#(hand raised rescue now house & yard cat with a dog friend)

[scarefox]

did you know that:

[simsyworld]

Reclaimed Roots, A Legacy Challenge.

One fateful day, as you flip the pages in the local newspaper, your eyes fall upon an advertisement for an affordable farm on the outskirts of town. This farm had fallen into disrepair, abandoned and forgotten by its previous owners, who had inherited the farm but chose to not take care of it. Despite its rundown state, a flicker of hope ignited within your heart. Your dream of owning a small farm to raise your future family may become a reality! 

You call the owner’s of the property and they start asking for more money. This went from being an affordable farm to a pricey one! You decide to take a leap of faith and go for it. Packing your belongings immediately and setting out for the neglected farms of your dream. When you arrive, you see just how neglected the farm truly is. You find a weathered farmhouse, its paint peeling and windows cracked, surrounded by overgrown fields and rotten fences. But you see beauty hidden underneath it all. 

You see a vision of what this farm could be. A fresh coat of paint, rescued animals, beautiful old oak trees flourishing, children riding their bikes and fishing in the pound. This is where you want your new life you begin.

Required Packs: For Gameplay: Cottage Living, Cats and Dogs, and a pack that allows yard sales. House is made with a bunch of packs but is mostly just all clutter! Main items are from the gameplay packs.

Rules: Aspiration must be country caretaker Start with $500 Place @simsyworld’s lot from the gallery called "Abandoned Farm" hashtag #reclaimedroots or #reclaimedrootslegacy Each generation must live on the family farm. This may call for an extension of the house, a second floor, or a basement. If your sim has more than one kid, they can move out. But the sim you decide to cary on the legacy must live on the farm. Your house has no wifi, so no computers or gaming consoles. A TV can be bought after you fix up the house.  Your sim cannot have a job. Make money by yard sales or odd jobs. Your sim’s teenager sim’s can have a part-time job but they must still help out on the farm Wake up by 6:30am every day to take care of the animals (can take a nap after animals have been cared for) Cannot use “the hand of god” (selling in inventory) UNLESS there is more than 20 in a stack of crops. All other items must be sold during a yard sale. Have a yard sale at least once a week, every Sunday. If it is raining you can skip the yard sale. Sell anything you collect, baked goods, rocks, ect.

Generation One

Name the farm after your last name

Clean the house, buy a new mailbox, pick the weeds, and apply a fresh coat of paint to the house.

Find a stray cat to be your farm cat. This cat likes to live outdoors, so place a bed and food outside. If you get a full relationship with the cat, it can live indoors.

Buy 6 chickens and name each one. 

Build a relationship with each animal before getting a new one

Enter a Finchwick Fair competition 

Befriend the animals and complete the country caretaker Aspiration

Reach level 10 for Farming, Fishing, Cooking

Fall in love with a local farmer

Get married and have a ceremony on the farm

Have 1-2 children

When your first child is born, rescue a puppy that will become best friends with your child

When each sim ages up to a child, you must buy them a bike as a birthday present so your sim’s child can go on adventures.

Teach your children how to fish, cook, and garden

Generation Two

You grow up loving the farm and craving the taste of fresh produce. You watched your parents sell produce and baked goods every Sunday morning and thought it would be a great idea to go bigger! You decide to work towards your goal of making your name in town a staple by opening a store named after your family! 

Have the Freelance Botanist Aspiration 

Paint the house a new color since after all these years it needs a fresh coat.

Buy your family their first computer now that you have wifi

Reach level 10 for Cooking, Baking, Charisma 

Find a stray dog to adopt into the family

Enter a Finchwick Fair competition

Fall in love, get married, and divorced. This relationship didn’t work out.

Own a bakery, store, or restaurant that focuses on the idea of selling food or produce that is fresh. You do not have to have yard sales after you build a store. 

Become good friends with at least 20 sims outside of your household. 

A local baby/child was dropped off at the fire station. You decide to adopt this sim to live on the family farm! 

Build max relationship with your sim’s child. 

Teach your sim’s child how to garden, cook, and fish.

Fall in love and get married

Have family dinner all together on Friday nights including your sim’s siblings who moved out

Generation Three

You were adopted into the most loving family. You fell more into the creative side of life. Always drawing, painting, doing arts and crafts. When you got older you fell in love with the relaxation of making floral arrangements. 

Have the Painter Extraordinaire Aspiration

Reach level 10 for Floral Arrangements, Painting, Gardening

Make 3 masterpiece paintings

Befriend all the animals on the farm with max relationship

Inherit the family business and turn it into a floral arraignment store. You can also sell your paintings here.

Have 5 maxed relationship friends who you always hang out with

Enter a Finchwick Fair competition

Fall in love with 1 of the 5 friends. 

Have family dinner’s on Friday nights and friend dinner’s on Monday night

Find a stray cat to adopt. This cat is obsessed with you and follows you to work at the floral arrangement store.

Marry your best friend and have a ceremony. Invite all of your friends and family

Have as many children as you feel is right.

Do homework with your sim’s children every night 

Looking for a Discord server for simmers? Check out our 920+ member server called SimsyWorld! We host weekly challenges and giveaways if you're interested! Click HERE to join!

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #434

“i hate this town, it’s so washed up, & all my friends don’t give a fuck  /  they’ll tell me that it’s just bad luck, when will i find where i fit in?”

You get a text from your ex. He/she wants to hang out. How do you respond? Admittedly, I would. Do you have a friend of the opposite sex that you secretly want to be more than friends with? No. Well, there are times where I think I WANT to like-like Girt, but I just don't. And yet he's always been there for me without fail, is super funny and kind and chill... but I think we were just friends for too long; he feels like my brother by this point in time. If your partner smoked, would that be a problem for you? If it was cigarettes, yes. Even weed (UNLESS it was for medicinal purposes and not a constant thing) I'd be iffy about. I just don't want to date a smoker. Lung damage is lung damage and weed actually has more carcinogens, and I don't want to sign myself up for all that. I don't want to watch my partner wither away from nonstop smoking and also have myself suffer from second-hand smoking. When will you next see your best friend? There's no telling. Right now I'm trying to be realistic and responsible with the money I DO ever get and put it towards more important investments, but I really do want to take a plane up there at some point. But that's also waiting until Covid is in the past. Heeeell no would I be stepping into an airport right now, even being vaccinated. How many tattoos would you like to have? Too many to count, ha ha. I want LOADS. Paint me, baby. :') Do you like your first name? I actually do. Have you ever talked to a boyfriend about an ex-boyfriend? Yes. It's kind of inevitable when you go into a new relationship, hoping it'll go well and be seriously invested, that you let your partner know "oh hey, this happened and seriously affected me to where I'm going to have 'my days.'" Greatest birthday gift you ever got? My snake Venus was technically a birthday present, though I obviously picked her out. Worst memory you have? Losing Jason. I can't say enough that the night of the breakup still doesn't feel real. First memory you can remember? My brother going down our slide into the Hurricane Floyd flood in our front yard, ha ha. I was around two, I wanna say? I don't feel like looking up the date of the hurricane. Oldest object you own? When did you get it? I'm sure that would be a stuffed animal we have stored away somewhere. Or my baby blanket, also safely tucked away. Meanest person you know? Why do you feel this way? I don't "know" Colleen anymore, but God knows she fit the bill. She was so fucking rude to people (yes, she was one of those people that bitched out store employees that have no control over things that inconvenienced her), the world revolved around her problems, she started drama with the damn grass... It's funny even picturing how she was my best friend once. My standards were lower for who I could befriend back then, but goddamn. Ever been dumped? By who? Yes, Jason. Technically Sara as well, but "dumped" seems like an unfitting term? Like we just talked it out and sorta mutually agreed that it was wiser that we weren't together at the time. Have you ever dumped someone? Why? Yes, mostly because I didn't like-like them. Juan was more so because I believed a rumor by Rachel, and Tyler, I just wasn't invested in and had NO desire to put up with the "we need to talk every five minutes" crap. Where do you buy most of your food? Wal-Mart. Last house you have been to: whose was it, and why were you there? My sister's, for my nephew's birthday party. Have you ever been a drunk driver? No, and fuck you if you've ever put others (and yourself) at risk like that. One kid you cannot stand? None that I know, and that's very few. Has anyone ever saved your life? Jason and Mom literally have. Last thing you cried about? Ha ha, I finished watching another SOMA playthrough earlier, and I will ALWAYS start to cry at the end. Without fail. Would you sacrifice your life for someone else's baby? I honestly think I would if it was a split-second decision. Tell me about your latest dream: I think my APAP mask wasn't positioned well last night, because I had a SHITLOAD of nightmares. Too many to even remember. Have you ever been in a limo? No. I've always wanted to experience that once, man. Have you ever been the maid of honor in a wedding party? No. Has anyone ever seen you naked? I was born naked, my man. Mom used to give my sister and I baths together, and I took a bath with a best friend once as a kid. Then one other person has. Do you have a calendar? If so, what is the theme of it? Not a current one, no. Nicest thing you have ever done for a complete stranger: I have no idea. Meanest thing you have ever done to a complete stranger: *shrug* Have you ever been sent to the principal's office? If so, why? And how did you feel? Yes, I think because they wanted to ask the reason behind all my morning tardies. I was soooo scared, just being a kid. Person you hope you never run into again: Colleen. Have you ever streaked? Heeeeell no. Why do you hate your ex? I don't hate any of them. What animal did you last pet or hold? Roman, my cat. What color is your hair? It's my natural brunette right now. I want to dye it SO badly. Have you ever fallen asleep in someone's arms? Yeah. Have you ever had to clean a cat box before? Yeah, seeing as I own an indoor cat. Christmas is coming. Who are you buying gifts for? In the hypothetical situation where I had the money, I'd buy things for my parents, my stepmom, my two immediate sisters, Ash's kids, as well as her husband, but only because I'd feel obligated to as he's considered a close member of the family. I'd also totally get something for Sara! When somebody intimidates you, how do you usually act around them? SCARED. I get quiet, stutter if I do talk, and possibly cry. Is your favorite singer in a band or does he or she ride solo? He was originally the singer of Black Sabbath, but he's been solo for forever now. I prefer him solo, honestly. Did your parents ever hang your old artwork up on the walls? Ohhh yes. Mom still does, ha ha. What is the weirdest obsession you’ve ever had? Nothing really "weird," I think... How long can you be in a car before wanting to get out? It depends on if I have my music or not. If I do, I can last hours, but if not, I don't really like being in the car at all. Have any songs ever inspired you to play an instrument? No. Do you ever use Pandora?No. Are you better with creative writing or writing essays? Creative writing, but I'm fine with both. What is the weirdest animal you’ve ever seen as a pet? I know OF someone who rescued I want to say a baby bobcat, or something along those lines, but I didn't know that guy personally. I don't think I've ever actually met someone with a truly *strange* pet... The most unique I've seen is probably just a chinchilla. If you had to change one, would you rather change your hair or your eyes? My eyes. I don't like them much, mainly the shape. What was your favorite computer game as a kid? I loved the various Oregon Trail games, as well as one I think was called The Amazon Trail 3. Then there was a few dinosaur games I LOVED, and then there were the classic kids' games like the Putt-Putt and Fred the Fish series. Any shows on TV that you flat out refuse to start watching? 13 Reasons Why. I don't even support that show existing. Pajamas with feet: yay or nay? NOOOOOOOO, that is so uncomfortable. What is your opinion on fruitcake? That's an even BIGGER "no." Who did you last dream about? I don't remember. Do you have trouble remembering important things? Yes. .-. I barely remember anything. Which animal can you imitate the best? I dunno? Have you bought any drugs this month? I don't do drugs, so. Have you ever set foot in a tanning bed? Nope, never will. Do you know the Soulja Boy dance? Ha ha, I did as a kid. My then-best friend, younger sister, and I wanted to learn it. I don't remember it now, that's for sure. What is the best ice cream flavor? Ben and Jerry's "Phish Food" is GODLY. Wallpaper on your computer's desktop? Teddy, my late dog. Do you clean when you’re upset? Hell no, I do the opposite: nothing. Do you sleep with the door open or closed? It stays open. My cat would pitch a fit otherwise. Do you know anyone who has actually been in an alcohol or drug related crash? Yes, actually. It was incredibly tragic; the both of them were high (maybe drunk, idr for sure), and my friend was driving with her best friend in the passenger seat. They crashed, and said friend's best friend died. For YEARS she would share pictures of them together on Facebook, "talking" to her, and it was just so heartbreaking. I doubt she's forgiven herself to this day, but she seems to have mostly moved on the best she could, being married with a daughter now. Have you ever gotten a professional massage? No, and I do NOT want one. I don't want some random stranger touching me in ANY way. Do you have a good relationship with your first love? No. We haven't talked in years, so maybe he feels no hatred for me at this point, but I do for myself. I don't hate him at all. Do you feel like you have life figured out? bitch hell no What would you do if you were faced with an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy (at your current age)? Was I raped? I'd almost certainly abort because I would be traumatized as FUCK. If it was my own fault, I think I'd go through with the pregnancy, but give the baby up for adoption. There is no way I could raise a kid right now. Or probably ever. Water or Gatorade? I don't like either, really, but I HATE Gatorade. Have you ever thought about getting your nose pierced? It's been pierced twice, and I'm thinking of getting it redone again, but this time use a hoop instead of a stud to keep the damn piercing from falling out and closing in my sleep. Have you ever slapped someone? On the arm as a kid. That doesn't excuse it, though. Who are the pictures of in the room? I have a lot of posters, but no real photographs of anyone. Have your parents ever smoked pot? Dad did a lot of drugs before I was born, but Mom's never touched anything. I think. Would you ever consider moving to a different country? I'd love to live in Canada, if that didn't entail leaving my family. What is your favourite food from your culture? Cheeseburgers, alsdf;alwer Do you know any pick-up lines in a foreign language? No. What degree are you or will you pursue while in college? I've dropped out of college three times. I am never going back to major in anything. I changed my major quite a few times while I was there. Favorite arcade game? I don't really have one. One of my life goals is to go to an arcade that has Silent Hill: The Arcade, though. There are very few throughout the world, and it looks fun. Would other people consider your sense of humor inappropriate? I don't see how. Some inappropriate things can make me laugh, but it's definitely not my favorite form of humor, and I myself don't really make jokes of that sort. Who is your biggest celebrity crush right now? Mark Fischbach. :'') What are they famous for? He's a big YouTuber, aND WILL ALSO BE A MAIN ACTOR IN A SHOW NEXT YEAR. LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO. Have you ever had a controlling boyfriend/girlfriend? No, I would NOT stand for that bullshit. Do you have any gay family members? I know my mom's... cousin I want to say is gay. Somebody related to her is. Was your first kiss romantic? I feel like it was. What are you most likely to go to jail for? Pirating shit. Well, can you even be locked up for downloading minor shit? Shows what I know. Have you ever liked someone that was in a relationship with someone else? Boy, have I. Would you ever get a boob job? When (or if...) I lose all the weight I want, I can almost guarantee a breast lift will be something I'd want. Certain things happen when you lose a shitload of weight alsdkf;alkwe Have you ever tried to break up anyone because you liked one of them? Not intentionally. What would you think if you found out your ex was gay? If we're talking THE ex, safe to say I'd be shocked. Did you ever think someone didn’t like you, but come to find out they really did? It's weird, I've felt both ways with Girt? Like there were times I was pretty much 100% certain he liked me, but I'd also be like "nah, no way, he sees me as a sister." Turns out he like-liked me. Are you worried about anything right now? I can't possibly recall the last time I WASN'T worried about something. When you are home alone, do you still close the door when you shower? I don't shower when I'm home alone because I'm afraid of ever fainting and busting my ass again. What noise do you hear? I'm currently listening to "All Signs Point To Lauderdale" by A Day to Remember, and I can also hear my fan going. Do you go online everyday? Pretty much without fail. It'll probably be a cold day in Hell before I willingly don't come online, ha ha.

[cruelangelstheses]

a valiant effort

fandom: dragon age rating: G characters: anders/m!hawke words: 2.8k additional tags: modern au, fluff, humor, first meetings description: when hawke’s dog frightens anders’s cat into a tree, hawke insists on rescuing her. unfortunately, this feat is not as easy as he thinks it is. a/n: i'd been working on this for a little while and then found out today (well technically yesterday where i am) is international cat day and was like I Must Finish This Today. so here it is lol. this is one of the funniest, stupidest (in a good way) things i've ever written. this was done for the @dapromptexchange summer fill-a-thon, for this prompt (found here): "One of Anders' cats gets stuck up a tree. Hawke goes to get her down and -- promptly gets stuck in the tree."

read it on ao3

—

Hawke’s dog, Angus, is the definition of a gentle giant: he’s friendly and loving, but the fact that he weighs over 150 pounds and stands taller than a dwarf tends to intimidate both people and animals. People, Hawke finds, are usually fairly easy to reassure. Animals...not so much.

When Angus sees another living being, his natural inclination is to bark at it and try to approach it, not because he wants to hurt it, but because he wants to be its friend. Apparently, though, this does not translate well to other animals, and now Hawke is standing in someone’s front yard like a dumbass while he tries to figure out how to explain to the owner that his dog chased their cat into a tree.

As if on cue, while Hawke is staring up at the tree branch where the silver tabby cat is perched, the front door of the little one-story house opens, revealing a lanky man who looks to be close to Hawke’s age, with reddish-blond hair pulled up into a small ponytail. He’s kind of hot, actually, in a messy, sleep-deprived sort of way.

“Madame Fluffykins?” the man calls. “Madame Fluffykins, where did you go?”

Hawke tries his best to suppress a laugh at the ridiculous name, but it doesn’t really work, so he ends up making a sound kind of like he’s about to throw up, but with more snorting. Real attractive. Predictably, Angus barks at the man and pulls at the leash in an attempt to get closer. This was all it took to frighten Madame Fluffykins into the aforementioned tree, but hopefully her owner isn’t as fearful of large dogs as she is.

The man nearly has a heart attack at the sight of Hawke and Angus standing in his front yard, Angus’s tail wagging a mile a minute and smacking Hawke repeatedly in the leg. “What—?”

Hawke laughs sheepishly. Pointing up at the tree, he says, “I take it Madame Fluffykins isn’t a fan of large dogs?”

The man groans exasperatedly and strides across the lawn until he’s standing next to Hawke under the tree. Up close, Hawke can see his stubble, his freckles, his prominent nose bridge, the crinkle of his eyes, and suddenly this situation is significantly less terrible.

“Great,” the man says, breaking Hawke out of his gay trance. “It took two hours to get her down last time.” With a sigh, he pulls out his phone. “Better get ahold of the fire department.”

“Wait!” Hawke blurts. “You don’t need to do that. I can get her down.”

The man raises a skeptical eyebrow, reluctantly slipping his phone back into his pocket. “Really?”

“Of course,” Hawke says eagerly. He’s totally bullshitting, he knows it, but he has to make it up to this guy somehow. The least he can do is fix the problem he caused. “I’m great with animals.” Beside him, Angus barks happily, as if to back him up.

“If you say so,” the man replies, but if Hawke isn’t mistaken, there’s a hint of a smile on his face now.

Hawke sets the leash on the ground. “Stay,” he tells Angus, though he doubts the dog would stray from him, especially when there’s still a cat to befriend. Angus lies down in the grass and gazes up into the branches expectantly. Madame Fluffykins makes a mrrrow sound from her place among the leaves.

