#Anxiety Chews For Dogs Online

[pawsofkerry]

Understanding Dog Calming Treats For Your Furry Friend

For many dog owners, finding effective ways to soothe a dog's anxiety is usually a difficult task. Much like a human being, even a dog can experience stress brought about by noise, a new environment, and separation anxiety. Luckily, Dog Calming Treats can provide an easy way to ease such worries and promote a sense of tranquillity. These treats have a natural blend composed of known anti-anxiety ingredients, such as chamomile, valerian root, and L-theanine. The calming ingredients keep the dog calm and free from drowsiness or lethargy. They work very effectively for conditions in which the dogs feel stressed during thunderstorms, fireworks night, or travel. Dog calming treats may also help the dog owner connect easily with his or her pet because giving a treat could be something made to be a soothing routine for the animal-dog accompaniment since in this way dogs may associate certain experiences with being relaxed. This is a simple method for the enhancement of a dog's well-being, guaranteeing that the dog might then feel safe and more comfortable in its environment.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Candy Girl 5

Warnings: this fic will include elements, some dark, such as cheating, age gap, noncon/dubcon, and other untagged triggers. Please take this into account before proceeding. It is up to curate your online consumption safely.

Summary: as you’re about to take the next step with your boyfriend, doubts begin to arise. (short!plus!reader)

Characters: Thor (boyfriend’s dad/silverfox)

Author’s Note: Please feel free to leave some feedback, reblog, and jump into my asks. I’m always happy to discuss with you and riff on idea. As always, you are cherished and adored! Stay safe, be kind, and treat yourself. <3

The silver-haired man bends over your engine. His name is Bucky as you guessed from Thor’s booming yawls for him. You sit on the front porch, next to the pizza on the bench, and chew your lip anxiously. All four men loom around your deceased vehicle, mulling grimly over the ruins. 

Karl seemed okay about the catastrophe. Emmanuel was looking to pick up some hours and there are enough orders that he didn’t need to worry about breaking even. You thanked him before you hung up, still numb and in disbelief. It’s not just a car, it’s your livelihood. More than just your job, it’s your escape from a house that’s never been much of a home. 

You try not to let the despair drown you but can’t help it. For all your optimism, this is just too much, the final straw. If you can’t drive, you can’t work, and you can’t get money, and you can’t hand over most of your check to get your parents off your back. You are effed. 

Before you can hang your head, Thor catches your eye. He waves and bounds over as if only then remembering you. He comes up the steps and leans against the porch railing across from you. 

“Gonna be alright,�� he says and he crosses his arms, “Bucky says it might take a little but he can redo the whole thing.” 

“Really?” You bat your lashes, looking up at the awning, “hm, maybe I should look into being a mechanic.” 

“Not quite,” he chuckles, “it’s more a hobby but he’s gotten me out of a few vehicular binds. I trust him.” 

“Oh, uh, well... guess I don’t have much of a choice,” you shrug and reach into your pocket, “can you take this back?” You hold out the folded bills, “maybe it can help with the cost--” 

“Ah, he owes me,” Thor winks, “keep it.” 

“I can’t--” 

“I’ve been holding onto this favour for nearly a decade, what better time to use it?” He grins. “Please, little one, you keep that money. It’s well-earned.” 

You give a bittersweet smile, your cheeks pinching with the underlying anxiety. You won’t argue about it. You really do need the money. You sigh and tuck it back into your pocket. 

“I’m sorry to ruin your night,” you murmur as you look at the men near your car. Bucky and another argue as they gesture to the car, the greying blond man standing back to watch without amusement. 

“Ah, no, they’re always like that,” he glances over his shoulder, “eh, what more could I ask?” He stands and drops his arms, moving to sit on the other end of the bench. He flips up the lid of the top pizza box, “than to eat with a pretty girl.” 

Your cheeks tingle. He’s always a bit too cheesy. You scrunch your lips and shake your head. 

“Please, dig in,” he insists, “might as well. Otherwise, these old dogs with devour it all and be whining of heartburn in an hour.” 

You snort. You can’t say you’re not hungry. Driving around with the smell of chicken and pizza all night does tend to leave you ravenous and after the day you’ve had, well, you’re no stranger to comfort eating.  

“Just one slice,” you insist and reach to tear a piece off the pie. 

He hums contentedly as he takes one himself. He peers out at his buddies and rolls his eyes. The argument is turning heated though the silent third hardly seems fazed. It almost reminds you of Magni and his friends; people don’t grow up very much, do they? 

🍬

“It’s late,” Thor says as he leads you down the walk, “you can stay over and I’ll drive you home in the morning.” 

“Oh, but...” 

“Mm, I did have a beer or two, we’ll have to walk to mine,” he interjects, “apologies, little one, I didn’t foresee disaster.” 

“It’s... okay,” you assure him. “Thanks, again. I really appreciate it.” 

You turn onto the sidewalk beside him and slip your phone from your purse. Still no messages. You dim the screen with a sigh and put it away. 

“Something the matter?” Thor asks. 

“No, just... haven’t heard from Magni.” 

“Ah, I’m certain he’s home,” Thor insists, “you know how he is. Distracted with that bike he can’t seem to fix.” 

You chuckle, “yeah, I don’t think that thing’s ever gonna run again.” 

“I told him not to take it apart,” he tuts, “but does he ever listen?” 

“Oh, sorry, I...” 

“It isn’t your fault, no need for your apologies,” he says, “I only wish...” he exhales heavily, “maybe I could’ve done better. If I had, he’d treat you better too. I’m sorry you have to deal with such a spoiled brat. As selfishly as I’d like you to stick around, you could do better. Much better.” 

You mull his words in silence, “yeah, I... he’s... not... he just needs time.” 

You’re not sure you believe that. He hasn’t changed in the year you’ve been together. You’ve known him even longer than that and you can’t say he’d matured past his high school antics much.

Even his brother, Modi, outgrew all that. You always asked why he didn’t think about moving in with him, getting a bit of space. He just didn’t want to be troubled with the effort of it all. Just like most things. 

“It isn’t my place,” Thor raises his hands, “sorry. It is only... my thoughts come faster than I can stop them.” 

“Yeah... I...” you drag your feet. He’s just saying everything you’ve been denying. “I don’t know.” 

You walk along, staring ahead, overly aware of his looming presence. He rubs his neck and clears his throat, “anyhow, I was curious, fall will be here soon, were you still looking to go to school?” 

“Oh, uh... well,” you scoff, “my car... don’t have that much save yet and... I mean, you don’t have to do everything on the same schedule as everyone else, right?” 

Another point of denial. Another thing you’re running away from to look on the bright side instead. You sniff and shrug. 

“Not this year.” Probably not next year, either. You’re already a year behind, so what does it matter? 

“Ah, so now that Magni’s done his gap year, you’ll be okay?” 

“Okay?” You wonder. 

“With him going away for so long. I suppose you’ll just go up and visit, eh? We could make a road trip of it, if you like.” 

“Away?” Your heart plummets and you stop short, just at the corner of his street, “Mr. Odin—Thor? I thought he was going local.” 

He turns to you and inhales, chest rising and falling as he clamps his lips guiltily, “oof, I’ve done it again. Said too much.” 

“What-- when was he going to tell me?” You croak. Don’t cry. Don’t. That’s just pathetic. 

“I’m sorry, little one, I didn’t mean--” 

“You’re sorry? He didn’t even tell me,” you mope, “I...” 

You spin on your heel and storm ahead of him. You’re filled with hurt and anger. Whatever. If Magni doesn’t want to answer your texts, fine, he can sulk and be a child, but what was he going to do? Just pack up and leave you without a word? 

You sense Thor behind you, trailing after. He’s tall enough he could easily catch you but he’s holding back. You don’t care. He can’t stop you. 

You stomp up the front stairs of his house. The porch light shines yellow and the windows are lit up. You forget all pretense as you enter his home, leaving the door open. Magni’s metal music blasts from his bedroom. You barrel down the hall and burst through his door. 

You skid to a halt, at first, not understanding what you’ve walked in on. You lean back on your heel as the breath rushes from you and leaves you deflated. Your ears buzz and your eyes tinge. They don’t even notice you as you stand there gaping. Magni and Sheena, his ex, lay on his bed, tangled in each other, sucking each other’s faces like they’re on life support. 

You back out and whimper. You collide with Thor as he comes up behind you. He growls as he looks over you easily and witnesses your horror within. You push back against him and veer away. 

