Cat - Consider a Performance Exhaust System

Is it time for you to replace your car's exhaust system? Have you noticed rust around your muffler and tailpipe? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then consider replacing your stock exhaust system with a performance exhaust system. Up front you will pay more, but in the end a performance exhaust system just may be the last one you will ever need to purchase for your car. Nothing lasts forever, right? Well, in the case of some performance exhaust systems you can come darn close. Consider this: one top manufacturer of cat-back exhausts produces an exhaust system with a one million mile guarantee! How can they do this? By making a product from aircraft quality stainless steel, that's how. That's right; the same steel used by aircraft manufacturers goes into every Borla brand exhaust system to produce a product that is durable and long lasting. Other brands have similar warranties, so I am not saying Borla is the end all or be all product for your car. So, just how does a cat-back system work? By keeping all the important emissions parts in place, a cat-back system incorporates large width exhaust pipes and low restriction performance mufflers into your car thereby lowering exhaust back pressure. A side benefit is the deeper, throatier tone produced by the exhaust system. Because your car's engine is essentially an air pump, a cat-back a/k/a performance exhaust system allows the engine to pump and flow air with less interruption. In summation, more power is freed up and horsepower increases of 5 to 15 percent are well within the range of possibility. One side benefit: you will notice an increase in fuel economy because a performance exhaust system allows your engine to run more efficiently. So, what's not to love about a performance exhaust system? Not much! Even if you aren't planning to keep your car forever, the resale value of your vehicle will also increase with a performance exhaust system installed on your car. You win now with more power and better fuel economy and you can win later when it comes time to sell your car. A true win-win situation, don't you agree? Copyright 2005 -- Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for the Auto Parts Warehouse, a wholesaler of fine Flowmaster and Borla performance exhaust systems. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan Cat - Prepare Your Own Pet's Food With all the worries about tainted pet food, you may ask yourself if there's another option to give your cat or dog the nutrition it needs. A better option? Making food yourself for your pet. For owners that want the best for their pets, cooking the pet food 'from scratch' can be a fine option. While not as easy as store bought food, it is a great way to better control what your cat or dog is eating, and improve their nutrition. Humans, cats, dogs,, and every other animal have specific nutritional requirements. And while store bought dog and cat food is simple to use, it might not be the best in all cases. Many dog and cat foods are not made for the pet's requirements first, but expense first. This means using cheaper and poorer quality ingredients. For example, many cat or dog foods use vegetable matter for filler (like the wheat gluten involved in the pet food crisis of early 2007). While this does lower costs, it is not the natural protein dogs and cats are made for - meat. Although it is possible for dogs can go without real meat, cats can't. Various specific nutrients are required by cats, and are most easily found in meat. So, unless you are prepared to do a serious research into nutritional needs, and carefully monitor your pet's eating habits, you'll need to ensure there's sufficient meat in their diet. While pet food you buy now will be safe, cooking your own will result in better, fresher, food for your cat or dog. One disadvantage is that preparation will take more time than buying. As well, since the large companies preparing the food can make it cheaper in bulk, you may be forced to spend more for the food you make yourself. But the benefit is a much healthier meal for your dog or cat. Roughly speaking, a cat's diet should be about fifty-fifty for meat and carbohydrates (such as brown rice or vegetables). In contrast, a dog can do quite well on about 25% meat, and 75% carbohydrates. A vital thing to be careful of is giving your dog or cat your food. For example, onions and garlic are actually posionous to cats, and cause anemia. Tomatoes have a chemical that causes extreme stomach upset in cats. Chocolate of course has been shown to be dangerous to both dogs and cats. And as well, grapes and raisins are to be avoided by dogs. You can browse the Internet for specific recipes. Always make sure the recipe makes sense, and the ingredients are good for your pet. Ideally, if the Internet site discusses how they themselves use the recipe, you can read how well it goes over, and of course if their pets enjoy it. This will keep you from working on an untried recipe, or a recipe your pet won't enjoy. So some work, just a smidgen of care, a small expense, and time, you can prepare a meal for your pet that exceeds the fare usually available. And although it is a bit extra, the advantages of a much healthier diet for your cat and dog cannot be ignored.

