Diamond Certified Blog

In the previous installment of our two-part series, Dr. David Horne of Companion Animal Hospital in Santa Cruz talked about the basics of puppy care. In part two, we’ll hear from Dr. Donna Baird, associate veterinarian at Companion Animal Hospital, about the basics of caring for a new kitten.

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Whether celebrating a long-term relationship or discovering a new romance, Valentine’s Day is a time to show appreciation for the loves of our lives. Yet, while the spirit of the holiday emphasizes love between people, there are some of us whose primary object of affection isn’t a person at all, but a dog or cat. After all, what’s a purer source of unconditional love (not to mention cuddling fulfillment) than a beloved pet?

In honor of the love we receive from our furry friends, we’re posting a two-part series on how to care for a new puppy or kitten. Here, in part one, Dr. David Horne of Companion Animal Hospital in Santa Cruz gives an informative summary of the basics of puppy care. Read more

For the uninitiated, real estate can be like learning a new language. In this article, we cover some of the basics, from key industry terms to commonly asked questions.

Distinguishing Designations
With all the different titles in real estate, it can be hard to keep track of who’s who. Here’s a simple breakdown of the main real estate designations:

Realtor: A realtor can be an agent, broker or other real estate professional. What defines a realtor is not their designation, but their adherence to the Code of Ethics set forth by the National Association of Realtors, which you can read here.

Agent: An agent possesses a salesperson license with the California Department of Real Estate (DRE). Read more

Watch this video to find out how you can get a lifetime pass to U.S. National Parks. Read more

From early childhood, the merits of a daily oral hygiene routine are so thoroughly ingrained in our minds that, for most of us, they’ve practically become second nature. However, while brushing and flossing remain the major pillars of this practice, few people are aware that there are many additional ways to supplement these standard steps. Read on to learn about eight oral hygiene hacks for a healthier mouth.

1. Rinse with water immediately following a meal. When food particles remain in the mouth, oral bacteria acts upon them to produce acids, which is the root cause of problems like cavities and gum disease. Rinsing with water directly after eating will help remove food residue and prevent bacterial growth. Read more

While it’s smart to be proactive about indoor home maintenance, keeping up with your exterior property is equally important. We asked four Diamond Certified Expert Contributors to weigh in on aspects of landscaping where maintenance matters most. Read more

Maybe you’ve heard about the Diamond Certified Preferred Consumer Membership but still aren’t quite sure what it’s all about. Maybe you just haven’t had a chance to learn more, or maybe your consumer “spider sense” has kicked in and you’re detecting some kind of sales gimmick.

The fact is, not only is becoming a Diamond Certified Preferred Consumer incredibly easy, there’s positively nothing to lose because it’s always 100 percent free. Here are a few of the benefits that come with being a card carrying member of our Preferred Consumer program:

Member hotline
Whether to ask a question, lodge a complaint or compliment a Diamond Certified company on their great work, Read more

If you’re a health-conscious person, it’s likely that you take proactive measures to safeguard the health of your eyes in addition to your general bodily health. However, while wearing sunglasses and going in for annual eye exams are cornerstones of ocular wellness, a commonly overlooked aspect of visual health is dietary consideration. According to Dr. Michael Ottati of Diablo Valley Optometric Group in Antioch, there’s a direct link between nutrition and eye health. “Getting proper nutrition is one of the most important steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy,” he says. “Maintaining a well-balanced diet not only supports good vision, it can also help reduce retinal problems, cataracts and disease.”

Even if you already suffer from vision problems, Read more

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Several weeks ago, I received a phone call from a representative who told me we had failed to pay for our newspaper subscription since September. He said I could pay the past due amount by credit card along with another three months in advance: a total of $400. I was so embarrassed about being late on the bill that I almost fell for the scam. Just a few days later, the San Francisco Chronicle ran a full-page ad warning subscribers that this particular company wasn’t authorized to offer renewals (almost double the usual amount) and to ignore the calls and notices sent by mail. Read more