#BUT FIRST THING’S FIRST: checking for a microchip

[wholesomepostarchive]

the most wholesome thing is seeing that the wholesome post blog runner is probably one of the nicest people ever :3 i’m generally Terrified of sending asks especially to a blog that Does Things like this but seeing you talk in the tags instead of just reblogging and moving on makes you seem very friendly and approachable !!!! and i hope u know i appreciate that :] i hope you have a wonderful day and both sides of your pillow are always cool and that if you see a random cat on the sidewalk it won’t run away from U ♡

woah, META-WHOLESOME!! thank ya for the compliment, i try my best to carry out those kinds of traits i value!!!!! i’m SUPER super glad that ya did!!! THANK YOU THANK U!! always appreciating how much of an impact this lil blog has on top of appreciating u for sharing as much with me :-)

it’s always a TRIP getting to hear that something i do that i wasn’t even really mindfully doing makes all the difference?? i’m just really, REALLY grateful for all the different kinds of posts that get sent my way and seeing cool + uplifting + sentimental + OVERALL WHOLESOME posts that i express my thanks + ramble a bit in the tags haha !!

i ALSO hope you have as terrific of a day as you’re able to! and i hope you’ll enjoy seeing more posts pop up!

AND YOU’LL NEVER BELIEVE but i got new pillow cases like a week ago THAT DO JUST THAT! AND THERE’S A NEW CAT ON THE STREET WHO HANGS OUT WITH ME SOMETIMES (i’ve been planning to see if he has a microchip, but i know for a fact that the neighbors who feed all the stray cats on our street already have a cage + are well-versed in TNR, so i’ve been thinking about asking them first because the thought that someone could be out there looking for their pal is enough for me to “do it scared”) !! SO THANK U NOT ONLY FOR THE SWEET SENTIMENTS BUT ALSO FOR THE UNEXPECTED HILARITY OVER THE FACT THAT THEY’VE COME TRUE???

[batboyblog]

Things Biden and the Democrats did, this week #13

April 5-12 2024

President Biden announced the cancellation of a student loan debt for a further 277,000 Americans. This brings the number of a Americans who had their debt canceled by the Biden administration through different means since the Supreme Court struck down Biden's first place in 2023 to 4.3 million and a total of $153 billion of debt canceled so far. Most of these borrowers were a part of the President's SAVE Plan, a debt repayment program with 8 million enrollees, over 4 million of whom don't have to make monthly repayments and are still on the path to debt forgiveness.

President Biden announced a plan that would cancel student loan debt for 4 million borrowers and bring debt relief to 30 million Americans The plan takes steps like making automatic debt forgiveness through the public service forgiveness so qualified borrowers who don't know to apply will have their debts forgiven. The plan will wipe out the interest on the debt of 23 million Americans. President Biden touted how the plan will help black and Latino borrowers the most who carry the heavily debt burdens. The plan is expected to go into effect this fall ahead of the election.

President Biden and Vice-President Harris announced the closing of the so-called gun show loophole. For years people selling guns outside of traditional stores, such as at gun shows and in the 21st century over the internet have not been required to preform a background check to see if buyers are legally allowed to own a fire arm. Now all sellers of guns, even over the internet, are required to be licensed and preform a background check. This is the largest single expansion of the background check system since its creation.

The EPA published the first ever regulations on PFAS, known as forever chemicals, in drinking water. The new rules would reduce PFAS exposure for 100 million people according to the EPA. The Biden Administration announced along side the EPA regulations it would make available $1 billion dollars for state and local water treatment to help test for and filter out PFAS in line with the new rule. This marks the first time since 1996 that the EPA has passed a drinking water rule for new contaminants.

The Department of Commerce announced a deal with microchip giant TSMC to bring billions in investment and manufacturing to Arizona. The US makes only about 10% of the world's microchips and none of the most advanced chips. Under the CHIPS and Science Act the Biden Administration hopes to expand America's high-tech manufacturing so that 20% of advanced chips are made in America. TSMC makes about 90% of the world's advanced chips. The deal which sees a $6.6 billion dollar grant from the US government in exchange for $65 billion worth of investment by TSMC in 3 high tech manufacturing facilities in Arizona, the first of which will open next year. This represents the single largest foreign investment in Arizona's history and will bring thousands of new jobs to the state and boost America's microchip manufacturing.

The EPA finalized rules strengthening clean air standards around chemical plants. The new rule will lower the risk of cancer in communities near chemical plants by 96% and eliminate 6,200 tons of toxic air pollution each year. The rules target two dangerous cancer causing chemicals, ethylene oxide and chloroprene, the rule will reduce emissions of these chemicals by 80%.

the Department of the Interior announced it had beaten the Biden Administration goals when it comes to new clean energy projects. The Department has now permitted more than 25 gigawatts of clean energy projects on public lands, surpass the Administrations goal for 2025 already. These solar, wind, and hydro projects will power 12 million American homes with totally green power. Currently 10 gigawatts of clean energy are currently being generated on public lands, powering more than 5 million homes across the West. 

The Department of Transportation announced $830 million to support local communities in becoming more climate resilient. The money will go to 80 projects across 37 states, DC, and the US Virgin Islands The projects will help local Infrastructure better stand up to extreme weather causes by climate change.

The Senate confirmed Susan Bazis, Robert White, and Ann Marie McIff Allen to lifetime federal judgeships in Nebraska, Michigan, and Utah respectively. This brings the total number of judges appointed by President Biden to 193

[charliemwrites]

Woof woof yall.

No content warnings

You’re out in the woods one day, taking photos and going for a little hike. Stupid mental health walk or something; whatever, it’s a nice day and you’ve gotten some good shots. You’re just about to turn back when a huge brown and black wolf lopes out from a nearby thicket.

There aren’t any wolves in England though! Hunted to extinction - it’s why you feel safe bebopping around the forest alone in the daylight. So you see this big fuck-off sized “dog” and coo at the pretty puppy.

“Hello handsome boy, aren’t you just gorgeous! Will you come say hi?”

You do all the right things that you’re supposed to do with an unfamiliar dog but he just barges right through. Trots up to you, nose shoved into your crotch. You startle, bark a laugh, shove at his big stupid head.

“A little forward,” you tease, scratching under his chin, “but it’s better than biting.”

You feel all around his neck for a collar, but no luck. He must be someone’s though, huge blue eyes too intelligent and focused on your words. And his coat is so well maintained, glossy and shedded.

“Do you know how to… sit?”

An adorable head tilt, and the big dog settles onto his hind quarters.

“What a good boy!” you croon. “So smart!”

He licks at your palm and wrist as you scratch at him, huge tail thumping. A canine grin, tongue lolling out as he waits for your next command.

You hum.

“Well, guess we can check if you’re microchipped, huh? Or at least I can get you some water. See if someone recognizes you…”

You make a kissy noise at him. “Let’s go, big boy. Come.”

And to your delight, he falls into step with you. He weaves along the path ahead and behind, but always loops back to you, brushing against your thigh as if to reassure you he’s still there.

You hum as you walk, giggling when you see his ears twitch and swivel towards you. Tease that he should do better if he doesn’t like your version of Jolene.

You only cross paths with two other people on the walk, a pair of guys clearly out for a more serious hike. The dog plants himself between you and them, ears pinning back and a low growl erupting from his chest. You startle a bit, carefully burying your fingers around his scruff in case you need to grab him quickly.

“I’m guessing he doesn’t belong to either of you, then?” you ask.

One of the guys shakes his head. The other gives you an odd look. “He’s not yours?”

The dog barks, loud and rough. You shush him, explain the situation to the hikers. But the dog never stops rumbling and they quickly go on their way, keeping a wide berth.

You huff. “Don’t like men, huh?”

Poor thing. Maybe he was abandoned by a mean owner?

“S’alright, bud, I’ll be good to you.”

He follows you all the way back to your home. And when you open the door, shoulders right past you.

“Ah, shit,” you groan. “You weren’t supposed to come in!”

He gives you an almost betrayed look. You try not to huff in amusement.

“So help me, if you bring nasty things in this house I will shave you. Shave you. You’ll look so silly. Like an overgrown raw turkey.”

The dog turns, trots back to you. You didn’t realize just how big he is until he’s got his big paws on your shoulders. You blink, have to take a step back to brace against the weight of him. In his hind legs he’s taller than you. Really could pass for a pure bred wolf.

A big, rough tongue licks from your jaw to your forehead. You scrunch up your face but end up laying a kiss on his muzzle in return.

“Alright, you big nasty. Down you get.”

You shut and lock the door behind you, brushing leaves and dirt off.

“Okay, shower first,” you say aloud, already tugging off your clothes. “Then we’ll run into town, see if we can track down your family.”

You don’t mind the dog staring, unblinking, as you strip down right there, balling things up to avoid tracking a mess through the house. Nor do you mind him following you to the bathroom, though you do push at his snout when he licks the back of your knee. Just normal dog things, really. They don’t get people stuff like clothes or boundaries.

