Archive for October, 2009

Designer Dogs

By admin in labradoodle

Oct 31

Paris Hilton’s Chihuahua ‘Tinkerbell’ may be solely responsible for bringing the term ‘toy dog’ to the attention of the world and the fascination with using one’s dog as an accessory to its owner’s outfit. Designers like Gucci and Burberry who have created haute couture fashion for dogs and high price tags for consumers exemplify the obsession with how a dog’s breed and style reflects upon an owner. The trend with designer dogs does not end there. In some of the latest breeding technology, dogs have been genetically created and crossbred for optimal behavior and looks. The Labradoodle, Yorkipoo, cockapoo and Schnoodle are the hottest dog breeds to walk the streets of 5th avenue, with or without high heels and sitting in designer handbags.

The Labradoodle, a cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle, was created to combine the intelligence, dainty bone structure, formal nature and allergy-and asthma-friendly, non-shedding aspects of the poodle with the favorable, fun-loving, fidelity of a lab. This mix has taken the dog world by storm with dog owners willing to shell out $2,500 USD for one of these animals. In the 1970’s, the Labradoodle was originally crossbred in Australia after requests for a low-allergy guide dog was needed for individuals with special needs, while providing a low-key and amiable companion. The popularity of Labradoodles has taken off wildly and has become the must-have dog in certain social circles.

Editor-in-Chief Allan Reznik of Dog Fancy and Dog World fame notes, “It’s indicative of a society that loves labels. Having a dog that is part spaniel and part poodle isn’t enough-it has to be a cockapoo.”

Many of these newly created hybrid dogs include the genes of a poodle to make new inventive breeds that don’t shed their fur. Yorkipoos, cockapoos and schnoodles are poodles mixed with Yorkshire terriers, cocker spaniels and Schnauzers, respectively. These hybrids do not always create a healthier dog than purebreds, which are notorious for their health problems due to inbreeding. This current craze of designer dog breeding has the possibility of going too far, bringing up issues of genetic selection and the natural order of things. But if there is demand, then supply will be provided and many amateur breeders are taking a crack at homegrown hybrids with some detrimental results. If a breeder were to match a Pug with a Pekingese the resulting breed could create a dog with eyes falling out of its head, as both breeds have exaggerated eyes and eye sockets as distinguishing traits in each breed. Smart genetic engineering on the part of breeders is imperative to creating a healthy, happy and hybrid dog of the future.

Toy dogs, like Tinkerbell of Paris Hilton fame, are also genetically created dogs and were developed specifically to be cute and charismatic companions. In our image-conscious and name brand consumer world, this writer harkens to say ‘what will they think of next?’ cross breeding elephants and monkeys, or chipmunks with snakes to create the perfect, over-the-top must-have animal of tomorrow? I’d say, they are barking up the wrong tree. Until genetic scientists create a dog that can toilet-train itself and use a human bathroom, it’s still a dog’s life for owners and mutts alike.

Eric Hartwell
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/designer-dogs-128850.html

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Celebrate the Fourth of July Differently

By admin in yankee doodle

Oct 31

Are you planning a party for your friends and want it to be simply the best party ever? Take advantage of the big boom day of fourth July, celebrate with a great banging of fireworks with your friends gang on your lawn.

Siss, Boom, Bah! The Fourth of July, Hurrah! That’s the spirit of the day that we all used to celebrate with a great banging of fireworks from dawn until nightfall or until we ran out of firecrackers.

In most states this dangerous sort of Fourth of July fun has been banned because of the high casualty lists. But no laws or ordinances have put a ban on fun, so what to do on the Fourth of July? Why not invite the girls and boys over for a Picnic Party on your lawn the weathers apt to be clear and hot, the enthusiasm of the guests will run high, and there’ll be no casualty list to mar the fun.

An excellent starter for this yard picnic could be “Find the Flag.” Send one of your guests into the house. Someplace in the yard hide an American flag, so that the entire crowd except the absent member knows where it is. Call back the hunter and explain to him that while he hunts the flag the crowd is going to sing “Yankee Doodle” softly when he is far from it, louder as he nears it, and very loud when he gets it. This is a jolly game that youngsters love each one will want his turn at finding the flag.
For real exertion introduce a “Backward Relay.” Divide the guests into two groups of equal number. Get about two dozen rolled-up newspapers and lay them on the ground in two rows. The rows should be about eight feet apart and the newspapers should be laid at intervals of about two feet. Contestants must hop backward over the newspapers to the goal and return. When the first player on each side returns, he touches off the next one. The side which finishes first wins the relay. The excitement over this game will run high and the noise will equal that of firecracker days.

