Alcoholism: A Psychological, Environmental and Social Disorder

Alcoholism is a disease characterized by the continual use of alcohol, to dangerous levels, despite obvious health problems and negative social consequences. It is a difficult disease to understand and recognize. “Alcoholism, or alcohol dependence, is the most severe form of alcohol abuse. It is a chronic disease characterized by the consumption of alcohol at a level that interferes with physical and mental health, and with family and social responsibilities. An alcoholic will continue to drink despite serious health, family, or legal problems (Sussex Publishers LLC, 2007).” Alcohol addiction can destroy a person's life and the lives of family members. Alcoholism is a social problem as clearly as it is a psychological problem. Many alcoholics begin with social drinking that in time, with continued and repetitive use, results in alcoholism. Dependency, many times, comes from a psychological issue. There are many psychological factors that lead to Alcoholism. This disorder is also a product of one’s environment and many alcoholics are following the example of a family member. With nearly 14 million people in the United States affected by alcoholism, recognizing the psychological, environmental and social aspects of this disease would benefit many by allowing those affected by this disease to understand the disorder and get the treatment they need.

In some cases, social drinking leads to alcoholism. What is considered "Social" drinking has become a very popular trend among many social classes. Many people drink at the end of the day to relax and unwind. Some go out to have a good time and enjoy the carefree uninhibited feeling that alcohol can bring them. “Many people have the impression that alcohol consumption is a sign of adulthood and maturity, and that attending parties or business meetings where alcohol is served (especially expensive alcohol) makes them more sophisticated. Some individuals will make sure they attend as many social events in a week or month as possible in order to maintain the feelings associated with alcohol. Some individuals use social drinking as an excuse to drink more than they should, since some people are under the misconception that if you drink with others, you are not an alcoholic (Ellingson, 2007).” It is difficult to determine when social drinking crosses into alcoholism. The shift from social drinking to alcoholism is harder to address because many social drinkers are not prepared to admit that their social drinking has crossed the line into alcoholism. Many social drinkers do not understand that for many, this is the first step to alcoholism. “The road to alcohol dependence involves transitions through many stages of drinking behaviors: from the first drink, to the first alcohol-related problems, such as drinking and driving, difficulty at school or work related to alcohol use and then to alcohol dependence (Nauert, 2008).” Many people begin their drinking to fit into a certain crowd or social scene. It can be a situation that is clearly influenced by a social environment and many people begin drinking at a very young age. There are a large number of alcoholics that are already well established in a career and have a family. Social influences clearly have a large effect on alcoholism.

There are many Psychological factors that can lead to alcohol addiction. There is a link between past emotional or physical trauma and alcoholism. Many Psychologists believe that addiction stems from upbringing, from the need for escape, control and even social status. Alcoholism and drug addiction are very complex illnesses, being able to pin them down to any single cause is almost impossible. There are so many factors at play that could explain why you end up an alcoholic. Everyone seems to have their own threshold for what they can handle in life; physically, emotionally and psychologically. When this threshold is crossed, whether because of upbringing, abuse, work related stress or social pressures, they may seek avenues to alleviate that stress. One of the substances used to do that is alcohol. Alcoholism is also linked to depression. Because alcohol is the primary pressing issue, depression issues can often times be overlooked. A person may use alcohol to cover the pain of depression, but unfortunately it just makes the issue worse. Many psychologists believe problems such as low self esteem and low self worth can factor into the cause of these problems. A person may feel that he fits into a social situation better when alcohol is involved, using the alcohol to cover the underlying issues. Many people who feel disconnected or different than those around them, lean towards chemical and mood altering substances in an effort to fit in, or to gain approval by their peers. This generally starts at an early age, in high school or even earlier. Whatever the cause for the alcoholism, it is apparent that psychological factors play a part in the problem, and that social influence can add to that problem.

