Week 6 -- "B" Yourself

We begin this week's dogvotional with a picture of me and my scribe:



Notice the variation of colors, my scribe's rather silly shirt but, most of all, notice my poised affect. See, not many dogs carry themselves in such an elegant manner -- sitting up straight with a paw gently held out for kisses from admirers. Yes, I realize that I am not "real" royalty -- Prince William and my chance at eternal love was only separated by species -- but, I feel that I should express myself as I view myself, and I have forever viewed myself as a princess.

Princess B, that is. And, I should note, that it would be much easier not to carry on this prestigious role of Princess Briony had it not been further substantiated by my scribe. See, she grovels at my feet. "Oh, Princess B, whatever do you need?" I hear this day in and day out. At first, I was confused -- "Scribe! I am no royal!" But, again and again she called me out... "Oh, Princess B, whatever do you need?"

What was I supposed to do? So, I gave in and laid my princess puppy head on my scribe's lap and with royal puppy eyes gazed upwards with a request: "Princess B needs a massage..." I would blink with my eyelashes, much like morse-code but in dog speech. And, thus, my status of royal highness began. Though, I have to admit, like I said earlier, I've always felt like a princess.

You're probably asking yourself "What does all this have to do with this week's dogvotional?" Well, everything, fair reader. See, this week's dogvotional is all about "B"ing yourself. For example, if you view yourself as a princess, then by all means, "B" a princess! Unfortunately; however, many of you fail to simply "B" yourselves because you are trying to conform to who society thinks you should be. "Nay, nay!" I say. This is a grave mistake -- society is always wrong in its guessing game of who you should be. And, many of you know this! Bravo!

"But, Princess B..." you may question, "how do I 'B' myself?"

Valid question, dear friend, for which I do have an answer. I have developed a process, a method if you will, that will teach you how to "B" yourself. I shall call it: "The Dogvotionalist's Dogma: 3 Steps to 'B'ing Yourself."

Before beginning with detailing my step processes, please note that each step must be followed exactly and in the exact order it is consecutively placed.

Step 1: Break. First things first -- we're going to get some of that stress off of you. That way, you will be able to feel more like yourself, instead of feeling like yourself with a buffalo on your back. So, reach for the closet thing to you that you wont miss -- probably a pencil or paper or flower (no people or animals, please) -- and get to destructing. Just destroy it. Break it, crumple it, rip it..whatever. Make sure that you're visualizing the demise of your stress alongside the demise of your (insert destroyed object here). And then, after you've worked up a fury and feel like you have all of your stress in your hands, slam dunk it in the trash. Feels good, huh? Yeah, I thought so.


Step 2: Breathe. Or meditate, whichever sounds best to you. Simply stop what you are doing, including reading these most important dogvotional steps, and calm your mind. How do you calm your mind? Simply stop thinking about everything and focus on only one thing, whatever that may be. Close your eyes, and take 3 deep breaths in. Slooooooowly. Keep focusing on only one thing. Make sure that this thing you are focusing on is not that of chores or bills, work or emotions -- simply think of something of pure enjoyment, something that represents you. On your last breath out, count to 8. At the end of your count, write down the one thing you're focusing on. It can be anything at all -- just write it down.

Step 3: Begin. Remember that buffalo of stress you had on your shoulders? The one you destroyed? You're a resilient thing, you know. Conquering battlefields like that. And, here we are, post buffalo-stress battle, with our focal point written down. Now, here's what you have to do. You have to read it aloud. I don't care if you're all alone or in a room full of people - just read it aloud. Sounds good, huh? Whatever that thing you wrote down is -- it is of utmost importance to you. See, when I did this exercise for the first time, I wrote down "royalty." And after saying it aloud, as you just did, I realized where these steps were supposed to take me -- they were supposed to take me to the place where I begin "B"ing myself -- figuratively, of course. After saying "royalty," I knew that in order to fully "B" myself, I had to "B" the princess I knew I was. And, the rest is history -- or, at least, that's why you have come to now know me as "Princess B."

