Rrrrrrrr

If you’ve spent any time with consultants from large firms
(especially in the ’90’s), then you heard some of the buzz
words and phrases heard in offices across the U.S.; phrases
such as get our arms around this, paradigm shift,
reinvent the wheel, and any verbing of a noun (such as “incent“) was typically heard in many conference rooms.

Many of these phrases were not meaningful to those who heard
them. Employees need to understand the phrases of management
before they believe it. And they need to believe it before
they will do something about it.

In coaching, a basic question is, “What’s important?”
Employees who don’t hear or understand what is really
important will decide for themselves what’s important
and will act and work accordingly.

The management of a large department store thought they
communicated to their employees that the most important
part of their job was customer service. However, upon
surveying the salespeople, they found that a majority of the employees
believed their most important task was protecting the
inventory. Why did they think so? Because they received
many memos from management regarding loss of inventory
and security. Communications about customer service were
not nearly as numerous.

Is there a system in place at your business (for the
company or the department) in which employees are
informed about the goals of the business and how their
job helps the company reach those goals? Do they know
how they will be rewarded for their contribution?
Do they understand it?
Do they believe it?
Will they take action?

Clear communication is a must and a key to that action.
It involves knowing your audience, having a strategy,
clarifying steps, and measuring the results.

Know your Audience

Who are your people? What will they respond to positively?
Find out what they consider to be relevant. If it doesn’t
match what you consider to be relevant, then take time to
re-shape relevancy and the company. Whom do they believe
is credible when that person communicates? How do they
respond to various types of communication?

Have a Strategy

Strategize a communications plan to emphasize
“what’s important”. Rather than simply send out memos,
brochures, and fliers to tell people stuff, plan your
strategy first. Does it make sense? Does it clearly
emphasize what you’re wanting to communicate?

Clarify the Steps

Is there some action that you want employees to take?
Make certain that within your strategy there are places
where action steps are clearly defined. Keep the level
of English at a grade level that makes sense for the
audience. For example, for a general audience that has
a wide-range, a 7th grade to 8th grade level is good.
(Most newspapers are written at this level. Microsoft
Word will tell you the grade level of your writing in
“Readability Statistics” at the end of the spell check
routine as “Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level”, if you turn on
“readability statistics”.)

Communicate the benefits of the actions you want the
employees to take. This includes both the benefits to
the company or department and the benefits to the
individual employee.

Measure the Results

How did you do in your communications effort? Have someone
create a survey that draws out the results (the raw truth).
Did employees understand it?
Did they believe it?
Do they still believe it?
Did they take action?
Was it appropriate action?

The responses will measure how your communications helped
to change behavior and, in some circumstances, if
performance improved (if that was a goal).

In conclusion, following this outline of knowing your audience, having
a communication strategy, clarifying the steps with your
audience, and measuring the results, will ensure that
your communications plan gives you the results you
want.

© 2005 Borgeson Consulting, Inc.

Glory Borgeson is a business coach and consultant, and the president of
Borgeson Consulting, Inc. She specializes in helping small business owners
(of 500 employees or less) to increase their Entrepreneurial IQ, which
leads to increased profit and decreased stress. Whether an entrepreneur is at the top
of his game like any top athletes you can think of today, or a rookie just
starting his business, Glory works with the entire spectrum of entrepreneur.
Top athletes have a coach; why not you?

Click here for Borgeson Consulting, Inc.

This article was originally published in The Business Express, Borgeson’s
free monthly ezine. You may subscribe by clicking here:

Ezine

Comments Off

Statistics reveal that more than 50% of Americans prefer to drink bottled water and that from 1988 to 1998, the sales of bottled water tripled to about 4 billion annually.

Almost all the states require all bottlers and distributors of bottled water to obtain a permit from the concerned department of health and human resources in the office of environmental health services. This is to ensure that the bottled water is from an approved source, which is properly protected, is properly labeled about the source, tested for potential contaminants and inspected to verify that it is bottled in a sanitary manner.

