Hirst

Think grooming a dog involves washing it in the bathtub? Think you don't need a groomer?

Dog groomers do far more than just fluff and dry; they address several vital health practices regarding your dog's eyes, ears, and anal glands. Of course, it's not impossible to take care of these grooming concerns yourself, but in many instances it's safer and more practical to let a professional handle these sensitive areas.

Proper ear car requires periodic ear cleanings. Veterinarians and professional dog groomers use an agent that dissolves earwax, or saline solution to clean dogs' ears. These cleaning agents are usually put into the ear before bathing. It is crucial for the groomer to keep the dog's ears dry. If water runs into a dog's ear during the bath, a drying agent containing isopropyl alcohol, acetic acid, or boric acid must be put into the ear. Professional dog groomers recommend using a wash rag instead of Q-tips to help dry out the ears. Using Q-tips increases the chance of injuring the dog's eardrum. If the cleaning requires reaching places that are out of a wash-rag's reach you should seek professional help.

Dog groomers usually apply an ointment to the dog's eyes before bathing in order to protect the cornea. However, the trend is to move away from these practices because some professionals believe the ointment may trap irritants that run into the eyes during the bath. Closing, redness, squinting, and excessive tearing are good indicators of eye problems.

Another part of proper dog grooming that the professionals see to is expressing the anal glands. Have you ever noticed your dog dragging its bottom across the carpet? If you have, you know how important it is to take it to the dog groomer. What it is trying to do is release the fluid that has built up in tiny sacs located under the base of his tail. If he is successful, you will know it by the rank smell. Since the sacs are fragile (and discoloration of the fluid could indicate infection), this part of grooming should be left to a professional or a veterinarian.

Adequate grooming is absolutely necessary to maintain your dog's health. If it's something you want to do personally, educate yourself on the finer points. But using a professional dog groomer will be the most beneficial to you in the long run.

Christopher Thomas contributes to several popular web sites, including http://famif.com and http://biduv.com.

Our thoughts create our reality. Here are some Affirmations which create a more positive, happier more fulfilling reality.

A. About Ability and Security

1. Anxiety solves no problems actions do.

2. Some problems are problems only because I believe them to be.

3. I have the inner power and strength to deal with whatever life brings me.

4. I am capable of handling any possible difficulties which might occur.

5. I feel safe and secure in every situation.

6. While making my own sincere effort, I entrust my life, my family and the results of all my efforts into Gods (the Universes) wise and just judgment.

7. Life gives me in each moment exactly what I need in every situation in order to be happy, perform my life and purpose and grow spiritually.

8. I am intelligent and capable enough to succeed in any endeavor which is important to me.

B. About Self-Worth

1. My self-worth is a function of my inner being (0f who I am) and not what others think of me or how much I accomplish.

2. The results of my efforts depend on many different factors including also my efforts.

3. My self worth is totally independent of any external factors such as: intelligence, wealth, my home, appearance, talents, professional success, my childrens success, being attractive to the opposite sex, making friends, disciplines, "spiritual" activities.

4. I am worthy of love and respect even when I am not perfect in what I do and even when I make mistakes.

5. My self-worth is totally independent of whether others agree with me or are satisfied with me.

6. My self-worth is totally independent of how people behave towards me.

7. My self-worth is totally independent of how much others work or how they work or what they believe about me.

8. My self-worth is a reflection of my divine nature and not my gender, religion, social class etc.

9. I am a good person, a worthy person.

C. Freedom and Love

1. I respect and love all persons (especially my parents and family) without feeling any need whatsoever to live my life according to their beliefs or values. I live my life in harmony with my inner values and beliefs.

2. I am in no way responsible for others peoples reality but only for my own motives and behavior towards them.

3. No one else is responsible for my reality. I am totally responsible for what I feel and experience in life.

4. I am responsible for my purity of my motives and quality of my efforts and not for the results of my efforts or their affect on others.

5. All beings deserve my love and respect, including myself

6. I understand the fears behind each persons negative actions.

7. I am free in each moment to be myself.

8. No one can limit my freedom unless I need something from them.

9. Real freedom is freedom from fears, needs and false limiting beliefs.

10. Real freedom is the ability to do what ever is in my best interest as a soul in the process of evolution.

11. Real freedom is the freedom to experience peace, love and happiness regardless of what happens or others behavior.

For further work on this and many other subjects log on to www.HolisticHarmony.com

(Adapted from the "The Psychology of Happiness" by Robert Najemy)

Robert Elias Najemy, a life coach with 30 years of experience, is the author of over 20 books, 600 articles and 400 lectures on Human Harmony. Download wonderful ebooks, 100's of free articles, courses, and mp3 audio lectures at http://www.HolisticHarmony.com. Find 8 of his books at http://www.Amazon.com.

