See The World's Leading Tennis Stars Battle Live at Sydney's Medibank International 2009

The event will be one of the biggest sporting events of the summers of 2009 where some of the worlds top tennis ladies and tennis men will compete fiercely for an exciting competition.

2009 event of this annual tennis tournament will be the 42nd edition of the event. Both men and womens tennis events will take place in NWS Tennis Centre in Sydney. Past winners of the Medibank International will also compete to defend their title. The dates for the women's qualifying rounds are 9 January to 10 January 2009, whereas the dates for men's qualifying rounds are 10 January to 11 January 2009. The women's main draw will be held from 11 January to 16 January 2009, and the men's main draw will be held from 12 January to 17 January 2009. The first quarterfinal will be held from 14 January 2009, after the first round singles and doubles for men and women. The semifinal singles and doubles matches will start from 15 January 2009, with the women's tennis final on Friday 16 January, 2009 and the men's final on Saturday 17 January, 2009. The total prize money on offer is $1,089,000 out of which $600,000 is for women and $489,000 is for men.

The top 4 female tennis players participating in this annual event include Jelena Jankovic, Dinara Safina, Serena Williams and Elena Dementieva. Here's a quick player profile for these top female tennis players:

Jelena Jankovic - Jelena from Serbia is currently the World's No. 1 female tennis player. She has won many singles final and semifinals as well as the winner of the Wimbledon mixed doubles title with Jamie Murray from Britain.

Dinara Safina - Ranked as World's No. 2 by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), Dinara is another player who makes this event worth watching. She has won one Grand Slam title and has also won the Olympic silver medal in the women's singles at the 2008 games in Beijing.

Serena Williams - Serena from the United States has won 18 Grand Slam titles. She has been a former World's No. 1 tennis player and has won two Olympic gold medals in women's doubles too.

Elena Dementieva - Elena is another professional tennis player who is currently ranked as World's No 4 by WTA. She has won two Olympic medals in singles and also a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics held in Beijing.

The men's field includes worlds 4 top tennis players; David Nalbandian, Tommy Robredo, Lleyton Hewitt and Richard Gasquet. Here's a quick profile for each of these players:

David Nalbandian - Currently ranked as World's No. 11, David has won a total of 9 titles in his tennis career. He was a former World's No. 3 and employs a very aggressive baseline game.

Tommy Robredo - Another professional tennis player from Paris, Tommy is currently ranked as World's top 10. He has earned 7 career titles so far with his highest being World's No. 5.

Lleyton Hewitt - Lleyton from Australia is also a former World's No. 1 tennis player and is the youngest male player to have ever achieved this title. He has several career achievements, and is one of the hot contenders in the Medibank International Sydney 2009 tournament.

Richard Gasquet - Another contender at the Medibank International Sydney 2009 tournament, Richard is a former World's No 7 player having 5 career titles. He is a French tennis player and will defini women's coats online tely add thrill and excitement to this upcoming event.

James W. Sire's "The Universe Next Door" -A Commentary

In the Universe Next Door by James W. Sire, we see a natural transition from the Naturalist to Nihilist viewpoint, offered by Sire as a natural movement of one world view to another.

In the Naturalist world view, which came from Rene Descartes' belief that the universe is just a "mechanism of matter which people comprehended by mind."

The book talks about a decline in humanity because of Descartes' world view, because we found ourselves not able to think together and we lost the concept of unity.

Naturalists, as the book states: "See no God, no spirit, no life beyond the grave." What I discovered in my reading was the fact that Naturalists though they state this, actually end up having some values of their own. They make go by a set of morals. They may be good husbands, wives, or friends. They may even get mad at an evil movie.

However, Nihilists, as Sire states, are the people we often end tip seeing in mental institutions or as my mom calls them-funny farms. What is the difference between a Naturalist and Nihilist? Not a whole lot, but yet something quite big!

Naturalists have no faith, no god, really believe that all matter just came about and we are a part of it. (Nihilists end up losing all hope often because they take it a bit deeper.

Not only is there no God, no spirit, but also there are no moral values. Anything is possible. It is very easy to see how one could lead to the other, yet very hard when you look at it another way.