Hawke eyeballs the trunk of the large tree. He doesn’t think he’s climbed one since he was a child. Luckily, this tree has a few low-hanging branches to give him a decent start. Besides, he works out fairly regularly anyway and has a considerable amount of upper body strength. This is his chance to impress Anders and get back into his good graces at the same time.

With one hand on one branch and one on another, Hawke hefts himself up onto the tree, scrabbling for a foothold for a few seconds before remembering that this isn’t the same as rock climbing and that there isn’t anything underneath him to put his feet on. Instead, he hastily grabs for the next branch, and then the next one, pulling himself up and up until he can rest his feet on the branches he started with. When he glances over his shoulder, he sees the man staring at him, less with amusement now and more with awe. Awkwardly, Hawke says, “I, uh, I work out.”

The man crosses his arms over his chest. He looks like he’s just barely holding back a smirk. “I can see that.”

While Hawke is contemplating his next move, it occurs to him that he never actually introduced himself. “Oh. Uh. I’m Hawke. By the way.”

“Anders,” the man replies, a twinkle in his eyes.

Hawke forces himself to return his attention to the tree and the cat. He can gawk at Anders later.

Some of the branches are oddly placed, because trees don’t grow according to whether or not a human is going to climb them, but for the most part, climbing gets easier once Hawke gets a bit higher up and the branches get closer together. Surprisingly, Madame Fluffykins stays put, as if she’s realized now that she’s gotten herself into a bit of a conundrum. Hawke tries not to think about anything but the task at hand, and after a short while, he finds himself sweating but finally eye-level with the cat, who eyes him suspiciously.

“Hello, kitty,” he says. “Mind if I get on your branch for a second?”

Predictably, Madame Fluffykins does not respond.

Hawke grabs the base of the branch with both hands and hoists his whole body up, steadying himself enough to be able to sit on it, though it bends ominously under his weight. It’s then that he finally gets the chance to look down.

Hawke fancies himself a man of few fears. Spiders? No big deal. Clowns? Not a problem. The dark? He revels in it. Bears? He is one. The height of the tree barely even crossed his mind when he offered to get Anders’s cat back. Now, though, as he notes how small everything looks from up here, hyperaware of the way the branches creak and sway in the summer breeze, he suddenly finds himself feeling extremely vulnerable.

Shit.

Hawke turns his attention to the cat, mentally shutting down any thoughts about how high up he is and how at any moment the branch could break and he could fall to his untimely death at the age of twenty-four. “Here, kitty, kitty,” he says in a high-pitched voice, making little kissy noises and reaching a hand out while using the other to cling to the branch for dear life. The cat takes a few tentative steps forward, never taking her eyes off of him. Hawke laughs nervously, racking his brain to try to remember what Merrill does to get her cats to come to her, when suddenly he has an epiphany.

“Madame Fluffykins,” he croons, making a pss-pss-pss sound and gesturing for her to come toward him. The cat takes another few steps forward and leans back. For a moment they both just stay like that, frozen in time, eyes locked. Then Madame Fluffykins launches herself into his arms.

Hawke catches her with his free arm and holds her protectively to his chest, then dares to glance back down at the ground. Now he’s the one in a conundrum. He only has one free hand, it’s too far for him to jump without seriously injuring himself, and he’s scared to death of moving from this spot in case he slips and falls—but the longer he stays here, the higher the risk of the branch snapping from his weight.

“Impressive,” Anders calls, hands on his hips. “What now?”

“Um,” Hawke says brilliantly. “You...might end up having to call the fire department anyway.”

Anders snorts and shakes his head. “Now you’re stuck up there, too? Maker’s breath.”

“Hey, I only have one free hand!” Hawke says defensively. “Unless you want me to, I don’t know, toss your cat down for you to catch—”

“Yeah, that’s not happening,” Anders replies, though he still sounds vaguely amused. “She’d hate us forever.”

“I didn’t think so,” Hawke says with a chuckle. He can imagine that being thrown from this height would be extremely distressing to most pets, and he’s not one to judge—he’d never do anything to traumatize Angus like that, either.

The branch makes a small cracking noise that causes Hawke to immediately envision himself falling to the ground, his body scraped up by branches before he crashes down on top of Anders and crushes his noodly, gangly figure. That would be bad. “Uh,” he says anxiously, “might wanna get around to calling that fire department. I don’t think this branch is going to hold out for much longer.”

“Oh. Right.” At that, Anders breaks out of whatever trance he was just in that caused him to stare at Hawke so intently for those last few moments. At least, he thinks Anders was staring at him, but he was probably just keeping an eye on Madame Fluffykins. Yeah, that would make more sense.

Anders calls the Kirkwall fire department and sheepishly explains the situation, though he leaves out a few details about how, exactly, the cat got stuck in the tree in the first place. “They said they’ll be over as soon as they can,” he says when he gets off the phone, and then all that’s left to do is wait.

That probably isn’t too much of a problem for Anders, but Hawke isn’t having a whole lot of fun balancing precariously on a branch while Madame Fluffykins squirms in his grasp. In an attempt to distract himself and mask his apprehension, he says, “So. I’ve never seen you around here before.”

“I just moved into the neighborhood a few weeks ago,” Anders replies, sitting down on the ground next to Angus, who is now lying in the shade with his head in his paws.

Despite himself, Hawke snorts. “And you’ve already had to call the fire department to rescue your cat more than once now?”

Anders laughs a little. “Madame Fluffykins is...a bit skittish, especially in new surroundings. I have a cat door installed out back for her to go in and out. Don’t know why she doesn’t just run inside instead of climbing up a tree when something scares her.”

Hawke still can’t hold back a stupid grin at the name. “Speaking of,” he says wryly, “where’d ‘Madame Fluffykins’ come from?”

Anders shrugs and smiles a little. “It’s sort of continuing a tradition. My parents let me name our cats when I was younger. I had one named Mister Wiggums, and then another named Ser Pounce-a-Lot. I thought they were fun names. Still do. They have character.” He turns toward Angus and gives him a scratch behind the ears, though he looks a little wary, like he’s not quite sure what to do around such a large dog. “What about you? What’s his name?”

A gust of wind startles Hawke, and he tries not to think about the loud rustling of the leaves or the way some of the thinner branches swing wildly. “Angus,” he says once it dies down, holding on tightly to Madame Fluffykins—for her safety or for his own comfort, he’s not quite sure.

Anders nods. “A strong name,” he says. With a chuckle, he adds, “It kind of sounds like Anders.”

“Sure, it sounds cool, but the story behind it is a bit less so,” Hawke replies, smiling fondly at the memory. “The day we brought him home as a puppy, we had Angus beef burgers for dinner as a treat. When I grabbed mine and went to take a bite, Angus jumped up and snatched it right out of my hands.” At that, Angus lifts his head up off the ground and tilts it to the side. Hawke laughs and calls down, “Yes, you!”

Another crackling sound breaks him out of his brief moment of...not bliss, exactly, but less fear than usual. He glances over at where the branch is connected to the trunk and notices that it’s starting to splinter. It’s still a fairly large, sturdy branch, but a couple more minutes and it’ll probably fall. Hawke holds onto the trunk even tighter than he has been. “Hey, uh,” he says, trying to sound casual, which fails horribly because his voice shakes, “did the fire department give any sort of estimated time of arrival? The branch is...having a bad time. And so am I.”

Anders raises his eyebrows in alarm. “You can’t...move to another one or something?”

Hawke, having been paralyzed by fear into staying put, had assumed that this possibility would be a no-go. It occurs to him now, though, that he doesn’t have to hold Madame Fluffykins, since the fire department is coming to rescue them both anyway. He could set her on one branch, giving him the use of both his hands, and hop over to another nearby branch, as there are a few sturdy-looking ones in his general vicinity. The funny thing is, though, that part of him doesn’t want to let her go. He can tell himself that it’s just because he’s overly concerned for her safety, but the truth is that he feels...better holding her. The feeling of her warm fur against his chest and the sound of her breathing against his neck is almost calming, making him feel a bit less vulnerable.

Before either of them can say anything, though, Hawke spots a large red truck making its way down the street. “Oh, we’re saved!” he crows, automatically breathing a sigh of relief, though he still won’t be anywhere near comfortable until he’s back on solid ground. “Did you hear that, Madame Fluffykins? We’re saved!”

The firetruck parks on the side of the road. As the ladder slowly elevates to Hawke’s level, he realizes, to his chagrin, that his friend Aveline is the one coming to rescue him. Of course. He’ll never hear the end of this one.

“Hawke,” she says as she climbs up the ladder, looking disappointed but not surprised. “I should’ve known it was you.”

“Aveline!” Hawke says cheerfully, though he can feel his face heating up from embarrassment. “What can I say? I tried to do a good deed. It backfired spectacularly. Story of my life.”

“No kidding,” Aveline says as she reaches toward him and takes Madame Fluffykins in her arms. There’s a faint smile on her face, though.

“Well, it was a valiant effort,” Anders says from his place at the base of the tree. Hawke tries not to blush.

With both arms free, Hawke wastes no time in climbing onto the ladder and following Aveline back down. As relieved as he is, it’s not until he’s finally back on the ground that his heart stops pounding in his ears. Angus leaps up at the sight of Madame Fluffykins and wags his tail as he watches Aveline place her in Anders’s arms. “I’ll be taking my leave,” she says curtly, but her eyes crinkle with affection. Anders thanks her awkwardly, and then, as quickly as she came, she drives off, leaving Hawke and Anders standing across from each other.

“I’m really sorry,” Hawke says after a moment. “Angus just gets excited. He would never actually hurt her.”

Anders smiles a little as he sets the cat down. Predictably, she scurries around the back of the house and presumably inside before Angus can get a good look at her. “It’s fine. Really.”

He doesn’t sound like he’s lying, but Hawke still doesn’t feel right just leaving it like this. Then again, maybe that’s less of him being an honorable person who always pays people back and more of him just being very gay.

“Wait,” he says. “I have to make it up to you somehow.”

Anders shakes his head, looking almost astounded by Hawke’s offer. “It’s no trouble, Hawke, I swear. You don’t have to—”

“But I want to,” Hawke insists, pulling out his phone. “Hey. Are you free tonight?”

Anders blinks, clearly stunned. “Um—yes. Why?”

Hawke flashes him an easy smile. He can be awkward and stumbling, yes, but he can also turn on the charm when it really counts. “Dinner’s on me. Your pick.”

For a moment, Anders just looks dumbfounded. Then his face breaks into a full-on grin, the first one Hawke has seen so far. “I knew you were a bear.”

Hawke nearly chokes on his own laughter. Looks like Anders’s gaydar is working just fine. “Well,” he says with a mischievous smirk, “I did say I was good with animals.”

Anders tries not to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all—and fails miserably.

[kiwisfics]

Voltron Pets

A/N - Headcanons for the characters with pets

X

Shiro

⦁ Shiro, likes dogs. ⦁ Big dogs. ⦁ Very big dogs. ⦁ Simba is the biggest Great Dane any of the team has ever seen, including in videos. ⦁ He could very likely crush any of them. ⦁ Pidge is. ⦁ Very cautious. ⦁ But Simba is very gentle with everyone. ⦁ He likes to take people’s hands gently in his mouth and lead them to the jar of dog treats that Shiro keeps on the counter by the stove. ⦁ But Shiro doesn’t just like big dogs. ⦁ He also like teeny tiny dogs. ⦁ And so enters Pip. ⦁ Pip is a Pomeranian. ⦁ Simba is Pip’s bodyguard. ⦁ There’s no seeing one dog without the other close behind, or, more likely, seeing Simba and realizing that Pip is hiding under him when she happily yips at you. ⦁ Simba always gives his treat to Pip if you don’t give her one first. ⦁ Chivalry isn’t dead. ⦁ Apart from his dogs, Shiro also has an old cat who’s missing one of his front legs. ⦁ The cat hated him at first so he named him Grumpy. ⦁ Eventually the two find a compromise though. ⦁ Compromise, as in, Shiro feeds Grumpy until Grumpy finally trusts him. ⦁ More often than not, Grumpy is now seen hanging around Shiro’s neck. ⦁ Shiro’s favorite part of the day is falling into bed and having his pets each curl up in their designated spots. ⦁ Pip - On his Chest ⦁ Simba - Over his legs ⦁ Grumpy - Behind his head.

Keith

⦁ Boy is an animal magnet. ⦁ No one knows why, but he attracts at least one animal every time he leaves his place. ⦁ Which means, lots of pets and most of which he has no idea where they came from. ⦁ “Hey Keith, is that a new cat?” ⦁ “Her name is Starburst and she likes candy wrappers.” ⦁ “Where’d she come from, though?” ⦁ “…Outside.” ⦁ “Of course.” ⦁ He doesn’t spoil his pets as much as any of the others, not with stuff at least. ⦁ His pets are all adored though. ⦁ They’re all chipped the moment they decide to stick around because Keith can’t bare the thought of losing any of them. ⦁ All of his pets are suspiciously well behaved. ⦁ Like, even the cats hear Keith say “sit” and they plop down. ⦁ Everyone thinks Keith can communicate with them and even if he assures them it’s not true, ten minutes later he’ll ask a dog (the oldest, Gandolf) to help him clean up the dog toys and he does. ⦁ So either Keith can talk to animals or he’s a witch. ⦁ Again, another ongoing joke. ⦁ All of the pets are named after food and movie/book/comic characters. ⦁ No one is surprised anymore, but they also have no idea how he keeps all the names straight. ⦁ Keith is literally the only person able to keep all his pets’ names straight and everyone else just has to guess fifty percent of the time. ⦁ “That’s not Toast, that’s Cinnamon.” ⦁ “How?” ⦁ He loves his pets a lot and never really pays any mind to comments about having “too many.” ⦁ He keeps them all healthy and happy and that’s all that matters to him. ⦁ Don’t tell anyone, but he attracts them by keeping catnip and dog treats in his pockets. ⦁ No one needs to know that though.

Lance

⦁ Exact opposite of an animal magnet. ⦁ It’s not that they don’t like him, because he is a good person and they can tell. ⦁ They just don’t respect him enough to listen when he tells them not to run off. ⦁ Because any cats he tries to keep scale the fence and any dogs will dig their way out of the yard, he ends up with some pets less likely to run off (normally to join Keith’s hoard). ⦁ First, he ends up with a cockatiel named Casanova. ⦁ Casanova adores Lance. ⦁ But, not as much as he adores women. ⦁ This bird will straight up flirt with any woman that enters his line of sight. ⦁ Allura and Pidge are one hundred percent sure that it’s Lance’s fault, but he didn’t do it! ⦁ The bird was like that when he got him! ⦁ He swears! ⦁ Casanova doesn’t just flirt with human women though! ⦁ He flirts with any girl animal too. ⦁ So, when Lance finally caves and decides to try his hand at keeping a dog and he adopts Annie the dachshund, Casanova is ecstatic! ⦁ Annie and Casanova become quick friends and Lance swears that Casanova is the only reason Annie doesn’t run off. ⦁ He’s not, Annie loves Lance. ⦁ Lance also gets a few fish. ⦁ A betta and some of the more flashy looking ones. ⦁ He names them all after sushi types. ⦁ Casanova like to steal the fish food from the top of the water if Lance forgets to close it after he feeds the fish. ⦁ Casanova also likes to get into Annie’s treats and throw them to her. ⦁ Casanova is a fiend.

Hunk

⦁ He has a huge saint bernard/husky mix named Sugar and a tiny calico cat named Spice. ⦁ Everyone is lowkey terrified of Sugar when they first see her, but the moment she sees them her face just lights up! ⦁ Sugar loves people! ⦁ She’s made slightly scarier by a rough scar across her left eye, but it’s hardly visible once you get used to her presence. ⦁ Everyone quickly realizes that she’s as much of an angel as her owner is. ⦁ There’s a inside joke that Hunk and Sugar are twins. ⦁ When they both get excited at the same time, everyone swears they can hardly tell the difference. ⦁ Spice is a fairly shy cat, but she sticks to Sugar’s side. ⦁ Even though Spice is a sweet cat, people frequently think the opposite on account of the glare she seems to give them when first meeting Sugar. ⦁ Spice is older than Sugar and mothers her despite the size difference. ⦁ Both Sugar and Spice are rescued animals! ⦁ Spice was a street cat before Hunk started feeding her. ⦁ After she slipped into the house without him noticing and he woke to glowing eyes staring at him, he took her to the vet and got all of the necessities needed to give her a life of luxury. ⦁ Sugar was a sickly pup in a pound when Hunk adopted her. ⦁ Her picture was in a paper he just briefly saw and she was scheduled for being put to sleep. ⦁ That was absolutely not happening! ⦁ Sugar thinks that she’s a lap dog and frequently jumps on Hunk’s lap. ⦁ That’s all well and good, the problem arises when she jumps on the laps of people visiting. ⦁ That’s a lot of dog! ⦁ Spice likes to curl up on Hunk’s stomach and abandons her fancy bed the moment the opportunity presents itself. ⦁ Both of Hunk’s pets are spoiled. ⦁ He makes them homemade food. ⦁ They get treats for being cute. ⦁ They probably have their own bank accounts.   ⦁ They’re living a better life than me.

Pidge

⦁ She loves fluffy animals. ⦁ Big, small, doesn’t matter. ⦁ She wants pets soft enough to use as pillows. ⦁ Not that she uses them as pillows, but she just really loves fluffy animals, alright? ⦁ She has a trio of bunnies, June, July, and August, who behave more like dogs than bunnies. ⦁ They behave like dogs because Darcy, Pidge’s chow-mix, took in the little buns when their mother got attacked by a neighborhood stray. ⦁ Darcy had lost a few of her own pups before this incident and Pidge awoke one day to find that two babies had turned to five. ⦁ Darcy is very protective of her family, and that includes Pidge. ⦁ She may seem like a sweetheart, but she won’t stand for anything happening to her person or her babies. ⦁ In the spirit of keeping all the babies name’s matching, the pups are named April and May. ⦁ As the babies get older, momma Darcy and Pidge have to make sure the puppies don’t get too rough with the bunnies. ⦁ Fortunately, the pups father was a fairly small mutt, and they take after him. ⦁ (Their father probably stuck around until Keith came for a visit and then followed him home.) ⦁ (You’re not fooling her, Keith, she knows you carry dog treats.) ⦁ (If you try to take any more of her dogs she’s going to rat you out.) ⦁ Pidge is the kind of person who takes in any injured animal she comes across too, but they tend to be wild birds, so they get released as soon as they’re better. ⦁ She has an army of crows. ⦁ The only animals Keith won’t even try to bribe love out of.

