The Music Of Achievement

Betta fish, also called Siamese fighting fish are one of the most popular types of fish found in homes across the world. Their vibrant color and active lifestyle seems to draw in fish fanatics as well as those who have never had fish before. Betta’s are relatively easy to care for and their low maintenance is particularly appealing to people who would like to have fish but don’t have a lot of time to care for them.

Once you bring your Betta’s home you should begin to familiarize yourself with their movements and typical behavior patterns. When you look at your fish after you’ve had them for awhile you’ll know if something is wrong, if they are not feeling well, or if the water in their bowl is not in the best condition simply by being observant.

1. Make sure the jar or bowl that you keep your Betta in is big enough so that he can swim around and not bump or tear his fins or scales. Also be sure there is plenty of surface area so that he can get enough oxygen.

2. Your Betta will thrive in the cleanest water that you can provide for him. He does not require a filtration system, but you should change out a third of his water every three days so it stays fresh and clean and keeps your finned friend from getting bacterial or fungal infections. Aged water (water that has set out for twenty four hours) is what should be used to replace the old water.

3. Do not put your Betta fish with other Betta’s. They are called Siamese fighting fish because they are, in fact, fighting fish. They will tear at one another, often causing the death of at least one fish before they stop. Betta’s can be coupled with algae eaters, guppies, or corydorus catfish safely.

4. Use a turkey baster to clean small particles of uneaten food or debris from the bottom of the bowl or jar. Allowing this debris to sit at the bottom of the jar will cause the water to become cloudy, unsanitary, and to smell awful.

5. The PH of your tank should be at exactly 7.0. You can get a PH testing kit at your pet store along with solutions to minimize or increase the PH of your water.

6. When you clean the plants, rocks, or decorations in the bowl you should never use soap on them. It’s very hard to completely rinse all soap from these items and the soap residue can harm or even kill your Betta. Instead, use warm water and an abrasive brush to clean his things.

7. Keep your Betta tank, jar, or bowl covered! Your Beta will jump and you don’t want him to end up flopping on the tabletop! Keeping the water level at least two inches from the top of the tank should also cut down on this problem.

8. Your Betta is a meat eater and likes live foods, such as brine shrimp the best. Frozen bloodworms are also a good choice for your meat eater. Most Betta fish will happily eat the Betta pellets sold at most pet stores. For a special treat every now and again you should offer some live food! You’ll have fun watching him eat it up!

9. Do not decorate your Betta bowl with rocks or marbles that may cause your Betta to get stuck between or under them. Be sure that they are a flat smooth surface that provides no risk to the health of your fish.

10. Remember that your fish is a living, breathing responsibility. You need to feed, clean, and care for your Betta just like you would any other pet. If he’s sick take him to the vet, if he’s hungry feed him, if his home is dirty, clean it.

That’s it! These ten tips for caring for your Betta fish will have you well on your way to keeping a healthy fish. Internet Betta Groups or library books can be a great source of information should you want to learn more about your finned friend!

About the Author

Amanda Fenton is a Betta fish lover and contributing writer to http://www.bettafishcenter.com, a site providing information and tips on betta fish care.

Choosing a rescue dog can be a difficult choice -all of our
Spanish strays are so grateful and lovable, and make such
wonderful pets, I wonder why anybody would ever want to buy from
a breeder.

If you have made up your mind to take one of our strays, or
indeed, any other rescued dog, do think very carefully about
which kind of dog would suit your particular lifestyle. The last
thing an unwanted dog needs is to find a loving home only to
discover that after a short while he is unloved again and
considered a nuisance.

If you are at home a good deal of the time and are active, there
is no reason not to enjoy long walks with a larger active dog
providing you have the space to accommodate him.

Many large dogs such as greyhounds or big heavy dogs do not need
as much exercise as smaller highly strung dogs- and greyhounds
in particular usually make docile pets.

