



1. Genetic predisposition


2. Overweight


3. Joint abnormalities


4. Joint stress and trauma



5. Infection



How to Keep Your Older Dog Healthy







2. Groom your older dog frequently





3. Keep your older dog active






4. Help your older dog eat and sleep well

















Ingredients That Are Good For Your Senior Dog




These are a very good source of pectin.






Green tea extract

Ground barley





Sweet potatoes

Yucca schidigera extract

A Guide to Gun Dogs – The Hunter’s Best Friend

gun dogsFor hundreds of years, man has worked together with hunting dogs to kill game for food. A dog’s natural hunting instinct makes it ideal for locating and retrieving game, and its easy trainability ensures that it will do its utmost to please its master. When humans began to hunt with firearms, dogs had to be trained not to be gun-shy. These canine hunters, known as collectively as gun dogs, are able to assist their masters in a variety of situations on a hunt.


Types of Gun Dogs and Their Uses

Gun dogs generally fall into three categories based on their primary functions. These are pointing breeds, flushing spaniels, and retrievers. Each breed may carry out other tasks, but it is their primary purpose that they are prized for.

Pointing breeds, or simply pointers, will point at the location where game is found. This is an instinctive response and cannot be taught. Pointers will make a wide circle around a field, keeping to the edges where the most game will be. Some popular pointing breeds are the English Setter, the Irish Setter, and the English Pointer.

The primary role of a flushing spaniel is to walk in a back-and-forth pattern in front in of the hunter. A well-trained dog will stay within gun range so that the hunter will be able to make the shot. Unlike pointers, a flushing spaniel will flush game as soon as it finds it. Flushing spaniels are often trained to perform the same role as retrievers.

The dogs known as retrievers fetch game after it has been killed. Retrievers are trained to watch where a shot bird falls. They are also trained to find game which they didn’t see fall, called a blind retrieve, by following hand, whistle, and voice commands. A dog that has been trained well will use a “soft mouth” to deliver the game directly to the master’s hand, meaning that it does not bite down on the game and pierce the flesh. A subgroup of retrievers is water dogs, which retrieve game from rivers and lakes.


gun dog with birdUsing Hunting Dogs in the Field

Pointers and flushing spaniels are essential to hunters for their ability to locate game birds and send them into the air where they can be shot. These dogs have abilities that cannot be replicated by man or by any technological means. Retrievers simply make the job of the hunter easier by fetching downed game birds. Dogs can do this task quicker and are less likely to fail to find a bird that has fallen into hard-to-search-through areas.

In the past, the only equipment a hunting dog’s master needed was a weapon, but today there is a range of items to make hunting easier. Kennels and carriers can be secured in a truck bed to transport dogs to hunting fields far from home. Game will scatter prematurely if the presence of a dog is detected, so a hunter may use a dog blind for camouflage. Though they are frowned upon by traditional hunters, GPS collars can pinpoint the location of dogs. Specialized vests can help water dogs stay afloat and keep them warm.

Gun Dog Training Techniques

A trainer must always be consistent, using the same commands each time. Dogs in training should never be allowed to do anything they wouldn’t do on a hunt. Trainers should not adopt a routine to ensure that dogs watch and listen to the trainer for commands and not predict them based on repetition. When a command is given, the trainer must insist the dog follows it until another command is given. For example, if a dog is told to sit and later moves, the trainer must return the dog to the place it had been commanded to sit.

Hunting dogs are beautiful and easily trainable creatures. Their superior breeding makes them popular as pets and show dogs, but they are truly happiest when they are on the hunt. Raising a few well-trained dogs is something no hunter would ever regret.

Game Bird Breeding

game bird breedingRaising game birds is an attractive business for a small acreage lot, either as a fun past time, a hobby, or a full-scale commercial enterprise. Wing shooting popularity is increasing quickly and the market for game birds is rapidly growing. Game bird propagation is an ideal hobby that maintains a closer touch with “nature.” Many people raise gamebirds to release in wildlife coverts near their own home. Many hunting preserves have a big demand for importing game birds. Also increasing numbers of game birds are produced for the gourmet food market or for even for individual consumption.

The gamebird industry has grown from a backyard hobby to a thriving business with excellent potential. The principal types of birds being commercially produced in volume are bobwhite quail, coturnix quail, ringneck pheasant, chukar partridge, hungarian partridge, and mallard ducks. Wild turkeys and geese are also raised, but on a smaller scale at this time.

The largest established “market” for gamebirds at the present time is producing for restocking on private-enterprise hunting preserves and conservation areas. There is an increasing demand for breeding stock to be purchased by other breeders and for the starting up of new breeding operations. Dressed gamebirds for the gourmet trade is an increasing market as well. When properly cleaned and chilled, gamebird meat is vastly superior to the modern force-fed broilers, turkeys, and long island ducklings. Of interest to many diet-concious people, meat from gamebirds is higher in protien and lower in cholesterol than poultry that has been domesticated for generations.

