Kitties Resources

How relevant are Kitty Parties?

Some times back a weekly soap which was aired from Sunday to Wednesday at 10.30 pm, canned few theme parties like kids party, where the protagonist dressed as and behaved like kids, Hawaiian party, Lavani party, where the leading ladies dressed up in nine yard sarees. The women of this “Kitty Party” discuss the issues in their lives and revel in the camaraderie. An integral part of the show, in a theme party, a dress code is decided by the lady who organizes the kitty party and all members have to dress up and join in for the party. This serial revolves around the lives of eight women from different backgrounds and age groups who meet every month for their kitty party. Each of the women in the kitty party has her own individual characteristic and personality. The story revolves around their respective families and their interaction with each other. The serial explores their individual lives, problems, hopes, disappointments, aspirations, longings, and the different shades of character each one has.
 
What is a Kitty Party?

In Indian perspective, life is enjoyed to the full when you have your friends and relatives around and you have intimate, tension-free moments with them. Generally men folk are busy in their office work the whole day and women at home after finishing their daily chores get some free time but they don’t get much time to meet and communicate with their neighbours or friends. Here kitty party comes to their rescue and provide them with joyous moments with their likable group. Moreover, kitty party gives an opportunity to collect some small amount of money in a way of monthly contribution of some meagre sum which can be very handy sometimes to meet with their urgent needs. This contribution may vary from Rs. 50/- to 5000/-.
 
Kitty party is a willing informal party of ladies where chits are arranged. In this chit system a fixed amount is collected from the members of the group and one of them gets to collect the entire amount by lucky draw. This is only one task of a kitty party. The real aim behind this is a whole hearted get together to exchange their views on some common related topics. The topic may be children and their education, husbands and their relations or for professional groups some office related topics. Moreover they have nice eatables to relish and new dishes to learn apart from fun games to relax them from their routine work. Thus, it becomes a good means of developing social and intimate relations with their likable group which is a prerogative of a healthy community life.
 
High class society kitty party

In a high class society kitty party is thought to be the time to showcase their newly bought designer dresses, sarees, jewellery and sometimes home appliances for the women members. But it not true for all high class groups. Now the ladies of this elite group is also utilizing this get together for some philanthropic activities such as collecting old clothes, medicines and some useful tips for poor strata of society and arranging camps to motivate women to become economically self-reliant. In this way these ladies can spend their time fruitfully, enjoying a party on one hand and doing something for the society on the other.
 
Middle class society kitty party

In middle and higher middle class societies, kitty party is arranged with different aims by different groups. Sometimes the group comprises of ladies of all age groups of the same neighbourhood or colony. Sometimes working women of the same profession meet in this way monthly to discuss various related issues and exchange ideas. Sometimes it is a young group of ladies of having similar areas of interest. Apart from all this the monthly collection is a big attraction for the ladies of middle class families as they keep their priority list to purchase something required by them when they get the lucky draw amount.
 
Lower income group kitty party

This social cum cultural activity is also very popular in lower income group families. Here it is popularly known as ‘Bissi’ where at least 20 to 50 women members of the neighbourhood join to contribute a small amount from Rs. 50/- to 500/- and collect a respectable sum to meet at least one member’s need per month. In this way they save some amount out of their tight budget. Here this party is more need-based rather than fun or info-based. This has become a colourful part of Indian life where disco-parties and rave parties have no place to stay and corrode the texture of our culture.
 
Sharing views on kitty parties

Deepa Lalwani, General Secretary, Sindhudi Sakhi Munch, while sharing her views becomes emotional about her kitty party group. She joined her kitty party some 24 years back when she came to Nagpur after her marriage as a young bride. Since then she has been enjoying the company of her close knit group. They meet every first Saturday in a month in the evening when their husbands and children are not at home. They involve themselves in social interaction with some mind refreshing games like puzzles, memory retention, one minute tasks and rapid round questions from day to day life apart from regular housie game. They contribute Re. 500/- every month and the collected amount is given by lucky draw or sometimes to a needy member of the group. Deepa feels that it is really useful for them as it re-energizes them and gives them a new perspective of life each time. Moreover you get an opportunity to eat homemade tasty and variety of mouthwatering dishes.
 
