Act On Tips

The only way to keep up with the latest about wedding vows is to
constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read
everything you find about wedding vows, it won’t take long for
you to become an influential authority.

Writing your own wedding vows can be a way to ensure that your
vows express your exact sentiment. Many vows commonly used in
weddings are very lovely and express your love for each other
but they are usually not specific to the couple. While it is not
necessary to write your own vows, many couples opt to do so in
order to make sure that the vows that they recite at the wedding
are meaningful to them as a couple. It is not important that you
be an eloquent writer to write beautiful wedding vows. What is
important though is that you write from your heart. This will
ensure that your vows express your feelings adequately and in a
way that your partner will understand.

The first tip for writing your wedding vows is to make sure that
both you and your partner are committed to reciting original
vows. Many couples are not comfortable expressing something so
personal in front of others. While the love that is expressed in
pre-written vows is also personal, it does not leave the couple
feeling so vulnerable. There are plenty of existing vows
available and a couple should realize that they are free to use
these existing vows and are under no obligation to write their
own vows.

Once you have decided that you would like to write your own
wedding vows you might want to consider whether or not you want
your vows to have a theme or themes. Love is sure to be an
underlying theme in any vow but you may also want to incorporate
other ideas in your vows as well. Virtues of trust,
understanding, friendship and honesty may be a few themes that
you may want to include in your vows.

Another tip for writing your wedding vows is to make sure the
vows are written well before your wedding date. It is important
not to procrastinate with writing your vows because if you put
it off until the night before the wedding you are likely to
become stressed out and have a great deal of difficulty writing
your vows. Writing your vows well in advance of your wedding
helps to eliminate stress and allows you time to really think
about what you want your vows to say to your partner.

Writing your own wedding vows can be difficult. The most
difficult part of writing your own wedding vows is just getting
started. Chances are that once you get on a roll you will be
able to write freely but getting started can be difficult. For
this reason, you may choose to read through a number of existing
vows. This will help you to get a feel for the language that is
used in vows and can give you some ideas about how you want your
vows to read.

An important tip for writing your wedding vows is to make sure
that you have plenty of quiet time to work on your vows when you
do sit down to start writing them. This may be a long arduous
process and it is important to allow plenty of time to write
your vows. If you know that you have an appointment in less than
an hour, it’s probably not a good time to start working on your
wedding vows.

The more authentic information about wedding vows you know, the
more likely people are to consider you a wedding vows expert.
Read on for even more wedding vows facts that you can share.

Considering co-writing your vows with your partner is another
tip for writing meaningful vows. You may choose to write your
vows completely on your own to ensure that they are a surprise
for your partner but you may also wish to work on your vows with
your partner so that the two of you can enjoy the process of
writing your vows together. This can be a wonderful opportunity
to reminisce and remember the good times that you have shared.

Still another useful tip for writing your wedding vows is to
avoid talking about the bad times. While you may wish to include
these to demonstrate how you and your partner have persevered
and overcome many obstacles, this type of talk can be upsetting
to your partner and your guests. Sticking to the happy memories
helps to make the vows more light-hearted and does not make them
any less meaningful.

It is also important to not worry about the length of your vows.
You may feel compelled to shorten a long drawn out vow because
you feel as though it may bore those in attendance or you may
feel as though you need to add onto vows that are concise but
this is not necessary. All that truly matters is whether you
think you have adequately conveyed the desired sentiment in your
vows.

Another tip for writing your wedding vows is to not be afraid to
use language from a song that is special to you and your partner
as a couple. Chances are that the two of you enjoy a meaningful
song because it is symbolic of your relationship. In this
situation it is appropriate to recite a portion of the lyrics as
part of your vows.

A final tip for writing original wedding vows is to first make a
list of all the things that you love and admire about your
partner. You might want to create this list and then set it
aside for a few days before you begin writing your vows. When
you are ready to start working on your wedding vows, you could
read the list that you had previously written to remind you of
all the wonderful characteristics your partner possess and to
get you really thinking about your partner.

