Natalia Popovici answers:

I had the same problem only i have two cats. I went to walmart and for $50 i bought the bissell bagless powerforce. It has removeable washable filters too. I empty the dirt cup(big size too) and wash the filters each time since it picks up so much hair and stuff. It’s amazing to see the real color of my rugs underneath all the cat hair… If it lasts me a couple of years i’ll be happy and it has a 2 yr warranty on it- so far so good knock on wood.

Natalia Popovici answers:

Most do

Natalia Popovici answers:

Actually yes, they do. You should be cleaning out your filters every couple months. You can call Dyson technical support and they will walk you through step by step how to do it. After you reinstall everything after it dries.. You’ll be surprised how much better it works when cleaned.

And Tech support w/ the Dyson line is free!

Natalia Popovici answers:

I dunno what model you have, but most Dysons are brushless. Hell, maybe they all are, I can’t be bothered to find out. BLDC motors don’t arc out unless the electronic commutator has died. The thing is, they rarely work after that. Motors with brushes can arc a bit upon start if the brushes are going bad and need to be replaced. Call Dyson support, I guess. They don’t just post engineering diagrams on the net.

I guess you could have a winding arcing to ground…I’d just have to see it. Sorry, just call Dyson.

Natalia Popovici answers:

Don’t waste your money on a Dyson, YIKES.

Try the HOOVER WIND TUNNEL, they work great, and can usually be found on sale. I paid about $150.00 for mine, and I love it, 3 years now and no problems at all.

Natalia Popovici answers:

Gnome Town: Tips & Cheats: GnomeTown tips, tricks and cheats
Build your very own Gnome Town where you’ll explore the forest, farm mushrooms, construct buildings and raise beautiful butterflies.

Gamersunite.coolchaser.com/topics/70835-gnometown-gnometown…cheats ·

Natalia Popovici answers:

You just answered your own question?

Natalia Popovici answers:

Hi! Congratualtions that you are going to Walt Disney World it will be a Great and Memorable Experiance for Everyone!!
1. At Disney World there are 4 parks : Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Now these are my list for The Must Sees of Each Park.

Magic Kindgom:
Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Moutain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted mansion, All of the rides in FantasyLand, Space Mountain, Buzz Ligtyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and the Laugh Floor Comedy Club. And Fireworks show: Wishes
Epcot:
Universe of Energy, Honey, I shrunk the Audience, Living with the land, Test Track, Soarin’ (really don’t miss Soarin’ or u will regret it later), Turtle Talk with Crush (Everybody going on the trip will love this attarction), and most of the World Showcase. For the kids they have a cool activity where they can learn about all differnt cultures while experiencing World Showcase!
Fireworks: Illuminations: Reflections of the Earth
MGM Studios:
The Twilight Zone – Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, The Great Movie Ride, Star Tours, and Muppet Vision 3-D (sounds corny but really cool)
Shows: You need to see Beauty and the Beast- Live on Stage the girl will love this show- Trust me
Fire Works: Fantasmic! You also need to see this fire works show, Everybody in your party will love it. It is full of magic and u can’t miss it! U have to promise me.. I am just joking but, Really don’t miss it ok?
Animal Kingdom:
Dinosaur, Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safaris (You get to see real animals, everybody will love it), It’s Tough to be a Bug!, Expedition Everest (seriousaly if u miss this you will be missing out on the BEST roller coaster ever)
Shows: Finding Nemo- The Musical (The girl and little boy will love this but not really the older boy, so may be u guys could split up) Another Show: Festival of the Lion King
2. The only trick my family uses is to use Fast Pass! It is a machine outside rides where u put your park ticket in and gives a slip of paper back. It gives u a time to come back and then put u in a seperate line to get to the ride faster. Another way to utilize time to not wait in the long lines try back later!
3. There really is no way to save money on dining if u don’t have the Dining plan except to just bring snacks in the park. For example my family brings granola bars, gold fish, and other snacky foods in the park with us. Then we don’t have to buy the $5.00 popcorn. Also, if u have snacks with u like in a back pack then when u are waiting in lines, you can take them out and eat them while waiting.
4. Since u guys are staying on Disney Property ( It means your hotel is on Disney Property) you have the option to use Extra Magic Hours. These are simply just extra hours before or after park closing for people staying on Disney Owned Property. So you can go on rides that may be you didn’t get to go on earlier. This is a really good feature to use after the park closes!! Or you guys could go to Downtown Disney and do some shopping for souveniors, play games at DisneyQuest, or go get something to eat at some of the amazing dining places.
5. Use Fast Pass and Extra Magic Hours, i can’t stress that enough!! To get to and from the Parks you guys can use the Disney run buses, that is what my family uses and they work out great!! One last thing to make this trip memorable is to use Disney’s Photo Pass. They are cast members with camaras that take pictures and scan them on a card. Then after your vacation you go on the computer with your card number and look at all the pictures. After that u can choose if u want to buy any.. But even if u don’t want any pictures use it just in case. You never know if that Cinderella picture looked Fabulous? Ok Sorry so the one before this really wasn’t the last suggestion but here it goes. I need you to read Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World Guide. It will help with everything that you might not get. Please read it before your trip and Trust me It will be the Best Trip!! (oh, and don’t be one of those people walking around with it in there hand, just read it beforehand and everything will be fine) And Don’t forget there is always a cast member at Disney World, so if u have a question just ask them at the park.

Natalia Popovici answers:

Your teacher is dumb and clearly has never had to do menial work before landing his teaching job. I bet his parents paid for his new car and his whole college education. Some people have to work at these menial jobs while paying for their own education and saving to buy things like new cars (or used!). Waitresses are paid $2.83 where I live, they do NOT receive a paycheck BECAUSE THEY PAYCHECK IS ‘VOID’ AS THERE IS ONLY ENOUGH TO COVER THE TAXES/SOCIAL SECURITY that is taken out of the average Americans paycheck. Waitresses have an abundance of side work that they are assigned to do during their shift, and often AFTER their shift is even over, meaning if you are scheduled from 10-6, upon arrival you begin your side work for the day, this includes things like filling all ice bins (which requires 6 -8 containers full of 6 gallons of ice – or 25 pounds – that’s back and forth from the kitchen to the ice containers at EVERY drink station, there are 5 in the restaurant I work at. I fill every one of them, several times each shift, while waiting on tables. We also do ‘beautification’ stupid word, I know, but that includes WIPING DOWN THE BLINDS ON THE WINDOWS EVERY MORNING, wiping down the tables, sweeping the entire restaurant, wiping the crumbs out of the “butt cracks” – the crevice behind the cushion of your booth -which gets FILTHY, and in some restaurants the wait staff is responsible for cleaning the bathrooms, I have worked at some! Next you do your portion of dishes, usually 3 -4 containers EACH of glasses, plastic cups, bar glassware, plates, and silver ware. Then you roll 2 whole containers of silverware, which is about 150 place settings. You set your tables for the first customers. You wipe down every condiment container. You wait on customers all day, you get burned on hot plates, and I mean SEVERE burns, you keep going and don’t bitch too much. You are responsible for making the unsweetened tea and the sweetened tea for each drink station, there are 5 where I work, remember. That’s 5 – 6 gallon containers carried back and forth to each station- throughout the day, changed as needed. During your shift you deal with assholes and losers, people trying to mac on you and people that are just plain rude. It’s emotionally trying. You’re sweaty and sad but you have to smile and make the customer happy, pandering to them obsequiously so that MAYBE they’ll tip you 20% on their bill. Towards the end of your shift, you start to do ALL of your side work duties again – roll more silverware, do more dishes, change out the tea, wipe condiment containers, refill straws and napkins, wipe tables, sweep your section, wipe dirty blinds, fill ice containers at each station. Often your shift has been long over before you even finish your side work, at that point you’re not working for tips, you’re working for that $2.83 that is VOID. SOMETIMES, you get CUT from your shift EARLY, after you’ve done much of your morning side work and beautification, meaning you came in to BEND OVER and let them F**k you while you cleaned their blinds and set their tables, rolled silverware when you don’t even get to stay and make tips because it’s SLOW.
Your teacher is a fu*k*ng idiot. And GOD FORBID someone gets a hair in their food, it’s all YOUR fault then, even if it’s clearly the pubic hair from the face of a cook.

