How to Get Thee on TV">
Several years ago I read an article in Art Calendar about an artist who produced her own television series featuring local artists. I thought the idea was wonderful! I am, after all, a visual artist. And of course I wanted to be on television with my artwork.
So I e-mailed her a few questions and she gave me lots of pointers on how to get started on a show of my own. And that's just where I stopped! It seemed like so much work. It was so scary. At that point, I had just quit my day job to do my art full time, and I was not willing to add anything else to my plate.
Like some of my paintings, I let the idea gestate for years. One day I was at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The guest speaker was Suzanne St. John, the executive director of our local public access station. Her presentation was compelling and inspiring. She motivated me to take the next orientation class at the station.
At the orientation, instructor Kelly Abbott was also enthusiastic about creating shows and she inspired me to get going on a show of my own right away. She explained you could do pretty much any type of show as long it was non-commercial. For example, I could not have a call to action. Examples of calls to action are: "Pick up the phone and order a painting." or "Come on down to the studio/website and buy my wonderful paintings!" However, I am allowed to direct them to my site/contact information to get further information on the show.
GETTING STARTED
It's not hard to create a show. It simply requires a lot of planning, flexibility and a huge dose of gumption. Here's how I got started:
First, I enrolled in every seminar the station offered. Why do you need to take seminars? First, it helps to know at least the basic aspects of a production in order to plan the logistics of the show. Second, volunteers staff your production. You don't pay your crew in money. (However I should mention that I do supply dinner for the crew each time I shoot an episode.) You also give back by working on other people's shows. Initially, when I worried about the time it might take to volunteer for shoots, I realized I could either be watching the television or making it! So I quit worrying and simply showed up!
Producer's Seminar
This seminar was all about planning and managing the logistics of the production. The questions you need to ask yourself when developing your show are:
1) What do you want to accomplish? That was easy. I wanted to inspire people to create, get my work before a larger audience, and make a ton of money!
2) What genre are you going to utilize? I decided to create a "How To" painting show as I was comfortable doing demos and I wanted to show what really happens during a painting session. My show is filmed live-to-tape with no editing.
3) Who is your target audience? People who liked to watch painting shows? I wasn't sure. I never did get this one totally figured out but I didn't let it stop me from doing the show.
4) How long do you want your show to be? Public access television allows you to choose any length of time you wish. I chose an hour as I thought I could best accomplish my goals during that time frame.
5) What format are you shooting it in? I chose to shoot to SVHS tape and get also dubs in DVD. However, I am going to switch soon to Mini DV format, as the quality is better. I'll still get dubs in DVD.
6) How many people do you need for your Crew? I need a minimum of 6 people each time I shoot but I prefer 8. (Director, Technical Director, Audio, Character Generator, Roll in Tape Operator, Lighting, 3 Camera People, Floor Director.) Some crew people can perform dual duties. The Director can also handle the Technical Director position. The Character Generator can also double as a Roll in Tape Operator. One of the Camera persons could also double as a Floor Director. And worst case, you could only have two camera people and have one camera "locked down" on the palette. I usually have my audio person also handle the lighting as these duties are performed at separate times.
"85">7) What are your cast considerations? For the first two episodes, I had a cast. The cast consisted of an emcee, a live musician and me. By the third episode I pared it down to just me. The emcee retired after two shows and I decided to write my own music so I no longer needed the live musician. Keeping it simple is important. This cast reduction made my coordination a lot easier. Now all I had to worry about was the crew (If you do use cast members, please make sure you get them to sign talent release forms before they appear on your show.) You can find a sample of this form at map.org" rel=nofollow jQuery1296024734694="13">http://www.mycmap.org going to edit? What editing? My two reasons for shooting live to tape were: 1) The "freshness" of the episode and 2) One less thing for me to do at the end of each shoot. Editing would cut in to my painting time! My episode is ready to air as soon as the show is over.
9) What kind of music are you going to use? I used a great software program called Soundtrack. The software contains royalty-free loops that you can use to create your own soundtrack. If you are going to use other people's music you must obtain permission from the copyright holder. (For more information and some copyright clearances visit BMI.com or visit the U.S. copyright office at copyright.gov)
10) Are you going to shoot on location or in the studio? I chose to shoot in the studio because so many variables are controlled there. In the studio you have a multitude of lighting options, and power sources. The cameras are on dollies and are easier to maneuver than field cameras. Since the studio is soundproof, I don't have to contend with my neighbor firing up his lawnmower, or the dog that just won't stop barking.
Field Production
The Field Production class was centered around how to use the field gear and shooting on location.
Studio Production
The Studio Production class was daunting. It focused on all aspects of studio equipment. Hey, I had never even operated a camcorder and my visual of fire wire was a cartoon version of a dynamite fuse. Still, I got through the class in one piece.
Editing
In the Linear and Digital Editing classes I learned how to polish a show. So though I don't edit my show, I could. Additionally, I created a roll-in tape for the opening of each show using the digital editing software.
ON WITH THE SHOW!
I took my orientation class in April. By August I had completed my seminars and had my first show in the can. I didn't know if I was ready but if I waited till I was perfect, I'd still be planning the show. A fellow orientation class member visited me during my Open Studio. Along with my body of paintings were 11 television episodes on the shelf. She stared at the shelf and noted that we started at the same time. She was still thinking about how she was going to do her show and I had 11 in the can. She said that helped her to get motivated. I know I'm not perfect. Month after month show I strive to beat my last performance and improve other aspects of the show's production.
The biggest push as far as time and energy occurred before I got the first show in the can. Now I focus on the month-to-month production aspects. I spend 10-16 hours per episode on pre-production duties.
Pre-Production Duties
RECRUIT
I recruit crew members for each shoot. There is a pool of people who are certified and willing to work on episodes. Early on, when the show and the station were new, it was difficult to recruit. I really had to work at it. I emailed, emailed again, picked up the phone and called everyone on the list. Now I am getting people who ask ahead of time to work on my show. At present, recruiting is no longer an issue. I still have to do it each month but rarely do I have trouble getting enough people. I start out a month ahead of time and send out e-mails. Two weeks before the shoot I send out another plea. Two days before the shoot, I follow up with a reminder to all who have confirmed. Even so, there are times when not everyone arrives. The station has always been very supportive. More than once, staff members have pitched in when crew members failed to show up.
LESSON/SHOW PREP
I determine what I'm going to paint and prepare the surface(s). Sometimes, it's a one shot deal and other times, I do extensive preparation and have 3 versions of the same painting in various stages of being. Toward the end of one episode, I could tell that I wasn't anywhere near getting that painting completed so at the end of the segment, I announced that it was a two-parter!
Day of Shoot
Load Set and Equipment (You have to bring your own set and equipment, as they have no room for storage.) I use lightweight fabric show walls and an easel. This allows me to showcase a few paintings and creates a neutral backdrop. Also, I make sure I am able to lift everything by myself. Help is not always available.
Prepare Paperwork
I create a Rundown Sheet for the Director for each episode. It's an outline of what I am doing and when. She needs to know at what point during the show to add graphics or music.
