The biggest mistake that happens when getting a new cat is not taking it to a veterinarian for a routine checkup. There are some people who think that you only have to take a cat to the veterinarian when it is sick or hurt. This is one of the biggest misconceptions of owning a cat. There is much more to caring for your cat besides just food and water.

Did you know that there are a lot of diseases that can be prevented from a simple booster shot? The checkup and vaccinations should start shortly after they are born. Your veterinarian will know what vaccinations to give your cat or kitten and at what age and time. Not every cat will need to get the same vaccinations; it depends on whether you keep them indoors, outdoors, or both. Another factor is whether you have other cats or animals in the house. Let your veterinarian know what environment your cat lives in, it will give them the information they need to choose the right vaccinations for your cat.

All of our cats are indoor cats, but we still take them for annual checkups to get their booster shots. It gives me peace of mind that my cats have a better chance of not contracting a disease. They still can get a disease even after getting the booster shot, but the chance is smaller than without the booster shot.

Another good reason to take your cat in for routine checks is that you may not know that there is something wrong with your cat, but your veterinarian is trained and will know if something could be potentially wrong. And if you have been taking your cat to them for awhile, they will have a history of your cat documented, and most will know your cat and will recognize if something appears to be different on that particular visit. You can also help them with their routine examination by noting any changes that you may have observed in your cat since the last visit. You may not think that it is unusual or that there is not anything wrong with your cat, but it will help in determining your cats overall health. Any changes in your cat may not mean anything, but it is always good to keep your veterinarian informed of changes as they can write it down for any future reference in case something does arise and needs attention.

There will still come times when you will need to visit the veterinarian before it is time for the next scheduled checkup for boosters. There are still sicknesses that the boosters do not prevent, so we take our feline friend in for a special visit. There will also be other factors not as threatening, unless ignored, that you will want to treat your cat for, such as fleas. Our cats get treated for fleas when they need it. I didnt have to before, but we did bring a dog into the family and with him came fleas. So we do treat all of them or fleas, and I get a recommended flea treatment from my veterinarian.

It is very important for your cats health and well being that you make regular appointments with the veterinarian to receive their booster shots and an overall check. It will keep them healthy and happy, and they will reward you with lots of love.

Sharon Cowherd maintains Caring for Your Cat, a blog about her experiences and knowledge of caring for her cats. You can read more about Sharon and her cats at http://www.caringforyourcat.com

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You love your new cat, but hes clawing and scratching all your furniture! The immediate resolution that comes to mind is to have him declawed, but before you rush into this you should think long and hard for declawing a cat is not a simple procedure - it is a major surgery involving surgical amputation of the first joint of a cats toe.

Declawing is a painful surgery for your cat. While your cat will get pain medication for his after surgery recovery, the tips of the nerves need time to heal and he can be in pain for weeks or even months until this has happened. This can cause your cuddly little kitty to become highly irritable and aggressive.

Not only that, but the claws are a cats chief chief weapon of defense. Sure, you take every precaution to make sure your cat doesnt get outside, but what if something happens and he finds himself alone in the elements facing other animals?

There will always be occasions when a cat may be confronted by other cats or dogs. Then, it will find it impossible to strike back, because it has no claws. To use its teeth, it needs to get close to its attacker, which may not happen. A declawed cat therefore become a helpless victim in front any aggressor.

Declawing can also lead to problems in the litter box. Declawed cats sometimes avoid the litter box and choose the softer carpet instead since it is painful for them to dig into the litter. Declawing can also lead to biting problems. Since this is their second line of defense, some cats may resort to deep biting to make up for their lack of claws. Even during play, your cat can no longer scratch as a warning and may be prone to biting now instead.

Claws and toes also provide exercise to your cat. When a cat stretches horizontally on a carpet or vertically with a tail scratching post, it pulls and stretches its muscles by grabbing the carpet or post with its claws. As a matter of fact, the cats claws play a large and positive role in its extraordinary muscle tone and agility.

Finally, declawing can cause joint problems later on in your cats life. Cats walk on their toes so the absence of claws can affect all the joints of the leg resulting in arthritis of the hip and other joints later.

