Archive | November, 2012

Gifts To Enkindle The Hearts On Christmas

19 Nov

Perhaps, you never have noticed that time had flown fast as there are only a couple of months to go already before Christmas, haven’t you? Wow, that would mean a lot of gifts to give and to receive as well! He he. I bet you don’t want to be one of those people who are always on the rush when doing their shopping sprees to buy for Christmas gifts. Who would want to get caught in the middle of the traffic anyway? Want to give gifts and still don’t have the idea on what to buy? Are those gifts for men or for women? Or are those for the little tots that you always wanted to make happy or simply, a present to treat yourself on Christmas?

It is really heart-warming to buy gifts during Christmas. But shopping for Christmas gifts in the middle of the year? Nah… It would probably make you raise your eyebrow in awe and perhaps question yourself or those people who do the activity. That may sound something quirky fashion coats online for you. You may conclude that those peeps that do the advance shopping are just too excited for Christmas. Oh well, you don’t have to do anything with them ‘coz it’s their choice, their happiness in fact. But as you can see, in this fast changing world, you may not notice that days are going fast too and before you know it, it’s Christmas time already. And obviously, people who usually don’t mind the fast-paced time would always see themselves in a Christmas rush. Mind you, it’s not only the people who are always get caught in this kind of dilemma but everything (I mean the items in the stores) as well!

Christmas, as been perceived by everyone as the time of sharing and giving, should not be limited to one fixed date only. It should be commemorated all throughout the year. It doesn’t mean that the act of giving gifts is only determinate during Christmas Day. So it is never too late nor too early to look or to buy for one.

There are a lot of wonderful and nice things around you that you may have not noticed while you are walking along the city streets that can be good prospects to be given as gifts. Stuffs that may not be your 1st choice, but could somehow give you an idea on what to give on Christmas. Mom and Dad are probably talking amorously to each other about that new coat or that funky, pretty dress they have seen and wanted to receive on Christmas. As for the cute moppets at home, they sure have this long list of cool items they would love to receive on Christmas.

Buying Christmas gifts for either men or women can be somehow draining. It would probably bring you from one store to another, searching for the best present you could give to him or her. It may lead you to go out of town, if you are really meticulous, just to buy that splendid, one-of-a-kind gift you are thinking to give as a present. So, what’s that dumb ‘waiting’ for when you can do all the shopping now and celebrate Christmas at this time as well? It would just be a waste of time, thinking and just thinking (and no acting at all) for the gifts you are planning to give.

There are other places, aside from our favorite department stores, that could offer us cool Christmas gift ideas. Why settle on driving from one store to another when you can do it at home, just by sitting and browsing the Internet? Yes! What I’m saying is, the Internet can provide you with the ideas you would love to embrace and items you would likely love to buy too.

If you try searching and shopping online, you can be engulfed with the wide array of choices that you never imagined could be displayed to you. And unlike any other stores, you can expect that there’s no ‘CLOSED! WILL OPEN AT CHRISTMAS TME ONLY & BE SURE YOU GET BACK HERE DURING THAT TIME’ sign anywhere! That would be great, wouldn’t it? You won’t have to engage yourself to the Christmas rush experience at all juts to buy Christmas gifts for everyone.

To quote back, ‘it’s never too late or never too early for Christmas gifts’ is indeed true. You don’t have to wait for Christmas time to arrive and look and buy as well for the best gifts for your loved ones. Ideas for Christmas gifts can just be right under your mistletoes or just right under your reindeer’s red nose! So, why wait when you can jingle your bells today and celebrate Christmas through giving. Let it snow whole year ’round and may each of us celebrate a very merry Christmas.

House Training a Puppy & Puppy Leash Training

16 Nov

If you want to stop your puppies soiling in the House you need to consider that the reason your puppy maybe making a mess due to anxiety problems – in particular separation anxiety…

  • Make sure that your dog has been exercised before you leave the House.
  • It is unfair for you to expect your dog to hold his bladder all day – so employ a dog baby sitter to let him out – they can be a little expensive at ?12 an hour though – so if you can get back to let them out even better.

This is important

  • Try not to show any signs that you are leaving the House – put your coat on in a different room – don’t get dressed into your business suit or apply any make up in front of your dog as it will only get your dog anxious.
  • If you do show signs of going out – these may be the pre-conditioned signals that are causing your dog so much distress.
  • Get your dog nice and settled before you go out – tell him to “go to bed” and give him a treat so that he knows he is being good – You can also leave the radio on if you think this will help – make it soft music – not heavy metal!
  • It may help to find something that he can smell you on – like one of your sweat shirts or something – leave it with him on his bed.

