Raw Food Diet For Dogs For People With Busy Lives

Who wouldn’t want to have a dog in their life? They make really great companions. But most dog owners don’t give very much though on what to feed their dogs, usually turning to commercial dog food to feed their pets. There are of course advantages to commercial dog food, one being convenience, however, if you have a dog living with you, why not look into a raw food diet for dogs?

A raw food diet does offer some advantages. It contains concentrated nutrition whereas dog food in a can contains a lot of fillers such as grains. It also contain a lot of water. These ingredients are what you are paying for in a can of commercial dog food.

There are those who say that dogs cannot properly digest grains. No doubt some breeds digest grains better than others, however there is no doubt they are used because they are inexpensive rather than for their nutritional value.

As commercial dog food need to be cooked as part of the processing process, a lot of the vitamins and minerals in the food are lost. Although extra supplements are added to the final products, can this be as nutritionally whole as the natural vitamins and minerals found in a raw food diet?

More and more owners are feeding their dogs raw food or at least a mixture of both raw and canned. As people are becoming more conscious of what they themselves eat, naturally they are also concerned that their pet is also getting the best nutrition possible. Dog owners are also concerned about the quality of meat that goes into commercial dog foods. Usually these are poor quality meats that are unfit for human consumption. When you buy your dog’s meat yourself, you have much more control over his diet.

It’s natural to have some questions before starting your dog on a raw food diet. Just what do I feed and how much of it shall I give him? Are there any foods that I should avoid? And the biggest question; How can I fit all this into my already busy day?

The good news is a raw food diet is easy to implement. Simply buy more meat and vegetables at the supermarket instead of canned dog food. That’s it! Your dog will know what he does and doesn’t enjoy eating and will regulate the amount.

It will take a little bit of adjusting to get used to how much and what to feed your dog, but once you start to do it, you will have the hang of it in no time. After a while, it is going to become second nature. Your dog will be the one to tell you what he or she likes to eat and just how much.

When it comes to a raw food diet for dogs, I’m pretty sure your dog will end up thanking you for it. This type of diet will also help to keep your dog healthier and the coat shinier. If you are still unsure, why not start slowly and gradually add raw food into you dog’s eating schedule.

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This post was written by Noel DCosta on July 26, 2009

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The Smelly Life of Being a Dog

It is very true.Sorry to say…but your best friend stinks.Your dog? Still your favorite friend. Loyal. Uncomplicated. Dedicated. Totally True.Truly undemanding (most of the time)!). (Question) What more could a friend want from another?Here is the answer…A fragrant dog-friend.

How did this problem come to pass. Once upon a time, man’s best friend was also a hunter-friend, a fetching-food-friend, a needed asset to carry small loads to and fro. Almost everyone had bad body odor, so one more smelly dog was not even noticed.Move life forward, and a dog’s life is so different as to be ludicrous.The owner brings food to the dog nowadays.You may take your dog-friend with you anywhere, may play ball with your dog-friend.What happens nowadays? The owner takes a bath on a regular basis!Except for a good swim…dogs don’t generally like a bath. In fact, may go immediately outside to a nearby stinky place and begin to get comfy with himself again.Not in my bed! Not when my best friend smells like a goat.

So, what is the owner to do and why?A healthy dog is not dirty and smelly? The answer is YES!Dirt that is contaminated with bacteria, germs, viruses, insects has an endless list.When brought into the home, these same germs, bacteria and viruses contaminate furniture, clothing, carpets and other household items.It is very important to keep contaminants out of our living environments, particularly when elderly people are about, or where children live, or where allergies exist…and also off the poor pup.

So, now we have answers to the ‘why’ part of the question above.Now, let us examine the how.