A person who is raised in an unstable and/or abusive environment, where there are others that abuse alcohol, has a higher chance of becoming an alcoholic. “One in five adult Americans lived with an alcoholic while growing up. Child and adolescent psychiatrists know these children are at greater risk for having emotional problems than children whose parents are not alcoholics. Alcoholism runs in families, and children of alcoholics are four times more likely than other children to become alcoholics. Most children of alcoholics have experienced some form of neglect or abuse (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2002).” Many children pattern themselves after their parents, even when the parents have dependency issues themselves. These environments are not conducive and are extremely detrimental to a developing child. Children need a nurturing environment to grow and thrive. Unfortunately, many coming from alcoholic homes do not get this. Feelings of despair over their situations can many times be a catalyst for substance dependency. Many children going through these types of situations have a variety of emotional issues including, but not limited to, guilt, embarrassment, anxiety, confusion, anger and depression (which was stated above as one of the triggers for alcohol abuse). These issues alone may put a person over the threshold of what they can handle emotionally. It can cause them to seek an easily accessible substance for self-medicating, causing dependency issues. Many children who grow up in alcoholic homes are also of low economic status because the parent or guardian’s alcoholism has reached a point of destruction. It is very clear that environment and upbringing can greatly affect the outcome of who a person will be later in life. There are a large number of people in our population that have never seen anything other than this type of behavior. They model themselves after the behaviors that they were taught and therefore many children follow the same path as their parents. It becomes a heredity domino effect.

There are many psychological, environmental and social factors that lead to alcoholism. Whether it is dependent on how someone is raised, the stresses of everyday life, abuse issues from the past or a need to fit in socially, this disorder affects many people across the social and age classes. Alcoholism occurs due to psychological reasons resulting from environmental and past influence and is encouraged through social settings. Alcoholism destroys many lives, families and futures every year. Mothers Against Drunk Driving researched and compiled statistics on the number of annual alcohol and driving related deaths. “According to NHTSA's preliminary Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data, alcohol-related traffic fatalities are up to 17,941 for 2006 versus 17,525 for 2005, representing a 2.4 percent increase. Fatalities involving a driver with a .08 BAC or higher rose from 13,613 in 2005 to 13,990 in 2006, representing a 2.8 percent increase…(Birch, 2007).” These are just the deaths caused by drinking and driving. Annually, there are also many more alcohol related deaths involving alcohol induced violence, liver failure, cancer, suicide, and alcohol poisoning. If more people understood the background of alcoholism, the psychological factors and the social influences, there could possibly be a decrease in the number of cases. Alcoholism is a chronic disease; if more people were aware of what triggers the disease and the symptoms of the disease, it would be far easier to prevent, recognize and treat. Lack of education and knowledge in the general public can compound these issues and allow them to continue for generations. Many families have several generations of alcohol related disorders. Many never seek treatment. For people who recognize that they have a problem with alcoholism or have a family member affected by alcoholism, there are many great professional programs available through a family physician or a help line. SMART Recovery is a great example of the options available to alcoholics seeking help. SMART offers many services to help with addiction and substance abuse, their toll free telephone number is 866-951-5357 and their web address is www.smartrecovery.org. This is an issue that requires professional help. Keeping the public educated on chronic addiction diseases, such as alcoholism, will bring more understanding for those who suffer from these diseases, therefore encouraging those people to seek help.

A Little bit of Romance

Everyone needs romance in their life at one point or another, whether they are single or in a relationship. Romance can be found in many ways and there are several places that are known for the romance that they offer. The need for romance is the reason there are so many great pieces of literature that include romance and love, so many love stories that have transformed into wonderful films. There is one place that seems to be known by all as the city of romance and love, the city that lovers flock to, and this city is Paris, France. Paris is known by many as the city of love, and for those who have visited this beautiful city it is easy to understand why it has been labeled this way. Romance seems to be in the air; no matter the location in Paris, romance can be felt blowing in the wind. Paris is a city that many writers and lovers take advantage of, whether for writing a romance story or for sharing the beautiful city with the one they love. Paris is undeniably a city with love in the air. It has become a city that is linked to romance, with its beautiful backdrops, authentic settings and heartwarming views. Paris offers so many beautiful and magical backdrops that it is easy to understand why so many authors utilize this city in their writings of romance, thus giving many people a chance to live through the authors descriptions and experience the romance of Paris.

