athletes put raw eggs in a blender with other ingredients and then drink it, and also having lots of eggs in their diet. Eggs give you lots of protein, but if you don't like eggs, use egg protein powder and the results will be the same. Although eggs are an animal product, they are not a dairy product, so they're appropriate for anyone who may be lactose intolerant. When you are looking for something to eat between meals to give you a lift, egg protein would be better than either whey protein or casein, because its absorption time is between the other two.
Taking protein powder to replace a meal is the choice of many people. These are protein shakes that you make with water, milk or juice along with a protein supplement. There are a variety of purposes for taking products for replacing your meals, but the main ones are improving performances or losing weight. You should keep in mind that the body has many nutritional requirements aside from protein, so it's not a good idea to rely entirely on supplements for your nourishment. Even if you are on a low carb diet, you still need a certain number of carbohydrates. Anytime you substitute a regular meal by using something like whey protein powders, then you need to also take a variety of minerals and vitamins.
Cutting down on eating beef is something people are doing, so as an alternative, you might want to consider beef protein. You might be interested in trying beef protein powder, but there are some things you should know before you do. If you are looking for protein powders, and are allergic to dairy products, a good high quality animal protein to take instead of either whey or casein, It is not the most efficient way to get protein, because beef has a low rating on the Biological Value scale, so even whey protein is better. If you're considering beef protein powder, you should also consider the source of the beef, as factory farmed beef contains many impurities and additives. When you don't have all of the information, things such as different protein powders might not make sense, but it will with further research. Once you find a protein powder that works for losing weight, you will find that to build muscles, you will need another kind. Depending on whether you can tolerate milk products, will determine if you can use whey products or need to find alternatives in hemp, soy, or rice proteins.

Goldfish Care - What a Wonderful Way to Teach Children

Life is fast paced. It is nice to actually stop and 'smell the roses' as the old saying goes. So busy rushing the children off to school, off to work, after school activities, soccer, dancing, piano lessons homework, dinner, bath, bed. Does that routine sound familiar?
Many of us are living a whirlwind with no time to just stop for a moment, take stock and look at what is really wonderful in this world. I've found a little time spent relaxing, sitting together with the children, just watching our goldfish each day rewarding.
I want the children to grow up understanding commitment. Trends and fads can easily take over every part of our lives, from the groceries we buy, the clothes we wear to the home we live in. The term 'disposable society' creeps into our vocabulary all too frequently.
Our young children have the job of feeding our goldfish. The feeding ritual itself is a lesson for children. Not only the commitment to feeding the fish daily, but they learn that variety is important to the health of the fish. Even goldfish need their fruit and vegetables. A little zucchini and peas helps to keep their bodies healthy, just like ours. Reinforcing the message of the importance of good nutrition.
They help with the weekly task of cleaning the fish tank. Being diligent with aquarium care and keeping the tank clean is vitally important to the health of the fish.
I love the deeper lessons our children are learning from taking care of their fish. Unlike cats & dogs these pets can't go to the door when they need to go outside or want to go for a walk. Goldfish are completely reliant on our diligence for their needs. If we let them down we possibly cut their lives short. Their lives are completely dependent on our care.
The great thing about goldfish is that they are relatively hardy, particularly the comet breed. These fish are very lively and add great color to the tank. The tails of the comet are ¾ the length of the body of the fish and so look magnificent when added to an aquarium.
Overcoming society's 'disposable' attitude can be difficult. Children are conditioned from a very early age to 'throw away' things that are used, or imperfect.
All too often a goldfish meets an untimely end and is disposed of down the toilet. With diligence, attention and a little knowledge this can often be avoided.
With care we can nurse our pet back to health. A small hospital tank can be set up to isolate and treat the sick fish. It's a rewarding experience to see the fish recover and go back to his home with the other fish.
We go to the computer and research together. Setting up a breeding tank, learning and watching the cycle of life is another important lesson in caring and nurturing.
Keeping goldfish is a way of instilling a caring attitude to nature. The lessons for our children are invaluable: commitment, responsibility, nature's live cycle and the importance of caring for life.
Apart from providing a wonderful addition to our home, these fish give our family so much more than the meagre attention and care needed for their survival.

AKHILESH KUMAR B.L.S.: Should You Get a Pet Rodent?

AKHILESH KUMAR B.L.S.: Should You Get a Pet Rodent?: Have you ever considered buying a pet rodent on impulse? You're in the pet store and there they are, inexpensive and cheerf...

AKHILESH KUMAR B.L.S.: How to Choose a Pet Bird

AKHILESH KUMAR B.L.S.: How to Choose a Pet Bird:   Pet birds are a cheerful addition to any home. Their chirping, cheerful songs enliven a room, and teaching a pet bird to talk can...

Should You Get a Pet Rodent?

Have you ever considered buying a pet rodent on impulse? You're in the pet store and there they are, inexpensive and cheerful, playfully scampering around their cages and running on their wheels. The health benefits of pet ownership are well known, and rodents can be terrific pets. Why wouldn't you want to buy a small pet right there on the spot, both for their benefit and your own?
Before you jump in, however, you should consider a number of factors about owning a pet rodent, whether it's a hamster, gerbil, guinea pig, rat, or mouse. These small pets are inexpensive to buy, but there additional costs involved in keeping them. They also require gentle attention and constant clean-up and care to ensure pet health. Depending on which type of rodent you choose, they may not live on your daily schedule. And if you buy more than one, you may wake up one day to find yourself the proud owner of many, many baby rodents.

