Blackberry,

I have been so busy and my life has been so hard. No one understands how hard it is to be me. Every1 is so jealous of me that they have to find ways to bring me down. Especially now that Nicole has that dumb, stupid baby.

Like last week - I had a superhot photo shoot to do and I had a smarty idea. The smartyest – like, you know how I always look hot in all of the picshurs that I take. Like every single one. Well, I was thinking like how can I make myself like an even gooder model. And geniousosity - the only thing that could make a picture of me more better would be a PUPPY!

So I pulled over right away to buy one and the store WOULDN’T LET ME. Something about how I don’t feed them or whatever – but like, I hug my puppies when I feel like it and, sometimes, I bring them out to the clubs with me like a good puppy mommy. And if I don’t put them in my closet, then where else would they go? Besides, if I don’t need to eat a lot and I’m so tall, they don’t need to eat either because they’re so tiny and preshus. Read More »

I love dogs. When I see a dog across the street or around the corner, I try to cross the street or take a shortcut so I can pet it and play with it. Nothing gives me the everything-will-be-okay feeling more than a wet nose, a big doggy grin, and a wagging tail.

I respect anyone who goes out of their way to help any animal in need, but the person taking that extra step for the pup everyone else overlooked just makes me feel happy about the world.

So, you can imagine the disgusting squeal of adoration my poor roommate had to endure when I stumbled on this article.

Katherine Hawkins is only eight years old. She’s not an especially social little girl, but she loooves dogs. And like any good little kid, she begged and pleaded until her parents eventually caved in. They decided to go the more dog-friendly route and rescue a dog – a Golden Retriever, specifically – from an organization called, unsurprisingly, Adopt-A-Golden.

The pup Katherine chose was Rocky. He was an 18-month-old ball of fluff, all wags and happiness. But there was a problem; Rocky had been injured in a car crash, and his leg had never healed right. Vet bills being outrageous, as they usually are, the organization needed to raise $2200 for Rocky’s surgery. Most other families would have passed Rocky by with that kind of price tag, but Katherine was in love. So she proceeded to something about it. A lot of something. Read More »

When it comes to Christmas presents its easy to forget man’s best friend. I mean, who’s there for you after a long day’s work? Who will cuddle with you during those long, lonely nights? Who will offer up kisses when nobody else will?

It’s unconditional love!

So, in addition to bones, treats, and snacks for your little pup, you could always splurge on an outfit for your mutt! Perfect, right?

In theory, sure. Maybe you have a little dog who needs the extra layers when it’s January and -25 degrees outside. Maybe you throw doggie boots on him when it’s icy (or you live in a city where the sidewalks may tear up your puppy’s feet).

But you know what I do have a problem with?

Hipster dog outfits.

Since when does a dog need clothing from American Apparel? Read More »

Days as a Freshman: 95
Mood: Stuffed

“So…” I clicked the old flashlight onto a brighter option and pulled my hat farther down onto my face. “How was Thanksgiving at your aunt’s?”

Even though I had secretly wished he had forgotten, Daniel B. had arrived at my house a few minutes after 7 on Thanksgiving night, a giant blue coat around his skinny frame and a round plate covered in tinfoil in his hands. I had prepared my parents and my two sets of aunts and uncles for his possible arrival, but as soon as I saw his twitching face behind our glass door, I knew all the preparation in the world couldn’t save this night from becoming extremely awkward.

After an hour of good-natured attempts at questions around our large wooden table, I had suggested Daniel B. and I take my old dog Spud out for a walk. My dad’s bushy white eyebrows went up at that suggestion, and I did my best to shoot him a “don’t get any stupid ideas” look.

Usually, you invite a guy to take a walk at night because you want to make things romantic. This invitation had nothing to do with romance, and everything to do with alleviating some of the unwieldy tension in the air.

Once we were outside, our boots crunching against a tiny layer of snow that had fallen on the quiet street, my body started to relax and I could breathe normally again. I mean, I loved my parents, but my mom and dad were both older, around 65, and often didn’t comprehend me as well as I wanted them to. I don’t think they understood that I had I invited Daniel B. over out of politeness. I think they actually thought I liked him. Read More »

With Thanksgiving literally only 24 hours away, I have been forced to prepare my list of things I am thankful for this year, which will be shared holiday dinner table.

