Archive for the ‘Pets’ Category

Start obedience training your shepherd as soon as possible. German shepherds are very intelligent and will work hard to make you happy. You should start German shepherd obedience training the minute your puppy comes home. Don’t wait…you’ll get the best results from starting training right away.

Ten Steps To German Shepherd Obedience Training Success:

Step one: Housebreaking: You should begin housebreaking you German shepherd at 10 weeks old (It’s a good idea to let your puppy stay with his mother and siblings for at least two and a half months so his littermates and mother have the time to socialize him. A puppy socialized with his mother and siblings is much less likely to nip, bite or have aggression problems later in life.

Most German shepherds will learn housebreaking once they’re 3 months old after one or two “mistakes”. When he goes in the house, just firmly say “no” and take him to the spot outside where you want him to “do his business”. Shepherds want to please their owners and will quickly housebreak as soon as they know what you expect them to do.

Step Two: German shepherd Obedience Training is best begun with crate training. Shepherds don’t go potty where they sleep. Crate training makes it easy to control your new best friend. He’ll let you know when it’s time to go to his “special spot” when it’s time to go.

In the wild, German shepherds live in caves, holes and other confined places. Don’t feel guilty about confining him to a crate until he’s obedience trained. Your puppy will fell secure having a place of his own. Crate training is easy and fosters a closer bond between the two of you right away. You won’t have to scold him for doing things you don’t want him to do (he’ll be in his crate and incapable of doing mischief). Both of you will be far happier and stress free.

Step Three: One of the best ways to German shepherd obedience training is to take you German shepherd puppy to obedience dog training school. Socializing him with people and dogs will teach him to accept strangers as friends and reduce any German shepherd aggressive tendencies.

German shepherd obedience training in class and practicing with your puppy at home teaches him what you want him to do. Once he accepts you as his Alpha Dog…the leader of his pack, he’ll be much more likely to cheerfully obey your commands. Step Four: German shepherd obedience training starts with teaching your dog the basic commands: sit, stay, fetch, heal, lay down and come.

Your German shepherd puppy will learn more than the commands. He’ll learn what’s expected of him and how to please you. Isn’t becoming best friends what German shepherd obedience training is all about?

Step Five: Exercise is an important part of German shepherd obedience training. Your shepherd puppy is full of energy and needs to run and play. Taking him for walks will build a special bond between the two of you. Something you’ll both look forward to doing together.

An added benefit is that the exercise will also improve your health too.. Not excercising your shepherd can cause him to become bored. Dogs not mentally and physically challenged can become anxious and develop aggressive behaviors. You can easily and quickly fix this by spending more time with him, taking him for walks and giving him toys to play with. A physicall and mentally challenged dog is unlikely to become aggresive.

Step Six: One of the keys to German shepherd obedience training is teaching him who is boss. In the wild, shepherds live in packs. Their natural tendency is to please the leader of the pack. Become the leader of his pack…his Alpha Dog and your German shepherd obedience training problems will be solved.

You become his Alpha Dog as soon as he realizes that you determine when and what he eats, when he takes walks, sleeps and goes out to do “his business”. Never feel guilty about this. Your dog will love for you for taking care of all his needs.

Remember…if you don’t become his Alpha Dog, he’ll try to control you. Most unwanted dog problems would never occur if their masters took control early in their relationship. Be his Alpha dog and you won’t have chewing, biting, jumping, chasing, barking and house breaking problems. He’ll want to please you and will work hard to make you happy.

Step Seven: Be patient. All shepherd puppies learn German shepherd obedience training at different speeds. Give him more time if he doesn’t learn what you want him to do right away. Having patience with your dog will help him to be successful.

Step Eight: Never yell or strike your German shepherd. Everything you do should build his friendship and trust.

Step Nine: Practice often. It’s best to teach German shepherd obedience training in easy, small steps.

Step Ten: If your dog refuses to stop his bad behaviors, seek professional help as soon as possible before something serious happens. A professional German shepherd obedience trainer will know how to fix the problem.

The steps listed above, should fix your German shepherd obedience training problems.

About the Author

Marcus B. Stephens has owned and trained German shepherds for many years. His dog training articles and website “Fix German Shepherd Obedience Problems” are great resources for dog owners all over the world. Get your free report which reveals secrets for stopping German shepherd obedience training problems at=> http://www.FixGermanShepherdProblems.com/GermanShepherdObedienceTraining

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Copyright (c) 2010 Dean Severidt

Did you know that roughly 45 percent of all canines in America are thought to be obese or overweight? It’s right, according to the organisation for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). If your dog is obese, it may open the way to health worries, just as it does for humans. Keeping your dog healthy and physically fit boils down to 2 things; a well balanced feeding and lots of exercise. Owners of dogs like to give their canines plenty of goodies and give their dogs foods that they pretty much certainly shouldn’t, which is the main culprit leading to this dog obesity problem.

