Archive for January, 2012

Pet Porte Microchip Cat Flap – A Doorman For Your Cats

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Do you love cats? If so how many cats do you have? Is your cat well behaved?

How many times do you consider your cat’s safety? Does your cat return home safely at nights, without any rashes or bruises that are indeed created by other cats?

How certain are you that only your cat eats the food that you give them and they are not being joined by other cats when you are out? Most of the cat lovers would be finding it difficult to answer these questions.

Indeed these are the daily problems faced by cat lovers. These questions make the cat lovers feel worried about their dearest pets.

Most cat owners know how worrying it is when their cat goes missing for a day or more. Is there a remedy for all these hard moments? If at all there is a solution, will it guarantee on the safety and security of the pet? What can be done to stop these kind of problems for good?

Can your cat be safe from being bullied by other stray cats? Can your cat be safe in indoor without escaping, if the weather outside is very terrible and violent? The good news is that there is a very easy answer to all these questions. And of course that answer is Yes!

The antidote for all these physical and environmental threats that are literally experienced by the owner and the pet has now come to light. It comes in the form of a special cat flap called the Pet Porte Smart Flap.

The Pet Porte microchip cat flap is the first cat flap that effectively keeps other cats out. It provides an enhanced level of security that makes cats lives and the owners lives much better.

This is a Collarless technology, which indeed keeps the pet away from hard and rough collars which leaves a mark on the neck of the pet.

The Pet Porte microchip cat flap was invented and patented by David Chamberlain, one of Guernsey’s leading vets, which is the first in a series of inventions that will be coming onto the market intended to make your life, and your cat’s life, more enjoyable.

Pet Porte is the world’s first cat flap to stop other cats from entering your home and it recognises your cat without the need for electronic or magnetic cat collar attachments, heavy collar tags, restrictive collars or infra red.

The technology is completely safe and cats will not even notice that they are being scanned when they approach the door.

Cats love to use the Pet Porte microchip cat flap and it keeps them safe. The Pet Porte microchip cat flap is easy to use, and it’s simple to program your cats in, most probably the user of this Pet Porte product will not require you to constantly refer to the manual, because everything is operated from just two buttons, one red and one green.

One the cats that you program in are allowed entry. You can program in up to 32 cats. The door is extra strong and cannot be bashed open..

In the Pet Porte microchip cat flap there are two distinct modes worth mentioning.

Two of the most popular modes are the VET MODE and the NIGHT MODE:

You can use the VET MODE whenever you want to keep your cats indoors. When you activate the NIGHT MODE your cats can always come back inside but they will not be able to get out when it is dark, they will be kept in until it is light again in the morning. These two modes make the Pet Porte microchip cat flap unique to all other cat flaps on the market.

The Pet Porte Smart Flap is very easy to install and operate.

Programming the Pet Porte is again a very short and simple process, as there are no complex steps involved, indeed the whole installation is only a single step process.

Simply hold down the green button for ten seconds and release. The lights start to flash. Then hold your cat under the outside sensor. It beeps three times. That is all the owner has to do, in order to finish with the programming process, in this same method an average of 32 different cats (approx) can be programmed.

There may be a question arising among the users that what actually happens when the pet is made to pass through the Pet Porte. When the cat is approaches the Pet Porte the intelligent sensors present in the sensor porch of the cat flap recognizes the existing microchip ID implants, the door unlocks only for your cats. Stray cats or neighbours cats, even those with microchips, are not allowed access because they are not programmed in.

This adorable product uses an adapter that is fixed directly to the power supply, rather than using batteries which may run out frequently or unexpectedly. The current is safe because it is low voltage, and its not at all harmful for the cat by any means, so there is no chance of short circuits, even if the cat chews or pounces on the lead, as the voltage is very low. Even if the cat flap is disconnected from the power it will always remember your cat’s microchip numbers.

The major characteristics of the magic door that is used in the Pet Porte is that its highly tensile and strong as it has the capacity to withstand the pouncing/attacks,even if it is created by the toughest cat around on the streets.

Because the cat flap is powered by AC adaptor, the magic door unlocks at the blink of an eye, i.e. in just few microseconds, so that you’re lovable cat can enjoy its play with the Pet Porte, even if she/he loves to dash in and out at speed.

The Pet Porte is friendly device to your pet, and it is designed in such a way that, there will not be any possibilities in which the tail or the paws of the pet getting stuck. Eventually there are no possibilities for other stray cats to enter, thus making your cat feel free and relaxed at all times.

The Pet Porte microchip cat flap has many clever features which makes it unique and reliable when compared to all the other cat doors. In fact the other cat doors on the market such as traditional, magnetic and infrared flaps all have their own disadvantages at different situations.

With traditional cat doors the result is that within one night the owner can see his house ruined i.e. his curtains torn, urine all over the wall, the cat food missing from its tray, the pet left with the marks of being bullied-all these are the problems created by none others than the neighbours cats. Thus these are the adverse effects caused when traditional type flaps are used.

Secondly, comes the magnetic cat flaps, all the cats with magnetic collars can gain access through the door, this is a major drawback. And the other issue is that, magnetic collars are heavily and tight, that makes the pet feel uncomfortable.

Thirdly comes the infrared cat flaps, these have sensors both at the transmitting and receiving ends and the door opens only if the sensor in the collar points directly to the sensor on the door. These Infrared cat flaps are expensive too.

Finally all these disadvantages experienced when using other cat flaps are in turn changed into an merit when the Pet Porte microchip cat flap is installed.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PET PORTE MICROCHIP CAT FLAP

The Pet Porte microchip cat flap was designed to be the best cat flap in the world. The irritation caused by the collar on a cat can be avoided by the use of the cats existing microchip. With the help of the locking mechanism, stray cats can be kept out.

The pains of calling your cat in at night is no longer an issue because the cat flap can detect the light level automatically and help to keep your cats in at night.

With the presence of the Pet Porte microchip cat flap, you will be able to know, if your cat inside the house or elsewhere, the beeping system of the Pet Porte will make you aware of the presence of your cat inside the house. You can easily switch the beep off if it makes your cats nervous.

The presence of a magnetic latch in the Pet Porte keeps the flap intact when the wind blows therefore protecting the cats from getting hurt.

The simple two button operation mechanism gives a full control over your cats world.

The microchip cat flap allows you to program up to 32 cats of your liking and only the cats which are programmed in are allowed access.

The programmable memory within the Pet Porte prevents the loss of information about your cats if the power is disconnected.

All of this comes under low voltage intake with no batteries to replace so your cat will never get locked outside.

This product is cat friendly and makes it virtually impossible for your cat to get its paws stuck in the door. Hence the Pet Porte microchip cat flap is a divine product that has been launched to quench the thirst of concerned cat lovers, and it is now available to cat lovers worldwide.

Many customers say that it makes them feel comfortable and relaxed at nights rather than worrying about their pets, since there is a friend there at the door step providing the most sophisticated level of security to the lovable kitties.

You can order online from Microchip Cat Flaps – a website recommended by Cats Protection, leading vets and Your Cat magazine.