“To make life worth living and enjoyable is everyone’s desire and why womenfolk should be far behind when menfolk have all the fun and busy schedule outside?” chirped Sujata Chakravorty, Lecturer in a reputed girls’ college. Apart from her busy schedule she feels that kitty party is a welcome relief from an otherwise monotonous and tedious routine. In her group most of them are from teaching profession and share similar problems. In kitty party they discuss their common problems and find amicable solutions. She opined that it is a welcome change where one gets time to unwind and open up one’s mind freely. Her mother-in-law also attends the same party and some times they share some frisky jokes just like young friends and it is quite relieving. They attend their kitty party every second Saturday at the place of lucky draw winner of last kitty party at around 4.30 pm when they are free from their household obligations. They come to share new ideas, new trends, studies of their children and new solutions. She feels that holding a party at your place is also a great fun and adventure when you decide the recipe, games and gifts for the party and try to make it full of fun and frolic.

Dr. Uma Tripathi attends a kitty party of her flat scheme members where they discuss their problems of water supply, electricity, parking and other flat related issues. They try to find workable and agreeable solutions to difficult household issues. She says that it is a good opportunity to meet the neighbours of your vicinity whom you cannot meet at all during weekdays due to tight schedule. It is a nice get together and relaxation from daily routine. New recipes are discussed and new games are played which prove to be great stress busters. They meet last Saturday of every month to contribute Rs.1200/- each in the late afternoon. It used to be a small festive time for ladies of the vicinity to discuss various issues of common interest.
 
Kitty Party is one of the remaining social activities in today’s busy world which provides a healthy social interaction and social indulgence to the ladies of all groups to utilize their time fruitfully. In the flood of momentous cultural metamorphosis where disco parties, rave parties, cocktail parties, and night parties are in rampant and corroding our cultural consciousness, it is a great relief to see that kitty party is setting a healthy example of community life in our society.
 
In the words of Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888), “When I had youth I had no money; now I have the money I have no time; and when I get the time, if I ever do, I shall have no health to enjoy life”.

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It is estimated that around 10% of dogs suffer from an exaggerated negative reaction to being left alone. This fearful response to being left alone is referred to as separation anxiety. We are not entirely sure as to why exactly separation anxiety occurs, but it does seem there is no single cause for it.

Both puppies and older dogs can suffer from separation anxiety. In the case of puppies, it is natural that any young animal should become fearful when left alone, however, in the majority of cases the problem rights itself over time. It is also suggested certain breeds are predisposed to separation anxiety, for example, German Shepherds, Spaniels, and Shih Tzu. Dogs that are separated from their mothers prematurely or rescued dogs,’ are also much more likely to suffer from separation anxiety, as are dogs that have nervous dispositions.

Changes of routine, for example a new job that causes you to be out of the house a lot, a house move, or the dog having a frightening experience when you have been out of the house can also trigger separation anxiety.

A further cause of separation anxiety could be due to species predisposition; dogs are highly social animals that rely on a ‘pack’ system of living, for safety, security, and companionship etc. Wild dogs and wolves for example, use this hierarchical system of living extremely effectively, however, one of the main differences between wild packs of dogs or wolves and our domesticated dogs, is wild packs remain together for more of the time, whereas, the relationship between humans and domestic dogs is being constantly broken and re-established, due to our continuous comings and goings.

I think one of the main intensifiers of separation anxiety is owner behaviour. Often this negative behaviour is reinforced unwittingly, for example, the owner may coddle the dog when it shows signs of distress and anxiety, as the owner prepares to leave the house. Usual behaviours the owner performs before leaving the house, such as putting on shoes and coat and getting the car keys etc, become to act as triggers for anxious or fearful behaviour in the dog.

The types of behaviour your dog displays can tell you right away if he suffers with separation anxiety. They include, barking excessively, crying, whining, or howling. He may follow you closely when you are preparing to leave the house, jumping on you to get your attention. When you have left the house his behaviour will intensify, he may begin salivating, pacing up and down, and bark constantly. In some cases the dog may urinate or defecate around the house, he may also chew or destroy things around the house. In severe cases the dog can become self destructive, for example biting out his fur.

If you have an older dog or puppy who suffers with separation anxiety, he can be helped, however, this may take some, and you will need to take gradual steps when retraining him. You will need to address a number of issues, when helping your dog, so let us take a look at these now.

Your goal here is for you to be able to leave your dog alone at home, and for him to be comfortable with this. So, the first thing you need to do is examine the pack structure in your home. Do you offer your dog strong leadership? Strong and confident leadership is important to your dog, in fact he will quite naturally follow you, and have confidence in what your require of him, if you lead with assurance.