“Stay out of trouble, bud. I’ll be right out.”

As you wash up, you consider the merits of adopting. Only if you can’t find the dog’s actual family, that is. It’s lonely in your little house sometimes - and a bit spooky at night. A big, protective dog might be just the thing.

Next

Masterlist

[molosseraptor]

I need to brag on this guy because I'm just so incredibly proud of how far he's come.

In a little over a year of regular work, this dog went from unable to be inside a building that wasn't his house, unable to be in sight of a strange human (and definitely not touched), and was on the verge of being returned due to all his health and behavior issues to this guy. This guy who had his first Conformation show today. A show where he let strangers touch him inside a building surrounded by other strangers on a scary slippery floor and even made actual human friends. He wagged his tail at the judges! I don't even recognize this guy.

He had some scary health issues as a puppy that involved a lot of medical care and non-consensual touching both by vet staff and his family out of necessity. As a dog who is also dealing with some genetic temperament issues, this was probably the worst possible start to life for him. He was immunocompromised and unable to go out in the world at all during this critical time of development. He only went to the vet, where it hurt and was scary, and only saw his family and the vet staff, who would always be doing scary things to him, so he had no trust in people or places or anything at all.

His person is a long time dog sports handler and, prior to us working together, used to be a very "traditional" trainer. Her typical methods weren't working for him and there were some scary incidents before she reached out to me last July. Us meeting was a last resort before she officially made the decision to return him to his breeder. There was a lot of work that needed to happen to repair their relationship and it's still a work in progress, but between scentwork and the lessons we've done it's really come around.

In the time we've been working together, he's now been able to successfully trial and title in a few scentwork venues, go to the vet and get vaccines/microchipped without sedation or medication, attend a few large dog shows and events and now compete himself, make a group of human friends, and basically do anything we've asked of him so far. A huge amount of training and even more management and environmental curation has created this success, but the biggest win is that he's learned to trust us to handle things and keep him safe.

Even when he's being asked to do things that are hard for him, like moving his feet or touching his head, the judge examining him, or just simply walking through narrow spaces, he is checking in with me, allowing me to handle it, and able to actually relax out in public in and out of his crate because he doesn't feel like he needs to constantly be watching his back for triggers. I'll handle all that. He just needs to eat cheese and have fun.

That wagging tail at the judge after nailing a perfect free stack on his down and back is everything to me.

[blackbirdsblackberries]

AQUIRING A ZOO

Chapter 1: A Ruff Day for two

Damian is humiliated. Who wouldn't be? Joker had teamed up with a bunch of other villains and had stolen a magical device that turns people into animals - why? Damian doesn't know!

While fighting however he was split from the rest of the family and hit with the ray.

You want to guess what animal he got the luck of turning into?

If you guessed a Yorkshire Terrier then you'd be correct.

It's not that Damian doesn't like the animal, he adores all animals no matter what, it's just offensive that that's what he ended up being. Couldn't he have been something cooler? A Doberman? A German Shepherd?

Whatever... Either way he is now wondering the streets trying not to get picked up by strangers - or stepped on for that matter.

While lost in thought about how he will get back to normal and whether his family are okay he didn't see the pair of legs standing in front of a closed shop.

He bumps into them, as soon as he does he dashes back and starts to growl - it's really all he can do.

He looks up at the figure who looks more confused than anything, they have a phone in their hand and pajamas on. They look half asleep.

Damian quickly deducts that the person was harmless.

Honestly, Damian was ready to just leave, walk around this person, yet when he attempted to a loud bang filled the air.

He swears it was the dog instincts, that it wasn't his own instincts, that made him run behind the person.

He's Damian Wayne! An al Ghul for crying out loud! No way is he scared of an explosion, even if it was even louder as a dog.

The person reacts slowly, clearly extremely tired. They turn to look at Damian and after a couple seconds they speak up, pulling Damian from his fight or flight response.

"Poor puppy... Are you lost?" The person bends down and slowly and carefully pats Damian. Damian is tempted to bite the person's hand off but refrains in case they call the pound.

"your coat is so well taken care of... Not to mention the fact that you're a handbag dog. You must belong to one of the wealthy elites... That part of town is so far away from here though, poor thing" their voice is soft, clearly tired. They yawn slightly.

"it's pretty late right now so the pound is probably closed, I'll take you tomorrow to check for a microchip because I don't see a collar."

Damian wishes he could scoff as a dog. Why would this stranger help him? Especially the breed he is. They're noisy, skittish and more, definitely not the type for run down apartments that this person definitely lives in.

Yet, he doesn't bite or growl when they pick him up. He squirms slightly in discomfort but soon enough they hold him properly.

Fine. He'll stay the night then in the morning he'll make his way back to Wayne Manor and find his family.

You have decided that your luck is absolute shit. It has to be. You're pretty sure whatever god is watching is purposefully planning your demise.

First, your lover of three years cheats on you.

Second, you fail two of your exams and forgot to hand in an assignment.

Third, your favorite convenience store closed early so you couldn't buy a tub of cheap ice cream so you can act out how a person in a movie would react to all of the above.

Fourth, a dog stumbles into you, clearly from some wealthy douche and now you've spoken before you thought and moved before you could comprehend.

Your landlord is going to have your head. A great way to end the shit show of a day, not to mention Yorkshire Terrier's are the most yap filled dogs imaginable. Luckily this one is quiet... Hopefully for the rest of the night.

You look down at your phone in your other hand, you were messaging your dad to ask for more money because you were recently fired from your last job.

It's not like you like asking others for money, it's embarrassing, but your dad is well off enough to send some over.

You and your family are stable, something a lot of people in Gotham can't relate to. Sucks to be them you guess.

The only reason you're living alone is because they live in Metropolis and you were studying at Gotham University.

Was the degree worth living in this dump of a city? You sure hope so. If not you'll actually become a villain.

You glance at the dog from time to time, checking for any discomfort. The dog is still, eyes blinking occasionally. Was it in thought? You didn't think dogs would think like that.

Eventually you make it to your apartment complex, it was better than the one next to it, but to be fair the one next to it was abandoned after a fire.

You head upstairs to your apartment on the third floor.

Turns out the higher the apartment from the ground is, the higher it will cost. Luckily for you your mother is paying for it, you just pay utility bills.

You struggle with your keys and the dog in your arms. Eventually though you open the door and all but throw the dog down, he was super heavy.

That or you just weren't used to holding anything that breathes.

The dog walks in and sniffs around.

"I suppose I should name you.." You speak aloud, closing the front door of the apartment and walking to the kitchen right next to it.

"how about... Buddy?" The dog huffs.

"No? Okay uhm... What are dog names? Give me a second." You search up dog names and click on an article.

"Uh, Oreo?" A huff.

"Max?" A huff.

You continue going down the list before groaning.

"Fuck me... Forget it, I'll put on the TV and the first name I see will be your name."

You grab the remote and turn on your shitty old TV. The news pops up, one of the headlines reading:

Robin seen being hit with animal ray!

"huh... What about Robin?" The dog rolls it's eyes but doesn't seem to object. You smile, relieved.

"Good. Robin it is."

[skellyflowers]

My Cat Vessel

A/N: I have never had a cat.

I thought I would ever get a cat. But here I am, looking at this odd fur ball. I don't even know where he came from. I found him on my apartment doorstep. He had a collar and a name tag, so I know his name is Vessel, but no owner contact information. 

I really did try to find Vessel’s owner. I asked my neighbors, I put up posters, tried social media and checked to see if he had a microchip. But no luck. So, for the foreseeable future, I have a little black cat.

Vessel is an… odd little guy. He only eats if I put his bowl on the table with me, so we eat together. I often find him staring at me. Usually from around the room. He runs around my apartment in the middle of the night. He also… yells at me when he sees me. My friends tell me that he is just being a normal cat.

I've had Vessel for about 2 months now and I've learned more of his habits. He likes to sit at the door as I leave to go to work. He only sits in his cat bed if it is on the couch. I'm also pretty sure he is having secret cat meetings with three other cats in my neighborhood. I swear if I come home to three more cats.

“Vessel, I'm home.” I called out. 

I look around for him. Normally he is right at the door when I come home. Ready to give me welcome home bites.

“Vessel? Where are you?”

“Mowww.”

Oh. There he is. Where did that come from? The kitchen?

“Vessel?”

“Mrow!”

I look around the kitchen but I don’t see him. My kitchen isn't that big, where is he?

“Ves, where are you buddy?”

“MEOW!”

“Are you in the cabinet?”

“Meow.”

I open my cabinet and see him sitting in a soup pot. He meows right in my face when he sees me.

“Don’t yell at me! How did you even get in here?”

The cat makes no effort to move. After about ten seconds I pull the pot out of the cabinet, Vessel still sitting inside.

