Knowledge for free

Knowledge is for everybody, it must be free !

Archive for January, 2010

An In Depth Look At Siamese Cats

Jan 30

Posted by Adriana in Cats | No Comments

The exotic and somewhat mysterious Siamese cat hails from the country of Thailand. They had always been a popular breed of cats, some even residing in royal palaces. Siamese cats, in the past, were trusted to protect royal palaces and monasteries from evil spirits. These cats were also thought of as bringing good fortune to their owners as well.

During the year of 1884, the very first Siamese cats began to make their way to England, when they were given as gifts to a British general. After that, they eventually made their way over to America. Now days, Siamese cats are one of the most recognized of the breed. Siamese cats are without a doubt the most popular short haired cat and among the top 3 in the entire breed of cats.

Even though there are several different colors to this breed, some questions what makes a cat a true Siamese cat. These cats have always been known for their bodies which are lighter in color, with darker areas throughout. The more darker areas found on their bodies are normally around the feet, tail, legs, or face. They can weight anywhere between 6 – 16 lbs, with bright eyes that are normally slanted – which is another clue that the cat is a true Siamese.

Traditionally, Siamese cats are robust, with round heads and a truly muscular build. They are well known throughout the world for their color points and unique personalities. Unlike other breeds, Siamese breeds have a talent for communicating with people. If you are looking for a cat that is nice and quiet, you wouldn’t want a Siamese cat. These cats love to play, love to make noise, and they also happen to be the most social breed of cats out there.

Siamese cats demand a lot of attention, because in their minds, they believe that the world revolves around them. For this very reason, they can tend be quite dependant on their owners. They love to play, and crave interaction. If you leave them alone for too long, they won’t like it. They like to get attention, love to play, and hate to be left by themselves.

Even though Siamese cats are emotionally high maintenance, they don’t need a lot of maintenance They need a minimum amount of grooming, which involves bathing every once in a while, and brushing maybe once or twice a month. If you like cats with minimal maintenance, Siamese cats are perfect. Their hair is short to their skin, so a gentle brushing is all you need. They can get sick however, which is to be expected with any breed of cat.

Siamese cats have a life span that is similar to other breeds, which is normally around 15 – 20 years, sometimes even longer. As long as you feed him on a daily basis and take him to the vet for his regular checkups and shots, he will be around for years and years to come. Most people who have their Siamese cat for over 10 years, find the cat to be more like a child than a pet.

No matter how you look at it, a Siamese cat is a great pet. Although the Siamese breed does require a lot of attention, they are excellent pets that you can spend a lot of time with. They are great for kids as well, simply because kids can spend a lot of time with them. As long as you give your pet the attention he craves – he will be your life long friend for as long as you have him.

Some Tips for Keeping Your Airedale Terrier Pet Dog Well-Behaved

Jan 30

Posted by Adriana in Terrier dogs | No Comments

Here are some tips you can use to keep your Airedale terrier pet dog well-behaved:

1) Can’t teach an old dog – You have to start training your Airedale terrier pet dog as early as possible. This is because of the fact that the earlier an Airedale terrier pet dog learns a trick, the faster they will be able to learn it. This doesn’t just apply to tricks. It also applies to general behavior. When your Airedale terrier pet dog is still just a puppy, you need to start training it. This way, the behavioral training that you give it will be ingrained into the Airedale terrier pet dog’s brain. This way, proper behavior becomes almost instinctive to the Airedale terrier pet dog.

2) Use, don’t abuse – Various training methods are made available for you by various experts. However, there’s one thing you should know: they only work with proper use. Some people make use of the leash or of the crate to abuse their animals. What you need to know is that each method of training can only be effective if used in a way that will not harm the animals. You need to be firm but gentle with your animal when you are trying to train it.

Use the various implements humanely in such a manner that will encourage your dog to behave well and not scare it from behaving badly.

3) Habit inside, habit outside – Before taking your Airedale terrier pet dog outside, try to observe its behavior inside. This will give you a clue as to how the Airedale terrier pet dog will act outside the house. Many people say that a dog’s behavior inside a house is very different from the way that the same dog will act in outside environments. This is not true. By observing the inside behavior of your Airedale terrier pet dog, you will realize how it will respond to you outside.

