Category: Animals

Arriving on the scene in 1978, Animal House is the blockbuster frat house comedy that rewrote all the rules and created a generation of filmmakers hoping to replicate its comic genius. Original Saturday Night Live cast member John Belushi turned in a breakout film performance that made him a comedy rock star, propelling him to further fame with the release of Blues Brothers (1980). Tim Matheson also has his breakout role in the cult classic which features appearances by actors Mark Metcalf (“the Maestro” from Seinfeld), Donald Sutherland, and Kevin Bacon.

The film is set at fictional Faber College in the 1960s. Two incoming freshmen roommates, Larry Kroger (Tom Hulce) and Kent Dorfman (Stephen Furst), visit the various fraternities on campus in an effort to find a good group with which to socialize. But the two get more than they bargain for when the meet the guys of Delta House – a ragtag bunch of beer-swilling, womanizing, party animals. The group is the complete opposite of another campus fraternity, Omega House, headed by the snide, condescending preppies Greg Marmalard (James Daughton), Doug Neidermeyer (Mark Metcalf), and Chip Diller (Kevin Bacon). Favorites of Dean Wormer, the Omega House continually taunts Delta House and conspires with Dean Wormer to have the members of Delta expelled and their fraternity banned.

Leading the charge for Delta House is John “Bluto” Blutarsky (John Belushi), ladies man Eric “Otter” Stratton (Tim Matheson), and Donald “Boon” Schoenstein (Peter Riegert). Pledging Delta House, Larry and Kent are given the nicknames, Pinto and Flounder. Brought into the fold, they witness the true diversity of characters they are now brothers with. Otter seduces Dean Wormer’s wife, and Bluto spits egg on Greg Marmalard while Boon and his girlfriend work through their problems.

Things go well for the men of Delta House until Dean Wormer calls them into his office and places them on “Double Secret Probation”. With Omega and Wormer aligned against them, Delta House is kicked off campus and its members expelled. But the great men of Delta refuse to go down without a fight. With the Homecoming parade set to begin, they unleash a fury of revenge on Wormer and company.

At the conclusion of the film, we learn of the whereabouts of all the various characters. The timeless humor of this film makes it no wonder that it has ascended to cult classic status. An original and witty comedy wielding a trailblazing influence on teen/college comedies, Animal House has earned its place in the hallowed halls of American cinematic classics.

While there is a countless number of dog breeds available, especially now with designer dog breeds becoming popular, there are some dog breeds that are considered the best dogs for families to own as a pet. Below are what many feel are the top 20 dog breeds to own as a pet, and why these dogs are so popular and loved.

The Top 20 Dog Breeds to Own as a Pet

Collie
Boxer
Bichon Frise
Labrador Retriever
Basset Hound
Whippet
Pomeranian
Irish Setter
Golden Retriever
Great Pyrenees
Cairn Terrier
Shih tzu
Poodle
Airedale
Beagle
Pug
Newfoundland
West Highland White Terrier
Schnauzer
Pembroke Welsh Corgie

In this article, several qualities have been taken into consideration to determine the top 20 dog breeds for pet ownership. Qualities such as temperament, intelligence and activity levels have been evaluated to determine which dog breeds are the best for families.

When determining which of the top 20 dog breeds to own as a pet, there is a good reason why the above listed breeds are usually chosen by families. Even if you do not have a large family, when seeking a dog to have as a pet you want one that has certain traits. Your pet should be friendly, yet loyal and protective. Your pet should also be tolerant and patient. All of the top 20 dog breeds listed above have each of these qualities.

Some of these dogs such as the Bichon, Basset Hound, Shih tzu, Cairn Terrier, Collie, Pomeranians and Pugs are the best dog breeds for families with younger children because they are more tolerant of the accidental poor behaviors of children like the occasional rough petting or tug. Of course, good and bad dogs can be found in almost any dog breeds, so if you do have young children you should take your dog ownership seriously and be a responsible pet owner and parent, and never leave your children unattended with your pets.

For people looking for calm dog breeds to own as a pet, there are plenty to choose from in the top 20 dog breeds listed above. The Basset Hound, Shih tzu, Collie, Boston Terrier and Pugs are all playful in their own right, but are also well-known for being calm dog breeds and are perfect for those families that are looking for a dog that is a little less demanding.

Dog ownership can be very rewarding provided you find the right dog breed for you and your family. The best way for you to find the right dog breed is to thoroughly research each of the breeds that you are interested in, and learn as much as you can about them. Dog ownership should be taken very seriously. Even if you find a dog breed within this list of top 20 breeds and you conclude that the dog is not a good fit for you and your family, then you should find another dog to adopt. However, once you take the time to ensure that you are getting the best dog for your family, you will enjoy many years as a happy and proud dog owner.

Are you thinking of getting a new pet? Have you ever considered pet adoption? Adopting a pet is a wonderful option for adding a canine friend into the family. Here are 5 simple reasons why you should choose pet adoption:

1. Youll save a life Saving a life just may be one of the most rewarding actions in a persons life. Some pet shelters have to put down animals if they do not get adopted. If you choose to adopt a pet from an animal shelter or animal adoption agency, you are not only saving a precious animals life, you are also greatly increasing its quality of life.

