(Endangered reptiles) Turkish Carpets Are One Of A Kind

August 15th, 2008 admin Posted in pets |

By MIKE SELVON

Turkish carpets are highly sought after throughout the world. The beauty and artistry involved in making these rugs, along with their warm, rich colors, are much-enjoyed characteristics of the rugs. Highly versatile, they can be used as flooring coverings or wall hangings, depending entirely on how they are made and the materials used.

Because they are prized, they can be quite expensive and there are many forgeries on the market. As a result, anyone who is considering purchasing one needs to learn more about them first.

Traditionally, carpets make in Turkey are made by women and girls using wool pile, warps and wefts, as well as natural dyes. Of course, the traditional method of making these carpets is not always the most convenient or cost-effective.

Some variations include weaving with wool pile on cotton warps and wefts, as well as using silk pile, warp and wefts. Chemical dyes and machine weaving have also become common production methods for custom carpets that are meant to be sold.

The different types of Turkish carpets do have different characteristics. Wool on wool carpets, for example, tends to have a low knot count and non-intricate patterns, like geometric shapes, while wool on cotton has a higher knot count and more intricate patterns, including floral designs. Silk on silk rugs have the highest knot count and usually have very intricate patterns.

In addition to materials used, you can determine whether the rug is hand-or machine-spun by looking at the back of it. If the squares are all the same size, then the rug has been machine-spun. You can also tell whether the dyes used are natural or the less expensive chemical versions by wiping a spot of the rug with a damp white cloth.

If color bleeds off, then chemical dyes have been used. Keep in mind that bleeding off on the cloth also means they will bleed onto each other if the carpet is washed.

Weavers of Turkish carpets make them to sell, but they are also used by the weavers as floor coverings, wall hangings, floor mats, and even protective covers during severe changes in temperature. Since they are not all made to sell, and they are only made in a few areas within Turkey, the rugs can be difficult to find.

Although hand weaving has declined because of the increase in machine weaving, the rugs are still made with the kind of quality that allows them to become family heirlooms. Before buying, however, it is important to know enough about the custom carpets to be certain of what you’re being sold.

Get your FREE carpet gift and the best information on turkish carpets at Mike Selvon’s portal, and leave a comment at our carpet tiles blog.

Room In Your Heart Equals Room For One More
By Chris Jensen

The highest number ever had was 22 cats and 5 dogs. This was while living on a farm and had a decent income to take care of such a large brood. Eventually my friends dwindled down to one old black cat that was as dependent on me as was on him.

Had been through a lot together; other cats, dogs, lovers, and homes. When it came time for us to say goodbye. Was devastated and still feel great sadness at having had to part with him.

As assessing the situation of being a petless person, believed that probably should not ‘own’ any more animals. There was the inevitable heartache involved and now the very real possibility that would leave a precious animal with no one to love and care for it. Could be satisfied with the neighbor’s dog visiting or even going to the local shelter and being a temporary foster parent for a pregnant cat. Had it pretty well worked out and was proceeding along with my life.

There were several cats that came into the yard and while they were welcome to roam around, no one was encouraged to become friendly. Water has always been left in places for wandering animals, but never fed any of these little vagabonds.

One afternoon two young cats, barely old enough to not be kittens, came into the yard where while working with a friend. One was a bob tail calico, the other black with a small white bib. They were so friendly and cute. It’s hard not to pick them up add give them attention

My friend was making a lot of noises about the cats and picking them up, etc. Had to remind her that unless she was taking them to her home, she needed to leave them alone. With that said, went back to work and both cats left the yard.

The next morning, was up early, ready to get ahead of my schedule. Opened the back door and heard a thump, then saw the black cat come around the corner. She had been sleeping in my porch chair waiting patiently. Well a black cat that finds you is good luck and since always been soft for black cats, so my new found friend became a new roommate.

Still sometimes think about the future and her fate, but mostly just enjoy her love, affection and her obvious joy of living in the moment…

Chris Jones is a contributing author and editor of Jetfly Blog. For more related articles and views visit Jetfly Pets & Animals Blog now. Also, for the best up-to-date related online products, check out Jetfly Pets & Animal Collectibles Shop for todays current online deals.

Confessions of a Cynical, Self Absorbed, Picky Petsumer
By Susan Thixton

Ok, I admit itI have a bad attitude. I am sick and tired of lame excuses by the FDA, fed up with the garbage left-overs of human food being turned into pet food, and Im over the top ticked off how a television commercial that tugs on pet owner heart strings motivatesalmost manipulatesunknowing pet owners to purchase. Im a cynical, self absorbed, picky petsumer (pet owning consumer).

