When you travel to St. Lucia, you’ll have warm weather, fantastic beaches, great shopping, luxurious spas, gourmet restaurants, adventure activities, and of course, a great place to kick back and enjoy views of the Piton Mountains! The island has so many attractions for you to consider when planning your next vacation that no other place can compare. Let me tell you why!

The weather generally hovers between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a tropical climate with northeast trade winds. You can expect to have warm, humid weather year-round. However, the trade winds normally bring cool breezes off the water so visitors rarely feel uncomfortable in the heat.

The beaches are second to none with plenty of activities to do including snorkeling, parasailing, jet skiing and many more. You can play in the water or relax on a sun lounger under an umbrella and watch the calm waves of the Caribbean Sea come and go. Many hotels on the beach offer chairs and umbrellas for guests. There are also areas to rent a chair or umbrella. Reduit Beach in the northern part of the island is popular with many people due to the activities and services available nearby.

There is shopping galore! If you want to buy and take home some local handicrafts and souvenirs, you can find them in various places on the island. You can shop duty free at La Place Carenage located in the city of Castries. Also in Castries there is a great open air market where you can find great souvenirs, clothes and great local foods to try and take home. In Rodney Bay there are 2 shopping malls as well as a grocery store and pharmacy to satisfy any shopping needs you may have.

Santa Lucia’s spas are great if you really want to relax and be pampered. Several resorts have excellent spas where you can get massages, body wraps, and many more luxurious treatments to melt away all your stress in paradise. Dining in Santa Lucia is perfect if you’re a foodie, foodie, or just a picky eater. There are restaurants on the island for all tastes and budgets. You can find fast food, street food vendors, quaint local restaurants, and world-class gourmet dining all over the island. Many of the restaurants, either on the beach or in the mountains, offer fantastic views of the Great Piton Mountains or the Caribbean Sea.

If you are looking for adventure, you can also find it. How about a hike to the top of the Piton Mountains? When you get to the top, you can see the entire island, as well as other Caribbean islands. You can take a segway or bike tour around the island. Also go zip-lining through the rainforest. There are several guided walks you can take through the rainforest where you may see the elusive St. Lucian Parrot. Of course, for a more gentle adventure, you can explore all the wonders of Pigeon Island and learn about the history of St. Lucia or climb to the top of the Fort for a fantastic view of the north side of the island.

Seeing all the attractions available on the island, is anyone wondering why they shouldn’t plan their trip to St. Lucia? I am sure that you will live an experience that you will never forget!

It’s the season when holiday appeal letters start arriving in your mailbox and inbox.

The major charities have been writing their letters, ordering their lists and buying their premiums for weeks. But small nonprofits are probably just starting to worry about that.

Having been involved with an all-volunteer run nonprofit, I know that the number of tasks to be done always outweighs the number of volunteers willing to do them.

And as for writing, most would rather scrub toilets.

If you’ve drawn the short straw and the task is yours, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Do not pray. It makes donors think you’re disorganized and maybe even wasteful.

Yes, I know you are writing because your cause needs money. But you shouldn’t say it that way. Instead, you should thank your donors for their past support (even if they haven’t yet) and proceed to show them that they are a part of something wonderful.

You need to entice them with a story and show them how their donations helped someone, whether it’s a child, a disabled person, a dog or a tree. Yes, I know, a broad definition of “someone”, but you see what I mean. Show that the support you receive makes a difference and let your donors feel proud to have been part of it. Remember, you are trying to arouse emotions that open checkbooks.

Review the events of the past year and pick out any specific successes in particular. Then talk about it. Avoid the temptation to talk about people or animals or even forests and lakes in a group. You can bring that up later, but focus on a specific event first.

Who knows why, but tests by major charities show that people react more strongly to the plight of a child, dog or homeless person than to the news of a mass tragedy. Maybe because they know they can’t give enough to save the world, but they can give enough to make a difference to one person.

Or maybe because crowds of any kind are impersonal, but an individual with a face and a name is very personal. Whatever the reason, the tests show it to be true.

I’ve seen it happen right here with our local animal rescue. The whole town knows from news articles that there are dozens of cats and dogs in need every weekday, and some citizens give to help them. But when a particular animal with a sad story makes the news, dozens rush to donate.

When we found a pregnant dog buried in a snowbank and rescued her, people even called wanting to adopt without even seeing her.

So how are you going to ask for the money without begging? You are going to ask them to help continue this work and save/help even more (fill in the blank). Note that I said ask. You can’t imply or assume that after they see what you’re doing, they’ll know they need to send money. They won’t unless you ask them to.

After that, do everything you can to make it easy for him. Include a reply coupon and an envelope already addressed to your group. However, do not seal it. Your donors will see it as a waste of money.

If you have a place on your website where people can click to donate, include the address of the web page where it will be easily found.

One last thing: when the donations start rolling in, send a thank you card within 24 hours. Don’t wait and bring names to a meeting and try to find someone to write thank you notes. That’s too late. If you want to create loyal givers who will give again, do it right away.

And, of course, record the name and contact information for each donor, along with the amount of their donation.

The only thing more expensive than mailing appeal letters is not mailing them, so get busy and mail them.

