How Much Money Do Pet Groomers Make

Pet groomers not only leave pets looking neater but they also improve their hygiene and health.

Pet groomers are trained caretakers that keep multiple types of animals clean and hygienic to improve their comfort and health. A career in pet grooming requires a desire to work around animals and an understanding of relate to them, as well as grooming skills for various breeds. Pet groomers are patient, adept at solving problems and are compassionate. Groomers need strong interpersonal skills so they can work effectively with clients and other workers.

Salary

According to Salary Wizard, the middle 50 percent of all animal groomers and bathers make between $24,693 and $37,729 as of January 2011. The bottom 10 percent of groomers make less than $19,650 while the top 10 percent make $44,555. The pet groomer median salary of $30,232 is favorable compared with the median salary of nonfarm animal caretakers in general, which was $19,360 as of May 2008, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Definition

Pet groomers are involved in a variety of grooming services for animals, including bathing, drying, cutting, styling and trimming the fur, cleaning ears and cutting nails. Groomers schedule appointments, collect important pet information, such as behavioral and medical conditions, and discuss grooming needs. They must keep a safe and clean environment for pets and they must keep their equipment clean and sanitized. Groomers use various tools such as combs, brushes, electric clippers and shedding blades. While most groomers work on dogs, some work on cats and other domesticated animals.

Training

Pet groomers often begin their education with a high school diploma or the equivalent General Educational Development, or GED. Prospective groomers than must gain some experience working with animals either as an apprentice with a groomer or at a vocational school training program. Grooming schools have programs that last between two weeks and 18 weeks. Groomers begin their employment with simple tasks like bathing animals and move on to more advanced skills as they pick them up. Some groomers will get certified by organizations like the National Dog Groomers Association of America, which may improve their future employment prospects.

Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of animal care and service workers, including pet groomers, is projected to grow 21 percent between 2008 and 2018. This is much faster that the average of all occupations during the projected decade. The growth is partly a result of pet owners gaining more disposable income as they age which will lead to an increase in grooming and other animal related services. As the pet population will increase, the need for grooming services, especially mobile or in-home grooming, will likewise grow.

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Irish Setter Gifts

Irish setters are known for their beautiful coats.

Irish setters have long been popular as hunting dogs, and they also make good pets and show dogs. They are playful as well as beautiful, and they capture the hearts of many owners. Irish setter gifts are plentiful since this dog breed is so popular. If you are searching for an Irish setter gift for someone you know, check out all the lovely gifts available before making a selection.

Kitchen Gifts

One Irish setter gift you can give to a lover of these dogs is a cookie jar with an image of the animal on it, designed by an artist. Another gift to delight an Irish setter and his owner is a pet bowl with an Irish setter's image printed inside it. For sipping hot coffee, cocoa or tea, purchase one or more drinking mugs that have an image of an Irish setter. A gift any Irish setter lover will appreciate is a set of coasters with a photograph of a beautiful Irish setter on each one.

Gifts for Outside

A welcome sign made of wood, with an Irish setter carved into it, is a gift your recipient and her guests can enjoy. If you know someone who loves Irish setters and also loves plants, consider giving this person a planter molded in the shape of an Irish setter holding a basket of flowers in its mouth.

Art

It's hard to look at a picture of an Irish setter and not fall in love with the dog. Irish setter prints as well as paintings are excellent wall-hanging gifts for lovers of this breed. If you think your gift recipient would appreciate hand-painted ceramic art, consider finely crafted Irish setter figurines and hand-painted ceramic tiles. Handcrafted jewelry such as a tie tack with an Irish setter's image on it is a good gift for a man. A pendant that holds a reproduced painting of an Irish setter can be given to a woman.

Fabric Gifts

A wearable gift that will warm an Irish setter lover in more ways than one is a sweatshirt with an image of his best friend on it. An Irish setter T-shirt is a gift this person can lovingly wear on warm-weather days. For cold nights, let your gift recipient wrap himself in a blanket with an Irish setter image. A quilted Irish setter tote bag is also a great gift, and so are Irish setter handkerchiefs.

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Locate Grants & Foundations For Nonprofits

Large nonprofits saw an 11 percent drop in donations from the public in 2009, according to a survey by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Smaller organizations have seen a rise in donations from the public, but giving is still shaky as the economy struggles to recover from the most recent recession. Now, more than ever, nonprofits compete for scarce financial resources to continue their work in communities across the country and around the world. It is time to dig a little deeper to find grants for which your organization is eligible.

Instructions

1. Find grants on the Grants.gov website. This site contains federal grants available to nonprofit organizations and governments. Use the search tool to find grants for which your organization may be eligible. Search using key words related to your organization. For example, if your organization re-settles refugees, search the database using "refugee" as a key word. It is not necessary to register on this site to look for grants, but it will be necessary to register when you are ready to apply for a grant. This can take between three and five business days.

2. Contact your state government to see if it publishes a list of grants available on the state level. This information may be available on the website of a state government agency related to the work your organization does. Local foundations may also provide funding to area nonprofits.

3. Read nonprofit journals such as "The Chronicle of Philanthropy" and "The Philanthropy Journal." Stay up to date with the latest funding news in the nonprofit world. Note who makes donations to organizations like yours as you read through these journals.

4. Read the grantor section of websites of organizations similar to your nonprofit. Ask for an annual report of organizations with missions similar to yours. Read who funds the organization in the report.

5. Join a subscription-based online grants database. Some include the database at The Foundation Center's website and GrantSelect. Search for grants that fund work your organization does by keyword or type of nonprofit.

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How Much Do Tornado Chasers Get Paid

Tornado chasers perform risky, exciting work but for very meager salaries.

Tornado chasers, or storm chasers, run toward tornadoes and other severe weather events while others run for cover. These adventurous and curious professionals track and monitor storms as they move through an area, hoping to capture photographs, videos and valuable meteorological data that will help experts and laypeople understand severe weather more completely. While storm chasing is an exciting, dynamic job with valuable objectives, it is unfortunately not the most lucrative line of work.

Average Salary

Storm chasers earn extremely low salaries. According to Simply Hired, the annual salary for storm chasers is $18,000, as of August 2011. This amounts to only $1,500 per month, which is only slightly more than the monthly income of a full-time, minimum wage worker. Because of these particularly low earnings, professional storm chasers typically specialize in other primary careers related to storm chasing, such as meteorology, television film, editing and production and broadcast reporting. Thus, most storm chasers relegate the activity to the role of personal hobby, rather than relying on storm chasing as their primary source of income.

Sales & Consultation

While most workers receive regular paychecks, the income of storm chasers takes on a vastly different form. Instead of receiving paid salaries, storm chasers earn money by selling their video footage, photos and meteorological data to the highest bidder -- typically research companies, government entities or media conglomerates. A storm chaser's income depends not only on his ability to produce useful information and media about the storm, but also by his ability to network and negotiate with potential buyers. Some storm chasers also receive consultation fees from film and television producers who seek credible information about realistically portray storm chasing on-screen.

Opportunities for Work

One significant factor that contributes to the low average salary for storm chasers is the simple fact that their opportunities for work are severely limited by the frequency of severe weather events. If the weather remains tame for extended periods of time, this can translate to a complete lack of work for storm chasers. That said, the busiest time of the year for storm chasers is spring, when tornadoes and other storms are most active. Furthermore, many storm chasers are limited by their geographical locale. Many storm chasers choose to live in Tornado Alley, the Midwestern region between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountain chains famous for its violent weather.

Considerations

An important consideration for anyone embarking on a career as a storm chaser is that much of the money earned on the job must be invested in equipment, as well as in travel and legal costs. Furthermore, because of the inherently dangerous nature of the work, costs associated with medical coverage are likely to increase, as insurance companies deem storm chasers high-risk clients. Unfortunately, numerous storm chasers claim to merely break even while pursuing storm chasing, as the meager pay and significant external costs cancel each other out.

Tags: storm chasers, storm chasing, severe weather, chasers earn, meteorological data

Silent Signs That A Dog Is Stressed

Silent Signs That a Dog Is Stressed

There are a myriad of ways to tell if a dog is upset without having it produce any noises. Sadly, some of them are just routine physical signs for the dog and can be very ambiguous. It is the responsibility of the dog's owner to watch the dog and record any unnatural behavior.

Signs of Stress in Eyes

According to the University of Minnesota Censhare and the Petfinder Adoption Agency, dilated pupils in your dog's eyes can indicate some sense of danger or fear the dog is feeling. Squinting and the tension in the face that accompanies it, along with excessive blinking, can indicate stress in the dog. Avoiding eye contact can indicate that the dog feels nervous or stressed in its environment. A dog's direct stare can indicate an aggressive stress factor the dog is feeling.

Signs of Stress in Face

According to the University of Minnesota Censhare and the Petfinder Adoption Agency, a furrowed brow or scowling can indicate the dog is feeling aggressively stressed about something. Veins popped out under eyes can indicate an increase in heartbeat and blood flow, which stress causes. If your dog's ears are uneven, rigidly vertical or plastered back, it can indicate a cautious feeling caused by stress.

Signs of Stress in Mouth

According to the University of Minnesota Censhare and the Petfinder Adoption Agency, excessive lip licking in a dog's mouth can indicate an uneasy feeling a dog may have. A dry tongue indicates that the dog may be sick or may be stressed and the dog is not receiving adequate saliva. Excessive drooling indicates that the dog may be receiving too much saliva due to stress levels.

