No one invited you, Vaginismus!

So you spend most of your time confined to the house, and it’s gotten kind of lonely. Thank goodness for the internet – you don’t know what you’d do without your fellow spoonies across the globe. But it’s also nice to have a buddy right there with you. A pet like a dog might be ideal. Too bad you wouldn’t be able to care for it properly, right?

Well, not necessarily.

With as many different types of dogs out there as there are people, it’s definitely possible to look for one that suits your lifestyle. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you begin:

Consider the right size for your space. Do you live in an apartment or a house? Do you have a yard? Is it fenced in? If not, is there a park nearby? Are you able to walk it?

Consider the right energy level. Sure, you might adore Labs, but they are incredibly high energy! Are you up to the commitment of taking them for lengthy walks each day, playing fetch and otherwise helping expend that energy? (If you don’t, many dogs will resort to destructive behavior such as chewing furniture, shoes, etc.)

Look for a breed that doesn’t shed. While you’ll still need to devote some time to a non-shedder’s grooming, it’s admittedly simpler and less time-consuming to take a dog to a groomer once every six weeks than it is to vacuum your home every day.

Check out accessories that can help make daily care easier. If you have trouble bending down, you can purchase a scooper inexpensively. A long-handled gripper can help you pick up toys and treats scattered throughout the house. Whatever your particular needs are, a quick internet search is bound to find tools for them!

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Sure, you want to be able to care for your pet yourself. But there’s a big difference between trying to foist all the responsibility onto a family member or friend, and asking for an occasional hand when you’re feeling particularly achy or exhausted. Don’t be shy. 

Don’t forget, as much as you might need a furry companion in your life, that dog also needs YOU! So many dogs out there need loving homes – why not yours?

Keep a knife on you. A folding knife, a fixed blade knife, whatever’s your preference, but keep a knife on your person at all times, you never know when you might need it. Don’t be afraid to splurge on the knife either, it can be your best friend in a tough situation. If you can’t afford a good knife, that’s okay. Get a decent/cheap knife and carry it until you can afford a good knife.

Always carry a set of tools in your car. Preferably a hammer, a set of screw drivers, a set of wrenches, etc. Something. Things you can work with. Learn to use them. Even if you can’t use them, you might be with someone who can, but please, learn to use them.

Have a flashlight. Either on your person, or in your vehicle. Say what you want, but that can be some serious damn comfort in a dark situation. [Haha, see the fucking pun I made there? Whatever, bite me.] Also, it’s nice to see what you’re doing in the dark.

Always carry a lighter, even if you don’t smoke. You can make friends that way, but it’s also nice to be able to build a fire in case you have to do it in a pinch.

Learn self defense. This isn’t always about how to fight, but how to avoid a fight ot a bad situation in general. Learn how to de escalate a bad situation, or how to end one before it begins. Understand that fair fights are schoolyard bullshit, and that the only winner of a fight is one who survives it.

Learn about guns. It’s okay if you don’t like guns, but you still need to know about them. Even if you never want to own or touch a gun, sometimes knowing how to use one can save your life or someone else’s life. Also, it helps if you ever witness a crime, you could describe what the suspect had to the authorities, or possibly what the fuck to hide behind if that asshole starts shooting. Mostly because you can get an idea of what it’s gonna penetrate, or how many shots they have.

Learn a skill that people feel is antiquated. Canning, preserving. Fuck it, crocheting or tanning. Learn it. Learn how to work with metal, or how to make soap. Stuff like that can be hella fun, and you can even use it for side cash. Also, just in case the world goes to shit, you’ve now got a skill that’s suddenly really fucking useful. Imagine that.

Take the time to meet your neighbors. Make friends with them, or at least build up a decent repertoire. Pay a visit to your local fire department or police department, do a police ride along. Hell, bring a cheap box of doughnuts to either place and you can make friends/leave a decent impression with either. Occasionally volunteer at a shelter if you’ve got the time. You’ll always feel better if you’re in a bad situation and you’re around someone you know.

Ways of saying “I love you”

(without saying “I love you”)

Ti senti meglio? Are you feeling better?

Ti penso molto.. I’m thinking about you a lot..

Hai mangiato? Did you eat?

Ci sono io con te I’m by your side

Come hai dormito? How did you sleep?

Ti ho comprato un libro I bought you a book

Quando arrivo a casa, ti chiamo I’ll call you when I get home

Notte, sogni d’oro Night, sweet dreams

Netflix has everything you need for a Black History Month binge watch

#DisabledAndCute is the best thing on Twitter this week (and there’s been a LOT of stiff competition)

2015-09-18, University, by Trine Watkins