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Cats are the most popular pets in the United States. According to the latest version of the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook (2002 Edition) there were almost 70 Million pet cats in the United States. Why are cats so popular? There are as many answers to this question as there are cat owners, but the low health risks cats pose to their owners is certainly near the top of this list. Even though the potential health risks cats pose to people are small, it is important that cat owners are aware of these risks and understand how to reduce them.

The majority of all risks stemming from cat ownership are associated with the cat litter box and/or cat feces. There are two categories of risks. The first category contains health risks posed by bacteria and parasites to both cat owners and their cats. The second category contains injuries resulting from an automatic litter box or self cleaning litter box.

Primarily the health problems experienced by cat owners or their cats come from the first category and the most significant of these risks is called Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a tiny parasite called Toxoplasma gondii which can be found in raw or undercooked meat, unwashed fruits and vegetables, dirty cat litter boxes and outdoor soil where cat feces can be found. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than 60 million people in the United States may be infected with the Toxoplasma parasite(1). Fortunately, very few people ever experience any symptoms because a healthy person’s immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, pregnant women and individuals who have compromised immune systems, such as individuals infected with the HIV virus, are at risk and should take precautions to avoid being infected by the parasite. For people in this group a Toxoplasma infection could cause serious health problems to the individual or to a pregnant woman’s unborn child.

Again, most of the 60 million plus American’s infected with Toxoplasmosis parasite will never experience any symptoms. Most of those who do experience symptoms will simply think they have the Flu as the most common symptoms include swollen glands, fever, headache, muscle pain, or a stiff neck. For those in the high risk group, Toxoplasmosis can cause damage to the brain, eyes and internal organs. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, children born with Toxoplasma gondii can suffer from hearing loss, mental retardation, and blindness with some children developing brain or eye problems years after birth(2). The CDC estimates that 400-4000 fetuses are infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite each year and as many as 80 infants die from Toxoplasmosis annually(2).

So how does an individual contract Toxoplasmosis? A Toxoplasmosis infection is caused by ingesting the Toxoplasma gondi parasite. Most cat owners are infected with the parasite by accidentally ingesting infected cat feces. This happens when a person touches their mouth after handling a cat litter box, working in a garden or sand box or touching anything that has come in contact with cat feces(3).

People in the high risk group may wonder whether or not they should give up their cat to avoid infection. According to the CDC, it is not necessary for cat lovers to give up their cats, but it is important for them to protect themselves from infections. The USFDA makes the following recommendations for avoiding infections(2):

1) If possible, have someone else change the litter box. If you have to clean it, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water afterwards.

2) Change the litter box daily. The parasite doesn’t become infectious until one to five days after the feces are deposited in the litter box.

3) Wear gloves when gardening in a garden or handling sand from a sandbox because cats may have excreted feces in them. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water afterwards.

4) Cover outdoor sandboxes to prevent cats from using them as litter boxes.

5) Feed your cat commercial dry or canned food. Never feed your cat raw meat because it can be a source of the Toxoplasmosis gondii parasite.

6) Keep indoor cats indoors. Be especially cautious if you bring outdoor cats indoors.

7) Avoid stray cats, especially kittens.

Don’t get a new cat while you’re pregnant.

Safer Child, Inc. makes the following additional recommendations(4):

1) Have your veterinarian test your cat for the Toxoplasmosis parasite. If you cat is infected, you may want to consider having someone else keep your cat during your pregnancy.

2) Keep sandboxes covered to prevent cats from using the sandbox as a litter box.

3) Be aware of neighborhood sandboxes as the parasite can be brought home on shoes, clothing and toys.

Similar to Toxoplasmosis, Escherichia coli (commonly called E. coli) can infect humans through contact with feline fecal material, although the primary means of infection is through ingestion or raw or undercooked meats. E. Coli is a bacterium commonly found in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. Almost all strains of the bacteria are harmless. However a few strains can produce powerful toxins and cause severe illness, especially in children under 5 years of age(5). Symptoms usually include diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In children under 5, 2%-7% of E. coli cases can cause kidney failure. Fortunately, E. coli is easy to prevent. Using the preventative measures, outlined above for Toxoplasmosis will greatly reduce the risks of you or your children contracting an E. coli infection.

In addition to these human risks, there are a few health risks cat litter boxes actually pose to cats that cat owners should be aware of. Just as a dirty litter box poses health risks to humans, cats are equally at risk if forced to use a dirty litter box. Since cats stay clean by licking themselves, allowing a cat’s litter box to get too dirty can cause infections when a cat cleans it’s paws after using the dirty litter box. The most common infection is a urinary tract infection, and although this type of infection is rarely fatal it can be very uncomfortable for your cat and will most likely require treatment by your veterinarian.

Finally, a lesser-known health risk to cats is actually caused by cat litter itself. What many cat owners do not realize is that some types of cat litter can be harmful or even fatal to their cat. Both clumping and non-clumping litters pose health problems to cats. Clumping cat litters are probably the most popular type of cat litter because of their convenience, hygienic qualities and the fact that clumping litters are required for use in self-cleaning litter boxes. Unfortunately, some clumping litters can be harmful to cats. Clay based clumping litters can contain the mineral sodium bentonite, which can be harmful or fatal to your cat. It is best to avoid using clay based cat litters, especially with kittens. Wheat or corn based clumping litters such as Swheat Scoop, World’s Best Cat Litter and Littermaid cat litter work very well and are non-toxic(6).