Speaking of graphics, the Character Generator needs a list of current crew members and other written titles to add to the credits. I complete this form ahead of time as well. I get as much done before I ever get to the studio. This makes the show run more smoothly.
I complete Dub Requests forms to expedite getting copies of my show. I get the initial copies from the station and do my own dubbing. It's more cost effective.
Finally, I complete a submission form so my show can be aired.
Buy Crew Food
Sometimes, I make my own, sometimes I don't. It depends on my schedule. I always do something special for them. I never lose sight that they are spending their time helping me create a show. Treat them like gold-they are!
Set Up the Set and Food
Unload the care, fine tune the set and coordinate last minute instructions to the crew.
Makeup/Clothes
Up until the last shoot, I didn't wear makeup. However, every time they'd do a close up I 'd cringe. I looked terrible. Finally I went out to a store that specializes in television makeup and had them do a makeover. The stuff is plastered on. You look plastic in person but much better on TV.
As for my clothes, I decided on black. I have a black background so I kind of fade in to the set. The camera really does add 10 pounds-ouch! I didn't wait until I got skinny to get started on the show. I just began filming episodes and now I'm on the treadmill and dieting. Avoid small patterns as they become pixilated. Flashy colors hurt especially reds. They are not camera friendly. Jewelry reflects so keep to a minimum.
Post Production
I am pumped and exhausted at the same time after each shoot. Then I have to load
the van with all the gear. Finally, I head home, unpack and clean brushes. When I finally "make it" I will have roadies!
It takes about a week for me to get the dubs from the station. As soon as they arrive I forward them to the other stations. Next I get the information to my web person so she can update my site.
Refine Show
I'm uncomfortable watching myself on television. However I look at the show to see where I can improve and I rely on viewer feedback. I take what I like and leave the rest. I've had some great help from viewers.
Market Show
I'm doing a lot of things to market my show:
I market my show by hooking up with other Access Stations. Right now I'm in three stations but I'm attending a conference at the end of the month and hope to market my show to every station at the conference!
I'm working on treatments for PBS. I at least have one PBS station that is considering the tape.
I intend to market the tape to Book Clubs such as North Light
Finally, I sell the episodes on my web site.
Costs
Each shoot costs a minimum of $113.33.
This breaks down to:
Dubs: $55.00,
Annual Dues: $100.00
Crew Food: 50.00
I get the initial dubs from the station (SVHS and DVD) and then I do my own. I also dub for each station that carries my show. The web order dubbing is completed on demand.
The station allows me to sell my tapes and does not require a royalty unless I get a mass distribution contract. At that point I would need to pay the station a 10% royalty.
Results
Am I meeting my goals? Yep! Each episode I go out there and give it everything I have. Sometimes the painting is less than stellar. I've even thrown away paintings on the air. The show is about what really happens to me during a painting session. When I do something that doesn't work, I don't sugar coat it. I explain what happened and how I might rectify it. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Either way my show is fresh. I talk about composition, color, form, space, losing fear. My main thread for each show is to inspire the audience to create. I want to get them off that couch and start doing something. My camerawoman said after filming one episode that I made it look like she could actually paint. Exactly! Then I have done my job.
As far as my financial goals, to paraphrase Jack White, exposure is nothing if it does not translate in to sales. This is the best sales year to date. Additionally, I've been able to raise my prices. My perceived value has risen as a direct result of being on television.
As for exposure, I've been on a magazine cover and 2 different front-page newspapers.
The show helped me at ArtExpo in New York as well. People who were ready to pass by my booth, saw the show on my DVD player and stopped to look at my work.
It has helped gain gallery representation and I'm going to continue to use to gain further representation.
Recognition. My pilot episode was a finalist in the Western Access Video Excellence Awards last year in the instructional category. Two of my episodes have been nominated in the same category this year. So I guess I really am meeting my instructional goal!
I've overcome a lot of fear and have become a much stronger person. Best of all I am having fun! So go out there and make an episode! What are you waiting for?
t="86"> cing=0 cellPadding=0 sizcache="2" sizset="86"> set="86"> ="86"> ="2" sizset="86"> BR# Are You Allergic To Your Cat?on how you look at it, cats are either the number one or number two most popular pet in the United States (#1 if you go by the number of cats or #2 if you go by the number of cat households). It's amazing that such a loved animal can cause such physical discomfort for so many people in the form of allergies. Literally millions of Americans are allergic to cats.
It's not the fur of the cat that most people are allergic to, but the dander. A cat's dander is like a human's dandruff -- flakes of dry skin that are shed by the body. People that are allergic suffer symptoms that range from watery eyes and runny nose to splotchy red skin and itching. For those that are severely allergic, it can be extremely unpleasant.
Once an allergic person is exposed to cat dander, or sometimes cat saliva or urine, the reaction usually begins quickly. The cat doesn't even have to be physically nearby. Just the particles in the air or on carpet or furniture can be enough.
Ironically, cats are extremely clean animals that groom themselves constantly. watching a cat clean its face, is fascinating. They lick their paw and rub their heads over and over, presumably until they feel the job is done. Then they use their tongues directly to clean the rest of their bodies. Unfortunately, what is cleanliness for the cat spreads dander and other allergens everywhere wreaking havoc if you are an allergy sufferer.
It's not a pretty site when the effects of a cat allergy creep up. Wheezing, sneezing, itching, coughing... It's bad enough when it's a visitor to your home who has to deal with this discomfort. But what if you have discovered that you are allergic?
Most people who experience cat allergies can get some relief with the help of decongestant medications and histamine blockers. Sometimes allergy specialists will give a series of injections that help those who are allergic avoid reactions in the first place. For some people this can be quite effective and eliminate any reaction from occurring.
If you notice you are having symptoms that could be a cat allergy, start by seeing a doctor. If you are allergic, your physician will present the alternatives. Try what is suggested and hope for the best. If you do not get relief, unfortunately, sometimes the only truly effective treatment is finding a new home for the cat. As difficult as this can be, it's usually for the best.
Although it's not that common, sometimes people who previously had no cat allergies develop them later in life. This can be difficult when you've grown attached to your cat. But if antihistamines or other treatments aren't effective, getting the cat out of the house followed by a thorough cleaning and even some subsequent air filtration in your home may be the only truly viable solution. Perhaps there is consolation in the fact that having a cat allergy does not necessarily mean you will be allergic to dogs.
t="71"> cing=0 cellPadding=0 sizcache="2" sizset="71"> set="71"> ="71"> ="2" sizset="71"> izcache="2" sizset="71"> "71">Marc Jeffrey Davis is a writer and entrepreneur who's living the good life and doing his best to share it. His latest website is tairpurifierreview.com" jQuery1296024997137="13">BestAirPurifierReview.como find the tairpurifierreview.com" jQuery1296024997137="14">Best Air Purifier
Best Way to House Train a Puppy - Great Tipsif you are reading this, you are looking for the best way to house train a puppy. It is the only thing not fun about getting a puppy. They are cute, kids love them, and playing with a puppy is a lot of fun. You get it home and you almost forget that it needs to be house trained. Then after you are having a great time with it a while, it squats down and pees all over the floor.