Bottling plants can be in-state bottling plants or out-of state bottling plants. In-state bottling plants are permitted to use any laboratory from the facilities provided by the department of health and human resourced. Alternatively, they can use an out of state laboratory not provided in the list only if the laboratory has been certified with the Safe Drinking Water Act Regulations for testing of water. However, the plant must submit the state or country certification number as well as the name and address of the laboratory while submitting the application.

The leading brands in the market are the PepsiCo and Coca cola. Pepsi and Coke each produce a single bottled water brand in the retail premium PET segment in the industry. PepsiCo’s Aquafina, which is exhaustively filtered with no added minerals, is considered to be in the number one position with an increasing number of sales. Coke’s Dasani, which has a mineral mix, is a close second in the market. Nestlé’s Perrier and Danone’s Evian follow close to these two leading brands.

Bottled water provides a safe alternative to tap water. All different bottled water brands offer unique flavors for consumers.

Bottled Water provides detailed information about bottled water, bottled water brands, and more. Bottled Water is affiliated with Traditional Mediterranean Diet.

Comments Off

What is Stress?

Stress may be defined as the three-way relationship between demands on people, our feelings about those demands and our ability to cope with them. Stress is most likely to occur in situations where:

1. Demands are high.
2. The amount of control we have is low.
3. There is limited support or help available for us.

Who is Affected Most by Stress?

Virtually all people experience stressful events or situations that overwhelm our natural coping mechanisms. And although some people are biologically prone to stress, many outside factors influence susceptibility as well.

Studies indicate that some people are more vulnerable to the effects of stress than others. Older adults; women in general, especially working mothers and pregnant women; less-educated people; divorced or widowed people; people experiencing financial strains such as long-term unemployment; people who are the targets of discrimination; uninsured and underinsured people; and people who simply live in cities all seem to be particularly susceptible to health-related stress problems.

People who are less emotionally stable or have high anxiety levels tend to experience certain events as more stressful than healthy people do. And the lack of an established network of family and friends predisposes us to stress-related health problems such as heart disease and infections. Caregivers, children and medical professionals are also frequently found to be at higher risk for stress-related disorders.

Job-related stress is particularly likely to be chronic because it is such a large part of life. Stress reduces a worker’s effectiveness by impairing concentration, causing sleeplessness and increasing the risk of illness, back problems, accidents and lost time. At its worst extremes, stress that places a burden on our hearts and circulation can often be fatal. The Japanese have a word for sudden death due to overwork: karoushi.

Medical Affects of Chronic Stress

The stress response of the body is like an airplane readying for take-off. Virtually all systems, such as the heart and blood vessels, the immune system, the lungs, the digestive system, the sensory organs, and the brain are modified to meet the perceived danger.

A stress-filled life really seems to raise the odds of heart disease and stroke down the road. Researchers have found that after middle-age, those who report chronic stress face a somewhat higher risk of fatal or non-fatal heart disease or stroke over the years. It is now believed that constant stress takes its toll on our arteries, causing chronically high levels of stress hormones and pushing people to maintain unhealthy habits like smoking.

Stressed-out men are twice as likely as their peers to die of a stroke. There are weaker such findings among women, which is likely due to the fairly low number of heart disease and stroke cases among women, rather than a resistance to the health effects of chronic stress. Women seem slightly more susceptible to the effects of stress than men.

Simply put, too much stress puts you at dire risk for health problems. Whether it comes from one event or the buildup of many small events, stress causes major physical alterations that often lead to health problems. Here is a list of some of these changes:

• Our heart rates increase, to move blood to our muscles and brains.

• Our blood pressures go up.

• Our breathing rates increase.

• Our digestion slows down.

• Our perspiration increases.

• We feel a rush of strength at first, but over time stress makes us feel weak.

These reactions helped our ancestors survive threats by preparing for either “fight or flight.” Today, our bodies still react the same way, but the events that cause stress do not require this ancient mechanism.

Stress can also greatly raise our risk of:

• Ulcers and digestive disorders

• Headaches

• Migraine headaches

• Backaches

• Depression

• Suicide

• High blood pressure

• Stroke

• Heart attack

• Alcohol and drug dependencies

• Allergies and skin diseases

• Cancer

• Asthma

• Depressed immune system

• More colds and infections

We have to learn ways to relieve stress, because when it goes on for very long or happens too often, it obviously can cause many serious health problems.