By their very nature, non-clumping litters do not absorb and isolate a cat’s urine or feces like clumping litters do. As a result, it is much harder to keep your cat’s litter box clean when using non-clumping litter. When using non-clumping litter it is important to frequently clean and disinfect the litter box itself to reduce the chance of bacterial buildups that can cause urinary or other infections in your cat.

The second category of health risks covers injuries caused by an automatic litter box or self cleaning litter box. Occurrences of this type of injury are rare, but they can happen. An automatic or self cleaning litter box does just what it’s name implies. Usually between 10-15 minutes after a cat uses the litter box, the litter box automatically cleans itself by “sweeping” or “raking” the cat waste into a sealed compartment or bag. For cat owners, injuries can occur if a small child or toddler plays with the automatic litter box during the cleaning cycle. All major brands of automatic litter boxes contain sensors to prevent the cleaning mechanism from activating when a cat or other foreign object is inside the box. However, children can still be injured if they put their hand inside the cleaning mechanism in such a manner as to avoid the sensors.

Although these types of injuries are very rare it is best to take precautions. Placing the litter box in a location where your cat can get to it but small children can’t is an easy method. This is good advice for any litter box as this is the best way to keep children from contracting one of the illnesses described earlier in this article. If you can’t keep the automatic litter box out of a child’s reach then it is best to put the litter box inside a litter box cover. There are many types of covers and all of them will help prevent a child from reaching the litter box and the cleaning mechanism. A final option is to unplug the litter box or put it into a “manual operation” mode. Both of these options will require the cat owner to start the cleaning cycle whenever necessary. Although this reduces some of the convenience of an automatic litter box it certainly removes the danger to children.

Automatic or self cleaning litter boxes are completely safe for almost all cats. However, most manufacturers recommend that the litter box be used in “manual operation” mode for cats under 5 lbs. Cats under 5 lbs many not be large enough to activate the sensors and the cleaning mechanism could cause injury. Since most adult cats weigh over 5 lbs, it is only necessary to use the “manual operation” mode until kittens grow to 5 lbs.

This article is not intended to dissuade anyone from owning a cat. 70 Million cat owners can’t be wrong; cats make great pets! So, if you already own a cat or are thinking of becoming a cat owner it simply makes good sense to be aware of the health risks associated with cat ownership. Understanding the risks can definitely increase the enjoyment of cat ownership.

(1)Toxoplasmosis Fact Sheet; http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm

(2) While You’re Pregnant – USFDA

[http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pregnant/whiltoxo.html]

(3) Toxoplasmosis – An important Message for Cat Owners; [http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/toxoplasmosis_brochure_8.2004.pdf]

(4) Safer Child, Inc.;

http://www.saferchild.org/pets&.htm

(5) Escherichia coli O157:H7 Fact Sheet;

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm

(6) Stanford Cat Network’s – Guide to Caring for Your Adopted Cat or Kitten;

http://www.stanford.edu/group/CATNET/articles/careguide.html#litter

The author is a long time cat lover who currently owns and operates LitterBoxesandMore.com; a business specializing in high quality automatic litter box. Litterboxesandmore.com also offers other specialty cat products such as pet strollers and indoor cat fences. Come visit us at http://www.litterboxesandmore.com

Have you ever wanted to work in the automotive industry? Have you looked at the different careers that are offered in this exciting field? Perhaps you have, but you still haven’t decided which one is right for you. If that’s the case, read on to find out more about 5 careers in the automotive industry that promise exciting and rewarding jobs for their graduates.

Automotive Service Technician

If you’re interested in taking automotive courses that will give you marketable skills, consider enrolling in an Automotive Service Technician program. These technicians – more commonly known as mechanics – learn the ins and outs of vehicle repair and maintenance. Graduates begin work with all the knowledge needed to be completely self-sufficient mechanics, able to work in a number of different automotive environments.

Auto Body Collision Estimators

If you’re interested in being involved in repair estimation, then consider enrolling in Auto Body Collision Estimator automotive courses. This training will give you the tools you need to properly gauge the extent of damage to an accidented car, and estimate the required repairs. Students learn the basics of evaluation, and also the systems used to determine repair costs.

Automotive Service Consultant

Some people love cars, but also have a great facility with social interactions. If you’re one of these individuals, then think about taking some automotive courses to become a Service Consultant. This program trains you in how to be the liaison between the mechanic and the customer. In other words, you act as a kind of translator, explaining issues to mechanics so they can fix the problem, and then explaining the required repairs to be done to clients in easy-to-understand language.

Automotive Business Managers

For those who love business, there is the Automotive Business Manager program. Over the span of several automotive courses, students are trained in finance, marketing, and law. Students also learn about leases, the sale of aftermarket products, and the software systems used in the car industry. The end result is a solid understanding of everything required to start working in a car dealership, managing the business’ day-to-day operations.

Auto Sales and Leasing

Do you want to get into sales? If so, then you might find the automotive courses required for an Auto Sales and Leasing program exciting. This program will give you the knowledge and sales know-how needed to be a successful sales and leasing consultant. Graduates have the opportunity to work in new car dealerships, used car dealerships, in car accessory shops, etc.

