This is the most excellent article EVER espousing a skill that far too many of us (particularly of the female, mother variety) simply do not utilize enough - the power to say "no" (or, more graciously "no thank you.")
Brown & Brown, Eds.: Bad Dog! : True Tales of Trouble Only a Best Friend Can Get Away With
Regular Foster-Seabolt readers will recognize (and perhaps applaud) the dubious contribution of her "emergency back-up dog" (aka the sublimely stupid "Risk.")