“Get out of there.” I say putting my hands on my hips.

Vessel just looks up at me. He makes a chittering sound. When I try to pick him up he gently swats at my hand.

“We're not making cat soup tonight.”

I turn the pot to pour him out of it. When I place the pot make down Vessel climbs back in the pot. We do this two more times. After the fourth time I flip the pot on top of Vessel. His bowls echo under the pot.

“You ready to come out now?” I ask as I lift the pot up.

He crawls out from under the pot. He then climbs onto my shoulder and headbutts me. He crawls around my shoulders and purrs loudly in my ears.

“Did you miss me?” I ask him.

“Mrow.”

“I missed you too. Did you see your friends?” I ask as I walk to the couch.

“MEOW!”  

“Don’t get any ideas. You aren't for the streets. Not anymore.”

He meows softly in my ear and bats at my nose. He starts to purr again as I scratch his ears. I put him on the couch and started making us dinner. When I look up to check on him, he is sitting on the arm of the couch staring into my soul.

“Don’t stare at me like that!” Vessel decided to jump off the couch and walked into the kitchen to stare at me.

“Mreeow.” 

“You want chicken?” He meows really loudly and rubs against my legs. “Ok, let me get your bowl.”

Vessel jumps on the table to wait for me to bring his food. I put extra chicken in his food and turn on the TV so we have something to watch. Vessel is a loud eater.

“And you want to leave to hang out with your friends..”

 After dinner I put a nature documentary on for Vessel, to distract him. I want to take a bath and really relax tonight. Last thing I need is that fur ball to stand in the bathroom and yell at me while I just try to wash off a long day at work. Before I get in the tub I check on Vessel and see him as close to the TV as possible. His eyes are huge while he watches.

I get about 7 minutes alone before I hear him. At first it's a quiet meow, then a few footsteps. Then a louder meow and tiny paws running. I open my eyes and look at the bathroom door and see a little black paw reaching under the door.

“Ves! Stop!”

“Meowwwww!”

“I'll  be out in a few minutes. Relax.” 

He quiets down after I say that. I decided to cut my bath short. I dry off and put on my robe. As I exit the bathroom and go to the living room I see Vessel. He is loafed on the couch. But with his ears pulled back I can tell he is a grumpy loaf.

“Don’t be mad.” Vessel doesn’t respond but his tail moves behind him. “Ok. My me time is done. You can be as clingy as you want.”

“Meow.”

I walk over to him and pick him up. Vessel flops in my arms and purrs loudly.

“I knew you weren’t really mad at me.” I walk to my room with him in my arms. 

I put him on the bed and changed into my pajamas. I noticed that Vessel covered his eyes… like he was embarrassed. Once I changed and got under the covers Vessel climbs on top of me and starts to make biscuits before settling on my chest. I give him a scratch on his ears.

“Goodnight Vessel.” he quietly meows and I fall asleep to his loud purrs.

[gravityrises]

The Virtues of Stanford Pines

Summary: I've seen people accuse Ford of doing horrible things on one side, and people defending his actions on the other side. But how about we turn the tables and talk about all of the good Ford has done. (At least, that was the plan.)

Word Count: 2813.

Spoilers: Gravity Falls series, Journal 3, The Book of Bill, Lost Legends, thisisnotawebsitedotcom.com

1. He's incredibly hard-working:

Just because someone is smart doesn't mean they don't put a lot of effort into studying and Ford definitely did. It's mentioned twice just in "A Tale of Two Stans," when he tries to convince the college board to give him another chance and when he describes his years at Backupsmore.

And it doesn't stop at intellectual pursuits. In Journal 3 Ford says he exercises daily, despite having always hated physical activity.

Anyway, I don't think anyone is going to argue this point, so let's leave it at that.

2. He's supportive of his friend:

There are going to be a few controversial takes, but I truly believe that Ford was trying to be a good friend to Fiddleford. Now, there were fights between them, and Ford did say quite a few insensitive things both to his face and in the Journal. But overall, I don't think he ever intended to hurt Fiddleford, and he definitely appreciated his friend's company.

When Ford invited Fiddleford to work on the portal, he wrote in the journal: "He (Fiddleford) has sacrificed so much to come to my aid. He has temporarily left his bride and their young son... he has abandoned his own professional aspirations... I must do my best to make him feel at home.... I am off to the store for some banjo strings and microchips!" (quote shortened, because I'm lazy) Clearly, Ford cared about his friend and wanted to make him feel welcome.

He also compliments Fiddleford's "brilliant mind," "amusing quirks" and scrupulous work ethic, by saying "I double-check my equations. He quintuple-checks!"

And I hear you, didn't he claim the complete opposite in the series? According to him, Fiddleford "was wasting his talent trying to make personal computers", right? Well, if we ignore the fact that the creators weren't 100% consistent in their writing, here's how I would reconcile those two statements. Ford thought (erroneously) that his friend's research wasn't important in the grand scheme of things, but it was important to Fiddleford personally. And can you really blame Ford? He was about to demostrate the existence of other dimensions and create a gateway that would allow us to visit them. If something like that happened irl, it would've been a groundbreaking discovery, altering our very understanding of the natural world and how it works. Meanwhile, laptops, at least in Ford's opinion, were just "heavy, slow journals." Still, he knew this work was important to Fiddleford, and he wanted to accommodate that. Hence, his trip to buy microchips (and banjo strings.)

Ford tried (and unfortunately, failed) to help Fiddleford deal with his anxiety. In Journal 3, he mentions teaching Fiddleford some meditation techniques and going to the Carnival, so that Fiddleford would enjoy "a day of relaxation." In the Book of Bill, Ford feels guilty about not getting his friend a gift and decides to throw a surprise Christmas party instead. This was also an attempt to cheer Fiddleford up after his fight with his wife.

"But Ford didn't take Fiddleford's anxiety seriously, and it ruined his life." Okay, let's say you're right. Remember, Ford was raised in the 60s. A time when mental illness or just mental distress were looked down on. What was he supposed to do? Suggest Fiddleford goes to the therapist? I mean, they were studying paranormal creatures, if Fiddleford told those stories to a therapist who didn't believe in these things, there would've been a really high chance of misdiagnosis. Should Ford have simply fired Fiddleford? Well, that wouldn't have been very nice. Also, there is no need to infantilize Fiddleford in the first place, he's a grown-up person capable of makind his own decisions. If the job is too stressful, if the relationship doesn't work out, he has every right to leave, because his life and mental well-being are his responsibility. Instead, he ignored Ford's warnings and decided to use the Memory Gun and start a cult. It was, by the end of the day, Fiddleford's decision. And it's tragic. It really is. No one deserves to lose their family, their mind and their sense of self. It's something Ford feels guilty about, because whether it was intentional or not, he did indirectly contribute to Fiddleford's downfall. That's why, when they finally reunited after 30 years, Ford apologized to Fiddleford. And according to Journal 3, Fiddleford dissmised his apology, leading Ford to say that "Not only is this man's mind superior to mine, but he has one of the biggest hearts I've ever seen."

3. He has no reservations about helping others out:

There's a reason why Ford's the first person people turn to, when there's a problem. He has both the desire and the skills to help people out. Using Dipper's idea, he stops agents from investigating his family. He goes above and beyond just to change a lightbulb in the kitchen. Though morally questionable, he did give the kids a mind control tie with the intent of helping Stan win the elections. In the comics, Stan turns to Ford when Mabel's face is stolen and when Stan himself is cursed by an old chest.

And that's how things were in the past too. In "The Pines Boys in: The Jersey Devil's in the Details", Ford defends his brother, twice. First, when Filbrick accuses Stan of stealing the gold chain from his pawn shop. And then, when the Sibling Brothers offered Ford to let him keep the monster and become famous in exchange for photos that would prove Stan's guilt. And just to add an incentive, they threatened to frame both twins, if Ford didn't comply. Obviously, it didn't work.

According to thisisnotawebsitedotcom.com, that's also how he became friends with Fiddleford: on the very first day, he spent nine hours helping his new friend prove his theory. And in the Book of Bill, when Ford learns that Bill's home dimension was destroyed by a monster, his immediate reaction is to offer help with hunting it down.

Whenever someone's in distress, Ford really wants to help them out, and I don't know about you, but to me that doesn't sound like someone lacking empathy.

4. He's got no qualms questioning the status quo:

In Journal 3, Ford mentions traveling to Northwest Manor to confront Old Man Northwest with evidence of his family's deceit. Instead, he was met by young Preston, who wasn't impressed with his speech and forcibly escorted Ford from the premises.

Also in Journal 3, Ford wanted to debate politics with Reagan. Make of that what you will.

Now this one is more of a conjecture, but in the Book of Bill, this is how Bill compliments him: "Guys as smart as you come along once every century, and they scare the pants off of authority figures!" This lie wouldn't have worked, if it wasn't what Ford actually wanted.

