Canine Equipment Ultimate Trail Dog Pack - Product Review

One of the first things that I read when I researched Maestro's breed is that these dogs like to be right in the thick of the action. That is certainly the case with him.

When he's not working with me, my Lakeland Terrier is raring to go on an adventure. As soon as he sees me loading up his dog pack, he gets very impatient.

Product Features of the Canine Equipment Ultimate Trail Dog Pack

The Canine Equipment Ultimate Trail Pack consists of three parts: the harness and two saddle bags. The harness can be used separately as an ordinary walking harness (it has a thick D-ring for the leash). It has three adjustable padded straps: the neck strap, one that straps around the chest and the third straps under the belly.

There is reflective piping on the edges and mesh webbing on the underside of the harness and padding. The handle on the top can be used to carry the pack when you want to give your dog a break.

The two saddle bags have several compartments. There is a poop bag port on one dog pack and gear loops on the other.

The interior of the saddle bags are sectioned off, with pockets large enough to hold a small water bottle. There is even a ring inside to hook your keys.

Each saddle bag has a loop on the backside, to thread the chest and belly straps through. This secures the bags and prevents them from flapping wildly.

Like the harness, the saddle bags have mesh padded lining. The Ultimate Trail Dog Pack is made of 20D rip stop nylon and 210D PU nylon lining. One last feature: the zipper pulls glow in the dark.

This dog pack comes in three sizes: Small (30-55 lbs, girth 16-24"), Medium (55-80 lbs, girth 25-34") and Large (80+ lbs, girth 35-44"). It currently comes in two color combinations: red/black and black/grey.

Using the Ultimate Trail Dog Back

Maestro and I use this dog backpack on trips of all sizes, from weekend trips to visit family and friends, as well as day trips around the province.. I like how Maestro can carry his own gear and "dog stuff".

A common question we get from strangers is, "What kind of stuff does he carry?" His saddle bags carry all his trip essentials, such as: poop bags, pet wipes, a microfiber towel, a t-shirt (or windbreaker or raincoat), snacks, food, vitamins, Benadryl, Gas-X, activated charcoal, wound and infection gel, a styptic pencil, bug repellant, toothbrush, toothpaste, paw wax and his water bowl.

I have read that a dog can safely carry up anywhere between 10 to 25% of its weight. This figure depends upon the dog's size, breed, age and physical fitness.

Maestro is a middle-aged dog. He can't wear the pack as long as he used to. That's when that handle on top comes in handy. I either clip the entire pack from the handle or clip the saddle bags straps onto my backpack and we carry on.

Apparently, you can also use it to pick up your dog. I've tried it just once, lifting Maestro approximately two inches off the ground. Although the handle is sturdy enough, I can't imagine that he feels comfortable being carried around like that.

Sometimes, I'll place the dog pack on Maestro when we are at home and we have visitors. Cesar Millan, AKA "The Dog Whisperer", recommends that wearing a dog pack is one way to calm a hyper dog.

Pros and Cons of the Ultimate Trail Dog Pack

Maestro and I have tried several backpacks. The last one he used was an old Outward Hound dog backpack. He overheated very quickly. The buckles were rough on the edges, so I cut myself on them a few times. Plus, it just wasn't pretty.

On the other hand, the Ultimate Trail Dog Pack is aesthetically pleasing. The mesh lining allows airflow, so Maestro doesn't overheat as quickly. The pockets (I love pockets) are well thought out. Things stay fairly organized inside. The saddle bags sit nicely on his body. Have I mentioned how sturdy and slick the design is already?

It was also the only dog pack on the market that had the belly strap properly positioned. All of the other ones we tried must have been designed for longer dogs, as the belly strap went right one his penis.

We get plenty of compliments on the backpack and inquiries of where to purchase it. We bought ours at Pet Planet. Pet Valu has been known to carry it occasionally. Amazon carries it as well. the CE Ultimate Trail Dog Pack is in the Top 25 for Dog Backpacks.