In order to develop your leadership abilities, teach your dog basic obedience exercises, like sit, down, and stay. If your dog has a tendency to follow you around the house or jumps on you demanding constant attention then, put a stop his unwanted behaviour by ignoring it. Be ready with some food treats to reward your dog’s behaviour when he is calm, but only when he is completely calm. What you are trying to do here is to teach your dog that everything he gets from you has to be earned, in this way you communicate to him you are the leader of your pack.

Next, try going into different rooms in the house and closing the door behind you, so your dog cannot follow you. Initially, do this for one or two seconds and build up very gradually. In this way you begin to change your dog’s feelings towards you leaving him alone.

The next thing to tackle will be your leaving routines. To help break the negative associations your dog has built around you getting ready to leave the house. Try putting your shoes on and sitting back down, or picking your keys up and not going anywhere at all, or putting your coat on and wearing it around the house for a while.

When your dog is relaxed with this, it’s time to actually leave the house. Again, initially you will only be going out for seconds and building up gradually. If you drive a car, your dog may have developed the sound of it moving away into a trigger, so turning the engine on, and then of and quickly re-enter the house, again, you can build this up to moving part way up the street, and driving around the block etc.

The key points to remember are before leaving and when re-entering the house act as calm as possible. By showing your dog it’s no big deal to you coming and going, he will begin to react in the same way. Don’t talk or pet your dog before you leave the house, and when re-entering for at least 10 minutes or so. Settle yourself down first, and go about your usual business, and wait for your dog to become completely calm before quietly calling him over and gently petting him. When you call him, if he shows any excited behaviour at all, then ignore him again until he becomes calm, and then try calling him quietly to you again, if he responds peacefully, then pet him, and tell him how much of a good dog he is, but remember do so as coolly as possible.

If you leave your dog alone for long periods when you are still retraining him, this will weaken all the good work you have done, so do try to have someone look after him in the early stages when you are not at home.

Some dogs are more relaxed when they are confined, so a dog or puppy crate may be helpful, but please make sure your dog or puppy has been introduced to it correctly, to be sure it does not cause him further distress. Once he is used to his little den, you can leave him inside it with some chew toys, especially the type you can stuff with food and treats, as this will help keep him occupied when you are out of the house.

Finally, never, punish your dog or puppy for his behaviour, as this is not only totally unfair to him, but will only help to intensify his problems. Be kind, calm, and consistent when helping your dog, and given time, he will overcome his problem of separation anxiety.

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Why

Over the years I’ve worked with countless dog-owning young couples with feelings so strong for their dogs that they could not imagine those feelings could be any stronger for a child. However, when they became pregnant they found released from within an even greater capacity for love. An accompanying byproduct of this heightened state is a fierce, innate, hard wired need to provide the safest of environments for their child. From that moment and for many years to come they know that all decisions will revolve around the impact they will have on their child. That first pregnancy launches a furied time of preparation part of which is includes an evaluation of their current environment from its baby-friendly perspective. What was once just a means to access the basement they realize is now a path of potential danger that must be addressed. What was once just a cupboard to store cleaning supplies is now a reservoir of peril. What was once ‘their dog’ is about to become the ‘family dog’ and regardless of their devotion consideration is given to potential for conflict however minor.

Based on past experience some dog owners will be aware of the possibility of jealousy or anxiety however many will not be aware of the potential for either that the addition of a baby can uniquely elicit. Others have little worry about conflict based on malice or fear but much to worry about regarding unruliness. Behavior that could once be worked around; they realize will by necessity need to be addressed. Outside of injury due to unruliness, statistics confirm that an objective eye is warranted and that each dog should be assessed for its baby-friendly status. According to many high profile sources one out of two children is bitten by a dog before reaching the age of twelve and dog bites are greater health problem for children in the US, than measles, mumps, and whooping cough combined. For most dog owners though the risk their dog brings is due more to sheer unruliness than meanness of spirit. However either way intervention before the dramatic change in lifestyle that accompanies the birth of a child is becoming more common amongst dog owning expectant couples.

