Pekinese Dog Chinas Imperial Lion-Dog

The Pekingese dog, often affectionately called the Peke by western pet-owners, has a long and illustrious history in China. Nobody knows quite when the Chinese first began to breed the Pekingese, but they have been associated with the emperors of China since at least the 700s CE. According to an oft-repeated legend, long ago a lion fell in love with a marmoset. The disparity in their sizes made this an impossible love, so the heart-sore lion asked Ah Chu, the protector of animals, to shrink him down to the size of a marmoset so that the two animals could marry. Only his heart remained its original size. From this union, the Pekingese dog (or Fu Lin - Lion Dog) was born. This charming legend reflects the courage and fierce temperament of the little Pekingese dog. The fact that such a long ago, in the mists of time story exists about the breed also points to its antiquity. In fact, DNA studies reveal that Pekingese dogs are among the closest, genetically, to wolves. Although they do not physically resemble wolves, due to intense artificial selection by generations of human keepers, Pekingese are among the least changed breeds of dogs at the level of their DNA. This supports the idea that they are in fact a very ancient breed. Lion Dogs of the Han Court A more realistic theory on the origins of the Pekingese dog states that they were bred in the Chinese imperial court, perhaps as early as the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) period. Stanley Coren advocates this early date in The Pawprints of History: Dogs and the Course of Human Events, and ties the development of the Peke to the introduction of Buddhism into China. Actual Asiatic lions once roamed parts of China, thousands of years ago, but they had been extinct for millennia by the time of the Han Dynasty. Lions are included in many Buddhist myths and stories  since they are present in India; Chinese listeners, however, had only highly stylized carvings of lions to guide them in picturing these beasts. In the end, the Chinese concept of a lion resembled a dog more than anything, and the Tibetan mastiff, the Lhasa Apso, and the Pekingese all were bred to resemble this re-imagined creature rather than authentic big cats. According to Coren, the Chinese emperors of the Han Dynasty wanted to replicate the Buddhas experience of taming a wild lion, which symbolized passion and aggression. Buddhas tame lion would follow at his heels like a faithful dog, according to the legend. In a somewhat circular story, then, the Han emperors bred a dog to make it look like a lion - a lion that acted like a dog. Coren reports, however, that the emperors had already created a small but fierce lap spaniel, the forerunner of the Pekingese, and that some courtier simply pointed out that the dogs looked like small lions. The perfect Lion Dog had a flattened face, large eyes, short and sometimes bowed legs, a relatively long body, a mane-like ruff of fur around the neck and a tufted tail. Despite its toy-like appearance, the Pekingese retains a rather wolf-like personality; these dogs were bred for their looks, and evidently, their imperial masters appreciated the Lion Dogs dominant behavior and made no effort to breed out that trait. The little dogs seem to have taken their honored position to heart, and many emperors delighted in their furry counterparts. Coren states that Emperor Lingdi of Han (ruled 168 - 189 CE) conferred a scholarly title on his favorite Lion Dog, making that dog a member of the nobility, and starting a centuries-long trend of honoring imperial dogs with noble rank. Tang Dynasty Imperial Dogs By the Tang Dynasty, this fascination with Lion Dogs was so great that Emperor Ming (c. 715 CE) even called his small white Lion Dog one of his wives - much to the irritation of his human courtiers. Certainly, by Tang Dynasty times (618 - 907 CE), the Pekingese dog was thoroughly aristocratic. Nobody outside of the imperial palace, then located in Changan (Xian) rather than Peking (Beijing), was allowed to own or breed the dog. If an ordinary person happened to cross paths with a Lion Dog, he or she had to bow, just as with human members of the court. During this era, the palace also began to breed tinier and tinier lion dogs. The smallest, perhaps only six pounds in weight, were called Sleeve Dogs, because their owners could carry the tiny creatures around concealed in the billowing sleeves of their silk robes. Dogs of the Yuan Dynasty When the Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan established the Yuan Dynasty in China, he adopted a number of Chinese cultural practices. Evidently, the keeping of Lion Dogs was one of them. Artwork from the Yuan era portrays fairly realistic Lion Dogs in ink drawings and in figurines of bronze or clay. The Mongols were known for their love of horses, of course, but in order to rule China, the Yuan Emperors developed an appreciation for these tinier imperial creatures. Ethnic-Han Chinese rulers took the throne again in 1368 with the start of the Ming Dynasty. These changes did not diminish the Lion Dogs position at court, however. Indeed, Ming art also shows an appreciation for the imperial dogs, which could legitimately be called