Essentially the APOP reports that treats are the first culprit leading pets to be big.

It is critical to feed dogs a well balanced diet and to help them in getting lots of exercise. This may include walking and playing with them ; the quantity of exercise each dog desires will alter. It truly boils down to the type and age of the dog. Dogs nutritive wants may be different from ours. What we deem as healthy for us may not enough or applicable for them. To give your dog the best nourishment available you will need to understand their particular needs and the way to address them. In fact, looking after mans best friend does take a little preparation and understanding.

Your dog requires the necessary nutrients to grow, go, and glow. If your dog doesn’t receive correct nutritients it may lead to poor health, restrained growth, sleepiness and shortened lifespan. Dogs like most animal life forms need the 6 basic nutriments for survival: carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrient elements serve different functions in sustaining the well-being and fitness of your dog. This guide will expand on dogs need of these nutrient elements.

1.) Proteins: The Building Blocks of Your Dogs Health

Proteins are chemicals made of amino acids. Your dog can produce a number of these chemicals in their own bodies. The rest needs to be supplied through food. The best sources of these amino acids are beef and its spinoffs. Dogs can extract proteins from these sources far easier than it might with plant sources. Select feeds that have an adequate quantity of protein in them to help your puppies and working dogs grow. Far too much of this nevertheless, may cause kidney problems and has been known for causing personality issues.

2.) Fats: Delivering Other Nutrients to the Body

Fat sound like a swear word to a lot of people so many people make an attempt to avoid it as it causes tons of health issues. Dogs nevertheless, just like man, also have a need for these nutriments although only in a reasonable amount. The correct quantity of fat is required for good skin health, and to move fat-soluble vitamins. Fats are also crucial to kidney function and reproductive health. They make food more flavorsome too. Too much fat will end in obesity and sleepiness.

3.) Carbs : Doggie Fuel

50% of your dogs diet should be composed of carbs since they need it for their energy. Corn is among the more well-liked sources of this nutrient, with soybeans. If this source is clean and of good nutritional quality then that should be fine also.

4.) Minerals and vitamins : Keeping Your Dog Healthy

It would be easier if your dog only had to have minerals and vitamins to get perfect health. Nonetheless the opposite is right. Your dog wants a precise quantity of vitamins and minerals to be healthy. Although, your dog may receive these nutrient elements from food, vitamin additions for your dogs might be useful. Specially formulated commercial feeds make it less complicated for dog owners to give their dogs good nourishment because they add important vitamins and minerals to their dog food lines.

About the Author

Dr. Severidt has been practicing veterinary medicine for over 30 years. n He is the founder of Pet Doctors of America which are full service nveterinary clinics in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, FL. To learn more about caring for your pet click here.

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I believe everyone has heard of, read about or even observed a ferocious dog attack on someone at some time. Sadly, sometimes it is a child who is the victim, which makes it even more appalling. What instigates these attacks and how can we keep them from happening?

There are many possible causes of dog attacks. The prevailing one that comes to mind is an attack by a dog that is tied up to an immovable object. Dogs are naturally social beings and have a lot of the feelings that are similar to what people experience. To leave a pet young or old tethered to a tree, doghouse, fence or any fixed object is equivalent to isolating a human from contact with other people. After a period of time of this solitude it is likely that the normal character and attitude of either dog or human will make a shift for the worse. A dog may see his small area as his own and challenge any person who enters within his boundaries, defending what little remains of his life.

Another reason dogs have to be ferocious while tied up is the truth that aggression is their only source of protection. They aren’t able to run away from anything they feel threatened by. Between their two options of fight or flight, their flight option has been taken away from them. So the only possible course of action that remains is to protect themselves through aggression.

Dogs also like to migrate, traveling from one place to another, whether it is by strolling along with their person or moving about on their own treks. They need physical exertion to keep sound of mind and healthy. A dog left isolated for great lengths of time on a cable does not get this much needed activity and will attempt to find other outlets for the unreleased energy. He might choose to dig holes or tear apart anything within reach. He may also fiercely guard his territory, barking and throwing himself against the restraints, hoping to break free of his chain.