6 Tips for Choosing a Pet Rodent
 
Factors that go into your decision to purchase a pet rodent — and the type of rodent you choose — include:

• Size. Guinea pigs and rats are larger, while mice, hamsters, and gerbils tend to be small in size.
• Number needed. Pet hamsters and mice tend to fight when kept with a companion, so it may be better to purchase just one. Gerbils, guinea pigs, and rats are social and thrive with companionship, particularly same-sex pairs. You should consider buying more than one of these species if you want a happy small pet.
• Attention and care. All pet rodents need some daily attention if they are to be socialized into your family. They should be handled or let out to play every day. But guinea pigs require even more attention than that. Because of their long fur, they need to be groomed regularly.
• Nocturnal or not? Pet hamsters and rats are nocturnal creatures, which means they'll be up playing when you're asleep and zonked out when you're awake. Gerbils, guinea pigs, and mice are more likely to be on your daytime schedule.
• Human interaction. Some pet rodents take to humans more readily than others. Guinea pigs and rats are much less likely to bite, while hamsters and mice tend to be more nervous around people.
• Lifespan. All pet rodents have a short lifespan compared to dogs, cats, and some other types of small pets. Mice live 1 to 3 years, hamsters and gerbils 2 to 3 years, rats 2 to 4 years, and guinea pigs 5 to 7 years. Keep this in mind when buying a pet rodent for a young child.

How to Care for and Feed Your Pet Rodent

Pet rodents have very specific needs if they're to be kept healthy and happy, including:

• Housing. You will need to purchase a cage, terrarium, or aquarium for your pet rodent. Rats and guinea pigs require larger cages than other species. Be sure to buy housing with a sturdy latch, as pet rodents often prove themselves escape artists. A modular enclosure with tubes connecting the different "rooms" can provide your pet rodent with entertainment. You also should stock their living space with plenty of toys and at least one exercise wheel. Lay down fresh hardwood shavings for bedding in their living space.
• Food. Most pet rodents eat pellets specifically formulated for their species. You also should supplement these pellets with fresh produce every day. Guinea pigs have even more specific food requirements, including fresh hay and vitamin C supplements. And don't forget to keep your pet's water fresh, changing it at least once a day.
• Chewing. All rodents love to chew. You need to provide them with safe materials to chew on. It's important for their physical and mental well-being.
• Cleaning. Pet rodents tend to excrete very strong-smelling urine, especially gerbils. You will need to replace bedding and clean out their enclosure at least once a week. Clean their food dish daily, and their water dish or bottle with every refill.

These small pets are adorable and can be sweet companions. Just be sure you know what you are getting into when you decide to bring one into your family.

How to Choose a Pet Bird

 

• Pet birds are a cheerful addition to any home. Their chirping, cheerful songs enliven a room, and teaching a pet bird to talk can be a fun and rewarding pastime. But before you plunge in, understand that there are some drawbacks to bird ownership. Pet birds can be very messy, need different types and amounts of pet bird food and, even though they are caged, require lots of care and attention to ensure optimal pet health.
  The Humane Society of the United States strongly recommends that people interested in keeping a pet bird choose a type that has been selectively bred over time and is considered a domesticated animal. Some examples include:
  
  
• Canaries
• Finches
• Budgies (Parakeets)
• Cockatiels
• Lovebirds

You should avoid purchasing a wild bird species such as a parrot, macaw, cockatoo (not the same as a cockatiel), or toucan, according to the Humane Society. These birds belong outdoors in the wild, and keeping them indoors places a cruel limit on their lives. They also can be very messy and destructive.
4 Bird Selection Tips
These key criteria will help determine your small pet bird selection:

• Birds of a feather. Most pet birds do better when kept with a companion bird. These include finches, budgies, cockatiels, and lovebirds. On the other hand, canaries like to be by themselves.
• Singing or speaking. Some types of budgies and cockatiels can learn to talk, if you spend enough time teaching them. Don’t expect anything but pretty chirps and tweets from the other breeds.
• Lifespan. Budgies live about six years on average, while cockatiels live to about five years and finches live around four to five years. However, individual pet birds can live much longer lives, perhaps 20 years or more.
• Personality. Pet birds can have a widely varied disposition, depending on the breed. Canaries are lovely singers, but they don’t like to be handled by humans and are, as noted, solitary birds. Finches also don’t enjoy human company, but do enjoy being kept with other finches. On the other hand, budgies and cockatiels are very cheerful, smart, and friendly and enjoy being doted on by humans.

Your Pet Bird Food and Care Guide

Pet birds require a lot of care to keep them happy and healthy. Some things to keep in mind include:

• The right cage. You should get the largest cage you can afford to give your pet bird plenty of room to fly. You also will need to set up the cage with perches, food and water dishes, and an assortment of toys. You may need to provide special items, depending on the breed of bird. Hook-billed birds like budgies, cockatiels, and lovebirds need to chew, so you will need to provide chewable items for them. Lovebirds are nesting birds, and you should provide them a nest box.
• The right pet bird food. In general, domesticated birds can all be kept on commercial bird seed sold at stores, but you might want to consider a pelleted food formulated for your particular species. You also should offer them some fruits and vegetables daily. Keep a close eye on the food bowl — high-metabolism species like finches and canaries can starve to death in 24 to 48 hours if their food runs out.
• The right cleaning schedule. Birds make a mess, so you’ll need to thoroughly clean the cage at least once a week. Take out the cage’s tray and the perches for washing. Just prior to cleaning, give your birds a chance for bath time by placing a shallow dish of water on the bottom of the cage. Also keep food and water dishes clean — pet bird food dishes can fill with seed hulls, creating the illusion that there is food when there really isn’t. Discard old food and water and replace them with fresh supplies daily.
• The right amount of attention. Human-friendly pet bird species like budgies or cockatiels should be given attention for at least an hour every day. After you’ve gotten acquainted over a few weeks, you can begin hand taming these birds.

With some general knowledge and the realization that birds do require care, you can enjoy the many benefits of bringing a bird into your home.

7 Small Pets That Could Be Right for You

Pets can be great sources of companionship and comfort, and the health benefits of keeping a pet are well documented. Pet owners often experience increased self-esteem and reduced feelings of loneliness, and they may even gain physical health benefits such as lowered heart rate and blood pressure.
But maybe you aren’t up to the challenge and responsibility involved in owning a dog or cat. If that’s the case, don’t overlook the benefits of small pets! From pet birds and rabbits to ferrets and pet rodents, these guidelines can help you choose the best small pet based on personality and the level of care needed to safeguard its pet health.