Psychological Signs of Stress in Dogs

The presence of depression in your dog-hiding or aversion from people, agoraphobia or a lack of energy-may indicate some level of stress in your dog that has become latent at this point. A loss of appetite in your dog indicates a stress level in your dog that affects its sense of hunger.

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Foreign Adoption Vs Local Adoption

Foreign Adoption Vs. Local Adoption

In both foreign and local adoptions, courts create a new parental relationship. There are several types of local adoptions: public agency adoptions, private agency adoptions, and independent parental placement adoptions. International adoptions are facilitated by U.S.-based adoption agencies in conjunction with the U.S. Department of State and foreign governments.

Jurisdiction

In an international adoption, prospective adoptive parents typically select a child based on photos and a written history before they travel to the child's country of origin to complete the adoption. International adoptions are completed under the legal system where the child resides, so each nation sets its own guidelines for who may adopt.

Within the U.S., domestic adoption laws vary between states, but most of the differences are procedural. The general adoption process is the same in all U.S. jurisdictions.

Placement

In each type of domestic adoption, the prospective adoptee typically resides with the family for several months, under the supervision of a social worker, to ensure that the parties are a suitable match.

In foreign adoptions, it is rare for the child to reside with the parents prior to legally finalizing the adoption because the court proceedings take place in the child's country of origin.

Birth Family Relationships

As most children who are available for adoption internationally have been abandoned or orphaned, foreign adoptions rarely allow for ongoing contact with the child's birth parents. While some adoptive parents prefer closed adoptions and choose international placements for this reason, other families wish to stay connected with the birth family through letters, photos, and visits.

In adoptions within the U.S., ongoing contact with the child's birth family is common and easy to facilitate.

Child's Health and History

Adoptive families generally receive a comprehensive health and background history on their child when they adopt within the U.S. Because adoption agencies and attorneys often work directly with the birth parents, they are able to compile this information with the adoptive child's future needs in mind.

While families may be able to access post-birth health and immunization records for internationally adopted children, families rarely receive information on the birth family's medical history.

Special International Considerations

Because individual countries establish their own adoption laws, international adoptions from developing or unstable nations can be risky. Prospective adoptive parents may face problems with government agencies, orphanages, and individual officials working outside of adoption protocols established by the U.S. Department of State and the Hague Adoption Convention.

Additionally, international adoptees may have exceptional health and emotional problems stemming from their placement in group orphanages from an early age. These issues are uncommon in domestic adoptees.

Cost

The cost of domestic and foreign adoptions can vary significantly based on the agency's fees and the complexity of the adoptive family's circumstances. Although both types of adoptions may cost families between $5,000 and $40,000, international adoptions are usually on the higher end of that range due to travel costs.

Tags: adoptive parents, birth family, foreign adoptions, adoption agencies, adoption laws

Get A Spay/Neuter Law Passed

Get a Spay/Neuter Law Passed

Pet overpopulation and overcrowded shelters are an ongoing problem in the United States with about half of the estimated 8 to 12 million animals that enter shelters each year ending up euthanized. Aside from destroying innocent life, it is a burden on taxpayers.

Mandatory spay/neuter laws can conceivably put an end to the pet overpopulation crisis in our country by curtailing breeding among irresponsible pet owners, puppy mills and backyard breeders.

In February 2008, a groundbreaking universal spay/neuter ordinance passed in Los Angeles thanks to broad public support. The L.A. ordinance will save thousands of pets (see link in Resources below). Various other cities, counties and states already have spay/neuter laws in place that have proven successful--and with the support of enough citizens it can become a nationwide trend--so that one day we will no longer be a society that views family pets as disposable. Here are steps to advocating for a spay/neuter law in your city, county or state.

Instructions

1. Check if there is a spay/neuter law in your city, county or state. If not, find out the proper official to contact to show your support. For instance, call your city council regarding city legislation, your county supervisor for a county law, and the assemblymember from your district about introducing a statewide bill.

2. Ask friends, relatives and coworkers to join you in showing support by contacting their respective officials. They should live within the jurisdiction of any official they contact.

3. Check online to see if there are any spay/neuter petitions in place for your city, county or state and if so, sign them. A good place to start would be Care2's Petition Site (see Resources below) or an animal organization website such as the Humane Society of the United States.

4. If you can't find a spay/neuter petition, start your own and gather signatures. Once you meet your goal you can present it to the proper political officials.

5. Attend any public hearings for spay/neuter legislation at city hall. If a statewide bill is going before the assembly, attend the first hearing at your state capital to show support. Your state's official website will have links to the city, county and state governments for hearing dates.

6. Purchase animal-friendly license plates if your state offers them. The proceeds from the plates go toward low cost spay/neuter programs. The more citizens that show support for spaying/neutering, the better the chances of getting legislation passed.

7. Check voting records and vote for officials who are pro animal. Those who tend to vote pro animal are likely to support spay/neuter laws.

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Open A Veterinary Office

Caring for animals is a noble profession. Healing people's pets brings a smile to every veterinarian's face because they have not only helped the animal but have also provided relief to the owners.

Instructions

1. Determine what services you want to include in your practice. Consider adding boarding, grooming, retail and emergency services to your standard veterinary practice. Obtain any financing you need.

2. Locate a space for your office. It should be easily accessible, provide adequate space for patients and have plenty of parking for their owners. Think of a business name and register it with your state. This is also the time to decide what business form you want to operate under (corporation, LLC, partnership).

3. Get your utilities turned on and draw up a floor plan. Hire a contractor to build your walls, then buy your equipment and furniture and move it into place. Stock everything that needs to be stocked, including medications, retail items, food, bedding and water dishes for animals requiring an extended stay. Apply for any necessary permits, licenses and inspections.

4. Hire the staff. If your veterinary office is smaller, you'll need two or three vet techs and a receptionist. Larger offices require more staff, and if you offer additional services, you'll need staff for that as well. Set up a merchant account to accept credit cards and install computers and office equipment; then train employees accordingly.

5. Decide when you want to open and get your marketing materials ready. Place ads in local magazines and print up any brochures you want to provide. You need to get your exterior signage up as quickly as possible to start getting drive-by name recognition.

6. Hand business cards out to everyone you know. If you have regular patients who already see you, let the owners know that you're moving and try to get them scheduled for their next appointments. Write a press release to submit to the local paper.

7. Hold a grand opening celebration to attract potential patients' owners. Do it as a benefit to a local animal shelter and offer services like dog washing, discounted vaccinations and free health checks.

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Train Your Pit Bull Puppy

Pit bull puppies love to learn.

The pit bull also goes by the American Kennel Club (AKC) name of American Staffordshire terrier. According to the Dog Breed Info Center, the American Staffordshire terrier is a smart, outgoing, stable and confident dog that gets on well with children. The breed is known for its loyalty and need to please. Teaching the American Staffordshire terrier manners and obedience is vital if the dog is to be an ambassador for this often misjudged breed.

Instructions

1. Crate train your pit bull puppy. Crate training helps house train your puppy, protects your belongings from puppy teeth, and provides your puppy with a den, or safe place, to call home. Introduce the crate by feeding, giving treats and praising your puppy when it is in the crate. Take your puppy outside immediately after you let it out of the crate, so it learns to go to the bathroom there. Gradually build up the time that the puppy stays in the crate, and never put the puppy in its crate as punishment.

2. Teach your pit bull puppy basic commands such as "sit," "down," "come" and "stay." Start when the dog is small, as it is more difficult to train an unruly 60-lb. adult American Staffordshire terrier than it is to train a small puppy. Hold a treat in front of the puppy's nose and raise it until the puppy naturally goes into the sit position, then give the puppy the treat. From the sit, hold a treat in front of the puppy's nose and bring it down toward the ground and away from the puppy, in an L shape, to encourage the puppy to lie down. Treat the puppy when it lies down. In a sit or down, hold your hand in front of the puppy's face and say "stay." Take a couple of steps back, then move forward and treat the puppy if it stayed. Gradually increase the distance, duration and distractions. Put the puppy in a stay and back away. Call the puppy to you using its name and saying "come!" Treat the puppy as soon as it reaches you. Repeat everything in short training sessions until the puppy consistently follows all of these commands.

3. Teach good behavior and boundaries, which will help the pit bull puppy to grow into a well-behaved dog. Use basic commands to redirect bad behavior. If the pit bull puppy jumps on you or another human, ask for a sit and treat the dog rather than yelling or kneeing it in the chest. Make the puppy work for its meals by asking for a sit and stay while you prepare the food, and releasing the puppy once the food is ready. Ask the puppy to sit when you put on its leash. Make sure each member of the family understands the rules and enforces them. If you do not allow your puppy on the couch, ask everyone to follow this rule or the puppy will be confused and think it's OK not to obey you.

4. Socialize your pit bull puppy from a young age. American Staffordshire terriers that are not socialized can become dog aggressive. Introduce your puppy to as many different types of people, animals, objects, places and scenarios as possible.

