Wednesday 29 February 2012

Literary analysis on beowolf - Education


Beowulf is an ancient English heroic poem whose author is unknown. In the poem Beowulf, as the hero of the Geats, faces and battles three antagonists namely, Grendel, who frequently attacked the local warriors of mead hall, or Heorot in Denmark, the others are Grendels mother and unnamed dragon.In Beowulf, the variance involving good and evil is the poem's focal and most significant feature. The epic makes it obvious that good and evil do not subsist as only dissimilar, but that both are equally present in everyone. Basically, this poem portrays the ability to being conscious of others as well as having the capability to behave selfishly. Hence Goodness is also exposed throughout as having the power to defuse and cleanse evils. Hence, the evils exuded in Grendel, his mother and the dragon compels them to act against the people savagely destroying them mercilessly. Equally, pride is also exposed as a quality that Beowulf takes upon himself to declare numeral actions that he desired to undertake to perform on context of helping other nations. Some of these deeds included his offer to king Hrothgar, whereby he declares his intention of destroying Grendel and he states "Single-handed I'll settle the strife!" likewise he continues by exposing his unselfish desire to decimate Grendels mother and singularly swears "And I give you pledge, She(Grendel's mother) shall not in safety escape" Naturally, goodness has been viewed as the epitome of human life where, evil is not accepted. More so, as the epic flows it becomes obvious that, even during those ancient days, evil was not condoned, hence it is apparent that, to purge evil, more than often goodness prevailed but death became inevitable, hence when Beowulf declared "That I may alone with my loyal earls, with this hardly company, cleanse Hart-Hall" it meant the cleansing involved acts that would result in destruction of life and properties.As the poem gains momentum, various aspects are brought into the surface, exposing the cultutal myth as denoted by king Hrothga who dares to lecture Beowulf on dangers of pride, therefore, this signifies that, moral obligation was purely upheld in the society despite who was involved, on the same context the king added Since God has granted him glory and wealth he forgets the future", while on the other side, in Beowulf, pride is projected as an evil and he hated it.Looking at religious angle the poem reflects Beowulf as an apparatus of God, a tool of righteousness ordained by God to execute His will. In barren disparity to his good, is the enemy, Grendel, the embodiment of unadulterated evil(255). He is an adversary of the people, and as he is depicted in the prose, he is also an enemy of God. Grendel is a disparaging and fatal "being" that is entirely contradictory to each and every one that is good. Though present are countless mentions to God and the Bible, When Beowulf and Grendal fight, Grendal realizes that there is an incredib le and unusual thing regarding Beowulf. Grendal experiences something unique about him. "That shepherd of evil, guardian of crime knew at once that nowhere on earth had he met a man whose hands were harder." Grendal felt the clout of Beowulf's hands and acknowledged that he was not a habitual man. After this fight. Good overcomes evil.All in all, the cultural context of the society explored by the author of the poem is revealed by the numeral mention of such Pagan cryptogram such as dragons, ravens, and monsters. The raven was a symbol from Norse legends; it was the courier for a war god by name Odin. This cultural diversity is established after Beowulf defeats Grendel's mother. However, the principal evidence to the paganism of Beowulf is the panorama that contains the interment of Beowulf and the structures and veneration of the tower, all of which go unswervingly against the Christian creed(200). Therefore, it is apparent that, even before Beowulf came to the land of Dane s, it is quite possible that, this community had a close relationship with other communities who were practicing black magic, but the advent of Beowulf, the axis of evil was destabilized for the sake of goodness.Additionally, the epic has mixed elements in as far as good and evil elements are concerned, considering that, the theme and plot set up revolves along the time when the Danes were under siege, the author has managed to strongly bring out the Germanic elements of the immediate society of how evil in one way or the other dodged good, however, it is certainly obvious that, the cultural backdrop that the poem is set exposes the savagely executed by this ancient empires. And on Christian context, the epic depicts a picture of the savior who came to annihilate the evil in order for the peace to prevail.In conclusion, the epitome of the poem can be said to be anchored on the axis of conflicting human nature, that's, good and evil, though dissimilar, affects the human race equally. Hence, it takes self sacrifice, determination and dedication to overcome evil, which as outlined in the epic could be disastrous and fatal.



Tuesday 28 February 2012

Dog Training - Other


DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINING

MAKE THE PUPS KNOW WHO'S IN CHARGE

Do you wish there was a way of teaching them not to do those things? Traveling on your whim sometimes, do you wish there were a language exclusively for you and your pup so that he can fully understand your complains?.

HUNTING THE RIGHT HOUND

In true mixed breeds, the dog's ancestry is next to impossible to predict, although many people can't help but try to guess. Too large to go to ground, the popular Airedale terrier puts its strength and stubborn streak to use as a surprisingly ferocious watchdog. Two purebred dogs are sometimes deliberately crossed in hopes of creating a new breed such as the cockapoo, which is one part cocker spaniel, one part poodle. Because they're all related, all of the 400 or so breeds are capable of interbreeding. Like most terriers, this "king of terriers" has little time for other dogs, and if not properly supervised may engage in some street brawling. Some dog breeds under this group include American Eskimo Dog, Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, Bulldog, Chinese Shar-Pei, Chow Chow, Dalmatian, Finnish Spitz, French, Bulldog, Keeshond, Lhasa Apso, Lowchen, Poodle, Schipperke, Shiba Inu, Tibetan Spaniel, Tibetan Terrier. Some of the listed Working dog breeds are:Akita, Alaskan Malamute , Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Black Russian Terrier, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher, German Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Standard Schnauzer, Tibetan Mastiff. They are the original hunting dogs, many pre-dating the gun-assisting hunters in their sporting group. Its name origins from the Latin terra, meaning "for earth", most terriers were originally bred to "go to ground" after burrowing vermin, larger rodents and even foxes. Let loose in your backyard, a terrier can build an entire golf course in a day at least, 18 holes. Some indiscriminate breeders have inflamed congenital problems by careless over-breeding, and have created unstable temperaments through simple neglect. Apart from their hunting skills, most hounds make excellent pets. When these dogs bite, they do n't let go. Sometimes produced randomly, but most often planned by breeders, crossbreeds result from the mating or crossing of two dogs with a different but identifiable lineage. This is the catchall group for breeds that did not seem to fit in elsewhere, from the cuddly Bichon Frise, a little too big to be considered a toy, to the striking Dalmatian and the stunning but difficult Chow Chow.

THE ANATOMY OF A CANINE

But an absence of sweat glands on the canid's skin forces it to rely on other means. You might as well read the information about it. Ears are third-quarters tipped over facing forward. Rose Ears. Most mammals sweat to keep cool. The ears of wild canids, like wolves and foxes, come in only one shape:natural. When the animals become significantly warmer, either through a change in air temperature or through physical exertion, they secrete even more fluid than usual. Domestic dogs glean both physical and emotional details about one another through their olfactory senses. The rose ears found in some bulldogs and pugs, a variation of a drop ear, is folded inward along the back edge, with the tip curving over and back to show the opening to the ear. In temperate weather, canids simply breathe in through their noses to stay cool:Nasal glands secrete fluid, and its evaporation within their nasal chambers creates a cooling effect.

WHY THE HELP?

If your dog doesn't make progress at all, this must be because of this fact. It's also guaranteed to be safe for your mutt. You will terminate your dog's disobedience immediately. Now, if you have your carefully selected dog already, one question lies before you:How does this dog follow my commands? What if he or she doesn't follow what I say You're probably training your dog improperly, and you don't know it.