Is a Rabbit Right for You?
Pros:

• Rabbits are social and friendly animals, and adapt very well to human companionship.
• They have one of the longer life spans of small pets, living between 7 to 10 years.
• Their floppy ears, soft fur, and wriggly noses make them popular with kids.

Cons:

• Companionship rabbits should be kept in the home, rather than in an outside coop or in a basement or garage. You will need room for a fairly large cage.
• Rabbits need daily handling and care to become socialized. You need to pet your rabbit regularly and let it out of its cage for at least an hour each day.
• Rabbits have a delicate digestive system and need a varied diet that includes fresh vegetables.
• Rabbits and small children do not go well together. Rabbits are skittish animals that need a quiet environment, and the quick movements of excited children could startle and stress them.

Let a Bird Brighten Your Life
Pros:

• Pet birds are colorful additions to any home, and you may find their tweeting and chirping to be charming.
• Pet birds can be kept in a cage in one area of your home, eliminating the potential for mess elsewhere.
• Many types of birds have been selectively bred for human ownership and adapt well to domestic life. These include finches, cockatiels, canaries, parakeets, and lovebirds.

Cons:

• Many wild birds, such as toucans and parrots, belong in the wild and will not enjoy domestic life. They can be loud and destructive.
• Most birds are flock animals, so when purchasing certain species you really should get two in order for them to lead a happy life.
• A bird’s cage should be big enough for it to spread its wings fully and fly from one side to the other. Keep in mind that the cage will need to be cleaned regularly.

Keep a Hamster’s Schedule in Mind
Pros:

• Hamsters are a cuddly, friendly, and inquisitive type of pet rodent.
• Hamsters are relatively independent and self-entertaining and therefore don’t require the amount of attention that other small pets do. However, you will need to provide them with a variety of toys to enjoy.
• Hamsters are solitary creatures, so you only need to buy one.

Cons:

• Hamsters are nocturnal and won’t be awake for much of the time you are. They may also make some noise rattling around at night while you sleep.
• Hamsters must be handled gently or they could bite. Children under 8 might not possess the motor skills needed to handle a hamster correctly.
• Hamsters carry diseases like salmonella, so you should be sure to wash your hands after handling them.
• Hamsters only live 2.5 to 3 years, so be prepared to explain death if you purchase one as a pet for a young child.

Have Fun With Ferrets
Pros:

• Ferrets are engaging pets with a playful attitude and boundless energy.
• Ferrets enjoy a long life span, about 8 to 10 years.
• Ferrets can grow very cuddly as they get older, usually at 3 years of age or later.

Cons:

• You will need to “ferret-proof’ your home and supervise them when they are out of their cage, as their inquisitive nature can get them into trouble.
• You should not keep a ferret in a cage for long periods of time. They need to be out spending time with you when you are home.
• Ferrets can be pretty smelly, as their fur contains a natural musky odor.
• Ferrets require gentle handling and can bite if threatened or harmed.

Take a Gander at Guinea Pigs
Pros:

• Guinea pigs are considered the sweetest and most social of the pet rodents.
• Guinea pigs live 5 to 7 years, longer than hamsters.
• Guinea pigs can be kept in an open-topped pen rather than a cage, as there’s less chance they will try to climb out and escape.

Cons:

• Guinea pigs have long hair that will require grooming.
• They are herd animals — you should get at least two guinea pigs so they will have companionship.
• You will need to clean your guinea pig’s pen regularly.
• Like hamsters, guinea pigs carry salmonella and other diseases.

Choose a Chinchilla
Pros:

• Chinchillas are adorable pet rodents with soft fur, large ears, and bushy tails.
• Chinchillas live between 5 to 10 years.
• Chinchillas tend to be solitary and do not need a companion.
• They are usually clean and odorless, and friendly to humans.

Cons:

• Chinchillas can be easily startled and should be handled carefully. Also, patches of fur can come loose and slip off with rough handling.
• Chinchillas require dust baths once or twice weekly to maintain pet health. The dust — usually powdered volcanic ash — must be provided deep enough so your chinchilla can roll around in it.
• Chinchillas can be large and hard to handle.

Get Acquainted With Gerbils
Pros:

• Gerbils tend to be very clean pet rodents.
• Gerbils are independent and can keep themselves entertained for extended periods.
• Unlike hamsters, gerbils are not nocturnal. They will be up when you’re up.

Cons:

• Gerbils are smaller and can slip out of wire cages. You’ll need to purchase an aquarium in which to keep them.
• As with other pet rodents, gerbils must be treated gently or they can bite.
• You will need to clean your gerbil’s aquarium regularly. As desert animals, they tend to pass highly concentrated urine that can have a strong odor.
• Gerbils live for 3 to 4 years, so you may have to explain death if you have a young child.

There are plenty of pet alternatives to choose from, especially if you are more comfortable welcoming a small pet into your home.

The Process of Dog Grooming

Grooming can often be grueling and shocking if the dog has not become accustomed to the treatments. It is wise to start Fido on a regular grooming regimen when he is young and maintain that throughout his life. Although finding a dependable, gentle and loving groomer is the best way to secure a happy experience, it is not always easy. All groomers are different, but most of the processes are similar. Some will offer extra services and others will just do the basics. It is best to ask what is included for the price you will pay.

