Sunday, June 17, 2007

Orlando Vacation Villas

If you're traveling to Orlando, Florida, to spend some time golfing, visiting Disney World, attending a convention or taking advantage of any of the countless other enetertainment options available at this holiday hot spot, you'll need to line up appropriate accomodations.

You could stay at a hotel. Orlando has an impressive number of hotel rooms and all of the major chains are represented. You could stay at the resort of your choice. Most of the top attractions do offer on-site accomodations. There is, however, another very attractive choice: Orlando vacation villa rentals!

Why stay in a run-of-the-mill hotel featuring the same generic experience as that offered in every other U.S. city when you can secure a fully-featured vacation home at a competitive price? Wouldn't your vacation time be more enjoyable and flexible if you had a "real" place at your disposal instead of settling for a tiny hotel room?

The next time you make plans to visit Orlando, consider looking into some of the great rental vacation villas in the area. It can be the difference between a good vacation and an absolutely perfect set of lifelong memories!

Crazy Pug Fan Lambasts Puggle People

What is up with fans of the pug being so down on puggle people? I just don't get it.

Some people like chocolate, others vanilla. I might like thought-provoking foreign films with subtitles and abstract symbolism. You might like Judge Dredd. I love puggles. They love pugs.

So be it! Let diversity of thought and opinion flourish!

Not for some, though. Take, for instance, this pug advocate whose love for the pug makes him a freaky hater of the puggle. Oh, but please note that part of the reason the pug admirer seems to go loco is because puggle buddies are rude to him.

The puggle/pug war is apparently on. I'm gonna be like Jimmy Stewart in Shenandoah. This ain't my war and I'm not taking sides.

I am, however, a puggle person. Nonetheless, I can love pugs, too.

Here's an excerpt from the bizzare world of puggle hatred:

"However, if you are looking for that pug/beagle mix mutt of a dog, I still don't like you, so go away. I am tired of constantly complaining about the puggle hits, so I will stop now. You may have worn me down all you puggle lovers, but the link at the top of this page will forever serve as a reminder of how much I hate you. OK, maybe not forever - I get bored pretty quickly."

Great Puggle Site

SnuggleWithAPuggle.com is a nifty site filled with information about the best dogs in the world--puggles.

The site also features a great explanation of its origins, which I believes bears repetition here. The authors of the puggle site in question state:

"Our goal is to educate the public about the Puggle so you can make an informed decision if this mixed breed fits your needs. We are happy to assist you by answering any question(s) you may have about this hybrid cross whether you adopt a pup from us or someone else. We do NOT recommend puppy mills, brokers or large scale breeders no matter how nice their facilities. We believe every breeder is responsible for the lives they create and we are no exception."

Now THAT is a great goal!

I strongly encourage all puggle people to peruse the Kentucky Puggles page!

Anyway, check it out!

Appreciative Coaching and Oline Education

Capella University is a completely Internet-based accredited university offering a number of bachelors and graduate level degree courses. The faculty at Capella includes Sara Orem, PhD, the author of the book "Appreciative Coaching: A Positive Process for Change". Orem, an adjunct professor at Capella, is also the owner of her own professional consulting firm and has worked with a number of recognized corporations and government entitites.

"Appreciative Coaching: A Positive Process for Change" details Orem's strategy of using positive questioning techniques and other affirming strategies as a means of bringing out the very best in individuals. Her positive apporach is designed to maximize both productivity and inspiration. The process involves "four Ds" (discovering, dreaming, designing and destiny) as a route to positive change. The book should be an asset to anyone involved in management or training.

Orem, an accomplished expert in her field, is an interesting example of the changing face of adult education. Today's online courses are more than simple replacements for the mailed quizzes of yesteryear's correspondence courses. The instructors are professionals who bring a powerful combination of academic knowledge and real-world experience to the virtual classroom!

Beverly Hills Puggle

The Canyon News has a regular piece contributed by the folks at Friends of Animals.

I recently noticed that there's a puggle available in the 90210 ZIP code! By the looks of it, there may actually be two sweet puggle pups who are currently down and out in Bevery Hills--Tom and Max.

Based on the article, the two look enough alike that when one was featured in the paper, a picture of the other showed up! Maybe they'd make a great matching pair of animal companions for a loving home in Cali?

If you happen to be reading this right before you leave your home in BH, give some thought to Tom and Max!

You can read the whole article here. This is an excerpt:

"Both of these little sweethearts would love to be part of a family again. If you would like to know more about them or would like to see them, please give me a call. Or maybe you would like to volunteer to take them and some of their little friends for a walk. The cats would love some company, too!"

Aussies Discuss Designer Breeds

The Brisbane Times recently mentioned puggles, the world's cutest puppies, in an article entitled "A Bit of Ruff".

It's a standard overview of the increasing popularity of designer dogs and includes perspectives from those of us who adore and cherish the super-pooches and those who have concerns about the breed-mixing and whether popularity is increasing a little too fast for its own good.

There's nothing earth-shattering or new in this piece, but it is interesting to see the Australians getting more and more interested in the puggle (and overall designer dog) phenomena.

Here's an excerpt:

"Then again, there are designer dogs with sillier names. The ever-expanding list of designer crossbreeds starts with the labradoodle and covers increasingly daffy sounding variants: poodle crosses such as schnoodles, spoodles, cavoodles, groodles, pug crosses like puggles, pugaliers, and (best of all) basset hound beagle crosses, or bagels. Infinite combinations seem possible and, with demand for designer dogs pushing puppy prices into four figures, more breeders are answering the call."

If you'd like to read the whole Brisbane Times piece, you can find it here.

Your Gold Partner

If you want to successfully claim your stake in the gold investment market, you'll want the assistance of hard asset professionals with a track record of success, great customer service capabilities and the ability to offer you maximum convenience. You'll want to deal with someone like The Monex Deposit Company (MDC).

MDC has been in the business for over thirty years. They provide investors with a tremendous opportunity to secure gold ignots and coins at competitive market prices. MDC is not limited to assistance in investment acquisition, however. They'll also work with investors to see that their gold is properly delivered and/or securely maintained in safe independent facilities.

MDC is a full-service gold investment solution. Gold remains an attractive investment. It's a perfect portfolio diversifier and a great way to protect purchasing power. If you're ready to get involved in gold, you will want to contact The Monex Deposit Company.

Puggle Featured at The Daily Puppy

If you need a good place to get a daily fix of super-cuteness, please allow me to recommend The Daily Puppy. This good-natured site features a new, wonderful dog every day.

Here's a case in point: Bella the Puggle.

Bella made The Daily Puppy for Father's Day, June 17. You simply MUST take a look at this uber-cutie!

Here's an excerpt of Bella's profile:

"Bella is one playful, lovable little girl. She will love anyone who is willing to hold her. She has great personality and loves to play with her toys and her big brother, Mason."

Check it all out here! Includes a GOB of great puggle pictures!

Puggle Captures Honors

Jordin Sparks might have won the big American Idol title, but the honors for Pet Idol in Winona, Minnesota, went to a puggle named Otis!

Otis won the Winona Daily News' "Pet Idol" contest.

Otis' owners, the Rotherings, get to cash in on the dog's popularity. The News explains the contest:

"As the winners of the contest, which raises money for the Winona County Humane Society, the Trempealeau County Humane Society and the Newspaper in Education program, the Rotherings received $500."

Bottom line: A great (and very cute) puggle contributed to the well-being of other animals and put 5 c-notes into the pockets of his owners! Way to go, Otis!

Check out the Pet Idol and his owners by reading the full story!