During the second presidential debate, we heard President Obama take a jab at Mitt Romney's wealth, joking, "I don't look at my pension. It's not as big as yours, so it doesn't take as long." But compared to the average American, the nation's top dog still takes home a serious chunk of change — and is entitled to certain financial benefits — each year. How much? Take our quiz to find out!
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Not surprisingly, I've been a horse lover since my first pony ride at age 3, but while many little girls fall for the allure of elegant Arabian steeds or swift Thoroughbreds, my equine obsession has revolved around something a little less refined: the long-ear. I can horse around with just about any hoofed creature, but what warms my heart is a mule or donkey with a big personality and a little sass. So when I found out that today is National Mule Day, I couldn't help but round up a few photos of these saucy hybrids hamming it up for the camera. Care to learn a thing or two about these big-eared, big-hearted creatures? Just check out this slideshow.
Source: Instagram user tfenn20
When it comes to marking your ballot on Nov. 6, your decision on who to pick for the lofty roost of president will come down to where the candidates stand on the numerous economic, social, and diplomatic issues facing this country. But how they communicate their stance on those issues has a great deal to do with how they spend the hundreds of millions of dollars flowing into the political coffers from the thousands of private donors, political action committees, and other sources of their campaign funds. Think you know the dollars and cents behind Mitt Romney's and Barack Obama's campaigns? Take this quiz to find out!
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Today, my precious pooch Lily turns a regal 14, and while I have plans to bake up some delicious and healthy homemade delights to celebrate my household's doggie doyenne, I can't help but drool over the beautiful pet delicacies offered on my favorite online marketplace, Etsy. So in honor of birthday pups everywhere, here are some safe-for-dogs eye (and tummy) candy for you to admire and for them to unapologetically devour!
Source: Flickr user prettyinprint
Source: San Francisco Zoo
She may be only 2.5 weeks old, but the San Francisco Zoo's baby François langur monkey is already causing quite a stir. Born bright orange, François langurs eventually turn black, but this wee October-born one not only seems ready for trick-or-treating and spooky Halloween hijinks, but she has also arrived just in time — and in the perfect team colors — to root on her hometown's Major League Baseball team as they play for the World Series title. Heralded as the orange and black San Francisco Giants' rally monkey, her official name is still out for debate. But according to the zoo's Facebook page, the front-runners are Scutaro (for Giants second baseman and NLDS Most Valuable Player Marco Scutaro) and Posey (for Giants catcher and National League Comeback Player of the Year Buster Posey).
Of course, Detroit's mascot, the tiger, also carries favorable markings for the season, but as some have noted, these noble felines also wear Giants team colors, if you're the superstitious betting type! For more photos and a video of this adorable primate babe, just keep reading.
Cheap paper decorations from the dime store are certainly one way to spruce up your home for Halloween, but your party runs the risk of looking like a children's fun house. Never fear: with some basic crafting tools and the investment of your time, you can create your own Halloween decor that's both spooky and sophisticated. We turned to our favorite inspiration, Etsy, and found 10 devilish decorating designs that you can make yourself without setting you back a fortune!
Even though you're probably familiar with the underwater dog images that took the Internet by storm earlier this year, the photographer of these wild and wacky pups, Seth Casteel, may not yet be a household name at your pad. But in fact, the pet portraitist has been on the photography scene for several years now, snapping endearing shots of pets for magazine covers and celebrity moms and dads. Yet it's the gleeful images of dogs plunging into swimming pools, chomping after their favorite toys, that have put Casteel on the map as one of this country's premier — and innovative — pet photographers.
We tapped the man behind the camera for his tips on how to take awesome action shots of your pet, so check out his pointers and some images from his new book, Underwater Dogs, available today!
Source: Underwater Dogs by Seth Casteel
Dressed-up dogs of all shapes and sizes descended on Tompkins Square Park in New York City over the weekend for the annual Halloween dog parade, the largest of its kind in the US. From early-bird Thanksgiving turkeys to (bummed) Yankees fans to Fifty Shades' brazen bondage bloke, these pooches covered the costume bases and gave us plenty of food for thought for disguising our own pets come Oct. 31. Check out our slideshow for 20 original ideas for getting your pups prepped for trick-or-treating!
All Hallows' Eve can be fun and games for humans and pets alike, but just like taking candy from strangers, Halloween activities still warrant pet parent supervision. We all know to keep pups out of the chocolate and kitty tails away from pumpkin candles, but what about some of the more obscure dangers? I'm not aiming to cause pet paranoia, but before you set out for trick-or-treating, think about how you'll address these nine Halloween hazards!
Source: Shutterstock
You've played the highly addictive game (as has, perhaps, your cat), but just how bent out of shape can real live birds get? Well, hang onto your hats — or at least shield them with newspaper. These avians are furious, and they're looking at you.
Source: Instagram user zopile
Not all workplaces are OK with employees sporting elaborate Halloween costumes on Oct. 31. But before you throw in the Frankenstein-printed towel on having a hauntingly fun Halloween at work, we've found a few ideas that conjure up the holiday's spirit and may not be too spooky to a conservative office. Run your ideas by your manager and HR before you organize any Halloween activities to make sure that they approve of your plans, and check out these five frighteningly fun ideas!
