The rising cost of healthcare is a growing concern for many Americans throughout the country. A recent study from The Commonwealth Fund magazine reveals that ” One half of workers in the lowest-compensation jobs and one-half of workers in mid-range-compensation jobs either had problems with medical bills in a 12-month period or were paying off accrued debt. One-quarter of workers in higher-compensated positions also reported problems with medical bills or were paying off accrued debt.” Although healthcare costs have dealt a hard blow to the consumer, using the internet and following these few easy tips below can help you counter those costs and strike back.

1. Online Consultation- Instead of paying the examination bill to get a prescription for a simple diagnosis, get an online consultation. An online consultation costs much less than seeing a physician and is more convenient than having to schedule a doctor’s appointment. However it is not recommended to receive online consultation in order to purchase drugs that are addictive in nature.

2. Self Diagnosis- Early detection of health problems is one of the easiest ways to avoid large medical bills. People avoid going to the doctor before their ailment becomes severe because they don’t want to pay a fee for a doctor to say that nothing is wrong. Self diagnosis websites such as WebMD.com provide medical information in order to help diagnose health problems before they become severe; not just saving time and money, but also improving your health.

3. Find a Diet- Eating healthy and staying active is one of the best ways to avoid health complications. If you are trying to find a healthy diet or a work out program, take a look on the internet. There are fitness websites with certified trainers and dieticians that can specifically tailor a health program to suite your lifestyle. This is a great alternative to paying a personal trainer hundreds of dollars every month.

4. Fill Your Prescriptions Online- This can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars each year. The internet brings pharmacies from the US, Canada, and overseas to your fingertips allowing you to compare all of their prices from your home. Although buying drugs online can be cheaper, it is important to find a pharmacy that is safe and dependable. A good way to weed out the unreliable rogue pharmacies is to use a proven pharmacy resource website such as ePharmacies.com. We chose ePharmacies.com because they have implemented a quality rating system that is devised of feedback, left from current and previous members. They serve as consumer advocacy watchdog group to assure you are shopping from safe and reliable online pharmacies.

Although the internet can be a great tool for savings, there are a few things that you should look for when using it.

Make sure that any information you give to a website remains confidential and that your privacy is protected. Some websites may take your information and sell it to other sources, which will lead to large amounts of solicitation and spam.

Check for hidden fees and high shipping costs. Some websites offer a low price but then stick it to you on the cost of shipping.

When ordering medication online, make sure that the pharmacy you are ordering from clearly understands your prescription; many pharmacies have a no return policy after your medication has been shipped, so make sure there is no error in communication.

Following these simple internet tips will help you save money on your personal health care, prevent illness, and maintain a happy healthy life.

For more information visit this Consumer Advocacy website for more information on ordering online prescriptions.

Joshua Daly is the author of many health related articles as well as the President of ePharmacies.com. Joshua’s goal is to help consumers save money and make better informed decisions. For more related articles on health and the pharmacuetical industry, visit our blog: Insider Guide to Online Prescriptions.

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Throughout the course of my life, I’ve encountered my own share of dogs. From early childhood days, I recall having several dogs that stayed temporarily with us until my dad’s next military assignment. Though my parents took good care of our animals, military life was unsuitable for animal adoptions as in most cases, animals were not permitted to go back overseas with us; thus we were inevitably forced to find homes for our pets.

In 1983, my parents adopted our first ‘forever’ dog. She was a beautiful, graceful German Shepherd mix. Because my oldest sister had small children, my mom kept ‘Apollo’ outside in the backyard. Living in the South, my family was virtually unaware of the risk of heartworms . In Europe, heartworms didn’t exist, and unfortunately, the SPCA where Apollo had been adopted did not pass out information on these dreadful predators. While our Apollo was continually outside, she was even more susceptible to the deadly mosquito infestation. After a short two years with us, we learned that our beloved Apollo had heartworms and died in less than 24 hours of our perceived understanding.

At the time, I was merely 14 years old and deeply distraught and heartbroken over the loss of our priceless family dog. It was at that time that I had consciously made an oath to never have an outdoor dog and to always seek preventative medicine so that something like this would never happen with my own, future animals.

