A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. and MobilityWorks Sign Exclusive Agreement in California

A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. and MobilityWorks Sign Exclusive Agreement in California

A-Z Bus Sales Now Selling Ford Transit Connect Wheelchair Van

Colton, CA (PRWEB) August 17, 2010

A-Z Bus Sales, Inc., a leading provider of transportation solutions, today announced a new, exclusive manufacturer-dealer agreement with MobilityWorks, one of the largest and most recognized manufacturers of ADA-compliant wheelchair accessible minivans, full size vans and cutaway buses in the US. A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. is now an exclusive dealer for MobilityWorks in California and will also support the Arizona and Nevada markets.

With this agreement, A-Z Bus Sales will immediately stock a full line of MobilityWorks products in both their Colton and Sacramento locations for immediate delivery to customers with specific ADA transportation needs such as senior centers and assisted living facilities. This inventory includes a wide selection of new handicap vehicles and features the new ADA-compliant Ford Transit Connect Van. The Ford Transit Connect Van is a rear entry option to the market that is economical and practical. The ADA-compliant mobility conversion includes manual rear ramp, (1) wheelchair position with auto retracting securement system, and OEM fold & tumble rear seat (60/40 3-passenger bench).

“A-Z Bus Sales is pleased to be working with MobilityWorks to expand their representation in California and other western states,” says Ed King, Director of Sales & Marketing, A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. Mr. King adds, “The Transit Connect van is an affordable and economical solution for many of our customers and potential customers who transport special-needs passengers, especially across short distances and where parking and loading/unloading space is limited.”

“We look forward to working with A-Z Bus Sales and we believe this strategic alliance will better serve our customers in California,” says Taylor Clark, MobilityWorks Partner.

About MobilityWorks
MobilityWorks is a national chain of wheelchair accessible van providers – serving the disabled community with wheelchair accessible lowered floor minivans, full-size vans and commercial fleet vehicles to thousands of individuals and business clients each year. For more information, visit http://www. mobilityworks. com/ (http://www. mobilityworks. com/).

About A-Z Bus Sales, Inc.
A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. is a 25-year old, employee-owned company specializing in transportation solutions for the government and public sector, education market, commercial and private fleets. A-Z Bus Sales represents new Blue Bird, MicroBird by Girardin, Collins Bus, Glaval Bus, Elkhart Coach, Arboc Mobility, MobilityWorks, Federal, Ameritrans and Braun Ability, as well as one of the largest inventories of used buses on the West Coast. A-Z Bus Sales provides buses to a variety of organizations including: K-12 schools, universities, municipalities, shuttle operators, hotels, health care providers, tour and charter companies, churches and retirement centers. A-Z Bus Sales provides sales and service for new and used buses, provides financing of all buses through a large nationwide network of bus dealers, and offers parts and services including emissions testing and diesel engine retrofits, and warranty repairs. More information can be found at http://www. a-znewbus. com (http://www. a-znewbus. com) or by calling 800.862-8220.

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GBK (GBK Productions) and Tic Tac® Mints Hosted a Very Sweet Luxury Gift Lounge in Honor of the 2010 Emmy Nominees and Presenters on August 27th and 28th

GBK (GBK Productions) and Tic Tac® Mints Hosted a Very Sweet Luxury Gift Lounge in Honor of the 2010 Emmy Nominees and Presenters on August 27th and 28th

The GBK and TIC TAC® Event Drew 20 Emmy Nominees and Presenters, Including 5 Winners, and Top Talent Including Seth Green, Adrian Brody, Alex Trebek, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Neil Patrick Harris, Blair Underwood, Beau Bridges, Alan Cumming, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Fred Willard

Los Angeles, CA (Vocus) August 31, 2010

GBK (gbkproductions. com) - the luxury lifestyle gift lounge and special events company, along with Tic Tac® mints – a leading mint brand for more than 40 years and launched in the U. S. in 1969, honored the 2010 Emmy Awards Nominees and Presenters with its Annual Luxury Gift Lounge on August 27thand 28th 2010 at the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills. Presenting Sponsor Exclusive Sedan Service Worldwide was on hand to chauffeur the honored guests to the event in style where GBK, the recipient of BizBash’s Award for Emmy’s “Best Gift Bag,” and Tic Tac® offered its exclusive list of invited celebrities, VIPs, and Media a luxurious environment with gifts, spa treatments, and charity driven elements.