THE BATH
When you drop Fido at the groomer, he will likely be placed in a cage until it is his turn for a bath. He will almost always be washed in a tub and showered clean. The product your groomer uses is important, since there are so many on the market. It is good to research products your groomer uses and to be concerned about soap getting in the eyes, ears and nose.
BLOW DRYING
After the bath, the dog is either placed in a drying cage or is hand dried with a powerful blow drier. These driers are designed to lift the fur for easier shaving and to remove matting. They are generally the main cause of anxiety in dogs during the grooming process because they are very noisy and feel strange blowing out the fur. Holding the dog securely and safely is the best way to get him used to the noise and excitement of the drier. This will take several visits and becomes less stressful and more normal with time.
BRUSHING
Once the dog is dry, he will either be shaved or brushed. Brushing will remove any matting and distribute oils through the fur. This also takes some getting used to and should be done between visits to the groomer
SHAVING
Shaving your dog is harmless unless the dog is afraid of the clipper and tends to jump or wiggle excessively. The clippers can cut the fine skin of the dog and is another reason your dog should have regular visits to avoid building anxiety and fear of the process. Accidents are inevitable and staying calm will keep your dog calm as well.
CLIPPING NAILS
Most dogs don't enjoy having the toenails clipped, but it is necessary for the health of your dog. If he goes too long without having his nails trimmed, it can cause serious problem with his pads and ability to walk. Overgrown nails can curl around and grow back into the pad causing crippling and excruciating pain which could lead to a surgical procedure to remove them. Dogs who tend to dig and run often are more likely to wear their nails down naturally and may not need to be trimmed often. On average, an indoor dog needs the nails done every 6 to 8 weeks.
CLEANING EARS
Ear disorders keep veterinarians very busy. It is a common malady in all breeds. Proper ear care is essential in good health and takes little time and effort. Ask your groomer if this is part of the regular regimen.

Understanding the power of prayers

साठ सालों के विकास का सफ़र : क्या खोया, क्या पाया ?

शायद वृद्धावस्था में दिमाग खाली रहने के कारण भूत और वर्तमान के बीच भटकता रहता है. यही कारण है कि विगत दिनों से कई बार जीवन काल में आये बदलावों पर मन भटकता रहता है. बचपन से आज तक सामाजिक, आर्थिक व शैक्षणिक मूल्यों में बदलाव के साथ विकास का यह 60 सालों का सफ़र कितना कुछ अपने साथ लाया व कितना कुछ अपने साथ ले गया, इस पर प्राय: मन भटकता रहता है. 

इसमें कोई संदेह नहीं है कि पिछले सात दशकों में भारत ने प्रशंसनीय प्रगति की है. शिक्षा, सुख-सुविधा के साधन, उपचार की उपलब्धता, कमाने के अवसर, संचार माध्यम तथा मनोरंजन के साधनों का तेजी से विस्तार एक बहुत बड़ी उपलब्धि है. 

लोगों के आर्थिक विकास और क्रय शक्ति में वृद्धि से आज भारत विकासशील देशों में अग्रिम पंक्ति में खड़ा है. आने वाले बीस से पच्चीस वर्षों में भविष्य का अध्ययन करने वाले विद्वान भारत को जापान व अमेरिका से सम्पन्नता में आगे निकल जाने की भविष्यवाणी करने लगे हैं. सभी भारतीयों को देश की इस उपलब्धि पर गर्व महसूस होना चाहिए. 

किन्तु विकास के इस सफ़र में हमने क्या खोया है ? इस पर लोगों का ध्यान शायद बहुत कम ही जाता है. मेरे अनुसार सबसे महत्वपूर्ण पांच मनुष्यता के आधार मूल्य जो हमने इस विकास यात्रा में गवाएं हैं, वे इस उपलब्धि को बौना बनाने के लिए पर्याप्त हैं. 

1. संतोष : हमारे मनीषीयों ने संतोष को परम धन की संज्ञा दी है. किन्तु प्रबंधन विशेषज्ञों ने प्रगति के लिए इसे बाधक बतलाकर लोगों को भौतिकवाद की ओर इस प्रकार दौड़ने के लिए मजबूर कर दिया कि इतना कुछ पा लेने के पश्चात् भी और पाने की लालसा खत्म ही नहीं होती. इस अतृप्त लालसा का ही परिणाम है कि लोगों का सुख चैन गायब हो गया है. पहले जहाँ एक सब्जी रोटी खाकर मन तृप्त हो जाता था, आज कुछ भी खाने से पहले यह सोचना पड़ता है कि इसका सेहत पर क्या असर होगा. अधिक कमाने के फेर में आज लोग मिलावट, बेईमानी, लूट, धोखेबाजी, भ्रष्टाचार आदि को जायज मानने लगे हैं. वैसे देखा जाए तो हम बाजारवाद के मायाजाल में जकड़ दिए गए हैं. परिणाम स्वरुप अधिकतर लोग मानसिक तनाव से जनित बीमारियों जैसे रक्तचाप व मधुमेह से जूझ रहे हैं. संक्षेप में कहा जाए तो हम आज पहले की अपेक्षा अधिक गरीब ही हुये हैं, क्योंकि आज हम पैसों की भूख ज्यादा महसूस करते हैं. 

2. समाज : मनुष्य खुद को सामाजिक प्राणी मानकर गर्व महसूस करता है. सामाजिक होने का मतलब समाज के अन्य लोगों के प्रति संवेदनशील होना है. मुझे अच्छी तरह याद है कि बचपन में पूरा मोहल्ला एक परिवार की तरह रहता था. सभी परिवारों में एक पारदर्शिता व अपनापन था. हम बच्चे लोग आसपास के सभी लोगों को भैया, दीदी, काकाजी, ताईजी आदि संबोधनों से ना सिर्फ बुलाते थे बल्कि मान भी देते थे. हम बच्चों से कभी कोई गलती हो जाती थी तो मोहल्ले का कोई भी बड़ा व्यक्ति अधिकार से डांट देता था. डांट में छुपे स्नेह के कारण बुरा मानने का तो सवाल ही पैदा नहीं था. यह अपनापन सिर्फ मोहल्ले तक ही सीमित नहीं था बल्कि उस समय के सामाजिक बंधन का स्थानीय प्रतिरूप था. इस मजबूत सामाजिक बंधन का ही परिणाम था कि लोग गलत काम करने से डरते थे. अपनी समस्या को बांटने के लिए कई विकल्प थे इसलिए मानसिक तनाव जनित बीमारी कभी सुनने में नहीं आती थी. बढ़ते भोगवाद व सीमित परिवार की सोच ने इस सामजिक बंधन को आज इतना कमजोर कर दिया है कि बाहरी व्यक्ति तो दूर घर के किसी बड़े व्यक्ति को भी आज किसी को टोकने में डर लगता है कि बुरा ना मान जाए. सामाजिक बंधन के कमजोर होने के साथ ही लोगों के व्यवहार में आज एक स्वच्छंदता व उच्श्रंखलता दिखाई देती है. निंदनीय कार्य व दुष्कर्म भी आज लोग नि:सहाय से देखकर चुप रह जाते हैं. 