Resources about Stress Risks

The information in this article is originally from: the Somerset Medical Center website,
http://www.somersetmedicalcenter.com; the University of Maryland Medicine website,
http://www.umm.edu/patiented; the March of Dimes website, http://www.marchofdimes.com; the voice of doctors website, http://web.bma.org.uk; and the Health Ink Online website, http://www.healthinkonline.com.

RAINBOW WRITING, INC. — featuring Karen Peralta, copy editor, ghost writer and book author — EXPERT FREE DOWNLOAD COMPUTER FIXER PROGRAM! We also offer inexpensive professional freelance and contracted writing, editing, copy editing and writing, rewriting, ghost writing, graphics design and CAD, Internet marketing, publishing assistance, search engine optimization, professional free services and supercheap dedicated web hosting and website development services. http://www.rainbowriting.com/ And for inexpensive solid gold cdroms: fun arcade games, internet, computer and windows learning tutorials, money making ebusiness software and e-books and new cds coming out frequently, check with Four Seasons CDROM Store at http://www.cdrommarket.com/

Comments Off

Have you ever wondered about engagement rings?

In the Anglo-American tradition, an engagement ring is a ring worn by a woman on her left-hand ring finger indicating her engagement to be married. By modern convention, the ring is usually presented as a betrothal gift by a man to his prospective bride while or directly after she accepts his marriage proposal. It represents a formal agreement to chastity and a future marriage.

The tradition of wearing an engagement ring is thought to date bake to Roman times when it was thought that the fourth finger of the left hand was the “vena amoris” (vein of love) leading directly to the heart. Rings of this nature have been found dating back as far as 4 AD.

That said the origin of the engagement ring is still a cause for debate. One trend of thought is that the ring evolved from slave shackles, the ring symbolising the future bondage of husband and wife.

The concept of an “engagement period” can be traced to 1215 when at the Fourth Lateran Council Pope Innocent III declared a longer waiting period between betrothal and marriage.

Engagements rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. This tradition is thought to be from the Romans, who believed this finger to be the “vena amoris” (vein of love), the vein that leads to the heart. Romantic rings found were found in this era (from as far back as 4 AD) which resembled the Claddagh Celtic symbol (two hands holding a loveheart) and so it is thought that this was used as some symbol of love and commitment between a man and a woman.

However there is a lot of speculation about the origins of the engagement ring, see the link below for more information on the history of engagement rings. Some people suggest that the rings could have evolved from slave shackles, and thus symbolise the future bondage of husband and wife.

But our modern day practice of giving an engagement ring can be traced back to 1477 when Maximilian 1, the Holy roman Emperor, gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring as an engagement present.

The concept of an engagement period began in 1215 at the Fourth Lateran Council, when Pope Innocent III declared a longer waiting period between betrothal and marriage. The modern Western form of the practice of giving or exchanging engagement rings began in 1477 when Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring as an engagement present.

Kevin Hart
http://www.abcwritersnetwork.co.uk
ABC Writers Network:
an indispensable resource for creative writers with
competitions, suggestions, reviews and general market advice.

Comments Off

If you desire Paralegal career in California you should know what is required of you. Technically, in regards to licensing or certification there are not any requirements in which you must meet. However, since there are so very many paralegals already employed in California along with so many more seeking employment in the state, you should, on your own, earn one of two certifications to enhance your career opportunities. These two voluntary certifications mentioned are the Certified Legal Assistant, or in short the CLA, and the Registered Paralegal or RP.

Certified Legal Assistant: The CLA is the more opted choice of most Californians. If you so choose to obtain your own CLA certification you will need to take a two-day exam. You can get this examination from the Certifying Board of Legal Assistance. This exam satisfies the requirements defined by the National Association of Legal Assistants. Renewal of certification after 5 years is a mandate. Within a five-year period, you must finish 50 hours of approved continuing legal education credits in order to satisfactorily complete your renewal. You could also get your certified as a California Advance Specialist (CAS).