“Little one,” he calls after you as you flee, his hand slipping down your arm before he can get a hold of you. 

You’re already bawling, heaving and gasping for air. You’re so stupid. You can’t believe you put up with all Magni’s bullshit. No, you can’t believe you let yourself be so blind. Good things don’t just happen because you want them to. You should know that by now. 

[hypervoxel]

Jumble of headcanons in no particular order about Vark because I need to write them down somewhere to pretend to be organized

He started off sooo cute and tiny, like the size of a guinea pig. And he made laser noises like a baby Cuban crocodile.

He was so so tiny. He did not stay tiny.

Sharks sense electricity! He's naturally drawn to Vox when Vox is taking in or letting off too much power. He naturally interrupts Vox's overstimulation and warns about seizures, so Vox trained him some actual medical alert tasks.

Service shark Vark 🐕‍🦺

On the topic of electricity, I also headcanon him as having some aspects of an electric eel as well. A fantasy eel. He can take in some of Vox's excess energy, and isn't bothered by the sparks Vox throws off.

I'm chewing on the idea that Val bought Vark for Vox as an apology gift.

Now I'm just quoting myself directly from discord: I keep thinking of how I can include this (Vark being a gift from Val) in my one fanfic where it obviously does not fit bc Val hates Vark in it. Maybe he's jealous that Vox cares way more about Vark himself than the fact that Val gave him a gift. So unappreciative, didn't even have make-up sex over it bc Vox was too busy practically having a breakdown over how adorable Vark is. Val realizes that this was a mistake and he should have picked a very different gift instead

Vark is such a well behaved good boy when he's working, as a service shark. When Vox is in distress, Vark is so focused on trying to help with all the power of his tiny shark brain <3 Outside of that tho? He's a terror. He's so excitable. He canonically (in the old Voxtagram art) jumps on and knocks people over. This ties into him previously being a tiny adorable little thing. It was sooo cute when he jumped on your leg, back when he was the size of a large potato. It stayed cute up until they realized he was going to be so much bigger than they ever expected.

(It's like a bottle raised bull. The cute things they did when they were a little baby calf are no longer cute now that they're so large they are going to hurt you on accident just trying to be friendly and playful. RIP.)

Other service dog tasks for Vark: deep pressure therapy (of course. Interrupting behaviors such as when Vox is getting overwhelmed. Blocking to stop other people from getting too close to/touching Vox when he would shock them. I am forgetting so many things and will continue writing this list later

Vox doesn't do public access with Vark. This ties into my headcanons for Vox that he is deeply ashamed of himself and he cannot let anyone know he has problems ever.

Unfortunately, I am evil. So I also like the idea of Vark as an owner-trained service animal who is hmm not the perfect candidate for the job. In the same way shepherds aren't recommended for anxiety work, he can feed too much off of Vox's own emotions and has issues with guarding aggression that at times cause him to become reactive. (*points at my fanfic where he bites Val*)

I love bad representation.

Alsooo I don't like hammerhead sharks or animals that are too cartoon-y for me to understand as a real creature, so I'm making up a new design for Vark

Based on a Bonnethead Shark! Fun fact about Bonnethead Sharks: they are omnivorous! They eat seagrass :)

So Vark is omnivorous but unfortunately he's also like a tiger shark in that he'll eat anything even if it's not food. Tiger sharks have been found with license plates, tires, and other trash in their stomachs (sad)

Don't ask Vox how many times Vark has needed emergency exploratory surgery after eating something he shouldn't have. He doesn't want to talk about it.

Vark chews on wires like real sharks biting at undersea fiber optic cables. Chomp chomp

When Vark was a tiny baby, Velvette dressed him up in silly little outfits to post online. She doesn't do that anymore because he has mostly outgrown his cuteness stage for her: she only thought he was cute when he was little.

[detentiontrack]

POV Anxiety injures her knee and keeps chewing on it so the emotions force her to wear a donut pillow like dogs wear (it still hasn’t occurred to her that she can just use her hands)

(First time ever posting my art online because I think this concept is really funny.)

[tommys-cant-swim]

So, you want to get a tommy

Great! Tommys are wonderful creatures and full of personality. But there are things you should consider before getting them:

Tommys have a very long lifespan compared to dogs or cats- 35-40 years to be exact. A tommy is a big commitment and if you're on the older side you might even need to pass yours on to another family member.

Tommys are extremely energetic, overwhelmingly so. By the time I finish tiring out my tommys, I'm usually sweating and exhausted (love them though)

The most popular breed of tommy (dsmp or canon depending on who you ask) are significantly more prone to anxiety than other breeds. Please do not get one just because you've seen them online

Tommys have diets that may be upsetting to some people- they eat bugs and shellfish (and fruit), if you're upset by either, don't get one, please.

All that being said, here's a quick and dirty guide to getting your first tommy!

Choosing a tommy

There are lots of ways to choose a tommy, there's plenty of shelters to choose from and most house every kind of tommy. I recommend going in person and picking whichever you feel the closest to- but picking a specific breed is fine too! I'll leave a guide to the two breeds I know best (feel free to add info about other breeds)

DSMP/Canon - As previously stated, a very popular breed of tommy. They form strong bonds with owners and other pets and generally mix well with other popular mcyts such as tubbos and wilburs. However, they are easily startled and can be very messy due to being burrowers. They're also known to experience strong 'play aggression' and can accidentally injure others if they get too riled up.

Origin(s) - I know much less about this breed, but I still feel confident speaking on them as I have fostered origins tommys in the past. Origins tommys are much more mentally sound than dsmp breeds and do not have the major caveat of having to eat bugs as they are completely vegetarian! However, they do have minor flight abilities, which may be a turn-off for some owners.

Setting up your home for your tommy

Tommys need an outdoor area of at least 25 sq ft for digging and general enrichment. Tommys who are let outside unsupervised should be belled to prevent damage to the local ecosystem and the tommy themselves, as they have a bad habit of eating birds and squirrels, fur and bones, which they cannot digest.

All tommys need a small, private space to hide and rest in. A cardboard box will do just fine under most circumstances as long as it is large enough for your tommy to stretch out in to prevent claustrophobic anxiety (which dsmp tommys are especially prone to).

Lastly, tommys need chew toys. Chewing is their main way of relieving stress and expressing joy and not having a consistent outlet for it is extremely upsetting for them.

Additional advice

Tommys cannot swim and should not be let near bodies of water deeper than knee-height.

Dsmp tommys are terrified of heights and should not be placed on counters or tables.

Tommy's Can be picked up by the scruff

My other guides:

Caring for tommys with anxiety Tommy mouthing Introducing two tommys (this can really be applied to introducing a tommy to any pet)

[rhodesrider]

Getting Along

Y/N x Bloodline & Nicole (OC) x Judgement Day

Warnings: Fluff here and there, affirmation names, affirmation praise, poly relationships, sights of stimming and regression

Words: I stopped count I’m sorry-

~

“I HAVE TO WHAT?!” Y/N yelled in the lounge giving evil eyes at Paul as he explained the issue going on tonight. “P-please miss it’s only for the time being, our tribal chief-“ “Yea I have a few words for my tribal chief.” She said in a mocking tone and grabbed her phone FaceTiming Roman immediately. Paul wipes the sweat off his head and the twins just sat there annoyed along with solo who rubbed his temples.

Roman answered knowing it was Y/N. “My decision is final princess. Just be on the playing field for now.” “But daddy I don’t wanna work with the has been goths…” she pouted and shed a tear seeing if that could work. “And Nicole is weird!” She added in. “Baby, we have an issue we need to solve. Be nice and play along, if not I’ll have a word with you about your manners again.” He said in a strict tone. She groaned and looked at the camera nodding. “Good girl. Play nice and let’s just just finish this little issue.” He gave her a small air kiss and hung up. As soon as she was outta Roman’s sight she screamed in anger. She walked back in the lounge room heated but knowing she was gonna have to just deal with it.

~

They were walking up to the stage, and Y/N was given instructions to stay in the back with Nicole. Nicole was being coddled by Rhea fixing her hair some as she was playing on her Nintendo switch. As Y/N watched, Nicole didn’t look up from her screen, she received a kiss from everyone in the group, but she hugged Dominik. “Your charger is in the bag munchkin!” Rhea called out and waited by the ramp entrance with the others. Y/N was on the other side trying to avoid talking to her. They both have the same roles, but Y/N sees her as a lap dog. Nicole doesn’t wrestle or isn’t in any events, unlike Y/N who won titles and opportunities. Y/N is more than what Nicole is, that’s why she knows they won’t get along. The bloodline walked up and Y/N kissed all three men and gave a mocking middle finger to Paul. “Baby.” Jey shot a look. “I’m sorry I’m sorry.” She smirked. As they went to the ring, Y/N directed her attention to the tv. Nicole was still on her switch, chewing on a Oreo teething necklace. “…Can you chew quieter please?” Y/N said a bit annoyed at the squeaks from the biting toy. Nicole looked up and nodded, she just stopped chewing all together and just played her game in silence.