It's easy to see how a Naturalist could become evil, because with no God, there is no Bible, or book to live our lives after. There is no faith. It really could become sad and lonely to say the least.

Nihilists, though, as Sire states: "The first reason naturalism turns into nihilism is that naturalism does not supply a basis on which a person can act ~ are not self conscious, we are machines."

Nihilists see themselves as machines capable of any act, any choice, because not only is there no God, no faith, but there are unlimited choices, all of them good, because after all I'm a machine, and machines can turn off and on and do anything they want at any given time.

I wonder what an example of a modern day Nihilist would be? According to Sire, we'll find a lot of them in mental wards. I wonder if some of them may be lurking about in the Church of Satan as well. There is a Satanic Church and bible you know. They believe it is good to sacrifice young babies to Satan as long as it promotes his agenda.

Sire talks about comparing Naturalists to Carl Marx, one of the founders of Communism It was eye opening to see how the naturalists, including Russia, became one society. Naturalism had the good qualities of everyone being equal, working to eliminate poverty, and working for the g women's coats ood of another.

Isn't it crazy though, how Russia came to be an enormous power and Sire also talks about Lenin, one of Russia's leaders, who pushed communism as an acceptable form of living and working?

People believed in Communism and Marxism. Sire states that Naturalism is still alive and growing everywhere in the world. That really saddens my spirit. Of course, Naturalists would say I had no spirit, and Nihilists would say I have no real reason for being.

I am happy to say that my faith in God is the most important thing in my life. Why? I have a reason for living and being. My reason is to "Love the Lord my God, and my neighbors, with all my heart, soul, and mind--and strength." I much prefer it to naturalism or nihilism!

Greyhound Puppy And Dog Information

The Greyhound makes a wonderful family pet. Thousands of them need new homes from race tracks every year. They do not require a great deal of space to exercise in and when indoors, prefer to lazy around. They are generally good with larger dogs but want to chase anything that is moving including other pets. They are very good with older children. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with any puppy or dog.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Greyhound is 28 to 30 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 65 to 70 pounds. The female ranges from 27 to 28 inches to the withers and 60 to 65 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Greyhound is no exception. Be on the look out for hemophilia, eye disease, bloat (Gastric Dilation-Volvulus, the second leading killer of dogs, can kill within the hour, this space is too limited for a complete explanation but you should read up on this). Feeding more then once a day and avoiding exercise right after meals may help guard against bloat. Von Willebrands disease (a problem with blood clotting)
and sensitivity to flea collars, anesthetics, insecticides and other chemicals. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian tw fashion jackets online ice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Greyhound has a short, firm and smooth coat. She should be brushed weekly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat and help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

*Life Span. The Greyhound can live between 10 and 12 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Greyhound They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1885.

Some Registries:
*Greyhound Club of America
*UKC United Kennel Club
*NKC National Kennel Club
*CKC Continental Kennel Club
*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
*AKC American Kennel Club
*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
*ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 10 to 15 Greyhound puppies

Category: Hound

Terms To Describe: Athletic, quiet, clean, friendly, calm, sociable, lazy,

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Makes a good watch dog.
Makes a gentle pet.
Keep themselves clean.
Good with other dogs.
Consider adopting one from a racetrack.
Not a barker.
Bonds strongly with her human family.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
Sensitive to cold.
Not a good watch dog.
Finicky eater.
Prey instinct, chase what moves.

*Other Names Known By: Long Dog

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

Guide To The Most Popular Dog Breeds

Are you shopping for a new dog? If so, you will be able to choose from over one hundred different breeds. Each breed of dog is unique in the women's coats ir own way. Before you make a purchase you should look into what each breed has to offer, as well as what other people think about them. For many people, choosing from the most popular dog breeds is a good start. After all, if so many people are interested in these dogs they have to be doing some right.

Here are a few of the most popular dog breeds:

1. The Labrador retriever is a beautiful and popular dog breed. They weigh between 50 and 80 pounds, and stand from 21 to 24 and a half inches. They love the water, and are very intelligent. My sister's black labrador would chew the hose if the didn't get his daily play with it! Labradors love swimming, and have webbed feet which helps him swim well. They have a lovely, gentle nature, and adore humans. They don't make great guard dogs, as they accept strangers easily. But they are excellent with children. They do have a lot of energy, so will need exercise and somewhere to run around. But their coat is quite low maintenance, and they are easy to train.

