#Dog Shampoo & Human Shampoo: What’s the Difference?

[notspiders]

Liminal Spaces w/ COD:MW

Part 1

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Credits for some of the ideas goes to: @angelcqre , @roller-rink-haruno , and @sentientcave / @bluemoonrover. I love all of you so much, thank you for the support!!!

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It's more than just Task Force 141.

Don't like them? Consider these following options! :) Watch your back.

Phillip Graves - The Farm:

There's really nowhere to run off to. Good luck.

His Shadows are the farmhands and the scarecrows.

His animals are... weird.

His horses are a bit too smart, and you think you seen them peering through your bedroom window. Which is nice, until you remember you're on the second floor.

They're... always crunching on something. Why is the family of mice decreasing?

Why do the dogs look human-like? Is it the eyes?

But, you know, ignoring them... the BBQ and steak isn't so bad. You'll get the juiciest steak here. The best baked bread...

Oh, hun. You're cooking, by the way.

He's waiting on that blueberry pie too, you know.

Look at the closet. It's filled with his favorite clothes for you. :)

Why don't you bend over that counter and let him...

Oh? No? You're saying no?

That's adorable. You now have until three to lay on his lap. :)

Alex Keller - Highway

Well you do have to be in a car for this. Walking is a bit of a pain. :/

The endless highway... Sometimes you'll spot a car driving by. But they disappear when you try to speed up to them.

There's an occasional gas station smack in the middle.

And maybe the next hundreds of miles there's another...

Always stocked to the max. Anything you want, it's there.

It's cool inside too.

He's always there too.

You can keep driving but you need the gas. It'll be a pain to have your car broken down in the middle of nowhere. And the sun is scorching hot.

Oh!

Princess needs somewhere to stay, yeah?

That motel looks sus but a place is a place, and a bed would be nice than the hard car seats.

You know...

Alex can do more than just fill your car. :)

Laswell - Cruise Ship:

The cruise ship is always moving in the waters. You don't know where it goes, or when there will be land, you feel like the boat has moved for hours but...

All the clocks are not working. It's all frozen. The day is not changing either. No clouds either. Perfectly sunny.

You have everything in this empty cruise ship. The rooms are always open for you.

Beds are clean, no matter how many times you mess up the sheets, when you exit the room and enter it again- it's back to its pristine state.

The bathrooms are neat. The shampoo and conditioner go great on your hair. There's other products- makeup, medical, more toiletries- in the drawers, should you ever need them.

Theaters, arcades, casinos, restaurants- all free for you to use.

It feels great, if it didn't feel like you're being watched constantly.

You'd enjoy this place, if you didn't see things move in the corner of your eye. You sworn you saw and heard the splash of water in the pool. And that you heard the laughter of someone in a different room. And the chattering in the restaurant.

But every time you rush in, there's no one there.

No one is here in this cruise ship. No one but ghosts and echoes of families who've been here. They're harmless... Just ignore them, dear.

Good luck trying to avoid Laswell, too. She's always watching through the cameras. :)

Under any circumstances, do not jump out.

The ocean is not the ocean.

Nikolai - Airplane

Let's get this straight, yeah?

Good girls stay in first class. Bad girls go to economy.

And if you behave like an animal, well, depends on our pilot's mood. You either get called into the cockpit...

Or down into the cargo you go! :)

Don't worry! He's very nice. If you're acting up, he gives you a warning.

That being turbulence. If the plane is shaking you better stop what you're doing. Now.

It's a strange plane... You can keep on walking and it just doesn't seem to end. Place changes too, when you try to go back. It's always something new.

Plenty of movies and games in the airplane for you to watch. Don't bother taking your phone out, it won't work.

There are very nice flight attendants that'll prepare you the best food you've ever eaten. Airplane food isn't so bad after all. You can have any drink you want too.

Just don't talk with them more than just about the food. If you say anything else, they'll leave immediately.

If you flirt with them, it's their death sentence. You'll wonder why they pale and walk away so fast...

If you glance at the window, you might just catch a glimpse of them flying out into the sky.

Speaking of which... It's pitch black outside. You do see the airplane wing and the red flashing light at the end... But other than that, you can hardly differentiate the night from earth... or sea.

König - Pools

You stumbled into one of these rooms and found the naked Austrian in the pools.

Don't run! Please! You're the first human face he's seen in a while!

It's not all that bad. There's some food in the fridge- a microwave is nearby for you to reheat some foods- and the water is fresh.

The best baths are here. There's all of these shampoos, conditioners, lotions, bathbombs...

Poor König never used them because he doesn't know how to! Teach him please!

Seriously. Gaz gave him the 13 in 1 unlimited dish soap that has Johnny's face smack in the middle of it to shoo him out of his mall- and König's been using that to wash himself ever since. :(

Don't mind him cuddling you all the time.

You're the softest thing he's ever held in his hands. The towels and rubber duckies can't even compare.

Don't try to escape or leave his side now.

There are monsters here that'll be happy to drown you.

Alejandro Vargas - The Resort

A massive upgrade compared to Ghost's Bachelor Shack by the sea.

It's still... very empty.

It's just you and Alejandro.

Food and drink are limitless. Ask for anything, Alejandro will deliver.

Relax, love. You deserve this break. You deserve everything.

No annoying seagulls squawking at you. You do see them flying in the distance though... They never come, nor do they ever land.

The waters are crystal clear. It's the perfect temperature to slip inside and just float in it.

You're never cold. It's toasty warm, with an occasional breeze. Feels perfect. The hotel has perfect air conditioning, if you want to stay inside.

You get a camera, instead of your phone. Go take some pictures!

There's so many things to do here. Scuba-diving, sailing, swimming, surfing...

Exploring tide pools with Alejandro. :)

Rodolfo Parra - Aquarium

Enjoy yourself in the aquarium! Don't you worry, the animals here are all treated wonderfully.

Let him be your tour guide. He'll show you every marine animal in this domain.

And it seems he has everything here. You can take pictures! Just without the flash please. Seriously. No flash. In fact, how about just let him take the pictures for you? Pose with him and smile for the camera... :)

If you want, you can feed the animals here!

You can pet some of the animals in some spots. Rub the back of a patient orca. Allow a sea otter to sniff your hands. Pat the belly of a lazy seal.

Come over to the Ray Pool! The stingrays are eager to feel your touch.

The beluga swims beside you as you walk down the tunnel. A dolphin leaps out of the water to greet you. A manatee smushes its face against a window in an attempt to give you a >kith<.

Ah you're hungry? Not to worry. The cafeteria is down here. Anything you want to eat or drink, it's all here.

After lunch, how about you go diving with Rudy? Don't worry. It's safe. He'll take you to one of the biggest pools and you can dive in beside him.

The Humpback Whale nuzzles you affectionately.

Try not to stray away from Rudy. You can easily get lost in these halls... If you do, stay still and just let him come up to you.