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Albert_Winsoar

Landscaping With a Lawn Tractor

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

In this article you will find information about lawn tractors. Knowing the prices, various uses, and how to use this tool safely can help you make the knowledgeable decision about which lawn tractor is best for you and your uses.

Lawn Tractors = Small Tractors

If you need a tractor for different kinds of farmwork for less than 2 acres, then a farm tractor is the best choice for you. You can greatly reduce your manual labor, due to the many attachments that are available for lawn tractors. You will find that this can help you keep your garden in tip-top condition in much less time. In most cases, a lawn tractor up to a maximum of 7-10 HP will also have a ZTR (zero turning radius) feature to help you when working in a smaller field.

The Versatility of Lawn Tractors

Versatility is a major benefit of lawn tractors. Some of the jobs that can be completed by lawn tractors include hole digging, lawn rolling, tilling, mowing, and many other jobs. The power take off spindle makes these jobs easily possible. That is why lawn tractors are a gardener’s best friend.

Purchasing A Lawn Tractor

Choosing and purchasing a lawn tractor is much like buying an automobile. The optional accessories increase the prices of both a car and a lawn tractor. That is why you want to choose your lawn tractor and accessories wisely to ensure that you will use the ones that you are purchasing. You also want to ensure that you can try the lawn tractor in the showroom to ensure that you can attach and remove the accessories with very little effort. Test-drive the lawn tractor to make sure you can get in and out of it easily as well.

Price of Lawn Tractors

There is a large price range in lawn tractors. A smaller lawn tractor can start at $900 and go up to $6000. The Bolen 762F76 is a basic model and it is available for just under $900, while the John Deer Spin-Steer SST-16 is approximately $3300. A Poulan Pro PK1845H42ST is about $1400. These costs are for the tractor without any accessories. Accessories can make the cost greatly increase. A canopy starts at $110 and a collection bag for grass is around $300. A cart can run you anywhere from $110 to $220, depending upon the size. Now you see how the costs can quickly add up. If you are planning to use the lawn tractor for mowing 1/2 to 1 acre, then you may want to choose a stand behind lawnmower for around $350, instead of a lawn tractor.

Safely Using A Lawn Tractor

Lawn tractors are designed with a low center of gravity and that is why there is very little possibility of the lawn tractors tipping over. It is important to use the following safety precautions, regardless of the little possibility of them turning over.

o It is important that you watch your speed, especially when you are on an incline. A small rock can cause your lawn tractor to have problems and possibly injure you.

o While getting off of the lawn tractor, ensure that it is turned off and all attachments touch the ground, if at all possible.

Andrew Caxton is a journalist who has written more articles and newsletters on the subject for [http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com] . A free online magazine that carries articles on lawn tractors, and a guide on lawn care here lawn tractors [http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com/lawn-tractors.html]

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Caxton

Haiti’s Political Parties-Why So Many

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

Over two hundred years have passed since its Independence, and Haiti remains trailing behind the developing world. Now that we have entered a new and strange phase in Haiti, perhaps the lowest ever, from sporadic kidnappings, murders, to a society of lawlessness, should we sit and wait for solutions from a dubious International Community? Or should we be seeking our own solutions to our existing problems? The country that used to be the model for freedom lovers now finds itself in a different kind of a struggle, a struggle where poverty, public safety, education and unemployment become the core enemy of its inhabitants. What should we do to eradicate Haiti’s rampant problems? Where should we begin? Or should we even bother? Others, including myself, would argue that, amongst other things, Haiti’s political party system is a menace to its political stability. Thus, we cannot turn our backs on Haiti. We must help control and reduce the problems of Haiti.

The land of Toussaint Louverture, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Mackandal, after all, my land has amassed so much unsolved political mysteries that I frequently wonder where to start in the process of solving its dilemmas. Though I find it difficult to pinpoint the real reasons behind Haiti’s troubles, to not attempt to seek possible solutions is adding to its misery. I would say that one of the reasons why Haiti is trailing behind the developing world is the weakness of its political party system. In fact, it seems that Haiti’s political party system has greatly contributed to its current stalemate.

Following the fall of President Jean-Claude Duvalier, political parties have mushroomed throughout the country. Haitian “leaders” from all over the world, especially from the U.S, France and Canada invaded the streets of Port-au-Prince hoping to succeed Duvalier. It was a “marathon” to the presidency. Such an attitude was then understandable for there was a vacuum in the Haitian political system. However, I’m afraid that it continues till today. To mock the people, the word on the streets of Haiti was then “no more presidents for life”. While the “leaders” are calling for changes and “saying” no to president for life, they are elected for life within their own political parties. Isn’t this ironic? We can take RDNP/Lesly F. Manigat, MDN/Hubert Deronceray, and KONAKOM/Victor Benoit as examples of leaders who are elected for life within their political parties. It is a presidential ego that is driving them so blindly that nobody seems to notice the outcry of the Haitians to the political party system. The truth is such that these “leaders” would take a five years sabbatical from the public after loosing a presidential election, however, if there’s a coup d’état, they would resurface hoping to be offered the presidency.

I truly am certain that these “leaders’” sole purpose is winning a presidential election. There is no evidence to support the contrary. These aforementioned “leaders” could have been remarkable lawmakers or great mayors but, in Haiti, there is a myth about the presidency. One has to become president to prove his patriotism or to prove what he can do for the Republic. Having said this, I would argue that political party reform is necessary and must take place in Haiti for we cannot let such a weak and poorly organized system decide on the future of the country. I mention the future of the country because; I believe that, the well-being of Haiti is fundamentally rest on the direction taken by its political party system. It is also true for long term political stability to take place in Haiti. In fact, long term political stability in Haiti is contingent upon a complete political party reform. The current system is problematic and an invitation to voting flaws and chaos as it has been proven to be so. The question becomes why so many Parties?

There are more than sixty-seven political parties in a country of approximately eight and a half million souls. This is a staggering number that tends to grow daily. Though successfully organized, the last presidential election in Haiti proved the weakness of the political parties to compete. Among 34 candidates running for the office of the presidency in February 2006, 33 of them ranked on the bottom 13% of the vote tallied. What this is suggesting is that a win for President Preval could very well be a loss for Haiti, that is to say, in the absence of a strong political process, the winner is deemed to be irrelevant. Because of so many candidates, the political process becomes a joke and, quite frankly, most Haitians are not willing to laugh at Haiti’s sadness; and so they would stay home and not participate in the electoral process. As such, the legitimacy of the vote will always be questioned. Whereas, has there been a three to four political party system, the electorates would have had a greater influence in choosing the highest authority figure of the land.