By this time the players will be glad to relax a bit. The guests are seated in a circle for the game of “Face.” The first player turns to the one on his right and says, “You have a face,” to which the other replies, “What kind of face?” The first player then must answer with a descriptive adjective beginning with “a.” He could say, “You have an angelic face” or “an attractive face,” or if he feels funny he might say, “You have an awful face.” The next player turns to the one on his right and says, “You have a face.” The second player answers the inquiry “What kind of a face?” with an adjective beginning with “b” and so on around the circle and through the alphabet. The same adjective cannot be used twice. Anyone who can’t think of an adjective beginning with the right letter before the conductor counts to ten must leave the circle and sit in the center while the others finish the game. The game gets very exciting towards the close when only two or three of the sharpest are left to seek new adjectives.

Many youngsters are in awe of fire fighter, fireworks, firecrackers etc. For this youngster a Firework picnic party is a great way to celebrate. The above given are some of the most jolly games that youngsters loves to play.

Mitch Johnson
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/celebrate-the-fourth-of-july-differently-53947.html

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How To Take On That Hot Flash Symptom And Win!

By admin in doodle pad

Oct 31

You’re listening intently at the morning meeting when you feel your heat rate increase. “Uh-Oh” you think, this isn’t the first time you’ve felt this. You feel an intense heat in your face and upper body. “Please don’t let a headache start” you beg. That’s the anxiety kicking in. You hear your boss say something about “procedural changes” as your knees feel weak and you begin yet another doodle on your note pad to keep your head in the game while you wait to see how this one will end: chills or no chills? “At least they keep me guessing,” you tell yourself in a last desperate cling to optimism.

On average a hot flash symptom lasts 4 minutes. But some women report hot flashes lasting from 20 minutes to an hour. Along with vertigo, nausea, dizziness, perspiration, heart palpitations and anxiety, a hot flash symptom can occur infrequently or even 15 times a day or more. There’s no scientific measurement of how your hot flashes will affect you or when they’ll end, for that matter, since they vary significantly in each woman.

Perhaps even more frustrating is the seemingly unfair fact that while you’re still menstruating, you will most likely develop hot flashes. Also, the faster your body transitions from peri-menopause – regular period to no period – the more intensely you’ll experience the hot flash symptom. Unfortunately, for about 10-15% of women their hot flash symptoms will be so severe that they will be compelled to seek medical attention. One silver lining to hang onto is that over time your hot flash symptom will diminish.

If the thought of a hot flash symptom frightens you, take heart. Just a few simple tips can help alleviate your discomfort. For starters, wear layered, cotton clothing. If you can’t change your inner temperature you can at least control the temperature of your outward environment. A glass of cold water can also do wonders. When you feel a hot flash symptom grab a quick drink of water. If the coolness of the drink doesn’t reduce the heat you’re feeling, the fluid will help hydrate your body since we all know there will be sweating involved.

Knowing your hot flash symptom triggers is another significant tool in alleviating your discomfort. Common triggers are alcohol, smoking, stress, hot and humid weather, spicy foods, and foods with high-acid content. It’s not known exactly why some things trigger a hot flash symptom, but accepting what your personal triggers are will benefit you for the length of time that you experience menopause.

Linda Bruton
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/how-to-take-on-that-hot-flash-symptom-and-win-79123.html

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Discount Air Carriers And Discount Air Travel Transforming The Air Travel Industry

By admin in air travel

Oct 31

Why the Discount Carriers are Winning

Over the years, air travel has declined significantly. Bad economic times, acts of terrorism, and the overall high cost of flying have deterred many travelers from flying the friendly skies. Instead, they’re opting for local travel that doesn’t require flying or selecting other methods of transportation such as driving, taking the train, or going “Greyhound”. As a result, the major airlines are making less and less each year, forcing some to close up shop and call it quits.

However, bad economic times and acts of terrorism aren’t the only things affecting the major airlines and the air travel industry as a whole. Discount air carriers who offer limited yet discount air travel rates have put a huge dent in the business of the major airlines. These airlines, such as U.S. based Jet Blue and Southwest Airlines, can undercut the major players in the air travel market because of lower overhead and less labor costs. Since the discount air travel carriers are smaller and often only have one type of aircraft (compared to bigger airlines that have full fleets of varying plane types), they have more flexibility with their pricing and can offer discount air travel deals more often then their much larger counterparts. And when combined with the decline in overall air travel, the discount air carriers are winning out over the larger airlines, causing the major players to rethink their game plan and, in many cases, start offering discount air travel through dynamically priced fares.