"">Train your dog the right way



Euphorbia pulcherrima - News - Business News


DescriptionLeaves, bracts & flowers at Jayanti in Buxa Tiger Reserve in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, India.Euphorbia pulcherrima is a shrub or small tree, typically reaching a height of 0.6 to 4 m (2 to 16ft). The plant bears dark green dentate leaves that measure 7 to 16cm (3 to 6inches) in length. The colored bractshich are most often flaming red but can be orange, pale green, cream, pink, white or marbledre actually leaves.[citation needed] The colors come from photoperiodism, meaning that they require darkness for 12 hours at a time to change color. At the same time, the plants need a lot of light during the day for the brightest color.Because of their groupings and colors, laypeople often think the bracts are the flower petals of the plant. In fact, the flowers are grouped within the small yellow structures found in the center of each leaf bunch, and they are called cyathia.The species is native to Mexico. It is found in the wild in deciduous tropical forest at moderate elevations from southern Sinaloa down the entire Pacific coast of Mexico to Chiapas and Guatemala. It is also found in the interior in the hot, seasonally dry forests of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. Reports of E. pulcherrima growing in the wild in Nicaragua and Costa Rica have yet to be confirmed by botanists.[citation needed]There are over 100 varieties of poinsettia available. Christmas traditionIn Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, the plant is called Cuitlaxochitl meaning "skin flower." The Aztecs used the plant to produce red dye and as an antipyretic medication. Today it is known in Mexico and Guatemala as "Noche Buena", meaning Christmas Eve. In Spain its is known as "Flor de Pascua", meaning Easter Flower. In both Chile and Peru, the plant became known as "Crown of the Andes".The plant's association with Christmas began in 16th century Mexico, where legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday. T he tale goes that the child was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. Crimson "blossoms" sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias. From the 17th century, Franciscan friars in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and the red color represents the blood sacrifice through the crucifixion of Jesus.Poinsettias are popular Christmas decorations in homes, churches, offices, and elsewhere across North America. They are available in large numbers from grocery, drug, and hardware stores. In the United States, December 12 is National Poinsettia Day.Big Spring, Texas is well known for its poinsettias as the "lighted poinsettia capital". When the Comanche Trail Festival of Lights first began the dam at the big spring held four huge poinsettias made of rebar welded together in the shape of a poinsettia flower. Each flo wer was made up of 5 leaves. The leaves were decorated with red Christmas lights. The four poinsettia flowers were an awesome sight to see entering Big Spring from the south. Each year more flowers were added to the dam and inside the park until Comanche Trail Park has by 2006 added seven poinsettias, making a total of eleven lighted flowers on the dam and countless flowers inside the park, making Comanche Trail Park the Christmas Poinsettia capital. American poinsettia monopolyUntil the 1990s, the Ecke family of Encinitas, California, had a virtual monopoly on poinsettias owing to a technological secret that made it difficult for others to compete. The Ecke family's key to producing more desirable poinsettias was to create a fuller, more compact plant, by grafting two varieties of poinsettia together. A poinsettia left to grow on its own will naturally take an open, somewhat weedy look. The Eckes' technique made it possible to get every seedling to branch, resulting in a bu shier plant.Albert Ecke immigrated from Germany to Los Angeles in 1900, opening a dairy and orchard in the Eagle Rock area. He became intrigued by the plant and sold them from street stands. His son, Paul Ecke, developed the grafting technique, but it was the third generation of Eckes, Paul Ecke, Jr., that really was responsible for advancing the association between the plant and the winter holidays. Besides changing the market from mature plants shipped by rail to cuttings sent by air, he sent free plants to television stations for them to display on air from Thanksgiving to Christmas. He also appeared on television programs like The Tonight Show and Bob Hope's Christmas specials to market the plants.However, in the 1990s, a university researcher discovered the method and published it, opening the door for competitors to flourish, particularly in Latin America where the cost of labor is far lower. The Ecke family, now led by Paul Ecke III, no longer grows any on farms in th e U.S., but as of 2008, they still control about 70% of the domestic market and 50% of the worldwide market. CultivationPoinsettia farm in Bukidnon, PhilippinesA close-up photo of a Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)In areas outside its natural environment it is commonly grown as an indoor plant where it prefers good morning sun then shade in the hotter part of the day. However, it is widely grown and very popular in subtropical climates such as Australia northwards from Sydney.As this is a subtropical plant, it will likely perish if the night-time temperature falls below 10C (50F) so is not suitable for planting in the ground in cooler climates. Likewise, daytime temperatures in excess of 21C (70F) tend to shorten the lifespan of the plant.[citation needed]The poinsettia has also been cultivated in Egypt since the 1860s. It was brought from Mexico during the Egyptian campaign. It is called "Bent El Consul", "the consul's daughter", referring to the U.S. ambassador Joel Poin sett.[citation needed]The poinsettia can be difficult to induce to reflower after the initial display when purchased. The plant requires a period of uninterrupted long, dark nights for around two months in autumn in order to develop flowers. Incidental light at night during this time will hamper flower production. When watering it is important to allow the plant to drain out any excess water. Having a poinsettia sit in water can do harm to the plant as it prefers moist soil to direct water.In order to produce extra axillary buds that are necessary for plants containing multiple flowers, a phytoplasma infection whose symptoms include the proliferation of axillary buds is used. DiseasesMain article: List of poinsettia diseases Rumoured toxicityIn the United States and perhaps elsewhere, there is a common misconception that the poinsettia is highly toxic. This is not true; it is mildly irritating to the skin or stomach and may sometimes cause diarrhea and vomiting if eaten. Sap introduced into the human eye may cause temporary blindness. An American Journal of Emergency Medicine study showed that a strong majority of poinsettia exposures are accidental, involve children, and usually do not result in any type of medical treatment. POISINDEX, a major source for poison control centers, says it would take 500 bracts for a 50-pound child to eat an amount not found to be toxic in experiments. An Ohio State University study showed no problems even with extremely large doses.The origin of this myth could be found in the fact that most plants of the spurge genus are indeed toxic and also because the name of the plant seems to refer to the word poison. This misconception was spread by a 1919 urban legend of a two-year-old child dying after consuming a poinsettia leaf. While it is true that the plant is not very toxic, those sensitive to latex may suffer an allergic reaction and it is therefore not advisable to bring the plants into the home of sensitive ind ividuals. GalleryTrunk at Jayanti in Buxa Tiger Reserve in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, IndiaThe bright red leaves resemble petals, dwarfing the clusters of tiny flowers in the center.Poinsettia bushChristmas tree of poinsettias in San DiegoPink poinsettiaPoinsettia with multiple bractsPoinsettiaPoinsettias live long after Christmas, even indoors.Poinsetta flowers. References^ a b Bussell, Gene (Dec 2009). "Get Ready for Holiday Flowers". Southern Living 44 (12): 88.^ Mexico^ "How To Make Poinsettia Turn Red: Make A Poinsettia Rebloom". Gardening Know How. /exotic/how-to-make-poinsettia-turn-red-make-a-poinsettia-rebloom.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-28.^ a b Bender, Steve, ed (January 2004). "Euphorbia". The Southern Living Garden Book (2nd ed.). Birmingham, Alabama: Oxmoor House. p.306. ISBN 0-376-03910-8.^ Poinsettia Facts^ Flowers Ireland^ The Legends and Traditions of Holiday Plants | Horticulture and Home Pest News^ "'The Christmas Poinsettia' Fine Art Print by Anne Gi tto". RedBubble. /people/anneg/art/4349110-1-the-christmas-poinsettia. Retrieved 2010-01-28.^ Cynthia Crossen, "Holiday's Ubiquitous Houseplant," Wall Street Journal, December 19, 2000.^ a b Anton, Mike (December 23, 2008). "The bloom is off the poinsettia business". Los Angeles Times. /news/local/la-me-poinsettia23-2008dec23,0,899159.story. Retrieved 2008-12-28.^ Lee et al. (1997) Phytoplasma induced free branching in commercial poinsettia cultivars. Nature Biotechnology 15 178-182^ "Are Poinsettia Plants Poisonous? Fact or Fiction?". /script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55606. Retrieved 2007-12-21.^ "Complete Poinsettia information from Drugs.com". /npp/poinsettia.html. Retrieved 2008-11-29.^ Krenzelok EP, Jacobsen TD, Aronis JM (November 1996). "Poinsettia exposures have good outcomes...just as we thought". Am J Emerg Med 14 (7): 6714. doi:10.1016/S0735-6757(96)90086-8. PMID 8906768.^ "Poinsettia Care in the Home". /html/h_corp/corp_pntcare.html#poison. Retrieved 2010-01-28.^ "snopes.com: Poisonous Poinsettias". /holidays/christmas/poinsettia.asp. Retrieved 2008-12-16.^ "Latex Allergy? Beware Poinsettias". WebMD. /allergies/news/20031124/latex-allergy-beware-poinsettias. Retrieved 2010-01-28. External linksThe Wikibook Horticulture has a page on the topic ofEuphorbia pulcherrimaWikimedia Commons has media related to: Euphorbia pulcherrimaPoinsettia Culture & Care on CultureSheet.orgThe Wild Poinsettia Page: Images of Euphorbia pulcherrima in the wild in MexicoSnopes on toxicityUSDA PLANTS Database, Symbol EUPU9, E. pulcherrima Willd. ex KlotzschPoinsettia pages at the University of Illinois, UIUCPoinsettia Q&A from Master Gardener KrisPoinsettias in AfricaOhio State University Fact Sheet.Poinsettia FAQ.Poinsettia at home.HardingnurseryHistory of Poinsettia DayvdeChristmasMainChristmas Eve Christmas Day History Bringers of gifts Decorations EconomicsChristianityNativity of Jesus Nativity of Jesus in art Nativity scene Nativity of Jesus in later cu lture Jesus Christ Mary Joseph Angel Gabriel Adoration of the Shepherds Three Magi Star of Bethlehem King Herod Massacre of the Innocents Saint Nicholas Bethlehem Twelfth Night Epiphany Advent ChristmastideFolkloreFather Christmas Santa Claus Mrs. Claus Santa Claus' elves Santa Claus's reindeer Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Sinterklaas Pre Nol Joulupukki Ded Moroz La Befana Christkind Black Peter Krampus Belsnickel Le Pre Fouettard North Pole Santa's workshop Korvatunturi Knecht RuprechtTraditionsTwelve Days of Christmas Christmas trees Wassailing Yule log Stockings Ornaments Lights Crackers Nutcrackers Cookies Christmas cards Christmas music Christmas films Christmas stamps NORAD Tracks Santa Secret Santa Advent calendars Yule Goats Santa Claus parades Flying Santa Christmas markets Plants Food Feasts Events Parades Worldwide: German Irish Philippine Polish Serbian UkrainianMediaFiction Films PlaysTV: Episodes SpecialsMusic: Albums Carols Hit singles and tracks Other Chris tmas music and songsSocietyChristmas club Christmas controversy Christmas creep Christmas Island Christmas Mountains Christmas truce Christmas in various languages Black Friday Cyber Monday Boxing Day Super Saturday White Christmas Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 Christmas and holiday season Related holidays List of winter festivals SantaCon Running of the Santas Christmas in July Christmas in August Christmas in the American Civil War Christmas in Puritan New England Christmas in the post-War United States Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus Hollywood Christmas Parade Categories: Euphorbia | Flowers | Flora of Mexico | Christmas plants | Mexican folkloreHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from January 2010 | Articles with unsourced statements from December 2009 | Articles with unsourced statements from February 2007 | Articles with unsourced statements from April 2008