There's no point in hiding. The fish are on his side. :/

Farah Karim:

I truly believe that Farah actually doesn't have a liminal space.

She guides you instead.

She helps you go through the domains.

Farah is someone you can trust in this liminal region.

She'll watch your back as you two camp in Soap's woods. She'll lead you out of Price's suburbia. She sneaks you away from Graves's farm.

She'll protect you.

Bonus w/ Ghost:

After you met with Alejandro and seen his beach, Ghost upgraded his domain.

Well, slightly.

There is a lighthouse now.

Do you remember playing in the beach with him? You two built sandcastles together.

He's awfully proud of himself when he tips the bucket and pulls it up. He's made his first sand tower, really.

"Tha's gonna be where you and me live, lovie."

...No wonder why that lighthouse looks awfully familiar.

It also explains why it looks like it's going to crumble any second.

Sure, there's blankets and lovely cushions, some food and drink in the corner-

It's... somehow colder here than the shack. :/

You can practically feel the tower shake as the waves crash against it.

Ghost assures you- as you curl up beside him on the small bed for his warmth- that it's perfectly safe. Trust him. Please.

Please don't leave him.

But if you really need to...

He'll light his tower to guide you through the dark.

[alittlebitofloveliness]

The Outsiders Prompt Fic #12- I didn't know where else to go

This is for @ramennoodlezzzao3 who requested prompt eight with Ponyboy. Sorry for the wait, I hope you like this. I wrote it sleep deprived after work and it's unedited so I apologiz wfor any typos.

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Tap. Tap. Tap.

When Curly first hears the tapping on the window he thinks it’s his beloved Princess Chunko, aka the raccoon he’s been feeding and attempting to train for the past six months ever since Tim told him off for feeding her- the poor thing was a single mom who worked two jobs and Curly wasn’t heartless. He wasn’t about to let his girl down, ok?- and Angela said you couldn’t teach a raccoon tricks because ‘they aren’t like dogs, dumbass’. Shows what she knows. Curly’s managed to almost get Princess Chunko to shake his hand on command (she’ll do just about anything for leftover fries from McDonald’s), and she’s only bit him like, three times. 

However, when he pulls back the curtain (thank god Angel’s sleeping at her new boyfriend’s place tonight because she would be beyond pissed to get woken at one in the morning) it’s not his beloved furry princess he sees, instead it’s his beautiful, very human and also male princess. 

Right. He’s gotta be cool about this. Smart. Suave. Pony’s never come here so late at night before. Curly isn’t exactly at his best right now- he’d been planning to shower in the morning so he still smells like the desperation of high school and whatever boozy concoction Ma had thrown at him earlier- but he isn’t gonna like, turn Ponyboy down if he’s come here for a hookup. He’s not that stupid.

Except when he throws open the window he catches sight of the pure misery on Ponyboy’s face and all impure thoughts fly out of his head. (Ok, maybe not all of them- he’s a simple man and Ponyboy is Ponyboy and he’s also right there-  but  Curly is again not heartless so like 98% of the impure thoughts are banished. Maybe 97%.)

“Hey Ponyboy!”

Pony runs a hand through his hair. He sighs, and the sound is so tired it could give Tim a run for his money.

“Hey Curly, can I-” his eyes get shiny but he blinks hard and they’re normal again, “can I come in?”

Curly doesn’t bother answering, just grabs his best-friend-maybe-boyfriend-but we-haven’t-had-that-talk-yet-but-also-kiss-and-stuff under the arms and half drags, half lifts him through the window. Curly thanks his unlucky stars that Angel’s mattress is under the window because this was not an elegant maneuver, and Pony landed right on top of him. Like, right on top of him. Curly isn’t exactly complaining because this close he can see the freckle near Pony’s hairline and smell his toothpaste and whatever shampoo he uses, but Pony also completely knocked the wind out of him, and Curly’s is also a fifteen year old boy and attracted to Ponyboy so if Pony doesn’t move soon a different problem is going to make itself known and Curly cannot let that happen or he’ll have to jump off a bridge.

He shoves Pony off of him as gently as he can without being soft, and leads him over to his own side of the room. Angel will already be pissed enough that he was on her side of the room, nevermind the fact it was just to open the window, and Curly doesn’t want to add fuel to the fire. Sure, he loves making Angela angry but she also took a razorblade to his favourite hoodie last week and Curly isn’t willing to risk her ire right now. Things with the boyfriend she’s currently staying with are slowly but surely falling apart and Angela going through a breakup is a dangerous creature. Even Tim steers clear of her as best he can during her anger phase, and then they both decide to be a little nicer when Angel moves on to grief. 

Pony sits next to him and Curly wonders if he should’ve put a bottom sheet on his mattress, then banishes the thought because it’s stupid and because he doubts there’s a bottom sheet anywhere in the house- angel bought her own and guards it viciously. Still, he can’t help the anxiety bubbling in his chest. Pony is in his room, sitting on his bed. In all the time they’ve been hanging out he doesn’t think Pony has ever been in his room. And they’ve certainly never been alone in his room- or in Ponyboy’s for that matter since Sodapop Curtis is the world's most annoying cockblock and one of these days Curly is really gonna slug him.

Fortunately- or unfortunately, he really isn’t sure- Pony seems oblivious to Curly’s internal turmoil. In fact, he seems kind of oblivious to everything, staring blankly at the wall and biting his lip hard enough it might start to bleed soon. 

Rude, Curly thinks, if someone’s gonna be biting ponyboy’s lips tonight it should be him.

It’s kind of worrisome though. It;s not like Ponyboy’s the more, well, present even on a good day, prone to daydreaming and getting all focused in a way Curly doesn’t understand, but this seems different, worse somehow. The misery is still written across Ponyboy’s face, but there's an undercurrent of anger there too, and beneath that, fear.

“You good, man?” Curly’s never been great with emotions, never understood his own or wanted to help with others. He wants to help Pony now though, he just doesn’t know what to say. “You uh, you need anything?”

“No- yes- I dunno.” Ponyboy shakes his head, curling in on himself, and no, nope, if he bunches up it’s like he gets even more stuck in his own head and Curly refuses to let that happen so he yanks him until Pony’s head is resting against his shoulder, his arm around the guy’s admittedly very nice shoulders. “I didn’t know where else to go, I just- I couldn’t stay there. Not tonight. Can I stay with you?”

“Of course,” Curly agrees immediately. There’s a whole host of reasons why and he’s sure some of them are good but the only important one is the thought of Ponyboy Curtis sleeping in his room with him, “why though? Didya finally get tired of Sodacan cockblockin’ us?”

He waggles his eyebrows suggestively, expecting Ponyboy to roll his eyes but snicker like he usually does when Curly makes a suggestive joke, but instead he just sighs, his eyes getting all sad again.

