If you're planning to give someone roses for Valentine's Day, you should really know what SECRET MESSAGE you're sending with them.  That's right.  The number of roses you give apparently carries a meaning you never realized.  Here's a guide . . .

--One rose is meant for early in a relationship, and means love at first sight.

--Three roses represents a shared love, and should be a one-month anniversary gift.

--Six roses symbolizes passion and infatuation.

--Ten roses says you believe your love is PERFECT.

--Twelve roses is perfect for Valentine's Day, and means "be mine."

--Thirteen roses means you just want to be friends.  (???)

--Fifteen roses means you're SORRY.

--Twenty-four roses is like SHOUTING "I'm yours."

--And forty roses means your love is truly genuine.  And also you have a lot of money.

Gone to the dogs...and that is a Great thing!

The Humane Society of New York has found a way to get more people to adopt their rescue animals.  Instead of taking pictures of them in cages

or dog runs like most shelters, they're working with fashion photographer Richard Phibbs.

--He's worked with Armani and Calvin Klein, and gives the animals professional backdrops, and accessories like bows, scarves, and jewelry

--It sounds obvious that taking the time to create a nicer photo would make the pets look better . . . and it works:  It's caused a big jump in the number of adoptions. 

--Richard has done three photo shoots.  The first time, the shelter saw a 50% increase in adoption applications.  The second time, it was 75%.  About 60% of the animals he recently photographed were adopted.

This Valentine's Day, instead of flowers or jewelry, why not give the gift of a hissing cockroach?

The Bronx Zoo is continuing their annual Valentine's Day tradition.  For $10, you can name one of the 58,000 Madagascar hissing cockroaches in their collection after the special person in your life.

The money goes to the Wildlife Conservation Society, and they'll send an e-card to the person you do it for.

--If you're looking to give something more tangible than an e-card, for another $15 they'll send a hand-painted replica cockroach made of dark chocolate.

--They're also offering a bulk discount.  If you buy two chocolate roaches, you get $15 off . . . not that you should be naming roaches after more than one special someone.