Cat - Prepare Your Own Pet's Food

Quality Cat Supplies available at Low Prices and Free Shipping! With all the worries about tainted pet food, you may ask yourself if there's another option to give your cat or dog the nutrition it needs. A better option? Making food yourself for your pet. For owners that want the best for their pets, cooking the pet food 'from scratch' can be a fine option. While not as easy as store bought food, it is a great way to better control what your cat or dog is eating, and improve their nutrition. Humans, cats, dogs,, and every other animal have specific nutritional requirements. And while store bought dog and cat food is simple to use, it might not be the best in all cases. Many dog and cat foods are not made for the pet's requirements first, but expense first. This means using cheaper and poorer quality ingredients. For example, many cat or dog foods use vegetable matter for filler (like the wheat gluten involved in the pet food crisis of early 2007). While this does lower costs, it is not the natural protein dogs and cats are made for - meat. Although it is possible for dogs can go without real meat, cats can't. Various specific nutrients are required by cats, and are most easily found in meat. So, unless you are prepared to do a serious research into nutritional needs, and carefully monitor your pet's eating habits, you'll need to ensure there's sufficient meat in their diet. While pet food you buy now will be safe, cooking your own will result in better, fresher, food for your cat or dog. One disadvantage is that preparation will take more time than buying. As well, since the large companies preparing the food can make it cheaper in bulk, you may be forced to spend more for the food you make yourself. But the benefit is a much healthier meal for your dog or cat. Roughly speaking, a cat's diet should be about fifty-fifty for meat and carbohydrates (such as brown rice or vegetables). In contrast, a dog can do quite well on about 25% meat, and 75% carbohydrates. A vital thing to be careful of is giving your dog or cat your food. For example, onions and garlic are actually posionous to cats, and cause anemia. Tomatoes have a chemical that causes extreme stomach upset in cats. Chocolate of course has been shown to be dangerous to both dogs and cats. And as well, grapes and raisins are to be avoided by dogs. You can browse the Internet for specific recipes. Always make sure the recipe makes sense, and the ingredients are good for your pet. Ideally, if the Internet site discusses how they themselves use the recipe, you can read how well it goes over, and of course if their pets enjoy it. This will keep you from working on an untried recipe, or a recipe your pet won't enjoy. So some work, just a smidgen of care, a small expense, and time, you can prepare a meal for your pet that exceeds the fare usually available. And although it is a bit extra, the advantages of a much healthier diet for your cat and dog cannot be ignored. Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on pets, cat and dog care and animal health and visit our associated site articles for free. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Hartwell Cat - Dogs Detect Cancer in Humans Recently, in the news you may have heard of Oscar the Cat, who stays at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rhode Island. Oscar can predict a person's death is near or eminent and pays a visit to that person's bedside when the time gets nearer to death. How does he know this you ask? The grim reaper cat is only 2 years old, and already is astounding medical researchers with his talented insight. In some nursing homes across the country they allow dogs and cats to visit the residents, since they offer cheer and smiles to those who are old and sick. It is believed that pets enhance the outlook on life of sick and older people. Oscar's visit however, means more than we would want to know about when he walks into the room. The Cancer diagnosis ability of dogs first appeared to be studied in 1989, and in early 2000 to 2001. It was then explored that dogs could detect bladder cancers, and melanomas as well, as lung and breast cancers. In the article in Saga Journals entitled "Diagnostic Accuracy of Canine Scent Detection in Early and Late Stage Lung and Breast Cancers" the study was conducted by The Pine Street Foundation, in San Anselmo, California. The group comprised of; Michael McCulloch, Tadeusz Jerzierski, Michael Broffman, and others did an Integrative Cancer Therapy study involving 83 patients, of which 55 were lung cancer, and 32 breast cancer patients. The report in Saga Journals involved 5 dogs, 3 Lab Retrievers and 2 Portuguese Water dogs employed a reward based training method, where the dog's sniffed and identified samples by sitting in front of the cancerous samples. The results? Quoted from the Sage Publications, on the study, available at: Sagejournal.com " Among lung cancer patients and controls, overall sensitivity