Using Discount Air Travel and Carriers for Your Benefit

For the most part, discount airlines operate within their country of origin. In other words, many don’t offer flights abroad. So if you need to fly domestically for business travel or a family vacation, a discount air carrier is the way to go. However, just because the discount airlines don’t offer overseas travel, it doesn’t mean you can’t get discount air travel deals on international flights. Remember, domestic AND international air travel has dwindled significantly over the years; so, the major airlines are often scrambling to fill overseas flights. As a result, the bigger airlines are starting to offer last minute travel deals and dynamically priced fares to try and fill their flights as much as they can. And since the discount air carriers are taking much of their previous domestic air travel customers, the larger airlines are desperate to make a buck any way they can.

Finding Discount Air Travel Deals

Some airlines offer last minute and discounted travel deals directly to the consumer; however, many work with online travel sites and supply them with bulk-rate deals on plane tickets. Either way, the key to finding discount air travel deals is to search the web and call the airlines. Compare prices and give yourself time to research your discount travel options. You may find that booking last minute will save you a bundle on your flight in some cases, but cost you twice as much in others; so be flexible and don’t purchase the first ticket you find. You’ll find a better deal on discount air travel if you shop around.

The discount air carriers have caused a significant shift in the air travel industry. There is more competition and less people buying, causing the industry to offer more discounted air travel deals than ever before. As a traveler, this means there are currently more ways to save on your air travel. All you have to do is go out and find those deals.

Frank Johnson
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/discount-air-carriers-and-discount-air-travel-transforming-the-air-travel-industry-52942.html

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Some Notes About Patriotic Music

By admin in doodle

Oct 31

Music has always been influential. It can create intense impact on emotions and people’s psyche as well. Just a few notes from some of the best patriotic songs will invoke strong nationalistic emotions. In truth, there are only a few topics that can do the same. Music has always played a role in inciting people to do things for their country. You can even argue that patriotism and music go hand in hand.

Some of the Best Patriotic Songs

Music is indeed a constructive force. It inspires and rouses people to do something worthwhile. The lyrics of the best patriotic songs in the United States still fuel national spirits. Over the years, these songs have been played in every major national event. They are played in the areas of education, entertainment and even sports.

Some of the best patriotic songs include ‘My Country ‘Tis of Thee’ by Samuel F. Smith, ‘Columbia the Gem of the Ocean’ by David T. Shaw, ‘When Johnny Comes Marching Home’ by Patrick S. Gilmore, ‘The Stars and Stripes Forever’ by John Phillips Sousa, ‘America the Beautiful’ by Katharine Lee Bates, ‘You’re a Grand Old Flag’ and ‘Over There’ by George M. Cohan, ‘God Bless America’ by Irving Berlin, ‘This Land is Your Land’ by Woody Guthrie, ‘The New Colossus’ by Irving Berlin, ‘God Bless the U.S.A’ by Lee Greenwood, ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ and ‘Red, White and Blue’ by Lynrd Skynrd, ‘U.S. Navy Hymn: Eternal Father’, ‘Strong to Save’ by William Whiting, ‘U.S. Army Anthem: The Caissons Go Rolling Along’ by Major Edmund L. Gruber, ‘U.S. Navy Anthem: Anchors Aweigh’ by Captain Alfred H. Miles and Charles A. Zimmerman and a lot more.

The Stories behind the Best Patriotic Songs

There are some interesting and surprising facts about some of the best songs around. America the Beautiful was originally a poem which was published in 1885. You probably do not know that this song actually has several melodies.

If you like the song Over There, you probably know George M. Cohan, the composer and singer of the song. Cohan was actually a superstar in Broadway. He had a film biography which was entitled Yankee Doodle Dandy, but he thereafter made a song which was his tribute to America and he entitled that song Yankee Doodle Boy.

One of the best patriotic songs around is God Bless America. You probably do not, however, that its songwriter, Irving Berlin cannot read music. He started to write this song after World War I, but he was only able to complete it before the World War II. It was Kate Smith who first performed the song. Over the years, there has been a lot of clamor for change of national anthem and many people insist on changing the anthem from Star Spangled Banner to this song, God Bless America.

You are probably familiar with The Stars and Stripes Forever and in fact, have sung along whenever it is played. This song was composed by John Phillips Sousa on Christmas Day of 1896. This is the United States’ official march song. Sousa actually wrote lyrics for this song, but little is known of the lyrics.

The best patriotic songs will always play a role in invoking nationalistic feelings in people. You may have always sung along whenever these songs are played but you should consider learning about the stories behind these songs. You will likely appreciate them more.

Peter Garant
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/some-notes-about-patriotic-music-686957.html

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