In retrospect, I never imagined I would ever surrogate eight (8) dogs in my home - but Max, Zeus, Cujo, Hailey, Sharley, Tiny, Thor & Ozzie have become a cherished part of my family pack. Having all been neutered & spayed, annual checkups, immunizations, plenty of fresh water & food, heartworm preventative, and proper grooming - my dogs would never dream of ‘escaping’ their lap of luxury. Aside from having all the love in the world, my dogs lazily lounge on the sofas, get to run and play on nearly an acre of fenced yard, and even watch Television - which is usually set on the Animal Planet

One can never get me to stop talking about my dogs. They are comical, sincere, understanding, loving and in addition to being the most grateful living things, give so much love and health benefits in return.

Many persons do not realize the profound effects that animals have on us, but most importantly, do not understand the effects that we have on them. Though puppies and kittens are adorable, soft, cudly and cute - all animals mature and take on their mature form - sometimes as big as a 140 lb rottweiler. This is when things can ‘become sticky’ for folks. Suddenly, the cute black & tan pup is a massive bulk of clumsiness. He bumps into your living room endtable and breaks the cherished lamp; the velvety kitten is now a fully-grown cat and he’s decided to ‘redo’ your tapestry with his claws; and ‘Happy’ the dog isn’t making you ’so happy’ anymore because he is too hyper and keeps escaping your paradise home. So what is one to do?

First and foremost - and I cannot stress this enough - Spay or Neuter your animals. The sure-fire way to not only calm animals, spaying or neutering is also a positive way to reinforce and strenghten bonds between animal and human counterpart; and additionally has incredible health benefits, as these cost-effective procedures help to lengthen lifespans as well.

Okay, so now you’ve spayed or neutered your pet - but she still wants to squeeze her way out of the fence to roam. That’s understandable. She’s been escaping the yard the whole time, and spaying isn’t going to stop a learned behavior. So now what? My first suggestion would be to take your pet outside on a lead. (This should already have been one of the first training methods taught upon adopting a cat or dog) Teaching basic commands will help her to understand that she has boundaries and has to adhere to them.

If the lead technique still doesn’t keep her at bay, a kennel can be purchased ranging from $40 - $400 (depending on size of kennel). A house kennel is appropriate for indoor animals who are exhibiting disallowed behavior such as chewing, biting, scratching, urinating, etc. These kennels cost usually less than $100 - again, depending on size of animal. An outdoor kennel, is excellent for training animals to stay inside your fenced yard.

(Note: Never, under any circumstances, allow your animal to run freely.)

Start by placing animals in your indoor or outdoor kennel if you have to go somewhere or if you will not be directly supervising them. Never use the kennel as a means of punishment. Most animals may be a bit leary of the kennel at first, but give them some time, and you’ll discover that they love their kennel so much that it becomes a safe haven - and animals may even want to make it their permanent sleeping place.

Animal behavior can sometimes become frustrating as we’ve seemingly tried just about everything, and no matter what we do, they still sometimes do the things we don’t want them to. But that’s what separates animals from human beings: the fact that they are indeed animals. Our expectations can sometimes be set too high and we come to think of Rover or Mittens as a ‘little person.’ It’s when we do this, that they will ultimately ‘fail’ our logic every single time. One cannot allow himself to set behavior standards so high that we no longer accept our animal counterparts for what they are. When behavior becomes an issue, and the lead and kennel have not produced adequate results, the next step is seeing an animal trainer or animal behavior consultant who may be better able to assist you.

Finally, but not leastly, animals are forever. Love your animals. When you open your home and hearts to animals, you have instantly become their lifetime mentor and surrogate parent. They look up to you for your time, patience, compassion, understanding, food, shelter, healthcare and everything else in between. Without you, they are helpless. The worst thing someone can do is abandon or willfully neglect his devoted dog or cat.

Below are some alarming statistics and vital information (1) from the Humane Society of the United States:

• One female dog and her offspring can give birth to 67,000 puppies. In seven years, one cat and her young can produce 420,000 kittens.


• Every year, between six and eight million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters; some three to four million of these animals are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them.


• Living creatures have become throwaway items to be cuddled when cute and abandoned when inconvenient. Such disregard for animal life pervades and erodes our culture.


• Abandoned and stray companion animals who survive in the streets and alleys of cities and suburbs pose a health threat to humans and other animals. Each year communities are forced to spend millions of taxpayer dollars trying to cope with the consequences of this surplus of pets. These public costs include services such as investigating animal cruelty, humanely capturing stray animals, and sheltering lost and homeless animals.