of canine scent detection compared to biopsy-confirmed conventional diagnosis was 0.99 (95% confidence interval , 0.99, 1.00) and overall specificity 0.99 (95% CI, 0.96, 1.00). Among breast cancer patients and controls, sensitivity was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.75, 1.00) and specificity 0.98 (95% CI, 0.90, 0.99). Sensitivity and specificity were remarkably similar across all 4 stages of both diseases. Conclusion: Training was efficient and cancer identification was accurate; in a matter of weeks, ordinary household dogs with only basic behavioural "puppy training" were trained to accurately distinguish breath samples of lung and breast cancer patients from those of controls". The dogs had a 95 percent accuracy compared to biopsy confirmed diagnosis of cancers. Also in breast cancer patients and controls, their sensitivity was 95 percent and for all 4 stages of both lung and breast cancer. This indicates that even if a cancer is in stage 1, their accuracy was the same as if it was at a stage 4 cancer. The dogs were ordinary household pets that conceivably can detect the set of chemicals that cancer patients exhale and in some cases, even before a diagnosis is made, which has been confirmed by regular medical tests. Perhaps someone can study what those chemicals are made up of, since a dog can certainly accurately identified the presence of these chemicals. A British journal reported that in their study in Britain, where the dog in one case, indicated a positive response to one particular sample, from a non-cancer patient or so they thought at the time. The researcher in the case was surprised that the dog identified a non-cancerous sample. That subject was tested again, and medical results came back that the person unknowingly had kidney and bladder cancer. Presently, dogs continue to be studied for their uncanny ability to sniff cancer either lung or breast cancer, and a dog scan would be a lot less painful and invasive than having a mammogram. Do dogs possess more of an amazing ability in scenting, or have we known this for years, as they are used to track people lost in the woods, or on the hunt for escaped prisoners. These days they sniff out illegal drugs, and bombs at airports providing a vital service to protect us against attacks. In England, dog owners train their pets to track the most expensive delicacy on earth -truffles. The areas in England are in the heartlands of Wiltshire and Hampshire. There is even a training school for dogs to be taught how to find truffles in the woods. Truffles are buried underground which are a little harder to find but worth the effort at up to $ 2,200.00 a pound for the more expensive white ones. The breeds being used are; Spaniels, Labs, Poodles, and a special breed of Italian truffle hounds called the Lagotto Romagnolo. Dogs have the capacity to filter the smallest particles in their noses, and can determine different chemicals in the atmosphere or in a breath sample. The whole world out there to a dog is sifted, and translated through their nose, they can determine much information via this venue especially about their owners. Have you ever wondered why a dog sniffs at you when you first come home after being away all day? They are detecting where you have been, your mood, and can scent whom you have been with, especially if you patted another dog. This makes Oscar's ability not only astounding, but confirms that cat's also possess an amazing an inexplicable ability to detect disease in humans. The very fact that Oscar can smell or somehow detect approaching death, also verifies that cats have a keen sense of smell detection. This has yet to be thoroughly documented, or studied and perhaps researchers should study more cats, rather than spending millions on diagnostic machinery. Ongoing research and studies are being conducted in California, and England on different types of cancers, and predictably dogs will prove to be an amazing diagnostic tool in the arsenal to fight against cancer through early detection in the future. Conceivably a dog can detect the same set of chemicals that cancer patients exhale while they are being diagnosed or even before a diagnosis is made and confirmed by regular medical tests. Dogs are greatly underestimated in their abilities as disease detectors, but we dog owners knew that all along, its just taking medical science longer to figure that out for themselves as the evidence is irrefutable. Oscar the cat, has a complete accuracy rate so far of 25 out of 25, so he is batting 1,000. It brings a new meaning to the words "Cat Scan". Oscar is so accurate that once he visits a room, the nurses call the immediate family! I wonder if Oscar gets a healthy treat now and then for his humanitarian efforts. Teri Salvador More details on the study can be found at Sage Publications: http://ict.sagepub.com

Cat - Dogs Detect Cancer in Humans