If you’re looking to take some automotive courses, but are unsure of which program to choose, consider one of the above options. One of them just might be the career you’ve been looking for.

Contact the Automotive Training Centre for more information on their automotive courses.

Percey Evans is a freelance writer who works for Higher Education Marketing, a leading Web marketing firm specializing in Google Analytics, Education Lead Generation, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Mobile SMS Alerts, Social Media Marketing and Pay Per Click Marketing, among other Web marketing services and tools.

When buying a sports car you need to assess what you want first but even more importantly you need to decide how it will fall into your budget. Basically can you afford to not only buy a sports car but can you run one? However there are some options available to you to enable you to buy cheaper but valuable sports car.

If you take a look at your local newspaper to see where the local auction house is and when the next auction is. However a real life auction is pretty daunting and not for someone that is shy its is most definitely not for the faint hearted! Just like any other auction whether it is online or in the real world it’s a fast pace adrenalin fueled place that is very stressful if you can I would advise to visit an auction a few times before you even attempt to try and bid on something just to get an idea of how it works and how it falls into place. The only downside with offline auctions is you cannot test drive the car before you buy it so you need to have your wits about you and hope that its a good car.

In the UK you can get a lot of car warehouses which basically means they buy a lot of cars and shift them at low prices and not only that they tend to be a lot cheaper than main dealers and because you are buying a used sports car it’s a buyers market so you have the upper hand and you can normally negotiate a really good price. I try and search around the internet and see what they have to offer first but there normally is a fast stock turnaround so if you are not quick you might miss out.

The private seller is always a great place to buy cheap sports car as people may find themselves in a financial emergency so they need some quick cash. Their precious sports car has to go and that can only mean good news for the buyer. Be aware and watch out for some crazy good deals.

The only down side of buying from a private seller is that there is no come back and the buyer buys the sports car on a “sold as seen” basis. You cannot run back to the seller and complain.

There are some really great sports cars out there that every seems to ignore or even take for granted, this is normally due to trends in the sports car industry. This is a good thing for the buyer because they can pick up a cheap sports car and great value for money.

Sports cars are luxury cars and because they are a luxury it does not mean that they have to be expensive or have to set you back an arm and a leg. There is a lot of good deals out there you just need to hunt them down. At the end of the day when buying a cheap sports car you need still remember that quality needs to play a big part in your decision.

If you are after a cheap sports car for sale then you will find a really be selection of cheap used sports cars here all at prices that can fit into anyone’s budget.

Have you always wanted to drive an exotic sports car for a few days? Maybe just pretend you are James Bond and rent an Aston Martin sports car. Maybe go really wild and get a Lotus or Lamborghini for a few days, or maybe even something not quite that exotic but definitely sporty for a special occasion like a new Corvette.

Like virtually anything else in the world today that has a demand, you can rent just about any kind of sports car that you want in many places. Typically these are in larger cities, and in cities like Orlando, Las Vegas, Chicago, or Los Angeles, you would have little trouble in choosing from amongst several agencies that can put you into a hot sports car for a few days so you can indulge yourself.

But before you get too excited, one of the first calls you will want to make is to your car insurance company that you use to insure your personal cars. Tell them what you are planning to do and find out if you have enough coverage to adequately protect you. You may be a very safe driver, but that other driver who is gawking at that sleek sports car you are behind the wheel of may gawk too much and hit you, and you definitely want to make sure you are covered.

Yes, you can almost always get insurance from the car rental agency, but there is a good reason that you will want to first check with your own car insurance company. That is because you may already be covered, and why pay twice for insurance? Also check your policy limits – if you are only covered up to $50k and you are driving a $200k vehicle, that is going to leave you severely lacking if something bad happens. If you get the insurance from the car rental company, chances are that you may be paying an additional $50 a day or more to have that insurance.

But once you have that detail out of the way, the sky is the limit. Maybe it is to impress that new person you are dating, or maybe it is to surprise your wife on that special occasion when you wheel into your driveway with this exotic sports car. You work hard and you are not getting any younger, so decide what you would like to do and give yourself permission to do a sports car rental. Find out what is available in your area and then have a great time.

For more insights and additional information about Sports Car Rental as well as finding where you can rental an exotic sports car and get special discounts, please visit our web site at http://www.sports-car-rental.com/.

There are many people who are looking for cheap health insurance for their family. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have health insurance cover provided by their employer and cheap health insurance is the only realistic option. This would provide the most basic cover but would at least make some provisions in the event of a medical emergency.

Cheap health insurance tends to cover a very limited amount of services but it is worth shopping around as you may find the options vary greatly between health insurance providers. If you are, or have been, a smoker I am afraid you are less likely to be able to find the really cheap health insurance policies as you are considered to be in a high risk category. Don’t be tempted to hide the fact that you smoke simply to qualify for a cheap health insurance policy as your cover may be refused should you have a smoking related illness. It is best to disclose everything and to fill in the policy application form honestly and completely.

If you indulge in so-called dangerous sports then you are also less likely to be able to find cheap health insurance easily. These sports include motor sports, snow sports and some water sports. Again, it is vital that you state your participation in any of these sports to ensure that your health insurance is valid.

