Tankless water heaters are already in 95 percent of homes in Europe and Asia. Velvet heart chocolates are made with organic ingredients and are hand crafted. Americans spent about $9 billion on bottled water last year, and we’re adding more than 60 million plastic water bottles to the nation’s landfills every day ! Fixtures with the WaterSense certification are far more water efficient than the old standard bathroom fixtures, saving you H20, electricity and money with every use! WaterSense-labeled products are independently tested and certified to meet EPA’s criteria for both efficiency and performance.

Still, the American Humane Association ran a cute press release the other day, offering some first-puppy tips for the Obama family that can actually be useful for non-presidential pet owners as well. Like poodles, their fur is hypoallergenic — probably a big consideration, since one of the Obama girls reportedly has allergy problems — but requires some regular maintenance. They need brisk daily exercise, which shouldn’t be a problem with two young girls to play with, and they’re known for chewing, which means the Secret Service will want to keep plenty of chews handy. AHA members are worried that Bo’s celebrity will lead to a rush on Portugese water dogs — which could lead to hundreds or thousands of them being dumped in shelters or worse, once people figure out that they and the dog are not a good fit.

These dogs have been recommended for people with pet allergies by the American Kennel Club as breeds that are relatively hypoallergenic. Some patients may have an allergic reaction to the proteins found in animal saliva and urine; when animals lick themselves, the proteins transfer to the fur and can cause a reaction in humans that is similar to if they were directly licked by the cat or dog. According to Sublett, cat saliva is one of the major sources for allergies, and itâs particularly potent due to its tiny size â” about three-hundredths the size of the cross-section of a human hair â” and its ability to attach to other particles and be transported through the air. Patients who suffer from allergic rhinitis â” hay fever-like symptoms like itchy, watery eyes or runny nose and sneezing â” can easily manage their reactions with allergy shots, prescription or over-the-counter antihistamines or intranasal steroids, said Nimmagadda. Sublett said that if patients suspect they might have pet allergies, they should consult an allergist for ârelatively painlessâ prick testing that would immediately determine whether there is an animal sensitivity, or if their allergies are exacerbated by other environmental factors.

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Portuguese water dogs are receiving national attention now that the Obamas have brought Bo into the White House, but locally one dog has been making a positive impact since the beginning of this year. Skipper, a Portuguese water dog, visits local libraries and participates in a program that promotes reading for youngsters. Skipper is a perfect fit for the Paws to Read program because he’s gentle and sweet, said Margaret Kensinger-Klopfer, head of youth services at the San Luis Obispo City/County Library. The breed is considered a good match for the program because Portuguese water dogs are known for being gentle, good with kids and hypoallergenic, which means they don’t bother kids with allergies.