Dwarf Hamster Common Injuries

Most common injuries to dwarf hamsters are usually just plain carelessness by the pet owner. By neglecting their hamsters needs, by not supplying the proper food and water supply, proper bedding, toys, or cages. Also not paying attention to signs where there may be something wrong with your pet. One way to prevent that is to do a lot of research before you purchase your dwarf hamster.

Another injury caused by pet owners is not holding your hamster properly or dropping them. Also leaving your hamster running free on the floor or in his ball without supervision can cause injuries like someone could accidentally step on the dwarf hamster, kick them, or if in the ball it could fall down some stairs.

Broken bones are usually a result of a fall. If you think your dwarf hamster has a broken limb get a hold of your veterinarian, he or she will not be able to splint it but they can make sure it is not inflamed and give you the best advice on the care of your dwarf hamster. Your hamsters injuries probably will not heal straight but this will not affect their active life after the injury heals. The dwarf hamster should be removed from their cage to another one if there is more than one sharing a cage. Make sure all toys and the wheel are taken out during the healing process so that the injured limb can heal naturally.

A dwarf hamster may get what is called an impacted cheek pouch. This is caused by not being able to extract what is in the hamsters pouch. Certain items can cause this like, fluffy bedding, some sharp seeds, sharp pieces of wood toys, and sticky foods. Anything you give the dwarf hamster will probably end up in their pouch. An impacted pouch will have a lump that does not go away and it could cause the eyes to close. You must see the veterinarian this is not something you can take care of the vet needs to empty and rinse the pouch out. So be careful with what you give your dwarf hamsters.

Some dwarf hamster injuries cause an irritated eye when one hamster gets into a fight with another hamster. Another cause for this injury is dirt, a wood chip, or dust in the eye.

If the eye looks red or matted shut you should use a warm wash cloth to soak the eye. Once the eye is opened then add some sterilized saline solution, if this does not help then consult your veterinarian.

Cuts and bites are an injury that dwarf hamsters receive usually in a fight with another hamster or improper toys, and cages. For minor cuts and bites just place your dwarf hamster in a separate cage and the hamster will lick and clean their wounds on their own, which the injury will heal most of the time on its own. For more serious injuries cut the fur around the injury and clean with peroxide and put an antibiotic ointment on the injuries. See your veterinarian if the injury gets infected or does not heal.

Abscesses are an injury caused from cuts and bites that have not been cleaned properly. This will require a trip to the vet. An abscess will have a bump with fluid in it and it will have to be lanced and drained by your veterinarian. He or she will than prescribe an antibiotic for your dwarf hamsters injuries while it heals.

Hope this information will be helpful for you and your lovable pet dwarf hamster. Give your pet a healthy, happy home and this may give them a better chance at a longer life span.

Dawn Morris

Is a Cavy the Right Pet For You?

Otherwise known as a Guinea pig, a Cavy is an ideal pet for just about anybody. Is a Cavy the right pet for you? Well I believe you will be the judge of that.

If you live on a tropical desert island with little shelter and only salt water, then probably not! However if you love the idea of a small, loving and affectionate pet, that loves temperatures less than 25 degrees Celsius, and eats cheaply, then you could do worse than the cute and cuddly Cavy. Children love them, older folks love them, and I am sure if you give them a chance, you will adore them too.

To wonder is a Cavy the right pet for you, means you are thinking about the implications of having any kind of pet.

A Cavy will eat a mixed diet of hay, vegetables, fruit, grass and pellets. It'll stay well out of the way of any danger, hiding in its dark space till any threat disappears. It is a non-confrontational animal that would rather sky dive than face off with a wayward mouse on steroids!

It drinks water, and if you have it in an outside hutch with a wire surround covering, it'll even mow your lawn. A Cavy will adore you, almost unconditionally. It'll look to you for protection when it is out of its enclosure, and it will occupy itself by sleeping and eating when in its enclosure. It'll have a soft coat of fur, lovable small ears, and it'll generally be clean, although some of that responsibility will be yours.

Are you still asking is a Cavy the right pet for you, then consider this. There is no walking a Guinea Pig. You won't find yourself being dragged from the couch by the leg of your trousers, to take him (or her) outside to catch a frisbee. There'll be no drenching with soapy water when you wash him.

You won't have to tolerate fighting animals, unless you have him roaming the backyard and he is spotted by next doors dog! (That could get nasty.)

Apart from regular preventative visits to the vet for check ups there shouldn't be any major costs for treatments. At the present there are no community Guinea Pig training camps, so that may not be an early morning obligation either.

All in all, if you are looking for a pet that will for the most part take care of itself, but will be there when you need somebody to talk to, then I don't believe you need to ask is the cavy the right pet for you. Just go out and get one!

I believe you will quickly realize that it was one of your best decisions, and I know that the tiny Guinea Pig you select will be extremely grateful to you for giving him a loving and caring family. And hey, your young ones will absolutely adore the new family addition.

Baby Rabbit Care - 13 Surefire Tips to Keep Your Baby Rabbit Healthy

The usual waiting time before you see those fuzzy coats coming out from mama doe is 30 days. You will soon have dozens of litters running in and about your place. You'd soon find yourself very busy making sure if mama doe is doing her job right. Soon you will apply all the steps in baby rabbit care. Though rabbits are known for making their own nest, mama doe don't usually sit on it after giving birth. They usually leave the nest after the initial feeding at midnight. This behavior makes it even better to get the predator's attention. Mama doe is not like any other mamas because she's not used to nursing her litters.

Here are some useful guidelines on baby rabbit care:

1. A nest box with the size enough for the mama doe's size and her litters is needed. Make sure you lines the nest box with hay and straw.

2. Lined the nest box with hay and straw, no softwood shavings please.

3. The room temperature should be warm enough for the newborn bunnies.

4. Observe within 24-48 hours if mama doe is feeding her litters, if not, make sure you give those poor litters something to nourish them.

5. Feed the newborn with canned kitten formula or kitten formula replacer.

6. Do not use any eyedropper. Try using syringe instead.

7. Clean the face and bottom of the litters every after each feeding.

8. If the litter's urine is gritty brown, immediately call your vet. This is dangerous for their health.

9. Check if the bunnies are dehydrated. Feed them with Pedialyte is needed.

10. Make sure your place is safe for your newborn such from other housepets like your dogs and cats.

11. Cow's milk and fruit juice is also a big no-no. The ingredients of these two could give your newborn some messy fecal.

12. Mama doe needs extra foods such as pellets because she needs calorie to produce enough milk for her litters.

13. Include Lactobacillus Acidophilus in their milk to help strengthen their bodies.

Your dedication and attention is also a must for baby rabbit care. Give enough time to make sure the mother and the babies are all doing well. Check if they are free from any illnesses or infections. If one is sick, call your vet or remove the ill litter away from the others because chances are his infection might be transmitted to others.

Love and love and love your bunnies. They will give so much love in return thus having them as pets are certainly rewarding. Remember, rabbits are great companions and they will be very faithful to you until the very end.

Heated Pet Bed Buying Guide - 4 Tips to Help You Decide on the Best Heated Pet Bed

A heated pet bed can be a great way to keep your pet warm in cooler months. But did you also know they can benefit from one all year round? Many air-conditioned homes are too cold for small pets, because the coldest place in the house is the floor, where pets spend 99% of their time. But a heated pet bed can help keep them more comfortable. Here are some tips when you go out to buy a heated dog bed.

First of all, make sure the dog bed has a chew resistant cord. This is needed for safety, to protect your dog from getting shock by chewing on the cord.

Second, look for a bed that has a removable, stain resistant cover. Since a heated pet bed is an investment, a removable, washable cover, keeps the bed looking newer longer.

Third, find a heated dog bed that is UL or CUL listed. This means that the Underwriters Laboratory has inspected it and has tested the device and it meets their requirements for safety (fire, shock, etc.)

Fourth, If you plan to use the heated pet bed outside in a garage, kennel, or on a porch, make sure it is weather proof. Even though these beds are listed as weather proof, it is a good idea to protect them from rain or moisture.

By using these criteria you can find a heated pet bed that is not only safe, but very comfortable for your dog. If you have a cat, you can also buy heated cat beds as well. Just use the same criteria here as well for those.

Approaching the Purchase of Pet Products

If you're a pet owner then you'll doubtless be aware of the high costs involved in buying products and services for your pet. These high costs can be witnessed on everything from food bills to visits to see the vet. This probably explains why an increasing number of pet owners are deciding to make more and more purchases via the internet.

One of the best things about internet shopping is the ease with which we can all compare prices. We can rapidly see whether or not we'll be getting a real bargain and making savings. When you're buying larger products you'll also like the fact that they'll be delivered direct to your door, saving you the effort and the inconvenience of getting to your nearest pet store.