I am not a psychologist, nor have I had any training in couples counseling. However, I have been married to a wonderful girl for the last five years, and during that time, we never fought or yelled at each other. Every day is a day of peace and love and I find her as exciting now as the day I fell in love with her. Over the years I have come to understand her mind and I think I have discovered the key to a happy relationship. It certainly works for me and maybe it will work for you. Let me explain that I am from the UK and I met my wife in Indonesia where we still live.

So let’s start with the appreciation. Have you ever noticed that when you throw a ball to a puppy and he runs happily, picks it up and comes back to you and then you pat him on the head, stir him up and tell him how smart he is? His tail will wag wildly (in our Rottweiller’s case, his STUB will wag wildly). He just loves appreciation. I have a habit of forgetting where I put my reading glasses. One day when he was looking for them, one of my wife Yuyun’s young relatives found them and returned them to me. I thanked him and said, “Wow, what a smart boy you are.” His chest swelled and his face smiled. After that, every chance I got, I would “find” my glasses, even if I knew where they were, just so I could hear a few words of praise. You know, we don’t really grow up. We just get old. I love that very appropriate saying “The only difference between a man and a boy is the cost of his toys.” So how does this apply to our relationship? Well, several times a day I tell Yuyun how beautiful she is, how much I love her, and how lucky I am to have her love. This has the effect of not only showing her that I appreciate her, but also making her WANT to be beautiful with the result that she always tries to look her best. I make a point of never taking her for granted. Every time she cooks me a meal, I kiss her, thank her, and tell her how nice she was. Every time she goes shopping, she goes out of her way to find something special that I like because she knows that I will appreciate her efforts. Every time she comes to kiss me, I thank her. The words “thank you” if spoken with sincerity can do wonders.

What about communication and understanding? I always remember some of my relatives in the UK arguing and the husband yelling “what the hell is wrong with you?” to which his wife replied “You know very well what happens!” But she didn’t…because he didn’t understand her. Yuyun and I have spent hours talking about our childhood and past lives. After five years I have a pretty good understanding of how his mind works. She came from a very poor family that sometimes did not have enough money to buy food. Her father had to go fishing or give massages to some of the neighbors to earn a living. As a child she had no toys or dolls. As she got older, she looked at other girls who were better off and wished she could have a cell phone or nice clothes like them. The result of this is that today she has an inner drive to be recognized and admired. Through the web page that we manage, we have appeared a couple of times on local television and when we walk through her town many people point it out and hers stop to chat: she loves this. Now, at the age of 24, she has three cell phones and a closet full of dolls, making up for her underprivileged past! So I understand what drives her and I attend to it. Since I understand that she never had any money and had to keep asking for something, I let her handle all her family finances. SHE has the bank account and debit card that give her a sense of power. We are not rich by any means, living solely on my retirement pension. This he understands and is never extravagant. We’ll go clothes shopping for her, spend $20 and she’ll go home happy. Based on her childhood experience, she will go out of her way twenty miles to save ten cents on an item. This drives me totally nuts, but it makes her happy, so I humor her. My attitude is that she does everything in her power to keep me happy, so she feels like I should reciprocate. It’s the same to visit her family. Since I don’t speak Indonesian, I sit there like a doll, sweating and being eaten alive by mosquitoes while she chats. I keep calm by remembering that SHE is having fun and that she is never demanding and of course that I love her. I usually end up playing with the little kids in the family who are cute and where I don’t need the language.

I guess you could call this consideration. Both Yuyun and I are considerate. If we see someone pushing a motorcycle we will stop and see if we can help them. If we see a child crossing the street, we will make sure he crosses safely. This is our nature. I’m not sure someone who isn’t considerate can change, but maybe you can force yourself to consider your partner’s feelings. Yuyun, for example, likes constant attention. She regularly wants to be hugged and loved. I like to keep my brain active, so I spend considerable time writing computer programs and solving the most difficult Sukodu puzzles. This requires a lot of concentration, trying to remember a series of numbers in my head and I hate being interrupted. However, when Yuyun wants attention or she wants to talk, she immediately put the matter aside and give her my full attention. I always remember the story of a fish tank in which there was a glass partition. On one side was a large ferocious fish and on the other side a small placid one. The big fish tried to attack and eat the little fish, but all he got was a sore nose. After a few days, she got tired of all that and gave up. Then she took off the partition, but the big fish still had no interest in chasing the little fish. The analogy of that story is that if you reject someone’s love enough times, then they will stop trying and maybe go with someone else. I really think Yuyun thinks like me, since I’m so happy with our relationship that I have absolutely no interest in any other women. I can honestly say that this is the first time in my life that I have felt this way. In fact, Yuyun, although she never gets mad at me, she gets furious when any other man tries to flirt with her, like they do regularly! “I have a husband who loves me,” she tells them. “What do I need you for?”

I should mention that someone’s culture will obviously have something to do with the way they think and act. Here in Indonesia it is customary to take off your shoes when entering your house. Therefore, many people wear sandals that are easier to put on and take off. When we leave someone’s house, Yuyun precedes me and reaches down to flip MY sandals out so I don’t have to. When I told her that she really didn’t need me to do that, she replied, “Please don’t stop me from doing something to show that I love you.” After five years she still does this! When we go shopping SHE insists on carrying all the packages. When she has a really heavy one, I have to force her to let me take it. She does not expect or want me to help her in the kitchen with cooking or cleaning. I’m your Mr. Fixit when an appliance or vehicle is in trouble. In fact, I CAN fix most mechanical and electrical problems since I was trained in that, but when I do, Yuyun thinks I’m a real genius and tells all her friends how smart I am. She is not interested in equality. She wants to be a woman and she wants me to be a man. She starts wrestling matches with me to prove to herself that I am stronger than her. She wants me to protect her from anything that scares her. She’ll tell me what she wants to do and she’ll ask me if that’s okay with me. She knows she’ll say yes, but she likes to ask me anyway.