Myths

My initial interest in infant safety around dogs stems from the prenatal class I took in preparation for the birth of my first son. The nurse teaching the class was asked what precautions should be taken when the expectant parent was also a dog owner. The recommendation offered by the nurse that expectant moms and dads could help prevent future jealousy or anxiety by introducing a baby doll into the house hold, and simulate day to day interaction with an infant. This would entail cuddling, carrying, bathing, dressing, etc. I have read this as well on countless websites and in articles like this one and books. To a layperson this might make sense. However, children’s toys, including baby dolls, are made from the same material as is found in many dog toys. After over 20 years working with thousands of dog I can say with confidence that the keen senses of a dog are not going to be fooled into connecting a baby doll with a true baby and thereby acclimatizing it. However some have been known to make a grab for the baby doll as if it were another plastic toy gift from their owners creating unnecessary worry for the parents to be. 

Another well-meaning myth is that bringing home an infant’s hospital blanket will introduce the dog to its scent and somehow make it easier for the dog to accept the baby when it arrives. Where this advice originally came from remains a mystery but it certainly did not come from a professional. Any behaviorist, psychiatrist or psychologist knows that if desensitization is to have a desired outcome it is a slow incremental process. The idea that a sniff of a blanket might temper the sensory impact that an infant will have is the equivalent of expecting that a glance of the ultrasound image will realistically prepare an expectant mother for her labor experience let alone the impact of all that will follow once she brings her child home. Fortunately, there are much better options to turn to that will help a dog make the transition from being an ‘only child.’

Reality – Some Dogs You Can Change But Some You Cannot

Cohabitation between humans and dogs has existed for thousands of years. However, for better and worse, over the last century the nature of the relationship has changed significantly. Dogs are no longer just a means to an end for securing food, herding and protecting livestock, and protecting home and hearth. For many of us, they have become family members. The upside is that a dog is one of the few things that you can pour a little love into once in a while and harvest back an endless stream of unconditional love. The down side is that as well-meaning as we might be, many of the signals we now send our dogs confuse them as to who should be the teacher and who should be the student and without this stability they often unnecessarily develop behaviors that range from the annoyance of unruly behavior to becoming actual safety liabilities.

Expectant dog owning parents should keep in mind that over the last few decades many of the breeding protocols that lead to a physically and mentally balanced dog have become the exception rather than the rule. Also, training methodologies have changed such that many dog trainers now erroneously believe and so advise their clients that even the slightest discipline will make a dog’s behavior worse and so they recommend all-positive, all the time training. This in spite of the irrefutable evidence provided by every parenting dog, wolf, ape or human that the skills to survive and thrive in the real world come through both positive and negative. The end result of these poor breeding and training practices is that many expectant parents find themselves with a dog with characteristics that can impact the equilibrium of the household from a child’s safety. 

Some of these situations can be resolved by switching to a more realistic training model while others where the dog’s temperament has been more seriously impacted by breeding and training conventions can create anxiety and concern in the expectant parent. Early Intervention Whether for the Unruly or the Uncomfortable Dog Armed with fact rather then myth expectant parents can assess where and why their dog might need their assistance and how either through their own efforts or along with a professional’s develop a strategy that balances their dog’s needs with their baby’s safety.

I have found in the countless assessments I have done for expectant parents that every household can benefit by learning more on how their dog sees the world and makes connections that lead to joy and anxiety. Sometimes it is as simple as learning how to teach baby friendly obedience such as ‘Stay on Your Mat’? or a proper heel and recall so that opportunities to properly exercise their dog and thereby relive its stress can be taken advantage of more often once the baby has arrived. In other situations we discovered that due to circumstances beyond the control of its owners, typically the result of breeding or early socialization, the dog had some yellow or red flag characteristics. In some situations these were addressable, in others they were not. Unfortunately other then the traditional mythical advice outlined above there is in prenatal education very little practical advice for dog owning expectant parents.

The contents of the book, How to Prepare Your Dog for Your Baby ? is a culmination many years of experience working with families and dogs and provides strategies to objectively assess and address real life practicalities that come with babies and dogs living together.

Forewarned is forearmed and consideration as to how a dog and a baby might affect each other should become as an important part of prenatal preparation experience as learning the safest of car seats, cribs, strollers and any other factor that might impact an infant’s well being.

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2009 will go?instead 2010 will come. Most of companies are summarizing their works of the past year and preparing for the coming year. Let ‘s see  what Callaway is preparing for 2010.

A new patent application by Callaway has just been published that might shed some light of what Callaway’s new driver for next year might look like.

Some shocking information here guys! First of all it is nice to see that they will address bulge and roll in this new design…unfortunately they only did it for visual appearance…oh well. There is still a lot that can be done in regards to bulge and roll in my opinion to help golfers…but they still keep missing the boat on that one.

