Whether you choose to get one from a breeder, a shelter, or a GSD rescue organization (the last two are highly recommended), if you are serious about owning one, there are some things you will want to know first.

Intelligence and Training
Responding well to training, they’re great for agility. Whether it’s crawling along the ground under something, jumping up to catch a Frisbee or running then leaping through hoops, GSDs respond well to commands and are shoe-ins for competitions.

It’s this same attention to detail, ability to follow direction and respond to his or her owner’s commands that make it easy to train the Alsatian to sit, stay, come, lie down and come when called, regardless how far he or she is from you. The firmer you are when training your German Shepherd, the better your relationship will be with her. Indeed, it’s safe to say that not all GSDs are alike. Some are sensitive and don’t require firmness to “get it”, while others are stubborn and need a little more reinforcement. And to clarify, reinforcement simply means repetitiveness. No training program should include punishing or hitting. While some trainers advocate the use of treats, others against this idea. The choice to use treats will be yours. This is no indication of their intelligence, but rather their temperament.

K-9 Dogs
Dogs that were originally bred for certain tasks – like Shepherds used to herd animals, Retrievers to assist while their owners hunted and Terriers to seek out and destroy rats infested in homes – are slowly having those instinctual traits bred out of them over generations as the priorities of their human owners shift. All is not lost however! New and exciting reasons to keep them around are or have been developed. Because of their intellect, agility and speed with which they grasp new information, GSDs have become the dog of choice used by police departments. Indeed not all German Shepherds can be chosen for this elite job, and once one is trained for such a job, it’s difficult to untrain him as his usefulness dwindles. Whether they’re used to sniff out drugs at the airport, to guard the property room at your local precinct or to alert the bomb squad about an explosive, they are indeed the best in show when it comes to hiring a canine companion to help solve ‘who done its.’

Family Dog
If your family has fallen in love with the look of a GSD and you want to bring one home, in order to ensure yours has a long and happy life, here are some things to be mindful of.

GSDs have this terrible reputation for being aggressive and becoming attack dogs. For the most part, it’s completely unfounded. Indeed any dog, including a Golden Retriever, can be trained to be an attack dog. If someone is so inclined, he can turn the sweetest dog in the world into a killing machine. However, German Shepherds, because of their intelligence and loyalty, are in fact, one of the sweetest breeds on the planet. Assuming you don’t chain your dog up, neglect her daily walks and don’t humanize her, you train her and make sure that you’re always Alpha, she will be the most loyal dog you’ll ever own. It’s her nature to put herself in harm’s way to protect her people – whether her people are mom and dad or your three-year old. GSDs dislike arguing and fighting and will let you know if your argument, whether friendly and political or one which is aggressive, is unpalatable to her. She will definitely make her thoughts on the topic be known.

The bottom line is that Alsatians are great family pets. They’re sweet, have a range of expression, come when called (assuming training is something you plan to do, which is highly recommended), and are protective of everything in your home, including the cats with whom they are privileged to live.

Heartworm, Hookworm, Roundworm, Fleas, & Ticks

The debate over heartworm, roundworm and hookworm medications and their use is far-reaching and highly contested. Really, what it boils down to is this: You are Buffy’s best advocate. If you can’t make up your mind about what to do for her, no one will. Granted, there are certain parts of the world (the tropics for instance) where not guarding vigilantly against heartworm in particular is definitely asking for trouble and possibly a tragically shortened life for Buffy. This is well known. For the unknown quantities, your vet certainly knows about the area in which you live, and will be a veritable font of information. Just ask him or her. He or she can easily help you decide, based on different factors, what your best options are.

Fleas and Ticks – Annoying Pest and More

Whatever one may feel about vaccinations and most other medications, one thing the controversies can’t touch is the ubiquitous threat presented by fleas and ticks. Ticks are disease carriers to be avoided like…well, like the plague. They are additionally, an irritant to Buffy’s skin. They’re quite similar to a human case of head lice. If left untreated, they will not only infest Buffy, but your home. They burrow into the carpets and will assuredly find their way into your clothing, furniture – anywhere that affords them a safe shelter and ready meal, which you, your family, and your dog are serving up like a buffet. If that analogy concerns you, don’t delay in combating this particular nuisance. Handle it when the problem is still small, before it becomes something worse, to say nothing of far more expensive.