And as for the cooks being paid more money; their jobs are just like ours. They have a WHOLE lot of side work that they do while they cook. They are under pressure and they work hard, they are good to us and we are good to them, we all try to work together. Cooks get paid an hourly wage though. You do the math, it’s a toss up as to whose job sucks more.

The trick is to work together and lean on your co-workers, it’s tough work and it takes a lot of will to be in this industry. You have to stay optimistic and not let dumb f*c*s like your teacher get you down as a waitress. It’s a hustle and if you’re not on top of your game, you’re the one getting hustled, for a VOID check.

Natalia Popovici answers:

Don’t dance during the singing portion of your audition. There will be a separate dance audition if dancing is required.
With all due respect, Scarlett O’Hara is not a good audition monologue. Choose a monologue which is spoken by a character near your own age. The monologue should not exceed 2 minutes in length and shorter will be fine. The monologue should be thoroughly memorized, so you won’t have to worry about the memorization when you’re auditioning–you’ll probably be a little nervous.
Here’s a tip about auditioning: the people you’re auditioning for want you to be good. They are sitting there hoping you knock their socks off! (I’ve directed plays and I know a lot of other people who direct and we all feel the same way about it.) Walk in there and perform for your “new friends” who want you to be wonderful!

Natalia Popovici answers:

You know me – I don’t have single favourites. But some of the pieces I love which don’t find their way into concert programmes often enough – or at all (unless I programme them!) are:

Barber – Capricorn Concerto
Bartók – Cantata profana
Bax – The Garden of Fand
Beethoven – Symphony No 4 (why this doesn’t get played more, I’ll never know!)
Frank Bridge – Oration (one of the best cellos concertos there is!)
George Dyson – Violin Concerto (if you like the Elgar concerto, you’d like this)
Enescu – Octet (the 17-year-old’s genius pours out of every bar)
Holst – Egdon Heath (his masterpiece)
Grainger – Green Bushes (one of the cleverest, wittiest passacaglias you’ll ever hear)
Griffes – The White Peacock
Handel – La Resurrezione (one of his wonderful early oratorios written in Rome in his early 20s)
Honegger – Symphony No 2 (simply wonderful)
Ibert – Escales (Ports of call)
Korngold – Sinfonietta
Kraus – Symphony in E flat
Lyadov – The Enchancted Lake
Mozart – Incidental music to ‘Thamos, King of Egypt’ K 345
Myaskovsky – Cello Concerto (the ‘Russian Elgar’ cello concerto)
Prokofiev – In Autumn Op 8 (wonderful early Rakhmaninovian tone poem)
Franz Schmidt – Symphony No 4
Stenhammar – Serenade Op 31
Stravinsky – Scherzo à la Russe (what fun!)
Takemitsu – Tree Line
Tchaikovsky – Symphony No 3 (Polish)(my favourite of the 6 – never gets played)
Erkki-Sven Tüür – Show (Action; Passion; Illusion)
Vaughan Williams – 5 Variants of ‘Dives and Lazarus’
Vivaldi – Nisi Dominus

Sorry I’ve cheated so badly but there are just SO MANY neglected pieces of music.

Natalia Popovici answers:

AC uses more electricity than a fan. And screens can be taken off a window.Now here is a couple of solutions to your problem.
1. You can close the registers in the living room, kitchen, and dining room. That will cause those rooms to heat up.
2. Here is the best Blade less fans on the market check out the hot/cold fan by Dyson. Http://dyson.com/fans/

Natalia Popovici answers:

I bought a 2-year-old house, and had it done immediately. I also had a dust problem. My feeling is that it should be done once, to remove construction debris and dust. Lots of workers use the heat registers as their dumping ground during construction, and they need a thorough cleaning.
Once it has been done, I would not do it again unless renovation work is performed, creating an unusual amount of dust. Over the life of the house, dust WILL gather in the ducts where airflow is slow, but it will remain in those places. I don’t believe there is any good reason to disturb it, since it’s just going to remain there, and any effort to remove it is going to put some of it back into the air again. The one exception would be for homes where people with hypersensitivity to allergens live.
Once I had the ducts cleaned, I sealed all the duct-work joints, in order to keep airflow as high as possible, and I leave my furnace fan running at ALL times in order to keep air running through the furnace air filtering system.
The other step I took to reduce dust was painting the basement’s concrete floor. This has to be done in the summer so that all the basement windows can be left open. Concrete paints have nasty fumes. I also placed a box fan in one of the windows, pushing air out, and drawing fresh air in from a window at the opposite end. By doing it this way, the basement has lower air pressure, rather than higher, so that the fumes would not be forced upstairs.

Natalia Popovici answers:

Dyson can be troublesome and bagless cleaners are a novelty ignored by the top makers. Ever tried emptying one into an outside bin in even a light breeze? If you want something really good go for a top make like Sebo or Miele, who have websites. With vacs. You really get what you pay for, unless you pay for novelty. But no vac. Is designed to tolerate more than picking up dust, fluff food fragments etc. In the trade they are reckoned to receive more abuse and neglect that any other appliance. Many sent for repair have been jammed by a solid object or filter maintenance ignored.

Natalia Popovici answers:

I know this machine! Its shite. Very likely its the mains cable spool assembly which has cheap contacts internally. The only way to get to em is to effectively gut the thing, which is accomplished by taking off the bag compartment cover and removing all the screws, then flip the beast over and remove 2 screws (could be 3—dont really remember) and then the whole cowboy rig falls into several pieces. Probably better to remove the spool completely and use a couple of screw down wire connectors to reattach the mains. If screws arent present, then its the snap together kind. The rules of repair state…

If it sticks or jams, then force it! If it breaks, then it needed to be replaced anyway….

But, honestly mate. This machine sucks—that is to say it does not produce much of a vacuum. Might be better to hit the resale shops and find a good dyson can vac.

Natalia Popovici answers:

Showing is very fun! Just remember that it is all for fun and don’t feel pressured. Just ride like you are riding in the pasture or in your riding school’s arena.

You should have a halter showmanship outfit and a hunt seat outfit. In my early years of showing, if I recall correctly (I was around ten), I showed in halter for a very short time. I wore a Western show shirt, black jean-pants, a Western belt, some nice cowboy boots, and a nice cowboy hat. The standards may have changed since then, though. A hunt seat outfit consists of a hunt coat (black is the most popular color and looks good with any color of horse), a white show shirt, white or tan breeches, an English belt, field boots (tall black English boots), and a velvet hunt cap or helmet. Your hair should be tucked neatly according to length under the hat/helmet.

If you are using your own saddle, bring it. It is probably a good idea to bring a fleece show saddle pad that fits your saddle as well. You can clean and oil it a day or two before the show (store it inside). Look it over well to make sure nothing is broken or worn through.

Everyone will be in sort of a rush and there will be lots of activity, depending on the show. Horses and riders will be schooling and people will be bathing and grooming their horses. Just remember to stay calm and don’t be nervous! Have fun and you will do great!

Good luck and have fun!

Natalia Popovici answers:

A few more years? You will spend at least four years as an undergrad, more if you want to go to grad school. After that, you will have to find enough money to buy facilities, for breeding, training, or both. You’ll also have to slowly build a good reputation. Most people would rather go to a trusted trainer than a newbie, even if the more experienced trainer is more expensive. I’m not trying to be discouraging, but you should have a realistic idea of what you’d be getting into.
What you make as a trainer or breeder depends on how good you are, and on what people in your area are willing to pay. If you have good healthy horses, it doesn’t matter if they aren’t pedigreed, but it is easier to keep track of genetic problems if they are.
Classes differ from college to college, so its hard to give you advice there. You might benefit from a first aid class given by a local group. Animal science classes might give you good background info, but they don’t focus too much on medical care.

