Latest Blogs

Retirement: Health for your Aging Cat

Christopher Olivos — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:33:58 +0000

Age is just a number, right? A Human who is 60 years old may act like a young adult, while another human the same age may at like he or she is on a deathbed. Cats are the same way! Your pet may act like a kitten for many years or may be gray and achy quite young. Specific breed, environment, and genetics play a role, but in general, a well-cared for house cat usually lives to be at least 15 years old. Some cats live to be well over 30.

There are things you can do, however, to provide your cat with the chance for the longest life possible. For example, have your cat spayed or neutered. Statistics show that fixed cats live longer, because this causes the cat to stay closer to home and be exposed to few dangerous situations and disease. Good nutrition is also important. Make sure that you are buying cat food that is appropriate for your cat’s age.

As you cat ages, certain medical conditions may cause you to make special considerations for your cat. Examples include reduced tolerance to extreme temperatures, decreased sensory perception, susceptibility to infection, arthritis and joint stiffness, digestion problems, liver and kidney problems, weaker bones, cancer, muscle weakness, slow reaction, memory loss, high blood pressure, and irritability. As you can see, aging cats have many of the same problems as aging humans!

Along with a good diet, promote healthy amounts to exercise in your cat. You can do this by allowing your cat to go outside and by playing with your cat every day. Toys and environmental pieces, like scratching posts, are great for encouraging your cat to exercise. Remember, cats may spend a lot of the day sleeping, which is fine. If you are overly concerned, talk to your vet about your cat’s sleeping habits.

Preventative health care is, of course, important. Make sure that your cat has regular checkups with the vet to make sure everything is in check. You should also brush your cat’s teeth daily and have your cat groomed regularly to prevent skin diseases. As cats age, most grow to love grooming. Monitor your cat for diet chances, changing sleep habits, and unsafe water consumption. The key to graceful aging in a cat is and owner who is well involved in his or her life. Make sure that you provide advanced care for your cat as he or she grows, and your pet should be a part of your life for a very long time.

Massive earthquake strikes Chile, 52 dead, toll expected to rise

Christopher Olivos — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 12:25:57 +0000

SANTIAGO, Chile - A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile early Saturday, collapsing buildings, killing at least 52 people and downing phone lines. President Michele Bachelet declared a "state of catastrophe" in central Chile and said the death toll was rising.

Tsunami warnings were issued over a wide area, including South America, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines, Russia and many Pacific islands.

"We have had a huge earthquake, with some aftershocks," Bachelet said, appealing from an emergency response center for Chileans to remain calm. "Despite this, the system is
functioning. People should remain calm. We're doing everything we can with all the forces we have. Any information we will share immediately."

Bachelet said early reports were that 16 people had been killed, and "without a doubt, with an earthquake of this magnitude, there will be more deaths."

In the 2 1/2 hours following the 90-second quake, the U.S. Geological Survey reported 11 aftershocks, of which five measured 6.0 or above.

She urged people to avoid traveling in the dark, since traffic lights are down, to avoid causing more fatalities.

The quake hit 200 miles (325 kilometers) southwest of the capital, Santiago, at a depth of 22 miles (35 kilometers) at 3:34 a.m. (0634 GMT; 1:34 a.m. EST), the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The epicenter was just 70 miles (115 kilometers) from Concepcion, Chile's second-largest city, where more than 200,000 people live along the Bio Bio river, and 60 miles from the ski town of Chillan, a gateway to Andean ski resorts that was destroyed in a 1939 earthquake.

In Santiago, the capital, modern buildings are built to withstand earthquakes, but many older ones were heavily damaged, including the Nuestra Senora de la Providencia church, whose bell tower collapsed. An apartment building's two-level parking lot also flattened onto the ground floor, smashing about 50 cars whose alarms and horns rang incessantly. A bridge just outside the capital also collapsed, and at least one car flipped upside down.

In the coastal city of Vina del Mar, the earthquake struck just as people were leaving a disco, Julio Alvarez told Radio Cooperativa in Santiago. "It was very bad, people were screaming, some people were running, others appeared paralyzed. I was one of them."

