Just Say No to Table Scraps for Fido

Avoid Table Scraps in Your Dog's Diet

We have all done it. Our cute, little furry friend is practically smiling at us from beneath the kitchen table. The ears are perked and the tail is wagging. We know what our dog is after. Just a tiny tidbit from dinner would be delightful, right? What could it hurt? It is just a bite or two after all.

Hold Fido's ears he won't want to hear this!

A dog's diet really should not contain table scraps. People food is just that...for people. A dog's nutritional needs are not the same as a human's. Sure, we eat some of the same things, but feeding your pet from the table is one of the biggest mistakes for your pet. A dog's diet doesn't require all the added goodies we put into our meals.

People have problems with obesity. A dog can have this problem, as well. If your dog's diet consists mostly of scraps from the dinner table, chances are high that your dog will have trouble maintaining a healthy weight. Even a few pounds over weight can really make a difference in the quality and length of your pet's life. Curb the begging and stick to your guns.

When you have a dog who is not a picky eater, it can be tempting to let your pet be the garbage disposal in the home, but really, this is not a good idea. Certain people foods can harm your dog and should never be a part of your dog's diet. Grapes, for example, have been known to cause serious problems for dogs, even death. Chicken bones and popcorn can also be a problem for your dog. Permitting large quantities of chocolate can be dangerous in a dog's diet.

A poor diet even shows up out in the yard. When your dog's diet is not at its best, your pet's outputs will be greater in size, smell, and mess. Benefits of choosing a healthy diet for your dog will be noticeable in your pet's health, as well as, during those walks around the block.

There are a few occasions when a supplement or treat from the kitchen may be alright, but never in excess. Talk to your veterinarian about healthy snacks for your dog's diet. If you simply must continue feeding Fido at the table, many vets recommend you give your pet ice cubes or pieces of carrot to munch on between scheduled feeding times. Providing your pet these healthy alternatives to pizza and cupcakes gives you the freedom to choose a healthy and nutritious snack for your dog's diet.

So, the next time your beloved pet starts eyeing your grub, redirect his or her attention. Don't reach for your fatty steak or chicken leg. Instead, toss your buddy a cool, refreshing ice cube to bat around and munch on. A couple of baby carrots will keep Fido happy and leave you feeling good about your choices for the nutritional value of your dog's diet. You will know that you are doing your best to maintain a high-quality diet for your pet.     

Cat Care in your House

Cat Care in your House

Cats are playful animals. If you are planning to get one, you should know the basics about house cat care. Here's some advice from The Cat Lady of Cape Cod. Her store on Main Street in Hyannis was a mecca for Cat People for years.

The moment the cat is brought into the house, you should give it his or her own room, for the time being, with food, water and a bed.

If it has not yet been toilet trained, you should start teaching it so there are no stains in the carpet.

Teaching the cat how to use the litter box can initially be done by carrying it to the box when nature calls. When you see the cat is able to do it, praise and reward your pet so they know that this is the right to do.

The exact dimension of the litter box depends on the size of the cat. This must be cleaned naturally using soap and water not disinfectant.

If ever they do something wrong like climb up on the table or scratch the furniture, you must never scold them as they are very sensitive animals. You can enforce discipline without causing any harm by squirting water on their face.

There must be food and water at all times. The feeding dish and bowl should be made either of plastic or aluminum and cleaned. Any unfinished food must be disposed of properly.

Their diet must come from high quality cat food and although this may be more expensive than the other brands, you know that it has the right vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy. Aside from food, you can also give them supplements. One example is Omega 3 fatty acids that are good for their nutrition.

For those that have other pets in the house, you should give some time for the two pets to be acquainted with each other. If you have a dog, make sure it is kept on its leash first. If you have another cat, be ready to break off a fight since this normally happens.

House rules must be set regarding what the cat can and cannot do in the home. For instance, you can decide whether or not the cat may be allowed out of the house. The experts say it is much better for your cat to remain indoors.

You should also provide a scratching pad so it can play around without causing any damage to your furniture. This should be 3 feet in height and placed either near the furniture or their bed. When their nails get too sharp, you better trim it so they don’t hurt you or themselves.