While strolling down the streets of Paris during a warm spring night, romance can be felt in the air. Beautiful old buildings curve around the windy streets, elegant structures with carved stone exteriors and timeless design. Many streets are lined with trees; intertwining dark branches with large and leafy arms, forming canopies over the streets and creating natural tunnels of green. Intimate cafes sit on the tree lined sidewalks, playing host to the many lovers; lovers oblivious to anything other than person whose arms they rest in. Sitting close together in their cozy corners, many couples enjoy the beauty of the city with their lover at their sides. Continuing past the cafes, the historical buildings seemingly continue on forever; an artist’s dream. Couples stroll along these picturesque streets lost in each other’s arms and cradled in the arms of a magical Paris Spring. Hand in hand, lovers walk through the city or romance, finding beauty around every corner. Beauty can be found in the old buildings, in the vast parks with lush greenery, and in the person whose hand rests in their own.

Many lovers stroll through the grounds of the luxurious Chateau de Versailles. Their arms linked, their hearts connected and beating as one. Together they stroll together through the elaborate palace of the Sun King. After touring the historical buildings, many lovers sit together on a blanket that is spread out on the lush green lawn; together they share a bottle of wine and a snack, while enjoying the beauty around them. The lovers can easily imagine earlier times and see how beautiful these buildings must have been in their earlier days. As the lovers sit on the lawn, the vast grounds of the estate surround them, wrapping them up in the beauty of their surroundings. The history of Versailles can be felt in the air, can be seen in the beautiful buildings and in the beautiful garden; thus allowing them to be transported through time and to experience history while sharing this experience with the one they love. The gardens of Chateau de Versailles are host to many wedding ceremonies and many lovers can be seen enjoying the splendor in each other’s arms as they gaze upon the beautiful bride in her wedding finery and the nervous groom gazing adoringly as his bride. As many couples, young and old, walk through these historical grounds it becomes very obvious why many writers mention this beautiful setting, it is hard not to find romance and beauty in the beautiful gardens and spectacular buildings.

Many lovers view the city of Romance from the spectacular heights of The Arc de Triomphe. While the man holds his lover in his strong arms, they both gaze out over the cities twinkling lights, with wonder in their eyes. Surrounding the lovers from all sides, are spectacular views of Paris, views that cannot be seen the same way from any other location; views that seem to embrace the lovers. Lovers have flocked to this architectural wonder to enjoy the magic and romance with the person they love for many years. As the lovers enjoy the view, around them are many other couples wrapped in each other’s arms, gazing upon the city. Below the lovers, the city of romance is awash in light and the unique views of the beautiful buildings will not be forgotten in the near future. Because of these views, The arc de Triomphe has become one of the choice places for lovers to visit. There is not another place in the world that is exactly like this wonderful location and many authors have taken advantage of this historical spot to bring life to a romance novel.

St. Paul de Vence, a charming hilltop village in Provence, is one of the most romantic areas close to Paris. The charming village is filled with art galleries, boutiques and sidewalk cafes. As lovers walk through the winding streets, elegant fountains sit around every corner, becoming a stopping place to rest in each other’s arms. Surrounding the lovers are vine-covered stone walls and beautiful statues tucked into small nooks in the walls. As couples continue through the winding streets, hand in hand, they come to the breathtaking views of the mountains and sea. As lovers gaze out upon the open sea, a sense of solitude comes over them, a sense that they are the only two in existence. In each other’s arms they are able to share these spectacular sights together. As the lovers turn back to return to the village, the beautifully grand and looming churches can be seen in the distance; many a true work of art. Nothing compares to these beautiful old churches and many couples from around the world come to be wed in these romantic buildings, buildings that have witnessed many lovers wed over the years. St. Paul de Vence is a setting that is mentioned in many romance stories and has become a truly timeless village of love.

As a couple explores the city of romance, it is very easy to understand why there is love in the air. With all of the spectacular views, grand buildings and historical sites, there is nothing exactly like it anywhere in the world. The people, who have the opportunity to experience the magic of Paris, are truly blessed. Those who have not had the opportunity to walk through Paris on the arm of a lover are able to experience this thrill through the works of many authors. Everyone needs some romance in their life and luckily, there are some very talented authors that allow readers to step into the story and become surrounded by the magic of Paris. While curled up on a sofa, lying in the comfort of one’s bed, or sitting in front of a crackling fire, readers are transported into the beautiful, historical streets of Paris; experiencing the city of romance through the detailed description of the author. Everyone should at some point in their lives visit this beautiful city, but luckily they may share in this unique experience through the eyes of another, in the comfort of their own homes. Romantic films and books are very popular and profitable, and many people are transported to places like Paris everyday and every night, sharing and living the experience through the detailed descriptions of the author. Literature gives everyone the opportunity to have romance in their lives.