Now, if you complete these steps again in the future and find that you have written down another focal point different from your original, it is time for you to take yourself in a different direction. Try "B"ing yourself differently. My scribe's new focal point is "B"ing thrifty, like we discussed a few weeks ago. So, she's investing herself in learning how to "B" thrifty. Don't be surprised if you change along the way. I mean, I doubt I will as I just fit the role of Princess so well, but you might.

It's important you "B" yourself, because you want to be a true representation of yourself to everyone else. You don't want to be a lie. If I were to walk around here trying to convince everyone that I wasn't a princess, then I would be telling a fib, and no one would know the real me! Nor could I pretend to be something else very well, as the true me would always shine through. You can't be someone else forever.

Also, "B"ing your true self means having people in your life that truly appreciate the real you. Why's that? I refer to a favorite quote of mine: "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." In essence, if someone is a fan of you -- they want you to be the real you!

So, don't pretend to be out-going if you're shy, don't try and fit in to something you wont, don't do something you wouldn't and don't be something you're not. Just "B" yourself -- that's the best you can be!

In conclusion, I hope that you all try and "B" better at "B"ing yourselves this week. Nothing is more satisfying than relishing in the perfect-ness of you!

Please, raise your right hand, or paw, and repeat after me: "I, (state your name), promise to be better at "B"ing myself this week. I will practice "The Dogvotionalist's Dogma: 3 Steps to "B"ing Yourself" and will work on finding my inner focal point. I will dedicate this week to exposing my true self to all of my friends and family, because that's the "me" they cherish the most. I will do my best at spreading the word of Princess B to those around me, and will be back next week for a new dogvotional."

I love you for you! See you next week, you wonderful thing, you.
B: The Dogvotionalist

Week 5 -- "B" Loving

Greetings, Favored Readers!

I come to you today from a very low place. Indeed, my mother (Alison) and prized-scribe has fallen ill this very week with something humans call "newmonia" or "newmona"....maybe "pneumonia?" Who knows. What should be known is that this week, I will be writing my own very first post....sans scribe. Yes, these little paws will be punching out perfect punctuation until Mother-dearest no longer feels so puny. Yes, you may applaud if so desired.

Now, it feels that Week 5's Dogvotional is in order, is it not? Quite right! Moving on! Tally Ho! You'll have to excuse me, I've never actually written and edited my own post before -- so I may get carried away with my own excitement. I love to pretend I'm human!

For this week's dogvotional I would like to focus on one of my very favorite topics: "B"ing Loving. And, considering we just passed through Valentine's Day (You all are Paw-fect in my eyes! Get it?!), I thought it would be quite appropriate. So, for Week 5, we will all "B" Loving.

Truth be told, I must confess, it was not Valentine's Day that got me to thinking about "B"ing loving, but my poor, poor, pathetically poor, baby brother Austen. Remember "The Monster" story? Yes, they are one-in-the-same, unfortunately. Well, my mother, in her festive Easter spirit, found blue rabbit ears on sale and(GASP),yes, decided on horror of all horrors and put them on The Monster for a photo shoot. I can say no more. You must see this embarrassing wickedness for yourself:







Oh, the horror. The horror! I can look at it no longer.

Needless to say, The Monster was at the point of puppy tear-dom when he saw the rest of our doggie herd silently laughing at him behind Mother's back. With each click of the camera, The Monster was quickly dissolving into a puddle of puppy-embarrassment.

But, for some reason unknown to me, I quickly realized that it could have just as easily been ME in those bunny rabbit ears being forced to pose for the camera. The Monster was doing us all a favor, and I had just realized it. Shame on me. The Monster did, in all reality, look extremely cute and should be proud of himself for presenting such a fine imitation of the Easter Bunny.

My old demeanour quickly melted away, and I began to smile and wag my tail at The Monster, to let him know how proud I was of him, and that even though all of his puppy friends would laugh at him at the dog park, I would still love him all the same.