Registered Paralegal: If you want to become a Registered Paralegal (RP), it is first required of you to write and pass the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE). This a test formed by the National Federation of Paralegal Associates (NFPA). Proof of completion of 12 hours of approved continuing legal education credits, in which are to be done so within the two-year frame, must be presented, to renew the certification. Renewal is required every 2 years.

Comments Off

So marital aid are on the lips of every chick these days, either chatting about them in the web chats, at the corner shop or on the telly. But which marital aid is the nicest, with the big choice to select from surely a sex toy researcher had to find out the best one.

Sex Bomb asked over one hundred and thirty women in November what their most excellent marital aid was along with other personal questions.

If you love sex toys you should try out Rabbit Vibrators

It was identified that the most most excellent marital aid for women was the vibrator, and they just really liked it! UK chicks were so excited by the idea of a really big vibrator that many of them would use it straight after coming home from work. The best types of vibrator were the Jessica bunny vibrators as they help to stimulate the clitoris as well as inserting into the love tunnel.

The second most popular marital aid was the exciting dildo dong. Dongs are similar to vibrators except they don?t have batteries or vibrate. Dongs come in all shapes and sizes from seven inches to 12 inches. They can come with sucker cups to have a great experience hands free and can easily attach to a bath or toilet set. Dongs have been a firm best seller since the 90s and looks like they will be around for a long time.

So it was decided that the vibrator was the winner and the dildo came in second place, with some many sex toys out there it was difficult to know which type of vibrator was the most exciting for women to try. The standard vibrators are battery powered and shaped like a male’s penis. Classic vibrators are shaped just like the proper thing and use batteries for power. Stardard vibrators can be made up of plastic, vinyl metal or silicone. Stardard vibrators can either be popped in or placed against your vagina to get the sensation. We store a wide range of standard vibrators.

The nicest way to use standard vibrators is to make sure it is very clean before use, make sure it is not too big for your vagina, and also make sure that you do not use it every Friday night and you do venture out on a date to the nightclub.

Comments Off

The purpose of your site is to make money. Well, that’s true for everyone but the family hobby sites, charitable organizations (although they want your contributions) and some non-commercial research sites. So after you identified a niche and pulled together the site elements they want in terms of information and participation, you established affiliate relationships with merchants who sell the kinds of products and services they want to buy. Or maybe you have always had direct product sales on your site, and you added merchants with complementary but not competing products and services.

But have things changed? Maybe you have changed the focus of the direct product sales on your site. Certainly your merchant partners have made changes, expanded product lines, even bought other sellers. Perhaps you’ve written a book or an ebook. It’s time to take an inventory of the fit between your on-site sales and the offerings of your merchants.

If a merchant’s product line overlaps your significantly, see which one makes more money. Is it time for the merchant program to go? If there’s prestige in having your own products, that’s fine as long as it’s a conscious decision. Once you’ve determined and decided what to do with the overlap, then take a look at your competitors’ sites and see which merchants they have as affiliates. Some of them would probably serve to strengthen your product line and give you the opportunity for additional sales. As a niche site in their space you should have no trouble negotiating a favorable agreement. Now continue reviewing and fine-tuning and it will pay you back in both visitor loyalty and commissions.

Karen Kari’s articles and more information on the affiliate business can be found at:

http://www.affiliatebandit.com

http://www.advertisingcellar.com

http://www.billionfreeads.com

Comments Off

RON BONGO: CRM Evangelist
When he began his career in the software business, Ron Bongo realized that he was dancing to a different beat from the other salesman.
They were focused on the technology and the sale. Ron Bongo was interested in helping his customer find the best possible solution for their businesses

.
Ron Bongo was involved early in the CRM (customer relationship management) movement but he soon realized that the solutions being offered by the large proprietary software vendors were not providing the best solution for his customers. Often these solutions were not only too expensive, but also lacked flexibility and efficiency.

Ron Bong knew what his customers needed and he began looking for answers in the emerging world of open source software. Fascinated by the flexibility and speed of development offered by open source, Ron Bongo soon adjusted his software business to specialize in open source solutions, such as SugarCRM.

The more he learned about SugarCRM the more excited he became and he soon found himself as a leading evangelist for SugarCRM and his company, Corratech is now one of the country’s leading consultants in SugarCRM.