In this kind of situation, the most evident method of not getting involved in a dog attack is by not going near any unknown dog tied to any object by any means. Children should not be let near ANY dog that is tied up, even if it is a family dog. Occasionally a confined dog will look at a small child as a threat to his space, perhaps viewing the little one as just one more small creature to compete with over personal space.

It is unthinkable that any dog would ever be kept chained up at all. It goes contrary to every natural ounce of their existence – psychologically, physically, socially and emotionally. The most obvious way to avoid a serious attack by a chained up dog is to never chain it up in the first place. The dog that is now aggressive after too much time on a chain could have been a wonderful, affectionate, completely trustworthy dog if not for the isolation and confinement he was sentenced to.

This is only one cause of a dog attack. There are many more. For now, though, if you own a dog being kept on any kind of a tie out, please try to come up with some kind of an alternative. This might mean building a fence, taking her to a dog day care facility where she can play with other dogs, or taking her for walks on a daily basis. Please reconsider confining such a social being on a chain and prevent a possible dog attack.

If you have to walk past a dog who is tied up and vicious, be sure to carry with you some type of security in case the dog does break free and tries to maul you. This can involve an umbrella, which will scare a dog when opened quickly, or a cannister of canine pepper spray which will, if sprayed into the face of an advancing vicious dog, ward off an attack. Do not assume that just because a dog is chained up, you are safe at a distance. There is always the chance of the chain, rope, cable or collar breaking and the dog escaping its confinement. Be protected and continually aware of your environment.

About the Author

Karleen Lindsey is a campaigner for the use of non-lethal means of protection to provide for the safety of you and your loved ones, especially women, children and the elderly. Check out her Scare Dogs Away Pepper Spray and get 20% off of your first order over$10 with coupon code 3254.

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There are many articles available that give you step-by-step instructions on cleaning a professional boarding kennel. The best advice these articles give you is to separate the cleaning process into the age or condition of the dog, such as, puppy, adult dog and sick or injured dogs. This is not only a good idea when cleaning it is also a good idea at all boarding times.

However, all of the articles I have read make the same mistake…they tell you what chemical-based cleaners to use and in what proportion to water. The problem with this is that some dogs, actual quite a few, can be harmed by the very chemical-based cleaners you are using to clean their kennel. In addition, any allergies suffered by the people cleaning the kennels can be adversely effected by these cleaners.

There is an alternative to chemical-based cleaners. That alternative is cleaning with only water. Doesn’t sound like that would work does it? Well, it will work just fine if you incorporate a steam cleaner into your cleaning regimen. Steam cleaners use only normal tap water heated to temperatures of at least 212 F. Most steam cleaners heat water to temperature from 225 F to 290 F. This insures that the steam vapor kills all fleas, flea larvae, bacteria, germs, mold and mildew in and around the kennel. Ladybug steam cleaners equipped with TANCS have been tested and proven to kill canine parvovirus. You can find the test results for the Ladybug steam cleaners on the author’s web site.

When cleaning a professional boarding kennel I recommend using a two-step cleaning process that includes both a pressure washer and a steam cleaner. The pressure washer can use either cold or hot water and can be powered by either gas or electricity. I have no preference when it comes to cold or hot water because the steam cleaner will provide the heat necessary to sanitize and disinfect the area being cleaned. However, I do recommend an industrial electric pressure washer because it is quieter than a gas pressure washer and much more environmentally friendly.

The first thing you should do is to makes sure the dog is removed far enough from the kennel to not be in the way while cleaning. Once the dog is removed start the industrial electric pressure washer and begin moving the debris and waste to one corner of the kennel where it can be scooped up and removed. If the walls of the kennel are concrete or a similar material, I would recommend thoroughly washing them down with the pressure washer removing any lose particles that may have found their way to the walls.

As you are cleaning with the pressure washer the steam cleaner should be plugged in and heating. Once you have completed your cleaning with the pressure washer it is time to turn to the steam cleaner. For this article we will assume you are using the Ladybug steam cleaner Equipped with TANCS.

To begin cleaning with the steam cleaner I would recommend you use the rectangle brush and start by steam cleaning the walls and ceiling of the kennel. The next step would be to steam clean the floor of the kennel. Go over both surfaces thoroughly not missing any spots on either the walls or the floor to be certain you are eliminating all fleas, flea larvae, bacteria, germs, mold and mildew in and around the kennel.

Once you have completely cleaned the walls and the floor with the rectangle brush I recommend that you remove the rectangle brush and replace it with one of the small round brushes. The 30 mm brash brush is good if the kennel is a typical concrete kennel. With the 30 mm round brass brush you now want to thoroughly steam clean all of the corners in the kennel where the walls meet and where the walls meet the floor and ceiling. These are grounds where nasty little things can gather and grow and eventually have a negative effect on the dog that occupies the kennel.