3. सच्चाई : हमारे मनीषीयों ने सच्चाई को सबसे अधिक महत्त्व दिया है. सीधे शब्दों में सच्चाई अंतरात्मा की आवाज़ है. सच्चाई का पालन करने वाले सरल ह्रदय लोग होते हैं. आजकल हर कोई एक दूसरे से प्रतिस्पर्धा में लगा हुआ है, चाहे वह बच्चों की शिक्षा हो, सुख-सुविधा के साधन जुटाने की बात हो अथवा धन कमाने की दौड़. इस प्रतियोगिता में हर कोई सिर्फ आगे निकलना चाहता है. इस चाह में अंतरात्मा को कुचल डाला है. लोग दूसरों से आगे निकलने के लिए कुछ भी कर सकते हैं. विकास की इस चाहत ने समाज में एक ऐसी बीमारी फैला दी है, जिसका इलाज फ़िलहाल किसी के पास नहीं है. 

4. सम्मान : बड़ों व अथितियों का सम्मान करना हमारी संस्कृति का एक गौरवशाली अंग रहा है. बचपन से ही बच्चों को सवेरे उठकर घर में बड़ों के पैर छूकर आशीर्वाद लेना सिखाया जाता था. आशीर्वाद लेते समय पूरा झुककर पैरों को छूना पड़ता था. यह एक प्रकार के व्यायाम से कम नहीं था. साथ ही बड़े लोग जो सहज भाव से आशीष वचन बोलते थे वे मनोबल को बढ़ाने वाले होते थे. प्यार व सम्मान की यही डोर परिवार व समाज को बांधे रखती थी. बिखरते परिवार व जीवन की व्यस्तता ने इस परंपरा को लगभग समाप्त ही कर दिया है. ऐसा नहीं है कि बच्चे आजकल बड़ों के पैर नहीं छूते हैं. लेकिन झुकने में कष्ट अधिक सम्मान कम झलकता है. यह प्रथा आज सिर्फ एक दिखावा बनकर रह गयी है वह भी सिर्फ गिनेचुने लोगों तक सीमित. अथिति तो आजकल पहले से सूचित करके ही आ सकते हैं. कई अवसरों पर बोझ समझकर झेल लिए जाते हैं व कई अवसरों पर बहाने बनाकर टाल दिए जाते हैं. अनजान व्यक्ति को तो आजकल घर में बैठाकर पानी पिलाने से भी डर लगता है. भरोसे की इस कमी ने समाज में एक बिखराव पैदा कर दिया है. जिसके दुष्परिणाम हम सभी जानते हैं. 

5. संवेदना : दूसरों के प्रति संवेदनशील होना एक स्वस्थ समाज की पहचान है. मुझे बचपन की बातें आज तक अच्छी तरह याद हैं. दया, ममता, स्नेह आदि भावनाओं को हमारे मनीषियों ने मानवता का अभिन्न अंग माना है. ऐसा नहीं है कि आज ये भावनाएं लोगों में नहीं है. हम आज भी लोगों में ये भावनाएं देख सकते हैं. किन्तु इनका दायरा प्राय: अपने परिवार, नजदीकी मित्रों और सम्बन्धियों तक ही सीमित रह गया है. इन भावनाओं को डर, अविश्वास, असुरक्षा और स्वार्थ ने काफ़ी हद तक दबा दिया है. किसी अपरिचित व्यक्ति की मुसीबत में सहायता करने से हम लोग सामान्यतः कतराने लगे हैं. शायद यही कारण है कि जो अपराध पहले रात में चोरी छिपे किये जाते थे, आजकल खुलेआम दिन-दहाड़े हो रहे हैं. 

मैं यह बिल्कुल नहीं कहना चाह रहा हूँ कि आजकल सब कुछ गलत हो रहा है. आज का युवा अधिक बुद्धिमान, सृजनशील, मेहनती व खुली मानसिकता वाला है. किन्तु वृहद परिप्रेक्ष्य में मानव मूल्यों में गिरावट साफ़ नज़र आती है. ऐसा भी नहीं है कि ये मूल्य लुप्तप्राय: ही हो गए हैं, किन्तु इस सत्य को नकारा नहीं जा सकता कि पहले की अपेक्षा बहुत अल्प मात्रा में देखने को मिलते हैं. इस पर हमारे आर्थिक विकास का कितना योगदान है इस पर बहस की जा सकती है.

नवरात्रा के नौ संकल्प

नवरात्रा शुरू हो गए हैं. इन नौ दिनों में आप नारी शक्ति और देवी के नौ रूपों की पूजा करेंगे, नौ दिनों तक अखंड ज्योत जलाएंगे, अच्छी बात. माँ के सम्मान में नौ दिनों तक गरबा, आरती, डांडिया करेंगे, अच्छी बात. नौ दिनों तक उपवास, व्रत, फलाहार आदि करेंगे, नंगे पाँव रहेंगे, अच्छी बात. नौ ही दिन माँ को नए-नए प्रसादों का भोग लगायेंगे, ज्वारे उगायेंगे, प्रतिदिन मंदिर जायेंगे, जल चढ़ाएंगे, माँ का विशेष श्रृंगार करेंगे, कन्यायों की पूजा करेंगे, उन्हें भोजन कराएँगे, नए-नए उपहार देंगे, वह भी अच्छी बात. जप, तप, पूजा, पाठ, भक्ति, आराधना जो कुछ भी आप करेंगे, सब कुछ अच्छी बात. 