Bachelet said she was declaring a "state of catastrophe" in 3 central regions of the country, and that while emergency responders were waiting for first light to get details, it was evident that damage was extensive.

Courtesy : - Huffingtonpost

Disneyland Resort Near Newport Beach

Nammbo — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:44:10 +0000

If you're looking for action and adventure in the Newport Beach area, the Disneyland Resort is everything you need. Bigger and more magical than ever, the world famous Disneyland is just a short ride from the Little Inn by the bay by. With the addition of the California Adventure Island, the Disneyland Resort is better than ever.

For kids of all ages, Disneyland is where the dreams come alive. From riding the many rides to the magical parade and seeing the enchanting characters of Disney in person, no place on earth can capture the wonder and magic like Disneyland.

With everyday excitement and the seasonal events like the fireworks display, Disneyland Resort will keep kids of all ages enchanted for hours. Best of all, Disneyland Resort has something for the entire family.

You can also learn about past and present California at the Disney Adventure Park, as well as learn about the colorful history that makes California what it is today. Things such as the California Gold Rush and the Hollywood Golden Years are all included at the Adventure Park.

There are plenty of family activities to be found here as well, such as the Muppet Vision 3D, Twilight Zone Tower, and several others. From enjoying the rides to exploring everything in the Disneyland Park, you can spend hours and hours here and still not discover all of the magic.

When you get hungry, you can rest assured that the resort has plenty of places to eat. You can stop and eat at one of the restaurants or simply grab some food from one of the many vendors. There are all kinds of treats here as well, from caramel apples to cotton candy.

What was once a tourist attraction giant, has become even bigger with the recent addition of the Disney California Adventure Park. The park has become very popular as well, helping to add an extra bit of kick to the resort.

Although there are many reasons to visit Newport Beach, few are bigger than either the Disneyland Resort or the Disney Adventure Park. Both are great for the entire family, and both will provide days and days of cutting edge entertainment.

If you plan to visit Newport Beach or a nearby area, you shouldn't hesitate to take your family to the Disneyland Resort. It's a short distance from the Little Inn by the bay in Newport Beach, which is more than worth that extra bit of time.

Little Italy San Diego

Christopher Olivos — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 11:25:38 +0000

Little Italy in San Diego is rapidly evolving as an
inner city neighborhood that's perfect to live in,
shop, dine, or visit. The Little Italy offers great
views of the bay, art and cultural festivities, and
great food.

The nearby street sign for Little Italy, created in
1999, signals that the area is the heart and soul
of San Diego's inner community. The sign is truly
a signal of peace, and can be found on India Street
between Date and Fir.

Each and every year, there are nearly a dozen festivals
held in Little Italy. There are tons of holiday
celebrations, music, and art expo's. During this
time, Little Italy comes alive like never before.

The heart of Little Italy is India Street. This
street has plenty of outdoor cafes, restaurants,
galleries, and specialty shops. Nearby Amici Park
offers a playground for the Washington Elementary
School and a community park that's complete with
a bocce ball court.

Bigger than the Little Italy neighborhoods in New
York and San Francisco, San Diego's Little Italy
keeps getting bigger and better. The waterfront
district of San Diego is bouncing back with Little
Italy, proving to be a great place for tourist

The Top 10 List of Gifts to Give Your Love on Valentines Day

Nammbo — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:57:32 +0000

Valentines Day is a day for lovers. And, there is no better way to show your love than thorough the gift you select for your lover. For this reason, your Valentines Day gift should be well thought out and hand picked by you to match the person it is for. While candy or flowers work for some people, they are not always the best or most creative gift choices. If you are stuck for ideas, here is a list of ten gifts you might want to consider getting your love this Valentines Day:

Valentines Day Gift Suggestion #1 – With the advances in technology of all kinds, it is now possible, and affordable, to purchase a customized Valentines Day gift for your lover. One such gift is a throw blanket which is made with your image, your lover’s image, and your names woven into it. They are available online for less than $75 and are a gift which will be treasured forever.