Sex also requires consideration. How can you know what pleases your partner if you don’t ask? When I was young, I used to ask every girl I met what she liked and when and how she liked it. I built a knowledge base far superior to my friends and they could never understand how I managed to date such beautiful women when I personally wasn’t particularly handsome. When you love someone, there is a lot of pleasure in giving pleasure to your loved one. Yuyun and I slept together in what is called the spoon position, holding each other all night. After five years I find her as sexy as when I met her. Part of this may be because she stays in such good condition. She never goes to sleep without removing her makeup and taking a shower. Her body and her breath are always sweet-smelling. We really live more as a pair of lovers than as husband and wife.

Yuyun wakes up around 5am with a beaming smile that stays with her all day. She jumps out of bed, jumping and dancing while I try to get out. I don’t know how she does that. She tells me it’s because she’s always happy, day and night. I can wake her up in the middle of the night, take her for a motorcycle ride in the pouring cold rain and she’ll STILL be laughing and laughing… even the couple of times we slipped off the bike in the mud. How can you NOT love a woman like that? That’s why I never get mad at her. I DO get angry at situations, but I never take it out on her personally. When I start ranting and raving about something, she just smiles and says “Remember I love you” and that breaks me and I start laughing with her.

So the above is MY secret to a lasting relationship. Maybe you can find something there that improves yours.

Whether it’s for reasons like learning agility training, either for fun or competition, or simply to help an out-of-control dog learn how to behave better or execute simple commands, more pet owners are considering hiring a professional dog trainer. instead of trying to train him. their own dogs.

Here are some pros and cons to consider before hiring a professional dog trainer:

The advantages of hiring dog trainers

1. Professional knowledge of how dogs think, feel, and act is the number one advantage of hiring a dog trainer, whether it’s teaching your dog basic commands or turning your dog into an extremely well-trained pet, or even a dog. award-winning show animal. .

2. In addition to the peace of mind that your beloved pet is being properly trained, hiring a trainer is a great alternative if you can’t provide the consistency or level of physical activity needed to successfully train your dog.

3. Using a dog trainer gives you the option of hiring one to do private home visits, which is helpful for dogs that may not have been properly socialized or don’t appreciate being around other animals. Alternatively, many trainers hold group sessions or classes and allow owners to participate and learn as well.

The Cons of Hiring Dog Trainers

1. The first negative aspect of hiring a dog trainer to consider is the cost involved. Although many trainers offer very reasonable rates and services, there are also some that are quite expensive, but will nevertheless provide excellent results.

2. The second scam to hiring dog trainers would be simply finding the time available to make appointments. Some trainers will come to the house, while others will wait for you to travel to them, and while most tend to have flexible hours to accommodate those who work or have hectic schedules, many still find it difficult to find the time off that dog needs professional. will require training.

3. In some cases, a dog just doesn’t respond well to being trained by someone other than his trusted owner. In this case, instead of “forcing” the dog to participate in training sessions or become distressed, it is better to try to address the problems yourself, albeit with the guidance of a trained professional. There are many dog ​​trainers out there who provide helpful training advice and tips for a fee, but without actually being with the animal. Also, the Internet, the library, the humane society, or the local animal shelter should have helpful information on the various methods and aspects of dog training.

Regardless of whether you have decided to train your dog yourself, or have chosen to hire a professional dog trainer, the most important part to remember is how the dog responds to training. Do they seem to enjoy it or do they seem agitated and out of it? Are they capable of performing the tasks expected of them in the training sessions or do they seem intimidated and fearful?

Training should always be a positive experience for your dog, giving him a physical outlet to keep him fit and healthy, but also giving him mental stimulation.

You were not born perfect, nobody is. But you can do something to make your life much better than what the average individual experiences. The people who are happiest with their lives are those who can learn to love themselves just the way they are.

Here are some suggestions on how to put yourself on that pedestal and laugh at the negative energy.

give yourself a compliment

Give yourself a compliment at least once a day. It could be something like “I really liked the way you handled that situation” or “I love how my hair falls softly on my face today.” The compliment can be deep or superficial. Whatever it is, it should help keep your spirits up, if only a little. Highlight the positive aspect of every situation you encounter. If you practice this often, you’ll be on your way to liking yourself a lot more.

Renew yourself

Grab your closest friend and get fancy. Put on his best outfit, apply some make-up and do your hair (not necessarily by a professional), then grab a camera and take fun and funny pictures of each other. Once you’ve printed the photos, discard the ones that make him look drab and keep only the shots in which he looked the best. Whenever you feel down, you can go look at these photos to remind yourself that you are handsome and your life is fun.