Pekingese after the Yongle Emperor permanently moved the capital to Peking (now Beijing). Pekingese Dogs During the Qing Era and After When the Manchu or Qing Dynasty overthrew the Ming in 1644, once more the Lion Dogs survived. Documentation on them is scarce for much of the era, until the time of the Empress Dowager Cixi (or Tzu Hsi). She was dotingly fond of Pekingese dogs, and during her rapprochement with westerners after the Boxer Rebellion, she gave Pekes as gifts to some European and American visitors. The empress herself had one particular favorite named Shadza, which means Fool. Under the Dowager Empresss rule, and perhaps long before, the Forbidden City had marble kennels lined with silk cushions for the Pekingese dogs to sleep in. The animals got the highest grade rice and meat for their meals  and had teams of eunuchs to look after and bathe them. When the Qing Dynasty fell in 1911, the emperors pampered dogs became targets of Chinese nationalist rage. Few survived the sacking of the Forbidden City. However, the breed lived on because of Cixis gifts to the westerners - as souvenirs of a vanished world, the Pekingese became a favorite lapdog and show-dog in both Great Britain and the United States in the early to mid-twentieth century. Today, you can occasionally spot a Pekingese dog in China. Of course, under Communist rule, they are no longer reserved for the imperial family - ordinary people are free to own them. The dogs themselves do not seem to realize that they have been demoted from imperial status, however. They still carry themselves with a pride and attitude that would be quite familiar, no doubt, to Emperor Lingdi of the Han Dynasty. Sources Cheang, Sarah. Women, Pets, and Imperialism: The British Pekingese Dog and Nostalgia for Old China, Journal of British Studies, Vol. 45, No. 2 (April 2006), pp. 359-387. Clutton-Brock, Juliet. A Natural History of Domesticated Mammals, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999. Conway, D.J. Magickal, Mystical Creatures, Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn, 2001. Coren, Stanley. The Pawprints of History: Dogs and the Course of Human Events, New York: Simon and Schuster, 2003. Hale, Rachael. Dogs: 101 Adorable Breeds, New York: Andrews McMeel, 2008.

The Pros and Cons of School Choice Essay - 3533 Words

Benefits and Disadvantages of School Choice The purpose of this research paper is to investigate the benefits and drawbacks of school choice with respect to the impact on the students involved in the process. Over the years, school vouchers, school choice and charter schools have been grouped into one umbrella category known as school choice. The three types of school choice are very different yet very much the same and each topic will be discussed in depth and analyzed with examples and opinions from other authors. Overall, there have always been experts with both positive and negative remarks about the issues surrounding school choice. School Choice School choice is one subgroup under the umbrella heading School Choice;†¦show more content†¦Some arguments on the advantages of school choice were found on the website schoolchoiceinfo.org, which includes many stories about individual families who have benefited from school choice. The website also explains how in Cleveland, Florida and Milwaukee over 14,500 families have benefited from school choice programs. Making the parents more involved in the students’ education as well as feeling a higher level of satisfaction from the children’s education, the programs also provides less discrimination based on economic status, or racial background, as well as many other things. In Depth of School Choice One family story is found on the website, schoolchoiceinfo.org, in informational website about the benefits of school choice. The website describes how the Beauduy family of Florida benefited from being able to partake of the school choice program. Being able to chose to send one child to a magnet school out side the assigned school district, has shaped the family and made the entire family happier overall allowing the family to have saved enough money to live in a safer neighborhood. On the other hand, the article The Price of Public School Choice, by Howe, Eisenhart and Betebenner, discusses the drawbacks of school choice. The authors explain how the schools with more resources will gain too many students, leaving the students that cannot choose or do not wish to, behind in the bad schools.Show MoreRelatedServing Lunch For School Children Essay1402 Words   |  6 PagesServing lunch to school children began with private organizations making donations to a handful of schools. I n the peak of the 20th century, concern over children’s nutrition caused balanced meals to be provided to students during their lunch hour. Philadelphia began to serve lunches for one cent in 1894. Eventually their penny lunch program was extended to eight other schools throughout the city. In January 1910, schools in Boston began serving lunch to elementary school students three days a weekRead MoreEssay On Homeschooling907 Words   |  4 Pageshomes. In both articles, the parents have different reasons for why they are choosing to homeschool instead of keeping their children in