When that happens, you need to come up with a game plan. The best way to house train a puppy is by crate training it. To many people, crate training seems like a tough thing to put a puppy through. I admit, I was a little apprehensive about putting a dog into a crate until I saw my girlfriend's dog and how it reacted to being crate trained. He even goes into the crate himself. Sure he wants out when someone gets home, but for the most part, the dog has no problems going into the crate and resting there while people are not home.
A big part of training a dog to use the bathroom outside is getting the dog into a routine. Every time you come home, you need to immediately let the dog out. This teaches the dog to get into a routine. That way before it has the chance to use the bathroom in the house, it is already taken outside and has a chance to use the bathroom. When you take it out use a word such as "outside" that way it knows it is going to go to outside to use the bathroom. Whenever you want to take the dog out to use the bathroom always use this word, even when it is not a time when you just got home and are taking the dog out.
The best way to house train a puppy is by crate training. If you are comfortable with keeping your puppy in a crate it works great.
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Still not able to house train your puppy? Check out this site, it has incredible information on how to house train your puppy.
urdognow.com" >http://trainyourdognow.comdoes it have information about house training, but also how to make your dog behave well around other dogs, as well as people. Teach your dog how to beha
Dog Collars
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
On Track to Speed in Antioch
Dog Food May Harm Your Dog's Digestive Trackrack is very sensitive? In fact some of the things that your pet eats may be giving him or her, a severe tummy ache. This is because pet food may harm your dog's digestive track.
Nearly everyone knows that by nature, that dog's (the Canine Species) were wild and the wild ancestors of our modern day canine ate raw meat. The dogs of today still crave meat and meat is still a natural food source for the canine species. This is why man- made pet food maybe harmful to your pets digestive tract.
Another fact about man- made pet food is that it may also be making your canine suffer from allergies. Some dogs will scratch and chew constantly and have dry skin. This can be a, reaction to the pet food your pet is eating and it is hurting you're pet.
The digestive track of the canine is, made to handle and consume meat as well as the bones of small pray animals. Small animals like rabbits, mice, young small deer, squirrels, baby birds that fall from the nest were all a food source. The canines also would eat small livestock such as sheep, goats, and calves. You must remember that the first canine were wild and survived in any way they could.
Therefore, the acid in the stomach of the dog is much stronger and capable of breaking down the meat and bone. If your dog is not eating this type of food then the acid is eating at the dogs own stomach. Man- made pet food is not meat even though there is some meat and meat pieces in the pet food.
The pet food is quickly, digested and then moves through the digestive track and is expelled leaving the dog hungry and the acids irritating the pet's stomach. As where the raw meat takes longer to break down in the stomach and takes longer to pass through the digestive track. It also takes longer for the raw meat to be, expelled leaving your dog more satisfied and the acids have something to concentrate on other than the dogs own stomach.
This is the main reasons why people buy homemade foods for their pets made from all real meats and bone meal. This is a much better diet for your dog to be consuming.
2" sizset="63"> mile oval (about 400 meters ) with a semi-bank. It's made of clay, which behaves like a dirt track, but is a little more resilient to wear and tear. As a dirt track, it is limited to certain kinds of events and vehicles and can't host other events, which can only occur on paved raceways. But the patrons don't seem to mind, as the track always brings out a cheering crowd each Saturday, not just from Antioch, but many surrounding suburb cities to watch the racers compete. The speedway opens in mid to late March and runs until mid to late October. Antioch summer nights are anywhere from mild to uncomfortably hot, so there would be no need for dressing warmly. The track opens at five, and the races start at six. Patrons can grab dinner at a number of local restaurants near the fairgrounds area in Antioch featuring everything from three-star dining to fast food and from Mexican to sushi, or they can avail themselves of the concession stand at the track which serves a number of Americana confections like hamburgers and hot dogs as well as wine coolers and beer. As a premier site to visit in Antioch, it offers much of the local flavor and is demonstrative of the culture of suburban Americana past the track homes and high-class hills.
Dog Collars
Nearly everyone knows that by nature, that dog's (the Canine Species) were wild and the wild ancestors of our modern day canine ate raw meat. The dogs of today still crave meat and meat is still a natural food source for the canine species. This is why man- made pet food maybe harmful to your pets digestive tract.
Another fact about man- made pet food is that it may also be making your canine suffer from allergies. Some dogs will scratch and chew constantly and have dry skin. This can be a, reaction to the pet food your pet is eating and it is hurting you're pet.
The digestive track of the canine is, made to handle and consume meat as well as the bones of small pray animals. Small animals like rabbits, mice, young small deer, squirrels, baby birds that fall from the nest were all a food source. The canines also would eat small livestock such as sheep, goats, and calves. You must remember that the first canine were wild and survived in any way they could.
Therefore, the acid in the stomach of the dog is much stronger and capable of breaking down the meat and bone. If your dog is not eating this type of food then the acid is eating at the dogs own stomach. Man- made pet food is not meat even though there is some meat and meat pieces in the pet food.
The pet food is quickly, digested and then moves through the digestive track and is expelled leaving the dog hungry and the acids irritating the pet's stomach. As where the raw meat takes longer to break down in the stomach and takes longer to pass through the digestive track. It also takes longer for the raw meat to be, expelled leaving your dog more satisfied and the acids have something to concentrate on other than the dogs own stomach.
This is the main reasons why people buy homemade foods for their pets made from all real meats and bone meal. This is a much better diet for your dog to be consuming.
2" sizset="63"> mile oval (about 400 meters ) with a semi-bank. It's made of clay, which behaves like a dirt track, but is a little more resilient to wear and tear. As a dirt track, it is limited to certain kinds of events and vehicles and can't host other events, which can only occur on paved raceways. But the patrons don't seem to mind, as the track always brings out a cheering crowd each Saturday, not just from Antioch, but many surrounding suburb cities to watch the racers compete. The speedway opens in mid to late March and runs until mid to late October. Antioch summer nights are anywhere from mild to uncomfortably hot, so there would be no need for dressing warmly. The track opens at five, and the races start at six. Patrons can grab dinner at a number of local restaurants near the fairgrounds area in Antioch featuring everything from three-star dining to fast food and from Mexican to sushi, or they can avail themselves of the concession stand at the track which serves a number of Americana confections like hamburgers and hot dogs as well as wine coolers and beer. As a premier site to visit in Antioch, it offers much of the local flavor and is demonstrative of the culture of suburban Americana past the track homes and high-class hills.
Dog Collars
Monday, January 24, 2011
Puppies Replacing Children
Training of a Large Breed Dog
"A Dog is A Dog"!
That's what I've been told by so many so called 'dog trainers'.
I think this statement is nonsense; it's the same as saying that people are all the same, which we know is a stupid thing to say. We've kept dogs for years and had several different breeds from very small dogs such Dachshunds to Poodles, Labradors, Dobermans and for several years now we have shared our home with the gentle giants, Great Danes.
So I know first hand that not only does each dog have his or her personality but also that various breeds have certain traits and characteristics. It's easy to understand this is if you ask yourself why a particular breed was developed in the first place? What was the dog going to be used for and what it was the original breeder was trying to produce?
perienced with a pet animal.