Army of Me - News - Business News


Music videoBjrk in the gorilla-dentist's in the inspired video for Army of MeThe music video, directed by Michel Gondry, begins with Bjrk driving a huge truck, making everything shake as it passes. The truck begins to fail, so Bjrk opens the door and goes to check the motor. The motor consists of a jaw and all the teeth are broken and full of trash (comically illustrated by a shaggy-looking man crawling out from the garbage). Then she touches her cheek appearing to have a toothache. She walks down the street to a dentist to take care of the situation, and discovers that the dentist is actually a gorilla. The gorilla takes out a diamond out of Bjrk's mouth and attempts to stash it away for himself, but Bjork jumps on his back and pummels him to get it back. Then she takes the diamond and she runs out of the dentist's office, the diamond growing the entire time. She tosses the diamond inside the motor-mouth which apparently it uses as its fuel source. Afterward, she keeps dr iving, and she stops outside a museum, where she takes out a bomb and puts it inside, next to her boyfriend's head who has been deeply sleeping the entire time. She runs out of the museum to the confusion of everyone else, making it to the exit right as the bomb goes off. After the explosion she returns inside the museum, and her boyfriend appears to be alive again. She hugs him, crying teardrops of jewels, and screen goes black and showing a message "To Be Continued". Track listingUK CD1(162TP7CD; Released: April, 1995)"Army Of Me" - 3:57"Cover Me" (Cave Version)1 - 3:07"You've Been Flirting Again" (Icelandic Mix)1 - 2:25"Sweet Intuition" - 4:43UK CD2(162TP7CDL; Released: 1995)"Army Of Me" (ABA All-Stars Mix) - 3:46"Army Of Me" (Masseymix) - 5:12"Army Of Me" (featuring Skunk Anansie) - 4:33 Different vocal take, not simply a remix."Army Of Me" (Instrumental ABA All-Stars Mix) - 3:46UK CD Promo(162TP7CD; Released: April, 1995)"Army Of Me" - 3:56UK 12" Vinyl Promo(162TP12BB; Released: 24 March 1995)Side A"Army Of Me" (ABA All-Stars Mix)Side B"Army Of Me" (Instrumental ABA All-Stars Mix)UK 12" Vinyl Promo(162TP12GM; Released: 1995)Side A"Army Of Me" (Masseymix) - 5:15UK 12" Vinyl Promo(162TP12P; Released: April, 1995)Side A"Army Of Me"Side B"Army Of Me" (featuring Skunk Anansie)2Side C"Army Of Me" (ABA All-Stars Mix)Side D"Army Of Me" (Instrumental ABA All-Stars Mix)UK 7" Vinyl Promo(162TP7D; Released: 1995)Side A"Army Of Me"Side B"Army Of Me" (Instrumental ABA All-Stars Mix)UK 12" Acetate(162 TP 12 BB; Released: 1995)Side A"Army Of Me" (Beastie Boys Vocal Mix)Side B"Army Of Me" (Beastie Boys Instrumental Mix)EUR CD(579 153-2; Released: April, 1995)"Army Of Me" - 3:58"Army Of Me" (ABA All-Stars Mix) - 3:46"Army Of Me" (Masseymix) - 5:12"Army Of Me" (featuring Skunk Anansie) - 4:33"Army Of Me" (Instrumental ABA All-Stars Mix) - 3:46FRA CD(579 152-2; Released: April, 1995)"Army Of Me" - 3:58"Cover Me" (Cave Version)1 - 3:08US CD Promo(PRCD 9152-2; Released: 1995)"Army Of Me" - 3:38JPN CD(POCP-7039; Released: 1995)"Army Of Me" - 3:58"Army Of Me" (ABA All-Stars Mix) - 3:46"Army Of Me" (Masseymix) - 5:12"Army Of Me" (featuring Skunk Anansie) - 4:33"Army Of Me" (Instrumental ABA All-Stars Mix) - 3:46 Notes1 Not indicated on the release2 Slightly different mix than that found on the commercial release ChartsChartPeakpositionUK Singles Chart10U.S. Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks20U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 1008Swedish Singles Chart12Dutch Singles Chart13Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders)13Belgian Singles Chart (Wallonia)17Norwegian Singles Chart17French Singles Chart22New Zealand Singles Chart25Swiss Singles Chart27Australian Singles Chart32 RemixesABA All-Stars mixFeaturing Skunk AnansieFeaturing Skunk Anansie with SkinInstrumental ABA All-Stars mixMasseymixSeveral other remixes (and covers) appear on Army of Me: Remixes and Covers. "Army of Me" released by other bandsGerman metalcore band Caliban covered this song o n their 2006 album The Undying Darkness. The female vocals on the chorus were recorded by Tanja Keilen (Sister Love).Silent, Belgian metal band covered this song on their 2005 self-titled demo.The Alternative metal/post-hardcore band Helmet recorded a cover of "Army of Me," which was released on a "Music for Our Mother Ocean" benefit compilation.The Australian metal band "Many Machines on Nine" covered "Army of Me" on their self-titled 2000 EP.A jazz cover by the Yaron Herman Trio on "A Time For Everything" NAIVE 2007Abandoned Pools, an alternative rock band have also covered the song, which is available on "The Reverb EP"Powerman 5000 released a cover of this song on their The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Vol. 1 compilation.Grisbi released a cover of this song on Army of Me Remixes and Covers.Sin, a french industrial band, covered the song, available on "Errare Digital Est", Recall 2003.Oliver Weers, a Danish rock vocalist made semifamous by his participation in the Danish X- Factor 2008, released a heavy metal style cover version of Army of Me in 2008 on an album entitled Get ReadyAustralian alternative metal band Beanbag covered the song on their 2001 second album Welladjusted.English rock band Drama recorded a cover of the song to perform at the 2010 UK Live & Unsigned regional final in Manchester, March 7. Notes^ #316 in Blender's 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born External linksBjork.com special page on "Army of Me"List of "Army of Me" releasesvdeBjrkDiscography AwardsStudio albumsBjrk Debut Post Homogenic Vespertine Medlla VoltaSoundtracksSelmasongs Drawing Restraint 9CompilationsThe Best Mixes From Debut Telegram Greatest Hits Family Tree Live Box Army of Me: Remixes and Covers (____surrounded): VoltacSingles"Human Behaviour" "Venus as a Boy" "Play Dead" "Big Time Sensuality" "Violently Happy" "Army of Me" "Isobel" "It's Oh So Quiet" "Hyperballad" "Possibly Maybe" "I Miss You" "Jga" "Bachelorette" "Hunter" "Alarm Call" "All Is F ull of Love" "I've Seen It All" "Hidden Place" "Pagan Poetry" "Cocoon" "It's in Our Hands" "Oceania" "Who Is It" "Triumph of a Heart" "Where Is the Line" "Earth Intruders" "Innocence" "Declare Independence" "Wanderlust" "The Dull Flame of Desire" "Nttra"Video albumsVolumen Live at Shepherds Bush Empire Live in Cambridge MTV Unplugged / Live Live at Royal Opera House Greatest Hits - Volumen 19932003 Volumen Plus Vessel Inside Bjrk Later with Jools Holland Minuscule The Inner or Deep Part of an Animal or Plant Structure The Medlla VideosOtherB-sides Tours Travis Sullivan's BjorkestraBandsTappi Tkarrass KUKL The Elgar Sisters The Sugarcubes Bjrk Gumundsdttir & tr Gumundar InglfssonarFilmsThe Juniper Tree Dancer in the Dark Drawing Restraint 9 Anna and the Moods Categories: Synthpop songs | 1995 singles | Music videos directed by Michel Gondry | Bjrk songs | Songs written by Bjrk



Wassailing - News - Business News


Origins of wassailingSome scholars prefer a pre-Christian explanation of the old traditional ceremony of wassailing. How far the tradition dates back is unknown but it has undeniable connections with Anglo-Saxon pagan ritual. Of recent times the word Wassail (from the Anglo-Saxon toast ws u hl, "be thou hale" i.e., "be in good health") has come to be synonymous with Christmas. The word wassail is old English (OE) and so may predate the Norman conquest in 1066. According to the Oxford English Dictionary "waes hael" is the Middle English spelling parallel to OE "wes hal". The American Heritage Dictionary, fourth edition, gives Old Norse "ves heill" as the source of Middle English "waeshaeil".Christmas was not celebrated anywhere before the third century, and only gradually moved northwards through Europe. Charlemagne was crowned on Christmas day 800. It was probably the Normans who brought the celebration to England. Traditionally, the wassail is celebrated on Twelfth Night January 6. However most people insist on wassailing on 'Old Twelvey Night' (January 17) as that would have been the correct date before the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar in 1752.The practice has its roots in the middle ages as a reciprocal exchange between the feudal lords and their peasants as a form of recipient initiated charitable giving, to be distinguished from begging. This point is made in the song "Here We Come A-Wassailing", when the wassailers inform the lord of the house that"we are not daily beggars that beg from door to door but we are friendly neighbours whom you have seen before."The lord of the manor would give food and drink to the peasants in exchange for their blessing and goodwill, i.e..."Love and joy come to you,And to you your wassail too;And God bless you and send youa Happy New Year"... which would be given in the form of the song being sung. Wassailing is the background practice against which a carol such as "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" can be made sense of.Although wassailing is often described in innocuous and sometimes nostalgic terms, the practice has not always been considered so innocent. In fact in early New England wassailing was associated with rowdy bands of young men who would enter the homes of wealthy neighbors and demand free food and drink in a trick-or-treat fashion. If the householder refused, he was usually cursed, and occasionally his house was vandalized.The example of the exchange is seen in their demand for "figgy pudding" and "good cheer", i.e., the wassail beverage, without which the wassailers in the song will not leave, "we won't go until we've got some." The Orchard-Visiting WassailIn cider-producing areas of England, such as the West Country, wassailing also refers to drinking (and singing) the health of trees in the hopes that they might better thrive.An old rhyme goes: assaile the trees, that they may beare / You many a Plum and many a Peare: / For more or lesse fruits they wil l bring, / As you do give them Wassailing.The purpose of wassailing is to awake the cider apple trees and to scare away evil spirits to ensure a good harvest of fruit in the Autumn.{"England In Particular", Common Ground 2007} The ceremonies of each wassail vary from village to village but they generally all have the same core elements. A wassail King and Queen lead the song and/or a processional tune to be played/sung from one orchard to the next, the wassail Queen will then be lifted up into the boughs of the tree where she will place toast soaked in Wassail from the Clayen Cup as a gift to the tree spirits (and to show the fruits created the previous year). Then an incantation is usually recited such asHere's to thee, old apple tree, That blooms well, bears well. Hats full, caps full, Three bushel bags full, An' all under one tree. Hurrah! Hurrah!Then the assembled crowd will sing and shout and bang drums and pots & pans and generally make a terrible racket until the guns men give a great final volley through the branches to make sure the work is done and then off to the next orchard. Perhaps unbeknown to the general public, this ancient English tradition is still very much thriving today. The West Country is the most famous and largest cider producing region of the country and some of the most important wassails are held annually in Carhampton (Somerset) and Whimple (Devon), both on 17 January (old Twelfth Night). In Canada the Orchard Group of the Heron Rocks Friendship Society, Hornby Island, also holds a wassailing event in late January, where a Queen and King present toasts to the old apple trees.Private readings about people in Somerset in the 1800s revealed that inhabitants of Somerset practised the old Wassailing Ceremony, singing the following lyrics after drinking the cider until they were "merry and gay:""Apple tree, apple tree, we all come to wassail thee, Bear this year and next year to bloom and to blow, Hat fulls, cap fulls, th ree cornered sack fills, Hip, Hip, Hip, hurrah, Holler biys, holler hurrah." Wassail bowlsWassail bowls, generally in the shape of goblets, have been preserved. The Worshipful Company of Grocers made a very elaborate one in the seventeenth century, decorated with silver. It is so large that it must have passed around as a "loving cup" so that many members of the guild could drink from it.In the British Christmas carol "Wassail, Wassail, All Over the Town", the singers tell that their "bowl is made of the white maple tree, with a wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee". White maple is a completely tasteless wood, commonly used even today to make some kitchen utensils, and likely was what many simple peasant wassail bowls were made from.There are surviving examples of "puzzle wassail bowls", with many spouts. As you attempt to drink from one of the spouts, you are drenched from another spout. The drink was either punch, mulled wine or spicy ale. See alsoApple WassailWish TreeYule Goat ReferencesOxford English DictionaryAmerican Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, fourth editionBirmingham Museums & Art Gallery Wassail Bowl"Reminiscences of Life in the parish of Street, Somersetshire dated 1909 at pages 25-26 written by an "old inhabitant" William Pursey of Street 1836-1919. This is the art of wassail. Notes^ / Oxford English Dictionary^ /61/ American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, fourth edition^ "Reminiscences of Life in the parish of Street, Somersetshire dated 1909 at pages 25-26 written by an "old inhabitant" William Pursey of Street 1836-1919. This is the art of wassail.^ /objects/1965T391 Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery External linksPictures of Wassail BowlsWassailingWassailing: Caroling for BeervdeChristmasMainChristmas Eve Christmas Day History Bringers of gifts Decorations EconomicsChristianityNativity of Jesus Nativity of Jesus in art Nativity scene Nativity of Jesus in later culture Jesus Christ Mary Joseph Angel G abriel Adoration of the Shepherds Three Magi Star of Bethlehem King Herod Massacre of the Innocents Saint Nicholas Bethlehem Twelfth Night Epiphany Advent ChristmastideFolkloreFather Christmas Santa Claus Mrs. Claus Santa Claus' elves Santa Claus's reindeer Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Sinterklaas Pre Nol Joulupukki Ded Moroz La Befana Christkind Black Peter Krampus Belsnickel Le Pre Fouettard North Pole Santa's workshop Korvatunturi Knecht RuprechtTraditionsTwelve Days of Christmas Christmas trees Wassailing Yule log Stockings Ornaments Lights Crackers Nutcrackers Cookies Christmas cards Christmas music Christmas films Christmas stamps NORAD Tracks Santa Secret Santa Advent calendars Yule Goats Santa Claus parades Flying Santa Christmas markets Plants Food Feasts Events Parades Worldwide: German Irish Philippine Polish Serbian UkrainianMediaFiction Films PlaysTV: Episodes SpecialsMusic: Albums Carols Hit singles and tracks Other Christmas music and songsSocietyChristmas c lub Christmas controversy Christmas creep Christmas Island Christmas Mountains Christmas truce Christmas in various languages Black Friday Cyber Monday Boxing Day Super Saturday White Christmas Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 Christmas and holiday season Related holidays List of winter festivals SantaCon Running of the Santas Christmas in July Christmas in August Christmas in the American Civil War Christmas in Puritan New England Christmas in the post-War United States Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus Hollywood Christmas ParadevdeWinter Solstice/Midwinter FestivalsAfricaGoru: Mali (Dogon) Dzon'ku Nu: West Africa (Papaws)AmericasInti Raymi: Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador (Inca) Jonkonnu: Caribbean (African-American) Soyal: USA (Zuni, Hopi) Wayeb': Guatemala (Maya) We Tripantu: Chile (Mapuche)AntarcticaMidwinter: Research stations (International)AsiaAmaterasu: Japan Choimus: Pakistan (Kalash) Deygn, Maidyarem: (Zoroastrian) Dngzh, Tji: (East Asian) Makar Sankranti: India, Nepa l (Hindu) Sanghamitta Day: Sri Lanka (Buddhist) eva Zistan: (Kurdish) Shab-e Chelleh: Iran (Persian)EuropeBeiwe: (Saami) Brumalia: Ancient Greece Christmas: Roman Empire (Christian) Dies Natalis Solis Invicti: Roman Empire Deuorius Riuri: Gaul Hogmanay: Scotland Karachun: (West Slavs) Mdraniht: Western Germany (Matres and Matrones) Midvinterblt: Sweden (Norse) Montol Festival, Mummer's Day: Cornwall (Celts) Saturnalia: Rome Wren's Day: Ireland, Isle of Man, Wales (Celts) Yule, Jul: (Germanic) Ziemassvtki: Baltic (Romuva) dagger indicates extinction. degree symbol indicates changes in date, name or location. ( ) indicate demographic Categories: Christmas traditions | Christmas music | Winter traditions