Natalia Popovici answers:

Yes, you can get him neutered at any age. The vet will likely want to run blood tests to make sure he is healthy enough for the surgery. And while no surgery is 100% safe (just like with humans, things can go wrong), neutering is a relatively simple procedure and he should be fine. BTW, the neutering *might* have no effect on his behavior. But it is certainly worth a try. Be aware it takes 4 to 6 months before you’ll see the final effect.

I suggest you get in touch with the pro trainer before trying anything on your own…you might just make things even worse by doing the wrong thing. Even one session should give you some good ideas on how to proceed.

Try the no-pull harness to see if it helps. You can also get a prong collar (I know I’ll get TD’s for that, but if used correctly, it is not cruel and can get some very impressive results). Here is an article on how to properly fit a prong collar: http://leerburg.com/fit-prong.htm . Lots of good info at that site about training, so you might want to browse it.

Natalia Popovici answers:

We rescued 3 mini’s and had good luck with lots of grass hay and soaked beet pulp twice a day. This is all low carb, and the more low carb you can be, the less likely you are to have problems with founder and colic. As they have put on weight, we have now put them on a handful of Strategy, daily wormer, a flake of hay twice a day each, and a scoop of soaked beet pulp.

I am happy to report that 3 months later, they all look good and are ready to begin their new lives as happy companions and have started pulling the mini cart. What fun!

Natalia Popovici answers:

It needs to be one you have produced yourself, not a bought one

Tip: there is a game play forum on the site – it’s much quicker than here and would save losing 5 points lol

Natalia Popovici answers:

Using something called a Dyson Sphere would be one way.

Basically this would involve building a solid sphere the whole way round a star or a complete solar system to capture all of the energy from the star, or black hole etc.

Have a look into the Kardashev Scale. It’s widely used in science fiction and describes the three levels of civilization depending on their power use. Type I (which we haven’t yet reached but your aliens might have if they are using volcanoes) uses all the available power from their own planet. Type II uses all the available power from their star (e.g. By using a Dyson Sphere) and Type III would somehow utilise the entire energy output of a galaxy!

Natalia Popovici answers:

Short answer:
Yes.
Qualifiers:
The current “hip” thing to say given pop culture mentality is: “If we don’t destroy ourselves first.” This is highly unlikely. Even if all nuclear capable nations engaged in all out nuclear war, civilization would still survive. Contrary to popular belief, we do not have the capability to destroy ourselves completely. This also includes environmental damage. I know it is not a popular notion but it is simply the truth. Research into the human genome has determined that at one point that the human race was down to fewer than 5,000 individuals. So, we have survived worse than what climate change and nuclear war can dish out. It is far more likely that of we, the human race, are to be destroyed it will be by an extraterrestrial object such as a comet of asteroid. But we are making progress heading that off. Small progress, but it is gaining momentum due to our recent wake up call.
Time and progress:
The sun will not threaten the Earth for at least another 3.5 billion years by the even the most pessimistic estimate. There is also speculation that the entire Local Group (our immediate galactic neighborhood) will be destroyed by a super massive black hole before then. But that still gives us plenty of time – billions of years.
Given the progress of technology I’m willing to stick my neck out and say that within a short time (say, 3,000 years) we will be capable of manipulation of space / time which will enable us to travel mind-numbing distances in short periods of time – perhaps by means depicted by science fiction such as space folding, stargates, traveling through alternate universes / dimensions etc.
I do not think that this is such a wild claim. 3,000 years ago, our technology would have been mistaken for the work of the gods – totally unfathomable to the science of the times. Just 163 years ago no one had ever turned on an electric light, talked on a telephone or radio, traveled in an automobile and flight was thought to be impossible. Now we are messing with a mysterious particle called the Higgs Boson which could unlock a whole new world of physics.
So, it is likely that given the current rate of technological progress and since the human race has managed to survive to its present state without being wiped out since the first anatomically modern humans arose some 400,000 years ago (by most estimates), I think that in a fraction of that time we will be colonizing other worlds, be it by settling on appropriate planets, terraforming inappropriate ones or constructing space habitats such as a Dyson Sphere.

Natalia Popovici answers:

The Sun has an output of
385 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 Watts
(there should be 24 zeros)

With a 700-Watt microwave oven, you can cook a hot pocket in 1.5 minutes
This is 700*90 = 63,000 Joules of energy for one pocket.

If you built a Dyson sphere to capture the entire output of the Sun, then you would need
385*10^24 / 63,000 = 1.636*10^-22 second to cook one pocket or
if you prefer, you could cook over
6 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 pockets per second
(there should be 21 zeros)

Assuming that only 6 billion people (out of the 7 billion total population) want to help you eat them, that number represents
1 000 000 000 000
hot pockets per person per second.

I don’t know about you, but it takes me roughly 20 seconds to eat one pocket (I CAN eat some faster, but not for long and not with enjoyment).
That is 3 per minute, 180 per hour, 4320 per day (24 hours a day) and 1.5 million per year (with very short breaks for holidays).

1 000 000 000 000 / 1.5 million per year = 666,666.7 years

It would take me over half a million years to eat my share of all the pockets you could bake in ONE SECOND.

And that COULD turn me off hot pockets for a while.

Natalia Popovici answers:

You should put 3 photon leads in here.

Natalia Popovici answers:

This is the events in order.

1: Harvest – Johnson meets covenant, starts war.
2: Halo Wars – follows crew as they try to find out why the covenant took Harvest from them. They stop covenant from getting a huge forerunner ship armada by destroying a minisun inside a dyson sphere.
3: Halo:Reach – Reach is lost, reach was ONI and Spartan military base/training ground.
4: Halo:CE
5: Halo 2 – MC slipspace jumps with Regret to Delta Halo
6: ODST (is a 30-day war on earth while MC is off on Delta Halo – slipspace takes a lot of days)
7: Halo 2 – MC comes back to Earth on Forerunner ship (end of halo 2)
8: Halo 3

Natalia Popovici answers:

First tip, get 2 rats of the same gender. Rats are VERY social animals and need constant companionship. We, as humans, cannot provide them with the 24/7 companionship they require (rats engage in mutual grooming, playing, and so on). Taking care of 2 rats is no more difficult than taking care of 1 and they WILL still bond with you and want to be around you. Rats kept by themselves often become neurotic, which leads to behavioral problems and medical problems caused by such.

That said, a large cage is very important. Keep it out of direct sunlight, drafts, ect. Rats are NOT like hamsters. They’re very intelligent and opportunistic. They get bored very easily and they enjoy solving problems and climbing around. An ideal cage is one made out of metal with the bars spaced closely together so that they can’t squeeze between them. This offers the best ventilation and opportunities to climb. Ideally, it should have 2 levels and a solid bottom (to prevent sores on the rats’ feet). You can fill it with any bedding material you want except cedar (cedar has far too much dust in it and is highly aromatic—it irritates the rats’ delicate respiratory system and sinus)—Sani-Chip bedding is good. Your local feed store should have wood pellets used for horse bedding at a very cheap price—these are highly absorbent, smell nice, and are very low in dust. Because the wood is heat treated it removes any volatile phenols which may increase liver enzymes.

Make sure there’s TONS of toys. A hanging hammock (a ferret hammock) is a favorite hang-out for rats. A piece of twine laced through flavored rawhide (yes, the kind for dogs) are a good toy and helps keep teeth nice and trimmed. Wood hanging toys are also favored, as are thick edible braided ropes, which the rats enjoy climbing on (you can use an edible rope and a hammock to create a 2nd level in a cage if you want). A wheel is also recommended. Make sure the wheel has a diameter of at least 16 inches. Some rats won’t run in the wheel—females tend to use it more often than males (who’re much lazier). Empty toliet paper rolls can also be a fun inexpensive toy. And ‘pea-fishing’ is also fun. Just fill up a dish with luke-warm water, add frozen peas, and rats. The rats will have a blast digging the peas out of the water (and getting drenched in the process).

As for food, rats are omnivores—they can digest most foods–even some chocolate (though it’s best NOT to give it to them because it’s just empty calories and harder to digest). You can make your own food mix for far less than buying some at a store. Most sites will tell you to just feed rodent lab blocks as the staple of your rats’ diet—DON’T. Those lab blocks are made of, mostly, corn, which is a filler with little/no nutritional value. Lab blocks get their vitamins/minerals added in which means they’re not as good as the vitamins/minerals you’ll get from foods which contain them naturally.