But you dont have to sacrifice your furniture in order to save your cat the pain of declawing. With time and patience you can train your cat to scratch in a more desirable area. Make sure you invest in a scratching post or accessory that your cat likes. Mine loves the simple corrugated cardboard slabs that you can buy in any pet store.

Watch your cat carefully and you will see a pattern of when and where he likes to scratch the most. Put the scratching post in the room where he likes to scratch and wait for him to scratch in his usual place. When you see him starting to scratch distract him and lead him over to the scratching post. Praise him when he uses the post and say Bad Kitty when he uses the furniture. Eventually he will start to favor the post - you just have to make him think it was his idea!

Lee Dobbins is a cat owner and animal lover. Visit Cats at the Family Webzone for more tips and info on cats.

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It may seem difficult to believe, but cats can become bored. Cat lovers are use to seeing their puss sleeping around the house, garden or other favourite haunt and often make the mistaken assumption that cats are lazy and the last thing they want is entertainment. Wrong. Although sleeping may vary depending on your cats character, the fact is that instinctive cat behaviour dictates that they are most active when we are not.

You must always bear in mind that cats are only one small step from their wild cousins. In fact a cat left to its own devises will quickly revert and become feral. In the wild hunting takes place when natural prey is most active, that is, late evening and early morning. For this reason cats can spend much of the daylight hours sleeping or cat napping. However, sleeping could also indicate that the cat is not being stimulated enough. Without a varied and interesting environment cats can quickly become bored, withdrawn, inactive or possibly aggressive. So look closely at your cats behaviour. Other signs of boredom could also include over grooming and overeating or worrying for food.

Although a solitary animal, cats can become lonely if not kept stimulated. How would you feel if you were left for long periods on your own, with no contact, no means of getting to the outside world and nothing to keep you occupied. What we may consider a safe and cosy home for a much loved pet can quickly become little more than a gilded prison. If your cats behaviour show any of the above signs you may want to think about the following.

10 ways to stimulate your cat

• Where possible access should be available to the outside environment. A cats natural instinct is to roam, explore and hunt. Obviously there are a wealth of things to keep a cat entertained in such an environment.
• Spend time with your cat. Talk to it, pet it and play with it. Quality time for you both!
• Get your cat to socialize with other people, new faces and smells are interesting !
• Get another cat. Although it is better to do this when a kitten, older cats can be introduced, but make sure they are compatible.
• A radio or TV left on will make the cat feel that it is not alone. Of course, safety issues should also be considered when leaving on electrical appliances for long periods. So use some common sense here!
• How about a fishy friend ! Fish tanks and goldfish bowls can give a cat hours of fun. Just make sure you have a secure lid !!
• A bird feeder in view from a window encourages instinctive cat behaviour, Enough said!
• Let your cat explore. Get some cat furniture or a cheaper option, some cardboard boxes or maybe both. Variety is the spice of life. This rule applies to your cat as much as you. Cut holes in the boxes, put in some treats and toys. Have some fun with this and so will your cat.
• Food hunt. Hide treats around the house. Loads of fun for kitty !
• Toys. Home made or shop bought these are great ways to stimulate your cats and helps to keep them fit. Always make sure the toy cannot be swallowed.

These are just a few ways to keep your cat amused but let your imagination run wild with this. Also, as already stated, it is important to consider life from the cats perspective. As you need stimulating , so does your cat. Think about how you can encourage your cats behaviour in stimulating and instinctive ways.

Jenny Harper : http://catsbehaviour.blogspot.com

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Ah yes, the cat litter box. As much as cat owners love their precious felines, the cat litter box along with the associated mess leaves much to be desired.

Even worse is ensuring that your cat uses the litter box and doesnt urinate outside the box. As anyone will tell you, nothing gets out the smell of cat urine.

So below are three cat litter box training tips that you can use to ensure that your cat knows to use his litter box when the need arises.

1. Most mother cats have already trained their kittens to use the litter box before you bring them home. Thats why its important that you dont get a kitten that was weaned too soon from its mother.