Get physically fit

You don’t need to achieve a supermodel physique. Simple daily exercises to stimulate the bloodstream every morning will do the trick. You will feel better, your mood will be more positive and you will be more pleasant with other people. If you give positive energy, the more beautiful you become, and more people will be willing to give you positive vibes as well.

change your body image

If there is something about your body that you don’t like, find out what makes you smile. Most likely, the reasons are very superficial and shallow. Realizing this will help you achieve a better image of yourself and teach you to appreciate yourself more.

treat yourself

Set aside time once a week to do something just for yourself. It can be anything from watching a cheesy movie to walking your dog in the park. As long as it’s time for you to do what you want to do.

wear nice underwear

This sounds silly, but it works! Wearing really cute panties makes you feel better and much more confident to take on others. Don’t you believe this? Try it!

Make a list of your good points

Without looking in the mirror, make a list of all the things you appreciate and like about your body, things like “I have great hair” or “I have nice teeth.” Keep this list in your wallet or where you can see it and whenever you feel down just take this list out and read it.

Trip

Ask some of your best friends to spend a day out of town with you. Pack a delicious snack and spend the day fishing or hiking, or whatever suits your interests. A day outside is sure to give you a boost of energy and make you feel good about yourself.

Stay away from people who put you down

You know these kinds of people. They just can’t stand the fact that you are okay with your life and will always try to dampen your mood. Avoid them at all costs, because they will never make you feel good about yourself.

do a good deed

Do something nice for someone else. You will find that things like volunteering at a homeless shelter or even something simple like helping someone who is lost by giving them proper directions will make you feel good for the rest of the day. You will be doing something worthwhile and when you see how bad some people are, you will begin to appreciate your life more and be grateful for what you have.

Imagine that it is the dead of night. There is electricity in the air as the long-threatened storm finally breaks. You are alone in an eerie place, perhaps somewhere like a graveyard, or an old crossroads where many years ago, according to local legend, an executioner’s gallows used to stand.

Suddenly you feel the hair on the back of your neck stand up and you have the unpleasant feeling that you are being watched. You turn and there, right in the middle of the road, is the biggest dog you’ve ever seen. His fur is so black that you can only make out his form against the night and he stands silent, looking at you with his horrible glowing red eyes. The fear and the desire to run are almost unbearable, but even worse is the feeling of total despair.

You just got a visit from a Barghest.

That’s how this supernatural hound is known here in Yorkshire, and while the mythological creature’s name may change, its spooky legend remains remarkably similar from Scotland and northern England to Wales, Cornwall and the Channel Islands.

Across the country since at least the 12th century, there have allegedly been sightings, usually at night, of monstrous black dogs the size of calves or even larger. They have huge teeth and claws, and eyes as big as saucers that can glow devilish red. Sometimes they attack and kill people immediately, at other times they are known to be omens of death, with either the person seeing the dog or one of the dog’s close relatives dying shortly after the sighting. In some accounts, only one person in a group sees the hound, and his fellow travelers see nothing there; evil will soon fall on the poor lonely victim.

The dog often vanishes from sight as the poor soul looks on in horror, or disappears as the marked person looks back. The animal is sometimes said to appear to members of the same family over generations, usually announcing the death of each person in turn.

It is said that if anyone dares to return to the site of the sighting, they may find the ground where the creature was scorched or burned. This lends credence to the theory that the Barghest is a being from the fire pit of Hell, who came to retrieve the soul of an evildoer from whence he came.

In Wakefield, the creature is called Padfoot, while the Welsh refer to him, and curiously the dog is always male, like Gwyllgi, the Dog of Darkness. In the Isle of Man it is known as the Mauthe Dog, and in Norfolk they will speak of the Black Shuck. Even the unlucky ones on the wrong side of the Pennines know about the creature. They call him Guytrash or Skriker. Whatever its name, the beast is always huge, black and terrifying.

Sightings have become rarer in these more enlightened days, but the Black Dog is still very familiar to us from the arts, and suspense literature in particular. Perhaps the most famous of all the Black Dogs in popular novels is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles. In that famous Sherlock Holmes tale set in the mists of Dartmoor, a great black beast is said to haunt the Baskerville family as a result of a pact made with the Devil by one of his clan. The devil Mephistopheles first appears in Goethe’s Faust in the form of a black dog, albeit in the slightly less frightening form of a small black poodle, but even this seemingly harmless pup leaves fire in his wake. And what is the main character in Susan Hill’s classic novel and subsequent long-running play The Woman in Black if not a chilling human version of a Barghest? All black, silent, terrifying in the extreme, a harbinger of death but only visible to those upon whom calamity is about to fall; she is a Barghest through and through.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula tells how the vampire’s arrival at Whitby takes the form of a huge Black Dog leaping from his ship onto the shore. Whitby is particularly associated with the Barghest sightings, something Stoker would no doubt have been aware of when he incorporated it into his novel. The city’s ties to the spectral dog have long been celebrated by the recently revived Black Dog Brewery, whose flavorful

the products echo the alternative spelling of Barguest.

Many people have claimed to have seen the creature in our locality over the centuries: the bleak Troller’s Gill at Appletreewick, the old stone bridge over the River Swale where pallbearers would rest their heavy loads on the way to Ivelet, a disused well in Slaughter Lane at Baildon – all have recorded appearances at Black Dog. Also Egton, Grassington, Nidderdale, Ilkley Moor, Sedbergh and Skipton. Even Sheffield’s Graves Park has reportedly been visited by the infamous goblin dog.

York also has its own special version of the legend, as several lone travelers spotted the unholy canine in the narrow alleys that abounded in that ancient city, often with fatal consequences. It is highly unusual for the hellhound to be reported in an urban setting such as this. Historically, most sightings have been made on lonely moors, graveyards, or on roads outside of town.