There are a number of issues that you'll want to think about before buying such items online. It's clearly important that any retailer that you deal with is reputable. There are number of reasons why we might think of this as being a key concern. One such factor is that we're likely to be worried about how securely an online retailer deals with payment details. We'll also want to make sure that we're being offered a suitably high level of service.

Ensuring that you are buying the right quality of products for your pet may well be a key concern. Many people are happier when they know that they are dealing with an experienced internet store and with a retailer who can be trusted. Despite this, it's always vital that you do check that any products that you buy online will actually be suitable for your own pets. If in doubt, you should be able to get guidance on this from the retailer's website, or by making contact with them.

Some people haven't got used to the idea of looking for additional discounts when they're shopping online. It's always worth seeing if there are any discount codes available, as they could help you to make extra savings. Many pet owners take advantage of such offers, ensuring that they have money left over to spend on extra treats.

Buying Pet Products Online

If you have a pet then you'll know that the various products and services that you need can soon add up. From vets bills to food, there seems to be quite a cost involved in buying just about everything. That helps to explain why more and more pet owners are deciding to make an increasing number of purchases online.

The great thing about online shopping is that it's so much easier to compare prices. You can soon see whether you'll be getting the very best deal available. If you're buying larger products then you'll probably appreciate the thought of getting them delivered to your own home too, which is often more convenient than having to drive to the nearest pet store.

There are some things that you will need to consider when buying items online. To begin with, it's important that you shop with reputable retailers. This is really important for a number of reasons. You'll obviously need to be assured that the retailer in question can be trusted with your payment details. It will also be vital to you that they offer a good level of service.

Although you may not have considered it, some people get concerned about the quality of items that they'll be buying. Once again, it helps to deal with a reputable online store if you want to put these concerns to one side. Always make sure that you know exactly what you're ordering and that it will be suitable for your pet. A good website should always make such things clear.

Some consumers forget to look out for added discounts, which is a real shame. You can use discount codes to get a bit more money off, meaning that you won't have to spend quite so much. This is absolutely perfect, ensuring that you have that bit more available to spend on treats for your pet!

Arthritis - Treatment Options

If you suspect arthritis in your pet, you may need to take it to a veterinarian to get a definite answer to that question. Once you have a diagnosis, you will need to decide what course of treatment want for your pet. Find out what your veterinarian will recommend. If the vet does not recommend a more natural treatment path, you may want to find a holistic veterinarian in your area. The Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy can be a very useful resource to assist you in finding a holistic veterinarian.

Your dog or cat's diet plays a MAJOR role in the overall health of your pet. Commercial dog foods are not as healthy for our pets as we are lead to believe. Using a natural diet, including protein, grains, and vegetables can have a huge positive impact on your pet. Some raw vegetables that are especially helpful for arthritis are carrots, beets, and celery. These vegetables are great sources of antioxidants. The antioxidants help eliminate free radicals and the free radicals cause great damage on a molecular level in the body. If molecules and cells are destroyed at the most basic level, you will have a sicker pet.

Vitamins A, C, D, and E are needed. They all act as an antioxidant. Free radicals are caused by the inflammatory process that occurs with the arthritis. Find a supplement that has each of these vitamins in it. Supplements containing glucosamine and spurilina can make a very big difference in your pet. Many people see positive results with their pet within one to three weeks, when using the spurilina and glucosamine.

Some herbs known to be helpful for arthritis include alfalfa and garlic. Homeopathic remedies that can help in the treatment of arthritis are Rhus Toxicodendron 6C and Silicea 30C. For dogs with hypertropic osteodystrophy or pain in the bones and legs, Belladona 30C and Eupatorium Perfoliatum 30C have proven to be very helpful.

Fleas and Ticks on Animals - A Recurring Nightmare

Fleas and ticks are a real nightmare. You have to be very vigilant of your pets to make sure that they are not infested with fleas and ticks. If you discover your animal has fleas or ticks, you should treat them as soon as possible, to prevent severe health problems.

Fleas and ticks are more prevalent in warmer climates, but can attack anywhere. They are both blood suckers and cause anemia and debilitation in your pets. They attach themselves to your pet and bite him, making him extremely uncomfortable and causing diseases.

Fleas jump from animal to animal or from the environment to the animal and attach themselves to the animal. Ticks do not jump. They attach themselves through physical contact, usually when an animal passes by. They are more common in tall shrubs and wooded areas.

Fleas infestations that are left untreated can cause skin infection on your pet. These infections can be very serious and even lead to death.

Ticks are carriers of many diseases, the most common one being lyme disease, which causes severe joint pain and limping to animals. They can also bite humans, who also have to be treated with antibiotics.

Find out your options for treating your pets if they have fleas and ticks. Conventional pet health care treats pets with many chemicals which are very dangerous to your pets. The pet health care industry is very big and profitable, and they do not disclose this. Many of the cures that are commonly prescribed to our pets by veterinarians can severely harm their organs and cause serious damage.

Whether it be fleas or ticks or any other problem, learn how you can treat your pets with natural remedies. You can learn how to take care of your pets at home with home remedies that you often already have in your home. Find out how you can contribute to the wellbeing of your pet, and save thousands of dollars doing it.

Using a Flea Home Remedy - Why This is the Best Way to Take Care of Your Pet

Did you know that using a flea home remedy is the best way to treat your pet's flea problem? In fact, home remedies are much better all around than most prescriptions that are authorized by veterinarians.

Fleas are very harmful to your pet and should be treated immediately. Fleas can cause anemia and debilitation. Some pets are very sensitive to flea bites and can develop skin irritation and infestation. If left untreated a severe skin infestation can cause the death of your pet.

The shocking truth about prescription medications for pets is that they are full of harmful chemicals that can cause great damage to our pets. The pet health care industry is enormous and very profitable, and they would rather not tell you this. Many of the approved medications that are prescribed to our pets can damage their organs, causing illnesses and early death.

For this reason, conventional veterinary care does not endorse the care of your pet through natural remedies. They would rather you bring your pet to them and have them treated and vaccinated with all kinds of harmful substances. This is the way they earn millions and billions of dollars every year.

But you can learn how to take the best care of your pet at home with natural home remedies that you probably already have in your home. You can participate in your pet's wellbeing and save thousands of dollars doing so.

Whether it be a flea home remedy or other hundreds of remedies for other symptoms or illnesses, you should be aware of your options, so that you can give your pet the best chances for his health.

The Reason Why We Have Pet Vitamin Supplements

The main reason why we as reptile and exotic animal enthusiasts purchase vitamin supplements for our animals on a regular basis is simple. The pet industry came up with a brilliant idea to increase their market share. Instead of going through the trouble to raise truly nutritious insects or prey items for our exotics to thrive upon, they decided they could make more money by mass producing crickets, meal worms, and waxworms that require a vitamin supplement to be effective staple diets.

Instead of fixing the problem, we have decided to treat the symptoms by developing nutritional supplements rather than imitating our exotics diets in the wild as closely as possible. For example, exactly how often do you think that leopard geckos in the Afghanistan mountain ranges actually eat the crickets like the ones we buy for them at the pet store. If you guessed never, then you are right on the money. The same can be said for wax worms or meal worms. We have failed to provide them with the diet that they had grown independent on for their nutritional needs, and have lazily replaced it with a nutritionally inferior substitute.

It could be argued that the exception to this alarming trend are snakes. For the most part, they seem to thrive in captivity on a diet of rodents, most in part because of rodents make up a huge part of their diet in the wild. I do not feel that it is a coincidence that they eat their natural prey, and do not require supplements. Even so, some might reject a diet of pure rodents because of their affinity for lizards and other small reptiles and amphibians.

Commonly Asked Questions About Rabbit Cages Answered

Going through a number of rabbit-lovers forums that have been coming up in recent days, a number of recurrent questions with regard to rabbit cages seem to be coming up everywhere; hence the need for answers to them on one place.

One of these commonly asked questions about rabbit cages is as to what types of cages are best, seeing that there is such a great variety to choose from nowadays. Now it is always hard to answer a question like this (unless you have a commercial interest in a particular type of rabbit cages, which you would proceed to promptly endorse). The most balanced answer that can be given as to what the best rabbit cages are that 'best' depends on a number of factors - and varies from rabbit-lover to another. Ultimately, the key to getting the right rabbit cages for your bunnies would be to sit down, before heading shopping, work out what 'best' really means to you - and then go out shopping for just that. And if you can't get it, there is always the alternative of making it yourself: so that there is no reason for you to settle for 'second best' having worked out what 'best' for you is, with regard to the rabbit cages.

Another commonly asked question with regard to rabbit-cages is as to what the best material for making such cages are. Again, unless one has commercial interests in the cages, it becomes difficult to endorse one material over others: since most are reasonably good materials. Nonetheless there are certain materials that are worth steering clear of, when shopping for rabbit cage building materials: especially woods like cedar and pine, which have been known to have some harmful effects of rabbits. There is one influential school of thought among rabbit lovers which strongly advocates for use of all-wire rabbit cages: and you may consider looking at their arguments to see whether they strike a cord with you.