Recently, in the news you may have heard of Oscar the Cat, who stays at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rhode Island. Oscar can predict a person's death is near or eminent and pays a visit to that person's bedside when the time gets nearer to death. How does he know this you ask? The grim reaper cat is only 2 years old, and already is astounding medical researchers with his talented insight. In some nursing homes across the country they allow dogs and cats to visit the residents, since they offer cheer and smiles to those who are old and sick. It is believed that pets enhance the outlook on life of sick and older people. Oscar's visit however, means more than we would want to know about when he walks into the room. The Cancer diagnosis ability of dogs first appeared to be studied in 1989, and in early 2000 to 2001. It was then explored that dogs could detect bladder cancers, and melanomas as well, as lung and breast cancers. In the article in Saga Journals entitled "Diagnostic Accuracy of Canine Scent Detection in Early and Late Stage Lung and Breast Cancers" the study was conducted by The Pine Street Foundation, in San Anselmo, California. The group comprised of; Michael McCulloch, Tadeusz Jerzierski, Michael Broffman, and others did an Integrative Cancer Therapy study involving 83 patients, of which 55 were lung cancer, and 32 breast cancer patients. The report in Saga Journals involved 5 dogs, 3 Lab Retrievers and 2 Portuguese Water dogs employed a reward based training method, where the dog's sniffed and identified samples by sitting in front of the cancerous samples. The results? Quoted from the Sage Publications, on the study, available at: Sagejournal.com " Among lung cancer patients and controls, overall sensitivity of canine scent detection compared to biopsy-confirmed conventional diagnosis was 0.99 (95% confidence interval , 0.99, 1.00) and overall specificity 0.99 (95% CI, 0.96, 1.00). Among breast cancer patients and controls, sensitivity was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.75, 1.00) and specificity 0.98 (95% CI, 0.90, 0.99). Sensitivity and specificity were remarkably similar across all 4 stages of both diseases. Conclusion: Training was efficient and cancer identification was accurate; in a matter of weeks, ordinary household dogs with only basic behavioural "puppy training" were trained to accurately distinguish breath samples of lung and breast cancer patients from those of controls". The dogs had a 95 percent accuracy compared to biopsy confirmed diagnosis of cancers. Also in breast cancer patients and controls, their sensitivity was 95 percent and for all 4 stages of both lung and breast cancer. This indicates that even if a cancer is in stage 1, their accuracy was the same as if it was at a stage 4 cancer. The dogs were ordinary household pets that conceivably can detect the set of chemicals that cancer patients exhale and in some cases, even before a diagnosis is made, which has been confirmed by regular medical tests. Perhaps someone can study what those chemicals are made up of, since a dog can certainly accurately identified the presence of these chemicals. A British journal reported that in their study in Britain, where the dog in one case, indicated a positive response to one particular sample, from a non-cancer patient or so they thought at the time. The researcher in the case was surprised that the dog identified a non-cancerous sample. That subject was tested again, and medical results came back that the person unknowingly had kidney and bladder cancer. Presently, dogs continue to be studied for their uncanny ability to sniff cancer either lung or breast cancer, and a dog scan would be a lot less painful and invasive than having a mammogram. Do dogs possess more of an amazing ability in scenting, or have we known this for years, as they are used to track people lost in the woods, or on the hunt for escaped prisoners. These days they sniff out illegal drugs, and bombs at airports providing a vital service to protect us against attacks. In England, dog owners train their pets to track the most expensive delicacy on earth -truffles. The areas in England are in the heartlands of Wiltshire and Hampshire. There is even a training school for dogs to be taught how to find truffles in the woods. Truffles are buried underground which are a little harder to find but worth the effort at up to $ 2,200.00 a pound for the more expensive white ones. The breeds being used are; Spaniels, Labs, Poodles, and a special breed of Italian truffle hounds called the Lagotto Romagnolo. Dogs have the capacity to filter the smallest particles in their noses, and can determine different chemicals in the atmosphere or in a breath sample. The whole world out there to a dog is sifted, and translated through their nose, they can determine much information via this venue especially about their owners. Have you ever wondered why a dog sniffs at you when you first come home after being away all day? They are detecting where you have been, your mood, and can scent whom you have been with, especially