No matter what type of fruit you're drying, the flavor and texture will hold up best over time if you use fruit that's perfectly ripe. Discard fruit that's overripe and bruised, and leave out fruit that's not quite ripe yet. Dried fruit usually still has its peel or skin intact, but you can remove these if you don't like them. Regardless of what you do with the peel and skin, pits and seeds should be removed.  To peel apples, pears and other fruits with a tough peel, use a vegetable peeler or slice off the peel with a paring knife. Remove the seeds using an apple corer or by slicing out the core with a knife. To peel peaches, plums, nectarines and other fruits with a thin skin, use the following process: slice an "x" in the skin at the top of the fruit. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Boil the fruit for 30 seconds, then remove it from the pot and place it in a bowl of ice to cool down. Once cool enough to handle, pull off the peel with your fingers. Remove the pit by slicing the fruit in half and prying it out. Use a paring knife to cut the fruit into equal-sized slices for easier storage. Fruit dried whole may dry unevenly or take forever to completely dry out, so it's better to cut the fruit first. Small fruits are the exception; there's no need to cut blueberries, raspberries, grapes or small strawberries before drying. It's best to dry fruit at a temperature of 200 °F (93 °C) or lower. If you use a higher temperature the fruit may end up baking instead of drying. If you have a food dehydrator, use it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Spread it out in one even layer to cut back on the time it takes for the fruit to completely dry. Use a nonstick baking sheet to keep the fruit from sticking. The amount of time it takes to dry varies by the type of fruit you're using, how hot your oven is running, and other factors. It could take as little as eight hours or as long as two days to completely dry the fruit. Test the fruit periodically to see if it's finished. Fully dry fruit should have a pleasing chewy texture and be completely devoid of moisture. Place it in an airtight storage container and store it in a cool, dark place. Dried fruit will keep for several months.

Summary: Choose ripe, flavorful fruit. Remove the peels, seeds and pits if necessary. Cut the fruit into chunks or slices. Preheat the oven to its lowest temperature. Lay the fruit out on a baking sheet. Place the fruit in the oven until it's dry. Store the dried fruit.


Don't be afraid to say hello to a kid you don't already know. They may not end up being your friend but it doesn't hurt to try. Ask them about themselves, for instance what kind of games they like to play or what their favorite subject is at school. Ask to join a game already in progress or organize a game yourself with a variety of kids. If you meet someone new that likes to play games or do activities that are different from what you usually do, don't be afraid to try something new and play with them anyway. You may discover a new friend at the same time as you find some new activity that you like. There are usually a variety of activities to choose from, so pick an activity you think you might enjoy.  Your school it not the only place to find fun after school activities where you can make friends. Search for a local community center or a boys and girls center for a variety of programs they might run. Remember that you don't have to be an expert at the sport or activity that you choose. Part of joining a team or a class is that you will improve your skills, wherever they are to start is just fine.

Summary: Be friendly to kids at school or in your neighborhood. Play with someone new on the playground. Join a sports team or an after school club.


The average gestation period for a dog is between 58 and 68 days. Try to pinpoint when conception occurred so you can anticipate your dog's labor accordingly. Chihuahuas tend to deliver at 8 weeks gestation. If you are deliberately trying to breed your dog, take her to the veterinarian for a check-up beforehand. Re-visit the vet again about 30 days into the pregnancy. If the pregnancy wasn’t planned, however, take her to the vet as soon as you discover she’s pregnant.  The vet can give you critical information that will help you ensure your dog has a healthy pregnancy. One important thing to discuss is proper nutrition. Pregnant dogs that are overweight are more likely to have difficulties giving birth. However, pregnancy is not an ideal time to put chihuahuas on a diet, since the mother actually needs more calories in order to pass nutrients onto her litter. One recommendation is to delay putting your dog onto energy-dense, high-caloric foods (such as puppy food) until the final 2-3 weeks of pregnancy. At this point your dog will have a large womb and only want to snack anyway.  Your vet can also count the number of puppies in the litter using x-rays. This happens at 45 days of pregnancy. Three to four puppies is normal for a typical chihuahua litter. Knowing how many puppies your dog is expecting can help you better prepare for the birth. If a very large or small number of puppies is expected, your dog may experience complications during labor. Your vet can recommend whether to pursue natural labor or a planned C-section. Further, knowing the number of puppies will also help you be certain when she is finished whelping (or giving birth). For example, if your dog is carrying four puppies, gives birth to three puppies, and then stops laboring, you will be able to identify that something is wrong and contact your vet. If a puppy has trouble nursing, you'll want to have formula on hand since newborn puppies need to be fed every 2-4 hours. You can buy puppy formula and bottles at most pet supply stores. If you cannot find puppy formula, you can also use goat's milk, although this is not ideal for long-term use. Goat's milk should only be used in emergencies until you can buy some formula.
Summary: Understand the normal progression of pregnancy in chihuahuas. Take your dog to the veterinarian. Buy puppy formula ahead of time.