Lifestyle Pets

Text by Sheila Guenther

I have heard much of lifestyle pets lately. To me lifestyle pets means an animal that fits into your home, which compliments your life. But to many, a lifestyle pet means something different. To some a lifestyle pet is a disposable commodity, something you keep until you no longer have need of it. You have seen the commercials where a guy gets a dog so he can meet women. Has anyone thought of where that dog goes once he has met her or if the ploy does not work? Some stay as treasured pets and some are discarded because of the fact that they require effort and time and money to care for, it is not what the person bargained for. That is not a lifestyle pet, but a selfish act.

To determine if your lifestyle meshes with keeping a pet, you have to ask yourself a few questions:
Why do I want a pet?
How much time will I have available to spend training and caring for my pet?
What kind of pet can I afford?
Can I afford the upkeep of a pet?

Can you fit a pet into your lifestyle? This all depends on what kind of animal you want. Cats are low maintenance in regards to attention. While you are there they want your attention; when you are gone they are happy to sleep on your bed all day. They do not eat 8 cups of food a day or need to be taken for walks. You clean their litter box, pet them and cuddle them and brush them out. It is perfect for the single person.

Dogs on the other hand require more attention, training, and food. You cannot leave a dog in the house for extended periods without coming home to a mess. So this means someone either has to be home during the day or come home periodically during the day to care for it. The bottom line is a dog needs more attention. Dogs require more in regards to food as well, the bigger the dog the bigger the food bill. Some require 8 cups a day.

Fish are a wonderful pet to have, but there is not much in the way of interaction with them; you feed them and they come to the surface. They do not play with you or want to be cuddled; they are just there swimming around. It is great if you don’t have the time to devote to a pet that needs attention. But even fish are high maintenance; you have to clean their tank at the least once a week. A fishbowl requires even more effort. Fish are initially more expensive to get started with and the more money you spend on set up, the less work you have to do. If you spend the big bucks at the beginning, get a good filter and fish whose sole purpose and joy in life is to clean the rocks and glass, commonly called algae eaters, you will reduce the amount of work you have to do as your equipment will do it for you. You still must do your water change; 1/3 of your tank must be changed on a regular basis, plus add chemicals. They are really interesting to watch. I used to spend a long time just sitting and watching them. It was quite relaxing. A good rule of thumb for a fish tank is one-inch of fish for every gallon of tank, meaning a ten-gallon tank will support ten one inch fish comfortably.

Reptiles are interesting pets to have as well, but again it is expensive. Skinks, Iguanas and snakes all require a large space, preferably a large aquarium (some with or without water), so they may roam about their enclosures. Hot rocks so they can stay warm, heaters to keep the rest of the enclosure warm and branches may or not be added depending on the reptile. Hiding places should be built. They all add up to a lot of money, but the uniqueness of having a reptile pays for itself. A reptile’s diet varies with species, from eating crickets, dog food and fruit to mice, all of which are easily obtained from a pet store.

Birds are great as pets; they are fun to be with and fairly easy to train. The smaller the bird the less it costs to feed. When you start getting into parrots and other larger more exotic birds your costs go up substantially; the cage cost alone deters many from purchasing a large bird. But you can interact with a bird and many birds live long lives especially parrots which have long life spans and are often put in people’s wills as they will outlive their owners. Parrots require a lot of interaction, with three or more hours out of their cage in order for them to not develop neurotic behaviors. They need toys to amuse them, and toys that will challenge them to think. They are very smart animals and quickly figure out how to break out of their cages, thus requiring some attention on keeping them locked up safely.

You can spend as little or as much as you want when it comes to a pet; it all depends on your lifestyle and what you can afford or cannot afford. Remember you are getting something that is alive, not a throw away toy, so some honest assessment of your wants and needs will pay off in the end.

Ten Car Buying Tips

Text by Blair Korchinski

Every few years most of us find ourselves having to buy a vehicle. Since investing in a vehicle represents a three to ten year commitment for most of us, making the wrong choice either leaves us uncomfortable for a long time or causes unnecessary expense.

As long as you are realistic in your expectations, buying a new car should not be an ordeal. You should be able to find a vehicle that suits your needs and your budget.

Here are ten tips to make the process easier.

Decide what you need.

Do you need seating for two or eight? Do you haul large loads? Is four-wheel drive a requirement? Do you commute? Do you have environmental concerns? Who will be driving the vehicle? What is your budget?

Deciding what your needs are before you begin will save you money and time.

New or used?

New vehicles come with piece of mind, can be ordered with the specific options you prefer, have lower rates of repair, last longer, and have better warranties. They also depreciate very quickly as soon as you drive them off of the lot.

You may be able to get a much more suitable vehicle for your money if you buy used, especially if you require expensive options on a limited budget. A good used vehicle may be the best choice for you.

What is available?

Once you have decided what your needs are, it is time to look around the market. How many makes and models are available that suit your needs? How many of those are within your price range? Are there dealerships and service available in your area?