if you patted another dog. This makes Oscar's ability not only astounding, but confirms that cat's also possess an amazing an inexplicable ability to detect disease in humans. The very fact that Oscar can smell or somehow detect approaching death, also verifies that cats have a keen sense of smell detection. This has yet to be thoroughly documented, or studied and perhaps researchers should study more cats, rather than spending millions on diagnostic machinery. Ongoing research and studies are being conducted in California, and England on different types of cancers, and predictably dogs will prove to be an amazing diagnostic tool in the arsenal to fight against cancer through early detection in the future. Conceivably a dog can detect the same set of chemicals that cancer patients exhale while they are being diagnosed or even before a diagnosis is made and confirmed by regular medical tests. Dogs are greatly underestimated in their abilities as disease detectors, but we dog owners knew that all along, its just taking medical science longer to figure that out for themselves as the evidence is irrefutable. Oscar the cat, has a complete accuracy rate so far of 25 out of 25, so he is batting 1,000. It brings a new meaning to the words "Cat Scan". Oscar is so accurate that once he visits a room, the nurses call the immediate family! I wonder if Oscar gets a healthy treat now and then for his humanitarian efforts. Teri Salvador More details on the study can be found at Sage Publications: http://ict.sagepub.com From a blog all about dog health and issues, giving away free memberships to the "Doggin Newsletter". You will not receive this information anywhere else with up to the minute news on dogs, health, products, food, and supplies. A surprise free gift for new subscribers, discounts, and up coming contests. For more information visit: http://www.DogHealth1.com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teri_Salvador Cat - For the Love of Charlie He arrived in early February 2005. Although new to our quiet middle class neighborhood, he acted as if he belonged there. A tiger cat with silver markings, with just enough brown and white to highlight them. But what struck you were his eyes. Huge, round, they went straight into your soul without mercy. The first day he walked up our driveway like he owned the place. Vocal, he meowed his introductions as we stroked his fur. Affectionate - he nibbled your fingers as he accepted all attention he felt entitled to. He wore an old collar with no information. Obviously well fed, his stomach would swing with his strides. I reassured my partner that he belonged to someone, and was just visiting. Secretly...I was worried. We already owned three cats, and one required daily medical attention. We didn't need another one. But Charlie soon wandered off so I relaxed a little. The following day he was sitting on our front door mat, waiting for us to return from work. This was very bad. My partner didn't help matters when she let him in. Needless to say our cats were not pleased to see Charlie. He sniffed noses and ignored hisses...he wanted to explore the house and had no time for their petty complaints. Amazed, we watched him explore each room, open shelves, jump on all furniture and counters. Whoever coined the phrase "Curiosity killed the cat" must have known Charlie, or his close relative. We offered food, which he refused. This confirmed my belief he was owned and getting meals elsewhere, so I relaxed a little. Even when he spent the night curled on our bed, and at one point under the covers. The next day - no Charlie. We found ourselves looking for him. Opening the front door looking up and down the street. Neither of us wanted to admit we enjoyed our mystery cat. Our other three cats relaxed a little. The following day Charlie came running to us as we returned from work. Full of stories he kept vocalizing as he curled around our legs. But something was wrong. He kept cocking his head sideways. I have owned cats my entire 40 years and never seen this before. He also seemed tired and unsteady. When he vomited yellow liquid we bundled him up for his first Vet trip. Of course the first thing they ask is how old he is. Ahhh ... well we were hoping you could tell us. This brought a blank stare from the Staff. We explained his history, and now Charlie had them by the heartstrings. Several tests later he was diagnosed with a failing liver, because he wasn't eating. Our Vet Christine spent a good thirty minutes explaining when a cat stops eating they will break down quickly. We had options of course. Force feeding and medication, or putting him down. We'd never faced anything like this before - my partner and I. One look at her eyes and I knew our answer. "We want this cat." Christine nodded and scheduled Charlie for a neck tube operation. Since Charlie wasn't eating we would need to feed him. For two months we fed him, by syringe, a mixture of special food, medication, and vitamins. These