2. As far as the most popular dog breeds for families, the Golden retriever is always near the top of the list. This breed is very similar to the Labrador retriever except it has a longer coat. They weigh between 55 and 80 pounds, and stand 22 to 24 and a half inches high. Golden retrievers are very intelligent, and have a great love of humans. They are very playful and eager to please, and even love all the attention that children give a pet! They are good around strangers, so they don't make good guard dogs, but this can be good for a family with children bringing friends over. Golden retrievers do need obedience training, as their need for attention, and desire to play all the time could be irritating to owners wanting some time of their own. They also need at least an hour of exercise a day.

3. If you are shopping for a smaller dog, look into buying a Chihuahua. This is one of the most popular dog breeds year in and year out, and is nice for people who do not want a big dog running through their home at all times. Chihuahua's weight from 2 to 6 pounds, and are very loyal, intelligent and perceptive. Despite their size, they don't think of themselves as small dogs! They are very protective of the house, and make great miniature guard dogs.

4. The German shepherd is a popular large dog breed for people looking for a watch or guard dog, or a very loyal companion. They weight between 60 and 110 pounds, and are 22 to 26 inches high. They do need daily brushing, however. German shephards are extremely protective of their house and territory, and this extends to his human family, with which he becomes strongly bonded to. They are quite sensitive dogs in that they are very aware of their owner's moods, and are very intelligent. The only potential problems are that they can be suspicious of strangers - and this includes your child's friends. As a result, they need training and socialization, from puppyhood.

5. Beagles are great hunting dogs and are always popular among dog lovers for their gentle nature and even temperament. They were originally used as hunting dogs, and so have an amazing sense of smell - which, in the domestic environment can translate into a penchant for sniffing out underwear in the laundry! Beagles are extremely loyal and friendly, but they need training, though they can be difficult to train due to their curiosity. They are quite strong willed, especially when they catch a scent they are curious about. But they are very playful dogs, and make great family pets. They are fine with toddlers, and as long as they have been socialized the right way, will get along in multi-dog households.

The most popular dog breeds are not necessarily the best, they are just the ones that are bought the most by the general public. If you are shopping for a new dog, looking at the most popular breeds is probably a great place to start, but be sure to take into account your needs. Do you want a dog that will fit into an apartment? Or be good around children - especially small children? How much time do you have to exercise your dog? These questions will help determine whether a breed is appropriate for your lifestyle and situation.

Outdoor Furniture - How To Take Care Of Wicker

One of the most popular types of outdoor furniture is wicker furniture. It started to be popular during the Victorian Era in England and America and today it comes in that ornate style and other styles that are simple and straight forward. Many of the types of wicker you can purchase today are reproductions from that period of time and admittedly it is expensive. But with the care it needs it can last forever.

Wicker furniture can come in a natural shade that is protected with a coating or it can come in a variety of colors. Wicker is made of reeds and canes that are relatively strong. The furniture needs to be cleaned every year when it is taken out of storage from the winter. There are t women's coats imes mold may grow on it but that can be remedied with one tablespoon bleach mixed in one gallon of water. Take a toothbrush and dip it in the solution then scrub the mold away and wipe the furniture down with a dry towel.

Wicker can come out of storage with just a little dust and dirt. If there is no mold you can take some soap and water and sponge it on then rinse with clean water and dry it off. Never spray with a hose because excess water will warp the wood frame and damage the furniture. Never put any weight on wet wicker furniture as it can stretch the canes and reeds and once stretched they will never go back into place. If the furniture is just a little dusty attach the brush attachment to your vacuum and run it over the furniture.

Direct sunlight can cause too much heat on your wicker furniture and cause the canes to become dry and brittle. Wicker furniture should not be exposed to the elements but should be protected under a roof. Large amounts of water will do it no good and warp the frame. Store your wicker indoors during the winter to protect it against moisture, cold temperatures and nasty wind. Cover with a tarp to keep it in tip top condition for the spring. You can store wicker in the basement or in the garage but never store it near the furnace where it comes in contact with heavy heat. Heat drys the wicker and can cause cracking.