Fleas thrive in warm climates. The colder it gets, the sooner they perish. In warm climates/times of year (for those locations that actually have discernible seasons), use a multi-purpose flea and tick collar for your dogs. Conversely, you can ask your vet what he or she thinks.

Over-Vaccinations

Are we over-vaccinating our pets? Some would say yes. Humans do not get annual vaccinations, so why should our pets? Immunity lasts for years, or the life of the animal, whichever comes first. Still, some vets will heavily advocate routine vaccinations out of a fear for an outbreak of (for instance) canine parvovirus. Some considerations a pet owner can make in regards to vaccinations are these:

1. Is the disease serious, perhaps even life threatening?
2. Is there potential risk for the animal to be exposed in the first place?
3. Is the vaccine for the disease is known to be effective?

We cannot ask our pets what their thoughts are, so we as dutiful owners must consider every option, for good or ill, respecting the gravitas of the matter. If we don’t, we may put our pets at risk.

People love small things. It is difficult to pinpoint what it is about small things that attract us to then, but for some reason or another our instinct is to appreciate small things more than big things. Let it be one of those aspects of nature that we may never understand.

One such small thing that people seem to love are small animals, especially small animals that are smaller versions of larger animals. It is with that in mind that many people purchase pets that are “miniatures” of a larger pet. If you like small things, below are a variety of examples of miniature pets that you may consider purchasing.

Miniature Pets
• Toy Dogs
Perhaps the most common type of miniature pet is the toy dog. Toy dogs are a breed of dog that was designed to be smaller than the average dog. Dachshunds, for example, have both a regular sized breed and a toy breed. There are a number of different types of dogs in the toy breed. Some do not have a larger dog equivalent. Toy dogs are the most common way to get a small pet, because they are not due to a genetic deformity and are found all around the world.
• Tea Cup Cats
Everyone loves kittens. Cats, on the other hand, are sometimes hit and miss. What if there was a way to own a cat that seemed to remain a kitten throughout its entire life?
There are. They are simply hard to find. Known as “Tea Cup Cats,” these felines are complete miniatures, either because they have the dwarf gene or because they were bred to be extra small. Tea cup cats appear to stay kitten sized throughout their life. They are not widely available, they are somewhat expensive, and there are questions about the long term health of some of these cats, but at the very least their existence is a sign that in the future you may be able to find kittens that will stay kittens forever.
• Miniature Horses
Currently, miniature horses are being trained to become “Guide Horses” – tiny horses that the blind will use to help get around, in the same way that guide dogs are used. Guide horses can be as small as a Labrador retriever. These horses are smart, healthy, and live for a long, long time.
They do require an extensive amount of training, and currently there are cattle laws that prevent their ownership by everyday men and women, but someday these miniature horses may become one of the most popular city pets available.

Overall Thoughts on Tiny Pets

There are a number of smaller pets in the world that are not miniatures. Rather, they are simply small animals, like ferrets and guinea pigs. All of these still make great pets for those that are looking for something small. However, if you truly want a smaller version of a larger animal, such as a dog or a cat, you may want to look at miniature pets.

Miniature pets are a unique change in the pet industry. Though toy dogs have been around for a while, teacup cats and miniature horses are only just now starting to be bred as pets for the prospective owners around the world. You should always do your research on these pets beforehand and make sure they are healthy, intelligent, and that you have the ability to care for them – just as you would for other pets. But if you find a miniature pet that you know you can care for, go for it. It may quickly become be the perfect member of your family.

Your dog will also do a number of different things that will frustrate you to no end. Dogs are great pets, but dogs are also just that – pets. They are going to do many things that you find nearly unbearable. It is important for new dog owners to understand these basic tips about dog behaviors in order to reduce the frustration you experience with your pet.

