AQUARIUS

January 21 To February 19

You’ll feel restless this week and the danger is you’ll go overboard and throw the baby out with the bathwater. Uranus imbues you with a sense of urgency, but self-discipline and gradual modifications are what’s required at the moment. It’s also important to strive to get the balance right between your personal and professional lives. Be inspired by birthday great, actress Cate Blanchett, “I live my life parallel with my work, and they are both equally important.”

Creative and innovative communication is the secret to a successful week. But resist the urge to launch half-baked projects and jump to hasty conclusions. Listen closely to what others are telling you, otherwise you’ll misunderstand their motives. And be careful what you post online, as a controversial comment could lead to unexpected consequences. On Saturday, Saturn (in your sign) makes a magical link with Venus, which could precipitate a karmic connection.

This week the astrological focus is on finances, business and/or work, as the planets provide the extra power and passion needed to boost your professional profile or fast-track your finances. But don’t get lost in a fantasy world. Keep it real Rams! With retrograde Mercury and impulsive Uranus stirring up your money zone, you’re keen to splash some cash around. But make sure your bank balance is in a healthy state before you start spending up big.

The Sun and Uranus link up in your sign. So it’s time to tap into your innate Taurean power and become the strong, smart and sexy Earth Goddess (or god) you were born to be. Draw inspiration from feisty movie icon Katharine Hepburn (who was born on May 12, 1907), “You can’t just be talented: you have to be terribly smart and energetic and focused. Don’t just show up. Transform the work, yourself and everybody around you. Be needed. Be interesting.”

Expect a rather disruptive week, as Mercury (your patron planet) is still in retrograde mode, and the Sun hooks up with unpredictable Uranus. Make sure your restless mood doesn’t lead to reckless behaviour and a loose tongue. Think twice before you spread secrets and salacious gossip. Passing on unverified hear-say could lead to unexpected consequences. A tablespoon of tact, a dollop of discretion and a pinch of patience will get you through.

Venus and Mars encourage you to put more energy into pursuing your dreams. No side-stepping Crabs! It’s time to set ambitious goals – and then pursue them with plenty of creativity and drive. But Uranus and retrograde Mercury could increase tension in a relationship within your peer group. Your intuition is switched on big time, as you tune into those around you and uncover some important information. But don’t let a smooth-talker lead you astray.

This week life is exciting and complicated; partnerships are unpredictable; the rules are constantly changing; and work issues will keep you on your toes. Maybe it’s time to simplify your life, cull some of your commitments or give a fair-weather friend the flick? Look for unconventional and innovative solutions that suit YOU. Be inspired by Hollywood icon (and birthday great) Katharine Hepburn, “If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.”

Mercury is your ruling planet, and it’s currently retrograde until May 15. On Friday it connects with Saturn, amplifying your perfectionist streak. Which could lead to unwanted stress when you have to deal with mixed messages and confusing communication – and you also discover that perfection is hard to find! So your motto for the moment is from Spanish painter (and birthday great) Salvador Dali, “Have no fear of perfection … you’ll never reach it.”

This week Venus and Mars activate your career zone so charm, confidence and plenty of chutzpah will take you far along the road to professional success. But remember that Mercury is in retrograde mode (until May 15). So double-check all messages and appointment times – and read the fine print in all contracts thoroughly. Saturday’s Venus/Saturn trine is super for business plans, long-term relationships and socialising with work colleagues.

Your partnership zone is under stress as the Sun connects with unpredictable Uranus, and Mercury continues retrograding. So, when it comes to relationships (of the romantic and platonic variety) expect the unexpected! Avoid being a stubborn Scorpio. Instead, loosen up, go with the chaotic flow, and keep your negative thoughts to yourself. As Joni Mitchell (a fellow Scorpio) observes, “There are things to confess that enrich the world, and things that need not be said.”

