Blog Archives

Why Don't I Understand My Dog?

I have encountered folks who have complained to me about their numerous (dog) `behavior problems.' And interestingly enough, I usually discover that most of the behavioral problems are linked to a common factor. That common factor being pet owners all too often miss crucial, pet communication signals because of their busy lifestyles. What do I mean, "...miss crucial, pet communication signals...?" While many people love the idea of having animal companions, we also have daily responsibilities ...
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Good dog health and happiness for Charlie

Good dog health and happiness for Charlie Our Charlie's dog health was a very important issue to us in our family. It all started when he was a puppy of course. Aside from the fun and laughter he brought into our lives he brought us new found responsibilities we hadn't concerned ourselves with BC. With some common sense and attention dog health shouldn't have to be a major family issue. Here's how we dealt with Charlie. A few dog health issues: Feeding ' This is normally the easy and fun part. ...
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Listen To A Talking Cockatiel

A wise old man had once told me - listen to a talking cockatiel and you will feel as happy as with a child. I did not understand his words until the day I decided to keep cockatiels as pets. Oh, they are simply adorable! If you want to listen to a talking cockatiel, you need to train it that way. Cockatiels, in the entire parrot family, are not well known as talkers. They are more famous for whistling tunes of your favorite songs. However, when it does, it is an experience to listen to a ...
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Parrots For Pets

I have had many pets in my life but parrots for pets are my all-time favorites. This is primarily because most parrots have long lives. Moreover, parrots are one of the best pets in the world. As pets, parrots provide a lot of entertainment and they bond with humans just as they would with their flock. For pets, parrots are the right choice for people with small children at home and for those who have retired from active professional lives. Parrots can be a lot of fun to be with and are ideal ...
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Boxers Dogs as Pets - Are they right for you?

Pet Boxers, although low-maintenance, require your consistent attention, exercise, human interaction, consistent obedience training and lots of love. You cannot leave them to their own design for too long or they get lonely, bored and into trouble. Being a big and strong dog as well as a highly intelligent one, Boxers need both physical and mental stimulations to keep them even-tempered and dignified while still keeping their impish spirit and fearless courage in tact. How to keep Boxer out of ...
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Old Sparky! Needlephobia, Nerve Conduction Tests, and

I felt queasy contemplating the nerve conduction test and electromyelogram (EMG) I was about to have. The nerve conduction test involves taping electrodes to the skin and sending a small jolt of electric current to them. During the EMG, the doctor inserts tiny needles into various muscles and examines the signals displayed on a laptop screen to see how quickly they respond to stimulation. These tests help to determine if there's any nerve impairment or damage. Now, I'm in no position ...
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Exclusive Interview With Santa Claus

Over the past two months I have been writing a Christmas story. It is about Santa Claus and the remarkable sequence of events that befell a young girl living on the edge of the rainforest in Palawan, a tropical island where I live. Of course, for such an apparently far fetched story, it was important to check out the facts. That was easy to do here in Palawan, but how could I interview somebody quite so famous as Santa Claus, who lived far away in a land where I would freeze to death as soon ...
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Milk Goats - Know Thy Enemy

Patience may be a virtue, but laughter is the only way to survive goat milking. You can strive for the perfect fencing. You must aim for good nutrition. But, don't kid yourself. When it comes to milking, you do not get the last word. When I decided to add milk goats to my backyard farm I envisioned pitchers of milk cooling in the fridge while cheddar rounds age in my cellar. Spirit, my first nanny, had other ideas. There is an old saying I just made up: "Don't expect instant gratification ...
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Songwriter Confessions #2

Any real Beatle fan knows that Stu Sutcliffe was the original bass player,who died of a brain embolism before the Beatles became famous. But what if it hadn't been Stu with the deadly weakness, but rather...? There is very little time left now. The meeting will take place in a matter of hours: an event so significant for future generations that nothing can be allowed to change it in any way. I have found the boy: a cheerful soul with wide eyes that question the world with amusement. He does not ...
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Raining Cats & Dogs & Geriatric Hookers

/p> I veered to the right as I keenly saw an elderly woman in the pouring rain out of the corner of my eye. She was frantically waving her arms signaling me to pull over. Approaching the curb I simultaneously lowered the power windows and asked where she needed to go. 'Across the bridge, can you get me there for three dollars? That is all I have,' she mumbled. I was already headed in her direction and was ok with pocketing a few extra bucks, so I unlocked the door and let her enter. The ...
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You Know Your Breath May Be A Tad Funky When...

You know your breath may be a tad funky when.... You eat a big plate of spaghetti and meatballs for dinner along with several slices of garlic bread, and notice that more people are coming up to you and talking with you after dinner than before. The group standing alongside you waiting to board an elevator hang back and decide to wait for the next one once you've entered. Your old maid aunt who has tried kissing you right on the lips for years offers you just a handshake at your most recent ...
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Preparation and execution of my income tax return

April 15th is the time of the year when Americans can communicate with their government. I cannot testify for anyone else, but I look forward to this marvelous opportunity and I am careful not to waste it. This year, for example, so much has happened to me since last year it took 15 single-spaced typed pages to include everything. However, to be perfectly honest (and who's perfect), I am a little disappointed. All the years I have included a personal letter in with my tax returns, I have yet to ...
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The Ride of his Life

THE RIDE OF HIS LIFE It was a chilly, crisp morning at the racetrack. The sun was just beginning to come up over the mountains in the distance as Dad and I led one of our thoroughbreds out of the stables and out towards the training track. We were waiting to start track work with one our best gallopers, Paragon Prince, but unfortunately, once again the jockey had forgotten to show up. The particular jockey had tendency to spend many a night out with the boys getting on the booze and the ...
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