I do have one complaint regarding the straps. All of the straps are too long. At least, with the chest and belly strap, I can cut them down and secure the edges. Unfortunately, I can't do that with the neck strap. This means the dog backpack jostles more than it should.

Alternative Dog Packs

At a price range of $50 - $57 USD, the Canine Equipment Ultimate Trail Pack is the most expensive of the bunch. The most popular dog packs on the market are significantly cheaper (all prices are in USD): Kyjen Outward Hound Backpack ($27.17 - 35.23), Kurgo 00028 Wander Pack Dog Backpack ($27.50), Dog Backpack/Harness Deluxe 2 in 1 Large Red ($17.88), ABO Gear Aussie Naturals Dog Backpack ($36.34) and Guardian Gear Polyester Dog Back Pack, Medium, Green ($30.94).

However, with its thoughtful design, craftsmanship, fit and coolness factor, the Ultimate Trail Dog Pack was the best dog pack for us out of when I purchased it nearly two years ago.

Eden of the East - Original Soundtrack Review

Kenji Kawai mixes electronic music, classical, and jazz fusion in a score that matches the intrigue of Production IG's popular 2009 anime.

Kenji Kawai has enjoyed a successful career as a composer for anime, video games and TV, having scored soundtracks for various projects throughout Asia. He is the musical genius behind popular anime and video games such as Ghost in the Shell, Ranma 1/2, and Death Note.

Kenji Kawai, Prolific Composer

Kawai studied music at the Shobi Music Academy for one year before dropping out to form a fusion rock band called Muse. He began composing for commercials and TV. At the suggestion of colleague Naoko Asari, he began composing for anime soundtracks. Kawai has also scored video game and live-action movie soundtracks. He has scored over 70 soundtracks since the early 1980's and has been been nominated for Best Original Film Score at the Hong Kong Music Awards in 2006 and 2007 for his work on Seven Swords and A Battle of Wits.

Score Highlghts of Higashi no Eden

There are 26 tracks included in the Higashi no Eden (Eden of the East) OST. Kawai's score includes jazz fusion, pop and classical elements. Society and Blue Monday are two classical themes. The piano is given a deliciously simple, yet mysterious ostinato theme in Society, while the strings add to the mystery with somber sustained chords.

Blue Monday is done in the style of a Romantic-period art song. The cello is given a melancholy motif that is scored in its lower register. The strings repeat the melody, rising to build tension while the piano maintains its ostinato rhythm.

In contrast, several tracks show off a 1960s pop or spy-show flavor. Eden of the East and Ame no Eden pay homage to hits from the '60s, such as Raindrops are Falling on my Head.

Juiz, Shopping Mall, futuristic imagination, and The Game are three tracks with a jazz fusion bent. Kawai uses a good deal of syncopation and ostinato rhythms to generate mystery. The electric guitar doing battle against the string section in The Game, set against to a ostinato electronic groove is particularly effective.

Winning Run is the only theme that doesn't share styles with any other track on the album. It has a strong classic western feel to it.

The soundtrack features two vocal tracks, Reveal the World, and Falling Down. Brenda Vaughn, an award-based singer/songwriter/producer, provides the vocals on Reveal the World. Her warm, rich tone is perfectly suited to this gospel number.

Falling Down is the opening theme, composed and performed by the popular British rock band Oasis. Its dark sound matches the tone for the intrigue of the show.

Eden of the East OST Album Details

Theatrical Anime Higashi no Eden Original Soundtrack

Animation Soundtrack

• Featured Artists: Oasis, school food punishment, Brenda Vaughn

• Music Director: Kenji Kawai

• Recording Producers:Epic Records Japan, Inc.