On the positive side, you can narrow down the options that you require to help find a family health insurance [http://www.gateinsurance.com/family-medical-insurance.html] policy for your family. If you’re not concerned about which healthcare professionals you’re able to have treatment from then you’ll find that you have a greater choice of cheap health insurance policies. Try to be as flexible as possible and not expect too much choice and you will be surprised by just how inexpensive the cheap health insurance policies that you will be offered are.

Another area of coverage that you may not want to have is for pregnancy and childbirth. If you think that your family will not need this included in your policy you will again find that some of the insurance companies will offer you cheap health insurance without this provision. This is only one such example but it highlights the need for you to analyse all of the potentially cheap health insurance providers to determine whether you can have lower priced coverage if you remove some of the specialty areas.

The best place to start your search for cheap health insurance providers is undoubtedly the internet. However, don’t be tempted to simply perform a search for ‘cheap health insurance’ as there is a high probability that almost all health insurance providers have this statement somewhere in their site’s text. Try using some of the insurance brokers who offer free services to find you a list of cheap health insurance providers for you to compare and pursue those that you feel are appropriate and genuinely lower priced.

Mike Spencer has been helping people protect their health for many years. To find out how you can help protect your family with affordable health insurance visit Mike’s Insurance Reviews [http://www.gateinsurance.com], or read the full article about find cheap health insurance [http://www.gateinsurance.com/low-cost-family-health-insurance-quote.html] here. You can also keep up to date with the latest news at Mike’s Health Blog [http://www.articlegold.org] here.

Fish Cooking Basics

I must admit that I have met more than a few fishermen that know every trick in the book to catch fish, but after they have caught it, have no idea what to do with it. So if you are still wondering what you should be doing with those fish you caught, I have some help for you. The basic techniques for turning those fish into food are very simple and I have outlined the basic information and cooking methods for you.

10 minutes to the inch

Whether you are grilling, frying, baking, poaching, steaming of broiling your fish, the basic rule is that it will take 8-10 minutes of cooking time for every inch of thickness. The biggest mistake most people make in cooking fish is to over cook it. Now if the fish is frozen, count on 20 minutes per inch.

It starts at the water

Fish can degrade quickly after you catch it. One thing you can do to prevent this is kill the fish as quickly as possible. Smack it in the head with a club, then cut the gills with a knife. This will bleed the fish out quickly and slow down spoilage.

You caught it, you clean it

OK, so you probably know this already, but you need to clean the innards out, using a sharpknife and your thumb or narrow spoon. The longer you leave that stuff in there, the more chance it will have to start messing with the fish’s flavor.

When is it done?

The classical definition is that fish is done when it hits 160° and the juices run clear. Stick a fork into the thickest portion and twist gently. It should be flaky, but please, what ever you do, don’t let it cook into dry nastiness.

NUKING (MICROWAVING) FISH – Fillets, 1″ thick steaks

Yes, this is a valid fish cooking method!Microwaves cook by exciting (heating up) the water in whatever you put in there. Now call me crazy, but fish are just full of moisture. Gee… wonder why? Here are the proper steps for nuking fish. Allow 6 minutes per pound of fish, and remember that no two microwave ovens will be the same so adjust accordingly.

1. Arrange the fish with the thickest parts towards the edge of the plate, and tuck and thin parts under so they don’t get overdone. One layer deep only please.
2. Cover with plastic wrap, but pull one corner back just a little, or punch a little hole in it to vent steam.
3. Don’t blast it! Cook at 70% of full power. Again, we are looking for just flaky.
4. Let the fish rest for three minutes after you nuke it.

PAN FRYING (SAUTÉING) – Fillets less than 1-1/2″ thick, scallops, large shrimp

The old standby by for cooking fish, there are countless variations on how to pay fry fish.The basics are to heat butter or oil over medium heat in a pan big enough to comfortably hold your fish. Then cook on one side till brown then turn over and brown the other side. This shouldn’t take long so don’t over cook them!

What you do with them before you drop them in the pan is what matters the most. To be a purist, you can pat them dry and just lightly season them with salt and pepper. Of course if you want to get fancy, you can always coat them with egg and bread them with flour or bread crumbs.Then we get into seasoning of the breading and things get really interesting. Have fun, experiment.

BROILING – Fillets & Steaks 1/4″ to 1-1/2″ thick, Scallops & Shrimp

Think of broiling as blast cooking your seafood. Put the top rack ~4 inches below the broiling element and pre-heat that puppy. One thing to remember is that broiling can suck the moisture right out of fish, so you have to make sure it doesn’t dry out and get nasty. Fish like Salmon, Tuna and Swordfish have enough oil already to keep them moist, but think about marinating other types of fish.

Drop your fish on the broiling pan, season it lightly and get it under the broiler. Keep a watchful eye on it though. Broilers will take food from done to crispy in the blink of an eye.

STEAMING SEAFOOD – Fillets, Steaks, Whole Fish and Shellfish

Steaming is about as easy and healthy as it gets. No added oil is needed, just a little salt and pepper. If you like, you can steam your veggies right along with your fish! Just remember the 10 minutes to an inch rule and go for it.

BAKING SEAFOOD – Fish Fillets, Steaks, Shellfish & Whole Fish

Baking is the tame version of broiling. Set your oven for 450° and away you go! As for the fish, arrange them one layer deep in a lightly oiled pan, tucking any thin parts under so they don’t burn. Variations include breading, coating with oil/butter, and topping with fruit and/or veggies.