Nok-Out gives new meaning to the smelly life of a dog. It will eliminate all odors in carpet, floors, upholstered furniture, beds, cars, clothing, kennels, and most importantly, on the dog’s coat. We’re talking about Nok-Out. It will destroy all odors, germs, bacteria, viruses, even mold and mildew on contact, and is completely harmless to you, your personal articles, and most importantly, to your dog!Applcation of Nok-Out is simple. Spray, Wipe, Mop, Sponge, or Soak articles and expect immediate results.Dip your dog in Nok-Out, spray it on his coat, put Nok-Out in the bath water.Nok-Out is EPA Registered to kill all pathogens of importance in your environment. It will not harm you, your pets, or your family.

This is good to try today!You are going to get immediate relief from dog-smells in your home, in the car, anywhere you go with your best friend.

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This post was written by Noel DCosta on July 26, 2009

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Read These Dog Food Secrets Reviews If You Truly Love Your Dog

So, you think that giving anything that is edible to your dog is one way of showing your love and concern for your furry friend, eh? Well, you’re very wrong. Don t you know that chocolates are poisonous for your dog? There are dog lovers who think they are giving something good for their dog when they give online buy cheap without prescription out chocolate. The fact of the matter is, they are slowly trying to kill their pets. One pet dog owner was very perplexed why his dog always has skin allergy and keeps on scratching until he breaks open his skin. They went to the vet only to find out that the foods he is feeding to his dog are the ones that are making his pet suffer. So, naturally, the vet prescribed some medicines but what he should have given is the proper diet for the poor pet but frankly speaking, some vets are not telling dog owners something very important. Thank goodness, there is an existing book called the Dog Food Secrets Book.

This book guide is what pet dog owners are trying to get their hands on and you know why? This book guide will tell each dog owner about the right diet for his pet to maintain the health of their pets. In this book, you will be surprised to learn that there are other dog foods which are not beneficial to the health of your pet and worse, other dog food are actually making the dog sick. According to some Dog Food Secrets reviews, this guide is also filled with lots of useful and life-saving information aside from the right dog diet.

So, if you really want to know more about dogs, dog health and dog diet, you should have this book with you by now. You will also learn from this book guide why some people consider Dog Food Secrets scam and why they re wrong.

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This post was written by Noel DCosta on July 26, 2009

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Do Dogs have Feelings?

Do dogs have feelings? It’s a question most dog owners have probably wondered at some point. And the logical answer, if you’ve ever looked into your dog’s sad eyes before you’ve left the house to go to work, leaving him alone all day, is: Of course a dog has feelings!

But whether a dog experiences joy, pain, sadness, jealousy, love and even hate is a topic that’s still up for debate. Aristotle apparently found evidence of emotion in animals. ”Some are good-tempered, sluggish, and little prone to ferocity, as the ox; others are quick-tempered, ferocious, and unteachable, as the wild boar,” he wrote in
”The History of Animals.”

And Marc Bekoff, of the University of Colorado, wrote a book called ”The Smile of the Dolphin,” in which researchers explain why they believe animals have emotions.

A study at the University of Vienna, Austria, found that dogs have a sense of fairness and jealousy, as well as a sensitivity that goes beyond reward and punishment factors.

”Animals react to inequity," said Dr. Friederike Range, who led researchers in testing animals at the school’s Clever Dog Lab. ”To avoid stress, we should try to avoid treating them differently.”

But beyond the myriad studies are our own daily dealings with our dogs, and the seemingly irrefutable fact that dogs experience emotions that are at least similar — if not identical — to humans.

Take Lollipop, my 4-year-old Rottweiler who believes she is my human soulmate. I can look in her eyes and immediately tell if she is happy, sad, tired, preoccupied, jealous, angry, and even feeling blissfully in love at that moment(yes, with me). It’s uncanny. And I can often trace those feelings to previous activities in the day. If I’ve taken one of my other dogs for a walk and left her home, I get the poutyface, you know the one; if I’m about to take her to the park for a playdate, her smile is as wide as her big, square head; if she’s sad that I’m leaving for work (without her), she sits quietly resigned at the end of the couch, her eyes droopy and her mouth shut tight (I can almost see the bottom lip sticking out). They are as blatant expressions of feelings as I’ve ever seen in a human.