Of course, the image of a Black Dog is also associated with depression, as in Winston Churchill’s famous quote from his “Black Dog on my shoulder.” However, this metaphor was not Winston’s own invention. The father of the English dictionary, Samuel Johnson (of whom Churchill was a fan), used the term in his letters in the 18th century, but its roots go back much further. Even the Greek classics feature tales of black dogs that seem to predict eternal death. Perhaps these stories were originally created as warnings against traveling alone through dangerous areas? Or maybe they were based on simple but dire coincidences. Or maybe, just maybe, there’s something to them after all?

Whatever the truth, be careful if you find yourself in lonely and desolate places. If you hear heavy paws and the snap of fierce claws following you, don’t look back. The Barghest can attack anywhere.

(c) Shaun Finnie 2011

Boston Terriers are a very popular breed. They are gentle and friendly with adults, children, and other animals when well socialized from a young age. Many families generally recommend the Boston Terrier even with young children in the house. However, the dog and child should never be left unattended together.

This breed is well suited to apartment living due to the dog’s compact size and minimal barking. Boston Terriers are often too friendly to alert their owners when they encounter a stranger.

These dogs love to play indoors and outdoors. Really long walks aren’t usually necessary. Just playing time with the kids and other family members can be enough on a daily basis. The Boston Terrier is intelligent and also performs well in more competitive structural activities such as agility trials.

These dogs are eager to please their owners. They have a charm of determination, strength and energy, they seem very distinguished and are very balanced. Their personality and the color of their coats (like a tuxedo) earned them the name “American Gentleman”.

Boston Terrier Grooming Needs

These dogs require minimal grooming. The occasional bath, nail trimming, and ear cleaning is all the maintenance they need.

History of the Boston Terrier breed

The breed originated in 1870 when Robert C. Hooper of Boston bought a dog, he named it Hooper’s Judge.

The exact lineage of the dog is unknown, but Hooper’s judge may have been a combination of the Bulldog and Terrier type breeds used for fighting. Hooper weighed almost 30 pounds (13.5 kg). Hooper was bred with French Bulldogs which created the Boston Terrier, a smaller dog weighing around 20 pounds that we commonly see today.

The breed was first shown in Boston in the late 19th century and became a part of the American Kennel Club in 1893. The Boston Terrier was the first non-sporting dog bred in the United States of America.

Originally bred to fight, Boston Terriers have tempered their aggressive ways over the years of being bred for human company. They are not meant to be outdoor dogs as they are too dependent on human company.

boston terrier health

Most Boston Terriers will be healthy. Be sure to discuss any health concerns with a certified breeder or shelter staff when selecting your puppy or adult dog. However, there are some common health problems among the breed.

– Reverse snorts, snorts or sneezes are common due to the short snout of dogs. Treatment is usually not necessary.

– Cataracts, Cherry Eye (a prolapsed eye gland) or eye injuries due to the large, bulging eyes characteristic of the breed. Treatment may require surgery for cataracts and cherry eye. Antibiotics may be prescribed if the eye receives blunt or acute trauma.

– Skin, contact or environmental allergies may occur. Treatment consists of removing the allergen from the environment and from the dog, if possible, and may include treatment with medications for symptomatic relief.

– Irregularity in the way the heart pumps blood effectively. Treatable with medication and possible surgery depending on the dog’s age, health, and the size (or degree) of the murmur at the time of diagnosis. Your vet can advise you on the best treatment for your individual situation.

– “Roaching”, a curvature of the spine. It can affect any dog ​​to varying degrees. Consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment options. Middle causes may not require any special care, just unconditional love!

– Because these dogs have a short snout, they are less effective at regulating their body temperature through panting, for example. The short snout can make them more susceptible to extreme weather changes.

– All dogs pass gases. This breed has a reputation for flatulence. A controlled diet and small, frequent meals can help. Consult your veterinarian for advice on your dogs diet and digestive system if he is concerned.

Boston Terrier Exercise Needs

These dogs require low to moderate daily exercise, 2 short walks minimum. They prefer to live indoors, they make great apartment dogs, enjoying lying down close to you while you read or have tea. They are not suitable for active, super-sporty lifestyles, as their bradychephalic nose (short nose) makes these dogs very sensitive to excessive physical activity or high temperatures.

Some people have chosen to track their dog’s fitness with the FitBark, a discreet wearable device that constantly monitors your dog’s activity, sleep, and nutrition, and is breed-specific. FitBark easily pairs with your Fitbit, Apple Watch, HealthKit, or Google Fit device to track progress. Researchers and veterinarians have developed a unique algorithm to provide you with real-time quantitative data on your dog’s health. Great for finding out how your dog is really feeling and facilitating communication during follow-up vet appointments.

Everyone wants to know what Boston Terriers are like with children.

This breed loves children of all ages and enjoys playing with them. As a low maintenance pet, they are generally great for families with busy schedules and young children. For families with older children, they provide a dog with enough responsibility for teens to have responsibility, while also having plenty of time to enjoy the excitement of the dog’s company. A great introduction for adulthood.

These dogs are a small breed which makes them one of the best family dogs. Their unique coloration gives them a noble appearance. Their cute and fun character makes them suitable for children and adolescents of all ages.