POACHING (NOT BOILING) SEAFOOD – Whole fish, Steaks, Fillets, Shrimp, Scallops

Basic poaching technique is to cook the seafood in a broad, shallow pan filled with enough hot, but not boiling liquid to completely cover it. Any liquid will do, from plain water to concoctions of water, wine, herbs and stock. The liquid should be brought to a boil then turned down till you see movement, but no bubbles breaking on the surface. Carefully place your food in the water and cook the required time. Another very healthy way to cook your seafood!

STIR-FRYING – Chunks and strips of firm fish, Shrimp, Scallops, Squid

Stir frying is broiling from the bottom effectively. This is because to correctly stir fry, even cooking, make sure that your pieces of food are fairly uniform. Here is the basic stir frying technique.

1. Heat the wok over high heat with oil till the oil starts to smoke. Add your vegetables if any and stir constantly. Cook until they are just a little tender and then set aside.
2. Add oil if needed and reheat the pan. Cook the seafood, stirring constantly so it doesn’t stick. Cook until it is browned slightly and opaque in the center.
3. Add the veggies back in along with some sauce and any other seasonings you like. And you are done!

GOOD OLD GRILLING – What can’t you grill?

Whole encyclopedias could, and probably have been written about grilling. It must tap into some primal spot in our soul to be outside, cooking or burning a piece of meat over some hot coals. Here are the main points to remember.

• Keep your grill clean! Dirt grills cook unevenly and dirty grates are more likely to have food stick to them.
• Oil your grill grates! It will help keep the food from bonding to them.
• Grilling can dry food out like broiling does, so use fatty fish, and consider using a marinade or oiling and seasoning your fish before grilling.
• For fish that is small, or might fall apart, use aluminum foil on the grill.
• Once you put the food down on the grates, don’t mess with it! As my cooking hero Alton Brown says ‘Just walk away!’ Granted, not for long but don’t fiddle with it till it is time to turn it over.

So there you have the basics of cooking fish. Best of luck in your cooking adventures! Just remember to let your creativity flow and don’t be afraid of trying new things!

Cliff is a long time fisherman and cook hails from the remote lands in Northern Idaho, but has now moved to the big city. He is also the founder of the web based fishing show ‘Fishing with Cliff’ that can be found at http://www.FishingWithCliff.com where you can watch on demand episodes of his show, and get more great cooking ideas!

The term “a dog’s life” used to describe a pretty rustic existence for the family pet… Fido slept on the back porch, had an occasional bath in the back yard kiddy pool and for a treat, chewed on a rawhide bone.

Today however, a dog’s life often means being toted around in at $400 dog carrier, sleeping in a $1000 dog house, and wearing a collar embedded with Swarovski crystals. Yes times have changed and these days dogs, cats, birds, and the like are living the high life. In 2007, Americans spent a record $41 billion dollars on their beloved pets! All across the globe, pet owners are becoming increasingly demanding when it comes to pet products and not settling for inexpensive, substandard products. These days, only the best in pet products will do and this opens up tremendous opportunity for anyone who is interested in selling in the pet products niche.

Target Market:

Fueling this growing trend in the pet product industry are empty nesters who lavish attention and money on their pets, baby boomers with disposable income and young adults who are waiting until later to have children and instead are putting their time and energy into Fido and Fluffy.

Even families of more modest means are spending money on a menagerie of pets. Families see their pets as a member of the family and are willing to spend big money on them. Additionally, the influence of popular television shows like Animal Planet, have made the family pet more revered than ever.

Product Trends:

These 5 distinct trends drive the market for pet products sales:

1. Luxury pet products. The luxury pet products industry has seen the most growth in recent years and continues to lead the pack when it comes to the sale of pet merchandise. Consumers want the best for their pets and they are willing to shell out big bucks to get the products they want. People who buy luxury pet products are generally more affluent. They also tend to buy a complete ensemble of pet accessories. The pet sweater must match the pet carrier and the very often, that must match what the owner is wearing as well. But it isn’t only clothing items that are on every pet owners shopping list – There are now $430 indoor potties, $30-an-ounce perfume, climate controlled pet carriers, jeweled pet collars (with real jewels), $225 trench coats, designer pet beds, dog shoes, Halloween costumes, Zen dining tables, dog spas, even doggie nail polish!

2. Traveling pets. Have pets will travel is the mantra of many pet owners. To do this in comfort and style requires the right kind of products and accessories. Climate controlled pet carriers; pet booster seats and pet strollers enable that traveling pet to ride in style.

3. Eco-friendly pets. Eco-friendly and organic products have been a huge influence on pet products sales in the past couple years. This trend is continuing, in fact the largest growth sector in several pet product categories has been that of eco-friendly and organic products. If you sell pet products you must give your buyers some eco-friendly versions of popular pet products.

4. Exotic pets. While dogs and cats are certainly the most popular pets, we’re also seeing a trend towards ownership of more exotic pets. Today there is a demand for products for birds, reptiles, fish, ferrets, mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, pot belly pigs, rabbits, chinchillas, aquatic turtles and more.

