Dealing with dog hair problems

Shedding is a natural occurrence to dogs, except for a short list of hairless breeds such as the American hairless terrier, Chinese crested, Khala, Peruvian Inca Orchid and Xoloitzcuintle. Natural hair loss varies from breed to breed, some shed more heavily than others. So if you are a dog owner and your pooch is not among these mentioned breeds, you are familiar with shedding and the hassle it creates on the sofa and your clothes. Fallen hair is unsightly except if you are obsessed with your pooch that you collect their hairs, spun them into thread and knit them into sweaters.

Grooming is the key to keep hair loss under control. Your dog’s hair is going to fall out naturally and it is best to remove it yourself with a brush and throw it in the trash than to let the hair fall out all over the house. The more hair removed, the less you will see it all over your house and on you. As per my experience, brushing my pug Rama's coat once a day is enough to reduce the unwanted hair all over my clothes, carpet and furniture, especially during shedding season. .

It is also advised to seek immediate veterinary attention if you think your dog is shedding abnormally or you see bald spots. There are health conditions such as ringworm, skin infections, stress, mange and cancer that can cause large, abnormal amounts of shedding.

Nobody but choo!

I'm suffering from the last song syndrome... Can't get this out of my head! I know it's pathetic and crappy, but it's soo catchy and i lurve the dance steps... clap clap!

Desiderata (Things to be Desired) by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

Better in Time by Boyce Avenue

I love the original version by Leona Lewis but this one is my favorite right now! And these boys are much cuter than Leona! LOL

Pugs: a lot of dog in such a small package

Pugs are little dogs with big personalities. They are the most friendly, intelligent and cute dog known to man. And those with anything negative to say about pugs have obviously never come in contact with one in their lives. PERIOD!

I have the great opportunity to take care of two great pugs: Marga who left us in 2006 and Rama who has been with me for almost three years now. These little round dogs are jolly, happy souls. They are affectionate, energetic, even-tempered and very people-friendly. They never fail to make me smile after a hard day’s work in the office and make me look forward to our early morning walks in the park. Walking my Rama in the park is such a treat (not to mention a very effective exercise regimen)! Everybody, young and old, just loves this funny, loving, and cute pooch!

Pugs are generally easy to take care of despite their reputation for breathing problems and eye issues. They shed like crazy but basic routine grooming is generally sufficient to keep most of their hairs out of the sofa. Extra attention should be placed upon keeping their facial folds clean to prevent infections. As with any dog breed, the Pug should be thoroughly trained (which is not difficult because of their immense intelligence). This breed does have a great deal of energy, so proper training and routine exercise are recommended. They tend to snore a lot but that only makes them more endearing to those of us who are owned by them.

Saving Tips

We all know how important it is to save money for the future. Nobody wants to be stone-broke during emergencies such as sudden illnesses, hospitalization and other emergencies that require cash. It is also a bummer when you can’t go to those impromptu vacations organized by friends because you don’t have money to spend. I know saving is easier said than done. But with a bit of focus and discipline, you can save for your future and sleep soundly at night. So get rid of those extravagant spending habits and follow the tips below.

Set your saving goals. Whether it is saving for your children’s college funds, for a grand vacation or retirement, put your money in a savings account or a money market mutual fund.

Pay your self first. Take out your savings first and spend the remaining balance. This will help improve your saving habits.

Use a direct deposit savings. It will be easier to save if you have no control over the funds and it is directly deposited in your account.

Shop wisely. Cut down on the impulse shopping. Before spending on unnecessary items, ask your self, "Do I really need this item or do I just want it?"

When you do have to purchase something, try to use cash instead of credit cards, so that you can avoid the finance charges on your daily balance. You can use the extra cash to add to your savings.

Eat at home. Lessen the habit of eating out. If you can help it, eat out less and use what you have in your kitchen to make creative dishes. You should see a significant difference, in your savings.

Try to be consistent with your saving habits. As my friend Shawn Umsted always says: “It doesn't matter how much or how little it is, just remember to save something.”

Mixing business with pleasure in Brazil

Brazil, officially known as the Federative Republic of Brazil, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America. Almost everyone I know dreams of visiting this country sometime in their lives. I, myself, can’t wait to experience the romantic appeal of Rio de Janeiro, explore the mysteries of the Amazon jungle and be part of the dazzling spectacle of the greatest Carnival parades on earth.