Personally, the staple of my rats’ diet is Great Choice Dog Biscuits (multi-flavored– $2/bag @ Petsmart). They have all-natural ingredients and less than 16% protein (which is very important—you could also use a premium dog food that has less than 18% protein). I break the biscuits up into rat bite-size chunks. I mix these pieces in with uncooked vegetable rotini pasta ($1/box @ Walmart) for carbs, plain Cheerios ($3/box @ Walmart) for carbs and fiber, and Puffed Wheat ($1/bag @ Walmart) for more fiber. That blend lasts me about 2 months (depending on how many fosters I have!). I supplement their diet with either fresh herbs, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, green beans, peas, banana, apple, or peach about 2-3 times a week. I also provide some low-sugar low-fat yogurt in small portions every other week. Finally, a stale piece of whole wheat bread soaked in a bit of olive oil does wonders for their fur and seems to help keep the male rat ‘musk’ down. I give that about every 2 weeks or so. Of course I also offer other ‘treats’ too…such as pieces of cheddar cheese, pieces of ham/chicken/seafood and a portion of hard-boiled egg (which they -love-). I offer those when I have them—usually about once a week. Keep in mind I’m only giving them TINY portions–a portion about the size of a quarter or half-dollar. Remember, too much of ANYTHING is not good.

Clean water is also very important. Just make sure it’s cold and changed daily. Offer it in a water bottle.

My only other tip would be to handle your rats often. Let them ‘shoulder surf’ while you do homework or something. Mine enjoy hanging out in my hoodie pocket when I go to the store. They’ll poke their heads out and greet everyone (and freak them out in the process—it’s great). Handle them gently, of course. No tail-grabbing (you can strip the skin off).

Because rats are all about the food, they are easily trained. Make sure you teach them the word ‘treat’ everytime you give them food through the bars of their cage so they won’t automatically bite anything that gets put between the bars.

Natalia Popovici answers:

Couples Game: Like The Newlywed Game
Have one person from each couple leave. The host/hostess tailors some planned questions to the group and to certain couples. The other half of each couple stays, and answers questions about their mate/date. They’re supposed to answer each question the way they think their mate/date would respond. They need to write each answer down, so that when their partner returns he/she can give their own answer to each question. Assign point values for each question that is a match. Then reverse roles of the couples for the next set of questions. The couple with the most points wins a prize. Make sure the prize is something they can share!

Two Truths – One Lie – Get To Know You Game
This is a great game for people who are trying to get to know each other. Everyone sits in a circle and takes turns telling 3 things about themself, one of them is a lie.

Example:
I have been to every continent in the world.
I won’t use green towels.
I once had a ferret but it was killed by my cat.

Then everyone else guesses/votes on which is the lie. It’s really funny to see what people come up with for their lie and you learn a lot of funny truths too.

Don’t Say That Word!
Give each person a sticker to wear on their collar or lapel (or some treat like a flashlight or granola bar) when they arrive. Then make an announcement that any time the word _____ (could be any word that will possibly be said that evening – the name of the company everyone works for, or a soft drink, or any basic word) then the person who hears another person use the word takes the speakers sticker and puts it on himself. At the end of the evening the person with the most stickers or treats wins. People are vigilant in the beginning about saying the taboo word but they soon forget!

Scavenger Hunt
Similar to an Easter egg hunt, (or a Survivor Party ) participants are usually assigned a list of things to find that are hidden around the campsite or in some cases….for miles around! The best treasure hunters are those who come back with the most “loot”, but the object of the most enjoyable hunt is to simply make friends and have fun. Ideas for scavenger or treasure hunts are only limited to your imagination.

Gum Art
Give each participant a piece of bubble gum to chew, toothpick and index card. Allow them 10 minutes to chew the gum, place gum on index card and then design something on index card using only the toothpick as a tool (No Hands). The person with the best and most creative design is the winner. If you have quite a few players you can have several categories of winners, like “most ingenious”, “most creative” and of course the “What is that?” award.

Cheeky-Cheeky
Depending on the number of participants, you may want to pick a few helpers for this icebreaker game. The helpers will all have a small tube of lipstick in their pocket or hidden in their hands before the game starts. They can pretend at the last minute that they decide to join in the game; this helps them to find the person that they would like to stand next to. Have all participants line up in a straight line, side by side, instruct them that they have to look forward and they can’t turn their heads. Tell them that you’re playing the Cheeky-Cheeky game and everyone is to repeat what you do but must not move. Give them an example by lightly pinching the persons cheek on the right of you and say “Cheeky-Cheeky”. You should be at the beginning of the line. Note to them that that person is to do the same and then the next person all the way down the line until it reaches the end. Once demonstrated start out with Cheeky-Cheeky but this time behind your back you have lipstick that you put on your fingertips. After you’ve done Cheeky-Cheeky and the movement has gone down the line then do nosey, nosey. After that do chiny-chiny, eary-eary, heady-heady and right eary-eary. Each time add more lipstick to your finger tips without them noticing. In the process the person next to you should end up with lipstick all over their face. Pick a person that is a good sport to stand next to. If you’ve planted helpers in the line, a few other people should end up with lipstick on their faces also.

Natalia Popovici answers:

For a hamster, it likes to investigate things. So, you might want to try switching up the things inside the cage to make it more interesting.
A teddy bear hamster is the softest, cleanest and sweetest but there are many types. Also, if you’re one to go on long holidays frequently then you might not want a hamster. They’re a long-term commitment.
They need:

Water Bottle/Bowl – The bottles are better because they don’t step in them and have a bath

Pellet Bowl – Heavy and sturdy but low so they don’t tip over

Pellets – On the bag, check the nutrient levels and get the best one you can. I buy different kinds every time so they don’t get a favorite. (If they do, sometimes if they stop making that kind of pellet, they stop eating other kinds.) Get the ones without the kernels of corn or little treats in because your hamster can easily choke on it. Just the healthiest plain pellets they love.

Hay – They don’t have to have this, but they like to roll in it and munch it. Timothy is good for them and a little alfalfa (It’s too rich)

LOTS of fresh fruit and veggies – Apples, celery, cucumber, orange, lettuce, kiwi, almost everything. Check to make sure it IS okay though.

Chewing Toys:

- Toilet paper rolls
- Paper Towel Rolls (works as tubes)
- Paper Bag
- SOME bird toys/cat toys
- PVC pipe
- Plastic pipes
- Little wooden/grass huts
- Stuffies w/o beans or cotton
- Bridges
- Wheels
- Balls that they can run inside
- Igloos
- Straw Mats
- Garden Rocks (Jagged)
- Twigs to chew on

Hay bedding/Sawdust/Towels (No cat litter) – Only towels if you’re willing to change them every 2 days. You should just get a garbage bin and fill it with sawdust when it starts to get low. It’s easiest.

Fresh seeds – They like to chew on them. I’m not sure about Yogi’s Ferret treats but if it’s one of those commercial yogurt drops or fake carrot flavour, then I wouldn’t give it to them. Try getting the alfalfa cubes and then throw some in with the pellets. They love alfalfa but it’s too rich to just give as hay.

Lot’s of attention and love!!! This is the most important. Hamsters love to be watched and cuddled and played with. Make sure you have the time.

You need to clean the cage once or twice a week and I would recommend soaping it up and washing it once a month.

A medium-big size cage – It can have different levels with ramps and a built in wheel (Make sure the bars are spaced close together so they can’t sneak out) Also, make sure the cage comes apart for cleaning.
I once had a hamster who one day decided he wanted to go and explore so he slipped between the bars and ran all over my room. And every night thereafter he ran into my dresser to his own private drawer. It was adorable, but dangerous. My cat finally got to him.

They also like to play out on the grass with you (Don’t let him get away) and on the floor. I would suggest only getting one hamster because they tend to fight unless they’ve been with each other since they were born.