The GBK and Tic Tac® event drew over 20 Emmy Nominees and Presenters, including 4 winners, as well as many other honored celebrity guests, and even a few uninvited guests thanks to the 12 foot long press wall made out of more than 75,000 Tic Tacs hand glued into a diamond pattern. The morning of the first day of the event, GBK arrived to find a swarm of bees covering the press wall and enjoying the sweet flavors of the Pink Grapefruit and Freshmint Tic Tacs. Vice President of GBK, Carla Domen, commented “With a quick location change indoors and the help of an experienced Bee Keeper, it still turned into a Bee-utiful day”.

Some of the top gifts at the event include: a card from Tic Tac®, the event’s Title Sponsor, entitling guests to receive a one year supply of their favorite Tic Tac® flavor, customized Apple iPads equipped with electronic Save the Date invitations to their upcoming exclusive NBA All Star and Super Bowl related events from Presenting Sponsor Capital A Entertainment, i-FFICIENCY, an iPad training service, $500 Gift Certificates towards brand name designers like Balenciaga, Tom Ford, and Jimmy Choo from Beyond the Rack, gift certificates towards a rental of one of their fine brand name handbags including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Coach, Channel, Prada, etc. from Handbag Envy, Luxury timepieces from Invicta Watch Group, trips to the Caribbean from Caribbean Living Magazine, 3D Virtual Islands from VirtualCelebrityIslands. com, semi-precious stone and metal jewelry from Elana Sigal Design, handmade shapewear and panties from TC Fine Intimates, one of a kind freshwater pearl jewelry and accessories from The Island Pearl by Leighton, a combination of creative products and fashion from Heaping Spektacle with Traver Rains, bracelets from Lovelinks America, vintage inspired clothing, swimwear and accessories from Pinup Couture, diamond pendants and $500 gift certificates from Nehita Jewelry, denim and legging from Denimocracy USA, and modern and eclectic pieces of jewelry from manu jewelry.

Some of the luxury health and beauty products included Celebrity-favorite RevitaLash, $250 gift certificates from The Shave of Beverly Hills, all natural hair vitamins from Hairfinity, hair extension accessory, the Fishnet, from Indique Hair International, therapeutic foot alignment socks by My Happy Feet, Body Cream 200ml from 3LAB, Age Management Skin Care System Gentle Facial Wash and Retinol Restart Rejuvenation Serum from GlyMed Plus® Advanced Aesthetics, whole food supplements made from scratch with fresh & organic foods from MegaFood, $100 gift certificates from The Salon by Maxime, men’s and women’s fragrances and cosmetics by luxury fragrance company Giorgio Armani Beauty, a selection of hair products from Peter Lamas Products, strollers from UPPAbaby, patented pull-out drawer fashionable and functional bags for parents by Mrs. Smith’s Bags, and fashionable, boutique quality, 100% cotton, absorbent, handmade baby bibs and burp cloths from Backseat Driver. Some fun, unique gifts included cookbooks from Bite Me Cookbook, wickless candle home fragrance system or the new Scentsy Buddy™, a one-of-a-kind stuffed animal that fills the air with fragrance by Scentsy, and FreshCloz, the Refreshing Solution to Garment Care.

