The Vahoo Info Connector

It may be hard for many people to understand, but a great number
of individuals treat their pet dogs like a member of their
family - like their child, even. It’s no wonder then that they
are pampered, feted, and treated like royalty. Celebrities like
Paris Hilton and Venus Williams endow their dogs with lavish
gifts, like designer clothing and gem-encrusted collars. Dog
sunglasses are just one of the many things that many humans like
to bestow upon these four-legged friends.

Dog sunglasses come in many shapes, sizes, and designs. The
materials of which they are made run the gamut, too. The lenses
are usually made of polycarbonate lenses, which are scratch- and
shatter-resistant. The lenses on these dog sunglasses are also
anti-fog - these would be helpful in making sure that the dog’s
vision is not compromised while wearing the glasses. The frames
and straps can be made of plastic or nylon.

It may be perceived as a whim or a flight of fancy on the part
of some dog owners to have their pets wear sunglasses for dogs,
but in reality, these devices are very useful in protecting a
dog’s eyes. Just as humans are prone to eye diseases like
photokeratitis, cataracts, and macular degeneration, so too are
dogs. Various breeds can suffer from a condition called
“pannus,” which is also known as chronic superficial keratitis
or inflammation of the corneas. This can be caused by prolonged
and repeated exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays - which hit
the eyes of both human and animal whether the sun is shining
high in the sky or whether the day is cloudy.

And it is not just ultraviolet radiation that can damage our
four-legged friends’ vision; sunglasses for dogs can help
protect them from airborne debris and wind. Many people are wont
to take their dogs along with them on their road travels - how
many of us have ever seen a dog riding a motor vehicle with his
head hanging out the window? — or their vacations to the beach
and other places where pets’ eyes can get irritated by swirling
dust, sand, and other substances. In such situations, sunglasses
for dogs help ensure a more trouble-free playtime for Fido.

A number of companies are well-known for their dog sunglasses.
One of these is Dog-Goes, which is based in Munich, Germany.
This firm acknowledges that while a lot of customers buy their
sunglasses for their high-end materials (such as chrome or gold
frames) many others recognize the need for providing eye
protection for their pets. Company co-owner Christian Blank
avers that veterinarians are recommending such eye protection
gear for their pets, especially if the dogs go outdoors most of
the time.

Another company that specializes in eyewear for dogs is
California-based Doggles. They are the creators of dog goggles,
which are called, well, Doggles. Their products have been
featured in mass media, notably in CNN and “People Magazine.”
Because they are goggles, they fit snugly on the area
surrounding the eyes, preventing ultraviolet radiation, wind,
and airborne irritants from entering the eye area from the top,
bottom, and sides. The right fit is ensured by two adjustable
straps: one goes under the dog’s chin and the other behind his
head. Initially, the dog may find that the sunglasses take
getting used to, but after a while, it will feel as if he has
nothing on and will continue to act normally. The owner just
needs to do everything he can to help the dog adjust to the
sunglasses.

Another nice thing about dog sunglasses is that many models have
interchangeable lens. All the owner has to do is remove the lens
and pop in new ones as the situation warrants. There are lenses
that are available for virtually every lighting condition: there
are smoked lenses, clear lenses, and colored lenses. Of course,
the owner may just choose the change the color of the lenses to
go with the dog’s outfit (many owners clothe their dogs, too!)

The prices of dog sunglasses can range anywhere from under $20
for basic models to upwards of $100 for lavishly designed ones
and those made from expensive materials. There may be people who
will scoff at such accessories and think that they are a total
waste of money. But for dog lovers who only want the best for
their pets and take their dogs’ risks of eye disease or injury
seriously enough, dog goggles are not only a wise choice, they
are a necessity.

Acclaimed architect Bruno Taut said, “If we want our culture to rise to a higher level, we are obligated for better or for worse, to change our architecture. And this only becomes possible if we take away the closed character from the rooms in which we live. We can only do that by introducing glass architecture, which lets in the light of the sun, the moon, and the stars”.

