When it comes to adopting a new dog or purchasing one from a breeder, it can be extremely exciting for the human members of the family. However, for the non-humans, it can be a stressful time, for dogs but also cats, birds, and other small pets. The good news is there are ways to properly introduce the new dog to other pets to reduce their anxiety and have a smooth transition.

It is important to know the dog’s and other pets’ backgrounds, experiences, and history. If your pet is social and mingles well with other animals, then that is a good start. But some pets perceive the new dog as encroaching on their territory. If possible, select a neutral location to introduce them so your pet does not immediately perceive the new dog as a threat to their territory. This can be stressful for both parties, and your pet might not respond well, especially if the new dog is a puppy and thinks the other pet is playing.

When it comes to introducing your pets to a new dog, it is best to do so at a slow pace. This will help prevent reactions that are overly aggressive or fear-based. Because of how quickly the situation can change as well, it is important to always keep a close eye. Even if the introduction starts off positive, moods and attitudes can quickly change. Also, in the case of more than one pet, introduce the new dog one-on-one, one at a time. This will ensure the new pup does not feel overwhelmed, especially if the pets do not take to immediate liking.

When it comes to introducing the new dog to your other dog(s) or cat(s), be wary of the signs either party is frightened, anxious, and/or becoming aggressive. When noticing your new dog or pet, or both, is showing slow or stiff body movements, hair sticking up on the back or near the tail, tensed jaw, or showing teeth or growling/hissing, begin leading the animals away from each other. Once both animals have calmed down, try a very brief introduction again.

Originally published at https://michaelwolkindqc.org.uk.

A barrister is someone who speaks in court and a solicitor is someone who advises you on legal matters. But the two professions do not always work together, and they are not always interchangeable. Barristers tend to be more like lawyers that specialize in courtroom advocacy while solicitors usually represent clients in court. This post discusses the difference between these two professionals and how they can help your business succeed.

The education process for a barrister is much more formal and structured than that of a solicitor

A solicitor will complete a course at law school in order to practice, however, the bar requires them to attend an Inns of Court School. The Inns are where students train in advocacy, drafting legal documents, and the traditions of their profession. They must pass written and oral examinations in order to be accepted into the program.

A barrister is only able to represent clients in court or present cases before a judge. A solicitor can also handle matters that do not require the presence of a judge.

A barrister will be able to speak on your behalf during trials, formal hearings, and disciplinary proceedings, but they are more limited when it comes to handling business transactions. Only solicitors will be able to handle matters such as buying and selling of property, drafting contracts, and resolving disputes.

There is a huge difference in how they are compensated

A solicitor is paid for their time and work on any matter that they deal with. Usually, the hourly rate for solicitors is based on experience, competence, location of practice, and the type of work involved.

A barrister is only paid when they are making a court appearance and their rates can vary widely depending on their expertise, how busy they are at the time, location, and other factors. And if they win your case, you will be responsible for paying their fee.

The way in which barristers and solicitors are regulated is quite different.

Solicitors are self-regulated while barristers are regulated by a professional body called the Bar Council. The Bar Council performs both educational and regulatory functions for all barristers who wish to practice law in England and Wales. It has an extensive set of rules for ongoing training, conduct, and discipline for all barristers.

To become a solicitor, you must complete articles with an existing barrister or law firm to receive your license to practice. There are no exams required before practicing as a solicitor so it is easier to become one than a barrister.

Originally published at https://michaelwolkindqc.uk.

What does it mean to become a highly productive writer? Is this an attainable goal for the “average” person? Many people believe that writing is a mysterious, inspirational process. In other words, some people are innately gifted for writing. But what if writing was less about divine inspiration and more about skills? Studies show that while innate talent is a factor, people tend to underestimate the importance of building habits to grow in skill and productivity. Keep reading below to learn five common habits that prolific writers employ, and find even more . These are great next steps for anyone looking to improve their competence and output.

1. Set daily goals for word count. While it may seem counterintuitive to set a “quantity” goal rather than focus on quality, setting a word count goal provides a tangible and achievable objective. This is critical for establishing consistency and confidence. Additionally, a word count goal can prevent the tendency for a writer to give up prematurely when they become discouraged.
2. Block out space to outline. Doing some warm-up writing could be helpful, but intentionally planning the direction and organization of content can improve efficiency and prevent writer’s block. If a new idea strikes, a writer can always edit the plan or change course.
3. Cultivate focus. Writing is high-level mental work, which means that boosting concentration pays dividends in the quality of the work. This means minimizing distraction and understanding what kind of working environments foster deeper focus. See summary of the book “Deep Work” to further ideas on developing focus.
4. Release the inner critic. Writing is a multi-stage process. Giving oneself permission to finish that first draft is crucial. Overly criticizing the initial draft only creates barriers to improving the quality of work. Furthermore, using a critical lens too early can cause a writer to miss the good ideas that the first attempt starts to flesh out.
5. Read observantly and critically. Examining other writers’ work and understanding their techniques is paramount to building skill and confidence. A writer than can recognize both excellent and sub-par writing will be able to identify it in their own. For suggestions on identifying quality writing, check out this article .