If your Airedale terrier pet dog does not listen to your commands inside the house, how can you expect it to listen to your commands outside the house where there are things a lot more interesting to a dog than your commands are?

4) Keep your temper – Training an Airedale terrier pet dog can understandably be very frustrating. However, you should not lose your temper. Negative actions such as hitting or shouting at your dog will not accomplish anything positive. Sometimes, we have a tendency to take out our frustrations on helpless pets. Do not blame your problems on the dog. If you know that you are having a bad day, do not even think about training your dog. All that you might get from the ordeal is a bad case of hyperacidity. Your dog will learn nothing and that would only increase your frustration.

5) Timing – Timing is always important. You need to make corrections regarding your Airedale terrier pet dog’s behavior while those corrections are still relevant. If you praise or correct with the wrong timing, you would only end up confusing the dog. Actually, the best timing you can use is to correct the Airedale terrier pet dog before he or she even starts to misbehave.

These five tips can help you a lot in keeping your Airedale terrier pet dog’s behavior in check. By following these tips, you can make training your dog an easy task.

Choosing the Perfect Pet for Your Kids

Jan 29

Posted by Adriana in Pets for your child | No Comments

Being responsible is a very important quality of a person. This trait is not gained in just a snap of a finger though. Acceptance of responsibilities is a long and winding process that should be inculcated in an individual as early as possible. Childhood is the most appropriate time for kids to learn how to be responsible. Teaching your kids the value of being responsible could start by giving them a pet. Through this you will be able to achieve your goal while your kids are having an eventful experience as well. However, you do not just give them any animal you could think of. Bear in mind that the length of time the will be with you may range from months to years. It will never be easy that is why you really have to choose the perfect pet for your kids.

Benefits of Having a Pet

Having pets brings a lot of benefits. Aside from learning the value of being responsible, pets could in fact give their owners unconditional love. They are very reliant to human beings for love and affection but give it back to you too. Be sure to really take care of them and you will feel their warmth for you. They may just stay where they are but once you approach them you would soon find out that they are regaled with your presence. They may not be able to speak how they feel but you could sense that certain warmth through their body language. Jumping excitedly, running towards you, or just staying by your side is their way of communication.

Pets have a great way of comforting kids especially when they are sick or having a bad day. They comfort people during the times of need. They may not do it exactly the way another person does but in their own way they would achieve the same goal.

Factors to Consider

Choosing a pet for children depends largely on a number of factors. The child’s current age is a key element in making the decision. Very young kids might unknowingly mishandle or hurt the pet. There is a possibility that they would pull, drop, or pick the pet improperly which would cause undue hurt or pain.

Health of all family members should also be considered. Some people have a hypersensitivity reaction to pets. Hairy animals will most probably exacerbate a person’s asthma attacks. In some instances, contact dermatitis may ensue in various parts of the body especially on those areas that constantly touch or adhere to the pet. Assess your family’s health status first to avoid them from happening. If you are not certain whether or not your children have allergies, allow them to spend some time at a pet owner’s house. This would help you gauge whether the pet is suitable for them and will not be detrimental to their health.

Another thing that you have to look into is the financial aspect. Determine how much can you allot for the pet and their care including food, vaccine, and grooming. Building an appropriate coop up for a particular animal might be more expensive than you think. Even animals require play pens too.

Apart from that, you have to consider how big your house is and how much space you could spare for the kid’s pet. Ample space will be needed in taking care of pets. If you have a rather small place, then choose an animal that would not require so much.

Having a pet would also entail apportioning the parents’ time. Even though the child promises to take on all the responsibilities, parents still end up helping out. It is important that you supervise your child while she performs the chores to make sure that everything is done right. It is only after a period of time when they could really manage.

Hopefully, the worst case scenario will not happen. Some kids get tired of the pet and the parents end up doing the chores or finding a pet sitter in some cases. In order to avoid this from happening it is important that you find the perfect pet for your kids.