Amidst the swanky atmosphere and luxurious design, guests enjoyed an elegant spa setting and massages from CityLife Medical and Fitness Spa, manicures by Nail Garden, cocktails from Opulent Vodka and a variety of sumptuous drinks from Lombardi including Lombardi Cream of Limoncello, Lombardi Limonata, and Lombardi's new Southern Lemon liqueur. WineChateau. com hosted the wine bar and gifted a wide variety of wines as well as gift certificates to use on WineChateau. com, and Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. served delicious samples and gifted certificates for gift packs - the perfect compliment to good wine! The Stuffed Cupcakes offered delicious gourmet cupcakes stuffed with 15 different fillings and Hansen Cakes displayed another masterpiece cake in honor of the Emmys. Finally, Photo Boothless was the perfect touch to the event, allowing guests to enjoy and take home photos in front of a green screen jumbo Tic Tac® box!

20% of profits from the Gift Lounge will go to the honored benefiting charities:
Hollywood Arts (http://www. Hollywood-Arts. org) - A ground breaking educational facility that uses art and music-based learning to help high-risk young people over the age of 18 improve self-esteem, develop thinking skills, master educational concepts and receive job-readiness training.

The Ann & George Lopez Foundation (http://www. thelopezfoundation. org) - Their mission is to create positive, permanent change for underprivileged children and adults confronting challenges in education and health, as well as increasing community awareness about kidney disease and organ donation.

A representative from CNN was also on site to educate guests about the upcoming 2010 CNN Heroes Awards in November. To learn more about CNN Heroes, please visit http://www. cnn. com/heroes

GBK, formerly GBK Productions, is a luxury lifestyle gifting and special events company, specializing in entertainment marketing integration. Formed in 2000 by Gavin Keilly, the company’s Founder and CEO, GBK consists of five divisions: GBK Celebrity Gifting Lounges, GBK Events, GBK Weddings, GBK Charitable Consulting and GBK Marketing/PR. Widely known in the entertainment industry for bringing that little extra something into the Gifting Lounge environment, GBK offers its clients a full range of marketing services. For more information on Gavin B. Keilly (CEO), Carla Domen (VP) or GBK, please go to gbkproductions. com.

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Hot New Plants -- Flowering & Shade Trees For 2007

Hot New Plants -- Flowering & Shade Trees For 2007

As a lifelong Horticultural professional, Vicki Smith (www. LGYP. com) has news about hot new flowering and shade trees for 2007 and guidance for growing these trees in the home garden. With so much focus on outdoor living and container gardening, these new ornamental trees will bring excitement to the landscape, patio, deck or in raised planters mixed with annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs or even tropicals.

Woodbine, MD (PRWEB) March 28, 2007

As a lifelong Horticultural professional, Vicki Smith (www. LGYP. com) has news about hot new flowering and shade trees for 2007 and guidance for growing these trees in the home garden. With so much focus on outdoor living and container gardening, these new ornamental trees will bring excitement to the landscape, patio, deck or in raised planters mixed with annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs or even tropicals.

Several interesting new trees offer ornamental characteristics throughout the gardening season. Gaining popularity for its striking chartreuse new growth, lemon yellow summer color and changing yellow, orange and scarlet autumn foliage is Tiger Eyes® Cutleaf Staghorn Sumac (http://www. hotnewplants. com/plants_results. asp? sq=cutleaf+sumac&t=pl&loc=st&biz=2&srg=all)(Rhus typhina 'Baitiger'). Unlike most cutleaf or laceleaf Japanese Maples that are grafted to a certain height, the 'Ryusen' Japanese Maple grows more like a vining plant. It can be grown quite low to the ground, be staked to any height the gardener wants the tree to cascade from, or grown on a structure like an arbor, trellis or fence. 'Ryusen' has bright spring and summer leaves that change to oranges, reds and yellows for multi-season interest.

Formerly thought of as a variation of the Kousa Dogwood, the Chinese Evergreen Dogwood (http://www. hotnewplants. com/plants_results. asp? sq=chinese+dogwood&t=pl&loc=st&biz=2&srg=all)(Cornus angustata) has been elevated to its own species. A new selection, the 'Empress of China™', is more vigorous, out performing other dogwood species with the volume of blooms, increased length of bloom time and overall beauty of the tree with its multi-season characteristics. The bloom time of six to seven weeks can be twice that of the Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida). The heavy fruit set of the strawberry-like berries provides interest through fall. In Zones 7b and south, where evergreen, the leaves turn purple-red-green in winter. More drought resistant and heat tolerant than Cornus florida too.