And of course, learning that his former "muse" is one of the most feared beings in the entire multiverse, didn't stop Ford from going on a quest to defeat Bill. Even after witnessing other creatures shriek and cover their ears at the mere mention of Bill's name. Which leads me to my next point.

5. Calling him determined would be a massive understatement:

Forget his sleepless nights at college, forget his extensive research in Gravity Falls, Ford has spent 30 years, let me repeat that again, 30 years traveling across dimensions and looking for a way to destroy Bill Cipher. I haven't even been alive for that long! From the little we know about those years, they were anything but easy. In fact, Ford describes them as "frightening, exciting, cruel, and strange." (And of course, the guy actually does use the Oxford comma in his writing. Who would've thought?) Let me stress that Ford was under no obligation to continue his quest, maybe he could've found a quiet dimension to settle down and live peacefully, in fact, that's something he contemplates while visiting A Better World in Journal 3. But he decides against it. Not because he didn't want to, he literally says that he wanted to revel in his parallel self's success. Not because defeating Bill would get him recognition. It wouldn't, at least not in his home dimension, where no one is even aware of the danger. No, he didn't stay, because his own conscience wouldn't allow it. Ford just couldn't break his vow from 30 years ago, it's as simple as that.

And what does he do, when his plans fall apart? Does he even consider giving up? Of course not! In fact, he ends his tale of interdimensional travel with the following sentence: "My resolve to defeat Bill has never been stronger." It's almost comical, watching him throw anything he can think of at Bill and see what might stick. His battle in the Nightmare Realm was interrupted? He jumps through the portal to stop Bill's forces from entering his dimension. The portal created an interdimensional rift? He tries to contain it. Bill threatens to get his hands on the rift? This time Ford has two ideas: he tries to encrypt Dipper's thoughts and creates a mystical barrier around the house. The worst happens and the world is about to end? Well, get in loser, we're going to shoot Bill with Quantum Destabilizer. Ford misses and is captured? Not to worry, there's a Zodiac prophecy, we can give that a try. It doesn't work, because two grown men can't put aside their grievances for just a few seconds, gosh that scene is so frustrating to watch. Well, here is another idea: one can erase Bill with a memory gun as long as he's in someone's mind. I don't know what else to say, Ford really did his homework, when he set out to destroy Bill.

6. He has the patience of a saint:

Wow, now here's a controversial take. Remember Stan's "Beep boop. I am a nerd robot. That's you. That's what you sound like," which Ford just laughs off. Yes, that's what siblings do all the time. And yes, this teasing does come from a place of hurt. Stan was feeling like "the stupid twin," "a dumb idiot who screws everything up," so Ford felt like he just had to put up with this. But it's still hurtful to be mocked for your interests. It really feels like their relationship was already a little strained even before the Science Fair Project Incident.

What about the fact that he was the first to stop the fight in "Dungeons, Dungeons, and more Dungeons" and suggesting Stan might actually have fun, if he joined their game?

Or all the snide comments Stan made, when they reunited during Weirdmageddon, including "Well, he's lost his mind" and "You really think some caveman graffiti is gonna stop that monster?" All of which Ford simply ignored. Yes, he did correct Stan's grammar under the worst of circumstances, I agree, but you know, everyone has their pet peeves.

What people often forget is just how difficult it is to be a kind person, when you're stressed. It is much easier to treat people with respect and understanding, when you yourself are doing fine. So is it that big of a surprise, that someone who's under pressure, sleep-deprived and/or in pain might be more prone to outbursts? And we know how traumatic Ford's experience of being bullied as a kid was, how much suffering Bill put him through, how difficult his years on the other side of the portal were and how much pressure he was under, trying to prevent a literal end of the world. It's ironic that the people who blame Ford for his lack of empathy, really don't show him any empathy themselves.

7. Even under torture, he didn't reveal the equation that would've allowed Bill to take over the world:

Do I really have to spell it out? Look, as someone who was on the verge of mental breakdown from a simple toothache, I have nothing else to say other than: This is admirable. And he did it to protect the world that, need I remind you, wasn't particularly kind to him. On the same note, he just never joined Bill in the first place: not in the 80s, and not during Weirdmageddon.

"Oh, but he's the one who started the Apocalypse, so he kind of deserved it." Seriously? No, I mean it, are you being serious? Is that something you would say to a person suffering from diabetes type 2, that it's their fault for eating too many sweets; or to someone with liver cirrhosis that they deserve to suffer because of their alcohol addiction? Because this is neither appropriate, nor helpful. Talk about kicking someone when they're down...

8. He's fiercely loyal to his family:

I think the way Ford compliments his grandniece in "The Last Mabelcorn" is very revealing: "You've protected your family. You're a good person, Mabel." His very definition of a "good person" is "someone who supports and protects their family." Which is... interesting to say the least, considering that Ford has spent a very long time away from his family and completely alone. But it does sound like something he aspires to. That's why he goes out of his way to help his family out, whenever they're in trouble. (See point 3 for more on this.)

When Bill threatens the kids, Ford is willing to risk the entire universe for a slim chance that they might be spared. It's a cruel Trolley Problem, which once again proves just how much he values his family. Still, this is some Fate/Zero level angst and I don't want to talk about it more than I absolutely have to. Let's finish this up with something more lighthearted.

9. He's never lost curiosity and childlike wonder:

This! This is what made me fall in love with the man and why I'm wasting my time writing this nonsense in the first place. This allconsuming excitement, when he finds a new anomaly to study; this seemingly endless energy, when he explores new places; this pure joy, when he gets to play DD&MD with Dipper! I don't know how to talk about it without gushing.

Ford obviously loves games, and not just DD&MD. He plays chess with Bill. He mentions being great at charades in the comics. And what cracks me up the most: during Weirdmageddon, when Pacifica compared the Zodiac to a game of hopscotch, not only did not Ford get offended, but he replied: "It would be a pretty fun game of hopscotch." Ford, darling, the world is about to end, is this really the best time to contemplate a hypothetical game of hopscotch? Also, you've just been through something traumatic... Forget it, you've been through 3 decades of traumatic experiences, can you at least have the decency to become a tad more cynical as you age, like the rest of us. I guess, mirth really is the mail of anguish. (It's from Emily Dickinson's poem and the quote means that some people act cheerful to hide their suffering.)

Also, something Ford doesn't get enough credit for, mostly because people usually focus on his academic achievements, but he is quite creative. He draws incredibly detailed sketches not only depicting various anomalies he encounters, but also whatever happens in his life. (Probably off-topic, but I find the implications of that karaoke page so funny. Think about it: the guy sobered up, looked at the incomprehensible nonsense he had written the previous night and thought: "You know what? This could really use an illustration.") Also don't forget that he canonically plays piano. Yeah, if I were Stan, I'd be jealous too.

And of course, that's why he's so passionate about science. Sure, part of him wants the fame and recognition that would come, if he makes a big discovery, but you can't deny that he genuinely enjoys learning new things. And that he enjoys sharing them with whoever is willing to listen.

In conclusion, I'm not trying to say that Ford is perfect in every way and has never done a single wrong thing in his life. To be honest, that would've made him a really boring character. So, yes, he is flawed, and misguided, and sometimes insensitive. He's made a lot of missteps because of his upbringing, personality and, as many have speculated, neurodivergence. But I really take issue with people saying Ford's a bad person, when he clearly isn't. Ford is and always was a good person, and by the end of all the trials he became a better person. One who understands that the only way to success is cooperation, not being a lone vigilante. That it's not a weakness to ask for help or to need help in the first place. And that a sea otter shared is a sea otter halved.

That's strange... why did I write that?

[mattslilies]

✩ veterinarian!reader - struggles with the first loss of a pet ✩

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warnings: animal/pet loss. heavy emotions, crying, a little bit of anger, overall descriptions of grief, and a tad of self-doubt. sorry guys this one is a long one!

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you knew this was part of the job, you knew that you had quite literally signed up for this. however, that didn't make the gut-wrenching sob spill out any less harshly.

a stray cat had been brought in by someone last night, having found it on the side of the road. it was incredibly clear that the animal had been hit by something, most likely a car, and you as well as your coworkers had immediately jumped into action to help it.

the poor thing needed surgery, and it was a heartbreaking sight to see, but you were glad that you had the opportunity to help it.

it didn't have any tags, microchips, or any owner show up to claim it, and unfortunately, you'd quickly grown attached.

you knew that a part of your job was to care enough about these animals to help, and give them the best treatment possible, but also to try and remain as detached personally as you possibly could.

however, when you see scenes like these, it's next to impossible to follow through on that.

you'd breathed a massive sigh of relief when the animal had survived the surgery, knowing that it wasn't out of the woods, but that the worst was over.

you'd finished your shift, watching over all of the pets that you were assigned to, and then you'd gone home, taken a warm shower, and relaxed.

you came back into work the next day with a smile on your face, not expecting your heart to feel like it was being ripped out of your chest just ten minutes after clocking in.

you walked over to where the cat had been, noticing that it was now empty. you didn't immediately think the worst, assuming that an owner had claimed it and they had switched rooms, or hospitals, or that the animal was off getting testing or x-rays done.

but when you questioned, you were met with the bad news.

