10 Things We Can Learn From Dogs

Ever notice the uncontrollable pure bliss of a dog as you barely step foot through the door? Dogs never fail to take pleasure in the simplest of things. Just seeing you, and they become ecstatic.

I've never had a dog when I was little because my mom always told me she was allergic. However, now that I'm older and gave it some more thought, I have become suspicious that those allergies were all just a scam because she didn't want to get stuck doing all the work.

Over the last few days, I've been hard at work dog-sitting two adorable pooches. My job description entailed ball tossing, smothering the pooches with attention, napping, swimming in the pool, and strutting my stuff.. err I mean, walking the dogs around the block. Spending my days with these pooches, they've taught me a thing or two. Or ten...


Here are 10 things that I've learned from these simple furry creatures:

1. Be hysterically excited to see everybody. The second you hear the doorknob turn, jet uncontrollably towards the door an jump all over the person in front of you. I mean, doesn't everyone want to be greeted with such enthusiasm every time? If we humans could add a little (or a lot) more pizzazz into our greetings, I think the world would be a better place.


2. Your good looks can let you get away with anything. I mean, who can resist that adorable puppy face? At the very least, it's always worth a try. 


3. Smell everything. A dog's nose is always twitching, sensing the world around them. We, too, should be smelling everything- food, flowers, treats, new people, potential mates and everything else in between. 


4. You're never too old to learn a new trick, or two. Yea, it's always hard in the beginning, but in the end, it may bring you never-ending amusement and satisfaction.


5. Nobody wants to be left alone. A quick run to the store left my dogs in despair. I couldn't even sleep in another room or take a shower without them scratching at the door. 


6. If it's not wet and sloppy, it's not a real kiss. Can't argue with that.


7. Always be curious. Who knows what you may find around every corner, under the rock or behind the bush? The world is a fascinating place, so never stop exploring.


8. Grooming is important, but sometimes you just gotta get down and dirty. Don't slack off on your personal hygiene, nobody around you likes that. But sometimes you may be offered with an opportunity to run wild, play in the dirt or swim at a beach. Don't ever pass up those moments of diversion and revelry.


9. Take lots of naps. A nap is the answer to any problem. Whether you're overworked, underpaid, overwhelmed, or undersexed-- a nap lets you recharge and gets you ready to tackle anything. 



10. Cuddle whenever possible. Period!

Trying to do some work on my computer, but somebody strongly insists we go for a walk instead.

In Old Napoli Where Love Is King

The streets of Naples

Naples is never quiet. The streets are booming with commotion every day and night. The energy is contagious!

Napolitains are the loudest Italians I´ve met. And even thier voices aren´t enough because for every word there is a hand gesture that goes along with it.

During one of the nights of my stay, I thought the world was ending! People were screaming out thier windows, all the cars were honking furiously, air horns torturing your eardrums, and fireworks shooting in every direction. I found out that Napoli's soccer team had a match that evening, the reason why whole city was going crazy. Mamma mia!

Near the city of Naples is the only active volcano in Europe's mainland. Eruptions in the past have wiped out thousands in the area, yet perfectly preserving the civilizations beneath with ash. Now a popular tourist attraction, people come to see the everyday life of people in 79 A.D. in the cities of Herculaneum and Pompei..

America, The Land of Comfort and Convenience

Living in the U.S., we may take many of the little (and sometimes big) comforts for granted.

Within a day in Ukraine, I had to get accustomed to a completely different lifestyle here. My grandparents live in the countryside far from the city. It's absolutely gorgeous out here—but very different from the city life that I'm used to back home.

First, indoor bathrooms don't exist. Your only options are the stinky outhouses that are filled with flies, or finding a hidden spot somewhere out in the field. My personal fave: the cornfields.

Cornfields = bathroom

Second, showers are impossible. There is no indoor plumbing, so if you need water, you have to walk to the well with a couple of buckets to get some clean water. Using the well is bicep workout in itself. Then you have to lug the heavy buckets back to the house, trying your best to spill as little as possible. And of course, the water is freezing because it is from underground, so you have to get the wood to start the fire in the oven. And then when the fire finally gets burning, you can heat that pot of water up so you can wash all your important places.

Air-conditioning is non-existent here. Sure, finding a shade from the sun can help and drinking the ice cold water from the well helps, too, but public transportation in this sauna is a nightmare! Not only is the 100 degree weather a pain on its own, but being cramped into a bus full of other sweaty (and stinky) commuters is the worst!

What's more, there are no paved sidewalks or roads in the countryside, only beaten and/or stoned paths. Riding on these uneven rocky roads makes everything shake, jiggle, and bounce. Good luck just trying holding on to whatever (or whomever) you can to keep yourself up.

Electricity, too, is a problem in some areas. Although my grandparents do have it, it's only available during certain hours of the day. You're usually in bed by the time the sun is down, or it's dim candlelight while you try to wash up before bed, or if you're like me, write before bed.

so ....

... As all of you sit in your comfortable lazyboy chairs in your lovely air-conditioned suburban houses filled with toilets, running water, and constant electricity—take a moment to appreciate all those little comforts that you have at your disposal.