meals were small ones, given slowly, every few hours. Daily I also cleaned his neck wound (from the tube) and gave him IV fluids under the skin. We literally set the clock to do feedings. And not all of them would stay down. He didn't care for the needle either. It took two of us to keep him occupied long enough to drip in 200 ML. To pass the time I sang lullabies. I'm not musically talented, but the songs calmed me down, so I hoped he would relax as well. I think it worked...I certainly had a captive audience. Gradually we saw improvement. He loved the backyard and would find a sunny spot to watch the bird feeder, hoping one bird would fall off for dinner. We offered regular food, all kinds of moist and dry, at regular intervals. Charlie would sniff and walk away. Our Vet told us it was possible the tube was going to be permanent. Another Vet said to stop feeding him anything, which we disregarded immediately. But gradually we reduced his amount of food and hoped natural hunger would help. At this point, Charlie wanted to go out the front door. We worried he would disappear and leave us behind, but we needed to face it. We could just be a stop along his way. We let him out one morning and closed the door behind him. Watching through the glass, he looked back in disbelief. He was alone. Freedom! At work all day we both wondered if Charlie would be there...waiting for us. The day dragged by until quitting time arrived. No sign as we parked the car and walked up the front door path. But as we reached the door a striped cat appeared at our ankles...telling us about his exciting day. We were joyous, then tearful, as Charlie rushed in and ate dry food. The next day we had his tube removed and we celebrated his return to full health by walking through the neighborhood, with Charlie at our heels. Today, Charlie is a regular member of our household. We can't imagine our life before this character entered it...and took over. Our other cats accept him now, and bravely tried to accompany us on a walk. It didn't last beyond two houses. But Charlie, now well known by our neighbors, loves these walks, occasionally rolling in favorite spots along the way. So if a cat wanders your way, and decides to stay, be thankful. It means he has chosen YOU.

Cat - For the Love of Charlie

Quality Cat Supplies available at Low Prices and Free Shipping! He arrived in early February 2005. Although new to our quiet middle class neighborhood, he acted as if he belonged there. A tiger cat with silver markings, with just enough brown and white to highlight them. But what struck you were his eyes. Huge, round, they went straight into your soul without mercy. The first day he walked up our driveway like he owned the place. Vocal, he meowed his introductions as we stroked his fur. Affectionate - he nibbled your fingers as he accepted all attention he felt entitled to. He wore an old collar with no information. Obviously well fed, his stomach would swing with his strides. I reassured my partner that he belonged to someone, and was just visiting. Secretly...I was worried. We already owned three cats, and one required daily medical attention. We didn't need another one. But Charlie soon wandered off so I relaxed a little. The following day he was sitting on our front door mat, waiting for us to return from work. This was very bad. My partner didn't help matters when she let him in. Needless to say our cats were not pleased to see Charlie. He sniffed noses and ignored hisses...he wanted to explore the house and had no time for their petty complaints. Amazed, we watched him explore each room, open shelves, jump on all furniture and counters. Whoever coined the phrase "Curiosity killed the cat" must have known Charlie, or his close relative. We offered food, which he refused. This confirmed my belief he was owned and getting meals elsewhere, so I relaxed a little. Even when he spent the night curled on our bed, and at one point under the covers. The next day - no Charlie. We found ourselves looking for him. Opening the front door looking up and down the street. Neither of us wanted to admit we enjoyed our mystery cat. Our other three cats relaxed a little. The following day Charlie came running to us as we returned from work. Full of stories he kept vocalizing as he curled around our legs. But something was wrong. He kept cocking his head sideways. I have owned cats my entire 40 years and never seen this before. He also seemed tired and unsteady. When he vomited yellow liquid we bundled him up for his first Vet trip. Of course the first thing they ask is how old he is. Ahhh ... well we were hoping you could tell us. This brought a blank stare from the Staff. We explained his history, and now Charlie had them by the heartstrings. Several tests later he was diagnosed with a failing liver, because he wasn't eating. Our Vet Christine spent a good thirty minutes explaining when a cat stops eating they will break down quickly. We had options of course. Force feeding and