5 Tips About Dog Behavior
• Dogs are Dogs
Never forget that although your dog may feel like a member of the family, it is not a child or an actual family member. It is a dog, and as a dog it is going to do dog things. It is going to eat poop off the floor and sniff awkward areas of your guests. Even though your dog may feel like family, it is always going to be a dog, and it will always do things that dogs do.
• Dogs Don’t Understand English
It is also very important you remember that your dog doesn’t and will never understand your language. No matter how much it seems like your dog understands you, they have no idea that the sounds coming out of your mouth are words. When you tell your dog to “sit,” it does not know that “sit” means to sit down. Rather, it knows that when you make that noise, it’s supposed to sit down. You could train your dog to sit every time you say the word “Food” and it would sit every time it hears the word food and do nothing when you tell it to sit. Always remember that your dog never understands what you are saying, it only reacts to the sounds that leave your mouth with the behaviors it has learned.
• Dogs Have Short Memories
Dogs often seem to be so smart. They can tell when you are going to get up from your chair even before you realize you are going to get up from your chair. They can tell when you get a phone call that is asking you to come outside. They appear to be extremely smart creatures. However, dogs have extremely short memories, and an inability to connect periods of time. Meaning if you come home and see that your dog has ripped up your favorite shoes, by the time your dog has greeted you at the door it has already forgotten that it chewed up your shoes. Punishing your dog (or rewarding your dog) for things that happened in the past doesn’t work, because within just a few seconds of completing the task your dog has already forgotten it performed it.
• Unwanted Dog Behaviors are Often Your Fault
While it may be upsetting to hear, when a dog is showing unwanted behaviors, it is very likely not the dog’s fault at all. Dogs tend to show unwanted behaviors for one of three reasons: They did not get enough exercise, they think they are alpha dog in the pack, or they accidentally got rewarded for something you did not want. All of these are your responsibility, not your dog’s.
• Positive Reinforcement Works Best
Finally, dogs learn through a behavioral psychological theory known as “Operant Conditioning.” Operant conditioning is broken into 4 categories: Positive reinforcement (giving your dog a treat when it does something you like), negative reinforcement (taking away something bad in order for your dog to be happier), positive punishment (hitting or yelling at your dog), and negative punishment (taking away something your dog likes in order for it to be punished). Dogs respond best to positive reinforcement by a large margin. Dogs respond worst to positive punishment. Meaning if you hit your pet because it misbehaved, it is likely to repeat the behavior again, because it is unlikely to understand why you hit it. If you must punish your dog when it is misbehaving, you should limit it to negative punishment.

Understanding Dog Behaviors
If you are a new dog owner, it is extremely important that you understand these basic truths about dog behavior. Dogs are great animals. They love unconditionally, they are able to learn neat tricks, and they are able to provide a constant source of life and happiness in your home. If you find yourself being frustrated with how your dog is behaving, remember the tips above and see what YOU can do to make your dog less upsetting to you.

There is no surefire way to ensure that cats do not use your garden as a litter box beyond removing the cats from your premises. But there are several methods of deterring cats from using your yard, and if you are able to break these cats’ habits, they are likely to move on to a new litter box type in the future.
Using Smells to Deter Cats

The safest and most natural way to reduce the appearance of cat poop in your yard is to add certain smells to your garden that cats find unpleasant. The natural small of the garden attracts cats, but with the right scents you should be able to keep most cats away. Some of these scents include:
• Citrus Scents – Cats are not very fond of the acidic smell of oranges, lemons, etc. They find the general taste and smell unpleasant. Adding grinds around your garden and spraying your yard with lemon smell is a good way to get cats to look elsewhere.
• Coffee and Cinnamon – Like citrus, coffee and cinnamon are great deterrents of cat poop. Coffee grinds also work very well as compost/fertilizer, so you have the added benefit of giving nutrients to your garden. You can often pick up used coffee grounds at local coffee shops for free.
• Garlic and Vinegar – These harsh smells may make gardening less pleasant, but as irritating as they may be for you they are even more so or the stray cats. Consider these scents if the previous methods do not work.

None of these scents will harm your garden provided you use natural materials, and may of them will actually improve the nutrient flow within your flower beds.

Spray Them With Water
Another useful method of deterring cats is by spraying them with a hose any time you see them in your yard. This requires some stealth, since stray cats are less likely to make waste in your yard if they see you nearby, and you do not want to sit outside all day waiting for the cats to come by. But if you are able to catch them in the act, a hard spray will usually send them running. You can also set up a powerful sprinkler system that you can turn on from the inside, and shoot them with water when they come nearby.

Commercial Products
There are also several commercial products available for deterring cats. Some of these can be harsh chemicals that you may not want near your garden, but others are natural and effective. They are not necessarily that reliable, but they last longer than some of the scents and are easily to use than spraying cats with water.