Allura

⦁ She has her mice, a white cat named Boo, and two white budgies named Bippity and Boppity. ⦁ Bippity, Boppity, and Boo were a package deal. ⦁ Their owner couldn’t care for them anymore and Allura quickly took the opportunity to add the three to her home. ⦁ Boo was raised indoors and, despite her fears, has adapted to being a perch for the birds and a moving playground for the mice. ⦁ Bippity and Boppity will repeat “pretty bird, pretty bird,” every morning until Allura acknowledges them. ⦁ The birds enjoy sitting in Allura’s hair too! ⦁ Boppity likes to tease Boo. ⦁ She also likes to tease anyone new who enters the house. ⦁ She has pooped in Lance’s hair and no one will let him forget. ⦁ He’s entirely sure that the bird has a vendetta against him. ⦁ Meanwhile, Bippity is a sweetheart to absolutely anyone! ⦁ If anyone whistles her a tune, she repeats it in kind, adding in little hops and head bobs. ⦁ Any first meeting with Bippity is filled with “kiss, kiss"es and "muah"s. ⦁ Boo frequently grooms the mice and curls around them when she finds them sleeping. ⦁ Most of the time, the mice sleep in Boo’s fur, however, so she never has to search for them. ⦁ Her pets are moderately spoiled. ⦁ Bippity and Boppity have an extra large bird cage, segmented and placed so one side is covered and shaded and the other is directly by a window. ⦁ Boo has a high quality cat bed, the best food and treats recommended by vets, a fancy litter box, and a large cat tree directly in front of a window. ⦁ All of the animals have more toys than they know what to do with. ⦁ Frequently, Allura will curl up on the sofa beside the bird cage after a long day and Boo and her mice will join for a family nap.

Coran

⦁ Of course he has a schnauzer. ⦁ That’s canon by now, right? ⦁ ANYWAY. ⦁ Sir. Bruce is a fairly old dog that Coran was gifted by the team. ⦁ He adores Bruce with everything he has. ⦁ Everyone assumes that Coran can speak to animals too. ⦁ Not all animals, like they assume with Keith, but his pets in particular. ⦁ After Coran discovers the joy of having a dog, he’s obsessed with them. ⦁ He ends up with five dogs. ⦁ The first dog he adopts himself is a tiny Yorkie pup named Patty. ⦁ Then come Scottie and Sarah the Beagles. ⦁ Finally, he adopts another schnauzer named Patricia. ⦁ (He doesn’t understand why everyone loses it when he yells “Patricia!”) ⦁ Patricia is a troublemaker, but she’s incidentally also the one with the best puppy-dog eyes. ⦁ Scottie trips over his ears all the time, so Coran uses hair ties to keep his ears up. ⦁ Patty is always tripping Bruce by getting in front of him, and, as the runt of both her famly and her litter, he doesn’t see her when he’s in a hurry. ⦁ Sir. Bruce and Patty are the best of friends, though. ⦁ Sarah is the the angel of the group. ⦁ No one ever hears her bark or growl, and she never makes a mess. ⦁ That is, that visitors see. ⦁ She will look Coran straight in the eyes and knock over the water bowls. ⦁ Yes, plural. ⦁ She loves knocking over the water bowls and Coran does not know why. ⦁ He loves his dogs too much to stay angry for too long.

Lotor

⦁ This man is extra. ⦁ He couldn’t settle for simple house pets, oh no, this man had to get a horse. ⦁ His horse loves him so much though. ⦁ Obsidian is a pure black Friesian horse. ⦁ Everyone thinks she’s gorgeous (because she is) but they love her even more because she’s an absolute sweetheart. ⦁ God help anyone who tries to ride her though. ⦁ No one has and no one will. ⦁ Lotor doesn’t see the point in riding a horse, so she’s just a really big pet. ⦁ He’d probably let her in his house if he could, to be honest. ⦁ Because Lotor is Extra, he also has two purebred cats. ⦁ An Abyssinian cat and a Bengal. ⦁ Both of the cats are spoiled rotten. ⦁ They’re absolute drama queens and no one can even lightly brush against them by accident without the cats acting like they were attacked. ⦁ Even Lotor gets this treatment. ⦁ He’s not quite a cat dad, but he’s toeing the line. ⦁ There is video evidence of Lotor baby talking the cats and it’s being held as blackmail material.

Matt

⦁ BIRDS. ⦁ He loves birds. ⦁ Going into his house is like going into a bird house in a zoo. ⦁ He has five finches. ⦁ He takes inspiration from the names Pidge gives her pets and names the finches after the days of the week. ⦁ But he doesn’t stop there. ⦁ He gets a parakeet - Keaton - and an African gray parrot - Sunshine. ⦁ Every time someone new enters his house he holds out his arms and six birds land on them. ⦁ Sunshine lands on his head. ⦁ I feel like, after awhile he decides to get a more furry pet and settles on getting a pair of chinchillas. ⦁ They’re too cute for anyone to resist, so anyone who would avoid his place for fear of getting pooped on by the birds (Lance) bypasses the fear to see the precious balls of pure fluff. ⦁ He names them Pom and Poof. ⦁ He has perches everywhere in his house, it’s actually ridiculous. ⦁ Honestly, the definition of a pet parent. ⦁ He calls the birds and chinchillas his kids and refers to himself as their dad. ⦁ Did you know birds could be spoiled? ⦁ They can and Matt sets a standard for spoiling every animal. ⦁ Sunshine is a toublemaker and everyone knows it except Matt. ⦁ And, yes, Sunshine poops on Lance the first time he stays in the house for over ten minutes. ⦁ His fears were valid.

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day One Hundred Fifty-Five: Twelve Babies ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Inuzuka Hana ] [ SasuHina, pregnancy ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ AO3 Link ]

It starts when she’s coming in with an armful of groceries. Juggling the bag and her keys, Hinata pauses as she hears a soft sound. A few glances around the front porch, however, reveal nothing...and she doesn’t hear it again. Listening a moment longer, she then mentally shrugs and heads in. There’s still several more bags to pack in, after all. And for the moment, she’s all alone with Sasuke at work. Which leaves all the grocery-carrying to her.

Once everything is put away, she changes into a pair of worn shorts and a tank top, hair pulled into a tail behind her head and a visor snug over her brow to shade her face. Gloves pulled onto her hands, she heads back out through the front door to do a bit of yard work. The flowerbeds in the front are getting a bit overrun with weeds. It’s time yet again to go to war with the unwanted flora!

Ten minutes in, she stills. There’s that noise again! Sitting back on her haunches, Hinata looks over the yard. Funny...she doesn’t see anything. The houses on either side are quiet. What on earth…?

There! Again! Head turning, she pinpoints it somewhere to her left. Is there...something under the front porch? Hesitating - what if it’s a racoon? They carry rabies! - she sidles over to the lattice that goes all the way around the underside of the porch.

Or...well, most of it. As it so happens, there’s a piece broken off along the house. Great...there is something under there, isn’t there?

Nibbling her lip, she heads in for a moment to grab a flashlight, reemerging and kneeling by the hole. A button is pressed, and the light cuts through the dark under the porch.

A few random bits of junk - must be from the previous owners - are scattered about. Old broken flower pots, some spare lattice...and a cardboard box…? Heaving a small, curt sigh, Hinata moves around to a better angle to see into said box. Peering through a hole of the lattice, she aims her light...and gasps softly.

Staring with round eyes, giving a quiet growl...is a cat.

“Aww...hey, kitty,” Hinata greets softly. “What are you doing under there…?”

Still the feline growls, Hinata angling the beam to keep from blinding them.

“It’s okay! I’m not gonna hurt you. Gosh, I thought you were a trash panda…” Shifting her weight, she tries to think of what to do. “...hold on!”

Back in she goes, fetching a can of tuna fish. Cracking it open, she forks some into a tupperware bowl...and then gets a second for some water. Placing both near the hole by the house, she calls, “Here kitty kitty! Are you hungry?”

It takes a minute, but the smell of tuna coaxes them to peer around the edge of the box, sniffing with soft snorts. Creeping along as Hinata settles herself back a ways, the cat - a little black one with a splotch of white on their chest - slowly emerges just enough to scarf down several chunks of tuna.

And it’s then Hinata notices, this is a fat cat! But...fat in a sort of...odd way. Almost like…

...oh no.

“...you’re pregnant, aren’t you?” she notes quietly. What is she supposed to do with a wild, pregnant cat?

Sasuke is going to be thrilled.

Not.

Watching her eat (and then get a long drink), Hinata nibbles her thumbnail, sat on the grass. Should she...call the pound? But surely that would be a lot of stress for a kitty that’s so clearly close to popping…

...oh! Duh!

Taking her phone out of her pocket, Hinata sends a quick text. Thankfully it only takes Kiba a few minutes to reply.

Yeah, I can see if my sis has some spare time - she helps with rescues a lot. And she can make sure the cat’s healthy. I’ll text you when I hear back.

Hinata breathes a sigh of relief. Thank you - I just want to make sure mama and babies will be okay!

Having little else to do but wait, Hinata wraps arms around her bent knees, watching her new feline friend eat her meal. “I wish you weren’t scared of me, kitty...I promise I don’t want to hurt you…!” But alas, cats can’t understand something so easily - she’ll have to earn her trust, first. Hopefully Hana will know some tips and tricks for that.

All the while, her guest keeps one wary eye on the human. It doesn’t take long to clean up every scrap of tuna.

“Gosh, you must be really hungry…! Do you...want some more?” She also just got some chicken...maybe that would be better on an empty stomach. Ever so slowly, Hinata moves to get to her feet.

In a flash, the cat disappears back under the porch.

“Oh -!” Trying to gesture, Hinata wilts. Well...she should have expected that. Setting her jaw, she picks up the dish and heads back inside.

One cut up piece of chicken later, she returns, setting it back in the same spot...and this time, sitting a little closer. As before, the kitty approaches slowly, watching Hinata with a heaping amount of suspicion.

“You’re okay,” she murmurs, trying to calm her. “I’m not gonna hurt you...it’s just m-me and you. You’re safe, pretty little kitty.”

On she goes, mostly just talking nonsense to try to adjust the cat to her voice. Reaching the dish, the soon-to-be mother heads right on in to eating.

As tempted as she is to try and pet her, Hinata refrains. Mostly because she knows that won’t work, but also because she can’t know what trouble this kitty’s gotten into: parasites, illnesses...she might not be safe to touch.

And then Sasuke’s car pulls into the driveway. Tensing, the cat - surprisingly - doesn’t flee, eyes round again and clearly scared.

“Easy! Easy…” Hinata urges. “It’s just Sasuke. He’s my husband. He loves kitties!”

“Hinata? Who are you talking to?”

She just points, Sasuke coming around and then stopping in surprise. “...oh! Is that cat...pregnant?”

“I think so. Poor thing is so hungry...I’ve been trying to make friends!”

Just as curious, Sasuke takes a seat beside her.

Torn between her appetite and her fear, the cat lingers in inaction for a while before taking another bite.

Feeling her phone vibrate, Hinata gets a text from Hana. Can be there in twenty minutes - be careful not to approach, get scratched / bit

True to her word, the vet soon arrives, a carrier and a catch pole in hand. “So, she’s under the porch?”

“Mhm...we had her out to eat, but she got nervous at your car.”

The couple stand aside as the vet gets to work, laying on her belly and fishing around for the feline. Soon there’s a startled howl as she gets ahold of her, and Hinata can’t help a flinch. Fishing her out, Hana carefully gets her into the crate.

Immediately, the cat shrinks into a corner, hair on end and pupils like dinner plates.

“...well, I’ll have to do a lot of tests, make sure she doesn’t have any mites, fleas, diseases...but if she checks out, I’ll let you know.”

“Will...will she need a foster home?”

Hana perks a brow. “...are you offering?”

Hinata looks to Sasuke, who deadpans. “...Hinata…”

“We can help find the babies homes! Haven’t you always w-wanted a cat since we moved in?”

“Yeah, one. Not a whole...troupe.”

“Kittens are pretty easy to get adopted,” Hana offers. “Everyone loves baby animals.”

“Pleaaase?”

The Uchiha sighs. “...oh, all right. But we have to make sure she’s safe and healthy first.”

“Mhm!”

A week passes as Hana does tests and cleans the cat up, doing her best to socialize her. “I think she was someone’s housecat,” she reports over the phone. “She doesn’t have a chip, but she’s actually gotten a little friendly. Still very scared, though.”

“Aww…”

“You sure you want her in your house? She didn’t have fleas, and seems clean besides some ear mites I treated her for...but who knows if she’s housebroken, or won’t go nuts and jump on everything.”

“I’m sure!”

Thankfully, the couple have a spare room in their little house: what was going to be an office, but has mostly just been storage as the project keeps getting pushed back. Hinata does her best to clean it up, investing in a large dog crate filled with second hand store blankets, water and food, and a small litter box.

Hana brings the kitty back a few days later, helping move the very round cat from one crate to another. Curling up in a corner, she stares with wary eyes.

“Hey there,” Hinata greets with a smile.

“Got a name picked out yet?”

“Hm...no, not yet.”

“She seems nice, just...very shy of people. She hasn’t bitten or scratched - very well-behaved. I’m willing to bet she’s a housecat that got pregnant, and the owner just...tossed her out rather than deal with the kittens.”

“Oh, how horrible…”

“But, she’s got a good home now. Once the kittens are born and old enough, I’ll help you find homes. Shouldn’t take much.”

“Thank you!”

Kittens, as it turns out, aren’t far off.

As a matter of fact, they only wait about a day before arriving.

Going in to check her the following morning, Hinata freezes at the sounds of soft, tiny mews. “...oh my g-gosh!”

Very carefully checking the cat’s nest of blankets, Hinata counts a whopping twelve babies. Twelve little kittens!

“Holy smokes, mama! No wonder you were so hungry, having all those little ones in there!”

Sasuke doesn’t believe her until he gets home to check himself. “...well I’ll be darned.”

Most of the kittens are shades of black or grey, but a few are tabby colored. “Well, I guess we know what the dad looked like…”

“Freeloader, not even sticking around to raise the kids.”

Hinata giggles. “I guess that falls to us, huh?”

Hana comes to check them, also amazed. “You don’t see litters this size very often! But they all look healthy...what a good mama.”

Hinata starts her new home hunt early. Everyone she knows gets a call advertising the little kitties.

Kiba’s girlfriend agrees to take one. Naruto and Sakura too, if they can get a pet deposit in their apartment. Shino politely declines, citing an allergy. Kurenai, Hinata’s favorite high school teacher, agrees to one. Ino goes in for two. Sasuke’s brother lets his wife talk him into one. Shisui agrees to one, as does his mother. Even Hanabi manages to convince Hiashi to let her have one. That leaves three unaccounted for, which Hana assures them won’t take long.

Sasuke, however...quickly becomes attached. He’s told her before of his family’s love for cats, as evident by their percentage of participation. But more than once, Hinata catches him in the spare room, letting himself be overrun by kittens.

As time goes, the mama cat quickly warms up to them both.

“How about Oreo?”

“You have any idea how overused that name is for black and white animals?”

“Cuz it fits!”

“...how about...Shadow?”

“...what was that about overused?”

Staring at her, Sasuke then brightens. “...Bowtie.”

“What?”

“Her white mark on her chest! It looks like a bowtie!”

Hinata stares...and then laughs. “It does!”

Once the kittens are old enough, they get one last checkup by Hana, and then get dispersed to their new homes.

And Bowtie gets spayed.

“I think one batch of twelve babies was enough for the poor thing,” Hinata agrees.

“Yeah...one cat is plenty. For now.”

“...for now.”

                                                         .oOo.

     Me: I should keep my dailies short so I don't burn out for the Tumblr event!      Me: *writes this, which is almost 2k words*      ...welp xD      Typically I try to average about 1200 words for these drabbles...I think last I checked the overall average was actually 1400-ish? So even then I've managed to go a bit overboard, lol - I just...really liked this prompt and had to flesh it out a bit more than usual xD      Anywho, Hinata found a kitty! Which then led to MANY MORE kitties! Which I promise all ended up with good homes. And that's...really all there is to this, lol      Remember folks: spay and neuter your pets!      Anyway, on that note, I'm gonna go pass out! Still got a LOT of writing ahead of me for the next three days, so I need some sleep - thanks for reading!

[bloojayoolie]