They are full grown at about 6 months – 1 year and if they are about 5-7 inches long, he probably won’t get any bigger.

A good time to take them out would be anytime from 8 in the morning to 7 at night. They would need to be in the shade if it’s hot out. (obviously)

Breeding isn’t “technically” harmful but I wouldn’t encourage it, just because there are too many hamsters out there without homes and also, you don’t want brothers and sisters to mate together.

That’s all I can think of……. Good luck!

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Natalia Popovici answers:

It may hurt a little bit, but it shouldn’t slice the skin nor hurt the bone like some of the larger parrots can do. They can nip pretty hard if they are scared but usually a warning nip doesn’t hurt too much. If he does bite don’t pull back nor cry. You have grab his beak between your thumb and pointer fringer’s knuckle and say NO firmly. If he is hand fed he should adjust quickly, but it if it is a lovebird that was mostly just decoration you may or may not be able to handle him in a week. There are lot pf people that own lovebirds and say they make great pets, but it is only if they are hand fed. Offer millet when you put your hand in the cage. If you have millet hanging in the cage take it out. He will be more likely to go to your hand for it if he can’t already get it in his cage. Move slowly and talk to him in a calm voice. Parrots are hard to keep if you aren’t interested….but it sounds like you are doing everything just fine. Just be patient with him and eventually you will see his true personality.

Natalia Popovici answers:

First off, fish REEK its expensive to get a good tak to slow the smell (100$ for a begenner tank so the smell is less with a filter) i used to have 2 tanks in my room, and the entire house stunk, my mom couldnt take it, fish are very dirty unless theyre tropical, and most tropical fish are expensive on theyre own, like 10$-50$ a fish what cost the most is rocks plants, and filters, and maintaining a filtr isnt cheep either

any rodent smels a lot, except for a few,hampsters actually realy stink. A dog dosnt stink, but im suspecting you want a small pet…cat stink because of liter, birds smell cause of poop, and most bigger rodents (gunnea pigs, ferrets, hampsters, and rats) because of they poop a lot.

Gerbils are actualy proven to smell very little i have two in my room, and my dor is alwatys shut, and it never smells in here…and i have 2! If you have two of any other rodent, your entie house would smell..

My mom has asthmaand she dosnt smellit so thats saying somthing. Gerbils dont ost much, and the best thing to put them in are fish tanks cause they cant hurt their tails, or eat the bars, if you go to a pets unlimited or like pet store and buy a tank, with nothing it it for fish (thats what costs), just the glass tank you can get a pretty big one for 25$ 5$ if its second hand, while a lizard of anytype is 200$ for a starter kit, and the food for the crickets smells somthin awful

the only thing is gerbilshave allergies to a lot of the smelly beddings so they have low oder/dust bedding anyway so less smell,

in my opinion gerbils rock. But as a tip if you get one use the aspen or carefresh beddin, they are allergic to anything else…

Goodluck

Natalia Popovici answers:

I was totally over run with animal hair in our house – it was really a big problem because we had quite a few animals. The best thing that I did was to get a Dyson Animal vacuum cleaner.

It really made a huge difference because it picks up all of the hair, not just some – even the stubborn hair.

It is pricey but it was well worth it because it really does work.

Other than that brushing and bathing is the next best thing and also regular washing of bedding etc – its amazing how much hair gets in that stuff even if they are not on the bed.

If I air dry the laundry (which I often do) I run it through the dryer on low heat for about 10 minutes to take some of the hair off. I find that my front end loader washing machine is great but not so great for hair removal in laundry.

If you can’t get a fancy vacuum cleaner, if you can vacuum daily it may help.

I also put a blanket on the couch where the dog sleeps and wash it as well as the other dog bed/blankets regularly.

One more thing! I bought a square foam thing somewhere that works like magic to get hair off of furniture but I can’t remember what it was called or where. It was probably at a shopping center like Walmart or possibly at a pet store. They may know what it is. It didn’t cost a lot. It looks just like a beige coloured brick but it is foam like.

Natalia Popovici answers:

As I understand, pugs have an overcoat and an undercoat. The undercoat is also called “down” — it’s lots of small hairs right next to the body designed to keep warm air close to the body. I also understand that through genetics, black pugs only have one of these coats, I think the outer coat. (I think the outer coat was bred to be darker and the undercoat was bred out — but i’m not sure on this)

Anyway, black pugs shed less than fawn pugs, apparently. I wish I had known this.

So, how do you keep your pug from shedding? Well, I have a couple techniques. You can try “Shed-X” and brush daily at least once but up to 3 times. Bathe once a week with a “shed control” shampoo. Then vacuum! This is what is meant by “containment.” I now have a dyson 14 animal vacuum, which i highly recommend. The next step after that is to brush frequently. If you can get the hair off in a controlled manner, you’re more likely to get it in the trash can, rather than on your floor or clothes.

I use a furminator along with the standard wire brushes you find in stores. The furminator essentially is a fine tooth comb combined with prongs that cut or pull the hair out. It does a very good job at gripping and thinning hair. However, It’s still not enough. Pugs shed A LOT, especially after a bath.

So, I just had to make a bunch of returns to Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and one of the things we picked up was a barber’s hair shaving kit. I just shaved them to 1/8 inch of hair, and, well, it’s kind of a butcher job (they hate the look, but usually don’t mind getting shaved).

I read online that ground flaxseed was great for reducing shedding, but I have not tried it yet.

Good Luck!

Natalia Popovici answers:

I have a Dyson vacuum. Quite expensive, but has a lifetime guarantee, is bag-less, and gets dog and cat hair up better than any vacuum I have ever had.

I have four cats, two small dogs, and am babysitting my sister’s and my mother’s three dogs; including a German shepherd. I swear that dog is unmatched in her ability to add another layer to my carpet. But sure enough; this vacuum doesn’t leave a trace of hair behind.

Here is a link to the Vacuum (at the best price I’ve found), and the refurbished version of the same Vacuum.

Http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Dyson-DC14-Animal-Upright-Vacuum/1544111/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Dyson-DC-17-Animal-Upright-Vacuum-Refurbished/3037773/product.html

I hope this helps, and if you have any further questions at all on the subject; please feel free to message me and I will be more than happy to assist you.

Good luck!

Natalia Popovici answers:

I also just bought a dc17 animal. I love it! It is the best vacuum I have ever owned and I’ve owned a few vacuums. I bought it about 6 months ago and it still has the same suction power as before, I also like it because I can put it at the bottom of my stairs and take the hose all the way to the top and vacuum the stairs from the top to the bottom.

Natalia Popovici answers:

The Dyson DC 17 is the nicest bagless upright around and will handle your carpets and pet hair with no problem. It will pick up just about everything. Mr. Vac and Mrs. Sew has a great deal on the DC 17. I mean a really really good deal. If you purchase a Dyson DC 17 All Floors from them for only $499.99 (only available on phone special, not the internet) you will receive a Mini Turbine Tool ($69.99 value), a Flexi Crevice Tool ($29.99 value), a Soft Dusting Brush ($29.99 value), a Mattress Tool ($29.99 value), a Multi Angle Brush ($34.99 value) and a Low Reach Tool ($49.99 value) FREE! That is a $244.94 Value. And they do get that kind of money for those pieces. You get everything the Animal gives you plus the Soft Dusting Brush, a Mattress Tool, a Multi Angle Brush and a Flexi Crevice Tool. (the Animal and All Floors are the same machine just one is yellow and one is purple, the difference is the tools they come with). The only thing you don’t get is the Zorb (which almost no one uses anyway). Plus you get for All Floors with all the tools for $50 LESS! I just bought one two days ago because it was such a great deal. They are just getting them in so it will be like three days before they get it in and ship it out. I highly recommend getting this deal and this vacuum. The vacuum is great and the deal is even better. Here is their number (remember you have to call it in in order to get it, they can’t list it on the internet) (If you want to see all the features of the machine just go on mrvacandmrssew.com and look at the Dyson DC17 Animal and imagine it in a yellow color, then subtract the Zorb and add all the extra tools the package comes with, go on Dyson.com to see them all):

1-800-640-8227

Tell Lisa and Joe, Kevin told you about it!