I attribute this to the 'BIG personality' I've tried to explain.
an highly recommend 'Secrets To Dog Training' by Daniel Stevens for all your dog training needs. I can't emphasize enough that a badly or un-trained dog is dangerous but an un-trained GIANT dog is in another league.
I'm not suggesting for one minute that all poorly trained giant breed dogs are going to kill everyone but what I am saying is,
If you are unable to recall a 150 pound Great Dane who decides to run directly into someone then your going to need some pretty good insurance. And of course there's always the possibility you could loose your dog if he decided to run onto a busy road not to mention the resulting chaos caused and possible injury to road users.
I've seen with my own eyes someone getting hit from behind by a Great Dane at full speed (NOT one of my dogs I add). That person literally went several feet into the air before crashing down on the hard ground which could have resulted in serious injuries. This sort of thing can easily be avoided with the correct training.
ough the dog may nibble at the anus if there is heavy infestation.
*Sighs of whipworms are weight loss and diarrhea.
What to do:
*Check your dog's stools on a regular basis for worm infestations.
*Picking up your dog's feces helps to prevent contamination of their environment, also make sure children do not play where dogs defecate.
*Eradicate flies, fleas, poultry and bird dropping from your dog's surrounding area.
but, hey, no one gets to be grumpy in the morning because the baby has been crying the entire night. Another bonus is the lack of pressure to save for your baby's college fund, obedience class will do! Another important factor is general living costs, dogs certainly cost a lot less to rear than real children.
2. They can remove loneliness. Dogs are perfect for couples who are still trying to have kids. Puppies are so energetic and entertaining that they easily take your mind off thinking about your current situation. Same goes for the elderly, perhaps they had children once, but now they have families of their own. There's nothing like a happy little dog to brighten a day of the elderly.
3. No Pregnancy. Females are not forced to carry a baby for nine months, go into labor, and spend sleepless nights. With puppies, she can skip all that and be the mummy that she wants to be, showering her beloved pooch with as much love and care that she would give to a real baby.
Despite the benefits, though, you have to keep in mind that there's no feeling quite like having a child of your own.
Dog Scratching Posts
"A Dog is A Dog"!
That's what I've been told by so many so called 'dog trainers'.
I think this statement is nonsense; it's the same as saying that people are all the same, which we know is a stupid thing to say. We've kept dogs for years and had several different breeds from very small dogs such Dachshunds to Poodles, Labradors, Dobermans and for several years now we have shared our home with the gentle giants, Great Danes.
So I know first hand that not only does each dog have his or her personality but also that various breeds have certain traits and characteristics. It's easy to understand this is if you ask yourself why a particular breed was developed in the first place? What was the dog going to be used for and what it was the original breeder was trying to produce?
perienced with a pet animal.
I attribute this to the 'BIG personality' I've tried to explain.
an highly recommend 'Secrets To Dog Training' by Daniel Stevens for all your dog training needs. I can't emphasize enough that a badly or un-trained dog is dangerous but an un-trained GIANT dog is in another league.
I'm not suggesting for one minute that all poorly trained giant breed dogs are going to kill everyone but what I am saying is,
If you are unable to recall a 150 pound Great Dane who decides to run directly into someone then your going to need some pretty good insurance. And of course there's always the possibility you could loose your dog if he decided to run onto a busy road not to mention the resulting chaos caused and possible injury to road users.
I've seen with my own eyes someone getting hit from behind by a Great Dane at full speed (NOT one of my dogs I add). That person literally went several feet into the air before crashing down on the hard ground which could have resulted in serious injuries. This sort of thing can easily be avoided with the correct training.
ough the dog may nibble at the anus if there is heavy infestation.
*Sighs of whipworms are weight loss and diarrhea.
What to do:
*Check your dog's stools on a regular basis for worm infestations.
*Picking up your dog's feces helps to prevent contamination of their environment, also make sure children do not play where dogs defecate.
*Eradicate flies, fleas, poultry and bird dropping from your dog's surrounding area.
but, hey, no one gets to be grumpy in the morning because the baby has been crying the entire night. Another bonus is the lack of pressure to save for your baby's college fund, obedience class will do! Another important factor is general living costs, dogs certainly cost a lot less to rear than real children.
2. They can remove loneliness. Dogs are perfect for couples who are still trying to have kids. Puppies are so energetic and entertaining that they easily take your mind off thinking about your current situation. Same goes for the elderly, perhaps they had children once, but now they have families of their own. There's nothing like a happy little dog to brighten a day of the elderly.
3. No Pregnancy. Females are not forced to carry a baby for nine months, go into labor, and spend sleepless nights. With puppies, she can skip all that and be the mummy that she wants to be, showering her beloved pooch with as much love and care that she would give to a real baby.
Despite the benefits, though, you have to keep in mind that there's no feeling quite like having a child of your own.
Dog Scratching Posts
Starting by Nurturing a Plant and See Yourself Grow
Does Your Dog Eat Poop?
Got a dog that eats poop? If you do, it's probably not something you highlight when talking with friends and family. Possibly the grossest of all dog behavior problems, coprophagia is relatively easy to fix.
Dogs engage in this behavior for the following reasons:
They are hungry.
They have nutrition deficits.
There's undigested food in the poop.
There's too much poop in the yard.
They are bored.
They have a medical issue.
The first step in solving this problem is to upgrade your dog's food. Low quality dog foods will leave your dog feeling hungry and can expose him to nutrition deficits. This leads directly to him seeking out food wherever he can find it. This problem is compounded by the fact that lower quality foods pass through a dog's system faster, making it more likely that there will be undigested food in the droppings. Better foods will provide him with better nutrition and will be more thoroughly digested.
Too much poop in the yard can lead to this behavior. Some dogs are tidy and when they feel like their territory is dirty, will work on cleaning it up (remember, these guys lick themselves, so it's not a major leap.) If your yard is a minefield, clean it up.
Anchorage Attractionso the visitors to swim in the ice-cold water or do fishing within the demarcated areas. The park around the lake features picnic facilities, playground equipment, barbeque grills as well as playing fields for volleyball and softball thus making it an ideal recreation center.
6 and is important among the Anchorage attractions because it served as the first seat of the Government pertaining to the city. Apart from housing the Anchorage Convention Office as well as the Visitor's Bureau this building is a popular venue for summer concerts as well as exhibitions.
heir lives. But her to there is difficulties. What happens when your dog wakes you up at 3 AM with perhaps unnecessary barking or jumps on our bed and takes up three quarters of it? Perhaps you first have to clean up your kitchen floor the minute you get home from work because Fido could not wait to poop outside when you got home. Do you really love him just as much as when he is curled up at your feet while your are reading the newspaper?
A plant, you see is much easier to love just the way it is. Nurturing a plant offers you an excellent way to practice unconditional love. You have to understand that like yourself a plant is a living thing. You give it sunshine, soil and water, what does it give back? Great question, the key here is living, it gives off oxygen and takes in carbon dioxide, yes a plant sort of breathe. It also filters the air of impurities. You see it gives you the oxygen you need to live and takes in the carbon dioxide you breath out. A win-win relationship.
Virtually every spiritual tradition encourages unconditional love, because love is empowering. Unconditional love then brings forth calming, peaceful feelings of gratitude in both the giver and receiver.