Do you have a boston terrier? Tell us why they are the best family dogs?

Texas cabin rentals are a great option for a southern vacation. Texas has a varied landscape, including hills, mountains, beaches, deserts and forests, all great settings for a cabin vacation. The key to getting the most out of your vacation rental is to determine in advance what aspects of the vacation are important to you and we guarantee that you will be able to secure those necessities at the right price. Take a look at the following guide to help you book your next cabin rental:

1. Consider the location.

This is a bit of a chicken-or-egg scenario, but you need to decide which area in Texas you want to visit, and of course, which area is conducive to a good cabin setup. For example, hills and remote areas, such as the Hill Country area in Leakey, Concan, and Uvalde County, are often suitable for different resistant rentals. Areas near and/or on rivers are also ready to rent cabins in Texas. The Frio River is a great example of an idyllic place to rent cabins.

2. Decide what kind of services you would like.

The different accommodations come with a wide range of amenities. Very basic primitive structures may be better for those on a budget or those looking for a more “aggressive” vacation. These include hunters, hikers, and campers. Hunting in Texas can vary by location. Deer season is particularly fruitful in almost any area of ​​Texas, but especially in the mountainous parts of Central Texas and the forested areas of East Texas. Some cabins come fully equipped and are advertised as deluxe cabins. These often come equipped with whirlpool tubs and more comfortable kitchens and decorations. And, of course, there are always the intermediate cabins that are not very sturdy and not very luxurious. These are generally perfect for families. Size should also be considered a comfort. If you’re going in a group, check out cabins located next to each other or larger multi-family homes. Sleeping arrangements can help gauge the size, with fold-out sofas and bunk beds providing ideal spots for children.

3. Contact local tourist centers and visitor bureaus.

If you are having trouble deciding which Texas cabin rentals are reputable and which ones would be right for your situation, you should consider contacting your local visitor bureaus, chamber of commerce, and resorts. These are tried and true information hot spots. Locals generally run these stations and will be able to point you in the right direction. Additionally, staff must be able to confirm whether a company is in good standing. Also, if you’re having a hard time deciding which area of ​​Texas to book your vacation in, these local offices should be able to tell you what there is to do in the area.

4. Determine what activities are available.

Vacation possibilities are endless in Texas. Cabins are suitable for many different activities, but to choose the best possible option for you, you need to think about the purpose of your trip. Outdoor and nature trips are an option. Texas has a large state park system, with more than 95 parks. Areas with water are also ideal, with lakes predominating in North Texas, Central Texas, and East Texas. Check out the hiking and fishing options in the area. Wine tours, music festivals, river sports, and group camping are also great ways to spend a vacation. The type of cabin you insure should completely depend on how you want to spend your days.

5. Look for deals online.

Last but certainly not least, look online for different offers and specials. Off-season times of the year and weekdays are particularly smart times to book if you’re interested in saving some money. And again, check with local businesses for recommendations, coupons, and special offers for cabin rentals in Texas.

When it comes to selecting a dog breed, size does matter. If you are looking for a dog that is neither big nor small, just wait and check out the information below to get a better idea. While any size dog works for you, many would-be pet owners find themselves in a Goldilocks storybook reviewing the “perfect,” “too cold,” and “too hot” treats. When trying to make a decision on the best dog for you, size really does matter and there’s nothing wrong with taking the “somewhere in the middle” approach by selecting a dog that’s neither big nor small. In fact, there are some really great dogs out there that are just the right size to fit the bill. We have compiled a list of the best medium sized dog breeds that can surely play a huge role in your life.

border collie

This incredibly intelligent dog is one of the most athletic and fastest dog breeds in the world. He is great with children, he is a great runner and his herding instinct means he is known for keeping the cat in check. He measures up to 22 inches at the shoulder and his weight does not exceed 45 pounds.

english springer spaniel

Amazing things come in packs for medium sized dog breeds and this truly friendly pooch is no exception. The English Springer Spaniel is normally used for hunting game birds. He is willing, agile, obedient and learns little quickly. This breed is also great with children and makes one of the best companion dogs. Dripping wet, it weighs about 50 pounds and stands up to 19 inches tall.

Beagle

One of the most laid back dog breeds out there, this cheerful little breed is always happy to share his thoughts about the world and is known for having a pretty loud bark and bark. The breed is an amazing family dog ​​with sweet and attractive brown eyes. For such a vocal dog, their weight is usually under 25 pounds and they are up to 15 inches tall.

portuguese water dog

This playful dog breed is medium in size and gained superstar status when he became the first official White House dog a few years ago. The breed loves the water and was even bred to keep sailors company when they were out at sea. The Portuguese Water Dog lands on the larger side of “medium” at around 60 pounds with 23 inches in height.

Cocker

With big soulful eyes, this sweet little darling makes a wonderful companion dog. Like most dogs, it was initially developed for hunting and, in particular, to chase away birds. Today, this affectionate Cocker Spaniel dog breed settles comfortably into any family unit. His weight is less than 30 pounds and a height of about 15 inches.

Bulldog

This sturdy little beauty with the iconic underbite is one of the most visually lively medium sized dogs. Despite his intensity, he is actually with a jowls eye a fairly loyal companion breed who loves nothing more than staying with you on the couch. Bulldog stands 15 inches tall and weighs up to 45 pounds.

poodle

This breed of dog is one of the most intelligent dogs and quite easy to train. His gentle nature belies the reality that he was also bred to hunt and retrieve waterfowl. This beauty is affectionate and friendly with children and other animals. Poodle weight is approximately 60 pounds and height is 27 inches.