Tags: your puppy, American Staffordshire, American Staffordshire terrier, bull puppy, Staffordshire terrier

Start A Notforprofit Ad Agency

A not-for-profit ad agency provides consultations and marketing services without accruing annual profits. Not-for-profit agencies utilize advertising fees and commissions to hire personnel, maintain facilities and purchase supplies. You need to combine your knowledge of ad agencies and non-profit organizations to start a sustainable business.

Instructions

Contribute Socially Conscious Advertisements to the Community

1. Begin your not-for-profit ad agency with a website highlighting your mission and services offered. You need to add ongoing and past projects for the benefit of potential clients. You should use this website as a virtual business card for non-profit organizations in your community and around the world.

2. Hire a small corps of dedicated advertising professionals who share your vision for the agency. You will need a production artist, a client representative and an office assistant at the start of your agency. It is important to make clear that every staff member will do office and promotional work.

3. Shop for a storefront space near burgeoning businesses within your community. You can decrease the initial cost of advertising and gain good word of mouth by setting up your agency close to an upscale mall or office building.

4. Make contact with every non-profit organization within your community as you start your agency. You should offer discounted rates for non-profit businesses to increase your initial work load and provide an alternative to high-priced, profit-making agencies in town.

5. Invite volunteers and college interns from the community to take care of administrative tasks around the office. You can assign loyal volunteers to street teams and public event duties to help increase your agency's public profile. Your staff can train interns about socially responsible advertising while gaining the benefit of their youthful exuberance.

6. Research state and federal grants that are meant to aid not-for-profit organizations. You should focus your attention on grants that help agencies that work on specific types of projects, such as urban development and conservation.

7. Apply a rigorous review process to for-profit clients who apply to use your services. You should set the tone for your business by working with only those for-profit businesses with a good history in the community and products that fit into your overall mission.

Tags: your agency, your community, grants that, increase your, non-profit organizations, not-for-profit agency

Bring A Second Dog Into Your Home

Take care when you bring a second dog into your home.

Dogs make great pets, and for many families, the more the merrier. While many dogs play well with other dogs and would enjoy having some company when you are not around, introducing a second dog into your home can be problematic. Make sure the introduction is seamless so you don't have to worry about the dogs not getting along -- or even fighting. Just like with children, jealousy is always a possibility, so keep that in mind when you bring a new dog into your home.

Instructions

Choosing the Dog

1. Research your dog's breed to find out how the dogs generally interact with other breeds. If you aren't sure what breed your dog is, simply think about how it generally interacts with other adult dogs and puppies. If your dog generally plays well with all adult dogs and puppies, you should have many options for your new dog. If your dog does not like puppies, adopt an older dog.

2. Bring the two dogs together in a neutral area and watch them interact before you adopt or purchase the dog. Place both dogs on leashes and let them see each other from a distance, gradually bringing them closer. Watch for body language such as raised hair, growling and bared teeth. If you see those things, keep the dogs leashed until they are used to each other's scent. When they appear comfortable with each other, let them off the leashes but stay close. Don't choose a new dog if the dog does not react comfortably with your current dog, or vice versa.

3. Choose a dog with an energy level that matches your dog's. If your dog is fairly laid-back and inactive, an active puppy can cause problems.

Bringing the Dog Home

4. Put up baby gates or other boundaries to keep the two dogs separated at first. This way, the first dog will not feel so much like the second dog is invading its space, and it can gradually get used to the new dog being in its space. This also will prevent fighting.

5. Feed the dogs out of separate bowls placed on either side of a boundary, such as a baby gate. This will help ease any food aggression that could occur. Place their beds on either side of a boundary so they can get even more used to each other's scents.

6. Let the dogs play together each day for a short time, then gradually lengthen their time together as they seem to be completely comfortable. Remove the boundaries every day at a time when you can supervise the dogs. Gradually lengthen the time that the boundaries are down. You can quit using them entirely when the first dog completely stops being territorial.

7. Supervise the dogs when they are together and separate them with baby gates or crates when you are not home until you can completely trust them together alone.

Tags: each other, into your, into your home, with other, adult dogs, adult dogs puppies, baby gates

Pet Memorial Crafts

Remember your beloved pet.

Over time, pets become part of the family. Losing one can hurt just as much as losing a person. Finding ways to remember a lost pet will help the family to heal and move on from the loss. Crafting pet memorials gives family members a chance to talk about the good times and also creates a lasting tribute to the lost pet.

Shadow Box

Gather special things that remind you of the pet. Ask each family member to find something they would like to include. Ideas include a dog collar, name tag, favorite chew toy or favorite blanket. Find a picture of the pet as a baby and fully grown.

If you have fabric from a bed or blanket your pet often slept on, cut it out to make the background of the shadow box. Arrange the photos on top of this background and glue into place. You may need to use a glue gun to attach photos to fabric.

Arrange the pet's special items in the shadow box. Include the entire family: Each person can help place the items in the box and talk about why each one is important to the pet's memory. Hang the shadow box in a place the family passes by often, so that the pet is thought of often throughout the day.

Pet Scrapbook

A scrapbook is an excellent way to preserve memories of any special occasion. The loss of a pet can be difficult, and creating a scrapbook about the pet's life can help the healing process. With a scrapbook, the entire family can work together to create a lasting tribute to the animal they have lost.

Collect photos of your pet through different stages of its life. The whole family should give input on which photos bring back memories. Looking through pictures will help you remember the good times.

Let each family member create a few pages of his or her favorite memories of the pet. Pull out all the scrapbook supplies you have and let everyone design their pages as they wish. If there are young children in the family, ask them about their favorite memories of the pet. Write down these memories and add them to the scrapbook.

Make a front page that includes information about the day your pet joined the family, where it came from and why you choice this particular animal. Put together a final page that mentions how the pet died and when.

Dog Tag Jewelry

Purchase some leather jewelry string and large beads from the craft store. You can also purchase alphabet beads with letters on them. Collect all of your pet's old dog tags and allow your children to create beaded jewelry in their beloved pet's memory.

Help your children decide if they want to make a bracelet or necklace. Put one of the dog's tags on the leather string and allow the children to arrange beads around it. If you bought letter beads, spell out the dog's name. Your children will have a wearable memory of the pet. As the children get older, they likely will not wear the jewelry anymore, but it will remain a keepsake to treasure.

Tags: each family, each family member, entire family, family member, favorite memories, good times

Donate Fleece Blankets In Oklahoma City Ok

Fleece blankets help keep people warm and cozy during freezing temperatures.

Many low-income individuals don't have access to warm blankets. Fleece blankets provide warmth and a sense of security to needy individuals. According to the Homeless Alliance, an estimated 1,081 homeless people currently reside in Oklahoma City. Donate fleece blankets to reputable charity organizations in Oklahoma City to help needy individuals stay warm during the harsh winter season.

Instructions

1. Find a reputable charity organization in Oklahoma City that readily accepts and actively distributes fleece blankets to needy individuals. Homeless Alliance and City Rescue Mission, are a few charity organizations in Oklahoma City that accept and distribute fleece blanket donations to the needy (see Resources). Established charities or organizations in Oklahoma City, such as hospitals, nursing homes and Goodwill Industries also accept fleece blanket donations, so check with those organizations first.

2. Contact the charity organization to determine the specific times they accept donations. Some charity organizations require or recommend that individuals drop-off donations during a specific time of day or during a specific day of the week. Visit the organization's official website or browse through your local phone book to locate the charity organization's contact information.

3. Gather the fleece blankets you're willing to donate and discard any damaged blankets. Run the remaining fleece blankets through a washing machine and dryer. Set your washing machine on gentle cycle to prevent excess friction and damage to the blankets. Charity organizations will not accept fleece blankets that have not been properly cleaned.

4. Fold the fleece blankets and place them in plastic bags. Tie the bags very tightly to ensure the clean blankets don't fall out and become soiled.

5. Take the fleece blankets to the charity organization's donation bin or deliver them to the organization in person. Ask the organization for a receipt if you want to get a tax deduction for donating the items to charity. You need a receipt to show proof or documentation of your donation to the charity.

Tags: Oklahoma City, fleece blankets, charity organization, charity organizations, needy individuals, organizations Oklahoma

Start A Pet Trust Fund

Let's face it--we are a pet-obsessed society. We love cats, dogs, fish, birds and farm animals as much as family and friends. Saving money for the future is a common practice, and now we can save for a pet. Give yourself peace of mind and your lovable furry friend some life insurance. Here are some steps for starting a pet trust fund.

Instructions

1. Contact a pet lawyer. Yes, they are available. Most states have a handful of lawyers who specialize in services offered to pets and their owners. Search the Internet, check the Yellow Pages or for better results, ask a lawyer friend for a referral.

2. Seek out an estate planner or probate judge. If you are unable to find a pet lawyer, estate planners can work with you to incorporate a pet trust fund into your will.

3. Begin a pet trust by getting in touch with your pet insurance carrier. Many animal insurance companies are beginning to offer plans that work like trust funds. Similar to life insurance, money is released to a caregiver appointed by you to care for your pet after your death or incapacitation. PetGuardian, LLC offers great information on pet trusts on their website (see Resources below).

4. Talk to potential caregivers. A pet trust cannot be set up unless you have caregivers in mind. Trust funds will not be helpful to pets unless a human is around to purchase food and secure shelter.

5. Stop by your local humane society or animal shelter. Shelters have a wealth of information on pets and will surely be able to give you a few leads.

