Let Rover teach you

Think of them as your conscience with fur.  These critters can teach you a thing or two about love, life, compassion and being content with what life offers you.

1. Unconditional Love and Loyalty

There may be some debate regarding this particular issue:  Are animals really capable of loving us unconditionally or are they conditioned to serve their purpose to us humans?

Let's not philosophize on this shall we?  romanticism or not, the point is, your pet dog, your pet cat, rabbit, gerbil or albino snake will never care if you don't have a fancy sports car, a fat bank account or a huge villa in Guam.  They're not gonna care if you work as stripper, a hooker or gigolo.

So you have left their food bowl empty the whole day and may have slapped them with a newspaper for leaving paw marks on the expensive rug you just bought.  But nonetheless, they're still there to lend you a listening ear when you want to rant about your pesky colleagues, a bad day at work and the guy who left you for a bimbo with bleach blonde hair.
I remember this "crazy dog lady" who used to roam around our downtown area with a bunch of dogs which look like they haven't eaten for days and yet, they stood by her, went everywhere she went, even when it meant starving to death.

People can philosophize on the meaning of unconditional love.  Their call.  And they can kiss my ass while they're at it.

Bottom line is, if we humans can stop saying "If" and "But" when it comes to loving and showing devotion to our family, friends and other half, perhaps, life would be a lot better. 

 2.  Trust your Instincts


Dogs and cats can sense danger before they arrive.  They know what goes on beneath the surface.  Most of us have lost this ability and our judgments are sometimes clouded with our emotions that we often times fail to see the dangers we could have avoided.


Learn to see through face value and pay attention to energy, non verbal cues and that nudging feeling that never goes away.

3.  Be content with what you have

Sometimes, I've often wonderedif my dogs have it easier.  For as long as I got good food and clean water, a roof to protect me and a loving master, I'd be fine.  But noooo...  I wanted more than what life could offer me, (or at least I could afford).  I wanted an iPad for reasons I'm still trying to figure out.  I wanted a fat bank account, a Hummer V, a penthouse, a villa somewhere in Hawaii, and a lot more than that.

Just like any other human, I could never settle for what I already have.  And don't think rich people have it easier as well.  Imagine how many of them commit suicide every year.  Why?  Because contentment is such a foreign word for us humans.

But it's different for our furry friends.  By just looking at how your cat purrs as she rests on your lap while you glide your hand through her fur or your dog waking up like everyday's Christmas, you realize that they're enjoying life's simple pleasures.

Learn to count your blessings.  It doesn't take a dog or a cat to make you realize that you are living a far better life than someone else in the world.   

3.  Learn to Listen

I'll admit it.  I could only listen to so much sob stories from a friend who has just broken up with her boyfriend or has found out that her boyfriend was cheating on her.  Getting a phone call from an emotional wreck is enough to ruin my day.  No offense.

But as much as most of us have no patience for sob stories and wet blankets, we also need someone to listen to us when we're having a bad day at work without them butting in on us in the middle of a conversation to answer a phone call or give us unsolicited advice.

Now that's the problem with most of us humans.  WE LOVE TO TALK.  We love to be heard.  But we rarely listen.

That's the good thing about our pets.  They're there to listen to you when you have a problem with your job, your girlfriend/boyfriend, or your life without any interruption or unsolicited advice.  They wouldn't mind if you cuss or rant about people they haven't met.  They're just there to give you an ear when you need one.

4.  Empathy and Compassion

You've seen them in the news:  A cat trying to resuscitate his dead feline companion or the dog who couldn't leave his canine friend behind in the rubbles somewhere in Japan in the tsunami aftermath.

Those snooty cynics may call it anthropomorphism.  I call it a good example of empathy and compassion.  How many people can actually stop by to help another person fix his car?  How many people would actually risk their life to save another person from getting hit by a speeding truck?  Chances are, you won't.  And if there was, then kudos to those unsung heroes.  But more often than not, no one would put their life on the line to save a stranger.

 Reward your furry little friends with these treats:

   

Bad Textiquette

Cellphones have become as ubiquitous as tights and bangs.  Texting has also become the mode of communication du jour.  It's so fast, cheap and efficient that some people are already exploiting the convenience brought about by the text phenomenon.  Hence, the bad text etiquette or "textiquette".  To name a few:

1.  Sending cryptic text messages - If reading from a small screen isn't draining enough, try reading a text message that goes like this:  H3wWWWoOh 3\/rY1!!!!  Jejespeak, tween text or whatever text slang you can think of is not only crass and passe, it will also give the person you're sending the text message to a splitting headache and an eyestrain.