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

Despite his goofy and playful nature, this intelligent dog breed possesses an eager-to-please personality, making him easier to train than most other terriers. Despite his somewhat crazed appearance, his super soft, curly coat doesn’t shed much, making him ideal for people with allergies. His weight is no more than 45 pounds and he is about 20 inches tall.

standard schnauzer

He is a distinctive dog and is also intelligent, handsome, devoted to his family, and like the Wheaten and Poodle, he is a short dog. This affectionate little dog belongs to a working-class breed that was used for tracking, retrieving, and herding on water and land. It’s no wonder the Standard Schnauzer has stayed fit all these years, weighing in at about 45 pounds and standing 20 inches tall.

Whippet

While this agile dog can reach speeds of up to 35 mph, he is brilliant just running after balls, catching Frisbees, or even working as a therapy dog ​​breed. Whippet is friendly, caring, and a big fan of sitting on the couch with his best friend. He weighs about 40 pounds at his height of 22 inches.

Thean Hou Temple is fairly new, having been completed in 1987 and officially opened in 1989. The temple is owned and run by the Hainan Association of Federal Territory and Selangor, which is a clan association for people of Hainanese descent, which They come from Hainan province in China. This temple was built by the local Hainan community and is dedicated to Goddess Tian Hou, or Heavenly Mother.

Near the outer entrance is the white statue of Kwan Yin, the famous Goddess of Mercy. There is a place for devotees to kneel down to touch the water that comes out of Kwan Yin’s magic jar. One could even see devotees trying to splash themselves with the holy water.

Beside him is a smiling old man holding a book and a cane. He is the Chinese deity of marriage, or a Chinese Cupid, if you prefer. This heavenly matchmaker is called Yue Xia Lao Ren, or ‘the old man in the moonlight’. Instead of using arrows like Cupid, he uses a piece of red thread that is tied to the feet of the man and woman. In fact, the red bag on the left is his bag of red strings. The book he is holding is the book of destiny; lists who he will meet and when he will marry. This deity is very popular with young people, who often offer him sweets and chocolates in exchange for the perfect match.

In the small garden on the left are the statues of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. There is the rat, the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the ram, the monkey, the rooster, the dog and the pig. As with the Western zodiac, the Chinese believe that people born in a particular year will take on the personality of the animal. But the Chinese lunar calendar starts on the Chinese New Year, which usually falls in January or February. So, if you were born in January or February, depending on the year, there is a chance that your zodiac is the one that precedes it. The best way to find out your zodiac is to check the Chinese calendar, which you can check online. According to a Buddhist legend, Lord Buddha summoned all the animals on earth to bid him farewell, but only twelve animals appeared. To reward them, the Buddha named each year after him, according to the order in which they had arrived, beginning with the rat and ending with the pig.

The Thean Hou Temple’s main entrance arch is a sight to behold. Above, there is a red sign with Chinese calligraphy. Unlike English, Chinese words are read from right to left and from top to bottom. The three words say ‘Tian Hou Gong’, which means ‘Palace of the Queen of Heaven’. If you look closely at the little characters on either side of the words, they tell you the name of the writer and when it was written. In Chinese calligraphy, writing is not just writing. It is an artistic skill, and each piece of writing is a work of art. In fact, it is said that the personality of a writer is reflected in his writing. On the right pillar, there are more Chinese characters. They are too poetic to be translated, but very vaguely, they urge us to praise the humility of the King of Heaven and that all bear his name with reverence. The pillar on the left exposes the goodness of the Queen of Heaven, that she defends those who suffer and that she is always present in times of danger. This type of greeting is important in Chinese architecture and each temple has its own unique greetings. If you get a chance to visit other Chinese temples, ask the locals to translate these wise words for you.

After going up the stairs, one will find themselves in a large courtyard, surrounded by many red pillars on all sides. A very unique feature of Chinese architecture is the concept of open space. Many do not realize that the patio is inside the building facing the outside. This is a very typical feature of Chinese architecture, and many temples are built like this. The courtyard is surrounded on all sides by several interconnected pavilions. This is often referred to as the ‘well of heaven’ because the roofs form a small opening to the sky. The width of the building is more important than the height and depth, which gives the width of the building a visual impact. The color red is used here very liberally, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. The spectacular orange and green ceiling, with its intricate carvings and large decorations, has various tiny objects lined up in a row at the corners of the upward curving ceilings.

There are many statues of dragons and phoenixes. The phoenix is ​​often paired with the dragon, symbolizing yin and yang. A common description of the phoenix is ​​that it has the head of a golden pheasant, the beak of a parrot, the body of a mandarin duck, the wings of a roc, the feathers of a peacock, and the legs of a crane. The phoenix is ​​a symbol of virtue and grace, power and prosperity. It is said to be a gentle creature; so soft that his feet don’t crush anything and he only eats dew drops. It usually represents the female part of yin and yang, and in ancient times, only the Chinese empress can use the phoenix as her symbol. There is also the whooping crane, which is the most important bird in Chinese culture after the phoenix. Cranes are believed to be immortal, symbolizing longevity.

