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I love you today, tomorrow and forever; loving words plus a big kiss for my Hera every night - still, I am not allowed to touch another dog. When I pet others, I would either get "that look" or she would hurriedly come to me, and knock my hand away from the other dog... or they get a nasty growl which translates to, "Get lost, dog!" I have done my fair share of research on jealous dogs. Some experts believe that pets don't experience jealousy in the true sense of the word. Instead, they believe that these "jealous" pets are simply rude. Perhaps, this may be so for some pets. But this is not the case with my dog, Hera. I speak from experience, and I have experienced the same thing with other pets many times before. I can tell you with all certainty that Hera is a jealous dog. Love - Hera loves me very much, that she feels very territorial of me. Although I am very much flattered, I still say that territorial behavior in pets is unhealthy. Her mindset is fixed, where her world revolves around me and me alone (plus food!). Being territorial is synonymous to having an aggressive behavior; this aggression makes it an unsafe environment for other pets. In my case, I have six female dogs that all compete for my attention. They fight for my kisses and hugs; this triggers her to be aggressive towards them. It becomes a battle of "mother is mine and not yours." Disposition - Genetic disposition can cause jealous-like behavior in pets. However, I cannot say for sure if Hera's temperament is inborn or effects of the negativity present in her life before me. Whether it be inborn or not, the only thing I can do to help her is to continue to make her feel special. Special - Hera knows that she is s-p-e-c-i-a-l. She knows this so well, and this my dear readers is the number one reason to why Hera is a jealous dog. There are several tips on how to stop jealous behavior in pets and there is one tip that stands out among the rest; that is to ignore your pets when you arrive home so they do not feel like one is getting more attention than the other. Wow! This is one tip that is impossible.. it will never be even if I were to try. Imagine this - soon as I am home, they begin to bark and call for me. The next step is to open the door and what I get is a stampede of fur babies. Lastly, I am smothered with kisses.. or slobbered with saliva. So, how do I ignore them??? Besides, I myself can't do such a thing. When I am home, I just want to squeeze them, cuddle them and call them mine. I can praise them, feed them separately and give them an equal number of kisses. But none will help manage unwanted behavior when it comes to who mama's number one is. So, what do I do about Hera's jealousy? Personally, all I do is say "no" or "stop it" to Hera. Most times I would need to repeat myself, and in a tone more stern than the previous one. Fortunately for me, she does listen to me... but when she doesn't, I get in between her and the other. In my opinion, it is very important to establish dominance. Your pets need to know who the boss is. In my house, I am the alpha and Hera is my beta; this gives her more reason to dominate the rest though. The key here is how I stop her from hurting them - I interrupt her bad behavior and redirect her attention towards me. Pets are like children and just like them, some are obedient; some are not. If your pet is disobedient, it is important to curb their bad behavior. When doing so, you need to consider how you respond to its bad behavior. Spank if you must but be sure to maintain the trust between you and your pet. Do not overdo your spanking! Always remember that there is a difference between a disciplinarian and a bad parent. Pay attention and understand why your pet is misbehaving. Be its master - or better yet, be its parent. Whichever you choose, do not forget to love and respect your pet. Check Out My Youtube Channel! Do check it out and I hope you consider subscribing. ♥ YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/ThePukingking Check Out My Facebook Channel! Do check it out and I hope you consider following. ♥ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/strangeandunusualpukingking Others Do check it out and I hope you consider following. ♥ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/daphne.pukingking ♥ Pinterest - https://pinterest.ph/strangeandunusualpukingking ♥ Blogger - https://strange-and-unusual-pukingking.blogspot.com ♥ Comment, suggestion and/or questions, let me know. #pets #dog #jealous