Nicole looked up at Y/N, a bit shy but she doesn’t really have many friends but JD. And they really don’t count she’s their girlfriend. She was in Y/N’s shoes, in a poly relationship with four people that just want her. There’s times were it gets overwhelming but it has its perks a lot. “So…um…you do anything fun around here?” Nicole asked low, Y/N looked at her and just looked back at the screen. “Ok…um do you like video games?” Y/N said nothing. Nicole’s was about to give up hope until she heard a small yes. “…I have a switch lite…” Y/N really didn’t wanna talk to her but when it’s video gaming she’s a sucker for it. She plays online with Roman and the guys all the time. “…And a Ps5…” She smirked looking at her. “I just have my Switch, I like Nintendo games.” Y/N sighed going over and sitting by Nicole and keeping distance. But soon talking about Pokémon and Animal Crossing. Y/N learned a lot about Nicole, games and music, learning they have some social issues. “So when it gets too loud, you cover your ears with your headphones?” She nodded and put them over her head. “They muffle a lot of noise, Finny got em for me.” She blushed talking about on for her boyfriends. Y/N was hesitant but showed her anxiety ring. Telling her Jimmy got it for her to help her chill on her skin scratching.

After the promo and match, the guys came back tired. “Munchkin!” Rhea called. Nicole looked back telling them she’s on the way seeing them head to their lounge. “Since we might see each other more, here!” Nicole reached in her bag and gave Y/N a indi game she recommended. Y/N smiled and took the offer trading her a game as well. Her Pokémon game. “Since you skipped Arceus.” She smirked. Nicole smiled and hugged her which made JD gasp a little. Hearing a slight faint Dominik “She never hugs anyone else…” that was in shock. Y/N waved bye to her new friend and Nicole waved back getting hoisted by Damien and getting a piggy back ride giggling. The twins watched the whole scene and was so happy for Y/N making a new friend. “Hey so you made friends with the lap dog-“ Jey teased but soon felt a sharp punch to his arm. “She’s not a lap dog! Don’t call her that!” She growled and Jey apologized quick. “I’m just happy you getting more friends then just us.” Jimmy smirked hugging her. Y/N looked down at the Indi game “Cult of the Lamb” and smiled. “Yea…I’m happy too.”

~

Rhea and the crew were getting their stuff in the van to head to the hotel room. “Munchkin, I’m guessing you made a new friend?” Rhea didn’t hear anything but heard pokemon sounds coming from in the van. “I’m gonna take that as a yes mami.” Dominik smirked and got in the back too, watching her play. Rhea smiled warmly happy she was being more verbal now, but there’s still more work to be done. She’s just glad there’s progress.

[ddejavvu]

hybrid steddie with a really soft, shy, intorverted reader!!! she got them both from shelters at different times, and they’re use to harsh hands and tough punishments, but you baby them so bad!! you treat them so well!!! you even take them out so they can choose their own room decor, even if you’re blushy the entire time at the checkout counter with the cashier (who they 100% get protective over, maybe a little posturing or throat growling for warnings to back off)

you pet their ears every time they wanna! they figure out that all they have to do is make sure you know what they want, and you’ll just give it to em cus you love em so much!!! the first night that eddie army crawls into bed with you and attacks you with his scenting ritual, you almost have a heart attack form anxiety and he feels so bad!! steves definitely at your other side, trying to emulate the way you comfort them with their ears but on you.

reader who has a super remote job, to do with writing or something online, so she’s home a lot which they love love love looooovvvve!!!! sometimes steve will sneak into ur room and crawl under your desk and just put his head in your lap, legs over his shoulders, he wishes you had hands free to let him but just feeling u skin to skin is enough rn :) and he likes that you’re blushing and shy cus it makes him feel like u love him so so so much!

reader whose soft and passive so she can’t bring herself to scold over chewed furniture or whatever, but they know they’ve been bad, cus she’ll stand there for a few seconds, visibly upset, before trying to figure out a solution on her own and they feel awful cus they’d rather be blatantly punished than too quickly forgiven especially cus she does so much for them :(((((((

first time they add kisses into the slobby nighttime grooming routine, they’re vibrating with excitement and their tails r going so wild

hybrid au faq

please never stop sending asks like this i swear every ask you send me is perfect i wanna take your brain out of your head and smooch it for the juicy ideas it pumps out <33 kind of a long post so i cut it!!

ohhh maybe you come up to one of them in the shelter and see their poor scared puppy eyes and know you have to save them - eddie's got scratches all over from the other dog hybrids and steve's shying away from touches because all anyone ever does is poke and prod at him :(( but you sit in the corner of their little cell/pen/cage(?) thing and just wait for them to approach you, and when they do you reach up really soft and slow to pet their ears - they're instantly hooked!! your touch is so soft and sweet and gentle that they get addicted to it, they keep nudging their heads into your hands and by the time the shelter's about to close, whoever's in your lap is snoozing away :') you have to bring him home, of course!!

aw yes you prepare a whole room for them, and for the first day since it's kinda late, you just have them sleep in the empty, blank room - you feel so bad :(( but it doesn't last long, 'cause before you're even asleep, there's a sneaky dog hybrid crawling under the covers next to you >:))

yes they're instantly pretty good at reading your body language, if you're stuttery and backing away from the guy at the counter 'cause he's being too forward, they're stepping in front of you and their ears flatten out on their heads - instant intimidation mode.

ohhh to have hybrid steddie laying all over my lap for snuggles :(( eddie's more forward about it, he just plops right down on your legs and butts his head under your chin like :] it's time :] pet me please :] but steve hooks his chin over your shoulder and blinks prettily up at you until you catch on - you pretty much always at least have one hand occupied with scratching one of their ears, but once whoever isn't getting pet realizes that they're not getting pet, your other hand has to go too </3

aw omg no :(( eddie just wants to cuddle!! he thinks it's a crime that you don't smell like him yet, 'cause he has a collar to prove that he's yours, but you've got nothing to prove that you're his!! so he sneaks in, he thinks you're asleep but you're actually just turned over with closed eyes - he wastes no time in crawling up into your bed but you nearly scream!! you're just not prepared for a tongue on your neck or a tail against your thighs. he whines and babbles out apologies while you try to control your breathing, and laps at your cheek soothingly until your eyes aren't so big and wide and panicked </3

steve petting your hair omg :(( he doesn't realize that it probably won't feel as good to you as it does to him 😭 but it does feel nice, so you're not complaining <3 he runs his fingers through your hair and he's got some kinda long nails that he scratches against your scalp and it feels sooooo good <33333

SNUGGLY STEVE :(( omg he just buries his face between your legs and conks out with his nose against your thigh - he always complains about a sore butt afterwards but you bundle him up in blankets and let him sit on cushy pillows until he's not so sore anymore - eddie smacks his ass though he's not as nice as you are </3

why did you have to make me cry </33 (i love it please don't stop) - sometimes their instincts just get the best of them!! they're already trying to figure out if they can make the arm of the chair look better by draping a napkin over it, but you walk into the room riiiight when they readjust it so that you see the teeth marks :/ it's ruined :( you can still use the chair, of course, but the arm looks terrible </3 you just sort of freeze and frown for a second and they feel their hearts drop, they're waiting for you to shout or tell them to spend the rest of the day outside, but you don't do anything. you just huff out a little breath from your nose and walk away :') they're so guilty omgomgomg - they come into your office where you're trying to knock out a report or something and they stand there all guiltily with droopy tails and ears - they apologize softly and tell you it'll never happen again, that they just couldn't help it but they'll be more careful in the future - all you do is nod and say okay and they're almost in tears :(( they kneel by your chair so that you don't have to turn to look at them, and finally catch your attention - they plead with you not to be angry with them, promise you that they're sosososo sorry, that they'll fix it for you, or get jobs to buy you a new one, but you just wave them off - eventually you tell them that you're really upset about your chair but that you know they didn't do it on purpose, but that you'd really just like some alone time to be upset about it without lashing out at them - to them that's the worst punishment. they let you close them out of their office but they sit right outside giving each other the 'we fucked up' eyes and waiting tearily for you to finish with your work so that they can cover you with apology kisses :'(

ohhh you think they're just snuggling up to you like they normally do, but then eddie licks a stripe up your neck and you go... what are you doing?? and you can hear his tail thump against the bed as he goes kissing you :] and steve's like wait no fair!! so you lay there all still and stiff while they get going but then you realize that the feeling of their tongues lapping at your neck/chin/cheeks is honestly really soothing, and you start snoozing while their tails wag at the speed of light 'cause they soothed you to sleep and they're so happy to be able to give back to you 'cause you do so much for them :'))))

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for returning a dog after only a couple days of owning him?