Don’t make a big deal of it!

  • If you feel guilty that you are going out – don’t make a big deal of it.
  • Don’t give him the sad eyes or a sad voice just say ‘bye’ and go on your way.

If you follow these steps it should help to recognize and separation anxiety and any subsequent house training problems.

Puppy House training – Introducing the leash

In the initial women’s jackets stages of House training it’s important to use a leash and collar as part of the puppy house training process when taking your puppy/dog outside to eliminate.

Step 1.

– Attach yourself to your puppy so that he can’t run off. If you start by letting your puppy run around the garden chasing birds and flys and rolling in mess you are setting yourself up to fail. – Remember that a puppy finds it hard to stay focused so make sure that the area is quiet and fenced off. – If your dog isn’t attached to you, you are offering him the chance to become wayward and distracted – so make sure he is on a leash

Step 2

The benefits of toilet training on a leash.

– If your puppy/dog has been trained firstly on a leash he won’t get stressed out going to the toilet in front of you – believe it or not but it is quite common for a puppy/dog to get stressed out when you are right behind them when they eliminate

Step 3

– Use a leash that is about 4-6 ft long – but make sure the snap (if its metal) isn’t too heavy. – Don’t use retractable leashes in the initial stages of the training process as they can teach your dog to pull – which is a bad thing. By using a fixed length lead you’re puppy/dog is learning that there needs to be some slack on the leash – this teaches them not to pull. Only use a retractable leash when he has learned the basic toileting techniques and is not pulling on his fixed length leash.

What collar should you use.

– Use a plain collar with a flat buckle or a quick-snap collar. I personally don’t use choke chains or prong collars as they really aren’t necessary and if you are doing the training properly you shouldn’t need one. Just use a regular flat collar.

Chicken Wing Recipes – Part 1

16 Nov

Cajun Chicken Wings

12 Chicken wings — tips removed
5 Bay leaves — crumbled into bits
3/4 teaspoon Caraway seeds
1/2 To 3/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon Ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon Ground coriander
4 Garlic cloves — finely
1 1/2 teaspoons Dry mustard
2 teaspoons Paprika — preferably
3/4 teaspoon Dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon Salt
2 tablespoons Brandy
2 tablespoons Fresh lemon or limejuice

Defat the chicken wings by cooking them in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using a large mortar and pestle, grind together the bay leaf bits, caraway seeds, cayenne pepper, coriander, cumin, garlic, mustard, paprika, thyme and salt for about 10 minutes. Add the brandy and lemon or lime juice to the pulverized herbs and stir into a thick paste.

With a pastry brush, cover both sides of each wing with the herb paste. When no more remains in the mortar, squeeze the last few drops from the brush. Arrange the chicken wings on a baking sheet. Bake until the skin turns deep brown and is quite crisp approximately 30 minutes. Takes about an hour to prepare.

AFRICAN CHICKEN WINGS

FOR THE WINGS
4 Garlic cloves
2 Shallots
1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
1 tablespoon Chinese 5 spice
2 teaspoons Paprika
1 teaspoon Dried rosemary — crumbled
1/2 teaspoon Cayenne — or to taste
2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
4 pounds Chicken wings — about 20-24 Tips removed

FOR THE SAUCE
1/3 cup Natural style peanut butter
1/4 cup Canned cream of coconut –Well stirred
2 Garlic cloves — chopped
1/4 cup Water
1/4 cup Red bell pepper — chopped
1/8 teaspoon Dried hot red pepper flakes
Or to taste
1 teaspoon Soy sauce
Coriander sprigs

THE WINGS: Prepare the chicken wings: Mince and mash the garlic and shallots to a paste with the salt. In a large bowl stir the paste together with the 5-spice powder, paprika, rosemary, cayenne, and the women’s coats oil. Mix well. Add the chicken wings. Toss and stir them until they are completely covered with the marinade. Let them marinate, covered and chilled for 4 hours or over night. Arrange the wings, skin side up, on the rack of a foil lined large broiler pan and bake them in the upper third of a preheated 425F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until they are golden. The wings may be prepared one day in advance, kept covered and chilled and then reheated before serving.