The FDA released July 2, 2008 another pat themselves on the back report claiming “significant progress” in the Food Protection Plan. Its interesting that no one except the FDA has noticed any significant progress in food safety, thus their need to brag on themselves. With regards to pet food, the Progress Report proudly states: “FDA has gathered input on animal feed best practices for preventive controls from industry groups including the National Grain and Feed Association, the American Feed Industry Association, the Pet Food Institute, and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (an organization of state feed control officials).” To clarify, the FDA is accepting the advice of suppliers of pet food ingredients and manufacturers of pet food for the best practices for preventive controls in pet food safety. The progress report did NOT state the FDA has obtained input from non-biased veterinary science; noinstead they are putting the safety and health of our pets in the hands of the industry itself. This is the official FDA endorsement of the fox guarding the hen house. It is NOT something to brag about, it does NOT provide pet owners with much safetybut my guess would be it does protect the profits of pet food industries and ingredient suppliers.

Pet food ingredients such as by-products and meat and bone meal continue to be used in many of the pet food top sellers, yet I doubt many pet owners who feed some of these highly advertised pet foods know what by-products or meat and bone meal really is. I doubt the pet food manufacturers themselves can tell you exactly what is in these common pet food ingredients. They dont want to tell you either. The official definition of by-products is NOT meat; and the ingredient can include (but is not limited to) things like animal lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, stomachs and intestines. Ohand this stuff doesnt have to come from a healthy animal either; sick and diseased animal parts are acceptable for use in pet food too. Pet owners are not afforded with informed, honest pet food labeling (to say the least). I guess Fidos Kibble with Cow Intestines wouldnt be a top seller.

To make matters a little worse, the existing rules of the pet food industry the same folks that allow cow intestines and chicken feet to be disguised under more appealing sounding pet food ingredient names Do NOT Allow the good guys of pet food any privileges to separate themselves from lesser quality producers. The rules of pet food specifically state no mention of grade or quality of ingredients is allowed on the label or in advertising. Now here is where it gets really ridiculous, the rules DO ALLOW pet food manufacturers to make “unqualified claims either directly or indirectly” on a pet food label with statements like Nutritious, Premium, Choice, and/or Complete. Think about that a momenta pet owning consumer Can Not be told if a pet food uses the finest human grades of ingredients, but they can be told unqualified claims like a pet food is premium even if its not! Thanks to our friends who make the rules on pet food a caring pet owner has no way of knowing what kind of meat (high quality or inferior) is in Fidos or Fluffys food by looking at the bag and they have no way of knowing if premium really does mean premium. Ridiculous isnt it.

And thenthere are the television commercials and other slick advertising tactics of the pet food industry. Pet lovers feel the love from these commercials and naturally assume that love is found in the pet food as well. Often times, the love is by-products, meat and bone meal, dangerous chemicals, risky imports, and more. I know what ingredients are inside of many of these highly promoted pet foods, I understand pet food ingredient definitions, and I know who uses imports from ChinaI find their commercials dreadful.

This is personal to me (and millions of other pet owners). Over fifteen years ago I lost an eight year old dog to bone cancer my vet told me was caused by chemical preservatives in her pet food. These same chemicals are still commonly used today. In the past ten years U.S. pet owners have spent over $388 Billion dollars (thats with a b) on their pets. Im sure not one dollar of that money that was intentionally spent to purchase cow intestines or harmful chemicals to feed to their pet. Yet cow intestines and risky chemicals are being purchased everyday; thanks to the existing rules of the pet food and pet treat industry. The FDA and AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) continue to seek advice from pet food producers and ingredient providers instead of non-biased science.

Yes, Ive got a bad attitude, I think more about the safety of pets than I do corporate profits, and I dont think its fair chicken feet and cow intestines can be hidden under less offensive ingredient names like by-products and meat and bone meal. My stomach churns when I think about my beautiful dog that died far too young from known dangerous chemicals that are still commonly used today. And those tug on your heart strings television commercials tick me off. Im proud to be a cynical, self absorbed, picky petsumer.

My hope is that more pet owners confess the same. There is no need to go back to college in order to interpret a pet food label, but it does require a little education and a little effort. Learn a few pet food ingredient definitions and before you make one more purchase of dog food or cat food read the ingredient list on the label. Call the manufacturer and ask if any ingredients originate in China. Quality nutrition will enhance your pets life. Become a picky and cynical petsumer your pet will benefit from it!

Susan Thixton is internationally recognized as the pet food expert helping pet owners understand how to find the safest and healthiest dog and cat foods and treats. She’s the author of hundreds of pet industry articles and the 2006 released book Truth About Pet Food (currently being updated for a second edition). She is the publisher of the pet product consumer magazine Petsumer Report. And is a frequent speaker and radio guest all over the U.S. and Canada with more than 70 appearances in the last 2 years.

If you are looking for straight forward pet food information that can have an almost immediate impact on your pet’s health - subscribe to the free newsletter, and subscribe to Petsumer Report to see reviews on close to 600 dog and cat foods and treats (adding 40+ each month).

Susan Thixton’s ‘truth’ will help you find a safer, healthier dog or cat food that could add years to your pet’s life. http://www.TruthAboutPetFood.com

Your Source For Reptiles And Amphibians Online