As Haiti tries to get back on track, with the new elected government of Preval/Alexis, there isn’t a better time to challenge the political party system of Haiti. This government should make political party reform one of its priorities in order for political stability to take place in Haiti. Sadly, in Haiti, if one disagrees with all of the existing political parties, he will gather a few friends, sometimes reactionaries, and form his political party. This practice is unacceptable and it must be stopped. Most of Haiti’s political parties are frankly what is known to be organization of peers and associates rather than political parties. We must set a clear difference between a political party and an organization of gangsters. A political party entails broad wisdom instead of the savoir-faire of a few narrow minded individuals whose sole purposes are trying to earn a living and winning a presidential election. When engaging in politics is no longer viewed as a way of earning a living, the number of Haiti’s political parties will be dramatically declined. What I’m suggesting here is that, when life becomes unbearable in Haiti, one forms a political party as a way of dealing with the hardship of life. This practice cannot be continued for it will ruin the country to the point of no return and we must therefore call for a complete political party reform in Haiti.

An alternative could be a Three Grand National Political Party System. As I attempt to address the problem of Haiti’s political party system, I would suggest the following 3 parties as an alternative to the current brouhaha:

1- LAVALAS

2- CONVERGENCE DEMOCRATIC

3- INDEPENDENT (including the group of 184)

As the principle political actors of Haiti, both LAVALAS and the CONVERGENCE DEMOCRATIC have proven to be well known, competitive and dominant. What is left to do is naming an Independent party. I would further argue that the group of 184 is perfectly fit to become the Independent party of Haiti. With these changes in place, Haitian “leaders” would be forced to depersonalize the political parties and work together by putting forth concrete ideas to better their respective parties. It would be excited to see Haitian “leaders” competing with each others in primaries within their own parties, wouldn’t it? At one point, when the Convergence Democratic emerged, I have sensed a change in the direction of the political party system in Haiti; but the vision of this group was far from what I propose above for the idea behind it was not for the love of Haiti but the hatred of Aristide. Anyone who followed Haitian’s politics of the past decade would concur that these 3 political entities combined would easily claim about 85% of the Haitian electorates, thus any other parties would be seen as a lesser figure in Haitian politics.

Is such a proposition realistic in Haiti? Some of us would be apt to argue that Haitians are not capable of working together for they are not trustworthy when it comes to defending the interest of Haiti. Nevertheless, I believe that we can go beyond our misgivings of each others and work together in the interest of Haiti. Should it be exactly my proposition? Absolutely not, but we must agree that Haiti’s political party system is in a dire need for reform.

Political party reform is a necessary endeavor that sooner or later must take place in Haiti seeing that the consequences of it not taking place are greater than we could imagine. The road to a political party reform in Haiti is not at all trouble-free; however, we cannot afford standing, hoping for a miracle from outsiders, while the country is draining away. Haiti is loudly crying for help and it will take courage, discipline, leadership, responsibility and sacrifices to meet its needs. As citizens of this lost paradise, it is our civic duty to put aside our political differences, come forward and launch a crusade behind political party reform in Haiti. We must fearlessly and vehemently come together and demand that our political party system be reformed, and to do the contrary, is simply saying “hell” to the spirits of our ancestors.

Haitianite.com Magazine [http://haitianite.com/index1.php] – Working Together To Uplift A Nation. For other articles related to History and Politics, please visit Haitianite.com [http://haitianite.com]

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edrys_Erisnor

Hiking Trails in the Catskills Mountains of New York

Monday, January 16th, 2012

Grab Your Hiking Boots and Let’s Go!

Hiking is perhaps the most popular activity in the Catskills.

The origin of many hiking trails in New York State have their roots in the Native American-made paths to various seasonal hunting grounds. Later, loggers with ponies pulled hemlocks out the Catskill forests to make tanning solution and bluestone quarriers dragged out huge slabs of this dense blue-grey rock to pave New York City. The intrepid artists of the Hudson River School used these trails to find beautiful panoramas to sketch and later paint in their studios. Naturalists such as John Burroughs recorded the variety of flora and fauna unique to the Catskill High Peaks while Ralph Waldo Emerson is inspired to write his groundbreaking essay Nature by the very same Catskills.

Fortunately for today’s Catskill hiker, there is a wide variety of hiking trails ranging from the most easy such as the paved and flat like the path along the Ashokan Reservoir. to extremely difficult three mountain loop of Devil’s Path or the ascent to Slide Mountain. Whatever the hiking level you desire, we have chosen the best of Catskills hiking that gives beautiful views; the payoff for what can be a most vigorous exercise!

How to Plan for a Catskill Mountain Hike

There are a few sensible precautions that need to be considered before embarking on a hike whether in New York or anywhere else. While the Catskills can be easily traveled to and are close to New York City, knowing your terrain is guaranteed to make for a more pleasant day. Not sure about hiking in the mountains on your own? Add some luxury and amenities to your New York getaway; look for local area resorts such as the Emerson that offer hiking packages with guided hikes and lodging.

What You Will Need To Hike the Catskill Mountains:

1) Water: Bring plenty of it as natural sources can be contaminated with giardia- unless it is marked as a natural spring.

2) Bugs: The hiking trails of the Catskills are cool and damp, so expect mosquitoes. And while lymes-disease carrying ticks generally prefer hot and dry conditions, its good practice to tuck pants into socks and use a strong insect repellent.

3) Gear: Do wear good hiking shoes with sturdy socks to prevent blisters. Dress light but carry a sweatshirt and rain poncho in your pack as the weather can change suddenly. A walking stick can be an excellent stabilizer if the terrain should get rough.

4) Animals: The Catskills are full of wildlife and none are dangerous as long as you respect their space. Bears are only a nuisance if you are camping with lots of unprotected food. Bears tend to be shy but if encountered; make some gentle noise and they should run off. Another concern can be snakes but if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you. If you should see a rattler, admire it from a distance. Snakes are most often found on the sunny side of cliffs among large rocks and boulders.

5) Plan: Make sure you let someone know before you go off into the wilds. Take a map and don’t expect to rely on your cell phone GPS.

6) Respect: Lastly, bring out what you bring in. Paper and plastic have no place in nature.

Where to Hike: Choosing the Perfect New York Getaway in Nature

Very Easy Trails: Ashokan Reservoir & Colgate Lake

These hiking trails are good for families from grandparents to kids who need a level walking surface without dips or climbs.

Ashokan Reservoir:

The Ashokan Reservoir’s two long walkways, one an actual promenade and the other a closed road the public now uses, provide a panorama of the Catskill Mountains and the pristine Ashokan Reservoir that serves as the drinking water for New York City.

Great for bicycles, walkers and wheelchairs, the two paths are beautiful stretches of wide paved paths that curve for 3 miles along the Ashokan Reservoir. To get to this wide mountain vista, travel to Winchell’s Corners on Route 28, turn onto Reservoir Road. At the junction of “BWS road” make a left and at 28A, make another left. Travel ¼ mile and make the next left and at the end of the road is a roundabout parking area for both paths.

Colgate Lake:

A magical hidden gem off of Route 23A near Tannersville, this pristine, man-made lake is open for swimming, although there are no lifeguards or roped in areas so visitors need to take appropriate precautions. There is a small trail that circumnavigates the entire lake that is bowled in by mountains. Caution must be used around Colgate Lake as there can be poison ivy.