THE SAUCE: In a blender, blend together the peanut butter, cream of coconut, garlic, water, bell pepper, red pepper flakes and the soy sauce until the mixture is smooth, season the sauce with salt, to taste.

THE PRESENTATION:
Transfer the sauce to a serving bowl set on a platter. Arrange the wings around the bowl and garnish the platter with the coriander.

Anchor Bar Hot Wings

The key to good Buffalo Wings is how you prepare them as well as the ingredients and the handling of the wings. The most successful wings served up here in Buffalo are what they call “Grade A Grinders.” Fresh wings that are very large and meaty. Usually, you cannot get them in a frozen package, but can get them from a poultry dealer. Once you find them make sure they are absolutely fresh. Wash them in cold water, split them at the joint and remove the tips. Place them on a rack on a pan and refrigerate overnight to let the blood and water drain out of the wings.

THIS IS A REAL KEY. Drying the wings under refrigeration will help to make them a much crispier product, once deep-fried. Next, use a deep fryer or a very heavy deep pot with a thermometer and add the oil. Peanut oil is very good, or a commercial product such as can be found at a restaurant cash and carry called Mel Fry. Heat the oil up SLOWLY, to 365F, and depending on the size of the fryer, deep fry the dry wings 6-8 minutes in small batches, until thoroughly done and golden brown. Hold the cooked wings in a warm oven if necessary.

A combination of melted margarine and hot sauce in the ratio of 1 part margarine to 3 parts hot sauce will add the right zing. The key here is to add just enough sauce to coat the wings – the more sauce you add, the hotter they will be.

For the very brave, 1 part margarine to 3 parts hot sauce and 1 part Tabasco is referred to as “Suicidal Wings” by the late and dear Don Bellissimo, who owned the Anchor Bar.

Working quickly, place the deep fried wings in a large bowl and add the sauce mixture, shaking to coat them. There are many good hot sauces to use; the one they use is either Durkee Franks Red Hot Sauce or Wingers Original, again found in a restaurant cash and carry.Celery sticks and chunky blue cheese dressing (Ken’s Buffalo Style BlueCheese is a popular one) and plenty of napkins.

Key Information To Understand About The Yorkshire Terrier

15 Nov

The Yorkshire Terrier (nicknamed the “Yorkie”) is an English toy breed of dog which for the most part retains their original terrier instincts and features a silky blue and tan coat that sheds little to no hair as well as a small face with dark eyes, a black nose and perked-up ears that combine to create an overall glamorous or pampered appearance. The breed first appeared in the mid-1800s, and was initially bred for the primary function of catching rats before they later found popularity as a companion dog after exhibition on the dog show circuit.

Just a few of their most distinct qualities comprise of their bold and feisty temperament, hypoallergenic coat that is commonly worn in long, flowing styles at dog shows around the world, tendency to be pampered and ability to offer a lot of dog in a small package – which in essence make the Yorkshire Terrier the third most popular companion dog breed in the world as well as the most popular of all breeds for apartment dwellers and people who suffer from dog allergies.

The Yorkshire Terrier originated in Yorkshire in England during the mid-1800s and was originally bred to catch rats that infested clothing mills. Soon they became popular around the dog show circuit and subsequently they found favor as a companion dog for the wealthy in England as well as America once they were exhibited there just a few years later. The many breeds thought to have been involved in their creation include the Waterside Terrier, Clydesdale Terrier, Paisley Terrier, Black and Tan English Terrier as well as perhaps the Maltese and Skye Terrier.

Yorkshire Terriers are classified as a tiny-sized breed. The suggested standard size for the Yorkshire Terrier male and female is 8-9 inches tall from paw to shoulder and a weight of 5-7 pounds.

The Yorkshire Terrier is famous for their busy, curious and often stubborn disposition. They are generally suspicious with people they don’t know, but their small size often makes them unsuitable as a guard dog.

The Yorkshire Terrier is also accepted to be highly intelligent – scoring equal 27th compared to other dogs based on their capacity to be taught obedience instructions. They are additionally recognized to be too fragile for some young children and may become snappy with them if handled too roughly – making them not the best choice as a family pet. The Yorkshire Terrier is not highly companionable with other animals and can be surprisingly aggressive despite their size which makes it very important to introduce them to new animals slowly.

The Yorkshire Terrier doesn’t need a yard fashion jackets online to run around in, and are easily the most popular breed for apartment living which they are highly suited to just as long as they are walked on a regular basis. They enjoy warmer envi
ronments, and can be uncomfortable if it gets too cold – so extra measures should be taken to keep them warm in winter.