2.  Mass texting - Nothing ticks me off more than people who send out mass texts about things we couldn't care less about:  How she needs to take a crap, What her boyfriend bought her for their anniversary, Some weirdo sitting beside her in the train, etc.  We are not your diary and we couldn't give a rat's ass if your boyfriend gave you a bunch of tulips for your 5th month anniversary or if he looks so cute in his Hello Kitty boxers.  Seriously, get a Facebook account.  Or better yet, get a life.  

3.  Forwarding quotes and chain texts - Not everyone has the privilege of having a post-paid plan.  And converting your prepaid load to one day unlimited texting can sometimes be a pill (Only in the Philippines).  And most of us have something better to do than succumb to forwarding your stupid chain texts to 50 people for the fear of getting 10 years of bad luck.

Forwarded quotes, on the other hand are fine...  Unless I get 10 or more funny or inspirational quotes in one day from the same person.  I don't have the time of the day to read all of them, let alone spread the love, joy and annoyance to another busy person.  

4.  Text flooding - Don't you just hate it when some idiot makes your mobile phone beep like crazy by sending 10 successive text messages that looks like this:

• Hi!
• How are ya!
• What's up? 
• Going out tonight.
• You coming?
• Pls txt bak.
• hahaha
• are you?
• dude?
• hey
• HEY!!
• you there?
• Hello?

Imagine getting 15 voice messages from the same person.  Pesky much?

5.  Texting in the middle of a conversation - It's just plain rude when someone you're talking to just whips out her phone and texts away while you're ranting about an asshole of a colleague or finding your boyfriend is seeing his ex and gets back to you with a "...Oh I'm sorry, what was that again?  Who's seeing who?"

6. Random texting - Texting random numbers not only shows your lack of social skills but also a very risky thing to do.  If you're lucky, you might be texting a pedophile, the seaside strangler or some psychopath on the loose.  Remember how your mom used to tell you not to talk to strangers?  Text messaging is no exception.

Prom 101: Austere Dress Codes for Prom Night

 Austere dress code policies pose a very big problem during prom night.  It delimits your choices for that perfect dress for prom.  And there is absolutely no way you can go to prom looking like you're on your way to Sunday school.

But don't fret it.  Just because your principal thinks today's fashion is a little vulgar for highschool doesn't mean you have to dress up like granny to avoid detention.

These dresses will get you covered.... literally.

One Shoulder Strap Dresses

 

Look elegantly sexy with one shoulder strap dresses.  It's a perfect alternative for bare back halter dresses and tube dresses as it gives you just the right coverage.  It highlights your shoulder and neck, and draws attention to your hair.  So just a tip ladies, make sure your hair is perfectly coiffed for the occasion.  Also, choose a one shoulder strap dress in satin, silk or any liquid fabric.

TIP:  Choose an empire cut dress to hide your tummy. :)

High Low Hem Dresses

   

Want to show off your gams but your school has policies against hemlines that go above the knee?  Don't sweat it.  High-low hem line dresses lets you show off your great legs without breaking the dress codes.  It's fun, flirty and graceful at the same time. 

Tutu Dresses

   

Another alternative for mini dresses are the tutu dress and bubble skirt dresses.  It not only shows off your gams without raising any eyebrows but it also lets you have fun without worrying over tripping over your long dress.  

An added benefit:  Tutu dresses and bubble dresses are versatile so you can wear them to the after prom party.  

Sleeves

 

Whether you're afraid of getting the slip after prom or you're trying to cover up your arms, you can never go wrong with sleeved dresses.  But you don't have to cover them all up.  you can opt for off shoulder and boat neck to expose your shoulders.  Sheer sleeves in lace also gives that sexy vibe without showing those arms.

Batwings, capped or kimono style sleeves on prom dresses are also great options.  they cover up your arms without looking too stern and out dated.  

Another way to balance out the look is to shorten the hemline.

Cover ups

Shawls and boleros are also a great way to cover your arms.  Go for sheer, liquid fabrics for shawls in the same shade as your dress, or silk or satin boleros with ruffles to add a little umph to an otherwise plain dress.