Valentines Day Gift Suggestion #2 – If you would like to send you lover a message in a bottle, you can take an empty wine bottle, remove the label, print up a new one on your computer, and fill it with hand-written love notes written especially for your lover.

Valentines Day Gift Suggestion #3 – Fine jewelry is always a great gift choice. Not the cheap stuff at your local WalMart, but the good stuff that comes from a jeweler. The item itself does not need to be terribly expensive, just of good quality.

Valentines Day Gift Suggestion #4 – Whether your lover is a man or a woman, a gift of sexy boxers or lingerie can be a wonderful choice which you can both enjoy for many nights to come.

Valentines Day Gift Suggestion #5 – If you are buying for a woman, consider buying her a designer bag which she has been coveting but won’t purchase for herself. Women often put others first and will do so to their own detriment. Show her you care about her and want to indulge her a bit through your gift.

Valentines Day Gift Suggestion #6 – If your lover likes to take digital pictures, the new digital photo display frames is a wonderful gift option. They allow your lover to download their photos into them and then enjoy them over and over again as time passes. These are especially great for people with children.

Valentines Day Gift Suggestion #7 – If your lover has precious items such as jewelry, it is always nice to present them with a nice jewelry box to keep them in. This idea can even work for the men in your life if you stick to a nice quality wood box.

Valentines Day Gift Suggestion #8 – If your lover is an animal person, or they are into nature, consider the DVD of either Plant Earth or March of the Penguins. If they love a particular television series, such as “Sex in the City” that makes a great gift as well.

Valentines Day Gift Suggestion #9 – Purchasing your lovers signature scent always shows that you care and that you notice which products you use. Sneak a look on their dresser or in their bathroom cabinet to get ideas on which to purchase.

Valentines Day Gift Suggestion #10 – If you want to do flowers and candy then make sure you stick to high-quality in both areas. Don’t do cheap flowers or candy as it shows lack of commitment on your part.

Hopefully these ten Valentines Day gift suggestions will give you something to think about while you are shopping for the perfect gift for your lover this Valentines Day. It is always important to keep in mind that Valentines Day is a day for both romance and some fun. Try to keep your choices classic and even spread a bit of humor if you think your lover would appreciate it.

Facebook

Belinda Causey — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:52:52 +0000

Im gonna live lol

Belinda Causey — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:58:48 +0000

Well folks looks like I am gonna live! lol...Went to Doc and he filled me up with Allega D and a big ole juicy shot and i'm on my way back to health...moving this week to the country so look for me when ya see me coming ..or going...hehe...latah.....""Chewing on a Piece of Hay" lol

Apple releases iPad

Christopher Olivos — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:10:01 +0000

Apple has released it's new tablet product called the iPad. The iPad starts at only $499 for the 16GB model with no 3G. The 3G-enabled 16GB model costs $629. The top of the line iPad with 64GB of memory and 3G connectivity will run $829. The prices are much lower than expected, which is a good thing for consumers .

Here are the configurations :-

* 1 GHz Apple A4 Chip
* 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of Flash storage
* 9.7" capacitive multitouch screen (LED Backlit)
* .5" thick chassis
* 1.5 lbs
* Custom iPhone OS 3.2 (beta available today to registered developers)
* 802.11n Wi-Fi
* Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR
* Optional 3G connectivity with AT&T, (unlimited data $29.99 per month, no contract necessary)
* 3G is "unlocked" UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz) GSM/EDGE (850, 900,1800, 1900 MHz)
* GSM SIM compatible, international release slated for Summer
* Wireless not yet FCC authorized, available in 60 days
* Accelerometer
* Compass
* Speaker
* Microphone
* 30-pin iPod connector
* 10 hour battery life (30 days on standby)
* Keyboard dock available

Siccccccccccccccck

Belinda Causey — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:44:00 +0000

Been down with the crud so not much happening on my end but Mucinex and Allegra D lol..few Tylenol..my pillow and blanket...and TV...don't even feel like typing ..but thought I would check in..or am I checking out?? lol..who knows...???? Latah!