Now go to your favorite home center, select a plant, outdoor or indoor, a plant you will see every day. Practice taking care of and loving this plant as if it were you child( it is truly easier to care for a plant then a child, any mom will testify to that). Talk to you plant ( no one will think you are crazy, trust me). Tell it how much you love it, show it by wiping its leaves to clear the dust, remove brown leaves, pay attention to the plant. Love your plant whether it blossoms or not, whether it lives or dies, learn about your plant as you would a friend, do some research.
Notice how you feel when you nurture by offering unconditional love to your plant. I guarantee when you offer this kind of love you will never again be irritated, agitated or rushed. You are just being, simply in a loving peaceful space. Practice this love every time you see your plant , visit it at least once a day.
You will find that after a short time, you will grow to be able to extend your loving ways and kindness beyond your plant. Once you notice now wonderfully good and pleased you feel with this this love , see if you can extend this similar love to a person in your life. By practicing not needing to change them in any way or be different to receive your attention and love. Love this person just because, because the way they are.
Your plant will be a wonderful teacher by empowering you to love.
Dog Litter Supplies
Got a dog that eats poop? If you do, it's probably not something you highlight when talking with friends and family. Possibly the grossest of all dog behavior problems, coprophagia is relatively easy to fix.
Dogs engage in this behavior for the following reasons:
They are hungry.
They have nutrition deficits.
There's undigested food in the poop.
There's too much poop in the yard.
They are bored.
They have a medical issue.
The first step in solving this problem is to upgrade your dog's food. Low quality dog foods will leave your dog feeling hungry and can expose him to nutrition deficits. This leads directly to him seeking out food wherever he can find it. This problem is compounded by the fact that lower quality foods pass through a dog's system faster, making it more likely that there will be undigested food in the droppings. Better foods will provide him with better nutrition and will be more thoroughly digested.
Too much poop in the yard can lead to this behavior. Some dogs are tidy and when they feel like their territory is dirty, will work on cleaning it up (remember, these guys lick themselves, so it's not a major leap.) If your yard is a minefield, clean it up.
Anchorage Attractionso the visitors to swim in the ice-cold water or do fishing within the demarcated areas. The park around the lake features picnic facilities, playground equipment, barbeque grills as well as playing fields for volleyball and softball thus making it an ideal recreation center.
6 and is important among the Anchorage attractions because it served as the first seat of the Government pertaining to the city. Apart from housing the Anchorage Convention Office as well as the Visitor's Bureau this building is a popular venue for summer concerts as well as exhibitions.
heir lives. But her to there is difficulties. What happens when your dog wakes you up at 3 AM with perhaps unnecessary barking or jumps on our bed and takes up three quarters of it? Perhaps you first have to clean up your kitchen floor the minute you get home from work because Fido could not wait to poop outside when you got home. Do you really love him just as much as when he is curled up at your feet while your are reading the newspaper?
A plant, you see is much easier to love just the way it is. Nurturing a plant offers you an excellent way to practice unconditional love. You have to understand that like yourself a plant is a living thing. You give it sunshine, soil and water, what does it give back? Great question, the key here is living, it gives off oxygen and takes in carbon dioxide, yes a plant sort of breathe. It also filters the air of impurities. You see it gives you the oxygen you need to live and takes in the carbon dioxide you breath out. A win-win relationship.
Virtually every spiritual tradition encourages unconditional love, because love is empowering. Unconditional love then brings forth calming, peaceful feelings of gratitude in both the giver and receiver.
Now go to your favorite home center, select a plant, outdoor or indoor, a plant you will see every day. Practice taking care of and loving this plant as if it were you child( it is truly easier to care for a plant then a child, any mom will testify to that). Talk to you plant ( no one will think you are crazy, trust me). Tell it how much you love it, show it by wiping its leaves to clear the dust, remove brown leaves, pay attention to the plant. Love your plant whether it blossoms or not, whether it lives or dies, learn about your plant as you would a friend, do some research.
Notice how you feel when you nurture by offering unconditional love to your plant. I guarantee when you offer this kind of love you will never again be irritated, agitated or rushed. You are just being, simply in a loving peaceful space. Practice this love every time you see your plant , visit it at least once a day.
You will find that after a short time, you will grow to be able to extend your loving ways and kindness beyond your plant. Once you notice now wonderfully good and pleased you feel with this this love , see if you can extend this similar love to a person in your life. By practicing not needing to change them in any way or be different to receive your attention and love. Love this person just because, because the way they are.
Your plant will be a wonderful teacher by empowering you to love.
Dog Litter Supplies
5 Helpful Tips on How to Take Care of a Puppy
The Wizard of Oz - A Family Movie Classicith a farm. Dorothy has many older brothers that help on the farm. A neighbor sadly has come to collect Dorothy's dog, Toto since she thinks that he is a menace to society even though he has never bitten anyone. Toto escapes his cage and runs back home. Dorothy finds him and decides to run away. A storm is coming and Dorothy decides to go back home. Her family has already locked themselves in the basement and cannot hear her begging so as a tornado hits the house debris hits Dorothy in the head which knocks her unconscious. She dreams she is inside the tornado, which drops the house in a new world. She comes out of the house only to see a world of color.
She soon finds out that the house landed on a witch. This makes the entire town very happy since she had harassed them for years. Dorothy asks the towns people how to get back to Kansas. No one had ever heard of Kansas and so they send her to see the Wizard of Oz. To get there she must follow the yellow brick road. On the way, she finds a scare crow and unties him. He decides to join her on her journey so he can ask the wizard for a brain. They also find a man made of tin that has rusted. They oil him up and he too decides to join them so he can ask the wizard for a heart. Then they come upon a lion whose bark is worse than his bite. He admits that he desperately needs some courage and decides to go see the wizard also.
Just when they can see the Emerald City where the Wizard is, the deceased witch's sister covers the land with poppies, a type of flower that puts them all to sleep. Will they ever wake up? Does the Wizard know where Kansas is? Watch and find out.
to control behavior is to crate train your puppy. The crate will allow the puppy to be distracted while he's inside chewing on his toy and will keep him from wandering the house for other items.
Whatever can fit into his little mouth, he will chew on so clear the path of anything tangible he could sink his teeth into and ultimately ruin. When purchasing new toys, ensure that small parts won't come off and cause him to choke or that there are no sharp edges where he can poke out his eye. Just like babies, puppies can hurt themselves if they're not watched closely so monitor there chew time.
As I stated above, never substitute your old shoes or personal clothing pieces for your puppy's toys. They cannot tell the difference between an old, smelly gym shoe and this year's hottest stiletto heeled pump so don't set yourself up for that heart break. If you let him chew on one shoe or shirt, he will assume he has the green light for all of them- your closet will suddenly become Fido's new toy box. Give your puppy the right toys to chew on and everyone will be happier.
One last thing: If you allow your puppy to bite and chew on your fingers and toes during play time, then he will think it is okay to bite all humans that come near him, a very bad idea especially if there are small children in the household. Puppy teeth hurt--trust me, my dog Gizmo just sank his needle fangs into my big toe just this second and we all should be glad that I do not type what I think!
that can affect her entire future. Speak to your vet to find out what he would suggest you feed your puppy at different stages of development.
