The Yorkie Maltese Mix is also known as Morkie or Yorkteses. It is a cross between a purebred Yorkshire Terrier and a purebred Maltese. They are beautiful and colorful designer dogs which are known to affectionate, bold and feisty pets.

The Yorkie Maltese Mix is highly regarded as intelligent little dogs. They can be easily trained and very loyal dogs. They can also serve as guard dogs as they can alert their owners when they are suspicious of strangers. Most Morkie owners claim that these pets have the sweetness of a Maltese and the stubbornness of a terrier.

The Yorkie Maltese Mix appearance differs widely. Some breeds look more like a Yorkshire Terrier and some dogs look more like a Maltese. However, they are all from the same breed.

Here are some interesting facts that you must know about the Yorkie Maltese Mix

The American Kennel Club does not recognize the Yorkie Maltese Mix as an authentic breed of dog.

The Yorkie Maltese Mix has long and smooth hair which require daily brushing and grooming.

These dogs belong to hypoallergenic breed, hence, it is essential to keep their eyes clean as debris can build up in this area.

To keep their dental hygiene, they need regular brushing.

These little dogs are high spirited most of the time. They also love to build deep relationships with their owners. They constantly require love and attention from their owners as well. In return, they can be forever loyal and loving dogs.

The Yorkie Maltese can be stubborn, however, they are very easy to train. Although, they can be destructive when left alone for long periods of time.

Morkies can easily make friends with other dogs and non-canine pets that they have been brought up with.

Morkies are non-shedding and most of them are hypoallergenic.

The Yorkie Maltese can get along well with children. However, it is important to keep very young children supervised when playing with these dogs.

Morkies has floppy ears that may or may not stand erect as they grow up. If their ears are going to stand up, they usually start to do so around 12 weeks of age.

The lion is known to all of us as the king of the forest, but the Bengal tiger has its own royal identity too! They are the Royal Leader with a wide territory from India to Eastern China. They are scattered across neighbouring Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar. Sadly, due to massive poaching and destruction of the tigers natural habitat, this vast range is now limited into just a few small pockets. In fact, Bengal tigers are listed as extinct animals.

For us, tigers look all the same. However, about thirty years ago, there were about 7 subspecies of tiger.  They have minor differences in size and coat pattern. These differences are a result of the different populations breeding in almost complete isolation of one another, causing regional trails to become exaggerated over time. Geography, more than physical characteristics, defines the tiger family.

The following are interesting facts about Bengal Tigers

Bengal Tigers adapts easily to any environment

Bengal tigers can easily adapt to any environment. They occupy a wide range of habitats, from grasslands, swamps, and coastal mangroves to deciduous forest and jungle. Their main need are abundant supply of prey and dense vegetation in which to stalk it.

Bengal Tigers are Smaller and Slimmer

Bengal tigers are smaller and slimmer compared to others tigers found elsewhere. According to studies, this physical change occurred as a form of adaptation to their current environment which require frequent swimming.

Bengal Tigers has exceptional coats

The Bengal tiger’s fur offers a great camouflage in different surroundings. The perpendicular black stripes breakup the tiger’s outline making it hard to spot as it moves through the light and shade of forests.

Favorite Meals

Bengal tigers take a wide variety of prey but specialise in killing hoofed mammals such as deer, antelope, and wild cattle.

Maturity at the age of two

Once Bengal tigers reach maturity at the age of two, male tigers leave the family in search of their own territory, which they mark out with claw marks on trees and scent from their urine. A dominant male may patrol an area of 40 square kilometres and sire several families until old age takes its toll.

The swamps as hiding place

The swamps of the Sundarbans on the Bay of Bengal afford the Bengal tiger natural protection from Man. Local people believe that drinking salty water has altered the swamp tigers’ metabolism and given them a liking for human flesh.

White spots behind the Bengal tiger’s ears

The white spots behind the Bengal tiger’s ears help other tigers to identify it in the gloom of the jungle.

Powerful Paws

The immense paws can knock prey down with a single blow. The claws are hooked and lethally sharp. The tiger keeps them so be retracting them into the paws when not in use.

Devourer

A fully grown male Bengal tiger will joyfully consume up to forty kilograms of meat in one session. They usually leave a fresh kill to decay for a while as this makes the flesh easier to tear away.