5. Fashion pets. Today’s pets are so well dressed with coordinating accessories that they could easily grace the cover of Pet Vogue magazine. Pet owner fashionistas are snapping up designer style pet products at a frenzied pace. Pink-a-holic pet? There’s a slew of hot pink fashion pet products out there. More into the preppy look? Outfit your pet and his products so he looks straight out of the Ivy League. Is Bowser a rock- and-roll dog? He’ll look and act the part with today’s pet fashion products. Pets and fashion have merged in a big way!

Product Categories:

There are literally hundreds of categories of pet products. The following 5 umbrella categories offer a lot of opportunity to drill down and look for sub-niches and micro-niches.

1. Pet Transportation. Pets are on the go! And pet strollers, pet carriers and pet booster seats, all help your pet get there safely, soundly and in style. A recent pet lover’s blog featured 16 reasons your pet needs a pet stroller! Pet ramps and stairs help older pets remain comfortable in the event of health issues. Liners and barriers for automobiles help to keep your car clean and fresh (and your pet safe) while he rides around the town.

2. Pet Housing and Home Decor. A pet’s home is his castle and one of the best selling pet product categories is that of pet houses, beds, kitty condos, pet couches, chairs, pillows and the like! Blankets, bowls and feeders all round out the home décor needs of a happy and well-nested pet.

3. Pet Clothing and Accessories. The possibilities are endless in the pet accessory market! Dog toys, grooming accessories, pet shoes, pet eye ware, pet safety products, grooming products, art work, pet exercisers, pet treadmills, pet games, and pet jewelry are just a small sampling of the products that are being snapped up by today’s pet owner.

4. Pet Health. Pet owners are very concerned about their pet’s health and the sale of pet health products are on the rise. From pet treadmills to grooming products, lotions and potions, to shampoos and nutritional supplements, people are paying as much attention to their pet’s health as they are their own.

5. Pet Products for humans. A consistent trait of pet owners is that they not only like to purchase products for their pets, they also like to purchase products for themselves that represent their pets. Consider the 38 year old Chicago executive who owns two Golden Retrievers. Her home is filled with pieces of artwork, figurines, t-shirts, books and jewelry all representing the Golden Retriever breed. Pet lovers who can’t own pets due to allergies or logistical reasons but still want to feel connected with a pet are also buying these types of pet products in droves.

Founder and CEO of What Do Sell®, Lisa Suttora is a noted eBay authority. An internationally known product sourcing and trending expert, Lisa has coached thousands of eBay entrepreneurs in building a successful eBay business. Lisa is the co-author of the best-selling product sourcing book “What to Sell on eBay and Where to Get It” from McGraw-Hill publishers and the Product Trending Editor for the Product Sourcing Radio Show. WhatDoISell.com, the oldest online private membership community for eBay Sellers has been serving eBay sellers since 2004. An eBay Certified Provider and a member of the Better Business Bureau, whatdoisell.com is your all-in-one solution for starting or expanding your eBay business. http://www.whatdoisell.com To receive your free Product Trends 2008 report, please go to [http://www.producttrends2008.com]

Discount pet supplies are definitely for people like me, who end up buying a whole lot more things than they set out to in the first place! I’m a shopaholic alright, and even when it comes to getting supplies for my cat, Tabby, I just cannot control myself. Sometimes I even end up buying things my pet doesn’t even require! But I just can’t help it, and I’m not ashamed to admit it! So discount pet supplies are a boon for me!

Smart Moves

Discount pet supplies lets you have everything your pet needs, but at a much lower price. And as we all know, that’s really important because you need to stick to your monthly budget. You also need to make smart purchases. This is because if you don’t buy smartly, you’re probably going to end up spending a whole lot more than you set out to.

When you’re buying bowls for your pet, for drinking water or even for feeding, make sure you get sturdy, stainless steel ones. They last much longer than plastic and if you get them as part of your discount pet supplies, then it’s a very good buy indeed. Not only are you getting it at a lower price, it will also serve it’s purpose for a longer period of time than it’s fancy plastic counterparts.

Turning To the Internet

You can also look at other avenues for your discount pet supplies. Online stores stock a whole lot of supplies from leading brands and the best part is, they offer these to you at unbeatable prices. For example, for my Tabby, who is quite old and has a whole list of dental problems, I purchase food from there, because they stock foods which are specially developed for cats with dental problems.

You also have the added advantage of getting these items dropped right to your doorstep. Shipping is fast and efficient and totally worth the extra money you are charged for it! Yes you still pay for shipping but it’s still cheaper than going to the store. Remember there’s no gas involved. And depending on where you live, you may not have to pay local sales taxes either.

So the internet is definitely an option when you’re looking for discount pet supply store. Also, don’t forget to look out for the discount coupons and sales which many online stores offer. All you need to do is be vigilant and you’ll get already cheap pet supplies at an even cheaper price!

Discount pet supplies are also offered by your favorite retailer or your neighborhood pet stores, but only during sale season, so just keep a lookout for the “sale” sign when you drive buy. After all, why would you want to pay a steeper price for your pet supplies when you’re sure to get them at a discounted price at certain times of the year? When you find a discount pet supply store both you and your pet will be much happier.

To learn more about how to find a discount pet supply store be sure to visit our website at WholesaleDogProducts.net. And if you don’t mind buying in bulk and storing items, you can also look at getting wholesale dog products or cat products for your pets.