Another tree that adds to the landscape nicely with its late spring and early summer flowering is the Southern or Evergreen Magnolia (http://www. hotnewplants. com/plants_results. asp? sq=evergreen+magnolia&t=pl&loc=st&biz=2&srg=all)(M. grandiflora). Two recent introductions offer nice differences over the species. 'Brackens Brown Beauty' is one of the best selections offered because of its more compact and dense form and neater habit since it doesn't drop as many leaves as others. 'Miss Chloe®' has quite large flowers at 10 to 12 inches as well as a dense, full canopy with well-spaced limbs for a nice, balanced appearance.

Considered garden staples in the south, new breeding work with Crapemyrtles (http://www. hotnewplants. com/plants_results. asp? sq=crape+myrtle&t=pl&loc=st&biz=2&srg=all) (Lagerstroemia) is yielding hardier varieties for use in the middle latitudes of the states. The new 'Pink Velour' has large coral pink blooms as much as 12 inches in length in the summer. If the blooms are trimmed after the flowering burst is passed, new blooms will continue to form until nearly the first frost.

Two shade trees of note provide much-needed summer shade, but also have nice fall color and graceful overall form and texture. Finer in texture than other oaks, the Willow Oak or Quercus phellos grows in a wide range of conditions ranging from wet and moist areas to dry areas. The 'Hightower' (http://www. hotnewplants. com/plants_results. asp? sq=oak&t=pl&loc=st&biz=2&srg=all) cultivar is a fast growing tree that is more tolerant of higher pH soils than Q. phellos seedlings in particular and many other oaks in general, especially the popular Pin Oak (Q. palustris), Sawtooth Oak (Q. accutissima) and Red Oak (Q. rubra). The American Elm or Ulmus Americana didn't disappear from the landscape when Dutch Elm Disease was introduced accidentally. But trees have needed maintenance programs to remain healthy. The key is to select disease resistant varieties. 'Princeton' has the naturally uniform vase shape that allows the tree to grow up and over a street; the reason the trees were planted by the millions. With a vigorous growth rate and pretty yellow fall color, 'Princeton's resistance to elm leaf beetles and Dutch elm disease make it a good choice.

An evergreen that deserves increased attention is the Spartan Juniper (http://www. hotnewplants. com/plants_results. asp? sq=juniper+spartan&t=pl&loc=st&biz=2&srg=all). Also known as Chinese Juniper 'Spartan' and Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan', it is hardy in Zones 4a through 10a, making it able to be planted in almost all of the United States. With this level of heat and cold tolerance, it is also nice to know that salt tolerance is also quite high allowing seaside and roadside plantings. Once established drought tolerance allows it to be used in broader areas. Topping out at 15 to 20 feet, but with rapid, columnar growth, this large shrub, or small tree can be effectively used as a screen or for a hedge as well as for groupings or accents since they are low maintenance.

One of the newest, most interesting trees to come on the market isn't new at all. The Wollemi Pine (http://www. hotnewplants. com/plants_results. asp? sq=wollemi+pine&t=pl&loc=st&biz=2&srg=all) or Wollemia nobilis goes back in the fossil record and was thought to be extinct over 65 million years ago. Recently discovered plants growing in a remote region in Australia have lead to the re-introduction and conservation efforts. The Wollemi Pine is related to the Norfolk Island Pine that many people think of as an interior or houseplant, hardy only to Zones 9 and 10 and to the Monkey Puzzle Tree, hardy only in Zones 7 - 10 in certain areas. To my eye, the Wollemi Pine looks very much like the Norfolk Island Pine but is hardy through Zone 6a. Trials are underway to determine the northern most hardiness and it may turn out that the trees can grow in Zone 5b. Even if they are only hardy through Zone 6a, this makes this new, exciting tree hardy in Coastal areas of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Long Island and New York, central Pennsylvania, southern Ohio through southern Missouri and Kansas and most of Southwest including New Mexico, Arizona, California and Nevada and much of the Pacific Northwest including Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The Wollemi Pines will be available at selected independent garden centers throughout the country for Spring 2007.