Writing original wedding vows can be difficult but many couples
believe that original vows are more meaningful than pre-existing
ones. Following the tips above will help to make the vow writing
process a little easier by providing you with a few basic
guidelines for writing your vows. It is important to remember
the original vows are not obligatory and that it is perfectly
acceptable to use existing vows if you choose to do so. Now that
wasn’t hard at all, was it? And you’ve earned a wealth of
knowledge, just from taking some time to study an expert’s word
on wedding vows.

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Although there are real, external reasons for managerial difficulty - including massive reorganization after takeovers and the realities of discrimination due to age, sex, and race - managers fail most often for reasons they themselves create.

These reasons include ignoring the application of emotional intelligence, failure to recognize individual motivation to be effective, and a failure to adapt to change and rebound from setbacks. With only slight modifications, the context of the following remedies can be changed to any executive function.

Excessive Narcissism and Self-Interest

Individuals with an excessive need for positive feedback and a preoccupation with themselves quickly alienate colleagues, supervisors, and subordinates. Others with strong narcissistic needs may require the enthusiasm and idealization of others. If you fall into this category, you may try the following:

• Reframe statements about personal glory and accomplishment as if they are organizational accomplishments.

• Use the words we and us, instead of personal worlds like I and me. Caution: for this to work, the change in terminology has to reflect a change in attitude. You have to become an authentic team player.

• Instead of demanding recognition and affirmation from colleagues and subordinates, develop other ways to address these needs. Other groups and endeavors outside your professional arena, as well as your family, may better meet these needs. If expanding your scope isn’t enough, seek therapy.

• You must be able to be wrong all alone and be successful as part of a team.

• There is a thin line between self-absorbed narcissism and charismatic leadership, often bridged by thinking systemically of the group or organization rather than “I”, and supplying to others the very feedback most wanted by yourself: affirmation, recognition, praise.

Inability to Get Along with Subordinates

Authoritarian leaders may have an especially difficult time aspiring others, creating a sense of loyalty, and establishing cohesive teamwork. Many experts in the field view poor interpersonal skills as the single most frequent factor in the failure of managers, especially early in their career. This is a crucial area. Some guidelines to follow are:

• Develop the ability to listen well. Invite feedback and criticism, then listen carefully, attentively, without interruption, and without the need to feel defensive.

• Remain empathically attuned to subordinates. Listen to them, to their experiences, and realize how they may hear what you have to say. Anything you say is already in the context of a superior-subordinate relationship, thus, they may be inclined to hear it more critically or harshly than you intend.

• View conflict and differences of opinion as something welcome and inevitable rather than as something bad that must be quashed.

• Involve subordinates in decisions to develop a we and us feeling. For group cohesiveness, they need to consider themselves part of the group effort. Elicit new ideas and cooperation.

• Give them credit for their work, and subordinate credit for yourself to the credit of the group.

Fear of Action and Fear of Failure

An emotionally isolated leader may retreat just when he or she most needs to engage. Fearing failure or significant criticism, such a leader may retreat, giving the appearance of lack of commitment. An underlying assumption is that inaction prevents mistakes in management. In actuality, this practice may hasten the leader’s downfall.

• Accumulate as much data as possible, but plan a time when data collection will stop and action will begin. Some individuals will study something so exhaustively that they bypass deadlines needed for action.

• Separate, as much as possible, personal assumptions and fears of failure from the organizational task at hand. Recognize that inaction is a form of failure; know when action is required. A ship is safe in a harbor, but ships aren’t made to sit in the harbors.

• At times, it may be useful to consult with someone outside the system who can be objective and observant.

Failure to Adapt to Change and Rebound from Setbacks

Life is a developmental process; so is the life of an organization. A once-successful management style or strategy needs to evolve as an organization grows. Flexibility of thought and action is especially important for managers in restructured or acquired companies. It is essential that they not be rigid or cling to old management styles in a rapidly changing environment.

• Be sure your management style and approach fit with the organizational task and your level of responsibility. For example, the individual who moves from a creative or entrepreneurial task to the management of people doing similar tasks needs to adopt a different approach to work.

• Acknowledge failure, and request understanding and help in rebounding from it.

• Do not become defensive at criticism or feedback, but welcome it; cooperative input is vital in a rapidly changing environment or company. Don’t try to conceal failure or blame it on others. The way one handles failure is an issue that may make or break an advancing career.