The first time I tried the University pack, my Sim struggled to get a B. My mistake was that I jumped right in without exploring the new expansion further. My Sim ate quick snacks all the time, barely had any sleep and did nothing else but study. I was so excited that I picked many classes at once for my Sim, and I had no clue that there was a cafeteria available. Well, long story short, my Sim graduated but it was tiring for her, and for me too. Let me introduce Sim Charity... I created another Sim, named her Charity and turned the aging off. Yes, turning the aging off is a must. Otherwise, your Sim will spend most of her life in school - perhaps, even die in school. In my opinion, I advise that your Sim take 2 major subjects and 1 minor subject for each term. This way, your Sim won't feel like he/she is getting cooked slowly in a pressure cooker. Right in the middle of my game, I found myself stuck - what degree is best for my Sim? And so, I did a little research and I learned that Psychology is the best if you want your Sim to become a professor afterwards. But before doing so, I sent out some scholarship applications. Scholarships My Sim applied for 4 scholarships. She was denied of the first one, that was the StrangerVille scholarship program. My Sim lives in the town of StrangerVille, so I'm not really sure why she was not accepted. The other 3 were of so much help because she paid nothing for her schooling. One thing though is that if you choose the Athletics scholarship, specifically the one for Soccer, your Sim will have to play for the Soccer team. In the beginning, I was really excited for my Sim. But I regret applying for the Soccer scholarship. Everyday, she had 3 classes to attend, then by 6 in the evening, she had to rush to her Soccer game or practice. I felt it to be a bit too much for her. It was almost like an overdose of diligence. In Discover University there are thirteen degrees to choose from. Both University of Britechester and Foxbury Institute offer all thirteen subjects to study. University of Britechester degrees There are 7 Distinguished Degrees and 6 other degrees to choose from. 7 Distinguished Degrees Art History Communications Culinary Arts Drama Fine Art History Language and Literature 6 Other Degrees Biology Computer Science Economics Physics Psychology Villainy Foxbury Institute degrees There are 6 Distinguished Degrees and 7 other degrees to choose from. 6 Distinguished Degrees Biology Computer Science Economics Physics Psychology Villainy 7 Other Degrees Art History Communications Culinary Arts Drama Fine Art History Language and Literature Degree My Sim chose to study Psychology. The core skills needed for this degree are charisma, logic, research and debate. Learning said skills at a normal pace would take forever. Being a very impatient being, I prefer to cheat my way to the perfect life in The Sims 4. By doing so, I am able to help my Sim enjoy her daily life. Do note that having the needed skills beforehand increases your chance to be accepted. Therefore, I strongly advise that you improve the core skills associated with your chosen degree before anything else. On another note, it really wouldn't hurt to just cheat your way through those skills. Conclusion In conclusion, my Sim was lucky enough to have a distinguished degree at the Foxbury Institute. As I had mentioned earlier, the aging was off and this allowed my Sim to enjoy The Sims 4 Discover University Expansion Pack, together with the rest of the packs. So, did I enjoy The Sims 4 Discover University Expansion Pack? Yes, I did. Check Out My Youtube Channel! Do check it out and I hope you consider subscribing. ♥ YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/ThePukingking Check Out My Facebook Gaming Page! Do check it out and I hope you consider following. ♥ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AsianVampireNymph Others ♥ Instagram - https://instagram.com/puking_king ♥ Pinterest - https://pinterest.ph/strangeandunusualpukingking ♥ Comment, suggestion and/or questions, let me know. #sims4 #simscc #sims #customcontent