Special Places

Special Places

Many times it seemed that the only thing that never changed was that things around her were constantly changing. She glided from one year to the next; growing into adulthood as everything continued to change around her. Every year, without fail, the seasons shifted from the cold, blustery nights of winter, to the colorful and ever changing scenery of spring, to the warm, long days of summer, and to the blustery winds of fall. As the seasons changed she continued forward on her journey to adulthood; beautiful changes occurring around her and many changes occurring within her. As she grew from an infant to an adult, her views of people and places changed. As a child she saw things in a completely different manner than she did as an adult, because of a better understanding of life. Like many people, she had a special place that brought her a sense of peace and solitude; a place that she could retreat to when life became difficult, but the need for this special place and her views of it changed as she grew into adulthood. Perceptions of her special place changed rapidly and were affected by many different circumstances; thus satisfying different needs during different stages of her life.

Long blonde braids swing in the wind, a brown bear is clutched tightly against her small body and large tears streak a path down her dirty face as the small girl sits near the pond on a fallen log. As she sits on the log she is looking around her with a wary look in her large brown eyes, her small mouth holds a frown and her chin quivers in an effort to gain composure. She is still breathing heavily from her run through the bushes, as far away from the yelling as she could get. After some time she rises from her perch and begins to explore her surroundings. For the first time since running through the trees she sees the world around her. In the tree sits a beautiful blue bird, singing a cheerful melody and flapping his wings; two branches above the bird sits a squirrel holding a nut in his miniature hands and gazing at the girl with curiosity; suddenly a foot crunches behind her and she turns to see a deer drinking from the pond. This was a magical place and there was nothing here to hurt the anxious child. As she explores the beauty of her surroundings, a sense of peace comes over her. If only for a short period in the day, peace can be found and the reality of life can be left behind. The blonde haired girl and her raggedy brown bear have found a place of peace.

Crouched behind a tree, a girl with short blonde hair hides her eyes as she counts. As she gets closer to reaching one hundred, the excitement within her can be seen. Her hands seem to have a mind of their own as they come away from her eyes. She is dancing from one leg to another; her eyes sparkling with excitement. As soon as she reaches one hundred she shouts out in a confident voice, “Ready or not, here I come!” She uncovers her eyes and begins to look carefully around her, her brown eyes open wide. She walks as silently through the grass as she is able, resembling a deer treading carefully across a field. She knows that she will find them soon. Gaily she runs through the trees searching for her friends. In a matter of minutes she is lying on the ground in the middle of a group of girls, giggling over their game. Happiness can be seen in her eyes as she plays in this magical place. Her friends sit with her and watch the blue bird that still lives in the same tree and the deer that comes to drink water in the pond. The fall has turned all of the leaves to a pumpkin orange, with splashes of yellow and red, and they float gently to the ground with the gentle breeze. The girl watches the leaves fall to the ground as she lays her head on a pile of the colorful leaves gathered beneath her. If only she could stay in this wonderful place for all time.

Bare legs dangling in the pond and shiny blonde hair spread on the grass; the teenage girl lay on her back with a book open in her hands. Her concentration is focused solely on the book as she studies in her magical place. Here in her sanctuary, she is able to study for the upcoming exams. As she studies the material in front of her, she is silently chewing on her lip; a frown rests between her eyes and a determined look on her face. This is a very important test and anxiety radiates from the girl. She knows that this is an opportunity to leave home and begin a life of her own. As she studies hour after hour, the light around her changes to shadow. The birds stop chirping, and a frog orchestra takes over; they seem to be telling her to keep studying. She pulls out a lantern and continues to study, knowing that she is safe in this place. Soon she is glancing worriedly at her watch and then frantically replaces all of the things into her bag. She must get home and tend to her siblings. As soon as the bag is packed she is running on long, muscular legs through the tall green grass. Blonde hair flies behind her as she gracefully jumps over a log. She knows she must hurry so that she is not missed, or she may not be able to return to this special and peaceful place.