Creative Criticism

If you want to know how you’re doing, you might ask subordinates to evaluate your performance in an anonymous questionnaire. You may be uncomfortable with such direct and explicit feedback, but it can be immensely useful. Subordinates are uniquely situated to experience, observe, and evaluate their bosses.

The areas of evaluation can include leadership, organization, crisis management, facilitation of cohesiveness, and even inspiration. Since the evaluations are confidential and anonymous and since no pay raise or promotion depends on them, you might not wish to share them with anyone else.

Being able to give such feedback, knowing that a superior is interested and that their comments may be effective helps workers feel more involved in their company.
Problem Solving

A systematic method for reviewing and solving problems can be remembered by the acronym SOLVE:

S State the area of the problem as specifically as possible.

O Outline the problem in as much detail as possible: where, when, how, who.

L List alternatives. Write down the first ten solutions that come to mind without analyzing them. Then select the three best solutions, which are the ones that recognize your unique abilities, do not create limitations, and that organize a focus.

V Visualize the consequences. This visualization should incorporate a good bit of your interests, abilities, personality style, and values with your problem-solving approach. The alternative that feels best - the most comfortable - may be the best. Plan a strategy to achieve the specific goal. Gather information from experts if necessary, but develop your own plan.

E Evaluate the results after a full effort at problem solving. If there has been a failure, evaluate the most common causes of failure: a wrong fit between work and abilities, interests, and personality style; too scattered a focus; an absence of commitment; discomfort about being in unfamiliar territory; hidden barriers, such as conscious goal in opposition to an internal model.

David Krueger, M.D. is an Executive Strategist/ Professional Coach who mentors executives, entrepreneurs, and authors.

http://www.executivestrategist.biz

execstrategist@aol.com

He is author of 11 books on success, money, work, and self-development. This article is excerpted from Dr. Krueger’s 12th book, soon to be published, LIVE A NEW LIFE STORY: The Essentials of Change, Reinvention, and Personal Success.

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You’ve entered into a contract to purchase your new home. The sellers are anxious to see if you can come up with a loan and you are pressed for time. What to do? Research, my friend. The internet can turn up answers for you in mere moments thereby helping you to find a local lender fast.

Every day new information is being added to the internet. Because companies realize its inherent value, virtually everyone has a web site. This allows for you to find accurate information quickly and painlessly.

Searching for Nashville Mortgage Companies is as simple as a click of the mouse. Sure, you could let your fingers do the walking and head over to the yellow pages - if you can find them. But remember: the phone book is updated only once per year while changes to the internet can be made daily. Which would you rather have: information that you hope is accurate or information you know is accurate. You get my point.

I will list some of my favorite online sites for finding mortgage lenders. Yes, some of your results can be “national” but plenty of Nashville Mortgage Companies are listed too.

1. Lending Tree - Enter all of your information and Lending Tree will serve up four companies who will be interested in having you submit an application to you. You choose the company and then you make the decision whether to go with that company or not.

2. Eloan - Enter all of your information with Eloan and you will receive an answer in as little as 90 seconds! You can then finish your application and get more help along the way.

3. Quicken Loans - Get approved in minutes through this lender. Very easy to fill out application; you can close in weeks, not months too!

4. Wells Fargo - This leading lender claims: “In person, by phone, or via email, we’re ready to serve your home financing needs. A home mortgage consultant will gladly contact you, or you can visit and call any of our 2,000 locations nationwide.”

Are there other online sources available? Yes, there are. To find local companies enter “Nashville Mortgage Companies” on the list and see who pops up. Remember, the choice is yours - start shopping for Nashville Mortgage Companies today and be in your dream home soon!

Mark Lambie is the founder of The Loan House a website that allows consumers to quickly and easily get home equity mortgage information.

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Liposuction (otherwise known as lipoplasty) may be performed in an outpatient surgery center, hospital or a surgeon’s office facility. Some of the more complicated procedures require an overnight stay, but smaller procedures are typically done on an outpatient basis.

