Top Dawg Business Blog

Yes, there are many reasons to endorse the notion of working from home, but have you thought for a minute about the downside? Here are just a few things that are really hard about working from home.
Unexpected Visitors
My neighbor stopped by the other day to visit. It was 2 in the afternoon and I was working on a proposal for a new client. Vera’s a sweet gal, but she just doesn’t get it that I’m not home popping bon-bons and watching Oprah; that I’m actually WORKING.
Four-Legged Distractions
My dog and cat love it that I’m home all day, but they’re a little unclear on the concept of boundaries. My cat Elf likes to snuggle up next to my laptop where the fan emits warm air. And my dog Maurice periodically places his sad head on my lap, staring longingly up into my face. Try to resist THAT.
Unlimited Time Syndrome
Before I sit down at my computer to work, I often think I’ll just empty the dishwasher. And while I’m at it, reload it with the dishes in the sink. Oh, and maybe just throw in a load of laundry. But before I can do that I realize the dryer is full of clean laundry that needs to be folded. Then I realize Maurice the dog has tracked muddy footprints all through the kitchen; might as well wipe them up. Oh, dear, when was the last time I watered the herbs? Yikes, how did it get to be 11 o’clock?
Notwithstanding all of that, working from home is enormously rewarding and anyone who has the gumption should definitely give it a go. And Top Dawg has a fabulous home based business opportunity that’s virtually seamless.

So you’re thinking about going it alone. No more working for The Man! Gonna hang out your shingle and be your own boss! Sounds great, but what do you need to do before you take that leap of faith?
• Computer: You need a fast laptop or desktop computer that has plenty of memory and disk space.
• Printer: Get an all-in-one printer/scanner. They are really inexpensive, and you can even get a wireless so you can print without being physically connected.
• Connectivity: You need a fast Internet connection – DSL or Cable preferred.
• Communication: A phone with voice mail and call-waiting is a must. A mobile phone may be all you need. A fax is a plus, but you can always use an all-in-one printer/scanner and send scanned images electronically.
• Work space: Where are you going to focus? Most people find it hard to really shift gears and concentrate on work if they are sitting in their living room.
• A Plan: Make a list and prioritize what needs to happen in which order.
• A Budget: How much do you need to start? Don’t forget to anticipate covering your personal overhead while the business is ramping up. When do you expect to be in the black?

One great online home business is the PetStoreComplete turnkey solution from Top Dawg Pet Supply. It includes a full-featured CMS website, and since products are drop-shipped directly to your customers, you never have to worry about overhead!

It’s amazing to think that every pet dog breed, from the tiniest Chihuahua to the tallest Great Dane, is just a variation within a single species called Canis lupus familiaris, which essentially means “domesticated wolf.” The variations from breed to breed are spectacular, showing more behavioral and physical variety than any appears in virtually any other mammal. We’ve rounded up just a few of the interesting characteristics here.
• The Chihuahua is the oldest breed of dog native to North America.
• Greyhounds can jump a distance of 27 feet. As the fastest of all dog breeds, they can reach speeds of up to 41.7 miles per hour.
• The tallest dog on record measured 42 inches tall at the shoulder and weighed in at 238 lbs.
• Pekingese dogs were sacred to the emperors of China for more than 2,000 years. They are one of the oldest breeds of dogs in the world.
• Newfoundland dogs are strong swimmers due to their webbed feet.
• Dalmatians are born spotless: at first pure white, their spots develop as they age. The breed originates from the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. Unfortunately, as a result of inbreeding as many as 30% of Dalmatians suffer from hearing disability. Another interesting factoid: the Dalmatian is the only dog that gets gout.
• Boxers are named for their playful habit of using their front paws in frolic.
• The only dog in the world that cannot bark is the Basenji, an African wolf dog.
• French Poodles did not originate in France, but were hunting dogs throughout Europe.
• The Dachshund is another ancient dog breed, dating back to ancient Egypt. They are the smallest breed of dog used for hunting. Being low to the ground, they can easily enter and maneuver through tunnels. The name comes from German: “dachs” translates to badger, and “hund” means hound.
• Every known dog except the Chow has a pink tongue, whereas the Chow’s tongue is jet black.
• The Rottweiler makes an excellent family pet. They are especially good with children and a fantastic guard dog, partly because of their mere size, partly the volume of their bark, and in part because they are fiercely loyal.