5. You can never take enough precautions to protect your puppy. Keep her safe by getting the proper products. Do not use a piece of rope for a collar and leash as this is a very dangerous practice. Get help from your pet store owner in sizing a proper collar for her. Make sure that her bed is not in a drafty location because prolonged exposure to cold and leave her with arthritis later on.
These 5 tips are just the tip of the iceberg. There is a lot more to know about how to take care of a puppy. Some you will learn as you go, but there are some things that require the advise of experts. Remember that how you proceed now will have a huge impact on your puppy's future.
Dog Powders
She soon finds out that the house landed on a witch. This makes the entire town very happy since she had harassed them for years. Dorothy asks the towns people how to get back to Kansas. No one had ever heard of Kansas and so they send her to see the Wizard of Oz. To get there she must follow the yellow brick road. On the way, she finds a scare crow and unties him. He decides to join her on her journey so he can ask the wizard for a brain. They also find a man made of tin that has rusted. They oil him up and he too decides to join them so he can ask the wizard for a heart. Then they come upon a lion whose bark is worse than his bite. He admits that he desperately needs some courage and decides to go see the wizard also.
Just when they can see the Emerald City where the Wizard is, the deceased witch's sister covers the land with poppies, a type of flower that puts them all to sleep. Will they ever wake up? Does the Wizard know where Kansas is? Watch and find out.
to control behavior is to crate train your puppy. The crate will allow the puppy to be distracted while he's inside chewing on his toy and will keep him from wandering the house for other items.
Whatever can fit into his little mouth, he will chew on so clear the path of anything tangible he could sink his teeth into and ultimately ruin. When purchasing new toys, ensure that small parts won't come off and cause him to choke or that there are no sharp edges where he can poke out his eye. Just like babies, puppies can hurt themselves if they're not watched closely so monitor there chew time.
As I stated above, never substitute your old shoes or personal clothing pieces for your puppy's toys. They cannot tell the difference between an old, smelly gym shoe and this year's hottest stiletto heeled pump so don't set yourself up for that heart break. If you let him chew on one shoe or shirt, he will assume he has the green light for all of them- your closet will suddenly become Fido's new toy box. Give your puppy the right toys to chew on and everyone will be happier.
One last thing: If you allow your puppy to bite and chew on your fingers and toes during play time, then he will think it is okay to bite all humans that come near him, a very bad idea especially if there are small children in the household. Puppy teeth hurt--trust me, my dog Gizmo just sank his needle fangs into my big toe just this second and we all should be glad that I do not type what I think!
that can affect her entire future. Speak to your vet to find out what he would suggest you feed your puppy at different stages of development.
5. You can never take enough precautions to protect your puppy. Keep her safe by getting the proper products. Do not use a piece of rope for a collar and leash as this is a very dangerous practice. Get help from your pet store owner in sizing a proper collar for her. Make sure that her bed is not in a drafty location because prolonged exposure to cold and leave her with arthritis later on.
These 5 tips are just the tip of the iceberg. There is a lot more to know about how to take care of a puppy. Some you will learn as you go, but there are some things that require the advise of experts. Remember that how you proceed now will have a huge impact on your puppy's future.
Dog Powders
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Dog Care - The Most Important Part Of A Pet Owner's Life
Itchy Skin Diseases in Dogsdogs are one of the largest problems, if not the largest, that any owner will face at some point in your dogs life. However, for several dogs, this can be an ongoing experience that can be very painful and cause severe infections if it is not corrected. Itchy skin is most often associated with Atopy in dogs, and although this is one of the most common causes for this condition, it is just one of many. Below is a listing of the most common as well as uncommon causes of your dog itching.
Allergic Dermatitis:
Itchy skin diseases in dogs start with Allergic Dermatitis which is a general term that is given to describe groups of skin allergies in your dog that can be caused by several different factors. Any time your dog develops an allergy; their immune system reacts to a foreign body, referred to as allergen, and attacks it. This reaction occurs after the initial exposure, and if the exposure continues, it develops a hypersensitivity which causes itching as well as inflammation.
The most common cause of Allergic Dermatitis is flea bite allergies, food allergies, as well as Atopy.
However, it can also be the result of a drug reaction, hormonal allergies, bacterial allergies, as well as allergies to parasites.
Atopy:
Itchy skin diseases in dogs continue with Atopy, which is a skin disease that is caused as the result of an allergy in the environment. It is contracted by your dog through the air and is than absorbed through the respiratory tract or by contact with the skin. It is believed to be hereditary, and is second only to flea allergy dermatitis. The symptoms of this potentially painful and damaging skin condition usually start before your dogs first year of life.
In most cases, it starts out as a seasonal condition in the early or mid summer months. This is the time of year when the airborne allergies, especially plant pollen, are at their peak concentrations. However, as your dog ages, it stops being a seasonal condition simply because your dog system weakens and they are now affected by more allergens. Once this occurs, it becomes a year around problem and the itching is concentrated in their feet.
Contact Dermatitis:
Contact dermatitis is a less common type of itchy skin diseases in dogs simply because of their hair coat acts as a protective layer over the skin. However, it can very easily develop in any area where their hair coat is thin and comes in two different forms; allergic or irritant. Your dog can be affected by this form by different type of plants, medications, or some chemicals. However, it is believed the most common cause of this skin disease is something much simpler; your dog's plastic or rubber feeding dish. For this reason, you should always use a metal or ceramic feeding bowel and watering dish.
On the average it generally takes a period of sensitization by your dog's immune system for this form to develop, but it differs tremendously in some dogs. In some cases, the reaction may occur within six months, while in other cases it may take as long as two years.
Chiggers:
Itchy skin diseases in dogs also include chiggers, which are also known as harvest mites. These mites are very difficult to prevent, but relatively easy to treat. They are most common in early spring and late fall and live in grassy areas where there is a lot of chalky soil. They are small reddish-orange in color and about the size of the head of a pin. They can cause severe skin irritations between your dogs toes as well as around their ears and mouth.
Fleas Bites and Flea Bite Dermatitis:
This form of itchy skin disease, although considered part of the allergic dermatitis, is such a threat this it still belongs in its own category. Fleas affect your dogs back in the vast majority of cases, but can also affect the area around their tail as well as their hindquarters. If it is true flea dermatitis as opposed to just flea bites, it will cause very painful areas on your dogs ears.
Less Common Forms:
Itchy skin diseases in dogs have several other potential causes, but they are generally less common. Pelodera, also known as damp hay itch is another potential cause and can develop into red pimple-like bumps on your dogs skin that will be extremely itchy. Food allergy dermatitis also can cause extreme itching and can develop into papules, pustules, and wheals. This form of itchy skin usually affects your dogs ears, the rump area, as well as their back legs and under body. Other sources include lice, grubs, as well as ticks.
Summary:
Itchy skin in your dog is not only an irritant to your pet; it can also be a very painful ordeal. Once your dog starts to itch, you should immediately have it checked by your veterinarian in order to determine the actual underlying cause. Once this is determined, most all cases are easily treated.
lenty of resource options.