If you work part-time (you really should not consider taking a
dog if there is nobody at home all day) a smaller less active
dog would not require such lengthy walks although many small
dogs are highly active. You should ask advice to the dog’s
particular needs from the refuge where the dog has been looked
after.

Don’t expect miracles when your dog first arrives. He will be
very confused especially if he is one of our Spanish dogs who
may well have spent years in the refuge or tied up somewhere.

With quiet love and understanding he will settle. Just give him
his own time and space to adjust. So many people want to make a
big fuss of the dog when he arrives, inviting friends and family
to meet him - but there will be plenty of time in the future for
this. Leave him be, just speaking in a friendly tone to him as
you go about the house. The less fuss you make- so will he.

Another consideration when deciding which rescue dog to choose
is whether you have time to spend grooming a long coat. If not
stick to a dog with short hair as long coats need regular
attention to keep them healthy.

Dog or Bitch? I personally really don’t have a preference.

All our dogs are neutered before arriving in England for
rehoming, and they all have distinct personalities.

If you already have one dog it is usually best to choose a
second one of the opposite sex, to avoid competion as to who is
going to be “top dog”.

If your reason for taking on a rescued dog is to provide your
existing dog with a friend, please be sure that you have the
patience and ability to persevere in the event that the first
dog does not like or accept his new friend.

A couple of dogs have been returned to me for this reason, not
through any fault of their own, just because the owners had not
thought it through first, and all it achieve was to make an
insecure little dog even more insecure.

Young or Old? Lastly do consider an “oldie” if you can. They are
usually wonderful pets and great characters. It is so sad that
they are forgotten especially when

if like our Spanish strays they have been confined to a refuge
for years. Some say they are institutionalised and will not
settle but this simply is not true. I have rehomed several (whom
were thought to be quite ancient) but am pleased to say they are
still going strong after five or six years!

Whichever dog you decide on make sure you have given the matter
some careful thought.

Think carefully before taking him Do not expect too much from
him at first Give him lots of love and you will receive lots in
return!

Most people have limited knowledge when it comes to search engine ranking and the various
types of services on offer. We all know that having top 10 positions on some of the leading
engines can bring all the traffic we can handle, and then some. But how do we get those top
10 listings and what should we expect to pay to get them?

A simple way to approach this is to look at your competition. Do a quick search on one of the
leading engines like Google or AltaVista, using a search phrase that people might use when
looking for your products or services, and see what comes back.

As a basic ‘rule of thumb’ guide -

Between 100 and 5000 puts you in a ‘low competition’ category.
Between 5001 and 25000 puts you in a ‘medium competition’ category.
Between 25001 and 250,000 puts you in a ‘high competition’ category.
Over 250,000 puts you in a ‘Extremely high competition’ category.

Here are some examples we found on AltaVista:-

“detroit real estate” - 2.7M
“curtain fixtures” - 817,000
“auto parts” - 130,000
“mortgage loans” - 84,000
“coin collecting” - 14,000
“wedding accessories” - 9,000
“florida vacations” - 5,000
“model railways” - 5,000

Based on the above, determine the competitiveness of your category, then research the level
of service necessary for your site.

Once you have determined the level of competition for top positions in your business category,
use the following as a basic guide:

1 - Low to medium competition with no previous ’search engine optimization’ - Locate a good
submission service who will give your home page a ‘tune-up’ then submit your site ‘manually’ to
all the leading engines and directories. Expect to pay around $25 to $65 per month.
2 - Medium to High competition on restricted budget - try to locate a service that will go
beyond basic Meta Tag revisions. Not all search engines pay much attention to what is in your
Meta tags, so look for someone who will make changes to the HTML on your key content
pages to give them a boost. Expect to pay around $55 to $95 per month.
3 - Sites with high or extremely high competition - you will encounter various approaches at
higher service levels. Most common is to use ‘Doorway’ pages and a separate ‘Hallway’
domain. Think about Doorway/Hallway pages as pages that focus on a specific search phrase,
each targeting a specific search engine. It is common to have sites with over 100 custom
designed Doorway pages targeting multiple search phrases and multiple search engines.
Pricing varies greatly at these levels, and almost always include a setup fee then ongoing
monthly service fees.