बस मेरे कुछ सवालों का जवाब दीजिये. पूजा हम उन्हीं की करते हैं ना जिनका हम आदर और सम्मान करते हैं. तो फिर अपनी हर समस्या के लिए देवी की उपासना करने वाले इस भारतीय समाज में कन्या के जन्म को अभिशाप क्यों माना जाता है ? क्यों शक्ति के उस अंश को कोख में ही मार डाला जाता है ? क्यों एक ओर आप शक्ति के जिस स्वरुप की पूजा करते हैं वहीँ दूसरी ओर उसे सम्मान, अधिकार और बराबरी का दर्जा भी नहीं दे पाते ? क्यों हर रोज अख़बार हाथ में उठाते ही ना जाने कितनी मासूमों की चीखों और चीत्कारों से घर गूंजने लगता है ? क्यों नारी को संकीर्ण सोच, कुप्रथाओं, भेदभाव, अपमान, दूसरे दर्जे का मनुष्य समझे जाने, तिरस्कार, तानों, छेड़छाड़, मार-पिटाई जैसे क्रूर व्यवहार से रूबरू होना पड़ता है ? दहेज़, शिक्षा और नौकरी पर मनमाने प्रतिबन्ध, बलात्कार, तेजाब डालना, डायन घोषित कर मारना-पीटना, मासिक चक्र के समय अपवित्र समझा जाना, सिर्फ देह समझा जाना, पराया धन मानना, गालियाँ, भद्दे-फुहड़ मजाक, और भी ना जाने क्या-क्या. कितना कहूँ, क्या-क्या बताऊँ ?

अगर हम सच में नवरात्रा मनाना चाहते हैं तो आज से और अभी से ये नौ संकल्प लें, हमारा नवरात्रा मनाना सार्थक हो जाएगा, और इससे अच्छी बात और कोई होगी नहीं. 

• पहला संकल्प कन्या भ्रूण हत्या जैसे क्रूर विचार की हत्या का. कोख में बेटी की हत्या जैसे महापाप के प्रत्यक्ष या परोक्ष रूप से कभी भी भागीदार नहीं बनने का. अपने बेटे और बेटी में भेदभाव नहीं करने का. समय की मांग भी यही है कि बेटे और बेटी की परवरिश एक जैसे की जाए. समान प्यार, समान अधिकारों के साथ ही घर और बाहर की सभी जिम्मेदारियों में उन्हें समान रूप से भागीदार बनाया जाए. 
• दूसरा संकल्प दहेज़ ना देने और ना लेने का. बेटियों को अपनी संपत्ति में बराबर का भागीदार बनाने का, और विवाह को व्यापार और सौदे में ना बदलने का. 
• तीसरा संकल्प अपनी झूठी शान, इज्जत और अहम् के त्याग का. जिसकी वजह से बेटी को प्यार करने की इजाजत नहीं. अपना मनपसंद जीवन साथी चुनने का अधिकार नहीं. 
• चौथा संकल्प अपनी माँ और पत्नी को सम्मान और बराबरी का दर्जा देने का. स्वार्थ वश, मोह वश या किसी भी कारण से किसी एक की उपेक्षा ना हो इसका खयाल होना चाहिए. 
• पाँचवा संकल्प हर ऐसे कार्य की तिलांजलि का जिसमें अंधविश्वासों के नाम पर कभी नारी को अपवित्र समझा जाता है तो कभी अकेली, विधवा, परितक्यता को चुड़ैल या डायन बताकर उसका बलात्कार और मारपीट की जाती है. 
• छठा संकल्प नारी को सिर्फ देह समझकर यौन उत्पीड़न, छेड़छाड़, बलात्कार, फूहड़ टिप्पणियाँ, तंज, अश्लील इशारों, तेजाब डालना जैसी कलुषित मानसिकता और वृतियों के त्याग का. नारी को एक इंसान समझकर उसके साथ इंसानों से व्यवहार का. 
• सातवाँ संकल्प नारी को आज़ादी देने का. पर्दा प्रथा, बुरका, सिन्दूर, बिछिया, मंगल सूत्र जैसे प्रतिबन्ध और विवाह के प्रतीक सिर्फ नारी के लिए ही क्यों ? 
• आठवाँ संकल्प नारी को वह सहजता भरा वातावरण उपलब्ध करवाने का जिसमें वह दिन हो या रात, किसी के साथ हो या अकेले बेफिक्र होकर कहीं भी आ जा सकें. अपने कार्य स्थल पर बिना किसी भय के काम कर सके. 
• नौवां संकल्प नारी के प्रति प्यार और सम्मान का. उसके त्याग, समर्पण, सहनशीलता, ममत्व और स्नेह का मूल्य समझने का. उसके प्रति किसी भी तरह के शोषण, अत्याचार और हिंसा के परित्याग का, और इन सभी संकल्पों को याद रखने का. 

नवरात्रा के इन दिनों में माँ के प्रति श्रद्धा और सम्मान का इससे अच्छा और क्या तरीका हो सकता है ? हमें देवी नहीं बनना है, हमें बस एक इंसान समझकर इंसानों की तरह बराबरी और न्यायोचित व्यवहार चाहिए. क्या ले सकते हैं आप ये संकल्प ? क्या दे सकते हैं हमें अपनी पहचान, आज़ादी और अस्तित्व ?