Then we have 'whether size matters' with regard to rabbit cages, as another commonly asked question in rabbit lover circles. The answer is yes: it matters. Whether you are buying or building them for yourself, you should go for relatively large rabbit cages that give your pet plenty of moving space, because playfulness is one of the characteristics that define a rabbit, and if it is too confined, it ends up becoming stressed. Worth of special note, with regard to rabbit cage size is the fact that it is important to think ahead of time, because what may seem like large rabbit cages today can often turn out to be extremely confined in a few weeks' time, especially if your rabbit is still growing (and so fast do these animals grow!)

Whether to 'buy or to make them yourself' is another question asked with regard to the acquisition of rabbit cages. The answer, of course, depends all on you: whether you have the craftsmanship, inclination, time and equipment required to come up with a decent rabbit cage. If you don't, buying makes a better option. If you do have those though, you may find the experience of making a rabbit cage yourself rather rewarding, especially if you are engaged in one of those jobs where you are simply a cog in the wheel and never get to see you make in your day to day work.

Custom Pet ID Tags - What's Available For Today's Pets?

Our pets mean the world to us and their safety is of the utmost importance, which is why personalized pet ID tags are selling like crazy everyday across the world. This should tell you a little more about pet tags, what options are out there and how to use a message to create the best custom pet tag available.

The owner of a pet should consider what is engraved onto their pet's ID tag very carefully. There is a limited amount of space, but for some dogs, there is a lot that should be said. Try to break it down to the pet's name, your house address and zip code and any medical/dietary issues which need to be considered when someone else may come to handle your dog. If it is possible, try to add your telephone number too, in the biggest text available. It is worth considering the bigger tags if you need more space to fill in information.

Engraved ID tags are reasonably cheap and can be bought from local stores where it is possible to personalize them. Many stores offer free pet tag engraving when you purchase a particular tag.

Laser engraving makes it possible for text to be written on both sides of the pet tag, when the tag is off high quality. This makes it possible to fit in more information.

Sometimes, however, it is worth considering limiting the information to just one side of the custom pet tag and then leaving the other side blank - ready to attach a reflective sticker. These stickers are available for around $1 and make it much less likely for your dog or cat to be hit by a car when out at night. Reflective stickers have been used for many years now and work even in low light, requiring no batteries or other electrical source to work. They capture the light from a headlight of a car and then reflect it back, making the tag visible and the animal apparent to drivers.

The design of pet tag that you choose really does not matter, as long as it is of a good quality steel, making it possible to engrave properly and there is plenty of room for what you want to say. Some of the shapes that are available are bones (for dogs) and fish (for cats) there are circular, diamond, triangular, love heart, shaped ones and you can also get them in different colors if you are willing to pay a little extra; but for a basic tag, you can pick one up for a couple of bucks, even less if you can find one in a dollar store.

Top Two Ways to Get Cheap Rabbit Cages

Assume, for a moment, that you have gotten into a situation where you realize that you need rabbit cages, but where you also realize that you are quite low on funds. In a situation like this, you would naturally want to know where you can find cheap rabbit cages, to fit into your budget.

Thankfully, there are at least a couple of ways through which you can get the cheap rabbit-cages.

1) The first, and most obvious way, through which you can get cheap rabbit-cages is by building them yourself. If you opt to travel this route, you save yourself considerable sums of money that would have gone into things like paying for the shipment of the rabbit cages, from their makers to you. This, alongside money that you would have had to pay for labor, power and factory maintenance costs (because when all is said and done, all the costs that go into the manufacture of the various products end up being passed on to the buyers).

Of course, building your own rabbit-cages is no guarantee for getting them cheaply: you can quite easily end up paying more for them than if you bought them ready made, if you are not very careful. For one, as you embark on a DIY rabbit cage building project, you will have to do so knowing that by opting to build your rabbit cages for yourself, you would be keeping yourself from enjoying the economies of scale that the large scale manufacturers of such rabbit-cages offer to their buyers. If you are not careful then, the trade off you make by opting to forego those economies of scale can outweigh the benefit of bypassing some of the costs associated with factory manufacture of rabbit cages. So ultimately, it becomes essential to understand that while building rabbit cages for yourself (assuming you have aptitude for the task) offers an opportunity to save, you can also end up burning your fingers badly; especially where you can't the material required to build the cages cheaply in small quantities.

2) The second way through which you can get cheap rabbit-cages is by shopping at auctions where such cages happen to be on sale. With luck, you may find brand new cheap rabbit cages being sold on the auctions; but for the most part, getting rabbit cages from auctions means being ready to go for used ones as well. You may argue that getting an auction where rabbit cages are on sale is likely to be a tall order - and indeed it is likely to be, if you restrict yourself to your locality. Yet the truth of the matter is that in this day and age, you need not restrict yourself to your locality as you search for cheap rabbit-cages on sale in auctions: as there are global auctions online nowadays.

While it is a possibility that you may not find someone in your locality having their wares auctioned and where their wares include rabbit cages, when you expand your scope to a global level (through the power of the Internet), such a possibility - that someone is auctioning rabbit cages you would love - becomes very high indeed. And with the advances in global shipment made in the recent past, getting the cages brought up to your doorstep, once you have bought them, is really no big deal; provided you live in a country with a functional postal system that includes parcel delivery.

Dwarf Hamsters Toys

Have you been considering getting your dwarf hamsters a toy that would be fun for them? Maybe wondering what type would be fun, appropriate and safe for them to play with? Since they are so tiny it would be best if you found toys that are specifically aimed towards their small size.

Dwarf hamsters are busy, lively and curious tiny beings and a toy would be a worthwhile asset for your pets overall life. Toys would stimulate and enrich your pets life by learning to play and investigate.

Consider adding ramps, tunnels, ladders and exercise wheels to provide entertainment for your pet. Dwarf hamsters are naturally gnawing creatures as their teeth are always growing. Since their front teeth are continually growing, and need to be worn down to eat, it would be good to provide them with a safe rodent chew toy. Check out your local pet store for a sate chew toy designed with dwarf hamster in mind. If you select a wooden chew stick or block make sure it has no sharp or rough edges, as that could harm their inner mouth pouches. Remember that what toys you choose for your hamster, that they are going to be chewing on them. So it is a good idea to make sure that they are made out of non toxic or chemically treated materials.

Dwarf hamsters need a lot of exercise and one of the best toys for this is the running wheel. The wheel should have a solid floor and I do not recommend the wire running wheels. These can be dangerous because your little hamster could trap his leg in the rungs causing injury to himself. As well these wires could also injure their small feet.

Pets' Halloween Costumes

Most dogs and cats love receiving as much attention as possible. This may make it easier when the time comes to shop for pets Halloween costumes. Of course, some dogs and most cats, will balk if the costume is too extravagant or difficult to get into, especially when inserting the legs and paws, so it is wise to gradually introduce items, such as by beginning in small steps. Place the hat chosen on the dog's head, then praise him lavishly. Remove it and move on to the rest of the outfit, each time giving him lots of praise and dog treats.

Dogs of all sizes draw new admirers when dressed up in a pets Halloween costumes. So, be sure to parade them in front of neighbors, friends, relatives, and take lots of pictures. Make up a photo album for the pet. The memories will last forever this way. Many new styles have arrived for 2009, along with a return of the older favorites. Most will include a sizing chart so, it is important the outfit is not too tight as it will restrict movement, which in turn will frustrate the poor dog or cat, primal instinct will kick in, and he will try his best to escape by clawing, chewing, and eventually removing the article of clothing. For cats, a small cape and cute hat with velcro enclosure will be tolerated quite well, but be sure to give treats and introduce the items one at a time as well.

Some of the newest pets Halloween costumes for 2009, are the swine flu worker, cheerleader, cute little witch costume, and a silly clown or monkey. Barktoria's secret is simply precious for a smaller dog, then there's the biting shark costume, bumblebee, raccoon, penguin, Rhett Butler, panda bear, Scarlet O'Hara, Pink hippo, pink flower, Harry Pawter and several more.

If homemade pets Halloween costumes are desired, when making a pattern, do not overlook an opening for the dog to relieve himself when needed. Also, it is best to have too much material, rather than less. When the big night arrives, dressed up pets in knockout costumes will be the talk of the holiday as they walk alongside their families. Just be sure to keep their treats in your pocket and never give them sweets intended for humans.

How to Set Up Your Gaming System

There are many gaming systems available, each with its own following and style. Also, with each system there are setup concerns which should be addressed. The following breakdown will help you adjust for each type of gaming system.