Easy NY Hiking Trails: Kaaterskill Falls, North-South Lake, and Diamond Notch Falls

Kaaterskill Falls:

The two tiered falls of 175 and 85 feet are the highest waterfalls in New York State. The lower Kaaterskill Falls is reached by a trail beginning on Route 23A. Driving east from Tannersville and Haines Falls, park on the area to the right before the highway makes its steep descent down the mountain. Then, walk carefully along the road until you reach a hairpin turn and the falls are seen on your left. To reach Kaaterskill Falls from the top, travel east on 23A and make a left onto Country Rd 18 by the Twilight Deli and then, about a mile later, a right onto Laurel House Road. Park at the end of the road and follow the trail 1/5 of a mile to a worn bank supported by wooden beams.

This is the top of Kaaterskill Falls and extreme caution must be used to descend onto the huge boulders to get a look at the valley below. We do not recommend a descent as the ground is slippery and there are many injuries, but there is a small short trail that runs to the right. Walking with care, you can get a nice side view of the falls and the natural amphitheater it has carved out over the centuries.

Escarpment trail North-South Lake:

The short hike to the site of the Catskill Mountain House provides the reward of incredible vistas of the Hudson Valley and the Berkshires beyond. Longer and more strenuous hikes can bring you to such spots as Artist’s Rock, Sunset Rock, Newman’s Ledge, Boulder Rock, and the Kaaterskill Hotel and Laurel House sites. Follow the well-marked trails and maps to lead you where you want to go. Swimming is permitted at North-South Lake, but only when there is a lifeguard present.

Diamond Notch Falls:

This hike has an amazing variety of indigenous, native plants and flowers that grow along the path. Please note that any digging or picking of greenery is strictly prohibited. The walk is steep in places, but not difficult to navigate. The waterfalls add a special interest and there is a wooden bridge above the falls that offers a different view of the cascade. Travel up Route 214 to Lanesville, turn left onto Diamond Notch Road and park at the very end. The trail starts at the far right corner of the lot.

Moderate NY Hiking Trails: Hunter Mountain, Overlook Mountain & Giant Ledge-Panther Mt. Trail

Hunter Mountain:

For a unique experience, take the Sky Ride from the Hunter Mountain Ski Center. The lift will take you up a 1600 foot vertical from the valley floor. A 2 mile hike from there will take you to the fire tower with beautiful views of the Catskill High Peaks, but this is a steep challenge. Less active hikers may want to enjoy the view from where the Hunter Sky Ride leaves you off and just hike back down to the base.

Overlook Mountain:

This popular hike is located a couple of miles north of the Village of Woodstock. Take Rock City Road north from the Village Green all the way to the top of Overlook Mountain where it will change its name to Mead’s Mt. Road. Parking is on the right and the trail is to the left. The climb is steep and uphill for 2.5 miles but the 360 degree view from the fire tower at the mountaintop is the best in the Catskills! Also note an abandoned ruin of a stone hotel from the 1930s about 2 miles up. Great for dramatic photographs or an eerie romantic picnic!

Giant Ledge-Panther Mt. Trail:

This trail starts out easy with yellow markers and then switches to the more challenging blue markers after the spectacular view of Giant Ledge. Giant Ledge is located roughly 1.6 miles up the trail and afterwards, the trail follows a North-South Ridge for another mile that offers more lovely Catskill Mountain vistas.

Difficult NY Hiking Trails: Slide Mountain & Devil’s Tombstone

Slide Mountain

Another tough hike, but the Slide Mountain Hiking Trail is also the most rewarding! With an elevation of 1780 feet and a 5.4 mile round trip, you will need lots of water and good hiking boots. Slide Mountain is the highest peak in the Catskills, so the view from the summit is unparalleled. To get there, drive to the end of Woodland Valley Road off Route 28 near Phoenicia and travel to the very end to the Woodland Valley Campground. The trail head will be on the left with parking on the right.

Devil’s Path:

Also known as Devil’s Tombstone, this trail is known as the toughest hiking path in the Eastern United States. Nonetheless, hikers are drawn to it as it allows them to cover 5 mountain peaks in one excursion. The Devil’s Path is a self guided trail that can be done in three sections or combined. The first section, Plateau Mountain, is 8 miles roundtrip and it culminates in a nice view over to Hunter Mountain. Then the trail levels out (hence the plateau) and the highest point is at the far eastern end about 2 miles away. Continue on a short distance from the summit and a view of Sugarloaf Mountain opens up. The Hunter Mountain Section is 4.15 miles and the West Kill Mountain Section is 7 miles for a total of 24.20 miles of hiking. The best access is to drive from Phoenicia 8 miles north on Route 214 and park at the Devils Tombstone day use parking area on the left. The trail head starts on the right after the enormous rock that purports to be the actual Devil’s Tombstone.

Whatever your chosen skill level, it will be easy to find just the right hike in New York’s Catskills. Make it a weekend getaway and enjoy all the Catskill have to offer.

Jen Dragon
http://www.emersonresort.com

Emerson Resort and Spa, an extraordinary destination offering the reassuring sense that one is no longer part of the outside world. Make yourself at home in one of our 53 exceptional guestrooms and suites. Enjoy comfort food favorites at the Catamount Restaurant. Or indulge in one of the soothing treatments at our Forbes Four-Star Spa. Outside, the picturesque Hudson Valley will complete this perfect environment of total harmony.