The Value of Grandparents In Our Life

We often underestimate the value of grandparents in our life. They make up part of who we are, and they offer us a special view of the world. They are different from anyone else we know, and if we take the time to get to know them and cherish our relationship with them, they can change our lives.
Your grandparents are a part of you.
Your grandparents raised your parents. They were certain types of people with specific incidents in their lives that greatly affected who your parents were who in turn greatly determine what kind of life you have led and who you are. Think about the environment in your home as a child, the things your parents taught you, the life that they led, and the choices they made. Then, think about what you know about your grandparents and how they raised your parents. It is really awe-inspiring to make all the connections. You can see how the things relate to one another and understand yourself and your family better. What might you do differently with this new perspective?
They know a time you will never know.
You were born in a certain year and know the world from the perspective of that year up until today. Your parents know a certain twenty, thirty, or forty year period before that, and they are familiar with things you are not and have a different view of the world than you do. If you have never heard of something before, you can go to them and learn about people and things you might not ever know about otherwise. If you pay attention, you can get a sense of what life was like before you were born, how people thought differently than they do now and what might have caused people to be the ways they are today. Well, your grandparents know even more than your parents do. Their experience goes back yet another twenty to forty years. That is a vast pool of knowledge just waiting for someone to appreciate it.
Your grandparents have learned a lot.
In all those years I mentioned above, a lot of life happened. Your grandparents have loved, lost, hurt, and rejoiced many more times than you or your parents. They also have the benefit of seeing the world from a perspective no one else but their peers can see. The world looks very different as time passes. You see your life in a new perspective when you're a teen, a young adult, a middle-aged adult, and eventually a senior citizen. Your experiences take on a new light with the passage of time, and some milestones in life bring their own unique views to former problems.
Grandparents are able to see you in a unique way.
Hopefully, there are and will be many people in this world who love you, but your grandparents will love you in a way that no one else really can. You represent something unique to them, the children of their own children. They knew about you before you are born, knew and cared for you from infancy, and watched you grow up all with the eyes of a loving parent but without some of the complications of being a parent. Your parents love you in one way, very intimately and with a great deal of responsibility, while your grandparents can look at you with loving and less strict eyes. They also see you and your life as more of a whole, because they have a better vantage point to sit back and watch and they know the things I mentioned above. They know who they themselves are and who your parents are, and they see how those things influenced your life. They therefore see you in a completely way than anyone else.
Definitely take the time to get to know your grandparents. Really spend time with them. Talk to them. Ask them questions about their life. They have knowledge you can use, even if it doesn't pertain to electronics or today's modern entertainers and culture. That is part of the point. You have many people who can foster that side of you, but there are lots of other kinds of knowledge out there and your grandparents have a portion of it.

AKHILESH KUMAR B.L.S.: Kids and Dogs Care

AKHILESH KUMAR B.L.S.: Kids and Dogs Care: Dogs are the best pets that show its emotions and feelings to its owner. Today, there are many breeds of dogs available. No matter which ...

Windows 10 Tips and Tricks

Windows 10 came out and millions of people all over the world immediately started using it. If you have already started running it, or you are contemplating to run it, there are some hidden tricks that may enable you to have a clear understanding and easy operation of this latest Operating System in the market. If at all you were still on the fence, it's now time to take note. Widows 10 combines the best features of Windows 8 which are (improved security and super fast startup) together with what made Windows 7 to be popular and familiar (it is user-friendly). If at all you fall in the category of computer nuts, then tweaking this Operating System will always be the fun and enjoyable part. When you discover and implement the power user tricks and tips, you will absolutely love this new OS version. Any person who loves computers a great deal, especially the software bit of it, will always find a new OS to be more enjoyable during that time when they are learning and implementing those new tips they never knew about previously.
All you need to know about Windows 10 before you install it and take your machine to the next level is discussed below.
Task view & virtual desktops
Among the most impressive things associated with this new OS is how the virtual desktops are handled by it. In fact, the fact that all of them are finally handled, out of the box is absolutely an impressive step.
This is because the users of Mac OS X together with those Linux users are the only ones who have been enjoying that capability for quite a long time. With Windows 10, you join that league. By this OS, you are able to set up a series of windows together with tasks on your desktop, an email & twitter window on another as well as a third one for general internet browsing together with research. Click on the Task View icon that's on the task bar in order to get started. The Task View icon is located immediately at the right side of the search box. Alternatively, you can hold down Win key (Windows key) together with the Tab.
Configure your privacy settings
When one is first setting up this OS, they need to ensure that they select a Custom installation thereby allowing them room for the modification of the privacy settings. If at all you have already installed your Windows, worry not. You can still fix the issue from the Settings. Without such modifications, you may end up sharing your data with people you never intended to share your data with.
Print to PDF
A document can finally be saved or printed as PDF without having to use a third-party utility. This is an aspect that makes it easy for documents which are not easily modified to easily be saved and distributed. This is another unique, long overdue feature that makes the OS to be under the radar.
Ensure the Wi-Fi Sense is off
You certainly don't entertain the idea of everyone being allowed access to your Wi-Fi network if at all you haven't shared your password with them. Ensure your device is not allowing access.
Run it in a virtual machine
In the event that you are contemplating to take the Windows 10 plunge without having to disturb the machine which is in fine operation, you need to first know how Windows 10 can be installed in a virtual machine. Note that this is a virtual system that is used to synchronize the entire operating system with your existing operating system.
Windows Explorer's Home tab & Quick Access
The Windows Explorer tab is more useful in this Operating system than in previous ones. This can be credited to the new Home tab that has been pictured above. There is a new Quick Access group at the top left of this window. This allows easy navigation to the recent accessed folders thereby making copying of files a cinch hence a faster workflow due to easy navigation around one's computer and its filing system.
Customization of the Start Menu
The Start Menu of Windows 10 is a great improvement when compared with what was designed with Windows 8.1. Description of the relief from the former is almost impossible. The start menu combines the best features of its predecessors Windows 8 together with Windows 7. This menu can fully be customized to look like the menu of Windows 7 as pictured above. The Recycle Bin can be pinned on the Start Menu.
Command prompt tweaks
Most of the utilities in the Windows 10 still look the same as they did appear in Windows 7 & Windows 8. The Command Prompt is however among the hidden tweaks that allow you to customize a number of features which include re-sizing the window, word wrap and creating a transparent background.
Battery saver
In the event that you are on a laptop or other mobile devices and you battery happens to be running low, this OS begins to throttle back the background services among other threads thereby squeezing the very last bits of your battery life out of your device.
Background scrolling
Go to Settings> Devices> Mouse & Touch pad and when you move the cursor of your mouse over a window as you try to scroll; your operation will be executed.
Keyboard shortcuts
Below are a number of shortcuts that may be important especially when you start having bulky daily work:
• Windows Key & Tab is a shortcut for Task View
• Windows Key & Right-Up is a shortcut for Moving app to the top right quadrant
• Windows Key & Ctrl &Left or Right is a shortcut for virtual desktop
• Windows Key & Ctrl & D is a shortcut for new virtual desktop
• Windows Key & Ctrl & C is a shortcut for Cortana listening
• Windows Key & S is a shortcut for Daily Glance for sports, weather, news
• Windows Key & Ctrl & F4 is a shortcut for closing virtual desktop
• Windows Key & Up or Down is a shortcut for snapping apps to top or to the bottom of the screen or maximizes
Other important features include the One-Drive integration and Xbox Streaming among others.