Dog Obedience Training That Works Daily - Other


HUNTING THE RIGHT HOUNDBefore getting to any of these things, let's start form the most basic first:finding the right dog suitable for you. The instinct to herd in some of them can be strong in these breeds even if most of these are now plain companion dogs that have never even seen a sheep. But for the most part, these are large, powerful dogs. Some of the listed Working dog breeds are:Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Black Russian Terrier, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher, German Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Standard Schnauzer, Tibetan Mastiff. It was created in 1983. They are the original hunting dogs, many pre-dating the gun-assisting hunters in their sporting group. It now serves only as a loving, albeit somewhat deskbound companion. That's part of the fun. This is the catchall group for breeds that did not seem to fit in elsewhere, from the cuddly Bichon Frise, a little too big to be considered a toy, to the striking Dalmatian and the stunning but difficult Chow Chow. Scent hounds such as bloodhounds, beagles and foxhounds have historically aided hunters by following the scent trails left by their quarry. Motivated by rising inner-city crime rates and by the rather twisted notion that owning a powerful dog somehow enhances one's social standing, all too many people have invested a lot of money in acquiring one of these dogs, but sometimes nothing can convince some of these dogs that not all strangers, especially children, pose a threat. Golden Retrievers are among the most popular breeds in America. The poodle is by far the most popular of the non-sporting breeds. Images of dogs closely resembling these breeds are depicted on the walls of the tombs of the Egyptian pharaohs. Go-getting is the word most often us ed to describe terriers.

THE ANATOMY OF A CANINEPendant Ears. Scent. Even the size of a canid's ears plays a part in temperature control. In addition, when dogs of similar stature meet up, one often bumps the other with the rear of its torso to get a feel for its potential rival's body mass. Teeth. The wire-haired coat of the dachshund features a higher quantity and density of the harsh primary hairs in a dog's coat. A lot of information can be garnered from a quick sniff. Rose Ears. Button Ears. Pricked Ears. Consider its body parts too Consider the most noticeable dog feature first- the hair.

WHY THE HELP?If your dog doesn't make progress at all, this must be because of this fact. You would have a well trained obedient dog that obeys you. Well, here's a gift for you:You can now learn it in a snap. You can leave him alone for hours in your home, even if he uses the bathroom.

dog training & obedience secrets



Famous Pets - Family - Pets


Over the years, pets have become famous for all different reasons. We know famous pets from television, movies, politics and even from their famous owners. Depending on your age you may remember everyone's favorite German Shepherd, Rin Tin Tin. The original Rin Tin Tin was a puppy found by an American soldier in France during World War I. The dog became famous for being in movies. In the 1950's a television show based on this dog became popular.

Another famous pet from the 1950's was the much loved Lassie. Lassie was on television from 1954 to 1973. The female Lassie was actually played by various male collies, all related to the original dog, Pal. Lassie first came to life as a main character in a short story written in the Saturday Evening Post in 1938. That lead to the book "Lassie, Come Home" and the movie of the same name.

There were famous horses on television too. You probably all remember Mr. Ed, the talking horse. Of course only Mr. Ed's owner Wilbur ever heard him talking. Mr. Ed was played by a Palomino horse. Trainers got Mr. Ed to move his lips like he was talking by giving him peanut butter. The comedy was on television from 1961 to 1965. The famous cowboy Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger performed together for over 25 years. Another popular television show from the 1950's was The Lone Ranger. He was a Texas marshall fighting crime in the old West. He had a big white horse called Silver.

Some more recent famous pets from television and movies include, White Fang, about a wolf-dog's journey through the Yukon territory during the Klondike Gold Rush, and who could forget Hooch from Turner and Hooch? Turner, played by Tom Hanks was a neat freak that got stuck with a murder victim's dog. Hooch was played by a Dogue de Bordeaux, which is a type of mastiff. Of course Hooch was a big slobbery mess. In the movie, Hooch gives up his life to save Turner.

From more recent television, we became familiar with Eddie, the Jack Russell terrier from Frazier, and from the 1980's, Zeus and Apollo, the Doberman Pinschers from Magnum P.I. Some of my favorite pets from television are cartoons. Think of Dino the Dinosaur from the Flintstones. Dino barked like a dog, ran around like a dog, licking faces and catching sticks. In fact Dino was not a dog, he was a snorkasaurus. Let's not forget about Astro, the Jetsons dog. Young Elroy finds the stray dog and takes him home. Of course Elroy is not allowed to keep the dog until Astro saves the family from a burglar. Dino and Astro were important family members to the Flintstones and Jetsons, just like our dogs are important family members to us.

In thinking of famous pets, let's not forget the pets of the political world. Winston Churchill had an orange cat named Jock. The Carters had a Siamese cat and the Clinton family had a black and white cat named Socks. Franklin Roosevelt had a Scottish terrier, as did George H. W. Bush and Laura. John Quincy Adams kept an alligator in a White House bathroom. It was a gift from the Marquis de Lafayette. Calvin Coolidge had raccoons running around the White House. Who knew it was so crazy at the President's house? These are just a few famous pets. What famous pets do you know?

Article Source: /?expert=Joseph_M_Sabol



Pet Beds to Pamper - Family - Pets


Pets are part of the family for many of us; in fact, many people would bemoan the fact that their spouse seems to think more of their pet than they do of them. They may get the best food, best outfits, best toys - so of course it makes sense they would get the best pet beds too. No self-respecting pet would want to sleep with their master or mistress once they have some of the amazing pet beds that are available today, and if your pet happens to be a big dog like a St. Bernard or a German Shepherd, both you and your bed will probably be very glad about that!You can reclaim your human bed when you have the good sense to pick out one of the great beds that you can pick up pretty easily these days. But when choosing a bed for your pet, it's important that style doesn't triumph over practicality. Tiny, cutesy beds are...well...cute! But if you don't have a tiny toy sized dog, they are useless. Medium and large dogs needs pet beds which are more substantial and offer more suppo rt, if they are to give your dog a good night's sleep and last any time at all. Before buying pet beds, check out all your options. With a quality brand like Mammoth, you have more options than you might think. You can find donut shaped beds, flat beds and even ones shaped like couches, so no matter how your pet likes to sleep, they can be catered for in pet beds. That also means your couches and armchairs should be freed up for humans!One really important issue to take care of when buying a bed for your pet is hygiene. Dirt and fleas are just part and parcel of being a dog, but you don't have to have these nasties hanging around your house. You need a pet bed that is easy to wash, preferably with removable, washable covers. Of course, most of us have to live to a budget, so price is an important factor in choosing a bed. But some of the best pet beds like Mammoth come at a reasonable cost. When you consider how durable and long lasting they are, too - these pet beds can be quite an investment.Buying a less expensive pet bed doesn't have to mean that you compromise on style, either. Several pet beds like Mammoth come in a huge variety of styles, fabrics and colors so they can fit into any room in your house and not look out of place. You can even have them personalized with your pet's name, to make him or her feel really special and show the world how much you care about your pet.