Originally published at https://michaelwolkindqc.net on November 16, 2021.

Seeing your dog get upset when you leave is almost just as traumatic for you as it is for your pup. Separation anxiety is common in dogs, and there are many reasons why it occurs. Rescued dogs may fear being left alone again, and young puppies might not understand that you’ll come back. Even dogs who are used to being alone may change their behavior in a new environment or when they are bored. Once you notice the signs of separation anxiety in your pet, you can start using these tips to help them stay calm.

Make Your Exits and Entrances Boring

Your dog looks to you for cues regarding what is happening, and body language is everything with canines. While it might feel fun to shower your pet with love before you leave, you might be sending the wrong message that you’re worried. Try using a basic command word that signals that you are leaving. The same goes for when you return. It’s perfectly okay to give your pup a few pets, but try to maintain a nonchalant demeanor that makes it clear that your arrivals and departures are just a normal part of the day.

Give Them a Comfort Object

If your pup engages in destructive behavior, then they may just be bored or trying to burn off energy from their anxiety. You can try keeping a special toy to give your dog only when you leave the house. Make sure it is safe for dogs and sturdy enough to survive the time you are away. Your dog might also enjoy having something with your scent such as an old shirt or blanket.

Create a Safe Space

Dogs who chew up furniture or scratch up the door may need to have a safe area where they can stay while you are gone. Keep in mind that your dog’s safe space should have enough room for them to move around. Once you’ve picked a space, add a dog bed, some toys and food, and water. Your dog will eventually come to like having a special area where they can go until you get home.

At some point, most dogs experience some degree of separation anxiety. Staying calm and responding to their needs will help them learn how to be okay with being alone for brief periods of time. Just keep trying new things, and your dog will eventually learn that you’ll always return.

Originally published at https://michaelwolkindqc.org.uk.

A judge in the United Kingdom has one of the most essential jobs on earth. They have an integral part of our society. They are responsible for many different roles, including ensuring that justice is served, upholding human rights, keeping people safe from harm, and defending democracy. Judges also take care of cases involving children’s welfare and adoption as well as mental health issues. But what does a typical day look like for these judges? What kind of training do they need before they can start their job? And how much money do they make each year? Well, let’s find out.

A typical day for judges will vary a lot from one person to the next, but they all have a few things in common. When they arrive at court, before coming into the courtroom itself, judges will go through security and get their passes checked to prove who they are. They then make sure all of the other paperwork is in order before heading into the courtroom.

First, the judges will sit at their desks and pick up all of the paperwork they are looking after for that day. These include witness statements, police reports, and even statements from representatives of charities or other organizations. They will then skim through the file to ensure everything is in the correct order and that any issues have been dealt with or amended.

The lawyers defending each case will then come up to the bench (the part of the desk that a judge sits at) and ask questions about all of the evidence they need to present. This includes phone records, CCTV footage, statements from witnesses, and much more…

When the lawyers are happy with the answers that they have got, they won’t then wait until a later date to go forward with their case — the judge will ask if either side is ready. If both sides agree that everything has been covered and they don’t need any more evidence, then the judge will decide based on the evidence they have seen. If either side has a problem with this, it will mean that the case will need to be sent to trial.

The judge will then put their decision into writing and release it within 24 hours unless the lawyers ask for an extension. They can also take advice from other judges or senior figures within the court if they need help with any of the issues. A judge will then get a break in the middle of their day and head out for lunch while the court is closed before coming back to do more cases when everyone has had time to eat.

Originally published at https://michaelwolkindqc.uk.

Let’s face it-life can sometimes make great material. A hilarious family anecdote, that one entertaining aunt, or the crazy road trip you had to take with your grandfather-many of us have been left thinking that something that happened would make a great story, or that someone we know could be a great character.

So you write your book, brilliantly describing your entertaining aunt, and the feedback is great-except for one person, who now will not speak to you. You guessed it-that one person is your entertaining aunt.

She’s hurt, embarrassed, offended. Everyone who has read your book now knows intimate details of her life-and worse, has found them entertaining. Now you have to repair your relationship with this person, but there’s no going back-you can’t un-publish your book.