Apparently, Cats, and Children: 10 yrs old 1.8ths-Walang on Loce @ 7MafalanACC Stunna # 46610 Lovely older Gent! Stunna was a family dog all his life. He is great around kids, lived with a small dog, he is strikingly handsome, very smart and friendly and has been great in playgroup with other dogs. TO BE KILLED - 11/16/2018 Sweet Senior Stunna <3 Exceptionally handsome, friendly, well behaved playgroup greeter - You will be absolutely stunned when you meet him! A volunteer writes: I remember seeing at the Smithsonian Museum, in a display about "Dogs of War", an Amstaff who just looked like Stunna. Yes, this is exactly what our Stunna is besides being a boroughbred, an Amstaff, majestic, noble, loyal, well mannered and trained. Stunna is 10 year old and was a family dog all his life, always welcoming of strangers, great with kids, happy with his little female housemate and very loving to his family. He is described by his former owners as a "big fluff" sleeping in their bed, under the cover. I have been so impressed by Stunna's looks, his perfect manners, the way he sits right away, his excellent leash manners, his sociability and friendliness with people and dogs alike. Stunna has been beautifully cared for and raised to be a well rounded pet who will be the joy and pride of a new owner or family. Come and meet our gem, Stunna at the Manhattan Care Center! He is the friend you have been dreaming of! Volunteer Georgia Richmond writes: Stunna is a lovely older gent, a happy explorer in the park and a fun friend in the yard. He's strikingly handsome and very smart, independent but social too. Join the Stunna fan club today! Manhattan ACC Dog Volunteers: Dedicated to The Ones We Love Facebook-Page writes: There's no bigger joy than welcoming a senior into your home, one who was surrendered due to housing issues, lived with young kids and a small dog, is house broken, good on leash, lively, friendly, well mannered and has been great in playgroup with both males and females. Seriously, what's not to love about Sir Stunna! VIDEO: Stunning Stunna <3 https://youtu.be/m53Bg1XvIc4 Stunna ID# 46610 Manhattan Animal Care Center 10 yrs old, 51.8 lbs Brown Male Seize: Large Owner Surrender Reason: Landlord Issues Intake Date: 11-06-2018 SHELTER ASSESSMENT ~ EXPERIENCED HOME OWNER NOTES Basic Information: Stunna is a 10 year old male unaltered brown and white large mixed breed dog. Previous owner got Stunna from a friend about 8 years ago. She has had Stunna for 8 years and surrendered him over to ACC because of her living situation. Previously lived with: 2 adults, 1 dog How is this dog around strangers? Around strangers, Stunna is friendly and outgoing. He will greet strangers with a wagging tail and happy "smile" How is this dog around children? Stunna has been around 2 children between the ages of 5 months and 2 years old. He is friendly, respectful and plays gently with these children. How is this dog around other dogs? Stunna lived with a small female dog. He was playful and respectful of this dog. How is this dog around cats? Stunna has not been around cats. His behaviour is unkonwn Resource guarding: Stunna is not bothered if his food bowls/toys/treats are touched while he is utilizing them. He will bark if someone unfamiliar approaches the owner or the household. Bite history: Stunna has not bitten another animal or person before. Housetrained: Yes Energy level/descriptors: Very high, friendly, affectionate, playful, excitable Other Notes: Stunna enjoys baths and loves to be scrubbed. He enjoys being brushed and groomed. He has not received a nail trimming from his owners because his nails are filed down when he goes on walks. He enjoys being held and isnt bothered if he is restrained. Has this dog ever had any medical issues? No Medical Notes Stunna saw a vet last year and has no medical concerns or injuries that were reported at intake. For a New Family to Know Stunna is a Very high energy , friendly, affectionate, playful and excitable dog. He loves to cuddle in his owners bed and sleep under the covers. Previous owner explained him as a big fluff. Stunna loves to play with toys of all kinds and his favorite activity is tug of war. He is very housetrained and will rarely have accidents. He was taken on 4 walks a day. He knows commands such as sit stay and come. He eats dry food only and is given wet food as a treat. BEHAVIOR NOTES Upon Intake: Upon intake, Stunna had a loose wiggly body. He was panting and licking the air. He allowed to be collared, pet and placed inside of a kennel. Allowed all handling. Means of surrender (length of time in previous home): Owner Surrender (In home for 8 years) Previously lived with: Adults and a dog Behavior toward strangers: Friendly Behavior toward children: Friendly, respectful, and gently playful Behavior toward dogs: Playful and respectful Resource guarding: None reported Bite history: None reported Housetrained: Yes Energy level/descriptors: Stunna is described as friendly, affectionate, playful, and excitable with a very high level of activity. SAFER SCORES: Date of assessment: 7-Nov-2018 Look: 1. Dog's eyes are averted, with tail wagging and ears back. Allows head to be held loosely in Assessor's cupped hands. Sensitivity: 1. Dog leans into the Assessor, eyes soft or squinty, soft and loose body, open mouth. Tag: 1. Dog follows at the end of the leash, body soft. Paw squeeze 1: 1. Dog gently pulls back his/her paw. Paw squeeze 2: 1. Dog gently pulls back his/her paw. Flank squeeze 1: Item not conducted Flank squeeze 2: Item not conducted Toy: 1. Minimal interest in toy, dog may smell or lick, then turns away. Summary: Stunna approached the assessor with a soft body. He was social during the assessment, allowed all handling, and displayed no concerning behaviors. Summary (1): 11/7: When introduced off leash to female dogs, Stunna greets politely. Summary (2): 11/8: Stunna greets politely. Summary (3): 11/9: Stunna greets a group of female dogs politely. When one jumps up on the handler for attention he rushes over with stiff body. Summary (4): 11/10: Stunna greets male and female dogs politely and engages in brief play with a select male dog. Date of intake: 6-Nov-2018 Summary: Loose body, allowed handling ENERGY LEVEL: Stunna is described as having a very high level of activity. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm. BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: EXPERIENCE (suitable for an adopter with some previous dog experience, especially with the behaviors outlined below) Potential challenges: Handling/touch sensitivity Potential challenges comments: Handling/touch sensitivity: During his medical examination, Stunna displayed defensive behavior when restrained, growling, snapping, and thrashing. He appears uncomfortable with medical restraint. While this behavior was not reported in his previous home and has not been seen in the shelter other than during his medical exam, we cannot be certain if it will appear in other contexts outside of a medical setting. Future adopters should be aware of this behavior and note that Stunna may need to be muzzled or possibly sedated for veterinary exams. MEDICAL EXAM NOTES 10-Nov-2018 Spay-Neuter Waiver Documentation [Spay/Neuter Waiver - Age] It is the policy of ACC not to perform surgery on any animal over the age of 8-10 years due to the higher risks incurred in a shelter setting. The veterinarian is hereby issuing a permanent spay/neuter waiver, from the spay/neuter requirements of the City of NY due to the estimated age of this animal. ACC does recommend you consult with your veterinarian to determine if surgical sterilization is appropriate. 10-Nov-2018 DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 10y Microchip noted on Intake? no Microchip Number (If Applicable): History : owner surrender Subjective: BARH, good appetite, normal defecations Observed Behavior - Needed to be muzzled, will charge and snap when held Evidence of Cruelty seen - no Evidence of Trauma seen - no Objective P = wnl R = wnl BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears cropped, mild cerumenous debris, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: incisors appear normal, could not see rest due to muzzle PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: male intact, soft and symmetric testicles, no leakage and discharge MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: visually normal Assessment Apparently healthy Prognosis: excellent Plan: medically cleared refer to behavior SURGERY: Permanent waiver due to age *** TO FOSTER OR ADOPT *** ASPEN IS RESCUE ONLY. You must fill out applications with New Hope Rescues to foster or adopt him. He cannot be reserved online at the ACC ARL, nor can he be direct adopted at the shelter. PLEASE HURRY AND MESSAGE OUR PAGE FOR ASSISTANCE! HOW TO RESERVE A “TO BE KILLED” DOG ONLINE (only for those who can get to the shelter IN PERSON to complete the adoption process, and only for the dogs on the list NOT marked New Hope Rescue Only). Follow our Step by Step directions below! *PLEASE NOTE – YOU MUST USE A PC OR TABLET – PHONE RESERVES WILL NOT WORK! ** STEP 1: CLICK ON THIS RESERVE LINK: https://newhope.shelterbuddy.com/Animal/List Step 2: Go to the red menu button on the top right corner, click register and fill in your info. Step 3: Go to your email and verify account \ Step 4: Go back to the website, click the menu button and view available dogs Step 5: Scroll to the animal you are interested and click reserve STEP 6 ( MOST IMPORTANT STEP ): GO TO THE MENU AGAIN AND VIEW YOUR CART. THE ANIMAL SHOULD NOW BE IN YOUR CART! Step 7: Fill in your credit card info and complete transaction HOW TO FOSTER OR ADOPT IF YOU *CANNOT* GET TO THE SHELTER IN PERSON, OR IF THE DOG IS NEW HOPE RESCUE ONLY! You must live within 3 – 4 hours of NY, NJ, PA, CT, RI, DE, MD, MA, NH, VT, ME or Norther VA. Please PM our page for assistance. You will need to fill out applications with a New Hope Rescue Partner to foster or adopt a dog on the To Be Killed list, including those labelled Rescue Only. Hurry please, time is short, and the Rescues need time to process the applications.

[lolcat76]

Hallmark prompt: I watched a modern day Pride and Prejudice with puppies. Woman takes care of puppies and ends up training them for dog shows; man is the nephew of the woman who owns the puppies and an occasional dog show referee

Oof, this was a hard one. I am fine with incorporating zombies into Pride and Prejudice, but dogs was a LOT harder. I hope you like it, Nonnie!

It is a truth universally known in the dog breedingcommunity that a breeder in possession of a bitch must be in want of a goodsire.

This truth was well fixed in Bill Adama’s mind, never moreso now that his prize bitch was coming of age and ready to be bred, but he nolonger had a good sire in his line-up (Godrest you, Searider, he muttered to himself), and his old friends on the dogshow circuit didn’t have another golden retriever that was the equal to hisbest girl.

“Hey boss,” Kara huffed, “did you know that the Roslins areretiring Darcy from agility?”

He looked over the pages of his book to the floor of hisliving room, where his two favorite ladies were currently locked in battle.Kara seemed to have the upper hand, but Bennett was strong and stubborn.Eventually, one of them would run out of the room, rope toy in hand, bouncingand wagging at finally winning tug-of-war.

His money was on Bennett, but he wasn’t counting Kara outjust yet. His assistant was wily and not above cheating, if the biscuitsbulging in her pockets were any indication.

“You know I don’t keep up with agility,” he said. Or the Roslins, he implied with hisgruff tone.

He’d had more than enough of Judith Roslin, back in the dayswhen he first started showing dogs. She constantly scored his dogs lowest inthe breed category, and even Searider, the most beautiful dog Bill had everseen, barely made it to the middle of the score sheets in the group categorythe last time he’d come across Mrs. Roslin.

Of course, Searider did snap at her when she cupped hisballs, but Bill would probably have done the same. The woman had ice for blood,and he wouldn’t want her cold fingers anywhere near his nether regions either.

“I’m just saying,” Kara said, followed by an oof and a sharpyip, and the blur of gold tearing out of the room. “Damn dog,” Kara muttered,then pushed herself up and tried to brush off the fur that was now coating hertank top and jeans. “I’m just saying that if you want a good sire, Darcy’s abeautiful dog.”

He’d rather take his chances with Saul’s three-legged rescuemutt. Collins was ugly as sin, and too fat to mount the stairs, let alone hisgirl Bennet, but at least he was a good boy.

A good boy who never failed to dig his nose into the crotchof anyone who walked by, but a good boy nonetheless. Bill couldn’t blame thedog for his poor manners – Saul would probably have done the same, if he were adog and could get away with it.

“Lee’s been having good luck with Bing,” he said. “Thinkmaybe that’s the way to go.”

Kara wrinkled her nose. “Oh, well, if Lee says.”

Someday, he’d have towade in to the middle of whatever made his son and his assistant hate eachother so much, but today wasn’t going to be that day. He closed his book andtossed it on the coffee table. “If you’re done letting my dog embarrass you,maybe you could go outside and start working on what I pay you for?”

She gave him a grin and a sloppy salute, then whistled.Bennett and Sam came tearing into the room, tails wagging madly. Time fortraining, and training meant food. She opened the door and jumped out of theway of the quivering masses of fur, then followed them out to the practicering.

He stood at the window and watched her take Bennett and Samthrough their paces. Maybe his dogs weren’t up to the Roslin standards, and maybehis assistant wasn’t either, but the three of them were more than enough forhim.

He’d have been happy to take his coffee out to the yard andenjoy watching Kara put his kids through their paces, but supplies were runninglow. He needed to make a run into town, to pick up organic, grain-free dog foodfor his pups and some non-organic tequila for his assistant.

***

He’d just hefted the last bag of dog food into his cart whenhe realized that he wasn’t alone in the aisle.

“I suppose you need all that,” she said, glaring between himand the now-empty shelf.

“I suppose I do,” he agreed. She was pretty…maybe prettywasn’t the word. Strong bone structure, good hips. Silky hair, and if theslight snarl she gave him was any indication, great teeth.

You’ve been raisingdogs too long, Old Man.

Maybe just long enough – he knew a biter when he saw one. “Tyrol’spretty good about orders for his regular customers. Tell him what you need, andhe’ll get it for you.” He gave her a nod and shoved his cart toward theregister.

Cally was working the register, so he had to hear every lastsecond of her last trip to volunteer at the shelter before he made it outsidewith his purchases. He popped the liftgate on his old, beat-up Cherokee andthrew the bags in. It wasn’t until he slammed the gate that he realized that,once again, he wasn’t alone. The Range Rover parked beside him was occupiedwith a dog who was whining for attention and an owner who was bitching on hercellphone.

“No, they’re not getting another delivery until Wednesday.Of COURSE I told him who it was for.” He didn’t need to see her face to knowthat she was rolling her eyes. “Some other guy swooped in and took all thefood.” Another pause. “Well, what was I supposed to do, tackle him to theground and steal his cart?” She sighed again. “He didn’t look like the type ofguy to be reasoned with. He looked like the type of guy who’d punch a woman inthe face and steal her purse.”

Well, that was new. His ex-wife certainly had plenty ofcomplaints about him, but never that.

He unlocked his door, torn between getting in heading to hisnext stop and listening to the end of the conversation. The dog in the passengerside of the Range Rover, though, had other ideas. He worked his nose out thewindow and licked at air, and Bill couldn’t resist. He scratched the boy on hischin.

“Excuse me, can I help you?”

He looked up, only to catch her staring at him. He tugged atthe dog’s ear. “You have my sympathies, pal,” he whispered to his new caninefriend.

“Darcy,” she snapped, and the dog jumped over the console tothe driver’s seat. Bill couldn’t tell if it was his paws or his flank that hitthe steering wheel, but he couldn’t stop a laugh at the blaring of the RangeRover’s horn that effectively ended the phone conversation.

“Sit.” She was bossy, all right. The dog sat, and Bill wastempted to do the same.

“Back.” Darcy jumped into the backseat. Back was good advice– back to his Jeep, back to his house, back to his dogs. Back away from thewoman who was glaring at him through two panes of frosted glass. Bill was nevergood at taking commands, though. Giving them, yes, but taking them?

“He’s a good dog,” Bill said mildly.

“He’s a hungry dog.”

“Maybe get here earlier next week, or make friends with thelocals.”

She clutched her purse, pulling it a little closer to herchest. Strong, deep chest.

Oh, who was he kidding.She had a nice rack.

“See you around,” he said. He gave her one last smile beforehe got in his Jeep. A quick glance in the rearview, and he saw that she was stillstanding, still glaring at him, as he pulled out of the parking lot.

As he was heading down the street to the liquor store, he couldn’thelp but admit that Darcy was a fine looking dog. Maybe trying to sire him withBennett wasn’t the worst idea he’d ever heard.

And even if it was, he might just enjoy hearing JudithRoslin’s trainer tell him that.

***

Ten years after the divorce, Bill was still trying to smooththings over with his kids. It was easier with Zak – though how, for the life ofhim, he’d managed to sire a son who had cats, cats of all things, was beyond him.

Lee, though, stubbornly following in his footsteps. Raisingdogs even though Bill didn’t think Lee’s heart was in it. Lee should open ashelter, not worry so much about bloodlines.

Bing, poor Bing, was proof of that. Physically, he was abeautiful dog, but mentally…Bing was dumb as a bag of rocks. He humpedeverything – legs, pillows, his grandmother’s rocking chair. Even Bennett couldsee it. Every time Lee brought his pride and joy to Bill’s house, Bennett hidunder Bill’s bed. And when she ventured out for her dinner, Bing came chargingup to her, a whirlwind of drool and yips and…seriously, Lee, humping thekitchen table?

Bennett put him into his place with a few snaps, sendingboth Lee and Bing into hiding in the living room. Bill pulled Bennett onto hislap and gave her a good belly rub.

He liked a woman whose bite was worse than her bark. Muchlike Judith Roslin’s trainer.

“It’s ok, baby,” he whispered as he scratched Bennett’sbelly, “He’s not the man for you.”

***

He wasn’t a fan of dog parks, but Kara was gone forvacation, and his stubborn dogs wouldn’t listen to him. They sat and waggedtheir tails while he pointed to the practice ring. Sam rolled over and lickedhis balls. Bennett dug her nose into his pockets, and he could swear that sheglared at him when she realized that his pockets only held his wallet and someloose change.

“Dog park?”

It was a good thing his Jeep was 20 years old; otherwise, hemight have been annoyed by the paint scratches they left in the door.

Sam took off after the pack as soon as he opened the door atthe park, but Bennett sat by his feet, waiting for him to throw the ball he hadclutched in his fist. He waved it under her nose, teasing her until she waschasing her tail in anticipation.

Dogs were so easy.

He cocked his arm. “All right, girl. You ready?” He gave afew teasing thrusts, Bennett’s feet leaving the ground each time. “Go get it!”He let the ball go. She was beautiful as she ran, her perfectly bred legschewing up the distance. She was a nose away from the ball when another dogswept in, and damn him if he didn’t bring it right back to Bill, Bennettsnapping at his heels the entire way.

Bill sighed. “Darcy.”

Darcy dropped the ball in front of him, his tail scratchinga pattern in the dust. Bennett sat next to him, and the two dogs stared up athim, just waiting for another crack at the ball.

For a second, he could imagine the beautiful puppies they’dmake. All broad heads, firm muscles and gorgeous, feathered coats.

“I’m beginning to think you like tormenting my dog.”

And then he remembered why it was never going to happen.

She stood behind him, long legs in jeans and a crimsonsweater that set off her reddish hair and her ivory skin. He had two kidshimself; he knew that making babies had absolutely nothing to do withbloodlines and everything to do with hormones, but privately, he acknowledgedthat her parents deserved a pat on the back for combining their DNA to createsuch a perfect specimen.

“I’m beginning to think you like ignoring your dog.” Hetossed the ball again, and the two dogs took off after it. “Leaving him in thecar, or abandoning him in the park to pick on the first bitch he sees.”

She sniffed. “Your dog is hardly the first bitch he sees.”

If he had two brain cells to rub together, he’d have leftthat one alone. “Judith Roslin’s dog. No, definitely not the first bitch hesees.”

She let out a sharp whistle, and Darcy came running. He satpatiently by her side, and she leaned down to kiss his muzzle. “I’ll tell mymother you said hello, Mr. Adama.” She snapped her fingers, and Darcy trottedafter her to the parking lot, no doubt back to the fancy Range Rover.

Bennett brought the ball back and dropped it at his feet,then settled with her chin on her paws. If he didn’t know better, he’d say shelooked a little woebegone at losing her playmate.

So, Judith Roslin’s exquisite bloodline wasn’t limited togolden retrievers. “Trust me, girl,” he said, “that one is nothing but trouble.”They both watched as the Range Rover pulled out of the parking lot. “Nothingbut trouble,” he repeated, as Bennett whined at his feet.

***

He had his hands full, and he only had one damn dog enteredin the show. Kara was supposed to meet him in the grooming area at 9am. She wasnowhere to be seen. Lee had planned to take Bing out for his first showing, buthe couldn’t find the two of them either.

Lee was a grown man, and Kara was a grown woman, Bill keptreminding himself. His job this weekend wasn’t to babysit them; it was to getBennett to the ring. At least Bennett was exactly where he needed her to be,right at his feet. “It’s almost showtime, girl,” he said. He flipped throughthe paperwork. Breed group at 10am in ring 3. Fine, he could find that. Heskimmed through the rest of the paperwork until a name caught his eye.

Golden Retriever BreedGroup: Roslin

Great, just great. He might as well pull Bennett out of theshow now and find his wayward children. Bennett wasn’t going to win, not withJudith Roslin judging the group, but at least the loss would be less of adisappointment than Lee and Kara.

He didn’t know which was worse, not finding them andworrying about what they’d gotten up to, or finding them and knowing for sure.Either way, he was glad he’d bred Bennett for her looks and not for her nose,because he just didn’t want his best girl to sniff out his son and hisassistant in the middle of a brawl. Or worse, in a broom closet somewhere.

“Ready, girl?” he asked, and Bennett gave a low whine inresponse. He hadn’t taken a dog into the ring in years, not since he’d hiredKara, and he only hoped that he didn’t embarrass himself in the process. Withany luck, the crowd would be too busy watching Bennett to take any notice ofthe old, bow-legged man running her around the ring. He shot one last text tohis assistant and made his way to the ring.

Plenty of good competition, he could see that from thestart. He’d been competing with most of these breeders for years, and maybe it wasjust his age, but the trainers kept looking younger and the dogs kept looking…well,not younger, but shinier. The entire ring reeked of hairspray and coconut oil.Good god, people, these were dogs,not Victoria’s Secret models. Feed ‘emright and give ‘em a good brushing, and if that didn’t do the trick, maybe youwere in the wrong business. He took his spot in the lineup and set out in aslow jog, praying to anyone who’d listen that he didn’t fall flat on his facein front of Judith Roslin.

He put Bennett into a sit and looked up at the judge. NotJudith Roslin, not this time. Oh no, it had to be her daughter. Because gettingreamed for his dogs’ deficiencies by one generation wasn’t enough for him. Hewaited patiently for his turn, then led Bennett up to the judging station.

Laura took a few steps toward Bennett, but before she couldbegin her physical exam, she turned to Bill. “Is she going to bite me?” shemuttered under her breath.

“Maybe. Are your hands cold?”

Laura smiled at him. “I’ve been told many things about meare cold, but my hands have never gotten any complaints.”

Of that, he had no doubt.

Laura ran her fingers through Bennett’s coat, tugged at herhips, and checked Bennett’s teeth and ears. Through the whole process, Bennettnever moved a muscle. Bill had to hand it to his girl, he didn’t think he’d beso calm if Laura Roslin had her hands, cold or not, anywhere near his flanks.

