Voluntary charity is different than the compulsory alms.

The compulsory alms are 2.5% of the income that are collected each year and given to the poor; it is obligatory when a certain amount of money is reached or exceeded.

Although the compulsory alms are given every year; however, voluntary charity is a part of a Muslim’s daily life.  Every Muslim is obliged to give charity to boost his piety and spread wealth and goodwill among the whole community.

Prophet Muhammad said that every good deed is charity - even a smile in the face of others is charity.

Prophet Muhammad in his global Hadith that defines the Charity said:

“There is no person who does not have the obligation of doing charity every day that the sun rises.”

Upon which he was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, from where would we get something to give in charity so often?”

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High Blood Pressure (hypertension) is very common in our pets, but often goes undiagnosed until it leads to life threatening emergencies. Problems from high blood pressure arise when a blood vessel gets too small for the high pressure flow going through it. Since the affected vessels are small, the bleeding may not be noticeable but a lot of little bleeds and a lot of blood vessel destruction can create big problems over time.

Your pet’s retina is especially at risk, with either sudden or gradual blindness often being the first sign of latent high blood pressure. The kidneys are also targets since they rely upon tiny vessels to filter toxins from the bloodstream. High blood pressure also increases the risk of embolism: tiny blood clots that form when blood flow is abnormal. These clots can lodge throughout your pet’s body - including the brain.

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Glaucoma is increased pressure within the eye. Cells inside the eye produce a clear fluid (”aqueous humor”) that maintains the eye’s shape and nourishes the tissues inside the eye. The balance of fluid production and drainage is responsible for maintaining normal pressure within the eye. In glaucoma, the drain becomes clogged, but the eye continue producing fluid, resulting in increase eye pressure, which can actually can cause the eye to stretch and enlarge, in addition to blinding the eye. Glaucoma is not limited to humans – it can affect your pets, too!

Glaucoma is classified as either primary or secondary in animals. Primary Glaucoma is an inherited condition, occurring breeds ranging from American Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds to Chow Chows, Shar Peis, Labrador Retrievers, and Arctic Circle breeds (Huskies, Elkhounds, etc). Touhg it is rare in cats, it can occur and is usually secondary to chronic uveitis. Primary Glaucoma generally begins in one eye, but in most pets, it eventually involves both eyes, leading to complete blindness. Secondary Glaucoma occurs when other eye diseases cause decreased fluid drainage. Common causes of secondary glaucoma are inflammation inside the eye (uveitis), advanced cataracts, eye cancer and chronic retinal detachment.

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Because pop culture is so prevalent in our every day lives, we often look to celebrities for hints and ideas on how to live our lives. Perhaps it’s the idea of living glamorously, or maybe for sheer lack of creativity , we often emulate our favorite actors, actresses, t.v. stars, musicians and even politicians. Choosing and naming our pets is no different! We’ve all seen them, out and about at the dog park or shopping out on the town , celebrities love their pets! Whether you’re a pop culture buff or not, if you’re considering getting a dog, you may be inspired by whom and what some well-known personalities call their ‘best friends.’

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal is ‘best friends’ with a German Shepherd named ‘Atticus’ and a Puggle named ‘Boo Radley.’

‘Bambi’ is the Pit Bull that keeps tennis star Venus Williams safe at night.

Actress Sienna Miller keeps it simple with her mutts named ‘Bess’ and ‘Porgi.’

Actress Minnie Driver loves her Black Labrador named ‘Bubba.’

South African actress Charlize Theron owns two mutts named ‘Delilah’ and ‘Denver.’

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The responsibility of a new pet is sometimes overwhelming. One of your new duties as a dog owner is to take care of your pet’s health. Here are two pointers for you to follow in taking care of your pet.

- The Veterinarian Is our Friend

Part of your duty as a dog owner is to know when to call for the vet. Don’t take a “wait and see” attitude when it comes to your pet’s health. Sometimes, that approach is fine but most often professional help is needed to treat your dog’s sickness. Depending on the dog’s condition, there are many ways a veterinarian may help.

There are several instances when it is essential that you call your veterinarian:

a) Always call your vet when your dog has been in an accident. If your regular veterinarian is not available, look for the closest emergency vet clinic.

b) Always call your vet when you suspect your dog has eaten something that may be poisonous or something inedible.

c) Call your vet immediately when your pet is in obvious distress.

d) Sudden weight gain or weight loss should be a warning sign for you to take your dog to the vet.

e) If your dog is coughing, vomiting or having seizure, call the vet immediately.