4. staircases. Look for drapes or rags he may chew on and choke, hanging cords that constitute a strangulation risk, and any other related dangers. This includes small objects lying around; especially the ones that may attract his attention like vivid colored balls.
Be prepared, chewing is a natural instinct, so your new puppy will do it. Especially when he begins teething, he will try to eases his discomfort by chewing on everything he finds. It helps puppy teeth come out.
Discuss with your vet a proper vaccination schedule for your area. This schedule should run from puppy-age all the way to adult. Also discuss how to best prevent or control fleas, ticks, heartworms, and "worms".
Make sure your new puppy's food and water bowls are always clean, else they may become a growing place for bacteria which will cause health problems.
If your puppy has medium or long hair, you should get it accustomed to grooming as early as possible. Handle your puppy often; touch its ears and paws.
Start potty training as early as possible, but remember that before 12 weeks, a puppy has no bladder control and will be unable to respond correctly.
When the time come to change from puppy food to adult food, make the change over a period of four days. This way you will avoid upsetting his intestines which may cause diarrhea. Make the change by mixing the two foods in your puppy's bowl, each day 25% more adult formula.
If you apply these few tips, you're well on your way to care correctly for your new puppy.
Dog Beds
Allergic Dermatitis:
Itchy skin diseases in dogs start with Allergic Dermatitis which is a general term that is given to describe groups of skin allergies in your dog that can be caused by several different factors. Any time your dog develops an allergy; their immune system reacts to a foreign body, referred to as allergen, and attacks it. This reaction occurs after the initial exposure, and if the exposure continues, it develops a hypersensitivity which causes itching as well as inflammation.
The most common cause of Allergic Dermatitis is flea bite allergies, food allergies, as well as Atopy.
However, it can also be the result of a drug reaction, hormonal allergies, bacterial allergies, as well as allergies to parasites.
Atopy:
Itchy skin diseases in dogs continue with Atopy, which is a skin disease that is caused as the result of an allergy in the environment. It is contracted by your dog through the air and is than absorbed through the respiratory tract or by contact with the skin. It is believed to be hereditary, and is second only to flea allergy dermatitis. The symptoms of this potentially painful and damaging skin condition usually start before your dogs first year of life.
In most cases, it starts out as a seasonal condition in the early or mid summer months. This is the time of year when the airborne allergies, especially plant pollen, are at their peak concentrations. However, as your dog ages, it stops being a seasonal condition simply because your dog system weakens and they are now affected by more allergens. Once this occurs, it becomes a year around problem and the itching is concentrated in their feet.
Contact Dermatitis:
Contact dermatitis is a less common type of itchy skin diseases in dogs simply because of their hair coat acts as a protective layer over the skin. However, it can very easily develop in any area where their hair coat is thin and comes in two different forms; allergic or irritant. Your dog can be affected by this form by different type of plants, medications, or some chemicals. However, it is believed the most common cause of this skin disease is something much simpler; your dog's plastic or rubber feeding dish. For this reason, you should always use a metal or ceramic feeding bowel and watering dish.
On the average it generally takes a period of sensitization by your dog's immune system for this form to develop, but it differs tremendously in some dogs. In some cases, the reaction may occur within six months, while in other cases it may take as long as two years.
Chiggers:
Itchy skin diseases in dogs also include chiggers, which are also known as harvest mites. These mites are very difficult to prevent, but relatively easy to treat. They are most common in early spring and late fall and live in grassy areas where there is a lot of chalky soil. They are small reddish-orange in color and about the size of the head of a pin. They can cause severe skin irritations between your dogs toes as well as around their ears and mouth.
Fleas Bites and Flea Bite Dermatitis:
This form of itchy skin disease, although considered part of the allergic dermatitis, is such a threat this it still belongs in its own category. Fleas affect your dogs back in the vast majority of cases, but can also affect the area around their tail as well as their hindquarters. If it is true flea dermatitis as opposed to just flea bites, it will cause very painful areas on your dogs ears.
Less Common Forms:
Itchy skin diseases in dogs have several other potential causes, but they are generally less common. Pelodera, also known as damp hay itch is another potential cause and can develop into red pimple-like bumps on your dogs skin that will be extremely itchy. Food allergy dermatitis also can cause extreme itching and can develop into papules, pustules, and wheals. This form of itchy skin usually affects your dogs ears, the rump area, as well as their back legs and under body. Other sources include lice, grubs, as well as ticks.
Summary:
Itchy skin in your dog is not only an irritant to your pet; it can also be a very painful ordeal. Once your dog starts to itch, you should immediately have it checked by your veterinarian in order to determine the actual underlying cause. Once this is determined, most all cases are easily treated.
lenty of resource options.
4. staircases. Look for drapes or rags he may chew on and choke, hanging cords that constitute a strangulation risk, and any other related dangers. This includes small objects lying around; especially the ones that may attract his attention like vivid colored balls.
Be prepared, chewing is a natural instinct, so your new puppy will do it. Especially when he begins teething, he will try to eases his discomfort by chewing on everything he finds. It helps puppy teeth come out.
Discuss with your vet a proper vaccination schedule for your area. This schedule should run from puppy-age all the way to adult. Also discuss how to best prevent or control fleas, ticks, heartworms, and "worms".
Make sure your new puppy's food and water bowls are always clean, else they may become a growing place for bacteria which will cause health problems.
If your puppy has medium or long hair, you should get it accustomed to grooming as early as possible. Handle your puppy often; touch its ears and paws.
Start potty training as early as possible, but remember that before 12 weeks, a puppy has no bladder control and will be unable to respond correctly.
When the time come to change from puppy food to adult food, make the change over a period of four days. This way you will avoid upsetting his intestines which may cause diarrhea. Make the change by mixing the two foods in your puppy's bowl, each day 25% more adult formula.
If you apply these few tips, you're well on your way to care correctly for your new puppy.
Dog Beds
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Great Ideas For Hamster Cages
Panic Attacks and Other Scary Thingshtening. Panic sufferers often believe they are having a heart attack and they dash to their physician or end up in an emergency room. Which is exactly what they should do. An accurate diagnosis is the first step in relieving panic attacks. A diagnosis is vital, because panic attacks mimic a number of potentially serious medical conditions. The next step is treatment. No one should have to endure repeated episodes of distressing panic. Furthermore, early treatment may prevent the condition from becoming chronic.
Not all panic attacks are created equal. The symptoms are unique to the individual sufferer. However, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, typical symptoms are:
Racing or pounding heart Sweating, flushing or feeling chilled Chest pains or tightness Difficulty getting your breath, or a sense of smothering or choking Dizziness, light-headedness, tingling or numbness Trembling or shaking Nausea or abdominal discomfort Fear of losing control
Sometimes panic attacks appear to come out of the blue without rhyme or reason. This is not true with a phobia, such as agoraphobia, which has a distinctive pattern. Agoraphobics may have an attack in situations from which escape is difficult or embarrassing (i.e., on a bridge, a crowded theater). Someone who is fearful of flying may have a panic attack while entering an airplane, or perhaps, while contemplating a flight. The person could then become frightened by the "idea" of having another panic attack. The panic attack itself becomes the feared event. He or she begins to avoid situations that are associated with the attacks. This can become a distressing pattern from which it is difficult to break free.