“Around the ring,” she said. He was so preoccupied withthinking about her hands that he stumbled right off the bat. He could only hopethat she was only judging his dog, and not her owner.

The first two dogs she pulled out for placing weren’t asurprise. Dualla’s boy – Bill bought his first dog from Dee’s father, and hehad some of the best stock around. And that smug bastard Zarek. Bill had alwaysthought that dogs were better judges of character than people, so how Tom Zarekhadn’t been eaten alive by his own pack was beyond him. He expected Cain’s dogto be pulled third, and by the way Helena was tugging on Pegasus’s lead, so didshe.

“Number 8,” Laura said. She snapped at Bill and pointed tothe center of the ring. Oh, Laura’s mother was going to give her hell for this,but Bill was just too proud of his girl to care. He led Bennett into the centerof the ring. She’d placed. He was beyond proud of what she’d accomplished.

Laura studied the three dogs in front of her, then made anote on her score sheet. “Number 8, Number 3, Number 12.”

Holy shit, Bennett justwon her breed. He leaned down and kissed the dog on her beautifullysculpted head. He was half tempted to kiss the judge too – more than half, ifhe were honest with himself – but she was already out of the ring and off thefloor by the time he collected his ribbon and his schedule for the workinggroup showing.

The working group was the last showing before Best in Show,so he had all night to rub Bennett’s belly and thank her for making a washed-upold man look like he still had it. He was almost done packing up his groomingstation when his phone rang. Lee.Well, it was about damn time.

“Where the hell are you? You blew Bing’s first showing, andyou know nobody’s going to forget that.” Bill loved his son, he did, but he couldn’tfigure out how Lee could just be so…uncommitted. If he didn’t want to raisedogs, fine, then he shouldn’t, but Bill was losing patience with watching hisson half-ass his way through life.

“Listen, Dad…don’t get upset.”

Yeah, if he weren’t upset before, he sure as hell was now. “Aboutwhat?” he snapped.

“Kara’s here with me. I know she was supposed to be at theshow, but…Dad, Sam got out last night.”

“What do you mean, Sam got out? Kara’s apartment is barelybigger than my bathroom. How the hell did he get out?”

His son sighed. “I don’t know. She thinks she maybe didn’tclose the door all the way when she took out the trash. We’ve been looking allover town for him, but we haven’t found him yet.”

“I’ll head home. Maybe he’s there.” Bill disconnected thecall and slammed the phone in his bag along with Bennett’s brush. Dammit, Kara.He hefted the bag on his shoulder and turned, only to run smack into LauraRoslin.

“Sorry,” he growled as he took a step back.

“For a man who just won his first breed group – ever, if Irecall – you don’t seem to be too pleased.”

He apologized again. “I am, really. Thanks. But my trainerlost my other dog.”

Laura’s face softened, and she reached out to rest a hand onhis arm. Even with his mind running in circles about where Sam could be and howbadly he wanted to kill Kara, he could still appreciate the fact that she wasright – her hands weren’t cold at all. “I’m heading back to see if he found hisway home.”

She dug in her pockets and held out a small card. “If youneed my help, just call.”

Bill tucked the card into his jacket. “Thanks.” He tugged onBennett’s leash and made his way to the exit.

“I mean it, Bill,” she called after him.

After he found Sam and ripped Kara a new one for losing hisdog, he’d have to take her up on that.

***

Three hours later, he was sitting in his living room,Bennett’s head resting on his thigh, trying to figure out his next move. Leeand Kara were still searching out the likely spots to find Sam, and as much ashe wanted to go out and join the hunt, he knew that dumb dog of his would mostlikely find his way back to his food dish. “Maybe I should have bred you foryour nose,” he said, giving Bennett a scratch behind her ear.

He was just about ready to pull on his boots and head outwith a box of treats when the doorbell rang. Please let it be the kids, he muttered.

Well, it was oneof the kids. Sam, covered in mud and looking entirely too pleased with himself,was on his front porch. Accompanied by Laura Roslin and Darcy. “How did you…”

“It appears your Romeo here came in search of a Juliet. Iwent out to feed the dogs and found him digging a hole in front of one of ourpens.” She shrugged and gave a little chuckle. “Do you know how high the fenceis surrounding our property? He had to scale twelve feet to even get in.”

Sam wagged his tail, too full of himself to even care thathe’d given Bill even more gray hair. “He didn’t…”

“No, he didn’t. Not only was his lady love not in heat, she’snot even a lady. Poor Adar was less than pleased with Sam’s company.”

“At the moment, I can understand the feeling.” Bill steppedback from the door and gestured for Laura to come in. Sam bounded in, almostjerking her shoulder out of its socket and knocking her, once again, right intoBill. He grinned at her. “The least I can do after letting my dog defile theRoslin Kennels is offer you a cup of coffee.”

She patted his shoulder. “The least you can do is offer me adrink.”

Laura was settled into his couch, Darcy curled up at hisfeet, when Bill finally remembered that he should probably call Lee and Karaoff the search. Then again, it might be good for them to sweat it out a bit. Hepoured another small measure of Scotch into her glass. “I really do need tothank you for today. I don’t know what got into you, but I’m grateful for thewin.”

She studied him over the rim of her glasses, reminding himof every single one of his boyhood teacher fantasies. “I didn’t do it for you,Bill. I did it because Bennett deserved the win.”

“She’s a good dog,” he agreed. The dog in question paddedinto the living room and pawed at her bed. After she got herself settled, Darcyleft Laura’s feet and curled up next to her.

“Good stock, strong lines. They look nice together, don’tthey?” Laura asked, as innocently as if she were commenting on the weather.

“Good God woman, is making puppies all you think about?”

“Well, not all.”She looked at him again, this time with her lips curving into a small smile. “Ijust think that breeding is a topic worth discussing, don’t you?”

He did. He really did. And with the dogs asleep and thelights low in his living room, and Laura Roslin’s long legs stretched out on his couch, herealized that he wanted to do a hell of a lot more than discuss the topic.

As he settled next to her on the couch and pulled her closeto him, he realized that discussion was overrated. In breeding, and in mattersof the heart, sometimes it was better to just let nature take its course.

[thats-pucking-amazing]

Grape (JVR)

Requested by @carey-pricemas Thank you so much for your support! I hope you like it. 

Has not been edited. I don’t think there are any warnings needed. Enjoy and let me know what you think! Feel free to request

You were bored. There’s nothing for me to entertain myself. You thought despairingly. You had no new books, nothing was on tv, netflix didn’t appeal, and your boyfriend James was preoccupied with the basketball game that was on. This called for drastic measures.

“Hello James,” You said as you dramatically swept your blanket around you. James raised an eyebrow but otherwise didn’t say anything.You entered the room the rest of the way, your blanket cape still trailing behind you. “Do you like my cape?” You twirled around again for demonstration.

“Yes. In fact, it looks like the comforter from our bed.”

You looked down at yourself as if in confusion. “Why yes, yes it does. What a coincidence.” You smiled angelically at him as you stood in front of the tv, blocking his view of whatever game was currently playing.

“Y/N.” James gave you a look. “Could you move?”

“I’m sure I have the ability to move from my current position. However, I find it suits me just fine at the current moment.” You smiled internally as you saw frustration creep up on his features.

“Allow me to rephrase. Will you kindly remove yourself from in front of the tv please?”

“Sure!” You plopped yourself down into his lap and spread the blanket around the two of you. He wrapped his arms around you and placed his chin on top of your head. “James...”

He sighed and paused the tv. “What’s wrong babe?”

“I’m bored. And lonely.”

“I’m here! We can go do something if you’re really that bored.”

“But not always. I’m bored all the time. I finished school and I work from home. I’m always here. And when you’re home it’s great, but you are gone a lot. And I understand it’s your job. I fully support you! Don’t misunderstand me. It just gets...boring and lonely sometimes.”

“I’m sorry.” James pressed a kiss to the top of your head. “I wish you would have told me sooner. How about we finish the game and then we can go do what you want?”

“Ok! Which team are you rooting for?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After the game ended you and James headed towards the local humane society. You tried to put in a few volunteer hours a week, they always needed help and you loved playing with the animals.

“Hi Y/N. Hi James!” The receptionist greeted. “Here to put in some play hours?”

“You know it! How’s Grape?” Grape was your sweetie. A rescue lab that just melted you with his eyes.

“He got adopted two days ago. A nice family with two kids. I think he’ll really be loved there.”

“Aww! I’m going to miss him. But I’m so excited because that means more room here and a new start for him.”

The receptionist smiled. “So are you playing with cats or dogs?”

“James isn’t the biggest fan of cats, so I think we’re going to do dogs today.” You glanced back at your boyfriend to see his face still obscured by the giant bags of dog and cat food you made him stop to pick up. “Oh! And we brought some food!”

Once your food donations were taken the two of you were escorted down into  the big concrete room where the animals that had been socialized played.

“Hi babies!’ You kneeled down and was immediately swarmed by wagging tails and puppy kisses. James was being jumped on because he had yet to get down on their level. “Where’s the ball, huh? Where’s it at?” You quickly swiped the red squeaky ball from the floor and tossed it. A mad scrabble took place as they all attempted to reach the ball.

“So you come here a lot?”

“Yeah! Especially when you’re gone. They need help and the animals just want some love. It makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.” You answered as you leaned down to scratch behind a puppy’s ear.

James tossed the ball a few more times while you cuddled with less active ones...and the ones who’s attention span was too short to keep focused on one task. The two hour volunteer period passed quickly and you stood up to head out.

“Bye babies. I’ll see you soon!” James made sure the door was closed behind you as you headed back down towards the hallway.

As the two of you washed your hands and again made small talk with the receptionist a familiar dog was led through from the exam rooms.

“Grape?” You questioned. “I thought you were adopted...?” You looked at the lady for answers as you kneeled down and rubbed the two year-old lab down.

“He got returned about 20 minutes ago. Their youngest is allergic.”

“Oh no!” Your heart broke for him. This was the third time his “forever home” had given him back.

“He only has two days left until he reaches the max boarding and we have to euthanize him!”

“No!” You cried, wrapping your arms around his neck. “Oh no baby. What are we going to do?” You cooed into Grape’s ear.

“We’ll take him.” You heard James say.

Your head whipped around to look at him. “What?” Came your breathless question.

“We’ll adopt him. You obviously adore him...and the feeling appears to be mutual. He can be your friend and protector when I’m gone. And he doesn’t get out down. It’s a win on all accounts.”

“Are you serious?” You managed to choke out.

“Heck yeah. We have plenty of room and yard for him to run around in.” He turned to the receptionist. “What papers do we need to sign?”

10 minutes later papers were signed and Grape was officially yours. You lead him by his leash as he walked beside you with a pep in his step. James had his arm wrapped around your waist as you headed for your house two blocks away.

“Thank you James. Really this means so much to me. I can’t believe you just decided that we could get a dog!”

He chuckled a little and pulled you tighter into his side. “I’m surprised our house isn’t full of animals by now. Consider this your reward for good behavior. Besides, it must have been fate that we were there when he came back.”

“Seriously, James. Thank you.”

He stopped and turned you to face him. “Y/N. I love you. I would do anything to make you happy. A dog that we both love and that will keep you happy when I’m gone isn’t exactly a sacrifice.”

You kissed him gently on the lips. “You’re still getting laid tonight.”

Up Next: Sidney Crosby

[abastardcoatedbastard]

17 Cats and How I Became the Crazy Cat Lady

Yes, 17 cats. You read that correctly. I own SEVENTEEN cats. All of which are indoor cats.

How the hell did I end up with so many fur babies? Other than my sheer lack of self control when it comes to animals?

August, 2015

To start with, there was Mia first. She was a one year old, medium hair (not quite a longhair) cat with both calico and tabby patterning. Her original owner (Carissa, a girl I have known since the second grade) needed to rehome her and asked if I wanted her. This was shortly after my previous cat (Loki) had passed on. Initially, I was going to be taking a kitten from her cat, Luna’s, litter. But she knew I wanted something asap because I did not like being home completely alone. I was still going to take one of Luna’s kittens though as I worked a lot and Mia had never been an only cat.

This, unfortunately did not come to pass as Luna’s entire litter grew ill and passed. 

September, 2015

Enter Echo.

The same friend and her oldest daughter had found this little grey classic tabby outside. Her markings were nearly identical to the kitten from Luna’s litter I had had my heart set on. The name Winter had been tarnished by the death of that litter, so I decided to go with Echo as she was one of my favorite stories in Greek mythology. So, she had called me, asked me if I wanted her. Naturally, I said yes and she brought me this cute, wild child kitten a couple days later. 

At the time, my friend Brandi was living with me. She had just moved in with a few cats of her own. Elderly and finicky Miss Wednesday, round and angry at the world Sunshine, and Ninja, a cat she was fostering. All was well in our little group, the cats all got on well, Echo slotted in easily. She would alternate between sleeping with me or sleeping with Brandi.

Brandi moved out not long after, taking hers with her and leaving Mia, Echo, and I to our own devices. All was great, I was content, I did not want any other cats.

November, 2015

Enter Eris.

My former co-worker and friend, Catlin, had been telling us about this litter of kittens that her mother had rescued. Two little girls and one little boy. The momma cat had been a barn cat from across the street and she had abandoned her kittens in their yard. So, in a fit of merciful compassion, Cat’s mom bottle raised them. She decided to keep the boy, a playful little orange ball of fluff. As for the two girls, she wanted to make sure they went to good homes.

I initially said no. I had two, that was enough. Catlin was determined though and showed me a video of the girls playing together. These two gorgeous little long haired calicoes. My determination to say no faltered and she saw it in my eyes and went in for the proverbial kill. She had really wanted the one but could not take her as her one dog played too rough and he would hurt the kitten.

I sighed, she smiled in triumph. She knew she had me then and there. I mean, how could refuse such a sweet little girl?

It was a rocky start. Echo initially did not like her and the very first thing Eris learned to do upon coming to live with me was to hiss. This, thankfully, only lasted a few days before Echo decided Eris was her baby (despite them only being a few months apart in age) and nothing could change her mind.

By this time, it was November and kitten season had come to a merciful close with no other cats brought into my home.

March, 2016

At the time, I was working fast food, specifically Wendy’s, and the gm I had at the time was a wonderful woman named Corie. Corie and her significant other, Kelly, had to move in with Kelly’s grandmother. The woman was having difficulties and was leaving the house to them, but she wanted to stay there as long as she could. 

The only problem was Spook. Corie’s giant black cat. Kelly’s grandmother was deathly allergic to cats and so, tearfully, Corie begged me to take her beloved cat. I agreed. It was a hard situation and she needed to make sure the cat was cared for.

But, of course, the universe did not want me to have that black cat. Spook did not like other cats. At all. She had come from a house where she was the only cat amongst dogs. It made her aggressive not just towards the other cats, but to me as well. 

In a stroke of luck, and old co-worker from when I was a waitress said he was looking to get a cat. Chris lived alone, had no other pets, and he was a little lonely. I offered him Spook. It was love at first sight for the two of them and she was happy. 

Of course, around this time, Carissa’s cat Luna had had another litter of kittens. Including a beautiful black and brown classic tabby and I was instantly in love. I said if the kitten was a girl, I would take her. There was another black and brown tabby in the litter as well, a little mackerel one. I said if she was a girl, I would take her too.

Just my luck, they were both girls.

May, 2016

Enter Elpis (the classic) and Nyx (the mackerel). These two were actually ill when they were brought to me. Both of them had upper respiratory infections, but I had caught it early enough to keep them away from the other three. We did breathing treatments where I turned the bathroom into a steam room multiple times a day and it worked. 

Soon, I was able to start introducing them to the older three. Mia took to them right away while Echo and Eris were not all that fond. Eris came around within a few weeks, but Echo was a problem child. She took to Elpis eventually, but it took months for her to start accepting Nyxie as part of the group. Even still, 3 years later, she’s not too terribly fond of Nyx. 

I was done. DONE. Five was more than enough. Five was more than I had ever bargained for. 

Of course, I didn’t get much say in the matter.

October, 2016

Enter Chloe. Chloe was from yet another one of Luna’s litters. She and one other kitten were the only two that survived. A friend of mine, Courtney, had recently gone through a tragedy and was looking to get a kitten. So, I got her the lone mackerel tabby girl. Chloe stayed with me for a few weeks to make sure she was healthy and to give Courtney the time she needed to make sure she had everything ready for a kitten. While she was with me and the girls, Nyxie had taken a shining to her. 

When Courtney came to meet her kitten for the first time, she nearly cried. Tabbies have a little M on their foreheads, it’s a signature of the marking pattern. Courtney’s son had been named Mason. It helped make the void in her heart a little more tolerable. 

Nyxie, on the other hand, was quite upset to lose her new friend.

November, 2016

Enter Eros. 

I came home from work one night, closer to 3 in the morning and there was a cat in front of the door. There was a blanket and some milk left out (I was living on the third floor of an apartment complex) and I figured he had gotten out and belonged to the people across the hall. I took the cat into my apartment, set him up in the bathroom with food, water, and a clean litterbox. I wrote a note and taped it to their door.

I woke up the in the afternoon to find a note written in a child’s handwriting telling me he was a good kitty that needed a home that would love him and that I could keep him if I made sure he got lots of love.

My heart fucking broke.

I tried to rehome him but could not find anyone I trusted to take this giant tuxedo baby. After a few months, I eventually gave up. He was a sweet boy, lived up to his name beautifully. He and the girls did not get on well and he was unfixed at the time, so he was kept separate from them. Things were working well enough, I supposed, but it had me solidly at 6 cats now. 

May, 2017

Enter Katniss, Claudia, and Q-Tip.

Carissa was going through a messy divorce. The soon to be ex husband had the house and the pets, Carissa and the kids had moved in with her parents. Mikey was not taking care of the cats. I got a call asking if I could take the two girls and find a home for the boy. We agreed that the girls would just be a foster until she was back on her feet. Mostly because giving up pets is always hard and then add on that Q-Tip and Claudia were Nyx and Elpis’s little siblings.

Q-Tip went to my friend Ciara and her daughter, Clover. The timing could not have been better. Shortly after this, their older cat passed and Q-Tip was there to pick up the pieces of broken hearts. He bonded wonderfully with his new family and even now, him and his baby human brother are the best of trouble making friends. 

As for Katniss and Claudia, they were staying with me for hell only knew how long. 

Katniss was a beautiful 4 year old dilute calico and Claudia looked a lot like a mini version of Elpis. Katniss and the other girls did not seem all that fond of one another, but the twins took right to their little sister.

There was just one little problem. Claudia, as it turned out, was not a little girl. By this point, not only had the twins’ bonded with the kitten, but so had I and Carissa had already agreed that he could become a permanent fixture of my home.

So, Claudia, whom I had been calling Dia for weeks, became Dionysus. Better known as Dio the Monster Puss. 

November, 2017

Eventually, Katniss and the rest of the girls needed to be split up. The fighting was just too much. So, Katniss took up residency in the bathroom and Eros was moved to the bedroom. 

When Dio began to come into maturity, I initially put him in with Eros. All seemed well.

Around this time, Eros took ill. We had ended up with a bad flea infestation and, while I had managed to get the rest of the brood clear and clean, I was struggling with Eros. Most of the medications I could get from the store would not cut it for a cat of his size.