Nearby are the magnificently carved gray pillars with dragons coiling towards the sky. While in the West, dragons are considered evil, Chinese dragons represent power, might, and control over water. In yin and yang terminology, the dragon is yang, or male; while the phoenix is ​​yin, or female. Dragons have their own hierarchy, and to know where the dragon is, count the number of claws. The highest order is the five-clawed dragon, followed by the four-clawed dragon and the three-clawed dragon. Since the five-clawed dragon is considered an imperial dragon in China, the farther it went from China, the fewer claws it had. This is why Korean dragons have four claws and Japanese three. And since Malaysia is considered an offshoot of China, it is only allowed to use four claws on its dragons. In ancient times, the misuse of the number of claws was considered treason, and the entire clan of the offender could be executed.

In the main sanctuary, there are three giant statues. They may look quite similar at first glance, but if you look closely, you’ll see that they are different.

On the left is the Goddess of the Coast. According to legend, on the island of Hainan in southern China, one day a fisherman caught driftwood in his net while he was fishing. He brought it back and strange things started to happen. The driftwood would turn into a girl every sunset. Her face would shine with an expression of benevolence. Soon the fisherman decides to build a temple using the driftwood as a centerpiece. However, he couldn’t decide on the best place to build it. As the villagers look to the sky for clues, a boy suddenly ran out of the crowd to another village eight miles away. The boy then pointed out the Qing-Lan Port waterfront, and they finally found the temple site.

The goddess in the center is Mazu, the goddess of the sea who protects sailors and fishermen. She is widely worshiped in the coastal areas of China and Southeast Asia, where many communities of seafarers live. According to legend, she was a real life person, born in 960 AD. C. as a girl named Lin Moniang. When she was born, she didn’t cry; hence her name, which means ‘silent girl’. She had many associations with the sea. One story of hers tells of her in a bright red dress, standing on the shore during bad weather to guide the fishing boats home. Another story told that she dreamed of her father and her brother, both fishermen, during a thunderstorm. But her mother woke her up at the exact moment she was rescuing her brother in her dream. As a result, only her father returned home. There were also many legends about her ability to accurately predict the weather, which saved many fishermen from drowning. At the age of 28, she climbed a mountain and flew to heaven, and she became the Heavenly Queen, or Thean Hou, the name of this temple. Although we are now about two hours from the sea, the Hainanese still built this temple in her honor to take care of her community. After her death, there were countless reports of a strange girl carrying a red lantern to guide ships home in stormy weather. Today, UNESCO has designated the Mazu belief as ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’.

The last goddess is the goddess Kwan Yin, or popularly known as the Goddess of Mercy. The name Kuan Yin is short for Kuan Shiryin, which means “hear the cries of the world”. Highly revered by Buddhists, Kwan Yin’s story is long and complicated. Revered even in Vietnam, Indonesia and Japan, the stories of Kuan Yin have many connections with Taoism, Buddhism and Chinese culture. There are hundreds of stories about Kuan Yin, from healing the sick to saving the Dragon King’s son, saving animals and protecting crops; they all tell essentially the same thing: their compassion.

In the area in the middle of the room are some cylindrical shaped objects with red buttons and a bunch of sticks. They are the ‘kau chim’ oracles, or in English, Chinese Fortune Sticks. Many Chinese use these fortune sticks to predict their destiny for the coming year. First, shuffle the suits while clearing your mind. Then take the whole bundle of sticks, hold them up and put them back in the container. Look for the singular stick that sticks out – this stick carries your fortune. If a few sticks stick out, try again until only one stick sticks out of the package. Then look at the number that is written on the stick and find that number in the appropriate drawer. Each drawer contains strips of paper where your fortune is written for the year. That is your destiny for the year. I hope it is full of prosperity, or as the Chinese say, full of ‘fook’. Even if you don’t believe in it, it’s a fun thing to do.

On the balcony you can get a good view of the temple. The ends of the balcony are made up of some tiny objects: an old man sitting on a fish, followed by three Chinese mythical animals. The old man is Jiang Tai Kung, a highly revered historical figure and military strategist. One story says that he was fishing for three days and three nights, but to no avail. Finally, he caught a fish, and when he cut the belly of the fish, he found a cloth that prophesied that one day he would be a great military strategist. There is a popular story of him holding a bamboo stick with the hook hanging over the water, rather than letting it sink into the water. His reason was that the fish will come to him when they are ready. This act inspired the Chinese saying that good things come to those who wait. Therefore, he is often depicted sitting on a fish.

The second mythological animal is the Qilin, which is said to bring serenity whenever it happens. It is often mistakenly called the Chinese unicorn. A Qilin is a kind creature that can walk on grass without stepping on the blade, but breathes fire when confronted by an evil person.

The third mythological animal is the Chinese roc, which has the body of a bird but the legacy of a goat with scales like a fish. And the fourth is the famous Chinese lion, which has protective powers. They usually stand at the gates of imperial palaces and temples.

Back at the main shrine, there is a ladder to the left that leads to the turtle pond. The turtle is one of the four celestial emblems – along with the dragon, the phoenix and the white tiger – that guard the constellation. The tortoise guards the north, the phoenix guards the south, the dragon guards the east, and the white tiger guards the west. Of these four animals, the turtle is the only real life animal, so here you have the opportunity to see many of them in the turtle pond.

There is also an interesting shop selling religious items on the ground floor for tourists to buy souvenirs.