As soon as you bring your cat home, put him in the litter box, take his front paws and gently dig in the litter with them. Even if he doesnt need to go at the moment, hell get the idea. Keep bringing him to the litter box until he actually either urinates or defecates. Then watch him throughout the day as he familiarizes himself with your home to make sure he knows where to find it.

If you find you have to move the litter box at some point, repeat this procedure until he finds it and uses it.

2. Keep the litter box clean at all times. Scoop it daily, if necessary. Cats hate smelly litter boxes and will go elsewhere if their litter box is too disgusting. Change the litter box weekly and disinfect the box every time.

3. Clumping litter is more costly but makes the job of scooping much easier. Some cats dont like scented litter because they prefer to only smell their own scent. If youre vigilant about keeping up with scooping and cleaning, the cat box shouldnt really have a strong odor.

Cleaning out the cat litter box will always be an unpleasant part of owning a cat but the way I look at it, its better than what dog owners are faced with. Dog owners have to walk all over the backyard picking up huge pieces of dog feces, knowing that their whole backyard is their dogs litter box. Yuck.

For more tips on cat litter box training, visit our blog The Cat Door.

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Cats cannot be discipline as you would a dog. With a dog they are social dominant that can be trained to have you as the dominant one. The reason that cats will not react as a dog is that cats have social groups only by respect and social groups.

Physical punishment on cat will only result in the cat fearing you. So never, hit your cat or any physical punishment.

Train your cat to have appropriate behaviors and that they cannot do the inappropriate behaviors as you will not tolerate this type of behavior. Cats do not like surprises; an advantage that you will have on the cat, in order to be able to train by using surprise noises. Use clapping, firm voice NO, hissing, or water bottle to have your cat stop the unwanted behaviors. For these to be effective you must do a surprising sound immediately when the unwanted behaviors are being done. Seconds later or even when you come home and find the unwanted behavior done is not going to be effective as doing it as soon as the cat starts the unwanted behavior.

Never rub the nose of the cat. Use the face push method, pushing the palm of you hand in the cats face. This is a great way to let your cat know that biting is not acceptable, if you have a cat that is biting. Simply push the cats face back gently, do not hit the cat.

Some behaviors will not be able to train. Childproofing might be the solution to that behavior. Small plastic container, keep the valuable breakables out of reach, find our of reach places for the dangerous items so your cat cannot reach and get into them. Make sure all items that the cat might be able to get on if there is a climbing or a jumping problem is secure.

Pet stores do offer assorted sprays, creams, powders, scents, and other items to help with the training your cat. Catnip is available in different forms to help with having your cat know some of it territory. Scat mats are mats that have very little current that runs on a battery. These are great for on the counter, couch, or anything that the cat has been jumping on when your presents is not in that room. Scents in sprays and creams for furniture, litter boxes and other item that help deterrent your cat from. So they will use a scratching pole.

Place fabric that is lose woven down, or netting cats does not like to have their nails snag. Rubbing lemon, bitters, cayenne pepper, orange peelings on items that the cat is not allow playing with. Put foil paper around plants so that your cat is not digging in the dirt. Cats do not like the feel or noise from the foil paper.

Toys for actives are also import for you to help with behaviors. If you do not supply actives for the cat to do you will not be able to train your cat. Toys with catnip in them are great, scratching poles, ropes, and hoops for jumping through. You can be crafty and make items that the cat would like to play with.

Starting to train a cat when it is young is the best way, this is the easiest with you and with the cat. Less stress, your cat will learn the good behaviors easier, and you can get a handle on the natural bad behaviors.

Once of the best things to make sure that your cat is ready to train is take him to the vet for a check up and make sure he has had his shot. This is important; as if your cat is ill, you will not be able to train your cat. Also, for the groomer to maintain his fur and nails. Both of these are great to for the social part of training. Your cat will need to see these people on regular bases and if started right away, will help with the training.

Most of all Patience, love and caring for your cat will be a great gift that you can do for the training. They will love you back.

Author is the editor of Special Feature section of newkerala.com, the Online newspaper published from India. Read more articles by the author at http://www.newkerala.com

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Deciding to get a pet and keeping it indoors will take a lot of responsibility. Chores such as feeding the animal or giving it a bath are just one of the few things the owner will have to do but there is more. Since these pets are not yet trained how to behave, the person will have to devote a lot of time and effort to make this happen.