One of the most important things about cat care is proper grooming. You can bathe the cat by wetting their head and tail with shampoo. Never lather their ears or eyes and dry them using a clean towel. Brush the hair lightly and apply combing powder so it never gets tangled with each other.

Lastly, bring your cat to the vet regularly and when you see something new in their behavior as quick thinking could prevent a possible sickness from getting worse. If you don’t know any, get a recommendation from one of your neighbors.

House cat care is challenging but rewarding. You just have to put in the time and effort when you decide to bring a pet into your home. 

Can You Really Get a Bargain at Dollar Stores?

Can Dollar stores and Discount Stores Really offer you a Bargain?

It seems like dollar stores and other various discount stores are becoming  common  in most areas. Can these discount stores really offer you a bargain or do they just sell poor quality items? In my opinion, there are plenty of bargains to be found in dollar stores and discount stores if you look for the right items.

I give lots of cards to people, but they can cost $3 and up at most retailers. I can find some great cards at Dollar Tree for . 50 each. They are still funny or pretty or sentimental in nature and I never feel like I had to settle for less than what I wanted to say.

Disposable items for a party are a great deal at discount stores. The cost of napkins, paper plates, cups, silverware, invitations, and tablecloths can really add up fast. Wrapping paper and gift bags are another area of party items that can be found for a good price at discount stores.

I wouldn’t recommend going into discount stores and buying gifts for your family members or friends, but there are some good items in there. I personally enjoy buying picture frames from discount stores because they look just as nice. However, I would feel bad giving picture frames from these stores as gifts. For example I bought a very nice set of three frames from a discount store recently. They look like glass and make a beautiful display on my dresser. Yet when you pick them up you can quickly tell they are made from lightweight plastic.

Most discount stores have plenty of toys for children, but remember that children are very hard on toys. They will be very disappointed when the head pops off the doll or the tires fall of the car. I wouldn’t recommend buying such toys from a discount store as the quality just isn’t there.

Yet there are plenty of fun children’s toys you can get from a discount store including cards, marbles, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and coloring books. These all make great items for stocking stuffers or even for traveling to make the trip go by faster. I like to bring bubbles for when we stop at a rest area as an incentive to get them to treat each other with respect while we are on the road. Simple, but it works well every time!

There are also plenty of items at discount stores that you can use to decorate your home. I refuse to pay $35 for a shower curtain! It just isn’t going to happen. I always get them at the dollar store for just a couple of dollars. They last a very long time and they were well. I have not problem at all when the time comes to replace it. I have also found neat soap dishes and wall hangings for my bathroom at discount stores.

Office supplies are something most of us use on a regular basis. You can get them for a very good price at discount stores. Notebooks, paper, pens, glue, rulers, scissors, calculators, and envelopes can all be found for a really good price. I have never had any problems with the quality of such items. They are very comparable to those I buy at other retail stores for much more money.

I think when it comes to finding bargains at discount stores there are some to be found. It is important that you don’t have too high of expectations when it comes to the quality of the items. Yet in most of the cases relating the different items I have described above, the quality doesn’t have to be exceptional. They will work to serve the purpose without costing you a fortune. This makes party planning much more fun when you know you have the budget to cover it all. If you don’t shop at discount stores you are really missing out on some great bargains!

PPPPP

Word Count 663

Sex and Drugs coming to the the Corner Store?

By Bill Russo

It all started with the humble Numbers Runner

Back in our nation's salad days of the 1950s - except for foreign territories like Las Vegas - there was no legalized gambling. There were of course, bookies and numbers men. The 'daily number' was a harmless bit of fun procured for a dollar from the local numbers runner. Based on the newspaper's published treasury balance, the bettor picked four numbers, such as 2763, and if they matched the number published in the paper, the lucky winner would get five hundred bucks cash money. No taxes, no forms to fill out, no strings. It was easy.

Then the government stepped in and decided to take over the numbers racket - so they forced the independent businessman out and put the numbers back where they really always had been--the corner grocery store. But this time, the authorities were getting their cut.

You walk in to a 7-11 and buy a gallon of milk and two lottery tickets.