- An Ounce of Prevention Is Better Than A Pound Of Cure

Of course, going to the vet should be the last recourse. Preventing your dog from being hurt or getting sick is your primary responsibility.

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Here are some facts regarding the elusive Snow Leopards:

1. Wild cats, Snow Leopards live in mountains of South and Central Asia.

2. These felines are remarkable for their lifestyle and the fact that they are unable to roar - something that precludes their inclusion into great cats.

3. Living at heights over four to five thousand metres, in extreme weather conditions and over difficult terrains, Snow Leopards are amongst the most specialized of all wild cats.

4. To adapt to their environmental conditions, these leopards have evolved into having a thick coat, to shield them against cold, and large furry feet that allow them to walk with ease over snowy ground.

5. The cats also have a big thick tail that provides a balancing role in sharp movements over uncertain hilly ground, and may be curled up against the face in cold weather.

6. Like all leopards, the Snow Leopards are quite strong and athletic. They are able to prey upon animals three times their own size.

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The farming of tigers is a practice that is perhaps more cruel than anything else that involves big cats. And the overall business involves not just tigers. Lions, crocodiles, bears and other carnivores are also bred in captivity - in other words ‘farmed’ for use of their body parts for a variety of purposes. Tiger skins serve as rugs, parts of clothes; their bones and teeth are powdered and used in traditional oriental medicines; their brain, heart, meat, claws, whiskers - in short every part of their body is used to serve an array of ridiculous purposes. And it’s one of the biggest threats to tigers worldwide.

A shady and lucrative business, tiger farming enjoys the support of corrupt officials and poaching enterprises in China and parts of Southeast Asia. In places like Burma and Thailand tiger parts are openly available for sale in cities. In zoos and captive centers across China thousands of tigers are kept in miserable conditions in small cages and slaughtered daily to feed the huge market that revolves around exotic animal parts.

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Here are some important facts about the lynx.

1. Lynx is a feline genus that includes four felines: Canadian Lynx, Eurasian Lynx, Iberian Lynx and Bobcat.

2. Lynx are cats of northern hemisphere and have thus evolved into having longhair cats, as an adaptation for the cold winters.

3. The Desert Lynx or Caracal is not scientifically included in the Lynx genus, and resides in Arabia.

4. The word Lynx is derived from the Greek word meaning ‘to shine’ and is a reference to the cat’s bright eyes.

5. Lynx cats are made distinct by their unique physical appearance - including short tails, prominent neck ruffs and long tufted ears.

6. Lynx usually reside in forested, mountainous territories and are thus stalk and ambush predators like most felines.

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Here are some important facts regarding the incredible Bobcats:

1. Bobcats are part of the Lynx genus of felines and are the smallest of the four Lynx cats.

2. Modern Bobcats have apparently evolved around twenty thousand years ago from the Eurasian Lynx.

3. Bobcats are highly adaptable and are seen in a wide variety of habitats all across the United States.

4. Their population is limited northwards where they are replaced by their larger cousin, the Canadian Lynx.

5. Medium sized predators, Bobcats are twice as big as domestic felines and may reach a length of around four feet, including their short tail.

6. The short ‘bobbed’ tail is what gives these cats their name, and is seen in all the Lynx cats.

7. Bobcats are made distinct by their prominent ear tufts, hair ruff on face and the characteristic black-tipped tail that is white on the underside.

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Desert Lions are amongst the most unique large predators on earth, that reside in the deserts of Africa. They have adapted to their life in deserts with unique behavioral modifications. They reside largely in the deserts present in the country of Namibia, in the south of Africa.

Despite living in an adverse environment, these lions are quite healthy and fit, in fact perhaps even more so than the lions that live in plains. It appears that the harsh terrain and scarcity of prey has played a part in molding these great cats into their chiseled physical form. Since they reside in an open unrestricted wilderness the lions stray over large distances and are often seen living in isolated small groups, in contrast to other lions who generally live in a closely bound pride. Also, it appears that the desert lions are probably more patient and skilled in their hunting techniques than other members of their species residing elsewhere.

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