Painted wicker furniture needs to have a new coat of paint every so many years. Clean off the furniture and dry it well. Using spray paint give the furniture at least 2 coats of the same color or you can try a different color if you wish. Use matte finish as glossy finish does not really look good on Victorian style furniture and make sure you spray in all the little in between areas. Always make sure to wait until it is dry to sit in the furniture.

If your furniture already has a coat of paint on it do not try to remove it with stripper. Stripper is very harsh and it will cry and crack the canes to the breaking point. Just paint over the old paint. Stripping will cause damage that cannot be fixed. Some professionals will be able to remove old paint before replacing it with new. It's not something a novice should try.

Maintenance is necessary to keep natural wicker looking good. Natural wicker is protected by varnish, lacquer or shellac. These substances need to be renewed every few years. It is best to use a spray product just like a spray paint and let it dry completely before using the furniture. Some professionals apply a coat of liquid furniture wax to natural wicker furniture to give it a glossy finish and help protect it from rain. You can do this as well. Just wipe it on and leave it for the allotted time and wipe off.

Wicker can start to unravel on the legs and if yours does don't try to fix it yourself. Take it to a professional. With this and other care and maintenance wicker furniture can be around for a long time. It is not unusual for a protected peice that has been cared for still be usuable after 50 or more years.

Outdoor furniture is made in several different types of materials but the one of the most popular kinds is wicker furniture. Wicker was popular in England and America in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and it comes in ornate styles and very simple straight line styles. Most of what you find today are Victorian reproductions and most wicker furniture costs a bit, but with a little care it can last you for years.

Wicker furniture comes either painted in colors or in its natural shade with a varnish coating. Contrary to popular belief wicker furniture is very resilient and strong. It may need to be cleaned before taking it out in the spring because it can tend to attract mold from the year before. To clean mold mix one tablespoon bleach with one gallon of water and scrub with a toothbrush. Once the mold is removed be sure to rinse with a sponge and clear water and wipe with a dry cloth.

Happy & Healthy Grooming for Yorkshire Terriers and You

Grooming does not just involve the brushing & combing of your canine friend it should include checking your dog's ears, eyes, teeth, paws & their nails.

Their hair is incredibly soft & silky and is often referred to as being very similar to human hair. This fact is wonderful for people that are perhaps allergic to normal animal fur.

Most shampoo made for people can actually irritate the skin of Yorkshire Terriers. Yorkie skin has a lower tolerance to cleaning solutions than human skin does. One of the causes of irritation is that Yorkie skin has different PH needs; so using a human's shampoo can dry your dogs skin out causing annoyance to you and him.

Before starting, make sure women's coats that you have everything you will need close at hand. There's nothing more frustrating than discovering that you are missing something while holding a soggy dog in the middle of a bath.

Don't scrub your dog's coat excessively. When washing your sweet pet the cleaning solution of the shampoo will lift the dirt by itself. No extreme scrubbing required. Rubbing lightly with your hand lessens the risk of tangling the coat. Using tearless puppy or dog shampoo can greatly enhance the experience for you and your Yorkie. You need only use puppy tearless shampoo around the eyes.

Rinse thoroughly; leftover shampoo can irritate the skin. After shampooing, condition the coat with a light conditioner. Let it sit for a while, as directed, then rinse it out.

One of the best things about giving your dog a bath can be drying him off. Because his hair can easily be tangled into an aggravated mess at this point, you may try bundling him up with a soft absorbent towel and doing some one on one cuddle time. Taking advantage of his awesome snuggly goodness can be rewarding to both of you.

When your dog is no longer dripping, it is time to get his coat into tip-top shape.

A light spray of water or conditioner makes it much easier to work out any snares.

Blow-dry him as you brush. A table stand for your blow-dryer is a particularly useful tool. Be careful not to overheat your dog, his skin is sensitive and can easily burn.

Using a long tined metal comb, go over the now clean and silky smooth Yorkie coat. The idea is to remove the snags and tangles still existing even after a proper brushing.

The next step is to assess or reassess you hair style strategy for your pet. Consider length, age of your dog, and specific needs it may have developed recently due to environment, age, and medical issues before trimming any hair.

Their hair grows permanently & can become very easily matted, thus requiring regular trimming.