This is a list of Sims 4 must-have custom contents that make gameplay better, and is too good not to share! The Sims 4 has been a part of my life for a long time now, and through my years of playing, I have come across creations that I feel are too good not to share. Therefore, Strange and Unusual: Pukingking collates custom content and mods from many creators and modders. Its aim (my aim) is to share something wonderful - a custom recipe, an awesome hairstyle - anything that continues to give The Sims a special place in my life. ​ Enjoy and have fun! ♥ Pukingking Update 01.26.2022 Hello! Please be informed that this page will no longer be updated. All custom content and mods can now be found in their respective category. Gameplay Mods Non-functional Objects Functional Objects Custom Food/Recipes Custom Ingredients Activities & Skills Hairstyles Clothes, Shoes, Accessories House, Lots, and Rooms Recently Added CC/Mods Take a look at some of the awesome cc/mods... Puking king's CC Good Finds - Buy Mode Functional Aqua Pura Water Cooler Creator: Menaceman44 Sneak Peek - YouTube Get it here - Download Escalator Creator: Sandy Sneak Peek - YouTube Get it here - Download TS4 Snack Sized Chips Creator: sssvitlans Sneak Peek - Get it here - Download Kellogg’s range part 1 Creator: coatisims Sneak Peek - Get it here - Download Box mesh from the grocery set by Ladesire ( included in DL ) Warburtons & Kingsmill Bread Set Creator: coatisims Sneak Peek - Get it here - Download Newsstand Creator: Around the Sims 4 Sneak Peek - YouTube Get it here - Download S4 Toddler Club House Bunk Bed Creator: 13pumpkin Sneak Peek - Get it here - Download Japanese Convenience Store Set Creator: Studio K Creation Sneak Peek - YouTube Get it here - Download Pillow Collection #12 Creator: Sims4Luxury Sneak Peek - Get it here - Download TS4 Pet Bed "Fruit Cocktail" Creator: Helen Sneak Peek - Get it here - Download Cat Litter Box for The Sims 4 Creator: nanakusa-sims Sneak Peek - Get it here - Download Red Shelf Creator: amoebae Sneak Peek - YouTube Get it here - Download Reminder Please note that it is a must to keep your downloads updated. New patches and updates for The Sims 4 may or may not cause your downloads to stop working. Most creators update their files immediately, all we have to do is redownload. I will keep a lookout for updates, and update this page as well. Installing Custom Content and Mods Step 1: Every mod/custom content should be placed in My Document>Electronic Arts>The Sims 4> Mods Step 2: If the cc/mod you download is in .package format, you can place it anywhere you want in the Mods folder. If it is a SCRIPT mod, you cannot place it inside a sub-sub folder. If it's a ZIP file, first unzip it and follow the instructions above. Step 3. Enable cc in-game. If you're using script mods, also enable script mods in-game Installing Sims and lots Step 1: Every mod/custom content should be placed in My Document>Electronic Arts>The Sims 4>Tray Step 2: If it's a ZIP file, first unzip it and follow the instructions above. Step 3. Enable cc in-game. If you're using script mods, also enable script mods in-game Step 4. Go to your Sims 4 Gallery in the game, and look for your Sims or the lots you had just installed. If you cannot find them, you might need to enable your custom content in the gallery. NOTE: After each patch, the game will automatically disable custom contents; you have to enable it in-game again. You might like... Or maybe you would like to check out my farm... For more on Sims 4, click here. For more games, click here. Concerns? Feedback? Do let me know. ♥ Welcome to Strange and Unusual: Puking king. I hope you find something you like on my website. Please consider subscribing and feel free to suggest and/or give feedback. This will help my website a lot. You may reach me through comments, or you may contact me here. Please be informed that I do not have any staff to help run this site. There is only me - updates may be snail-paced. Thank you for your patience and understanding. ♥YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/ThePukingking ♥ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/strangeandunusualpukingking ♥ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/daphne.pukingking ♥ Pinterest - https://pinterest.ph/strangeandunusualpukingking

Tank Man (1989) - the Now Identified Little Protester at Tiananmen Square. In 1989, Jeff Widener, an American photographer shot an image which was named "Tank Man" (also known as the Unknown Protester or Unknown Rebel). The iconic image was nicknamed as such because of the unidentified being that stood in front of a column of tanks leaving Tiananmen Square on the 5th of June. The image remained unidentified for many years until today... I took a closer look and holy smokes, that Unknown Protester was me - dancing like John Travolta. Saturday Night Fever was a huge success soon after it was released in 1977. At age 2, I was crazy in love with John Travolta and his smooth dance move was something I just could not resist. Hence, the picture.

"Just having lunch with my buddies at the Rockefeller Center. It felt more like I was eating my PB&J up in the sky and the view was awesome."

"Ah Yalta... I remember that day. It was a cold day and everybody was so grim and serious. I decided to lighten up the mood."