After completing your cleaning with the steam cleaner the kennel may still be somewhat wet. This wetness is not from the steam cleaner since the steam vapor is only about 5% water. The wetness is left over from using the pressure washer. If there are any puddles of water you may want to sweep them out with a broom and then allow some time – depending on the weather perhaps 5 to 15 minutes – for the kennel to dry before putting the dog back.

One person should be able to clean a single kennel in approximately 10 to 15 minutes while two people – one using the pressure washer and one following on with the steam cleaner – should be able to finish in half that time. Once completed, a kennel cleaned in this manner would be clean enough for the dog’s owner to sleep in, let alone the dog.

About the Author

Barry Hall has worked with steam cleaners for more than 10 years and has experienced the benefits of cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing your home or business with a steam cleaner. Incorporating a steam cleaner into your cleaning routine can help eliminate germs, allergens, bacteria, mold and mildew while eliminating bed bugs and fleas. Please visit ProVaporSteamCleaners.com for more information.

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As a pet owner, there is nothing sadder than seeing your beloved companion slowly fading away due to an illness or injury. While it is possible to pay for some of your cats’ medical bills, there are many unexpected surgeries or procedures that are simply too expensive for an average owner to pay for. The projected cost of several thousand dollars per procedure can often leave pet owners choosing between their beloved cat and the money they need to feed their family. Due to the exorbitant costs of vet care, many cats find themselves left without the medical attention that they so desperately need.

With cat insurance, the owners of cats no longer have to put a price tag on their precious pet’s life. This article will explain how you can choose the best insurance for your cat.

Look for a plan with reasonable monthly payments. A good insurance plan that you can’t keep up the payments on isn’t actually a good plan. If you pick a plan that is above your budget, you will be forced to drop it after a while, causing you to lose all the money that you have already put into it. There are many good value cat insurance plans which cost under twenty-dollars a month, a price which can easily fit into the budget of most people.

Keep an eye on deductibles when looking for insurance. The deductible is how much you have to pay before insurance covers the cost. For instance, if you have a deductible of one-hundred dollars, you will have to pay one hundred out of a two-thousand dollar bill. Don’t choose a plan with five dollar monthly payments if the deductible is five-hundred dollars: you would end up losing more money than you saved.

Choose a plan which covers medical attention your cat might need. For instance, if your cat lives indoors, road-accident coverage might not seem very important, however, it would be perfect for a cat that spends most of its time prowling outside. Plans should cover a handful of different procedures or accidents that are (or might be) relevant to your cat’s life.

Some insurance companies offer different plans based on the cat’s age. This will help you to get the right coverage for the challenges your cat will be most-likely to face.

Before you sign up for any insurance plan, check to see if they will reimburse your expenses or pay your veterinarian. If they pay the vet, check with the medical clinic of your choice and see if they accept insurance. If few vets in your area accept insurance, you should choose a plan that will reimburse you for what you pay. If you want to insure more than one cat, look for a plan which will offer discounts based on the amount of animals you insure. This could end up saving you a lot of money over a short period of time while making it possible to insure all your precious felines.

Before choosing an insurance policy, find out if it covers pre-existing conditions and what it considers those to be. Signing up for insurance after you have discovered the problem rarely works, so find your cat a plan before they need medical attention.

Check for reviews of a cat insurance company before dedicating yourself to one. Many reviews can be found online and include information about the company along with customer opinions and ratings. Also find out if an insurance company is endorsed by the Better Business Bureau.

Don’t be too shy to ask your vet about the insurance company you are considering. Vets work with animals all the time and are likely to know about all the newest insurance available; by talking with them, you can find out if you’re choosing the right company and the right plan.

If you have questions about a plan, get in touch with the insurance company; never attempt to sign up for something that you don’t quite understand. Cat insurance companies should be easy to get in touch with and ready to answer your questions. If they’re not willing to answer your questions, then they obviously aren’t the one you should do business with.

By taking the time to consider your options and talk with others, choosing a cat insurance plan can be a rewarding experience. With the assurance that you have good coverage, you will never have to put a price tag on your cat’s care again.

About the Author

Graham McLay runs an online website with lots more useful advice for ncat owners. Download his free report providing quick tips for raising a nhappy healthy cat – download it now from http://thecatsite.org

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The Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dog

The choice of what dog breed to take home is a big decision that has to be made based on several factors. This is because different dog breeds have different temperaments, characteristics, and attitudes. Because of this, you have to choose the dog that best fits you and your lifestyle. Here are the factors that you should consider in choosing the breed that’s right for you.