Cognitive theorists believe that our thoughts create our anxiety. Consider these examples for a moment. A professional athlete consistently felt his chest constrict and his heart pound whenever he passed through a tunnel. A woman walking her dog in a park, a few blocks from her home, suddenly felt faint. If one were to ask the athlete what he thought immediately before the symptoms began, he might say, "Tunnels can collapse. If this one collapses I will be buried alive. I won't be able to breathe. I will suffocate." As he envisaged potential engineering blunders, a visualization of a collapsing tunnel abruptly flashed through his mind. He gasped for breath.
Let's return to the woman in the park. She might answer, if asked about her thoughts before she felt faint, "I am too far from home to cry out if someone jumped from the bushes and grabbed me. No one would hear me. I could be killed." Simultaneously, she visualized a huge Neanderthal of a man lunging for her. It is very likely that their thoughts and visualizations contributed the material to which they reacted. According to Aaron T. Beck (1976), we can learn to "observe that a thought links the eternal stimulus with the emotional response." In other words, "tunnel" does not signal danger, until the thought "it will collapse" links to it--stimulating the emotional response--anxiety.
As stated previously, panic attack symptoms are frightening. The attacks are especially disturbing when one does not understand why one's body is reacting in such a bizarre manner. A panic attack is an example of one's body doing what it was designed to do, yet, at an inappropriate time. The attacks are part of the body's cautionary or alarm system. It is saying, "Be alert, there is danger, react!" The autonomic nervous system cannot differentiate between a legitimate danger (an 18 wheeler running amuck) and environmental stress "created" by life in the worldwide web century. Heredity, other biological factors, stressful life circumstances, and thought patterns that create needless stress combine to encourage the onset of panic attacks. The specific panic mechanism is unknown. However, be assured researchers are eagerly seeking answers.
Is there any good news? Yes, panic attacks can be, and frequently are, successfully treated. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication are commonly the recommended treatments. Anti-anxiety medication works rapidly to relieve distressing symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy contributes tools with which to cope more adaptively, thereby, reducing the likelihood that panic attacks will reoccur. What can you do if you are currently experiencing panic attacks? Here are a few suggestions: - Don't be frightened, panic attacks cannot harm you.
- Write everything you can remember about your attack immediately after it passes (You will gather important information about when, where and under what circumstances your attacks occur.).
-Watch those scary thoughts (The tunnel will not collapse. That is a safer bet than the lottery.).
- Repeat to yourself, "I will not look crazy, collapse, die or lose control."
- Try breathing deeply. Breathe in through your nose, hold it a few seconds, and then breathe out through your mouth. We tend to breathe in shallow, rapid little breaths when we are anxious, which can exacerbate the problem.
- Get professional help. Panic attacks are not an infrequent stress reaction. Panic sufferers have an abundance of company. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 3 million Americans will have panic disorder at some time during their lives.
Copyright, Dr. Dorothy McCoy (2005)
r might be just the way to have a pet. It is good for your children to have a pet like hamster as they will easily learn how to take care of a pet while playing and having fun with it.
Dog Combs
Not all panic attacks are created equal. The symptoms are unique to the individual sufferer. However, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, typical symptoms are:
Racing or pounding heart Sweating, flushing or feeling chilled Chest pains or tightness Difficulty getting your breath, or a sense of smothering or choking Dizziness, light-headedness, tingling or numbness Trembling or shaking Nausea or abdominal discomfort Fear of losing control
Sometimes panic attacks appear to come out of the blue without rhyme or reason. This is not true with a phobia, such as agoraphobia, which has a distinctive pattern. Agoraphobics may have an attack in situations from which escape is difficult or embarrassing (i.e., on a bridge, a crowded theater). Someone who is fearful of flying may have a panic attack while entering an airplane, or perhaps, while contemplating a flight. The person could then become frightened by the "idea" of having another panic attack. The panic attack itself becomes the feared event. He or she begins to avoid situations that are associated with the attacks. This can become a distressing pattern from which it is difficult to break free.
Cognitive theorists believe that our thoughts create our anxiety. Consider these examples for a moment. A professional athlete consistently felt his chest constrict and his heart pound whenever he passed through a tunnel. A woman walking her dog in a park, a few blocks from her home, suddenly felt faint. If one were to ask the athlete what he thought immediately before the symptoms began, he might say, "Tunnels can collapse. If this one collapses I will be buried alive. I won't be able to breathe. I will suffocate." As he envisaged potential engineering blunders, a visualization of a collapsing tunnel abruptly flashed through his mind. He gasped for breath.
Let's return to the woman in the park. She might answer, if asked about her thoughts before she felt faint, "I am too far from home to cry out if someone jumped from the bushes and grabbed me. No one would hear me. I could be killed." Simultaneously, she visualized a huge Neanderthal of a man lunging for her. It is very likely that their thoughts and visualizations contributed the material to which they reacted. According to Aaron T. Beck (1976), we can learn to "observe that a thought links the eternal stimulus with the emotional response." In other words, "tunnel" does not signal danger, until the thought "it will collapse" links to it--stimulating the emotional response--anxiety.
As stated previously, panic attack symptoms are frightening. The attacks are especially disturbing when one does not understand why one's body is reacting in such a bizarre manner. A panic attack is an example of one's body doing what it was designed to do, yet, at an inappropriate time. The attacks are part of the body's cautionary or alarm system. It is saying, "Be alert, there is danger, react!" The autonomic nervous system cannot differentiate between a legitimate danger (an 18 wheeler running amuck) and environmental stress "created" by life in the worldwide web century. Heredity, other biological factors, stressful life circumstances, and thought patterns that create needless stress combine to encourage the onset of panic attacks. The specific panic mechanism is unknown. However, be assured researchers are eagerly seeking answers.
Is there any good news? Yes, panic attacks can be, and frequently are, successfully treated. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication are commonly the recommended treatments. Anti-anxiety medication works rapidly to relieve distressing symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy contributes tools with which to cope more adaptively, thereby, reducing the likelihood that panic attacks will reoccur. What can you do if you are currently experiencing panic attacks? Here are a few suggestions: - Don't be frightened, panic attacks cannot harm you.
- Write everything you can remember about your attack immediately after it passes (You will gather important information about when, where and under what circumstances your attacks occur.).
-Watch those scary thoughts (The tunnel will not collapse. That is a safer bet than the lottery.).
- Repeat to yourself, "I will not look crazy, collapse, die or lose control."
- Try breathing deeply. Breathe in through your nose, hold it a few seconds, and then breathe out through your mouth. We tend to breathe in shallow, rapid little breaths when we are anxious, which can exacerbate the problem.
- Get professional help. Panic attacks are not an infrequent stress reaction. Panic sufferers have an abundance of company. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 3 million Americans will have panic disorder at some time during their lives.
Copyright, Dr. Dorothy McCoy (2005)
r might be just the way to have a pet. It is good for your children to have a pet like hamster as they will easily learn how to take care of a pet while playing and having fun with it.
Dog Combs
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