And then we took a bad turn. He had a bad reaction to one of the topical treatments and within 36 hours of application, he was gone. He passed peacefully, wrapped in his blanket and purring. One of my claimed family members helped me bury him under a lovely pine tree. 

So, under the impression that Katniss was fixed, I moved Dio in with her as he had never been on his own.

Nature finds a way is a great little quote and, unfortunately, it is an accurate one.

Katniss got pregnant. As it turned out, Carissa had not gotten her fixed the year prior like she had mentioned wanting to do.

May 18, 2018

The birth of the Gremlins. 

I had woken up early for work and could not get back to sleep. I just had a feeling in my gut, like something was happening. So, I got up and went to check Katniss to find she was very much in nesting mode. 

So, I moved Dio back into the bedroom. Right before I left for work, Katniss’s water broke. Because of course it did.

I came home to 4 tiny little kittens. Two orange and white little boys, a little cream colored boy, and one lone female, the runt of the little, a little grey bean.

Eliot named one of the orange boys and the cream boy. Rabbit and Lex. As for the other little orange boy and our one lone female, I named them Orion and Vega. 

We charted their every little milestone from open eyes, to climbing me, to their first birthday, celebrated with wet food and gremlins that were not happy to be wearing party hats for pictures.

When the kittens were around 3 or 4 months old, Katniss went back to Carissa. That still left me with 10 cats as I was far too attached to the Gremlins. Don’t get me wrong, they were cute as hell and people wanted them, but they were ours and Eliot and I were not about to part with them. You could not have made us. 

And by all accounts, I absolutely meant no more cats.

October, 2018

The Spook Squad.

As previously mentioned on the bit about Spook, I had really wanted a black cat. Just one. All the cats I had owned prior to Mia had been black. From Lucky when I was a mere child to Loki, they had all been black. 

Even my old dogs had been mostly black. 

Pam had found this kitten on her porch and had spotted a momma cat and two other kittens in the general area she lives in. The little girl kitten went to a friend of hers, but it was October and near a busy intersection, she was worried. 

So, me having absolutely no self control, offered to come over and help her catch momma and the other two babies. I figured I could rehab them and then rehome at least the kittens, while keeping momma because I wanted a black cat.

First, we got the kitten. And then we got momma. Of course, we found another cat. And then we found two more. So we caught them too. 

I took them home, got them situated. The momma we were gonna call Persephone, and, as for the boys, the kitten was going to be Morpheus (as suggested by Eliot), the biggest of the boys Epiales, the other two (since they were caught together) were going to be Phobos and Deimos. 

But, as I was looking at Persephone sprawled out and content, it occurred to me that she did not look like a cat that had a kitten that would match the age of Morpheus and his sister. So, I picked her up and turned around only to come face to balls with the proof that she was a boy. So, he was promptly renamed Hades and deemed the best brother/uncle/cousin/dad because we are still unsure as to what sort of genetic relation he is to Morphi.

I went to bowling, knowing we still had one more kitten to catch. We hadn’t been able to find the other kitten from Morpheus’s litter. Pam managed to snag the other little girl while I was at bowling and a friend of her’s begged for her. So, she went on to a good home and Pam got a call from a neighbor about yet another kitten caught in one of the live traps. 

So, I agreed to take him on as well. Turns out, he was a couple months older than Morpheus. So, he was given the name Ikelos.

Now, mind you, the original plan with these boys was rescue, rehab, rehome. I think you can already guess where I’m going with this.

They had been badly abused and then tossed outside as if they were trash. While this did not seem too obvious with Morphi, Ike, or Epi, it was very evident with Deimos, Hades, and Phobos. 

It’s been months and I can still barely pet Phobos. He is still afraid of people. Hades is not as skittish anymore and Deimos has packed on a good amount of weight, but there is still a deep desperation for love from him and Morpheus especially. 

It broke my heart to think they could ever possibly end up in another situation like that. To the point that I sobbed my heart out. I knew I could not give them up. After all, I am the best home I know. 

So that put me solidly at sixteen. But, I had no regrets and I definitely learned to be careful what I wished for since the universe was clearly tired of me asking for a black cat when it threw six at me.

November, 2018

The baby. 

I was still with Wendy’s at this point. It was a damp and chilly Sunday afternoon. One of my work kids, Ty’Aisia, started yelling for me while I was doing my weekly inventory counts. There was a cat in the drive thru.

I assumed it was one of the alley cats that hung around, so I was going to go and chase it out of the drive thru. I poke my head out of the side door and see a tiny mackerel tabby kitten that could not have been more than 5 weeks old.

I bolted out that door going “oooooh baby come here!”. He let out the loudest little cry he could muster and wobbled to me as quickly as he could. Someone had very clearly tossed him outside. 

He spent two hours in a box in the office with my crew fawning over him the entire time. I text Eliot telling them we had a new baby and sent them a picture. I couldn’t just leave him to die and they agreed, although they were about to lay down the no more cats edict. 

I took him home and Nyxie immediately began to fuss over him. She adopted him rather quickly. He adjusted into the group a lot faster than the rest of the cats had. We named him Hex as we had initially thought he was a girl and were going to call him Hecate. 

He was lucky number 17. 

I say lucky number because, as a child, my lucky number had been, yup, you guessed it, 17. So it seems only fitting that my brood is at that particular number.

There has been one other cat through my door since taking in Hex and that was Azazel. He was only with us for about two weeks before he went on to his forever home with a wonderful guy named Chris who has him spoiled absolutely rotten. This was in January of this year. Eliot says that’s the only way more cats can come into the home until I have a bigger place and I’ve been doing my best to abide by that. 

But, there you have it. The story of how I became that crazy cat lady with no regrets and more purring snuggles than I know what to do with.

[nubnubblr]

If You Do .13

JACKSON

I wasn't sure if I should tell her the truth or not. Would it be weird if I told her the truth? Would she think I was some kind of crazy stalker?

"Jackson?" her voice snapped me back to our conversation.

"I'm not really sure, I just thought I would call, I hadn't heard from you all day," I shrugged even though she couldn't see me.

"Dude, your pizza is getting cold," Jooheon called.

"Sorry to cut our call short but I have dinner sitting in the table and a friend over. I don't want to be rude, I was just checking to see how you were,"

"That's okay, I should probably get back to my friends anyway, I'll text you later,"

"Bye Thea," I smiled.

"Bye," she laughed hanging up the phone.

I picked up my bag heading to my room to get changed out of my work clothes and to put my bag away. Jooheon was smirking at me when I sat down on the lounge, Mark handed me my box of pizza without a word.

"What?" I frowned.

"So you have a girlfriend?" Jooheon raised an eyebrow.

"No," I shook my head.

"Then who is Thea?"

"A girl I ran into," I shrugged.

"That's one way to put it," Mark commented.

"How would you put it?" he turned to Mark.

"He ran into her getting covered in soup, he will claim that she ran into him, they exchanged numbers and have been nonstop texting since,"

"You ran into a girl carrying soup?" he raised his eyebrow.

"No, I was holding soup,"

"So you attacked a girl and wasted a perfectly good meal? That was dumb,"

"That's not even how it happened," I sighed.

"Sure it wasn't,"

"I'm going to shower, don't eat my pizza," I rolled my eyes getting up.

"Don't be like that," Jooheon pulled on my arm so I sat back down.

"Mm, tell us about this girl drama," Mark mumbled with a mouthful of pizza. I was pretty sure he was only asking to change the subject and divert my pouting.

"Thea's friends were sword fighting and one stabbed the other accidentally and had to have surgery. It sounds like she's had an intense day," I shrugged opening the pizza box.

BM

"Okay, come on let's leave Sam to get some sleep," Thea stated at 7:30 pm. Visiting hours would be over in half an hour anyway.

"I already talked to the nurses, they said that you can stay with Sam, if they ask you're his emotional support because he gets panicky alone in hospitals overnight," she continued, this time talking directly to Charlie.

"Thanks," she nodded.

"Do you need me to get anything before we leave?" Thea asked.

Sam looked exhausted, Charlie was still mad at me, Jae was silent and Thea was doing what Thea did best; mothering. I wasn't really sure what to do so I just stood by the door awkwardly. I blamed myself for him being stabbed and I felt so guilty about it, but the way Charlie was looking at me was making even me question if maybe I had done it on purpose, which was ridiculous, there was no way I would intentionally stab anyone especially not Sam. But Charlie's look was just amplifying the guilt that I felt. I knew it wasn't personal and that she as just channelling her worry and concern through anger, but she had every right to blame me.

"Not that I can think of," Charlie shrugged.

"Okay, we're off then, get some rest," Thea smiled at Sam.

THEA

"I don't need you to stay," Sam stated looking at Charlie, he didn't mean it, I think he just didn't want Charlie to feel obligated.

"There is no point in you arguing," Jae shrugged, we all knew it was more for Charlie than Sam.

Sam has had a few close calls recently, food poisoning, being arrested, and now being stabbed and going through surgery. I think it was all taking its toll on Charlie and she just needs to be with Sam so she knew for sure that he was okay. But that being said, Sam definitely needed her to be here to if he was left by himself tonight the full weight of this injury would hit him, at least if Charlie is here someone can talk him through it.

There was no way he was going to be able to pick up, let alone play, a guitar for at least a few months and that was pretty much Sam's life if you don't count Charlie. Not being able to play was definitely going to take its toll on him. I'm not sure anyone else had actually realised this yet, but when they did, Sam would going to be depressed, BM was going to feel even more guilty than he already did, and Charlie was going to be madder than she already was. The next few days were going to be interesting, to say the least.

"I'll be back in the morning to get you guys," I smiled.

"Can you bring breakfast?" Sam asked sheepishly.

"And coffee," Charlie nodded.

"Sure, oh, the nurse will be in soon to organize you somewhere to sleep," I threw over my shoulder as I turned to leave Sam's room.

"I'll just sleep in his bed," she shrugged.

"Probably a bad idea," BM frowned.

"How?" Sam raised an eyebrow.

"It's a single bed and you've just had surgery,"

"She doesn't move in her sleep," Jae pointed out.

"But Sam does,"

Charlie seemed to think about it for a moment. Giving BM a sceptical look. Sam frowned the slightly nodded.

"He sort of right," Sam stated.

BM

I could see what was happening even though no one else could yet, except probably Jae but he didn't see it as any of his business as it didn't affect him. Sam had already started on his Charlie-coaster trip, right now they were going up, I was a little worried about what would happen once they reached the top and came speeding down. Maybe if I could slow or even stop them from going up, then they wouldn't need to come down and it would save Sam a whole bunch of mental abuse.

Okay, that wasn't fair I couldn't really call it mental abuse, it's not like Charlie did it on purpose, but once Sam fell back into bed with her then he was no longer in control of his own actions. Which made the metal break up so much worse.

"Anyway, the nurse should be here soon, I'm going to get going, the animals need to be fed," Thea waved.

We waved at Sam and Charlie before making our way down the halls towards the exit. None of us said anything until after we had walked out the entrance doors into the cool night's air. Thea waved as she headed towards her car.

"Wait up we'll come with you," I called after her.

"Don't worry about it, I'll see you guys the morning," she left.

"Is she aware of the fact there's blood and boxes all over her backyard?" Jae asked.

"Probably,"

"You know if we don't go help her she's going to clean it all up and move it all on her own, in the dark," he stated.

"Is that a bit of concern I detect in your voice?" I smirked.

"Ew, no. I just don't want to hear about it tomorrow when she's complaining about how everything hurts because she had to clean up after us,"

"Right," I nodded.

The two might not show it but they cared about what happened to each other. Thea would have done the exact same thing she had done tonight if it were Jae instead of Sam. And Jae wouldn't have indirectly suggested we go and help her if he didn't at least care a little if she got hurt. They would be lost without the other one to attack.

"So we are following her huh?" Jae sighed like it was inconvenient.

"Yes,"

"If I stab you with a sword do you think it will hold her off until tomorrow?"

"You would stab me with a sword?"

"It looked kind of fun," he shrugged with a smirk as we reached the car.

"You have problems,"

SAM

"How are you really feeling?" Charlie sighed looking at me seriously.

She had been fairly quiet all afternoon, she was definitely mad at BM, it was so obvious that BM had noticed, it wasn't his fault, it was my own. I shouldn't have turned my attention away from a sword fight, but I thought I had heard Charlie and I couldn't help but look.

"I'm fine, just a little sore," I gave her a small smile.

"Serves you right, maybe next time you won't decide sword fighting is a good idea,"

"You know BM is already blaming himself,"

"So he should," she shrugged.

"It wasn't his fault, he was reluctant to sword fight in the first place,"

She frowned and looked at me for a moment before she decided to say something. But before she could get a word out a familiar voice came from her door, it sent my eyes involuntary rolling towards the back of my head.

"I should have known you would still be here," Bianca sighed, glaring at Charlie.

"What are you doing here? Actually, I don't care, just go away," Charlie snapped.

"I'm not here to see you troll face, I came to see Sam,"

"How did you even know I was here?" I interjected to stop and minimize the fighting.

"A friend of mine works here, she rang me to tell me you were here,"

"Which friend?" I frowned.

"Please, she doesn't have any friends and the hospital isn't allowed to just give out information to those who aren't family or next of kin. That psycho probably stalked you," Charlie rolled her eyes.

"You're one to talk, look how quickly you jumped into his bed, whore much?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Beunka," I warned.

"I'm sorry, I've been really cranky recently. I guess it's the pregnancy hormones," she shrugged.

THEA

I pulled into the driveway, I could see Sora and Shire in the front window. They were probably just looking out the window but I felt like I was being told off for them not being fed yet.

"I know, I'm sorry," I waved at them.

Shire jumped down from the window, he was a little jumpy, but he was a rescue cat and it took him a while to even warm up to us. He still doesn't like new people coming into the house, he just hides under my bed until they've left.

Sora continued to stare at me as if to say 'hurry up human'. But that was probably just my guilt from their dinner being late.

The two dogs started barking as soon as they'd heard my voice. I could hear them running through the house to meet me at the back door. Before I even got to the door I saw the back yard, it was dark but I could see the mess. I let out a sigh and unlocked the door.

"Come on, I inside," I called closing the door behind me.

After I'd put my bags down and fed the animals, I got changed into something warmer and turned the outside lights on before going to clean up the mess. They had already separated most of it, so the boxes that were staying here I taped back up and started moving them back into the shed.

BM

"Do you think she's finished?" Jae asked as we pulled into the driveway.

"I doubt it, she would have had to feed the animals first," I shook my head.

"Plus the backyard lights are on," I added.

We got out of the car, Jae grabbed the pizza boxes and we made our way around the back. Thea had moved all of the boxes that were staying here back into the shed and closed it up. She was currently taping up the other boxes for the donations, the stuff we were taking had also been moved but I wasn't sure where too.

"I'll go put this inside," Jae stated quietly.

"Why are you two here?" Thea frowned.

"We got dinner," Jae raised the boxes above his head walking into the back room.

"Why?"

"Because we knew you wouldn't eat,"

"I'll eat when I'm hungry," she rolled her eyes.

"No you won't, if we had of gone home I can pretty much guarantee that you would have finished out her, hosed the blood away, gone and showered then either sat on the lounge until you fell asleep or just gone straight to bed," I stated.

"Don't pretend you know me," she huffed.

"Come on BM, why don't you help me with these boxes? We can drop them off in the morning," Jae stated walking past me.

"What?" Thea frowned.

"Do you want to do it on your own?" Jae challenged.

"You never offer to help," She countered.

"I'm hungry and I don't want to hear you complaining about it tomorrow," Jae shrugged.

"Right," I nodded rolling my eyes.

"Well, are you going to help me so we can eat or not?" Jae asked heading down to the assortment of boxes.

"Like you're even going to be able to lift them," Thea pulled a face.

"Just because not everyone has man hands, doesn't mean I'm incapable," he stated.

"Move the boxes before I hurt you with my man hands," she glared.

"So you admit, you have man hands," he smirked picking up a small box retreating towards my car.

"He means well," I smiled at her picking up my own box.

"He's just hungry," she frowned at me as if telling her he was trying to help was ridiculous.

He would say it was so he didn't have to hear her complain and so he could eat faster. In reality, he was just distracting her so she did go all, well, all Thea and turn into a mothering, clean freak. She does that when she can control a situation, she turns to something that she can control.

"Where are the other boxes?" I changed the subject.

"The ones staying here are back in the shed, and the stuff you guys are taking is in the back of my car," she stated without looking up at me.

"And the swords?"

"Bin,"

"Seriously?"

"Yes,"

"They were like $150 each,"

"I know, I paid for them,"

"Right," I stopped talking and picked up one of the boxes.

"You're so slow," Jae huffed shaking his head at me.

"Can we just get these boxes moved so I can hose the grass,"

"Isn't a little late to be watering the lawn?" Jae raised an eyebrow.

"I'm getting rid of the blood not watering the lawn, moron," she frowned at him.

"Hurry up then," he stated grabbing another small box and retreating.

CHARLIE

"You're what?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?" Sam frowned, if he wasn't already pale I'm sure the colour would have drained from his face anyway.

"I'm pregnant," she beamed.

"No," Sam shook his head.

I mean, dating her was a dumb idea but he wasn't stupid. He would have been careful, he's always careful. There is no way he would have slept with her without protection.

"You're not pregnant" I frowned.

"Yes I am, I even know that we're having a negative baby. But I know that with us together that we can make it positive," she smiled.

"What the hell is a negative baby?"

"A baby with a negative aura, obviously,"

"How would you even know that?"

"Because the test read negative,"

"Oh my god, you are so stupid," I rolled my eyes as Sam let out a relieved sigh.

"Excuse me?"

"The negative read means you're not pregnant, you actual idiot,"

"No it doesn't, if I wasn't pregnant the test would say 'not pregnant',"

"I don't even know how to comprehend your lack of intelligence,"

"I don't care if you believe me, I am pregnant, and it's Sam's baby,"

"You're saying you're pregnant to get back with Sam, I pray that you never reproduce. I can only imagine how troubled that kid will be,"

"Sam," she ignored me.

"Look, it's late and visiting hours are over. Can you please leave?" Sam sighed.

"What about her?"

"He asked you to leave, but please make me call security," I gave her a sweet smile, as the nurse came into the room.

"I'm sorry miss but visiting hours are over, you can come back tomorrow at 10 am," she gave a polite smile sliding in a fold up bed.

"You're staying here?" she frowned at me.

"I am," I nodded.

"Miss, please you need to leave,"

"Thank you," I smiled at the nurse as she ushered Beunka out of the room.

"This isn't over," she huffed.

"Oh, I think it is,"

BM

"Okay Thea, enough. The blood is gone and you've watered the entire lawn, which by the way, Charlie will kill you for seeing how late it is,"

"I think Charlie is more focused on killing you," she shrugged but turned the hose off.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure the whole world knows that she's mad at you for trying to kill Sam," Jae added following out behind me.

"It was an accident," I sighed.

"She knows that, she was just worried about Sam and the only way for her to express those feeling was to blame you," Thea stated coming inside.

"She's so dysfunctional," I huffed.

"Why are you two even out here, go eat," she tried to usher us in.

"BM won't let me eat until you're eating," Jae snickered, he was lying, I hadn't said anything about him not eating, I had just told him not to eat her pizza.

"Really, you shouldn't be eating it anyway," Thea pointed out.

"Ew, do you like, care about me?" Jae practically dry heaved.