* Your lifestyle

What do you do? Are you a businessman? A mother? A bum? A sport fanatic? A family guy? The lifestyle you live greatly affects the choice of a dog that will suit you best. For a family guy who’s got kids in the house, a balance between a huge dog and a small dog should be met. A big dog can easily overpower and cause harm to your kid, but a small dog such as a chihuahua or a shih’tzu may just as easily be the victim of your kid’s innocent but violent games. The perfect dog breed for you is a Golden Retriever, which is the all-around family dog, or a relatively safer and more behaved poodle. For mothers, their gentle caring nature will also do a lot of good to a shih’tzu and will also fit well with a Sheltie.

* Your personality

Some breeds are energetic, while some are not. If you happen to be an energetic and active person who lives on the adventurous side, you need a dog that can keep up with you and your lifestyle without difficulty. However, although some dogs can keep up with you, the perfect dog breed for you is the one who can, not just keep up, but enjoy the adventures like you do. If you are adventurous and you want your pet to be an adventure buddy, your safest bets are Dalmatians and Jack Russell Terriers. These dog breeds possess a love for the outdoors and are very active dogs.

* Your schedule

Some dog breeds are particularly clingy, while some are very independent. If you happen to be an independent person who has a schedule full of appointments, with very little time spent at home and resting, you need a dog that can be left on its own without too much trouble. Remember, however, that if your schedule is full and you want to get a dog, you will still have to fit the dog into your schedule, no matter how independent your dog is. A dog may be alright with being left alone, but only because there are quite a lot of things in your home that can be played with. So if you are immensely busy, you can still get a dog provided that you get an independent one, and you still make sure to spend enough time with it. A chow-chow will be a good dog for you.

* Your home

When you plan on getting a dog, you need to take your home into consideration when choosing on a breed. Take note of the area that you live in. If you have a lot of outdoor space where your dog can run around and take walks, it is okay to get a dog that loves to be outdoors. However, if you live in a congested city where the only concept of outdoors is the window of the building next to your apartment on the tenth floor, then you might need to reconsider your options. Get a smaller dog that does not need big spaces to run around in.

To learn more about <a href="http://www.11-peaks.com/">American Bulldog</a> and to find other high quality breeds, please visit http://www.11-peaks.com.

The Basics of the West Nile Disease

West Nile disease is a disease that is caused by a viral infection of the West Nile virus, and may result to encephalities. It is more common in some countries such as Africa, Middle East, and West Asia. It can occur in a wide variety of animals such as dogs, cats, birds, and horses. It is a viral disease that is simply passed around from one animal to another through insect carriers. The West Nile disease can cause deaths in some instances, but the fatality rate due to the West Nile virus infection is quite fortunatrely low. However, dogs do not face a high risk of West Nile virus infection, despite the fact that the virus is transmitted by insects that feed on blood, particularly mosquitoes. However, canine West Nile disease is still possible in dogs, and in humans as well. In dogs, the West Nile virus infection can strongly affect older dogs and young puppies. This is because the immune systems of both types of dogs are weaker, thus making them less resistant to various types of diseases. In general, however, the risk of West Nile disease in canines is very low.

The Symptoms of West Nile Disease in Dogs

The West Nile disease in dogs can be accompanied by several symptoms, which can affect various parts of the body in separate occurences. This means that the symptoms may vary in kind. They can be physical symptoms, behavioral changes, and dietary irregularities. When we say dietary, this means that a dog with West Nile diseasewill probably not be in the mood to eat a lot. Physical symptoms can range from fever, headaches, slight movement strains, especially in walking, convulsions and tremors, stiff necks and an abnormal head position, which is a clear sign of a possible encephalitis or swelling of the head. Severe cases may also include more severe symptoms such as coma and paralysis. Behavioral changes may also occur, such as depression, and an unexplained tendency to roam around or circle around without aim. These symptoms are pretty easy to identify, so West Nile disease more or less stands out from other diseases, enabling dog owners to detect them early enough. When you observe any of these symptoms in your pet, call your veterinarian immediately.