The beautiful thing about our dogs and their feelings is that they’re able to let them go. They don’t hold grudges, and they don’t play the guilt-trip game (at least not for long). They are eager to move on to the next emotion, and are often steered to that by our actions. When I arrive home after work, all is forgiven and Lollipop’s there
to welcome me with open paws. The wide, goofy grin is there, and she’s always eager to hear about my day (as long as I’m petting her while I talk). It’s true love, alright. And if that’s not proof of feelings and emotions, I don’t know what is.

www.pawsiblegaytails.blogspot.com

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This post was written by Noel DCosta on June 7, 2009

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Frontline Plus- best way to kill fleas and ticks of your pets

Pets are always regarded as the preeminent friends of human. Just as we state our sentiment, even our pets have their own ways to convey their sentiment. Just like a child, even our pets fall ailing due to the many reasons and also require the childlike nursing so as to recover from the sickness.

The highly professional vet doctors check the pets and spot them for their infection and then stipulate the required medicine to restore to health them properly from their physical harms. However, the pet medication is dissimilar from the human medications and are not easily found in every pharmacy just as human medications do.

For the best pet care of your pets, they necessitate great attention of their pet owners. Thus for the well being of the pets, you need to grant a regular health check and pet meds to them based on their requirements.

However, pets generally fall sick due to the unfitting calamities such as the unhygienic food or the direct contact with other pets. They also have various types of illness and vet doctor is the only source to check the correctly and stipulate right medications.

The most common pet tribulations mainly caused by hazardous parasites like fleas and ticks. Parasite is an organism that largely depends upon their host. They grow and develop feeding their hosts. Pets are being the preeminent host for them and offer the best shelter unknowingly.

Fleas cause acute infection and make them totally helpless and this requires a perfect solution.

Frontline plus is the ultimate pet med to relive your pet from the clutches of parasites completely. With the application it affects instantaneously to recover the pet and proposes 100% positive result. For our pet dogs, the Advantage flea are most highly stipulated. It is a fast solution to destroy the harmful fleas from the body of your loving pet. It is principally a topical drug has to be spread on the body of the pet to get rid of those nasty fleas. Pet med is highly prevalent amongst the pet owners and offers guaranteed results within the shortest time interval.

Another powerful pet med is widely known as Heartguard that averts a deadly disease caused by heartworm. The disease is more generally seen in the cats and the dogs as they come in contact with the other animals and thus get themselves contaminated.

Mosquitoes are also being a carrier for heartworms and they pass on them with every bite. Thus, once the worm enters into the body, they start failing your pet by sucking their health day by day and start spreading soon.

Heartguard is the finest solution for the heartworm to eliminate its growth and clear the larva totally. The medication can also be spread on the body of all breeds of dogs. Moreover the application of advised pet meds should not exceed its doses else it could prove lethal for the health of the animal.

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This post was written by Noel DCosta on May 10, 2009

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Spinal Problems in Doxies

Like any breed, Dachshunds are at risk for numerous conditions and diseases. Because of their long bodies and short legs they are most at risk for spinal problems. One of the most common forms is a condition labeled IVDD (Intervertebral Disk Disease), actually an umbrella term for a number of problems.

Vertebrae are the hard bones that make up the spinal column support. They enclose the spinal cord and are separated by soft tissue called intervertebral discs, which provide a cushion between the bones.IVDD endangers a Doxie’s health in several different ways.

Excessive jumping and other forms of back stress can cause a rupture of one or more discs, usually toward the rear. IVDD and other back problems occur most frequently by age four but can happen earlier, sometimes as young as two.Simple age can cause the disc to reduce its fluid level, making it less elastic.That also increases the chances of rupture or herniation.Frequently the vertebrae become more frail.

A number of serious possibilities exist if that occurs.

The spinal cord can be put at risk as a fragment of the spine loses vital support.In the event compression takes place, paralysis is not far behind.Constriction of spinal fluid can have similar outcome.Loss of circulation leads to nerve death, because the nerves are cut off from needed nutrition.

