Articles written by Pat Gray

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About me - Pat Gray

In 2007 I started writing for Helium as something to do in my spare time - now I'm making money AND I'm a steward for the Animal Rescue & Adoption AND Dog sub-channels. If you have any suggestions for charities that we might partner with, or anything at

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Pets & Animals > Dogs (Other) Things to consider when choosing a dog: 1 of 71
Choosing a dog, choosing the RIGHT dog is a very personal journey. Potential dog owners all have different selection criteria - lifestyle, energy level, training ability, children (or not), yard (or not), tiny flat or massive mansion. But whatever you have in mind and whatever you have to offer, there is probably a dog out th... More..
Pets & Animals > Animal Rescue & Adoption Your new pet: Adopt from a shelter or go through a breeder?: 1 of 68
There are thousands of cats and dogs in shelters waiting to be adopted, and an estimated 60% of animals who enter the system are euthanized. So of course, the logical choice is to adopt your new pet from a shelter rather than purchasing from a breeder, right?Well, adopting from a shelter would certainly be a generous and comp... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Football Reflections on Michael Vick's alleged involvement with dog fighting: 2 of 74
I am amazed at the number of people who attempted to justify and rationalize Michael Vick's actions in promoting dog fighting. What he did was wrong, plain and simple, it was barbaric, and he should be punished.Some dismiss his actions because it is a "cultural thing". Does this make his actions any less despicable? No.Some s... More..
Pets & Animals > Animal Rescue & Adoption How to help your local animal shelter: 1 of 37
There are two things that are always in short supply at the animal shelter - manpower and money. So the two best ways you can help are by volunteering your time or raising/donating funds/resources.VOLUNTEERINGThere are many ways you can volunteer your time, from hands on work with the animals to helping with office work, depe... More..
Relationships & Family > Divorce Psychology Is divorce really the best solution for you?: 1 of 37
Divorce isn't the only option when a marriage turns sour - it's just the one most of us think of first. It MAY be your best option or your only option - you are the best judge of what is right for you and your circumstances. But before your rush for the "Attorney" section of the Yellow Pages, consider two other alternatives:M... More..
Relationships & Family > Coping with Divorce How to heal the pain of a divorce: 1 of 30
Regardless of the circumstances, there is a great deal of pain that comes with any divorce. We feel betrayed, we may have been physically, emotionally or financially abused, our lives have been disrupted, our hopes and dreams trampled, our trust torn apart. We may have lost our homes, jobs, friends - even the support of our f... More..
Jobs & Careers > Professionalism Professional email dos and don'ts: 1 of 28
To Whom It May Concern - The Do's and Don'ts of Professional Email ....Sending email is so easy - click a few clicks, type a few words and hit SEND. Done. Because it's so easy, we send more 'letters' than ever before, and somewhere along the way we have forgotten how to write and deliver professional communications. Presentin... More..
Pets & Animals > Dog Breeds The best dog breeds for lazy people: 1 of 28
Certain dog breeds, like certain people, are lazy by nature - but there are no dogs that are truly maintenance free, if nothing else, you may have to pick them up to put them on the sofa. However, there are certain breeds that can be classified as true couch potatoes, requiring a minimum of maintenance and exercise, and who w... More..
Health & Fitness > Exercise & Weight Loss How busy women can stay in shape: 1 of 24
A Busy Woman's Guide to Staying in Shape...As a busy working woman myself, and having watched my friends and family dealing with hectic schedules, I've noticed women tend to be 'busy' in one of two different ways. In one scenario, we are 'commuting', sitting in a car or on a train, rushing to a job where we sit behind a desk ... More..
Pets & Animals > Pet Ownership What to do when you have to give up a beloved pet: 1 of 23
I'm faced with surrendering beloved pets on a regular basis - I work at a kennel where we often host the overflow from local rescues, and I am a pet foster parent. There are only a few dogs that I didn't become attached to in some small way, and one or two I really hated to let go of, but I know I can't keep them all.If you a... More..