Some context, my partner (I'll call him Greg, 24m) and I (21 he/she) came to an agreement 3 months ago. The agreement was that if I got myself out of a depressive slump that had been straining our relationship for the past couple years, he'd get me a dog. I was overjoyed at this because I've wanted a dog ever since I was a kid, and it was probably the best motivation he could give.

I'm proud to say that I made a lot of progress, and I'm doing much better now. So, as promised, Greg agreed that I could get the dog. Maybe a little under a week after that, Greg found an adorable little chihuahua/dachshund mix online and we both excitedly prepared to adopt him. We arranged to meet him almost immediately, and he was adopted within 2 days.

I will admit, after Greg agreed to get the dog, I was having some doubts. I knew dogs were a lot of work and I didn't think we were ready to take on such a big responsibility, especially since we already had two cats to take care of. Greg was just so excited to find a dog for me, and I agreed to adopt the dog, but only because I couldnt think fast enough to stop and discuss my concerns. I was under the impression that this was what I wanted, so my doubts could just be chalked up to "new pet anxiety", so my brain went on autopilot and said "yes".

He was a perfect little guy, well behaved save for some anxiety, didn't bark at all, house trained, just a super sweet dog. However, it soon became apparent to us that he was SO much more work to take care of than we anticipated. We had to keep an eye on him all the time so he wouldn't chew or eat anything he wasn't supposed to, plus he had separation anxiety so he had to be in the same room as us at all times. One of our cats hated him, so we had to be sure the two of them were separated. Playing with him and walking him was easy and fun, but we had to do it every couple hours because chiweenies are a very energetic breed.

There was no time for me and Greg to have time to ourselves and each other, and the stress built up and I started to get cranky at little things. I even lashed out at Greg once, which is exactly something I had tried to work on during those 3 months. To add onto all this, a huge storm hit us and our living room flooded, and we're still in the process of undoing the damage. The stress since adopting him went on for a total of 4 days, but it felt like so much longer. I haven't cried so hard for so long in a really long time. Somewhere in that time I had made my doubts about adopting him known, which I still feel stupid for admitting them too late.

Greg says he feels incredibly guilty for the whole situation since he's the one who was so quick to pick out and adopt the dog. I said it was fine, and I should have forced myself to express my doubts earlier despite whatever anxieties were in the way. He said he had just wanted to give me something I'd always wanted and assumed that everything would be fine.

I want to make it clear that we're well aware that this has nothing to do with the dog, nor do we hate him or mistreat him. We've been taking good care of him and he's been having the time of his tiny life with us so far, which is why I'm so reluctant to give him back to the shelter. Maybe we could be good dog owners, but on the other hand, all the stress haopened so quickly and forcefully, and it was too much to ignore. Sometimes I couldn't even be in the same room with the dog because it hurt too much.

Me and Greg are returning him to repair our relationship, focus on ourselves and get us in a stable place, financially. We figure giving him back to the shelter will give him a chance to go to a better, nicer home that's actually ready for him, but I can't shake the feeling that maybe I should've given him a chance. I feel like ultimately this was the right choice but at the same time, I'm super unsure about how we handled the whole thing. AITA? Should we have kept the dog?

What are these acronyms?

[basicallyahedgehog]

Happy birthday darling Fay @thesleepiesthufflepuff!!! You are such a ray of light and a joy to know, and I am so so so grateful to be able to call you my friend. You deserve the whole world, but I hope this fluffy little thing inspired by Clodagh and her jammies will suffice. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays and all the puppy snuggles today.

Harry paced restlessly up and down the hallway as he waited for the dog trainer to arrive. It had seemed like a good idea at the time — Dog needed to be trained, and No Bark, No Bite had the highest ratings in the neighbourhood. Harry had been full of hope as he’d filled out the online form, visions of long walks with his faithful companion swimming through his head. It had all come crashing down, however, when the confirmation email came through. 

“Draco Malfoy will see you at 10am on Wednesday morning.”

So here Harry was, contemplating whether he could just live with the fact that Dog refused to go outside so that he could escape the doom that was fast approaching.

It wasn’t that he didn’t like Malfoy anymore. No, he quite liked the git now that they had all grown up a bit and let bygones be bygones. The problem was quite the opposite, really. Because Malfoy — Draco — was smart and witty and charming and fucking fit. And Harry knew Draco worked with animals. Knew his job was in Harry’s own neighbourhood. And now he was coming here to Harry’s house and he’d know that Harry was fucking incompetent — and a liar, because Harry had told him only three days ago that everything was fine and he didn’t need help with his new puppy but thank you very much.

He was so stupid. Stupid stupid stupid.

-----

Draco chewed on his lips as he walked up the path, once again questioning the wisdom in taking this job. He should have handed the client on to Cassie as soon as he saw the name. Should have packed his bags and move to another country. Because now he had to work with Harry and be professional. Had to pretend that the mere idea of Harry with a puppy didn’t make his insides melt. 

He sucked in a breath and knocked on the door, relaxing minutely when he heard a faint crash from inside followed by colourful swearing. At least he wasn’t the only one who was nervous. 

Harry opened the door, his hair even more wild than it was on pub nights. A tiny black puppy crouched behind him, eyeing the open door in fascination but making no move to step outside. 

“Potter.” Draco held out his hand, determined to remain professional. “How can I help you?”

-----

A disaster. It was all a terrible disaster. 

Draco had stayed barely half an hour before declaring he knew the problem, but wouldn’t be able to fix it today. He had almost run back down the street, as if he couldn’t stand to be near Harry any longer. 

Harry knew he was weird and awkward, but he thought he’d had it vaguely under control that morning.

Sure, he had a dog named Dog. Well, Dumbledog, at Teddy’s insistence, but even Harry wasn’t strange enough to go around calling the poor little thing by her full name. And yes, he couldn’t work a normal job like Draco did, and yes, Dog was largely purchased with the plan to train her as a therapy dog to help him with his anxiety. And yes, he was so fucking gone on Draco that he could barely string two sentences together. 

But that didn’t mean Draco had to run away, did it?

He could only hope that he would be able to hold himself together better next time they saw each other.

-----

A disaster. It was all a terrible disaster. 

Harry had been so sweet and so concerned about his dog, all of Draco’s heartstrings had been stretched beyond their limits. And he had a dog named Dog of all things, which Draco would have laughed at if it had been anyone else. Instead it was Harry, and Draco felt all stretched out and upside down. Like nothing in the world could ever be the same now that he had seen Harry cuddle a tiny, wriggly ball of fluff named Dog.

So here he was, a tangle of yarn in his lap, knitting needles in one hand and instruction book in the other. Because poor Dog was cold and there was only one thing he could do when faced with a puppy who refused to go on walks with Harry Potter due to the cold.

Learn to knit doggy jumpers.

-----

Harry was baffled. 

“So, Dog was just cold?”

“Yeah,” Draco replied, tucking Dog’s paws through the front legs of her new little jumper. “Hopefully this is enough, but we might need to get her booties too if her feet are sensitive.”

“They sell booties for dogs?”

“The Muggles do, yeah. They’re quite sweet, actually.”

Harry blinked. Had Draco just called a Muggle invention sweet?

“Could we not just use a warming charm?” Dog looked very sweet in her jumper, but Harry couldn’t help be confused by the fact that Draco hadn’t immediately turned to magic. 

“Oh, Dog is allergic to warming charms. I checked last time, but you were so worried about her I didn’t want to say anything until I had a solution.”

“Oh.” Harry could only stare at Draco, silently willing his expression into something acceptable. “Thank you, Draco. That’s very thoughtful of you.”

This man was going to be the death of him.

-----

This man was going to be the death of him.