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jen_Dragon

55 Secrets To Save On Family Clothing Purchases

Monday, January 16th, 2012

1. Before purchasing new clothing items, ask yourself if you really need it!

2. If you charge clothing, pay your bills before “due date”.

3. Consider shopping at discount stores.

4. Can you get along without it until a sale comes along at season’s end?

5. Is it a new “fad” that may be out of style in a short time?

6. Shop for clothing at rummage sales, garage sales, flea markets, etc.

7. Shop for used clothing at “like new” shops – see your Yellow Pages.

8. Watch newspaper ads for store sales, clearances, close-outs, etc.

9. Consider buying or renting a sewing machine and making it yourself.

10. Save by shining your own shoes.

11. Keep care costs in mind. Buy washables and save on dry cleaning bills.

12. Shop for clothing at thrift shops.

13. Always keep your clothes clean and in good repair. They’ll last longer.

14. Raise cash by selling discarded clothing at garage sales, flea markets, etc.

15. Alter adult’s clothing for your children.

16. Make minor clothing repairs yourself.

17. Get old shoes repaired for longer wear: resoled, new heels added, etc.

18. Buy only clothing items that are well made and will wear well.

19. Stick to basic styles, colors, fabrics.

20. Trade clothing items with friends & neighbors (especially children’s).

21. Carry a plastic raincoat to protect clothing from unexpected showers.

22. Look for clothing bargains in newspaper classified ads.

23. Buy versatile clothes that can be used for different occasions.

24. Buy coordinated clothing so you can mix and match and have more outfits.

25. Donate used clothing to charities for tax deductions.

26. Save older children’s clothing for hand-me-downs for the younger ones.

27. Hand clothes properly for longer life.

28. Change into old (washable) clothes for dirty at-home tasks.

29. Before storing, shoes should be cleaned, polished & shoe trees inserted.

30. Take extra special care of leather clothing items for lifetime wear.

31. Avoid dry cleaning bills. Many spots can be removed with cleaning fluids.

32. Buy dual-purpose clothing, such as reversible, topcoat/raincoats, etc.

33. If bored with a pair of shoes, consider dying them a different color.

34. Use worn-out clothing for cleaning, household wipes, and “nose blowers”.

35. Consider saving by ordering clothing items from mail order houses.

36. Buy children’s clothing items a size or two larger for longer wear.

37. During sales, stock up on basics: sleep wear, underwear, socks, etc.

38. Teach children to care for their clothing.

39. Don’t “kill time” in clothing stores or you may buy things you don’t need.

40. Get to know where to go for the best buys for certain items.

41. Practice sales resistance if you can’t find exactly what you want.

42. Remember that high price does not necessarily mean good quality.

43. When shopping, have a definite plan and stick to it.

44. If you cannot find what you want, go home without it.

45. Never buy anything just because “everyone else is wearing it”!

46. Buy men’s suits & coats in February, April, and November & before Christmas.

47. Stock up on children’s clothes after back-to-school sales in October.

48. Buy men’s shirts, socks and underwear before Father’s Day in June.

49. Buy women’s winter coats & suits in November.

50. Buy summer clothing, swimsuits, shoes & sandals during sales in July.

51. Buy cocktail dresses, winter boots and furs during January sales.

52. Shop “After Easter” sales for children’s clothes, dresses, spring coats and fabrics.

53. Look for spring sportswear sales during May.

54. Buy ski clothing during August; other sports clothing during July sales.

55. Shop on the internet at http://www.worldcrownmall.com to save $$$$$.

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How Your Pink Tennis Purchase Puts Cancer Charities In The Black

Sunday, January 15th, 2012

Choose Your Pink Tennis Gear From A Respected Brand

If you like tennis and the color Pink, you can now indulge yourself in some superb tennis gear from a select group of top sporting brands, and help a deserving pink ribbon tennis charity into the bargain. The Pink Ribbon symbol has grown rapidly in popularity and appears on a wide variety of sporting goods, especially golf and tennis. Companies using the ribbon on their product lines promise to pay a percentage of profits or a fixed amount to one of the Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer charities for an agreed period. Though it’s true, that some companies have jumped on the bandwagon, as much in an effort to increase sales as to give to charity, most pink tennis products are supplied by some well known, well respected household names like Wilson and New Balance.

Wilson Give Cancer Sufferers The ‘Hope’ To Overcome Their Illness

Perhaps the best known range of charitable tennis gear is the ‘Wilson Hope’ selection of pink tennis shoes, bags, tennis balls and other tennis accessories. Wilson are at the forefront of ‘responsible’ sports manufacturers with their eco-friendly methods of production. They aim to minimize any harmful effects their business has on the environment. It’s no surprise then, that they’ve embraced the chance to make a positive contribution to the many lives that are damaged every year by this pervasive illness. The ‘Hope’ refers to empowering sufferers to believe they have both the will and the way to conquer their illness. Wilson are noted in the world of tennis for supplying high quality tennis racquets, tennis bags, apparel and shoes to some of the world’s best players like Roger Federer, the Williams sisters and Justine Henin, and some of the world’s finest tennis balls to tournaments like the US Open.

Wilson Pink Tennis Products Deliver Both Style & Performance

Their iconic three racquet ‘Wilson Hope’ pink tennis bags and single racquet backpacks are about the most stylish that money can buy. If you also use a can of the Wilson Hope Extra Duty Pink Tennis Balls for Your Tennis Game, you’ll be making a very powerful statement about your concern for ridding the world of Breast Cancer, whilst encouraging others to take up the cause, and at the same time giving to vital income to charities keen to help anyone affected by the disease. If you’re a woman who really wants to ‘push the boat out’ for Wilson’s chosen charity, The Breast cancer Research Foundation, a pair of Wilson Tour Vision Lady tennis shoes will also benefit the charity and equip you with leading edge tennis shoe technological excellence to rival any on the market, (and they look pretty good too!).

New Balance Are Long-Haul Partners In The Race For The Cure

Speaking of pink tennis shoes, ‘New Balance’ are no slouches in this department too. They’ve been giving money to Breast Cancer Research since 1989. They actually supply the ’760′, the official shoe of the Susan G Koman Race For The Cure, a long established annual walking event in the US to raise funds and awareness for Pink Ribbon Cancer Research and The Susan G Komen Foundation. Susan’s brave fight against cancer ultimately led to the creation of the Pink Ribbon symbol, when, so impressed with her sister’s selfless desire to help others better cope with Breast Cancer during her own fight for life, Nancy decided to carry forward her sister’s wishes on her death. This led to The Susan G Komen Foundation and the ‘Race For The Cure’. During the 1990 Race for the Cure, a handful of participants wore pink ribbons and a few were handed out by the Komen Foundation. Next year, all the walkers were given a pink ribbon to mark their participation. The symbol spread quickly across the United States with the involvement of Self Magazine and guest writer, Evelyn Lauder’s decision to distribute a pink ribbon at all Estee Lauder’s cosmetic counters around the country. Apart from cutting edge athletic shoes, New Balance produce some sporty tops, pants and socks advertising the pink ribbon and your support for the cause. All articles in their ‘Lace Up For The Cure’ Collection will benefit the Foundation by 5% of the retail price. They guarantee at least $500,000 per year.

Reebok, Under Armour And Brooks’ Pink Crusades

Other important brands helping Pink Ribbon charities include sporting shoes and apparel manufacturers Reebok, whose ‘In It To End It’ campaign should provide up to $750,000 for the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. Top fundraisers during the operation will be rewarded with custom Reebok apparel. Two other notables are ‘Brooks’, with the ‘Brooks For her’ collection, donating 6.25% of the retail price to three worthy Breast Cancer Charities: the ‘Young Survival Coalition’, the ‘Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation’ and the ‘Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’, and ‘Under Armour’. This rapidly growing American company is fast making a name for itself producing high performance sports apparel, and now has it’s own ‘Power In Pink’ collection to benefit Breast Cancer Charities.

‘Think Pink’ To Help Reduce ‘Pink Abuse’

Though all these charities work hard all year round to benefit Breast cancer Research, October is the month earmarked to draw maximum exposure to Pink Ribbon events. You’ll no doubt notice the ribbon on many products as you shop, not just on sporting goods, but if you’ve time, try to dig a little deeper into just how much of your money will actually benefit which charity, and for how long? There’s been concern recently, due to the proliferation of Pink Ribbon products, that not all Pink Ribbon campaigns are as beneficial as others. The ‘Think Pink’ initiative aims to highlight ‘Pink Abuse’, where campaigns end prematurely though the product is still being sold, where campaign costs outweigh the benefits and where some companies promote Pink products yet are involved in the manufacture of others where carcinogens are used. Don’t worry too much – even an under performing Pink Ribbon product is likely to benefit cancer charities to some degree, but if you have a few moments to spare, just check the percentage of the sale price earmarked for the charity, how long the campaign lasts, and which charity will get the funds. If this isn’t immediately clear, move to the next product, because as with most things in life, transparency goes hand in hand with honesty.