Other must see attractions in Brazil are the original colonial capital Salvador, the ultra-modern new capital Brasilia and the Pantanal which is an expansive natural and unspoiled marshland offering spectacular wildlife tours. And any Brazilian holiday wouldn’t be complete without basking in the sun in one of the popular beaches along the Brasilian coastline.

Aside from Brazil’s tourism appeal (which attracts all types of travelers from back-packers, radical sports fans, ecologists, study groups, charter group passengers and sophisticated up-market travelers), it is also the world's tenth largest economy at market exchange rates and the ninth largest in purchasing power making it a promising business venue for investors. My jet set friend, Shawn Umsted, said he’s exploring business opportunities in Brazil. Now that’s what I call mixing business with pleasure!

How to be a socialite and live the high life

We all dream of living the high life, at least at one point in our lives. Except if you were fortunate enough to be born with a silver spoon on your mouth. But for us who are not so lucky, we can only dream of those designer clothes, all-night parties, luxury cars, jewelries, lots of money, fame, the works! Still, there’s no room for giving up the dream. We can work hard to earn that million or pray hard to win the lottery or simply marry a Vanderbilt or a Hilton. If one of that ever happens to you, my jet setter friend Shawn Umsted (who is certainly living the high life, though he wouldn’t admit it), shares the following tips on how to be a socialite:

Be a partyphile and throw lots of parties. Also make sure to get invited to the grandest bashes in town.

Only wear designer clothes, even if you are just hanging out at home. With every outfit you wear, make sure to accessorize with a lot of jewelry, preferably diamonds and pearls.

Only wear authentic Rolex watches, not the ones from China! And don’t ever get caught wearing a Timex.

Drive expensive cars like Ferraris. In case you live in a cave and is clueless about this car brand, Ferrari is an Italian automobile manufacturer that produces high-end race cars and sports cars. The company is known for making some of the highest-performing and most expensive cars in the world.

If you are a woman, become known as the “It Girl” of your local town. If you are a man, become known as the most eligible millionaire bachelor.

Throw a very extravagant wedding ceremony when you decided to get married. And make sure your bride/groom comes from a rich family who will soon inherit a sizable fortune.

Become the boss of your own successful business (or businesses), but make it look like you only work a few hours a day.

Give lots of money to charities.

And most importantly, have more friends than enemies.

Creative Sleeping

A sleep-deprived mind will not function properly. I've realized that way back in college after those all-night cramming for exams which didn't work at all. I failed miserably and ended up attending remedial classes.

Now, as a freelance writer, I've discovered that if you want to write something or be creative, it's best to sleep on it. I get many ideas for articles and stories after I lay down at night, or even sitting relaxed in a quiet room, just letting my mind drift.

And it's not just me. A lot of famous personalities created their masterpieces while in deep slumber. Author Robert Louis Stevenson dreamed the plot of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde while Jack Kerouac wrote his Book Of Dreams based on this own dream world. Golf legend Jack Nicklaus had a dream that allowed him to correct his golf swing. Paul McCartney discovered the tune for the song Yesterday in a dream. Otto Loewi, a German physiologist, won the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1936 for his work on the chemical transmission of nerve impulses. He discovered in a dream how to prove his theory.

So get that eight hours of sleep every night. And if you are like my friend Shawn Umsted, take every opportunity to nap. It will not only revitalize you, it can also lead to something creative and good!

Wrap Rage

Those hard to open clear plastic packages that house your newly purchased gadget should be forbidden! They are incredibly hard to pry open and sometimes require a long struggle or a sharp implement before you can get access to the goodies inside. My friend Shawn Umsted almost got himself injured while opening a package as the plastic's torn edges and corners can be very sharp. Their resistance to scissors and razor blades (and even loud swearing!) is so bothersome that the term “wrap rage” was coined to describe people's aversion to them.

Manufacturers say these molded packaging protect goods on the long journey from the factory to the retail shops. Retailers say the heat-sealed edges keep shoppers from opening them in stores. And products certainly look picture-perfect in that clear plastic bubble. However, the soaring consumer complaints are making manufacturers realize that this type of packaging is a problem and they are now doing their best to make it easier to open. Here's hoping to less cuts and frustration when dealing with these plastic clamshell packaging!