Choosing the right dog bowl for your pet can easily get a little overwhelming. There are so many colors and styles to pick from. Should you pick stainless steel, ceramic or plastic? You can buy dog bowls with their names on them, pictures and designs, even team colors and logos. You can buy bowls that match your kitchen or your dining room. You can even buy dog bowls that look like outdoor pots for the patio! There are bowls for small dogs, large dogs and all the dogs in between. So how to pick? How do you know which bowl is best for your dog?

The first thing to consider when looking through dog bowls, is your dog. If you have a large dog, you’re obviously going to need a large bowl. Smaller dogs, toy dogs and short-legged dogs such as Corgis and Dachshunds need smaller, shallower bowls. A dog with a short snout, like a bulldog or a pug, won’t be comfortable eating or drinking out of a deep bowl. Dogs with long ears and furry faces can end up soaking wet after a visit to the water bowl.

We all know dogs love to eat! Sometimes they can be overly enthusiastic, gulping their food and spilling it all over the floor, sending the bowl sliding all over the place as they lick it clean. To help dogs who eat too quickly slow down a little, consider buying an anti-bloat bowl. This bowl, developed and recommended by vets, has small shapes inside that prevent a dog from being able to gobble their food too quickly.

Raised bowls or elevated feeders are other options to consider when looking for a dog bowl. These bowls are more comfortable for dogs to eat from and can help prevent some of the mess a bowl on the floor can lead to. For older dogs with joint pains, or dogs with back or neck problems, a raised bowl can be more comfortable for them to eat from. Elevated feeders come in many styles, colors and materials making it easy to find the one that will best suit you and your dog.

When trying to choose the perfect dog bowl, it can be hard to settle on which one you like the best. They can be made of stainless steel, wood, ceramic or plastic. You can pick a bowl with a Grecian or Roman style, or one with a more modern flair. You can even find dog bowls designed to look like flower pots for outside patios. Any color, any style, any material are yours for the asking. For an added personal touch, you can even customize a dog bowl with your pet’s name, breed, or favorite color.

Another consideration when choosing a dog bowl is how easy it is to clean. Ideally you should wash your pet’s food and water bowl regularly. Many people recommend a light washing once a day for water bowls and after every meal for food bowls along with a more thorough cleaning once a week. After all, you don’t like eating off of dirty plates every day, do you? So why should your dog?

Choosing the right dog bowl for your pet is an important task and one the whole family should be involved in. And despite how many options you have to choose from there are no wrong decisions. Just remember to take into account what will best suit your dog and their personality. In the end, your dog will love whatever you pick out for them!

Doggienation is a leading provider of officially licensed Dog Sports Jerseys and Personalized Dog Accessories and Dog Collars and Leashes.Be sure to find something special for your pet at DoggieNation.

According to various surveys and polls, public speaking is one of the most frightening things a person will have to do in his or her life, often more feared than severe physical dangers, even death.

For some people, public speaking is a fairly natural part of life’s routine. Teachers, salesmen, supervisors- all of these do have to speak to crowds of some size on a regular basis. And perhaps certain personalities gravitate toward jobs and situations in which public speaking is a necessity. It is rare to meet a professor, a trial attorney, or a military drill instructor who is meek and shy and afraid to hear their own voice come out of their mouth in front of a group. But it is common to meet scientists, librarians and architects who have such fears. As well as delivery drivers, construction workers and accountants. Anyone who is not required to speak to crowds in an organized, compelling and articulate manner may harbor extreme trepidation at the prospect of public speaking. In fact, even some of the aforementioned people who do speak publicly on a regular basis may not feel that they are up to the level of ease and effectiveness that they would like to be or that they feel is expected of them.

The need to speak publicly often comes up outside of one’s job or profession. Perhaps you need to toast someone at a wedding, or deliver a humorous trip-down-memory-lane speech at a birthday party or anniversary dinner. Maybe at your house of worship you are suddenly called upon to speak to the congregation. Or you join a social or political organization where you unexpectedly find yourself in a leadership role. Maybe you find yourself in court, called to the stand in a trial, and you must rise to the occasion like Jack Nicholson’s character in “A Few Good Men” and deliver a blistering, unforgettable speech capped by the legendary phrase “You can’t HANDLE the truth!”. Whatever the case may be, instances of important public speaking are almost sure to come your way.

Instead of dreading your moments in the spotlight, you can easily follow just a few simple steps and learn to thrive there; to be the bold, assured public speaker that makes everyone feel at ease and who inspires confidence and heightened listening at your every word.

Let’s look at four essential ingredients to a great public speaker. If you only remember what I call ‘The Four C’s', you will be way ahead of the game. In fact, you will be able to come off like a pro. The Four C’s are Composure, Cadence, Communication and Comedy. Let’s find out exactly what they entail.

1.) Composure. This means how you present or carry yourself. Your body is your instrument. You are thinking: “Wait, my mouth is my instrument when I’m speaking.” Yes, but your entire body is physically the vessel that carries your voice, and visually, emotionally and even spiritually, your entire body helps you connect with the people that you are talking to.

Try to stand straight up, and make your spine and your limbs straight. Not ramrod, uptight, stiff straight, but self-respecting, commanding straight. Stand to your full height. If you are much more comfortable leaning over just a bit, or bent slightly, that is OK. The point is, find your “power position”, where your body feels most naturally authoritative and deserving of being looked at and listened to.