“In your dreams Shepard,” he says, “but nah, it’s nothing like that, just…Darry and Soda are fighting.”

Curly blinks. That’s what Ponyboy is upset about? His family fighting? If Curly got sad anytime people were fighting in his house he’d have died of heartbreak years ago. Shit, Ma hadn’t gone a day without swearing at them in years, and Tim had told him just this morning he was a waste of space. Last month, he and Angel hadn’t spoken for over a week after she tattled on him to Tim about his plan to get into Buck’s race fixing scheme. 

Then again, the Curtis family- even their gang- wasn’t much like his own. They weren’t soft exactly, but they weren’t cold neither, which was something Curly had got used to at a very young age. Ponyboy on the other hand…well, he doesn’t have much ice in him at all.

“They’ve been mad at each other for days, and tonight it’s like they just blew up,” Pony continues, “like a match in a powder keg. They’ve been yelling off and on for hours, and everytime they start to shout it gets worse. They hardly even noticed when I left.”

“Darry won’t be pleased you ran off,” curly points out. He’s not good at emotions but he is good at being practical, at least when he’s trying to think like Angela, and he knows Darry Curtis will be mad if Ponyboy comes home late or not at all. Curly thinks the guy needs to lighten up a bit. One murder wrap when Pony didn;t even kill the guy shouldn’t mean he needs to be supervised 24/7. Darry needs to lighten up.

Ponyboy rolls his eyes.

“Shit man, you sound like Two-bit. I left a note alright? And if they’re really that worried they can get over themselves and come and find me.”

“What are they arguin’ about anyway?”

That was apparently the wrong question to ask because Pony’s face shutters again.

“That’s the whole problem! I dunno! I can’t figure it out and I listened to them argue awhile. It got real personal real quick, whatever they started arguin’ about probably isn’t why they’re mad now.”

“I’m sorry man,” Curly says, and he is. Rarely is it that he feels any sort of sympathy for other people’s issues, but Ponyboy curtis is not just anyone. In fact, he’s maybe the best person Curly knows, and he doesn’t deserve his house to feel like Curly’s does. The Curtis’ are supposed to be better than that. Ponyboy is supposed to have better than that.

Curly knows there isn’t much he can do. There never is, and with his penchant for fucking shit up he’s rarely trusted with even meaningless things let alone important ones, so he’s not usually armed with the skills to help anyone. However, in this situation, Curly knows what to do because it’s something he wished for every day or his childhood, and something that was never really provided to him no matter how hard Tim sometimes tried. 

Tonight, he can keep Pony safe.

“You can stay here,” he promises, scrubbing a hand through Ponyboy’s hair as an excuse to feel how soft it is without grease in it, “whenever you want. Just show up.”

“Really?”

“‘Course.”

That earns him a smile, a real one, the kind that makes Ponyboy sort of glow and Curly kind of want to kiss him and combust and jump out a window all at the same time.

“Thanks.” Pony murmurs, and Curly feels himself grin when Pony settles his head back on his shoulder, exhaustion returning.

Curly lets himself grin as he maneuvers them so that they’re squished together on his lumpy single mattress. It’s not the most comfortable position- Ponyboy is half on top of him and not in a fun way, his bony elbow jammed into Curly’s ribs, and his hair tickling his nose, but Curly wouldn't change it for the world.

Ponyboy is already gone when he wakes up the next morning, but that’s alright, Curly expected it, just like he expected the call that came when he was making breakfast and the light that has returned to Pony’s eyes when he sees him at school.

The Curtis house isn’t supposed to be like his own, and it isn’t. Ponyboy wouldn’t ever look this relaxed if it was. 

Even still, Curly reasons, it can’t hurt to keep his window unlatched. Just in case. 

[musekicker]

A quick little Werewolf! Stan and Vampire! Fiddleford related drabble.

It was a slow afternoon for "Paws for Applause" pet supplies store. Then a figure from town stepped inside the store. A rarely seen figure. But even so, the sales woman recognized him enough to have a last name.

"Oh Mr. Pines. I've never seen you in here before. How may I help you?"

Stan startled just a bit. Still getting use to the fact that he was pretending to be his brother and that as much as Ford had been a shut in, folks here had met Ford. He moved on from that surprise and got right to what he needed.

"I'm looking for some dog shampoo." Stan said.

"And we have plenty of dog shampoos to choose from. The shelves to your left."

Stan found the shelves, a whole walls worth of shelves. Each of them with many bottles of products.

"Where on the shelf am I supposed to be looking-" Stan asked.

"That would be the entire wall sir." the sales woman said.

Stan's eyes went wide. He was feeling very much like a prey animal caught in a cars head lights in that moment. The sales women must had seen the look because she was quick to start helping him with questions.

She had always found that a few, easy questions were helpful in breaking customers out of their indecision and actually helping them find what they wanted.

"There are a lot of shampoo products I know. Is this your first dog?" the sale women asked.

As expected the question seemed to break Stan out of that shoppers panic.

"Um, yeah. Pretty much." Stan said.

"Aw, that's nice. What's their name?" the sales lady asked.

"It's um... Spot." Stan said.

The name had been made up right then and there but the sales woman bought it. She was too busy thinking of what questions she needed to ask next to help this customer.

"Here's good question. What would you not like from any shampoo you buy. Problems with specific companies, specific ingredients, fragrances-" the sales lady said.

Stan perked up slightly at the mention of fragrances. He knew what he did and didn't want in that department.

"No scents. I- my dog is very sensitive to scents." Stan said.

Last thing Stan needed was someone smell him in werewolf form and that scent sticking to him in human form. It could easily connect him with the wolf. Not to mention heavy scents were very annoying to a wolf's sense of smell.

The sales woman took this note and was looking elsewhere on the shelf.

"That does take out a good number of shampoos. So making progress already. What is your dogs fur like? Fluffy, curly, short-" she asked.

"Kind of course." Stan said. "And shorter."

"So no scent to the shampoo and needs to be good for course, shorter fur? I have a few different products in mind. Hold on."

It took less then five minutes for the sales woman to find what she was looking for. Explaining the pros and cons of each. Stan ended up going for the cheaper of the shampoos.

Now that a shampoo was picked out Stan was ready to cash out. As he handed over the cash for the shampoo he smelled a familiar scent. It took everything to not visibly sniff the air. He was able to track down where this scent was coming from quickly. A small jar of dog treats next to the register.

The sales woman must had noticed Stan looking at the treat jar.

"Why don't you take one?" the sales woman asked.

Stan looked startled again.

"What?"

"For your dog. All dogs love treats." the sales woman said.

"Oh! Oh right. Of course. Ol' Fido will love a treat." Stan said.

As Stan picked up his bagged purchase with one hand and grabbed a couple of the dog treats from the jar, the sales woman frowned slightly.

"Didn't you say before that your dogs name was Spot?" the sales woman asked.

