Annual checkups are important for the health and longevity of our furry friends, but we need to ask the vet the right questions if we want to ensure our puppy pals stay fit, strong and happy. Here are a few things to consider asking the next time you take your dog for their checkup.

I know – getting your pup out of the car and into the vet’s office is a struggle. (I know my girls both go into full thrust reversal the second they recognize the vet’s neighborhood!) Nevertheless, even though you probably want to get them in and out of the office as quickly as possible, you still have to make sure your pup gets the full benefit of the doctor’s expertise. Since they can’t tell the vet their concerns, you’ll have to be your pooch’s proxy. Here are the most important health factors you should bring up to your vet during the next appointment.

• How much exercise do they need? Different dog breeds have different exercise requirements – a Greyhound will need significantly more activity than a Pekingese, for example. It’s important to ask the vet for clarification about what kind of exercise is good, too, since many dogs are prone to joint issues and excessive running may aggravate their condition.
• What is a good dental health routine? Keeping your dog’s teeth in good condition will not only enhance their quality of life, it might even prolong it. Ask what kind of daily regimen will keep their pearly whites strong and healthy.
• What is a good weight? There is no magic number that guarantees good health – your vet will have to physically examine your dog to determine if they could stand to lose a pound or two.
• What kind of food should they be eating? Your dog’s diet is a major factor in determining overall health, but your vet will have to take your dog’s lifestyle, breed, and current medical condition into account. No matter what your brand of choice is – Eukanuba, Beneful, or Zignature – DCM, kidney disease, obesity, and digestive issues can be addressed with the right diet program.

Your vet is the second most important figure in your dog’s life. Make sure you are vigilant about communicating your dog’s health care concerns if you want to make sure your dog stays energetic, happy, and healthy.

I’m a dog lover and parent to two feisty rescue pups. When I’m not blogging about dog health, I’m posting ridiculously adorable pictures of my girls on Instagram.

Adoption isn’t as hush-hush as it once was a few decades ago. The more that our society embraces adoption, the more prevalent it has become for families to go down this route.

There are many different reasons why a family may choose to adopt a child. Perhaps a family member wasn’t fit to take care of the child, or maybe they went to an agency because they weren’t able to conceive themselves. Whatever the reason is, it’s helpful to know a bit about the process before you get started.

If you’re considering adoption or are about to start the process, here are some of the most important things to keep in mind.

There Is a Lot Of Paperwork

There is a considerable amount of paperwork that you’ll have to deal with. There are piles and piles of legal paperwork and applications that you’ll have to deal with along with providing documentation of your family history, background checks, etc. For this reason, you should consider hiring a lawyer to help you navigate all of the legalities.

Each document is critical in order to ensure that your adoption is finalized as early as possible. A lawyer will help you ensure that you don’t make any mistakes which could cost you precious time.

Closed Adoption Isn’t The Only Route

Many people are only familiar with a closed adoption, which means the child doesn’t have contact with their biological parents. As a result, many people are under the impression that people who put their children up for adoption must be unfit parents.

However, in reality, not everyone who chooses to put their child up for adoption is incapable of being a positive impact. There are a variety of reasons why people take the route of adoption. Before you are quick to judge, consider that many parents opt for open adoption.

In an open adoption, the biological parent is still an active part of the child’s life. Their adopted parents are their parents; however, their biological parents are still considered an integral part of their upbringing. It’s up to each family to decide how much of a part of their lives they will be.

You Will Need Patience

The entire process of adoption will take patience from start to finish. From the very first rounds of paperwork to the final signature, you’ll need patience.

After the process has been finalized, you’ll still need further patience for some of the emotional aspects that come along with the experience. People may discriminate against you for being a “non-traditional” household. You may even encounter a period when your adopted child questions your family life.

However, with enough patience and love, you can surmount even the most difficult of challenges.

Although not as heralded as it’s two wheeled counterpart the motorcycle, the ATV or the quad bike has grown in popularity for both work and leisure. In fact, there are also nationally recognised races and tournaments where the best riders pit their wits against each other for trophies and cash prizes.

The first recognized All Terrain Vehicle emerged in the 1960’s with the Jiger (1961) and the Amphicat (1968/1969). The first versions were semi amphibious vehicles and not at all like the ATVs we would recognize on farms and at leisure parks today. If you’d like to see the most up to date versions and perhaps even arrange a test ride, Quadbikes R Us have adult quad bikes in a variety of sizes and engine capacities and are suitable for everyone, from the complete novice to the full-blown racing enthusiast. There even models suitable for children with a wide range of sizes to suit almost all ages but it should be noted that they should be supervised at all times.

All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Timeline

• 1968 – Sperry-Rand Tricart is said to be first multipurpose ATV; and although a three-wheeler, this model led the way for Honda to produce their ATC which is generally regarded as a precursor to ATV’s as we know them today.
• 1970 – Honda US90 or ATC90 – Designed for purely recreational use, this model was featured in popular US TV shows and firmly put the ATV into the public domain.
• 1979 – The Honda AC110 gave riders the opportunity to really open up the throttle and get to grips with driving at relative speed.
• 1985 – Kawasaki KL200 – This model, comparatively speaking, beefier 3-wheel machine was the precursor to the hugely popular Kawasaki 4-wheeler Bayou 185 which in turn led to Kawasaki’s first 4-Wheel Drive ATV which debuted in 1989.
• 1990s – ATV’s became the must have vehicle for farms across the world (particularly the USA) with the leader in the field being the Honda Fourtrax 300.
• Present Day – Popular for both work and play, ATVs of various models and sizes are becoming regular fixtures, with the Chinese manufactured models becoming particularly popular due to their relatively low cost.