Belinda

10 Tips for an Amazing Valentines Day

Christopher Olivos — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:30:51 +0000

Valentines Day, also known as Saint Valentines Day, is a holiday which is celebrated each year on February 14th. Valentines Day is the traditional day in which lovers express their love for each other by sending each other Valentines cards, flowers, or candy. The holiday is named after two Christian martyrs named Valentine. They became associated with romantic love and the day came to be.

Today, most people associate Valentines Day with the exchange of love notes and other symbols of their love. If you are looking for some ways to show your love this Valentines Day, here are some tips to get you started:

Tip #1 – One of the best things you can do on Valentines Day is to write your lover a love note. Don’t send an electronic greeting or purchase a card, spend the time to write an actual, traditional love note to someone you care about. Your love note does not need to be long; however, it needs to be handwritten with some thought having gone into it.

Tip #2 – If you have zero writing skills, then instead of an all out love note, you can write down a list of the things you love about your lover. A simple “I love you because…” list can go a long way to showing someone how you care about them.

Tip #3 – Place your love note on your lover’s pillow or if you will not see each other in the morning then you can have it delivered to them with some flowers or candy.

Tip #4 – If you want to add some creativity to your Valentines Day gift then you can create a scavenger hunt which your lover will have to follow around your house to find their gift. You can leave clues around the house which all lead your lover to find the next clue, and then ultimately to find your gift to them.

Tip #5 – If you have a variety of gifts for your lover then you can start at the front door and run a string from one gift to another. By doing this, your lover has to follow the string to get to their next gift. You can use inexpensive kite string from the dollar store to string your gifts together.

Tip #6 – Rather than going out and fighting the crowds on Valentines Day, you can celebrate it at home by cooking for your lover, or you and your lover can cook a meal for each other, together. Cooking at home can be both romantic and a lot more fun than going out and paying for an expensive meal out.

Tip #7 – If you are looking for a non-traditional gift to give to your lover this Valentines Day, consider making some coupons for them that they can redeem for a variety of things throughout the year. You can make them for simple things like washing their car, or for more sensual gifts. Thanks to home computers and cool paper, you can make some really great coupons or gift certificates in the comfort of your own home.

Tip #8 – If you are single this Valentines Day, there are many fun ways which you can spend the day or evening with friends. On fun way to spend the evening is to have a “Valentines Day Sucks” party with your other single friends. Each friend brings a romantic comedy movie and their favorite junk food to the event. You spend the evening making fun of sappy movies and eating as much junk food as you want, just for one evening.

Tip #9 – Another fun way to spend Valentines Day if you do not have a lover to share it with, is to go to a very expensive restaurant with a friend and order the foods you have always wanted to try – including desert. Take a long evening to enjoy the food and company of a good friend.

Tip #10 – If you will not be seeing your lover until a day or two after the big holiday, you can wait to purchase your flowers or candy until the later date and save a ton of cash.

Cold and your Cat’s Health

Nammbo — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:20:01 +0000

Although your cat may have a furry coat, cold weather can still be extremely dangerous. Imagine how you feel after being out on a cold day for more than a few minutes—even with your winter coat, you are probably still very cold. Cats are the same way, and if you leave your pet exposed to the cold for too long, he or she may show signs of hypothermia. In a worst-case scenario, hypothermia leads to death.

There are many different reasons why your cat could become too cold. If you typically let your cat outdoors, remember that he or she will need to come back inside more quickly during the winter. This is especially true for smaller cats, cats with short hair, or cats recovering from an illness. Also, never let your cat outside if he or she is wet, for whatever reason. In fact, if you bathe your cat or your cat otherwise gets wet, dry him or her immediately if the weather is cold, even if you are indoors. Make sure your cat cannot get outside in any way—your pet may not be able to figure out how to get back inside, and by the time you realize that he or she is missing, hypothermia could have taken hold.