Natalia Popovici answers:

It really all depends on how territorial ur cat is… We have many cats and just introduced 4 ferrets into the household this year. There is NO need to declaw ur cat in worry of an attack, declawing a cat is INHUMANE and i would like to de-fingernail any human who does it to their pet. U can buy plastic covers to go over ur cats claws instead. They are called soft paws. PHEW! Ok, so i got that off my chest.
Anyhow, it would help if both the ferret and the cat were young and brought up together. It takes time for any new pets to get to know one another, but even still, i dont think i would leave the ferret and cat unsupervised together. As much as a ferret CAN hold its own, a cat is a natural hunter and i know many people whos cats have killed their ferrets, as sad as it is, so it isnt worth the risk. If u have the time for a ferret, knowing they need up to 5 hours playtime a day, while they sleep the rest, then u would be able to interact with the both of ur pets, and see how they get along. Our cats just run from the ferrets now when they chase them in play, but a few have swatted at them, and its just not worth the risk, or the vet bills u know? You might want to look into getting a pair of ferrets, some ferrets are best in pairs, some are not, but at least u know ur fert would have a constant playmate (and snuggle buddy) I would suggest as a first time owner, to buy an older ferret, who has already been well handed and wont nip as much as a kit (baby fert), and if u buy thru a welfare organisation as a rescue, these ferrets are already spayed, and if ur in the US, often have had their scent glands removed as well. Ferrets can get quite stinky, but u get used to it after a while and the smell is less noticable once they are spayed and stuff. Lots of factors can contribute to it.
Ill add a few links u might want to look at, give u an idea of what ur getting urself into. Ferrets are a LOT more work than a cat, but soooo worth it, i wouldnt be without my babies. They are such interesting creatures, im still learning more and more about them everyday. If u want to know anything else, just ask. Ferret forums are where i found the most of my info, so maybe join one in ur country/state and check out the website of ur local ferret welfare for some more good reading!

Natalia Popovici answers:

Labradors are WONDERFUL dogs and make great pets. Here is a breakdown of the labrador from my own experience with them.

Grooming – Labs shed a great deal twice a year. Get a furminator. Labs shouldn’t be bathed but twice or so a year. Wipe them off with a wet towel and brush dirt out of their fur. Save the bathing for when they smell bad. Keep their ears clean as they’re prone to ear infections.

Manners – Labs were bred to use their mouths, and use them they will. Absolutely puppy proof your home. Have plenty of good chew toys. Nylabone, Kong, deer antler are all good and a marrow bone and raw hides are good too but you’ll need to supervise the pup with these. A lab will definitely be mouthy with you. Don’t let him think your body is a toy. As soon as your pup’s mouth touches you, squeal and freeze, then redirect his mouth to a good toy. Labs tend to leave puddles around the water bowl. And some drool. Labs are usually fairly food motivated and tend to beg at the dinner table.

What to expect – Labs are generally quick to pick up house training though some take a while longer to “get it.” Around 6 months or so, your cute little pup might start to get rebellious and test your patience. Be prepared for a destructive phase that may last until the puppy is well over a year old. You’ll want to get some toys that can stand up to the roughhousing. If you get a box in the mail, let him shred it. You can also rinse out a milk jug and give it to them to destroy. Get a Buster Cube and feed half of each meal with the buster cube. They have to nose the toy around to get the kibble out and most love it.

Love – You may very well get a velcro dog who follows you all over the house and can’t bear to be away from your side for a moment. They are affectionate and will let you rub their bellies until your hands are numb. This is lovely but you might want to work some separate time in your daily routine. Some Labs are prone to separation anxiety. You will often catch your lab staring at you admiringly and lovingly. Absolutely keep your lab indoors with you. They do not do well left outside.

Energy – Energy levels vary. You get labs who can do nothing but run, run hard, and then run some more. Then there are labs that are good for a 20 minute game of fetch and then crash for a couple of hours. Be sure to ask about the energy level of a pup before you adopt and get one that you can keep up with. (I would recommend pet insurance. Labs will eat anything and are clumsy. VPI is a good one and premiums start at around $25).

Prey drive – some labs do have a high high prey drive. We just had a lab surrendered to our rescue because it killed the family ferret. Mine lives peacefully with 4 cats but will chase anything once outside. A puppy who is raised with cats will do fine, but be prepared to see your lab take off after a bunny or squirrel while on a walk.

I would highly recommend obedience class for any lab. Labs LOVE to earn rewards. They love pleasing their owners. They love mental stimulation and they love to spend time with you. Plus it is a good idea to keep your lab socialized. Some basic obedience can be done by you and there are a lot of how- to books and DVD’s. I like Paul Owens best.

Labradors are FUN and lovely dogs. Keep your mind open and your heart compassionate. Be ready for anything and get some chap stick. Puppy kisses can be rough on your lips. LOL

Enjoy your puppy. Good luck

PS I absolutely agree with going to a reputable breeder. Labs do have a lot of hereditary health problems that good breeders test for before breeding a dog. If you don’t want to spend that kind of money, then look to a rescue group. Don’t buy a dog from just anyone selling a purebred dog.

Natalia Popovici answers:

Your ferret doesn’t need to be caged all the time and feed it ferret food, not cat food. A ferret will sleep about 20 hours a day and when it’s awake it’s very important to play with your ferret. Do not over bathe the ferret…it will dry out its skin. Make sure the ferret doesn’t get fleas because it will cause the ferret to be anemic. Don’t feed the ferret sweets because your ferret cannot metabolize sugars and could end up with a disease called Insulinoma. They DO NOT cover themselves in their own URINE, so do not listen to that myth!!!

Natalia Popovici answers:

Some people are really sensitive to their smell (along with other smells), so for some folks ferrets will always stink no matter what you do – every nose is different. Personally, I don’t notice much of any smell (from the cage or them) and when I do smell my ferrets (when I stick them right under my nose), I like what I smell.

Anyway, here are my tips for controlling odor:
*Feed a good, high quality food – foods high in (meat) protein, low in ash, and contain little to no fish will help make the ferret (and its poo) smell less.
*Scoop the litter box at least twice a day. Wash it thoroughly (empty all litter, wash with hot water and soap, and refill with new litter) at least once a week. It might also help to sprinkle some baking soda in the litter box.
*Wash all bedding and thoroughly clean the cage at least once a week (if you have time to do it more often, go for it). Wash the bedding in the washer with warm water and about one cup of white vinegar – this works great at eliminating the ferrety odor from bedding. You can also use vinegar and hot water to wash the cage or Nature’s Miracle works pretty good, too.
*Wash food bowls and change food often – if your ferret gets the food in the bowls wet, it can spoil and stink.
*Keep their ears and teeth clean (NOTE: Extra stinky ears or teeth can sometimes be a sign of a problem, so keep that in mind).
*Hardwood floors tend to be better than carpet in your ferret’s room (the carpet absorbs their smell just like their bedding). If you do have carpet, sprinkle baking soda over it before vacuuming (to absorb the odors – this is also good for killing fleas if you let it sit for a few days before vacuuming). It would also be a good idea to clean the carpets with a pet-safe shampoo (if you have a carpet cleaner). If you have hardwood floors, it might help to mop them once in awhile (they don’t absorb the odors like carpet does, but keeping everything as clean as possible helps). I use one of those shark mops (it just uses hot water/steam to clean the floor).
*Bathe your ferret as little as possible. So many people decide to bathe their ferret every week or every few days – not only is this not good for the ferret (the soap dries out their skin and makes them itch like crazy), but it also makes them smell worst (their body secretes an oil to moisturize that dry skin – the drier it is, the more they secrete – and that oil is what gives a ferret that musky smell). With regular shampoo, mine were getting one, two at most, baths per year. If you feel they need it more often, consider giving a dirt bath (yes, with real dirt – they don’t come out smelling like cucumber melon, but it does clean them and they do smell pretty fresh afterwards) or an oatmeal soak. This is what I’ve been giving mine – use Aveeno’s 100% natural colloidal oatmeal (you can find it in the bath/beauty aisle of just about any store; you can also try making your own – http://www.pvsoap.com/recipe_colloidal_oatmeal.htm ), fill a tub or sink with warm water and sprinkle in the oatmeal. Let your ferret soak for about ten minutes, then dry him off. The oatmeal is a natural cleanser and it doesn’t dry their skin out like regular shampoo. It’s great for relieving dry, itchy skin (for your ferret AND you!) and it makes their fur super soft. Again, they won’t smell like cucumber melon, but they do come out smelling fresh. I LOVE these oatmeal soaks (I’m always telling people about it!) and I plan on never using anything else on my ferrets.