public or private schools. Homeschooling is not for everyone and cannot be taken lightly. There are many different reasons why families would rather homeschool instead of sending their children to public schools. According to parents.com, Jamie Martin wrote an article on What Is Homeschooling? Martin goes on to state that, â€Å"homeschooling is a progressive movementRead MorePros Of Rural, Suburb an, And Urban Public Schools1240 Words   |  5 PagesPros and Cons of Pros of Rural, Suburban, and Urban Public Schools. I. Introduction. A. As one looks at different locations of public schools, whether it be rural, suburban, or urban, one can find many pros and cons of each. This research will focus on one specific pro and con of each school. B. Rural schools while receive less funding than other schools are able to give their students more one on one attention. C. Suburban schools experience more educational gaps among racial groups, but makeRead MorePros and Cons of a Dry Campus809 Words   |  4 Pagesopinions when it comes to this choice, as there are also many pros and cons to it. One pro of having a dry campus is that students can find other events to go to. Eastern often offers other events where students can do and socialize, promoting a night without alcohol. Students can also join clubs, intramurals, sports, etc. All of these clubs and events offer a positive influence on the students by keeping them busy. According to a friend and student of the school, one event that the UniversityRead MoreSchool Uniforms Have the Potential to Resolve Student Stress760 Words   |  3 PagesCalifornia, high school students are faced with the daily challenge of figuring out what they will wear to school the following day. As simple as this may sound, it does produce a lot of anxiety and stress among teenagers. Some students stress over the fact that they have a limited wardrobe, while others worry about being judged by their peers for their fashion choices. The problem of students having too much stress has the potential of becoming a serious health problem among h igh school students. ItRead MoreEssay on The Debate Over School Uniforms660 Words   |  3 PagesThe Debate Over School Uniforms Context In some countries, e.g. Britain and many Caribbean states, it is common for school pupils to have to wear distinctive uniforms identifying them with a particular institution, especially to the end of compulsory education at 16. In others, e.g. France, the USA, it is rare for uniforms to be worn, although some private schools may retain them. In both situations the desirability of school uniforms remains controversial amongRead MoreEssay about Home Schooling vs Public Schooling : Which One Is Better ?1102 Words   |  5 PagesHome Schooling vs. Public Schools: Which One is Better? Thesis Statement: Many parents question what is best for their child’s education, home schooling or public school. Home schooling can sometimes provide a more direct and focused education than public schools, Public School is better in many ways including the child’s social development. I. Home Schooling vs. Public Schooling II. The Pros and Cons of Home Schooling A. Home schooling can benefit both students and parents by providingRead MorePublic School Versus Home School1066 Words   |  5 PagesPublic School versus Home School Public School versus Home School Over the years people have debated which one is a better education system for children, whether it is public school, or home school. There are many arguments for which one benefits the student more, such as social development in children, the education level to which he receives and also the maturity level upon completion. With the number of homeschoolers growing at about 11% a year so you can see that the public opinion of homeschoolingRead MoreThe Issue Of The Legislative Process992 Words   |  4 Pagessay in which laws are passed. This is a look at the way this process works and can be used to develop laws that support the health care system. In this paper I will discuss a topic that I feel very strongly about;abortion. There are pros and cons to every choice and bill that is presented to the government. Changes are very difficult to make or have instituted. Sometimes it takes a very long time with much persistence and drive to make the points of interest clear and get legislature on yourRead MoreThe Effects Of Homeschooling On Children And Public Schools895 Words   |  4 Pageshomeschool their children over public school due to many reasons such as religion, safety, academic quality travel, family togetherness, separation of government and school, mastery over grades, expenses, and focusing on learning plans made for the student. Public schools are institutions, which are funded by tax revenues from the government. Schools have boundaries to then figure out which students will attend a certain school to avoid overcrowding. The schools curriculum is drawn up by the state

Motorcycles Are Dangerous Free Essays