Retro furniture, old tin cans and old soda bottles long-forgotten by time are among some of the things that never cease to catch my eye. The dust that surround these items bring with it old memories that I cannot ignore; some questions come alive and I cannot help but wonder about the stories behind each piece. When I was 5, I used to visit my father's relatives at Pandacan. I remember climbing the stairs and going past a large guava tree before reaching the main entrance which was their kitchen. Soon as I entered, cats of different colors dominated my vision. Seeing them was one aspect of my visit that I looked forward to. I enjoyed playing with them, while lola Dedeng (grandmother Dedeng) scolded me each time. I never really understood why it annoyed her whenever I played with her cats. Whatever her reason was, I never really cared for it... I continued to play with the meow meows because it was fun. Other than the many cats on the floor and on the table, their windows always got my attention and they were beautiful.. antique capiz windows surrounded their wooden provincial type home. Their house was something that looked like it had just come out of a scene from an old Filipino movie. I remember how the wooden floors creaked each time I made a tiny step. Not far from the kitchen was their living area and it had wooden sofas that I was so in love with. As I sat on them like a well-behaved little doll, my mind often wandered and my thoughts took me places where the future and I danced together. I knew then that someday, I would have my own place and long-forgotten pieces would surround me. My mom loves antiques and I am blessed to have some of them. She gave me the huge dining table that once belonged to my grandfather. She gave me some of her antique jars. She gave me other old things too that are now on my wall and in some corner of my house. Along the way, I collected more vintage pieces that are both of value and non-value. Among the many things that I had at home, my dream of having a wooden sofa that resembled the same piece that I once sat on as a child had yet to come true... then I saw "it" on Facebook. I felt a sudden feeling of excitement and I hoped that my inquiry would get a reply really fast. Not long after, I had a new mail. I crossed my fingers and hoped that it was the mail I was longing for. Oh yes, it was. The wooden sofa was available and very much affordable too. My dream was about to come true... at this point, all I had to do was go to Garage WCC, pay for the chair and bring it back home with me. Just a few days after my inquiry, I went on a short trip (well, it was quite long due to the traffic) to Garage WCC which was located at Bangkal Makati. It was there that I was greeted by Marie Tillman Figueroa and her husband. As I made my way inside her shop, my eyes went on a hunt... oh look at this and oh look at that! From vintage lamps to an old looking Sungka with legs - her store was a heavenly spot for an old soul like myself. I bought the wooden sofa, along with the four-legged Sungka and many more that I felt would be good additions to my home. My son also bought an old helmet which looks like an old military helmet, and because he feasted his eyes upon some baseball cards, he was given some for free. A lot of the items sold are reasonably priced and if any of the items are not in their best condition, Marie's husband can turn bronze into gold. It has only been two months since I had been there, but I have been dreaming of taking another trip to her heavenly shop. Someday, I will do just that. Things, old and new alike have stories to tell. As each piece is passed on from one person to another, new memories are added - their stories grow bigger and bigger. But along the way, these items are lost and forgotten. Fortunately, every now and then, there are some people that seek for jewels among the junk that most have taken for granted; what was once lost and forgotten are brought to life. Marie's little shop is an example of this. (For Antiques, Vintage, Retro, Rentals, Repurposed & up-cycling items. You may visit Marie Tillmann Figueroa's Garage WCC at 1221 Zamora st. Bangkal Makati.)