Trent Consultants Dog Care News Cloned dogs sniff out contraband in South Korea - Society


By Lynne Peeples From /blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=cloned-dogs-sniff-out-contraband-in-2009-07-20Six cloned Labrador retrievers are now using their olfactory prowess to help officials find drugs and explosives at airports and harbors across South Korea. The dogs-which all share the name "Toppy," a combination of "tomorrow" and "puppy"-became the world's first working cloned sniffer dogs when they reported for duty last Thursday, according to BBC News.Thanks to a highly successful drug-detecting donor dog from Canada and 16 months of training, the new class of recruits, customs officials hope, will increase performance and decrease costs. "They have a superior nature. They are active and excel in accepting the training," Kim Nak-seung, a trainer at the Customs Service-affiliated dog training center told MSNBC in April. Fewer than 10 percent of naturally born dogs are typically qualified to become professional sniffers, based on a behavior test and rigorous physical t raining. All seven dogs in the cloned litter passed the test, and only one puppy didn't complete the training-due to an injury.Scientists from Seoul National University helped clone the Toppys, as well as the world's first cloned canine in 2005, an Afghan Hound named Snuppy. (That institution was also home to the work of Woo Suk Hwang, who fabricated spectacular results on human embryonic stem cells; Snuppy turned out to be a genuine success.)But dog duplication extends beyond South Korea. Last month marked the arrival of five cloned German Shepherd puppies from a 9/11 hero named Trakr. "His many remarkable capabilities were proven beyond all doubt on our nation's darkest hour-and we view the work of cloning him as a great honor," Lou Hawthorne, CEO of BioArts International, told The New York Daily News. Trakr helped locate the last human survivor at Ground Zero, according to BioArts, which held a contest to pick a clone-worthy dog last year and subsequently did the cloning. "If the clone has Trakr's abilities, then of course we'll put him into service as a detection dog," James Symington, the deceased Trakr's former master, told the Daily News after learning that part of his dog would "live on."Animal rights groups, including the Humane Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), caution against the cloning of companion animals. They note potential physiological problems that can result from cloning, as well as the pet overpopulation problem. But what if the genetic duplicates are working to keep people safe? Would they still be opposed?"We are against the cloning process regardless of the use," responds Kathleen Conlee, director of program management for animal research issues at the Humane Society. "No cloned dog or cat has lived long enough to know all the long-term ramifications."Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our pro fessional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at Email us



Women's Basketball Championship Provides Insight on How to Win in Life - Sports - Basketball


I am a happy fan. My favorite team, the Phoenix Mercury, recently won the Women's National Basketball Association title. As I watched the games, I was mostly caught up in the excitement of cheering for the home team. But the following day, I thought about how these gifted athletes provided a lesson in winning on and off the court.

Each Mercury player is extremely talented. But any sports fan knows that individual talent is not what wins team championships. You must be able to work together as a highly tuned unit. I watched in awe as the Mercury ran, passed and took shots with the elegance of a tightly choreographed Broadway production.

That is not to say that everything is pretty. These gals were knocked on the butts, took elbows to the face, only to charge forward and muscle their way to the hoop to make shots, grab rebounds, or block shots by their worthy opponents, the Indiana Fever.

I don't know all the injuries that took place, but I know for sure that Penny Taylor was playing with a broken finger and had a tooth knocked loose in an earlier game. Cappie Poindexter was whacked in the eye and had to leave the game because she couldn't see. Fortunately, Cappie had no severe optical damage and she returned with a vengeance, knocking in important buckets at crucial times, in spite of a swollen black eye. Diana Taurasi always plays like it's the last minute of her life. I don't know what injuries she sustained, but the way she attacks the game, I'm sure returns home with more than her fair share of cuts and bruises.

As I was taking a walk the day after the championship, I thought about how the game mirrored life. These gals were knocked down, beaten up, and yet they kept on driving forward. They didn't let losses, pain, the possibility of significant injury or any other factor deter them from their goal. When I saw Cappie Poindexter return to the court, I actually winced. I thought about her eye and all those flying elbows. I was really concerned about her welfare. And then, as if she could read my thoughts, she answered by swishing a basket with nothing but net.

The point is, we all face hardships. And we all will be knocked on our butts from time to time. We can boldly move ahead, tip toe with caution, or cower in a corner. The choice is ours. But winners, whether on or off the court, are not timid about living.

To bring this back to a personal level, as I was thinking about the game, and what I was going to write about it, I passed a neighbor and her dog. We exchanged "Good mornings" without breaking stride. I passed the woman on her left (the dog was on her right), then her German Shepherd turned around and bit me on my thigh.

This was quite a shock to me as I did not step to pet the dog, I was in a good, not fearful mood, and I didn't do anything to provoke an attack. I informed the woman her dog had just bitten me. I quickly learned the dog was up to date on her shots, had never bitten anyone before. Lucky me. If I were going to be the first for something I would prefer something less painful.

Anyway, the owner, a nurse, told me how to care for the wound and I left. I suppose I should have collected her name and phone number, but I was more concerned about taking care of the business at hand. Fortunately, everything is fine. It was more of a bruise than a puncture, my tetanus shot is up to date, and I'm going to be fine.

But the next day I didn't want to go for a walk.

Then I thought about the Phoenix Mercury. What if Penny Taylor, who knocked in 14 points in the final game, decided to sit the game out and nurse her wounds? What would have happened if Cappie Poindexter decided to go shopping to find a pair of sunglasses to hide her shiner instead of courageously racking up 24 points? Who could have predicted the outcome if Diana Taurasi said, "enough is enough" and headed for the hot tub instead of driving to the basket?

And I'd be neglect in my duties if I didn't mention the outstanding contributions of the entire roster of DeWanna Bonner, Temeka Johnson, Nicole Ohlde, Brooke Smith, Tangela Smith, Le'Coe Willingham and Ketia Swanier.

It is easy to be optimistic when everything is going great. The true strength of one's character is how one reacts to adversity. One of my favorite lines from the movie, "A League of Their Own" when baseball star, Dottie Hinson, wants to quit the team.

Jimmy Dugan: Shit, Dottie, if you want to go back to Oregon and make a hundred babies, great, I'm in no position to tell anyone how to live. But sneaking out like this, quitting, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. Baseball is what gets inside you. It's what lights you up, you can't deny that. Dottie Hinson: It just got too hard.Jimmy Dugan: It's supposed to be hard! If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.

We all may wish for an easy life, but if we think back to the things that we are the most proud of, it is not the easy wins, it's the times where we struggled and won that bring us the most satisfaction.

In my book, Erase Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within, I interviewed men and women who overcame adversity and chose a more optimistic life. They could have given up, but they didn't. So unless I want to be a hypocrite, I need to practice what I preach, or write about. I'm going to end this story now and go look for my shoes. It's time to take a walk.



The Cat Who Came to Dinner - Other


Until this three-month odyssey, I wasn't much of a cat fan. It's not that I disliked them. I just hadn't been around cats much at all. They seemed too independent and not inclined toward unconditional love. My husband and I were newlyweds, and we had just moved into our first home, a dark-brown contemporary cedar with lots of grass and trees, when our neighbor's cat, Pixie (or perhaps it was Dixie,) charmed her way into our lives-and our hearts.

I have a perfectly good explanation about the confusion with the cat's name. Our next-door neighbors, Greg and Linda, had two cats-Pixie and Dixie. The cats were somehow related (sister and brother? two sisters?) and had very similar markings, mostly creamy-white fur with patches of gold and orange here and there. I couldn't tell them apart. And I really didn't need to, even when one of them began hanging out on the wooden deck that ran across the back of our house. A cat's a cat. At first, I'd step out of the sliding glass doors to join the cat, petting him (or her) and talking the way anyone talks to an animal when they're becoming acquainted. But it didn't end there.

After about two weeks of this interaction, I began leaving the sliding door cracked to see what kitty would do, and of course, just like your typical cat, she (or he) felt entitled and strolled right on in, carefully checking out the surroundings, rubbing cheeks on the furniture and sniffing wherever appropriate. A few days of brief indoor visits led to entire evenings when Dixie (or Pixie) would join us on the living room sofa for television and popcorn. She (or he) thrived on affection and would sit for hours in my lap while I stroked that velvety fur. I was completely aware that my previous perceptions about cats were changing right before my eyes.

Because it was rude to have an extended-stay guest without providing meals, I bought cat food and treats, setting a spread every evening with a bowl of fresh, cool water. Our neighbors (you remember them-it's their cat) didn't seem to mind that one of their own had found new accommodations. They had just had a baby, so I imagine they were somewhat glad one of their cats was taking a sabbatical.

About six weeks into this mutual arrangement, Pixie (or Dixie) felt comfortable enough to start sleeping in bed with us. It was actually very sweet. As a newlywed, I felt like we were well on our way to building a cozy home. Unfortunately for the cat, neither Jim (my husband) nor I was used to sleeping with a cat. One night, Jim swept his leg in a wide swath across the sheets, and Dixie (or Pixie) went flying into the wall.

Whump! Meowwwrrrrrrrrr!

You'd think that would have cured the cat of sharing our bed, but the treacherous sleeping arrangement continued until one thing changed everything.

We got a dog. A puppy, in fact, and a big puppy it was. A German Shepherd. In our defense, we had decided to get a German Shepherd while we were engaged. We agreed, as soon as we got a house, we'd find a puppy. Although Jim had had a cat as a child, he preferred dogs, too. We brought little Zak home on a Saturday morning.

Dixie (or Pixie) took one look at this puppy (only eight weeks old and already bigger than the cat,) and she (or he) took off like an F-16. After that, we'd see her watching us from the other side of the fence, staring at me as if to say, "Idiot. We had such a good thing going, and you blew it."

I guess I was hoping that Pixie (or Dixie) and our little Zak (who eventually became 110-pound Zak) would become friends. The cat knew better, though it was lovely while it lasted. The best part? I learned something about cats-and life. You never know what's going to touch your heart until you let it in.



Monday 27 February 2012

DOG OBEDIENCE - Family - Pets


DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINING+++++++++++++++++++++++++

MAKE THE PUPS KNOW WHO'S IN CHARGE---------------------------------------

They are man's best friend, as they saycute and cuddly, intelligent and witty, lean and furry.