Well, another five years have passed and you're celebrating your sixtieth wedding anniversary. Hard to believe that even if you married at 21 years of age you'd be over 80 right now. Not many people stay married this long and you should be very proud of your accomplishment. Of course, it's time to get your spouse a gift for those 60 years and anniversary gifts at this stage of the game don't come cheap. Regardless of whether you go the traditional route or the modern one, you're still going to be spending a pretty penny.

This year's traditional anniversary gift is the yellow diamond. The modern anniversary gift is just a plain diamond. Now, you might be wondering what the difference is. Well, it's really very simple. Yellow diamonds are harder to find, or more rare, so a yellow diamond, say one caret, would be a lot more expensive than a regular diamond of the same size. That's why the modern list was made. People on fixed incomes will probably have a hard enough time getting any kind of a diamond, but at least the regular diamond won't cost them as much. So what can you pick up for this special occasion that fits the bill?

Because these gifts can be so expensive, many people are taking the diamond theme and really expanding it. For example. Did you know that the game of baseball is played on what is called a diamond? Well, it is. So what many people do is spring for tickets to a baseball game, especially if their anniversary falls between April and October. So ladies, if your husband is a baseball fan, this could be a perfect gift for him.

Keeping with the expanded diamond theme, since diamonds are one of the suits in a deck of cards and cards are used for gambling, what some people do is to take their spouse to the nearest casino. If of course you're living hundreds or even thousands of miles away from one of those, this is a perfect chance to take your spouse on a nice plane ride to Atlantic City or Las Vegas. Talk about a really big surprise for your anniversary.

If of course you're determined to go with the modern or traditional theme, either of which will set you back a few bucks, there are a few things you're going to have to do.

For one thing, you're going to have to see how much money you really have to spend. At 80 years of age there aren't going to be many places that are going to give you extended credit so you're most likely going to have to pay for this in cash or with your credit card, which will have to be paid off eventually.

Of course, you can always get gifts with very small diamonds where the diamond itself is not the main part of the gift.

With a little imagination, you can get an anniversary gift that won't break your bank account and still put a smile on your spouse's face.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Anniversary Gifts

Have you ever wondered which Angel governs your sign? And did you know that all Angels are not exlusively deriven from Heaven? With regards to your personality, each of these entities play a role in your individuality.

{Rf. from "A Dictionary of Angels" by Gustav Davidson}

The Angel, Machidiel, (meaning "fullness of God"), governs the month of March and is also the ruler of Aries.

Asmodel, the Angel of April, rules the Zodiacal sign of Taurus. He is widely known as the "demon of punishment."

May's Angel, Ambriel governs Gemini and is the chief officer of the 12th hour of night. On an Oriental, Hebrew charm, Ambriel's name is inscribed to ward off evil.

Then we have Muriel, the Angel of June and the ruler of Cancer. Muriel is interesting in that not only is he the chief officer of the 3rd hour of the day but if "invoked" from the South is believed to procure a magic carpet.

The Angel of July, Verchiel, ruler of Leo. Not only is Verchiel one of the rulers of the order of powers, but he also governs the Sun.

Hamaliel, Angel of August, a ruler of Virgo is also one of the rulers of the "orders of virtue."

Libra's ruler, Uriel, (translating "Fire of God"), governor of September, is also known as the Archangel of salvation and is renowned globally from the infamous painting - Dryden's "The State of Innocence," depicted descending from heaven in a chariot drawn by white horses. He is also likened to divine vengeance and Justice ~ thus the "scales of Libra."

Barbiel, ruler of Scorpio and the Angel of October is one of the 28 angels of the 28 mansions of the Moon. Barbiel also serves as one of the seven Electors in the underworld.

The Angel of November and ruler of Sagittarius is Adnachiel. He and Phaleg-referred to as the "Warlord," alternate as ruling Angels of the Order of Angels.

Haniel, Angel of December and ruler of Capricorn meaning "Glory or grace of God," is known as the chief of innocents. He is invoked as an amulet against evil.

Aquarian ruler, Gabriel ("God is my strength") and Angel of January is one of the two highest-ranking angels in Judaeo-Christian and Mohammedan religion. He stands for annunciation, resurrection, mercy, vengeance, death and revelation. He presides over Paradise and is the ruling prince of the 1st Heaven. He is also said to sit on the left-hand side of God and known as the spirit of truth. Gabriel was the Angel who inspired Joan of Arc to go the succor of the King of France.

Barchiel, the Angel of February and the ruler of Pisces, ("Lightening of God") is one of the 7 archangels, and is also known to be the ruler of Jupiter

It is evident, Astrologically speaking, the Zodiac closely mirrors the Heaven that we know and the Angels therein. So, the words, "It is written in the Stars" truly exhibits our predestination of life and all that lies within. How we use our knowledge, experience and Angelical Governors of the Zodiac is up to us.

A Fine Line between Heaven, Hell and Astrology - Angelic Governors of the Zodiac All Rights Reserved by C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot

C. Bailey-Lloyd is a professional writer of poetry books, poetry and informative articles on many subjects. More in-depth biographical information can be found at Somewhere Along the Beaten Path at MySpace.com.

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