Some 20 plus years ago, I found myself in the clutches of the gaming world. I was always playing Street Fighter at Robinsons Galleria on weekdays and on weekends. I was one of the few girls playing it and I was pretty good at it too. However, life demanded change and as years had passed, the arcade became nothing more than a memory, a distant memory. Fast forward to the present.. it was the Christmas season and my mind was busy with thoughts on which presents to give this person and that person. Ooh I had so many ideas because gift giving is one thing I enjoy on Decembers. As one idea led to another, I stumbled upon an advertisement on arcade machines that were sold for about 125,000.00 Pesos each. I figured that the price was reasonable enough and so, I made my inquiry; just as I was ready to say yes, I decided to look around first and I am so glad that I did. For one, I was able to save thousands and I am blessed with 2,200 games in 1 machine... imagine playing Street Fighter on a Saturday morning then playing battle city on the same day at my convenience. It is almost like a gamer's paradise. 3A's arcade sells customized arcade sticks and machines. I told them exactly what I wanted and how I wanted it - 24 inch screen monitor with my site logo at the top of the machine and street fighter embracing the rest of the design. Communication was easy and soon after I paid for the machine, I just waited for it to arrive and it did not take longer than a few days. Now, it sits comfortably in our game room and whenever I open the door to our game room, it's the first thing that I see and the sight is amazing. If you enjoy gaming like I do, then an arcade stick or a machine like mine is worth it. If not, I'm pretty sure your kids would love to have one. Check them out https://www.facebook.com/3AsArcade

Jellybean and I started playing Foosball last week, and I won 2- 0. Today, it was 1 all and so, we decided to have a tie breaker; he won. When either of us score, we gleefully express that joy with some "oh ya" and "yessss'. But when either of us lose, the shrieks that come out of our mouths are not only painful to the ears, its sharpness could almost cut you like a hot knife cutting butter. What ensues soon after is a battle of unintelligible words, tossed around and coupled with a few punches in the air. Imagine a mother and son freaking out wildly - wtf is right. For some, that wtf is the same as hahaha wtf. But I am sure that there are those that will question my ability to mother a child responsibly. Oops, my middle just flung itself. Anyway, going back to our little game... Foosball is an extremely fun game to play. But what makes the fun a notch higher is that I am able to spend time with my son and this has been long overdue. Jellybean and I may live in one house but we are not together all the time. We are both gamers and being so helps very little with time spent together. I stay inside my pink room all day, while he stays inside his playroom which is on the second floor. I play my shooting games while he plays his Minecraft and Roblux. Our weekends may seem predictable, but they are definitely not boring. However, as fun as our Saturdays and Sundays may seem, my son yearns for something more; that something is quality time spent together. Games may connect us, but they also keep us apart. Then again, it does not have to be so. I cannot allow time to pass and be lost forever. Soon, our family game room will come to life. It will be blessed with fresh new paint, new fixings and pieces of furniture to suit our needs. I can already imagine more Foosball days, more of our happy screams and a whole lot of just being together. Most importantly, my family will get the time they deserve. At the end of the day, our lives are like roller coasters. Whether we be up or down, we must relish this remarkable ride; for there will come a time when this ride will meet its end and memories are all that would be.

♥ A horror fiction by R.L. Stine. Published in July of 1992, Welcome to Dead House is the first book in the original Goosebumps book series. What is it about? Amanda and Josh Benson move into a creepy old house located in the strange town of Dark Falls. Not long after do they discover that the children of Dark Falls are not just different, but evil and dead. Welcome to Dead House is an awesome book to read. It will creep you out and perhaps, frighten you enough to give you goosebumps. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Five hearts My Thoughts ♥ This is my favorite among all Goosebumps. ♥ This book is more for a young adult, but even adults can find enjoyment in reading Welcome to Dead House.