A New Architectural Era
Built in Hyde Park, London to house the Great Exhibition in 1851 the Crystal Palace is commonly considered as a significant turning point in architectural history. This magnificent structure built from steel and glass paved the way for further exploration of glass as an architectural element. The glass sail of the new Milan trade fair and Louvre pyramid are other stunning example of the use of glass as a structural as well as a design element. Other examples of glass architecture include the London Bridge, Agbar and Federazija Towers as well as the Tokyo International Forum.

While the use of glass in construction was previously quite limited to grand designs and office buildings it is starting to become a core structural and design element in many homes. Glass facilitates natural light and opens up rooms allowing smaller spaces to look bigger as well as facilitating a natural indoor/outdoor flow which often enhances the tranquillity as well as the value of your home. Glass is also relatively inexpensive and fully recyclable, an important consideration in the current era of heightened environmental consciousness. Glass use in construction has increased dramatically due to the rapid changes in glass production and technology. Previously glass was thought to be quite a fragile building material and many steered away from it because of this. Modern glass, however, is not only spectacular to look through but it is safer, stronger and energy efficient.

Glass in the home
In the past glass was mainly utilized for windows to allow some air and light in to rooms. Today glass is utilized in the construction of several elements of exterior and interior architecture. Exterior glass architecture includes facades, display windows’ skylights, skywalks, entrances, revolving doors, canopies, winter gardens and conservatories. All of which allow homes to be bathed in natural sunlight with gorgeous outdoor views. Interior glass architecture can be used for staircases, elevated walkways and even as traditional walls. There are some houses in which all of the walls are actually glass. Such high quantities of glass previously compromised other aspects such as the heating and cooling requirements. Often glass architecture would incur high heating costs in winter and cooling costs in summer. Fortunately such great progress has been made in the glass industry that we now have access a variety of different kinds of glass each with fantastic benefits. One such example is glass with spectrally-selective qualities, which allows light to stream into the house without being harmful or degenerative to occupants and their belongings.

Caring for your Glass
To keep your glass looking great and streak free you will need to ensure that it is cleaned often. Try a few different cleaning solutions before you decide which one to use, options vary from store bought to home made solutions. Many use products such as ammonia, vinegar, borax, alcohol or Epsom salts to clean glass. An important point to remember is that when using your own solutions never combine an acid and an alkaline, for example vinegar and ammonia, as they neutralise on another. After washing use a dry cotton towel rather than paper towels or newspaper as they tend to disintegrate and leave deposits on your glass. For a great shine a dry blackboard eraser can be used.

To keep frost from accumulating on exterior windows during the winter, add two cups of antifreeze or rubbing alcohol to each gallon of wash water. For deposits of paint, resin or glue wet the surface and then scrape them off using a razor blade scraper. Take care to scrape in one direction only in order to avoid scratching the surface.

Another option, and a fantastic one at that, is the breakthrough technology that has brought us self-cleaning glass. An ultra-thin coating is applied to the glass during the manufacturing process; this coating has two highly beneficial effects on the glass. First organic residue on the glass broken down by the ultraviolet wavelengths in sunlight then when it rains the dirt is washed off. As the coating is hydrophilic when rain hits the glass, it doesn’t form droplets and in turn eradicates streaking. Rain water flows down the glass in a sheet and washes the dirt away. If you don’t have time to wait for the rain a simple garden hose will be just as effective.
Self-cleaning glass is making the lives of homeowners far easier and is giving home owners absolutely no reason to hesitate to use of glass in the construction of their homes. What could be better than bright, open rooms with excellent outdoor views facilitated by huge sheets of glass, without having to spend your days cleaning them?

Modern day architectural trends have elevated the way we think about the use of glass in our own homes. It is no longer simply a material for windows and the occasional sliding door; it is a design component in its own right.

With each passing day glass becomes a more important element in architecture not only in grand public structures but also in the lives and homes of families across the world. The beauty of glass lies in its simplicity, it enables us to be enveloped by nature while living comfortably in doors.

Many architects, designers and construction companies recommend Pilkington when it comes to glass. Having been in the glass industry for 179 years, Pilkington is recognised as the world’s technological leader in glass. Out of all of their innovative products, Pilkington Activ - the world’s first self-cleaning glass is one of their greatest products and is an ideal material in glass architecture.