HUNTING THE RIGHT HOUND---------------------------------------

The poodle is by far the most popular of the non-sporting breeds. Today the slow, prodding bloodhound is usually used by law enforcement to track renegades or missing persons. This is the list of dog Herding Breeds according to The American Kennel Club:Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Beauceron, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Border Collie, Bouvier des Flandres Briard, Canaan Dog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Collie, German Shepherd Dog, Old, English Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Puli, Shetland Sheepdog, Swedish Vallhund. Unfortunately, the sheer popularity of some of the sporting breeds, most notably cocker spaniels but also Labrador and golden retrievers, has led to a rise in health and behavioural problems. The national symbol of England, known for its strength and determination, it has been out of work since bull-baiting went out of fashion in the late 19th century. Two purebred dogs are sometimes de liberately crossed in hopes of creating a new breed such as the cockapoo, which is one part cocker spaniel, one part poodle. Go-getting is the word most often used to describe terriers. Unfortunately, these incidents tarnish the reputations of what can be friendly, stable, even calm pets. Children and dogs make potentially blissful partners, but choosing a dog that actually likes to play with children is your best bet in orchestrating a match made in heaven. They are the original hunting dogs, many pre-dating the gun-assisting hunters in their sporting group. Mixed breeds, random breeds, mongrels, mutts or curs - call them what you will, they make up the majority of the worldwide dog population. The millions of mixed-breed dogs around the world are a testament to that. The dachshund, a hound in origin, might seem to be out of place in this group, as its background as a digger accustomed to chasing foxes and badgers underground would more logically make it a terrier. If it we ren't for the fact that most terriers, such as the Cairn and the Norfolk, are fairly small, their tenacious nature and boundless energy would make them hard to control. Some sporting dog breeds you might consider in buying include the American Cocker Spaniel, American Water Spaniel, Brittany, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Pointer, Spinone Italiano, Sussex Spaniel, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

THE ANATOMY OF A CANINE---------------------------------------

Even the size of a canid's ears plays a part in temperature control. If fingerprints are essential to us, human beings, paws have the same essentiality to our pets. As omnivores, canids need a variety of specialized teeth to eat the different types of foods in their varied diets. Don't limit yourself in only considering its breed. But variations in certain sub-species of the wolf are thought to be responsible for the wide variety of coat patterns and colours found in domestic dogs today. But among domestic dogs, selective breeding has produced a number of different ear types, each with its own names, courtesy of dog breeders, fanciers and kennel clubs. The ears of wild canids, like wolves and foxes, come in only one shape:natural. Among the most common varieties are the erect or pricked ears sported by many of the more wolf-like breeds, such as German shepherd and basenjis, and by semi-domestic canids, such as dingoes and New Guinea singing dogs. The wire-haired coat of th e dachshund features a higher quantity and density of the harsh primary hairs in a dog's coat. To cool down, they begin to pant with open mouths to breathe in more oxygen and help speed up the evaporation and cooling process.

WHY THE HELP?---------------------------------------

In minutes, you can convert your worst enemy into a best friend again. Now, if you have your carefully selected dog already, one question lies before you:How does this dog follow my commands? What if he or she doesn't follow what I say You're probably training your dog improperly, and you don't know it. Why waste hundreds of dollars for the old-fashioned dog training techniques when you can have the luxury of saving all your resources and getting more effective results? Why wait? Buy this now. You also don't need to have a past knowledge of dog training.

===========================================================DOG TRAINING & OBEDIENCE SECRETS



My Dog Watches Television - Family - Pets


Can your dog see images on the television screen? Yes. Without any doubt in my mind, your dog can see and correctly interpret the images on television. Study after study and people I respect and admire disagree with this opinion.

Bruce Fogle, author of the "Dog's Mind," explains in great detail the anatomy of the dog's eye. It is this anatomy which proves a dog can see no more than the pixels on the TV and these pixels do not form pictures as they do for humans.

Years ago a German Shepherd mix we had rescued began to bound out of bed and seemed to Saturday morning with a mood that made everyone around him to enjoy the morning. As humans, it took us a little while to figure out why Saturdays were so important. We had our theories. Maybe it's because that was one day when the family was usually home most of the day; school and work behind us. He would join the boys in front of the television and it seemed he might like the noise of cartoons. I would hear him from the other room making verbal noises that varied from whining to growling to outright barking. Thinking the "boys" were playing, I would go about my morning work.One Saturday completely changed the way I would view dogs and made me want to learn more about them.

We lived in Arizona at the time and one Saturday, I decided to take a break from my chores with the boys. I was surprised when one of them switched channels from cartoons to a show where two local newscasters featured dogs and cats who needed to be adopted. I was curious, but even more so when my sons joined me on the couch leaving Gunner sitting in front of the TV

His ears stood straight up as the music and introduction for the show began and he started prancing around the room, high-stepping as if he was in a marching band. I had never witnessed this behavior though for my boys it appeared to be old hat.Gunner settled for the commercial break and then followed a half hour of some of the most entertaining television I have ever seen. Gunner verbally gave his opinion on every animal paraded through the show, though the cats merely received a grudging growl.

The dogs were a different matter and I watched in awe as Gunner put his nose on the TV dog and sometimes it merited a paw. Whenever here was a German Shepherd, however, he became highly agitated, barking loudly. I still don't know if he liked what he saw or was trying to pick a fight. Now this, again, was before I really started studying dogs as more than mere pets.

Recently my mother shared the story with me about a Beagle named Molly. My mom was at the neighbor's house watching "Pride and Prejudice"; the dog appeared to be sleeping when a pup appeared in the show. At this point the Beagle came to abrupt attention and ran to the television and put her front paws on her new doggie friend.It's important to point out that these were not dogs (or cats) that were barking or making noise of any kind and there certainly was no animal odors being emitted from the TV. Clearly the only sense these dogs had to use was their sight.

I have six German Shepherds; Mouse got her name from her high pitched bark and some of the mannerisms she had when she was still marked as a pup for sale in my kennel. There were homes for eight puppies before Mouse's litter was born but her mother, Austin, produced 15 puppies. Mouse was the runt. Mouse's grandfather was a pure black long-coated Schutzhund-lined German Shepherd from Germany. She was the only one born in her litter with long hair though she actually turned into a mid-coat. When she was three months old and still at the kennel, my husband, who helped clean the kennel on his days off fell in love with her and brought her in to join our pack.

Mouse loves "Funniest Home Videos," from start to finish. She watches everything except the commercials where she loses interest. Cats, rabbits, kangaroos and other animals interest her immensely as do little children. However, only the dogs really get her going. She will put her nose over some of them as if trying to prove her alpha role. On others she appears to be trying to sniff them out. She will growl talk to the dogs.

Keep in mind, there is no barking coming from the TV; there is merely the human commentator telling jokes throughout the show. Sometimes, when a dog runs across the screen, Mouse will run with it and look in back of the television and then out the door as if she is trying to figure out where it went. And just like with Gunner, only the German Shepherds get a boisterous welcome. We plan to get this on camcorder for Youtube in the very near future.

Maybe dogs' eyes don't look like ours but here is a thought, though not scientific; maybe their eyes are different from ours and don't have to share the same qualities in order to see the TV screen.



Obedience unlimited dog training - Other


Reliable, brawny and harnessing first-rate stamina, they make great companions for adults and children alike. Some of the listed Working dog breeds are:Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Black Russian Terrier, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher, German Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Standard Schnauzer, Tibetan Mastiff. Many sporting dogs are still used as hunting companions today, although their gentle natures and high level of trainability have also earned them the reputation of being among the best family dogs. Be especially careful in finding a reputable breeder of these dogs. They are familiar faces from numerous media spots, including the movie Air Bud and the TV Show Full House. Their individual skills, original purposes and temperaments are almo st as varied as their origins. Too large to go to ground, the popular Airedale terrier puts its strength and stubborn streak to use as a surprisingly ferocious watchdog. This is the catchall group for breeds that did not seem to fit in elsewhere, from the cuddly Bichon Frise, a little too big to be considered a toy, to the striking Dalmatian and the stunning but difficult Chow Chow. Herding dogs actively round up cattle and sheep with frantic running, eye contact and aggressive barking unlike the livestock guardians that simply stand as a guard. Sometimes produced randomly, but most often planned by breeders, crossbreeds result from the mating or crossing of two dogs with a different but identifiable lineage. The crossing of bulldogs and terriers for the express purpose of creating fighting dogs has produced several dog breeds that can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Like anything else in this world, dogs come in various sizes, colours, paws, tails, fur, teeth and others. I n more modern times, the poodle's intelligence and trainability saw it employed in show business, commonly in circuses. Consequently, these owners should also give them "work" that rewards their instincts. Some of the oldest breeds of domestic dogs are the speedy sight hounds.

THE ANATOMY OF A CANINE

Consider its body parts too Consider the most noticeable dog feature first- the hair. Called thermoregulation, this ability allows canids to thrive in all types of climates, from the subarctic to the Sahara. In some breeds, such as Shelties, the button ear is not always natural and must be trained from puppyhood for the proper tipped look. But an absence of sweat glands on the canid's skin forces it to rely on other means. If fingerprints are essential to us, human beings, paws have the same essentiality to our pets. You probably would like to know why these canine chums want to stick out their tongue always. Wolves have remarkably thick, two-layered coats to protect them from extreme weather. Paws. Coat. Button ears can been seen in Shetland Sheepdogs and many terriers.

WHY THE HELP?

This program works with any dog breed. You also don't need to have a past knowledge of dog training. You can finally show off your dog to your friends and family without being embarrassed. Now, if you have your carefully selected dog already, one question lies before you:How does this dog follow my commands? What if he or she doesn't follow what I say You're probably training your dog improperly, and you don't know it.

Cut your dog training in half. Learn how to stop your dog's bad behavior!



I want my dog to be obedient - Other


Scent hounds such as bloodhounds, beagles and foxhounds have historically aided hunters by following the scent trails left by their quarry. A diverse group skilled in a number of disciplines, most working breeds are robust, intelligent and headstrong, often unsuitable for apprentice owners. The crossing of bulldogs and terriers for the express purpose of creating fighting dogs has produced several dog breeds that can be dangerous in the wrong hands. The poodle is by far the most popular of the non-sporting breeds. To know more about these canine kinds, here are some areas to consider in selecting what mutt to adopt:

Herding dog breeds. Without the right training, some working dogs can be difficult to handle, even dangerous. Hound dog breeds. This group houses the sheepdogs and cattle dogs, including the amiable collie breeds and those regal kinds, the corgis. Some of the listed Working dog breeds are:Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Black Russian Terrier, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher, German Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Standard Schnauzer, Tibetan Mastiff. Consequently, these owners should also give them "work" that rewards their instincts. Very bright and rather determined breeds such as Rottweilers, Dobermans and Akitas have become extremely popular, even trendy. Unlike mixes, crossbreeds have clear roots - often evident by looking back just one genera tion. Their individual skills, original purposes and temperaments are almost as varied as their origins. Non-sporting dog breeds. It now serves only as a loving, albeit somewhat deskbound companion.