Not that it is hard to come up with a list; I have so many things in my life that I am so fortunate to have. Things that I should really appreciate more year round, come to think of it. Things that I should not come to expect, but should rather feel lucky to have.

This is a problem many of us have - wanting more and appreciating nothing - so I thought I would take this opportunity to get all of you in the spirit of giving thanks by sharing with you just a few of the things I am more than grateful for this year:

1. My DVR: I know this shouldn’t come before family, but my DVR really is there for me when no one else is around. Like really early on a Saturday morning when I can’t sleep due to some interesting sounds coming from upstairs. Or after a long day of work when I want nothing more than the wisdom of one Ms. Oprah Winfrey.

2. My Family: I have put them through a lot these past few years; from my post-college depression to my spur-of-the-moment move to NY and then my spur-of-the-moment move back home. They are supportive, funny, loving and all around the best people I know. But they are still not willing to sit with me at 6:45 on a Saturday morning. Hence their number 2 spot. Read More »

You don’t have to be a staunch vegan, an animal activist, or even a pet owner to understand that if you don’t feed an animal, it will die.

And nothing about that can be considered anything but killing.

Which is why this disgusting story about an artist from Costa Rica who paid (yes, paid) 2 children to catch a dog so that he coud tie it up in a gallery, deny him food and water, and watch him die is so surreal. Do things like this really happen?

And what could this artist’s justification possibly be? Oh right, he couldn’t possibly have one.

Now listen, I’m no PETA member, and I was a vegetarian until I defaulted to peanut butter sandwiches everyday, became really unhealthy, and decided to go back to eating chicken, but how can a decent human being personally put another living thing through a slow and painful death and feel no remorse?

He’s an “artist” but that is absolutely no excuse. I know plenty of artists and let’s be honest, they’re usually the one’s fighting for animal rights, no?

What’s worse is that Guillermo Habacuc Vargas, the animal abuser in question, has been chosen to represent his country in the “Bienal Centroamericana Honduras 2008“.

What the f*ck?? Read More »

• I can think of a few girls who cost a bit more than $2,000 a year. (itn.co.uk)

• Cat starts fire, dog saves the day. (Yahoo!)

• 95 year old woman grows a horn…literally. Click on the link if you don’t mind throwing up a little. (metro.co.uk)

• Don’t drink and drive…or skateboard… (earthtimes.org)

• Vermont wants to get out while they still can! (The Independent)

Are you an animal lover?

Or perhaps an animal lover with commitment issues stemming from your relationship with your mother that you’re working out in therapy right now?

Well lucky for you, now pets—like most things in life (cars, homes, a warm body to spend the night with)—can be rented.

Of course, the owners of pet-rental services, prefer to call it “shared pet ownership.” According to Marlena Cervantes, founder of FlexPetz, the concept is more akin to a vacation time share or a gym membership than a trip to the video store (though if you’re like me, you’re probably more committed to your Blockbuster membership card than your gym card).

FlexPetz is currently available in Los Angeles and San Diego, where commitment-phobe dog lovers pay an annual fee of $99.95, a monthly payment of $49.95 and a per-visit charge of $39.95 a day for some animal companionship.

This fee apparently covers the expense of training the dogs, boarding them at a cage-free kennel, home or office delivery, collar-sized global positioning devices, veterinary bills, liability insurance, and “care kits” that accompany each dog on its visits. Read More »

The other day, I witnessed a horrifying event. I was at a pre - finals party, and despite tests and papers looming over everyone’s heads, the spirit was high — literally.

There were about 20 people there, including a precious chihuahua I’ll call Tony. Tony, although several years old, retained his puppyesque glow at a whopping four pounds. Since I didn’t know very many people at the party, Tony and I became fast friends, playing tug - of - war in a corner and waiting for my ride to want to leave.

Until… Tony’s owner stumbled over, scooped him up, put her mouth on his, and blew. Smoke. Into the little chihuahua. She gave Tony back to me, but he was a goner. He slumped over on the floor, catatonic — I guess he was transfixed by the awesome jams. “Yeah, Tony!” Everyone laughed. Read More »