Courtship

Tiger courtship is noisy. The tigers must first overcome natural aversion to company and there is much snarling and growling. After a while, the female permits the male to come close and the pair may nuzzle and play. Eventually, the female lies on her belly and allows the male to mount her. Mating takes about 30 seconds, and is repeated often for 50 or more times a day for over several days.

In the 1940’s to 1960’s, cases of iron lung polio were rising. The polio virus can be spread through different methods and it usually attacks a person’s nervous system. This overtakes some of the crucial nerves that deal with the respiratory system. Hence, a person infected with the virus loses control of his own breathing. Thus, in order to survive, the iron lung tank respirator has to be used. Though iron lung cases have declined recently, there are still a lot of other interesting facts that we have to know about it.

Death was frequent due to the quick movement of the virus.

As soon as the polio virus enters one’s system, patients are unable to breathe. This paralyzes the muscle groups in the chest. Eventually, the person dies due to the inability to breathe independently. There are also other symptoms leading to one’s death. Those who have contacted the virus will see a surge in their temperature and one the next day, they will have sore feet. Eventually, the virus attacks the other systems and death is inevitable.

Patients who survive the earlier stage could survive

Although death is frequent for the first few days of the virus attack, it is still possible for one to survive. As soon as he survives the ordeal and regain his strength, he will no longer have to suffer. It takes two to three weeks before the virus is completely out of the system and the patient can start breathing without the device.

Philip Drinker and Louis Agassiz Shaw developed the first respiratory tank in 1927.

These two were from Harvard University. They were the first people to device the tank respirator that could maintain respiration artificially. Their invention was powered by an electric motor along with two vacuum cleaners. This works by changing the pressure inside the rectangular metal box and pulling the air in and out of the lungs. Though they invented the device earlier, it wasn’t up until the spike of iron lung polio cases when it was placed to good use.

John Emerson refined the earlier device.

Another inventor decided to refine the Drinker’s device. With his invention, the cost of creating it was cut into half. The patient will just have to lie down on a bed and this bed can be slid in and out of the cylinder containing the breathing device when needed. The tank also has windows on the sides where attendants could make the necessary adjustments with the sheets or hot packs.

The iron lung respirator mimics the actual movement of the lungs.

In order for the device to work, it has to follow exactly what the lungs are doing. Thus, even if the person cannot breathe on his own due to paralyzed muscles, he can still survive. As soon as the patient is slide into the cylinder, the treatment begins. Only his head and neck is freed and the rest of his body is enclosed in the air tight compartment. There are pumps that control the air flow. It increases and decreases especially in the chest area. When the pressure is low, the lungs expand and the pressure starts pushing the air from the outside of the chamber into the nose and the lungs. When the pressure increases, the reverse of the process happens. It is considered a non-invasive therapy and is very effective.

Iron lungs cost about $1,500 in the 1930’s

Despite efforts to reduce the cost of iron lungs, they are still very expensive. For a price of around $1,500, it is equal to that of a house. The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis started the mass distribution of tank respirators in 1939 to help those who cannot afford to undergo the treatment.

The iron lung polio peaked in 1952.

Though there were a lot of recorded cases of this disease in the early 1900’s, the most severe records took place in 1952. During this year alone, over 21,000 Americans contracted the virus and over 3,000 people died from it. Those who didn’t survive were those who were not given immediate treatment using the device. As soon as they contracted the disease, they just waited for death.

Being in the iron lung chamber can be depressing.

Though the iron lung device is considered a life saver, undergoing the treatment is not easy. Those who have to go through the process will just be on their bed for the next 2 or 3 weeks. The environment is highly restrictive. The patients can only talk when the machine exhales for them. They also cannot do any other activity other than to sleep. There are dozens of children inside the chamber though being treated at once. There is also a mirror on top of the device where the patient can look into. The good thing is that since there are a lot of them treated at the same time in certain hospitals, it doesn’t make them feel that lonely. Attendants were also present all the time.

Vaccinations led to the decrease in the number of iron lung cases.

With the help of polio vaccination programs, polio was virtually removed within the US. In 1959, there were about 1,200 people who are using the tank. In 2004, only 39 people were left to still use the tank. In 2014, only 10 recorded cases were left. Aside from the decrease in the number of cases, other more modern devices have also been invented to replace the iron lung respirator.

