Like squats and leg lifts, lunges are extremely popular exercises that are great for strengthening and toning the butt. To do a traditional lunge, start in a standing position and take a wide step forward with one foot. Bend into your front knee to create a 90-degree angle, and then raise yourself up to standing. Repeat several times with both legs. For an added challenge, try holding a weight or kettle bell in one hand and lifting it above your head when you are in the squat position. Side lunges are very similar to traditional lunges, but your hips will be opened up to the side instead of pointed towards your bent leg. Start by standing up straight with your feet parallel. Then take a wide step with one foot and lunge deep into that side, keeping your other leg extended straight out to the side. Hold for several seconds before raising yourself back up to standing. Repeat several times on each side. You can hold weights in both hands while doing these lunges for an added challenge. Also known as a stationary lunge, a half lunge may sound easier than a full one, but that's not necessarily the case. This exercise is challenging because you don't get to stand all the way up between reps. Start out in a lunge position with your back knee and toes touching the floor. Then use your back leg to push yourself halfway up to standing before lowering back down into the starting position. Repeat several times before switching legs. Another interesting variation of the traditional lunge is the curtsy lunge. To start, stand up straight with your hands together at your chest. Kick one leg out straight to the side, hold for a second, then cross the leg behind your standing leg and out to the opposite side, and squat down. Repeat several times before switching sides.

Summary: Do traditional lunges. Try side lunges. Try a half lunge. Do a curtsy lunge.

If you use a pillow protector for your down pillow, you'll want to remove it and wash it separately. You can typically wash your cover with the rest of your clothes if it's made of cotton. If the cover is made of a delicate material like silk you'll want to run it through a separate, delicate wash. If the cover is made of silk, make sure to air dry the cover instead of putting it in your dryer or it may shrink or get damaged. Set your washing machine to the woolen or delicate setting. Select cold or warm water to prevent pillow shrinkage. Use the highest possible spin speed to remove as much moisture as you can out of the pillow. If you have the option, adjust the settings so that there are two rinse cycles. Running the pillows through two rinse cycles will fully remove all the detergent from the pillows. Exposing your down pillow to hot water can cause it to shrink. If you have a top loading machine, add a cup (236.58 ml) of laundry detergent to the machine and run the cycle for 30 seconds. This should allow the detergent and water to mix together before you put your pillows in it. If you have a front load machine, pour a cup (236.58 ml) of laundry detergent into the detergent dispenser on the top of the machine. You can also add a 1/2 cup (118.294 ml) of oxygenated bleach to your laundry machine to make your pillows even whiter. If you have a top loading machine, press down on the pillows and get them fully saturated with water. If you have a front loading machine, you'll have to place the pillows in the machine before you start the cycle. Add two pillows to keep top load washing machines balanced. Down pillows are buoyant and will float in the water if you have a top loading machine. Getting them fully saturated before starting the cycle will prevent this. Close the door on the washer and allow it to run through the cycle. If your laundry machine only has a single rinse cycle available, run it through two full washes to ensure that all of the detergent is rinsed from the pillow. Once the cycle is completed, your pillows will be saturated with water. Press down on them with a terry cloth to absorb the excess water. You'll want to do this inside your washer machine, or else water will get everywhere. Do not wring or twist the pillow because you can destroy the feathers. Set your dryer to the tumble setting with no added heat. Tennis balls will help fluff your pillows while they dry. If your pillows are not dry by the end of the cycle, run another dryer cycle until they are free of moisture. If you prefer, you can toss a dryer sheet in with your pillow to make it smell fresh!

Summary: Remove the pillow protector. Set your washing machine to a delicate cycle. Add a mild detergent to the machine. Place the pillows in your washing machine. Close the lid and run the cycle. Press excess water out of the pillows. Dry the pillows in the dryer with 2 tennis balls.

If you have a puppy, it's fairly easy to determine its age by examining its teeth. Teeth start developing during a puppy's first year. The stage of teeth development is tied to a puppy's approximate age. At one month old, teeth will have just started pushing through the gums. At two months, a puppy will have a full set of deciduous (baby) teeth near the front of the mouth. At four months, adult canines and incisors will start to come in. By seven months, a puppy will have a full set of adult teeth and will have developed molars in the back of the mouth. When a puppy reaches a year old, you should notice ridges or bumps on both the lower and upper top front teeth. Keep in mind that teeth tend to erupt later in toy dog breeds. As a dog ages, their teeth change. Changes in teeth can help you assess a dog's approximate age. Ridges on the incisors change as a dog ages. By the time the dog is three years old, the ridges will have worn off the bottom incisors. By five years old, the ridges will have worn off the upper incisors as well. A small amount of ridges on the upper front four teeth indicate your dog is between three and four. By seven, a dog's teeth are completely smooth. Older dogs tend to be less energetic than younger dogs. Senior dogs often have small benign lumps on the body. They will also be less interested in playing than younger dogs. They are generally less muscular than younger dogs. Cloudy eyes are a sign of natural hardening of the lens as the dog ages, and this is called lenticular sclerosis. If your dog shows other signs of aging, such as smooth teeth and low energy, lenticular sclerosis can help you confirm your dog is older than seven. Lenticular sclerosis and cataracts are not the same thing. Cataracts are white and opaque and they are also common in senior dogs. However, some dogs develop cataracts young due to genetic reasons. Cataracts will affect your dog's vision, whereas lenticular sclerosis will not. Fur color often changes as a dog ages. However, fur color is not the best means of determining age. However, when taken into account with other factors like teeth, fur may help determine a dog's age. Most dogs have some graying fur past the age of five. Graying hair is typically found around the muzzle. Some dogs gray as early as two, depending on their environment and genetic makeup. Fur color can help confirm a dog is older when taken into consideration alongside other factors, like teeth and activity level. It should not be used as the sole means to determine a dog's age. Larger breeds tend to have shorter lifespans. They may show signs of aging younger than smaller dogs. Great Danes, for example, typically live around seven years while Chihuahuas often live well into their teens. A bigger dog may show signs of aging early. In general, you can assume a big dog showing significant signs of aging is around seven or eight while a small dog can be assumed to be ages 10 or up.
Summary: Look to teeth to determine a puppy's age. Note changes in teeth for an older dog. Look for signs of aging. Examine your dog's eyes. Use fur color to determine age. Take your dog's size and breed into account.