Soon you will be able to buy ANYTHING in the corner store

Gambling was considered a weakness and a sin until the government took it over. Now it's merely a monetary unit based tax system. Using that rationale, the politicians may decide to take over prostitution. It will be legal and taxed.

You will walk into a 7-11 and buy one gallon of milk, two lottery tickets and one hooker. The clerk will say, "is that prostitute for here or to go?"

Don't worry. It's fine. As soon as the government takes over prostitution, it won't be a sin anymore!

After bringing the ladies of the evening into the fold, the pols can nationalize medicine and put all the doctors' offices in the 7-11 stores.

You will walk into a 7-11 and say, "one gallon of milk, two lottery tickets, a hooker, and one doctor's visit please."

The clerk will ask, "Would you like the doctor's visit before or after the prostitute?"

The next big thing the government will take over after medicine, will be DRUGS!!!! Yup. You got it. Just put 'em in the 7-11 and tax the s--t out of 'em!!!!!

You'll slide into the 7-11 and order, "one gallon of milk, two lottery tickets, one prostitute, one doctor's visit and three lines of cocaine."

And the clerk will ask the inevitable, "Is that for here or to go?"

The possibilities are endless. We can put liquor in the 7-11s. We can even sell cemetary plots in the back of the store. Better still - they can put a crematorium right inside the store. That will certainly heat things up. Heat is the operative word here.

We may as well put the ovens in the stores so we can get used to the heat....because between the hooker, the cocaine, the gambling and the liquor we're all going to hell anyway.

How To Increase Your Odds Of Winning Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets!

How To Increase Your Odds Of Winning Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets!

Disclaimer: When you buy a lottery ticket there is ultimately one winner – the House! Yes folks the game is rigged! That said, an individual can win a dollar, a hundred or a million dollars. Individuals can win, but when all the money is counted, the issuing authority is always the winner.

The following is a short blurb by a man who is 'hooked' on scratching. His philosophy is 'you cannot win, if you do not play'

He is right but only tells half the story.

The other half of the coin is, “You cannot lose, if you do not play.”

For what it's worth (free) here's his system.

And remember, you always get what you pay for – in this case, NOTHING!

Introduction

I am sure most of you have played scratch off lottery tickets before, sometimes they are called "scratchers."

They are lottery tickets that you scratch with a coin to reveal a prize (or not).

With scratch-off lottery tickets, you win cash instantly! In most states, you can cash any prize up to $500-$600 at any location that sells lottery tickets.

I have won scratch off games MANY times and over the years have developed quite a few tips that have helped me increase my winnings and have some very nice winnings as well, such as$500 winners occasionally and $50 - $100 winners all the time!

You can almost call my collection of tips a "system" but it doesn't really beat the game or cheat in any way whatsoever. It just increases your chances of winning by a significant amount!

My philosophy is this. It is VERY unlikely that you will win the TOP prize, because usually there are only about 8 or 10 available out of hundreds of millions of tickets that get printed.

With that said, when I play scratchers I am not aiming for the top prize (i.e $250,000 on a $5ticket). Of course winning the top prize would be great don't get me wrong... but it's unlikely.

Ok, let's get started with tip #1...

Play New Games!

The first tip and one of the most important ones that I will discuss, is the concept of playing 'new' games.

A "new game" is a scratch off lottery game that is brand new and just came out recently. Most states and countries come out with new scratch off games monthly or a least quarterly. These are the ones you want to play, and this is CRUCIAL. Why? Because some scratch off games have been around for several months or even over a year... Which means that many of theprizes have already been won and claimed for those games. Not only the TOP prizes It's not rocket science, but it makes perfect sense and you might not have thought about itbefore. The newer the game... the more fresh full of prizes it will be.

The new games are chock full of prizes! They have all the $10, $20, $25, $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,000 and $5,000 prizes unclaimed and you are much more likely to winone of these prizes on a newer game.

You can ask the teller which games just came out recently and other times you can tell which ones they are because they correspond to a certain holiday or month.

Remember, we're not shooting for the TOP prizes... But the $50's, $100's and $500 prizes are always great!

Lucky Numbers & The Best Performing numbers

0, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 17, 18, second to last, last. I have won countless times on tickets with the above numbers. What do I mean by numbers? Every scratch off game is a roll of tickets. Normally the whole roll adds up to $300 or $600.

