INPUT ARTICLE: Article: One of the most important things you have to do is to realize that other people are just as competent, intelligent, and hardworking as you are. Okay, so unfortunately, this doesn't mean all of them. It makes sense that you're not asking your messy little sister to help you clean up the kitchen, or that you're not asking Lazy Bob to proofread a report for you; some people around us just can't really help us out. But there are plenty of good, helpful people out there, and if you want to live a happier life, you have to learn to believe in them so you can trust them to help you and to make their own decisions. Think about it: if you're always telling your boyfriend, your best friend, or your lab partner exactly what to do, then how would that make them feel? They'd feel like you don't trust them because you think they're not as smart/together/awesome as you. Is that how you want the people you care about the most to feel? If you want to stop being so controlling, then you've got to learn to delegate tasks to other people. Gone are the days when you throw everything upon yourself and annoy everyone with what a bossy, stressed-out person you've become. Instead, learn to delegate tasks to people, whether you're asking a co-worker to help out on a project or asking your friend to pick up the appetizers for a party you're throwing. Once you believe in other people, you should be able to ask them to help you out. Sure, it takes humility to ask for help, but you'll get used to it. Everybody gets through life with some kind of help, and you should be no different. Along with having faith in people and being able to delegate to them, you should work on being able to actually learn from them. You may feel that you're the only person who has anything to teach people, but if you actually let other people in and hear them out, you'll find that you're mistaken. You can't be the expert on everything, and there will always be people who have more insight or experience than you about certain subjects. Once you step back and really listen to other people, you'll find that you do have plenty to learn. Don't interrupt people. Let them finish what they have to say and really take the time to think it over before you bring out your own ideas. Though everyone has room for improvement, you have to stop trying to change people into the people you want them to be. Instead, you should work on letting them be who they are, and to act how they want to act, instead of conforming to your way of living and thinking. Of course, if your boyfriend does something that drives you crazy, you should talk about it, but you can't expect him to turn into a completely different person, just like he can't ask you to be someone you're not. It's one thing to talk about room for improvement and to help others work to become a better version of themselves. But it's another thing entirely to try to change them into something they are not. A lot of the reasons for why you may be controlling others may have to do with jealousy. You may be jealous that if you don't tell your best friend where to go, that she'll end up hanging out with some other friends. You may be jealous that if your boyfriend doesn't call you every hour, that it means he's with another girl. You have to learn to value yourself, and to trust that other people feel the same way about you. If you have real reasons to be jealous, then it's one thing, but if it's all in your head, then you need to work on having a more rational mindset and a more healthy outlook. Ask yourself why you tend to feel jealous. Is it because of a past betrayal, or does it come from your feelings of insecurity? If you want to be in a healthy, mutually-beneficial relationship, then you have to work on kicking those feelings of jealousy to the curb.

SUMMARY: Learn to have faith in other people. Delegate. Listen and learn from others. Let people be who they are. Work out your jealousy issues.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: In order to convince your parents to let you have a dog, you need to be persuasive. You will be in a better position to convince them if you are well informed. Begin to research your presentation by looking into different dog breeds. When you talk to your parents, you will want to be as specific as possible. You will sound more convincing if you are able to make definitive statements such as, "Mom, Dad, the Jack Russell Terrier is the right dog for us." Start by looking at different dog breeds online. You can even take a quiz about what type of dog is right for you. Use some websites such as the American Kennel Club site to figure out what type of dog you should ask for. For example, if your sister might be allergic, look into a Yorkshire Terrier. If your mom is worried that a dog will be messy, you can look for a dog that doesn't shed heavily. Research dachshunds, which are a small, neat dog. Go to your local or school library. Ask the reference librarian to help you find some books that offer information about different breeds of small dogs. Adopting a dog is a great way to add a pet to your family. With adoption, you can rescue an animal who needs a home. You can also save money, as you won't have to pay an expensive breeder. Once you have an idea about some of the breeds you are interested in, contact your local animal shelter. The staff and volunteers there will be able to provide you with some helpful information. State that you are looking for a small dog and offer any other specific requirements that you have. For example, tell the staff whether you are looking for a puppy or an older dog. Ask if they regularly have a wide selection of dogs that might fit your needs. For example, you can say, "Will it be fairly easy to adopt a small dog such as a dachshund or terrier?" Collect other information. Find out what information you and your parents will need to provide in order to adopt a dog. You can also ask how long the process takes. The best way to convince your parents to let you have a dog is to prepare a thoroughly researched presentation. You will definitely want to include the financial aspects of dog ownership in your request. Do some research about how much it costs to adopt and raise a dog. Talk to the experts. You can ask the staff at the shelter how much the adoption fees are and if you will need to pay for vaccinations. Contact a local vet. You can phone the office and ask for general pricing information. Ask how much it will cost to spay or neuter a dog, and how much regular office check-ups cost. Visit a local pet store. You can price food, toys, and grooming products. Combine all of your information to figure out the monthly cost of dog ownership. If you plan to pay for part of the dog's care, make that part of your presentation, too. Your parents will want to make sure that you understand how much time it takes to care for a dog. For the next part of your presentation preparation, figure out how you will fit dog care into your family's routine. This will help show your parents that you have put a lot of thought into caring for the dog. Think about how much time it will take to exercise your dog each day. Do you have a yard where he can play independently? Or will you need to make sure to walk him? If you are asking for a puppy, think about how long it will take to train the dog. Are you planning to spend some time each day helping to house train the dog? Make a calendar that shows the breakdown of how much time you will spend caring for the dog. If you are asking other family members to help, make sure to make that clear.

SUMMARY:
Research dog breeds. Talk to a local shelter. Create a budget. Make a schedule.