Developing a better understanding of how it all works will help you decide the best approach for
your web site, and will help you make an informed decision based on realistic expectations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carl Hruza operates a successful web promotion and search ranking business, and offers
advice on all aspects of Internet Marketing and Promotion. Email Carl at carlh@netnet.net or
visit his site at http://topwebpromotion.com

Americans spent over $32 billion on their pets last year - and $25 billion on their children. This may come as a bit of a shock, however, we are becoming more and more aware of the emotional and physical rewards of owning a pet - or especially a dog.

The converted will willingly tell you that owning a dog auto-matically gives you a constant companion, friend, confidante, exerciser and instinctive soul re-generator. Yet it is only in the last decade or so that we have taken pets seriously medically, much to our own detriment.

Nowadays though, pet therapy can be a very important feature of cancer recovery programs, prosthetic limb replacement recovery, treatment for depression, speech inducement for severely delayed children and of course, just sheer pleasure for the elderly in hospices and aged care facilities.

However, when you consider how many patients/clients and carers could benefit from the pure love and support of a pet, the supply can never keep up with demand - that is, not until now.

www.woofywarehouse.com is a new pet goods supplier that has come up with what they think will be the answer to the dilemma. Owner of www.woofywarehouse.com Adele Sims saw firsthand the effects of having a pet around - or not. “I was driving the children to school one morning and we saw a man walking along who was afflicted with muscular dystrophy. His walk was staggered and his bad arm swung like a broken wing as he headed for home. We have often passed him on his walks and had become quite accustomed to him as he walked up the middle of the road.

“This particular morning we noticed that a woman with a soft and beautiful golden retriever was coming up to him in the opposite direction. As the dog came closer and started wagging its tail the man became so excited that he just had to pat the dog. A huge smile beamed across his face as he touched the soft head of the dog who happily lapped up the attention. But the owner of the dog became a little alarmed at this stranger and started pulling the dog away so they could continue on their walk. She pulled the dog away and walked on, but the man stopped and watched the dog go. His face dropped, his head bowed and he just stood there for quite a while and watched as the dog disappeared around the corner. It was a very sad and moving experience for both myself and the boys as they saw the scenario unfold. From that time on I vowed I would do as much as I could to bring people and animals together. And having our own dog supplies warehouse we were in a unique position to be able to help,” she said.

For every purchase over $20 from its range, www.woofywarehouse.com will donate a percentage of profits to the Delta Society whose main aim is to incorporate the benefits of pet therapy into varied programs which target the physical, mental, educational and motivational areas of people’s lives.

With animal involve-ment in therapy, Delta Society has found that both fine and gross motor skills can be improved, as can wheelchair skills. It can also dispel loneliness and reduce anxiety, develop leisure skills and promote short or long-term memory.

The benefits are too numerous to count and now there is a way you can support this essential cause whilst providing your own dog with all the supplies that this little hero deserves.

“We have had our own special Joycie - a Belgian sheep dog - for over nine years now and we couldn’t imagine our family without her. We jokingly call her our third child and the boys talk about her as their hairy little sister. And when our older son was little he had some speech problems of his own that no amount of intervention or lessons or whatever, seemed to bring right. It wasn’t until he chose and named Joycie and started trying to train her that he started to get his words right. It was only then that he was able to give clear directions and for the first time in his life he was able to yell out commands. This sounds ridiculous I suppose, but he had never been able to do that before - his words would always fade away. Joycie made a huge impact on his life and they are inseparable friends. We often find our son talking to her as if she were a best buddy and Joycie smiles and listens and nuzzles him as if she understands every word. She comes everywhere with us and is a much loved family member. If we can help bring some of this joy to others then we would consider ourselves to be very blessed.” Adele went on to say.

www.woofywarehouse.com will also give you the links and contacts you need to volunteer your services to assist others along their journey to recovery and wellness. You will also receive a complimentary “My Dog Cares” Certificate, downloadable with your details.