Wii

In 2006, Nintendo released the Wii, a game system that users stood up to operate, with motion sensors and remotes allowing users to communicate their movements to the console directly

If you plan to incorporate this system into your home entertainment system, you'll need a clear area in front of your media cabinet, about 8' by 8', depending on the number of people who will be using the Wii at any given moment. If you intend to watch movies or use other gaming systems in your entertainment system, you'll want to have chairs that can be moved out of the way for Wii, and moved back for everything else.

Console Games

Including the Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and Sega, Game consoles use a controller to, well, control the game. Most controllers use a cable, but there are wireless ones available. For the cable controllers, position seats no further than about five feet away from the console. Wireless controllers, by their very nature, allow for great flexibility in positioning your seating, although you have to be careful not to block the signal from the controller to the console or exceed the range of the remote.

Guitar Hero/Rock Band

Originating in 2005, Guitar Hero and its later counterpart Rock Band incorporate gaming versions of real instruments such as guitars and drums. A certain amount of floor space is required depending on how many instruments you will be supporting. As with the Wii, about eight feet square floor space is sufficient, although if you plan on having anything else in your entertainment system, make sure your seats can be easily moved back when your gaming session is over.

Card, Cartridges, and Disks

When storing your collection of games, there isn't really much to take into consideration except that you will want to keep magnetic items and direct heat sources away from them. Sorting options include alphabetically, by gaming system, by age, or a combination of the methods. They can also be sorted by format, i.e. cartridge, disk, floppy, etc., although most games today are on disk format.

Your ultimate layout should depend on your individual gaming configuration and usage, both the type and number of systems you use. With the proper setup and the right equipment, you can easily and safely support several different gaming systems along with whatever else you put into your entertainment system. Have fun!

3D Chess and a New Type of Science to the Rules

Most folks who are avid chess players have never played 3D Chess before. It is my contention that they should because three-dimensional chess is fun and there are many variations of the game. It is a difficult game to master and it requires a lot more thinking than mere regular chess in my humble opinion. So, how does one play 3D Chess you ask? Well, let me explain the way we play, in case you are interested?

Okay, so you have multiple levels (boards) and the pieces can move vertically and horizontally, but every 4 minutes one board of the multiple boards can be swiveled one or two sides, there are several types of boards, some are descending in number of squares as you ascend to the surface, or altitude. Think of it like a net centric warfare game, underwater, underground, ground, air, and space. That's the way I play it.

The rules include that you must make a move every 8-minutes, the moving of the boards do not count as moves, or they can depending upon the players agreement. Or they can change that rule after one player loses 50% of their pieces. Same as war, once a country starts to lose, they throw Geneva out the window, seeing as they have nothing to lose anyway.

Indeed, this game will teach you strategy, spatial skills, and the art of net centric warfare at a whole new level. Perhaps, you had seen the chess board multi-level game featured in Star Trek? If so, then surely, you'll want to have a go of it? Please consider this.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes that if you have diabetes there are things you need to know; diabetic neuropathy

Note: All of Lance Winslow's articles are written by him, not by Automated Software, any Computer Program, or Artificially Intelligent Software. None of his articles are outsourced, PLR Content or written by ghost writers. Lance Winslow believes those who use these strategies lack integrity and mislead the reader. Indeed, those who use such cheating tools, crutches, and tricks of the trade may even be breaking the law by misleading the consumer and misrepresenting themselves in online marketing, which he finds completely unacceptable.

The Origin of Staunton Chess Pieces

The story of Staunton chess pieces includes what may be the first ever endorsement of a commercial product by a famous person. Staunton-design chess pieces are the most widely used chess pieces in the world and are the standard for chess tournament play. They were developed by a man named Nathaniel Cook for John Jacques of London, sellers of game and sport equipment, and were named after perhaps the greatest chess player of the 19th century.

Howard Staunton, who was born in 1810 and died in 1874, was a chess master in England - the world's best during most of the 1840s. Staunton organized the first international tournament of chess in 1851, an event that made England the world leader in chess playing. But by the 1850s, Staunton dropped out of competitive chess because of poor health and the fact that he had a parallel career as a Shakespearean scholar. But before he left the world of competitive chess, he wrote Chess-Player's Handbook in 1847, a book that was a standard reference for decades.

Staunton chess pieces were almost sure to be popular, due to the popularity of their namesakes at the time they were first sold (1849), and the first 500 sets were numbered and signed by Staunton himself. Staunton chess pieces rapidly became the standard and have been used around the world since then.

Before the development of Staunton chess pieces, the vastly different origins of the world's chess players meant that the chess pieces in one country or region might look very different from the pieces in another region or country.

The look of the pieces may have been influenced by the popularity of neo-classical Greek and Roman architecture in London at the time such as the knight made like a stallion's head from the Parthenon. The new chess pieces were also made to be symbols of the Victorian era. The shape of the pawns are believed to be either from Freemason's Square and Compasses, or Victorian architectural balconies. There has also been speculation that John Jacques, who was a skilled lathe turner, wanted a design that would be widely accepted and easy to produce. In reality, it was probably a bit of both.

Staunton heartily endorsed Jacques of London's new chess set, even to the point of deriding other designs. It might have been the first "celebrity endorsement" of a commercial product. In 1924, the Federation International des Rechecks or World Chess Federation selected Staunton chess sets as the standard for use in future international chess tournaments.

For a long time, chess pieces were made of wood turned on a lathe. Any non-symmetrical details were later added by hand. The knights, of course, had to be made in two stages.

Though today's chess game pieces may be made in plastic, wood, or some other material, the "standard" chess set has pieces based on John Jacques' Staunton design of 1849, with variations that are big enough to provide some distinction among manufacturers yet slight enough that the pieces are recognized as variations on the Staunton design.

The Importance of Detoxing

The most common reasons to detox are:

• To improve digestion
• To lose weight
• To Remove Toxins
• To feel better/healthier/cleaner
• To improve the skin's appearance

I've completed a few detoxes in my time; usually for the above reasons too; you have to plan, set goals, routines and get the support of those around you. This article is set to highlight some of the out the various Detox methods that are now hitting the Media and the various Markets and also share an example of what works for me..

During my previous cleansing experiences I became painfully aware how food & drink centered our socialization activities tend to be. We love a chat over coffee; we catch up over brunch; a weekend date is dinner and a movie.

For many of us, food has become the backbone of our social lives and so if your social life has to rely on something that you must 'shake well before serving', I'm just not entirely convinced this thing is for me.

Fasting: This regime is the abstaining from food to allow the body time to focus on its own cleansing without introducing further toxins that slow down the process. All fasts allow and encourage the consumption of water that is necessary for the purification process and to keeping the body well hydrated. Depending on the fast and its intensity, they can last 24 hours or up to several weeks.

A lot of these detoxes I've noticed are celebrity driven, the Lemon Detox, 48 Hour Rapid Detox, 12 Day Detox, Fasting, Juice Fasting, Colon Cleanse, Liver Cleanse the lists are endless. Water Fasting is no doubt the most difficult of fasts, as nothing but water is permitted to be consumed. Juice Fasting is abstaining from solid foods, but freshly blended fruit and vegetable juices are still ingested. Lemon Fasting is the solo consumption of a lemon based drink (and of course water) throughout the duration of this fast. Lemons are said to have antioxidants that aid in the detoxification process.

I should also add that I have type 2 diabetes; I'm actually quite fond of chewing. So, I think five liquid-filled days may leave me with a yearning for something to sink my teeth into.

Most detox diets contain:

• Organic food and drink
• Whole, unprocessed foods (grains, nuts, seeds, etc)
• Lots of fresh vegetables and fruit
• 2 liters of water per day
• Certain herbs to aid the detoxifying process.

Most detox diets avoid:

• Dairy, Red Meat, Sugar
• Processed and refined foods
• Alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and drugs

So my daily start to the day is with a glass with half a fresh lemon squeezed into warm water. My 14 day detox includes adding to my Grander Filtered Water my detox herbs of choice 2.5 to 3 pints a day, I cut out all wheat dairy and meat. I have a boiled egg, an apple or firm pear and fresh juice for breakfast I prepare almonds or a trail mix of seeds, almonds, walnuts dried fruit only to have a nibble on (remember sugar control) and look for fresh and living vegetables for lunch and dinner.

The key is fresh organic living vegetables you can eat a good amount to fill you and it is a great opportunity to experiment. Try grated fresh beetroot over your salad, (tasty and good for the blood). Toasted sesame seeds instead of salt even growing your own sprouts.

I've seen other people who are fasting going I am so hungry right now. I am cranky. I am empty and just about going mental over the smell of a piece of toast with peanut butter.

With a few gulps, of their dinner' (and yes, the term is used very loosely), dinner is over. They are still hungry, even crankier. As lethargic as a corpse and peeing like a racehorse. It was very clear to me that detoxing in this manner was NOT for me.

