The Savvy Marketplace

Jewelry for anniversaries can be the perfect gift. It is widely known that there are lists of birthstones and zodiacal or talismanic stones, there are lists of stones for days of the week, hours of the day, for states of the union, for each of the seasons, and for anniversaries as well!

Anniversary Stones

1. Gold Jewelry 9. Lapis Lazuli25. Silver Jubilee 2. Garnet 10. Diamond Jewelry30. Pearl Jubilee 3. Pearl11. Turquoise35. Emerald 4. Blue Topaz12. Jade40. Ruby 5. Sapphire13. Citrine45. Sapphire 6. Amethyst 14. Opal50. Golden Jubilee 7. Onyx15. Ruby55. Alexandrite 8. Tourmaline20. Emerald60. Diamond Jubilee

Here Are Some Tips For Buying Jewelry As An Anniversary Gift Without Being Ripped Off 1. There’s a big difference between 14 karat gold and gold-plated jewelry. Fourteen karat (14K) jewelry contains 14 parts of gold, mixed in throughout with 10 parts of base metal. Gold-plated describes jewelry with a layer of at least 10K gold bonded to a base metal. Gold plating eventually wears away, depending on how often the item is worn and how thick the plating is. 2. If you’re buying a watch, determine whether you want one that runs on a battery or one that must be wound daily. Ask if a warranty or guarantee is included, how long it lasts, and what parts and repair problems it covers. Also ask how and where you can get the watch serviced and repaired. 3. Know the difference between laboratory-created gemstones and naturally mined stones. Stones created in the lab are visually identical to stones mined from the earth. The big difference is in the cost: laboratory-created stones are less expensive then naturally mined stones. But because they look much like stones mined from the earth, they must be identified as lab-created. If you want a naturally mined stone, ask if it has been treated. Gemstone treatments- such as heating, dyeing or bleaching- can improve a stone’s appearance or durability. Some treatments are permanent; some may create special care requirements. Treatments also may affect the stone’s value. 4. Ask whether pearls are imitation or real. Real pearls are made by oysters or other mollusks; imitation pearls are man-made. Cultured pearls are made by mollusks with human intervention; and irritant introduced into their shells causes a pearl to grow. Real pearls that are not cultured are fairly rare and expensive. The cost depends on the size, usually stated in millimeters, and the coating or “nacre” on a real pearl, which gives it its iridescence. 5. When you’re buying a diamond, consider four criteria: cut, color, clarity and weight, usually stated as carats. Each factor affects the price. Color is sometimes “graded” on a scale. However, scales are not uniform: a “D” may be the best color for one scale, but not for another. Make sure you know how a particular scale and grade represent the color of the diamond you’re considering. A diamond can be described as “flawless” only if it has no visible surface cracks or other imperfections when viewed under 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.

Not everybody is lucky to own designer handbags, but they do want to follow the trend and look fashionable. What they did is then finding some replica handbags. Well, with much cheaper price, sometimes you cannot look the difference between authentic and replica handbags. Even a professional has trouble telling the difference because they are now good.

Is it worth it buying replica handbags? Probably yes for those who can’t afford the real thing because you get what you wanted and can save hundreds of dollars. But you must know that according to the International Anti Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) buying replica is the same as robbing the U.S. of more than $200 billion a year. This kind of business is not legitimate. Of course there are other more things, include the safety and the connection with terrorists, gangs and organized crime syndicates. Sure you don’t want this to happen.

Things You Should Know about Replica Handbags

So, here is a clue to help you finding the real thing, not the replica handbags. Well, this is not a recommendation that you must buy branded designer handbags, but only a way to help you identified which one is replica and not. Check it out!

- When you see the price of the handbags are much lower than you have seen before, that mean its replica handbags.

- See where the tag is coming from; if it said “Made in Taiwan”, that’s definitely not real.

- Where it’s being sold. Authorized dealers for Chanel, Louis Vuitton, etc. do not sell handbags out of the trunk of a car.

- If you walk down to Los Angeles’ Santee Street and New York’s Canal Street, you can see replica handbags available on the street.

- Replica handbags can be recognized through its flimsy hardware, cheap leather and misspelled logos were a giveaway.

If you know that, how are you going to decide? Your decision is in your hand! You can buy either replica handbags or the real one, all depend on you. But if you want to know more, just look inside the Internet to find more information about replica and authentic designer handbags. Hope you will decide which the best is for you.

