Q: As only one piece can occupy a house at a time, you will sometimes be in a situation where a house is blocked by another player. There are ways to capture blocked houses when playing Senet. There are also ways to protect your pieces.  If you land your move on a house occupied by another player, you can capture the piece. The other player's piece will be moved back to the house your piece was on at the beginning of your turn. However, if two or more of another player's pieces are next to each other, that house is protected. It cannot be captured and you will not be able to complete your turn. On a senet board, there are six houses with special pictures on them. If you land on one of these houses, there are special rules you have to follow.  The House of Happiness or Pretty House is marked by what looks like three upside down stick figures. All of your pieces need to pass through this house to win. You must land on the house exactly. If, for example, the House of Happiness is located on square 26 and you're on square 25, if you do not roll in such a way that you'll move exactly one house you have to stay in place until your next turn.  The House of Water is marked by three zigzagged lines. If you land on the House of Water, you have to move straight back to the House of Rebirth. The House of Rebirth is marked by three sideways stick figures. Your piece remains on the House of Rebirth until you choose to remove it again. The House of Three Truths is marked by a drawing of three birds. If you land on this house, you can throw your sticks again. If you have three color sides up, you can automatically remove this piece from the board. The House of Re-Atoum is marked by two dancing stick figures. If you have landed here, throw your sticks again. If you have two colored sticks facing up, you can remove your piece from the board. The last house on the board is marked by a leaf-like drawing. When you reach this house, you must toss your sticks again. You cannot remove your piece until you toss your sticks and only one colored stick is facing upwards. The object of senet is to move all your pieces off the board. The first player to do so wins.
A: Capture and protect houses. Follow the special rules for houses with pictures. Win the game.

Q: Cataracts develop over time and the key is to treat them early. As a dog owner, make sure to inspect your dog’s eyes on a regular basis. Look for any indications of a cloudy appearance or a color change. If your dog already has cataracts, watch to see if the impacted area grows or changes in shape.  Be sure to tell cataracts apart from lenticular sclerosis. This is a normal condition in older dogs, where the lens develops a bluish-colored haze. It does not seem to affect vision significantly. Cataracts, on the other hand, are white, opaque, and diminish vision.  You may also notice other physical signs of cataract growth, such as loss of balance. Your dog may appear a bit clumsier and could run into furniture. If your dog has diabetes mellitus, be aware that cataracts are a common complication in dogs. Keep an eye on their diabetes-related symptoms. If you notice that your dog is losing weight or experiencing more frequent urination, then take them to a vet. A vet is the only person who can truly diagnose a dog with cataracts. Your vet will likely inspect your dog’s history. They will also ask you about the symptoms that you’ve observed thus far. They will perform an extensive physical exam on your dog as well, focusing on the ocular region. Depending on what the vet sees, they may also order a series of tests and bloodwork, especially for diabetes. Before a surgery is scheduled, your dog may get an ultrasound of its eye area too. Talk with your vet before giving your dog anything. But, it may be helpful to offer your dog some additional nutritional support to help it fight off the development of cataracts. You can add oral antioxidants to your dog’s food. You can also mix in healthy oils, such as cod liver oil. Under your vet’s supervision, you can also add in herbs, such as bilberry.  Bilberry is believed to assist in eye strength by developing a link between the eyes and the liver. Human pilots have been known to take bilberry supplements.  Making healthy changes to your dog’s diet in general may slow the process of cataract growth as well. For example, use a food processor to liquefy green vegetables and mix them into your dog’s food. Once your dog’s been diagnosed with cataracts, you may want to start experimenting with canine massage and acupuncture therapy. Your vet may be able to suggest a reputable therapist. Ask the acupuncturist to focus specifically on the areas of the body associated with vision problems.  Keep in mind that this is an untested alternative therapy. There is no definitive evidence to show that acupuncture helps to prevent or delay cataracts. This type of touch-therapy is also not a good option for dogs that suffer from anxiety. The process of massage may be more stressful to them than soothing. Once you’ve noticed the cataract and taken your dog to the vet, then you’ll need to consider how to proceed. Your vet may ask you to observe your dog’s eyes for a certain period of time and to write down any noticeable changes. Also, whether you choose surgery or not, you will want to get used to paying attention to the condition of your dog’s eyes. Surgery is currently the main treatment option for dogs suffering from cataracts. However, the surgery is invasive and requires an extensive recovery. Most vets will only recommend that healthy dogs go through the surgery. The surgery can also be costly, starting at around $1,000 and going upwards depending on the care that is needed. The ultrasound tests that the vet performs will also need to show that your dog is a good candidate for surgery in the ocular region. Your dog’s retina (rear eye area) must be healthy. In dogs with good health, around 90 percent recover their vision post-surgery. If you leave your dog’s cataracts untreated, then it is likely that their vision will continue to deteriorate. They may lose their vision entirely due to the development of glaucoma. The cataract may also start to shift position in the eye, causing a great deal of pain. Whether you choose surgery or not, it is important to develop an observation and treatment plan for cataracts. Part of the treatment plan may be discussing the eventual need for pain medications with your vet. It is good to plan ahead and keep these in stock in your house in case your dog goes through a particularly bad spell.
A:
Know the signs of cataract growth. Take your dog to the vet. Give your dog antioxidants and vitamins. Consider acupuncture therapy. Continue to monitor the cataract. Consider surgical treatment. Know the dangers of untreated cataracts.