6. Determine the amount of money you are willing to spend to set up the trust and the amount of money you would like to leave in the trust. For example, a $40,000 trust might cost you $1,500-$2,000, while a $25,000 trust may only be $700.

Tags: amount money, life insurance, trust fund

Kill Lice On Cats

Treating cat lice is necessary to prevent the spread of lice.

Lice are parasitic insects, and there are a variety of species. Lice prefer to spend their time on one host. If opportunity arises, however, a louse will jump from an infected cat to an uninfected cat. Cats who have lice can't infect humans, as indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Early prevention of lice will help prevent complications for your cat, which include hair loss, anemia, scabbing and bleeding.

Instructions

1. Ask your vet for a suitable shampoo.

Buy a pet shampoo containing pyrethrin. Pyrethrin immobilizes insects by attacking their nervous system. Ask your veterinarian to recommend a brand for your cat.

2. Work a pyrethrin soap onto your cat.

Put on a pair of kitchen gloves and apply the soap to your cat. Work up a lather with some water. Allow the soap to penetrate your cat's fur for the recommended amount of time on the shampoo's bottle. Rinse and dry your cat.

3. Treat your cat after his bath.

Apply a pyrethrin spray on your cat, as suggested by Pet Education. Pyrethrin powder can be alternatively used. Prescription fipronil may also be used to help kill lice nits.

4. Repeat the above steps after two weeks. Lice and nits take time to effectively kill.

5. Use a 2 percent lime sulfur dip if your cat doesn't respond to treatments, as indicated by Vet Info. In severe instances, you may need to shave your cat and pick out lice nits. Nits can be removed by pinching the egg between your fingers and disposing of the egg on a paper towel.

Tags: lice nits, your Work

Start A Humane Society Chapter In My Hometown

Betty White and Ed Asner attend the Genesis Awards, hosted by the Humane Society.

If you are committed to the Humane Society's mission of upholding animal rights, then forming a chapter in your hometown can offer you a way to educate others in your community about your cause as well as to recruit other like-minded people.

Instructions

1. Find an advisor. This is usually a requirement for student clubs. Most advisors are professors on campus who are experts in or have a passion for animal protection. If you are not a student, you may need advice in organizational management or fundraising. Teachers, religious leaders and local entrepreneurs can serve as advisors for a hometown Humane Society chapter.

2. Gather core members. Find one or two other people to help you start the club. While it is possible to start a chapter with one person, three people working together will spread the work around and prevent burnout. The three founding members can also fulfill the most crucial positions in a chapter: the president, secretary and treasurer.

3. Fill out club paper work. Campus chapters will have to go through a whole recognition process that includes gathering the signatures of the advisor and founding members, writing a constitution and submitting it to the judiciary.

4. Book a meeting space for the first meeting. Colleges have rooms dedicated to student organizations that can be rented either for free or for a nominal fee. For Humane Society chapters forming off-campus, churches, community centers and libraries usually have space available for meetings.

5. Gather literature and videos. At the first meeting you and the other founding members should give a speech about the Humane Society to inform your visitors. However, the Society also has some powerful videos and literature. On the website, they have flyers you can print out and distribute to new members as well as videos you can screen to make your meeting a more engaging experience.

6. Buy or make snacks for the meeting. Believe it or not, free food can be quite a draw for events, especially among the student crowd. Since there is a good chance you will have vegetarians among your guests, go for meat-free fare.

7. Write an agenda. Agendas are invaluable in keeping your meeting on track. Those leading the meeting should have an agenda and if possible print copies for everyone in the audience. It will give them an idea of how the meeting is progressing and keep them from getting antsy.

8. Hold the meeting. Introduce yourself and the issues that mean the most to you. Talk about the history of the Humane Society. This will let your members know that they are a part of an organization that is bigger than themselves; one that has accomplished a lot in the protection of animals. Encourage them to talk about why they care for animals, which will help to build camaraderie with the knowledge that everyone in the room is working together on the same goal. Be sure to collect names and contact information.

9. Summarize the information from the meeting and send it to your new members via email to remind them of what they accomplished and also remind them of the date and location of the next meeting.

Tags: Humane Society, founding members, first meeting, remind them, will have

Pick Bar Mitzvah Invitations

A bar mitzvah is an important event in a Jewish boy's life, and you want to make sure that all your friends and family members know about the special day. Pick bar mitzvah invitations that will inform and impress your guests.

Instructions

Find and Browse Available Invitations

1. Visit your local stationery store to look through books of sample bar mitzvah invitations. Most stores have books from several different printers. Typically, you can place your order and pick up your invitations at the same location.

2. Search online printing and stationery companies for invitations. Find invitation companies at Barmitzvahfindit.com (see Who Can Help below).

3. Inquire about whether or not your synagogue gift shop carries sample invitation books. Many synagogues offer this as a service to congregants. The gift shop can help you to place the order.

Select the Right Invitation Design

4. Take the time to look at a wide variety of invitations. This will help you decide on the style, theme, colors, presentation and paper type for your own invitations.

5. Pick a style that complements the bar mitzvah boy. Popular styles are masculine, simple and natural, name-centered, glitzy, colorful, contemporary and artistic.

6. Think about matching the invitations with the colors you are using for the bar mitzvah party decorations.

7. Consider including a biblical verse from the weekly Torah portion that the bar mitzvah boy will be reading. Think about having the verse printed in both Hebrew and English.

Include Appropriate Information

8. Make sure the name of the bar mitvah boy is prominently featured in the invitation. It's his big day, and he deserves acknowledgment for all his hard work and preparation.

9. Include all the important details of the event: dates, times and addresses of both the religious service and the party; catering details; names of the hosts; RSVP dates and information.

10. Enclose a map and directions to the synagogue and the party.

Tags: gift shop, mitzvah invitations, Think about, your invitations

Identify A Carolina Dog

Purebred Carolina Dog

The Carolina dog is named for the state in which the first specimens of the breed were discovered. It is considered a “pariah” breed in that it is only semi-domesticated, belonging to no one in particular but happy to accompany anyone they come across. Wild packs of this breed still exist in uninhabited parts of the deep South. Given that most Carolina dogs have had no directed or controlled breeding with other species, scientists believed that they serve as a direct link to their ancestors, which likely accompanied Asians across the Bering Straits land bridge over 8,000 years ago. Several records exist to support this theory in that this breed was kept by Native Americans to aid in hunting and guarding their homes. There are several breeders throughout the country that have successfully obtained breeding pairs of the Carolina dog and have found that it makes for an acceptable pet. Given the species’ rarity, it’s unlikely that someone would recognize such a dog should they see it. For that reason, here is a guide on identify a Carolina dog.

Instructions

1. Start by guessing the dog’s size and weight. A Carolina dog will be anywhere between 17 and 24 inches in height from the shoulder. They can weigh anywhere between 40 and 60 lbs., depending on their age, gender and whether or not they are strays or pets. A stray will be considerably thinner for obvious reasons.

2. Take note of any prominent features. The Carolina dog has a medium-length, straight back, well-developed chest and raised belly. The hooked tail is distinctive to the breed. It’s carried at different angles depending on the dog’s mood, but is never slack. The skin should be tight and the coat will be short and thick with a very dense undercoat. Because of their uncontrolled breeding, they can be practically any color that a dog may be, so color is not indicative of the breed.

3. Look at the dog’s head and face. The neck should be long and thick, connecting to a wedge-shaped skull. The muscles of the jaw bulge from the sides of the mouth, making the head seem thicker than it really is. The dog should have exceptionally long and pointed ears that stand high on the top of the head. They should be very mobile and will indicate the dog’s mood by how high up the sides of the skull they are raised. The eyes should be dark and almond-shaped. This combined with a tongue that perpetually lolls from the side of its mouth gives it a very friendly and open expression. If the dog matches this description, then you’re looking at a Carolina dog.

Tags: anywhere between, this breed

Big Native Spiders In Wisconsin

Wolf spiders of Wisconsin are not dangerous to humans.

More than 500 species of spiders are found in Wisconsin. However, the state is not home for the world biggest spiders, which can reach 4 inches in body length. Most spiders native to Wisconsin measure less than 1 inch, but a few species can have bodies as big as 1.5 inches. Wisconsin's largest species include members of the family Lycosidae, known as wolf spiders, as well as nursery web spiders, garden spiders and funnel web spiders.

Nursery Web Spiders

Members of the family Pisauridae, nursery web spiders found in Wisconsin, include the species Dolomedes tenebrosus and Pisaurina mira. Also called fishing spiders, these spiders can reach up to 1 inch in body size, with females bigger than males. They are active hunters, capturing insects on the ground instead of waiting for them on the web. Nursery web spiders and wolf spiders are similar, and get mistaken for one another sometimes.

Wolf Spiders

More than 40 species of wolf spiders are found in Wisconsin, including members of the genera Pardosa, Pirata and Arctosa. The largest wolf spiders are the members of the genus Hogna, with five species found in Wisconsin. Hogna carolinensis is the biggest of them, with females reaching up to 1 1/2 inches in body size. Wolf spiders are hunters, and sometimes dig burrows on the ground to wait for insects and other prey.