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· “Let sleeping dogs lie.” Enough said.

· The phrase “raining cats and dogs” is traced back to 17th century England. During heavy rains, many poor street animals unfortunately drowned and their bodies could be seen floating in the flooded streets. This created the impression that it had literally rained cats and dogs.

· The notion that cats and dogs are natural enemies, suggested by the phrase “fighting like cats and dogs,” is completely misleading. In fact, cats and dogs generally get along better than cats and cats or dogs and dogs.

· “Never look a gift horse in the mouth.” This saying references the fact that an old horse will generally have receding gum-lines, and therefore the appearance of longer teeth. The gist of this is that you should be appreciative and gracious when someone gives you a gift. Even if it IS last year’s model, two sizes too big, or a color you wouldn’t be caught dead in.

· The term “three dog night” means a very cold night. Originating with the Eskimos, it means the night is so cold that you need three dogs in bed with you to keep warm.

· “Cat’s cradle” refers to a child who is raised by a surrogate, like a nanny. It implies that the parents leave the child alone with only a cat for company.

· The expression “dog days” actually has nothing to do with dogs. It dates back to Roman times, when it was believed that Sirius, the Dog Star, added its heat to that of the sun in the heart of summer, creating exceptionally high temperatures. They called the period from July3 to August 11 dies caniculares, or “days of the dog.”

· “Let the cat out of the bag” generally means bad things are going to ensue. It is actually an old naval term. The cat refers to the cat-o-nine tails, a braided whip used to punish seamen for various infractions. It was so named because of the scratches it would leave behind. So you can imagine, the cat coming out of the bag definitely meant bad things were on the horizon.

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1. Cardinal Richelieu, a 17th century French clergyman, noble, and statesman, had 14 house cats. He maintained a staff of attendants to care for them, and upon his death, left his entire estate to them.

2. Barbara Bush’s Millie’s Book, an anecdote told in the first person by her beloved “First Dog” Millie, an English Springer Spaniel, was on bestseller lists for more than 6 months. It provided a dog’s eye view of life in the White House.

3. In the 9th century, King Henry I of Saxony enacted a fine of 60 bushels of corn for the killing of a cat.

4. The Beatles’ song “A Day in the Life” features an ultrasonic whistle at the end, audible only to dogs. It was supposedly recorded by Paul McCartney for the entertainment (or torment, perhaps) of his Shetland sheepdog.

5. Marie Antoinette had a spaniel by the name of Thisbe, from the star-crossed lovers Pyramus and Thisbe of Roman mythology.

6. Sir Isaac Newton, known best for “discovering” the law of gravity, also supposedly invented the swinging cat door. Owner of a multitude of house cats, one might assume this was a perfect example of necessity being the mother of invention.

7. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Scottish Terrier Fala is featured in the Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C. But during Roosevelt’s 145 month presidency, he shared the White House with 11 canine companions of various breeds. He had a Bullmastiff, a Bulldog, a retriever, multiple red setters as well as a rare Llewellin Setter, a Sheepdog, Great Dane, and a notorious German Shepherd named Major who made a valiant attempt at ripping the pants off the Prime Minister of Great Britain.

8. The oldest female cat of record lived in England. Ma was 34 years old at her death in 1957.

9. English poet Lord Byron was utterly devastated upon the death of his beloved Botswain, a Newfoundland dog. He wrote a famous inscription for the dog’s gravestone: “Beauty without vanity, strength without insolence, courage without ferocity, and all the virtues of man without his vices.”

10. There is a fable that tells how the “M” on a Tabby cat’s forehead came to be. When the prophet Mohammed rested his hand on the brow of his favorite cat, it appeared. From then on, all Tabbies carry this mark.

11. Bingo was the name of the dog on the Cracker Jack box.

12. Walt Disney’s family poodle was named Lady.

13. 16th century French Astrologer Nostradamus had a cat named Grimalkin.