Treatment and Prevention of West Nile Disease

As of the moment, there are still no available vaccines to counteract the symptoms and contraction of West Nile Disease in dogs. This is why prevention of the West Nile disease is the key, and should be given much attention to. You can prevent canine West Nile disease by keeping your pet safe from the carriers of the West Nile virus: the mosquitoes. To do so, keep your surroundings clean and sanitary at all times. Don’t allow your dog to roam around dirty locations, wherein the risk of meeting a mosquito is high. You can never tell which mosquitoes are safe from the West Nile virus, and which are carriers of the West Nile disease, so it would be better if you can protect your pet completely from mosquito bites. Include an insent repellent in your medicine cabinet list. These are insect repellents designed for pets, which will be more effective in keeping mosquitoes, as well as the West Nile disease, away from your pet.

To learn more about <a href="http://www.11-peaks.com/">American Bulldog</a> and to find other high quality breeds, please visit http://www.11-peaks.com.

Copyright (c) 2010 Trey Markel

Did you know that the RCA logo was originally a famous painting by Francis Barraud called His Masters Voice. For those of you who’ve lived in a cave for the past half century, it’s a painting of a fox terrier named Nipper sitting in front of an old Gramophone listening to a sound that obviously puzzles him a bit, the voice of his deceased master. The image was so powerful in the early days of the record industry that it was adopted as the logo of the Victor Talking Machine Company, which would later on become RCA Victor in 1909. All records made by the company after that were referred to in the industry as HMV (His Masters Voice) records.

Today, RCA is owned by EMI, which is also the parent company of JVC, and the HMV logo is known throughout the world. Its copyright expired in 1989, after several RCA ownership changes, so the famous dog painting of Nipper is now the property of the general public. Its latest appearance in a film was in the 2006 movie Superman Returns, when an HMV radio is shown in the home of the young Clark Kent in the opening scenes. Ironically, the HMV radio was never sold in the United States, so the prop is a dead giveaway that the film wasn’t made in the US. It was in fact filmed in Australia.

Dogs Playing Cards

If you live in the United States, you have seen and most likely own at least one depiction of the famous Dogs Playing Cards paintings that were painted in the early years of the Twentieth Century. Did you know that there are actually sixteen of these paintings altogether? They were commissioned in 1903 by a company called Brown and Bigelow to be used as advertising for their cigars. The artist, C.M. Coolidge, had no idea that his works would become famous American icons. Though considered relatively cheap home décor today, the original oil paintings are worth quite a bit. On February 15, 2005, the originals of two in the set, A Bold Bluff and Waterloo, were auctioned together for $590,400. Before that time, the most ever paid for a Coolidge was $74,000.

The Dog

There is one dog painting that stands apart from the rest because of its significance to the art world and artists everywhere. The Dog, a painting done in the home of Spanish artist Francisco Goya some time between 1819 and 1823, is one of the famous “Black Paintings” he left behind at Quinta del Sordo. The dog itself in the picture is only a small head peaking out over a dark mass that slopes upward and framed against a dirty ochre sky that highlights its features. The image was originally painted with oils onto the wall of the villa, but was transferred to canvas after Goya’s death. In the art world, it is said to be one of the first Symbolist paintings of the Western world, depicting a powerful image of man’s struggle against seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Saved and The Distinguished Member of the Humane Society

Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, best known for his lion sculptures in Trafalgar Square, London, created a dog painting called Saved in 1856 which depicts a Newfoundland dog saving a small child from drowning. Eighteen years previous to that he had used the same dog breed for his now famous The Distinguished Member of the Humane Society. Each of the dogs portrayed, which may actually be two images of the same animal, are of the black and white variety of Newfoundland not particularly common at the time. His obvious love for this particular breed made Landseer famous with dog kennels and shows around the world. The Landseer Newfoundland is named after him.

Blue Dogs and the Legend of Loup Garou

In 1992, George Rodrigue, a Cajun artist from New Iberia, Louisiana, painted a series of paintings called The Blue Dog Pictures which were made popular by an advertising campaign done by Absolute Vodka. The blue dog has popped up in numerous other venues since then, but it wasn’t created for commercial purposes. Rodrigue based his paintings on the Cajun legend of Loup Garou, the werewolf that is said to haunt the swamplands surrounding Acadiana and New Orleans. Parents teach their children morality lessons using the character and the commercial use of the blue dog has softened its image, but both Cajun and ancient American Indians still declare there’s a factual basis for the story. Is there a werewolf in the bayou?