The Yorkshire Terrier is made happy with endeavors like play sessions with their owner and going for a run around a safe area. They possess a high degree of energy and this calls for exercise each day in the manner of short walks while being kept on the leash to inhibit behavior problems like excessive barking – habits that the Yorkshire Terrier may be particularly inclined to take up if they’re given no other outlet for their energy.

The Yorkshire Terrier could make the perfect dog for gentle owners, families with older children, apartment dwellers, seniors or allergy sufferers. They are suitable for anybody who is keen to execute a moderately high level of grooming and set aside time to provide them with early socialization and fair discipline to establish the human as the pack leader in addition to take them for short walks each day and bestow a very high quantity of companionship and attention.

Canaan Dog Puppy And Dog Information

15 Nov

The Canaan Dog is not that far removed from the wild dogs that she came from in Israel. Possibly owing to this near wild heritage, she is a very healthy dog. She tends to be a one person dog or a one family dog. She is a good watch dog and guard dog and she may be aloof with strangers or non family members. She can be raised in an apartment as long as she gets enough exercise. Of course, a properly fenced in enclosure for exercise is ideal.

*Good With Children? Generally good with older children, especially if properly socialized. As a reminder, never leave young children alone with a dog or puppy.

*Good With Other Pets? Good with other pets although can be territorial and may fight with dogs of the same sex..

*Trainability: Very trainable, intelligent.

*Approximate Adult women’s jackets online Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Canaan Dog is 20 to 24 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 45 to 55 pounds. The female ranges from 19 to 23 inches to the withers and 35 to 45 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed but the Canaan Dog is an extremely healthy breed. She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Canaan Dog has a double coat, the outer is straight, flat lying and harsh with a bit of ruff. The inner coat is short, soft and flat. She should be brushed weekly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat and help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

*Life Span. The Canaan Dog can live between 12 and 16 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. This is a breed from the area that is now Israel. They have been around since pre-biblical times (around 2000 BC) and were developed through breeding of the Pariah dogs. Their purpose was to guard sheep and goats. The Canaan Dogs are not that far removed from semi wild dogs. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1997.

Some Registries:
The Canaan Dog Club of America
ICDCA Israel Canaan Dog Club of America
NKC National Kennel Club
CKC Continental Kennel Club
APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
AKC American Kennel Club
FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
ACR = American Canine Registry
CDC Canaan Dog Club (UK)

Litter Size: 4 to 6 Canaan dog puppies

Category: Herding, Primitive Breed,

Terms To Describe: Intelligent, loyal, loving, inquisitive, alert, devoted, well balanced, strong, stamina, deeply devoted

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Good watch dog.
Excellent noses.
Docile with his family.
Aloof with others.
Easily trained.
Great hearing.
Very clean dog.
She can stand extremes of temperature.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
Good guard dog.
Difficult to find puppies, scarce in the United States.
Need extensive early socialization.
Very vocal.
May try to dominate people.
Seasonally heavy shedder.
Tend to be a one person dog.

*Other Names Known By: Kelef Knaani

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

Finnish Spitz Dog Breed Profile And Information

14 Nov

Most often we find dogs make wonderful pets, however there are a few that make great working dogs for certain situations. You will find the Finnish Spitz dog breed is a great watchdog or hunter. They were breed early on to bark for a hunter to alert him of other animals. This can make the Finnish Spitz a little difficult to handle if you have neighbors unless you train him not to bark. You will find the Finnish Spitz dog breed to reach twenty- five pounds and about eighteen inches in height. They are golden red in color or auburn. The coat is soft to the touch. It is a dense coat with long hair.

The appearance of the Finnish Spitz is almost like a fox. They have small ears with a small pointed snout. You will also find their tail tends to curl back towards the head rather than hanging down or in an up position. One you have considered the appearance of the dog breed as your new family member you will want to consider their temperament.

As stated they tend to bark a lot as they were breed for hunting; however they also make wonderful family pets for children. While it is best to supervise these dogs around small children they don’t become aggressive or threatening. You will also find they are very active, intelligent, and affectionate dogs. They are aware of anger in a person’s voice so you should always be gentle.

Training can be a little more difficult due to a stubborn streak, but if you are firm and gentle you will find the Finnish Spitz dog breed reacts better to commands. The intelligence this dog has also means he needs activity during training, or he will become bored. You will want to use patience during the training and make sure to train this dog breed daily.