Do your research.

If you’ve followed steps one to three, you will have narrowed your choices down to a few suitable models. At this point, you should research these models specifically to determine which models you are most interested in.

Test drive.

When test driving, try to drive not only the same model, but one with the same option package as you are planning to buy. There is little point in testing the four-cylinder version if you plan to buy the six-cylinder. Everybody who is likely to drive the vehicle regularly should take a turn driving.

If you are test driving several vehicles, keep notes so you can compare.

Get a second opinion.

Take a friend. The more skeptical that friend is, the better.

If you are buying used, get your regular mechanic to check the car over. Many provinces have safety and/or smog checks. These are not the same as having a car checked for mechanical defects.

Do more research.

If you are buying used, now is the time to run a title check to ensure that the car is not a used taxi that has been rebuilt after a serious crash.

If you are buying new, check into the reputation of the maker, the dealership, the number of recalls on the model you are considering, and the way the maker and the dealership deal with warranty issues.

Be flexible.

You might be able to save money by taking a vehicle that is not the color you want or has fewer options than you prefer. If certain options are something you are willing to live without to save money, be prepared to give them up for a better price.

Know your trade-in value and talk about it last.

It’s easy for a dealer to quote an inflated price for your trade-in, then up the price of your new car to make up the difference. It is also possible for them to underestimate the value of your trade-in once you’ve settled on a price for your new car.

Know what your trade-in is worth to ensure you are given a fair price.

Be prepared to walk away.

If the salesman is not giving you the deal you want, it isn’t at all rude to walk away. Sometimes they will suddenly lower the price and sometimes you will lose the deal. There are no shortages of cars or salesmen. You can always go elsewhere.

The Optomap® and Yearly Eye Examinations

Text by Dr. Matthew Anderson B.SC. O.D.

Annual eye exams allow your optometrist to detect changes in the front of your eyes that may affect your eye’s comfort and prescription. However, your optometrist also needs to look at the back of your eye, the retina, to check that it is healthy.

Many imaging devices can be used to view the retina. The optomap® Retinal Exam is one of these devices used by optometrists and ophthalmologists to get a comprehensive view of the retina. This may detect possible abnormalities or signs of disease, and can provide early diagnosis and treatment.

The optomap® is a form of Retinal imaging and is an important tool for the screening and diagnosis of eye conditions, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, and can also indicate evidence of non-eye diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and certain cancers. Since many of these conditions develop without symptoms, they are often first discovered during a comprehensive eye examination. With early detection and appropriate treatment these and other conditions may be corrected or minimized, and the severity of potential vision loss can be reduced.

The optomap® uses the latest laser technology to produce an Ultra-wide field image (up to 200 internal degrees) that provides view of almost the entire retina at the beginning of an eye exam without the need of the pupil being dilated. A green and red laser is used to separate the retina into distinct sub-structures. Adjustable magnification, contrast, gamma and brightness aid in visualization and recognition of different retinal pathologies.

The overall benefit of the optomap® in screening for eye diseases is enhanced disease management. The optomap® provides a baseline image to compare over time. This non-invasive tool allows for patient co-management with specialists and primary care providers via the internet, thus providing the best care your eyes need.

Plumbing Options – Copper vs. Plastic

Text by Blair Korchinski

1Technology often changes the choice of construction materials. Two decades ago copper pipe was not only state of the art when it came to plumbing, it was the only choice. Not so today. We have a choice between copper and a range of plastics.

How does one choose? As with most renovation choices it is a matter of weighing the pros against the cons in your particular situation.

Copper is familiar to most people and some feel it is more durable. Plastic products transfer less temperature, and are more energy efficient as a result. Some areas still restrict the use of plastic products through building codes.

Copper is inexpensive, but takes some skill to work with. If you are doing the work yourself, you must not only learn to properly solder joints, but must buy a torch, a pipe cutter, emery paper, flux and solder. Your choice of joints is limited to the selection carried by your local plumbing supply and home store. Flexible copper tubing, while available, kinks easily and is not recommended for some applications. Joints must often be soldered in tight areas and there is a risk of fire. Leaking joints can be difficult to repair, especially for the novice.

The other side of copper is that it is readily available and has been in use for long enough that the codes are well-developed and easy to follow. Learning to solder fittings properly is not difficult and one can become proficient at it with practice. The tools and materials needed are inexpensive and readily available.

In many renovations copper is the choice made because it matches the existing plumbing. This makes joining it to existing plumbing extremely easy, but adaptors to join copper to plastic piping are available.

Plastic piping is becoming more and more common in both renovations and new construction. It is easy to use, quick to install, durable and adaptable.

There is more than one kind of plastic piping suitable for plumbing use. The most common are CPVC (Chlorinated Poly Vinyl Chloride) and PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) tubing. Other types include PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), and polyethylene. These latter types are most often used for non-pressure applications such as sewage, industrial applications where potability is not a concern, and underground applications where exposure to UV rays is not an issue. For the purposes of this article, we will deal only with CPVC and PEX products.