Setting Up Your Home Aquarium: All About Aquarium Pumps

Jan 28

Posted by Adriana in Home Aquarium | No Comments

Aquarium pumps are also important in setting up your home aquarium. It facilitates proper oxygenation in the water for your fish to breathe. The pump is normally attached to a plastic tube that is also attached to a long protruding equipment that has small perforations all over it. The pump puffs air into the holes making bubble inside the aquarium. This facilitates larger surface capacity therefore gathering more oxygen for the fish.

Air pumps can also be used for aesthetic purposes. Bubbles are relaxing to watch and some air pumps are crafted as statues of angels or sea treasures, and some other designs used for aquarium tanks. Aquarium pumps basically cost a few bucks but they are widely available. When you are buying a pump you have to look for the fortified plastic tubes and the design you want to purchase with it, whether it is a baby angel taking a leak or a clam with a black pearl.

Aquarium pumps are fairly easy to purchase, even though they are quite expensive. However, the peripherals that come with the pump such as decorative materials are cheap. It is on your sole discretion whether you have a pump in your aquarium since the aquarium can still keep fishes without the pump. Most plain fish tanks have air pumps but delicate aquariums containing sensitive fishes like the cichlids are very delicate and they do not like a lot of bubble disturbance in the water.

Oxygen circulation is important and usually misunderstood as an essential factor in maintaining an aquarium. Some of the misconception is possibly connected to the difference of equipment that facilitates the circulation such as air pumps.

The delicate segregation of a congested aquarium is greatly different from ponds where stagnancy is offset by a great variety of aquatic plants and bacterial life, drastic weather conditions, and other active processes. A fish tank is not a complete environment, and the main concern of the person keeping it is to mimic and maintain the environment inside the aquarium since stagnancy has great effects on different critical processes in the fish tank.

Air pumps are like wire whisk when you are beating egg whites. The egg whites become stiff and foamy, since you’re infusing oxygen into the water by shattering the surface tension. That is the process of gas exchange that should occur in your aquarium. Water oxygenation creates more breathing area for your fish.

Gas exchange also occurs without the air pumps, through aquatic plants that are placed where there is water stagnancy. Plants consume carbon dioxide and produces oxygen during daytime, then breathes oxygen at night. They also need nitrates that would be transformed into nitrogen by the water filter. So, the water surface is not the primary spot for a gas exchange, and air pump is not necessary at all, if you have aquatic plants.

However, if you want to purchase air pumps, make sure that you have everything you need to know before you pick the tube and the blower. Aquariums need a lot of power and you may think that it s not important but it will also add to your electric consumption. But if the air pump will add to the safety of your fish and your satisfaction, why not go for it?

Building and Proper Care For Your Fish Pond

Jan 27

Posted by Adriana in Fishpond | No Comments

You can enhance the beauty of your garden by having a fish pond. Not all individuals have beautiful gardens and if you’re blessed to have one, you can still make it more charming by adding or installing a fish pond. Building a fish pond may seem very easy but you must also remember that you would have to exercise proper care for your fish pond as well.

If you have a pond in your garden, you will notice that the family and guests will love to spend most of their time there. Your kids can also have fun near the pond during their vacant hours. Entertaining guests will also be easier for you with a terrific sight around.

Building a pond requires careful planning. It takes time and effort. You must consider the whole garden before you start digging a hole. When was the time you held a shovel in your hands? Or perhaps you haven’t even held one. That’s why you need to carefully plan the location of the plan because you can’t afford to waste time and energy if in case you suddenly found out that you don’t like the location.

Choose a permanent spot for the fish pond. Remember that the pond can affect the overall look of the garden so the location should be the best and the most appropriate. Remember that the pond’s location should be at the middle or highest elevation. You can’t possibly afford having a pond that’s flooded when heavy rains occur and besides, the fishes might get out of the pond and get killed. Another important thing that you should remember is to never place a pond near a deciduous tree. Deciduous trees shed leaves almost everyday and so, it can instantly pollute the pond if you don’t remove the tree debris everyday. You also have to determine the size of the pond and it should be proportional to the garden’s size. You can also choose among different shapes for the pond like rectangular, oval, square, etc. but just keep in mind that it is symmetrical and even out. Oftentimes, the size and shape of the pond depends on the kind of fish and water plants that you plan to put in it.