With new, dramatic, easy to grow trees that add color and shade to the garden for months on end, it can be very satisfying to enjoy spring's new energy and reap the results of just a small amount of effort. Trees are one of the best landscaping investments a homeowner can make since they add to the property value, save energy with their shade and help make a house a home. These exciting new plants and local sources for them can be found at www. HotNewPlants. com.

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The Retention Institute Hosts Webinar to Help Companies Combat Employee Turnover

The Retention Institute Hosts Webinar to Help Companies Combat Employee Turnover

Complimentary webinar provides research-based tactics and company best practices for improving employee retention

Peterborough, NH (PRWEB) October 8, 2009

For many companies, half of all employee turnover (http://www. retentioninstitute. com/index. html) happens in the first 90 days. Industries, such as retail, fast food, and call centers make hiring decisions they think are right but then watch large chunks of their talent leave shortly after hire.

Join Dick Finnegan, a recognized leading advisor on employee retention (http://www. retentioninstitute. com/retention-institute. html), as he explains the secrets to building a bond with new hires in their first 90 days of employment. The Retention Institute will sponsor the webinar titled “Rethinking Retention in the First 90 Days” on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 from 2:00 - 3:00 p. m. Eastern time.

Finnegan will offer research-based solutions, as well as company best practices for retaining employees (http://www. retentioninstitute. com/retention-resources. html). Specific topics Finnegan will cover include onboarding programs that drive retention, new-hire monitoring processes that enhance keeping the right employees and post-hire interviews that bond new hires to supervisors and peers.

“Rethinking Retention in the First 90 Days” is the second in a series of webinars from The Retention Institute scheduled for this fall. To register for the complimentary webinar, visit https://www1.gotomeeting. com/register/874644032 (https://www1.gotomeeting. com/register/874644032).

About The Retention Institute
The Retention Institute (SM) offers executives a comprehensive program in employee retention leading to certification as a Certified Employee Retention Professional (CERP). The program enables companies to measure the business impact and reduce the costs associated with employee turnover. The CERP program is based on The Rethinking Retention Model (SM) developed by retention expert Dick Finnegan. The model is a research-based method that offers three specific principles, seven proven strategies and more than 300 tested actionable tasks to improve employee retention. For additional information, visit http://www. retentioninstitute. com/ (http://www. retentioninstitute. com/).

About Richard Finnegan
As founder of The Retention Institute and president of Finnegan Mackenzie, The Retention Firm, Dick Finnegan is recognized by executives across people management professions as the leading thinker and advisor on employee retention. Finnegan has worked with scores of clients across six continents on employee retention solutions in industries including healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and financial services. He is the author of Rethinking Retention in Good Times and Bad, available in the fall of 2009. For additional information, visit www. theretentionfirm. com.

Media Contact:
Adriana Saldana
HRmarketer. com
831-722-9910
Asaldana(at)hrmarketer(dot)com

This press release was distributed through PR Web by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www. HRmarketer. com) on behalf of the company listed above.

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Goji Movement Launches New Informational Health Blog

Goji Movement Launches New Informational Health Blog

As featured on several television specials and news articles, Goji berries have been increasing in popularity. Goji Movement owner, Janice Buckler, wants to share the health benefits of Goji through her new blog GojiMovementInfo. com.

Tatmagouche, NS (PRWEB) September 18, 2008

When Janice Buckler founded www. GojiMovement. com nearly a year ago, she was initially attracted to GoChi Juice because it was a product with 4000 years of natural-health history combined with modern-day science. "I decided to jump on board because the product and the company were in line with my values, educational background and personal beliefs," explained Buckler. "I went online with it to inform people on a global basis."