Cheri Britton is the editor of ‘Women’s Tennis Apparel’ and ‘Ball Machine For Tennis’. In her tennis fashion and clothing website, she reviews and showcases the latest styles in tennis dresses, skirts and skorts, women’s tennis bags and shoes. She highlights in particular the tennis dress worn by the best women players on the WTA tour, and has an special fondness for the designer tennis clothing of Stella McCartney for Adidas.

Her new tennis ball machine website is devoted to comparing these mini mechanical devices with regard to price, portability, useability, features and suitability to the individual owner or buyer. Quality manufacturers such as Lobster, Tennis Tutor, SAM. Playmate and Wilson produce a range of models to engage the tennis game of beginners through to professional tennis players. The right ball machine will quickly take your tennis to a higher level, at a time place and frequency of your choosing. Oh, and tennis machines are great fun and fantastic for your fitness as well!

On the odd occasion she’s not working on her websites, Cheri watches more tennis than is good for her, reads, visits places of historical interest and beauty, and relaxes with a pint or two of real ale (or something stronger!)

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Do It Yourself Auto Repair: What You Need To Know

Friday, January 13th, 2012

This article answers some of the questions asked

by car owners or would be Do It Yourselfers on Do It

Yourself Auto Repair.

What is DIY or Do It Yourself Auto Repair:

This is a maintenance system where a vehicle owner carry

out specific repair works on his/her car. The repair

work can be major or minor.

Can anybody carry out Do It Yourself Auto

Repair:
Yes, anybody old enough to own a car, and

calm – headed enough to follow some sets of repair

instructions can successfully carry out Do It Yourself

Auto Repair.

It does not require deep knowledge of engineering

or mechanism, just the ability to believe in yourself

and follow instructions.

What are the requirements for Do it yourself auto

repair:
The following are the basic requirements,

which may be more, depending on the repair job to be

done.

  • A good auto repair manual.
  • Set of tools.
  • Auto parts for replacement.
  • Calmness and determination.
  • Time.

From manual you can get all the requirements and the

procedures.

Where Can Do It Yourself Auto Repair be carried out:

Anywhere there is space. preferably in a place where

there is privacy and where you are shielded from

sun, rain, etc.

Can I get help for Do It Yourself Auto Repair jobs when

I needed one:
Yes you can get a real life help if you

register with a good auto repair site and/or auto repair

forum for car owners.

There you meet car owners like yourself sharing their

experiences in Do It Yourself Auto Repair job and their

failures too, you learn a lot and avoid many pitfalls.

What are the benefits of Do It Yourself Auto Repair: you

stand to gain a lot in Do it Yourself Auto Repair, Some

benefits includes:

  1. Reduction in repair and maintenance cost.
  2. Self Satisfaction in carrying out your repair works.
  3. Better understanding of your car system and operations.
  4. Opportunity to meet/chart with other car owners,
    share ideas and gain from their experiences.
  5. Ability to gain total control over your car.

The total benefit of Do it Yourself Auto Repair cannot

be generalized it depends on where an individual is

starting from and his background knowledge. You really

see it when you start.

What is the rate of success in Do It Yourself Auto

Repair:
The rate of success figure is not constant, for

it depends on individual knowledge and what he has

committed to it.

But a lot of people have been recording

success, this you can find out in DIY forum sites. even

people that started as a complete novice.

The important things to hold to record success is,

having the right tools equipment and starting/doing your

Do it Yourself Auto Repair jobs rightly. This I can show

you.

You may have many more questions not answered here, but

you don’t need to know all answers before you start,

just a step-by-step guide. if others have been doing it

then you can do it.

Why not start right now.

Tope Olawumi is a seasoned auto – infopreneur. His site at

http://www.all-about-auto-part.com/Do-It-Yourself-Auto-Repair.html shows you all the information you need to do your Do It Yourself Auto Repair right. For your right manual visit;

http://www.all-about-auto-part.com/Do-It-Yourself-Auto-Repair-Manual.html.

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Fashion Careers – Job List in the Fashion Industry

Friday, January 13th, 2012

A career in the fashion industry sounds glamorous and lucrative. Have you consider getting into the fashion industry, but might think that you cannot manage it? There are so many different roles and positions that you can play in the fashion world. One does not necessarily be a fashion designer but still be able to have a very success career in the fashion industry.

Being able to make a living with things you like is always enjoyable. If you are a fashion fan and love to see beautiful clothing, accessories or sketches around you, you should consider starting a career in the fashion world. Below are some key roles in the fashion world where you can take part in – from design, production, marketing, to many more.

Designing

This is one of the most high profile jobs in the fashion industry. Designers are responsible for conceptualizing their ideas on trends and realizing them on their final products. Designers can be employed by companies which own a group of designers, or work for their own brand and production line, or, even as a freelancer providing designs for difference companies.

There are several types of fashion designers:

1. Apparel designers: Obviously these are clothing designers, ranging from lingerie, sports wear, casual wear to high fashion couture, for men, women and kids.

2. Footwear designers: They design footwear for men, women and kids from a style point of view, as well as from a foot-health’s perspective.

3. Accessory designers: Accessories has a broad definitely – from handbags, hat, eyewear to gloves, scarves and jewelry pieces.

Production

Production involves the sampling of garments and accessories until producing the final pieces that would deliver to shops and customers. This massive work involves a team of various professions:

1. Merchandiser: Merchandisers play a key role in the production process of a fashion product.They are responsible for buying raw materials for production, selecting fabric, textiles and trims. They have to make decisions based on pricing, quality and latest trend and innovation of raw materials.

2. Technical Designers: Technical designers are the one responsible for doing fittings during the whole sampling to production procedure. They might not be the one who designed the garment but are the experts in providing alternative to the garment to improve the fitting of garment.

3. Pattern Makers: Pattern is the basis for a garment to be sewed. Pattern makers produce and maintain patterns for garments that designers have sketched out. Pattern makers are key persons in realization of a garment.

4. Pattern Graders: The sizing of garment starts with the pattern grading. Pattern graders are experts in creating size specifications for different sizes. They are vital persons in for any fashion brands, as a consistent sizing across products can maintain customer loyalty and confidence.

5. Fitting Models: Ultimately garments and footwear are made for putting comfort and style together. Fitting is a crucial part in fashion industry and the most precise fitting is to use model as the body for fitting.

Many companies have their own dedicated models for fitting their lines, who has the exact sizing measurement the brand requires. Sometimes you would see ads looking for sampling models, from kids, men, women to plus size models.

6. Quality Control Specialists: Quality control is of top importance for any sort of products, and is no exception in fashion industry. Quality control specialists look at the quality of raw materials, like peeling, shrinking and color fading of textile and overall quality of a fashion item, for instance, the overall assembling of an accessory item.

7. Planners: Fashion planners coordinate closely with designers, merchandisers and buyers to decide the production plan for the coming seasons. They look at both production and marketing side while paying close attention to the latest fashion trend.

