No longer does the bird feeder you choose have to be something plain propped in a spot in the yard. You need not buy a plastic, metal or wooden box to put off in the corner of the yard, unsightly, but practical. If you want something that is both practical and attractive to put in your garden consider buying gazebo bird feeders. These incredible little works of architectural wonder can be made to order, bought premade or built by you from a set of plans that can be purchased, among other places, online.

If it is the latter that you choose the plans are usually available for no more than twenty dollars. They will include complete instructions that will take you through the process in a very orderly step by step fashion. It will also have a comprehensive inventory of what materials you need to buy to build the gazebo bird feeders and drawings showing how to easily assemble it. These plan packages will contain everything you need to make this attractive feeder for your garden. Once the feeder is built you will need to paint it with non-toxic paint. Then you will need to have the right pole to mount it on. It is recommended that what you use should stand about four feet off the ground. This makes it harder for small animals like squirrels or chipmunks to get to the seeds. A little higher is okay to as long as you are able to easily restock the feeder with seeds.

If on the other hand it is your preference to buy one already constructed there are many potential outlets where you can find them. They can be bought from many nurseries, garden shops, sometimes from landscapers, or from individuals or online shops. These gazebo bird feeders very much resemble a gazebo in miniature with the same shape and decorative sides that you would expect to see on a gazebo that would sit in your yard. Prices vary greatly depending on the size of the bird feeder you buy. A tiny one may cost you under twenty dollars but if it is a masterpiece you are looking for, a large feeder to add beauty to your garden, perhaps one made of cedar, you can expect to pay closer to two hundred dollars. Of course, there are many models in between so you can find the one you want along with the price you want to pay.

The Akita is a powerful, alert, large dog with a heavy build that can remind you of a bear. She does not need a tremendous amount of exercise and may even be suitable for an apartment if one is willing to enjoy daily vigorous walks with her. A properly fenced yard for exercise is preferable. She is good with the kids in her adopted family but she may not take to your kids friends, which scares me when you consider her size and potential for harm. She does not do well with other pets and is determined to be the top dog. She has no problem getting into a serious blood and guts dog fight. She must always be walked on a non retractable leash. As a general rule, never leave any young child alone with a dog for any period of time, no matter how short.

Sometimes the Akita is also associated with the name Inu which means dog in Japanese. The American Kennel Club lumps both the Japanese Akita and The American Akita together but many other countries consider them separate breeds. The Japanese version comes in four colors, Sesame, Red Fawn, White and Brindle. The American also comes in the Pinto color. The American type is larger and has shorter fur and more colors.

*Temperament. The Akita has devotion, alertness, dignity, large size, is fearless and was bred to be a watch dog. It can be very aloof with strangers and needs good socialization.

*Approximate Adult Size. The male stands about 26 to 28 inches tall at the withers (highest point of the shoulders) and the female stands 24 to 26 inches at the withers. The weight varies to around 75 to 115 pounds, the males slightly heavier.

*Special Health Considerations. The major health concern is hypothyroid disease (sluggish thyroid gland which can result in weight gain) which affects a high percentage of the breed and can be treated with hormone replacement drugs. Symptoms of this disease include itching, lethargy, sudden aggressiveness, and odd odor. There are also less common disorders such as hip problems, some blood disorders and degenerative myelopathy. Kidney disease can affect older dogs. Akitas require high quality meat and bone meal food, not grain based food.

*Grooming. This breed sheds twice a year. It has a short haired stiff coat that needs frequent brushing. Bathing should be infrequent as it removes the oils from the coat that waterproofs the dog.
Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease. To avoid health problems, her toenails may need to be examined weekly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

*Life Span. The Akita lives to around 10 to 14 years with proper nutrition and excellent care.

*History. The Akita comes from the mountains of northern Japan and is considered an old native dog breed. Early on she was only owned by the elite, the Shoguns. This dog was bred to guard, herd, fight and hunt. The animals it hunted were large game including boar, antelope, elk and bear. The Japanese government has designated this dog as a national treasure in 1931. The American Kennel Club approved this breed on December 12, 1972.

*Training. The Akita is smart and will learn quickly. They need firm training. He can become bored very easily to vary the training routine enough to keep him interested. It is a very good idea to have him obedience trained. He is currently employed in guard and police work in Japan.

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Very good watchdog.
Very affectionate and courageous.
They are not barkers unless there is a good reason.
They can have a calming influence in a house.
Very easy to housebreak.
Keep themselves very clean.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
Aggressive to other dogs.
Can be willful.
Can be aggressive about his food.
May not accept children from outside his family.
Easily bored, they need to be stimulated.