CPVC is generally available in non-flexible plastic piping. It is inexpensive and easy to use. Pipes and fittings are joined using glue that permanently welds the pipes together. To make a joint the pipe must first be cut with a pipe cutter or hacksaw, any burrs or rough edges sanded off, the pipe and fitting cleaned with a special solvent, then the proper glue applied and the pieces joined together. It is easy to do and, while attention must be paid to detail and you will become more proficient with practice, it requires no special skills.

When cutting CPVC piping, it is imperative that all cuts be straight, and that the proper solvent and glue be used.

PEX tubing is flexible enough that it can be gently curved around corners, reducing the number of joints required. It is joined together with fittings that require no glue or solder joints, and is even available in color-coded rolls to differentiate between hot and cold water lines.

Installation is easy and requires no special skills. The required tools are available at retail locations where the product is sold.

When using PEX, is important that you purchase the recommended tool for the fittings you are using and the brand name of tubing that you have purchased. While the differences between the fittings and pipes may seem minor or non-existent, using the wrong tool to create a joint can lead to leaks. It is also important that you use the proper tubing for your application as not all PEX products are recommended for the supply of potable water. Your local plumbing supply stores or home centre will be able to point you to the proper materials and tools for your application.

As with copper and CPVC plumbing, care must be taken to cut all PEX tubing in straight, 90-degree cuts and to follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions.

Plumbing is fairly easy no matter which product you choose. Your choice should be made according to local code, your personal skill level, and your personal preferences. No matter which you choose, if done properly, plastic and copper piping will both give you years of trouble free service.

When Do I Need a Building Permit?

By Blair Korchinski

1When beginning renovations, homeowners often ask, “When do I need a permit?” It sounds like a fairly simple question that should have a fairly simple answer, but it isn’t. Whether you will need a permit varies with where you live, what sort of construction or renovation you are doing, and even what you do for a living. Some areas require permits for almost everything except painting, while other areas allow fairly extensive work to be done without a permit. Some jurisdictions require a permit to build a deck that is attached to a dwelling, but not if it is freestanding or attached to a garage or shed. Others exempt farmers and businesses from needing a permit in situations where a homeowner would require one.

Some examples for when you need a permit are: If you are altering an exterior or supporting wall; if you are altering your roof line; if you are attaching new construction such as a deck or addition to an existing structure; if you are constructing a large freestanding structure such as a garage; if you are installing new electrical or plumbing.

Some examples for when you should check to see if you need a permit are: if you are building a small, freestanding structure such as a shed or non-attached deck; if you are building a fence; if you are completely renovating any room; if you are altering partition (non-supporting) walls. Permit requirements for this type of construction and renovation work vary widely depending on local laws and the amount of work being done.

That leaves a lot of grey area. Does installing insulation and vapor barriers require a permit? It depends where you live. In some jurisdictions it doesn’t. In some it does, but only if you upgrade the plumbing and electrical. In other jurisdictions a permit is required and you will be required to upgrade any plumbing or electrical in the wall to the latest code requirements.

General maintenance work almost never requires a permit. If you are replacing the shingles on your roof, your eaves trough or your siding, for instance, no permit is required. If you are replacing a deck or fence, you usually do not require a permit. If you are replacing doors and windows, kitchen and bath fixtures, or flooring, permits are not usually required.

The number one rule when deciding whether or not you require a permit is that if you are in doubt, ask the agency that grants the permits. Usually this information can be acquired with a quick phone call to the appropriate city/town office.

In most situations, it is the planning agency of the city, town, rural municipality, or county that grants building and renovation permits. They can also fill you in on general guidelines for your project so that you can draw up a proper plan. The drawing should show any alterations being made to the structure, and include any plumbing or electrical changes that are to be made. The plan is then taken to the office for approval, and, once approval is granted, work can begin. In most areas, a single permit is issued for an entire project, but some jurisdictions require separate permits for utilities. Separate permits are also sometimes required for demolition work.

If you are hiring contractors or sub-contractors to complete part or all of the work, check with them to see if they are responsible for the permit, or if you are. Some contractors will look after all of the details, while others will require you to get the permit. Property owners are responsible for ensuring that the proper permits are acquired, whether they get the permit themselves or the contractor they hired does.

Remember that you, as the property owner, are ultimately responsible. If you get electrical work done without a permit, for instance, and there is an electrical fire, you may find that your insurance will not cover the damages. In other instances, an inspector may happen by and find that you are working without a permit. In that case you may be required to stop work, (or even remove the work that has been completed) until a permit is granted.

Permits are there to protect you, the homeowner, as much as for any other reason. They help to ensure that any work is up to required standards, protecting you from future costs and possibly dangerous conditions. If in doubt, check with your local planning office. A simple phone call can save you both time and money.