Biphasic cuirass ventilation (BCV) is the modern version of the iron lung

With the advent of modern technology and more inventors devoting their time in treating the disease, a more modern version of the respirator was invented. The BCV is simply attached to a pump which does the control for inhalation and exhalation. It also does not restrict the patient’s movement as much as the old respirator tank. Dr. Zamir Hayek pioneered the use of assisted ventilation. The Hayek Oscillator was named after Dr. Hayek.

The cases of iron lung polio have dropped drastically and it is a good thing. It also helps that we are more prepared now should we see the resurgence of the disease.

Having a pet dog is a joy; their company and loyalty are what endear them to us. Feeding them should not be taken lightly, as there are certain foods that are not suitable for them. Some of these foods even prove fatal to dogs. So when you are munching on a trial mix and your dog is looking up at you and asking for some, you will ask, can dogs eat almonds?

Before giving your dog any human food, you should first know if they are safe for your canine companion. No use in feeding him something just because you’re eating it too, only realizing too late that your dog cannot eat it, right? We can say that having a dog is just like having a baby. You have to feed it the right kind of foods if you don’t want to get in trouble. So if you don’t want your dog to die because of what you feed it, better read on and be educated.

Almonds

Can dogs eat almonds? Although almonds are not really toxic to dogs, and dogs love to munch on them as much as the next person, almonds can be hard to digest. They can give your dog trouble going number two if you feed him a lot of almonds. It can also cause stress to your dog’s intestinal tract. So if you can’t resist giving almonds to your dog, or if your dog can’t resist getting them from you, make sure it only eats a moderate amount to avoid any trouble.

Chocolate

Chocolates are very delicious, unfortunately dogs can’t eat them. There are certain ingredients in chocolate that are fatal to dogs. When ingested by dogs, it can cause a lot of symptoms leading to death such as vomiting seizures, agitation and many more. So if you love chocolate, make sure that your dog won’t be able to reach your stash, otherwise you know what’s going to happen. And what is going to happen is not a pretty sight.

Milk

Now, this is different from the milk that dogs drink from their mothers. Milk consumed by humans, when taken by dogs, can be dangerous. They can cause serious stomach troubles that may eventually lead to a disease. Dogs can also be lactose intolerant, you know. And unlike cats who love to lap up milk in their bowls, giving milk to dogs is a big no-no.

Onions

When taken in a considerable amount, onions can make a dog weaker that will lead to inactivity. When left untreated, your dog might need a blood transfusion to get well. Remember to keep your onions out of your dog’s reach in the kitchen.

Avocado

Don’t think that just because you love guacamole, your dog can eat it too. Avocados contain persin, which is present in the fruit, tree, leaves and even the barks of avocado trees. When eaten by dogs, it can cause a serious allergic reaction. So to make sure that your dog will not eat avocado, keep our guacamole to yourself.

Alcohol

Now alcohol is not only dangerous to dogs, it is dangerous to humans too. Too much alcohol consumption in humans may result in liver damage and other illnesses. The same is true with dogs, although it takes far less amount of alcohol for dogs to be affected. If you have a stash of alcohol at home, make it dog-proof.

Raisins and Grapes

They can cause kidney failure in dogs. The reason is not defined yet, so just to steer clear of any trouble with your dog when it ingests grapes or raisins, do not keep any in your home. If you do, consume them at once and do not feed your dog even a small piece.

Macadamia Nuts

Just like the question “can dogs eat almonds?” you may also ask “can dogs eat macadamia nuts?” The answer is no. Although almonds can upset a dog’s tummy, macadamia is far more toxic. Dogs can develop weakness and even depression, would you believe that?

Bacon

Who in the world doesn’t love bacon? Even dogs will love them for sure, if they are not toxic for them. We are all aware how rich in fat bacon is, but we still can’t resist eating it. When bacon is fed to dogs on a regular basis, the fat will be stored in its body and the dog will develop pancreatitis, which will lead to more complications later on. So when you are munching on bacon for breakfast, resist the urge to break off a piece for your dog, do you hear?

Candies and Gums

Candies and gums, as well as toothpaste, contain a sweetener called xylitol. This element is harmful to the dog as it creates more insulin than the dog can handle. When you go trick or treating on Halloween with your dog, ask for doggie treats for your dog instead of candies.

Bones

Although bones are most commonly associated with dogs, you cannot give them that. Bones can choke the life out of your dog when ingested. It can get lodged in the dog’s throat and make breathing difficult.

These are just some of the human foods that can be harmful to dogs. Do some research first before you ask, “can dogs eat almonds or other foods?”