This is a 2 part article on how and when to perform CPR on your dog. This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of hands on training by your veterinarian.

There will be instances where you might have to perform CPR on your dog. What? CPR on your dog? Are you serious? Yes, it is serious - serious enough that it may save your pet's life.

There are some instances where a pet may accidentally get something stuck in its airway. This will cause choking and ultimately, death. Also, pet CPR will prove vital in cases where the pet has lost its breathing or a pulse. This is the case of most pets that go into cardiac arrest. If this happens, it is urgent that the pet's airway, breathing, and circulation are restored and maintained.

To perform such, owners must be aware of the proper procedure of performing CPR. Most trained veterinarians will be knowledgeable in this procedure. You may want to consult with them for proper advice on the procedures outlined here. In any event remember your ABC's.

Airway

After determining that the animal is non-responsive, step one in performing dog CPR is obtaining a good airway. This is a very important step. You should seek to achieve this first before continuing on.

Remember that making sure your pet has a clear airway is the most important aspect of CPR. Without oxygen your pet could die within minutes.

Pull out the tongue of your pet carefully. The emphasis here is on carefully. Pets, even when unconscious can bite by instinct. Keep the pet's neck straight, and line up the neck and the back. In case there is neck trauma, do not hyperextend the neck.

Then, try giving the animal two rescue breaths. Perform this by putting your mouth to its nose, and keeping the animal's mouth closed. If your breaths go in then you can continue. However, if they do not go in, it means that there is an obstruction in the animal's airway.

In this case, inspect the animal's airway, and try to extract the obstructing object. If you cannot, try doing a modified Heimlich maneuver. Turn the animal over with its back against your chest and its head towards the ground in a bear hug. Deliver five thrusts to the abdomen. Imagine making each thrust dislodge the object. Be careful that you do not deliver too much pressure as it may cause damage if overdone.

Do not stop until you are able to clear the airway. Even if the animal goes into cardiac arrest (meaning no heartbeat), the primary concern is to open the airway and keep it clear.

Watch for Dog CPR-Part 2 coming soon. We will then cover Breathing and Circulation.

Pets can be an important part of a child's life. A child learns a lot from having an animal to care for. Just take a look at some of the lessons a child (or adult) picks up.
Responsibility - This is one of the first lessons that comes to mind, and likely the one that parents use to try to dissuade a child when he says, "Can we get a dog?" For some people, the responsibility of caring for an animal can become a huge chore that outweighs the joy of having that pet. But for those who stick it out, the pet is a good teacher and children who have a pet from an early age learn quickly about the responsibility of caring for an animal that's dependent on them for food, water and other needs.

Some chores are fun, some aren't - The early days of having a pet are usually not that difficult, until Fido doesn't make it to the door or the gerbil cage has to be cleaned. That's when the pet owner typically begins to weigh the fun of playing ball with the dog against the chore they're facing now. Learning that some of the chores are fun (like playing with the kitten) and some aren't (cleaning the litter box) is a fact of life.

Caring - Nurturing is not an instinct that comes naturally to all people. Pets are one way to teach that trait, or to bring it to the surface. Many programs around the world use pets in daycares, schools and nursing homes. People who have responded little to friends and families will instinctively reach for a dog or cat.

Patience - Pets teach us to be patience, and one of the best catalysts for this lesson is by teaching your pet tricks. Note that not all pets are conducive to this lesson.

Playing - It's difficult to imagine that some people have forgotten how to play, but it's true. Most kids don't need to be taught to play, but a pet can remind us that life isn't all about the chores. Sometimes it's just time to build a terrific hamster cage or take a walk in the park - literally.

Science - Some schools are seeing the benefits of having live animals in the classrooms. Teachers are encouraged to choose a pet that can live at school in a cage of some sort. Those animals can then be used to teach life science, including topics such as length of gestation, development and eating habits. While those lessons are very limited in focus because students are learning about one particular kind of animal, expanding on that first-hand knowledge tends to be easier than if students learned only from a text book and photos.

There's no doubt that allowing a child to adopt a pet is a big step, but it's also a worthwhile investment. Remember to choose age appropriate animals and to select an animal that fits your child's lifestyle and personality. For example, if you have a kid who's always into building, consider a mouse or hamster and help him build an awesome hamster cage in his room. If you live in the country with room for a dog to run, a canine pal may be the better bet. If space is very limited, hermit crabs may be just what you need.