“Dog is allergic to warming charms,” he muttered to himself furiously. “Honestly, Draco, could you have been any more obvious?”

He sunk into his couch, running his fingers through his hair. He didn’t know how Harry hadn’t seen right through him, he hadn’t even tried to hide how stupidly in love he was.

Love. Fuck. He loved Harry Potter and now he’d lied to him and fucking learnt to knit for his dog and…

There was only one thing left to do.

-----

“So she needed the booties, then?” Harry blinked sleepily at Draco, who had turned up unexpectedly while Harry and Dog were having a nap. 

“Well, she seemed to walk happily last week, but I thought it was better safe than sorry. How has she been?”

“She’s been great! I think the jacket has really helped, thank you so much.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I’ll leave you to it then.” 

Draco began to walk away, and Harry made a snap decision. 

“Wait! Did you want to come for a walk with us? You know, to check on Dog’s progress?”

Harry was an idiot. A sweet, bumbling, adorable idiot. And Draco was a fool.

Dog had loved their walk, prancing through the fallen leaves and chasing squirrels as far as her lead would allow. Harry, however, had looked positively miserable as his eyes watered and his nose streamed and his fingers turned blue.

“I told you to bundle up, Potter,” Draco had said, only half of his old sneer coming through. 

“I put an extra sweater on!” Harry had exclaimed, as if a sweater would keep his extremities warm. 

“What about a hat? A scarf? Some mittens?”

“Oh,” Harry said, tilting his head in thought. “I don’t think I own any. Gave them all to Dobby.”

“Potter, Dobby died ten years ago.” He’d tried to be soft, tried not to snap at the foolish, stupid man beside him.

“I guess I just didn’t think about it.”

And so now Draco was awake at 2am, for the third night in a row, knitting furiously.

-----

“And I thought he’d just bought the little sweater for Dog, and I thought it was sweet that he’d found booties that matched. But…but these all showed up on my doorstep yesterday, and they all match Dog’s things, and I don’t know what it means.”

Harry sat on Ron and Hermione’s couch, head in hands, a pile of knitwear on the floor in front of him. The hat, scarf and mittens had been on his front step that morning when he and Dog went for their first walk of the day. There hadn’t been a note, but the yarn was so distinctive. They could have only come from one person.

“Harry.” Hermione spoke gently, as if she had something important to say and didn’t know how Harry would take it. “Why would Draco buy Dog a sweater instead of just using a warming charm?”

“He said Dog was allergic to them. Said he checked on his first visit but didn’t want to worry me.”

Ron made a strange choking noise before excusing himself to the kitchen.

“Harry, charms can’t cause allergies.”

“But…why would he buy her a sweater then?” 

“Harry…” Hermione looked at him softly, as if pleading with him to figure out what she already had. He looked again at the bundle of yarn on the floor, at the uneven stitches and slightly lumpy shapes.

“He didn’t buy them, did he?”

Hermione grabbed his hand. “No, Harry. He didn’t.”

“But, why?”

Ron’s voice came from behind them. “HE’S FUCKING COURTING YOU, MATE.”

-----

Draco trudged up Harry’s front path. He’d promised himself after last time that he wouldn’t be back, but he’d gotten a text from Harry that morning asking him to come over. 

He’d tried not to hope, tried to ignore the warmth swelling in his chest. 

If Harry had figured it out, surely he would have said something before now. After all, it had almost been a week since he’d dropped off the knitwear.

He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the door opening, but he couldn’t ignore the exuberant ball of fluff jumping all over him. The exuberant ball of fluff wearing…a knitted bow tie?

“She was meant to give you this, but she was too excited to wait for me to tie it on.” Draco looked up from Dog to see Harry standing in front of him, a timid smile on his face as he held out a small roll of parchment. Draco took it tentatively, eyes flicking back to Harry as he unrolled it.

My owner is an idiot, but some would say that makes him cute.

Will you go out with him? Dog is optional on dates.

Harry rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet as Draco read and reread the scroll. 

This was a terrible idea, he should have bought flowers or whiskey or-

Draco dropped the scroll, his face unreadable as he stood. Harry opened his mouth, unsure of what he was going to say, but then it didn’t matter because Draco was reaching for him and cradling his head and kissing him.

Maybe he hadn’t been so stupid, after all.

[joannep-whoelse]

Oakley the Mio

Romanian Rescue, Helping or Hindering?

We adopted our dog four and a half years ago without knowing anything about him or his breed, background or anything. We were given very little information from the charity.

We completed an online form, they called us, asked us some questions about our family and home and we were told we could go and collect him, and so we did.

Looking back that raises so many red flags for me.

No in person home check

No initial visit with the dog to check compatibility

When we collected him, he was just handed over outside of the gates of where he had been staying and told he had a cut near his eye

He was incredibly anxious in the car and barked for the entire journey home. When we got him home we saw that the cut was severely infected, his hair was terribly matted and unkempt and he was filthy. So the next day we took him to the vet and the groomers, we also discovered he had an infection in both ears. We contacted the dog charity and explained the situation and they said they would deduct the vet fee from the adoption fees. But that didn’t explain how a dog that had been in their care for the last few months could be in such a state.

We were added to facebook group for people who had adopted dogs from this charity and with a quick search I discovered that we weren’t Oakley’s first adopted family. I sent a message to the previous owner and asked about Oakley and why they sent him back to the charity. They told me that they couldn’t handle him and he didn’t get on with their other dog.

So with that information we contacted the charity and requested more information about Oakley’s history and this is what we were told.

Oakley was found at roughly three months old tied up in a village in the Carpathian Mountains region of Romania, next to a pond. It was assumed that he had been left by sheep farmers because he is quite small for his breed so he would have been the runt of the litter. Mioritic Shepherd dogs guard thousands of sheep in large packs and are known to fight wolves, bears and lynxes to protect the herd.

He was then neutered at roughly four months old and then when he was six months old he was packed into a van and made the long arduous journey to the UK.

When he reached the UK he was placed in a foster home with nearly forty other dogs, with no segregated facilities for him to have his own space, they were all fed together and basically left to their own devices.

At home with us Oakley showed some food aggression particularly when it involves bones and other fresh food. He was also very underweight. He also had not developed bite inhibition. He would also find gaps in fences and bushes to jump through into the neighbours garden.

He would spend hours hiding under the table trying to be invisible. He detested going in his crate, to the point he injured himself destroying it to get out. To which I said to my husband no more crate. He had serious separation anxiety and would chew on my oak chairs and table.

For months we had to show endless patience and compassion and slowly he began to settle in to his new place with our family.

The one thing he never did was mess inside the house.

He is a very vocal dog and if he needs something he will let you know, whatever the time is, much to the annoyance of our neighbours, who have even suggested that we should have him debarked, to which I replied you get your voice surgically removed then!

The barking is breed specific and nothing can change that, so we figure out what it is that he wants and then he is fine.

Even now he is still an anxious dog especially when it comes to going out in the car. So clearly the journey over here traumatised him and left him scarred for life.

Yet Oakley is classed as one of the lucky ones because he didn’t come from a life on the streets or worse a kill shelter.

So the question I am asking is knowing the trauma Oakley has experienced and the resulting anxiety that he has been left living with, what about the other dogs who have experienced trauma from before the journey from either living on the streets or worse in a kill shelter is it worth adding to that and bringing them over to the UK and expecting inexperienced owners take on these challenges?

All the vets that I have spoken with have said that it is cruel to put the dogs through this and that the journey from Romania to the UK is much more traumatic than living on the streets.

I have a friend from Romania who told me that in the villages the stray dogs are seen as the village dogs, people feed them, children play with them. They don’t keep them inside.

So are we getting involved where we don’t need to be? Are we forcing our beliefs of how animals should be kept as pets onto others? In the farming communities dogs and cats are not pets they are part of the community and they have jobs to do. Cats catch mice and other pests. Dogs herd and protect the sheep and other livestock.

I am not picking a side I am merely providing food for thought.

I personally don’t think kill shelters should be allowed but I am just one person and who am I to challenge a foreign government that allows them.

[toads-treasures]

Fifteen questions for fifteen mutuals!

(It will probably not be fifteen I am too scared to tag too many people)

I was tagged by @galaxycunt weeks ago, and I finally got around to answering.

Tagging @hereforthehaunts @cactme @plasticdodecagon @iwanttobecomeavoid @mars-colony no pressure tho!

Also, feel free to skip any questions you don’t wanna answer.