Look for any instance of incapability to lift the rear end off the ground or lowering near the tail.Some other signs include loss of bladder control or weakness in the rear legs.

In these extreme incidents, treatment – usually surgery – within 24 hours is critical. If left untreated, the result is frequently permanent disability.

Even in less serious instances back pain is present.It can be difficult to ascertain when a dog is in pain but symptoms include difficulty walking up stairs, lethargy and similar signs in an otherwise active dog.

Treatment with Prednisone (or corticosteroids) is sometimes recommended but entails risks. Apart from the usual risks of long-term steriod use, it is possible to overdo care. Lessening pain is desirable, but if it is eliminated the dog can become too active again, leading to more injury.Adequan injections can aid in promoting disc healing.

Whether treated with steroids or just Rimadyl, it is advantageous to cage your Dachshund or otherwise keep him calm, reducing physical activity.Given the Doxie’s confident and active nature that is difficult, but it is essential.

Don’t allow the dog to stand on its hind legs, which compresses the spine.Do not allow the dog to jump down stairs.Yard sports should be restricted until the dog has completely healed.Always support the whole length of the spine when picking up your Dachshund.

With the right kind of care many Dachshunds recover completely to lead active, normal, healthy lives.But formal diagnosis as soon as possible is essential to improve the odds.

More tips, information and dog supplies can be found at LuvUrDog.com, just for Dog Lover’s

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This post was written by Noel DCosta on May 10, 2009

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Glucosamine in the diet of a dog

Glucosamine is basically an amino sugar, which is one of the leading advocates of that form exoskeletons of crustaceans, the cell walls of fungi and other higher organisms. For humans, it is generally used to treat cases of osteoarthritis, although its use in medical therapy varies. Research has shown that its effect in dogs has also been found to promote the movement of the joints and maintain the cartilage. As you’re in the store pondering the many varieties of dog food for your dog’s diet, purchase your mind can be truly overwhelmed. The numerous ingredients in dog food simply complicate things even further. Who really knows what the ingredients really mean? Glucosamine can see some of the labels on dog food. That sounds a little familiar. Have you heard of glucosamine in the news? What exactly is glucosamine and why should it be in your dog’s diet? Diet for dogs is something that must not be overlooked by a pet owner like you.

Glucosamine is a dietary supplement. Glucosamine has been shown to promote good joint health. This supplement helps maintain good joint cartilage. Glucosamine is one of the main building blocks to produce joint lubricants. The joint lubricant helps to keep joints moving and functioning with ease. Glucosamine in your dog’s diet will ensure your pet in their work together in the levels of peak performance for years to come. This may be possible with the scientific community through the disintegration of glucosamine beneficial to humans with a health problem: a popular dietary supplement that has proven to be beneficial for maintaining good health and improved articular cartilage of the lubrication of the various joints, acting as a building block element. This set of movements and improvement, since it has worked for humans, it was not long before the goodness of glucosamine for dogs was tested and the results were good and was beneficial to health canine is guaranteed to the maximum performance levels even as the dog grew older.

In the natural form, glucosamine can be found in shellfish, while the other source of fermented corn, which is suitable for vegetarian dog lover. It is now increasingly recommended that dog owners to seriously consider including glucosamine dog in your daily diet as it is not only an element of health promotion, but also free from side effects of any kind even when taken with other medicines and supplements. Seafood is a good source of glucosamine. Another way to get glucosamine involves a fermentation process of corn. This method to produce glucosamine creates a vegetable based glucosamine. Glucosamine is typically safe as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Your dog’s diet should include glucosamine to encourage joint health. Your pet does not suffer from side effects or interactions with medications when glucosamine is part of the diet of your dog.

Glucosamine supplements come in many forms. You can even give your dog a treat specially designed to supplement your dog’s diet with glucosamine. The tasty treatment eliminates the problem of your dog with a dose of pills. You will find that supplements of glucosamine is in the market have different shapes. You can join to find food for dogs, dogs treated, or pills.