"it didn't make it through the night. there were complications from the surgery, there wasn't anything that we could've done to prevent this."

the rest of your shift felt numb. it felt like you had been dunked in ice cold water as soon as you walked in the door, and you were unable to dry off and warm up.

you didn't let it affect the rest of your patient care, making overly sure that every pet under your watch was getting the top-notch treatment that they deserved.

but that didn't take away the fact that it hurt. so badly.

your coworkers had said that the first one is always the worst, and you knew it would happen eventually, but you never expect a pet to be the one that dies.

your shift felt so long and so short at the same time. you clocked out, your mind still nearly blank as you drove home.

it wasn't until you pulled into your driveway of the home you shared with your boyfriend that you broke.

sobs wracked your body, paired with exhaustion that just made you feel even worse.

after what felt like ages, you pulled yourself together, somewhat, and went inside. you went straight for a shower, needing to feel something on your body other then the clothes that you were in.

you didn't even notice that nick was home until he knocked on the door, slowly opening it with a soft call of your name.

you always stopped to tell him about your day. it worried him that you'd just taken off into the bathroom without even checking to see if he was there. you never did that.

"are you alright?"

you hadn't gotten into the shower yet, in the process of ridding yourself of your clothes. you turned to face him, and his face immediately changed from one of concern to one of deep worry, entering the bathroom with you.

"baby, what's wrong? what happened?"

there was no lying to him, the tear tracks on your face spoke for themselves, and he had a feeling he knew what had upset you.

your voice shook as you spoke. "it didn't make it through the night."

he let out a sigh, knowing exactly what you meant. you'd told him about the cat when you'd come home the evening before.

wrapping his arms around you, he pulled you into a soul crushing hug, heart clenching at the way you sobbed into him. it was like floodgates opened and you just crashed.

"it wasn't your fault."

nick was speaking, doing his best at comforting you, but those were the only words that really stuck out to you.

"it wasn't your fault."

logically, you knew that it wasn't your fault, there had been unforeseen complications, but it lifted a burden off of your shoulders to hear someone else say it.

but it didn't stop the guilt completely.

"i should've been better, i should have done more."

sadness was making it's way into rage, disappointment with youraelf and your caretaking.

you often went down this path when you were upset about something, your brain finding it easier to deal with anger than overwhelming despair.

"no. you did everything you could." nick's hands held both sides of your face, forcing you to look him in the eyes, scanning his face, you saw no signs of uncertainty.

"i know you did everything you could, because i know you, and you don't do things halfway. this wasn't your fault. you are wonderful at your job, but these things happen. you can't blame yourself for this."

doubt creeped into the back of your brain, wondering why he could be so confident in you and you couldn't.

"what if i'm not cut out for this?"

he shook his head, not leaving room for argument.

"i've seen how you work with animals. you have the passion, and you have the talent, and right now you feel like you're going to die, because you've never experienced this. but you won't feel this way every time. it'll get a bit easier, but you'll still be sad, because you're human, and that shows that you care."

releasing your face and gently pressing a kiss to the top of your head, he swiped some tears away with the back of his knuckles.

"nobody is better cut out for this than you are."

you nodded, the tiredness of the anger and grief and long hours hitting you like a freight train, waiting for him to speak again because you did not have the energy to.

"now. let's get you a warm shower, wash the day off. i can join you and help if you want, or i can let you have your privacy."

"stay with me, please." your voice was merely a whisper, and you knew you probably wouldn't want to hold yourself up to shower alone.

"anything you want. and after, i'll order whatever food you're feeling like, we'll curl up in bed, and we can put on whatever show you want, or we can just lay there. you don't have to handle this alone, alright?"

you let him help you finish getting the rest of your clothes off, and help you into the shower. you managed to muster up a few more words, to show your appreciation for his unwavering support.

"i love you."

you didn't have to turn around to face him to know he was smiling.

"i love you too. cmere, i'll wash your hair for you."

letting yourself live in that moment, you knew everything would be okay.

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taglist <3

@courta13 @quinnynation @bowsandsturniolos @mqroonsturn @emely9274 @lizzyzzn @mattsbows @mattybsgroupie @quinnysnursery @sophand4n4

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[pocksprincess]

Chapter 3 - On The Job

Series masterlist

Obito Uchiha x f!reader

Modern AU, obi still has scars, reader (25) is a vet nurse, I don't like neji but I tried really hard to be fair to him in this lmao, this is a filler chapter soz

Word count - 950

Beta baddie - thank you @dabilove27 <33

<- Prev | Next ->

Monday morning comes all too quickly and subsequently your introduction to the elusive Neji Hyuuga. You sigh heavily as you pull into an employee designated space in the practice's carpark, turning off the ignition and slumping in your seat. Your eyes are sore and you're exhausted from a weekend of cleaning and unpacking the rest of your belongings. Your list of house chores seems to be never-ending, but the place is starting to finally look and feel like your own.  

You haul yourself out of the car and step into the mild air. The last vestiges of Summer cling desperately to the landscape–the trees resisting the yellow hue that is beginning to tint the ends of their leaves and the stubborn heat persisting even in the early hours. It's bearable now, only the promising nip of Fall on the breeze making it so, but you know that in a few hours it will already be too hot within the practice in your stuffy uniform. 

You swing your bag over your shoulder as you make your way across the lot to the front doors, a bell chiming your arrival as you step inside the reception area. Pretty much everything throughout the building is a clinical white and smells of disinfectant but there is the underlying smell of pet fur and kibble permeating the air. You smile happily at TenTen as she sits behind the front desk, sipping on a mug of tea in one hand while she taps away on the keyboard with the other. 

"Morning, TenTen,” you yawn, eyeing up her mug enviously. 

"Morning!” she chirps, giving you a wide smile, her signature space buns wrapped neatly with little bows. How on earth is she so chipper in the morning? 

"Water's still hot in the kitchen!” She gestures to the employee common room behind her and you slouch toward the door to grab your own mug of something hot. 

"Thanks,” you mutter sleepily as you pass her. She laughs at your bleary eyes and barely awakened state, giving you sympathetic eyes. 

As soon as you step into the kitchen area with its small coffee table and saggy armchairs tucked away in the corner, you come across a tall and slender figure with long, dark hair standing with his back to you. You stop in your tracks and get zero seconds to prepare yourself before he whips around, hair flowing around him like a goddamn L'Oréal ad, and addresses you.

"Ah, good, you're here.” His voice is clipped and curt, all business. “And right on time.” He gives you a look down his nose as if he doesn't think you capable of being punctual despite having never met you and you just now proving him otherwise. His eyes are the most delicate lavender grey, a stark contrast to his hard personality. Before you can even think to respond he's moved on.

"Come, we need to prepare consultation rooms one to three for the morning appointments.” And with that he simply walks out of the room–no introduction, no small talk…no caffeine! TenTen purposely didn't warn you, the wretch! Bet she's laughing her ass off in reception.You groan inwardly and dump your bag on the table before hurriedly trotting after him–you get the impression he doesn't tolerate those who can't keep up. 

Despite the early (and rather full-on) start, your day has been fairly routine and mundane–you performed a health check on an elderly cat with arthritis, struggled to wrestle a great dane onto the extra large scales for his weight check and gave an adorable little chihuahua puppy its first vaccinations and baby microchip.

All the while, Neji allowed you to step forward and show what you know, occasionally adding things for the owners benefit and prescribing medication. And after each appointment he gave you a full performance review on each of your actions. You honestly don't mind, you get the feeling he'll keep you humble and in top form. 

By the time lunch rolls around, however, you are about ready to drop. Your own fault for going to bed so late, but you really wanted to finish putting up the shelving unit in the living room so you didn't lose all the screws and fiddly little pieces. You sink into one of the squishy armchairs with a hot mug of coffee in your hands. Finally, caffeine. But now that you've stopped, your mind wanders (as it so often has since first meeting him) to your insanely cute neighbour.

He's pretty much all you've thought about since Saturday afternoon–those captivating eyes, the way the muscles in his arms flexed and bulged as he crossed them over his broad chest, the touch of your fingers…you couldn't even hide your obvious attraction, you must have looked so desperate, practically halfway to climbing him like a fucking tree. But the moment that stuck out most in your memory was how he pulled his hand away from yours as if you had burned him. How he'd tucked his scarred arm into his side and out of sight. He'd even angled his face so that his left side was most prominent. It makes your heart ache just thinking about it again. 