Sun Dogs in the Skies Above Stockholm

Vädersolstavlan, translated as The Sun Dog Painting, was produced in 1535 at the behest of King Gustav Vasa of Sweden. Though not what you’d call a traditional dog painting, this timeless masterpiece is regarded as the first depiction of the atmospheric phenomenon known as sun dogs, a condition that was considered by the people of the time to be a sign from above. King Gustav conscripted the painting to prove that an occurrence of sun dogs on April 20 of that year was not a cherubic response to his switch from Catholicism to the Protestant faith, but the painting was so powerful it actually seemed to the superstitious people of the time that the event was a divine manifestation. The controversy and subsequent persecution of the artists, Chancellor Olaus Petri and clergyman Laurentius Andreae, made the painting a highly sought after piece of artwork. It is also the oldest depiction of Stockholm itself. The original has been lost, but a copy from the 1630s can still be seen at Storkyrkan Church in Stockholm.

A Dog Painting of Your Favorite Breed

The classics may not be the right choice for your home and that’s okay. You can find paintings of your favorite dog breeds in many different forms at a number of easy to get to locations. Pet stores have them, as do gift shops and department stores. Adorn your walls with images of your favorites or classics produced centuries ago. Your final choice is entirely up to you and will be different from anyone else’s. The only real common bond between dog owners is their love of the animal itself. Others will know looking at your walls and mantles that you share that love.

About the Author

More information on dog paintings. There are all sorts of dog pictures that ABC offers.

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Copyright (c) 2010 Trey Markel

Snoopy, Lassie, Marmaduke, Beethoven, UnderDog, and even Huckleberry Hound all had their moment in the sun over the years. Some were flashes in the pan and others have become societal icons. Dog posters of these characters are easy to find, but what about some of the more obscure canine companions? For every superstar, there were at least ten not so famous pups that could use a little recognition. Some of them have become enduring symbols and others are just what they are supposed to be, man’s best friend, ever by our side and never seeking recognition for their achievements.

Since the beginning of the Twentieth Century, there have been films and famous artists portraying dogs of all breeds doing heroic and humorous things that have made them worthy of at least a mention. Before 1900, there were artists who painted dogs, some of whom became famous for other works. That also happened in recent years, as you’ll read below. If you’re a dog lover and trivia buff, this is one list you’ll definitely want to check out. It’s not numbered or ranked, because there’s no way to rate one dog as somehow more important than others. It is however, a list of important furry four-legged friends who have quietly made history. You will definitely be surprised by some of the little known facts contained here.

Rover’s Real Name was Blair

Hollywood has glamorized dogs since they first started making movies back in the early Twentieth Century. In 1905, a silent film called Rescued by Rover depicted a heroic collie saving an infant from a beggar woman who kidnapped her while the family nanny was distracted and speaking to a handsome soldier. The film is widely considered to be the first movie of any kind to use paid actors. The nanny, the soldier, and the beggar woman were all given half a guinea to play their roles. The film was so successful that the filmmaker, Britain’s Cecil Hepworth, had to shoot it twice. The negative from the first shooting wore out after several showings. In both versions, Hepworth used his family dog and his own infant child. The dog’s name was not Rover. It was Blair.

Where Would Annie have been Without Sandy?

Little Orphan Annie, a popular comic strip character created by Harold Gray, first appeared in print on August 5, 1924 and was published virtually uninterrupted until June 13, 2010. During that time, she was loved and hated, respected and scorned, pitied and envied, but there was always one constant – her dog Sandy. Like any good canine companion, Sandy stood beside her through thick and thin, never wavering even when Gray’s politics threatened to sink their fledgling career. During their radio years, from 1930 to 1942, Sandy had a speaking role in the intro and a regular spot during the fifteen minute afternoon show. Who did Sandy’s voice? Beginning in 1936, it was a little known NBC employee named Orson Welles. He was twenty years old when he was first hired for the part, just two years before his famous War of the Worlds broadcast.

Mike, Fritzi, Rags, Bozo, or Homer?

Most people have seen the movie dog poster from Disney’s 1955 animated film Lady and the Tramp, and most just assume the stray’s name is simply “The Tramp”. There are friendly families that feed him and call him Mike or Fritzi, but neither of those is his real name. During the film, he isn’t specifically addressed by any title other than “The Tramp”. The cast of the film, those who did the voices, experimented with a number of different tags, including Rags and Bozo, but chose not to assign the poor pup one when the film was finally released. For those of you who are trivia buffs, his real name, the one that they wrote into the original script, is Homer. Why is this historic? Homer and his pals were all part of the first animated feature filmed in CinemaScope Widescreen, a revolutionary look that would change the scope of filmmaking for the decades that followed – the 1960s and 70s.