Avoiding Stray Cat Poop
There may not be any 100% effective way to reduce stray cat poop in your yard. But if you try the methods above, you should be able to successfully reduce the incidences and encourage the cats to look elsewhere to leave their droppings. Try going the natural route first, since that method is the safest, easiest, and best for your garden. If you continue to have a problem you may want to contact animal control and have them place the cats elsewhere.

It is Not the Breed, But the Socialization

The truth about dogs, however, is that it is not the breed that determines how friendly dogs are towards people and animals. Rather, it is the amount of socialization that the dogs undergo when they are in their early puppy stages, before they reach the adult age when socialization is a less effective training technique.

Dogs are friendly to everything they trust, and unfriendly to that which they fear. As a result, new dog owners need not worry about the breed of dog. Rather, they should spend every possible hour during the growth stages of the puppy to let their dog interact safely with dog, people, and other animals like cats or livestock (if applicable).

Not only should they have an opportunity to interact with these creatures, but they should also be subjected to all shapes and sizes as well; children, the elderly, various races/ethnicities, genders, as well as dogs of all breeds, shapes, sizes and colors. The more positive interaction the puppy has with as many different types of “animals” as possible, the friendlier the dog is.

The reason that some dogs appear friendlier to humans than others is because these dogs have had the opportunity to be well socialized with human beings, and thus see humans as friendly creatures. It is not the breed that caused this difference.

Does Breed Play Any Role?

Though breed is not WHY certain animals are friendlier to humans than dogs or vice versa, it may play a role in socialization. Some breeds, such as Shetland Sheepdogs, simply have friendlier, less aggressive personalities. In turn, people are more willing to interact with these dogs, which then allow these dogs to socialize better. In that sense, a dog breed that is known for its friendly temperament in general is going to be a dog breed that ends up socializing more easily, ultimately leading to becoming a friendlier adult dog.

Should socialization worry you, then you should look for a dog breed that is considered quiet and friendly, because an quiet and friendly dog is going to receive a better reception than a dog that is more lively and aggressive.

But in reality, it is not a matter of dog breed so much as it is a matter of socialization and how often your dog has positive, friendly interactions with as many different dogs, people and animals as possible. Good socialization leads to friendly dog behaviors, so once you get your puppy, it is very important that you allow it to interact with as many people as possible, especially during its growth stages.

Dr. Jan Bellows

Over the past several years, the use of flea and tick medicines – so called “spot on” treatments that you place on the back of your dog’s neck so that it is absorbed into its skin – has been on the rise. The results have been fairly positive, as they have been able to do a better than decent job reducing discomfort to your pet’s skin by killing off fleas and preventing them from coming back for several months.

Yet it is also widely known that these “medicines” are actually a form of pesticide, and pesticides can be very dangerous. After all, they are a poison, and when you put them on your dog’s skin, you are essentially poisoning their skin in order to kill of the little bugs. So how safe are these methods and is there a better alternative?

Important Note About Flea and Tick Prevention

When you go to your Vet, you will see that they are going to try to sell you on one of the expensive flea killers like Frontline Plus. They can cost up to $50 per package, while the kinds available at the local Pet shop can cost as little as $8.
It is very important that you go with the vet recommended flea medication rather than the cheap in store brands. The studies on products like Frontline have been able to show that it is safer than most other treatments, while the inexpensive flea killers have been linked to serious organ damage, massive amounts of adverse reactions, and several health problems over the course of long term use. If you have no other options, contact your vet to make sure the brand you are interested in is acceptable, but it is highly recommended that you go for the well known, pricier varieties for the sake of your dog’s health.

Are Flea and Tick Prevention Methods Safe?

There has been a tremendous rise in adverse reactions to flea and tick prevention methods, and the EPA has been looking in to what might be the cause. But as of right now, it strongly appears that flea and tick prevention medicines are safe, providing you use one of the veterinary recommended brands.
The rise in adverse reactions is primarily believed to be a result of overuse (never squeeze a “large dog” size on a small dog, as it may be too much toxins for their body to handle) as well as a combination of factors mostly linked to some of the cheaper medicines. The main brands have heavily documented research that is ensuring their safety, and though you should always read all of the warning labels carefully, the benefits of using these treatments outweighs the risks.

Is There a Better Option?