About The Author

Adele Sims is the co-owner and director of http://www.woofywarehouse.com and has long been a protagonist for the increased recognition of the value of including pets in the family/community realms. The health benefits of owning a pet are phenomenal and it’s time now to celebrate that by supporting caring organisations who advocate the same.

Having a pet can be one of the greatest blessings for people of any age. Pets often become more like friends to the people who own them. They provide hours of entertainment and fun during the best times in life and they provide comfort and companionship during life’s hardest seasons. Many people choose to make a dog their pet of choice. When owners practice good dog care, dogs can be some of the cleanest and greatest pets on the earth. Not all dog owners, however, are experienced in good dog care.

Proper dog care is important for all dogs. If you are going to keep a dog as your personal pet then you had better do what it takes to take good care of your dog. There is only one reason for all of the neglected dogs that live in many homes around the world: selfishness. When dog owners are selfish with their time, energy, and affections, good dog care practices fly out the window and dogs are left without owners who really care for them.

If you are a dog owner or are thinking of becoming one, commit to making good dog care choices. One of the biggest things that many people do not realize about dogs or any other pets is that they take time. If you have no extra time in your life then I suggest that maybe having a dog or another pet is not for you right now.

One of the biggest elements of good dog care is taking time to be with and care for your dog. Many breeds of dogs need owners who will spend lots of time with them and give them attention. You can not ignore your dog and expect to have a good relationship with it.

Good dog care takes much more than time. Any dog owner knows that most dogs take energy. Most dogs need to be walked and played with outside. If you do not have the energy to give your dog the attention it needs then you should consider getting a less demanding pet. Dog care requires consistent attention and playfulness.

An important part of good dog care is keeping tabs on the health of your dog. Providing healthy food, taking time to let your dog run outside, making regular visits to a groomer to get haircuts and baths, and of course seeing a veterinarian are all parts of good dog care.

Good dog care means work. But I guarentee that if you put time, energy and care into the life of your dog, you will enjoy being a dog owner and your dog will enjoy living with you for years to come.

Martin Stoleman has been a dog owner for many years. He loves to advise people who are thinking of getting a dog because he thinks good dog care is so important. Check out more at www.dogcaretimes.info

Any person, whether a minor or adult, having been bitten or knocked down by an animal improperly or inadequately leashed or contained can sue for injuries or death caused by a bite or knock-down. You can sue the person who has or was responsible for the animal. For a person to be responsible they need not be the owner of the animal. However, an owner who maintains some control over the animal remains liable even if the animal is partly under the care of others.

You may be entitled to recover damages for past and future and medical expenses, past and future wage loss, past and future pain and suffering, and if it is deemed that conduct is severe enough, punitive damages (punishment damages against the defendant). If the victim dies, his or her survivors are entitled to recover full compensation for their financial losses that resulted from the victim’s death, as well as emotional distress damages. If the survivors can prove that the victim lived for a period of time between the negligent act and death, they can also bring an action for punitive damages.

You can also sue if you were fleeing from an animal, and you reasonably feared for your safety and can prove that the owner or possessor of the dog knew or should have known of the dog’s propensity to attack people walking nearby, and failed to act accordingly.

So if you own an animal with a propensity for biting strangers, make sure it is safely contained fenced, chained, boxed, whatever is necessary to protect you, your animal, and potential plaintiffs. If you are bitten by an animal and it creates a situation where a lawsuit is appropriate, be informed as to the criteria under which you can pursue and obtain damages.

Jason Rigler
“Settlement Advocate” and consultant for Prosperity Partners Customer Service Department.

Arthritis in canines is just as common as it is in humans. The type of arthritis associated with dogs is osteoarthritis which is caused by the degradation of the cartilage within a joint.