Marketing

Marketing is as important as making a perfect piece of fashion item. Whether it’s marketing in a wholesale or retail side, people in fashion marketing bears the mission of promoting the fashion item into this fast changing world.

1. Fashion Buyer/ Retail Merchandisers: Product merchandisers are the ones who buy ready-made products to be sold in a shop like department stores. These merchandisers conduct researches and analyze market trend, the relative customer wants and stocks. They bear huge responsibility in terms of profit making, since having the eye to buy the right product for sales can make a difference in revenue.

2. Showroom Sales Specialists: Some brands own their showrooms, displaying their collection for fashion buyers (wholesalers) to make their orders. Compared with retail sales, showroom sales specialists should know their seasonal returning customer better and be able provide detailed information on the selling collections.

3. Retail Store Manager/ Boutique Owners: Retail shop manager, sales and boutique owners are the first line personnel facing retail customers like you and me.

Other Fashion-related Professions

Besides in the field of designing, producing or marketing a fashion item, one might be attracted by other positions like as a writer of fashion magazine, online blogs and fashion event management etc. Below is a list highlighting the other possible jobs related to fashion industry:

1. Fashion Writers: Writers or freelance writers can write for magazines, online blogs or sites on reviews, trends and recommendations. Fashion writers can also develop into fashion magazine editors.

2. Personal Stylists:Some department stores provide personal styling services while some private customer would employ personal stylist giving them recommendations in personal styling.

3. Fashion event Management/ Public Relations: There are nameless fashion events which requires professional public relations and event management personnel to take care of. There are PR companies specialized in holding fashion related events.

Grasp the Opportunities!

Besides the above mentioned careers in the fashion industry, there are still many other opportunities like photographer, costume designer and catalog/ fashion show models, etc. One of the most reachable way to keep yourself updated with job opportunities and fashion trend is to be active in fashion forum and subscribe to fashion magazines.

Grasp the opportunities and enjoy a fashion career!

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Top Tips to Get Cheap Pet Supplies

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

Are you looking to get cheap pet supplies but have no clue how to go about it? Well, hopefully we’ll be able to help you out. I’m going to tell you just where you can find the supplies you need to keep your pet happy at a price that will keep you happy as well!

Maintaining a pet is quite hard in these times of economic crisis, but if your daughter wants a dog, then you shouldn’t let monetary concerns prevent you from giving her that adorable puppy! And, admit it, you’ve fallen a little bit in love with the puppy yourself! So it’s time for some tips and tricks!

Tips You Cannot Miss Out On!

1. When you’re getting supplies for your pet, do most of your shopping in winter! Wondering why? Well, in winter, most pet stores have clearance sales and that doggy cot you saw costing $500 can come for half the price! This is simply because most people tend to buy pets in summer, so shop-keepers need to get rid of old stock in winter. Old, does not have to mean bad, so do your shopping in winter!

2. Puppies tend to chew plastic and spoil plastic goods. So when you’re buying supplies for them, make sure to get as many supplies which are not made of plastic as possible. This applies to feeding bowls and drinking bowls as well.

3. Are you good with a syringe? If you’re good with a syringe, then you can save a whole lot on your veterinary bills by ordering vaccine’s from the vets and administering them yourself! Your pet won’t have to be subjected to the presence of an unfamiliar person and moreover, you’re going to save up a ton of money.

4. Confused about where to get pet food from? Head over to Wal-mart, they offer great deals and great prices. Sams Club too is a great place to get high quality pet food for cheap. Cheap pet supplies do not mean feeding your pet cheap pet food, that is not a healthy practice and I don’t recommend it! I’m just asking you to watch out for good deals on HIGH QUALITY food!

5. Ever considered the internet? The internet is a shopper’s paradise and this applies when you’re shopping for pet supplies as well. Cheap pet supplies are all over the internet, simply because of the large bulk of volume they generate to the sites! Watch out for online sales as well. Try Ebay, people sell supplies they don’t need there!

6. Lastly, show your pet you care by making pet supplies yourself. Trust me, that is the sweetest thing you can do for your pet. Moreover, nothing comes cheaper, or more loaded with love.

So cheap pet supplies aren’t really a distant dream, pretty much a reality, what say?

To learn more about finding cheap pet supplies and wholesale dog products be sure to visit our website at WholesaleDogProducts.net.

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Why Helmets Can Save Your Life While Snow Skiing

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

We have all heard the tragic stories of Sonny Bono, Michael Kennedy, Natasha Richardson, and this morning a snowboarder is in the news for suffering a fatal injury on the ski slopes. In this article I am going to give you the 3 main incidents that caused me to wear a ski helmet every time I ski.

Helmets became popular about 5 years ago, and I got one after suffering a concussion surprisingly on the lower slopes of Mammoth Mountain. I was going fast by some slower skiers blocking a narrow point in the trail. When I went wide to miss them, I got in the crud and lost control. The next thing I knew I was sideways and high-sided into a hard fall on my left side whip-lashing my head into the snow. Right before my head hit I thought, “I wish I were wearing a helmet.” That concussion kept me off the slopes a while to recover.

Then I bought a helmet, but I wouldn’t wear it everyday. I would sit in the ski area parking lot thinking, “Am I going to need this today?” Some days I would wear it; some days I wouldn’t. Then I met an emergency room Doctor from Denver, Colorado that told me 80% of his cases that involve a fatal skiing injury could have been prevented by wearing a helmet. I still failed to get the message to wear your helmet everyday.

But 3 incidents proved to me that you can not predict when you will need a helmet anymore than you can predict when you will need to be wearing your seat belt for safety in your car. The first incident was where I was loading a non-detachable chair. I prepared to load and another skier who wasn’t paying attention got in the path of the chair as it came around the corner. This skiers body pulled back the chair and shot it forward towards where I was standing to load. I saw what was happening and tried to get out of the way, but the metal part of the left side of the chair swung forward and hit me in the back of the head. If I hadn’t been wearing my helmet, this could have been an unpredictable fatal injury.

The second incident was when I was skiing the trees without my helmet. I thought I was safe, then all of a sudden, I hit something that tore my left ski off, and my momentum sent me directly towards a large tree. I dove to the left to miss the base of the large tree, and scraped the side of the tree as I slid 15 feet by it. As I slid to a stop I could see that I just missed a direct hit with a tree on the head. This incident again showed me that I could not predict when I should be wearing my ski helmet.

The 3rd incident was when I was skiing a ridge down to another run, and I was not wearing my helmet. I saw a small piece of bamboo pole ahead of me, but because it was only about 4″ long, didn’t pay much attention to it. Well I hit it the piece of bamboo, and it put me down sliding on my hip. The next thing I knew, I slid off the edge of the ridge. As I picked up speed I looked up to see where I was sliding, and I saw I was sliding into a large, unavoidable pile of rocks. I managed to self-arrest by digging in the edges of both my skis and clawing my fingers into the slope to stop. It was the best self-arrest of my life, and I’ve had many.