The GoChi Juice that Buckler represents is a standardized, chemical-free, kosher product that is backed by peer-reviewed clinical human studies, validating its health benefits. It is often cited as providing optimal health for those who consume it.

Buckler has also recently launched a blog, www. GojiMovementInfo. com, in conjunction with her website. "I will be using my blog to educate people on natural health issues relating to the scientific studies that have been done on GoChi," said Buckler. "I will also be using my blog to educate people about the business opportunity associated with GoChi."

With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, as well as being a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Buckler truly sees the positive benefits of her product and espouses its features on her blog.

With a new blog and world-wide improvement of people's health as her personal measuring stick of success, Buckler only hopes to perpetuate her aspirations in the future.

"My future plans are happening now," she said. "I wanted to help bring GoChi to the world and I am now accomplishing that with the help of the world-wide web."

Thanks to Buckler's GojiMovement. com, she is at the forefront of an ancient healing method which is gaining popularity in the west, and unlike most broken promises in pill form, it is not something that was manifested in a lab, but rather something nurtured from Mother Earth herself.

About the Company:
GojiMovement. com is owned and operated by Janice Buckler. Buckler has a B. S. in Chemistry and is a registered holistic nutritionist.

Contact Information:

Janice Buckler
Www. GojiMovement. com
(902) 657-3524

IePlexus, Inc.
Www. iePlexus. com

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Diamond Takes Facelifts to a New Level

Diamond Takes Facelifts to a New Level

Los Angeles (PRWEB) July 21, 2005

As the old saying goes, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” and nationally renowned Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon, Jason Diamond, M. D is proving that statement true regardless of the girl’s age.

Deemed Los Angeles’ fastest rising plastic surgery gem and featured on the second season of E! Entertainment’s “Doctor 90210,” Dr. Diamond’s exclusive private practice is now attracting female patients nearly twice his own age!

“Many people might wonder why more mature plastic surgery patients are entrusting their faces to a younger surgeon,” noted Dr. Diamond. “It is simply that the word is now out about my extensive specialty training with the world’s top plastic surgery experts and my unique “Diamond Facelift” which is ideal for patients 55 years and older that has been performed successfully on many, many patients.

According to Dr. Diamond, he went above and beyond the required training in plastic surgery. After completing a five year residency, while his classmate opened up new practices, Dr. Diamond chose to continue his training by spending an additional two-years observing first-hand with the most notable names in facial plastic surgery. His extensive specialized training from these legendary masters provided him with top-notch skills unmatched in any other Los Angeles practice. 

Secondly, because he was able to incorporate the strengths of each of his mentorsÂ’ expertise into his own surgical style, Dr. Diamond has now developed the “Diamond Facelift.” Dr. Diamond notes that for the past 30 years, the popular theory behind aging has been that skin inevitably sags as the aging process takes hold.  

To correct this, plastic surgeons would remove the excess skin and pull the remaining skin back, creating the all too noticed tight or “done” look. What they didn’t realize at the time was that this sagging and drooping of the skin was not to blame. The underlying muscles dropping and excess fat pads are the true culprits.

During the Diamond Facelift, Dr. Diamond actually tightens and fixates sagging muscles and repositions the fat pads to a more youthful position. The skin is then re-draped and sutured under no tension. This allows a more natural appearance due to minimal incisions that do not extend to the hairline (as compared to traditional facelift incisions), and a longer lasting result. Ideal for the older patient, the Diamond Facelift is even safe to use on patients that are smokers and those undergoing laser resurfacing or chemical peeling at the same time.

Diamond does note that the younger generation is still seeking him out as well. For these patients, Diamond is now performing the newly FDA approved THREAD LIFT. A completely non-surgical alternative for younger patients, the Thread Lift uses barbed sutures inserted under the skin to lift up and sustain drooping jowls, brows and even to tighten the neck area. The procedure takes about 45 minutes and there and is done under local anesthesia.