Hypothermia is a medical condition when the body temperature drops too low for the organs to function properly. Frostbite often occurs in the extremities, because the body will begin to shut down unnecessary body parts in order to keep the vital organs as warm as possible. If you cat has hypothermia, you’ll see your pet shivering, moving slowly, and breathing shallowly. Eventually, your cat will become unresponsive and die. Therefore, it is important to warm up your pet.

However, if you warm a pet too quickly, the damage could be even worse. Resist the urge to dunk your pet in warm water! Instead, warm slowly. Bring your animal into a warm room and wrap in warm blankets. You can even throw a towel in the dryer for a few seconds. Or use warm water bottles wrapped in a washcloth. Hairdryers work well, as long as you don’t get too close to your cat and keep them on the low settings. Once your cat starts to warm up, a warm bath could be very helpful, although this is not a good idea if you plan to take him or her outside again to go to the vet.

Remember, calling your vet is always your best option. Animals simply sometimes get outside accidentally, no matter how caring you may be to your pet. If your cat shows symptoms of being too cold, you can use these warming techniques to save your pet’s life, and your vet will be able to get you on the right track to helping your pet recover.

The Importance of Vitamin C

Christopher Olivos — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:30:22 +0000

There are many vitamins that your body needs every single day in order to function properly. One such vitamin is vitamin C. The best way to get vitamin C is to each a balanced diet that includes foods like green peppers, citrus fruits, strawberries, green vegetables, fish, potatoes, broccoli, milk, and tomatoes. Look at the labels on your foods. Vitamin C is sometimes also called ascorbic acid. If you are worried that you cannot get enough vitamin C naturally in your food, talk to a doctor. He or she may recommend a daily vitamin C supplement to help you maintain the correct levels of vitamin C in your body.

Vitamin C is one of 13 vitamins that out body needs. Some of these vitamins are fat-soluble, which means that our body can store them for later use. However, vitamin C is one of vitamins in the body that is not fat-soluble. Therefore, the body cannot store it and it must be consumed every day. How much vitamin C you should have in your body depends on your age, gender, weight, lifestyle, and whether you are pregnant or not.

What does vitamin C do? Basically, vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means that it battles the forces in our body that can cause organ, tissue, and cell damage. Therefore, vitamin C protects the body and may specifically be linked to reducing the signs of aging. If you do not have enough vitamin C in your body, you will develop scurvy. Scurvy is very uncommon in the United States, but can cause anemia, gum disease, skin hemorrhages, and weakness.

When you begin taking vitamin C supplements, make sure that you follow your doctor’s recommendations. If you take to much vitamin C, you can overdose, just as you would with a typical drug. This is rare, because vitamin C is water soluble and high amounts will leave the body at a normal rate, but when it does happen, it can cause kidney stones and interfere with vitamin B12 absorption, causing anemia. Diarrhea is also a side effect. Therefore, it is best to listen to you doctor’s recommendation.

In most cases, you will automatically get enough vitamin C in your foods, especially if you are eating a healthy diet. If you are not and your doctor tells you to begin taking vitamin C supplements, look carefully at the labels of different brands before you buy anything. Because vitamin supplements are classified as foods and not drugs, they are not regulated by the government and each brand’s potency will vary slightly from the next.

And here I am...

Parul Mathur — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:06:10 +0000

My brother has been pestering me to join Nammbo for a while now. Today was the 'shubh mahurat'... So Happy Birthday Runtpuppy's Nammbo account
22nd January, 2010

Taking Kitty to the Dentist

Christopher Olivos — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:13:15 +0000

It is important for you to go to the dentist at least annually for checkups. This is, however, also important to your cat! Many people never think about it, but good dental health can keep your cat happy and disease-free. Whenever your cat goes to the vet, make sure that dental health is checked and discussed, and if your cat is acting strangely at all, especially with eating habits, make sure that dental health problems are not a concern.

Kittens, like baby humans, have fewer teeth than adult cats. Each kitten has 26 temporary teeth, which begin to appear at about three weeks of age. An adult cat will have 30 permanent teeth—16 on the top and 14 on the bottom. A cat usually begins getting his or her permanent teeth when he or she is three of four months old. Some of these teeth have two roots while others have three.