THE ANATOMY OF A CANINEMost dogs are able to detect scents and tastes that are beyond human perception, but some breeds have especially acute sensory skills. Species such as wolves that inhabit cold climates sport double coats, with a thick, insulating underlayer to retain heat and keep the cold at bay. The bloodhound can follow a four-day-old track using its highly developed sense of smell. Wire-Haired. As omnivores, canids need a variety of specialized teeth to eat the different types of foods in their varied diets. Called thermoregulation, this ability allows canids to thrive in all types of climates, from the subarctic to the Sahara. Pricked Ears. Ears are third-quarters tipped over facing forward. But among domestic dogs, selective breeding has produced a number of different ear types, each with its own names, courtesy of dog breeders, fanciers and kennel clubs. The arctic fox, on the other hand, has minuscule ears to minimize the effects of the frigid weather in its northern homeland. Scent.

WHY THE HELP?If your dog doesn't make progress at all, this must be because of this fact. You will terminate your dog's disobedience immediately. You also don't need to have a past knowledge of dog training. In minutes, you can convert your worst enemy into a best friend again.

Cut your dog training in half. Learn how to stop your dog's bad behavior!



Dog Obedience Training - Home


MAKE THE PUPS KNOW WHO'S IN CHARGEThey are man's best friend, as they saycute and cuddly, intelligent and witty, lean and furry.

HUNTING THE RIGHT HOUNDThat's part of the fun. The crossing of bulldogs and terriers for the express purpose of creating fighting dogs has produced several dog breeds that can be dangerous in the wrong hands. These fiery little dynamos would dig up underground dens and burrows while barking furiously, forcing the inhabitants out where hunters awaited. But without the right training and socialization, and in irresponsible hands, these can be dangerous dogs. These canine workers can round up both children and adults alike into corners or even tight circles. Because they're all related, all of the 400 or so breeds are capable of interbreeding. In true mixed breeds, the dog's ancestry is next to impossible to predict, although many people can't help but try to guess. Unlike mixes, crossbreeds have clear roots - often evident by looking back just one generation. Unfortunately, the sheer popularity of some of the sporting breeds, most notably cocker spaniels but also Labrador an d golden retrievers, has led to a rise in health and behavioural problems. A diverse group skilled in a number of disciplines, most working breeds are robust, intelligent and headstrong, often unsuitable for apprentice owners. Terrier dog breeds. Some of the listed Working dog breeds are:Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Black Russian Terrier, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher, German Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Standard Schnauzer, Tibetan Mastiff. Those seeking one out, however, are cautioned when choosing a dog bred for the racetrack. This group has a variety of both behavioural and physical-a history of hunting assistance often being the only regular bond among some of the hound breeds. Its name origins from the Latin terra, meaning "for earth", most terriers were originally bred to "go to ground" after burrowing vermin, larger rodents and even foxes.

THE ANATOMY OF A CANINERose Ears. Sixteen sharp premolars, including the carnassials, allow the dog to cut and slice flesh, while ten powerful, grinding molars mean the dog can chew the non-flesh parts of its diet-typically vegetables, other vegetation and grains. But variations in certain sub-species of the wolf are thought to be responsible for the wide variety of coat patterns and colours found in domestic dogs today. Four toe pads and claws are located below the toes on the underside of a dog's paw. Wolves have remarkably thick, two-layered coats to protect them from extreme weather. Even the size of a canid's ears plays a part in temperature control. Most hound dogs feature hanging or pendant ears, while many terriers have semi-erect button ears in which the tips fold over and hang in a V-shape, partially covering the opening. Such hot-weather species as the fennec fox, a tiny African desert dweller, sports oversized ears to maximize heat loss. The lolling tongue incr eases the surface area where evaporation can take place. How would our dog eat? Take their mechanical grinding machine into your consideration too- their teeth. Long Hair.

WHY THE HELP?Well, here's a gift for you:You can now learn it in a snap. This is designed for beginners, so all you have to do is follow the simple instructions given in your manual, You won't have to worry about your dog. You will terminate your dog's disobedience immediately. Over 10 Fun Tricks for Your Dog - Learn over 10 tricks both you and your dog will love.



Advent - Optical Multiplexer Manufacturer - PDH Multiplexer - News - Business News


TraditionsAcolyte lighting Advent candlesThe theme of readings and teachings during Advent is often to prepare for the Second Coming while commemorating the First Coming of Christ at Christmas. With the view of directing the thoughts of Christians to the first coming of Jesus Christ as savior and to his second coming as judge, special readings are prescribed for each of the four Sundays in Advent.The usual liturgical colour in Western Christianity for Advent is purple or blue. The purple colour is often used for hangings around the church, on the vestments of the clergy, and often also the tabernacle. On the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, rose may be used instead, referencing the rose used on Laetare Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Lent. In some Christian denominations, blue, a colour representing hopefulness, is an alternative liturgical colour for Advent, a custom traced to the usage of the Church of Sweden (Lutheran) and the medieval Sarum Rite in England. In addition, the colour blue is also used in the Mozarabic Rite (Catholic & Anglican), which dates to the eighth century. This color is often referred to as "Sarum blue". The Lutheran Book of Worship lists blue as the preferred colour for Advent while the Methodist Book of Worship identifies purple or blue as being appropriate for Advent. There has been an increasing trend to supplant purple with blue during Advent as it is an hopeful season of preparation that anticipates both Bethlehem and the consummation of history in the second coming of Jesus Christ. Proponents of this new liturgical trend argue that purple is traditionally associated with solemnity and somberness, which is fitting to the repentant character of Lent. During the Nativity Fast, red is used among the denominations of Eastern Christianity, although gold is an alternative colour.Many churches make use of Advent wreaths during this season, with one candle representing each of the four Sundays of Advent. The rose candle is lit on the 3rd Sunday of Advent. During Christmas Day, four white candles are used.In Advent, the Advent Prose, an antiphonal plainsong, may be sung. The "Late Advent Weekdays", December 17-24, mark the singing of the Great Advent 'O antiphons'. These are the antiphons for the Magnificat at Vespers, or Evening Prayer (in the Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches) and Evensong in Anglican churches each day and mark the forthcoming birth of the Messiah. They form the basis for each verse of the popular Advent hymn, "O come, O come, Emmanuel".From the 4th century the season was kept as a period of fasting as strict as that of Lent (commencing in some localities on 11 November; this being the feast day of St. Martin of Tours, the fast became known as "St. Martin's Lent", "St. Martin's Fast" or the "forty days of St. Martin"). The feast day was in many countries a time of frolic and heavy eating, since the 40-day fast began the next day. In the Anglican and Lutheran churches th is fasting rule was later relaxed, with the Roman Catholic Church doing likewise later, but still keeping Advent as a season of penitence. In addition to fasting, dancing and similar festivities were forbidden in these traditions. The third Sunday in Lent was a Rose Sunday, when the color of the vestments was changed and a relaxation of the fast was permitted. The Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches still hold the tradition of fasting for 40 days before the Nativity Feast.Censing During Solemn Advent Vespers (St. Mary's Catholic Church, Greenville, South Carolina).In many countries Advent was long marked by diverse popular observances, some of which still survive. In England, especially in the northern counties, there was a custom (now extinct) for poor women to carry around the "Advent images", two dolls dressed to represent Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. A halfpenny coin was expected from every one to whom these were exhibited and bad luck was thought to me nace the household not visited by the doll-bearers before Christmas Eve at the latest.In Normandy, farmers employed children under twelve to run through the fields and orchards armed with torches, setting fire to bundles of straw, and thus it is believed driving out such vermin as are likely to damage the crops. In Italy, among other Advent celebrations, is the entry into Rome in the last days of Advent of the Calabrian pifferari, or bagpipe players, who play before the shrines of Mary, the mother of Jesus, the Italian tradition being that the shepherds played these pipes when they came to the manger at Bethlehem to pay homage to the infant Jesus.In recent times the commonest observance of Advent outside church circles has been the keeping of an advent calendar or advent candle, with one door being opened in the calendar, or one section of the candle being burned, on each day in December leading up to Christmas Eve. End of the liturgical yearIn Anglican churches the Sunday b efore Advent is sometimes nicknamed Stir-up Sunday after the opening lines of the Book of Common Prayer collect for that day. In the Roman Catholic Church since 1969, and in most Anglican churches since at least 2000, the final Sunday of the liturgical year before Advent has been celebrated as the Feast of Christ the King. This feast is now also widely observed in many Protestant churches, sometimes as the Reign of Christ. In consequence, the collect for the first Sunday of Advent in the Episcopal Church USA is no longer "stir up". Since the 1979 revision of the Book of Common Prayer that collect is read on the third Sunday of the season. See alsoAdvent calendarAdvent candleAdvent wreathApostles' FastDormition FastFasting and abstinence in the Roman Catholic ChurchGreat LentLentMortification of the flesh in ChristianityRogation Days References^ Kallistos (Ware), Bishop (1969), "The Five Cycles", The Festal Menaion, London: Faber and Faber, p.40^ a b c d e "The Color Blue in Advent". The United Methodist Church GBOD. /worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=1828&loc_id=9,32,44. Retrieved 2009-12-14.^ "The Season of Advent - Anticipation and Hope". CRI/Voice, Institute. /cyadvent.html. Retrieved 2009-12-14.^ "Liturgical Vestment Colors of the Orthodox Church". . /vestment/liturgical_colors.html. Retrieved 2009-12-14.^ The book of days: a miscellany of popular antiquities in connection with the calender, Philadelphia 1864, editor Robert Chambers. Volume 2, p. 724-5. Available digitalized at Google books:^ William Hone, The Year Book of Daily Recreation and Information. London: Thomas Tegg, 1832. As quoted on /Text/Hone/december_5_advent_in_normandy.htm. Accessed 16:16 GMT 05/02/2010^ Christmas customs and traditions, their history and significance, Clement A. Miles, p. 112. IBSN 978-0486233543Book of Common Prayer, 1979 according to the usage of The Episcopal Church External linksWikimedia Commons has media related to: AdventChristian Season of Adv ent at the Christian Resource InstituteCatholic Encyclopedia: AdventAdvent history, hymns, virtual wreath at i.UCC online communityAmerican Catholic: Advent to Epiphany Prayers, calendar and activitiesLiturgical Resources for AdventAdvent FAQ at the Missouri Synod Lutheran web siteAdvent wreath FAQ at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America web siteAdvent Resources at The Bible Resource Center, an online ministry of the American Bible SocietyHistory of AdventAdvent Online Devotional sitevdeChristmasMainChristmas Eve Christmas Day History Bringers of gifts Decorations EconomicsChristianityNativity of Jesus Nativity of Jesus in art Nativity scene Nativity of Jesus in later culture Jesus Christ Mary Joseph Angel Gabriel Adoration of the Shepherds Three Magi Star of Bethlehem King Herod Massacre of the Innocents Saint Nicholas Bethlehem Twelfth Night Epiphany Advent ChristmastideFolkloreFather Christmas Santa Claus Mrs. Claus Santa Claus' elves Santa Claus's reindeer Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Sinterklaas Pre Nol Joulupukki Ded Moroz La Befana Christkind Black Peter Krampus Belsnickel Le Pre Fouettard North Pole Santa's workshop Korvatunturi Knecht RuprechtTraditionsTwelve Days of Christmas Christmas trees Wassailing Yule log Stockings Ornaments Lights Crackers Nutcrackers Cookies Christmas cards Christmas music Christmas films Christmas stamps NORAD Tracks Santa Secret Santa Advent calendars Yule Goats Santa Claus parades Flying Santa Christmas markets Plants Food Feasts Events Parades Worldwide: German Irish Philippine Polish Serbian UkrainianMediaFiction Films PlaysTV: Episodes SpecialsMusic: Albums Carols Hit singles and tracks Other Christmas music and songsSocietyChristmas club Christmas controversy Christmas creep Christmas Island Christmas Mountains Christmas truce Christmas in various languages Black Friday Cyber Monday Boxing Day Super Saturday White Christmas Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 Christmas and holiday season Related h olidays List of winter festivals SantaCon Running of the Santas Christmas in July Christmas in August Christmas in the American Civil War Christmas in Puritan New England Christmas in the post-War United States Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus Hollywood Christmas Parade Categories: Christian festivals and holy days | Christmas-linked holidays | Liturgical calendar | AdventHidden categories: Articles containing Latin language text



DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINING - Family - Pets


MAKE THE PUPS KNOW WHO'S IN CHARGE---------------------------------------

They can ruin everything from your bags to your clothes, your bed sheets to your curtains.

HUNTING THE RIGHT HOUND---------------------------------------

The crossing of bulldogs and terriers for the express purpose of creating fighting dogs has produced several dog breeds that can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Some of the listed Working dog breeds are:Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Black Russian Terrier, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher, German Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Standard Schnauzer, Tibetan Mastiff. Very bright and rather determined breeds such as Rottweilers, Dobermans and Akitas have become extremely popular, even trendy. Reliable, brawny and harnessing first-rate stamina, they make great companions for adults and children alike. Made up of guardians of livestock and property, police dogs, sled dogs and rescue dogs, these workers come in all shapes and sizes, from the standard sc hnauzer to the Great Dane. Often used interchangeably, the terms "mixed breed" and "crossbreed" have slightly different meanings. The American Kennel Club created this dog group to honour what is one of the oldest of dog professions:herding livestock. Both routinely in the top five breeds, the Labrador retriever and the golden retriever together account for nearly one-quarter of the more than 1 million dogs registered with the AKC every year. The national symbol of England, known for its strength and determination, it has been out of work since bull-baiting went out of fashion in the late 19th century. Sporting dog breeds. Some sporting dog breeds you might consider in buying include the American Cocker Spaniel, American Water Spaniel, Brittany, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Pointer, Spinone Italiano, Sussex Spaniel, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. If it weren't for the fact that most terriers, such as the Cairn and the Norfolk, are fairly small, their tenacious nature and boundless energy would make them hard to control. Because they're all related, all of the 400 or so breeds are capable of interbreeding. The Akita (Japan), the Komondor (Hungary), the Portuguese water dog, the Newfoundland, the Saint Bernard (Switzerland), the Alaskan Malamute, the Bernese Mountain dog (Switzerland) and many more make this group a veritable United Nations of dogs. These same traits often lead to some of these animals being recruited into service positions, either as helper dogs for the disabled or as bomb and drug sniffers for law enforcement agencies.

THE ANATOMY OF A CANINE---------------------------------------

Consider its body parts too Consider the most noticeable dog feature first- the hair. Ears are third-quarters tipped over facing forward. The tongue is one of a dog's most important organs. Hairless. Coat. Don't limit yourself in only considering its breed. But among domestic dogs, selective breeding has produced a number of different ear types, each with its own names, courtesy of dog breeders, fanciers and kennel clubs. Such hot-weather species as the fennec fox, a tiny African desert dweller, sports oversized ears to maximize heat loss. The rose ears found in some bulldogs and pugs, a variation of a drop ear, is folded inward along the back edge, with the tip curving over and back to show the opening to the ear. Many of these products contain heavy amounts of chemically-created odors which can get to your pet right where they live - near the floor where most of these products are used. When the animals become significantly warmer, either through a change in air temperat ure or through physical exertion, they secrete even more fluid than usual.

WHY THE HELP?---------------------------------------

It doesn't matter how old your dog is Pulling On the Leash - Do you feel like your dog walked you when you get back from walking your dog? Learn how to teach your dog to stop pulling on the leash Chewing On Everything - Finally, be able to stop your dog from chewing on and destroying everything you own Harassing Cats - Do you or a neighbour have a cat that is constantly being harassed by your dog? Learn how to stop this Fighting Other Dogs - Is your dog aggressive towards other dogs, or has a bad habit of fighting other dogs? Learn how to stop this dangerous habit Biting People - Does your dog nip or bite at other people? Learn how to stop this scary habit Eating Feces - Does your dog eat feces? Learn how to stop this disgusting habit Running Out the Door - Does your dog bolt out the door as soon as it is opened? Finally, be able to stop this Have A Bad Temper - Does your dog have a bad temper? Learn how to control and stop your dog's temper problems Scared of Loud Noises - Does your dog get scared by loud noises? Learn what's causing this and how to stop itPulling Out Their Hair - Is your dog pulling out his/her hair? Learn what's wrong, and how to stop this Biting Himself/Herself - Does your dog always seem to have a spot where he/she is constantly biting or nipping himself/herself? Learn exactly what to do to stop this Proper Training Techniques - Learn the proper and correct training techniques so your dog will clearly understand commands and enjoy learning new ones. It's also guaranteed to be safe for your mutt. Over 10 Fun Tricks for Your Dog - Learn over 10 tricks both you and your dog will love. This is designed for beginners, so all you have to do is follow the simple instructions given in your manual, You won't have to worry about your dog.



Christmas cracker - 3D/4D Driving Flight Simulator - China 4D Cinema System - Business


Two Christmas crackersChristmas crackers or bon-bons are an integral part of Christmas celebrations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and other Commonwealth countries. A cracker consists of a cardboard tube wrapped in a brightly decorated twist of paper, making it resemble an oversized sweet-wrapper. The cracker is pulled by two people, and, much in the manner of a wishbone, the cracker splits unevenly. The split is accompanied by a small bang produced by the effect of friction on a chemically impregnated card strip (similar to that used in a cap gun).Crackers are also a part of New Year celebrations in Russia (where it is called "") and some countries of the former Soviet Union. Those are however more similar to pyrotechnical devices, normally used outdoors, activated by one person, and produce a stronger bang accompanied by fire and smoke.In one version of the tradition the person with the larger portion of cracker empties the contents from the tube and keeps them. In another each person will have their own cracker and will keep its contents regardless of whose end they were in. Typically these contents are a coloured paper hat or crown; a small toy or other trinket and a motto, a joke or piece of trivia on a small strip of paper. Crackers are often pulled before or after Christmas dinners or at parties.Assembled crackers are typically sold in boxes of three to twelve. These typically have different designs usually with red, green and gold colours. Making crackers from scratch using the tubes from used toilet rolls and tissue paper is a common Commonwealth activity for children. HistoryCrackers were invented by Thomas J. Smith of London in 1847. He created the crackers as a development of his bon-bon sweets, which he sold in a twist of paper (the origins of the traditional sweet-wrapper). As sales of bon-bons slumped, Smith began to come up with new promotional ideas. His first tactic was to inser t mottos into the wrappers of the sweets (cf. fortune cookies), but this had only limited success.He was inspired to add the "crackle" element when he heard the crackle of a log he had just put on the fire. The size of the paper wrapper had to be increased to incorporate the banger mechanism, and the sweet itself was eventually dropped, to be replaced by a small gift. The new product was initially marketed as the Cosaque (i.e., Cossack), but the onomatopoeic "cracker" soon became the commonly used name, as rival varieties were introduced to the market. The other elements of the modern cracker, the gifts, paper hats and varied designs, were all introduced by Tom Smith's son, Walter Smith, to differentiate his product from the many copycat cracker manufacturers which had suddenly sprung up. In popular cultureIn the wizarding world of Harry Potter, wizards have crackers similar to those used by Muggles but with a much more powerful bang (described as being like a cannon blast) and more interesting prizes such as a rear-admiral's hat, a 'Grow-Your-Own-Warts Kit', live white mice, non-exploding balloons, a magical chess set and other magically themed gifts and trinkets.In The US version of The Office, in the second season and onwards the character Dwight can be seen to be in possession of several Christmas crackers in and around his desk, although they are never mentioned or displayed for much longer than a few seconds. Information about the origins of this possible inside joke is scarce, some saying it is an intentional reference to a real life incident Rainn Wilson had with crackers during the filming of the first season.The MMORPG RuneScape released "Christmas Crackers" as a drop during the 2001 Christmas season. It required two players to open. One player would get a coloured party hat, the other would get a random item. They were "discontinued" after the end of the year, but the items remained in-game for players to keep. As time passed, many p eople dropped, lost, or sold theirs, and it quickly became a valuable item. They are now one of the rarest, and the single most expensive item in the game.In Graham Greene's novel, Doctor Fischer of Geneva, one of the eponymous character's tests is centered around Christmas crackers. Notes^ Peter Kimpton. Tom Smith's Christmas crackers: an illustrated history. Tempus, 2005. ISBN 0752431641^ Margaret Baker. Discovering Christmas customs and folklore: a guide to seasonal rites. p.72. Osprey Publishing, 1992. 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