“My patients demand the very best from me,” concludes Dr. Diamond. “And any girl will attest that ‘Diamonds’ are just that!”

BIO: Member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Jason Diamond, M. D. graduated as one of the top premedical students at the University of Rochester, and then completed a five-year residency in head/neck surgery at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Diamond has developed the most state-of-the-art practice in cosmetic surgery, located in Los Angeles. He combines the practices and philosophies of the most recognized surgeons in the world and is now considered a top-ranking surgeon in the plastic surgery field himself. Dr. Diamond has been featured on E! Entertainment’s “Doctor 90210” and used as a plastic surgery resource for such media as the Discovery Health Channel, and Harper’s Bazaar Magazine. Visit www. jasonbdiamond. com

For more information, call The Professional Image, Inc.: (949) 760-1522.

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Is Summer Heat Putting Your Dog at Risk?

Is Summer Heat Putting Your Dog at Risk?

Every year many dogs needlessly die of heatstroke. What can you do to help prevent this from happening to your dog? What can you do if your dog gets heatstroke?

Riverside, CA (PRWEB) August 14, 2006

A Hot Car Can Kill.

Imagine this: You are walking through the mall parking lot when you see a dog locked in a car lying on its side panting heavily and looking ill. What do you do?

One good samaritan, Mary, called the mall security. At first the guard tried to notify the owner to come out to the car, but it was taking too long. Mary didn’t know how long the dog would survive.

Finally Mary talked the guard into forcing the lock and opening the door.

That dog survived heatstroke (http://care. christysdogportal. com/60/heatstroke-protecting-your-dog/) because someone cared enough to get involved.

Exercise Can Kill

Max took his young bulldog, Oscar, outside to play one hot and muggy evening in July. After a 15-minute game of catch Oscar came back inside, drank some water and lay down on the floor.

Minutes later Max noticed that Oscar’s chest was heaving, his mouth was gaping and his eyes were brick-red. All are signs of heatstroke.

Max responded immediately, wrapping cold, wet towels around Oscar, and changing them when they became warm. Now and then Max would scoop a handful of water and put it in Oscar’s mouth.

At the vet soon afterwards Oscar was given a clean bill of health (http://care. christysdogportal. com). Oscar survived because Max knew what to do.

Carol Stack of http://www. christysdogportal. com (http://www. christysdogportal. com) says we don’t know how many dogs and cats die each year because of heatstroke. All it takes is a few minutes inside a baking car, exercising when it is too hot, or being left in a backyard with no protection from the sun.

She added, “It was partly because of these preventable situations that we wanted a web site for people who love their dogs. We wanted to provide them with the information they need to make their dogs thrive.”

What You Can Do

What can you do to keep your dog healthy in summer heat? Fresh, cool water and shade are the two most important things for a dog that spends a lot of time outdoors. Dogs dehydrate very quickly and their water bowls need to be refilled several times a day with cool, fresh water.

Take your dog for walks and do any dog training (http://training. christysdogportal. com) during the cool times of the day.

Some Breeds at Greater Risk

Some dog breeds (http://breeds. christysdogportal. com) have more problems in the heat than others. Pugs, Boxers and other dogs with pushed up snouts have a tougher time in hot weather than others. They will need extra care to make sure they are kept comfortable and safe from the heat.

What if Your Dog Gets Heatstroke?

If you think your dog has heatstroke, get him or her to the vet immediately. Use cool water, not ice water, to cool your dog. Do not use really cold water as that will cause constriction of the blood vessels and slow down cooling.

If the dog’s temperature is 103ºF or lower, do not aid cooling as some animals can get hypothermic.

“To best help your dogs handle the heat this summer,” Carol cautioned, “keep them at home and not in a hot car. Make sure they have a steady supply of cool, fresh water and shade, provide them with air conditioning or a wading pool to keep cool in, decrease their amount of exertion, and exercise them in the cooler times of the day.

“Follow these simple steps and your dogs should have a happy, healthy summer. And be sure to visit our site for more information about heatstroke.”

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