Stan was already leaving.

"Doot doot doot, just walking away now." Stan said loudly as he left with his purchases.

Arriving back to the shack with the bag of purchases, Stan closed the front door to the shack with his foot. The floor looked much cleaner then it had this morning. His fault after a full moon run last night.

No one really thought about the fact that running through the woods at night and hunting deer would be a messy activity. But it was. And Fiddleford had put his foot down. Muddy giant paw prints were fine, easy enough to mop up. But wolf form Stan did not exactly smell the best.

Which is why Stan had been sent to buy the shampoo.

"Fidds, I bought the dog shampoo." Stan called out.

Fiddleford knew that Stan was back long before the werewolf had even entered the doorway. Vampire hearing was just that good. It was even to Stan's werewolf sense of smell.

"Good. That'll make cleaning animal blood and mud out of your fur after full moon runs much easier." Fiddleford said.

Fiddleford was leaning in for a kiss. Something that Stan was happily returning. But before their lips touched Fiddleford drew back.

"Whew! That smell on your breath! Why does your breath smell like you've eaten old jerky?" Fiddleford asked.

Stan might had been insulted if he had not remembered the treat he had had in the car.

"Umm.. well I might have had a dog treat." Stan admitted.

Fiddleford raised a eye brow.

"Stanley. We talked about this." Fiddleford said.

Stan huffed.

"She offered it to me. It was free! You want me to turn down free stuff?" Stan asked.

Fiddleford crossed his arms.

"And I'm starting to think that you just like dog treats."

"I can stop when I want to!" Stan cried.

Fiddleford was not convinced. And Stan knew it.

"I'm not kissing you until you brush the dog treats out of your teeth." Fiddleford insisted.

"Fineeee!"

[maislovebot]

I love everything you do

Bram Stoker x reader

Title is from training wheels by melanie martinez

Hello! I finally finished the Bram thing!! I actually finished it two days ago but I’ve been so busy with work and school I haven’t found time to proofread it till now:’)

Containing: S5 SPOILERS!!, afab reader, no pronouns, oral sex (afab receiving), riding, domestic fluff & smut, porn with plot, aftercare, premature ejaculation, bath sex, hand jobs, cum eating, clit stimulation, Bram wants to bite reader but can’t for obvious reasons, very brief groping, human/vamp relationship, post-vampirism arc

Bram officially had a body now. Everything with Dostoevsky and Ouchi had been solved, and there were many changes that Bram had to figure out how to deal with.

To start, Dostoevsky is now dead, and Gogol seems to be grieving with this fact. Ouchi is also dead, and now the nation is in a panic knowing that the war hero everyone looked up to was some sort of terrorist, even if all the people personally involved knew he meant well.

Including Bram Stoker.

Bram wasn’t entirely sure how to live now that Ouchi was dead, and he especially didn’t know how to live now that he had a full body again.

But this was certainly a good way to start.

“Alright, Bram. I know things are difficult, but do you really need me to explain this again? You don’t need that much shampoo.” You sighed, seeing Bram with at least seven pumps of shampoo in his hands.

“But if it keeps my hair clean, the more I use the longer it’ll be clean, no?” Bram deadpanned.

“That’s not how it works!” You ran your hands through Bram’s hair. You weren’t really annoyed with him, but you’d be lying if you said Bram’s lack of understanding wasn’t comedic.

“The one pump I told you to use works just fine.” You laughed at him lightheartedly.

Bram looked at your naked form up and down in confusion, your body slightly altered by the swishing of the water in the bath.

“But you used a different amount than I did.” Bram looked so genuinely confused, and it was honestly very cute.

“Yes, because our hair is different. Your hair is much more sensitive than mine because of how long it’s been without being washed properly. You need a different amount than I do.” You spoke to him gently, running your hands through his hair, much more successfully this time. When you met Bram for the first time, his hair was so matted it took hours to brush through. He was lucky he met you a few months ago. If he hadn’t, he’d probably still be living life without even washing his face.

“Once your hair is healthier I bet we can start using more shampoo, but for now this is all your hair can handle.” You smiled at him, wrapping your arms around him. Your naked form pressed up against his chest, and he let out a small whine, so you pulled away.

“Is everything alright?”

Bram nodded.

“Yes, it’s just..” Bram trailed off, and you soon realized what he meant once you looked down into the water at his crotch.

“Bram!” You jokingly flicked his arm. “You dog!”

Bram raised an eyebrow and looked away from you.

“It’s not like I can help it.. I haven’t had a body in so long it’s overly sensitive. My body isn’t used to it, I think.”

You smiled and looked at him right in the eyes.

“We’re gonna have to fix that soon. Not yet though. We still have to wash your hair.”

“Really? Why can’t you make an exception?”

You shook your head, and kissed Bram on the neck.

“You’re gonna love it once I clean you off. Trust me, it’ll make it more enjoyable.”

Bram sighed and nodded his head.

“Alright.”

You grabbed some of the shampoo left from his hands and let the rest trickle into the water, rubbing the shampoo into his hair, gently scratching his scalp. The shampoo that fell from his hands caused the bathwater to have small white bubbles scattered everywhere. Bram rested his head in the crook of your neck, getting your chin bubbly and wet. You slowly trailed it down to the tips of his hair that were recently trimmed, courtesy of you taking him to a hair stylist for the first time in who knows how long. His hair was still long, reaching far beyond his back, but the dead ends were gone. You took the shower head and turned the notch to make it spray a gentle stream of water and aimed it towards his head.

“Turn around and close your eyes,” you warned, “it stings your eyes.”

Bram nodded and turned, his back facing you. He tilted his head up to the ceiling and shut his eyes, the warm water running through his hair and down his back. His new skin was very soft, you couldn’t stop touching it. It felt brand new (although it technically was). The water ran down the front of his face, getting his eyelashes droopy with water droplets. He really looked ethereal. The shampoo was all washed out of his hair, so he turned around to face you and rested his face in the crook of your neck again.

“I’m gonna wash your body now. It’s unscented soap because I’m willing to bet your new skin is sensitive,” you kissed his shoulder, “ just letting you know.” You smiled into his newly washed hair.

“Are you going to use hair conditioner?” He asked.

“Not yet. I don’t think your hair can handle it yet.” You chuckled, grabbing a pastel loofah. You put the unscented soap on it, and ran it under water for a short amount of time, getting it all sudsy.

“Lift your arms!” You said, and he complied. He brought his arms up and washed along the undersides of them, trailing the loofah up and down, until both of his arms were covered with the soap. You slowly moved over to his chest and you began to rub it into his chest, covering his nipples and lower stomach, at least what wasn’t covered in bathwater. He whined a little at your touch and you chuckled.

“You’re awfully sensitive.”

“I haven’t been touched at all in hundreds of years,” Bram deadpanned, “I physically couldn’t have been touched.”

