There are many different ways to correspond with a penpal, and deciding on the one that’s right for you makes it easier to sort through the number of penpal websites on the Internet. Some people prefer communicating electronically while others like to use penpals as a means of creative communication.  The International Union of Mail-Artists is a website dedicated to those who like sending postal art to their penpals. IUMOA is a much more niche community as it has roughly 4,000 active members. However, it is the perfect medium for those who like to have an artistic element to their penpal correspondences.  Swap-Bot is another website dedicated to creative forms of corresponding. The website focuses on swapping where users exchange postcards, stickers, coins, and a variety of other small crafts. Swapping is ideal for hobbyists and those interested in sending hand-assembled mail.  Global Penfriends is a good example of a website designed to facilitate more traditional penpal relationships. This club has been around since 1995 and has a large database of penpals. Users can search for potential penpal partners from around the world, using a  search engine to find their perfect penpal. You can find penpals interested in exchanging mail art, postcards, packages, and gifts, as well as traditional letter penpals. Some websites don’t allow users to add their postal addresses, preferring more secure electronic communication. If you prefer old-fashioned snail mail and the feel of fresh paper, then it’s best to find a website that facilitates postal communication. Global Pen Friends allows both electronic and postal correspondence, where users can exchange physical addresses after establishing contact. Many websites allow you to search for penpals for free but require premium memberships where users pay a low monthly or annual fee in exchange for communication with their penpal. Other websites allow for free memberships, but that often comes at the cost of excessive advertisements. InterPals is a reliable free penpal website with a robust database of users and minimal advertisements Check out any suggestions listed in this guide, but feel free to search for a website on your own. However, there are many poorly run or defunct penpal websites so it’s important to know how to find the right one.  Look at the website’s design. Is it clunky, filled with oversized text, and stuffed with annoying advertisements? These are all telltale signs of an inefficient penpal website. A trustworthy website should have a sleek, user-friendly layout with a well-defined explanation of how the website works. Check out the frequently asked questions section. This part of the website should answer all of the important questions about whether it’s a paid website, how to set up a profile, and whether it allows for postal and/or electronic communication. Play around with the website before you decide to make a profile. Check out the search engine and see how easy it is to use. Look at how many users are available to communicate with and see if you can find users from the countries you’re interested in. When you have activated your account, it's time to set up your own profile which other pen pals can see. Designing a profile plays a key role in getting new pen pals. Depending on this information, members will choose to click on your profile when they are searching for members and whether to write you a message. Complete the about me and hobby boxes with great detail, because this is how users decide if they have anything in common with you. Upload at least one good profile picture so people know you are a real person. Be thorough with your personal description, but careful not to give away any personal information you aren’t comfortable with sharing.

Summary: Think about what you want to send. Consider whether you want to correspond electronically or through snail mail. Look at free versus paid websites. Use Google to find the right penpal website. Make your profile.


If the dog seems open to being approached (he sits or stands without raised fur or bared teeth, and doesn't growl or snap at you), start to gain his trust. Offer something like a treat that builds trust and lets the dog know you have good intentions. Slowly approach him and offer the back of your hand with your palm down for the dog to sniff. Take your time and pause if he becomes frightened or hostile.  Pay attention to what triggers an emotional response from the dog and be sensitive. Pause and allow the dog to get more comfortable before starting to approach the dog again. Never reach over the dog's head or body. The dog will see this as a threat and either run away or may bite you before retreating. Once you've gained the dog's trust and you can get close to him, restrain him. Quickly and quietly slip a leash or rope around his neck. This is important to control the dog and prevent him from running away. If the dog twists and tries to get away after you've gotten a leash on him, try to verbally reassure him. For example, say, "Calm down, boy," in a gentle, but firm voice. If you take the dog to any veterinary clinic or the Humane Society, they can check for a microchip that locates the owners. If the dog has an owner, the owner will be notified and your job is done. If there's no microchip, you could still try to find the owners by doing any of the following:  Post “found dog” flyers around the neighborhood where you found the dog. If the dog has a home, it is likely that he didn’t wander off too far from it. Notify local veterinary clinics, animal shelters and animal control/police departments that you found a dog. Give a thorough description of the dog—color, gender, breed, weight, and any other distinguishing characteristics. Call the local radio station to see if a lost dog has been reported or to see if they will mention it on the air. This is a good option in small communities. Post found dog ads on-line and with local community newspapers. If you decide to bring the dog to your home, have him checked out at the veterinary clinic first. The dog will be examined for fleas and internal parasites. This will keep you from bringing these pests into your home or exposing them to your other pets. Talk with your family before bringing home a stray dog to make sure everyone agrees with the decision. You should also make sure your landlord is fine with another dog, if you rent. If a home has yet to be located for the dog, you might want to consider adopting it temporarily or perhaps permanently. If you take the dog to the Humane Society, they may not be able to take the dog in right away. But, if you are able to hold on to the dog for a quarantine period of up to two weeks, they may then take the dog and give it all of the necessary tests and vaccines. Be prepared to pay for medical expenses and other costs. Some shelters may offer discounts for caring for strays.

Summary: Build rapport. Restrain the dog. Find the dog's owners. Take the dog to the vet. Foster your rescue.


Though you can leave the plant in the same pot for many years, as long as you are not overwatering it, changing out the soil every two to four years will give you a chance to inspect the roots for any damage or rot. Additionally, giving the plant some fresh dry soil will make sure the plant continues to flourish. If you notice that a Jade plant you’ve had for many years is not doing well anymore, replanting it may help it spring back. If your plant is dusty, you can use a soft cloth to gently remove dust. Alternatively, if it is a rainy day, it is OK to place the plant outside, which will help rinse off the dust. Make sure, though, that if the leaves get wet, they are able to dry out completely. A plant with water left on the leaves may rot or grow mildew. It is not a common problem, but Jade plants can become infested with bugs. If you notice a problem with small mealybugs on your plant, use a bit of rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab to gently wipe down the leaves of your plant.  When looking for bugs, look for small, fluffy, white deposits on the leaves. These are a sign that there are bugs. Additionally, you can use a magnifying glass to identify red spiders, which are too small to see with the naked eye.  Avoid using an insecticidal soap on your plant as this may damage the leaves.
Summary: Change the soil every two to four years. Wipe down leaves to remove dust. Take care of any bug infestations.