I can confidently say that I am not likely to benefit from any program that involves a deprivation of solid food. That's not to say that a detox is not something I wouldn't embark on again though. In fact, I have incorporated detox methods into specific times of the day. I have detoxed a few times before now, using poop-inducing pills that apparently 'clean' out your innards. And whether they actually do or don't physiologically work (there is so much controversy surrounding their effectiveness), the psychological sense that they do and the side effect of weight loss from the 7 or 14-day program, is usually rewarding in itself; even if only a little.

Please always note what works for one person may not work for another, so your best bet is to talk to people who have done it, find out what options are available and try them out for yourself if you are still keen to do so. If you are interested in finding out more information about a liquid-based detox visit a health or fitness professional.

Cleanse Pro X Reviews

Internal cleansing is a vital part of personal health regime. It is as important as your external cleanliness. Keeping this in mind several health products are introduced in the market.

There are loads of health supplements that are too much hyped. For this reason people are suggested to carefully read the ingredients before buying any health product to prevent unwanted side effects. However, thanks to our scientists that we are able to put this colon cleansing into effect.

One such colon cleansing product is Cleanse Pro X that targets sluggish and congested colon for an effective bowel movement. This cleansing product is a key to a healthy living. It helps your body get rid of all toxic elements that hamper your digestive system.

Cleanse Pro X is specially created to detoxify your body. It uses amazing cleaning prowess of effective natural ingredients such as green tea, EGCG, advance probiotics and many others. All these fine ingredients are the best antioxidants that help to flush out toxins from your body.

This clinically proven product is recommended by various eminent personalities of the world. Some of the important features of Cleanse Pro X include the following:

• A complete natural diet
• Purifies and detoxifies your internal systems
• Prevents harmful disease causing bacteria and toxins
• Increases the rate of metabolic rate of your body
• Strengthens your immune system
• Boosts your energy
• Triggers cell regeneration process in the body

It is unique herbal product, which is one of the best alternatives for a complete diet. By including this supplement in your daily diet you will experience tremendous healthy changes in your body. This product helps to maintain a good cardiovascular activity and right cholesterol level in the body.

Make Cleanse Pro X part of your life to ensure overall well being of a person. This product can be procured from its promotional website where the company is offering its free trial samples at reasonable prices, comprising only its S&H charges.

Broma Cleanse Review - Is it the Right Colon Cleanse For You?

Lose 10 Pounds of Excess Weight This Week!

Flush 5 Pounds of Waste By Thursday!

How many of these ads have you seen in the past month, even the past week?

It seems that almost every weight loss company has their own colon cleanse product.

Broma Cleanse, one of these products, has seemed to become fairly popular lately. However, does it live up to all of the hype? This Broma Cleanse review will provide you with an unbiased look at whether or not this colon cleanse product is right for you.

Is this colon cleanse product harmful to me?

Broma Cleanse is made from 100% natural ingredients, so it's no more harmful for you then eating fruit or vegetables. Also, I know there is a small element of fear that goes along with colon cleansers. After the first day or two, though, you'll find it 100% normal to take this colon cleanser.

Is this colon cleansing product effective?

In a word, yes. With more detail, though, this colon cleanse product doesn't seem to "stand out" in the world of colon cleansers. Also, it is a hassle to purchase as well. This product is only available online, making it harder to purchase than if it was available at your local store. Overall, Broma Cleanse may be for some people, but I don't think that it's any more special than all of the other common colon cleansers out there.

On a different note, though, colon cleansers are awesome if you want to lose weight quickly.

Aren't you tired of always being embarrassed when you go to the pool?

Getting from "keep the shirt on" to "smoking hot" is really not as hard as you may believe.

If you are ready to finally tell those additional pounds "adios", then you have to check out this site - http://www.FreeFatLossReport.net - and get the 100% free report.

Eating Out in Windsor, UK

When planning you vacation in Windsor you inevitably think of the magnificent Windsor Castle and the other great historic sights you are going to visit. Indeed, this charming Royal Borough town has a lot more to offer not only because of its rich cultural traditions and beautiful green country surroundings. The whole experience in this superb part of England will take you back to the past and pamper you with supreme spa services and sports activities. Along with the first class stay you can expect first class food.

Eating out in Windsor is an adventure on its own. A must for every visitor is to try the local English cuisine in a unique and authentic atmosphere. The most highly recommended place to go to is the Tower Brasserie & Tea Room. You can enjoy the class and exquisiteness of the place along with the delicious dishes.

The River House Restaurant & Bar is a new place, situated on the banks of the Thames offering a charming and relaxing view of the river and some really great food. You can choose from a wide range of sandwiches and other light meals for lunch and to pick a favorite from the a la carte menu in the evening. If you are staying in a hotel the restaurant there is also a place to start your eating out experience. After enjoying a full English breakfast, you can also have a dinner at the place you are staying in. Eating out in Windsor does not end with the British food.

This town has successfully combined its traditions with the cosmopolitan nature of the present day UK. You can choose from restaurants offering Indian, Thai, Japanese, Mexican and European (Italian, Greek) cuisines. If you are a true gourmet you are definitely recommended to visit Bray village in the Windsor vicinity, which is home to three of the finest gourmet restaurants in the country.

You definitely have to relax or party in a British pub. Those are plentiful in Windsor, as you can imagine, and offer an atmosphere full of friendly comfort, unique style and local folklore. Some of the towns finest are Henry VI Pub and The George Inn, where you can have the traditional beer, a light snack and a pleasant chat surrounded by a superb interior. If you are into the more modern eating out plus drinks afterward experience, some lavish cocktail bars such as the Vanilla Bar and 51 are also at your disposal.

You cannot stay in Windsor without sitting in a local cafe or a tea room and trying a delicious pastry, coffee, juice and above all the customary tea. The Drury House is one of the places where you can enjoy a cozy traditional English atmosphere. You can also opt for a modern style cafe like Nero. If you need to grab a quick pizza or burger there are also many fast food takeaway restaurants of the McDonald's kind, some with quite tasty options.

Places to Visit in Shirdi

If you want to visit Shirdi then there are many places in Shirdi where you can visit. You can visit chawadi, Dwarkamai, Gurusthan, Lendi Baug, Khandoba Mandir and Samadhi Mandir.
1.Chawadi:
This place has achieved a great importance because Sai baba came and stays with his nearer followers at every alternate night. Every Thursday, Palakhi has arrived from Dwarkamai.

2.Dwarkamai:
Before Baba arrives in Shirdi, Dwarkamai is an old mosque in a falling pieces condition. Baba turned it into a Dwarkamai. Here Baba solved people's worries and cured their sickness. Main attraction of Dwarkamai is the oil painting of baba sitting in a carved wooden shrine. There you can also find grinding stone and wooden vessel which was called as a kolamba in which baba used to keep the bhiksha brought from the village.

3.Gurusthan:
When Baba came to the Shirdi he was spotted seated under a neem tree. This place is known as a Gurusthan. There is a small shrine in the Gurusthan. The branches of the neem tree have come out through the roof of the temple. There is a big portrait of sai baba in a shrine. You can also find a marble statue of Shri Sai Baba. There are many other temples to visit like temple of shani, Ganpati and Shankar.

4.Lendi Baug:
At the some distance of Gurusthan, there is a Lendi Baug. It got its name from the Nalla that is Drain which used to previously flow there. This Baug was created and watered by Baba himself. Every morning and afternoon baba used to came here to take a rest under a neem tree.

5.Khandoba Mandir:
In Khandoba Mandir, there are icons of Khandoba, Banai and Mhalsai.

6.Samadhi Mandir:
Samadhi mandir of sai baba was owned by a millionaire from a Nagpur, sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao. The mandir is built with the stones and baba's Samadhi is built with white marble stones. Just behind the Samadhi, there is a Sai baba's marvelous statue made of Italian marble which shows him seated on a throne. On the first floor of the mandir, there are pictures which depicting the life of sai baba.

Buy in Belize - Where Nature Delights

Looking for a place where you could relax, enjoy life and spend some quality time. Recreating and strengthening your roots, so you could bounce back. You don't have to go to the other side of the globe anymore - Belize is just the place you are looking for. Easily accessible, you just have to open one door and walk into another.

Buying property in Belize is made simple; this tropical paradise can be easily realized, and why not, with the number of incentives the Government of Belize is willing to provide. You can contribute to the development of Belize and the Government of Belize will welcome you with open arms.

8867 square miles of Belize is enchanting and every inch a paradise.

Own Land in Paradise

The economy of Belize is based on tourism and agriculture, with sugarcane, citrus, bananas and aqua-culture as the main-stream providers. The manufacturing industry is also agro-based. Belize's success in tourism, together with close proximity to Canada and the United States has encouraged visitors to buy properties and settle here. We should also be thankful to the Belizean Government for allowing non-Belizeans to purchase and own properties in Belize. Rich pine forests, lush tropical rain forests, savannah and mangrove forests to sandy Caribbean beaches, rivers, streams, lagoons and plenty of islands, all add to attract visitors.