Cartilage is what keeps the bones in a joint from rubbing together. As the cartilage breaks down it causes the function of the joint to reduce causing pain and stiffness.

In the beginning canine arthritis is uncomfortable, but in severe cases it causes extreme pain as the bones are rubbing directly against each other.

Signs to watch for are favoring a certain limb repeatedly, trouble when sitting or standing, not as active, stiffness in their joints, reluctance to run or jump, and lethargy. There is no cure for canine arthritis yet, but there are several good treatments.

Pain relieving lotions are one of the safest and best ways to ease your dogs pain associated with canine arthritis. Your vet may prescribe some medicine for swelling and discomfort.

A new treatment is now being used which is dietary. Glucosamine and Chondroitin have been found to be helpful in reducing the degeneration of dog’s bones due to canine arthritis and also aids in the reducing inflammation.

This combination attracts fluid into the cartilage between the joints, which helps the body repair damaged joints while keeping the destroying enzymes under control.

The most important factor is to relieve your dog of discomfort associated with canine arthritis so can live a better life. He also needs to move the joints so the canine arthritis does not become severe.

If you have noticed any of these signs in your dog, make an appointment with your vet so you can better know how to treat your dog if in fact he does have canine arthritis.

With the proper treatment you can help improve your dog’s quality of life, which is what you and your dog both want.

About the Author

http://www.dog-pictures.co.uk/ A dog lovers website with plenty of dog breed information and pictures.
http://www.dog-pictures.co.uk/dog-supplements/ provides dog supplements and dog health care information.

I’ve been around many people who try to lead a horse by controlling their head with a lead rope. They end up pulling or jerking the lead rope and the horse will typically pull back or push around the person with the lead rope.

Ultimately, you want slack in the lead rope while leading your horse because you don’t want to pull or jerk him. If your horse moves incorrectly while leading him then you can stop and correct him by making him move his body.

To really be successful in having control the secret is having control over your horse’s body. How do you do that? By controlling his feet by making him move his rear end away from you. (Also known as “disengaging the hind quarters) Why this works so well is it alleviates stiffness and tension and almost magically forces your horse to focus on you.

There are few ways to get your horse to move his rear end away from you. Much of the time, you can stand facing his shoulder and point to his hip. If he doesn’t move keep pointing and cluck at him. If he still doesn’t move, twirl the end of your lead rope at his hip and cluck. If he still doesn’t move tap him with the lead rope while clucking at him.

At any time he moves, take the pressure off him immediately. Give him a pat and a “good boy” and ask for another move. Repeat. Then ask for more steps. Remember to do this on both sides of the body too. It won’t be long when you will simply point at his hip and he’ll move them for you. Do this every day for a while to get it in his mind that you are in control.

Okay. Now that you moved him, turn your body to walk forward while holding your lead line. Something magical happens right here. Your horse suddenly focuses his attention on you. He’s very aware of your movement and what you’re doing. If he messes up because he was distracted or something scared him, all you have to do is move his rear end again. Eventually your horse will start gauging your pace and keep up with you at the same pace you move.

If your horse starts to get ahead of you while leading, move his hindquarters. If he’s lagging behind you, move his hindquarters. If he goes off into La La Land, move his hindquarters.

Having good control leading your horse is perhaps the most basic training technique there is. But it is also the way we get horses in trailers, moving them around, bathing them, and even riding them. This will help teach your horse to be soft and responsive. And if you have a soft responsive horse while you are on the ground, then you will more likely have the same kind of horse while you’re sitting in the saddle. And that is the ultimate goal.

About the Author

Andy Curry is a nationally known horse trainer and author
of several best selling horse training and horse care books.
For information visit his website at www.horsetrainingandtips.com.
He is also the leading expert on Jesse Beery’s horse training
methods which can be seen at www.horsetrainingandtips.com/Jesse_Beerya.