One of the best ways to improve the appearance of your skin is by incorporating raw food into your diet. Beautiful skin starts from the inside out. People who switch to eating mostly raw food often see an improvement in their skin and look younger.

Heating food above 105 degrees Fahrenheit destroys the enzymes as well as 50% of the protein and 70-90% of the vitamins and minerals. Eating cooked food overtaxes the body’s enzyme reserves. Eating more raw food decreases the amount of digestive enzymes your body has to produce. Raw foods are foods in their natural state with the enzymes left intact. Enzymes are needed to perform many functions in the body including digestion, assimilation and elimination of food. A drained enzyme supply can result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies, premature aging and low energy. Raw foods high in enzymes include sprouts, papaya and pineapple.

Free radicals damage your skin and interfere with collagen production causing premature aging. Antioxidants counteract free radicals that age the skin. Berries, especially blueberries, are potent antioxidants that promote collagen which reduces wrinkles. Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit help rid the body of free radicals keeping the skin looking young. Foods high in the antioxidant beta carotene including carrots and apricots protect the skin against sun damage.

CoenzymeQ10 is an effective antioxidant involved in the energy process and present in every cell in the body. CoQ10 levels in the body diminish with age. CoQ10 destroys free radicals and slows aging. Spinach, broccoli and peanuts are foods high in CoQ10.

Alpha-lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant that boosts the strength of other antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E, and assists the body’s energy production. Alpha-lipoic acid can be found in spinach, brewer’s yeast, broccoli, tomatoes and peas.

Sulfur is a mineral present in every cell in your body. It is needed in collagen production and for healthy skin, hair and nails. Organic sulfur levels in food are lost when processed, heated or dried. Sulfur is known to help improve skin conditions such as acne. High sulfur content foods include asparagus, broccoli, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, red pepper, garlic, onion, watercress and kale.

Silicon is an essential trace mineral needed for healthy skin, hair, nails and bones. Silicon levels decrease with age. Fruits and vegetables are the richest source of silicon including apples, oranges, cherries, grapes, strawberries, beets, cucumber, carrots and green leafy vegetables.

Phytochemicals are plant chemicals that help the body defend against damage and are said to have anti-aging properties. Phytochemicals can be found in berries, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, spinach, carrots, cocoa and bell pepper.

Raw nuts and seeds are high in Vitamin E which is beneficial to the skin. Selenium keeps the skin elastic and can be found in garlic, onions and shallots.

When the body rids itself of toxins, it passes through the skin which is the largest elimination organ. Raw food increases your detoxification rate. Drinking water helps the body rid itself of toxins. Seaweed is high in vitamins and minerals beneficial to the skin and also helps rid the body of toxins.

To achieve a healthy complexion, drink plenty of water and eat plenty of raw food. What goes into your body is reflective in your overall appearance.

34 menopause symptoms? Really? It is a logical question to ask. After all, millions of women are experiencing one or more of the 34 menopause symptoms right now! What is going on? We all remember a grandmother or older aunt, how they made the transition into menopause. The so-called change will happen, but something tells us that experiencing many of the symptoms of menopause as early as ages thirties or forties is not normal.

First, here is a list of the most common 34 menopause symptoms. Take a moment to consider each one, as some are subtle and at first glance may appear to have no relation to being menopause symptoms:

1 - Aching joints and muscles

2 - Allergy symptoms

3 - Breast tenderness

4 - Chronic fatigue and morning sluggishness

5 - Cold or tingling hands or feet

6 - Craving sweets, caffeine, carbohydrates and unstable blood sugar levels

7 - Depression, anxiety and mood swings

8 - Dizziness, lightheadedness

9 - Dry, thin or wrinkly skin

10 - Endometriosis

11 - Facial hair growth

12 - Fibrocystic breasts

13 - Hair loss, thinning hair

14 - Headaches, migraines

15 - Heart palpitations

16 - Heavy or light periods

17 - Hot flashes

18 - Incontinence

19 - Irregular periods

20 - Irritatibility, inability to handle stress

21 - Lack of concentration, foggy fuzzy thinking, memory lapses

22 - Leg cramps

23 - Low metabolism

24 - Lower sex drive, loss of sex drive

25 - PMS and menstrual cramping

26 - Night sweats

27 - Osteoporosis

28 - Ringing or buzzing in ears (tinnitus)