medication, or putting him down. We'd never faced anything like this before - my partner and I. One look at her eyes and I knew our answer. "We want this cat." Christine nodded and scheduled Charlie for a neck tube operation. Since Charlie wasn't eating we would need to feed him. For two months we fed him, by syringe, a mixture of special food, medication, and vitamins. These meals were small ones, given slowly, every few hours. Daily I also cleaned his neck wound (from the tube) and gave him IV fluids under the skin. We literally set the clock to do feedings. And not all of them would stay down. He didn't care for the needle either. It took two of us to keep him occupied long enough to drip in 200 ML. To pass the time I sang lullabies. I'm not musically talented, but the songs calmed me down, so I hoped he would relax as well. I think it worked...I certainly had a captive audience. Gradually we saw improvement. He loved the backyard and would find a sunny spot to watch the bird feeder, hoping one bird would fall off for dinner. We offered regular food, all kinds of moist and dry, at regular intervals. Charlie would sniff and walk away. Our Vet told us it was possible the tube was going to be permanent. Another Vet said to stop feeding him anything, which we disregarded immediately. But gradually we reduced his amount of food and hoped natural hunger would help. At this point, Charlie wanted to go out the front door. We worried he would disappear and leave us behind, but we needed to face it. We could just be a stop along his way. We let him out one morning and closed the door behind him. Watching through the glass, he looked back in disbelief. He was alone. Freedom! At work all day we both wondered if Charlie would be there...waiting for us. The day dragged by until quitting time arrived. No sign as we parked the car and walked up the front door path. But as we reached the door a striped cat appeared at our ankles...telling us about his exciting day. We were joyous, then tearful, as Charlie rushed in and ate dry food. The next day we had his tube removed and we celebrated his return to full health by walking through the neighborhood, with Charlie at our heels. Today, Charlie is a regular member of our household. We can't imagine our life before this character entered it...and took over. Our other cats accept him now, and bravely tried to accompany us on a walk. It didn't last beyond two houses. But Charlie, now well known by our neighbors, loves these walks, occasionally rolling in favorite spots along the way. So if a cat wanders your way, and decides to stay, be thankful. It means he has chosen YOU. This Author is owned by three cats and lucky enough to live in California. She has authored a popular ebook serial story "Amazon Tale" at http://www.thereadersretreat.com/Gay_Romance.html She can be reached at Irishbard@writing.com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aura_Lee_O'Banion Cat - Bow Lingual Dog Translator - Does it work? Arrf, Woof, Bow-wow! Ever wonder what these dog sounds mean? Do you think your dog might be trying to say something really important to you? Well now you may be able to find out. The Japanese toy company Takara claims that their new dog translator called Bow-Lingual can actually translate dog sounds into human words and phrases. The device comes in two parts: a radio microphone that attaches to the dog's collar, and a receiver held by the owner that is said to translate the dog's barks. The translater is capable of translating the growls, grunts, and whines into phrases such as "I'm hungry," "walk me," and "I'm tired." The phrases as well as illustrations are displayed on the receivers LCD screen. Although the phrases are far from complex sentences, they do a reasonable job in describing what the dog wants or thinks. In addition to translating what your dog is saying at any given moment, Bow-Lingual is equipped with a Data Analysis Mode, which allows the owner to track changes in the dogs perceived emotions over time. The doggy translator also includes a Body Language Translation Mode, a Training Mode and a Medical Reference Mode. It uses 5 "AAA" batteries, and the first set is usually included. So how does Bow-Lingual turn bow-wow into human talk? Well, the device uses what is known as an animal Emotion Analysis System. This basically means that it has a large database of dog sounds which have been translated into human language by dog experts. So, when the dog makes a particular sound, the device matches the sound with the closest one it its database and spits out the human equivalent. Thus, the accuracy of the device is largely dependent on the experts prior ability to properly assign words and phrases to dog barks. And this, of course, is far from a perfect science. The device originally sold for over $150, but now can be bought for around $40 - $50. At this price it is probably worth experimenting with if you are at all curious about what your furry best friend is trying to tell you.