Many websites and journals try to persuade alternative options, such as going with natural medicines or shampoos. But as of yet, none of these have shown to be effective, and many have caused dogs allergic reactions that are equally as discomforting as the good flea medicines. While going natural is preferable, there are simply no good options yet.
Your best bet is to use the well known flea prevention products that are recommended by your vet, and simply monitor your dog after you give it to them. If there are warning signs they will likely occur quickly, and your vet should know how to handle them. Since most of these problems are rare as well, chances are that if you use one of the main medicines – even for many years – it is unlikely that your dog will experience any major health problems as a result.

Despite all of this knowledge, few people truly understand what it is about the crate that makes it such an effective tool. Understanding why the crate is so effective is one of the most important aspects of training your pet effectively.

Reasons That Crates Work
1. Dogs don’t make waste where they sleep, because they are naturally clean creatures. It is in their best evolutionary interests to not lay in their own filth, as their ancestors that did this would often find themselves sick and weak. Once your dog associates the crate with a bed/home, your dog will not have any desire to make waste in there and will do its best to hold it in.
2. The ancestors of dogs spend many years living in caves. These caves represented safe, protected locations where they would be out of harm’s way. The enclosed space of crates simulates that same safety, so when your dog is used to a crate, your dog will feel safe and protected while inside that space.
3. Crates give your dog structure. Dogs are used to (and thrive in) routines, and when your dog knows when it uses its crate, your dog will experience less uncertainty in the world, which reduces anxiety and other negative behaviors.

How to Make Sure Your Crate Works Effectively

Though crates may be extremely beneficial for dog ownership, they are only as effective as the dog owner makes it. Your dog has to understand the crate’s role in order to use the crate to its full advantage. Here are several things you need to do to make sure that your crate training is effective, and that the crate lives up to its full potential.
1. Follow all crate training techniques – Even though dogs may have an evolutionary preference for crates, the crate still represents time spent away from you, and this may be seen as punishment for your dog. Try to make sure you follow all of the crate training techniques to make sure your dog enjoys its time in the crate.
2. Never use the crate as a punishment – Crates are never, ever supposed to be used as a punishment, because your dog should never associate the crate with fear or anxiety. The crate should always be a place of love and safety. If you punish your dog, you cannot send it in the crate. If you need your dog out of the way, make sure you make going into the crate a very happy and pleasant experience.
3. Choose the right crate size – Your crate needs to be big enough that your dog can turn around in, but small enough that the crate has almost no extra room when your dog lays down. This is vitally important. A crate too small can be dangerous, and a crate that is too big can make it feel less safe and also gives your dog enough space to go to the bathroom without affecting its bedding. Selecting the right crate size is just as important for effective crate usage as the training.
Crate training has long been one of the most effective tools for training your dog. But it must be done effectively. Follow the above tips and your dog will easily learn to love its crate and use its crate the right way.

Ask anyone their favorite age for their cat and they will tell you it was when they were a kitten. Kittens are small, adorable little animals with paws so tiny that anything they do can be considered cute. They look like babies, act like babies, and even when they are performing some regular behavior (like yawning), the look as though they are the most innocent and endearing little animals in the world.

So much so, in fact, that modern day breeders decided to shrink down their adult cats to become a size known as “teacup cats.” Teacup cats are smaller than even “miniature” cats, and can be likened to toy breeds among canines.

Cats that are Always Kittens

Teacup casts are incredibly smaller. Female cats can weight as little as 2 lbs (though average to be 3 or 4) while male cats are generally anywhere from 3 to 6 lbs. They can be almost any breed, and they look exactly like larger cats of a smaller size.
Essentially, a teacup cat is a permanent kitten – a cat that will never grow larger and will continue to appear cute and sweet for many, many years.

However, there is a warning about purchasing a teacup cat. Though they are often advertised as simply “small cats,” there are very, very few breeders of true teacup cats – cats that are born with the sole expectation that they will never grow very large. Instead, many breeders that sell teacup cats are actually selling dwarf cats (cats that have the dwarf gene that causes them to not grow very large). It is very difficult to find a true teacup cat.

Are These Cats Healthy?

In the rare instances that you can happen across a teacup cat bred by a legitimate teacup cat breeder, these cats are not prone to many health issues. Always get the following from the breeder:
• A complete health certificate with a guarantee that the cat is free of genetic diseases.
• A check up with the vet right away to make sure the cat is healthy.