29 - Sleep disturbances, insomnia

30 - Spotting, light bleeding

31 - Symptoms of hypothyroidism with normal T3 and T4 levels

32 - Uninary tract and yeast infections

33 - Uterine fibroids

34 - Water retention and unexplained weight gain, especially in hips, waist and stomach

Menopause is a natural process for a woman, not an illness. As a woman ages, there will be an expected slowing and ultimately shutdown in the reproductive cycle and system. This is normal. However, most of the 34 menopause symptoms are indications of underlying hormonal imbalance or damage to the body from poor eating habits, stress, obesity and other factors. Millions of women in the industrialized countries experience one or more of these 34 menopause symptoms many years before the normal age of menopause, which is about 51 years of age.

Why? There are several reasons. Women often put tremendous demands on their bodies, much more stress than it was designed to handle, and then do not give it the support it needs. Women have demanding and stressful careers. There are family responsibilities. The relationship with the spouse or partner may not be the best. Aging parents can add to the burden. All of these and other responsibilities are cumulative in the toll they take on the body and health of a woman.

And at the same time, the womans body may not be receiving the support it needs to function as it was designed to do. Poor eating habits, lack of exercise, obesity, excess caffeine and alcohol add to the problem instead of helping the body cope with the demands placed on it. This lack of balance between the demands made versus support given contributes to many of the 34 menopause symptoms.

Then there is the issue of the menstrual cycle and hormone production in the body. In the normal menstrual cycle and a healthy woman, estrogen is the dominant hormone that is produced for the first 10-12 days following the previous menstrual flow. If ovulation occurs, ovulation then signals the female body to produce progesterone, which happens for the next 12 days or so. If pregnancy does not occur during ovulation, progesterone and estrogen levels will drop at around day 28, allowing menstruation to begin. However, if you do not ovulate, you will not produce progesterone that month. This event, called an annovulatory cycle, is a typical occurance today for women even 10 to 20 years before the normal age of menopause. This leaves the woman with an excess of estrogen and a deficiency of the vital hormone progesterone which can only be produced if ovulation occurs.

Many women in their thirties or forties are actually having fewer ovulations, creating hormone imbalance, resulting in many of the 34 menopause symptoms. And once ovulation ceases at menopause, progesterone levels fall to virtually zero. At the same time, estrogen is still being produced, again leading to hormone imbalance and the resulting symptoms. If a hysterectomy has happened, surgical menopause means the woman no longer produces progesterone.

Besides the problems created by missed ovulations or hysterectomy, excess estrogen is regularly obtained from other sources. Birth control pills, household chemicals and pesticides, certain foods that have been sprayed or given chemicals and many construction materials used in homes are all sources of unhealthy estrogen. Doctors call this hormone imbalance condition where excess estrogen exists - estrogen dominance. What are the symptoms of estrogen dominance? The symptoms are nearly the same as the 34 menopause symptoms!

When your estrogen and progesterone hormones are balanced, you feel more alert and energetic. And balancing family, career, stress and your own needs becomes much easier to do, like it was when you were younger.

How can a woman tell if the symptoms being experienced are because of hormone imbalance? One easy and effective way is to take an online test for early signs of menopause and the 34 menopause symptoms. Used daily in their practice by a leading womens health clinic, the health test takes just a few minutes online and the test is free. By taking the clinic health test, you can find out more about your health, symptoms you have, what the symptoms are telling you and what to do about it. Take the online hormone health test and read more about hormone imbalance, estrogen dominance symptoms, hysterectomy side effects and physician-recommended treatments for premenopause symptoms and the 34 menopause symptoms.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

I used to wonder how my coworkers could afford the latest and greatest fashions. Despite the fact that we all took home the same meager salary, they walked in the door every week with a new outfit. I walked in the door with the same sloppy jeans and sweater. It took a few years before I realized that their clothes were actually owned by Visa and MasterCard. This was a realization I made without ever looking at their credit card statement. I could see the stress in their eyes. By the time they paid off that sweater set, sweater sets were out of style. They were on a Fashion Hamster Wheel.