The best time to train animals especially if one decides to keep it indoors is when it is still young and having kittens in the house is no exception. The good news about raising a cat is that it is easier to teach and maintain, unlike dogs that may require some assistance in a school.

The first thing that a person needs to know before getting a cat is learning about its behaviors. In general, these animals are very affectionate and are well behaved. When one notices certain changes in the mood of the cat, there is usually something wrong that can be corrected once the cause has been determined.

Here are some tips that can help a person train a kitten at home;

1. Kittens need exercise. If this is not done in the form of toys for the animal to play with, it will become restless and could do damage to your home.

2. Since kittens are not yet toilet trained, it is best to start by teaching it what to do with a litter box. The litter box should be big enough for the pet to enter and move around in. By adding newspaper and perhaps carpet, the animal will soon learn where to release waste when it is time.

3. The claws of kittens are not that sharp yet compared to older cats. So that these creatures will not damage the furniture in the future, it is best to get a scratching pad and teaching it that this is the proper place to scratch.

Praising the kitten for doing a good job and feeding it as a reward will help in teaching the kitten how to behave inside the house. The owner should not shout or hit the kitten since this will make the animal fear the person and no amount of effort in teaching it will work after that experience.

Kittens are lovable animals and by spending some time daily with them and with a little patience, this will all pay off as one can finally see that the animal has been finally house trained.

http://www.cat-health-tips.com

Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com

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The Maine Coon cat has been called the king of the domestic cat world. The breed is visually stunning with its beautiful long ruff, bushy raccoon like tail and large tufty paws. The Maine Coon is the largest domesticated cat and visitors to our house are shocked to discover our 2-year old male kitten has another 2-3 years to grow before he is classed as an adult. As well as the Maine Coons striking physical appearance, the breed has an inquisitive, friendly and lively personality.

Ive had many people ask the question, I think my cat is at least part Maine Coonhow can I tell?

This is how the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association (MCBFA) answer the question on their website:

The Maine Coon is Americas native longhair cat; it evolved naturally in response to the New England climate. Your cats ancestors might be similar to the cats that founded the Maine Coon breed. However, its impossible to tell from just looking at your cat if it is related to the Maine Coon or any other breed. Because the Maine Coon is a natural breed and hasnt been bred to the extremes, there are cats all over the world that resemble the Maine Coon. The only way to tell for sure if your cat is a Maine Coon is to look at the pedigree.

Ok, that may not help much because most people do know when they have a pedigree Maine Coon because they have papers verifying the pedigree.

So, if you dont have papers how can you tell if you have at least a part Maine Coon?

Firstly, these cats are not normal! They have distinctive personality traits and unique Maine Coon features. If your cat has some or all of the following, you can be sure you have a cat with dominant Maine Coon breeding:

Physical Features:

1. Head: Round in shape when viewed from the front, medium in width and longish in length. The muzzle is square and can look broad in more mature male cats.

2. Ears: Set high and well apart. They are large, and well tufted tapering to a point, in common with the Bobcat and the Lynx. The tufts on the ears are one of the classic signs of a Maine Coon.

3. Eyes: Large and wide set. Slightly oblique slanting to outer base of ear.

4. Body: Full maturation can take 4 to 5 years and allowances should be made when judging size of the cat. Overall, the body is muscular and broad chested. The body is well proportioned throughout, and there are no unusual oddities in relation to size proportion.

5. Legs and Feet: The legs are sturdy and substantial, and proportionate to the body. The paws are very large and well tufted. Tufts in between the toes are an essential feature for a Maine Coon. There are five toes on the front paws and four on the back.

6. Tail: This is the probably the most unmistakable feature of the Maine Coon. The tail is long and should run the length of the body when at least as long as the neck. Originally, when Maine Coons lived as farm cats, the tail would cover the whole body and act as a kind of furry sleeping bag in the winter. The fur is also thick and long. It has been said that the name coon comes from racoon because of the similarities of the tails of the two animals.