Ron Bongo is a leading expert, consultant and speaker for SugarCRM. Ron BongoRon Bongo speaks about SugarCRM at many leading trade shows such as Linux World.

Comments Off

1.Why are there so many properties on leased land?

There are several situations here. Business and commercial land is often leased all over the world. In New York City, Tokyo, and other larger, older cities; land owners often lease the land that is underneath those skyscrapers and in some cases even the park land is leased to the city by the land owners.

In Lewes, all of the land east of the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal, what is known as Lewes Beach; is leased land. The land leases there are usually owned by the Town of Lewes and are usually for 99 years and renewable. Some of the properties on Lewes Beach, however, are leased for shorter terms by the town, but as a rule all of these are automatically renewable. When you buy a property on Lewes Beach you pay a fee to get the leased land re-assigned to you. That fee for a Bay Front Property, on the Delaware Bay; can be well over a half million dollars, depending on the size of the lot; and the value of the home and improvements is added to the lease assignment value. In other words, even though it is leased land on Lewes Beach; the price is commensurate with purchasing the land. This land has always been leased land as prescribed by England, during our American Colonial Period and that ownership style remains.

In Rehoboth and Dewey Beach areas, is the Rehoboth By The Sea area, a large number of the lots are owned by the family owned Rehoboth By The Sea Realty Company. The current treasurer of Rehoboth By The Sea Realty Company is Jack Redefer; 302-227-4277. Land is leased to the tenant-owners for shorter periods of years; some leases have as little as 20 years left on the lease. These leases may or may not be renewed and the land value if the resident is allowed to purchase it later, could be significant. As a result these properties on leased land go for much less money that the lots that are owned. Some of the lots have been purchased from the Rehoboth By The Sea Realty Company in the past and are owned by the residents - most have not been purchased. Rehoboth By The Sea Realty Company will not likely renew some of the leases, some they may, it is up to them. On the lots that they do not renew the leases for - the residents are required to remove the improvements and leave the land in it’s original level and unimproved condition at the end of the lease. The good news is that you can save as much as half a million dollars when you purchase a home on some of these lots. The bad news of course is that you may have to remove the home and vacate the lot in a couple of decades or so.

Long Neck and other areas where there are trailers, manufactured homes, single wides, or double wides also are comprised of mostly leased land. There is some leased land along Rt. One, where trailer parks now, at times, contain larger and more conventional homes as well. These land-lease communities are far less expensive to purchase. The appreciation in value is small or nonexistent - or in some cases the value of a property purchased on these leased-land communities can depreciate to far less than the purchase price. There is also a monthly or annual lease fee to pay for the use of the land.

2.Why would anyone purchase a mobile home or manufactured home on leased land?

There are many, Realtors included, who wonder why in the world anyone would ever purchase a so called mobile home on leased land. Actually many of the folks who live in the leased land communities are well to do, even wealthy in some cases, many are Realtors themselves.

Safety and security is one reason. Many of the folks in land lease communities, which some might call trailer parks, are retired or part time residents. There are many who prefer the security services which are only available in the manufactured home communities. Most of these communities have community centers, neighborhood watches, security patrols, and alert neighbors who keep a far better eye on the community than the police force can in a town or city.

Low maintenance is another reason people, in fact most people, live in land lease communities. The lots are usually quite small and often the park owner maintains each of the lots. When the individual does need to maintain their individual lot the grass cutting expense is minimal. The fee for cutting the grass, edging and trimming can be as little as $8 each time, as the grass cutter can often take care of a lot in less than ten minutes and if he has several lots in the same community he can do 5 or 6 lots per hour with a push mower and a weed whacker. Some folks do fabulous landscaping jobs on their land-lease community lots. In fact some communities have annual or seasonal competitions for the best kept, most beautiful, or most improved yard. Many of these lots are only 50 feet by 100 feet, sometimes less - so a lot of beautification can be done with limited expense compared to the far larger lots that one must have in a non leased community.

3.Are homes on leased land a good investment?