He doesn't hide his scars but he clearly does his best to not draw attention to them. You recall the way the whorled pattern pulled at the corner of his mouth in shock when he opened the door or when he graced you with a small, shy smile. You wish you knew what he'd been thinking during that whole interaction.

But more pressing than that thought, you have a question that you desperately hope is answered sooner rather than later–when will you see him again?

[momoliee]

Here Is Why You Should Read Priest’s Modern Danmeis :

As much as i love priest’s period novels, i absolutely adore her more recent, modern novels even more. You can tell that her writing style has completely changed as she grew and gained more experience, giving an edge to her work. I definitely believe her modern books NEED to be as popular as her wuxia ones cause COME ON?

(i’ve written in depth reviews on my page for each title i mention)

First, my absolute all time favorite, one of my top 3, Mo Du :

I’ve read this series a total of two times so far, and I’m about to read it a third time cause it’s just that good. And here’s the thing, i almost NEVER reread or rewatch stuff ok.

Fei Du is one of the most complex characters that i’ve encountered in my reading experience, with the worst type of mental trauma that i could come across. His relationship with Luo Wenzhou is one of the most enjoyable and perhaps, priest’s best written romance. Theyre both equally flirtatious, equally bold, their back and forth bickering is full of sexual tension and their progression from enemies to lovers is IMPECCABLE.

And the plot? PHENOMENAL. The BEST mystery and thriller detective series that I’ve ever encountered, with each book having it’s own individual mystery, and no two mysteries are similar. From child trafficking to serial killers to drug dens and even terrorism….you name it. Each arc is well crafted, and by the end, you’ll truly be able to sigh in satisfaction. For priest to be able ro make you enjoy both the romance and the plot equally…shes a genius. a 27/10.

Trigger warnings: this book discusses heavy topics such as pedophilia, rape, drug abuse, suicide, self harm, and a lot of similar topics

Next: Can Ci Pin:

Her most underrated work and i cant even begin to understand why. I mean yes it takes place in outer space in a futuristic society where people live for around 200 years across the span of 8 galaxies (not there are no aliens, but there are concepts such as ais and robots) but like….you’ve all read sha po lang with its steampunk theme and you all KNOW just how good priest is at world building. Dare i say, priest is the best danmei author when it comes to world building.

Yes, this is perhaps her slowest and longest piece of work and i get why so many would get bored after the second book. But here’s the thing, ccp has one of the most complicated worlds and plot. the plot is actually one of the most confusing and heavy plots that i’ve encountered. so in order for the story not to fall apart, it was very necessary for priest to spend the first two novels and half world building as well as slowly laying out a proper foundation for the plot. That way, when she starts speeding up the pace, you are basically a pro who doesn’t need to backtrack, reread or double check anything. By the time i was done with the third novel, i felt like i knew everything about space politics, wars between galaxies, Ai and microchips, and everything in between. And that’s saying something cause im an IDIOT when it comes books and shows politics ok.

In this series, priest has seriously invested into every single side character, even those who’ve been dead since before the series even started. With extensive backstories, each and every single character grows on you as much as the main pair if not more, and you fall in love with the found family priest created as well as all the characters who are only talked about in flashbacks and past tense. Another favorite part about this series.

Now the main characters and the romance��.chefs kiss. Lu Bixing has one of the BEST character arcs that i’ve come across. He starts off as this bright sunshine boy, goes through hell, becomes this depressed cynical man then finds his way back to his old self again all in the span of the novel itself. Being able to go through the pain with him then watch him heal, makes you very attached to this baby. Li Jingheng my all time cold prince biggest crush ok i love him. Their romance was SOO entertaining cause EVERYONE was rooting for them and everyone played matchmaker and wingman with them it was HILARIOUS. The comedy was top notch, the second hand embarrassment was real, but it made the reading experience feel much more organic idk i just enjoyed myself so much and laughed so hard. 20/10

Trigger warnings: human trafficking and experimentation, self harm and suicide

Third : Lie Huo Jiao Chou

Xuan Ji’s wings of flame are the highlight of the series ok. Almost every single scene has him whipping his wings out just to show off and his boyfriend eats it up everytime ok.

I absolutely love the amnesiac plot line where two past lovers meet again and yet are unable to recognize each other. Yet, slowly, as they spend more and more time together and one of them starts regaining his memories, the pining and longing begins. And oh does Xuan Ji YEARNS in the most beautiful way possible. And once they BOTH regain their memories in full, the angst is just the cherry on top. Being unable to resist each other yet still trying to pull away, the tension, trying to hold back…delicious.

The plot is so easy to keep up with and enjoy too. Both the story taking place 3,000 years ago and the one in present time are equally entertaining, where we see scenes of war and tomb raiding and investigations and a little bit of magic too. The visuals are fantastic, and the contrast between the two parallel settings is new and refreshing as a concept. 8/10

Trigger warning: main characters experience severe child abuse and neglect

Fourth : Guardian

Guardian is the most popular out of priest’s modern novels so i dont feel the need to say much.

Guardian discusses heavy topics such as death and what’s beyond. With an element of mystery where an investigation team search after where dead souls are being stolen to or why some souls are being sucked out of living people, the premises has an element of horror and goth that gives it this edge. Coolest ghost story around.

The main cast is also a hilarious bunch, and you sort of grow attached to the entire office especially a fat black talking cat. 7/10

Trigger warning: death and murder

I hope this is enough to convince you all to check out more and more of pipi’s work. Yes, sha po lang, lord 7, faraway wanderers and fuyao sect are amazing…but if you haven’t read priest’s modern work then yall are missing out ok. that’s it for now xxx

[sayjoisme84]

Randomly found an artical about convincing outdoor cats to stay in your house. Here’s a summery.

🏠How to transition a cat to the indoors. 🐈

Initial Steps for all cats.

Create a safe place./quarantine. Give them their own room at first. That whey they’ll be less overwhelmed and if they are contagious, it’ll keep your pets safer. Your pets will also be able to get used to them a little since they can smell and hear them.

Take them to the vet. Outdoor cats will most likely have parasites. They may FIV, feline Leukemia, a cold, injury, or any number of things.

Check for a microchip. Shelters and vets can scan for a chip, you may be able to reunite a family.

Enrichment

Feed more than twice a day, up it to 3-4 x a day.

Microchip. Usually costs $25-$70.

Get them fixed. Many areas have low cost spay/neuter programs that may include vaccines and microchip

Get them vaccinated.

Feral.

A feral cat has had little to no human contact. They are understandably leery of humans, the know we’re predators and act accordingly. Most of them are adaptable enough to learn to live indoors.

Take your time. Start by feeding the cats near your home and gradually moving the food bowl closer to the entrance and eventually indoors.

Use a humane trap if you have too.

Minimize human contact at first. Remember, they think we’re going to hurt them. Let them explore. Sit quietly in the room without interacting with them, don’t even make eye contact.

Enrichment. Give them toys, scratching post, laser,…Once the cat gets more used to you, you can use a wand toy. This actually encourages bonding.

Semi-feral

Semi feral cats are more used to people. They may have been being fed and are more adaptable to being indoors than feral cats. They may even be a little curious about is.

Hang out with them in the their room. You can actually talk to them and bribe them with treats.

Play with them

Keep a schedule

Former indoor cats

They’ve either escaped or were released into the wild to their fate. Hopefully they were microchipped if not and no one’s looking for them you got a cat.

Familiar items like cat beds, treats,

Gradual integration.

Positive reinforcement.

General tips

Be patient. Cats run on their own time.

Observe. Catch unhealthy behaviors and signs of stress/ illness so it can be taken care of.

Stimulate their senses. Bored cats are destructive cats, they’ll also try to escape more often. Enrichment also helps build bonds.

Make sure they know where the litter box is and remember it may take them a minute to use in consistently.

Make sure they have quality food and access to water. Be careful how you feed them. If the cat is malnourished a lot of food at once can get the cat sick. Wet food is probably the best choice since it will also help keep them hydrated.

Secure the exits.

Provide vertical space and hides. 📦

Gradual socialization. After the vet visit and Clean bill of health.

Source

Modern Cat. How to transition an Outside cat to an Indoor Cat, expert strategies for a smooth transition. By Mieshelle Nagelschmeider

[mamas-filly]

The Vet Visit

"So poor thing was just loose on the street?"

"Yeah! She was really friendly so I thought she had to have an owner.

"Well, she doesn't have a chip or a collar, so if you're that fond of her, you can just take her home."

A hand reaches through the bars to pet your head, as you're shivering without the clothes this woman found you in.

"What do you think, girl? Are you coming home with me?"

The person in a white coat across from your captor speaks before you can say anything, the two of them continuing to talk above you

"We'll need to give it the required shots and give her a microchip, of course, plus any other... 'procedures' you might be looking for"

"Oh, I'm not looking to get her spayed right now, but Im glad she's being chipped, I would hate to have her get out and never see her again!"

"Of course, ma'am. If you'll just return to the lobby, we can set up payment and a follow-up appointment."