The pond should also be placed in a location where there is direct sunlight so that the plants and fishes are kept healthy.

So you see, there are various factors involved in building the pond. But wait, after building the pond, you will now take good care of the pond to maintain its beauty. You can’t just leave the pond because soon, the fishes and water plants might die because of pollution. Regular cleaning and proper fish feeding are some of your responsibilities. You must so to it that you do your responsibilities to keep the pond healthy and flourishing. Healthy fishes mean that the pond is properly cared for by the owners. You can attract more visitors to spend time near the pond if it is clean and beautiful.

Building a pond requires a lot of time and effort and so is caring for it. So before you start building a pond, you have to ask yourself – can I handle the responsibilities of owning a pond? If your answer is yes, go ahead with the project. Now, you can expect a more peaceful garden with the addition of the water element.

Basic Commands For Dog Obedience

Jan 26

Posted by Adriana in Dogs | No Comments

Are you bored with your dog who knows only three commands? Don’t fret, my friend! You could probably use a little jazz. Specific command words are not that difficult and important. The thing here should be the consistency of its usage. My friend, Wiki, here can give you a bit of a blast. Some of these certain commands are accepted as standard, while others are commonly used.

Here is a list you might find quite interesting:

Let us start off with the basic commands

1.) Sit – it is a mono-syllabic word that requires a bit of an authentic tone that would require for your dog to be in a sitting position.

2.) Down – just like #1, this also requires an abrupt tone for the dog to be typically down when its elbows (front feet) and hocks (rear legs) are touching the ground or floor.

3.) Heel – The dog’s head or shoulder is parallel to the handler’s leg on the left side of the handler.

4.) Come or Here – (referred to as the recall) you just really got to call your dog which equates the whole command.

5.) Stay – another command that requires another snap for the dog to remain in the sitting position (sit, down, stand), and location under which the command was given until it is released by the handler

Those were just some of the basic ones, but wait! Here is something for those who are too hungry to actually stop. The advanced commands are the following (which may need more patience and dedication):

1.) Stop – Wiki says that the dog commanded will simply stop whatever it is doing, and lie down on command no matter how far it is from its keeper is a dog that can be taken anywhere. Some handlers use the German word PLATZ (related to place, i.e. stay in position) for this action. A little bit demanding, but who knows when your dogs needs it.

2.) Back up – keepers of large dogs or dogs with reputation (a must quote!) for aggressiveness can make strangers more comfortable by teaching the dog to back up on command. This command might probably be very useful for police dogs.

3.) Growl – now this is what you guys should be talking about. In case you are bullied, this is the inverse of backing up. Some owners teach non-aggressive dogs to growl on a subtle command –not the word “growl”, just usually a small hand gesture –as a way of letting strangers know that you and your dog value being left alone.

4.) Steady – to keep near by. The dog can walk free, but not dash off. This can be very valuable to sport dogs, and/or during competitions.

5.) Stand – on this command, the dog stands still. Funny how this is seems so advanced; it is very valuable for “grooming”. Many dogs are groomed frequently, that they need to stand quietly during the process. You can also use this when you want your dog to wait for you at the park, while lining up for an espresso at Starbucks seven in the morning.

6.) Go to bed, kennel, or get in – this command directs the dog to go to its bed, and remain there unreleased. This is somehow useful to keep a dog out from underfoot, and safe in a busy or complicated situation.

7.) Drop or Drop it – to release something they just picked up; very useful when they’re about to chew your sandals off.

8.) Leave it – an adjunction to Drop, directing the dog NOT to touch an item.

9.) Take it – the dog leaves a desired object untouched until given this command.

10.) Give – a command teaching the dog to be generous, and/or releasing something your pet has placed in his mouth on your hand.

11.) Speak – another way of saying “to bark ONLY when I say so”.

12.) Roll over – can be one of the basic commands; this is when the dog lies down, roll over, and stand back up. Quite a bit of an exercise.