Well, you could even own an island here if you wish to have.

Check them out

Crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea encourage fishing in Belize and scuba diving in Belize. Places such as Long Caye at Lighthouse Reef offer some of the best diving and fishing in the Hemisphere. Rare and exotic species of birds, mammals and fish abounding Belize's fertile eco-systems thrive as they are supported by the protected status provided to 42% of Belize land. The Community Baboon Sanctuary, The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary - the world's only Jaguar preserve, and the Maya sites are all protected spaces under the Belizean law.

Real Estate - Your Piece of the Pie

Mid-November through May are the driest months of the year. The rains start in late-June and end in mid-November. High tourist season starts in December and continues through May. The rest of the year is comparatively less crowded. Plan a trip to Belize, and you can choose your way. Fly, sail, or drive through land. The destination within Belize will give you a most memorable time.

Choose among the seafront, farms, acreages, community dwellings, and other properties that are available for sale. When you get home, it gives you great memories. Be here, look around - Belize is ever willing and will gladly help you make up your mind.

Farming in Belize

If you love farming, you could go for large tracts of rural land. The soil is fertile and can offer you an opportunity of developing the agricultural sector of the Belizean economy with your contributions. Come, be here, be a part of the Belize story, there are many incentives as well that the Government of Belize has planned.

Sun, Lagoon and Quiet

You could be creative, and wanting a space for inspiration, or to recoup. Or you may be looking to complete that unfinished book. Belize is available with the right environs that you long for. An ideal place to retire, so you can do what you like - at your own pace and terms of choice. Whenever you are fed-up with the mad rush of the fast life, come and soak in the Sun, Lagoon and the Quiet.

Belize is so near.

Home is Where the Heart is

Sure, but you would never know until you have given Belize a chance. Real Estate in Belize offers a variety of choices, to suit every budget, and in style. Islands, Farms, Ranches, Waterfront, Villas and Community Dwellings. The choice is so wide that you are sure to find, what you like. Belize isn't expensive either. It is moderate and affordable. Much less expensive than the other surrounding Caribbean countries.

Belizean Thoughts

You only have to be in Belize for three days before you can apply for a marriage license, with a one day notice. You must have a certified copy of your Birth Certificate as proof of citizenship, notarized with the father's name; proof of divorce, if necessary; a certified copy or original of divorce certificate, and a copy of the death certificate for widows or widowers, if necessary. You could be married by either a Justice of Peace or Registrar General in Belize City.

Come, visit Belize. Who knows, this may just be what you were waiting for.

Holidays in Marrakech and the Best Things to Do in Marrakech

Holidays in Marrakech promise marketplaces and hidden souks, lush courtyards between ancient riads. Holidays in Marrakech also promise the intoxicating scents of Moroccan delicacies. The traditional atmosphere hasn't been spoiled by the tourist trade, the visitors like the ancient feel of the place, and people taking their holidays in Marrakech just add to the lively feelings in the marketplaces.

On your holidays in Marrakech travel via caleches, local horse and carriages and on foot.

Holidays in Marrakech are potentially going to be warmer and busier than you're expecting, no matter how many times you're told it will be warm and busy. People are also going to try and sell you things at every opportunity, so spend your first few holidays in Marrakech hours just acclimatising round the Djemaa el-Fna - but don't buy anything! Just enjoy the floor show of snake charmers, monkey acts and musicians. There's an art to shopping in Marrakech's marketplaces and it's advisable to making one of your first holidays in Marrakech visits to the fixed price Ensemble Artisanal on Avenue Mohammed V.

Many of the main cultural and historic sights to see on your holidays in Marrakech are within walking distance of the Djemaa el-Fna.

The Ben Youssef Madrassa and Mosque, allows visitors to look over the madrasa, impressive for the beautiful scripts that have been carved into it, and should be allocated a few hours of your visit on your holidays in Marrakech. The Bahia Palace, was built to be the most beautiful convergence of Moroccan style and Islamic traditions of its time and warrants a few hours of your holidays in Marrakech, before or after visiting the Dar Si Saïd Museum of Moroccan Arts, which has an impressive collection of both ancient art and every day objects.

The Majorelle Gardens, with their raised pathways, cool sunken pools and groves of bananas, coconuts and bougainvillea, are best done in one of the mornings of your holidays in Marrakech, before it gets too hot and before they're flooded by other tourists.

The Saadian Tombs, lay buried under the centre of Marrakech for four hundred years, but when they were finally rediscovered their decorative tiling was lauded all round, and they're now one of the most popular places to visit on holidays in Marrakech. Both the tombs and the remains of El Badi Palace, once a 360 room glory, deserve a half day each of your holidays in Marrakech if you have time.

As well as seeing the sights on your holidays in Marrakech, one of your days should be spent exploring the souks and markets. One of the easiest ways to do that is to hire a guide for a full or half day and have them help you explore the souks you're most interested in - heading out from the tourist tat of the centre. If shopping is one of your reasons for choosing your holidays in Marrakech explore the districts of Guéliz and Hivernage, near the old city walls, where there are boutique jewellery and clothing shops,

If you have a spare few hours on your holidays in Marrakech one of the other unique things to do is to have a gommage at a hammam bath, which is a vigourous black soap scrub given with rough gloves. Many hotels will have their own hammam, but there are public ones, as well as private, luxury baths.

Tirupati - Lord of the Seven Hills

A scenic drive up the Tirumala Hills, in Tirupati District of Andhra Pradesh (India) takes one upto the holy shrine of the Lord of the Seven Hills. Known simultaneously by various names, He is Vishnu, Balajee, Sri Venakataswami, Sreenivas, Govinda, or simply, Swami (Lord). The holy shrine of Tirupati is famous in India and abroad, and holds a strange magnetism till date, as it has for centuries. Believed to be the richest Hindu temple, it draws devotees to it in hordes. From the humble to the rich and famous: all come here to venerate the most powerful God in the Hindu pantheon. Naturally, a "darshan"(a holy sighting) of the Lord is therefore very arduous, owing to the mammoth turnout of pilgrims.

The temple administration, known popularly as TTD, does an admirable work of providing rest-houses, free food, and emergency medical assistance, for the lowliest beggar to the richest magnate, film star, or politician. One has to plan one's trip very carefully from the outset, in order to avail the all-important "tickets" for a darshan of Lord Balajee. If you are a first-time visitor there, it is advised you to make your bookings much before your proposed trip, in order to stay over for at least a night and make sure that your journey was not wasted. Avoiding the main festival months and weekends is another sound advice that the travel guides do not tell you.

The crowds at these times, have to be seen to be believed, and jostling in queue with tens of thousands is not the preferred way for most, at least on pilgrimages. For the uninitiated and first-time visitor, the intricate 'queue' system of Tirupati is, in my opinion, unparalleled in the rest of the world. Long-winded, maze-like corridors, sometimes going up, and sometimes going down, sometimes over foot-bridges, and sometimes over and down wooden slopes, taking right-turns and left-turns, and ultimately culminating in front of the Lord himself. In fact, when one finds himself/herself in front of the Deity, one is left mesmerized.

The centuries-old shrine is not famous for nothing; there is an indescribable joy, mixed with deeper emotions when one comes face to face with the Lord. All worries, grievances, and troubles seem to recede in the background, as if there was no relationship ever with anything else, other than with you and God. Of course, again, this is largely a matter of faith, as is with anything spiritual. In fact, a person without any faith is something of a rarity in this sacred zone ; this is according to what I have witnessed.

Another amazing thing I recorded here is the incredulous faith of the very poor who come here; from babies to the old and aged, sans even the basic comforts, they trek barefoot till the hill-top, in sunshine, rain or hail. All they chant is "Govinda, Govinda", and often stay in-waiting in line for two to three days on end, during peak seasons. Tirupati and Tirumala Hills have an abundance of temples and smaller shrines.

Most of them date several thousand years old, and are worth a visit, even if you aren't a devout person, to witness the highly advanced artistic and engineering skills of our ancestors. In the days when there were no fancy colleges, degrees, or computers, these stead-fast rock structures have stood the test of time, and have witnessed generations coming and going. I concluded my very successful visit to Tirupati yesterday with my family. Do visit this wonderful place at least once: you won't regret your efforts! And don't forget to carry your camera.

Enjoying Koh Samui Beaches

Koh Samui, one of the most picturesque places in Thailand, has an array of beaches, competing with one another when it comes to aesthetic beauty. Attracted by these idyllic beaches, tourists come to Samui and return only with a vow to revisit. The unending seas, milky sand and exciting water sports offer visitors something which is seemingly impossible to forget.