You gripped his chin with your sudsy hand and brought it to level with yourself.

“I love you, Bram.”

Bram let a small smile escape his lips, and he leaned down to kiss you. The kiss was gentle, pleading, and generous. He closed his eyes once his lips made contact with yours, as did you. You two stayed like that for a while until Bram moved his hand to rest on your hip, and you began to gently play with his hair. You pulled away to breathe, and Bram gripped your shoulders and pulled you back into the kiss.

You could hear Bram mumble a “no..” under his breath, seemingly saying no to you pulling away from him. You stuck it out for as long as you could before you laid your hands on his chest and pushed him away gently, the soap covering it now running down and collecting at the rim of the water.

“Sorry, Bram. I don’t have the literally inhuman stamina you do.”

“Ah,” Bram responded, recognizing your reasoning. “I forget that I can hold my breath longer than the average human.”

You caught your breath, and Bram grabbed the loofah that was floating in the water to bring it to your naked body, rubbing it along your shoulders, collarbones and your chest. You appreciated the intimacy. He cupped water in his hands and dropped it along your shoulders, watching the soap drip down your body and land in the water, almost sizzling away once it made contact. You began to reciprocate, washing off what hadn’t fallen down his body already.

Eventually, you had both washed each other's hair and bodies completely, although it took longer than normal as you both took breaks in between many of your actions to kiss and caress each other. There was only one thing left, and Bram knew exactly what it was.

“Ah— dear, it’s sensitive..”

Bram whined, your movements causing a pleasurable buzz to be sent to his brain. You were currently jerking Bram off, bringing water up every now and then to wash it off.

“Now, you see, Bram, you aren’t supposed to use soap down there. It could irritate it.

“Alright, understood.” Bram barely got out. You liked this side of him. He was strangely submissive. Obedient, if you will.

Bram was so sensitive, it didn’t take very long for him to come all over your hand with a loud moan and shaking thighs.

“Now, look at the mess you made..” you trailed off, bringing your hand to Bram’s lips.

“Clean it up, Bram.” You demanded.

His movements stuttered, but he reluctantly opened his mouth and grabbed your wrist. He licked your hands clean, tasting himself on his tongue, and you kissed him to taste him too.

“You taste sweet.”

Bram looked away from you, so you grabbed his wrist, and he turned to see what you were doing. You brought his hand down into the water.

“Why don’t you help me out, too?” You questioned.

Bram smirked, then moved his hand away.

“I think I have a better way of going about that.” Bram said as he dove his head down, his head now underwater. You knew he had more stamina than you, but you were still worrisome, so you lifted his head up by his chin.

“I love the idea of that, but shouldn’t we do that outside of the bath? You might drown.”

“I can hold my breath for up to eleven minutes. I learned when some village folk attempted to drown me in 1897.”

You bursted out laughing.

“What’s funny?” Bram questioned, looking up at you from his position of resting on his elbows below you.

“Nothing, it’s just—you went from being a menacing vampire who overruled society to..this.”

Bram smiled up at you, then moved his hand to play with your clit, and you whined, gripping the railing of the tub.

“Are you convinced?”

“Well..” You trailed off.

Bram looked at you, awaiting an answer. Not moving an inch lower.

“Fine, but you better do a good job if you wanna be done before you run out of air.”

Bram nodded, and dove his head back down, his hair floating to the top of the bath. If there was one thing Bram was good with, it’s his tongue. After all, it was about all he could use for a very, very long time. He knew just how to touch you, and you tried to ignore how much practice he must’ve had to have gotten this good.

Your sounds were muffled from his point of view, but he could faintly see your mouth open from where he was, the glare of the bathroom lights reflecting against the water making it difficult to see. He moved his tongue to lap up the precum gripping onto your heat despite the water washing most of it off. It appears your slick is more dense than water, as small amounts of it was staying in place. He teased along your outer lips, then your inner lips, before finally moving along your hole, feeling it clench around nothing. He moved his tongue up to give small kitten licks to your clit, relishing in the way your thighs tensed around his head. The touch he was giving you was gentle, but Bram was going feral from the way your thighs quickly clenched around his head, making him move his mouth around your clit to vigorously suck on it, and you bucked your hips into his mouth, gripping him to pull him closer to your heat, and he could faintly hear you moaning from above the water. He moved his hands up to circle your inner thighs, and moved his tongue down to your hole, tongue fucking you. The movements of his tongue were slow and calculated, as they always were. He gradually switched between sucking your clit and fucking you on his tongue, and whenever he switched he would move his hands to either finger you or rub circles on your thighs, depending on what he was doing.

The way you clenched your thighs around his head and pulled his hair made him bring a hand down to jerk himself off, desperate from the way your body language spoke to him. You finally came, and it only took him about four minutes.

He could faintly see your cum taint the water, so he moved his head up, breathing heavily as he rested his head on your shoulder.

“Hey, I thought you said you could hold your breath long enough..”

“I said I can, not that I should.” Bram kept breathing heavily.

“Bram..” you gently scratched his scalp to calm him down, and once he caught his breath again, he took the opportunity to kiss your collarbones and shoulders, refraining from biting you.

Oh, the things he would do if he was able to bite you without turning you into some mindless, bloodthirsty animal. He instead settled for grazing his teeth over your shoulders, but light enough for it to tickle more than anything, and definitely not drawing any blood. You whined at his movements, wrapping your legs around his hips, and he sat up, grabbing your hips so you’d go up with him, making you hover over him. He laid his back against the side of the tub, and you got the signal, so you jerked him off a few times before dipping yourself down slowly. This is the first time you two were doing anything past him giving you head, as at the time, that’s all he really could do.. and you’d be lying if you said you weren’t nervous. He’d had hundreds of years of experience, and you wondered how you could compare. But if anything, Bram was twice as nervous. He hadn’t had sex in so long he could guarantee he was extremely rusty, and sensitive. He knew he wouldn’t last long.

Regardless, you continued lowering yourself down until you were linked by the hilt, and you felt full. But you also felt so happy to be linked with him. You let out small whines, his size getting to you. Once you two get more practice with one another, you could figure out how much foreplay you’d need to not be in pain, but for now, the sting is tolerable.

“It’s shockingly clean.” you remarked, laughing.

“Well, it is brand new..” he replied, and you bursted out laughing, and Bram looked at you funny before chuckling along with you.

“I swear, you say the funniest things sometimes. But I am curious,” you looked down at where you two were linked, “does it look the same as it did before? Or is it like a new and improved situation?”

“I believe it looks the same, but I don’t remember exactly what it looked like.”

“Damn, I guess you were just born lucky.”

Bram lifted an eyebrow,

“What do you mean?”

You leaned down to kiss him, before lifting your hips up slowly.

“It’s very pretty. Just like you.”