Considering Buying an ATV?

If you are considering buying an ATV for work or leisure, it is important to be armed with the right knowledge. The best sellers at the time of writing include:

• Special Edition Road Legal Yamaha YFM700R Raptor
• TGB Blade 550SL 4×4 IRS
• SMC Max 700 EFI EPS 4×4 Road Legal Quad Bike
• Yamaha YXZ1000R SS Sports Side by Side Road Legal
• Yamaha YFZ450R – Race Quad

Whichever quad you decide to buy will depend on a number of factors and it makes sense to visit a reputable quad supplier. All you need to do is speak to the quad supplier about what you want to use the machine for, and he will make a number of recommendations based on your requirements. An experienced quad specialist will also be able to provide you with care tips and a recommended service and maintenance schedule.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

Earrings and necklaces add a flare and style to any outfit. Whether you’re going for hobo-chic or classic elegance, the accessories are key to “selling” the look. Diamond earrings are absolutely classic. You can almost never go wrong if you decide to sport a pair of diamond earrings on your beautiful ears, but, let’s face it, not all of us can afford to rock the rocks round the clock. And to consider having diamond earrings in multiple styles for multiple looks is a great idea from a fashion perspective, but not such a practical idea from a financial stand-point.

So, if we can’t have them all, for which ones should be strive? What will best serve our wallets and our wardrobes? Well, let us begin by focusing on the three broad categories we’ll attempt to serve with our diamond earring choices: professional, classic, elegant. I was going to make that second category “casual,” but the choice would too poorly illustrate my intended connotation, so I’ve changed it to classic, a category I will shortly explain.

Professional. The classic diamond stud earring is what we need here. It adorns the lobes, so you don’t look incomplete. It compliments almost every outfit. On job interviews, it does not draw attention or distract from your professional interactions. If you are going from the office during the day to a function in the evening, whether business or pleasure, the studs transition beautifully from one outfit to the next–or, more exactly, from one context to the next. I would further recommend, however, that you go for the square cut. The clean, strong lines are confident, and it helps the studs to look a bit bigger if you have to sacrifice size for the price tag you can cover.

Classic. You want something that is not the professional square stud earrings, but still very clean and lacking in distracting. A round stud with a halo setting is perfect! It creates the illusion of a larger diamond by surrounding the main stone with a halo of smaller ones, which creates a trendy look for more casual outfits or contexts, but a versatile stud that could transition to other contexts if needed.

Elegant. You want something that is going to attract attention. You want something that is going to make you glow, frame your face, and act as another layer of decoration upon your well-curated outfit. For this, I can recommend nothing other than a drop earring. Now, depending on your personal style, your taste is colour palette for clothing, your budget, and the weight you feel comfortable holding on your ears, you could choose either diamond drop earrings or a diamond and pearl drop earring. Both are elegant and gorgeous. The details of each, though, I will leave to you.

Anything you can add to your collection of diamond jewels and baubles along the way is icing on the proverbial cake.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

When a parent’s health deteriorates and their independence suffers, it can be tough on the kids. They’re often at an age when they’re raising their own families, they’re trying to save for their own retirements, they may live far away, and organizing and paying for home care may not be a practical decision.

Nor is home care always the best choice. There are a number of advantages to moving into a retirement residence. Seniors who make the move can:

• Enjoy more active social lives with their neighbors.
• Get easy access to exercise classes designed for seniors.
• Access care that’s designed for them.
• Add to their retirement savings using funds from downsizing.

What to Look for in Assisted Living Care

Before you start visiting facilities, you can narrow down your options based on a few core criteria:

• Is the location close to family and friends? What about doctors’ offices, hospitals, specialists, therapists, or any other services Dad may need on a regular or semi-regular basis?
• Does the facility handle transportation to and from medical appointments?
• What types of care does the facility provide? Consider what your father’s future needs are going to be like, including nursing care, dementia care, physical rehabilitation, etc.
• Is it affordable for your family?
• Is it a relaxed assisted living residence where dad can pursue his hobbies and enjoy a high quality of life?

Touring Assisted Living Care Facilities

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of possibilities, start calling to book tours. It’s important that dad comes with you on these tours – he’s deciding where he’s going to live. On the tour, make sure he’s the one asking questions and doing as much of the talking as possible. He’s the decision-maker, although it’s also important that you learn about the residence as well.

The tour is also a great chance to try the food, ask about the menu, check out the amenities, and physically check out the location and the surroundings.

This is also your best opportunity to judge the suites or apartments. Is there enough room for dad to live comfortably? Is he going to have the privacy he wants, as well as the option to socialize? Make sure the apartment will also be navigable if dad requires mobility assistance.

When so much research can happen online, taking a tour is a good way to learn about the culture at a retirement residence, something you won’t get just by searching online.

Questions to Ask an Assisted Living Residence

While you’re there, be sure to come prepared with questions. You use this list to start off:

• Is the facility pet-friendly?
• Are you allowed to bring your own furniture into the suite?
• Are higher levels of care available if they’re needed in the future?
• Is your parent free to come and go as they please?
• Is the residence held if a long-term stay in a hospital or rehabilitation facility is needed?

Learn everything you can before deciding on an assisted living facility. Take the time to do your research and make sure dad is part of the process every step of the way.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.