The queen of the 30-minute meal touched down in New York City today with a new food truck concept dishing out quick, tasty meals for your beloved pooch. Dubbed the Woof Wagon, today's Columbus Circle attraction aims to promote Rachael Ray's new line of super premium wet food called Nutrish Naturally Delish by serving up plates of Chicken Muttballs & Pasta, Hearty Beef Stew, and Chicken Paw Pie to culinarily minded canines. As much as I'd love to be there to check out the happy pooches digging into their gourmet meals, my pup probably couldn't partake (her 14-year-old tummy must stick to a limited, low-fat diet). But I wonder if Ray's NYC tour might inspire the launch of more pet food trucks coming to a fire hydrant near you. So I want to know:
According to a 2008 interview, our nation's chief is quite the home chef, and his favorite preparation is his family's chili recipe. This multi-ingredient, all-American stew has apparently made the rounds at family dinners and potlucks and, when you stop to think about it, perfectly embodies our multicultural President and nation.
And given that he's perhaps one of the busiest men in America, it's also rather fitting that this chili recipe is incredibly fast and simple. It may lack that slow-simmered flavor depth that a carefully cultivated pot of chili gains over the course of an entire day on the stove, but we certainly won't veto it as a tasty homemade dinner.
Flexible as a president should be, this recipe is receptive to any fresh herbs and spices you have on hand. And don't forget the toppings: sour cream and cheddar cheese are the classics, but I broke free of those bipartisan politics with some crumbled Fritos corn chips! Read on for the recipe.
It's t-minus 13 days until Halloween . . . has your pet decided on a costume yet? As you scramble to put together your own, don't forget that your furry (or feathered) friend may want to join in on the festivities! But before you drop your precious dough on a costume that's hare today, gone tomorrow, consider saving some by unearthing your glue gun for some down-home DIY fun. We turned to Etsy for 13 creative pet costume ideas that — with just a smidge of elbow grease and artistic flair — you can make at home on the cheap!
Source: Etsy seller KOCouture
Fall is my favorite time of year because it gives me an excuse to snuggle into my lushest wool sweaters as I head out into the crispening weather. Of course, my pup has the softest coat of all, but when the bite in the air rivals her bark, I can't help but swaddle her in something cozy for her walks. Etsy and its congregation of talented craftspeople are my go-to source for all things snug and toasty, so I've picked out my favorite warm and woolies for pets this Fall!
I love getting in the spirit of the spookiest day of the year, but what I always have to reconcile is that Halloween is just that: one day. Although I'd love to be able to create a hair-raising haunted house with an unlimited budget, the fact that the holiday will be over in one quick evening means that — after costumes and candy — my decorating funds are frighteningly low. So we scoured Etsy for a gaggle of ghoulish goods that, at $10 or less, can dress up your Halloween party without petrifying your pocketbook.
Even capable, career-driven people need a leg up from time to time. Whether it's job advice from a former manager, a couple of industry tips from a colleague, or a pep talk from a friend, feedback and encouragement are crucial stepping stones to navigating to where you want to be in your career. There are a couple of tricks to asking for guidance, though, to ensure that you obtain the information you need and that you still come across as the polished and poised person that you are.
Provide some concise context.
Being asked for advice in a vacuum can be a frustrating experience for any adviser. Sure, she might know your current company and job title, but you shouldn't assume that she knows much more than that. Take a moment to frame up your situation and the problem you face. Briefly state your goal and the ways in which you have tried to achieve it. Providing a little context will help to steer her toward the subject matter you wish to cover and will guarantee that the conversation won't take more valuable time than it needs to.
Ask specific questions.
Even if you set up a contextual framework for your conundrum, the flow of the advice won't begin until you ask a question. Instead of posing a sweeping query like, "What advice do you have for me?" drill down to questions that get at the particulars of your circumstance such as, "What facets of my career should I work on to make myself more appealing for a promotion?" or, "How did you overcome setbacks to your career advancement?" Crafting questions specific to your situation will get you the guidance you need by providing your adviser direction on where you need help most.
While I try to keep tabs on my grocery store purchases during my trip up and down the aisles, I'm still a little shocked at the prices of some items when I read the final tally on the receipt. We all know that we pay a premium for packaged foods, but even though I'd love to make my own freshly baked bread, I'm not apt to fit it into my work schedule week after week. Nevertheless, there are several foods that are simple to make and worth the effort since they'll save you at the grocery store. The next time you reach for that container of hummus, consider pulling out the food processor and making it instead!
Dogs may be silver screen stars, but on the Internet, cats reign supreme. Nowhere is this so evident as on Instagram where #catsofinstagram photos outweigh #dogsofinstagram snaps nearly two to one. But while I can zone out all day scrolling through cute cat pics, a few Instacats in particular have made it on my daily must-follow list. Whether via Hefe or Earlybird, these felines sure let their photogenic personalities filter through!
First Lady Michelle Obama continues to field some tough questions from our readers, but she and husband President Barack Obama took a moment yesterday to pay tribute to our nation's Canine-in-Chief, Bo, on his fourth birthday.
While the famous Portuguese Water Dog played with friends on the White House's South Lawn, his powerful parents dished on Bo's bedtime habits and who lets him up on the couch!