The most common dental diseases found in cats are resporption lesions and gum disease (gingivitis). Resorption lesions are also known as cervical line lesions or neck lesions and often result in tooth loss. These lesions are difficult to detect, as they often grow below the gum line. Gum disease is found in over 70% of cats by the age of three. You can tell if your cat has gum disease by looking for yellow and brown tarter build up along the gum line and over the tooth, red inflamed gums, and chronic bad breath.

Oral disease is often an indication of other more serious health problems. For example, it is common for a cat with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) to have oral health problems. Dental conditions are also commonly found with feline immunodeficiency virus and feline calicivirus. Therefore, if your pet is have dental problems, you need to see a vet right away about these conditions to make sure they are symptoms of a much more serious disease.

Cats can also accidentally break teeth. This can be a result of a fall, a fight with another cat or other animal, or biting into something too hard to chew. Usually, the upper canine tooth will be the tooth fractured. This is the tooth in your cat’s mouth that looks like a large fang. If this is fractured, your cat may or may not be in pain. The first symptom of this kind of a fracture is continuous sneezing.

Overall, oral health is important in all mammals. Cats are susceptible to a number of dental disease and problems, just like humans. By taking your cat to the vet often and asking about oral health, you can make sure that you are providing the best health care foods and tools for your feline friend.

How and Why You Should Research Global Warming

Christopher Olivos — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 09:38:39 +0000

Just about everywhere that you look, some news report is discussing global warming. Newscasters are not the only individuals putting their attention on the important issue of global warming. Many scientists, celebrities, and political figures are starting to do the same.

While you will find an unlimited number of well known figures who support the fight against global warming, you will also find a load of opposition as well. In recent years, this opposition is starting to take a stronger, more publicized approach. Unfortunately, for many Americans, this leads to some confusion. If you are starting to doubt yourself whether or not global warming is real, you will want to start doing your own research. The good news is that it is relatively easy to do so.

Before focusing on a few of the many ways that you can go about better understanding global warming, it is important to focus on why this research is important. According to many scientists, meteorologists, and others with a professional understanding of global warming, the earth will not be a safe place to live in the future. Although you may only see the small affects of global warming, those affects will likely continue to grow and get worse as time progresses on. With that in mind, there are ways that we, as humans, can help to stop global warming or at least lessen its impact. But, before those approaches can be taken, you must first decide if global warming is something that you believe in. As previously stated, research is one of the best ways to determine which side of the fence you stand on.

When it comes to global warming and research, it is important to remember that you do have a number of different options. For starters, you may want to turn to your television. As previously stated, many news reports cover global warming, such as the current affects it is having on our environment and our weather. With that in mind, you may also find television made documentaries and other similar programming of great knowledge and assistance. Many say that television documentaries, especially those that come from well known stations and sources are the best, unbiased pieces on global warming that you will find.

In keeping with your television, you can also use it to further research and understand global warming by way of documentary movies. Although you will have a number of documentaries to choose from, you may prefer the 11th Hour, co-written and co-produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, or An Inconvenient Truth from Al Gore. These documentaries are supported by facts and other statistics, but they are also well known for their celebrity involvement. Leonardo DiCaprio and Al Gore are individuals who we have already let into our homes and have a sense of trust with.

The internet can also and should also be used to research global warming. When using the internet, you should perform a standard internet search with the phrase “global warming.” When doing so, you will find two main types of websites; those that recognize global warming is a problem and want to help stop it and then you will find those who claim global warming is nothing but a myth. As if the debate you hear on television isn’t enough, you may want to take the time to examine each viewpoints online. Comparing the information and statistics you find on your own, from both sides, is an excellent way for you to draw a conclusion surrounding global warming and its existence.

As previously stated, global warming is an issue that should be of great concern to you. Even with all of that concern, you may still not know how you feel on the issue. That is why it is important that you take steps to better understand the threat that global warming may or may not pose. The good news, as outlined above, is that you have a number of options and each of these research methods are easy and possibly even fun.