So it was these 3 incidents, 2 of which I was not wearing my helmet for, that convinced me you can not predict when you will need your helmet when skiing. You have to wear your helmet every time you ski to protect yourself from the most likely cause of a fatal injury, unforeseen head trauma. So wear your helmet every time for safety and longevity, OK? But don’t get a false sense of security just because you are wearing a ski helmet because you can still sustain a fatal injury even with a helmet. You still need to ski in control, and watch out for other riders and obstacles. See You On the Slopes!

Larry Conn has snow skied since 1968, and loves Mammoth Mountain so much he moved there in 2005 after taking 2 years off work to “test-drive” living there. Now he is launching Mammoth Ski Club for active adults who want more fun, activities and involvement with snow skiing and other activities at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Mammoth Lakes resort. Get your complimentary gifts, full color newsletter, and special report, “Who Else Wants Active New Affluent Friends of the Same Ski Ability Level, and a Lifetime of Great Memories?” by going to http://www.MammothSkiClub.com/

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Doggie Wabi Sabi: The Perfect Dog In An Imperfect World

Sunday, January 8th, 2012

One morning, one of my favorite students asked me an interesting question. She asked me how do you create a perfect dog in a world where everyone is short on time, will, skill and money? When I asked her to describe the perfect dog, she told me that she wants a dog that will never sniff on a walk, will never jump on people, never steal food, never pull on a walk, never be bad.

Smiling, I remarked those are a lot of “nevers” for a dog to master. Honestly, most people aren’t that well-mannered. The quest for perfection can be hard on dogs and people, alike. I added that perhaps the dog in his natural state of imperfection is good enough, and that the dog is fine just as he is. So, instead of striving for perfection, why not strive for Doggie Wabi Sabi, a state of appreciation for the dog’s appropriate imperfection?

Doggie Wabi Sabi is a philosophy of living with your dogs that takes into account their natural doggy imperfection. Dogs are creatures of rustic simplicity, endowed with understated elegance, bursting with quirks and endearing oddities that add to their uniqueness and instinctive appeal.

Enmeshed with this natural elegance is a genetic drive that makes a dog unique, the desire for emotional, energetic congruence with a matching energy source. If this wish for intimacy (joining up with the Alpha) is not fulfilled, even on occasion, then the dog turns inward, onto and into himself and in the end becomes something dark and dangerous.

So, what are the benefits of embracing Doggie Wabi Sabi? The first benefit is balance. Physical balance, emotional balance and mental balance. A balanced dog is unconsciously perfect everywhere, all the time, with everyone, due to emotional surrender to the leader. To the untrained eye, it seems as if the dog’s perfection is a result of a happy accident.

The second is fluidity. Living with a dog in the way of Doggie Wabi Sabi is living with the dog that is perfect according to the circumstances and in the context of other people, places and things; the appropriate irreducible minimum of suitable behavior. You don’t have to practice with this dog, you don’t have to go to classes, you just have to live as you wish with the dog all the time.

The third is facility. There are two guiding principles at work when using Doggie Wabi Sabi; resonance and magnetism. The principles of resonance dictate that like attracts like; and with magnetism, like repels like. I prefer that all teaching of the dog should be done according to the principles of resonance; the attraction of like to like. Resonance, or as I like to call it, FarFenflugle, as it is easily used in the real world and in real time. This technique energizes the dog’s first compelling genetic need; harmonize energetically, emotionally, with the leader.

We are so lucky that dogs are “all for one” creatures, and that for them belonging to the collective is more important than belonging to oneself. Personal liberty for man is a great gift, it is a slow death for a dog.

I have found that the American ideal of a perfect dog is an ideal of robotized mechanical perfection, a dog that does nothing at all, and most importantly, never does anything that a normal dog might do. Artificially induced non-action, is a burden, an affliction and an unfair punishment. This mindless, soulless, robot-like obedience has no relation to creating a dog that fits in with a modern urban lifestyle.

Traditional dog obedience training can be artificial; a time consuming affliction, in many cases a burden to dog and owner alike. Traditional dog obedience training, in most cases does not create dogs that are safer, friendlier and an asset to the community because generally the training environment seeks perfection; the perfect sit, the perfect stay, the perfect heel. The focus is on very specific, very artificial external skills, not emotional, mental,or energetic resonance with you and your life.

If the natural internal drives and instincts of the dog are not groomed appropriately, obedience training has a minimal impact on reducing the inappropriate behaviors of a dog. If the dog does not believe with every cell of his body that you are his Alpha, then in his mind, he always has the right to say, “No”. This is the dog that is rebellious, aggressive, independent and out of control; he jumps, he barks, he bites. This is the dog that you see on any city street pulling the arm of his owner out of the socket, and if you are able, you cross the street to avoid. This is a dog that has gone over to what I call the Doggie Dark Side.

With Doggie Wabi Sabi, you gather the natural inclinations of the dog and mold them, coax them, guide them into a masterpiece of a dog that is appropriate in the imperfect now. If he is hyper, you make him less so; if he is sedate, you make him more so according to the moment; always seeking energetic resonance.

If you want a dog that is appropriately pleasant while accompanying you through your life, you have to do more than just contain the body or constrict the mind of the dog. Instead, I would encourage you to enhance you dog’s natural elegant essence, and turn that to your benefit. The daily walk with the dog is the best way to ignite the dog’s natural, genetic compulsion to hook-up with a leader, to pack up.

WALK THE DOG…IT’S GOOD DOGGIE WABI SABI

If you want a good dog, walk your dog.

If you want a friendly dog, walk your dog.

If you want a protective dog, walk your dog.

If you want a healthy dog, walk your dog.

If you want a calm, cooperative, submissive dog, walk your dog.

If you want to learn to love your city; walk your dog.

If you want to live longer; walk your dog.

If you want to be happier; walk your dog.

If you want to reduce litter in your neighborhood; walk your dog.

If you want to reduce crime; walk your dog.

If you want your dog to love you, walk your dog.

If you want to reconnect with nature; walk your dog.

If you want Doggie Wabi Sabi Now; walk your dog!

A dog cultivated with the principles of Doggie Wabi Sabi, may not know or even need to know sit or down or stay or heel. In fact while the training may be incomplete at best, but by using resonance, the attraction of one energy to another, the dog is always perfect, moment to moment.

.

ALL ABOUT AMI Her first and true love is canine behavior modification and problem solving. Ami Moore has pioneered the use of electric dog training equipment as positive reinforcement, and combined this groundbreaking innovation with the dog’s natural drive to follow a strong leader.

From my point of view, a proper and balanced dog-human relationship is something that every person who has dogs in their life should experience, just as everyone should experience falling in love.

Student’s ask me why I train my dogs, I tell them that “From my point of view, I train because I am very, very lazy and I want to to where I want, when I want; and I want to take my dogs with me when I go.” And then, I always add, ” Training dogs, my personal dogs, equals freedom for for them. I want my dogs to have a beautiful life from a dog’s point of view. For a dog that means he has someone to follow and somewhere to go. I want my dogs to be “lucky dogs” not liabilities. http://www.dogdoright.com/

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