Coat: Heavy and shaggy, medium to longhaired and uneven in length. The fur is shorter on the shoulders and longer on the stomach. A frontal ruff is desirable although there is a marked variation in the length of ruff, depending on the particular line.

Unique Personality Traits

Here are 3 classic Maine Coon characteristics:

Dog like behavior: Common behavior is they will follow you around, they will sit at your feet, will come to greet you (whenever youve been out), they will fetch and retrieve if trained, they will also carry favorite objects such as a toy stick in the mouth and drop it at your feet. Like a dog, it is usual for the Maine Coon to stretch up on its back legs resting its front paws above the waist to demand a stroke from the owners.

Protective of his home: Can be rather suspicious and extremely curious, a little bit like a police sniffer dog checking bags for illegal substances. Although, this is an obvious exaggeration, we have found that non-cat loving visitors are not completely at ease with persistent investigations into their personal belongings.

Supervisor role: This is what we call the constant shadowing behavior of the Maine Coon, when something is happening in the house, such as computer work, housework, assembling furniture, or just about anything where people are moving about. The only way to discourage him/her from joining in is to finish the task when he goes off for a sleep!

In summary, if your cat looks like a Maine Coon and acts like a Maine Coon, you definitely have a part or even full Maine Coon.

Sarah Crosier is a committed Maine Coon owner and enthusiast. She is the author of the 17 page report, 7 Essential Tips for Maine Coon Cat Owners. A free copy of her report is available for immediate download by visiting:http://www.mainecooncompanion.com/info.html

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Cat Food Info #1 Cats Need Protein in their Cat Food

The cat food you feed to your cat should always be rich in protein. This generally should come from meat, poultry or fish. Many cat food brands advertise chicken, beef, and tuna flavored cat food because they know that cats need protein and cat owners are looking for quality cat food. However, you need to make sure the cat food you buy has a sufficient amount of cat food regardless of what flavor it is.

Cat Food Info #2 Cat Food with Taurine

Also check the cat food you typically buy for an amino acid called taurine. This particular amino acid is very important in the overall health of your cat, and your cat will eat as much food as it has to in order to supplement this particular amino acid. So, if you are buying cheap cat food that does not have the proper nutrients your cat will eat a lot. If you buy a nutrient rich cat food then your cat will eat little and save you more money while still getting proper nutrition.

Cat Food Info #3 Canned Cat Food or Dry Cat Food?

Many people do not know whether they should buy canned or dry cat food, or whether it even matters. Because of this, many people simply buy the cat food that is most affordable or convenient for them. This is actually a mistake. Cats should be fed a mixture of cat food. The dry cat food should be given for free feeding, especially if you are away on vacation or out for the day. Canned cat food should be supplemented at other times as well because it has water in the food and significantly more protein than the carbohydrate rich dry cat food. Not to mention the same food over and over might bore your cat and cause him to stop eating that cat food altogether.

Cat Food Info #4 Avoid Cat Food Fillers

Cats need to eat a cat food that is rich in protein, so make sure the amount of fillers is kept to a minimum. Carbohydrates are not essential for a cats existence, so dont buy cat food that is full of them. Instead, read labels and buy cat food that is not filled with fillers and other by products.

Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.catfoodcenter.info a blog focusing on the Cat Food, resources and articles. This site provides detailed information on Cat Food. For more info visit his site: Cat Food

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Cats are truly fascinating creatures. They have a variety of interesting habits, which some people find baffling, but there is a reason for just about everything a cat does.

Purring

Why do cats make that strange sound? Purring is a form of feline communication. A mother cat and kittens purr as a sign of comfort and cats will continue this behavior throughout their lives. A cat normally purrs when it is happy about something or feeling contented and relaxed but it might also purr when anxious or even close to death. Nobody is completely sure how purring happens. Some people think it is caused by blood moving turbulently through the blood vessels. Others think it is because of soft palate vibrations. Purring in cats has been examined by electromyographic tests to indicate a level of electrical activity in the cats muscles. This might mean that purring is caused by the larynx muscles being activated. The vocal chords are in the larynx. Partial closure of the larynx, or glottis, might be responsible for the purring sounds.