Bram always melted at your praise, and you knew this. His grip on you tightened, before he pushed you down onto his length all the way again, and you let out a loud moan.

“O-oh, God, Bram—”

He kept his grip on your hips, pulling you up and down, before thrusting his hips to meet you halfway.

You slowly gained more control over your actions again, he was still pulling you up and down, but you wrapped your thighs around him tighter, going along with the actions, moving yourself up and down with him. He moved his face forward to kiss and lick your nipples, and you cried out. He used his dominant hand to help you keep your balance, and used his other hand to toy with your clit, and the overstimulation really got to you, making you almost cry a few times. Bram on the other hand, was actually crying. He was so overwhelmed, in the best way possible. He hadn’t felt this sort of touch in so long, and here you are, being his saving grace. It also simply felt very, very good. He could feel that he was close, and he sped up his actions inside of you, before cumming inside of you. His hips slowed, and he felt overstimulated, but he simply couldn’t leave you unsatisfied, so he took a deep breath and kept going at it. The overstimulating feeling made him cry out, his mouth no longer connected to your chest.

In total, he had managed to come two more times before you finally did. As he predicted, he wouldn’t last long. His cock had turned an angry shade of red of the overstimulation, but he didn’t care. He simply needed you to come. And once he finally did, he moved his hands away to grip the sides of the tub, breathing heavily. You two sat there for a short amount of time, before you lifted yourself off, mostly his, and a little of your cum dripped out of you and into the water and onto his stomach.

Your thighs gently shook, and before you could move any further, he gripped your shoulders and pulled you down to kiss him, and he moved his hand down to toy with your clit.

“I need.. I need you to come at least one more time.”

You wordlessly connected your lips to his, diving your tongue inside of his mouth, licking along his bottom lip every now and then. You gripped his arm tightly whenever he rubbed your clit in a particular way that made you go crazy, before he moved his fingers to tease your entrance, kissing you desperately. He placed two fingers inside of you, curling them and dragging along your walls, still playing with your clit with his thumb. You had come twice only a few minutes earlier, so it didn’t take you long to come with a silent scream. You grabbed his wrist, pulling it up so he couldn’t touch you anymore, the overstimulation getting to you. You wordlessly licked his fingers clean, and he watched you, the sight making him hard yet again. Once his fingers were clean, you intertwined your fingers with his, licking along his neck desperately, then kissing him again.

Needless to say, you two went at it even longer, and once you two were done you were both shaking and trembling in each other's hold, your breathing heavy.

“I love you, B-Bram—” you slurred your words, but Bram got the idea. You loved the way he tightly gripped your arms. By this point, his cock was a bright shade of red, desperate for him to give it a break, his body relieved to get what it needed. Your bodies were sweaty, in need of being washed all over again, so you simply turned around and dove under the water, letting the soapy water coat your entire body, washing off your sweat. You turned back around to kiss Bram, but he held you in place with your back facing him, and he kissed your shoulders, resisting the urge to nibble on your skin. You leaned back, allowing yourself to rest on Bram’s chest. His heart wasn’t beating. As it never was, but yours was, and rapidly at that.

Bram always found comfort in your heartbeat. Something about feeling or hearing it calmed him down, it’s similar to the way that ever since he’s gotten his body, he’s been resting his finger under your nose so he could see if you were still breathing. He did this any time you slept. His hands often gently touched your upper lips, waking you up, but you didn’t mind. In fact, you found it cute.

Bram rested his hand on your chest, partially just to grope you but also so he could feel your heartbeat against his hand.

You two simply sat there like that for some time, relishing in each other's presence. You had washed Bram off again, and he was petting your washed hair. Over time, you two began to talk to each other again, and the conversation managed to get to Bram talking about his past stories from his prime when he was a vampire who overpowered everyone, even royalty.

“I’ve met many people in the history books, and in my personal opinion, not many of them have as remarkable of a personality as the books make them out to be.” Bram commented, and you smirked, turning towards him.

“Do you know how long you’ll be alive for?”

Bram went silent. He tried to forget it, but he was commonly reminded of how in a short amount of time, he’d be gone again. You’d be long gone by the time Bram finally met his end.

“Bram?” You waved in front of his face.

“Apologies. Because my ability is genetic, I noticed that most of my family lives for about 300 years. I’ve been alive for 190 of it.”

“Really?” You looked bittersweet, but you quickly pushed the sad feelings back.

“Our relationship is anything but conventional, but I think we can make it work.”

Bram raised an eyebrow at you, tightening his grip around your waist.

“Well, we won’t have much time together, but we can enjoy what we will have.”

Bram sat silently, taking in your words.

“That’s a nice sentiment, but I doubt I could bring myself to live without you for that long. I’d go mental.”

You began to toy with Bram’s hair, before you turned around and kissed him deeply, the kiss was meaningful and loving, and Bram shamelessly gripped the back of your hair to keep you in place, before you pulled away.

You two were silent for some time again, but then Bram had an idea.

“Wait..wasn’t that Dostoevsky man after the page of that book?”

You nodded.

“Now the Armed Detective Agency has it. If they have any space left on that page, perhaps we could negotiate for them to write down that I’ll become human.”

You jolted up, and looked at Bram.

“Would that really work?”

“Most likely.”

You hugged Bram tightly, resting your face on his chest.

“If we did that..” Bram trailed off. He was embarrassed to say it, but he simply had to tell you his plans for if this worked out.

“If we did that, me, you, and Aya could all be like a family. A normal family.”

Your heart melted at his words. Despite everything, all he really wants is to be like a father to Aya, and a husband to you. You kissed his chest, before pulling away and wordlessly draining the bath, Bram looking at you confused.

“We might as well try to convince them now! No point in waiting.”

You stepped out of the bath and wrapped a towel around your body, Bram soon following and doing the same.

“You’re rather motivated.” Bram remarked.

You smiled and looked at Bram, his new body completely devoid of the many scars you were sure he had before his body was detached, because he had completely regenerated.

You sat down in your kitchen and wrote down your plans on how to convince the Armed Detective Agency, and Bram nodded and made remarks or criticisms every now and then, brainstorming your plan to perfection. Bram was so in love with you, even the way your hand drifted across the paper with the pencil so effortlessly. Even your handwriting was captivating.

He wasn’t sure if these plans were going to work out, but he was determined to figure something out.

He would figure something out.

He simply had to.

Wc - 3.9k

Hope you enjoyed:)

[inbetweenknacksandnooks]

What HSR Girls Smell Like Pt. 4

Ft: Xueyi, Ruan Mei, Yukong and Tingyun

Part 3 (Bronya, Serval, Natasha, Seele)

Part 5 (Black Swan, Siobhan, Acheron, Robin)

More UtC

Xueyi

Can a puppet smell like anything to begin with?

Cold. Artificial.

After extensive trial-and-error, she's found out that no.