Liposuction surgery is performed by removing specific fat deposits in an attempt to reshape and area of one’s body. There are several methods for getting this done, but the basic goal is the same. It is very important to become educated on the different forms of liposuction so that you can discuss the various options with your plastic surgeon and find the procedure that best suits your needs.

There are several types of anesthesia options for liposuction procedures. Under certain circumstances the operation can be performed under local anesthesia without forcing the patient to go under. However, many patients prefer general anesthesia so they are completely asleep during the procedure. It is best to consult your plastic surgeon to determine what best fits your needs for the operation.

Recovering from liposuction takes several weeks. Immediately afterwards there will be some fluid draining involved from the incisions made during the operation. In order to best control swelling, some patients are fitted with an elastic garment to wear over the affected area for several weeks. Patients are encouraged to start walking immediately after surgery which allows many patients to get back to work as early as one week. After around four to six weeks the swelling will subside and you will look and feel like a brand new person.

To learn more about liposuction and New York cosmetic surgery please visit Dr. William Rosenblatt at http://newyork.resource4cosmeticsurgery.com/ This article may be freely reprinted as long as this resource box is included and all links stay intact as hyperlinks.

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The holidays are quickly approaching, which means it’s time to buy gifts. Thanks to the Internet, you can find unique gifts online.

Unique Gifts Online

Gift giving can be a challenge. You don’t want to give a person just anything. Here’s a list of unique gifts you can find online. Just search for the name on any search engine.

1. Digital Photo Keychain - Everyone has a keychain and everyone has photographs they carry around with them. The digital photo keychain lets you combine the two. The keychain has a 1 inch by 1 inch display that easily fits in the palm of your hand. Load photos onto from your PC and off you go. Expect to pay $40 to $50 for this very cool gift for dads, moms or anyone.

2. Arcade Games - Remember when you used to sit in the mall pumping quarters into arcade games. Missile command, Pac Man, Donkey Kong…ah, all that wasted time. Well, now you can buy replicas of the actual arcade games you used to play. The consoles are the same as you used to stand in front of, but now they have loads of games on them. This is a big ticket item, so you might want to look away before reading the price range of…$3,000 to $5,000 depending on the console and number of games you order.

3. Chef’s Fork - Now family comes complete with out a grill guru. If you’re looking for unique gifts online for the grill guru in yours, the Chef’s Fork may be the answer. These forks are made especially for grilling and contain sensors in them to tell the grilling guru the temperature and “doneness” of the food being cooked. Works for practically every food item, even baked potatoes. The Chef’s Fork will run you between $30 and $50 depending on the feature you want.

4. Nomad Writing Journals - If you’re buying for a person that loves the outdoors or to travel, Nomad Writing Journals make great gifts. These journals are tailored to activities such as travel, fly fishing, bird watching, backpacking, camping, rock climbing and so on. They come with or without a case and provide writing space as well as cues for writing down important information. A great keepsake to preserve their travel and outdoor experiences. The journals cost as low as $9 without waterproof case and $25 with case.

The beauty of the Internet is you can find a wide variety of unique gifts. Go online now and check these ones out.

Rick Chapo is with www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals for travel and outdoor activities. Writing journals make great Christmas gifts for him or her.

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If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by your credit card debt, it is time to take action. There is credit card debt help out there and you do have options available to you to help bring your credit card debt under control. Once you investigate the options open to you and determine what is best for your individual financial circumstances, you can make a solid debt reduction plan and be on your way to becoming debt free.

Do It Yourself

If you are only dealing with one or two credit card companies, you may want to consider discussing the problem directly with the credit card company or companies involved. You can try to negotiate a reduction in interest rates and an extended payment period. Make a budget and stick to it, being sure to make your highest interest debts your priority. You may want to enlist the assistance of one of the many free or low cost credit counseling programs available.

A Credit Consolidation Program

If you don’t feel confident in your negotiation skills or have a more complicated credit situation, a credit consolidation program may be just the right solution for you. For a fee, a credit consolidation program will take care of the negotiations for you, and in most cases arrive at an advantageous reduction of interest rates and a manageable payment schedule. You will make a single monthly payment to the consolidation company and they will take care of paying the individual creditors. You’ll need to be careful, however, in choosing a debt consolidation program for credit card debt help. There are many predatory companies out there, more interested in pocketing your fees than in providing service.