Face rubbing

Have you ever wondered why your cat likes to rub his face on everything? Cats like to rub their cheeks, chins and bodies on nearly anything. Whether or not it feels nice to them, this is not the main reason for doing it. Around their mouths, foreheads, lips and chins, cats have scent glands. When a cat rubs itself on a person, it might be taken as a form of greeting. Cats living in a group frequently rub up against each other to exchange scents. In this way a colony scent is created. This is a quick way of identifying any intruders. A cat coming back from the veterinarian might make the other cats hiss and be unfriendly because of the strange scents it brings back from there. Recognition between cats has a lot to do with smell and their sense of smell is very strong.

Scratching things

Scratching is mainly to sharpen and condition a cats claws. It removes loose parts of the nail sheath which covers the growing nail. Cats also have scent glands in their paws and scratching leaves the cats scent on the item being scratched. This marks it as the cats territory. Cats continue to try and scratch even if declawed, showing that scratching is part of their integral behavior, whether or not they have claws to sharpen. It is either habit or the cat wanting to leave its scent on the item it is trying to scratch. Cat furniture can be a great way to allow your cat to scratch but not destroy your furniture.

Kneading

Cats often knead your lap before they will lie down. In fact, they often knead any surface they plan to lie down on. Kneading is when a cat extends the claws on its front two paws and digs them into the surface which an alternating rhythmic motion. Kneading (also known as milk tread) is first used in kittenhood. When a kitten is sucking at its mothers teats, it extends its legs and kneads the area around the teat. This makes the milk flow out faster. Perhaps as adults, a cat continues this behavior because it feels happy and safe and associates the comfort and joy of lying on your lap with the happiness he shared with his mother.

Click on these links for more information on cat furniture, or cat health. You can also find great cat furniture, cat trees, pet carriers and pet steps for your cat.

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All the different catfish species can be found in an order that contains no less than 37 different families. The 37th catfish family was actually added to the order very recently - June 2005. Almost all the different catfish species are freshwater dwellers. Catfishes have adapted to a wide range of different ecological niches you can find small catfish species as well as huge ones like the Wells Catfish that can grow up to 5 meters (16 feet) long and the Giant Mekong Catfish that can weigh almost 300kg (661lbs). These two big catfish species are naturally not very suitable as eaquarium fish, but there is a vast array of other species that you can keep even in a moderately sized aquarium. Catfish are very popular in aquariums and many species can be kept even by inexperienced aquarium keepers. Two of the most popular Catfish among novice aquarium keepers are the Sucker mouth Catfish and the Bristle nose Catfish .

One of the most distinguishing anatomical characteristics of the catfishes is the prominent barbells found near the mouth. A barbell is a long, tactile organ that is very useful for fishes that live in murky waters where the visibility is limited. The catfish will use its barbells when hunting and manoeuvring in dark environments, just like a cat will uses its whiskers. The barbells of a catfish do however have taste buds and the catfish can therefore “taste” its environment. You can find barbells on many other fishes in addition to the catfishes, including goat fish, a fw carps and some sharks. In addition to barbells, the various catfish species share another notable anatomical feature - they are scale less. Catfish from all families but one are also equipped with a hollow leading ray that can excrete a powerful protein to scare off or injure potential threats. Some species can even harm humans and must be handled very carefully. There is one catfish family where the species have no hollow leading ray. These species can not produce any stinging protein, and will instead protect themselves by sending out a very powerful electric shock. Due to this capability, the species are called Electric catfishes.

Another example of a fascinating catfish species is the “Vampire fish of Brazil”. This catfish is popularly referred to as the “Vampire Fish of Brazil” since it will attach itself to the gills of other fishes and drink their blood. This fish is not very popular in Southern America since it sometimes tries to attach itself to swimming humans, when attracted to blood or urine excretion. The body of this catfish is almost transparent, which makes the fish quite hard to spot in the water. The fish is also quite small, only 2.5-6 centimetres (1.0-2.4 inches) in length.

Allen Jesson writes for several sites including two sites that specialize insaltwater and fresh water aquariums and the aquarium site and Seapets, aleading source for aquariumsand fish tanks.

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