I am an animal lover and I would like to share my two bits... do keep an open mind. I support SECOND CHANCE ASPIN SHELTER PHILIPPINES INC. Second Chance Aspin Shelter is home For 40 dogs. Their objective is to give quality life and eventually find a loving home for all 40 dogs https://www.facebook.com/SecondChanceAspinShelterPhilippines/ I support THE PHILIPPINE ANIMAL RESCUE TEAM (PART) Volunteer based, SEC registered, non-profit animal welfare group. Our NO KILL animal sanctuary is home to the abused, neglected, abandoned, & injured strays of Manila. https://www.facebook.com/PhilAnimalRescueTeam/ I have nine (9) dogs and all are aspins. Five of them are from Second Chance Aspin Shelter: Hera, Paige, Basha, Tanya and Bella. Two are from P.A.R.T. and their names are Easter and Piglet. Each one has a special place in my heart. I grew up knowing what it was like to have pets and loving them was never a distant thought or feeling. My mom has had so many dogs of different breeds that I could never count them. Growing up in such an environment has both positive and negative factors. On a funny note though, I will never forget how my mom often tried her best to confuse me with their names. For some reason, I always knew if the dog was one that she has had for sometime or if it was a new dog that had just arrived. "You have a new dog - AGAIN!", I would often say. Her reply was always the same, "No, luma na yan!" (No, that is an old one!). I suppose I could consider that as a positive factor - it always made me laugh. She often adopted the unwanted - dogs that were too bruised and broken. There were dogs that were over-used for breeding. There were dogs whose only faults were to be old. No matter what the reason was, my mother was always ready to take them in. Her love for the unwanted pets is a trait that was passed on to me. No animal is ugly and too dirty to be loved. That, I firmly believe in. My aspins are blessings in life. Before me, they never knew what it was like to love and to be loved. Each had its own story and as traumatic as it was, making them see that they could trust me was a feat. Some were aggressive, while others were afraid of other dogs. Each case was a challenge; a challenge that I would never turn away from. The fear in their eyes were overpowering that it was impossible not to feel for them. I wanted to help them and I wanted to make their lives better. My dedication to them was unwavering; fueled by the sheer goodness in my heart. But there are only a number of us - true animal lovers that want to make a difference in the lives of these lovable indigenous dogs of the Philippines. It is heartbreaking to know that time cannot change the general attitude of most people with regard to aspins. In my opinion, they are the most beautiful among all other dogs. However, they are unattractive to most simply because of ones mentality; imported animals are cuter. I cannot fathom how some would say that they love animals, and yet, they are also so breed conscious. Give me a cat or a dog, regardless of its origin, I will love it with all my heart. NO LONGER UNWANTED Easter When Easter arrived at my house, it was Rowena of P.A.R.T. that brought her. What she said then pinched me so deeply that her words never left my thoughts. She said, "tumanda na nga yan sa shelter."(It was at the shelter that she has gotten old), referring to Easter. The thought of Easter growing old in a shelter, devoid of warmth and comfort is saddening. I cannot imagine my life without her. She sleeps next to my son every night and follows me down the stairs every morning. She is treated with much love and care - none of which would be true for her if I were a different person. Hera Hera, my darling, came to my life soon after I lost my Olive. I was so heartbroken that I begged for a dog that looked a lot like my Olive. Of course, Hera could never replace Olive; none are replaceable. But my heart had a big empty hole in it, that it almost felt like I just needed an immediate fix. Hera was my "fix". She was being fostered at that time, and she was sick too, which is why it took a bit longer before I could have her. Soon after, I learned that my fat Hera was a problem doggy - she was a biter. I brushed that off because I knew that I could tame her, even with my eyes close. True enough, it only took me a few hours to make her realize that she was mine and I was hers; all I did was put my arms around her. She is my sidekick; my beta. She is fully aware that among all the dogs, she is the boss and she never fails to remind them of that. "I am Hera, master of the doggy world." Paige Oh, this girl is my five thousand pesos doggy. She shook my world when she ran out my gate like a speeding cheetah. It took three harrowing days before she was found. As promised, a reward of five thousand pesos was given to the people that took her in. She is part Pitbull, which is why her playfulness is a bit extreme. She is a very sweet girl; ready to embrace you with all her love. She, too, was a bit of a problem doggy. She was friendly towards people, but afraid of other dogs that she would often cower in one corner. Now, not only does she run around my coffee table over and over, she also plays with my other dogs. Tanya I refer to this girl as Tanya the turd because she tends to be annoying at times. However, she is as sweet as the others. Her fur is darkish brown and she is small-to-medium in size.. a turd with legs. She was given to me by Cherry Licup of Second Chance Aspin Shelter because she looked a lot like Harry; Hera's brother that passed away many months ago. Tanya is the smallest among them, but she is such a bitch that she enjoys lighting the fuse between her and another for no reason. Then again, as I had said, she is a very sweet girl - too sweet that when she gets too excited, she pees herself. She can be a handful at times, but the sight of her always puts a big smile on my face. So, whenever I see her, I can't help but sing, "Twerk it like Tanya." Don't ask me why because I, myself, don't have a clue. Basha There really is not much to say about her and this is because Basha often minds herself. She is quiet and obedient. But don't let her silence fool you; she can bark like mad when she wants to. She sleeps at the foot of my bed and every