Chaweng Beach
Chaweng, the most favorite beach in Koh Samui, sits prettily on the eastern coast of the island. A several miles long beach, it offers a slew of hotels and resorts located along the coastline. Chaweng Beach road has quite a good number of bars, restaurants and shops, which would keep you busy on evening. Golfers can visit the golf course located near the beach. One can take part in thrilling water sports like canoeing, windsurfing, banana boating, parasailing, wakeboarding and water skiing.

Lamai Beach
Lamai, nestled south of Chaweng, comes second when it comes to popularity. Although the number of tourists in Lamai is lesser than Chaweng, there are enough discos, pubs and restaurants to keep one engaged. And when it comes to watersports, one has wakeboarding, windsurfing, parasailing, waterskiing, jet skiing and motorboating. So if you have plenty of fun but in little crowded place, Lamai is the place to visit.

Bo Phut Beach
Bo Phut offers some delightful time in serenity. One can pass highly productive time in leisure. The beach, fringed by coconut palm trees, is covered by fine-grained sand. People visit to see some eye-catching views of Koh Phang Nga and Gulf of Thailand. One can take a motorboat here to go around the island. When you get hungry, there are several restaurants to take. Sports lovers can go for jet skiing, snorkeling and kayaking.

Maenam Beach
Surfer in Samui mostly head for Maenam, which seemsto be made tailormade for the game. Travelers who just wish to enjoy their sports, far from the head-thumping music of bars, Maenam is the place to go. However, families must be cautious, for the beach gets deep quickly. Golfers can have their games at Santiburi Golf Course, located nearby.

Diet For Woman With Gestational Diabetes Aids Blood Glucose Control

It is important to know about diet for woman with gestational diabetes because as per estimates nearly one out of every twenty women in the United States suffer from this problem during pregnancy. This ailment has not yet been fully understood till now despite constant research. The exact reason why this disease occurs during pregnancy and is automatically cured after delivery is not yet established. It is thought that the mental stress and increased hormonal production in a pregnant woman's body is somehow related to this condition.

Proper diet for gestational diabetes is to be strictly followed by women who are facing this medical condition and also by expectant mothers who are not suffering because they are at high risk of developing this ailment. A gestational dietary regime is also necessary for women who were already diabetic when they conceived.

Women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes should at once take steps to control their blood sugar levels. The first thing to do in this direction is to consult a registered dietitian. He or she is the right person who can help chart a menu suited to the expectant mother's and the unborn baby's health condition by modifying the dietary intake of the mother. There is no better way for accomplishing this goal.

In any stage of pregnancy, diet for woman with gestational diabetes ensures the right calorific and nutritional intake that is best for both the mother and the baby as well while keeping blood sugar controlled within acceptable limits. The food plan is not standard but is crafted in line with the individual requirements of every patient taking into account many parameters like weight, height, daily activities, food preferences etc

Once recommended dietary control measures are initiated, it is necessary to keep periodical track of blood glucose levels of the patient. For this, blood sample tests are done to measure the blood sugar level four times every day. These repetitive tests are done to make sure that glucose levels in the blood remain stable at all times during the day. The number of daily tests can be decreased if it is found that is has been possible to establish good blood sugar control. However, it is necessary to continue self-monitoring of glucose levels through all the stages of pregnancy.

The diet plan prepared by the dietician is designed to fulfill the weight gain requirements during pregnancy. It is normal for a woman to gain about 2 to 4 pounds during the first trimester. From the second trimester onwards an average weekly weight gain of one pound is considered normal. In the second semester it is also necessary to increase the daily intake of calories by approx 200 to 300 calories along with increase in proteins by about 10 grams. The best way to do this is by drinking a couple of additional glasses of milk. For those who do not prefer to take milk eating 2 ounces of meat everyday will give the desired result.

If you find that you are affected by this serious condition while pregnant, you must ensure that you take a diet for woman with gestational diabetes in the interest of your own safety and health as well as that of your unborn baby. Remember gestational diabetes is a serious disease and teaching yourself dietary regulation is necessary to keep it in check.

Drink lots of water because it is calorie free and helps to flush away the toxins. Did you know that flavored carbonated water has no calories, sugar, body, sweetener, color or preservatives?

How Do You Know You Have Diabetes?

In a person who does not have diabetes, the body keeps the plasma glucose level between meals in the range of 70 to 109 milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dl. After eating, that person's glucose level rises, depending on the amount and content of the meal,but does not exceed 130 mg/dl. It also quickly returns to the fasting or between-meal range.

In a person with diabetes, the blood glucose level rises abnormally high after eating, takes much longer to come down and doesn't settle back into normal range, even during periods of fasting such as between meals. So in order to diagnose diabetes, a doctor must test your blood glucose levels.

There are actually three different tests that can be used to determine if you have diabetes. The most common method used to diagnose diabetes is a blood test in which your fasting plasma glucose is measured. A fasting test means it has been more than eight hours since you have had any thing to eat. When your fasting plasma glucose is over 125 mg/dl on two consecutive occasions, a diagnosis of diabetes is made.

Another method used to diagnosis diabetes is a random blood glucose test. This is a glucose test taken without regard to how long it has been you have eaten. If your random blood glucose value is 200 mg/dl or higher and you have symptoms of diabetes- such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, excessive hunger, weight loss or fatigue - the diagnoses of diabetes is made.

The third test is an oral glucose tolerance test. This test is done when a test of the fasting blood glucose shows a level close to normal but diabetes is suspected (because, for example, the above mentioned symptoms of diabetes are present). An oral glucose tolerance test is given after three days of diet high in starches and sugars. After an overnight fast, you arrive at the lab for a two-hour test. Your blood is drawn to measure your fasting plasma level. You are then asked to drink a high glucose concentration liquid over a 15 minute period. During the remainder of the time, your blood is drawn at specific intervals. It is important o sit for the entire test report if you feel ill during the test. Diabetes is diagnosed if your blood glucose level exceeds 199 mg/dl during the test.

You may have noticed that there's a gap between the glucose level that is considered normal and one that indicates diabetes. A normal fasting glucose level for example, is less than 110 mg/dl, but only when the fasting glucose level rises above 125 mg/dl that a diagnosis of diabetes is made. Likewise, at the end of a two-hour glucose tolerance test, a normal glucose level should be less than 140mg/dl, and yet a diagnosis of diabetes is not made unless the glucose level after those two hours is 200 mg/dl or higher. What about the range in between?

Glucose level of 110 to 124 mg/dl when fasting and two-hour glucose levels of 140 to 199 mg/dl are not considered diabetes but are not normal, either. People with these levels are diagnosed as having impaired glucose tolerance. Although not yet considered to have diabetes, these people have 25 percent chance of developing diabetes in the future and also have a higher incidence of heart disease.

Diabetic patients have always been bothered by possible easy diabetes control measures that will enable them get on with their life.

Below are few sure diabetes control, prevention and management tips that will help you put the problem of diabetes to a reasonable level, if not cured entirely:

• Dietary management. In general principle, dietary measures are required in the treatment of all diabetic patients in order to achieve the overall therapeutic goal.

• Endeavor to exercise yourself as much as possible.

• Then grab the much talked about Diabetes Control Made Easy Guide. A 100% safe, natural, and effective ways you can manage and even fully recover from your diabetes in as little as 90 days ... and so that you never have to take insulin again, or have to suffer painfully dull diets even again!

What is a Normal Blood Sugar Level

In order to understand the level of normal blood sugar, we need to understand the functioning of the body first.

The food that we generally eat is converted into sugar and then released into the blood. Insulin then shifts the sugar from the blood to the body cells which in turn burns it and converts it into energy. This is a continuous process that occurs upon food consumption.

For those who are left untouched with the high blood sugar level the insulin functions properly, and it transports the sugar from the blood to the cells leaving behind the desirable amount of sugar in the blood. For diabetic victims, this sugar that is left in the blood stream is high and hence leads to further health complications. The blood sugar level is measured in mg/dL (milligrams per deciLitre).

The desirable range of blood sugar level ranges between 70 mg/dL and 120 mg/dL. It is noteworthy that the fasting blood sugar levels taken early in the morning are lower as compared to the sugar levels after food consumption. During a casual blood test if your blood sugar level measures 200 mg/dL, then it is in a cautious state. It means that you need to conduct a fasting as well as a non-fasting diabetes test.

If your sugar level reading is above 100 but is under 125 mg/dL, you are supposed to have pre-diabetes. This implies that you are potentially suffering from the ailment. However, doctors may diagnosis again after repeating the fasting glucose test.

Occasionally your normal glucose levels can be altered by illness, medications, or even stress, so the physician needs to be sure before finalizing the diagnosis. If your stats record over 125 mg/dL after 2 tests, then you are positive for either type-1 or type-2 diabetes.

Diabetic patients must follow the prescription given to them by their doctors consistently, and also adjust their lifestyle to keep a check on the rising sugar level. Taking it lightly means living life on the edge. It has been recorded that further health complications may lead to cardiovascular diseases, stroke and damage to the feet.