The next shocking piece of info inside this application is the fact that they are still only moving small amounts of weight on the head. It has been proven that all these small increments of weight that all the companies so famously claim can move mountains do almost zero in regards to actually moving the CG (center of gravity). Yes…sorry to inform you guys but in almost every type of testing you can do in regards to driver head design…there simply is no proof that MWT in it’s present form does anything at all in reagrds to changing ball flight pattern. You have to move much more weight in order to effect CG.

Look forward?

                                                          | Callaway FT-iQ Driver |

a joke;

One day Jane met Tarzan in the jungle. She was very attracted to him and, during her questions about his life, she asked him how he managed for sex. “What’s that?” he asked. She explained to him what sex was hair styles, and he said, “Oh,Tarzan use hole in trunk of tree.”

Horrified, she said, “Tarzan you have that all wrong! I will show you how to do it properly.” She took off her clothes, lay down on the ground, and spread her legs wide. “Here,” she said, pointing, “You must put it in here.”

Tarzan removed his loincloth, stepped closer and then gave her an almighty kick in the crotch. Jane rolled around in agony. Eventually she managed to gasp, “Why the hell did you do that?”

“Tarzan check for bees!”

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With every wag of its tail the First Dog will accomplish secret missions for dogs everywhere. The White House dog will teach the Obama children and their counterparts in homes across America about compassion, responsibility, and respect for animals while providing plenty of photo-perfect fun and stress relief.

But the dog has already sparked controversy and hope among people who passionately care about animals. The Obama dog will fulfill its missions as the nation’s doggie trendsetter with every choice the family makes for their new pet.

First, there was the issue of whether the Obamas would get a dog from a breeder or adopt a rescue. Not everyone agrees that rescued dogs are the way to go. The First Dog will have to earn high approval ratings to convince skeptics that are opposed to bringing home a dog with an uncertain lineage or past.

The Obamas settled that debate by choosing a rescued Portuguese Water Dog, called Porties. Is this choice of dog delivering the same message as the Obama campaign that anyone, regardless of origin or parentage, can make it into the White House?

Next, pet pundits discussed whether Porties are a good representative of rescued dogs since so few of their breed are abandoned. With an estimated 6 to 8 million dogs and cats in animal shelters that euthanize 3 to 4 million annually, animal lovers hope the First Dog will demonstrate that any type of rescued animal makes a great family pet.

Other questions have been raised: Will the new dog be hypoallergenic enough and is there actually such a creature as an allergy-free canine? Can a Portie protect Sasha and Malia, or will the gregarious, happy-go-lucky dog be oblivious to danger?

Another secret mission of the White House dog will be to set an example for children and pets by offering the Obama children a chance to experience what it’s like to have another creature depend on them.

The ASPCA’s “Guide to Kids and Pets” on its website clue parents in on what to expect children of various ages to do with an adopted animal. American Humane Association states on its website, “We believe that one of the best ways to protect children and animals — and, on a broader scale, create a more humane world — is through humane education that teaches kindness toward other people, animals and the environment.”

In line with the axiom that children learn leadership skills and empathy by having a pet, First Lady Michelle Obama has stated unequivocally that her children will do the walking and poop scooping.

Children who implore their families to adopt a dog typically face the dilemma of how to keep up with responsibilities of pet ownership when juggling school assignments and activities and thriving social lives. If Mrs. Obama succeeds in keeping her high-profile children engaged in daily dog duties, parents can point to the White House and say, “See? Sasha and Malia are taking care of THEIR pooch.”

One example of dogs having a mission coming to the aid of children is in our new book, Angel Dogs with a Mission (New World Library, 2008). Zoom, a Cardigan Welsh corgi, and Deb Richeson of Smithfield, Kentucky began visiting a local elementary school and offering the dog’s patient listening skills to special needs students. Not only “Zoom’s Kids” improved, but also the entire school’s reading test scores rose. Perhaps Sasha and Malia will read school papers to the First Dog that they write at the desk in the Lincoln bedroom and be encouraged by canine appreciation.

Some of the questions that will be raised about the First Dog are serious. The ways in which the Obamas deal with the following issues are sure to send important messages about responsible care to those homes that already contain America’s 60 million dogs.

* Considering the pet food debacle, what will the First Dog eat? Organic pet food? Wheat and corn-free? Vegetarian? What brands?