Gamebirds can be restocked in abundance and hunted intensively when they are produced under controlled conditions with artificial incubation and brooding, scientifically balanced rations and protection from the elements, disease, and predation.

Gamebird propagation is still a relatively new science. Much of the early information was adapted from the domestic poultry industry. Their experience and knowledge regarding incubation, brooding, management, and disease control has been a valuable asset to the gamebird industry.

Gamebird Breeding Equipment

Poultry equipment is not as easy to secure locally as it once was. There are scattered hardware stores and farm supply stores that still sell some types of poultry equipment, but these stores are “few and far between.” In order to get started in the gamebird breeding business, you will first need to know where to purchase the necessary equipment and supplies.

In general, most of this information refers to commercial production. The same principles can be adapted to producing and maintaining a small flock as a hobby. Economic success in commercial game bird production and marketing depends on understanding the basics and practicing all of the principles of effective mass-production and efficient marketing.

We are pleased to be able to pass along tips and techniques that others have generously passed along. We are extremely grateful to John Mullen and Peggy (Mullen) Boehmer, authors of the very informative book, “Game Bird Propagation.” John and Peggy are also publisher and editor of “Wildlife Harvest Magazine,” the official magazine for the North American Gamebreeders Association, (NAGA). We would also like to thank Dr. Gary Davis, Associate Professor and Extension Poultry Specialist at North Carolina State University for his contributions. Dr. Davis is also the Executive Director of NAGA.

KONOV Jewelry Men’s Leather Bracelet, Surfer Style Brown Braided Bangle

These are the main features:

  • The width is 0.40 inches.
  • The length is 8 inches around the wrist.
  • The charm has a curvature to match your wrist.

These are the following benefits:

  • It delivers the potential to endure for a long time.

What other people are saying about it:

Small Gun Vaults versus Big-Sized Gun Safes

GVB2000 Biometric Gun SafeIf you say that the choice is obvious, have a second look. If you own many guns and you are settled in buying a full size gun safe, you might consider getting a gun vault to keep within your reach. If you planned to put your big size gun safe in your garage or in any other place inside your house, you might need to get a small gun vault that you can easily hide beneath your bed or hid in the cabinet or other furniture in your bedroom. You own a gun because you want to protect yourself when circumstances call for it. Thus, make it within easy reach when that need arise.

When you think big is not needed

Owning a gun is addictive, more often than not. When you thought that you only need one, you might find yourself buying another one and yet another. That calls for more space. When you bought a small gun safe, you might be thinking now of buying a bigger one.

The point is: Now that you are planning to buy gun safe, look into future possibilities. Check all options that are available before making your final decision. So, if you are looking for big sized gun safes, it does not hurt to check small options too. Compute your costs. Should you buy the more expensive full-sized gun safe and totally forget about buying a small one? Or, should you buy a full-size gun safe that will allow you to buy a small hand gun safe that can be covered by your budget.

Take a look at the two options below:

Stack-On SS-10-MB-E 10 Gun Fully Convertible Security Safe with Electronic Lock, Matte Black

This must be one of the best options for big-sized gun safe. It is manufactured by Stack On, a company that had been producing gun safes of optimal quality since 1970. It is water resistant. You will feel confident that  your safe will not give in even if submerged feet deep for seventy two hours. That converts to three days long!

This model is also fire-resistant.

Gunvault GVB2000 Multi Vault Biometric Gun Safe

GVB2000 vault is one of the favorites for small options. One highlight of this safe is he biometric lock. The dimensions in inches: 11x12x8. That makes it easy to hide in your bedroom or easy to transport. If you are worried about the wearing off of the battery, note that this model uses LED light warning so you are warned if the battery is already running low. The battery lasts for about a year.

With the wide varieties of options in the market today, there are lots of possible combinations that you can choose from. If budget is your issue, and you thought that buying just one big safe to contain all your guns, reconsider. With the tight competition in the market, you can surely find options that will allow you to buy an additional small biometric gun safe within the budget you allotted for a big size only. It is a matter of knowing all the options and checking the possible combinations without sacrificing the safety feature of the vaults you will be purchasing. If you are still undecided on what gun safe to buy, we are very willing to help you on that. We will help you to figure out what details perfectly fits your needs.

Symptoms of Poor Blood Circulation

Symptoms of Poor Blood CirculationThere are several underlying medical conditions that can lead to low or poor blood circulation. The most common of these conditions is the hardening of the arteries, however you can begin to see symptoms in different areas of your body when the trouble begins. The most common areas of the body where these symptoms occur is the legs, feet, arms, and hands. If you experience any of the following symptoms of poor blood circulation either by themselves or in any combination, you should contact your physician immediately because these can lead to a stroke, heart attack, or possibly death.

Walking with Leg Pain

If you have been active all your life and just now are experiencing troubles walking, it could be an indication you are experiencing low blood circulation. These symptoms will range from a cramping or sharp pain in the legs when you walk. You may also experience pain in the hip muscles as well. If you are feeling these sharp pains when partaking in physical activities that involve walking, consult your physician as soon as possible.