Her puppet body can not retain any kind of pleasant smells.

However, clothing, and her false hair... can.

She does what she can, trying to fix and implant things that she's sure smell nice on her clothes.

She has no need to bathe, but she soaks her hair in all kinds of fumes and oils. She's sure it'll wear off once she spends time in her coffin, but... if you enjoy it...

She can't smell anything herself. Three of the five basic human senses have been taken away from her. But she can still see and hear your reactions.

She might accidentally have too much on her, actually.

She'll be sure to use exact measurements next time.

Ruan Mei

Plum Blossoms. Next question.

Like. Ruan Mei uses an overabundance of plum blossom stuff.

Haha, it would be funny to imagine that she has different varieties of the same scent.

"This is my plum blossom perfume, and this is my plum-blossom pastry perfume. I also have them both in shampoo and bath oil form." "Aren't those both the same thing?" "No." :/

They're different to HER, okay! One of them is fresher, and the other is warmer.

Yukong

She doesn't care to put anything on her during the day, and so she mostly smells like her feathered bedding, until stale air from where she now works sinks into her skin and pores.

She remembered Caiyi's favorite scent, and keeps it in a special nook up in the rafters where only she knows of its existence. She sneaks whiffs through the glass bottle, but doesn't dare open it, lest the aroma fade.

Yukong also figures that she's much too old for perfumes, colognes, etc. What is there to disguise if sweat and odors aren't produced?

But, if you ask her to get some kind of smell, she'll do it, probably taking 3 different kinds of scents, spicy, sweet, and fresh, and tests to see what you like the best, and will probably just end up using that, unless you ask her otherwise.

Her tail is actually rather odorous when it's wet, since it has sebum oil, so she tends to use shampoo and conditioner to keep it at bay so that it doesn't stink like wet dog.

She'd really love it if you helped to clean her tail, as twisting your body to reach around and clean every few days to a week can be a drag.

Tingyun

She has ALL KINDS of scents.

Being a merchant, she collects all sorts of things, herbs, spices, perfumes, old pillows, various fabrics, etc.

Inevitably, they all rub off on her one way or another.

She does have special tail-spray she puts on, post-drying after a bath or shower. She experiments a lot with them, one week will be oranges or lemons, the next week will be cherry, dandelions, and so on.

[hashtag-xolo]

I’m sure you’ve been asked this before, but what’s it like having a dog who needs to wear clothes all/a lot of the time? Do breeders usually train puppies to be good about that—or rescues work with the dogs about it? Or is it more of an as needed thing where some dogs don’t need to wear clothes so much? And I remember hearing that there’s a lot of maintenance for their skin, but what about the fur they do have (the little patches, not necessarily the coated dogs); I’d guess it's not much different than a fully-coated dog just because there isn’t much of it?

Also, I think Nico has the same--but much smaller--harness as one of my family’s dogs. This isn’t relevant, but it is pretty fun seeing a tiny version of it (or something very similar) in the wild.

Honestly the needing to wear clothes frequently is my biggest complaint about hairless xolos 😂 Don't get me wrong, it's fun to have a dog whose look you can so easily customize so drastically! But also, having to swap clothes, make sure your dog is in the right level of clothing for the weather, and whatnot before going out can be a hassle for me and for the dog. Clothing also collects dirt and oil at different rates so the fabric choice you make is really important. For instance, fleece collects dirt like mad so even though it's soft it's really not ideal for xolo clothing because it can cause pimples to form really quickly. Other fabrics aren't as comfortable on the skin and so speaking of that harness, it has a mesh interior that doesn't feel very nice so I prefer he has a shirt between it and his skin to prevent irritation from any chafing. (Keeping it snug helps that but can't prevent it entirely either...) Aside from protecting them from the cold, you also need to make sure that xolos with unpigmented skin have sun protection. That means clothing or sunblock. Plus the expenses of buying said clothes which can be a pretty penny when it comes to quality brands.

But on the flip side, I don't have to worry about a matted coat or spending thirty minutes getting mud off my dog either because bathing him takes five minutes from start to finish (unless the shampoo needs to sit). Nor do I need to spend a lot of money on grooming either. So in the end it's really just picking where you want your time, energy, and money spent.

As far as skin and coat care, the skin care regimen will truly differ from dog to dog. Some xolos have basically no skin problems. Some have really bad skin issues their whole life. Others just get hormonal acne as adolescents and then they clear up. And others still have skin issues caused by diet or environmental factors that will get cleared up by changing whatever is causing them. Tzapo has basically no skin issues and just needed the occasional blackhead or pimple resolved. Nico has more skin problems but he was neglected as a puppy, doesn't have a stellar breeding line like Tzapo did, and he's an adolescent so it's hard to predict if these issues will be a constant problem or if he'll wind up with low maintenance skin. I'm hopeful that he will have less skin issues in time but if not, there are medications and special shampoos to help with dog acne, including some made with salicylic acid just like human acne products 😅 but their hair is really low maintenance especially in the (mostly) hairless variety. I occasionally detangled Tzapo's tail plume but that was it.

I am unsure of the extent that breeders go to desensitizing puppies to clothes but it's definitely something they should do considering many xolos will benefit from it. I think hairless xolos probably are easier to acclimate to clothing if only because it does make them more comfortable. I know that if it's cold Nico is way more thrilled to put his clothes on that when it's warmer. Tzapo was the same.

[cryptidsurveys]

Sunday, December 22nd, 2024.

when you wake up to pee at night, do you turn on the light?: I don't turn on my bedroom light, but I do turn on the bathroom light.

when was the last time you got a fresh box of crayons?: Probably not since I was a teenager.

what color is your favorite towel?: Pale pink.

do you know anyone’s phone number by heart?: I know my own number, my mom's and dad's numbers, our old house phone number, and my childhood friend Aurora's number.

do you wear hoodies?: Yep. I'm wearing one right now.

what was the last gift you gave someone?: I ordered an Ed Gorey calendar for my mom for Christmas but it hasn't arrived yet, and I'll be bringing an Oreo and Christmas M&M coffee cake to the animal shelter tomorrow (it's in the oven right now). Also, my mom gave me these absolutely adorable kitty measuring cups and spoons, as well as some tiny skillets. <3

do you cook on the stove at all, or just microwave: Only occasionally. I use the microwave much more frequently.

do you ever debate religion with your friends?: Oliver and I don't really talk about religion, but I just assume that they lean more toward atheism. My dad is the only person with whom I openly discuss the subject.

do you keep your shampoo in the shower or someplace else: I keep it in the shower.

something your mother said or did that shocked you: My mom told me at lunch today that she and my sibling are no longer in touch - at least for the time being, anyway. Apparently, they sent her some pretty nasty text messages out of the blue and she decided not to respond. She is hoping that they will reach out and apologize at some point, but who knows. I feel bad for her. I feel some level of "detached empathy" for my sibling as well because I know what it's like to be in deep emotional turmoil, but even so, it's no excuse for treating her that way and I hope she will set some strong boundaries going forward. I also sincerely hope that my sibling will get therapy one day because I know it sure as heck helped me resolve a lot of shit that was keeping me stuck and hurting the people around me. Trouble is...and this is just my assumption...but I don't think they see anything wrong with their behavior. Everyone else is the problem.