* Will the snow and ice-melting products used on the White House sidewalks be pet-safe?

* Does everybody know not to use cocoa mulch on the Rose Garden?

* Who is in charge of patrolling the premises so plants and foods that are toxic to dogs – grapes, raisons, chocolate, onions, artificially sweetened products — aren’t at drooling-mouth level?

* Where will the Obama dog sleep at night? In the bedroom with the children or in a crate somewhere else? Will it be the right size crate?

* Are the Obamas using biodegradable poop bags? It might sound like a funny question but savvy environmentalists will want to know.

Then, there will be fodder for comedians and national news segments:

* Who will train the most famous dog in the world not to bite reporters or will that lesson be discreetly skipped?

* Will the dog have a Secret Service code name? What should it be?

* Will the dog sport a diamond-studded collar and sleep on a $500 dollar doggie bed as befits its celebrity status?

* When the Obama children have sleepovers, will friends bring their canines for doggie night out?

* What famous person or figure from history will the dog dress as for Halloween?

* Who will be the official White House doggie photographer?

* Which dog toys will grace the gleaming and carpeted floors and new playground?

* Does the dog’s name have ethnic or historical origins? Does it more creatively top previous First Dog names such as Spot, Buddy, Millie, Lucky, Grits, Liberty, Checkers, Him and Her, Feller, Heidi, Duke, Pushinka, and King Tut?

Summing up the First Dog’s capacity for bringing about change, we believe that although the new White House dog might become a source of debate and emulation, one of the dog’s greatest missions is just to be the First Family’s pet. Relief will come when the Obamas engage in a tug-toy pull instead of wrestling with the economy and other issues. For a moment, they can relax and forget the cares of the day.

Hopefully the First Dog will unite more than divide us. After all, who can resist a cute face and unconditional love? But the dog’s greatest mission may be as a pack leader for the two out of three American households with pets, so that all dogs will have good and safe homes, even if they’re not living in white houses.

What do you think the secret missions of Obama’s new First Dog will be?

Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net

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Here’s a golf joke.Let you laugh,let you relax.

It was a sunny Saturday morning, a little before 8 a.m., I was on the first hole at The Oaks of St. George Golf Club and beginning my pre-shot routine, when a piercing voice came over the clubhouse loudspeaker:

“Would the gentleman on the woman’s tee back up to the men’s tee please!”

I could feel every eye on the course looking at me. I was still deep in my routine, seemingly impervious to the interruption.

Again the announcement: “Would the man on the woman’s tee kindly back up to the men’s tee.”

I simply ignored the guy and kept concentrating, when once more, the voice yelled, “Would the man on the woman’s tee back up to the men’s tee. please?!?!”

I finally stopped, turned around, cupped my hands and shouted back … “Would the jerk with the microphone please keep quiet and let me play my second shot!”

 another joke:

One day Jane met Tarzan in the jungle. She was very attracted to him and, during her questions about his life, she asked him how he managed for sex. “What’s that?” he asked. She explained to him what sex was hair styles, and he said, “Oh,Tarzan use hole in trunk of tree.”

Horrified, she said, “Tarzan you have that all wrong! I will show you how to do it properly.” She took off her clothes, lay down on the ground, and spread her legs wide. “Here,” she said, pointing, “You must put it in here.”

Tarzan removed his loincloth, stepped closer and then gave her an almighty kick in the crotch. Jane rolled around in agony. Eventually she managed to gasp, “Why the hell did you do that?”

“Tarzan check for bees!”

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People who suffer from dog allergies tend to have a very tough time being around dogs in general making it miserable for them to have a pet dog. Their allergies flair up and bring about terrible sneezing, stuffy noses, skin rashes and watery/itchy eyes that they develop while in the proximity of dogs. Luckily, there are special types of dog which are considered hypoallergenic dogs that can allow someone with dog allergies to still have a canine pet.

Generally dog allergy symptoms develop because of allergen particles which are given off in the air from dog skin and hair. The allergens mostly come from things the dog hair has come into contact with such as dust and pollen, which trigger allergies. People who have dog allergies have immune systems which tend to be weaker when they are in contact with the various allergens, triggering the various symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing and skin rashes or hives. To further illustrate why dogs can cause allergies for some people, dogs which have more hair tend to pick up more of the allergen particles. Therefore someone who suffers from dog allergies would want to avoid dogs like the German Shepherd, Irish Setter or Afghan Hound.