Although its use is considered safe, you still want to consult with your veterinarian about anything that you have a pet or eating diet plans that want to apply. You may be acting for the best reasons for the welfare of your pet, but can also be measured or things that may be harmful to them. Of course, it is always best to talk to your veterinarian about any changes in your dog’s diet. He or she can give you tips on what to add supplements to your dog’s diet and how much. Ask your veterinarian about the benefits of glucosamine. As a resposible pet owner, you must always follow the best dog diet.

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This post was written by Noel DCosta on April 25, 2009

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Frequent Diseases in Dachshunds

In reality, there is no disease truly common in Dachshunds Most Dachshunds are born healthy and live long, relatively disease-free lives.Some minor health issues arise for nearly every dog at some point, even those who receive early vaccinations and excellent life-long care.

Nevertheless, some conditions do occur more often in Dachshund than in other breeds.

Diseases of the Adrenal Gland

One common disease of the adrenal gland is Cushing’s Disease, or hyperadrenocorticism. In Cushing’s Disease, too much of the cortisol hormone is produced, either by a primary tumor or the adrenal gland, or a malfunction of the pituitary gland, which is the master gland that tells the adrenal gland how much cortisol to produce. The elevated cortisol level results in skin conditions, hair loss, excessive drinking and urination, a pot-bellied appearance and occasionally diabetes. Specific laboratory tests can be used to diagnose Cushing’s disease and treatment depends on the results. Decreasing the level of cortisol can be achieved by several drugs. Occasionally, surgery may be needed to remove the adrenal gland if it is cancerous. Cushing’s disease is also found in other breeds of dogs.

The opposite condition is called Addison’s disease or low cortisol (hypoadrenocorticism). Cushing’s takes some time to present itself, but Addison’s disease is a sudden episode of collapse due to too low of glucose (blood sugar) and an imbalance of the electrolytes. The sudden illness results in an emergency visit to the veterinarian to correct the imbalances with fluid therapy and cortisone injections. Addison’s is the most difficult disease to diagnose because the sudden collapse resembles many disorders. Specialized blood tests are needed to identify both Addison’s and Cushing’s Disease. Treatment of Addison’s disease is life-long treatment with prednisone (cortisone) and electrolytes.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Several eye diseases can affect Dachshunds, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. PRA is a degeneration of the retina, the lining in the back of the eye. The deterioration leads to gradual vision loss and eventual blindness. PRA is a genetic trait, and since it is a slow, progressive disease, these dogs are sometimes bred before the disease is diagnosed, thus perpetuating the disease. Regretfully, there is currently no cure or treatment for PRA. Other eye disease that can affect Doxies are optic nerve hypoplasia, glaucoma, cataracts, distichiasis (abnormal eyelashes) as well as other conditions. Regular eye exams can help detect these eye-disorders early.

Intervertebral Disc Disease

By far the most common disease of Dachshunds is related to the discs between the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). The disc is normally gelatinous and provides a cushion between the bones of the back (spine). In Doxies, this materials sometimes calcifies, or hardens, and sometimes ruptures. The protruding disc material causes inflammation, swelling and pressure on the nerves coming from the spinal cord and sometimes presses on the spinal cord itself. The herniated disc causes pain, a reluctance to jump up, partial paralysis and can progress to total paralysis. The majority of Dachshunds with disc disease can be managed medically with pain medication and anti-inflammatory medications. Some owners have tried holistic medicine, such as acupuncture or chiropractic manipulation to help with the pain. When total paralysis is due to a complete rupture, immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord may help restore full function in the legs. The sooner the surgery is performed, the better the chances of full recovery.

Experimental treatment is being tested that uses laser heat to fuse the disc material in the spine to prevent the rupture. Because this is such a common problem in them, I do recommend purchasing health insurance for your pet. Unfortunately, some owners cannot afford the surgery and pets suffering with total paralysis or extreme pain are euthanized. A few of my patients, which were partially paralyzed, did recover some function of their legs over time. Some dogs may recover without surgery, but it is impossible to predict.