1. Are you named after anyone?

My great grandpa Tora. But he went by Tory. He was apparently a grumpy ol sonofabitch according to my dad, but it was also his idea to name me after him so 🤷‍♀️

2. When was the last time you cried?

Prolly like two days ago but I don’t know for sure for sure. I cry all the time. I think this time I was crying in frustration at packing for my last camping trip lol

3. Do you have kids?

Nope, and I don’t know if I want any tbh. It would really cut into my time of being the Weird/Fun Aunt who lets my nieces and nephews stay up too late and helps them dye their hair

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Not nearly as much as I did when I was younger. We call that Growth 😌 but sometimes I can’t help myself

5. What sports do you play/have you played?

Ha. I am so uncoordinated I don’t play any sports. I played tennis for one year in high school and hated it. I’ve gone rock climbing once and really enjoyed it even though I was scared shitless, so I’d really like to get back into that. I’ve also been kind of wanting to play tennis again just for funsies with my husband and not actually pay attention to any rules or anything and just have fun.

6. What’s the first thing you notice about other people?

I think height? Because I’m pretty tall and if someone is taller than I am I definitely notice

7. Eye color?

Hazel is the least pretentious way to describe it. Or green…ish.

8. Scary movie or happy endings?

Why not both? I will say I like things to end happily, because I need to have some semblance of hope in the world lol, but also bittersweet endings will stick with me for the rest of my life.

9. Any special talents?

I am freaky good with names and faces. I will remember people who I had one college class with but never actually personally interacted with them. I can also like, trifold my tongue so it looks like a clover.

10. Where were you born?

Ha nice try fbi. Just kidding, it’s just a small town (like, less than a thousand people) in southern Utah and I highly doubt anyone would know the name or where it was, but if perchance they do, it probably means I know them in real life and I’d rather not risk it.

11. Free space

Ummmmm I love hiking and camping, and I’d love to get into photography and videography to be like a nature photographer, I think that would be cool. But I’m also Very Bad at taking pictures. I always forget to take them, or I frame it really bad or the lighting is really bad, I’ve got a lot to learn with that hobby lol. Also I wish I could just wear my crunchy/granolaey/outfits all the time business casual my absolute beloathed

12. Do you have any pets?

No 😔 I want one, either a cat or a dog, but honestly I have so much anxiety around it because there’s this CREATURE in my HOUSE and it needs me to live! And what if it eats my plants and what if my plants are toxic and what if it chews a hole in the floor or the door and we get kicked out and and and (you get the idea).

13. How tall are you?

5’10” 😎 my husband insists I’m 5’9” but he’s wrong

14. Favorite subject in school?

I’m still recovering from the god complex that being in English class gave me so, we’ll leave it at that.

15. Dream job?

I do not dream of labor, but I have a few ideas of what would be preferable than being a receptionist for the rest of my life lol. I’d like to open an online sticker/print shop and just draw and design cute silly stationary and stickers. I’ve also always dreamed of being an author, but seeing as how I can’t finish any of my wips that will probably remain a dream lol.

[littleblondesoprano]

HEY JORDAN!! <3 <3 <3 for the fun questions: 6, 7, 34, & 37 :+)

SHARKYYYYY <3!! You're back!! :D

6. What’s the best and worst part of being online/a creator?

Creating itself is one of the best parts, I think. I love writing, building up a story from the ground into something beautiful. Audience reactions are also a very fun part of creating! Comments, reviews, feedback, I love it all. It's so fun watching people go nuts for your work, just as much as you do.

The hard parts, for me, are editing - I'm really good at it, but it feels like pulling teeth sometimes, especially when you don't know how to rewrite or restructure a portion but you know it needs something. It's also very easy to become sick of a story by the mid/end of the editing phase, and that's equally hard for me to force through.

7. What scares you the most and why?

Totally failing. Trying my best and it's just not enough to keep myself afloat at all, so I lose everything. To lose everything - especially when I'm insulin-dependent - is so much worse because it means death or going back into ketoacidosis, which also kills you.

I know it's silly. It's something borne of overthinking and anxiety, but it does haunt me.

34. Any pet peeves?

You know those loud white women at the grocery store? That. I hate it when people are unnecessarily loud and talk to their kids like they're dogs.

Also when people chew with their mouth open. Forks and knives scratching on a plate or between teeth make me physically cringe.

37. Share a secret.

This is me:

Lmao jk.

HMMM. A weak-sauce secret is that I'm gonna be at Carolina Fear Fest on May 25th (get HYPE) and then hit the flea market right there right after.

Another one is that I still like watching episodes of Catfish: The TV Show on MTV. I love Nev and Kamie (and Max), and it's really fun to see when the couples work out <3

I know they're not huge juicy ones, but I can't tell those on here! Some people have tumblrs.

[ausbutlerhq-musings]

therapy with laney #1 | austin self para

WHO: Austin Butler & Lainey Dowder (licensed therapist) WHEN: August 21th, 2023 WHERE: Austin's house SUMMARY: Austin has his first phone visit with his therapist. TRIGGER WARNINGS: Death, suicidal ideations, substance abuse, childhood abuse, mental health issues

Austin could feel his stomach flipping as he waited for the appropriate time and kept a watchful eye on his phone. He knew this was easier than going to see someone in person - and much quicker too, although he knew in the future he should probably bite the bullet and go see someone face to face. He was doing this alone though - no partner to hold his hand, no parent or sibling or even a friend to drive him. He sat in his office at home, with his phone and no one else. His thoughts faced and he'd already gotten queasy that morning, not knowing what to expect from the first step of many steps down a road that would hopefully make him feel better - that would help him to understand what he was so scared of and how to fix it.

Austin hit the answer button when the call came in from "Laney Dowder" a licensed therapist in the state of California. He'd found her at random, read her reviews and saw she had a cancellation and booked as soon as he could after his birthday ordeal. He heard the click of the other line and heard a gentle voice on the other end. "Hello, is this Austin?" she asked. "Hi, yeah that's me," he responded. Okay, first sentence down. He took a deep breath, very audible on the phone and nodded to himself. "Well, it's very nice to meet you. I'm Laney Dowder, a license therapist. I see that you found my profile online and chose to make an appointment with me. Thank you for trusting me. I can tell you a bit about myself." Laney went into detail about her life. She had a husband and some kids and a pet dog. She went over her educational background and shared with Austin what she liked to do in her spare time. Austin had to stop and think when she'd asked him the same questions. "Well, I'm Austin. I'm technically single but I do have a long term, long distance, low commitment, casual girlfriend," he decided to joke lightly. He received a genuine laugh from the woman on the phone. "A Barbie fan? My girls loved that movie!" she commented. He laughed, feeling a bit more comfortable. Okay, so she did the same things everyone else did that summer. "Thought I'd try to lighten the mood a bit," he said, biting his lip although she could not see it. She appreciated it and complimented him on his sense of humor in a professional way. "No pets right now. I graduated from high school and I've been an actor for about twenty years. I began doing background work in children's shows and now I've moved onto some movies and television shows, I try to keep myself as busy as possible." The two talked about what he enjoyed doing in his spare time and he could hear Laney jotting down notes as they spoke.

"Okay, so - we've made our small talk and we're getting to know each other. What brings you to me today?" she finally asked. "Um," he trailed off. "I have some problems. I have issues with avoidance, I have issues with feeling indifferent, I have anxiety that I can't really control," Austin listed off. "Okay - and would you say that you have episodes of panic? Panic attacks?" Austin bit his lip. "Yeah, definitely." She wrote more. "And how often would you say that you experience those, if you had to guess?" she asked. "A few times a week," he admitted truthfully. "Okay and let's focus on..childhood. Was it good, who did you grow up with?" Austin chewed on his lip as he thought back. "It was pretty good, I guess. Not super typical but both of my parents loved me. My sister, Ashley too. Ashley is five years older than me. My mom and dad got divorced when I was six," he explained. "Divorce can be quite traumatic for a child that age, were they on friendly terms while you were growing up?" Laney asked. "Yes. My mom was in an abusive marriage at one point and my dad took us back into his home. They ended up being like best friends more than anything, it was really nice for us growing up," Austin admitted. "You said your mom was in an abusive marriage? Was this physical?" she asked gently. "No, it was emotional and verbal." She jotted down more. "And was this man ever physically, mentally or verbally abusive to you or your sister?" she asked. Austin frozen a bit and shook his head slightly. "I - I don't really want to talk about that," he admitted. "Okay, no problem. We'll move along to the next question. How is your relationship with your sister and your parents now? How would you describe it?" Laney asked. Austin swallowed and took a deep breath. "My sister Ashley is - one of my best friends. I've been distant from her for some time but she is the most lovely, wonderful sister anyone could ever ask for. She is kind, compassionate, generous, loving - I couldn't ask for a better sister. My dad lives in Arizona now, I don't see him very often but when I do it's always positive. He keeps to himself and I do too, we're a lot alike in that way. And my mom passed in 2014," Austin revealed. "My condolences, I'm so very sorry to hear that," Laney said sympathetically. "May I ask how she passed?" Austin nodded to himself. "She was sick. Diagnosed late stage and - in a couple years it was over," he stated easily. "Oh, how terrible. I'm so sorry again. How was your relationship with her during her time on earth?" Laney asked gently. "Wonderful. My mom was my hero, my best friend. So wonderful, no amount of time would've been enough with her," he said, his voice getting quieter. He heard the pen jotting down more notes.