Tens years later a blonde woman crawls through a small opening in a row of bushes. She is barely able to fit through the hole and her hair becomes tangled in the bushes. As she crawls through the opening, in her formal Army uniform, she does not recall the opening being so small. Around her all is quiet and birds can be heard chirping in distant trees. When she reaches the end of the tunnel, she must unfold herself from a crawling position. As she stands up and stretches, brushes the dirt from her knees, she notices how quiet her surroundings are. She remembers running to this place to get away from alcoholic parents and constant fighting. This small clearing in the woods had been her sanctuary for so many years. Through her adult eyes she viewed the clearing no larger than a football field, a pond the size of a small pool and rotting trees that had fallen to the ground. Even as her eyes viewed the scenery around her, her heart felt at peace. Here was the magical place that gave her peace for so many years. A lone tear traveled a path down her gently rounded face, a tear of thankfulness for being so blessed to have found this special place. As she walked along the barren clearing her mind brought back the colorful grass, the beautiful trees and the clear, sparkling pond. As she reminisced she could hear the blue bird chirping in his tree, the squirrel chattering from the branch above, and the deer gently lapping the water. Even as her eyes saw the reality of her surroundings, her heart felt very much at home. When she left the clearing for the last time, quietly murmuring goodbye, it was with a big smile on her face; knowing that this place helped her survive childhood. She crawled through the tunnel of bushes, hair tangling in the branches and was helped to a standing position by a man with a small, red cheeked baby in his arms. Arm in arm, husband and wife walked away from this special place, magic surrounding them.

Through each stage of life, people see things differently and have different needs; much like the girl and her special place. As a young girl she needed to find safety, a secure place to hide, a place of solitude and security. A few years later she was in need of a hideout for herself and her friends to play, a place for laughter and sunshine. Finally, as a teenager she was in need of a place for reflection and study, a quiet place for thoughts and dreams. What one sees through the eyes of a small child may look different through the eyes of an adult. A small child may see beauty in her surroundings, where the adult may only see fallen trees and barren fields. When people reach adulthood, their knowledge and views about life shift, changing the way they view the world around them. Even though their perceptions and needs change over the years, they will always have fond memories of their special places and defining moments. Once people have outgrown their need to run to their special places, they hold these places with great fondness in their memories. In their hearts they will always hold these places dear and remember them as they were when they needed them the most; just as the grown blonde woman walked away with great fondness in her heart and great memories that would last a lifetime.

Hello!!!!

Wow, it has been a really long time since I last updated our blog. I am so sorry to all of you that have been avid followers. I know you have all sent me numerous emails over the last few months that I need to start blogging again. It may have taken a few months, but I am backJ. So many things have changed over the last few months, but I will try to update all of you without creating a book.

First, as most of you already know, we have moved back to Las Vegas!! We decided that moving back to Vegas would be a good idea and quickly set in motion a move. We loved Florida, but we missed our family very much. Moving to Florida was a great experience and we had such a wonderful time. We were able to see so many beautiful places, meet some wonderful people and enjoy the beach. We will definitely be back in Florida for a vacation sometime in the future. As much as we enjoyed the beauty of Florida, it is great to be back with the family. The kids are very happy back here in Vegas and they love seeing their Grandparents, cousins and Aunt Bea on a regular basis. It is great to be able to enjoy family dinners and just to be able to hang out, and to watch Bianca’s girls grow. Not only is it nice to be back because of the family, but Las Vegas is so familiar and we missed that. The kids are all doing great in school, I am going back to school in January and Rodolphe is enjoying his business. We will keep you all updated on school and business as we continue to settle in.

We have been very busy since returning to Vegas. Not only have we been spending a lot of time with the family, we have been spending a lot of time outside. Which, as you all know, we love!! We have been hiking pretty much every weekend and have had a great time!! This weekend we will go to the Valley of Fire and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Now that the kids are all getting bigger we are able to do a lot of hiking and climbing that we were not able to do before. The kids love it. I think that they may be part monkeyJ.