2. Youll save money When you adopt a pet, you are actually saving a lot of money. Animals that have been placed in shelters or taken to animal adoption agencies are almost always spayed or neutered and vaccinated. Those preliminary, but necessary procedures add up when all is said and done. Also, it is relatively inexpensive to adopt a pet from an agency or shelter in comparison to purchasing dogs or cats from a local pet store.

3. Youll receive a healthy pet As was mentioned above, pets from shelters and adoption agencies are almost always spayed or neutered, and have received their vaccinations as well. This ensures the health and happiness of your future pet. Also, in contradiction to popular belief, many pets who have been placed in shelters have not been mistreated or done something wrong. Many pets have been taken there because of people problems, such as divorce, a big move, or they are simply too busy to adequately provide care for a pet.

4. You wont be supporting puppy mills Many pets that are sold in pet stores or newspaper ads sometimes come from puppy mills. Puppy mills are mass dog-breeding businesses that are harmful to the health of their bred puppies. These facilities sometimes house up to several hundred dogs at a time, thus compromising the health and well-being of a precious puppy. By adopting a pet from a shelter or a pet adoption agency, you are not supporting these often inhumane businesses.

5. Youll have a large selection Because pet adoption agencies and animal shelters have many pets, there is a wide selection for you to choose from. To make pet shopping easier on potential parents, many pet agencies and shelters have websites that allow people to search for possible pets by their age, sex, size, and breed. This enables families to search from the comfort of their own homes; the hassle of going to noisy and overwhelming shelters and agencies is eliminated.

The satisfaction you will acquire when you adopt a pet is like no other; you will have received a healthy pet, you will save money, you will be supporting a healthy and just cause, you will get the perfect pet for your family, and you will have saved a life. Adopting a pet has lifelong benefits that you will not regret. Give these animals a second chance by allowing them to join your loving family.

This article is courtesy of RadioFence.com a Leading Internet Retailer of Pet Supplies.

The Kittywalk Systems Company was born in 2001 and their first product was a lawn enclosure for cats. They have since created strollers, many more outdoor enclosures and indoor pet products. Their products have been featured in the New York Times, on CBS News and the Today show, to name a few, and they are located in New York.

The Original Stripe was their first pet stroller and they later created a “Sport Utility Vehicle” version of this stroller as well as three others in their pet stroller line. The SUV strollers are 30% larger than their counterparts, with the Original SUV carrier compartment measuring 31″L x 16″W x 20″H.

The Kittywalk Original SUV pet stroller arrives in one box and does have a moderate level of assembly required. You need to attach the rear axle and the front wheels, but also insert the rods for the cabin. The carrier compartment itself fits right on top of the bottom sling of the stroller frame. You then just attach the two bungee cords in order to secure the carrier to the frame. Unless you have a pet that is going to throw itself all over the carrier, you shouldn’t have a problem with the carrier moving off of the frame. The frame folds down quite quickly, but the carrier requires a little more work. The carrier is removable from the frame by releasing the two bungee cords. This is convenient for times you just want to carry your pet, like into the car and to the vet.

The pet carrier is half covered in a colorful, but not too bright, green, red, blue and yellow striped fabric. This is nice when your pet wants to get out of the sun. In my case, a dog barked at my cat and he decided to hide in the covered half of the cabin for awhile. The other half has a web-style soft fabric that allows your pet to see all around. It could be a problem if your cat or dog likes to scratch at the webbing, but it does appear to be strong enough to sustain some clawing.

This particular stroller has independently turning, 8-inch, wheels that make it very easy to push and steer. This is a sturdy stroller and the craftsmanship is commendable. The stroller handle is 36 inches high, which certainly is a comfortable pushing height. However, if you are taller than six feet then this handle height may be a little short for you. Kittywalk recommends that a pet weighing more than 50 pounds not ride in this stroller. My cat is 19 pounds and this stroller could easily carry a pet twice his weight. Overall, this is a well-designed pet stroller that enables a very pleasing experience for the pets who ride in it.

If youve never undergone more than a blood test or X-ray, chances are hearing your doctor wants you to go in for a PET/CT scan can throw you off guard a little. This diagnostic procedure, however, is painless and it reveals a lot of valuable information about how your body is working on the inside. Theres simply no reason to be alarmed if this test has been ordered.

A PET/CT scan combines the benefits of both a PET scan and a CT scan in a single test. PET, or positron emission tomography, and CT, computed tomography, are both very standard imaging tools. Doctors use these tools to help them take a much closer look inside the body without actually having to perform surgery to do so. A PET scan enables doctors to see changes in cells at very early stages, which can be especially helpful in diagnosing conditions. A CT scan is meant to deliver information about the bodys anatomy. It provides information about the size, shape, and location of organs and other internal items. When the two tests are combined, a doctor can more easily and accurately diagnose such conditions as heart disease, cancer, and brain disorders.

Just because your doctor has ordered a combination PET/CT scan doesnt mean there is anything present. This type of test can simply be ordered to rule out concerns as a doctor seeks to find a diagnosis. During the procedure, youll be given a small injection of radioactive glucose which serves as a tracer to enable the imaging. This takes about 60 minutes to properly distribute through the body. Once that is complete, the test will start. Most PET/CT scans take less than a half hour.

PET/CT scans simply enable doctors to see inside the body so they can make more accurate treatment determinations. If this test has been ordered, theres no cause for alarm. While it can take a few hours to fully complete, its painless and results are generally made available pretty quickly so your doctor can help get you back on your feet faster.