"Romantically? You said you have a complicated situation, is what I'm getting from your Ken reference?" Laney asked. Austin could hear her smile on the other end of the phone. "Yes - you could say that. I uh, dated this woman for about a decade. We broke up in 2019 and I've been pursuing her again for a couple of months," he explained. "May I ask what caused the initial breakup? Ten years is a long time to be together." Austin chewed on his lip again. "I ended up booking a big movie and I went method. Kind of became my character. My girlfriend didn't make the cut and I started to have inklings of developing feelings for my costar and couldn't ever cheat on my girlfriend," he explained. She hummed and made more notes. "I see. Okay and where does that leave you two now?" Austin shifted a bit in his seat. "That's a good question. Um, long story short I'm trying to get her to fall back in love with me. Because I want to marry her but she is scared," Austin explained apprehensively. "You want to marry her?" she asked softly. "Yes, I do. Badly. I want to marry her and have kids with her. I deeply regret my past choices and mistakes and have been trying to work hard to make it up for her. Being here today is a big part of that too," he admitted. "Okay - now to get a bit heavier here. Have you ever been suicidal or struggled with suicidal ideation?" Laney asked gently. "Ideation," Austin repeated. "Yeah, I've been there." She nodded. "Do you have a history of self harm?" she asked. "No," he answered simply. "Okay, what about substances? Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes?" she listed off. "I've never done drugs aside from marijuana. I drink, sometimes. I drink normally, socially, a little more than socially," he decided. "And yeah, I smoke," he confirmed. "What do you hope to get from therapy?" Laney asked. "I think..I'm hoping to learn what's wrong with me and maybe how to get a grip on my feelings better or more efficiently. I have a hard time dealing with big or difficult things and I tend to run away," Austin explained. "And what would you like to accomplish in our future sessions?" the therapist asked. "I would like to..learn how to cope with the symptoms that I have so I can be a better brother, boyfriendish person and friend to my loved ones," he confirmed.

Laney wrote some more and cleared her throat. "Excuse me. Okay, well - I think therapy could be very beneficial for you. We need to get to the root of some of these problems you are having and figure out some new ways to help you deal with your stress that maybe aren't quite as self-destructive to yourself and the relationships you hold with others," she explained. "Does that sound like a good goal to have for our future sessions?" Laney asked. Austin nodded, although she could not see him. "Yes, that sounds great." Laney clasped her hands. "Awesome, okay. Well would you like to come in the office in a couple weeks and then we can meet face to face and talk more about everything?" she asked. "That would be great, thanks." Laney closed her notes. "Okay, lovely. Well, thank you so much for speaking with me today. It was great meeting you and I look forward to our next session. Do you have any other questions for me?" the therapist asked. "I don't think so, but thank you for your time." Laney smiled. "Of course, thank you. Take care," she said. "Thanks, you too."

[jpknineacademy]

Common Dog Behaviors and What They Really Mean

As dog owners, we often find ourselves trying to decode the mysterious behaviors of our furry friends. While some actions are cute or amusing, others can be puzzling or even concerning. Understanding your dog’s behavior can help you build a stronger bond with your pet and address any underlying issues. Whether you're new to dog ownership or a seasoned pro, insights from a certified dog behaviorist in Sacramento can offer valuable perspective. For those searching for expert guidance, whether through dog training Sacramento professionals or online resources, knowing what your dog’s behaviors mean can make a big difference in your relationship with them.

Tail Wagging

Not all tail wagging indicates happiness.

The speed of the wag can indicate excitement or caution.

The direction matters: wagging to the right shows positive feelings while wagging to the left can signal stress or anxiety.

Other body language cues, such as posture and ear position, should be observed for a full understanding.

Barking

Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, including:

Excitement: Sharp, short barks often signify anticipation or happiness.

Fear or anxiety: Continuous, loud barking can indicate distress or a threat.

Territorial behavior: Barking when someone approaches their space is often a protective reaction.

Attention-seeking: Dogs may bark simply to get a response from you.

Excessive barking should be addressed through guidance from a certified dog behaviorist or dog training Sacramento expert.

Circling

Circling before lying down is an instinctive behavior from wild ancestors flattening grass to create a safe resting spot.

Occasional circling is normal, but excessive circling can indicate health issues such as arthritis or neurological problems. Consult a vet if it becomes concerning.

Chewing

Natural behavior for puppies during teething, but destructive chewing can point to:

Boredom: Not enough mental or physical stimulation.

Anxiety: Stress-relieving behavior, particularly in dogs with separation anxiety.

Nutritional deficiencies: Some dogs chew on inappropriate items if lacking nutrients.

Provide appropriate chew toys and adequate playtime to curb unwanted chewing. Seek help from a dog training Sacramento professional if the issue persists.

Digging

Common in many dogs, either as a fun activity or a way to bury food (instinct).

Excessive digging may indicate:

Boredom: Dogs often dig when they lack stimulation.

Separation anxiety: Some dig when left alone for too long.

Escape attempts: Dogs may dig under fences or gates if they feel insecure or restless.

Prevent digging by providing engaging toys, regular walks, and mental stimulation.

Jumping Up

Dogs jump up to greet people and get closer to their faces. While cute in puppies, it can become problematic as dogs grow.

Training alternatives include teaching commands such as "sit" or "stay" to redirect the dog’s excitement into more controlled behavior.

Polite greeting habits should be instilled early on or addressed with professional help if needed.

Growling

Growling often misunderstood as aggression is usually a warning signal indicating discomfort, fear, or the need for space.

Rather than punishing growling, it’s important to assess the situation and understand the cause of your dog’s discomfort.

Frequent growling without an obvious trigger may require consultation with a certified dog behaviorist.

Licking

Dogs lick for various reasons, including:

Affection: Many dogs use licking as a way to show love and bonding.

Exploration: Since dogs experience the world through taste and smell, licking can be their way of gathering information.

Stress or anxiety: Excessive licking may indicate anxiety, especially if it’s focused on certain areas of the body.

Persistent or obsessive licking might signal skin irritation or allergies and should be checked by a vet.

Tilting Head

Head tilting often occurs when a dog hears a new or unusual sound, signaling curiosity and engagement.

Some dogs tilt their heads when you talk to them, indicating they are trying to better understand what you're saying or analyzing a sound's direction.

It's an adorable yet practical behavior that helps dogs focus on the source of noise and better process unfamiliar sounds.

Final Takeaways

Recognizing the subtle cues in your dog’s behavior helps you respond effectively to their needs.

Each dog is unique, and understanding their body language and habits can deepen the bond between you and your pet.

For persistent or problematic behaviors, consulting a certified dog behaviorist or a dog training Sacramento expert can provide tailored advice and solutions.

By paying attention to these common dog behaviors, you can become more attuned to your dog’s emotions, desires, and overall well-being.

[digitalvibesinfo]

Happy Pets, Healthy Lives: The Impact of CBD from Eden’s Herbals on Pet Wellness

Do you want your pets to live a happy and healthy life? As pet owners, we all do! But sometimes, our furry friends face challenges like anxiety, pain, or difficulty moving around. That’s where CBD, a natural compound, can help. Eden’s Herbals offers high-quality CBD products that are perfect for pets. In this blog, we’ll explore how CBD from Eden’s Herbals can improve your pet’s wellness, making them happier and healthier. Also show you how to save money using Eden's Herbals Coupon Codes and other discounts. Let’s dive in!

What Is CBD, and How Can It Help Pets?