"That's disgusting. I just know what you're lactose allergy does to my bathroom," she retorted.

"That's also disgusting," I sighed.

"Well are we going to eat or what?" she asked.

"How did I get stuck with you two," I questioned myself.

"You're not stuck with me, you can go home after we eat," Thea stated.

"You stabbed Sam," Jae shrugged.

"Not funny dude," I frowned.

"It's a little funny," he mumbled.

SAM

"Move over," Charlie stated sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Why?" I asked as I moved over anyway.

"Because the mattress on that is too soft,"

"It's the same mattress,"

"Nope," she shook her head before placing it on my chest.

"You could just say that you were worried about me and you wanted to lay next to me,"

"And I would if that was the reason," she mumbled.

"Right,"

"Go to sleep," she let out a yawn.

"I'm hungry," I sighed.

"Of course you are,"

"Should we go get something to eat?"

"It's almost 11, go to sleep. Thea will bring breakfast with her in the morning,"

"But I'm hungry now,"

"I don't want to move,"

"Then you stay here and I'll go ask the nurse," I went to move.

"No, you stay, I'll go. You're not supposed to be moving around too much," she sighed getting up.

I wasn't actually that hungry, I just didn't want to tell her that the way she was lying on me was hurting my shoulder, it was mainly because of the position that I was laying but I didn't want her to feel bad when it wasn't even her fault. Also, she hadn't really eaten today so she should really eat something.

"The nurse said she would bring you something," Charlie sighed getting back into bed next to me. I wasn't in pain this time, well, no more than I was already in.

THEA

"Isn't it kind of pointless for you guys to follow behind me? Why don't you just wait here? I mean, I'm only picking them up and bringing them back here,"

"Yeah, but you're buying food on the way," Jae shrugged.

"I can bring you some back,"

"Just get in the car," BM stated getting in his own.

They hadn't left me alone, they had insisted on stay last night, Well BM had insisted. Jae was just too lazy to go home, according to him. I guess is was pointless arguing with them, BM was already in the car waiting for Jae to get in, I understood that he still felt guilty about stabbing Sam, but I didn't really understand why they wanted to take two cars just to pick him up. He could feel just as bad waiting here and not wasting fuel.

"What are you getting?" Jae asked walking backwards towards BM's car.

"Probably subway," I shrugged. Sam loved Subway and I could get it with little to no dairy products.

"Oh sweet, can you get me a sweet onion chicken teriyaki, just put all the salad on it I'll pick off what I don't like," he called before getting in the car.

I let out a sigh and got in my own car making my way down to the shopping centre to get everyone food. There wasn't a long line in Subway which was a relief, they had two people making the four subs I ordered; Jae's sweet onion, BM's Meatball, and two chicken and turkey melts, one with cheese and one without. I wasn't really sure how he was going to feel about the dairy so I figured to get him two. It's not like he wouldn't eat them both anyway.

I waited until I was closer to the hospital to find a coffee shop. Charlie likes to nurse her drinks and if it was warm when I gave it to her it would be cold before she finished it. I got everyone coffee, except Sam who got tea. Once I got to the hospital I paused, how was I going to carry all of this up to his room?

I slid the bags of sandwiches onto one arm, held the tray of four cups in the same hand, I put my own coffee on the roof on top of my car while I grabbed my bag and locked it. I headed towards the entrance but turned around halfway when I realised I'd forgotten my coffee.

BM

Charlie and Sam were asleep when Jae and I got to the room, The two were spooning, Sam's bad side draped over her waist.

"Wake up lovebirds," Jae all but yelled walking into the room dropping on the bed Charlie was supposed to sleep in.

"What time is it?" Sam asked. He sounded awake, and he looked like crap; I was guessing he hadn't slept much last night.

"Almost ten," Jae shrugged.

"Too early," Charlie mumbled.

"I thought Thea was picking us up?"

"She is, she just went to get you breakfast and coffee,"

"So why are you here?" Charlie huffed sitting up.

"Jae wanted food,"

"And BM feels guilty," Jae added.

"So you should," Charlie stated sitting cross-legged stretching her arms above her head.

"Charlie," Sam sighed.

"What?" she shrugged.

"It's not his fault,"

"No she's right," I nodded.

"She's not, it wasn't entirely your fault, we are all adults and we chose to sword fight," Sam stated.

"And BM chose to stab you," Jae nodded.

"Could you shut up?" Sam frowned at him.

"I could," he nodded.

"But you won't," I added.

"You know me so well," he beamed.

"Why are you standing in the middle of the doorway?" Thea frowned from behind me, she was juggling everyone's food and coffee.

"Do you want some help?" I offered.

"I carried it all the way up here, I'm sure I can go a couple more steps without assistance,"

"Except you're Thea and you more likely to just be able to put everything down then you'll fall over your own feet, or gravity," Jae commented.

"Do you want your food or do you want to be an asshole,"

"I can do both," he smiled.

"Here," she handed out coffees.

"Subway," Sam cheered when she handed him a bag.

"Here, eat this and shut up," Thea threw one at Jae.

"Where's the cheese?" Sam poured looking up at Thea who was handing me a sub.

"You've just had surgery, do you think a lactose reaction is wise?" she raised an eyebrow turning her attention to Jae who was pulling half of the sub contents out.

"What are you doing?"

"I told you I would pull out what I didn't want," he shrugged. He hand pull out basically all of the salad stuff except for the lettuce and tomato.

"You basically have a side salad,"

"What's your point?"

THEA

"It's such a waste,"

"Do you want it?" he raised an eyebrow at me.

"No,"

"Then leave me alone, shouldn't you be more concerned about the fact you forgot cheese on the patient's sub?" he nodded toward Sam who was still frowning down at his cheeseless melt.

"I can't believe you left the cheese off," he sighed sadly.

"I didn't think you would want to deal with the lactose reaction," I sighed.

"But it's not a melt without something melted, it's literally in the name," he continued to pout. I was about to hand him the other melt when BM added his complaints to the list.

"This is a meatball sub?"

"You like the meatball sub?" I frowned.

"Well, yeah. But I only eat it on a cheat day," he mumbled.

CHARLIE

I could see her getting frustrated, she was clearly feeling attacked and that's probably why she looked like she was about to cry. She took a deep breath.

"Then I guess today is your cheat day," she snapped.

"Here is your sub with melted cheese, you're all welcome by the way. Anymore complains before I go talk to the doctor?" She was biting her bottom lip.

"You got me a latte," I stated.

"And?" she sighed.

"It's exactly what I wanted," she let out a laugh and relaxed a little.

"I'll go talk to the nurse," she left the room.

"She's so moody this morning," Jae commented.

"Wouldn't you be If you spent most of last night cleaning up the backyard, then went out of your way to cater for us and was thanked by complaints?" BM commented.

"You say that like you didn't also complain," I stated.

"The nurse said the doctor would be by soon,"

"How soon?" Sam asked with a mouth full of food.

"Soon," Thea shrugged sitting in an armchair drinking her coffee.

"Are you in a hurry to get out of the hospital?" BM asked.

"He has been here a few times recently," Jae stated.

"I'm pretty sure he's got a thing for a hot nurse," I joked.

"You don't work here," Jae said before pulling a disgusted expression.

"You just thought of her as a hot nurse didn't you? You sick freak?" Thea accused.

"She could totally be a hot nurse," Sam mumbled.

"Just eat your sub," I rolled my eyes.

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

Dog Gone Problems: How can we train our dog to go out the dog door and potty on his own? | Momaha.com

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/dog-gone-problems-how-can-we-train-our-dog-to-go-out-the-dog-door-and-potty-on-his-own-momaha-com/

Dog Gone Problems: How can we train our dog to go out the dog door and potty on his own? | Momaha.com

Dog Gone Problems is a weekly advice column by David Codr, a dog behaviorist in Omaha. David answers dog behavior questions sent in by our readers. You can reach him at dogbehaviorquestions@gmail.com.

I just got a 5-month-old double doodle. He goes in and out the doggy door, which opens to a deck, by himself. I trained him in two days. He will go down the stairs into the yard to use the potty just fine. How can I train him to go out to potty all by himself? I’ve only had him three days, so hoping it will just take some time. I would love some tips to speed the process along.

Congrats on your new dog. Sounds like a smart one, which should make solving this problem pretty easy.

First off, you need to come up with a fun word that means to go outside. Dogs are the only animal on the planet who can read a human’s facial expressions, so coming up with a word that makes people smile and laugh can provide your dog with added motivation.

Next, have a family member or friend outside with a plethora of wonderfully stinky high-value treats your dog loves. I often use chicken liver.

With your dog and you inside near the dog door, have the person outside call your puppy by name. When your pup goes through the dog door, they should find this person right outside the dog door. When the pup is completely through the dog door, have them give him a treat and then say the command word after the treat goes into hi mouth.

Call your dog back inside, pet him under his chin and say sit. Have the person outside call the dog again, but this time move one step farther away from the door. Keep repeating this process for 10 treats, then have the humans swap places. When you go outside, stand where the other person was standing when they finished. Practice the routine for another 10 treats.

The next time your practice, the person should be at the same distance from the door as they were when they stopped last time. Maybe a few feet closer. Practice for another five to 10 treats.

At some point, when the dog is running through the door with glee, try saying the command word when the dog is inside with you and someone is outside waiting. If the dog goes through the door on his own, have the person on the other side give five treats in a row, saying the command word after each one. We call this a jackpot, and its a great way to reward a big accomplishment like responding to the command word.

Once you can say the command word and have the dog go out, you need to start providing the dog with things to discover and motivate him to stay outside and explore. You can leave a small trail of treats from where the person was standing to the grass the first time. The next time, leave another trail, but add a small pile of shredded cheese at the end of the trail (which should be in the grass).

The cheese promotes sniffing the ground, which is healthy and may lead to other exploring. The goal here is to provide motivation to go outside and progressively increase the length of the stay.

Practice this a few times, but keep moving the shredded cheese farther into the lawn — maybe one foot farther each practice. While you are doing this, use less treats for the trail, spacing the treats farther apart. At some point, you will stop with the trail and just leave some shredded cheese on the lawn for your dog to find.

You can also leave new toys outside, as well as chewy items like bully sticks, cows ears, etc. The idea is to leave good stuff outside for your dog to find, which gives him more incentive to go out and explore. With enough positive exposures, your dog will go out often looking for them and this should lead to going potty on his own as well.

Good luck and remember — everything you do trains your dog. Only sometimes you mean it.

Close

Despite being a senior cat at 10 years old, Baby is full of energy and mischief. Here, she dangles from a bannister in her house in Gretna.

Karen Windle, copy editor

We’re Bruce and Ernie (left). We love sneaking raw bacon off the kitchen counter, lounging around the house naked, er, without our collars and making friends with deer. (The deer *love* to play tag, but for some reason we’re always “it.”) 

Katy Glover, online editor

Buster can put a smile on your face like no one else, including those of neighbors who spot him dragging me along on a walk or run. Unfortunately, this high-energy guy recently has been sidelined by the doggie version of a torn ACL and subsequent knee surgery. He could use a little boost, so I’m nominating him for the OWH Pet Parade.

Julie Anderson, news reporter

At left is Clyde. He’s a dog. He’s 2 ½. He’s deaf. At right is Pieces. He’s a cat. He’s 13. He can hear. They would like very much for you to pick them!

Brad Davis, business editor

If you’re an avid reader of the World-Herald, maybe you’ve heard of Cooper. Features reporter Chris Peters has written about raising Cooper. Here he is on the custom pallet bed his mom built for him.

Chris Peters, features reporter

At left is Daisy. Her best friend is a reindeer, who comes to visit a few weeks each year. She complains a lot to the non-magical beings she lives with, for obvious reasons. At right is Diaz. He’s a handsome  boy who doesn’t care about that. He loves walks and belly rubs, all people, most dogs, one cat, and zero racoons and opossums. 

Rich Mills, copy editor

At the Ducey Farm in Dundee, we have the blackshirt gals who guard the back yard (Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt), and the chickens who help me garden (Brooklyn and Penny). They produce eggs and inspire pillows for the cutest and most fashionable dogs in the world (Phoebe, Gigi and cousin Tyson), who love to bark at the feral cats (Bunny and Butterscotch) who live outside and have matching tails!

Marjie Ducey, reporter

Gator likes eating snackies, expertly posing for pictures, getting floof everywhere and borking (not barking) at neighbor dogs.

Cory Gilinsky, features (and Sarah Jarecki, civilian)

Gracie the border collie and Beau the red heeler like long walks and frequent car rides, especially to drive-thrus that give treats. 

Deb Shanahan, metro desk editor, and Kent Sievers, photographer

Isabel doesn’t enjoy her humans (especially the little ones) a lot, but sometimes likes a good chin scratch. Mostly she enjoys being left alone to sit on top of the piano and watch the birds outside.

Kevin Coffey, music critic

Izzy is 6 months old. She likes to chase her tail (and often catches it), climb up couches (and people), and bother Zake. Zake is 15 years old and unsure of Izzy. After all, Izzy has the high ground.

Zach Tegler, copy desk

Jameson may be named after whiskey, but this five-year-old gal is all sweetness. At first skittish after being rescued from a farm in Oklahoma, now her favorite hobby is stealing hearts — and covers.​

Laurel Foster, online

We say Juni found us after my wife was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. This little Havaton brings our family joy, love and snuggles every day.​

Jeff Robb, news reporter/data geek

Laika is, hands down, the happiest dog at the dog park. She is named after the heroic Russian cosmonaut dog, one of the first animals in space. Ciara loves to pray. When she joins our family in prayer, she sounds like Scooby Doo. She is fiercely loyal and protective.

Susan Szalewski, copy editor and news reporter

Lolo was adopted seven years ago in Louisiana. She’s a mutt, and we think she’s part nutria, otherwise known as a swamp rat.

Hunter Paniagua, digital sports coordinator

Minerva is a very hard worker. Two-year-old “Minnie” likes to spend her time cleaning, inspecting boxes and bird watching. (And looking adorable.)

Brandon Olson, digital content hub editor

Molly, a rat-terrier Chihuahua from NHS, loved everyone she met. She was an excellent high jumper and cuddler and gave us joy for 17 years. She died in April.

Betsie Freeman, features reporter

Nellie is a 10-year-old tabby cat who is more like 5 years old at heart. She enjoys sleeping in fresh, warm laundry, eating, chasing lasers and listening to stories with best friend, 4-year-old Sam.​

Ashlee Coffey, Momaha.com editor

This is Oliver. He has three legs and a bullet permanently lodged in him. (We didn’t put it there). He pretends like he’s surly and tough but deep down he’s very snuggly.

Roseann Moring, political reporter

Eighteen-year-old cat

Loves tuna, SBH and

A fireside nap

Sarah Baker Hansen, features, and Matthew Hansen, columnist

I’m Sasha. I was a stray in Oklahoma (where my ear was somehow torn) before a shelter rescued me & treated my heartworm. I just tested negative for heartworm, yay! I really like to play dead & get belly rubs!

Alia Conley, news reporter

Slugger, owned by the original Pet Parade Petitor in Chief and saved by Big Red Rescue in Omaha, chases his tail faster to his right than to his left. He ate a hole in the blinds to watch his owner come and go.

Steven Elonich, online editor

Toby is a 4-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback mix with a big personality. Given the protective tendencies of his breed, he’s very serious about watching over his property — and his owners. Until he isn’t.

Dave Elsesser, features editor, and RyAnne Elsesser

Toothpick loves biting bare legs, gazing longingly at birds outside and dipping his paw into bags of Spicy Nacho Doritos so he can lick off the Doritos dust (which his owners know is gross and bad but are powerless to stop). ​

Erin Duffy, news reporter

Boston Terriers, Willow, 8, and Dexter, 6, have a closet full of costumes, sweaters, scarves and even some pajamas. They only sit this nicely for photos because there are LOTS of treats involved – but really – they are crazy little puppies!

Tammy Yttri, copy desk chief

Nine years ago, we found Zed roaming the earth (it was a ruff life). He’s a good boy. He likes his toy lobster, pepperonis (which we call pupperonis) and keeping up with his fans at Zedwin.org. 

Graham Archer, digital editor

Hi, my name is Zeus, I an eight-year-old American Eskimo looking to get back in the game. They say I am fixed, but I think my only problem is you aren’t in my life. I love long walks and treats. I want someone to chase squirrels with.  Won’t you paw right?

Chris Machian, photographer

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Buckeye Enthusiast Keeps Heritage Hens Safe With Livestock Guardian Dogs

By Brenda M.Negri – You can hear the dedication and sound reasoning in Washington farmer and heritage Buckeye breeder Barbara Judd’s voice when she says why she uses Livestock Guardian Dogs to keep her rare breed of poultry safe from depredation:

“Buckeyes were once in the Critical Category established by the Livestock Conservancy. I decided the best protection I could give them would be Livestock Guardian Dogs.”

Using Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) to keep sheep, cattle, goats, alpacas, and other mammalians safe from harm is an age-old practice, although relatively (approximately 30 years) new in North America.

Some of the more common LGD breeds in use are the ever popular Great Pyrenees, Akbash, Maremma, Kuvasz, and Anatolian Shepherd. Rare breeds such as the Spanish Mastiff, Pyrenean Mastiff, and Karakachan are increasing in popularity and use. Putting LGDs to work to guard poultry, ducks, turkeys, geese, and guinea fowl is more of a recent movement in line with the increased number of hobby farms, small family ranches, and homesteaders. It’s a commitment of time, patience, and more patience, but LGDs can be successfully trained to guard poultry, and many have come to depend on their dogs to keep their flocks safe from depredation.

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Ensuring your pups are raised around chickens and taught how to behave around livestock can add peace of mind to the chicken-raising operation.

Barbara Judd agreed to share her story as to how she came to raising Buckeyes on her Washington farm, eventually choosing two sibling LGD pups and two adult siblings from my ranch and kennel operation in Northern Nevada.

“I had decided I wanted to breed Buckeyes. I had fallen in love with their personality, and their story is intriguing as well,” says Judd. “Buckeyes are a notably personable breed, very active and noted for being especially vigilant in the pursuit of mice. They also are very friendly with people and lack the tendency to feather-pick each other. The males emit a full range of sounds beyond those typical of many other chicken breeds, including a dinosaur-like roar!”

Judd subsequently got on a wait list for chicks from Laura Haggarty and Pathfinders Farm in Kentucky, and received her hatchlings in spring of 2014. Recently Judd moved to a 55-acre farm she calls “Froghaven” near Salkum, about an hour north of Portland. Here she plans to increase her Buckeye flock.

“My goal is to become the go-to person for Buckeye chicks and pullets in Western Washington,” she said. “I love this breed. They are a great dual-purpose chicken for homesteads and fit in well with a back-to-the-farm sentiment.”

Barbara further adds: “The cocks can grow to eight or nine pounds and are good meat birds. While as layers they are not quite as productive as a White Leghorn, for example, I understand them to live and produce for a longer period of time than the breeds that were developed for their egg-laying ability alone.”

Barbara’s new farm has a host of predators and wildlife, as did her previous one. She admits to not having given much thought to predators at first, but one day commented to a friend, “If I lose a bird to a predator, it will be that one,” pointing out one of the gold sex-links she had. Less than a week later, she discovered a pile of gold feathers, not 20 feet from her house, in the afternoon. Her dire prediction had come true. She immediately began researching how to keep her chickens safe. “My chickens were not raised to be coyote food,” she quips.

