Puppies, Death and Moving On

I have been a pet parent to Crumpy for 10 years. Having only one furbaby at home, I was not really concerned about having puppies until the time we rescued and adopted, Cheesecake. (See separate story about the rescue, here.)

Well, we really did not want another puppy since we all know that having one is a lifetime commitment however, we can't really stop the "uncontrollable" especially that we have one male and one female dog. (You know what I mean.) 

I just took note of the date when it happened so that at least if Cheesecake gets pregnant, I would know when to expect her delivery. Well, she really got pregnant and last March 5, 2016, was the big day. I was excited and scared at the same time. Cheesecake started panting and was very uneasy. She did not want to stay in the whelping box we prepared. (I guess it was my fault since we really did not train her to stay there and she's so used staying on the little bed we made for her inside our room.) I was so lost and have no idea what will happen. Val had to go to work so technically, I am the only adult or let's say human at home. I have been researching online on what to expect, dangers and what should I do in case of an emergency. I even contacted my cousin, Macil whose a doctor and my friend Jen who recently had a dog that gave birth. I was like a husband outside the delivery room -- excited, scared and helpless as I hear Cheesecake crying, panting while giving birth. 

She gave birth at exactly 12:36 AM. I wasn't sure if it's a boy or girl and was undecided with a name. We wanted it to start with the Letter C just like his parents, Crumpy and Cheesecake. I was so happy to see the little puppy beside Cheesecake though I won't be able to hold her yet. I was so contented watching her from afar. I did not sleep that night. I just wanted to make sure that they are both safe and okay. 

It is a wonderful feeling of seeing another bundle of joy coming into our life. Our family is getting bigger. I did not care about our plan not to have another dog anymore. More barks mean more fun. I was ready for another lifetime commitment to see those little toes grow, watch those little eyes open kiss that red nose (just like Crumpy's) and give this little furbaby a life that she deserves. 

Day 2 was as just as wonderful. I was very concerned about the welfare of Cheesecake. She was still heavily panting and I was so worried since I read stories about placenta did not go out or other pregnancy complications. Good thing, Cheesecake was eating and drinking well. We found out that furbaby was a girl yet still do not have a name. We decided to call her "Baby" for the time being. She was okay and got all the attention of Cheesecake since there are no other puppies. We moved them to the living room since it was warmer. Unfortunately, Cheesecake was crying all night since she was not used to sleeping away from us. We all decided to sleep downstairs instead and slept together. This is what Ohana is all about. Well, I was not really able to sleep well. A little bit of sound and I would wake up immediately. I was just so worried and scared. 

Then the worst thing happened, it was the afternoon of March 7 when we lost "Baby" It was only a few hours that I was not really paying attention since I had to work. I work from home but had to send out some emails for a client so I stayed inside the room leaving them outside. Perhaps it was after 2 hours that I was not able to check on them when I saw "Baby" lifeless. I was shouting and crying at the same time. I did not know what to do during emergency situations. I did not know what was wrong but I lost our little furbaby. 

It was painful. When you treat someone as your family, it would not matter how long you had each other. She was able to capture my heart immediately. I cried and cried. No matter how painful it is, I realized that you still have to do what you have to do. I looked for a box where we can place her. I made a little bed inside the box and placed her there like a little angel sleeping. However, I asked Val to close the box because I can't do it myself. We decided to bury her in the garden the same night. Lit a candle, placed some flowers and offered her a prayer. 

I was lost. It was heartbreaking. Val had to work that night. I had to deal this on my own. There was a feeling of guilt. I felt I did not do enough for her. I was thinking of what I have done wrong. Tears were just overflowing. It was one of the saddest moments of my life. 

Whenever I think of her, I still cry. They say that crying is part of moving on and moving on is not about forgetting. It is all about acceptance of what happened while keeping the memories inside your heart. 

I am writing this since it's been a month since we lost her. In memory of my little furbaby, please remember that you will always be loved. Have fun in the rainbow bridge. 

No More Hassles for Home Improvements

You're ready to tear your hair out. You're tired of looking at the same arrangements in your home and you are ready for a change. You have an extra bedroom that make a great office. You think it's time to add one more bathroom to give everyone in the family more flexibility. The kitchen is another priority. You want to enhance this space that acts as the heart of your home. That's all well and good, but you have no idea where to get started.

Be Specific About What You Want
If you are going to give your home an overhaul, you don't want to be vague about it. Whether you review magazines, look online, or get home improvement books, take a look at your alternatives. Find exactly what you want for your home. This will give you a starting point. It will also help you when you are dealing with contractors. If you are going to get a good idea of what will be involved in your project, you need to know where you are going. 

Compare Contractors
Don't jump at the first name you see. You may have friends or family members that have recommended reputable companies to take on your renovations. Before you settle for anyone, make sure that you have explored all of your options. With Renovation Experts, you will have access to a network of contractors that includes thousands of qualified providers from across the country. When you fill out the online form that is available or call in to provide the details about your project, you can sit back and relax. Someone will be in touch with you. As area contractors receive the details about your project, they will contact you in order to review the job. They'll also offer you an estimate, helping you to make an informed decision. You want to know what you are getting into before you hire anyone.