night, like clock work, her continual scratching makes it seem like the bed is having a seizure. Bella Bella-licious is a small and round dog. Once upon a time, she was best friends with Tanya. But their friendship was cut short. Long story short, Mortal Kombat would ensue even at the slightest glance - so much animosity is present amidst the two bitches. Bella is one of the sweetest dogs you could ever meet; which makes this war between Bella and Tanya an unfortunate situation because I have to keep them away from each other as much as I can. Otherwise, we would always need the soundtrack playing in the background to complete the scene... "Get over here!" Piglet This handsome aspin has six toes on each paw. Originally, they named him Six toes. For some unknown reason, someone at the P.A.R.T. shelter replaced it with Piglet. Before I took him in, he was their mascot - often tagging along and making people smile. He wasn't an easy adoption. It took a bit more effort for me to convince them to let me have him. He was just so adorable when I first saw him at the shelter that I could not close my door on him. He is a very good dog; quiet and gentle. My aspins may be ordinary to others, but in my heart, they are special. They would never have been special if I chose to live a life without them. But I chose them, as much as they chose me. Tonight, as I write this, they sleep peacefully on my couch and my bed. They are treated like little kids - looked after and taken care of. My pets live good lives and that is my happiness. I hope that in time, more people would learn to find happiness in having these local dogs as part of their families. They need us - all you have to do is open your doors to them. "I have been to the above-mentioned pet shelters - it was exciting and sad. Of course, soon as my feet touched the ground of both shelters, I was overjoyed to see the animals. But leaving and having to say goodbye to the orphaned aspins gave me such a desolate feeling that is painful to remember. So many of them, and yet, so little care to want them. Sad. Plain sad." ♥ Let them touch your lives...

Start Your Journey Toward a Smoke-Free Life Today. How I started mine... On the morning of July 9, I had smoked the last 3 sticks of Marlboro that I had. I wanted to smoke, I needed to smoke. But I spent a moment thinking about the conversation I had the night before. Róbert and I agreed that I would count the number of sticks that I would smoke daily, and slowly reduce that number. Although I agreed, I felt that it would not work for me. I should know. I tried it once before, only to learn the hard way that it was a shitty idea - it doubled the number of sticks I smoked. For five whole minutes (it felt more like an eternity), I repeatedly asked myself what I should do about this "painful" craving that was making my head turn 360 degrees - oh I was losing my mind. But I had a choice: send my helper to buy me a whole ream or quit smoking. I did the latter. Two whole hours had passed. Was I craving for a smoke? Yes. But I continued to ignore the screams in my head. Baby steps, I thought to myself. First, I should get in the car and head off to work. My twenty minute travel to the office felt like I was trapped inside a cage; for all I wanted to do was to get out and roar like a lion on the loose, but I made it to my destination without going insane. Once at the office, I headed towards my desk with the continual thought of inhaling the very fumes that I had learned to love for twenty-eight years. But I ignored my thought. As time passed, minutes became hours and my hours felt like I was burning in hell. My thoughts seemed more like the Devil, taunting me and making my life miserable. All I wanted to do was sit outside the front door with a stick in my hand - puffing, puffing and puffing. Many years ago, I was dubbed "the chimney" by many of my friends - clearly, you can see why. The day was far from over, but more than eight hours had passed and I was still sane. The craving, the hunger, the need and the want - I could not give in. It was only getting more difficult as the day was nearing its end, but today I chose to quit and I am not going to give in to my inner demons (little bastards). I have to be strong. I have to be. I wanted to cry. I wanted to yell. I just wanted to run amok and grab the first stick of cigarette that I could get my hands on. My first night without having smoked since I got up in the morning was painful, sad and simply maddening. But self-control had to be my new best friend; for it was the key to live through the first night. The next day, I got up and reminded myself of everything that I had endured the day before. Was I happy about it? Yes and no. I hate the fact that I had to feel like shit all day. But I was glad that I managed to go by a day without a cigarette in my mouth. "So, pucker up those lips of yours dear but you are not getting another stick in there - you, bad girl, you!" Don't think for a second that quitting is just a walk in the park because it is definitely not. Quitting is more like walking on a floor covered with shards of glass. Find your reason; the strength and will to quit will follow. Pay attention to today, ignore the urge and the time will add up. Before you know it, one day will be five months. I have been smoke-free for five months now. If I can do it, so can you. You just have to want it. I know I did. (image is not mine https://hiveminer.com/User/The%20Funerals.)