It is equally important to care for your Yorkie's feet. The hair between the pads should be trimmed so that it is level with the pads. While you can shape the hair around the feet at this time, it is easier to wait until after you finish his bath.

Some dogs get what has been known as "dingle berries". This is excrement handing from the dog's hair around his anus. Sometimes the excrement can actually cover the anus so extensively the dog cannot relieve himself. Thus trimming the hair around the anus opening can and will effectively prevent the condition known as "dingle berries".

To keep your Yorkie's ears upright, it is important to keep them well trimmed. Excess hair will in fact weigh them down. Using clippers, trim the upper 1/3 of the ear, both on the inside and outside. The back of the ear should be trimmed in a downward-pointing triangle.

Never attempt to stick anything into your dog's ears, simply just wipe around the outer ear & very gently around the inner ear. Look at your dog's ears regularly & become accustomed to their normal appearance, this way you will be instantly aware if anything alters.

Many people use a bow to tie up the hair between the dog's ears. A lot of people mistake the band or bow placed so perfectly in the dog's fur as just a decorative piece, in truth without it the dog's hair would be constantly in its eyes.

You should also give his nails a quick trim.

It is important to clean your Yorkshire Terrier's teeth regularly with a special dog toothbrush & paste, encouraging your dog to chew at hide based treats is also a good idea as this will help to reduce tartar building up.

The two main reasons for regular grooming are: If your Yorkshire Terrier looks great he/she will feel great. As you are grooming you can check for any sores, lumps or cuts on your dog.

Help to keep your Yorkshire Terrier happy & healthy by grooming him/her regularly, after all if your dog is happy you are happy!

Caring For Persian Cats

These days, Persian cats are among the most popular breeds of cat. Well known for their gentle and sweet personalities and their long hair, Persian cats have very attractive features. They are great companions for virtually anyone, and not very demanding. Unlike other breeds, such as the Siamese breed, Persian breeds need very little attention.

Although white is the color normally associated with Persian cats, they actually come in a variety of other colors as well. During competitions, they are divided into seven color divisions - solid, silver and gold, tabby, shaded and smoke, particolor, bicolor, and Himalayan. No matter what color of Persian cat it may be, they are best noticed during competitions by their long and flowing coats.

Persian cats should always be kept inside of the house, to protect their coat. If they travel outside, they can easily damage their coat. They will also need to be brushed daily with a metal comb, or their coat can become tangled, which will lead to hairballs. You'll need to bathe your Persian cat on a regular basis as well, to help protect his coat. Bathing works best when the cat is young, as it will get him used to it. Bathing should never be overlooked, as it will keep your cats coat looking clean and healthy. Although some breeds can maintain their coats on their own, Persians can't. Their fur is long and dense and you'll need to groom them daily to ensure their coat stays healthy.

The Persian breed is gentle and sweet, getting along great with everyone - including kids. They have a pleasant voice that is always good to hear. Using their voice and their eyes, they can communicate very well with their owners. They are very playful, yet they don't require a lot of attention. They love attention however, and love being admired. Unlike other cats, they don't climb and jump much at all. They aren't destructive either; they just love being admired and lying around. A majority of the time, Persian cats love to bask in the sun and show others just how beautiful they truly are.

Although most breeds can be kept indoors or outside, Persian cats should always be kept inside and never allowed to go outside of the house. Keeping them inside with protect their coats and also keep diseases and common parasites away from them as well. You won't have to worry about cars or dogs either if you keep your pet inside.

To ensure that your Persian pet stays healthy, you should always take him to the vet on an annual basis. If cared for properly, such as grooming, shots, and checkups, Persian cats can live as long as 20 years. One thing you'll need to be aware of that's common with Persians is their eyes. Their eyes are very big and can sometimes be too much for the cat to clean. This is a common healthy problem with the breed, and should be checked on a regular basis to ensure that it doesn't get out of control.

When you compare Persians to other breeds, you'll notice that the Persians are among the easiest to keep. You don't have to worry about things like jumping or climbing, as Persians don't like to do either. All you'll need to do is feed your cat and groom him or him on a daily basis. Even though groom fashion coats online ing can be quite a bit of work in the long run - it's well worth it when you have a healthy an beautiful Persian cat.