For The Love of Dog

When I saw this picture on facebook, my heart melts. I swore I'll make a blog about dogs.

Dogs communicate their moods, emotions, and desires in a variety of ways, from obvious to subtle. Fred Metzger theorized that dogs love us as long as we continue to reward their tricks and antics with treats and attention:

"Dogs probably don't feel love in the typical way humans do. Dogs make investments in human beings because it works for them. They stand something to gain from putting so-called emotions out there. The more 'cute factor' they give us, the more we feel like they love us. This makes it more likely that we will give them more attention, food treats, outdoor access -- all based on how much of a show they put on for us."

"Their loyalty is unconditional - much like that between a parent and child. For the most part, our dogs would go to bat for us, even on our worst and most intolerable day. All parents have days when they may not really like their kid that much, but they always love them unconditionally; even parents of troubled or criminal children love them on some level. The love and the loyalty that drives that emotion is instinctual. I think dogs have a 'love' or connection with their humans that is free of preconceived perceptions."

- Burgard

Emotions underlie intraspecies communication, from barking to growling to the baring of teeth to show anger and aggression. So, are those "puppy dog eyes" signaling true love or a manipulation to get dog biscuits out of you? As long as science remains undecided, the meaning of your dog's "happily" wagging tail is up for interpretation.

12 Ways Puppies Show Love to People

(Source:  http://puppies.about.com/od/PuppyLoveBrags/a/Puppy-Love-Do-Dogs-Love.htm)

1. Puppies love with wags. Considered a “distance decreasing signal” a puppy tail wag often invites you to come closer begs for attention. 

2. Puppies love with licks. Slurping your hands or—even better—aiming a smooch at your eyes or mouth is a canine declaration that YOU are TOPS with him! This submission gesture often is used in greetings or as an appeasement gesture—a way to say I’m sorry—when you act upset. 

3. Puppies love with leaps. Jumping up looks cute in small babies but once he grows up, these love leaps can knock you over and break a hip in elderly visitors. He’s jumping up to aim licks at your face—that’s a proper doggy greeting after all. You can always kneel for a face-slurping greeting, or teach your puppy a better greeting like to sit when you come home. 

4. Puppies love by rolling over. Besides enjoying a tummy rub, showing the tummy puts puppies in a vulnerable position that declares trust and affection. Rolling over in front of more powerful dogs—or people—is how puppies show through body language they offer no threat and want to be friends. 

5. Puppies love by shaking paws. Dogs often offer a paw just before they roll over. Puppies paw your leg to ask for attention. 

6. Puppies love by crawling into your lap. They crave contact with you and a sign of deep affection and trust can be leaning against you or resting across your feet. 

7. Puppies love by napping with you. They show great trust by falling asleep on your lap, and sharing your pillow can be a great treat for you both. 

8. Puppies love by wetting the floor. This is different than urine marking. Even when pups understand potty training basics, they may squat and wet when you first greet them or raise your voice. Technically called submissive urination, consider this gesture your puppy’s way of crying uncle and declaring you to be in charge. 

9. Puppies love by chewing your stuff. Sure, it feels good for teething babies to gnaw, but they target certain objects because they smell like their most beloved person—you. 

10. Puppies love with crotch sniffs. They mean no disrespect, and to dogs, sniffing this (ahem) area is the equivalent to shaking hands in greeting. Older pups may even offer a return of the favor and present their butt for you to sniff. 

11. Puppies love with play. They invite owners to play, bring you gifts of their favorite toys, and eagerly join in your games—sometimes whether you want them to or not. 

12. Puppies love with smiles. Some dogs actually learn to "grin" by lifting their lips to show a fun toothy smile to show their happiness and affection. 

They never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation. :)

The Little Things

You don't have to buy me all the gold there is in Rome, you don't have to surprise me with the most expensive home, you don't have to travel around the world for me at all. You don't have to be a movie star on the TV, you don't have to be a knight in shining armor to rescue me, you don't have to promise me the moon and stars above. I don't want much. You is more than enough. The hurried kiss I get from you when I'm leaving, the way you take my arm when we go walking, they way you hold my hand when we're at a show, the way your eyes say more than you when we're talking, and you know what tears me all to pieces? Is the way you tell me that you love me. The way you know just how I like a food. I don't want much. The way you smile at me is self explainable. I know it may sound funny but, really, they mean so much to me. Makes me feel secure and puts my soul at ease. Just keep sure you're there for me. Just say, that love, will always stay. It's just the little things, the simple little things.

For you. From me, Allyza. :)

Between Heaven and Hell

Friends are the nicest thing you can have, and the best thing you can be.

Goodbye guys! You will be missed. :')

03/21/12: Happy Hunger Games!

                 THE BOOK                                                                 THE MOVIE
VERSUS

It's the 21st day of March. Meaning? HUNGER GAMES! Few days ago, I bought an advance screening ticket of the movie which is scheduled today, March 21, 2012. I know, I know, film will be shown tomorrow, March 22, 2012 but due to my demands, we bought an advance screening. Reason are: 1. I don't wanna watch the movie with jam-packed-people like what I felt when we watched the movie The Vow; 2. My Id tells me that I'm excited and I wanna see my much awaited movie as soon as possible.