I will continue to update the blog and try to post something every week. I will also begin to upload new pictures and recent activities that the children have enjoyed. Thank you all so much for your continued support and for keeping in touch. I did not know how many of you would follow the blog, and I appreciate it!!!!

Take care and enjoy your holidays!!!!



There are so many new pictures that I am just going to include the link to the albums:) That makes it much easier than waiting for one picture to upload at a time.



Red Rock Adventures:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=118977&id=719139512&l=241197c5a0


Halloween:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=118605&id=719139512&l=3a695599b2


Fun in the Sun:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=116707&id=719139512&l=8f83600efa


Last Few Months:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=111352&id=719139512&l=bcd487ca96

The Life of A Bottlenose Dolphin

By Brandon Brun

There are many beautiful living things under the sea, in rivers, and in lagoons. There are many different types of fish, invertebrate, plants, and other living things. One of these things is the Bottlenose dolphin. This is a very friendly dolphin, which is also very playful. You may see them at the surface of the water getting air or leaping out of the water while it plays. Bottlenose dolphins like to jump out of the water and splash. Bottlenose dolphins are very curious animals so they come around humans and boats to look at what we are doing. Bottlenose dolphins are not endangered animals, but humans do harm them. There are many bottlenose dolphins in the world and the exact number is not known. These dolphins like to live in warmer waters and lagoons. Places that have many fish. If you watch the water closely you might see one. Many times they are splashing in the water and playing in the waves. They really like to play and they like to show off. These are very interesting animals and they are very smart. Many Scientist like to study the way they communicate with each other and how they live. They have their very own language. I am going to tell you a little bit about them. I hope you enjoy my report because I had a lot of fun writing it and learning all about the Bottlenose Dolphin.

Chapter 1: The Characteristics of a Bottle Nose Dolphin
A Bottlenose Dolphin is a mammal and not a fish. It is a light gray color and it has some pink colors on its belly. The Bottlenose Dolphin has a short nose that looks like a bottle and its forehead is called the melon. The eyes of this dolphin are close to the corner of the mouth and the ears are small holes right behind the eyes. Bottlenose Dolphins have teeth made to hold the food, not to chew it. They swallow their food whole. When they lose teeth, they do not grow back. It has a curved fin in the center of its back. It can grow between 8 and 12 feet. The boys are usually bigger than the girls are. The Bottlenose dolphin’s skin feels and looks rubbery, and it has no hair. The skin is very thick. It is very smooth and this helps it to swim very fast so that it can catch up with all of the little fish and to run away from predators. Close to the fin, there is a blowhole. The dolphin breathes through this when it comes up for air. The Bottlenose Dolphin has to come up for air every fifteen minutes or it will drown. This is one of the reasons that we see them so often at the surface. It is very neat that these dolphins breathe the air like us, but they live under the sea.

Chapter 2: Environment
Bottlenose Dolphins live in many different places, except for the very cold water in the Arctic Ocean. Their habitat is mostly depending on the temperature. They do not like the very cold water. They live in mostly live in bays, lagoons, and gulfs. Some live in the Indian Ocean and also in the Pacific Ocean. You can find many Bottlenose Dolphins in the water of the Atlantic Ocean. In the State of Florida, you can see them in the rivers and the ocean. These Dolphins like to be in this water because there are many little fish for them to eat. Dolphins need to eat many fish and the warm water makes it easier to find them. The more fish that there is in the water, the more dolphins you will have. They can also be in the rivers and lagoons in these areas. They will follow fish wherever they go. Many times you will see dolphins swimming in the rivers that connect to the ocean. There are many places that you can find these types of dolphin and people enjoy seeing them.

Chapter 3: The Diet of a Bottlenose Dolphin
Bottlenose Dolphins eat mostly small fish and squid. They find their meals by using echolocation. When they use echolocation, they send out sound waves that bounce off things. This lets them see large schools of fish. A school of fish is a big group of fish that are swimming together. Adult bottlenose dolphins eat approximately 4% to 6% of their weight in food per day. A Bottlenose Dolphin mom who is feeding a baby dolphin needs to eat more than 6%. Since these dolphins need to eat so much in a day they are awake for many hours in a day. Only one-half of their brain sleeps at one time, this lets them stay alert so that they can find the food they need to survive. Bottlenose Dolphins go wherever the fish go so they can eat them. Sometimes they use their fins to throw them into the air then catch it with their mouth. Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins also can eat small invertebrates from the bottom of the water. It is very important that a bottlenose dolphin is living somewhere with many fish so that it can survive. Sometimes it is very hard for them to find food because the fisherman takes all of the fish out of the water. They even take the small fish that they do not use so that the Dolphins do not have anything to eat. In areas where there are lots of fish, there are also a lot of Bottlenose Dolphins.