See Your Project Take Shape
After considering your options, comparing quotes, and looking at reviews, you can select a contractor who will take your ideas and put them into action. You'll finally get what you want out of your home. It simply takes placing your home in good hands. Get a quote for free here from Renovation Experts. It won't cost you a dime and will give you the thrill of getting started.

Renovation Experts - http://renovationexperts.com/contactus.asp

View Philhealth Contributions and Print MDR Online

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or most commonly called (PhilHealth) was established in 1995 as a National Health Insurance Program for both employed and unemployed sectors. For just a minimal amount paid monthly (for employed), quarterly (for voluntary) and free (for indigents and senior citizens), it is certainly a big help. It may not cover your entire hospital bill but is deducts a substantial amount from it. 

The only thing we must remember is that you have to pay in advance for you to be able to use it and having a Philhealth ID or number is not enough to be qualify for the benefits. For the employed sector, one must have 3 months contribution within the last six months before the first day of confinement. 

With this strict rules for availment, we should also be keen in checking that our hard-earned contributions are remitted and posted properly to avoid delays or problems by the time that we need it. 

The good news is we can already check our Philhealth contributions online through http://www.philhealth.gov.ph/. We just need to simply create an account through the member inquiry on the right side of the homepage.  

To register, you will need the following information:

• Philhealth Identification Number (no dashes) 
• First and Last Name
• Mobile Number
• Sex
• Birthday
• Email Address

After submitting your information and answering the security questions, you will be sent an activation email.

Just click the link provided and you will also receive your login details where your username is your Philhealth Identification Number and a default password. 

After clicking the link, you will get a prompt that your account has been activated and you may now login. 

Once your account is activated, you may now view your contributions and even print an MDR which is the main requirement for claiming. 

If you still have questions, let me know on the comments section below. 

No scam: Easy and Convenient Investing through Sun Life

Sun Life Asset Management Company, Inc. (SLAMCI) is kicking off the Year of the Fire Monkey with a new offering that will help Filipinos conveniently grow their money: the Sun Life Prosperity Card.

A first of its kind in the market, the Sun Life Prosperity Card is a gift card worth P5,000 which may be invested in any of the peso-denominated mutual funds managed by SLAMCI under its Sun Life Prosperity Funds. 

“As Filipinos, we follow many of the Chinese New Year traditions that are believed to bring in luck and fortune. SLAMCI encourages everyone to complement these traditions with action, with the help of the Sun Life Prosperity Card,” SLAMCI President Valerie “Riena” Pama said. “They can use the card to begin their investing journey or give it as a gift of prosperity. The best part about it is that it grows in value over time.”

The Sun Life Prosperity Card may be purchased from a Sun Life Financial Advisor, at any Sun Life Financial Store, or online at sunlifeprosperity.com.ph. This paves the way for an easier and more convenient route in investing in mutual fund. With this newest offer from SLAMCI, we all hope that this will encourage more Filipinos to have the habit of investing, earn passive income and ultimately achieve financial security. 

In line with this, SLAMCI’s financial literacy advocate Matteo Guidicelli will be spearheading the multi-media campaign. “I am proud to be part of this campaign because I understand the importance of investing for the future and the value of financial freedom,” Matteo said. “With the Sun Life Prosperity Card, even the youth can easily start investing, because it’s easy to purchase and can be conveniently activated.”

Apart from the Sun Life Prosperity Card, SLAMCI is also set to launch more new offerings as the year unfolds. Two new dollar-denominated funds will be introduced as the latest additions to the Sun Life Prosperity Funds, while a regular investment program will also be initiated in partner banks.

SLAMCI will also be enhancing its digital capabilities and further strengthening its presence in key cities nationwide. Meanwhile, the company will also continue with its multi-media campaign dubbed “Slam the Scam,” which was created as a response to the proliferation of investment scams in the country. With actor Matteo Guidicelli at the forefront, the campaign imparts practical tips on what to consider when choosing an investment company, as well as red flags on dubious organizations

“This 2016, SLAMCI’s aims to introduce more Filipinos to investing and encourage them to explore a wider array of financial instruments that would enable them to achieve their financial goals,” Pama said. “We look forward to touching more lives and helping them find their way to prosperity.”

No More Mosquitoes: The Beautiful and Fragrant Way

I hate mosquitoes. Aside from fact that I am concerned about diseases that they bring like dengue fever, getting mosquito bites which is very itchy is also very irritating. Thus, I grew up using mosquito coils (katol) and insect repellants like "off lotion." 

With attempts to go natural and organic, I am happy to find out about the natural repellants that we can use. 

1. Citronella - This is the most common of all. It is actually from a grass variety and it features a clean, outdoorsy scent. My mom usually buys citronella scented candles. 

2. Lavender - My favorite scent and commonly used in aromatherapy. We can actually grow these plants at home and can double as a decoration. 

3. Eucalyptus - It features a fresh and minty scent commonly used in oils. It is also known to treat colds and flu. 

4. Lemongrass - This is a fresh and sweet smelling scent that is highly effective in warding away mosquitoes. It is also known for its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. 

So, before the rainy season begins, please make sure that you find the right mosquito repellant for you and your family. Remember that our fight against them do not end by spraying on our bodies but we can also use the repellants in our home in a beautiful and fragrant way.