Very seldom are homes on leased land a good financial investment. There are exceptions. The homes on the leased land on Lewes Beach are just as good as financial investments as the homes on what is called in-fee or deeded land in Lewes town proper. In fact, since the Lewes Beach is more desirable to more people - the prices are higher and the percentage of appreciation on Lewes Beach is, over the long term, better than those in Lewes proper. The town of Lewes, other than the beach, is more of a Williamsburg flavor in architecture, ambiance and character. Lewes Beach on the other hand is less traditional in it’s architectural character. The town of Lewes is very much a walking and shopping town with shops, boutiques, and little stores along Market Street, Second Street and Pilottown Road, especially. The beach has very little commercial activity and is far more a beachy bedroom community where the focus is of course the beach, the canal and the bay.

Homes, manufactured homes or stick-built homes on the other land lease communities are not often a good financial investment. However they may be the best investment in lifestyle. Many folks have other real estate, other investments, and do not need to have the home they own in a land-lease community appreciate in value. And, the homes in the land lease communities are a small fraction of the purchase price that they would be if the land were deeded, in-fee.

For instance, a waterfront home on the Rehoboth Bay in Rehoboth Bay Mobile Home Community; now known simply as Rehoboth Bay Community; may cost as little as $115,000, for a beautiful, double wide, full time, modern home. The land rent would then be from $400 a month on a lagoon to $500, up to $750 a month or more on the largest and best bay front lots. Compared to a home on deeded land the same size that is a savings of over a million dollars!!! So, as an investment in lifestyle it is phenomenal and astute buyers seldom allow these homes to sit on the market.

Other areas, for instance the Angola Area are, have resale homes from $10,000 for a small fixer-upper on a small lot leased at $270 a month to brand new homes on much larger lots, large homes, for $70,000 to $90,000 on lots that rent for usually less than $300 per month. One double size corner lot rents for $400 a month and could have a many bedroom home with decks, porches, garage and still room left over. Angola Beach Estates and Angola Beach and Angola Estates are well established communities with pools, security, substantial community management and lots more. They have community centers, boat docks, launching ramps, boat storage areas, and a list of amenities not available in many other communities.

What a range of values: resales from $10,000 to $80,000 and new homes from $40,000 to $80,000 or $90,000 for a real show stopping extravaganza. Now you know why people are so willing to buy and live in land lease communities!!! You get a wonderful lifestyle for far less than you can purchase anything even remotely similar where you don’t lease or rent the land.

Copyright 2002-2005 by www.JodyHudson.com

Mr Jody Hudson is a realtor living in southern Delaware with 35 years dealing with real estate on leased lands!

Source for this article is: http://www.kate-jody.com/essays/faqleasedland.html

Comments Off

Many people feel that taking the time to train their puppy or dog isn’t worth the effort. What with everything else we have to do these days in our busy lives, whose got the time?

Kimberley was just like that. She’d never bothered training Jack…but then, one day…

Kimberly and Jack ran excitedly up to the top of the escarpment and gazed out over the deep blue ocean waves as they rolled in from the east. The sun was just appearing over the horizon, the cool sea breeze on her face made her feel completely alive, and Kimberley was as contented as she had ever been.

The time she spent with Jack, the 3 year old German shepherd she had rescued from the animal shelter a few months earlier, was the most precious part of her life. He seemed to know just what she was thinking and was devoted to Kim to the point of being a fanatic.

He wouldn’t leave her side…unlike most of the other male companions she had previously had in her life.

Jack was the perfect companion.

He gave her unconditional love, he was always there for her when she needed to talk to someone, he lavished his undivided attention on her, he never spoke back, and was always waiting patiently for her when she came home from her work at the pharmacy.

The early morning walks they shared helped her forget the many troubles in her life, and allowed her just enjoy herself.

This morning was special.

She was on the first day of her annual two-week vacation, and had plans to take Jack up to the mountains hiking and camping for a few days later in the week.

The thought of getting away from the pressures of daily life made her feel a rush of adrenaline and Jack could sense her excitement, yelping and barking playfully as they frolicked in the grass at the top of the ridge.

They played for over half an hour, then turned to head for home to have something to eat.

Maybe it was the excitement of it all, but for whatever reason, Kimberly wasn’t thinking straight as she undid Jack’s leash to let him run on his own through the grassy fields as they descended the hill towards the township below.

