* More than half of U.S. households have pets, and many of them are including their "best friends" in holiday plans.  * According to a survey conducted by Pet Supplies "Plus" chain, 97% of its customers will buy gifts for their animals this Yuletide season.  * 28% of owners will spend more on their pets than on their spouses when buying gifts. * 47% will spend more on their pets than on relatives other than their spouse. * 54% will spend more on their pets than on their in-laws. * 83% will wrap their pets' gifts. * 68% claim that their pets will unwrap presents themselves with their paws. * 71% will buy something practical for them.

Buying gifts for our pets is only half it. If someone we know is a pet lover, we often show our support by giving person a pet-related gift. And, since saying goes, "love me, love my dog", there's often pressure to throw in a little dog gift for Spike too. For a casual dog-loving aquaintance, our dog lover gift might be a simple coffee mug with a picture of their favorite dog breed. A set of plush doggie-themed golf club covers could make an amusing gift for a colleague. Maybe Aunt Janine has a collection of dog figurines we can add to. Or, at other end of spectrum, one could splurge on a diamond-studded doggie themed bracelet for wife (although I wouldn't recommend this as an anniversary gift. Unless you're verrry sure.) and a new house for Spike.  The good news is, there's no shortage of goods and services to inspire even most rabid of dog lovers and dog gift shoppers. And dog lover gift shoppers. Whether names on your gift list are human or canine, you'll never run out of things to buy and places to shop. If you're one of those gifted gift givers who's never at a loss for what to get and where to find it I envy you. If you're more like rest of us, and you need a little help, you'll find plenty of ideas online (Ahem!). You can also look for future articles in this series, in which I'll hone in on various ways you can pamper and reward dogs and dog lovers in your life.  So go ahead, spoil your furry friends. Celebrate your love for your dog, and your sister in law's love for her dog. Shower them with goodies and gifts. It's a dog's life. And if I get to come back for another round, I want it to be as one of those lucky dogs!!

A rule is designed to establish order and harmony in household. If you constantly break household rules, you are probably better off not having them. Try to be realistic. Make a rule that is reasonable and that everyone, including yourself, can easily follow.

Don’t Create Rules that You Intend to Break If They are Inconvenient

Don’t make a rule that you plan to violate regularly at your convenience. A rule is created to serve as a guideline regardless of whether it’s convenient or not. However, don’t be totally inflexible. As you now, there are exceptions to rules.

Occasionally, you have to be flexible to accommodate these exceptions. For instance, I have a rule that food should not be brought into bedroom. However, when one of my children is sick, then this rule does not apply. I’m not saying that we should be flexible all time. In essence, there should be a compelling reason to break a rule.

Make Role Modeling as Your Passion

Make role modeling as your interest and passion. Enjoy doing it. Practice and master it. Observe how you speak and behave in front of your family. Make sure that behaviour you show is same behaviour you want your kids to learn and that your speech should reflect what you want to hear from them.

You can’t preach that they should be happy and enjoy life when you’re grouchy all time. You can’t teach your children good moral values if you’re making a plan on how to cheat your neighbour — in front of your children’s watchful eyes.

In eyes of your children, you are a hero. They love to hear you and watch you. They love to be around you. They even love to be like you.

So watch out. Your speech and behaviour becomes your child. Commend yourself if your children turn out to be good people. But don’t blame anyone if they show inappropriate behaviour. Remember — they are just trying to imitate you.

Copyright © 2004. Dr. Michael G. Rayel – author (First Aid to Mental Illness–Finalist, Reader’s Preference Choice Award 2002) psychiatrist, and inventor of Oikos Game: A Personal Development and Emotional Skills Game. For more information, please visit www.oikosgame.com.