That’s all that I do for mine and I don’t notice any smell.

Natalia Popovici answers:

Make sure you ferret proof!

Things you will need:

- A Cage – I recommend a Ferret Nation. They are easy to clean and sturdy. Best cage I have owned. Had 4 different kinds.

- A Litter Box & Litter – I recommend pine pellets (horse bedding) for litter. It doesn’t clump so there is no worry of an intestinal blockage. I put newspaper on top of my litter (makes it last longer). The box can be one of the little cat ones from Walmart. They are like 4 bucks. Stay away from corner boxes, ferrets don’t car about them and rarely use them. I use a Sterlite container, because I have several ferrets. I have to have a bigger box.

- Blankets, Hammocks, Bedding – Make sure they have plenty of spaces to sleep and hide.

- Food Dish & Water Bowl/Bottle – My fuzzies prefer a water bowl, but it does get messy if they paddle in it.

-Food – I feed and recommend Totally Ferret Venison, 8-in-1 Crunchy & Mazuri. There are lots of good foods out there that are for ferrets. Feeding a higher quality food will help it smell less.

-Treats – Ferretone, Ferretvite, N-Bone Chewsticks.

- Laxative – Ferret Lax or even plain Petroleum Jelly. If they get a hairball you will need to give them some to help the hairball pass. This wont be needed often.

-Nail Clippers & Quick Stop – They need their nails clipped every 2 weeks. Cat clippers work great.

-Ear Cleaner & Q-tips – They need their ears cleaned every 2 weeks. It helps cut down on the smell, which is where most of the smell generates from.

-Ferret Shampoo – for when they get dirty enough for a bath. Don’t over bathe or they will smell worse. Need a shampoo for ferrets so it doesn’t dry out their skin.

-Flea/Heartworm Protection – I recommend Revolution. Put on topically once a month. Protects against Mites, Fleas, Ticks, & Heartworms.

-Toys – stay away from rubber or you are looking at an intestinal blockage that will require surgery. They have short attention spans so don’t spend too much. They love paper bags!

That’s all I can think of for the moment.

Natalia Popovici answers:

I’m very carefull in investing I have all ready lost cash on the Market and I cryed like a baby too!
The last stock I have been interested in was Dyson
He came out with a great Vacuum Cleaner I have one and now a new fan and I will be getting one of them
I asked my Father what is up with Dyson stocks and should I get in
I don’t believe that this man is just going to up date two things so I would keep an eye on this stock
My Friend I will E Mail you when I get word from my Father weather it’s good to go or not
My Daddy is very wealthy with investing in stocks and believe it or not he pulled all his money out before the stocks were bad a while ago!
He reads about things around the World and knew it was time for us all to take our stocks out and glad we have
So I have a few bucks that I started off with and glad for Daddy being on top of it all!!!!

Natalia Popovici answers:

Are you serious? 300W just for fans? You got a Dyson vacuum fan installed in there or something?

Obviously, if those 5 fans consume up to 300W of power at peak performance, you won’t be able to power the GPU as well as everything else when you’re running a game.

Why would you need 5 high powered case fans anyway? Is it going to be that hot in your case? Maybe look for a different solution such as a combination water cooling which won’t take up as much power yet delivers better results for your CPU/GPU than air and a couple or a few less power hungry fans…

Natalia Popovici answers:

I own a cleaning business and have went through many different vacuums. I think there are many good vacuums that have entered the market recently that have increased maneuverability like the dyson ball and the miele swing. I have spanned from 100.00 vacuums all the way up to the Miele Swing Upright Vacuum Cleaner (A staggering 850.00 vacuum) It is the best in my opinion but not the lightest weight.

I have got to say that the best vacuum for you as far as being lightweight, and being the best quality performer is the Shark Navigator. Honestly I was not a fan of any shark products including their steamer until this vacuum cleaner. It’s light weight and a stellar performer. I often switch between the Miele and this vacuum and the difference in quality isn’t that great. You can get the Navigator for 199.99 or less.

We now purchase Navigators for our cleaning business that provides the best quality cleaning services because it performs so well and is lightweight.

Hope this helps.

Natalia Popovici answers:

Oops! Accidents happen! That’s why it’s called an accident, it didn’t fall down the stairs on purpose!?!?!!?!?!? But I haven’t found anything yet that can’t be fixed! It probably takes a phillips screwdriver to take off the bottom of it. I’d start by making sure that roller, and the belt for it are in the right place. At the other end of that motor there should be an intake impeller (fan) look at it make sure not of the fins are hitting the housing it’s supposed to be in. Sounds like part of the plastic housing broke and now the impeller is crashing into it, making noise. To put plastic back together, I’ve always used a soldering iron to melt the two pieces of plastic back together, have a similar piece of plastic to use as a ‘filler’ and keep a fan blowing on your back to blow any fumes away from you, yes it works. I’ve never gotten to work on a ‘Dyson’, but I’ve worked on all kinds of other vacuums and basically there all the same.
If you’ve got a vacuum repair shop near you. Well, at least you know that it’s not the motor.

Natalia Popovici answers:

Donovan — I only know one boy with this name… He’s EXTREMELY awkward, and is literally gay… I’m not trying to be rude, it’s just how he is. That’s fine and all, but not a cool thing, IMO. He’s just awkward to be around and not a nice kid. So I don’t really like the name, because I think of him. 4 / 10

Duncan — Again, I think of an extremely annoying boy that I know. I call him “wangster” as in wanna-be gangster. He’s extremely immature, has dated every girl…in the world…and generally dated them all at the same time (of course not every girl in the world, but you get the idea of how much he gets around). He’s extremely immature, disrespectful, and generally one of my least favorite people to be around… Heh, so this name is actually worse on my list than Donovan. Really, these names aren’t horrible, they just have horrible connotations for me personally. 3 / 10

Dane — I like Dane. It kind of reminds me of the dog… “great dane”… I’m sure he’d potentially get that as a nickname, but I don’t think that would be anything insulting or uncomfortable. But I myself quite like Dane. It’s heard of, nice, but not overused. I also like Dean. 7 / 10

Dale — Mm… Not a fan… I definitely thought of that annoying Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers song… It doesn’t sound fit for a baby in my own opinion. I know an older man named Dale, and it seems just average and fine on him… But on a baby? That’s kind of awkward to me… Baby Dale… Hm, not a fan. 4 / 10

Dalton — Dalton is okay. I don’t love it, don’t hate it, would never use it myself but don’t find it particularly unpleasant. I’m pretty unsure about this one, really. 5 / 10

Damon — Not a fan… Reminds me of demon, and I don’t really think that’s a pleasant thing to name a child. I know a Damon. He’s pretty much a workaholic, but not a bad guy. I would never use the name, would never consider it, and wouldn’t like it if someone else chose it… It seems kind of harsh… Like Birch. Today, a family friend visited us, and their son’s name is Birch. I definitely think it’s NOT a name I would ever choose… 3 / 10

Darcy — I can’t say I’m a fan of this one either. I know a girl named Darcy… I don’t like the name for a girl either, but generally no high school boy would like to go through life with a name that’s also used widely on females… 4 / 10

Darren — Darren is my best friend’s dad’s name. It seems kind of old hat. Kind of too fatherly and unusable for a baby / toddler. Not a bad name for an adult, but I wouldn’t choose it. 5 / 10

David — I generally like David. It’s my cousin’s name. Was my uncle’s name, but he only lived to be 5, and I never met him… I definitely think it’s kind of average, but I do like it. Wouldn’t use it, but I like it. 7 / 10