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a compound found in the hemp plant. It’s natural and doesn’t make you or your pets feel "high." Instead, CBD can help with many issues like anxiety, pain, and even skin problems. People have been using CBD to feel better, and now, it’s also becoming popular for pets.

How Does CBD Work for Pets?

Just like humans, pets have a system in their bodies called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system helps keep things in balance, like mood, pain, and appetite. When pets take CBD, it interacts with the ECS to help them feel more relaxed, reduce pain, and improve their overall health. This is why many pet owners are turning to CBD to help their pets live happier, healthier lives.

The Benefits of CBD for Pets

Now that you know why Eden’s Herbals is a great choice, let’s look at the benefits of giving your pet CBD.

1. Reduces Anxiety and Stress

Does your pet get anxious during thunderstorms or when you leave the house? CBD can help calm your pet down. It works by interacting with the ECS to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. This means fewer chewed-up shoes and more peace of mind for you and your pet.

2. Eases Pain and Inflammation

As pets get older, they might start to feel pain in their joints or muscles. This can make it hard for them to move around or enjoy their favorite activities. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain and make it easier for your pet to stay active.

3. Improves Appetite and Digestion

Sometimes, pets can lose their appetite or have trouble digesting their food. CBD can help by stimulating their appetite and supporting healthy digestion. This is especially helpful for pets recovering from an illness or surgery.

4. Promotes Healthy Skin and Coat

CBD can also be beneficial for your pet’s skin and coat. If your pet has dry, itchy skin or a dull coat, CBD might help. It can soothe the skin and make their coat look shiny and healthy.

Check Out Eden’s Herbals Discount Codes & Vouchers

In addition to coupon codes, you can also find Eden’s Herbals Discount Codes & Vouchers online. These vouchers can be applied at checkout to give you extra savings. Websites like Dealszo offer great coupons, especially during events like Thanksgiving 2024. Dealszo is one of the top webstores where you can find exclusive Thanksgiving 2024 Deals & Discounts on Eden’s Herbals products.

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[agapemastiffs]

Unleashing Your Dog's Potential: Finding the Right Trainer Near You

Bringing a furry friend into your life is an exciting adventure, but it also comes with the responsibility of training and shaping their behavior.  Whether you're tackling puppy basics or addressing behavioral challenges, finding the right dog trainer near you is crucial for a harmonious human-canine relationship.  Let's explore the world of dog training, from understanding your needs to selecting the perfect trainer for you and your pup.

Defining Your Training Goals:

Before diving into the search for a trainer, it's essential to define your specific training goals.  Are you looking to master basic obedience commands, address behavioral issues like jumping or chewing, or perhaps prepare your dog for a specific role like therapy work or agility?  Understanding your objectives will help narrow down your trainer options and ensure a good fit.

Types of Dog Training:

The world of dog training offers a variety of approaches and specialties. Here's a brief overview of some common training methods:

Obedience Training: Focuses on basic commands like sit, stay, come, and heel. It's a great foundation for any dog.

Behavior Modification: Addresses specific behavioral challenges like aggression, separation anxiety, or fear-based issues.

Puppy Training: Tailored for young dogs, covering socialization, potty training, and basic manners.

Agility Training: Develops your dog's athleticism and agility through obstacle courses.

Therapy Dog Training: Trains dogs to provide comfort and support to people in need.

Protection Training: Focuses on developing a dog's protective instincts for specialized roles like guard dogs or law enforcement.

Finding the Right Trainer:

Now that you've defined your goals, it's time to find a trainer who aligns with your needs and values. Here are some tips:

Word-of-Mouth Recommendations: Seek advice from friends, family, or fellow dog owners who have successfully trained their pets. Personal recommendations can be invaluable.

Online Research: Explore local dog training businesses and read reviews. Pay attention to their training philosophies, success stories, and client testimonials.

Certifications and Credentials: Look for trainers with certifications from reputable organizations like the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) or the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).

Meet and Greet: Schedule consultations with potential trainers to discuss your goals and observe their interaction with dogs. Trust your gut feeling and choose a trainer with whom you feel comfortable and confident.

Key Qualities of a Good Dog Trainer:

A skilled dog trainer possesses a combination of knowledge, experience, and compassion. Here are some key qualities to look for:

Positive Reinforcement: A focus on reward-based training methods that build trust and confidence.

Patience and Understanding: A calm and patient demeanor when working with dogs and their owners.

Knowledge of Canine Behavior: A deep understanding of dog psychology and behavior to address underlying issues.

Effective Communication: The ability to explain training concepts clearly and provide ongoing support.

Ethical Practices: A commitment to humane and ethical training methods, avoiding harsh or aversive techniques.

Training Methods: Choosing What's Best for Your Dog

Several training methods exist, each with its own approach and philosophy. Here are a few common ones:

Positive Reinforcement: Focuses on rewarding desired behaviors to encourage repetition.

Clicker Training: Uses a clicker as a marker to signal correct behavior, followed by a reward.

Balanced Training: Combines positive reinforcement with gentle corrections for unwanted behaviors.

Aversive Training: Relies on punishment to discourage undesirable actions. This method is controversial and should be avoided.

The Importance of Consistency:

Effective dog training requires consistency from everyone in the household. Ensure all family members understand and follow the training plan. Practice commands regularly and reward your dog for good behavior.

Building a Bond:

Remember, training is not just about teaching your dog commands; it's about building a stronger bond between you and your furry companion. Enjoy the process, celebrate small victories, and most importantly, have fun!

Additional Tips for Successful Training:

Start Early: Begin training as soon as you bring your puppy home.

Short and Sweet: Keep training sessions brief and engaging to maintain your dog's focus.

Patience and Persistence: Training takes time and consistency. Don't get discouraged by setbacks.

Socialization: Expose your dog to various people, places, and other animals to build confidence and good manners.

By finding the right trainer and committing to consistent training, you can create a well-behaved and happy companion who will enrich your life for years to come. Now that you've laid the groundwork for your training journey, it's time to explore the various training options available near you.  From group classes to private lessons, there's a training style to suit every dog and owner.

Group Training Classes:

Group classes offer a social environment for your dog to interact with other canines while learning basic obedience commands. They can be a great starting point, especially for puppies. Here's what to expect:

Puppy Kindergarten: Focused on socialization, potty training, and basic manners.

Basic Obedience: Covers essential commands like sit, stay, come, and heel.

Advanced Obedience: Builds upon basic commands with more complex exercises and challenges.

Specialized Classes: Tailored to specific needs, such as agility, rally obedience, or therapy dog training.

Private Training:

If your dog has specific behavioral challenges or requires one-on-one attention, private training might be the best option. A professional trainer will come to your home or meet you at a designated location to address your dog's unique needs. Private training offers personalized instruction and tailored strategies.

Online Training:

For those who prefer a flexible learning experience, online dog training platforms offer video tutorials, interactive exercises, and expert guidance. While it lacks in-person interaction, online training can be convenient and cost-effective.

DIY Training:

If you're a hands-on learner, there are plenty of resources available to guide you through the training process. Books, online articles, and video tutorials can provide valuable information and tips. However, it's essential to supplement self-training with socialization and exposure to different environments.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Training Option:

Your Dog's Age and Temperament: Puppies benefit from early socialization in group classes, while older dogs with behavioral issues might require private training.

Your Learning Style: Consider if you prefer hands-on guidance, self-paced learning, or a combination of both.

Time Commitment: Group classes typically have a set schedule, while private training and online options offer more flexibility.

Cost: Weigh the cost of different training options against your budget.

Additional Training Resources:

Beyond formal training, there are other ways to enhance your dog's education:

Dog Parks: These social settings allow your dog to interact with other dogs and people, improving socialization skills.

Training Clubs: Joining a dog training club can provide opportunities for ongoing learning and support from other dog owners.

Positive Reinforcement: Consistent rewards for good behavior are essential for successful training.

Patience and Consistency: Remember, training takes time and effort. Stay patient and consistent with your commands.

Beware of Training Myths:

Be cautious of training methods that rely on punishment or dominance. Positive reinforcement is the most effective and humane approach to dog training. Avoid trainers who advocate harsh or aversive techniques.

A Lifetime of Learning:

Training isn't a one-time event; it's a lifelong journey. Even after completing formal training, continue to practice commands and provide mental stimulation through puzzles and games. Your dog will appreciate the continued learning and bond with you even more.

By carefully considering your dog's needs, exploring different training options, and committing to consistent practice, you can build a strong foundation for a happy and well-behaved companion. Remember, the most important ingredient in any training program is the love and bond between you and your furry friend.