A Credit Consolidation Loan

A credit consolidation loan proceeds in a similar fashion as a credit consolidation program, with the difference being that you take out a loan and pay your creditors immediately, repaying your lender with a monthly payment. Depending on the interest rates involved, this can be useful, even practical. It is also helpful if you need to extend the period of time that you will be making payments, being unable to make the higher payments that would pay off the credit cards faster.

However, often you secure these loans using your house as collateral. Thus, you should give a great deal of thought to the matter before taking such a loan, being sure that the repayment schedule is doable. As with credit consolidation programs, you’ll need to very careful of unscrupulous lenders. Research potential lenders well. Another thing to remember is to only borrow what you need, no more. In fact, if a lender encourages you to borrow more than you need, you should take that as a warning sign that you may be dealing with a predatory lender that is betting on profiting from your failure to repay the loan.

If you are ready to relieve yourself of the burden of credit card debt, there are credit card debt help options out there for you. Use caution and common sense in choosing the best option for you and you will soon be on your way to achieving your financial goals.

To view our list of recommended debt consolidation lenders online, visit this
page: Recommended
Debt Consolidation Companies.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan
Guide, an informational website about various types of loans.

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from David the Dogman

1. Gather presents, boxes, paper, etc. in middle of living room floor.
   
   
2. Get tape back from puppy.
   
   
3. Remove scissors from older dog’s mouth.
   
   
4. Open box.
   
   
5. Take puppy out of box.
   
   
6. Remove tape from older dog’s mouth.
   
   
7. Take scissors away from puppy.
   
   
8. Put present in box.
   
   
9. Remove present from puppy’s mouth.
   
   
10. Put back in box after removing puppy from box.
    
    
11. Take scissors from older dog & sit on them.
    
    
12. Remove puppy from box & put on lid.
    
    
13. Take tape away from older dog.
    
    
14. Unroll paper.
    
    
15. Take puppy OFF box.
    
    
16. Cut paper being careful not to cut puppy’s foot or nose that is getting in the way as it “helps”.
    
    
17. Let puppy tear remaining paper.
    
    
18. Take puppy off box.
    
    
19. Wrap paper around box.
    
    
20. Remove puppy from box & take wrapping paper from its mouth.
    
    
21. Tell older dog to fetch the tape so he will stop stealing it.
    
    
22. Take scissors away from puppy.
    
    
23. Take tape older dog is holding.
    
    
24. Quickly tape one spot before taking scissors from older dog & sitting on them again.
    
    
25. Fend off puppy trying to steal tape & tape another spot.
    
    
26. Take bow from older dog.
    
    
27. Go get roll of wrapping paper puppy ran off with.
    
    
28. Take scissors from older dog who took them when you got up.
    
    
29. Give pen to older dog to hold so he stops licking your face.
    
    
30. Remove puppy from present & hurriedly slap tape on to hold the paper on.
    
    
31. Take now soggy bow from puppy & tape on since the sticky stuff no longer sticks.
    
    
32. Take pen from older dog, address tag & affix while puppy tries to eat pen.
    
    
33. Grab present before puppy opens it & put it away.
    
    
34. Clean up mess puppy & older dog made playing tug-of-war with remnants of wrapping paper.
    
    
35. Put away rest of wrapping supplies & tell dogs what good helpers they are.
    
    

Found on the Internet author unknown

Commitment, Firmness, but kindness.

Brought to you by: World Wide Information Outlet - http://certificate.net/wwio/, your source of FREEWare Content online.

Do you have any problems with your pet? Then why not send your problem to DAVID THE DOGMAN.

David is a Canine Behaviourist who works and lives in Marbella, Spain. Tel/Fax (00345) 2883388.
His web site is located at: http://www.thedogman.net.

David has his own radio and TV shows, and writes for many newspapers and magazines. David has been working with dogs for many years and started his career in Israel, working on the Border Police. He has been involved in all forms of training, including air sea rescue, air scent work, and has trained dogs for finding drugs. David has devoted the past 10 years to studying behaviour and the very passive approach. He does not use choke chains, check chains, or any form of aggression.