The alternative to having no dog whatsoever is to choose a dog which will cause less or minimal allergies. Hypoallergenic dogs are dogs that create less allergens in the air due to their physical size and fur lengths. Some of these dogs have very minimal shedding of their hair which helps to reduce the chance for any allergen particles being sent into the air. It’s important to note that no dog is considered truly hypoallergenic, because all dogs give off some degree of allergens, and dog allergies can be different from person to person.

There’s several potential pets that a person with dog allergies can consider. Breeds of dog such as the Pomeranian, Irish Terrier, Samoyed, Portuguese Water Dog and Miniature Schnauzers are considered great pets for those with dog allergies due to minimal shedding or dander. The Incha Orchid, Chinese Crested, American Hairless Terrier or the Mexican Hairless are also great choices as these dogs are almost all hairless. Also consider the environment or living arrangement when choosing the dog. Dogs such as Irish Terriers and Poodles tend to do better with families while Portuguese Water Dogs and Chihuahuas are better with one person.

When selecting a prospective pet dog, one of the best pieces of advice for the prospective dog owner who has dog allergies is for that person to spend at least 30 minutes around the potential pet dog. This can help the individual gauge whether or not that dog will be right for them, or cause them to suffer from dog allergies. If the dog being considered lives at a breeder far away, sending a piece of clothing is an alternate way to test things. Once the clothing item has been placed near the dog for a day or so it can be sent back for the individual to test by wearing or smelling to see if it causes any allergy problems.

People who enjoy the companionship of having a pet dog yet have allergy complications don’t have to be pet-less. A hypoallergenic dog can provide the perfect solution to allow a dog allergy sufferer to have a pet dog while cutting down on the coughing, sneezing and irritations that come with allergies.

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I feel very special when I see curly-haired pigs pictures?so lovely. Recently I find some unimaginable car picture again?share with you.

Check out Michelin’s radical new tyre – the SEE THROUGH TYRES. It is definitely the new generation tyre for the Michael Schumachers out there on our roads.

Check out those spokes, WOW! where’s the rubber?

How about the ride? Is it better than sitting on a horse? Apparently it’s pretty fantastic…

Just imagine…
1. No air valves
2. No pumping air
3. No flat tyres

Now some bad news for the cops…. stinger spikes won’t work on these special tyres.

a joke:

One day Jane met Tarzan in the jungle. She was very attracted to him and, during her questions about his life, she asked him how he managed for sex. “What’s that?” he asked. She explained to him what sex was hair styles, and he said, “Oh,Tarzan use hole in trunk of tree.”

Horrified, she said, “Tarzan you have that all wrong! I will show you how to do it properly.” She took off her clothes, lay down on the ground, and spread her legs wide. “Here,” she said, pointing, “You must put it in here.”

Tarzan removed his loincloth, stepped closer and then gave her an almighty kick in the crotch. Jane rolled around in agony. Eventually she managed to gasp, “Why the hell did you do that?”

“Tarzan check for bees!”

 another joke:Eyesight
How was your golf game, dear?” asked Jack’s wife Tracy.
“Well, I was hitting pretty well, but my eyesight’s gotten so bad I couldn’t see where the ball went.”
“But you are already 75 years old, Jack!” admonished his wife, “Why don’t you take my brother Scott along?”
“But he’s 85 and doesn’t play golf anymore”, protested Jack.
“But he’s got perfect eyesight. He could watch your ball.” Tracy pointed out.
The next day Jack teed off with Scott looking on, Jack swung, and the ball disappeared down the middle of the fairway. “Did you see it?” asked Jack.
“Yup”, Scott answered.
“Well where is it?” yelled Jack, peering off into the distance.
“I forgot.”

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Rumor or sex scandal can “kill you”?do you belive?

After reports of Tiger Woods extramarital affairs?advertisements with Tiger Woods have disappeared on US prime-time television broadcast networks or 19 cable channels since late last month.

The last prime-time ad featuring the 33-year-old golfer was a 30-second Gillette spot on November 29, according to marketing and media giant Nielsen Company. Woods also was absent from ads on a number of weekend sports programs, including NFL games, Nielsen said.

“Last weekend there wasn’t any advertisement during those games,” said Aaron Lewis, a spokesman at Nielsen.

The No. 1 ranked golfer’s standing with the public has plunged in the wake of reports of infidelity that followed a car accident outside his home near Orlando, Florida.