How to House Train Your New Dog

When it comes down to house training your new puppy, it's all about patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. The goal from training is to establish good habits and build a forever loving bond with your new family member. It takes on average between 4 to 6 months in order to fully house train a young pup, with some pups taking an entire year in order to get to grips with their new home and surroundings. If you are adopting a new puppy or perhaps an older dog, you may discover that you need to help your four-legged friend to break old habits in order to establish new ones.
It's important to remember that while training you shouldn't worry if you experience any form of setbacks, there are always other alternatives to help you through it. In this article, we will be taking a look at the basic tips and advice on how to house train your new canine companion along with alternative solutions and services that may benefit you and your new four-legged friend.
Introducing your new canine companion.
Once you and your new family member have survived the car ride, it's time to introduce them to their new surroundings. It's recommended to keep visitors or abrupt changes to your new puppy or dog's environment to a complete minimum until they have settled in. You want to create a relaxed environment in your home and stress-free as physically possible.
Allow them to explore on their own for a while. If you have taken the earlier opportunity to puppy proof your home, they should be safe but it's always recommended to keep a watchful eye on them. If your new puppy focuses their immediate attention on you, simply say their name in an upbeat fashion and sound cheerful. This helps them to associate their name to paying attention to you which is incredibly important for obedience training.
Be prepared to establish a routine.
Much like babies, puppies work best on a regular schedule or routine. The routine teaches them that there are specific times to do their 'business', eat, and when it's time to play. It's crucial that you remain consistent throughout the training process so that your puppy can learn through habit. Once your new family member has successfully done their 'duty' outside, it's important that you reward their good behavior. This good behavior doesn't require a full-blown celebration, however, a simple yet quiet approval or a treat can help send the 'well done' message across.
If your four-legged friend finds their way into something they shouldn't or perhaps chews on something that is off-limits, avoid punishing them. Simply exchange the object of interest for something you have designated as chew-able.
Not every puppy can go potty outdoors.
If you don't have access to a backyard or outdoor space for your puppy or small dog to go potty, there are other alternatives available:
Disposable potty pads: These are often infused with pheromones which are designed to encourage your dog to relieve themselves on them. The pads are incredibly absorbent and feature a plastic layer which prevents any liquid from soaking through.
Litter box: If you prefer, your puppy or small dog could use a litter box. Your dog may not naturally take to this idea of yours, in the same way, a cat would, but with persistent effort and positive reinforcement they will soon learn.
Synthetic grass: Even with other options available, some dogs will simply prefer to do their 'business' on grass. You can easily tap into this instinctive desire by offering an indoor patch of synthetic grass. Even though the size of indoor grass pads and patches varies, most are constructed in specific layers: scented, antimicrobial turf which sits on top of a tray into which urine drains.
The power of positive reinforcement.
It's important that you don't punish your puppy for an accident or create a negative association with their very own bodily functions. It's essential that you remain calm and assertive before moving the puppy to the correct place where they need to 'go'. If performed correctly, house training should not be much of a problem. If your pup does their 'business' in the correct location, reward them with energy and enthusiasm!
Don't lose hope when it comes to training, there is always a solution.
Don't allow unnecessary stress over a very natural process ruin the joy and pleasure of owning a new dog. If your efforts are just not enough for your new four-legged family member, professional advice may be required.
It's essential to you and your pup to make the right informed decision when it comes to selecting a professional dog trainer. Recommendations are the perfect place to start. With the use of a dog trainer, a dog's behavior should soon improve so that both you and your canine companion are both happier and enjoying a far greater quality of life together.

Kids and Dogs Care

Dogs are the best pets that show its emotions and feelings to its owner. Today, there are many breeds of dogs available. No matter which breed you have, taking care of them is the first priority. This is as similar as taking care of our own kids. As a human kid needs care and affection, so does the dog. Some people treat dogs as like they will scatter germs in their surroundings, but this is totally wrong, if you take care of your pet and keep them neat and clean, it will make your life beautiful. The moment you enter your home your dog wags his tail to welcome you. In short, Dogs are stress relievers.
If you are in stress, your pet can help you to delight your mood. In this article, I want to share some beautiful memories of my dog- DIESEL. I had a boxer dog named Diesel. Life was beautiful with him. He used to play with everyone, he was suffering from spleen tumour and used to bleed out from the nose. But I and my family never scolded him; we took him to the best vet. But unluckily, one day he got a God call and then he never came back. I miss him with my every breath. I wish I could bring him back. Even if you start feeding the stray dogs, they start caring of your home and yours too. Pets are precious if you see any dog in pain take them to the vet.
I would like to bring in notice a few points about pet care:
1) Keep your dog neat and clean.
2) Take care what your dog likes to eat. Never give your dog, stale food.
3) Most important, discuss everything about your dog to your vet. Discuss the history of your dog what he likes to eat.
4) If you find any change in your dog's behavior, then talk to a local vet, don't ignore the problem.
5) Vaccinate your dogs as you vaccinate your kids on time. Injections and boosters are available for dog.
At the end, I would like to say that pets are very important for their owners, so vets should take care of the dogs and should vaccinate or medicate the dogs as humans.
I have lost my pet who was my family member, I know the pain, so I wish dogs should live as long as humans. They never get angry with you and always welcome you by wagging their tail. Dogs are precious!!!

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