English 101 3131 10 November 2012 Motorcycles Are Dangerous The road is filled with cars and motorcycles but what makes motorcycles seem dangerous, is it the motorcycle itself, is it the drivers who are driving side by side with motorcycles or is it the dare devils riding motorcycles? There is a saying for motorcycles, â€Å"Its not if one fall, its when one falls. † This is said because beginners are notorious for dropping their motorcycles. Motorcycles themselves are not dangerous. We will write a custom essay sample on Motorcycles Are Dangerous or any similar topic only for you Order Now It’s the non-experienced drivers and the drivers around them, that pose a threat to motorcycle riders all over the world. The thing with both motorcycles and cars, is if one were to take all the safety classes and course, they would then be less likely to come across accidents on the road. It’s also surprisingly important to know about the vehicle that you drive. Whether that be a car or a motorcycle, because if you know about the mechanics behind it, there is less of a chance that one would get into an accident caused by a mechanical error. Riders who peacock (the act of dressing in color, very noticeable) and wear proper gear are less likely to be in an accident or be hurt in one. Drinking and riding is a big no-no, on a motorcycle the rider need to have full control of the motorcycle and surroundings, drinking even the legal limit will impair a rider far more than in a car. The standard thought is motorcycles are dangerous, but the truth is they are as dangerous as drivers make them or can be even safer than cars if the driver takes the proper initiative and audited. A motorcycle is a tool of transportation, the way it is used determines whether it is dangerous or safe. If an inexperienced person gets on a motorcycle and expects to go on a ride, most likely that person will end up in an accident and in the hospital. It is important to learn to use the tool, what it can do and how knowing all the right steps to staying safe. Motorcycleminds. org recommends that every rider take the beginning rider education class and advanced education rider class to protect oneself and others on the road. These educational classes teach one everything from tire pressure to lane sharing properly. One of the acronyms taught in these classes that beginning to expert cyclist use every time they hop on a motorcycle is T-CLOCS and it stands for tires and wheels, controls, lights, oil, chassis, stands. T-CLOCS is a MSC (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) checklist to keep siders alert and safe. The full in depth checklist can be found on http://www. msf-usa. org/downloads/t-clocsinspectionchecklist. pdf . Without T-CLOCS riders might be going out on and unsafe motorcycle asking for an accident to happen. Knowing how a motorcycle works is just half the game, practice allows for one to perfect the technique of riding making safer and safer every day but still realizing that one always need to be in control but the same can be said for drivers of cars even pedestrians on bicycles. All a motorcycle is a tool and like any other tool it can be classified as dangerous only if miss used and abused. A nail gun can be very dangerous if used improperly but when used properly it can do a professional clean job without any accidents. Broken, worn out parts can be replaced, a human life can’t, safety is only as safe as the driver makes it motorcycles are not dangerous. Choosing proper riding gear will increase minimizing damage in an accident and will maximize how visible the rider is to others on the road. This is where Peacocking and safety should unite to minimize falling in blind spots of other drivers. Covering oneself in riding gear may not seem very stylish but it beats being cheese in a cheese grinder. When driving a car the people in it use seat belts and like to have airbags with outstanding crash ratings. To provide the same level of protection as a car, motorcycle riders should consider wearing proper DOT (Department Of Transportation) approved gear to ensure crash test ratings. When it comes to gear and its expenses it is important to think that the gear is the only thing between the rider and asphalt in an accident. Starting out from ground up with gear, proper boots that have ankle support and have close toes is very important. Having proper boots will prevent skin burns and many accidental rolled ankles. Depending on the kind of riding being done leg and knee pads can be bought but thick jeans or protective riding pants suffice in most cases. Hands that are not protected in an accident can be badly damaged but it is easy to prevent this by having sturdy gloves deigned for the type of riding going on. Jackets can be safe, flashy and fashionable, why not have all three working together? Most motorcycles jackets do, they will provide protective padding, materials that are comfortable but can handle road rash so that skin doesn’t, and while being fashionable usually they make riders more visible to others. As Basem Wasef Writer of Motorcycle Gear 101 on about. com said,â€Å"An old saying goes something like this: If you’ve got a $20 head, buy yourself a $20 helmet. † DOT approved helmets that provide three quarters to full face helmets are crucial in providing proper protections. Having all the appropriate riding gear makes falls that will happen, be less harsh and cuts the dangers of riding by a great deal. People wearing gear properly will be safe like a driver