It happened in an instant.

Jack caught sight of a rabbit hiding in the grass and took off after the animal in a frenzied rush of excitement and playful enthusiasm.

Kimberley called him back, but he was totally focused on catching the rabbit and heard nothing but the creature’s cries for help as it raced towards the safety of its borough.

Jack was a beautiful sight to behold as he chased the rabbit in full flight across the grassy field. Every second he gained on the small creature, until he was only 10 feet behind it and closing fast.

But Kim was looking on in horror.

The rabbit had built its borough close to the edge of the cliff, and Jack was running at full speed towards the huge drop down to the ocean below.

Kim could feel the fear welling up inside her and she frantically called him back as she ran towards the cliff top herself. “Stop Jack!”, she cried, but he paid no attention to her commands as he chased the rabbit towards the cliff top.

Just 6 feet short of the cliff’s edge, the rabbit dropped into the safety of it’s home below ground.

Jack didn’t see where the animal went, and in the few seconds it took for him to realize that the rabbit had escaped, his momentum carried him off the cliff and over the edge.

Kimberley screamed as she saw her beloved companion disappear out of sight. “No!” she cried as she ran headlong towards the jagged cliff top.

She peered over the edge with tears streaming down her cheeks, fearing that her best friend had fallen all the way to the rocks below.

She moved closer to the edge screaming out to Jack, praying that by some miracle, he had survived.

As she lay down to look over the edge, she saw Jack wedged precariously next to a tree stump on a small outcrop about 20 feet below, injured, but alive.

If he had gone off the cliff just 3 feet either side of where he did, he would have fallen hundreds of feet to the rocks below. His life had been spared, at least at the moment, by the narrowest of margins.

A huge feeling of relief welled up through Kimberley’s body as she saw that Jack was still alive.

She pulled out her mobile phone and called the police.

She quickly explained what had happened to the officer on the line and a team of rescue workers were dispatched to the cliff top to rescue Jack.

Kimberley watched on with trepidation as the rescue team carefully winched her beloved Jack to safety from the outcrop that had saved his life.

He had broken his left rear leg and had some cuts and abrasions, but on the whole, he was a very lucky dog that day…and Kimberley knew it.

She looked towards the sky and gave thanks that her best friend had been spared.

She promised herself that as soon as Jack was back on four legs, she would start to train him to obey her commands so that something like this could never happen again.

She felt guilty that her neglect at not training him properly from the start could have cost this beautiful animal his life. She felt sad but also happy that she had been given another chance with Jack, and she wasn’t about to waste it.

3 Months Later…

Kimberley and Jack are again able to take their early morning walks, but now, Jack’s lead is an option.

He obeys Kimberley’s every command, and they have a deep, new found respect for each other’s abilities that goes far beyond their roles of dog and master. They are truly great friends.

Maybe you don’t take your shepherd for off leash walks near cliff tops, but there are lots of hazards just as dangerous around your home that can cause your favourite pet to hurt himself…or worse.

Running into moving traffic, drinking something poisonous around your home, jumping the fence and getting into fights with other dogs…these are all situations that proper training can severely restrict or eliminate.

Think for a moment of how you would feel if your wonderful dog was injured or killed by a car right in front of you because he ran out onto the road despite your calls for him to come back.

Training is vital for every pet so that they know what is expected of them and they stay safe in an increasingly dangerous world. And properly training your pet is your responsibility.

Please, take the time to train your dog. If you don’t know where to start, there are plenty of good books around to help.

Another option is to take him to obedience classes in your local area.

This is the most focused training you can give him (and yourself…) but it’s also the most time consuming and expensive.

If you have the time and financial resources, it’s usually the best way (if you can find a good trainer), but if you don’t, then reading a good training book and following it’s instructions will give you a solid grounding on how to train your dog properly.

Train him well, and he will reward you for it in so many ways that you can’t imagine.

Rocky Tapscott is an author and owner of Just German Shepherds.com For free information and articles on buying, training and living with German shepherds, or any dog for that matter, come and visit us at,
http://www.just-german-shepherds.com/

Comments Off