Ground Spiders

Ground spiders are the members of the family Gnaphosidae, with 29 species in Wisconsin and more than 2,000 around the world. Female spiders of the genus Drassodes can reach a body length of about 1 inch. These spiders are brown to tan, and are nocturnal hunters. They have the habit of weaving a sac on the ground or under leaves, where they hide during the day.

Funnel Weaver Spiders

Seven species of funnel weaver spiders, part of the family Agelenidae, are found in Wisconsin. The barn funnel weaver (Tegenaria domestica) is rarely bigger than 1 inch, and females of the funnel-web grass spider (Agelenopsis naevia) can reach 1 inch in body size. These spiders live on the ground, where they build tubular funnel webs to shelter.

Tags: found Wisconsin, body size, spiders found, spiders found Wisconsin, bigger than

Find An Animal Shelter In Hesperia California

If you adopt a dog from a shelter, you may be saving its life.

Animals shelters provide temporary housing for lost or homeless pets. In addition, shelters provide medical treatment for sick or injured animals. If you have lost a pet, are relinquishing one, or are looking to adopt, first visit or call a local animal shelter. They often are overfilled, and they cannot always keep animals indefinitely; many must be euthanized. Some, however, have a no-kill policy. Some are operated by the county, some by veterinarians, and others by non-profit groups or individuals. In Hesperia, California, your best bet is the only shelter in town, but you have other options.

Instructions

1. Log on to the city of Hesperia web site for phone numbers, address, and hours of operation of Hesperia Animal Control and Animal Shelter. On the right side of the web page, you also will find a link for the Hesperia Pet Finder and Humane Society.

2. If you want to adopt a pet, or are looking for a lost pet, you can take a look at the animals currently housed at surrounding shelters and rescue organizations through the Petfinder web site. The city's website contains a link to the page. A list will pop up describing all animals available, starting at the Hesperia Animal Shelter and expanding in proximity. You can hone your search to list animals by type, breed, age, gender, color, breed, and size. The site will also tell you if the pet is able to get along with other pets or children or if it should be the only animal in the home.

3. Call the shelter or rescue group with any questions you have, such as if they have an animal matching the description of the one you lost, if that is the case. The shelter will also be able to give you a list of all rescues and shelters in the High Desert, as well as those not listed on the city's site or on Petfinder. If you retrieve a lost pet, take proof of ownership and all of your pet's records when you go to the shelter to avoid additional fees.

4. Go to the shelter or rescue group and have ready your identification and proof of residency. If you are going to adopt a pet, be prepared to give a donation and an adoption fee. If you are relinquishing a pet, call to ask the shelter is accepting animals.

Tags: Animal Shelter, Hesperia Animal, Hesperia California, lost take, rescue group, shelter rescue, shelter rescue group

Cabins Near Metamora Indiana

Indiana farmland

Metamora, a small town of about 2,700, is halfway between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Indiana. Indiana's only operating canal town, Metamora offers a look into what life was like in the early 1800s when Indiana built a system of waterways intended for the commercial transportation of goods. Metamora is on the Whitewater Canal, which stretches 76 miles between Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and Hagerstown, Indiana. Metamora visitors can tour the Duck Creek Aqueduct and the Whitewater Grist Mill.

The Grand Arbor Cabin and Nature Preserve

The Grand Arbor Cabin is a 2,900-square-foot cabin/house for rent on 62 acres of secluded woodland. It has three bedrooms and 2.5 baths and is only a 10-minute drive from the Brookville State Park and a five-minute drive from Metamora's historic downtown. This cabin has a spacious interior with large glass windows that offer views of mature forests and a creek. It also offers a southern exposure for great light. Bridle trails for riding horses and ponies are just two miles away at the Salt Creek Ranch. The cabin's ground level has a walk-out (a basement with a door for easy access to the outside) and a pool table. The main level has a master bedroom with a queen-sized bed, a full bathroom, a half-bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, a dining area and a stone fireplace. The upper level has a full bathroom and two bedrooms; one bedroom has four twin beds, and the other bedrooms has a king-sized bed and a twin bed. The cabin can accommodate 11 people.

The Grand Arbor

P.O. Box 48

Metamora, IN 47030-0048

513-535-7378

thegrandarbor.com

Morgan's Outdoor Adventures Inc.

Morgan's Outdoor Adventures has a family-oriented campground in Brookville that offers three secluded cabins just eight miles from Metamora. These cabins do not have restrooms but are set near the campground's new shower and restroom facility for easy access. Outfitted with heating and air conditioning, a refrigerator, a grill, a fire pit and a picnic table, these cabins can sleep four people. You do need to bring your own linens. The campground itself is set on the banks of the Whitewater River, a Class 1 canoeing stream that offers canoeing for all experience levels. The Whitewater River is considered to be the fastest-flowing river in Indiana with clear water and abundant wildlife. Morgan's Brookville campground sits on 120 acres.

Morgan's Outdoor Adventures Inc.

7040 Whitewater River Lane

Brookville, IN 47012

765-647-4904

morganscanoe.com

Woodland Retreat

Laurel, Indiana, is approximately six miles from Metamora and home to Woodland Retreat, a property offering a main lodge and three log cabins. The cabins, named Treaty Line Home, Whetzel's Trace Home and Main House, are set on a property of mixed woods and open pastures, offering views and access to a small lake and the surrounding rolling hills. The cabins offer stone fireplaces and decks. Hiking is available throughout 300 acres of woods and fields on the property. Guests can swim, boat or fish on the lake.

Woodland Retreat

25124 Kokomo Hill Road

Laurel, IN 47024

765-698-2294

woodlandretreat.net

Tags: from Metamora, Grand Arbor, Morgan Outdoor, Morgan Outdoor Adventures, Outdoor Adventures, Whitewater River

Train A Chihuahua Terrier

Training should begin as soon as you bring your new Chihuahua puppy home.

The basic obedience commands of sit, stay and come are vital to your Chihuahua's safety and are good building blocks for other commands and tricks you may want to add later on. Chihuahuas are intelligent dogs and catch on very quickly to new concepts. They are affectionate and loyal in nature and will want to please their owner. Training your Chihuahua should begin immediately as soon as it comes to your home to establish its place in the new pack.

Instructions

1. Concentrate on housebreaking first. Other training can wait a few days. Begin immediately upon bringing her home. Even in a fenced yard, leisurely walk your Chihuahua on a leash, allowing time for the dog to get familiar with the new property. Praise lavishly when it uses the bathroom. Your guidance will show that this is the special place "to go". Repeat this several times during the day, and at bedtime. Four or five days is all that's needed to establish a lifelong pattern.

2. Perking up its ears to listen is a sign of responding to leadership.

Be the leader. Dogs are pack animals and need a leader. This is simply the canine nature as ordained from the beginning. When you talk to your Chihuahua, it will perk up itsr ears. This simple interaction of you speaking and the dog wanting to listen is a natural demonstration of a dog reacting to leadership. Always be firm and consistent with your commands. Don't leave out the components of love and praise. Even the most temperamental of dogs will respond to a good leader.

3. Teach sitting by placing your fingertips on your Chihuahua's rump and pushing down lightly while firmly saying "Sit." Leave your fingers in place as it continues sitting and praise the dog. Repeat the command as you remove your hand, allowing it to sit unaided. If the dog gets up, duplicate the previous steps. After a moment or two allow, the dog to get up and lavish with praise for cooperation.

4. Instruct the dog on the concept of "Stay", showing your Chihuahua the palm of your outstretched hand while saying "Stay." If the dog moves, return it to its original position and repeat the command until it stays in place unaided. As always, give affection to reward your dog's cooperation.

5. A Chihuahua displays an exuberant finish to the "Come" command.

Invite your dog to "Come." Dogs naturally interpret a clap of the hands and outstretched arms as an inviting gesture. Do this motion while enthusiastically calling out "Come Here." After a few times, your Chihuahua will associate the word with the act of going to you. Next, practice saying the word "Come" in a natural speaking tone instead of an excited one and repeat it this way until your Chihuahua will respond to your customary voice level.

Tags: your Chihuahua, Chihuahua will, your Chihuahua will, should begin, will respond

Job Description Of Social Worker

Social workers provide assistance and support to those in need.

A social worker helps people through their problems and also improves lives. She may work with people who are sick, homeless or having family troubles. She may also help students having problems in school. A social worker remains objective, while being compassionate to other people and their problems.

Types

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), three main types of social work exist: child, family and school social workers; medical and public health social workers; and mental and substance abuse social workers. Child, family and school social workers may work with abused or neglected children and help them find homes. Others work with adoptions. School social workers give students and teachers advice learning, behavior and social problems. Some social workers help entire families or work with the elderly.

Medical and public health social workers help those who are sick or have had chronic health problems; educate patients and families on deal with sickness; and find services to help, including nursing care or nutrition courses. Mental health and substance abuse social workers are sometimes called clinical social workers. These social workers help people with mental illness, troubling emotions, or drug and alcohol abuse.

Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2008 Occupational Employment Statistics Survey Program provides salary data for each type of social worker. Child, family and school social workers earned a national average rate of $20.73 per hour or $43,120 annually. Medical and public health social workers earned a national average rate of $22.87 per hour, or $47,560 annually. Mental health and substance abuse social workers earned an average salary of $19.05 per hour, or $39,630 annually.