13.) Attack – if partnered with the command “Growl”, you (the owner) will be the king of your neighborhood, though mostly used only on Police Dogs. Common commands are either “Attack” or “Sick’em”.

14.) Fetch – can also be one of the basic commands where the dog retrieves a thrown object, bringing it back to the one who threw it, a nice strategy for luring guard dogs (especially when they’re obsessed with balls).

Deforestation: Making the Planet a Warmer Place

Jan 26

Posted by Adriana in Global warning | No Comments

When I think of deforestation, I think of the vast “slash and burn” operations that were carried out in the 1970’s, and I think about how it affected the wildlife more than our atmosphere.

The earth has immense forests, which play an important part in the sustainability of habitation. Trees and plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen in the spring and summer; in the fall, they drop their leaves which give off carbon dioxide. This cycle seems to keep the CO2 (carbon dioxide) levels in the atmosphere balanced throughout the year. If only human’s could have this impact!

Without leaf cover, the albedo (surface reflectivity) changes; what used to be lush and green (rainforests) becomes dry and reflects the rays of the sun back up into the biosphere, trapping heat. Without the forests creating oxygen, the balance in our atmosphere becomes tenuous. The balance of the gases in the earth’s sub stratosphere is delicate, and their stability is of great importance to anyone who needs air to breathe.

Human activity, like cutting down forests and overgrazing land, can change the climate, not only where it is happening, but around the world. Rising temperatures in the atmosphere have long-term effects on the ocean and the polar icecaps which have the potential for wreaking havoc with the climate worldwide.

It is of utmost importance that the forests worldwide are protected; by protecting this vast resource, we protect our planet and our future. Plant trees!

Application Techniques Of Tattoos

Jan 25

Posted by Adriana in Tattoos | No Comments

Tattoos are more common these days than they have ever been in the past. As we all know, tattoos are decorative markings in the skin, such as symbols, signs, and letters that are applied by puncturing the outer layer of the skin and injecting color. Tattoo guns are the best instrument to use, as they move extremely fast and are sharp enough to easily puncture the skin.

There are several types of tattoo guns available, many of which use a very sharp needle. There are guns out there that use more than needle, although they aren’t ideal for tattoos that require strict lines or designing. Single needle tattoo guns are the best for tattoo applications, although the needles need to be changed out after each tattoo. Tattoo needles can be very dangerous if they aren’t disposed of – possibly leading to serious infection if they are used over and over again without being disinfected or disposed of.

There are also tattoos out there known as “jailhouse tattoos”. These types of tattoos are normally found in jails and prisons, using homemade material for tattoo guns. Normally, tattoo artists in jails and prisons will make their own guns, using batteries and needles for ordinary ink pens. These tattoos aren’t very safe, and normally lead to infection. The skin is punctured to inject the ink, although with jailhouse tattoo guns the needle will literally pull and jerk at the skin, ripping it and normally going very deep with the ink.

If the skin is jerked or ripped, it can result in the tattoo looking horrible. In most cases, if the ink goes too deep into the skin, it can lead to an infection. Deep ink also looks terrible as well, especially if it penetrates the third layer of skin. For that very reason, jailhouse tattoo applications aren’t recommended and should be avoided at all costs.

With any tattoo, color is very important. Black and white are the most commonly used colors, although there are other colors used as well. Tattoos need to have an equal balance of color, along with the right shape. If the shapes used in your design follow the contours of your body, the tattoo will look even more impressive. Therefore, you should always have your tattoo applied by someone with a lot of experience.

From a technical standpoint, tattoos involve micro pigment implantation, as they are a form of body modification. Tattoos are a design in ink, normally symbolic or decorative, permanently placed under your skin. Tattoos have been around for hundreds of years, although tattoos in the past used everyday needles and ink – with a very high risk of infection. Although they are very common and very popular, tattoos always have risks. No matter what type of application method is involved, there will always be a risk of infection.