Mercury continues reversing through your daily routine zone. So a communication problem, a work matter, a health issue or a local community project could cause some sleepless nights. Fear not! The planets are pushing you to dig deep, accept extra responsibilities and take on challenges with plenty of Sagittarian aplomb. A domestic situation also needs to be handled in a sensitive and sensible way, as you do your best to sort things out.

When it comes to a child, teenager, lover or friend you’re on a mission to correct their mistakes and change their behaviour. But you’ll get a lot further if you criticise less and encourage a lot more. And the greatest realisation this week is that you really can’t change anyone. They can only transform themselves. As birthday great Katharine Hepburn wisely observed, “You learn in life that the only person you can really correct and change is yourself.”

Helping an older pet adapt to a new home: Giving them a new beginning

With divorces and downsizing on the rise... Australian pet shelters are seeing many more animals surrendered. It’s a sad but true fact. Adopting an older dog or cat can be a rewarding experience, both for the pet and the new family. The misconception many of us have is that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

Let’s just say it’s not impawsible! There are many things that you can do to help an older pet adapt to a new family and make the transition easier for everyone involved. The first thing to consider when adopting an older pet is its temperament. Pets, like people, have distinct personalities, and some older pets may be naturally more adaptable than others. For example, a dog that was well-socialised in its early years is more likely to be comfortable in new situations, people, and other animals.

The next step is to establish a routine. Dogs thrive on routine, and older dogs are no exception. You should establish a set schedule for feeding, exercise, and playtime. Try to keep the schedule as consistent as possible so that the dog knows what to expect.

Another thing that you can do to help an older dog adjust to a new home is to provide plenty of attention and positive reinforcement. This can help to build trust and establish a bond between the dog and the new family members. It is important to remember that older dogs may have some behavioural issues or training needs, which may require a patient and dedicated approach. Not every dog or cat is the right match for everyone, which is why it is so important the animal is matched to your family/environment. The pet shelter you are adopting from should assist you in making the right decision to ensure the animal ends up in its forever home.

With time and training, most older pets can become well-adjusted family pets.

If you are looking to adopt an older dog or cat, The Animal Adoption Agency can help you find your perfect match. With over 23 years of experience in animal re-homing, they are a no-kill shelter that offers many services from pet adoption to taking on surrendered pets. For more information, you can visit their website at www.animaladoption.com.au or contact them direct at 4777 4746.

It Is Important To See Your Podiatrist When You Have Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the way the pancreas produces insulin into our body. It is becoming more prevalent in the community and can be divided into two main categories, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is defined as the pancreas not producing enough insulin and Type 2 is defined as when the body becomes resistant to the insulin being produced by the pancreas. Both types of diabetes affect our blood sugar levels by causing them to go too high or too low. A normal blood sugar range should be between 5-7.8 mmol/L which can be checked with a finger prick device.

Diabetes can cause multiple complications if not controlled involving the eyes, kidneys and especially the feet. Uncontrolled diabetes for long periods of time can lead to loss of sensation and blood supply in the feet. The nerves in your feet are affected as long standings of high blood sugar levels over- time can diminish your nerve endings in your feet starting at the toes and will slowly progress down towards your ankle. This is called the glove and stocking effect. This means that you could step on something and not be able to feel it which could potentially lead to cuts and abrasions without evening knowing.

Long standing high blood sugar levels can also affect your blood vessels in your lower legs and feet. Being a diabetic does place you at a high risk of high blood pressure which increases the force of your blood in the arteries causing damage to the walls of the vessel. High blood pressure can also increase the rate of atherosclerosis (fatty plaque deposits) which depending on the stage, can cause a blood clot or reduce blood flow down to your lower legs and feet. As a podiatrist, we will assess your blood flow with a doppler ultrasound and assess your sensation by doing a monofilament test/turning fork test. After getting these readings, we will be able to categorise you into a low, medium or highrisk status which will tell us when your next assessment should be. Having a diabetic foot assessment annually is very important for diabetic patients.

WITH DAVID NORRIS • NORTEC IT • 9894 9514