My coworker Jessica was different. She was always tastefully dressed, her clothes predating the next fashion trend. Almost every time I asked her where she got her clothes she told me she bought them at a thrift store. There was something else about Jessica’s style that no one else had - serenity. She had zero debt. She was in full control of her life and it was palpable. It’s no coincidence that she bought her first home when she was just 24 years old.

Jessica clearly had her own sense of style. With a little creativity and a small investment of time, she was able to act on it. I’m not saying you have to forego shopping at your favorite stores to be able to afford a house - unless you live in Northern California. What I am saying is - instead of desperately searching for the exact blouse Jennifer Aniston wore to her latest movie premier and paying bank for it off the rack - be a little daring and create your own style based on what you can afford.

Defining your own style takes time and it evolves. Read fashion magazines, watch movies and see what you like. But instead of mimicking what you see, adapt it. Learn to trust your instinct. Learn what looks good on your body structure. Every time you see a young woman wearing low rise jeans that obviously shouldn’t be, take it as a reminder that not every fashion trend is for everyone.

Life isn’t about conforming - it’s about creating.

Your infant has just entered the world a few hours ago. He’s opening his eyes, rooting about, pushing his fists to his mouth, and seeking the comfort of the breast. It’s only natural that your baby would have the immediate instinct of wanting to nurse. In the beginning, it may be difficult for Baby to learn to latch on, but his instincts are there. The first few hours after birth are a window of opportunity for Mom to bring Baby close to her skin and give her baby a chance to try nursing. It is within the first two hours after birth that an infant is most eager to suck.

Why is nursing the first few hours so important? Well, one important reason nursing the first few hours is so important, is Mom’s production of colostrum, which is the first foods your baby will receive from you (as opposed to mature breastmilk). Colostrum is a clear, yellowish substance that is often termed “liquid gold”, which has many antibiotic and beneficial features for your baby. This colostrum seals your baby’s intestines to protect him from harmful bacteria. The high protein colostrum diet stimulates your baby’s first bowel movement (the meconium) as well and decreases the incidence of jaundice.

Besides receiving a beneficial high protein, low fat meal straight from Mom, Baby will also learn to latch onto the breast correctly within a few days of giving birth, especially if Mom is persistent and available to feed regularly.

About supplements No doubt if you give birth in a hospital, your baby may very well be offered sugar water or a pacifier. The hospital staff mean well, but if you plan to nurse your baby regularly, getting your baby off to a good start the first few days are crucial. You can ask your nurses not to offer a pacifier to your baby, and explain that you will be happy to nurse whenever your baby gets fussy. Pacifiers have been associated with problems such as ear infections and early weaning. In addition, using pacifiers interferes with Mom’s milk supply. For the first few weeks, especially, it is important to keep Baby in practice with learning to nurse. Sugar water, on the other hand, may be given for necessary and medical reasons, such as for a baby who has low sugar levels, or one who has undergone much stress during labor and delivery. But if there are no medical reasons for offering sugar water, ask the nurses to bring your baby to you for feedings regularly.

Correct Positioning Here are a few steps that may be helpful when beginning a breastfeeding session:

1.)Be sure you are comfortable. Relax your body and muscles. Now, bring your baby to you (don’t lean into your baby!) 2.)With your opposite hand support your breast with your thumb on top and your fingers below the areola. 3.)Make sure Baby’s mouth is opened wide, and that his lower gum is below the base of the areola. You don’t want Baby to accidentally bite down on the tip of your nipple. That could hurt and send you both in tears! 4.)Compress your breasts gently, inserting as much milk into your infant’s mouth as possible 5.)When your baby has indicated that he’s full, or perhaps has fallen asleep, it’s time to end the feeding. If baby has not come off the breast by himself, you will need to break the suction by placing your finger into the corner of his mouth until you feel the release.

Breastcare

No doubt you may find your nipples to be cracked or sore in the beginning, especially if Baby’s latch wasn’t positioned correctly. It is recommended to leave your bra flaps down and allow your nipples to air dry right after a nursing session. There are also ointments and creams made especially for these predicaments. You may also find that your breasts are leaking milk throughout the day. My recommendation would be to nurse as frequently as your baby requires, especially since breast milk is digested so quickly. Others would rather express their milk manually or by using a breast pump, in order to store milk for family members to help out with feedings. Yet another solution, though temporary, is to wear nursing pads in your bra, to keep the milk from leaking through your clothing. Remember, though, that your milk is flowing regularly as a normal part of the nursing process, and that your natural let-down reflex is sometimes an indication of an upcoming feeding time. Before you begin pumping, you may want to check the clock to be sure it’s not time to feed Baby again.