The funny thing is that The Monster saw my expression and felt the love I was sending him -- he began to stand straighter and pose better and even look more confident in himself. I think I even heard him say, "Thanks, sis. I love you too."

And since that very day when I placed my love and confidence in The Monster, he has been more loving and confident himself. So, one moral to the story? Perhaps that you should give love in order to receive love. Had I continued to laugh at The Monster, he would have been callous towards me for a long time. But, I realized that he was doing us all a favor by wearing the rabbit ears, and that I should love him that much more for that. Because, it could have just as easily been me up there with those silly ears on and the one being laughed at.

By "B"ing Loving, we are not only spreading love to others, but spreading confidence and care, happiness and comfort. You see, there are so many more gifts present when one receives love. When I gave The Monster his love, I also gave him self-confidence, told him "It's okay to be different, because I still love you."

See, love is not always about all that ooey gooey stuff, like kisses between my mom and dad. GROSS! Love is much more powerful than that. By loving others, we see a type of "pay it forward" mentality, in which those we loved continue to love others. I hope that one day we can be a world full of love. Will you help me make it one?

I would like to end today's dogvotional by asking you to raise your right hand, or right paw, and repeat after me: "I promise to 'B' Loving this week towards my family, friends and strangers. I believe that by 'B'ing loving to another person, I will in turn be loved and so will other people. My hope is that I will one day help B: The Dogvotionalist create a world full of love so that we will all live in peace and happiness. I promise to spread the word of B to those who do not know her, and will be back next week in order to further enrich my knowledge and soul with B's all-powerful goodness."

Thank you all for reading my dogvotional -- It was difficult typing with my teeny-tiny paws, but I enjoyed being able to feel more connected to my public. I can't wait to see you all next-week. Hopefully my scribe will be in tip-top shape, as this whole typing thing is for the birds.

Until then, "B" Loving!
B: The Dogvotionalist.

Week 4 -- "B" Thrifty

Upon waking this morning, Princess B found herself greatly refreshed after such a trying week. You see, due to her mother being sick yesterday, B's weekly dogvotional had to be postponed. This threw B in a tizzy, because she very much hates making her adoring public wait. Needless to say, the dogvotional must go on. So, let us begin week 4 of B's dogvotionals with a little lesson on "B"ing Thrifty.

To go back to the beginning of this post, Princess B woke to find herself greatly refreshed this morning. Not only was she refreshed; however, but she was also full of grand beyond grand ideas for her new "How-to" book on budgeting she is currently writing. B feels that the general human race is without a thorough and apt knowledge of simple money management procedures, and considering we are all in very arduous economic times at present, B finds it imperative that she dedicate Week 4's Dogvotional to "B"ing thrifty.

B would like to dedicate this dogvotional to her mother, Alison, so that she will take these words of Rat Terrier wisdom to heart, mind and soul, and realize that she must "save instead of cave" (aka: buy, buy, BUY) for it is crucial to her and her family's (including, B, most importantly) financial well-being.

With that dedication, B would like to note that it is crucial that we, as humans, buy only what is needed for us to survive, and that our wants be pushed to the side. However, she would like to add that splurging on pets is a God-given right, and thus, should be considered necessary. B would also like to point out that much of what we want, can be found for much less. For example, if you would like a new dress, ladies, instead of gracing the racks of Saks, try skimming the aisles of Target. B can attest that someone very close to her actually found a dress on sale for $3.00 at Target. Most importantly, it looked like a Saks dress. Now, it is not always important that you buy new things, B would like to point out. "Try jazzing up an old outfit with an elegant brooch or scarf, perhaps a cardigan or shawl -- the possibilities are limitless" B says. "If you happen to notice my photo up top, you will see that I am wearing a rose as a head piece -- now, I did not buy said rose head piece but merely had my mother pick it out of a rose bush. For something so stunning on me, I certainly know my way around 'fiscal responsibility.'"

Obviously, not everything we are spending our money on are clothes. Yet, they stand as the quintessential example for most in that by balancing our wants with our needs, and by merely altering our spending habits, we are able to enjoy both our needs AND wants without breaking the bank. I.E. perhaps looking at a second-hand store rather than a department store, or playing with old pieces to make them look brand-new.