Vaccination Reactions

Allergic reactions to vaccinations does seem to occur in the Dachshund more often than any other breed. The reaction is usually minor, resulting in swelling of the face and muzzle and sometimes hives. Vaccine reactions can occur in any dog, so it always best to watch your pet for a few hours after a health check. Vaccines have improved over the past few years so reactions are fewer and the benefits of protecting your pet against the diseases outweighs the risks.

Dachshunds can lead a very long and healthy life, sometimes upward to 15 years. Preventive health checks, proper diets, vaccinations, heartworm and parasite prevention, and good dental care can help your Doxie live longer. You can find more information concerning your dogs health at LuvUrDog.com as well Dachshund breed gifts.

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This post was written by Noel DCosta on April 24, 2009

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Tips for caring for your pet throughout the credit crunch

Tips for caring for your pet throughout the credit crunch.

Here are alist of tips most sussex vets can agree on.

The recent recession has been getting to us all, and animal shelters seem to be getting close to full with the influx of animals unable to be cared for anymore. Animal lovers are having to make a difficult decision over their pets. These are afew tips to getting you and Fido through the recession.

  • First, if you dont already have a pet, do the research into having one. Pets do cost alot to look after in the long run, and you have to weigh up if you can look after one? Get in contact with the local animal shelters for a resuced animal, which needs some love more than most.
  • Take out pet insurance. Its not always cheap, but it’ll be alot more cheaper than all the vet fees that you’ll have to pay in the future. Cover can cost from as little from 8 per month -shop around online and find out.
  • Try to find a cheaper food brand- your doing it with your food, why cant fido help out as well? Your pet may reject the cheaper food at first (some being picky), but if thats all they have to eat they’ll come around- usually in five minutes time.
  • Neuter your pet. Looking after one pet is costly enough- a whole family of puppies and kitten may be what finally breaks the bank? The animal popualtion is high enough as it is and shelters are already close to their maximum capacity.

You’ve done these tips to try and keep hold of your pets, but sadly, what if those animal hospital bills are too much?

  • Contact the animal homes to find out if they have the room for your pet -the RSPCA, Dogs trust.
  • A friend or relative may decide to look after them -at least you’d still get to see them.
  • DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT ABANDONING YOUR PET -karma’s a powrful force.
  • Include an ad in the classified section of a local newspaper to see if someone will adopt your pet.

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This post was written by Noel DCosta on April 17, 2009

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Out in the cold- pet owners unable to cope in economic crises

Out in the cold- pet owners unable to cope in economic crises.

Animal charities and sussex vets have noticed that the Credit crunch is now taking our tolls to on our fluffy friends.

Animal charities are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of dogs and cats being borught into their shelters, with owners simply unable to afford them. During this time of economic crises, where buisnesses are collapsing and going under left, right and centre and making people redundant, our animal companions seem to be hit as well, as owners just can continue to cope with thier own bills of rent and then their pets food, veternary and insurance bills. Animals are either being dropped off at animal shelters or taken a distance away from the family home and dropped in the middle of no-where, left to fend for themselves.

So why has this happened to Fluffy and fido? Spare a thought for all those animals who were bought as xams presents0 more so this year. Families that could afford that new puppy suddenly cant due to redundancy, and rover’s looking at the chop. People are also forced to downgrade and move to smaller accomidations, which dont allow pets to the dismay of the owner.

Can the animal hospitals cope with this sudden influx of casualties?

Animal charities and re-homing centres are close to bursting, now only willing to take the most severe of cases. They are also receiving less donations to, with the credit crunch seeing the belts tightening and all charities getting less handouts as people struggle to even save themselves.

The light at the end of the tunnel is that January saw some shelters report a increase in people adopting animals, most animal charities are still seeing more animals arriving than going out.

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This post was written by Noel DCosta on April 17, 2009

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