Environment & Hours

According to the BLS, social workers typically spending much of their time in an office or a residential facility. These workers may travel locally to meet with clients, attend meetings or meet with service providers. Some may meet with clients in several different offices. Social workers typically work the standard 40-hour work weeks and may occasionally work nights and weekends to meet with clients and handle emergencies.

Education

According to the BLS, a bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement in social work. A bachelor's degree in social work is most common. However, majors in sociology, psychology and other related fields can be eligible for entry-level jobs. A master's degree in social work is required for many job openings, especially in health and school settings. A master's is required for clinical work. College, teaching and research positions often require a Ph.D. in social work. The Council of Social Work Education accredited 196 master's programs and 468 bachelor's programs in 2009. The Group for the Advanced of Doctoral Education accredited 74 social work doctoral programs. Four hundred hours of field experience is required for many accredited programs. All states require licensing for clinical social workers with most states requiring two years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. State requirements vary.

Outlook

According to the BLS, employment for social workers is projected to grow much faster than average at a rate of 16 percent through 2018. Job opportunities are expected to be favorable, particularly for those who work in rural areas or specialize in the elderly. The demand for health and social services will increase due to the growth of the aging population. Employment will also increase inside private social services agencies.

Tags: social workers, social workers, social workers, health social, meet with, school social, work with

Donate To Animal Shelters For Christmas

Donate to an animal shelter for Christmas.

Donating to an animal shelter for Christmas is one of the most rewarding ways to spend your Christmas money. Shelters often experience a surge of donations around the holidays as people embrace the Christmas spirit and donate their time and money to the less fortunate. Even if you don't have money to spare, you can still help out the animals at a local shelter this Christmas season.

Instructions

1. Find an animal shelter to donate to. You can donate to a shelter near your home, or you can make a donation to a national organization like the ASPCA.

2. Check the donation guidelines. Many shelters now have websites with wish lists and donation guidelines, or call and speak directly to someone at the shelter. You can make donations online at some shelters, or drop off your gift in person.

3. Donate. Any animal shelter will appreciate a monetary donation of any amount. If you're strapped for cash, you can also donate items the shelter needs. Most animal shelters are in need of basic supplies year-round, such as blankets, dog food, cat food, toys and treats. A simple gift of a bag of unopened pet food can go a long way.

4. Volunteer your time. Volunteering is a great way to make an impact on the lives of shelter animals, especially if you can't afford a monetary or supplies donation. A few hours volunteered at the animal shelter around Christmas is always appreciated.

5. Adopt a pet. The best way to help out an animal shelter, especially around Christmas, is to adopt an animal. If you have the resources and time to take in a new animal, you'll be rewarded immensely for your troubles with the love and affection of your new pet.

Tags: animal shelter, animal shelter Christmas, around Christmas, Donate animal, Donate animal shelter, donation guidelines

Write A Breeding Contract For Dogs

Write a Breeding Contract for Dogs

Writing a dog breeding contract ensures the best possible experience for the dogs' owners. The breeding contract will outline the terms of the dog breeding, as well as what happens to the litter of puppies. All questions, concerns and possible situations should be covered in the contract to give both parties peace of mind.

Instructions

1. List the names, addresses and phone numbers of the owners of both the sire and the dam, the male and female dogs to be bred. Also include the registered names of both dogs, the applicable registration numbers and the date of the breeding.

2. Have any necessary medical examinations done before the breeding. Provide copies of the results to be included with the contract, and address any potential medical concerns in the contract. For example, if your breed tends to develop cataracts, indicate what will happen if the puppies are not show quality due to the cataracts.

3. Detail the conditions of the breeding. State where and when the breeding will take place and if any medical help will be necessary. Note how long it will take before you can establish pregnancy, and when the owner of the stud dog will be notified of the due date and the birth of the litter.

4. Include compensation requirements. In addition to a stud service fee, many stud dog owners will request the pick of the litter, choosing the best show-quality puppy before anyone else may purchase one. Indicate how old the puppies must be before they can be released to the stud dog owner.

5. Establish what will happen to both the show-quality puppies and the pet-quality puppies. Pet-quality puppies may not need to be registered, while show-quality puppies need to be registered and possibly have identification chips inserted by a veterinarian. State the prices that show and pet puppies will be sold for, and that they will not be knowingly sold to puppy mills.

6. Have both owners sign and date the contract when all terms are agreed upon in writing. Note that nothing can be changed unless both owners add additional provisions in writing and sign and date them at another time.

Tags: both owners, breeding contract, Breeding Contract Dogs, Contract Dogs, need registered, puppies need

Housetrain An Older Rescue Dog

A crate can be used to house train an older rescue dog.

According to the Humane Society of the United States approximately 19 percent of all dogs owned in America come from shelters. These dogs make wonderful pets, although some adult dogs may lack indoor house training. Training an older shelter dog can be accomplished in a matter of weeks with the assistance of a crate and consistent training.

Instructions

1. Set up a crate for the dog. The crate should be constructed of a study material, such as metal and large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around in. The crate should be placed inside of the home in an area that is active and will make the dog feel like a member of the family, such as the living room or kitchen.

2. Introduce the dog to the crate by placing a treat inside and allowing the dog to find it. Shut the door of the crate and leave the dog in there for 1 to 2 minutes. This will allow the dog a chance to become accustomed to the crate and see it as a positive place.

3. Place the dog inside the crate whenever you cannot supervise the dog in the house. This includes during the night, while you are away from home and when you are at home but cannot keep a constant eye on the dog. Do not leave the dog in there for an extended period of time.

4. Bring the dog outdoors first thing in the morning, after each meal, after a period of play and right before bed. Watch for signs that the dog must go outside as well. These could include sniffing at the floor, barking or scratching at the front or back door.

5. Offer the dog a reward and praise it immediately after it successfully voids outdoors; don't wait to reward the dog after you return to the house. You can also play with the dog outdoors for a few minutes as an extra treat for performing the desired act.

6. Avoid punishing the dog for having accidents inside of the home. This is especially true if you find the mess after it has been made as the dog cannot make the connection between the punishment and the unwanted behavior. Give a stern "No" if you catch it in the act.

7. Clean up any messes after they occur with an enzyme based cleaner, which can be purchased at pet supply stores. Avoid using a cleaner that contains ammonia -- this mimics the smell of urine and attracts the dog to the same spot.

Tags: crate should, inside home, leave there

Become A Cat Breeder

Becoming a cat breeder is not a decision to make lightly. You must research pedigrees and have a true passion for the pedigree you choose to breed. You might help improve or preserve a breed. Many breeders register their cats, keep up on and get involved with breed research and enter their cats in competitions. When deciding to become a breeder, follow these helpful guidelines to follow.

Instructions

1. Do your research and decide which pedigree you want to breed. Read up about genetics, husbandry and other important facts. Study and educate yourself about the breed.

2. Have plenty of money. Breeding can be very costly, especially in the beginning. First, you pay to purchase your cats, then veterinarian bills, registration and license fee, food and supplies and advertising, and the list only continues. All these expenses occur before you have ever produce a litter; so you must expect to take a loss in the beginning.

3. Design a cattery. A cattery is simply a space for your breed to live. This is usually a spare room, a basement or a room you add just for this purpose. A cattery should include cages for both genders, a bathing and grooming area, food and water storage and plenty of room to play.

4. Learn the laws. Different states and counties have different laws about breeding animals. Some areas may require a special permit or license and others may restrict it altogether.

5. Attend cat shows and speak to other breeders for ideas and tips. This is also a great way to network once you have begun breeding. Find another breeder of the same breed that you're interested in and ask her to mentor you.

Tags: their cats

Great Way To Meet Single Men In San Antonio Texas

Try lunching at one of San Antonio's hip restaurants if you're looking for a potential date.

San Antonio, Texas, has a vibrant nightlife with the same range of entertainment choices you'll find in any big city. Where you go to meet a potential mate in the city depends on what type of guy you are looking for. Options range from sports bars to clubs to museums. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Hang out at sports bars---go out on a night the San Antonio Spurs are playing and you're sure to find a crowd of guys. Break the ice by talking about the team or the game that's on in the bar. Sports bars in the San Antonio area include Blanco Tavern, Champps Americana, Fatso's Sports Garden and Legends Sports Bar & Billiards.

2. Looking for a business professional? Consider having lunch in a San Antonio hot spot. Attorneys often eat near the Bexar County Courthouse, doctors near the South Texas Medical Center and business professionals near Port San Antonio.

3. Look for a military man. San Antonio is known for having a strong military presence. Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base and Randolph Air Force Base are all within the city's perimeters. When military personnel are on leave, they usually like to let loose at one of the local clubs or bars. Try Club Antro, which has a night when military personnel get in free. Also try Cowboys DanceHall or Joe's Volcano, known locally for frequent visits from military personnel.

4. Hang out at one of the city's museums. If you are looking for a more artsy guy or simply prefer your men to be a bit cultured, spend an afternoon at one of the city's many museums. There is the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum and the Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum.

Tags: military personnel, Antonio Texas, Force Base

Dog Shows In Southern Ontario

Visit a dog ssee your favorite breed.

Dog fanciers in southern Ontario can find numerous shows at which to watch their favorite breeds in action. Visit an all-breed slearn more about various breeds or make decisions about adding a future canine member to the family. In these conformation shows, each breed is judged against the breed ideal.

