Pets> Dog Breeds> Labrador

Image1 by: IDS.photos

Image2 by: phwadsworth's

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Overview:
The Labrador belongs to the retriever family of dogs and is one of the most popular breed of dogs worldwide.

Labradors as a breed are known to be very intelligent, cordial, gentle, fun-loving, and playful. These very characteristics make Labradors a good pet or a working dog. That’s why you’ll notice that Labradors are extremely good with kids and the elderly.

They can be rather unruly if not properly trained and cared for, but Labradors are known to assimilate and respond positively to a pat on the back, love, care and attention. They thrive on love and attention, so make sure you’re the kind who can give your pet Labrador all the love and attention he needs. Labradors love food, so ensure you involve a lot of exercise in his daily routine.

Generally, Labradors are known to be very dependable, lovable, loyal, obedient and extremely intelligent. So if you’re planning on a Labrador, it’s a good idea!

Size:
Labradors fall into the big or large dog categories. Males are heavier (about 30–36 kg), while females are less heavy (25–32 kgs). Since Labradors have a fetish for food, if they don’t get enough exercise, they tend to bloat.

Coat:
Labradors’ coats are short, smooth and velvety if well groomed. Their tail is straight and strong.

Colour:
You can choose between a chocolate brown, jet black and yellowish Labradors.

Occupation:
Labradors do extremely well as family dogs, police dogs, army dogs, guide dogs.

Right Age:
Ensure that the Labrador pup that you bring home is at least 7–10 weeks old, if not younger.

Life Expectancy:
A Labrador’s life expectancy is usually between 12 to 13 years or may be a few years more if coupled with proper medical care and attention.

Health Problems:
Owing to their size, Labradors are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. This is where, an abnormal development of cells in the hip and elbow area can result in abnormal growth.
Luxating patella or the dislocation of the knee can be a risk factor for Labradors. That is why it is highly recommended to check with the dog breeder and the vet the family history of both the parents before you choose a particular Labrador pup, to be aware of any possible hereditary disorders.
Don’t forget to clean your Labrador’s ears often as sometimes due to the moister in the ears can cause some kind of ear infection. You can gently trim some part of the hair under the ear flap to allow some fresh air.

Favourite Name:
My favourite name for a yellow lab (who also happens to be my pet dog Lisa’s boyfriend) – Dumbbell

Europe Travel> International Youth Travel Card (IYTC)

Image: Part time student travel discount card
Image by: mtnwa

Text by: Tanya Munshi

If you're a part time student and wish to travel in Europe, you can look for a student discount card meant just for you. So wipe off the frown from your face, just because you are not eligible for an ISIC. The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is meant particularly for full time students. So here's what you can go for and fullfil your desire of traveling across Europe by the Eurail.
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What is an IYTC?

You can apply for the International Youth Travel Card or the IYTC, which is an exclusive travel card meant for part time students. With an IYTC, you can save money during your Europe trip through discounts on travel, boarding and lodging.
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Discounts

The International Youth Travel Card is issued by the ISIC. The discounts offered by the IYTC may not be as wide ranging as the ISIC, but its worth checking out –

1. Travel insurance
2. Discounts on airfare international/ domestic
3. Discounts on food, shopping and stay
4. Eligible for 24 hour Traveler’s Assistance Help Line – this includes legal, financial and medical emergencies
5. You can call the Help Line at 44 181 666 9205, which is a free 24 hour service exclusively offered to IYTC card holders

ISIConnect – international calling card, can also be used for internet, fax and voicemail
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Eligibility
To be eligible for an IYTC, you need to 12 years or older, up to the age of 26.
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Payment
Your IYTC card will cost you $22 and will be valid for one year, from the date of purchase.
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Documentation

1. IYTC application form
2. Passport size photo
3. Proof of your age:
   - Photocopy of passport/ birth certificate/ driver's license

Books> Andersen's Swineherd> Re-told by: Tanya Munshi

This is my first book publised by Tumbi, DC Books.

Books> African Folk Tales> Re-told by: Tanya Munshi

These are the latest books re-told by me, published by Tumbi, DC Books.

Work> Ban that Spam

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Don’t get trapped by unwarranted seductive flashes on your computer screen. Safeguard yourself with these critical tips.