So how can you, reader, learn from this situation? How can you write about people you know without oversharing or offending them ?

1. Ask. Nothing could be more simple than saying “hey, I think you’re really interesting and I’d love to use some of your qualities in a character I’m writing.” It’s respectful, it’s flattering-and best of all, it doesn’t blindside her when she reads your book and realizes that you’ve been laughing at her.
2. Have her in the loop-and in on the joke. Have her read rough drafts and passages that you’re working on. Consult her about aspects of her character. Tell her you want to exaggerate some features, or that you think it would be funny to place her in such-and-such scenario. Have her sign off on these choices. Remember, you are potentially giving a large platform to your interpretation of a real person-so be aware that how you view that person may not be who they truly are. Is your interpretation of them more worthy of a platform than what you may have missed about her? Make sure you’re getting it right-and if you just want a character based on your interpretation, then let her know that and write accordingly-which takes us to number 3:
3. Change some things. If the person inspiring your character isn’t comfortable being a whole character in your book or if you only want a character based on your view of that person, ask her if you could simply borrow some of your favorite mannerisms or backstories-and then change the rest. That way, the character won’t be based on her as much as partially inspired by her. This way, she probably won’t feel as “exposed” or misinterpreted.
4. Respect. Do not try to delve into painful, traumatic, or deeply personal aspects of her life. Know what to ask for, and what to leave alone. You’re not entitled to make material out of people’s tragedies, so don’t treat people like their trauma or personal stories *have* to be in your book. They don’t. They’re not your stories, so anything they give you is a gift. If the person wants their story told, then go ahead. But know how to approach it, and when to leave it alone.

As a writer, remember that what inspires you isn’t always yours to share-and that it’s better to build bridges than to burn them.

Originally published at https://michaelwolkindqc.net on September 13, 2021.

Although an exact date is uncertain, it can be said that dog sledding as a human activity dates back at least 1,000 years. Some antiquarians suggest it was the indigenous Thule culture that first began using dogs to pull sleds. The Thule lived along the coasts of Alaska and the northern regions of Canada.

Archaeologists have found what are believed to be the oldest dog harnesses fashioned from seal skins and sleds made from driftwood and using whalebone as runners.

Another possibility is that dog sledding was developed on the other side of the world in Siberia. The practice is mentioned in Arab literature dated to the 10th Century. Marco Polo mentioned the subject in his travel writings of the 13th Century. Perhaps the earliest-known drawing of a dog pulling a load is found in the book Historic Navigations by Martin Frobisher . It was published in 1675.

When European explorers arrived in the New World, they quickly recognized the value of using dogs to haul stuff on sleds. Traders used them to carry supplies into the wilderness and to return with loads of furs and pelts. The average settlers of Canada routinely used dogs as dray animals, most especially to haul wood. Finnish traveler and scientist , who traveled in Quebec in 1795, noted the use of sled dogs by common people and called them “the horses of the poor.”

There is voluminous information about how dog sleds were vital components for military application and use in commerce and trade through the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries — but now let’s jump forward to the late 1890s and the start of the Alaska Gold Rush.

Prospectors arrived by the thousands in the Alaskan coastal towns of Seward and Knik. They then needed to travel long distances across frozen landscapes to find sources of gold. The best way to do this was using dog sleds to ride and carry supplies. In this way, they developed the now-famous Iditarod Trail — which had actually been a pathway by Alaskan natives for at least 3,000 years.

The Gold Rush petered out in just a few years, but it had the effect of creating communities and establishing the Iditarod as a major access trail. Dog sleds continue to be important for hauling supplies up and down the trail before modern vehicles, especially airplanes and “iron dogs” — snowmobiles — made them obsolete.

The tradition of dog sledding lives on today in the world-renowned Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race . The nearly 1,000-mile race is run every March from Anchorage to Nome.

Originally published at https://michaelwolkindqc.org.uk.