driving in a car with good crash ratings. Accidents happen in cars and motorcycles, being ready for them take many of the danger out of riding motorcycles. The most dangerous thing on a motorcycle is a fatal crash. Most people don’t realize is that a majority of fatal motorcycle accidents are caused by the misuse of motorcycle or riding under the influence. â€Å"One out of three motorcycle accidents involves a rider who is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Thirty-five percent of fatal motorcycle accidents involve a speeding motorcycle rider. † Keller and Keller law firm. Sixty-eight percent that leaves about thirty-two percent for other fatalities to be cause by things cars, trucks and motorcycles fault accidents. Following the law will prevent most motorcycle accidents. All vehicles on the road can be dangerous, if misused, not just motorcycles. Falling on a motorcycle happens but riders keep their head held high just like a teen that crashes their first car. Remembering T-CLOCS can save a riders life and the life of the surrounding people. Dressing to what, a peacock-cock-cock peacock allows on to standout and stay safe on the road. Motorcycles are not dangerous vehicles used properly, skateboards and BMX bikes can be more dangerous. As a avid motorcycle rider of four years I strongly urge anyone interested in riding in MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation). Keep the roads safe for future generations. Works Cited http://www. msf-usa. org/downloads/t-clocsinspectionchecklist. pdf http://dsc. discovery. com/cars-bikes/top-10-ways-to-stay-safe-on-your-motorcycle-2. html http://motorcycleminds. org/? p=847 http://ridingsafely. com/ridingsafely1. html http://motorcycles. about. com/od/gearreviews/tp/Motorcycle-Safety-Gear-101. htm http://www. 2keller. com/library/motorcycle-accident-statistics-motorcycle-acci How to cite Motorcycles Are Dangerous, Essay examples

Philippine Prehistory free essay sample

Robert Fox and Wilhelm Solheim were both anthropologists who conceptualized distinctive peopling theories namely the Fox Theory and the Island Origin Theory. They both came up with the said theories through the use of archaeological discoveries and artifacts. According to Fox, the first men who came to the Philippines inhabited the archipelago since the Paleolithic era, which dates back 500,000 years ago. He believed that the Philippines was once connected to mainland Asia as Palawan’s form and geographical location suggested that it perfectly bridged the Philippine Islands and Borneo. He found traces of men in the Tabon Caves, which are located in the western part of Palawan. In there, he found skullcap remains of which he presumed to belonged to the Tabon Man. In addition, Fox discovered burial jars, ornaments, jewelries, stone tools, animal bones, and human fossils. Similarly, Solheim also made use of archaeological discoveries and artifacts. However, he hypothesized that the primitive Filipinos originated and dispersed from an island in Southeast Asia. We will write a custom essay sample on Philippine Prehistory or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The prehistoric men in the country are said to have spread northwards through the country and into Taiwan. By its very nature, Philippine prehistory is â€Å"the period of unrecorded history consisting of archeological discoveries, way of life, geographical and geological data in order to know our country’s origin and the roots of the original Filipino. † As such, it is important for Filipinos to learn about their heritage so as to establish their own national identity. Furthermore, studying Philippine prehistory urges Filipinos to not merely accept the information that is given to them. But rather, question and analyze the said information considering that the world is evolving and that times are changing. For instance, prehistory helps Filipinos discover what their strengths and weaknesses are as individuals through the upbringing and culture that they are accustomed to. Once they recognize these, they may be able to determine what they can do together as a people. As reflected in prehistory, the ‘original Filipinos’ were really resourceful and creative in nature, as they made their own jewelries and tools. At present, there are many emerging local industries that are thriving due to the innovativeness that they put into their work. These include Jacinto Lirio, Binalot Fiesta Foods, and Human Nature to mention a few. In this manner, Filipinos are given a sense of pride as they showcase to the world what they are capable of and what they are really all about. In essence, learning about â€Å"our Austronesian heritage† made me realize that the neighboring countries of the Philippines are all definitely closely related given that all the languages of the Austronesian countries stems from a single ancestral language. With this, I now understand why other nations implied the same meaning on certain words as well as applied similar grammatical rules. For this reason, bordering nations and the Philippines easily relate to one another as it retained a common framework for the concepts in its language itself despite each country being influenced by diverse foreign religion and culture.