That means in a roll of $2 scratch off tickets, there are 150 tickets -- which adds up to $300. If they're $5 scratchers, then there would only be 60 tickets in that roll. Each ticket has a number on the bottom of it. The first ticket in the roll will be numbered '000'.

The next ticket will be 001, then 002 and so on. So in a roll with 150 tickets, the first ticket is

number 000 and the last ticket is number 149. (Because the first number is 000, NOT 001). I have found that certain ticket numbers perform VERY well consistently, over and over again... even in different geographical locations.

NOTE: YOU CAN ASK THE SELLER WHAT THE TICKET NUMBER IS BEFORE YOU BUY IT, THEY HAVE TO TELL YOU. IT IS NOT AGAINST ANY RULES. Although they might think you are a little strange! And, if you're going to ask the number of every scratch off ticket they have... make sure no one is behind you in line!

In my years of playing (and winning a large part of the time!) I have had much success withthe following ticket "numbers": 000 (The first ticket of the roll) 006 007

011 012 017 018 And then the second to last and last tickets, which the number will vary. I like to play $5 scratch-offs the best. There are usually 50 tickets in the roll, with number 059

being the last ticket. In this case, 058 would be the second to last ticket. I've had great luck with that number, as well as 059 (the last ticket of the roll).

"Winners In A Row"

What do I mean by "winners in a row" ?

It's pretty simple. I have noticed a pattern. Sometimes when there are more than 2 winners ina row... There will be a run of winners that sometimes lasts for 5-10 tickets!

I know that the lottery is supposed to be completely random and it is. However, These patterns over YEARS of time cannot be merely coincidence. So, please don't go out and squander your life savings thinking that this is going to be the answer. But, I bet it will increase the times you win when you play scratchers!

Let's say you're playing a $2 scratch off game and you win a free ticket so you get the next one. It's another free ticket (or a $2 or $4 prize). Then you get the next one (or two) and you win on one of those or both. Now you know you've hit a run. So far you've played 4-5 ticketsbut you only paid for one, $2. You can probably afford another $10 to spare if you hit one of these situations. In many of these cases, I have continued to play and after a few tickets therewas a $25, $50 or even a $100 winner. MANY times.

Winner After Winning Same Prize As Price Of Ticket

Ok that might sound confusing, but it's really easy to grasp, trust me.

I find that if you win a cash prize that is equal to the same prize of the ticket (i.e winning a $10 prize on a $10 scratch off ticket) -- you will often have a prize right after it. So basically you've already broken even, and now you're re-risking (reinvesting) your money

back into the very next ticket. I did this the other day on a $10 scratch off ticket. I won $10, cashed it in and played the next

Of course it's not guaranteed to work, but it has worked for me a lot of times in the past, withall different priced scratchers from $2 - $20 tickets.

"Work" A Roll - "Break The Game"

I usually buy my lottery tickets at the same convenient store near my house.

Whenever I spot a new game, I'll give it a shot... especially if it's on the first ticket or early on in the roll. I'll scratch one there and maybe buy the next one if I didn't win and I'll bring it home. (ALWAYS

PLAY RESPONSIBLY and DON"T SPEND MORE THAN YOU CAN AFFORD!)

If I lose that one as well, or win a free ticket which is common... I will wait until the next dayand play the same game. One time I played one single game over the course of a week. Finally... I won a $500 winner

on that same roll! Could you imagine if someone else bought that ticket before me?! Of course there's luck involved but you do INCREASE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING when you

do things like this. ; - )

Buy A Roll

If you are in the financial position... You can also buy an entire, unopened roll for $300 and scratch off EVERY ticket in the roll!

Of course, as I mentioned before, it is unlikely that you will win the TOP prize ($10,000+) although you theoretically can.

However, what if you won $5,000 or $1,000? Even $500 would be cool!

Or you could just break even or come out a few bucks ahead, but either way it's all in goodfun!

The point is... Buying a whole roll DEFINITELY increases your chances of winning a decent prize!

If you're not in the financial position to do so... You can always go in on a roll with a friend or a group of friends...