For more details on breastfeeding and breast care, you can contact your local local La Leche League. They can help with securing equipment, materials, and advice about breastfeeding.

– Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.

When it comes to weddings, both the bride & groom, and the guests worry about wedding gift etiquette. These do’s and don’ts will keep you on the right gift giving track!

I bet your wondering where the idea of wedding gifts originated? You’ll have to travel back to the time when men no longer bartered for their wives. With the tradition of choosing your bride, also came the tradition of friends and family bearing gifts. In those days articles were functional and useful additions to the couple’s house, making their lives easier.

The Grecians were into presenting lush and lavish gifts. It was a big competition to see who could present the most lavish gift. Brides and grooms were presented with precious jewelry, gold vases, magnificent clothing or furniture.

These days’ things have really changed. Wedding gift etiquette of the past, simply does not work today. For couples who have been married before they already have all the household toys, so what is one to buy? Even if a couple has not been married before, most have run their own households so they still have everything they need. Many couples request no gifts. Some will ask for cash gifts, so they can put the funds towards a vacation, a house, or bigger ticket item. Is this okay? How big of wedding gift should one buy? It seems no matter what a person buys, they feel they’ve not spent enough, or bought the wrong type of gift. Relax!! And go with the modern day flow!

The best thing the bride and groom can do for their guests, it to let them know what you are looking for. Funny, brides and grooms feel bad playing the “what they need” card, and guests are too uncomfortable to broche the subject for fear of offending the bride and groom.

First, it’s okay for the wedding couple to ask for cash only. The correct way is to include a little note in the invitation that reads something like. Because we are saving for [insert item] we would appreciate cash donations in lieu of gifts. Thanks so much! It’s simple and to the point and these days people understand. For many it’s much easier than trying to figure out what you need.

If you are blending two households that are financially set, and you don’t want any gifts or cash, then make a note of this on your invitation. Some people will feel uncomfortable with not providing a gift. So you could include a note that reads. We would like to decline any gifts. If you would like to give, please donate to our favorite charity [insert here]. Many thanks! Or, you can indicate they can donate to their favorite charity.

If you are going to be accepting gifts, then do your guests a favor and have several wedding gift registries set up at various stores. This will alleviate a lot of stress for your guests and insure you receive items you really need or want.

My daughter’s wedding is coming up shortly. Her and her fiancée are planning to take a 6 month backpacking trip into South America, right after the wedding. So their gift registry is made up of the camping supplies they will need. Be creative! Fine tune your gift registry to what “you” want and need. It will please your guests to know they are spending their hard earned money on something you will actually use.

These days, anything goes. The only big tip about wedding gift etiquette is to be polite in your requests. You’ll feel better and so will your guests!

Many people associate child adoption with infertility, although many people who can have children, or already do are adopting children more and more. Some reasons for adopting a child, that are not for the traditional reason of infertility, are as follows. Some people who already have a few children of the same sex, for instance, might desire to have another in hopes of having the opposite sex. However, taking the chance of getting pregnant again isn’t a very surefire way to get the sex that you desire. Therefore, if a family really desires a child of a certain sex, adoption might be the right option for them. A couple might also chose to adopt if they have only have one child. Perhaps they have decided that they don’t want to have another child naturally, but they don’t want there child to be lonely. Adopting a child will provide a companion for your child and will help get another innocent child into a loving, nurturing home. A single person who wants to experience the joys of parent hood might also choose to adopt. Instead of being artificially inseminated, a woman for instance might choose to adopt a child in need, and help the cause of two lives.

Some people also feel that the world has no need for more children in it, and is becoming over populated. For this reason they may chose to adopt because it helps get a child into a good home so they have a better chance for a good future. Some people also might have genetic diseases that they don’t want to give to a child, so they might chose to adopt a child in need, so they aren’t risking the birth of an unhealthy child. Or, you may have a friend or relative in need of a home for their own child. In order to help them out without taking the child out of the family completely, you may chose to adopt them as your own. This way the adopted child can stay close to their family, as well as be provided for by a capable, loving home. All of the above are excellent reasons to consider adoption before you jump into pregnancy. Remember, child adoption is not right for everyone, but if it is right for you, you will be providing yourself with the joys of parenthood as well saving a child from a possibly bleak future.