14. The fear of cats is called Ailurophobia. It has been told that numerous famous rulers throughout history suffered from this affliction, including Napoleon, Julius Caesar, Charles XI and Henry II, in no particular order. On a similar note, both King Louis XIV and Napoleon had pet rabbits.

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President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Scottish Terrier Fala may be the most venerated of all presidential pets, since she’s a prominent character in the Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C. But Roosevelt’s presidency lasted over 10 years, during which a total of 11 dogs called the White House home. Over the years, he had a Bullmastiff, a Bulldog, a retriever, multiple red setters, a rare Llewellin Setter, a Sheepdog, Great Dane, and a notorious German Shepherd named Major who reportedly tried to rip the pants off the British Prime Minister.

United States President James Buchanan was responsible for both the largest and the smallest dogs to ever live in the White House. His Newfoundland Lara was the largest, weighing in at 170 pounds. And Buchanan’s niece Harriet Lane, who served as hostess to the White House (Buchanan was unmarried), had a tiny toy terrier named Punch. The president was also the recipient of a herd of elephants from the King of Siam during his tenure.

Lucy Webb Hayes, wife of the 19th President Rutherford B. Hayes, was the first person recorded to own a Siamese cat in the United States.

Socks, the cat, was the Clinton family pet and was once recognized as the most photographed feline in history.
Some of the strangest pets to call the White House home include Jefferson’s bear cubs, John Quincy Adams’ alligator, Buren’s tiger cubs and Harrison’s and Hoover’s opossums.
Teddy Roosevelt has to win the prize for his fabulous menagerie which included 5 dogs; 2 cats; 12 horses; 5 guinea pigs; 5 bears; multiple pet snakes; assorted lizards; 2 kangaroo rats; several roosters; an owl, a macaw, a flying squirrel, a raccoon, a pony, a coyote, a lion, a hyena and a zebra; a badger named Josiah; Jonathan the rat; and Emily Spinach, a garter snake.
Coming in a close second is Calvin Coolidge, with a dozen dogs, 3 cats and 3 canaries; a pair of raccoons, a bobcat, a bear and an antelope; a thrush, a goose and a mockingbird; an antelope, a wallaby, a pygmy hippo and several lion cubs; and a donkey named Ebeneezer.
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Smaller dog breeds are indeed gaining in popularity according to American Kennel Club registration statistics. Ten years ago, no toy breeds were in the top 10. But last year, three toy breeds made the top 10: the Yorkshire terrier, Chihuahua, and Shih Tzu ranked 6th, 9th and 10th. So large dogs still top the list, with the Labrador retriever, Golden Retriever and German shepherd ranking 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively. In fact, the Labrador retriever has been America’s most popular purebred dog breed for almost 20 years.
Small dogs usually live longer than larger breeds, which may be part of their increasing popularity. A Chihuahua can live as long as 18 years.
While we’re on the subject, the Chihuahua is actually the smallest breed of dog recognized by the AKC. It stands six to nine inches at the top of the shoulders and weighs two to six pounds. Compare this with the largest recognized breed: the Irish wolfhound, which stands 30 to 35 inches at the shoulder and weighs in at 105-125 pounds.

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Cats sleep a lot. In fact, a 15 year old cat has probably spent 10 years of its life sleeping. Cats generally get 16-18 hours of sleep a day, more than any other mammal. Of this time, cats enter a deep sleep for only about 15% of that time, but experience REM sleep as much as 60% of the time. But even when a cat is sleeping deeply, it remains alert to incoming stimuli. If you disturb a sleeping cat, it will respond accordingly. One theory about why cats seem to need so much sleep is that a cat’s brain needs a lot of energy to function; over twenty percent of blood that the heart pumps goes immediately to the brain.
You’ll find varying statistics on how many people sleep with their cats. Possibly as many as 96% of cat owners actually share the bed with their feline companions. That may be largely determined by the fact that it’s pretty hard to control a cat when you’re AWAKE, let alone while you’re sleeping.
P.S. A white cat sleeping outside your home on your wedding day is said to bring lasting happiness.