Dawson — LOVE Dawson. It’s one of my favorites. I think it ages really well, and is just a nice name. Not a lot of flaws I can find in Dawson… Some friends of mine have a dog with this name that they call “awesome Dawson”…which I think is rather cute. 9 / 10

Davis — Sounds a bit too much like a last name to me. I definitely prefer David, as Davis seems kind of older and strange to me. 5 / 10

Daxton — I don’t really like it. I’m not even sure why, but it just doesn’t have a pleasant sound to me. I suppose I generally don’t like names ending in -ton for some reason. It just sounds a bit too wanna-be cool, or wanna-be successful… Trying too hard, maybe. Plus, X’s just seem a bit unnecessary in a name to me. Not like I’d prefer Dackston or something (yuck), they just seem a little sci-fi-y to me… If that makes any sense at all. 4 / 10

Deacon — I think Deacon is a great name for a dog… But I don’t really like it for a human. It kind of reminds me of one of those annoying plushy names that end with -kin… Like munchkin or bumpkins or something… Heh, like it would be some nickname you would call someone named Dee. I would become Amy-kin, Dee would become Dee-kin…. You know? So it just seems annoying and cutesy to me…oddly… 4 / 10

Declan — Declan is okay. It’s another one I wouldn’t really use, but I’ve met some cute little boys named Declan. I’m kind of on the fence on this one. I don’t love it, don’t hate it, and I’m not sure what I think of it. I generally think it’s fine, though. 6 / 10

Derrick — I don’t like Derrick… Of one thing, I would definitely prefer Derek. Derrick looks kind of strange to me. But it seems a bit too teenager. I can’t imagine anyone older or younger, because I’ve only met teenage Derek’s that are always really immature in means of not being able to control their sexual desires… Heh, I know, that’s extremely weird to say, but it’s just what I think of when I hear the name. 5 / 10

Dustin — Dustin is okay. I know a nice Dustin, but it does sound a bit too much like a verb to me. I generally like the name though, and I think it ages well. 7 / 10

Dillon — Don’t like it… I know a very unpleasant Dillon… Similar to the Duncan before. Plus, I would personally stick with Dylan. Dillon looks dinosaur-y to me. 4 / 10

Dmitri — This one seems too exotic for me. I think it’s a GREAT name for someone of the right ethnicity, but it seems strange to name an average American Dmitri. It’s a bit too Foreign for America, IMO… 5 / 10

Dixon — I know a family of Dixon’s (as in the last name). Again, not a fan of the X. Don’t really like it. They could potentially get comments about “what are the dicks in?”… Yes, very immature, but that’s just how average teenagers role, I guess. And I don’t like that. 3 / 10

Douglas — Heh, too old hat for me. Great middle name, great pet name, but baby Douglas just isn’t catching for me. 5 / 10

Draven — Whoa, I’ve never heard this in my life. It sounds like it should be the name of a place that saves dragons… Like a dragon haven… That’s the first thing that comes to mind. I think it’s a bit too unique for me. I don’t really find it attractive. 4 / 10.

Dyson — Isn’t this the name of that vacuum company? I don’t think it’s horrible, but I wouldn’t use it myself. I definitely prefer Dawson. 6 / 10

I suppose I really didn’t have a strong response to the majority of these names… I’m pretty sure the only one I would ever consider using would be Dawson… I love Dawson, the others are just kind of not my style.

– Amy

Natalia Popovici answers:

I am sure that if they really wanted their dogs walked, anytime would be convenient for them.

One thing i would say though is make sure that you offer yourself on weekends and especially a Sunday as people will learn that you are felxible and reliable at the same time.

Good luck

Last final tip don’t knock on prospective customers houses that have a dog warning sign – could work both ways and it is there as a deterrent but would you really want to walk a vicious dog ?

Natalia Popovici answers:

Hi there,

I strongly advise against no-bark collars. Punishment-based methods of training are very traumatic to dogs and generally do NOT offer long-term solutions.

There are many underlying causes for barking, including boredom, loneliness, and fear. Once you identify the reason, you can then figure out an appropriate training method. Based on the info you provided, it sounds like your dog is getting scared–a lot. This info may help:

Third Potential Problem: Protection Instincts/Fear

Sometimes dogs bark to signal actual danger, but other times their fears aren’t warranted—when the mailman rings the doorbell, for example. The first thing you need to do is train your dog to be obedient and defer to you for behavior cues. After that, you can create situations where people approach and you give him treats as he behaves. To start, have someone knock on the door. Tell your dog to sit, and if he remains calm, give him a treat. Next have the person come inside and throw treats at him so he’ll associate new people with reward. Each time you do this, ask your assistant to come closer. It’s best to do this in safety of your own home, where you can predict how people will behave.

You can read more here:

http://www.iblogpet.com/?p=116

I hope this helps!
Pet Care Expert

Natalia Popovici answers:

Search the net for tips.
Check out books at the public library.
My favorite is enroll in puppy obedience classes. Then go on to classes for older dogs. They do a great job of teaching you how to train your pup. Good luck

Natalia Popovici answers:

Well there’s always a SLIGHT risk anytime they are sedated but your dog is going to be monitored the entire time it’s under the effects of the anesthesia also. They’re very careful anytime they use it and will monitor the heart rate and breathing so if there are any problems they can take care of them right away. Your dog will be fine and this is something they do every day!!!

Natalia Popovici answers:

Put dogs out frequently, especially puppies. I know it can be tiresome but you will save yourself a lot of time and effort. Remember, every time the puppy eats, sleeps or plays it’s gonna have to go outside. Also give the dog/puppy lots and lots of praise for doing it’s business where it’s supposed to.

Be stern and consistent. It’s confusing for a dog if it only gets scolded sometimes for peeing on the floor. The lesson will be learned much faster if the pooch is scolded for every mess you find. Just don’t forget to give Poochy some lovin’ after about 15 minutes or so after the scolding.

If you can’t be with the dog, keep it on hard floors. For many people, this means barring the pooch in the kitchen or foyer with a baby gate. Wee-Wee Pads should also be left with the dog. These are small absorbant mats made with an attractant that dogs like to whizz on.

Find the dog urine with a black light. Many pet stores and online vendors carry hand held black lights for just this purpose. Just turn out the lights and systematically search for the bright glow of urine. After all, cleaning dog urine is much harder if you can’t find it.

Recipe for dog urine remover. If you’ve got the time and the patience, you can easily make your own dog urine cleaner. This method is not only good for removing dog urine, but also for getting rid of dog urine stains. First blot up as much of the urine as possible. Then mix 3 parts water to one part vinegar and saturate the spot. Next, blot it all up again. After it’s dried sprinkle the area with baking soda. Next stir ¾ cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide up with one tsp. Dish detergent and drizzle over the baking soda. To make sure the hydrogen peroxide won’t discolor your carpet, first try this concoction on a small inconspicuous area. Next, use your fingers or an old brush to work the baking soda in. I recommend a hairbrush with little bits of plastic over the tips. Once it’s dry, vacuum it up. If there’s still a slight odor or a little bit of the stain left when done repeat the process.Dog Urine Cleaning Products
It’s sad, but life has become more involved than hanging with friends, chasing girls and trying to find someone to buy beer for me. This means I usually don’t get to go through the lengthy (yet highly effective) processes of home remedies for serious dog urine scrubbing. These days I frequently choose to clean dog urine with a good enzymatic cleaner such as Nature’s Miracle, Simple Solution, Capture Pet Stain and Odor Neutralizer or Complete Pet Stain and Odor Remover by 8in1. As with any good dog urine cleaning product, these will actually break down the stains and odor causing molecules instead of just masking the odor like so many of the cheaper sprays. These products also employ bacteria producing agents that continue to work until the dog pee smell is completely gone. Better yet, they’re ridiculously easy to find. Any pet store, online or otherwise, will carry some or all of the ones I suggested. And remember above all else, while you’re using your new dog urine odor remover, you must shout: “Out, damn’d spot! Out, I say!”