Now, it is necessary to point out that our wants should never surpass our needs. "I, for one, am always in need of the best dog food, because I have such a sensitive stomach. If my mom went out on a shopping spree for herself, how selfish would that be if I had to forfeit my personal, specific dog food?" B notes. "We must take into consideration others before ourselves." Family is most important during these trying times, so making sure our family members are well satisfied with their lives is of utmost importance. Do not think of yourself first, but rather, think of those around you. Is there something that they need that could replace your want? There always seems to be, doesn't there?

B would like to finish this week's dogvotional by asking all of her readers to practice "B"ing thrifty this week. "Only purchase what you need, because your wants will still be there next week. Our wants never go away, but our needs keep us here to stay." A proverb of B.

B now requests that you all raise your right hand, or paw, and repeat after her, " I, (state your name), most faithful reader of B's Weekly Dogvotionals promise to be true to the word of B this week by practicing "B"ing thrifty. I will put my needs above all my wants, and remember to keep my family of utmost importance in my budgeting decisions. I will do my best to follow B's Dogvotional, and will remember that if I do stray from the "B"ing Thrifty path, that the all-mighty Princess B is a forgiving Dogvotionalist and will personally raise me up with positive budgeting reinforcement. "B"ing Thrifty isn't impossible -- I just need to follow the words of B and watch my own budgeting practices manifest before my own eyes. Thank you, B, for your words of wisdom, and I promise to see you again next week with at least one more dollar to my name than today."

B would like to thank her audience for tuning in this week and hopes to see you all again next week.

Until then, "B" Thrifty!
B: The Dogvotionalist

Week 3 -- "B" Fashionable

B would like to begin this week's dogvotional with a photo montage:




Here, we see two of B's personal photos in which she is modeling various sweaters she owns. Notice the elegance, the poise, the grace. Most of all; however, notice the fashion.

B would like to dedicate this dogvotional to fashion and all of her faithful readers who value being chic.

From puppyhood to adult age, B always kept herself in the latest fashions -- from collegiate oxford collars to jewel-tone peacoats, this little Rat Terrier rivals Ralph Lauren. The best part of B's fashion savvy is that she is always the first to know of new trends. Some would even go so far as to say that B, herself, is responsible for creating such trends. B will never tell though. Although, I am quite certain that the "Jeggings" (note: combination of leggins and jeans) fad was solely B's great creativity.

Today, B is sporting an eggplant colored collar made of fine velvet. To compliment her collar, she added a neutral colored sweater, complete with woven flowers of various colors attached to the back. B would like to note that this look is achievable by anyone, and that you should not be fearful of such chicness. "Simply look for colors that make you glow." A direct quote from B.

B has such wonderful knowledge of everything fashion-related -- past, present and future -- that many designers use her advice for their up and coming collections. I wouldn't be surprised if they include a little "B" insignia upon their materials to honor her.

So, why does B value fashion and chicness so highly? Well, B would like to answer this for herself: "'B'ing beautiful means 'b'ing fashionable, so not only must you be both chic inside but on the outside as well. You want the complete package."

B asks that you all practice being chic, both on the inside and outside this week by picking colors, clothing and accessories that make you feel stunning or handsome. Men try a fabulous new tie, and ladies, a vibrant scarf to illuminate an outfit.

Also, make sure your personality matches your fashion -- as no one likes a dull person with a perfect outfit. Continue trying to "B" kind and "B" forgiving. Combine those two with "B"ing fashionable, and you could quite possibly be as perfect as B.

B concludes this week dogvotional by asking all of her readers to please raise their right hand, or paw, and repeat after her: I, most devoted reader of B's dogvotionals, dedicate myself this week to "B"ing fashionable both on the inside and out. I promise to wear only things that make me feel good about myself, and promise to continue to "B" kind and forgiving. Thank you, B, for your wisdom.

Until then, fair readers -
B: The Dogvotionalist