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In North America, a black cat crossing your path is thought to bring bad luck, while in Great Britain, it is thought to bring good luck.
In China and Japan, it is believed that a calico cat is a good luck talismen. But in Normandy, a tortoiseshell cat foretells of accidental death.
English schoolchildren believe seeing a white cat on the way to school is a bad omen. To avert bad luck, they must either spit, or turn around completely and make the sign of the cross. But there is another Western European superstition that a white cat sleeping outside your home on your wedding day will bring lasting happiness.
Superstitions abound about the cat. Maybe because they are so mysterious to humans. But they are just animals that rely on us to care for them and treat them with respect and kindness. Unfortunately, there is still a very real danger to black cats in the US around Halloween who are recklessly captured or stolen, tortured and killed by depraved individuals in the name of sick fun. The authorities recommend keeping your black cat indoors for a week or so around the end of October for their own protection.
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Significant pet-related events trhoughout history.
• 1100: Macaws were kept as pets by the Pueblo Indians as early as 1100 A.D.
• 1478: After the Spaniards conquered the Canary Islands, canaries were introduced to Spain in 1478 as pets.
• 1775: Humans first brought rats to the US from Europe around 1775.
• 1859: The first dog show was held in England in 1859.
• 1866: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was founded in 1866.
• 1870: Ferrets first came to America from Spain in the 1870’s.
• 1871: The first cat show was in 1871 in London’s Crystal Palace.
• 1888: 300,000 mummified cats were unearthed in 1888 in Egypt. Subsequently sold for $18.43 per ton, they were shipped to England to be used for fertilizer.
• 1889: The Fantail Club UK was established in 1889 to promote the knowledge and enjoyment of the Fantail Pigeon in the United Kingdom.
• 1895: Although mice have been domesticated for hundreds of years, the National Mouse Club of Britain was founded in 1895.
• 1896: In 1896, a prominent New York City Veterinarian, Dr. Samuel Johnson, offered his apple orchard in Hartsdale, New York, to serve as a burial plot for a bereaved friend’s dog. This became America’s first pet cemetery, and is today the final resting place for nearly 70,000 beloved pets.
• 1903: Bide-A-Wee was established as a nonprofit association in 1903 to provide temporary shelter and find loving homes for unwanted pets.
• 1906: The Cat Fancier’s Association, the feline version of the American Kennel Club, was founded in 1906.
• 1910: The first dog to star in an American movie made her screen debut 1910. A border collie mix, she was known as “Jean the Vitagraph Dog.” She appeared in a total of 18 movies, including a biopic about herself and her human family in 1913.
• 1920: German shepherds were the most popular dog in America in the 1920s. Because of negative sentiments toward Germany during World War II, they lost popularity, and only recently began making a comeback. They were recognized as the second most popular dog breed in 2009.
• 1938 The first seeing-eye dog was presented to a blind person on April 25, 1938 in Germany.
• 1938: Appaloosa Horse Club was established in 1938 in the US to maintain a registry for Appaloosa horses, with the goal of preserving heritage and history and defining the breed through bloodline requirements.
• 1945: Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte, the last member of the famous Bonaparte family, died in 1945 of injuries sustained from tripping over his dog’s leash.
• 1949: Gerbils were first brought to the United States in 1949.
• 1975: Pet Rock were a fad conceived by California advertising executive Gary Dahl.
• 1977: The Chia Pet debuted in 1977. A clay figurine with a hollow body in the general form of an animal, the torso has many small grooves. Moistened chia seeds produce a thick, gel-like paste which binds the seeds to the clay surface. The figurine is filled with water and the seeds sprout to look like green “hair” on the body.
• 1978: Before the 1978 law that made it mandatory for dog owners in New York City to clean up after their pooches, approximately 40 million pounds of dog excrement were deposited on the streets every year.
• 1987: In 1987, cats overtook dogs as the number one pet in America.
• 1999: The Pets.com Sock Puppet was introduced in 1999. As the puppet’s fame grew through 2000, it gained almost cult status, making an appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America, Nightline, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, and even had a balloon made in its image for the 1999 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
• 2003: Kids of all ages fell in love with a clown fish named Nemo. Aquarium sales spiked and a renewed passion for pet fish was kindled.
• 2009: In 2009, the first domestic animals – a cat and a ferret – were diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, already pandemic in humans, after being exposed to ill humans
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