"Ask The Teller"

When you go into a store to buy a scratch off lottery ticket, don't be afraid to converse with them I have asked cashiers what number the ticket is on every time I've ever bought a scratch off ticket. I just explain to them that it is a luck thing!

I have also asked if anyone has claimed any big prizes on the game I'm about to purchase. Ifthey say, "Oh some guy just won $50 on that game a few hours ago" I will stay away from it.

There's usually a nice winner in every roll -- At least a $25 winner, but almost ALWAYS a $50 and even a $100 winner. And every few rolls, there will be a $500 winner in there. These prizes are NOT uncommon! It's only the bigger prizes that are rarer like the $1,000 and up ones.

What NOT To Do! Do NOT play irresponsibly and spend money that you don't have or cannot afford to spend Do NOT continue to play a roll after you've won a prize like $50 or $100 from that roll Do NOT play old games Do NOT think that you are going to win every time you set out to play Do NOT take this information as a guarantee Do NOT reveal your secrets to everyone in your town! Know when to stop - Play responsibly! Conclusion

If you implement all of these tips into your scratch off lottery playing, I am sure that you will experience an increase in winnings. Based on my experiences alone, I have no doubt thatthese occurrences are more than just coincidence -- Especially considering how often theyhappen [for me].

Remember to play the NEW games, meaning the ones that just came out recently. These are chock full of prizes!

Gambling and gambling addiction can be serious problems and I do not wish to condonegambling or bad habits in any way.

My intention is to simply share my tips with fellow lottery enthusiasts who will most likely beplaying anyway, with my tips or not!

"You can't win the lottery, if you don't buy a ticket!" - You can apply this quote to so many aspects of your life. Sometimes, if you don't "take action" -- Nothing will happen! 

Can You Really Make Money On Craigslist?

Can You Really Make Money On Craigslist?

You not only can, but you will. I have sold items large and small and have made a good profit on every item I have listed. I bought an electric motor scooter for about $350.00 I made a few upgrades, used it for a year and sold it for more than I paid.

I did the same thing with a kayak. I bought it for a good price, on sale and added a paddle, life jacket and car carrying kit. After using it one fun filled season, I listed it on CL and sold it for $25.00 above my original purchase price.

Here are some tips.

When you post an ad, it stays alive for 45 days. But everyday that your ad appears, it drops down lower on the page, being replaced by newer material.

In some categories, a single vendor will post a number of ads. This is not a problem unless they are for the same business, product, or service.

Marking them as spam will eliminate them from the llist. If you sell jewelry items, you can post separate ads for several different items. With a handful of ads, you can dominate the selling page for that day.

As I mentioned, as your listings age, they will drop further and further down the list, resulting in a similar dropoff in views. The answer to this problem is simple. Just relist your ads after two or three days and once again you will be in the prime spots.

One picture does indeed tell the story of a thousand words. So add photos to your ads. Take a picture of your items and place it in the ad. Picture quality, while important, is not critical. A home-made pic will sell an item much more quickly than one from a book or a website.

For my motor scooter ad, I included the picture shown above.  It shows the handy carrying basket with a shopping bag in it. This photo helped me sell the scooter quickly and at a profit.  

When I listed my Razor Ecosmart 350 motor scooter. I explained that I had used the scooter for a full Winter and Spring season. It had a few miles on it, and rather than seeing that as a negative, it was perceived as a good thing; showing that the Razor was dependable and of high quality.

Try to write the best ad you can. Make sure you cover all the pertinent information. Use the Five Ws. and a P. Who, what, when, where and why. The "P" stands for price! Always include the price. It saves time and trouble.

(Who). I am selling my Razor Ecosmart 350 motor scooter (what) located in South Dennis on Cape Cod (where) because I have purchased an electric bike (why). The scooter is available for immediate pickup (when) at my home near the Patriot Square Shopping Center at exit 9A off Route six. (Where). The price is $400.00 firm. I have made a few upgrades and also am including an extra set of batteries that will DOUBLE your riding range.

A simple ad on Craigslist, giving the details as I have outlined above, will bring you many, many responses.

If you decide to do an Autumn cellar, attic, or garage sweep, you can make enough money to fund Christmas and have plenty left over for a nice dinner at your favorite restaurant.

Good luck.