Woods’ ranking among celebrity endorsers plunged from 6th to 24th, according to the Davie Brown Index, which is used to gauge the ability of personalities to influence shoppers.

“His sponsors will attempt to limit his face time,” said Andy Donchin, director of media investments at Carat North America, an advertising agency in New York. “The best thing he can do is get back on a golf course.”

Gillette is running its media schedule as planned and no Tiger Woods ads have been pulled, said Mike Norton, a company spokesman. He wouldn’t comment on the frequency of the ads.

We can just say “Tiger ?Good Luck?”

| Tiger Woods mistress #2 –Jaimee Grubbs Sex Tape Video |

| the Three Mistresses Tiger Woods |

a joke:

All in the Grip…
… Jack was first up in his foursome. Eyeing the ball, he swung his club and hooked his shot over the fence and down a road where the ball crashed through the windshield of an oncoming car. The startled driver lost control of his vehicle, and it spun into a parking lot and bounced off three cars.

Jack raced over to the crash scene and was relieved to find that no one was hurt. Almost immediately a policeman arrived and spotted Jack standing next to the crashed car eyeing his ball.

“Just what are you going to do about this?” demanded the policeman.

Jack looked up. “Well, the first thing I’m going to do is change my grip.”

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There are many options available in today’s market. You should choose accordingly to your dog’s size, eating and drinking habits, your personal style and taste, and of course health and safety issues.

Plastic Dog bowls

Plastic bowls might be inexpensive, but some dogs become allergic to plastic and develop skin irritations, and/ or lose the pigmentation of their noses.

Plastic being porous, can trap dirt, odors and germs, which even your dishwasher will not be able to eliminate.

Plastic can also leach plasticizers (most commonly phthalates) and colorants, into your dog’s food, which are very harmful to its health.

Plastic bowls being lightweight will easily tip and spill over and can be chewed on by aggressive or playful dogs.

Ceramic Dog Bowls

Ceramic dog bowls can be a good choice if chosen wisely.

They are usually heavy enough to be spill-proof, but some decorative glazes can contain lead and other toxics (mainly found in foreign products). So it is important to make sure that the bowls were intended for food usage and have a lead-free glaze finish.

Check the bowls regularly for cracks (especially fine ones which can be difficult to detect), chips and scratches, as they encourage the growth of bacteria. If such a bowl becomes damaged, do not attempt to super-glue it! It is not safe for your dog! Just replace it.

Stainless Steel Dog Bowls

They are the most healthy choice for your dog. Stainless steel has been the material of choice for food processing, dairy and brewery industries. It is durable, sanitary, rust-free, and non-leaching. Such bowls will also last a lifetime.

For Older Dogs Or Taller Dogs 

Getting an elevated dog feeder for a taller or older dog (or both), is a good idea since it will help them to eat and drink more comfortably from a dog feeder which is at a more natural body level. They are much more comfortable for older dogs with arthritis, have bad backs, or joint or muscular pain.

For a dog with stiff or sore muscles or joints, bending down to eat can be uncomfortable or painful. An elevated dog dish will encourage him to eat more in a more comfortable manner.

Elevated dog feeders reduce food and water gulping. This will prevent some rare, but serious conditions: bloat (or volvulus), and mega-esophagus, which is a condition when the food accumulates into the esophagus instead of descending to the stomach .This can lead to regurgitation and vomiting.

Again, with an elevated dog feeder, the dog’s head being more raised as he eats, gravity will draw the food down into its stomach.

Some are outfitted with a single bowl or double bowls to accommodate your space or your dog’s drinking and eating habits

And if bending causes you discomfort, you won’t need to bend down as much to pick up or put down heavy, full dog dishes: the stainless steel bowls are light enough to remove for easy cleaning and filling.

Keep Your dog bowls Clean

Whichever kind of dog bowls you opt for, always keep them clean. Hand-wash them in warm, soapy water (and rinse them well), or run them through the dishwasher regularly. This will prevent any unhealthy build up of any sort on the bowls.

If you have an elevated feeder, wipe its top often to keep it dry and clean. Also, when choosing a raised dog feeder, check wrought iron dog bowl stands for safety, as a few accidents have been reported: some dog’s collar tags have been caught onto unsafe metal stands which can harm your dog or just scare him off enough so he will not want to use its new feeder.

A healthy dog, is a happy dog!

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