Look out and survey the crowd. Develop hand gestures that convey strength and discipline. Perhaps fingers together, facing up , like a “church steeple”, or a very loosely made fist like Bill Clinton used to do, or a flat “karate chop” hand. Some people point. Some give the “thumbs-up”. Some lightly slap the table or podium under them for emphasis. The point is, experiment beforehand and find your “power position” and your “power moves” or “power gestures”.

If you feel nervous at the outset of a speech, take more time before starting, become more deliberate and look around the room and the crowd for a few moments. You know exactly why you are taking time and looking around. Everything you do is on purpose. You are in control. You are leading and the crowd will follow. This is just a law of nature.

2.) Cadence. This means the tempo, rhythm or speed that you are speaking. Most people, most of the time, simply speak too fast. They rush. If you are at all a nervous type who has any inclination at all to speak quickly, especially when nervous, then SLOW DOWN. Make yourself speak a good fraction slower than what initially comes out of your mouth.

Slowing down a bit helps make you seem more deliberate and in control. To the audience, what sounds slow to you probably sounds very coherent and actually easier to understand. Also, if it doesn’t sound hasty and rushed, then almost subliminally the message to people is that: “however long it takes for him to say it and for us to sit through it all, we know that it must be interesting and well worth hearing, because he’s not rushing and not acting apologetic about having to tell it. It must actually be important.”

However, if you suspect that you might be a naturally slow talker, then ask a few friends or confidantes and confirm this. If you really are a very slow talker, then speed up a bit. But most of you will naturally be on the fast side when initially public speaking.

3.) Communication. OK, you know what this word means literally. But what do I really mean by it? It’s so easy to forget when speaking in public, but you are really just having some kind of conversation with human beings. It could be a Presidential address, trial attorney in court, actor thanking the Academy Awards or standup comedian doing his bits. They are all just SPEAKING TO HUMANS. Sure, the audiences don’t literally answer back, and sure the size and scope of the situation is very different from an intimate conversation, but the basic mechanics of intention, emotion and personal need are really the same. And I know that every one of you reading this knows how to talk, how to just talk to a person, be it a family member, co-worker, friend, shopkeeper, what have you. When you talk to another person, you naturally and unconsciously attach real emotion and urgency to what you are saying, because the words really mean something to you. They come from a need, whatever that might be: “Can I have some potato chips?”, “I can’t believe you finished your report.”, “I hate the 405 Freeway!” or “Will you give me a hug?” It sounds simple, and in your everyday life it IS simple.

Being a human being, you are a GENIUS in communicating realistically and compellingly. Now, simply bring that to your public speaking. When you speak, imagine a real person you know, right in front of you, or out in the audience. Speak to that one person if you need to. Connect with that person in your mind. Convince him or her of the importance, the deep meaning of what you are saying. Unless you are just calling bingo numbers, or reciting statistics for half an hour, you are not just saying words. You are saying THOUGHTS, FEELINGS and IDEAS. You are communicating MEANINGS.

Now, of course, emotional doesn’t mean loud, overly dramatic or scary. It means literally that there is some emotional component or feeling attached to it, the way regular people really speak almost all the time, at least regular people that you want to listen to.

Therefore, to summarize Communication, practice public speaking as if you are conversing with close friends or people that do not intimidate you at all. And make personal, emotional associations with what you are saying so that it sounds like you CARE about those ideas. Because you really DO care about them. Because then the audience will care.

4.) Comedy. Humor, levity, funniness, comedy. By whatever name, it is a very potent and valuable weapon in public speaking. Presidents use humor. Corporate CEO’s use it. Law enforcement uses it. So do military brass, athletes, teachers, managers and professionals of every type, stripe and classification.

Human beings use humor, and not just those we think of as being “clowns”, “jokesters” or “funnymen”. Sometimes the most deadly serious character can crack a sharp comedic line and bring down the house, elevating his stature and command to even higher levels. Think about Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in the Terminator movies. He was a huge, heartless, robotic killing machine. And he had a series of funny one-liners that have become among the most widely used and appreciated in the world. Now you are probably not a heartless, humorless robot. In fact, you probably do already use humor at times in your life. The key is bringing appropriate, razor-sharp humor into your public speaking.

If you feel unable to write clever, appropriate, relevant and gut-bustingly funny lines into your speech or presentation, fear not. There are professional comedy writers out there who can make you hilarous at just the right moments for a reasonable and affordable price, and no one in the audience need be the wiser. In fact, they might all just assume that you were the brilliant comedic mind behind the golden zingers.

I happen to own a company called The Funny Business that creates custom-written comedic content for whatever your need. We’ve done speeches, toasts and roasts for weddings, birthdays, bar mitzvahs and corporate promotions. We’ve done presentations that involve fairly detailed, specific corporate and technical lingo. We’ve done standup material for both top-level and aspiring standup comedians. In fact, if you come to The Funny Business and request something funny to be written, we’ll do it! Unless we can’t do it, and then we’ll tell you so, but probably in a funny way.

Not everybody was born a giant of public speaking- a Bill Clinton, a John F. Kennedy, a Winston Churchill. But with a little work, a bit of preparation and some serious concentration on The Four C’s, just about anybody can become a strong and compelling public speaker.

Adam Gropman is the owner of The Funny Business, which custom-writes comedic material for various public speaking needs. He can be reached through http://www.thefunnybiz.biz