Chapter 4: Communication with Other Dolphins
Bottlenose Dolphins have their own language. These dolphins can recognize each other because of their whistling and clicking sounds. They use whistling and clicking sounds to communicate with each other, it is their very own language. Baby Bottlenose Dolphins and their Mother’s can recognize each other’s noises. Sometimes dolphins in a group whistle at the same time to scare away a predator or get something’s attention. They use whistles and clicks to find objects. The sound bounces off objects and comes back to the dolphin. This helps them to find large schools of fish and to see where predators are hiding. Dolphins also use body language to communicate. They butt each other with their heads and nudge each other with their bodies. Dolphins are very playful. They like to play many games with each other. Sometimes they jump out of the water and they chase each other. They are very social animals. They bump each other with their heads and bodies, and this is a way to tell each other something. Dolphins communicate in many ways with their sounds and their actions. The sounds they make are also for finding food under the water. The loud squeaks will bounce off of a large school of fish and come back to the dolphin and this will help it to find food. The Dolphin can do a lot with its noises.

Chapter 5: Human Contact with Bottlenose Dolphins
Bottlenose Dolphins are very smart. Humans have figured out how to talk with them. They can use whistles and clicks to communicate with Bottlenose Dolphins. They use these clicks with a special sonar machine that works under the water. The dolphins can speak back by using their whistling sounds. Humans can train the bottlenose dolphins to come over where they want them to by using this communication. Dolphins are very friendly to humans. Some people even swim with the dolphins when they scuba dive. Even though humans and dolphins get along very well, humans are the biggest threat to bottlenose dolphins. Bottlenose Dolphins follow human fishing boats around because of all of the fish around these boats. Many times, they are stuck inside of the fishing nets. When this happens, they drown. Bottlenose Dolphins need to come to the surface for air every fifteen minutes. Humans also affect the Bottlenose Dolphin because of all of the harmful chemicals they put in the water. Oil can be very dangerous for dolphins. It coats their skin and can make them very sick. Gas the leaks from boats poisons the Bottlenose Dolphins. Humans are the biggest threat to dolphins because of all of these reasons.

Many people enjoy going to see dolphins in the sea, lagoons, and even in aquariums. Dolphins have always been very popular animals. They are also very smart and entertaining. They like to show off and do tricks. I have told you a little bit about their characteristics, where they live, what they eat, and how they communicate. I hope that you found all of the information very interesting. I learned a lot about dolphins and I think they are cool and awesome animals. I have seen them in the wild many times and I enjoyed seeing them play and splash in the water. It is very important for us to protect their habitat. They have to have fish to catch so they can survive and we have to be very careful not to catch them in fishing nets. We also have to be careful not to put gas and chemicals in the water. This stuff poisons them and makes them sick, especially the babies. If we all work together we can keep them safe. If we stay farther out in the water and use safer fishing nets, maybe less will die. Sometimes it is important to protect the natural environment so animals like these can survive and live a healthy life. If we are very careful with Bottlenose Dolphins then maybe they will be around for a very long time, and people can continue to study them and learn from them. They are very nice and pretty animals and they deserve to live a long life.

Mothers Day 09

My Mom

My bother has brown eyes and black hair.

My mother likes to get a tan.

My mother looks prettiest when we go to the beach.

My mother doesn't like bugs.

My mother makes me laugh when she tickles me and snuggles me.

My mother likes for me to help her set the table.

My mother is really good at bowling and cooking.

I like best for my mom to cook chicken.

I love my mother very much!

By,


Dyllan Brun

Some pictures Anjolie drew over a year ago. I just found them again and I think they are super cute:) She was just 3 when she drew these!!