MSI Press Blog

  Travel planning always begins with logistics—tickets, timing, weather, luggage. But if you live with animals, there’s a question that quietly sits underneath every itinerary: What about the dog? It’s never a simple question, because the right answer depends on the dog, the household, the length of the trip, and the emotional reality of leaving. Here are the four main options, with the real pros and cons of each, and how to decide which one fits your situation. 1. Boarding the Dog Pros Professional supervision. Staff trained to notice distress, illness, or behavioral changes. Predictable routine. Feeding, exercise, and social time happen on schedule. Safety. Escape-proof environment; no risk of the dog slipping out when someone opens a door. Good for high-energy or social dogs. Many thrive with structured activity. Cons Stress for sensitive dogs. Noise, unfamiliar dogs, and constant activity can overwhelm anxious or elderly dogs. Cost. Boarding adds up quickly, especially...

    Today's Publisher's Pride is Anger Anonymous by Dennis Ortman, which recently reached #198 on Amazon in anger management self-help. Book Description: When you feel in the grip of anger, ask yourself these questions: Do you feel powerless to control your temper? Does your anger frighten you so much that you feel compelled to suppress it? Does your life feel unmanageable because of your anger? Does your preoccupation with the unfairness of life and being wronged interfere with your happiness Do you feel hopeless about finding a cure for your temper?  If you answer "yes" to these questions, you may be addicted to your anger. It acts like a drug that stimulates you, energizes you, and causes you to act insanely. Viewing your anger as an addiction, Dr. Ortman guides you through the time-tested Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to find healing and growth. He shows how the Steps offer practical wisdom to use the natural energy of your anger wisely and well, neither s...

  We all compare ourselves—it’s part of how humans learn and orient in the world. But when comparison becomes constant, it can quietly erode self-worth and feed depression. The danger isn’t in noticing differences; it’s in turning those differences into verdicts about value. How Social Comparison Works Social comparison is the mental habit of measuring our lives against others’. It can be upward (“They’re doing better than I am”) or downward (“At least I’m not struggling like that”). Both can distort perspective. Upward comparison can inspire growth—but it can also breed inadequacy, envy, and shame. Downward comparison can offer temporary relief—but it often reinforces fear of decline or superiority that isolates us. In the age of social media, comparison is constant and curated. We see highlight reels, not real lives. The result: a sense that everyone else is thriving while we’re falling behind. How It Leads to Depression Repeated comparison activates the same neural circuits th...