If you haven't watched the movie yet here's the plot summary and the synopsis of the film (courtesy of IMBD). Much better if you read and watch it of course.

PLOT SUMMARY:

In a not-too-distant future, North America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. 

SYNOPSIS:

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place. 

As a Hunger Games fan, I expected high (well, high enough) for the film adaptation. And so far, I’m 90% amazed and 10% dissapointed. As a movie, it was great! The acting was wonderful (barring a couple of scenes), the filming was outstanding, and the writing was good for the most part. As an adaptation, though, it missed a few things. Don’t get me wrong, this was one of the best film adaptations of a book I’ve ever read/seen, but some things I wish they’d have focused on more or changed:

1. Katniss' Mockingjay Pin. It should be given by Madge, the Mayor’s daughter. Not bought it.

2. Why didn't Peeta's dad come to talk to her (Katniss)? - that was one of the good part in the book. 

3. The chariot scene. I don’t remember Suzanne Collins (author of the book) describing Katniss as looking like Princess Leah with a jet-pack, but okay. 

4. The cave scene. I honestly feel as though I wouldn’t have understood the ending if I hadn’t read the book, and it was because of how short the cave scene was. I guess, in a way, it justifies the Capitol’s anger, because it didn’t seem like Peeta and Katniss were in love. With how little time they focused on the cave scene, I didn’t get the feeling that they loved each other.

5. Competition is short on thrills. It didn't gave me enough thrills as what I felt when I was reading the book.

6. No idea where any of the combatants are in relation to the Cornucopia or what the Terrain is like. Everybody’s running, but we don’t know where to or from. 

7. How come the dogs look like bulldogs? 

8. The ending. The book was really long, so it had to leave a big chunk out, and I guess they chose the ending. You never understand how deep Katniss is in trouble.

Favorite scenes:

1. “I volunteer as a tribute!” scene. All of the District 12 scenes were really awesome!

2. The tracker jacker scene. Both the wasps themselves, and the hallucinations were really well done!

3. On top of the cornucopia. Holy crap Cato shoud win an Oscar. ‘nuff said!

There were other parts that I both liked and disliked, but I’d have to see the movie again. Overall, I’m really happy with it, though. The film was purely amazing! Well done Lionsgate. Well done! I shall see “Catching Fire” when it releases. May the odds be ever in your favor!

MAIN CHARACTERS IN THE MOVIE:
Jennifer Lawrence ... Katniss Everdeen
Josh Hutcherson ... Peeta Mellark
Liam Hemsworth ... Gale Hawthorne
Woody Harrelson ... Haymitch Abernathy
Elizabeth Banks ... Effie Trinket
Lenny Kravitz ... Cinna
Amandla Stenberg ... Rue
Alexander Ludwig ... Cato

Catching Fire, the second installment of the series, is scheduled to be released on November 22, 2013. 

Trying To Be Strong

I've been trough a lot of hard times this past few weeks. And when I say a lot, it is, really. Which is the reason why I stopped blogging.

1.) Me, my research groupmates, and the research itself.

     Actually, hindi naman talaga kami nauubusan ng problema pagdating sa research. Kakaibang lungkot lang naramdaman namin nung araw na dumating sa point na kailangan namin gumawa ng letter na aware kami na kapag hindi namin natapos ang research, wala na kaming karapatang mabuhay (sarcastically speaking of-course pero ganun na din yun). Isama mo pa yung hirap naming magpabalik-balik sa East Ave at Tondo Med para lang sa research dissemination. Traffic na, mainit pa araw. Mainit na nga araw, mainit pa mga ulo ng tao. 

2.) My BB was snatched again and I got bruises all over my legs and arm.

     Kukunin na nga phone ko binigyan pa ako ng remembrance - madaming pasa na malalaki at sobrang itim. Kaladkarin ka ba naman e. Akala tuloy ng mga makakakita binugbog ako.

3.) Suicide precaution

     A day after ko maholdap, isang malakaing balita ang sinabi sakin - na wala na akong karapatang mabuhay (sarcastically speaking again). After 3 years, dun nalang ulit ako umiyak ng ganon. Hagulgol kung hagulgol. Lalo pa akong humagulgol nung niyakap ako nila Kamil, Jake, at uhmmm hindi ko na maalala kung sino pa mga niyakap ko nung araw na yun. 1 word lang nasa utak ko nung araw na yun: "Gusto ko na mamatay."

Imagine this, In 3 weeks all of that happen to me. I already don't know what kind of coping mechanism I should do just to be okay. I thought I'll be schizophrenic. Thank God I have friends, Thank God I have my parents, and Thank God I have Him (God) to tell me to be strong. Despite all of my problems, I have a lot to be thankful for. :)

Took this while walking along the street.

I truly respect the people who stays strong, even when they have every right to break down.