• Free-roaming cats–owned cats allowed to go outside as well as stray and feral cats–often are hit by cars or fall victim to disease, starvation, poisons, attacks by other animals, or mistreatment by humans.


• Leaving a dog outside for long periods, especially if he or she is chained or otherwise tethered, can be physically, emotionally, and behaviorally detrimental. Dogs need companionship, care, exercise, and attention. Leaving a dog outside for an extended period without supervision not only deprives the animal of these things, but can also lead to behavior problems (including aggression).

For further information about pet adoptions and the Humane Society of the United States, visit: What to Consider before Adopting a Pet at www.hsus.org/pets/pet_adoption_information/what_to_consider_before_adopting_a_pet.html

In their short but special time they share with us, it is important to remember that animals belong in forever homes. Are you up to the challenge? Some thoughts to ponder.

References:

1. 1. The Humane Society of the United States

© 2005 Animals are Forever
By C. Bailey-Lloyd
aka. Lady Camelot

About the Author:
C. Bailey-Lloyd - Author of “Somewhere Along the Beaten Path”

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Do I have the WRITE STUFF…or the WRONG STUFF…when it comes to the article-writing business? As a novice writer, I shall find out…for the proof is in the pudding!

Is it “dog eat dog,” out there on the Internet among article writers? I’ve always been a competitive person. And as a woodcarver, I was in the art and craft world for over twenty years, and participated in over 40 arts and crafts shows all around the state of New Mexico. (where I live) Usually between 100 and 200 participants would compete for the visitor’s TIME…to spend a little time around our display and look at our wares, etc. And, the participants would also compete for SALES…for the visitor to open up the pocketbooks…MONEY!

I have a big advantage, over some people, because in the arts and crafts shows I participated in…I saw for myself (up close and personal/good and bad), the reaction to my work (IDEAS) by thousands of people over many years! So, what does a woodcarver have in common with a writer! Plenty! WE’RE BOTH IN THE CREATIVE WORLD! The creative world is not just about wood; adjectives; clay; stone; glass and paint; advertising; movies, etc.! It’s about ideas; style; determination; confidence; courage; attitude; persistence; creativity; discipline, etc. And, that’s what this article/report report is about! To be successful in the article-writing business or any other writing business…I’m going to need all this…and more!

Do I have the discipline it takes to re-write, re-write, edit, edit and edit an article to make it better? Do I have the ability to get fresh, new ideas to put them into words? Do I have the courage to take chances with my writing? Do I have the persistence to polish an article over and over again to bring it up from the dead? Do I have the confidence to show the world my work? Do I have the ability to get up…dust myself off…and try again? If I don’t have these abilities in the CREATIVE WORLD…I might as well do something else!

With respect to writing…I have no background in writing whatsoever! In college, I did not major in English; communications or journalism. (I majored in girl-watching, but don’t tell anyone!)

I don’t mind showing a little of my ignorance, but I didn’t know anything about article directories on the Internet, until I signed up with Ezine Articles.com, and that was in July, 2006. This is important, because if you happen to see one of my articles someplace else, I didn’t submit it there)

So, I’m a wannabe and a newbie writer, just like thousands of writers out there in la-la land! I do this project/article/report because there’s no difference between getting dusted in the art world…or the writing world…IT ALL HURTS THE SAME! Over the years…I’ve been there…I’ve done that…I’ve gotten the glory…I’ve been the goat many times…mainly because of b-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-d ideas! And, that’s what writing is all about…IDEAS…and you either have them…or you don’t! You either get them…or you don’t!

* * *

SHALL WE CONTINUE WITH THE FACTS, JER…JUST THE FACTS? Writing this article/report and keeping it updated will be challenge for me, and I look forward to it. (I just hope I don’t “bomb”)

* ARTICLE SUBMISSION START DATE (Ezine Articles.com): July 25, 2006:

* VIEWS OF ALL MY ARTICLES: (From 7/25/06 to PRESENT) 5,418

Because I’m the new kid on the block, I don’t know if this number is good or bad at this stage! The analogy I like to use for article-writing is the game of golf. I can’t be concerned about the person on the next fairway…or the person on the green up ahead. I have to concentrate, focus and play MY OWN GAME,etc. And, I just have to do the best I can, whether it be in the “fairway of life,” or …or in the “rough of life!” (Knowing me…it will probably be in the rough…again!)