Neha, a software engineer, gets to work by 9 in the morning. She switches on her workstation with a cup of coffee to spend her first 15 minutes of day checking her mails. But as soon as she clicks on the Inbox icon, it welcomes her with a flood of mails which she has no clue as to where they came from. Mails selling sleazy pharmaceutical products, to lottery, a cruise, the works! Neha spends nearly half an hour wasting her time in clearing her mailbox and then goes on to reading her official mails.

Every day, this is what happens with most professionals and general Internet users who needlessly spend a lot of time and effort clearing their mailbox of spam.

COMBATING SPAM
Spams are unwanted mails that flood your inbox with almost the same messages, compelling an Internet user to click on it when actually the user did not even wish to receive such mails. Also known as unsolicited bulk e-mail (UBE), spams are sent in bulk through automated means to your inbox. Generally, spammers are on the hunt for valid e-mail addresses to which they can send spam e-mails. So, at no cost should you reply, click or click on the “unsubscribe” icon of any spam e-mail.

Though sending out spam mails doesn't cost a lot for a spammer, receivers trying to deal with spam tend to lose out on productivity, incur high expenditure and even succumb to fraudulent dealings through them.

1. Type in your e-mail address of the search bar of www.google.com. This will reveal all the sites where you have posted your e-mail address on any forums, newsgroups or sites.
2. By removing your e-mail address from such forums and avoiding signing up for newsletters, etc, you can prevent your mailbox from being spammed.
3. Before filling up a form in any site or bank, read the privacy policy carefully, as most reliable websites will never reveal your personal e-mail addresses.
4. The sites that don't mention such privacy policies are clearly better to be avoided. Yes, most spam mails may look genuine, but this is where you should use your judgement. Don't click or enter any information on unknown mails or e-forms.
5. Never click on any spam e-mails that come to you. You will unnecessarily open up a Pandora's box to your mail account. Unless and until you are sure of the validity of the e-mail address, do not open unknown mails to your inbox.
6. Just in case you click on a spam e-mail, you are in turn unknowingly sending a confirmation to your spammer that your e-mail address is valid.

Published in Woman's Era:
http://www.womansera.com/maga/article/index.aspx?fr=articles&it=55

Europe Travel> Types of BritRail Passes

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Before heading for a Europe trip, a little bit of homework on other popular rail passes can be of help. Available in England, Scotland and Wales, this is one of the easiest ways to see Great Britain with a pass option that fits into any travel plan.

BritRail Classic

1. Available in Youth, Adult and Senior passes
2. Travel days range from 4, 8, 15, 22 and 30 days
3. Also available in BriRail Flexipass – in Adult/ Child, Senior, Youth, Family, Family Senior and Party Pass
4. Age criteria for passes - BritRail Classic Youthpass – 26 years and below

BritRail Flexipass

1. Available in Youth, Adult and Senior passes
2. Travel days range from 4, 8, 15, 22 and 30 days
3. Also available in BriRail Flexipass – in Adult/ Child, Senior, Youth, Family, Family Senior and Party Pass
4. Age criteria for passes - BritRail Classic Youthpass – 26 years and below

BritRail England Pass

1. BritRail England Pass offers you the flexibility of unlimited train travel throughout England at a more affordable cost, than a regular BritRail Pass
2. Travel days range from 4, 8, 15, 22 and 30 days Age criteria for passes - Youth Pass - 16-25 years

BritRail England Flexipass

1. In a BritRail England Flexipass, you have the flexibility of non-consecutive train travel in a 2 month travel validity period throughout England however, this pass does not include Scotland and Wales
2. Travel days include 4, 8, 15, 22 or 30 days
3. Age criteria for passes - Youth Pass - 16-25 years

BritRail Regional
BritRail Ireland Pass:

1. Just like the BritRail Flexipass, this pass includes Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
2. This pass also entails the ferry crossing between England and Ireland
3. Includes 1st / 2nd class travel for any 5 or 10 days in a 1 month travel period

BritRail London Plus Pass:

1. This is a regional pass that covers most parts of southern England
2. This pass includes London, Oxford and Cambridge
3. Includes 1st/ 2nd class for any 2 or 4 days in an 8 day travel period
4. Or, 7 days in a 15 day travel period
5. This Pass is valid on both the Gatwick Express and the Stansted Express

BritRail Scottish Freedom Pass:

1. This pass allows you to travel all around Scotland
2. Includes 2nd class travel for any 4 days during a 8 day travel period
3. Or any 8 days during a 15 day travel period