Always continue to work on skills. During training as a puppy you will be able to teach your dog to bark less or only at certain things. This can help make him a wonderful pet for the neighborhood. Remember though, that training for barking must begin as soon as possible.

While barking can be a small downside to this breed the temperament more than makes up for it. You will also find the care is rather easy. They tend to take care of the cleaning themselves. With long haired dogs you do have to brush them at least once a week and clean around their paws. You will find bathes are not necessary and should only be done if they begin to smell. They have sensitive skin so it is important not to bath them a lot. You will need to take care of their teeth and trim their nails at least once a year if not twice.

As long as you take care of your dog’s health by exercising him daily and not giving them a lo women’s coats t of treats you will find health problems will be kept to a minimum and they can live to at least thirteen years if not more. Exercise for the Finnish Spitz is important and they love to run. As long as you give them an hour or more a day to run outside, take walks, and have play time you will find them a wonderful companion. They can be taught to catch and retrieve items, tug of war, and just general fun.

Older Dog Health Problems – Common Health Problems Facing Senior Dogs

14 Nov

Like all animals, as dogs age they tend to develop health problems unique to older dogs. Many dog owners have a difficult time accepting this fact and think that their lively pooch is not an older dog and will not have health problems.

Dogs can, however, show signs of aging as early as seven years old. Older dog health problems generally affect larger breeds earlier than small breeds that tend to show signs of aging around 10 to 12 years of age. The fact is that senior dog health problems will eventually be a concern for every dog owner.

Common Health Problems Facing Older Dogs

All dogs are different and, depending on their size, breed and activity level, will exhibit health problems differently. However, there are common health issues that may manifest in all senior dogs including the following:

Joint and bone problems
-An overall reduction in their metabolism
-Difficulty with their eyes and ears
-Liver and kidney dysfunctions
-Skin becomes thin and less pliable while the coat becomes mottled and patchy
-Problems with teeth and gums

Unlike a little puppy who has an endless supply of energy, an older dog will tend to slow down and take longer to lay down or stand up. Instead of bounding up the stairs your senior dog might take each stair one at a time.

Your dog may develop arthritis, an inflammation of the joints causing pain and discomfort, which is generally the cause of this slowing down. There are a host of anti-inflammatory drugs that your veterinarian can suggest to reduce the discomfort caused by arthritis.

In many cases, an older dog will have problems with their eyes as they develop cataracts or even glaucoma. A cataract will become obvious to the owner as the eyes have a cloudy appearance and tend to reflect light. Senior dogs may also develop glaucoma, an increased amount of pressure on the eyes, women’s jackets and can cause more serious problems if left untreated.

The entire circulation system and many of the major organs are taxed in older dogs. The heart, lungs, liver and kidneys all become less efficient and the immune systems can become weak and vulnerable to viruses and bacteria.

Serious health problems may develop in your senior dog as some of the symptoms develop gradually. It is your responsibility to maintain your older dog’s health and remain informed of the possible senior dog health problems that commonly arise.

Helping Your Older Dog Overcome Health Problems

As an aging dog inevitably develops health problems, you can help alleviate many of the symptoms and keep your pet comfortable. The most basic thing you can do is simply pay more attention to your senior dog making sure you’re aware of the changes taking place. Brush your dog’s coat daily and ask your vet if there are special shampoos to help with her skin and coat. Spend time rubbing your hands on his coat feeling for bumps or lesions.

Be patient when your dog needs a little extra time walking up the stairs or jumping up into the car. Make sure you make regular visits to your vet and stay current on vaccinations. Brush your senior dog’s teeth regularly and have them professionally cleaned occasionally. Provide regular exercise while also making adjustments needed for your dog as she ages.

As your older dog slows down, you might have to adjust her diet to help compensate for the reduction of energy for both her weight as well as her coat and her circulation system.

Not only must the overall calorie intake be reduced, but you can also feed your senior dog specially formulated foods made to fit their particular needs. Try to purchase the most expensive, best quality food you can afford and avoid greasy table scraps.

It’s an inevitable fact that dogs age, but you can make a difference in helping your older dog overcome health problems. Keep in mind that in the last eighty years or so the average lifespan of dogs has increased from 7 years to 12. Expanding your knowledge and paying attention to your dogs health will help ensure your dog lives a long and comfortable life.