Belleville & District Kennel Club Show

The all-breed championship show held by this dog club in October attracts competitors from both Canada and the United States. Yardmen Arena, Quinte Sports Centre, in Belleville is the venue, with approximately one-third of the arena set aside as a grooming area. The national Lhasa Apso specialty is held at this show. Junior handling is held on Sunday of the Friday-through-Sunday show, and the all-breed sweepstakes is on Saturday.

Belleville & District Kennel Club

P.O. Box 20083

Belleville, ON

K8N 5V1

Canada

519-351-3147

BellevilleDistrictKennel.Club@gmail.com

bellevilledogclub.com/index2.html

St. Catharines and District Kennel and Obedience Club Inc. Show

A three-day all-breed conformation show is held each August by this club at the Beamsville Fairgrounds in Beamsville, Ontario. Junior handling is featured on Saturday of the Friday-through-Sunday event. In addition to the show, the club holds field trials, obedience trials and rally trials throughout the year.

St. Catharines and District Kennel and Obedience Club Inc.

905-934-1049

info@stcatharinskennelclub.com

stcatharineskennelclub.com

Rare Breed Club of South Western Ontario Show

This club, founded in 1996, hosts several shows each year. Rare breeds are those not included in the Canadian Kennel Club registry, but the club hosts shows for both rare and recognized breeds. Shows include special classes for spayed or neutered dogs, which are generally not found at dog shows since future breeding is emphasized. Shows are held at a variety of locations. Rosettes are awarded for class placements, and sometimes prizes are also given. Dogs also accumulate points, leading to the year-end "Top Dog" award.

The Rare Breed Club of South Western Ontario

992 Eagle Court

London, Ontario

N5Z 4K6

Canada

519-686-1955

rbcswo.hypermart.net

Tags: District Kennel, Kennel Club, Belleville District, Belleville District Kennel, Breed Club

Play With A Dog In Snow

Winter days can seem awfully long. Especially to a dog who is cooped up in the house during the cold weather. To help fight the winter blues and get a little exercise, take the dog outside and play in the snow. Read on to learn play with a dog in snow.

Instructions

1. Make sure your dog is adequately protected from the elements. If you have a short haired or small dog you might wish to buy him a coat or sweater to help him to stay warm while playing in the snow. Don't stay out for too long if the temperature is bitter cold.

2. Have a snowball fight. Of course it will be one sided because your dog won't be able to throw back, but a snowball fight with a dog can be a lot of fun. Form snowballs from soft snow and don't pack them hard, then gently toss them at the dog. Try tossing tighter packed snowballs in the air for the dog to jump at and try to catch.

3. Make doggy snow angels. If your dog sees you laying in the snow and making snow angels, you can be sure she will want to try too. Many dogs love rolling around in the snow.

4. Shovel paths in the snow to create mazes and run through them with your dog. Play hide and seek with your dog in the mazes.

5. Go sledding. Not all dogs will enjoy sledding and you should never force your dog to participate in any activity that he doesn't want to. But chances are good if you sit down on a sled and ride it down a hill, your best friend will choose to join you if invited. Be sure to use care and sled down small safe hills only. Some dogs prefer sliding down on their belly, but smaller dogs may want to sit in your lap on your sled.

Tags: snow angels, snowball fight, with your

Job Duties Of A Club Historian

A club historian needs to keep detailed records.

Everyone who joins a club becomes part of its legacy, whether they’re an officer or a member at large who just attends functions. It’s up to the club historian to record the notable events during his tenure. The position, however, extends beyond just writing down what happens. The historian’s job duties can extend to being a photographer, filmmaker and researcher.

Scrapbook

Compiling a year-end scrapbook is typically one of the club historian’s main duties. All significant information involving the club should be included in the scrapbook, including club advertisements, newsletters, newspaper articles, event programs, ticket stubs and photos. The historian doesn’t have to be as intrusive as a member of the paparazzi, but he should show up to events with a camera, or he needs to delegate that responsibility. The scrapbook can be a simple collection of material or a professional-level bound book with high-quality scans. It all depends on the historian’s imagination, technological knowledge and budget. The historian can also use his camcorder to make a video scrapbook. The important thing is to collect keepsakes that club members can look back on.

Record Book

Many clubs keep detailed record books similar to those maintained by sports teams. Some clubs even go back decades. The historian needs to write all pertinent information in the book, such as the year's officers and award winners. All information should be double-checked for accuracy. If there is no record book, the historian should start one.

Collect Nominees

Some historians collect the nominations for the club's awards, such as Person of the Year. The historian needs to ensure that the nomination process is well-paced and fair, keeping the awards committee informed of any problems. At the cutoff date, the historian presents the nominees to the awards committee.

Keep Members Updated

A historian can serve to remind club members of upcoming milestones and other important dates, such as birthdays and anniversaries. He should refer to the club's historical documents, such as past scrapbooks and newsletters, to make sure all relevant dates are recognized.

Tags: historian needs, awards committee, club historian, club members, keep detailed

Animals That Live On The Beaches Of The Florida Keys

The Florida Keys' beaches are a prime location for bird watching.

The Florida Keys are a popular destination for travelers longing for sun, warmth and the beach. One of the most popular beaches is Bahia Honda Key Beach, which is a popular spot for snorkelers and beach bums. One of the other attractions to the beaches is the diverse wildlife, which live, breed and nest on the beaches.

Birds

The beach has a wide range of gulls that scavenge the beach for food. The main gulls are laughing gulls (black head, red bill), herring gulls (large with white head), and the ring-billed gull (smaller with black ring around their yellow bill). Terns also use the Florida Keys' beaches, and although they resemble gulls, they are a different species completely. They are grey on the top portion of their bodies and white on their bellies. They feed on fish, which they dive for. The different types of terns are royal tern (orange bill), Caspian tern (red bill) and the least tern (yellow bill).

Reptiles

Reptiles use the beaches along the Florida Keys as nesting areas during the breeding seasons. There are a variety of turtles, such as the Atlantic Ridley sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, and the green sea turtle. When they aren't breeding, the turtles can be seen just off the shore feeding on fish, jellyfish and aquatic turtle grass. A variety of iguanas and geckos scatter along the beach, feeding on insects. There is the brown anole, green anole, green iguana and the Mediterranean gecko. They are most active around dawn and dusk when the sun is not so hot.

Mammals

The Florida Keys has some mammal species that can be seen by visitors while visiting the beach. One common species is the opossum, which prefers to stay close to the tree line; is nocturnal in nature; and scavenges for food, eating bugs, reptiles and almost anything. Another common visitor to the beaches is the raccoon, which is also nocturnal and scavenges for food, willing to eat almost anything. A new species to the beach, originating in Africa, but now living on the Florida Keys' beaches is the giant African Gambian pouch rat. The pouch rat is an omnivore, eating almost anything it can find. It is also considered a threat to the Florida Keys' native mammal species.

Tags: Florida Keys, almost anything, Florida Keys beaches, Keys beaches, anole green, mammal species, scavenges food

List Of Jobs For 13 & 14yearolds

Young teens can earn money by using skills they already have.

If you're a 13- or 14-year-old wanting to earn some cash, you may run into a snag when looking for a traditional teen job such as cashier at a burger joint or lifeguard at a local pool. Federal labor laws say that children under 14 can't work at many jobs, and in some states the minimum working age is 15 or higher. That doesn't mean you can't work, though. Write down a list of your skills and start your own small business from home.

Tutoring

If you're good at a school subject such as math or English, offer tutoring services to children and peers who need academic help. If you have other special skills, such as computers or digital photography, adult neighbors who have less experience with new technology might benefit from one-on-one instruction. Tutoring is a convenient job during the school year because you can squeeze in some one-hour sessions around your academic schedule.

Handy Helper

If you like helping your parents with jobs around the house, extend your services to family friends and neighbors. For example, offer to take neighbors' garbage cans to and from the curb at trash pickup time, help an elderly person paint a fence, wash cars, file paperwork, roll up loose change and organize household items to donate to charity. You may also offer home and yard cleanup services or offer to run errands for busy neighbors, suggests the website Quintessential Careers.

Child Care

Child care services can be lucrative and fun if you love spending time with younger children. However, being responsible for a child is a huge responsibility; emergencies can arise when parents are away. To be sure you're well-equipped for this job, sign up for a babysitter training course. Organizations such as the American Red Cross (see Resources) offer training in multiple areas, such as caring for children, first aid and safety.

Pet Care

Families with pets often need an extra hand, especially during the summer when they go on vacation and need someone to feed and spend time with their animals. Other pet-related services you could offer are dog walking and pet washing or grooming. Be sure that you are patient and feel comfortable with animals before you take on this responsibility.

Artistic Options

If you specialize in a certain craft or type of artwork, you may be able to earn money selling it. For example, you could sell handcrafted beaded necklaces, earrings and friendship bracelets, suggests "Family Fun" magazine. Other skills you could market are writing, painting and drawing. Begin by offering personalized services to people you know; encourage them to spread the word, and ask your parents to help you design and order personal business cards. Peers at school, church friends and neighbors may be willing to help you pass them around. You may also be able to sell crafts through art vending websites if you ask your parents to set up and manage an account on your behalf.