• Label: Sony Music Japan International

• Released: September 23, 2009

About Higashi no Eden (Eden of the East)

Eden of the East is a psychological mystery-romance produced by Production I.G, and directed by Kenji Kamiyama. The story takes place after a fictional terrorist attack known as "Careless Monday." Although 10 missiles were launched at Japan, there were no casualties.

The story centers around Saki Morimi, who runs into a stark naked man in front of the White House. He is Akira Takizawa, a man of mystery and no memories. When they meet, all he has is a gun and a fancy phone loaded with 8,200,000,000 yen in digital cash.The show aired in the Spring of 2009 and is featured in Spring 2009 Anime Roundup - Eden of the East.

Two theatrical releases, The King of Eden (2009) and Paradise Lost (2011), complete the storyline.

Eden of the East was nominated Jury Recommended Work in the Animation Division of the 13th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2009. According to Anime News Network's website, volume 1 DVD sales ranked 23rd, while the volume 1 Blu-Ray Disc debuted in 7th place.

Funimation Entertainment holds the licensing rights in North America.

Simple Melodies, Catchy Rhythms

The Eden of the East OST is extremely catchy, containing all the memorable motifs that fans will enjoy. The melodies aren't particularly complex but they are memorable. When combined with the funky ostinato rhythms throughout, you wind up with an catchy soundtrack worthy of any otaku's music collection. Any fan of Eden of the East/Higashi no Eden would enjoy this soundtrack as they wait for the theatrical releases to become available in North America.

Originally published on Suite101.com on Jan 8, 2010. Updated March 22, 2013. All rights reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.

Pieta by Tom Kendzia

Today is Good Friday. Day 2 of Easter Triduum.

It's the holiest week for Christians. Catholics celebrate the Paschal Mystery by attending Mass and reflecting upon the Last Supper, Good Friday and Easter Vigil.

My parish usually sings this Tom Kendzia's Pietà at Good Friday Mass. It's such a heart-wrenching song. Many a teary eye:

Tom Kendzia is an American arranger, author, clinician, composer, producer, teacher and performer. Sheet music of his works are available on Oregon Catholic Press.

The Pietà is also available on the album, Through His Mother's Eyes. .

Musicians and Medical School

There has been a fascinating discussion thread that several members of Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir have been participating in. It was inspired by the interview I did with medical student and Virtual Choir member Laura Slattery.

I thought I had already written an article explaining why approximately 60% of medical students have studied music but alas, I have not. To make up for it, I did track down some articles that have already been done on the subject:

Achieving Balance: Medicine and the Arts

Do Musicians Have Better Brains?

Musicians Turned Doctors

Music, Medicine and the Art of Learning

The Comparative Academic Abilities of Students in Education and in Other Areas of a Multi-Focus University

I think a lot of it has to do with the benefits of learning music. Many transferable skills are taught, which affect how quickly we musicians can process data and make decisions. Ah, now this reminds me of an article I did write. I'll update it and post it here.

Springtime Sightreading

Sight-reading isn't my strong suit. As a piano accompanist and choir member, sight-reading is a survival skill.

I've decided to work through the keyboard binders for my church choir as my piano sight-reading practice. Sometimes, I'll start by running through the harmonies. Other times, I set the metronome on and barrel right through the music. And then other times, I just pick a comfortable tempo to read at.

One thing I should do more is sight-sing. When I sing or conduct, I do try to sight-sing. Let's just say that it's a work in progress.

I still have my sight-singing book from university: Boosey and Hawkes 333 Elementary Exercises In Sight Singing - Kodaly Choral Method (Standard). It's been helpful - when I remember to use it.

look inside

333 Elementary Exercises in Sight Singing Composed by Zoltan Kodaly (1882-1967). Arranged by Percy Young. BH Kodaly. The Kodaly Choral Method. Edited with annotations by Dr. Percy Young. 20th Century, Instructional and Sight Reading. Instructional book (softcover). 36 pages. Boosey & Hawkes #M051305209. Published by Boosey & Hawkes (HL.48002815).