Sometimes, your blood sugar level may reach the range which is lower than the desirable levels. One might experience giddiness at that stage. In this case it's advisable to drink something with lot of sugar content that can energize your body rapidly.

Signs of Diabetes - Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a medical condition in which the pregnant women have to suffer from blood sugar levels higher than normal. Medical science is unable to reveal the exact cause of gestational diabetes; still it is thought that gestational diabetes is linked to hormonal changes during pregnancy and stress of pregnancy on woman's body.

Most women are unable to notice the signs of diabetes and think that it is the part of pregnancy. They only come to know of it when the doctor sends them for laboratory test.

It is thought that placenta and its working are the major cause of gestational diabetes. Placenta produces many hormones during pregnancy. Some of these hormones adversely affect the efficiency of mother's insulin. The result is then increase in the blood sugar level. Insulin becomes unable to effectively move glucose in the cells where it can be used for the production of energy.

Sometimes the body of the mother produces three time added insulin to cancel the effect of pregnancy changes. This is termed insulin resistance.

Some women are able to notice some classic symptoms of diabetes during pregnancy these are

Excessive Urination: The increase in blood sugar level cause an increased flow of blood towards kidney.

Excessive Thirst: This is caused by the dehydration because of excessive urination.

Excessive Hunger: As the glucose is unable to move in the cells; the cells become starved of energy and brain gets the signal that body is hungry.

Unexplained Weight Loss: Though the woman is eating more than routine still she loses weight. The body has to break down the fat and protein reserves for the production of energy.

Tiredness: Tiredness is the result of the energy deficit

Blurriness In Vision: It is the result of increased flow of blood that may result in the swelling of the eye lens.

Though these are some of the sign of gestational diabetes. Still most women do not experience any symptom of diabetes. So it is critical that women must be screened for gestational diabetes towards the end of second trimester.

Marketing Your Business - Most Ignored Marketing Rule #1 - Loyal Customers Don't Want Sales

It's the #1 deadly sin of most marketing campaigns.

Take a look at your daily newspaper (if your town still has one) or maybe your mailbox. See all those coupons?

• 10% off!
• SALE!
• Low Price Guarantee
• Save 20%, 30%, up to 45% - and more!

Here is the problem with these offers... you will only get two (2) types of people responding to them:

Type 1 - People who aren't your customers and are just price shopping
Type 2 - Existing customers who would have purchased from you anyway but will take advantage of these discounted prices.

Now, there's nothing wrong with price shoppers - especially in today's tough economy. But if the customers are only buying price - THEY ARE NOT LOYAL CUSTOMERS. The only thing a price-shopping customer sees in your business is what your product or service will cost.

Of course, there are a few businesses that thrive on the low-price business model - WalMart may be the best known. But, if I'm any indicator of what's happening to WalMart's market then they're spiraling towards their own destruction (remember, you read it first here!). I shop discount stores regularly; but I'll shop at WalMart ONLY when I need something cheap - something that I don't expect to last, that I know I'll only use once or twice, and therefore something I don't want to spend much money on. Anytime I'm looking for a real item - something that I expect to keep, use, and cherish for sometime - WalMart is nowhere on my list.

When it comes to WalMart - I'm a price shopper - not a LOYAL CUSTOMER.

Then, there are your existing customers who'll jump on the low prices. This isn't necessarily a bad thing - your customers will have purchased goods or services from you at a really good price. But, it's not entirely a good thing either, since - in my experience - most businesses use sales and discount offers to increase revenue and net profit and not primarily to make happy customers.

A large, retail company recently ran a huge promotion with discounted prices. During the promotion, things seemed to be going swimmingly. Customers were redeeming the discount coupons at a spectacular rate. But, when the promotion ended and the sales data analyzed, the company executives were surprised to find that sales revenues were almost unaffected - the increase was insignificant - even with the huge number of redemptions. Why? Because most of the redemptions came from existing customers who saw an opportunity to save a few dollars. The bottom line? The company's revenue didn't increase, their margins decreased, so they ended up with a smaller net profit during the time of the promotion.

"But," you ask, "doesn't this prove that good customers want sales?"

No, it proves that good, smart customers will take advantage of a sale - but that's not what they're looking for from you.

Loyal customers look for one AND ONLY ONE thing: COMFORT.

• They want to feel comfortable with you and your business.
• They want to feel comfortable that they're making the right decision while they're spending their hard earned money.
• They want to feel comfortable once they've actually shelled out for your product or service.
• They want to feel comfortable talking to their friends about their purchase.
• They want to feel comfortable that - should they ever need your product/service in the future - they know where to go.
• Then, once they feel comfortable - they want something new

Now, here's the concept most business owners either don't know, don't understand, or entirely ignore:

When suspects and prospects, customer and clients don't already have a relationship with a business that provides comfort, they'll shop price to make up for what's lacking.

So, when you're creating offers to send out to suspects and prospects remember:

1. Suspects and prospects don't really know you and feel comfortable with you or your business, so most will ignore your offer.
2. The only way suspects or prospects will consider your offer is if the price is so low that it makes up for their lack of comfort.
3. If your offer is made to existing customers, find something to offer other than price. For example, instead of a restaurant offering a 15% discount on a meal, offer a free, rich, to-die-for desert to every loyal customer that returns to the restaurant within a specified promotional period and orders the latest, delicious new entree. These customers:
   • already know the restaurant
   • feel comfortable that the new entree will be every bit as delicious as advertised
   • may already have tasted (or lusted after) the to-die-for desert
   so this offer gives them something NEW they can feel comfortable about.

Sales and discount offers are short term tricks to increase traffic to your establishment. They may work for a while but, like most short term fixes, there's the problem of diminishing returns - the more you use them, the less effective they'll be.

On the other hand, promotions and offers that focus on building comfortable relationships with prospects and loyal customers will put your business on sure footing for years to come.

How to Make Money Online With a Limited Marketing Budget

There are several low cost marketing options available if you are wondering how to make money on line with a limited marketing budget. One of the options available is that of free classified advertising.

Taking advantage of the various free classifieds sites is a great way to get started with your online marketing business. There are plenty of classifieds sites out there that will allow you to post ads totally free of charge.

Zero/low cost advertising is important when you're trying to get that first sale or working on a limited marketing budget. It wouldn't make any sense to jump straight into an expensive marketing strategy like Google AdWords, without knowing what you're doing. I recently heard about someone who jumped into an online marketing business "boots and all" and spent tens of thousands of dollars on marketing before making a sale. Definitely not a good business strategy! You really need to be wise, work within your budget, and not branch out into other more expensive marketing methods until your business can support those kind of business costs.

Some of the sites I have had good results with include inetgiant.com, adlandpro.com and jihoy.com to name a few, but there are thousands to choose from. Some also offer additional services such as a facility to submit your ads to other sites for greater exposure - there are also inexpensive tools available to do this yourself.

There are certainly plenty of ways to market your business without maxing out the credit card so give them a try!

Craig Dobinson is a business coach and mentor who assists serious entrepreneurs in building a profitable online business with multiple income streams. Craig and his team assist people with no previous marketing skills in generating profits that exceed $250K or more in their first year.

Top 6 Vital Qualities to Look For Starting an Online Internet Home Based Business

If you are looking for a professional Online Internet Home Based Business you don't want to sell vitamins, overpriced trendy juices, or travel packages.

You want to represent top tier products that have value to people in any walk of life and you don't have to stack in your garage.

You also want a business that will make you money when you're not working. You want to attract other success minded entrepreneurs and you don't want a repackaged MLM company.

You really want a home business and NOT a 2nd job. You want business partners not another boss.

A business with a professional image and a 6 figure income potential has these 6 vital qualities:

1. Mentor

One of the most important elements of a successful business is having a mentor who is competent, experienced, successful and accessible and who has a financial stake in your success

2. Marketing System

When you start out with your online internet home based business you probably have little or no experience in online marketing so it is crucial that there is a turn-key marketing system which leaves nothing to chance and where you effortlessly can duplicate established procedures.

3. Product

You'll want A unique stand alone, high quality product that sells well outside the company and enriches the lives of those who posses it.

4. Company

You are looking for a solid company with a long term vision, with transparent and legitimate operations and a sound leadership.

5. Direct Sales Business Model

It does NOT matter how great or life changing a product is if the business model does not fully compensate you to be a full-time business owner in a matter of months, not years. The Direct Sales business model is your answer to this objective.

6. Dual Compensation Structure

This compensation structure allows you to generate a full time income on your own terms. Ad this happens from day 1. It also gives you another full-time residual income from the efforts of your organization over time.

I assure you missing even one of these elements will result in the same frustration and lack of success you've probably been seeing up until now. I know because I have struggled with similar problems.