Andy Warhol and Maurice

Andy Warhol was an American painter and filmmaker whose 1963 painting The Eight Elvises sold for a record $100 million. The purchase made Warhol a legend, on par with Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock. The painting, which is a silkscreen, is a portrait of Elvis Presley which was owned at the time of the sale by Italian art collector Annibale Berlingieri. The buyer is unknown. Warhol also produced another painting called, Portrait of Maurice, a depiction of a dachshund that belonged to friend and fellow art collector Gabrielle Keiller. You can find reproductions of Maurice anywhere where dog posters are sold for as little as $10 apiece. You won’t however, find him listed on any of the many internet lists of famous Warhol’s, but total sales of the image far exceed the selling price of The Eight Elvises. It seems that small amounts really do add up over time.

Toto – The Dog Who Saw in Color

They say that dogs see in black and white, but there’s one dog on this list that definitely saw things in color, at least once the house finally landed in the merry old land of Oz. Toto, one of the most celebrated dog poster dogs of all time, was the first Canis Lupus Familiaris to set foot in Munchkinland and will be forever immortalized because of it. The movie itself is ranked as the most watched of all time and was credited with finally bringing vivid color into the filmmaking industry. Toto, however, was not the dog’s real name, nor was he the male dog that Frank Baum created him to be. Toto was played by a female black Cairn terrier named “Terry” and she was a professional actress. She was paid $125 a week, which was $75 more than each of the munchkins made, and she broke her foot during production when one of the witch’s guards stepped on it. Her owners, no doubt influenced by the film’s popularity, changed her name to Toto in real life after the film’s release in 1939. She lived to be eleven and is the only dog on this list to have her own “autobiography”, written by Willard Carroll.

About the Author

More information on dog posters. There are quite a few different dog pictures that are available to you this holiday season.

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Bees sting as a self defense mechanism when threatened. People cannot predict what will trigger this mechanism, so all beekeepers should wear protective gear.

Different Types of Protective Gear

No matter what your bee experience level, you should always have the following:

-Beekeeping suit
-Hat
- Mesh veil
-Long gloves

Each piece of protective gear is essential, and all are crucial to wear each time. The hat and veil will protect your face. A bee sting to the face can be painful and cause serious harm, especially to the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and neck. Imagine if a bee went up your nose! Bees tend to be attracted to your breath; therefore, bee stings are common around this area.

Gloves are difficult to use when you are attempting to manipulate the parts of the bee hive. While you may still be stung on the hands, some beekeepers choose to go gloveless for ease of movement. It is better if you can acquire a pair of long gloves that allow you to handle objects.

The beekeeping suit will provide full body protection. It is like a jumpsuit, except it will protect you from the stings of a bee.

The Beekeeping Suit Material

Made of light-weight and smooth material, the suit is usually white or light coloured to prevent the bees from being threatened. Dark colours are associated with predators like bears. The smooth material is a contrast from the fur of the usual bee predators.

Maintenance of your Beekeeping Suit

A key habit in beekeeping is to clean your suit after each use. If not cleaned, bees will smell any previous stings on the suit and automatically put up a guard to defend themselves. To remove stingers and venom, dip your hands in vinegar to avoid irritation, then wipe suit with a cloth.

Protective Gear Advice

When selecting your beekeeping suit, you should consider a few things first. Number one being the material and colour of the suit. As previously mentioned, it should be a light or neutral coloured smooth material.Other factors to consider are:
- It is important that you choose a suit that fits you just right, but is also comfortable. Pay particular attention to the arm and leg holes. Some suits have elastic at the cuffs and wrists. Others will have Velcro so that you can adjust to your specific size.
- Make sure the hat and veil you choose have good ventilation. Veils and hoods generally come in one-size-fits all.
- Quality is obviously a better investment. The suit should have solid stitching, rustproof zippers and boning will maintain the shape.
- To get the increased protection, a slightly higher price is worth paying.

Constructing your Own Beekeeping Suit

It is possible to make your own suit; however, it is important that you address all areas of your body. A white or light colored pair of coveralls will do the trick. However, you must make adjustments to the coveralls to turn them into a beekeeping suit.
The coveralls should be just a little bit big on you. This will allow for more room between you and the cloth, which ultimately will be covered with bee stings and venom. The suit should reach to the middle of your hand and over the heel of your foot.
Sew elastic at the wrists and ankles. The fit should be tight enough to not allow bees in but loose enough to allow the blood to still circulate. Attach velcro around the neck of the coverall.Your veil can be made out of mosquito netting. Also wearing tight fitting gloves and boots to deter the bees from gaining access under your clothes.

Unless you are very confident in your beekeeping suit making abilities, you may want to look into buying one first. There are many locations to acquire a good quality beekeeping suit.

About the Author

For beekeeping suit advice, go to Beekeeping Starter Guide

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