The breed is the smallest of the sporting or hunting dogs. Also, there are some differences between it and its English relative. It is a happy and intelligent working breed. Because of having been bred to meet show dog qualities, it is no longer an ideal working dog. These Spaniels now have many health problems with their hearts, eyes and ears.
The American Cocker has a medium long silky coat of fur. It has an upturned nose, either black or brown. It has long, silky ears that hang down. The eyes are large, dark in color and round. Fur colors can be black, tan, cream, dark red, buff, roan and sometimes merle.
This dog breed is nicknamed the "Merry Cocker". It is a friendly dog and not shy.
It is smart as a hunting dog. IQ tests given in the 1950s and 1960s showed the American Cocker did best of all dogs tested on hunting skills. But, they did not do as well on other skills. These showed they were slower in uncovering a dish of food or pulling on a string. The American Cocker Spaniel is in 20th place in Stanley Coren's "The Intelligence of Dogs". This means this dog is excellent in "Working or Obedience Intelligence" and in being trained.
If they are played with and loved as puppies, American Cockers can get along with people, children, other dogs and other pets. This breed has a tail that wags most of the time. It likes best to be around people. It is not meant to be left alone in a backyard. Cockers can get stressed by loud noises and by being treated roughly or fussed at.
Because they have now been bred to have a long coat, they can no longer be active enough to hunt or be exercised outside.
Casimir Pulaski
Count Kazimierz Michał Władysław Wiktor Pułaski of Ślepowron coat of arms (; March 6, 1745 October 11, 1779) was a Polish nobleman, soldier and military commander who has been called "the father of the American cavalry".
Pulaski was one of the leading military commanders for the Bar Confederation and fought against Russian domination of the Commonwealth. When this uprising failed, he was driven into exile. Following a recommendation by Benjamin Franklin, Pulaski emigrated to North America to help in the cause of the American Revolutionary War. He distinguished himself throughout the revolution. He most notably when he saved the life of George Washington. Pulaski became a general in the Continental Army. He created the Pulaski Cavalry Legion. He also created the American cavalry. At the Battle of Savannah, while leading a daring charge against British forces, he was gravely wounded, and died shortly thereafter.
In 2009, he was honored by becoming an honorary U.S. citizen.
Raed al Atar
Raed al Atar (1974 – 21 August 2014) was a Palestinian military personal. He was the commander of the Rafah company of the Hamas Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. He was also a member of the Hamas high military council. According to the Congressional Research Service analyst Jim Zanotti, his command was important due to Rafah being the destination point for the smuggling tunnels from Egypt. al Atar was born in Gaza.
Al Atar was killed in Rafah, Gaza on 21 August 2014 in a missiles strike by the Israeli army.
Amanda Palmer
Amanda MacKinnon Gaiman Palmer (born April 30, 1976), sometimes known as Amanda Fucking Palmer, is an American musician. She became famous for being the singer of The Dresden Dolls. In 2008 her first solo album "Who Killed Amanda Palmer" was released by Roadrunner. Her second album "Theatre Is Evil" was released in 2012.
Palmer was born in New York City. She grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts.
At a Halloween party in 2000, Palmer met drummer Brian Viglione. Afterwards Palmer and Viglione started The Dresden Dolls.
Palmer has been married to English writer Neil Gaiman since 2011.
Knock Shrine
Knock Shrine () is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage site. In 1879, a religious vision was said to have happened in the village of Knock, County Mayo, Ireland. It was seen by fifteen people. The vision was of The Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, John the Evangelist, angels, and Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God. A church was later built on the site, to worship and remember this event.
On the evening of 21 August 1879, at about 8 o'clock, fifteen people, aged from five years to seventy-five included men, women, teenagers and children, witnessed this event.
They all said they saw an apparition of Our Lady, Saint Joseph, and Saint John the Evangelist on the wall of the small parish church. The little church was called the Church of Saint John the Baptist.
The Blessed Virgin Mary was said to be beautiful, standing a few feet above the ground. She wore a white dress. She had a crown on her head. The crown was golden, sparkling, and glittering. She was described as "in prayer", with her eyes raised to heaven.
Saint Joseph, also wearing a white robe, stood on the Virgin's right hand. Behind the figures, to the left of Saint John was a plain altar. On the altar was a cross and a lamb, with angels around. The lamb is the symbol of Jesus. This symbol is from the religious phrase The Lamb of God)
Those who saw the apparition stood in the rain for up to two hours.
An ecclesiastical inquiry was held to decide if the vision was true and not a mistake or fake.
The evidence was found to be trustworthy and not a lie. At a second Commission of inquiry in 1936, the surviving witnesses confirmed the evidence they gave to the first Commission.
Every August, ten thousand pilgrims go to visit the Knock Shrine .
The original little church is still there. A new Apparition chapel with statues of Our Lady, St Joseph, the lamb and St John the Evangelist, has been built next to it. Knock Basilica is a separate building showing a tapestry of the apparition.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta visited the Shrine in June 1993.
Raphael (archangel)
Raphael is an archangel (arch means "highest" or "chief"). He is known in various religions as an angel who does acts of healing. The name "Raphael" means "It is God who heals", "God Heals", "God, Please Heal". Raphael is an angel in the Bible. His feast days (celebration days) are on September 29 and October 24.
Raphael is an archangel of the Judaism and Christianity. In Islam, Raphael is the fourth major angel; in Muslim tradition, he is known as Israfil. Raphael is also an angel in Mormonism, as he is briefly mentioned in the Doctrine and Covenants.
Raphael is generally associated with the angel mentioned in the Gospel of John as stirring the water at the healing pool of Bethesda. Raphael is spoken about in the Book of Tobit. Raphael was sent by the Lord to heal Tobit of his blindness. He also takes care of Tobit son, Tobias. He walks with Tobias to the village where he meets his future wife, Sarah. Sarah needs to be rescued from a demon who kills everybody who goes near her. This evil demon kills every man she marries on their wedding night. While they walk, Tobias and the Angel catch a fish together. Raphael told Tobias to catch a fish use the gallbladder to heal Tobit's eyes. Raphael also told Tobias how to protect himself from the demon. Tobias made a little fire and was burning the heart and liver of the fish. Tobias was driving away the evil demon with smoke.
Raphael is the angel who can heal. He is the patron saint (taking care of) the young people, shepherds; sick people and travelers. He can cure eye problems and nightmares.
He is a special angel of the apothecaries; meaning nurses, pharmacists, physicians and jobs like those. He can also be the guardian angel of happy meetings. Raphael is said to guard pilgrims on their journeys, and is often shown holding a staff. He is also often shown holding or standing on a fish. The fish is a symbol of his healing of Tobias's father Tobit with the fish's gall.
Jean Redpath