* THE WORST ARTICLE START: (7 views/24 hours) “The International Hot-Air Balloon Fiesta” article. I thought certain this article would take off high into the skies…but it didn’t happen! All the balloons were deflated and it’s been a DUD for about a week now.

* THE BEST ARTICLE START: (207 views/24 hrs.) “Diabetes on the Rise!” Needless to say, I was amazed, at how this article took over the top spot within 24 hours and has kept the top spot until the present. (October 15, 2006)

* THE BEST SURPRISE ARTICLE(S) “How I Lost 40 Pounds,” and “The Ugly Face of Agism.” These two articles were at the BOTTOM of the list for over a month after they were written. One was in a COMA and the other was over-weight, and I had no idea what to do with them. Both of them were as good as I could write them, so I didn’t know what was wrong. And then…in about a months time, they both caught fire, and little by little they worked their way to the top. (2nd and 4th place) I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see this happen! What was probably the answer? PATIENCE!

* PROBLEM-CHILDREN: (Disappointments) I thought “How I Got Started in Humor,” and “Men, Women, Children and Courage would do better starting out…but haven’t. I just have to be patient.

* COMMENTS: (2) One good and one so-so. I’ve received hundreds of comments on my website, and I have over 250 of them posted. Comments…good and bad…all come with the territory.

NOTE: If people make comments and don’t like my articles, I have a way of dealing with them! I’ll just call my old and DEAR friend (in the Mafia), Vinni Testosterone, and put out a contract on those hateful people…SO WATCH IT, BUSTER!)

* VOTES/RATINGS: Ever since I participated in my first art/craft show back in the 1970’s I liked to be judged by the PUBLIC and not by anyone else! In other words…I like the truth about what I am doing…with no PUFFERY! And, if by some miracle…my work is showered with stars…GREAT…if not…I’ll be the GOAT…AGAIN…so what else is new!

* EZINE/PUBLISHERS (From July 25, to Present - 127) From day one…I’ve always been appreciative and thankful of those people who like what I’m doing!

* MY ARTICLES HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES: (As of 10/15/06) - 1) Street Toys.com; 2) Blogger.com; 3) Quit Smoking Articles.com; 4) Peace Team Book.org; 5) Only Pun Jab.com; 6) Rusbiz.com; 7) Go To Crafts.com; Hot News 360.com; 9) Stomp Ground.com (Australia); 10) ESL Teachers Board.com; 11) NOOMRA.com; 12) Blobosphere.com; 13) Linkfriendz.com; 14) 7healthcare.com; 15) FreeArticles.com; 16) Pacific Articles.com; 17) Gum Auction.com; 18) Golfi.org (Switzerland) Didn’t I tell you miracles would happen…23 of my 42 articles have been published on other websites, and for this, I thank the website owners!

* * *

What do woodcarving and writing have in common? Over the years, I created over 200 original cartoon-like characters in wood, in many different occupations and professions. Most of these wood pieces were captioned. In the early days, I started my writing ambitions, by writing how these ideas for the wood pieces came about, and how they were produced.

A few years later, I was invited to join the Southwest Writers Workshop, by the then, President of the organization, Eileen Stanton, who is one of New Mexico’s top writers, having sold over 5,000 of her articles to some of the TOP newspapers and magazines in the country. SWW has over 1,000 talented and accomplished members all over the country, and, needless to say, I was flattered when invited to join. Later, I took and completed two writing correspondence courses (in my 40’s); the Writer’s Digest Course and the National Writers Club course. I also took a creative writing course at the University of New Mexico.

This is one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself, because it has given me the confidence in my writing I needed to build my website and to continue with my writing ambitions. The longer we’re out of school, the more we forget about the little things in writing that are so important. Writing courses are expensive, so I don’t encourage you to take one, unless you can afford one.

However, I do encourage everyone to go back and brush up on your writing skills by going to the library and taking out a book on English; taking an inexpensive writing course, if there is a community college near you. Or, buying a book and go back to the basics of writing…YOU WON’T REGRET IT!

email; humordoctor@aol.com
Website; humordoctormd
Over 200 colorful pages; over 500 graphics
humordoctormd.homestead.com
Copyright; Jerry Aragon; 2006

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