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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2443 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Lighten Up With A Seasonal Treat Top Dog’s More Than Just A Pretty Face (NAPSA)—He’s short, stout and—despite a face full of wrinkles—he’s more popular than he’s been in decades. No, we’re not talking Tony Bennett. After dropping off the list of the American Kennel Club’s Top 10 most popular breeds more than 70 years ago, the Bulldog has staged a huge comeback. Since hitting a low of 41st place in 1973, the Bulldog has moved into the AKC’s No. 10 spot. Meanwhile, the Labrador Retriever continued its remarkable run as the nation’s No. 1 breed— topping the most recent 2007 list for the 17th consecutive year. Why the comeback? “In addition to being very loyal and people-oriented, Bulldogs are natural-born comedians,” says Brigitte Antonocci, a well-known Bulldog breeder in New York. “They are very distinctive looking—they look and act like cartoon characters come to life.” Perhaps that explains why celebrities such as Will Smith and George Clooney—distinctive in their own right—own Bulldogs. In fact, the Bulldog posted its highest regional ranking in Los Angeles, placing second on that city’s list of favorite canines. The Bulldog was first recognized by the AKC in 1886—just two years after the organization’s founding. Experts say that while it looks tough and is seen as a symbol of strength—it is, after all, the revered mascot of such prestigious athletic programs as those at Yale University, the University of Georgia, as well as the U.S. Marine Corps—it actually makes for a loving and docile family pet that’s comfortable most anywhere. “Bulldogs can thrive in small or large homes and are excellent allaround family pets,” says the AKC’s Photo: Kira Sexton AKC The Bulldog is back on the American Kennel Club’s Top-10 list. Lisa Peterson. “But as with any dog, they aren’t for everyone. With 157 AKC-registered breeds, each with its own temperament, coat type and energy level, people should do their research and choose what’s right for their lifestyle.” Also notable among the latest AKC’s registration statistics is the continued rise in popularity of smaller breeds like the Havanese, a playful dog with a coat type that’s generally well-tolerated by people with allergies. In 2007, it was the 37th most popular breed, an increase of 997 percent since 1997 when it ranked 104th. Also on the rise: the lively and affable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, whose 406 percent increase in popularity over the past decade landed it in 25th place on the AKC’s list; and the French Bulldog, which took 34th place after rising 404 percent. Not faring as well on the national list, but no less loved by their owners: the Chow Chow, which held the 35th spot in 1997 and now sits at 63, and the Dalmatian, down from 17 in 1997 to the 77th spot today. Visit www.akc.org to find out more about the Top 10 list, and to see results for the nation’s 50 largest cities. (NAPSA)—When spring is in the air, family and friends enjoy celebrating the season with fresh produce. And nothing puts the finishing touch on a wonderful springtime gathering like Romanoff Summer Berries. Delicious and satisfying, the healthy treat combines sweet strawberries, grated orange peel, olive oil and golden honey. In fact, you could even try this fresh dessert as a light breakfast or afternoon snack. It packs a powerful punch of vitamin C from the strawberries with the beneficial monounsaturated fats from the olive oil. Here’s a great way to welcome warmer weather and tasty seasonal produce. Romanoff Summer Berries Prep Time: 10 minutes Stand/Chill Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes 1 lb. (about 4 cups) fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered 11⁄2 teaspoons grated orange or tangerine peel 1 ⁄4 cup orange or tangerine juice 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon honey Combine all ingredients in plastic food storage bag. Seal and toss to mix and coat evenly. Let stand 30 minutes or refrigerate up to 4 hours. Spoon into dessert dishes or over thin slices of angel food or pound cake, if desired. 4 to 6 servings. TIP: If desired, add 1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh basil leaves or mint with strawberries. For more recipes, visit www.aboutoliveoil.org. Tips On Conserving Water (NAPSA)—From space, our blue planet seems rich in water. In reality, 97 percent of the planet’s water is saltwater, 2 percent is in the form of snow and icebergs and just 1 percent is usable freshwater. Water conservation should be practiced at all times and not just in times of water shortages. Using it more efficiently can start in the yard, and done correctly, it’s possible to keep your lawn and garden healthier while using less water. To get the most out of your lawn and garden, the experts at Rain Bird—a leader in the irrigation industry—advise following these tips: Don’t Drown The greatest waste of water comes from applying too much, too often—much of the water is never absorbed. Instead of watering for one long session, water a few times for shorter periods and take 15-minute breaks in between each session. This will allow water to soak in while minimizing runoff. Watch The Clock Water between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.—when the sun is low, winds are calm and temperatures are cool. Midday watering tends to be less efficient because of water loss due to evaporation and windy conditions during the day. Watering in the evening isn’t a good idea either because leaves can remain wet overnight—an open invitation for fungus to grow. By watering in the morning, leaves have a chance to dry out during the day. Divide By Zones Different plants need different amounts of water. Divide your yard and landscape areas into separate irrigation zones so that grass can be watered separately from and more frequently than Adjust your automatic sprinkler system heads to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways. ground cover, shrubs and trees. Both sprinkler and drip irrigation can be incorporated to achieve more-efficient use of water. Water Only Things That Grow If you have an automatic sprinkler system, make sure the sprinkler heads are adjusted properly to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways. A properly adjusted sprinkler head should spray large droplets of water instead of a fine mist, to minimize evaporation and wind drift. Consider Dripping When it comes to watering individual trees, flowerbeds, potted containers or other nongrassy areas, consider applying water directly to the roots using low-volume drip irrigation. This will reduce water waste through evaporation or runoff, and will prevent unwanted weeds from growing. Let It Rain Install a shutoff device that automatically detects rain. They are inexpensive and let you take advantage of nature’s precious gift without paying for it. For more watering tips and information on the Intelligent Use of Water, visit the Web site at www.rainbird.com.