You finally see her face as she leans down to peer through the bars of the oversized crate you've been in, petting your head again as she coos into your ear

"I know its scary girl, but the Vet's going to take very good care of you okay?"

The cage opens, and you scramble out, starting to try and say something before she's too far, but as you open your mouth you feel a sharp pinch on your hips and the desperate pleas only come out as an enthusiastic "Bark!"

Stunned in surprise, you find yourself easily wrestled down by the strong, confident hands of the vet as they hold you still for the next shot, and the next.

"Good girl... good girl, you just got excited when your owner left, huh?"

Your mind swims in light fluffy emotions, as the doctors hand strokes you, no longer holding you down, though you can't really recall why you were trying to leave in thd first place. The vet calmly looks at your teeth, your breasts, and you even feel a cold glove drift and assess your loins, but all with medical efficiency.

"Your owner is one lucky lady, in perfect health, and very well behaved. It's hard to imagine you were a stray"

The vet muses to himself as you feel the harshest pinch of all today, right behind your ear. But your attention is soon swallowed by the biscuits the vet pulls from his pockets, which you greedily eat from his palm.

Once he's out of treats (and you checked, your face shoved into his pockets as he laughed at your antics), the vet puts a collar and leash on you (earning another good girl for standing so still for him) as he leads you to the lobby.

A receptionist clicks away on the keyboard before turning his head to your new owner.

"All we need now is the name Ma'am"

"Goodness, I only wish I could ask her myself." Your owner chuckles to herself at the thought. "Daisy, she looks like shed be a Daisy"

It's just then that you get led into the lobby by the veterinarian, and you can't help but tug against your leash when you see your owner, you love her, you love your owner(a thought that feels heavy with how universal it is).

Seeing your excitement your owner smiles

"I think the names a hit. Come on, Daisy, let's go home!"

[l-e-morgan-author]

@inklings-challenge

My Christmas novella, "Hands of Tradition", is completed for 2024! Didn't go in directions I expected, but I like it all the same. I wrote a chapter every day (well - a chapter for each day, though I fell off the wagon at the very end) leading up to Christmas. Each chapter corresponds with that date. It's about Vaniah and Anneka's first Christmas with a child, and is largely fluffy and Christmassy. Links are below the read more; because of how many chapters it is, I decided not to write up a paragraph with links embedded like last year. It's a single cohesive story, but doesn't require any context to understand it (though it'll probably be enjoyed more with context).

Please let me know what you think of it, with all the feedback you'd like to give! Including criticism. I'm not super good at fluff, but I had fun here, especially given Hands Made For Gentleness is decidedly not a fluffy novel in and of itself. This is longer than I intended and also longer than last year's story "The Patience of Hope", which was only 12 chapters. (You can check that out on my website too.)

I can provide the complete text in another form, such as PDF (properly formatted) or Google Doc, on request. The total word count is 26,747 words, which very comfortably brings it to novella territory.

More stories, rambles or snippets about these characters are available both on my AO3 and on request.

One: Sunday

Two: Dress

Three: The Stranger

Four: Microchip

Five: Christmas Special

Six: Resting

Seven: Wakefulness

Eight: Comfort

Nine: Cake

Ten: Periwinkle

Eleven: With Polish

Twelve: Surprise

Thirteen: Jet Engine

Fourteen: Petri Dish

Fifteen: Church

Sixteen: Figuring Things Out

Seventeen: Habits

Eighteen: Making Up

Nineteen: Decorating

Twenty: Cooking

Twenty-one: This Dance

Twenty-two: Lost

Twenty-three: Lonely

Twenty-four: Christmas Eve

Twenty-five: God Bless Us, Every One

Epilogue: New Year's Day

[wolfawaycamp]

I am humbly requesting LauraMax fluff, maybe including an ever growing number of pets because they keep bringing home strays? Y'all know where to find me if you have any questions 😂

🐰 Someday, Max told himself, he’d learn to say no.

To say no to a pair of sad puppy dog eyes, whether they were Laura’s or those of an actual, literal puppy dog. And Laura didn’t do sad eyes often, that was the thing that really got him about it. It was always a sneak attack when Max’s headstrong, self-assured girlfriend pulled out the big, sad baby blues, batted her eyelashes at him, and actually said, “please?” It was unfair, really, because it worked every single time. It was just giving Max the illusion of choice when he inevitably gave in and let Laura have whatever it was that she wanted.

That was how, across multiple separate occasions, they’d ended up with their current menagerie. Max had known that cohabiting with a veterinary student would expose him to a number of critters, but he hadn’t expected it to turn out quite like this. Certainly, Max hadn’t expected to turn into some kind of creature himself the summer before Laura embarked on her graduate school studies, but with what they now jokingly called ‘Wolf Boy Summer’ squared away (they had to laugh, you see, to keep from crying), the creatures had at least been smaller and more manageable.

They’d moved to San Francisco with only a tiny cage with two tiny mice inside, for their tiny apartment. The mice, which Laura had liberated from a science lab she’d worked a few shifts at in undergrad, were champion puzzle-solvers and cheese-finders named Trillian and Cashew. Max didn’t even get consulted about these guys, given that Laura had lived in her own dorm at the time she’d acquired them, but she did let him name one, which is how Trillian ended up named after a character in The Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Laura named Cashew Cashew because that was the flavor of nut milk she was testing that week. (Max thought Cashew was lucky the two mice hadn’t shown up during pea protein milk week.) Laura was “pretty sure” they were both female, until Cashew ended up pregnant and blessed them with baby mice Frankie, Benjy, Ford, Hazel(nut), Almond, Pecan, and Peanut. Max told her this bode poorly for her career in animal care, but Laura took it in stride, saying she’d have to spend more time studying sex differences in mice in the future. They got two larger enclosures and separated everyone out by sex, properly this time, and now Max has to turn the sound up on their white noise machine when he and Laura snuggle up in bed, or else he hears the Galaxy-Nut siblings running in their wheels all night long.

Then, Laura fell in love with a stray cat with a severely matted coat that had been hanging around their doorstep for days, and Max found his loyalty to his mouse family strained. Should they really bring a predator into their happy little home? But Laura was absolutely certain she could make it work, even in the limited space their apartment provided, and the cat really was pitiful-looking. So Max capitulated and the Kearney-Brinly household expanded to include ten mice and one cat.

The pathetic ginger cat, Westley, luckily, turned out to be utterly uninterested in the mice. He got his name because he showed up for the final time on movie night and meowed pitifully through the first half of The Princess Bride (both Laura and Max’s favorite) until they brought him inside. Laura took him the next day to check for a microchip and, finding none, she had the matted orange furball completely shaved. In the middle of winter. And sure, it was a relatively mild San Francisco winter, but Max still thought Wes looked cold.

“I’ve already ordered him a sweater,” Laura said, “but I know you’ve been working on your knitting, maybe you can make him another?”

Max had scoffed at first. Then he’d taken a second look at his pitifully nude cat and stayed up late researching cat sweater patterns. Now Wes has an entire wardrobe of knitwear and Max, Laura, and Wes have matching Christmas sweaters for their Christmas card photos. Max drew Emma for the Hacketteer gift exchange, but he traded with Abi for Dylan and now he’s working on another set for Dylan, Ryan, and Schrödinger. (He knows Ryan will be especially delighted.)

Then it was Max’s turn. He found a large bedraggled dog of indeterminate breed tied to a stop sign in an abandoned parking lot and the dog let him know immediately that Max was his chosen father, riding home with his head in Max’s lap the entire way. Westley liked Laura best anyway, why shouldn’t Max have his own cuddle buddy (you know, other than Laura)? Laura agreed it was only fair, and now Inigo stretches out between them on movie night and he has to get his fill of both scritches and popcorn before he’ll allow them to cuddle with one another.

“Hon,” Max told Laura, who was sitting at her desk with Westley perched on her shoulder like a pirate’s parrot, “you know I love all our kids, but we really cannot have any more animals in this apartment. We might actually get evicted.”

“Couldn’t agree with you more, honey,” Laura replied, and Max had thought that would be the end of their animal acquisition. He could admit that was pretty naive of him.

The next day, Laura had a list of rental houses for them to visit a little further from the city. Sure, she’d have a longer commute to her classes, and Max would to his job, but wouldn’t it be worth it for the ‘kids’ to have more space? Max couldn’t exactly argue with that, so they moved into a two-bed, two-bath with a small fenced yard.

And that was where Max was, cutting up a salad for dinner, when there was a knock at the door. Max answered to find Laura on their doorstep holding the saddest-looking beagle Max had ever seen, her own face mimicking its hangdog expression perfectly. They were both whimpering. “She was released from the surgical program at school and needed a home, I said we’d take her on a trial basis but baaaabe, just look at this faaaace.”