This will ensure you are dealing with someone reputable, and that you are not being swindled.

Dwarf teacup cats, on the other hand, are prone to health problems. Some of these health problems include skeletal malformations, kidney health issues, and other health problems due to their dwarfed size. Should you find a dwarf kitten, you may still want to be its owner – simply prepare for these problems to occur. Also, all teacup cats run a greater risk of being injured due to their weaker bone density. Because full grown teacup cats will carry the same instincts as regular full grown cats, they may be less aware that they need to be careful of their small size, and this can cause them to injure more easily.

Do Teacup Cats Make Good Pets?

Teacup cats do have a lot of issues that need to be address. The vast majority of these cats are dwarfs that are going to be at risk for a variety of health problems, and though the actual teacup cats may be less prone to genetic disorders, they are still very small animals that were not originally bred to be as small as they are, and the risk of injury is great.

Also while these cats may always appear like kittens, they are going to have adult behaviors. They will always be aesthetically cute, but those expecting to have a perennial kitten may be disappointed. Still, they are not bad pets, their health problems are not incredible concerns, and those that truly want to enjoy a very tiny cat for many years may find great joy out of these small felines.

As living beings, all pets will one day reach the end of their lives. It is not always predictable as to how and when and the details, but that there will be an end is a sure thing. No one is ever fully prepared for the death of a loved one, even if a pet has been sick or incapacitated for some time.

Another part that complicates the human-animal relationship is that people have the option to prematurely end a pet’s life via euthanasia. Often there is a sense of regret and guilt associated with this decision, but only a pet owner can make this decision. If you find yourself placed in the decision making process, know that your veterinarian will guide you medically, but the decision is solely up to you, and you need to be comfortable with it.

No matter how your pet passes away, it is an individual process akin to losing a person, and there are a series of feelings one will have. The range of emotions directly relate to the relationship shared between the pet and owner or family. While some people may say that losing a pet is ‘no big deal,’ always be honest and true with your feelings. It’s okay to be angry, sad, or distraught when a pet dies, especially when it is unanticipated. Honor your feelings by allowing yourself to feel them.

There are a number of things that can help you along the process towards the end of a pet’s life or shortly after it.
• Create a keepsake. Take a lock of hair from your pet or create a footprint in plaster of paris or a similar material. It’s nice to have a memento.
• Take a family photo. If your pet is still well enough for photos, this can be a way to take last photos with the family and to treasure those once he is gone.
• Spend some time with your pet. After a pet has passed away, take as much time as you would like with them. A veterinarian will understand your need and allow you the time and space.
• Include everyone. Don’t keep the truth of a passing of a pet from other family members. Allow everyone to know in age-appropriate ways what is happening to the pet so that they are given the opportunity to personally say goodbye, if possible.
• Decide what to do with your pet. This is often a very emotional decision, but there are several options. A veterinarian will take care of your pet’s body for you if desired, but you also have the option of taking your pet’s body home for a burial at home, a burial in a pet cemetery, or your veterinarian can also arrange cremation. Cremation can be done either individually (so it is just your pet) or as a group (your pet with several others). Ashes will be returned to you to do as you wish: either place in a box or special urn or spread them in a special location like a favorite resting spot or garden.
• Memorialize your pet. You needn’t have a formal funeral, but giving all family members an opportunity to talk about fond memories of the pet is very helpful in the healing process. Children, especially, need some type of outlet to offer their thoughts and feelings about the lost pet, and a kind of service gives them a chance to vent these feelings.
• Don’t rush out and get a new pet. Many people lose one pet and rush out the following week to replace the pet. Give yourself the opportunity to grieve. A new pet is not going to be the same as an old one, even if it’s the same breed. Often you will find yourself still grieving and disappointed because you are comparing the new pet with the deceased one.
• Respect your other pets. Understand that they will empathize with you, but they will also feel their own sense of loss. If two dogs or cats have been together for years, it will be traumatic to lose that other partner. They may temporarily appear less happy, more tired, or uninterested in dinner. Make sure to carve out special time for your remaining pets to guide them through.

While losing a valued pet and family member is never easy, knowing that the opportunity to have spent time with them is usually worth the momentary pain. All grief passes, and life moves on. When you and all your family members are ready, you can embark on the process all over with a new pet.