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Think of your BFFs like the supporting actresses in your life: They're always in the wings making the leading lady look great. (Think "The Golden Girls," left. )

But sometimes, the biggest laughs come from random, unexpected cameos. We recommend you always have one of these women rounding out the cast.

(Craving more fun? Click here for ideas or tell us how you shake things up.)

1. The Wingwoman

Who she is: The chick who can schmooze her way past any velvet rope, always has a great party trick up her sleeve and won't let you chicken out of talking to a hot guy. You might only call each other when you're newly single or your boyfriend is out of town ... and that's totally OK. In fact, the more opposite your personalities, the better.

Where to find her: Tap into your guy friends' girlfriends, cool people you meet at weddings, ex-co-workers with whom no more professional pretense is necessary, or a good friend's crazy/fun sister.

When to lean on her: When your ex is bringing his new model/professor/yoga instructor girlfriend to a can't-miss party.

Click here for more essential anti-blah buds ...


Friends

    Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox have been best friends since their first day on the set of 'Friends'.

    Soul Brother, FilmMagic

    Stars of 'High School Musical', Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale are great friends even off the set.

    Mark Sullivan, WireImage

    After graduating from the same high school, John Cusack and Jeremy Piven remained close friends until 2007 when career jealousy began splitting them up.

    Ron Galella, WireImage

    Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, two little league friends, would eventually form a creative bond that would lead them to write Oscar winning 'Good Will Hunting'.

    George Pimentel, WireImage

    Matthew McConaughey and Lance Armstrong out to keep each other in shape.

    Baptiste Lacroix, WireImage

    Oprah Winfrey and her good friend Gayle King are all smiles.

    Mathew Imaging / FilmMagic

    Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore act like Charlies Angels off-screen also.

    Kevin Mazur, WireImage

    Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek at the Arclight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, California (Photo by Jesse Grant/WireImage)

    Jesse Grant, WireImage

    Victoria Beckham and Katie Holmes at the Grand Palais in Paris, France. (Photo by Tony Barson/WireImage)

    Tony Barson, WireImage

    Childhood friends Beyonce Knowles and Kelly Rowland have remained close, even after the breakup of Destiny's Child.

    Frank Micelotta, Getty Images


2. The Mom-on-Demand
Who she is: Someone a little older and wiser who's been through everything -- breakups, existential crises, career snafus, you name it. But since she's not actually your mom, you can spill some of your darker secrets with impunity. She's maternal by nature, so you'll probably get plenty of dinner invites with her fam.
Where to find her: At your office happy hour, a volunteer organization or at a gathering of your extended family.
When to lean on her: When you really miss talks over your mom's homemade banana bread.

3. The Superconductor
Who she is: More than a career mentor, this schmoozy woman is like the de facto mayor of the social scene. She's only a few rungs higher than you on the corporate ladder, but she seems to know everyone. She's happy to help hook you up with someone who can give your career a boost, and she feeds off the appreciation and awe you exude in her presence.
Where to find her: At networking events, women's business seminars, at alumni association events, or through a family friend.
When to lean on her: When you need career CPR -- you lost your job, want to jump ship, or need a personal introduction to the head of HR at your dream company. The key is to make sure you don't get in touch only when you want something. Schedule monthly drinks or coffees, and send links to articles she might like or suggest people on your level you know that she could hire one day.

4. The Thrill-Seeker
Who she is: The spontaneous, sensation-seeking globetrotter. You suggest bowling, she suggests an "amazing" place in Argentina where you can horseback ride through vineyards totally naked. While she's not the most stable type (good luck getting her to return your e-mails when she's on an ashram), no experience is too nutty or extreme in her book -- and she's psyched to help you write an exciting new chapter in yours.
Where to find her: Yoga or dance class, on an international flight, touring with her favorite band, or the unemployment office.
When to lean on her: You're beyond bored. Or you're looking for a travel buddy to explore somewhere your close friends would never set foot.

Cuteness Alert: Interspecies Cuddling

    This little chihuahua's mother adopted three orphaned squirrels. Would that pictures with our step-siblings looked half as cute ...

    Troy R. Bennett, AP/Times Record

    Once we saw the blog Let's Be Friends, we knew we had to do a gallery on the best of interspecies cuddling. Here, we have a rabbit and cat not only cuddling, but sharing a little snack afterward.

    http://letsbefriends.blogspot.com/

    A baby deer shares Eskimo kisses with the family dog.

    http://letsbefriends.blogspot.com/

    The cat seems happy and sleepy with its paws around this guinea pig, but what do you think that guinea is thinking?

    This little mouse is named (seriously), Gohan, which means "meal" in Japanese. He was fed to this snake in a Tokyo zoo, but instead of becoming lunch, he became friends with the snake. True story.

    http://letsbefriends.blogspot.com/

    Not so much the fox and the hound as the fox and the skunk. And not so much cuddling as of yet, but just check out the way they are gazing at each other.

    http://letsbefriends.blogspot.com/

    Clearly, this little mouse had its life saved by the little frog. Nothing gets more precious than that, people!

    http://letsbefriends.blogspot.com/

    Wonder if this ailing hedgehog was nursed back to health by that squirrel? Either way, they seem to share some secrets.

    http://letsbefriends.blogspot.com/

    This kitty has to get her snuggle time in before she releases the turtle back into the water!

    http://letsbefriends.blogspot.com/

    Frida, the dog of one of the zoo workers, was brought in to keep the baby tiger Zoya company after Zoya's mom abandoned her. Fortunately, the three-month-olds bonded.

    Alik Keplicz, AP




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