He sighed, but couldn’t help smiling a little, both at the wriggling dog and at his girlfriend. Her big pretend sad eyes, her genuinely huge heart.

Someday Max would learn to say no. But today was not that day.

[changingplumbob]

Pancakes Household: Chapter 9, Part 7

The household grows but probably not in the way you were expecting

Nicknames: Bob = Sleek, Eliza = Jumble

Our first snowfall of the season! Fergus will have his birthday party after school and while Eliza is taking the day off to clean Bob has an alternate plan.

Bob: *to dust bunny* Well hello friend! Oh you’re adorable, have some dust

Onyx: What are you doing

Bob: Trying to befriend the dust bunny, isn’t it cute?

Onyx: Uhhh sure… But won’t mother just vacuum it up

Bob: I think, if I can win it over, it will become resistant to the vacuum

Onyx: *grumbles dramatically* I try to understand science and they just keep changing it

Bob: Hey everybody, who here is in the grips of winter? It’s meant to be autumn, but we still got a dusting of snow this morning, it is beautiful out there

Drone: *Chimes*

Bob: New follower sound? Welcome to the chaos new buddy. You probably know I’m Bob since it’s in the title of the video. I’m a professional chef who has self published 3 cookbooks. I’m still working on establishing myself so I try to share my cooking and baking adventures, alongside the fitness I do to balance out all the cooking and baking I eat *laughs*

Ta da! Perfect pie!

Livestream finished, Bob sneaks back to the bedroom while Eliza is still busy upstairs. The dust bunny greets him and is happy to receive some more dust and pets.

Bob: I shall call you Dusty and you shall be mine and you shall be my Dusty

The dust bunny chirps in approval, solidifying the friendship. Dusty is here to stay! Now Bob just needs to get up the nerve to let Eliza know.

Gathering his courage and the laundry he goes to see Eliza and attempts to speak over the vacuum.

Bob: So Jumble, don’t be alarmed if you see a dust bunny in our room. His name is Dusty

Eliza: Bob!

Bob: What? I’m in an adoptable mood, blame the watcher!

Eliza: *mumbles* sure

Bob: It will bring us simoleons

Eliza: *hears clink of money* Simoleons? I guess it can stay, but Sleek not where visitors will see

Trying to help out Onyx, Bob decides to take Ginger for a run so his teen can enjoy the party after school. Ginger is thrilled to spend time with her favourite person again. Did I mention they became companions earlier because I meant to! The sun seems to have wiped away the snow but it is still cold out, Bob might have to change his active wear. He gets Ginger home and in the gate when something catches his eye across the road…

Bob: What are you doing out here?

Dog: *whines* freezing my paws

Bob: It’s cold, did you get lost?

Dog: *yaps*

Bob: How about a treat huh? A good snack always makes me feel better

The dog happily accepts and hungrily gobbles down the treat.

Bob: I can’t just leave you out here. We best get you to the vet to check for a microchip. Will you let me pick you up

Dog: *yaps* of course, you look like a walking pillow

We went to the vet and no microchip. They did a search and there were no reports of missing dogs matching her description in the area. Still in his adoptable mood Bob said he would take her home, naming her Strawberry.

Bob: Good job keeping quiet, now we need to give you a bath

Strawberry looks at him quizzically.

Bob: We don’t want to give mother any reason to say you can’t stay so we’re going to show her you’re clean and healthy. Think we can do that?

Strawberry: *yaps* You bet ya dad

Scrub -a – dub – dub, bubbles in the tub!

Bob: We’ll dry you off then I should have it around here somewhere… Ginger didn’t want it but I’m sure you can use it

Eliza: BOB! Why is there another dog in our living room

Strawberry: *yaps* are you my mother

Eliza: Bob? Oh you are pretty cute aren’t you *pets*

Strawberry: *yaps* Dad gave me matching bows

Bob: Her name is Strawberry, she was out there in the cold so-

Eliza: Oh, I don’t like to think of any animal in that, you did the right thing Bob. Has she met Ginger

Bob: Uh, don’t think so

Eliza: Go to the kitchen Strawberry, you’ll find her in there

Strawberry: *yaps* Yes mother, right away mother

Bob: I wasn’t sure how you’d react

Eliza: We have the space and I know dogs help you stay happy, how could I say no

Bob: I... I love you Eliza

Eliza: I know. Right back at you *kisses*

Ginger is relaxing when Strawberry approaches. Ginger is confused, where did she come from?

Strawberry: *yaps* hello sister, I am… uh… I think dad said Strawberry

Ginger: *barks* dad does love his food

After some introductory sniffing the pair playfully lick each other’s faces

So not so fun story, my game is not great at starting events just now so Fergus blew out his candles half an hour after the party was scheduled but ten minutes before the event began. So with that bumpy start welcome to teenagerhood Fergus! If you don’t know when my sims reach teen they roll one of their parents traits. Looks like Fergus is going to be materialistic just like his mother. New likes include flower arranging while dislikes include rascals, only time will tell how this will affect his friendship with Artemisia. Oh, and he also rolled the Strangerville Mystery aspiration!

Previous ... Next

[poppy5991]

Wow! The last post on this topic was quite popular! So here’s another from a person that actually does emergency response for a living…

Writing PTSD in first responders/emergency personnel accurately: Trauma Thresholds

(I called them out in the tags last time for Owen’s PTSD portrayal, but this is one thing Grey’s anatomy does quite well.)

One mistake I see in media/writing is a character being traumatized by something that an average person would find traumatic…but probably not an experienced responder.

We do expect to see and are trained to cope with some level of trauma in our jobs. You anticipate witnessing injury, illness, death, and grief. So things that the average civilian finds disturbing don’t phase us so much. But there are specific things that can trigger a trauma response, mainly:

Moral injury: Witnessing or being put in a situation that violates your deeply held moral values or sense of self

Projecting loved ones on to a trauma (I.e. what if that was my kid/they are the same age as my sister/my loved one was at that event)

Experiencing/witnessing violence or harassment on the job

Out of my depth: asked to work without the necessary tools, rest, or training

Here’s a couple examples of what might be par for the course versus what will fuck you (or your character) up….

Scenario 1: Paramedic responds to a heart attack on a middle aged man. Performs CPR while wife wails in the background.

Traumatic? Probably not

Scenario 2: Paramedic responds to a sudden infant death call on a six month old. Performs infant CPR. Mom is wailing in the background. Paramedic has a newborn at home with their spouse, born a few weeks ago.

Traumatic? Yep!

-

Scenario 1: ED nurse works a gunshot victim on their shift. Standard case that they see frequently in an urban ED.

Traumatic? Probably not.

Scenario 2: There is a mass shooting at a local event. Sudden influx of multiple gunshot victims. The ED is overwhelmed and understaffed. Family are showing up at the ED screaming and looking for loved ones. The shooter is still at large.

Traumatic? Yep.

-

Scenario 1: Public Health worker is doing shelter surveillance and interviewing people on their disease exposures and medical needs. Hears harrowing stories about the disaster from traumatized and scared people who may be separated from loved ones/witnessed death/lost their homes.

Traumatic? Probably not.

Scenario 2: Public Health worker is doing shelter surveillance and interviewing people on their disease exposures and medical needs. There is an unaccompanied child/dementia patient wandering around. They realize that this person’s family have left without notifying anyone and have abandoned their loved one during the disaster. The person is anxious/inconsolable and asking the worker where their family has gone.

Traumatic? Yep.

-

Scenario 1: Disaster animal shelter worker is doing intake for animals after an evacuation. Both the people and animals are traumatized and stressed, anxious about being separated.

Traumatic? Probably not.

Scenario 2: Disaster animal shelter worker is doing intake for animals after an evacuation. A man comes in and aggressively demands to be given his purebred dog. Refuses to show ID. He becomes increasingly aggressive, threatening workers but departs when police are called. Police inform worker that the man was probably trying to steal a purebred dog from the shelter to sell. When checking the microchip, realizes they are correct- they remember the owner and it is not that man.

Traumatic? Yep.

-

These are just a few examples of things that happen in real life. It can be different if you are new to the field and witnessing things for the first time, but if you’re writing an experienced responder experiencing trauma make sure to give context as to why a certain event was traumatic as compared to their normal work threshold.

Also make sure not to fall into the trap of writing “perfect victims.” People in stressful situations can and do act very poorly out of fear and often we take the brunt of it. It’s not realistic to write all the victims that your character is helping as calm, compliant, rational, and kind. They are more likely confused, angry, combative, dazed, and upset. And they are likely to view their problem or loved one as more important than everyone else’s in that moment. And to act in accordance. No matter how insignificant.

Lastly don’t forget that in addition to work, we have personal lives. While working stressful situations, we too have loved ones pass, pets get sick, have relationship problems, etc. so you can write that in to flesh out the character. It’s very much true that people with children have a harder time dealing with situations involving harm to kids, people with pets struggle more with helping in situations involving animals, etc.