Weakness and Numbness

One of the more common symptoms of poor blood circulation is when you experience a weakness and numbness in your legs or arms whether you are resting or active. Pay very close attention to this condition if you begin to experience impaired speech right after a sudden feeling of numbness in your extremities. The slurred speech could be followed by the facial muscles dropping, which means that poor circulation has affected the brain too. If you are experiencing poor circulation in the arteries to the brain, the end result could be a stroke.

Cold Following by Swelling

One of the symptoms of poor blood circulation is when parts of your body experience coldness for no reason. You might feel this coldness in your feet, hands, arms, and legs, and usually appears out of nowhere. When your body has issues with poor circulation, it could cause just one hand or foot to feel cold while the other is fine. If the issue is getting worse, you might also experience a swelling in your lower legs and your feet.

Sores That Don’t Heal

When you begin to see sores on your legs or your feet that do not heal quickly, it could be one of the symptoms of poor blood circulation. You will notice that certain wounds on your legs take significantly longer to heal than you were used to. Other things to be concerned about are when the hair on your legs starts to grow very slowly, or your toenails seem to have stopped growing. These are all indications that the blood is not reaching these areas freely as it had done before. Consult with a physician if these signs appear to be getting worse.

Other Symptoms of Poor Blood Circulation

These symptoms are not as common as the previously mentions ones, however they should not be taken any lightly. If you experience any of these in combination with the ones we have discussed, consulting with a doctor immediately is advised.

Weak pulse in your feet or legs means that hardly any blood is making its way through your limbs. If you are having trouble locating a pulse in those areas of the body, visit your doctor and let them take the appropriate steps to try and locate a pulse.

Chest pain can be associated with heartburn or indigestion, but severe chest pains that are occurring often indicate weak blood circulation. This could be the early warning signs of a heart attack, seeing your doctor immediately is well advised. This in combination with other symptoms could indicate a severe life threatening situation.

One of the areas where men will experience poor blood circulation is during sex. If you have trouble getting or maintaining an erection when you have not had issues before, it could be that the blood is having trouble reaching the shaft of the penis. The blood that travels through the penis shaft does by way of extremely narrow arteries. If these arteries are clocked or blocked, the penis can not sustain an erection. Erectile dysfunction could be a indication of a more serious problem, and visiting the doctor is recommended.

Choosing a Biometric Gun Safe

Biometric Gun SafeWhat is a biometric gun safe and why is it considered by many as the most secured option? This word is coined from these two words: “biological” and “measurement.” The lock is unlocked through electronic recognition of certain biological metrics such as fingerprints. Fingerprint biometric gun safes are probably the most common kind. There are also biometric gun safes that uses face recognition or iris scan.

The advantages

Quick Access

One of the top reason why biometric gun safes are preferred is the fact that when emergencies happen, one must act in a split of a second – almost instantaneously. Seconds count when you have to protest your life and your family from intruders. There is no time to look for your pair of glasses so that you can see the graduations and numeric on that dial lock; or the time to key in the combination of that digital lock.

High security

Only the stored biological measurement data can open the lock. That means, a stranger cannot open it by making an intelligent guess after carefully observing the keypads of a digital lock. When a user of a digital lock ignores to change his combination, keying in the same combination every now and then will show signs on those numbers or letters that are pressed. This will give the intruder a clue.

The Disadvantages

Battery powered

Biometric gun safes need batteries for the electronic mechanisms to function. Thus, if the safe does not have an alternative way of opening it – like an “emergency” key, you might need to have your safe be drilled open by a professional locksmith when you forget to change its batteries and it wears off.

Biometric gun safes are expensive

Opting for a biometric safe may mean all your savings if you want to buy a big one to accommodate all the guns that you own. So, would you rather buy a digital lock gun safe and forego of the benefits of a biometric gun safe?


The most important feature of a biometric gun safe is quick access. You can discreetly and swiftly get your gun out from the safe when you need it fast. Then, why not buy a biometric hand gun safe? If you own other guns, buy a separate gun safe for it of the digital one. With this, even adding up your total expenses, you may still be cutting costs as compared to getting the bigger option.

Two options that you may want to look into are: SmartTouch Biometrics 855793000122 BioBox and BioVault 2.0.

BioBox – Biometric Fingerprint Safe – This option offers you a slim, light-weight and compact gun safe. It weighs 4.3 lbs. If you are looking for a biometric gun safe for a handgun for immediate access, this may be one in your shortlist. Nonetheless, if you are planning to get a biometric gun safe that can contain more, you may choose BioVault 2.0. Another advantage of this model is the fact that it can store up to fifty fingerprints. One thing that you have to note about this model is the fact that it does not come along with a key override.

To sum up, while a big biometric gun safe may not be an option due to financial constraints, you can still consider buying a small one to take advantage of what biometrics can offer – fast and easy access.