Increasing numbers of American brides are thinking about doing something that used to be unthinkable — getting married in a bold red gown.

Not that red is a stranger to marriage. Hardly. Red plays a major role in Chinese, Hindu, and some Muslim weddings, and was a popular choice in medieval times. But for modern Westerners? Yes — we too are starting to marry in red. At least some of us.

It’s been happening more and more in Europe over the past decade. Maybe that’s because Europe recalls long stretches of time when wedding gowns weren’t white. For eons, a woman simply wore her best dress — one she could certainly use again — although to keep luck on her side she might gravitate to certain colors and avoid others. With all the choices, it was harder to keep the good colors straight, so the folk world offered a poem with a few fortunate outcomes and many poor ones:

Married in White, you have chosen right … Married in Brown, you will live in the town … Married in Blue, you will always be true …

Blue gowns were popular since early times, since blue represented purity and the Virgin Mary. This tradition continues in the “something blue” a bride wears today. White was less common, especially among anything other than the bluest bluebloods, because of its difficulty in coming clean in the wash.

But eventually, several big players popularized white, most notably the fashion hound Queen Victoria. Ever since — especially in a world where clothes are mass-produced and a woman can afford many dresses, even one she’ll only wear once — white’s been all the rage.

Yet even more recently, some have found this timeworn symbol of purity and affluence a little constricting. Some brides want a little less predictability and more choice. And not everyone looks good in white, as some brides point out.

While a percentage of European brides have snapped up dramatic red gowns for the past decade, Americans have been more cautious. It’s only been about the past four years that tentative pastel washes and small colored accents have made the scene here.

That’s beginning to change. A small but growing number of brides — and designers — are getting bolder. Formal, stunning, all-red gowns are making inroads into Christmas or holiday weddings, especially the cozy kind in front of a crackling hearth. You’ll see more red at Valentine weddings, rose-themed weddings, and Las Vegas weddings — not to mention second weddings where the bride’s more apt to select exactly what she feels good in, and nothing less.

Thinking of red for yourself? Maybe your forebears did too. During the American Revolution, it wasn’t uncommon for brides show their support for the rebellion by donning a red dress.

Fortunately, these days it’s not a political statement. A bride wears red because she wants to. She’s comfortable with herself and with the dress she finds most beautiful — even if that choice still raises some eyebrows in the back of the chapel.

“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring–it was peace.” - Milan Kundera

The idea of wearing jewelry with dog motifs may seem strange to most people. The dog is normally not anywhere near as graceful as the cat or the dolphin, which both make for wonderful jewelry patterns, indeed. But the appeal of dog jewelry may surprise some, and the beauty that comes with the designs in dog jewelry would catch even gem-lovers off-guard.

Why wear dog jewelry? Well, it could be for a variety of reasons. Dogs have become the universal symbol of loyalty and unconditional affection. If you ever met a person who was so dedicated to anything — in love or at work — chances are that person is also a dog-lover. There are lessons you learn from keeping dogs, and among them are kindness and patience, fierce protectiveness, as well as strength in the face of adversity.

In ancient Egypt, Anubis, the dog-headed god of embalming, was held in high regard as the conductor of the underworld — the one who saw the dead off to their final resting places. Anubis comes associated with death, and the sight of a dog, jackal or wolf head have come to be associated with death as well. Men have in fact opted for dogs as masculine symbols, denoting territorialism and acute survival instinct. After all, dogs have been known to survive through the toughest circumstances, and this in itself cancels out the idea of dogs as “death-bringers.”

Toughness and loyalty are the main virtues associated with dogs. On the modern media front, Lassie has perpetuated the image of the companion that’s smarter than your everyday human, and is therefore loads more useful, if not also loads more affectionate. Old Yeller has also taught us about how sheer faithfulness is sometimes enough to get you through the most trying situations.

Dog jewelry is not exclusively for humans to wear — there are dog collar charms, too! In fact, pet and owner can have matching charms: one charm in the master/mistress’ bracelet, and a similar one on the pet’s collar.

If you are a dog lover, try out dog jewelry! Show the world your appreciation of the noble heritage of man’s best friend!