David The Dogman is available for private consultations in your home, for further details telephone; Tel; (95) 2883388

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The first thing that a couple feels when they discover that a new baby is on the way is typically excitement. The second thing is usually fear. Adding to your family means that you’re going to be stressing out your income. This is caused from the two-fold problem of having a new mouth to feed and usually losing the mother’s income for at least a short period of time.

Here are some common debt solution methods that new families use to combat this problem:

Get a gift or loan from parents to pay off existing debt. Starting with a clean slate financially can really help.

Minimizing excess purchases. Reducing the amount of debt you take on at this time is important. Your baby needs a crib and other basic items for life; it doesn’t need a whole room filled with stuff before it’s even born.

Boosting income as much as possible before the baby is born. If both parents can work extra hours and save up some money before the baby is born, less debt will add up when the baby comes into the picture.

Start budgeting. Paying off your debt is going to be a lot less important than actually creating a way for your family to remain debt-free over time. Start learning to budget well now to avoid debt problems down the line.

A new baby should be a bundle of joy, not a financial burden. Playing it smart from the get-go can make that happen.

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You already walk your dog every evening, so you must be ready to start hiking
with your dog as you travel this summer, right? Perhaps, but a deep-woods nature
walk isn’t always a stroll around the neighborhood block…

START WITH YOUR DOG

Before you plunge down any trail, make sure you tailor your plans to your
dog’s capabilities. Are you mapping out a 12-mile day hike that will tag the peaks
of three mountains? Not all dogs are bred for that kind of long-term exertion. It is
especially important not to overtax your dog on a hike because she will soldier on in
an effort to please you and never let on to any pain.

Hiking can be a wonderful preventative for any number of physical and
behavioral canine disorders and running up trails and leaping through streams is
great exercise for that one in every three dogs that is overweight. But just like us, a
dog used to being a couch potato can’t be expected to easily complete a five-mile
loop trail. Have your dog checked by a veterinarian before significantly increasing
his activity level.

OUTFITTING YOUR DOG FOR A HIKE

Every canine hike should include such basics as identification tags (get one
with your vet’s phone number on it as well) and a bandanna that can help
distinguish a dog from game in hunting season. If you are pushing off on a long
hike with your dog there is no reason you should shoulder all the supplies.

Wearing a dog pack is no more obtrusive than wearing a collar. Introduce the
pack by draping a towel over your dog’s back around the house and then have her
wear an empty pack on short walks. Progressively add crumpled newspapers and
then bits of clothing. Fill the pack with treats and reward your dog from the stash.
Soon your dog will associate the pack with an outdoor adventure and eagerly look
forward to wearing it.

A dog can comfortably carry 25% of her body weight. Low density items such
as food and poop bags are good choices to include in a dog pack. Ice cold bottles
of water can cool your dog on hot days. Don’t put anything in a pack that can break
since you will soon see your dog banging into rocks and trees as he wiggles through
tight spots on the trail. Seal items in plastic bags for when your dog jumps into a
creek.

Always pack a “doggie first aid kit” that gives you quick access to gauze pads,
cling-type bandaging tapes, topical wound disinfectant cream and tweezers. Also
have a veterinarian’s phone number handy.

LOW IMPACT HIKING WITH YOUR DOG

Every time you hike with your dog on the trail you are an ambassador for all
dog owners. Some people you meet won’t believe in your right to take dogs on a
trail. Be friendly to all and make the best impression you can. Practice low impact
hiking with your dog by:

* packing out everything you pack in.

* not leaving dog scat on the trail.

* hiking only where dogs are allowed.

* staying on the trail and not allowing your dog to trample vegetation.

* not allowing your dog to chase wildlife.

* stepping off the trail and waiting with your dog while horses and other

hikers pass.

* not allowing your dog to bark - people are enjoying the trail for serentity.

One of the best ways to practice low impact hiking is to use a leash. This will
guarantee that your dog will not unnecessarily disturb the environment or other
people - and keep her safe on the trail.