Judd read about LGDs: “But I was extremely put off by the prevalent and popular descriptions of hands-off training and minimal human interaction. Any dog I own is a part of my family, and I felt the hands-off, do-not-touch descriptions I read just didn’t make sense for us.”

Later that summer she lost another hen to a coyote. Now, she was determined, as well as furious, and bound to find a solution. Judd spent the evening researching LGDs on the internet and found me.

As it happened, I had a litter of LGD pups on the ground at the time, sired by my trusted old Great Pyrenees, Peso, and a rare Italian import Pyrenean Mastiff female, Atena.

Barbara sent me a puppy application. “The stars aligned,” she chuckles, and the Judds became proud new owners of Lucy and Patty, nicknamed, “The Pockets,” as they were the two smallest pups in the huge (16 puppies) litter. As if predestined, they also hung out together and were inseparable. Barbara took the pair home at about 10 weeks, and LGD Chicken Guarding 101 began!

Patty and Lucy’s litter had already been exposed to my own mixed flock of 40 Cochin, Brahman, and Polish layers, with daily visits into the coop and chicken yard. Barbara wisely bought two siblings who roughhoused with one another and wore each other out playing instead of taking out their young energy on livestock and fowl. The pups had also been exposed to neighbor children, cattle, and sheep and were showed great promise as guardians.

“Which brings up another point,” Judd adds. “The importance of selecting a knowledgeable and reputable LGD breeder. I had always had rescues as pets … these dogs were to be working dogs, not pets. They were to be socialized and part of the family but I needed them to be LGDs — guaranteed — not maybes.”

The Training

Once settled in at the new home, Patty and Lucy’s training continued with older, calm hens who were less flighty, and thus less inclined to tempt the pups into chasing. Judd made the training time a “treat time” by positive reinforcement. Each pup received a treat before each short, 10- to 15-minute class. Soon, they were reminding her it was time for school.

“I knew this process would take weeks, if not months,” Judd adds. She kept the chickens and pups in a small, very manageable area and sat with them. No distractions were allowed: no pet dogs, no children.

“We spent time just hanging out with the chickens, and always ended on a positive note before they got tired.” As time progressed, “The Pockets” became calm and confident around the fowl, remaining alert and interested, but no inappropriate behavior. Judd increased the time the pups were with the flock gradually.

“I came at training the pups in a slow and systematic, careful manner. I learned … from previous dog trainers and read the books by noted dog behaviorist, Turid Rugaas. The pups became part of the daily chicken routine. As puppies, they needed protection too as they were far too young to fend for themselves, so they were never left alone overnight, for example.”

Judd was also learning about unique LGD behavior, which is markedly different than non-LGD breeds. “I can say they are nothing like other dogs I have had. They won’t fetch, they don’t play tug o’ war. They do seem to notice every detail around them.”

Judd’s observations are accurate. LGD breeds guard on instinct, not so much training, although the owner will enable, foster, and encourage that guarding instinct with positive reinforcement and gentle reprimands when a pup makes a mistake. Tying a dead chicken around a pup’s neck is an oft-quoted “solution” for problems but only encourages confusion and distrust in the pup and shouldn’t be done. There are no shortcuts to doing “Chicken 101” with LGD pups, and the owner has to commit to the time and patience it takes.

One night, Judd woke to one of the pups barking at a bookcase. “I had moved a large photo onto that bookcase, and Lucy noticed — something’s not where it belongs!”

A more telling incident happened a week or so after Barbara brought The Pockets home:

“We’d spent a lot of time around the chickens, in their run or out foraging. One early evening we walked by the run and no chickens were in sight. Patty was immediately stressed! She sat down, whining at the run. The chickens had simply put themselves in the coop for the night, so when the hens poked their heads back out to see what the commotion was about, Patty relaxed and was immediately satisfied.” Judd continues, “You could see the wheels turning in Patty’s head. ‘Oh that’s where they are. OK, everything is fine now!’ I was amazed and impressed. These were certainly the right dogs to protect my chickens.”

From the time I began raising and using LGDs, I have always understood the importance of running these dogs in the right numbers — just as they are in Spain and other countries where the pastoral life is still alive and very much a fabric of their society. I’ve continually lectured my clients about the advantages of running enough LGDs to properly cover the acreage, terrain, predator load, and stock they have.

Barbara Judd acquired her LDGs from Brenda Negri. The litter had 16 pups, and Judd took the two smallest pups.

Dogs, like humans, must sleep and rest too, and one LGD cannot last long if it is expected to carry the load of three or four dogs. In addition, should one dog become ill or injured, by removing him from duty, an operator’s flock or herd becomes immediately more vulnerable to attack. Where predators can easily take down one LGD, a pack of three or four dogs will present a much more serious deterrent to threats. On my ranch, my several dogs work in “shifts,” so there is always coverage, 24/7. Some dogs may do a “perimeter patrol” farther out at the edge of my five acres while the others stay closer to the flock, barns, and my house. Although my closest neighbors continually lose goats, sheep, horses, calves, pet cats, and chickens to packs of coyotes, feral dogs, mountain lions, and birds of prey, I have never suffered a single loss here.

As introductions currently progress at Froghaven Farm, “The A-Team” is getting to know “The Pockets” and all is going well. The Judds will keep their heritage flock of Buckeyes safe and sound from depredation with four very devoted Livestock Guardian Dogs. “Since we brought Lucy and Patty we have never lost a single bird,” Judd says, and with the addition of two more dogs, they won’t be losing anything in the future, either.

HOW TO BUY A LGD PUP

• Buy pups who are only purebred or crosses of purebred, recognized LGD breeds. LGD breeds crossed on non-LGD breeds are unpredictable and high risk.

• Buy from established breeders who will give references, customer support, and have a proven track record of producing good guardian dogs.

• You get what you pay for. Quality LGD pups typically start at $500 and go up from there. Quality going adults can cost $1,000 on up.

• Never bring a pup home younger than eight weeks of age and make sure all puppy vaccinations are complete, as well as several dewormings.

I• f possible buy pups that have been started on and exposed to poultry and fowl. Make sure they have been regularly handled and socialized with people and are not skittish or frightened when approached.

• Make sure your fencing is puppy escape-proof and secure.

• Remember that rearing LGDs to guard poultry is a labor-intensive endeavor with no magical shortcuts. Patience, time, and persistence are keys to success.

• LGD pups take up to two years or more to fully mature. Don’t expect adult work from an immature dog.

Originally published in the February/March 2016 issue of Backyard Poultry and regularly vetted for accuracy.

Buckeye Enthusiast Keeps Heritage Hens Safe With Livestock Guardian Dogs was originally posted by All About Chickens

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[esmire]

Teddy Bear Dog Breeders Near Me

The 2nd Hovawart I became able to "rescue" came from the house where he had shown typical aggressive behavior and the owners did not learn how to cope. At eighteen months your dog had been termed afraid aggressive and either had to live in a fenced yard or be put down. I been aware of him through a friend, Beth, mentioned in a previous article. The owners made plans for me personally to rescue canine. He did have behavior that is horrible frightening to look at, leaping with teeth bared at the take a look at this teddy bear dog conclusion of a leash. Hovawarts are big dogs comparable in size to a Newfoundland. Him, I was sitting on the grass, the dog lying next to me, and with my hand I was rubbing him and moved down his leg to his paw, he went to snap at me (not to make contact - more of a warning) and I immediately growled back becoming the alpha dog when I first met. The dog required more consistent boundaries, and he got them. It took time, but now at 3, a change that is complete of, jobs doing, home to look after, he could be wonderful. He's got produced wonderful watch dog, not any longer unsightly aggressive, but extremely watchful and friendly after you have permitted him to check you away. Bear does play herd dog much more aggressively utilizing the horse we brought with me through the states that he had met there, but I think for the reason that Star ignores him totally. If he gets a little on the top she provides him a warning kick that's not to hurt him but let him know she could do him damage if she wanted too, informs him to prevent playing so rough. He's perhaps not stupid and backs down immediately. We now have brought kittens into our house and the only time he's got growled if they go near his bowl when he is eating at them is. That's fair. I could choose his bowl up, and take a bone tissue away. I was a bit afraid at first but then, having had dogs, I knew it was important for me become permitted to do this. Once again i did so the thing that is growl straight back if he "thought" about it. As he had been together with first owners, he used a nearby kids which is where the difficulty started. One of these had to go homeward and he tried herding the young youngster because he had beenn't done playing. He went in for hold ( like a herd dog) and broke skin a little on the back. Rightly therefore, the parents freaked out and that is whenever things got tough for bad Bear. (He used to be called Norman, which he did not like and I re-named him whenever his new lease of life was to start) Bear fits him perfectly for he's now a large cuddly and that is why I find the name to put the thought "out there" about big, cuddly teddies. It worked. He's fine with children, ducks, chickens, cats, horses, dogs, people... all of it. He simply required a "mom" that comprehended what Hovawarts are about! Their first owners are wonderful people they simply did not have picture that is full of ended up being needed in your pet dog bred as the Hovawarts are. His obedience work (stay, down, stay, etc) are very well taught and I have always been endowed in order to have my 2nd Hovi in my life while they went along to great trouble to place him and not perform some other....They liked him and they even paid for their visit to Australia where I was going too 4 months after he had been put into my care. I know this might be long but it's a Hovawart story however it covers several areas that are raised recently. So my thoughts are, you do need the upper hand but in a form loving way and all goes well. One just has to be consistent but also realize these are big dogs, bred to provide for estates and become allowed to.

[humanegardener]

A visit to this suburban property outside Washington, D.C., feels like returning to a land time forgot, a place where salamanders, hummingbirds, chipmunks, caterpillars, and deer thrive among the humans welcoming them back to their long-lost home. Learn more about the rare transformation in this fifth dispatch of the Humane Gardening Heroes series.

Logs become sofas and highways for animals in Genberg’s garden. (Photo above and featured image: Toni Genberg)

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen neighbors kick fallen leaves to the curbside for county pickup and discard tree trimmings like trash, Toni Genberg thinks of the wilder residents of her community who would appreciate these natural treasures: the robins and white-throated sparrows who like to peck through the leafy layers, the salamanders who take cover in the moisture, and the firefly larvae who make “happy meals” out of the earthworms and slugs beneath. She considers the pileated and downy woodpeckers drilling for insects in logs, the chipmunks making prostrate branches into superhighways, and the squirrels lying on top of it all like lounge lizards claiming their domains.

Toni Genberg admires a bumblebee on false indigo flowers. (Photos above and below: Nancy Lawson)

These are just a few of the animals who have made a home in Genberg’s quarter-acre humane garden in Falls Church, Virginia, where dead plants take center stage among the living. Even in a habitat filled with lushly blooming native species in every layer of the canopy—silky dogwoods, persimmons, elderberries, milkweeds, asters, sweetspires, coneflowers, columbines, coral honeysuckles, false indigos—decaying organic matter takes on a life of its own. “Planting the plants is one thing,” says Genberg. “Equally important is leaving the leaf litter and branches and logs. I have on many occasions dragged branches home from nearby curbs.”

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n this magical space, it’s not hard to imagine a hobbit joining the animals peeking out from beneath the logs lining the stone  pathways. From behind a moss-covered stump topped by an Easter Island Maoi carved by a friend out of a declining oak tree, a squirrel surveys his surroundings. Into a brush pile covered by Virginia creeper vines, a chipmunk dives for cover. Next to the patio, a newer pile of stems and small branches that Genberg had intended to distribute elsewhere already shows signs of occupancy. “That wasn’t supposed to be there,” she says. “But someone’s living in there now, so I have to leave it.”

Brush piles give Carolina wrens and other animals places to take cover and feed even during the cold days of winter. (Photo by Toni Genberg)

In front of the jewelweed patch Genberg leaves for hummingbirds and deer, a carving made by a friend gives clues about some of her interests, depicting her native Hawaiian islands, a video camera, a flower, and skulls. (Photo by Nancy Lawson)

She didn’t intend to have so much jewelweed under the dogwoods either, but now she has to leave that, too, because deer eat it and hummingbirds sip from the blooms. But though these sound like laments, they are really more of a celebration, representing to Genberg all the life that a small yard near a major thoroughfare in the middle of mowed-down suburbia can support. The hummingbirds who catch gnats in midair and the bird who once landed on Genberg’s head are favorite visitors, but everyone else is welcome here, too. “From aphids to leafhoppers to milkweed bugs, we embrace them all,” Genberg says. “I understand that ‘pests’ have a place in our habitat, too.”

A hummingbird sipping sap from a tree will also find plentiful flowers in this habitat, including coral honeysuckle, red columbine, and cardinal flower. (Photos by Toni Genberg)

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] lifelong nature lover, Genberg doesn’t just rescue discarded decaying matter destined for the county compost pile. She also helps save plants, volunteering at Earth Sangha, a nursery that propagates species from wild-collected seeds for use in restoration projects and sale to gardeners. In her role as a transporter for Wildlife Rescue League, she has picked up and delivered opossums, barred owls, crows, ducklings and other injured and orphaned animals to area rehabilitators.

Closer to home, she has been so incensed and heartbroken by the effects of rodenticides that she now conducts a mini-campaign against them. After finding a rat bleeding from his nose, she hand-delivered 50 copies of an educational letter to neighbors. As a Virginia master naturalist, she created a display for the City of Falls Church Farmers Market that shows images of the victims of secondary poisoning—the hawks, owls, foxes, and pets who eat smaller animals killed by rodenticides. Children are especially moved and bring their parents to take a look. “People are attracted to the photos and then they end up reading what the message really is. … I had one person say after checking it out, ‘Well, I’m not ever doing that again.’ ”

As a volunteer for the Wildlife Rescue League, Genberg recently helped save this young opossum. (Photo by Toni Genberg)

Respect for all creatures started young. One of Genberg’s earliest memories is of her mom throwing the tin cans she used for growing plants at the side of a neighbor’s house during a drenching rainstorm. “She finally got them to come out because they had left their dog out in the rain. She was so angry and so upset,” Genberg recalls. “It’s stuff like that that kind of gets ingrained in you.”

Even the typically less appreciated animals did not fall outside her mom’s purview. Once when Genberg and her sister commented that they’d heard stories of putting salt on slugs, “my mom was like, if you put salt on that slug, you’re going to have to eat it. So that made us think, ‘Oh, OK, maybe we won’t do that!’ ”

The caterpillars of spicebush swallowtail, monarch, and black swallowtail butterflies munch away at their native host plants. (Photos, left and center: Toni Genberg; right: Nancy Lawson)

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]ecades later in Virginia, Genberg applied the same ethic to her garden, shunning pesticides and delighting in the sight of deer and foxes who meander along her backyard creek. After she and her husband, Marc, purchased their home in 2005, they even added a few native plants. But it wasn’t until Genberg heard University of Delaware professor Doug Tallamy speak three years ago that the true transformation began. Like many gardeners, she was astounded by Tallamy’s research showing that most baby birds subsist primarily on a diet of caterpillars, who in turn rely mostly on native plants they’ve evolved to digest.

The new information was a revelation, inspiring Genberg to plant milkweed for the monarch caterpillars and golden alexanders for the black swallowtail caterpillars, goldenrods and asters for bees and butterflies, coral honeysuckles and cardinal flowers for the hummingbirds. She created a website, ChooseNatives.org, where her skills as a longtime video editor help her convey a big-picture view of the importance of wildlife-friendly plants and minimizing hazards to animals. Though she grew up with cats and her father fed the ferals in their Hawaiian community (“I fancied myself a cat,” she says), she’s now particularly concerned about the effect on wildlife and pleads with cat owners to keep their pets indoors.

Creating a safe space for all animals has meant learning to coexist with squirrels who once wreaked havoc on her raised vegetable beds. “I used to curse the squirrels,” she says, “but you learn to cage things.” She even names her resident nut lovers, including the one with the worrisome hip problems whom she and Marc call “Hipster.”

The Genbergs, shown below on their patio, are on a first-name basis with their squirrelly visitors and keep a close eye on those with occasional threats to their well-being. (Photos, above: Nancy Lawson; below: Toni Genberg)

Deer are welcome to the wild strawberry, heuchera, asters, and suckering elderberries. “They can have as much as they want of the elderberry because that shrub is so huge, and their browsing is not going to kill it,” she says. “They have so much to eat that they just kind of nibble, nibble, nibble. Everybody complains that deer eat their hostas. I have two hostas and the deer don’t even go near them because there’s this huge native smorgasbord.”

They even help to prune some of her plants: “One of my friends came over and said, ‘Oh my god, your New England asters! How do you keep them looking so low and tidy?’ And I’m like, ‘The deer are doing that—they’re awesome! They come in and then they prune for me, and everything looks great.’ ”

Deer are welcome to nibble on many of the suckering plants, but Genberg cages hazelnuts and a few other trees. (Photo by Toni Genberg)

There’s plenty for the smallest of creatures to eat, too. Where once there was mostly lawn and invasive plants—privet, bush honeysuckle, English ivy, pachysandra, and vinca—Virginia creeper, white wood asters, wild strawberries, and wild basil fill the spaces instead. Native thistle and Joe Pye weed beckon goldfinches while woodland sunflowers and golden ragworts provide food for bees. After learning that many native bees are specialists, collecting pollen for their larvae only from certain species, Genberg began planting for them, too.

Genberg’s involvement with the master naturalist program “continues to open my eyes to things,” she says. “Every moment is a learning moment or a teaching moment. … It’s really this evolution you go through as you get older. You just see what’s a priority and what’s really important. We need to be supporting our wildlife because really, without them, what are we?”

By leaving fallen leaves and adding logs and other plant debris around the garden, the Genbergs have welcomed salamanders to their habitat. (Photo by Toni Genberg)

Resources for Northern Virginia and Beyond

Gardening for Wildlife: On her website, Choose Natives.org, Genberg provides thoughtful advice about native plants and humane cultivation practices, as well as links to local plant sales and events. Among the many resources offered by Plant NOVA Natives, a collaboration of public and private groups, is a free downloadable guide with profiles and colorful images of recommended plants for the region.

Native Plant Source: Earth Sangha is a unique nursery in Springfield, Va., that offers local ecotypes grown from seed collected with permission from natural areas—a method that helps preserve genetic diversity and resilience. The nursery participates in many public and private restoration projects and holds plant sales for gardeners.

Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education: The Wildlife Rescue League, where Genberg volunteers to transport injured and orphaned animals to rehabilitators, also operates a hotline to provide advice and resources to the public. The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy advocates for animals and the environment through educational programs, citizen science projects, and habitat restoration projects.

Gardening for Deer and Bees: The habitat needs of wild animals large and small are often misunderstood. To learn more about how to help some of the ones mentioned in this article, see “Gardening for Deer” and “How to Really Save the Bees.” For inspiration on using native plants to help bees, watch this beautiful video Genberg created in honor of National Pollinator Week:

*Featured images of chipmunk by Toni Genberg.

Find more profiles, tips, and inspiration in my new best-selling book, The Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife. To learn more and tell me your own story, read about the Humane Gardening Heroes series.

The Humane Gardener: Virginia's Toni Genberg A visit to this suburban property outside Washington, D.C., feels like returning to a land time forgot, a place where salamanders, hummingbirds, chipmunks, caterpillars, and deer thrive among the humans welcoming them back to their long-lost home.