Ich is a highly contagious parasite that takes the form of small white cilia-covered spots on the fish's body. To fight it, raise the tank temperature to 86F (30C) for three days. This should kill the parasite. If the spots don't disappear after three days, put your fish in a quarantine tank and add cupramine (copper solution) to the water. Follow the instructions on the label. Keep the copper levels at 0.2 ppm. You can measure copper levels with a salifert test kit that you can find in hobby stores. Kill off the Ich in the original tank with aquarium salts, which you can buy in pet supply stores. Add one teaspoon (5 g) per gallon (4 L) of water every 12 hours for 36 hours. Let the salt remain in the tank for 7 to 10 days. Blood parrot cichlids have parrot-like mouths and back humps. This unique anatomy puts them at risk for swim bladder disease. In this condition, the fish gets constipated and swims at an awkward angle. To correct this problem, feed the fish two to three shelled peas once a week to regulate the bowels. Parrot cichlids, especially blood parrot cichlids, are also prone to bacterial infections, fungal infections, and parasites like skin flues and worms. Talk to your vet or read books that detail common diseases among parrot cichlids. Recognize the early symptoms and how to treat them. As with many diseases, early detection can make a world of difference.

Summary: Treat Ich through environment and medicine. Change their diet for swim bladder disease. Study other common diseases.

The reason you learned relaxation techniques was to keep yourself calm while slowly building up your exposure to dogs. But before you start allowing dogs to be in your presence, you need to develop a plan. This plan should include each step you're going to go through between now (no dogs) and actually being in their presence. Your plan should be customized for your particular type of fears, and the fearful situations you personally experience. The list should be written in order of least fearful to most fearful so you work your way up to conquering your most fearful situation. An example of a plan to overcome your fear of dogs is as follows: Step 1 - draw a dog on a piece of paper. Step 2 - read about dogs. Step 3 - look at photos of dogs. Step 4 - look at videos of dogs. Step 5 - look at dogs through a closed window. Step 6 - look at dogs through a partially opened window. Step 7 - look at dogs through an open window. Step 8 - look at dogs through a doorway. Step 9 - look at dogs from outside the doorway. Step 10 - look at a dog (who is on a leash) in the next room. Step 11 - look at a dog (who is on a leash) in the same room. Step 12 - sit beside a dog. Step 13 - pet a dog. Use the scale to measure your level of anxiety, with 0 being totally relaxed and 100 being the most fear/anxiety/discomfort you have ever experienced. This is a helpful tool for measuring how your distress levels change over time. The anxiety distress scale can also help you decide when it's time for you to move to the next step of your exposure plan. Be patient and take your time. Don't move to the next step too quickly. At some point in your plan you will have to place yourself in the presence of an actual dog. You need this dog to be handled by a competent and trustful person, and the dog needs to be predictable and well-trained. Talk to the dog's owner in advance of executing your plan and explain to them what you're trying to accomplish. They should be patient and understanding as they may need to simply sit there with their dog for a while as you acclimatize to the dog's presence. It is not a good idea to use a puppy, even if you think they're cuter and not as violent. Puppies are not well-trained and can be quite unpredictable. This can cause them to do something unexpected in your presence which may only exacerbate your fear. Eventually, if you're able to, have your friend teach you basic commands for the dog so you can control the dog yourself. Being in control of the dog may further help you to alleviate your fears once you realize you have the ability to direct their actions. Start with the first item on your plan and carry it out. Repeatedly carry it out until you feel less anxious and fearful doing it. If the step you're doing allows you to stay in one place (i.e. watch dogs though a window), slowly expand the length of time you perform the activity as well. Use the relaxation techniques you practiced to help keep yourself calm. Use your journal to keep track of your progress. Write down each attempt you make and how it went. Rate your level of anxiety and fear before and after each attempt. Remember that your exposure to dogs should be planned, prolonged and repeated. Don't feel you need to rush. Take your time on each step of your plan until you feel comfortable moving onto the next step. This part of the recovery process is going to be the hardest you'll have to go through, but the only way it's going to be successful is if you keep it up. Make a schedule where you practice on a regular basis. If at all possible, practice daily. Reward yourself for the progress you make. If needed, build rewards into your plan so you have an extra goal to work towards for each step.

Summary: Develop an exposure plan. Create and practice using an anxiety distress scale. Engage the help of a trusted friend with a dog. Start facing your fear of dogs. Practice regularly.

Tape or glue in a photograph of yourself. Add stickers or draw a picture. Include identifying information as a reference for your older self when you go back to read this diary. Consider writing a short "bio" for yourself that describes who you are at this point in life. Write your full name. Write your birthday and your age so that you'll remember how old you were when you started the diary. Include your hair and eye color, along with other identifying features. Include where you are going to school and/or where you work. Write where you live: the city, the state, and maybe even the address. Write the names of your best friends, your crushes, and your worst enemies. Be careful: if someone else ever reads this diary, he or she will immediately know how you feel about these people! Include your favorite and least favorite food; your favorite and least favorite drink; your favorite and least favorite musician; and your favorite and least favorite candy. Write about your favorite animal! This is just for fun. When you look back, you'll be able to see how your likes and dislikes have changed!
Summary: Make the first page into a profile. Include major identifying traits. List the important people in your life. Write down your likes and dislikes.