TRAIL HAZARDS

Dogs are naturally curious and left to their own devices will almost certainly
stick a nose where it doesn’t belong. Dogs can’t get poison ivy but they can
transfer it to you. Other nuisance plants include stinging nettle that lurks on the
side of many trails and even the slightest brush will deliver troublesome needles
into a dog’s coat. Nasty thorns can also blanket trails that we in shoes may never
notice. If your dog has tender paws, dog booties are available to prevent pads from
cracking while trotting across rough surfaces. Used in winter, dog booties provide
warmth and keep ice balls from forming between toe pads when hiking through
snow.

Canine hikers, especially if you confine your adventures to well-trod paths, can
spend a lifetime in the woods and encounter little more than deer and squirrels. The
wildlife is there but the presence of a dog will keep most animals deeper in
seclusion. Shy creatures such as rattlesnakes are found in every state in America. If
your dog is bitten by a snake it won’t be necessarily fatal but get him to a
veterinarian with as little movement as possible as soon as possible.

A more likely meeting is with porcupines. They won’t run from a dog and any
encounter can wind up with your dog impaled by quills that will work into the skin
and easily cause infection. Less dangerous, but equally distressing, is a rendevous
with a skunk, another animal that feels comfortable standing up to a dog.

THE WEATHER AND YOUR DOG

Hot, humid summers do not do dogs any favors. With no sweat glands and
only panting available to disperse body heat, dogs are much more susceptible to
heat stroke than we are. Unusually rapid panting and/or a bright red tongue are
signs of heat exhaustion in your pet. A good rule of thumb is to carry 8 ounces of
water for every hour of planned hiking - your dog can even learn to drink happily
from a squirt bottle. Beware of allowing her to drink too generously from surface
water since even fast-flowing streams can be infested with a microscopic protozoa
called Giardia, waiting to wreak havoc on your dog’s intestinal system.

Some of your most rewarding hikes with your dog will be in the mountains
where the weather can change in a moment’s notice. It may be cooler at higher
altitudes but the sun will burn more intensely. When hiking in extremes of
temperature remember that a hike is not a race and rest often - for both your sake
and your dog’s.

WHERE CAN I HIKE WITH MY DOG?

While most hikers head first for America’s National Parks, as a general rule,
dogs in national parks are welcome only “anywhere a car can go.” This means your
dog can hike only along roadways and walk around parking lots. In most national
parks dogs can also go in picnic areas and stay in campgrounds. If you are hiking
in Canadian national parks, bring your dog along - there are few prohibitions
against dogs there.

You will find National Monuments are a mixed bag for active dog owners.
Some, like Dinosaur National Monument or White Sands National Monument, allow
dogs on most trails while others, Devil’s Tower or Cedar Breaks for instance, ban
canine hikers from all trails.

National Forests, under the stewardship of the Department of Agriculture and
not the Department of the Interior like national parks, offer the meatiest hiking
opportunities for dog owners. Dogs are permitted on most national forest trails,
although access can sometimes be remote. Many times national forest lands
surround national parks so you can get your dog on a trail after being cooped up
there. National Grasslands are cousins of national forests and you can expect to
have your dog accompany you on your hike. Hiking opportunities are limited,
however, as there typically aren’t many trails in a national grassland.

National Recreation Areas, as the name implies, are managed to maximize
public use - for humans and dogs. Many trails in national recreation areas are open
to off-road vehicles, mountains bikes, and horses. These types of trails will
invariably be open to dogs as well. You can expect to find good canine hikes in
almost any national recreation area.

Dogs are seldom allowed on trails at National Seashores but happily most (the
southeastern national seashores are an exception) allow dogs on the beach year-
round. National Lakeshores are good bets for canine hikers as dogs are allowed on
many trails in these parks along the Great Lakes.

National Historical Parks are hidden gems for canine hikers. There are few bans
on dogs in national historical parks. In addition to learning a thing or two about
American history, these parks often feature interesting hiking: the rolling hills of
eastern Pennsylvania in Valley Forge Historical Park, the mountains of Harpers Ferry
Historical Park, the wild Potomac River of the Chesapeake & Ohio National Historical
Park to name a few.