The British legal system is known for its strict adherence to the rule of law and its adversarial process. The UK has a standard law system instead of the civil law systems found in many other countries. Common law is based on precedent, so an important part of it is cases that set precedents in particular areas of the law- these are called precedents or “leading cases.” This article reviews three such cases.

a) The first case we look at dates back to 1887 when a woman was charged with stealing goods from her employer’s shop. Her defense was that she had been told by a co-worker that they were abandoned property, but this failed because she did not make any inquiries about ownership before taking them away. This established the principle that if you want to rely on a defense of taking abandoned property, you must make inquiries before moving it- this is called the “Ashford” or “Adequate enquiry” rule.

b) The next case (1957) dealt with the right to silence in criminal cases. The defendant was suspected of being involved in a bank raid but later claimed that the police had beaten him into making a confession. The court decided that normally if this was true, it would be unfair for a defendant to incriminate himself by giving evidence at his trial however, they qualified this decision by saying that if he says anything which might implicate him while on the stand, the prosecution is allowed to challenge him about his previous statements. This qualified decision was later used as the basis for the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which abolished the right of silence in England and Wales. This act has been criticized because it can be seen as affecting defendants’ rights without new safeguards being put in its places, such as a jury trial or more legal aid.

c) The last case (1982) concerned a road traffic accident that caused brain damage to the victim. The defense said that this was relatively minor and did not affect his ability to work; however, the prosecution argued that he could not support himself after leaving the hospital because of his injuries (and so should not be convicted of benefit fraud). The defense’s argument was successful because the judge decided that brain damage was more than just a cut or a bruise, and so, therefore, it did affect his ability to work. This established the principle that you can’t be convicted for physical damage, which is only minor- this is called the “Significant harm” rule.

Originally published at https://michaelwolkindqc.uk.

Most writers want to write a book. This is a huge undertaking. Which means most writers are not ready to write a book.

Writers can ask and answer a series of questions to determine if this is the right time for them to write a book:

Do you have enough knowledge of writing and editing to write a book ?

Are you willing to learn? If so, study published books for their writing craft. Join a writers group for feedback.

Do you have plenty of ideas and information in mind to fill a book? Brainstorm ideas and keep a running list of them.

Do you have the time and energy to devote to writing a book?

An honest “yes” to these questions means the writer is ready.

The next series of questions will help writers zero in on what kind of book to write:

Do you know precisely why you want to write a book?

Do you want to tell a story, to persuade people, to make them laugh, or to get them to take action?

Think about these questions. Answer them as clearly as possible. Then boil down the answers to one short, motivational sentence. Keep that sentence near during writing sessions. It may help prevent procrastination.

Now, plan the book and the writing sessions.

Carve out writing space at home or a coffee shop, any place comfortable enough for long writing sessions.

Create an outline. A brief one will do.

Expand the outline. Turn each sentence in turn into a paragraph, a page, and then several pages. Organize the outline into chapters and subchapters.

Create a writing schedule. Perhaps one chapter per day during the first draft.

After writing the first draft, let the manuscript sit unread for a few days. Then read it “for fun.” After that, read it as a book editor would . Take note of everything in the previous draft that needs improvement. Create a “punchlist” of desired changes.

Rewrite the book. Then edit. Keep cycling through the writing and editing process until no further improvements are possible.

Hire an editor if necessary. Then submit the manuscript to publishing houses or arrange for self-publishing . Success! The book is done.

Originally published at https://michaelwolkindqc.net on August 19, 2021.

The fact is that once you are a lawyer, you want to ensure you can practice law wherever you are in the world. It is not easy to do so but it can certainly help you to advance your career and ensure that you practice it wherever you go.

Indeed, the law itself is a challenging subject overall. However, different countries practice different laws; hence it is usually difficult to study one subject in another country. In addition to this, many countries are also open to students from other countries and practice.

In most other professions, this practice is somewhat common, like doctors, artists, etc. They will likely need to conduct some adaptations to practice their subject in various countries without any hindrance or objection. Here are specific guidelines and tips to guide the process if American lawyers are keen to practice law in the United Kingdom.

Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

The solicitor qualifying examination or the SQE is a two-part examination charged for someone willing to practice in England or Wales. This examination solely consists of two parts and is applicable for both overseas and domestic candidates. In addition to this, the SQE is also assessed by an exam called the QLTS.

The Qualified Lawyer Transfer Scheme (QLTS)

The exam, as mentioned above or the SQE, is itself assessed by QLTS. QLTS is a substitute for the old QLLT. The introduction of the QLTS exam was done to reform the education system in a better way.

Moreover, as the United Kingdom was experiencing the interest of more and more people towards the law practice, the QLTS was introduced to make the entrance of foreign lawyers tighter. The QLTS has made the process more streamlined and has negated the practice of lawyers eager to practice in the UK to have two years of experience.

Recall that the QLTS is applicable for candidates interested in practicing law from Russia, America, China, and many other countries.

These are a few of the key points that individuals should be aware of as they seek to practice law in the United Kingdom. It can certainly seem difficult at first but it can pay off as you can have more flexibility to practice law in the United Kingdom.

Originally published at https://michaelwolkindqc.uk.