Today, electronic tattoo machines are the most common methods of tattooing. With electronic tattoo guns, the ink is injected into the skin by a group of needles that are attached to a bar. The electronic gun moves very fast, going in and out of the skin hundreds of thousand of times per minute. If an experienced tattoo artist uses the gun, the results can be amazing. Experienced tattoo artists are always the way to go, as they have the experience to give you the results you want. With the right tattoo artist and the right application technique – you should have a tattoo that you can be proud of.

A Look At Cat Breeds

Jan 25

Posted by Adriana in Cats | No Comments

Over the last thousands of years, cats have pretty much handled their breeding themselves. In the beginning, they were used for one purpose – hunting and killing rodents. As the years progressed, we began to breed cats more to our liking. Now days, there are several different breeds of cats – which you can tell if you look closely.

These days there are over 70 distinct cat breeds, which are recognized through cat registries. There are several registries that will recognize around 40 breeds or so, as they exclude the more domestic breeds such as tigers. There are also many variations as well, including wild cats that have longer hair.

There are some cat breeds who have roots going back quite a bit in history. Some Japanese breeds, such as the Japanese Bobtail, can be traced back more than 1,000 years in history. These cats were very common and well known throughout Medieval Japan. Now days though, they are all but a myth throughout Japan and the entire world.

The more common cat breeds that are found in North America include the alley cat, long haired cat, and Persian cat. Siamese cats are also common, although they are well known to be destructive and to have a foul temper. Persian cats are very popular, proving to be loving companions. Persian cats can be very expense, depending on where you get it and what type of Persian cat it is.

Alley cats are the most common in North America. There are actually several different breeds, although most of us just refer to them as alley cats. They make good pets, although there are literally thousands of them in existence. Cats are known to breed more than any other pet, and they will continue to breed until they are stopped. Alley cats are among the most bred, as there are hundreds of thousands of cats that are homeless – and have nothing to do but breed.

The look of the cat is the easiest way to tell what breed he or she may be. Some people choose to go by color, although color isn’t as easy to identify. Different breeds of cats have different looks, such as the Siamese and Persian cats. Siamese cats are almost always black, and easy to identify by their color and their eyes. Persian cats on the other hand, are easily identified by their body type and their hair.

Over the years, there has been quite a few breeds come along. Cats were one of the first pets, and easily one of the most popular. Millions of people around the world own cats, with many people preferring a cat over any other pet – including dogs. No matter breed of cat you get – you’re sure to get a pet who make for a great companion for years and years to come.

Being “Green”

Jan 10

Posted by Adriana in Global warning | No Comments

It seems almost inconceivable to think that starting my car and letting it run for five minutes to get the heat or air conditioning going has any effect on the earth’s pulse, but when you multiply that millions of times, there’s no doubt that it has a serious effect.

Simple things that we do, or don’t do, have an effect on our planet’s precious atmosphere. How many times a week do you go to the coffeehouse and get your coffee in a paper or cardboard cup? You might have thought about how many years it takes for that cup to decompose, but have you thought about the energy that went into the production and transportation of that cup? Multiplied by…?

Do you reduce, re-use and recycle? Make it a goal to reduce the amount of garbage you produce by recycling and composting. Your town office or city hall will provide you with a list of how to separate your items for recycling. Every item that you can re-use or recycle is one less item in the landfill.

One of the simplest ways to help is to purchase and use cloth shopping bags. The hard part is remembering to take them out of the car and into the store, but once you get into the habit, it becomes second nature. Resolve to not accept plastic bags in a store.

Traveling in a gas-powered vehicle as little as possible is a great way to conserve. Walk or bike whenever and wherever you can; it’ll help the planet and your health. If you live in the city, use public transportation. Likewise, if you live in the country, carpool to work and instead of making several trips a week to run errands, save them for one trip.

If you take the time to think about your daily activities, and how you can do them a little differently, you may find yourself not only helping the environment, but helping your wallet. Do only full loads of laundry and dishes; cut your shower by two minutes; switch to energy-saving light bulbs; turn your refrigerator and air conditioner up a single degree and turning off your electronic devices at night are all painless ways to help.

Challenge yourself to think before you act for a few days and you will surprised at how easy it is to begin the process of going green.