State Parks are always a good bet for canine hikes; California being the most
critical exception. Dogs are not allowed on trails in California state parks. With
spectacular state parks like Ricketts Glen in Pennsylvania, Hocking Hills in Ohio and
Custer in South Dakota, your dog can vacation happily without the national parks.

So grab that leash and hit the trail! And have as much fun as your dog.

I am the author of over 20 books, including 8 on hiking with your dog and the
widely praised The Canine Hiker’s Bible. As publisher of Cruden Bay Books,
we produce the innovative A Bark In The Park series of canine hiking books found at
http://www.hikewithyourdog.com. During the warm months I lead canine hikes as tour
leader for hikewithyourdog.com tours, leading packs of dogs and humans on hiking
adventures. Tours, ranging from one-day trips to multi-day explorations,
visit parks, historical sites and beaches. My lead dog is Katie, a German Shepherd-
Border Collie mix, who has hiked in all of the Lower 48 states and is on a quest to
swim in all the great waters of North America - http://web.mac.com/crudbay/iWeb/Katies%20Blog/
Katies%20Quest.html. I am currently building a hikewithyourdog.com tours trailer
to use on our expeditions and its progress can be viewed at http://web.mac.com/crudbay/iWeb/Teardrop%20Trailer/Building%20A%20Tour%20Trailer.html.

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The origin of the game that we today call Poker is uncertain and
debated. Most researchers agree that the name Poker is derived
from the French word poque, which in turn originates from the
German word pochen - to knock. It is however unsure whether
Poker is actually related to the card games where players must
knock the table to mark certain situations. Poker bears a keener
resemblance to an old Persian game called As Nas. Some
researchers therefore suggest that As Nas was taught to French
immigrants in New Orleans by Persian seafarers, and later
developed into Poker in America. Poker also resembles a
Renaissance game called Primero and a French game known as
Brelan. In England, Brelan eventually developed into a game
named Brag or Bragg, a card game where the possibility of
bluffing is an important part of the game, just as in Poker.

One of the earlier mentions of Poker is from 1829, when an
English actor named Joseph Crowell encountered a type of card
game in New Orleans where a deck of 20 cards were used by four
players. The players made bets and tried to guess which player
had the best hand. In 1843, Jonathan H. Green published a book
named “An Exposure of the Arts and Miseries of Gambling” where
he described how this game spread from New Orleans via the
riverboats on Mississippi. Playing games was a very popular
pastime on the Mississippi riverboats. As the game spread, the
rules were changed and a full deck containing 52 cards began to
be used. One of the major rule changes was the introduction of
the so called flush.

A lot of the more modern poker versions were invented during the
American Civil War, including Draw Poker and five card Stud
Poker. The straight was also introduced during this era. Around
1875 the use of wild cards was added. Lowball developed around
the same time, and the split-pot poker was invented around the
turn of the century. The first poker games involving community
cards arose around 1925. Some researches claim the U.S. military
are responsible for spreading the game to Asia during wars,
where it is today very popular and a natural part of the
traditional Asian games.

Poker is a noticeable part of the American history and the poker
jargon has even made it into standard American English. Most of
us use poker jargon in our every day language even if we never
have played a single game of poker in our entire life. Have you
ever called someone’s bluff? Had an ace up your sleeve?
Described an unknown or unpredictable factor as a “wildcard”?
Beats me, ace in the hole, blue chip, cash in, stack up, pass
the buck, high roller, poker face and when the chips are down,
are other examples of poker expressions that have made it into
normal language.

During the 1970’s, the first World Series of Poker were played
which popularised Poker tournaments at the American casinos.
This is also the time when the first serious Poker books were
published. Three of the most famous ones are “The Theory of
Poker” written by David Sklansky, “The Book of Tells” by Mike
Caro and “Super System” by Doyle Brunson.

Today, poker is played all over the world. Poker has grown
increasingly popular during the latest decade, chiefly due to
the invention of online poker and the hole-card camera that made
the Poker tournaments much more interesting to watch for
non-players. Poker is today considered a spectator sport and
several TV-shows are devoted to the game. The World Series of
Poker and the World Poker Tour are two major Poker tournaments
that are broadcasted via cable and satellite.

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