Tags: your parents, earn money, friends neighbors, time with

North Carolina Kennels For Dogs

North Carolina offers many natural, cultural and historical sites to visit.

North Carolina is home to natural, cultural and historical attractions that draw large numbers of visitors yearly. For those visiting the state, North Carolina is home to many dog kennels that offer a wide range of boarding and grooming services. Dog owners find that these kennels allow pets to be suitably housed and cared for during their trip to the state.

Love Overboard Kennels and Grooming

Love Overboard Kennels and Grooming is located in Carrboro. The kennel offers indoor and outdoor kennels that are 15-feet long and can be heated or cooled. Dogs boarded at the kennel can also receive two daily exercise sessions included in the boarding fee, as well provided bedding, food, water and treats. The kennel also offers grooming services, including nail clipping, ear cleaning, baths, teeth brushing and haircuts. The kennel offers daycare and overnight boarding for dogs. Proof of vaccinations is required for all boarded dogs.

Love Overboard Kennels and Grooming

710 W. Rosemary

Carrboro, NC 27510

919-942-6870

loveoverboardkennels.com

Grandbar Kennels and Pet Resort

Grandbar Kennels and Pet Resort is located in Charlotte. Charlotte's only multi-accredited pet care facility, the kennel offers daycare and overnight boarding in air-conditioned and centrally heated indoor and outdoor kennels. The kennel also provides gravel outdoor runs for dogs that are uncomfortable with concrete potty areas, grassy play areas, meals and classical music to accompany bedtime. Grooming and training services are also offered by appointment only. Boarded dogs must have proof of vaccinations to be admitted to the kennel. Reservations for boarding services may be completed online.

Granbar Kennels and Pet Resort

6700 Orr Road

Charlotte, NC 28213

704-596-8941

granbarkennels.com

Willow Run Boarding and Grooming Kennel

The Willow Run Boarding and Grooming Kennel is located in Kernersville. Established in 1989, the kennel provides dog daycare and overnight boarding in 24-hour supervised kennels, twice a day feedings, blankets and toys. The kennel also offers grooming services, including nail trimming and baths, as well as dog training. Proof of vaccinations is required for admittance to the kennel. Reservations for boarding, grooming and training services are required.

Willow Run Boarding and Grooming Kennel

1456 N. Main St.

Kernersville, NC 27284

336-993-3647

willowrunboardingkennel.com

Tags: kennel also, North Carolina, Boarding Grooming, Boarding Grooming Kennel, daycare overnight, daycare overnight boarding, Grooming Kennel

Incorporate A Non Profit Organization

Incorporation authorizes organizations to function as non-profit charities.

Nonprofit organizations are not necessarily required to incorporate. However, incorporation offers nonprofit organizations various benefits. For example, incorporation allows organizations to apply for public or private grant money and to solicit tax-deductible contributions. Incorporation also affords nonprofit organizations certain legal protections, such as limited liability for the organization's activities.

Instructions

1. Determine your state's laws on the incorporation of a nonprofit organization by calling the secretary of state's office or visiting the secretary of state's website. Most states simply require filing an application, submission of founding documents and the payment of any applicable filing fees. Obtain any required application forms for incorporation from the secretary of state's website.

2. Appoint a registered agent. The registered agent is the person who accepts legal documents on the nonprofit organization's behalf. Registered agents are often, but not always, attorneys. Registered agents must be at least 18 years old, mentally competent and a resident of the state in which the organization conducts business.

3. Draft articles of incorporation for the nonprofit organization. In these articles, state the organization's basic mission and overall purpose. Draft the bylaws of the organization that will serve to govern future boards of directors.

4. Complete the application for incorporation, which will require you identify the registered agent and the agent's contact information. You will also have to list the board of directors at the time of incorporation and the contact information for founding directors. Provide the physical address of the organization's headquarters or primary office.

5. File the application, articles of i0ncorporation, bylaws and any other required documents with the secretary of state. Pay any applicable filing fees.

Tags: secretary state, nonprofit organization, registered agent, applicable filing, applicable filing fees, contact information, filing fees

Put Nintendo Ds Games In A Nintendo Wii

Unfortunately, you cannot simply play your Nintendo DS games on the Nintendo Wii. However, there are a number of ways that the DS and Wii can interact. Some Wii games allow you to use the DS as an alternate controller or to add content to games for each platform from the same series. The Wii's online store also allows you to download and purchase games and demos for the DS. So while you cannot simply play your portable DS games on the Wii, there is plenty that you can do with both consoles.

Wii/DS connection

The Wii and DS are made to connect to one another automatically. To connect them, make sure that both consoles are on. You will have to make sure that the Wii's wi-fi is turned on. To do this, choose "Options" from the main Wii menu, select "Settings," and then choose "Connections." Make sure that the wi-fi option is enabled. Your DS should automatically find the Wii through its automatic wireless connection, and you should not have to configure anything. Note you can only save downloaded games or demos from the Wii on the Nintendo DSi. Earlier versions of the DS will be able to use all the other functions, but only the DSi has a memory card on which you can save.

Game interactions

Some Wii and DS games are made to support specific interactions between the two consoles. For example, the DS game "Pokemon Battle Revolution" uses the Wii's internet capabilities to allow you to challenge players in different locations, a function you can only use when the DS is connected to a Wii with an active Internet connection. Other games, like Pokemon Diamond or Pearl, allow you to use the DS as a controller for the Wii version, rather than the standard Wii controller. Some games, like "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time," have been released on both platforms. and you can transfer data, such as saved games or other advancements, between the Wii and DS versions.

Nintendo Channel and the DS

The "Nintendo Channel" on the Wii's main menu is an online store. You can purchase demos and games here for both the Wii and the DS. In order to play the purchases on a DS, you must first download them to your Wii and then transfer them to your DS using the onscreen instructions for each game.

Tags: Some games, sure that, both consoles, cannot simply, cannot simply play

Fisherprice Games

Fisher-Price makes toys and baby gear for children of all ages from birth to 5 years old and up. Some of the toys by Fisher-Price include action figures and adventure toys, building toys and creativity toys as well as puzzles and games. You can watch your preschooler play Fisher-Price games with his friends of enjoy playing these games with your child to help your child learn about colors, numbers, shapes, memory and matching.

Character Games

The Whac-A-Mole Arcade Game, for children ages 4 years and up, is a one- to two-player game. The object of this game is to whack the moles that pop up from the board as fast as you can using a plastic mallet to earn points.

The Red Rover Game, suitable for kids 3 years and up, is a two- to four-player memory-matching game that comes with an electronic talking dog and different-colored bones with a number, shape or letter. Kids challenge each other to look for the bone that the dog asks for by putting it in the dog's mouth, and whoever finds the most matches wins.

The Playchest Games Go Fish! Game is made for two to four players age 3 years and up. This is another memory-matching game where you take turns fishing for cards shaped like fish using a plastic fishing pole to reveal the picture underneath to find a match.

Card Games

Card games made by Fisher-Price include Handy Manny, Disney/Pixar Cars and Barbie Make a Match Games. Two to four players ages 3 years and up play each game by matching pictures on the cards to see who can make the most matches.

Fisher-Price also offers Thomas & Friends, Dora the Explorer, Mickey Mouse and Handy Manny Uno card games. Uno, also made from children ages 3 and up and for two to four players, help preschoolers to learn about basic colors and numbers using the 36 cards in the deck.

Board Games

Made for two to four players and for children ages 3 years and up, Thomas & Friends Birthday Surprise Game is a board game that builds memory and matching skills. Find matches as you travel around the board looking for party favors and whoever finds the most matches wins.

In Thomas & Friends Tic Tac Bingo and Handy Manny Tic Tac Bingo, two to four players ages 3 years and up can play two games in one. Kids play Tic Tac Toe or Bingo by rolling the dice through the game's dice tower.

Tags: four players, ages years, children ages, Handy Manny, most matches, Thomas Friends, ages years play

Find An Original Birth Certificate After Adoption

Although the laws vary between states, most adult adoptees may access their original birth certificates. Currently, there are few U.S. states with open adoption laws that allow you to access your original birth certificate without proving a specific need for the information. In states with closed adoptions, the process is more difficult and will require a court order, but is nonetheless possible.

Instructions

1. Contact the agency through which you were adopted. If you were born in an open adoption state, the agency can provide you with a copy of your original birth certificate.

2. Write to the state department of vital records. In an open adoption state, if the adoption agency is unable to provide you with a copy of your original birth certificate, the vital records department will be able to access your original birth record for a nominal fee.

3. Go the courts. If you were not born in an open adoption state, you will need to get a court order before you can obtain a copy of your original birth certificate.

4. File a petition with the court. To get a court order, you will need to file a petition with the clerk's office of the jurisdiction in which your adoption was finalized. The petition will need to outline your reasons for requesting your original birth certificate.

5. Make your case before the judge. Once you have filed your petition, your case will be heard before a judge, who will determine whether or not your adoption records should be opened.

6. Order your original birth certificate using your court order. Once you have a signed order from the judge authorizing the disclosure of your original birth certificate, you or your attorney will need to send a written request to the department of vital records for the state where you were born. If you were born in another country, you may request your original birth certificate from the state where your adoption was finalized.

Tags: your original, your original birth, birth certificate, original birth certificate, original birth, court order