A song you play over and over and over when no one is around: There isn't one.

how many different homes have you live in: Two different homes, one apartment, and two duplexes.

did your mom go to college?: She went to a trade school. Not sure about the name.

If your best friend was a vegetable, what would they be?: I just sent them a message on IG so hopefully they will get back to me before I post this survey... Okay - verdict is in; they are CORN. They said it defines their whole personality. I was all, "can literally go through shit and come out whole," and they said, "I was going to say it has a lot more sugar in it than you would expect, but that works so much better." ;D

where is the best place you know to take a dog for a walk?: There's a neighborhood park not far from here. You could also take them for a walk at the Nature Center or the trail along the Arkansas River. There's a dog park on the south side of town as well if you're interested in that sort of thing.

are there any crazy sandwich combinations you like to eat?: Not really. They might not be common, but it's not like I'm out here creating edible crimes against humanity.

which food do you think you have the most cans of in your cupboard?: Beans.

Do you save fortunes from fortune cookies?: I've saved some of them.

are you offended when Christmas is spelled Xmas?: No.

where do you put your keys when you come home?: I put them in the drawer under the counter with the microwave.

what is your favorite movie theater snack or candy?: Popcorn, chocolate, pretzel bites, nachos.

do you prefer rugs or bare floors?: Carpets and rugs are cozy, but they're also pretty gross. If I had my choice, then I would have hardwood flooring.

describe your favorite mug or glass to drink from?: My Christmas kitty mug. I realized the other day that it is not, in fact, a calico cat. It's white with tan spots only. I also recently purchased a gift set that had a couple of mugs in it; they're pine green on the inside, white on the outside, and decorated with pinecones and (I believe) sprigs of holly.

if you needed a pair of scissors now, could you find them in 5 minutes?: Yeah. There's a pair in the kitchen.

If your bestie said your significant other is a douche, what would you say: I'm not in a relationship, but I would definitely take their assessment seriously.

your favorite app on your phone: Youtube.

your bad habit that you love the most: Smoking.

invent a pop tart flavor: Marshmallow and sweet potato. "A marshmallow and sweet potato poptart would be a pastry similar to a traditional poptart, but with a filling made from mashed sweet potato, likely sweetened with a bit of brown sugar or cinnamon, and topped with a layer of melted marshmallow on the inside before being sealed and baked, creating a sweet and gooey flavor profile reminiscent of the classic Thanksgiving side dish of sweet potato with marshmallows." Thanks, Google AI, for bringing my vision to life.

do you name your pets after tv/movie/book characters: No.

[pandulce135]

Loss (Rise!Leo & Reader)

Note: I wrote this as a way to cope with the fact that I thought my dog was dying please let me rant about my dog at some point I love that dood but we're (my parents and I) are thinking it was most likely just a stomach bug. Not exactly proofread, but not.. not proofread???

TW: loss of a pet, isolation

Word count: 1.3K

~~~~~

If you were being honest, the past few days were a nightmare for you. The worst thing to happen to a pet owner occurred, and the fresh wound to your heart ached more and more as you thought about your beloved friend. 

Your furry companion had passed. 

It was overnight and painless for the little guy. You woke up to the corpse of your childhood pet laying on the floor next to your bed. You didn’t even brush your teeth before collapsing to your knees, sobs wrecking through your whole body. It felt as if the world was beginning to crush you as your tears fell onto the limp body lying peacefully before you. 

So you took your pet to the local pet hospital, made arrangements, and got your pet’s ashes back in a smooth sealed wooden box. On the side sat a metal plate with their name. 

You’ve been an emotional wreck since. 

Two days had passed, your phone notifications blowing up in the meantime. You hardly noticed through your zombie-like state: tired with on and off crying, unable to sleep. You weren’t eating, you’d only throw it up during your sob sessions anyways. Your phone continued to buzz as you stared lifelessly at the spot where your best friend once lay. It wasn’t until the persistent buzzing stopped that you looked at your phone. 

Forty-two texts.

Twenty-three missed calls.

A long chain of unopened Snapchats.

Five different messages through Instagram. 

All of them coming from your favorite turtles and human.

You let them worry.

A sigh escaped your lips. You hadn’t told anyone of what happened just yet. If you were being honest, you didn’t even want to get up from where you sat on your bed, curled up against the headrest with your comforter wrapped around you. A few more tears streamed down your face before you put on a brave face. 

You opened the messages. 

Various mentions of movie nights and what the group should watch, who should bring what to the gathering, and invitations to hang out. Eventually, they turned into worried messages wondering where you were and if you were okay. You saw they had agreed on a movie night at the lair tonight. 

Your thumbs tapped on the smooth glass of the screen that illuminated your face. You knew the blue light did nothing to hide your tear stained cheeks and puffy red eyes. It's lucky you're here by yourself and that no one had barged in on your isolation of grief.

Hey guys, sorry to make you worry. I haven’t been feeling great but I’ll totally make it to the movie night. 

Sent. 

It took everything in you to peel off the comforter, navigate the growing mess in your room, and grab clean clothes to take a shower. It took everything in you not to cry. Once you had rubbed shampoo to your scalp, you ran out of everything and your tears blended in with the water running down your body. Your sobs echoed off the walls of the enclosed space and what you originally anticipated to be a ten minute shower turned into a 45 minute crying period. But at least you were clean.

With slow movements, you reached out and grabbed your towel to wrap around your dripping form before stepping out of the shower. Starting at your shoulders, you felt a chill move down your spine, little bumps accompanying it on your arms and legs. You looked at yourself in the mirror, water dripping down your face and onto the towel and floor. What was supposed to be the white part of your eyes were now tinted pink. The stinging in your eyes returned as your lips began to spread thin. You were so tired of crying, but what else could you do?

Your best friend is gone, how can you simply move along?

You heard a soft knock on the door to your bathroom and you froze. 

“Hey, you good in there?” You recognized the voice as Leo’s, the sword wielding terrapin who wore a blue mask. “Get dressed quick, okay? We all miss you. I miss you a whole lot more than the others though, obviously.” 

You thought back to your messages, most of them came from him. They probably thought you would respond to Leo easier as you were closest to him. There was a pain in your chest and a heaviness in your heart when you registered his words and you finally realized how your sudden disappearance affected the others. You felt your eyes well up again. 

“I will,” you said, your voice only just loud enough for him to hear and moved quickly to dry yourself off and put on your clothes. You tried to ignore the stray tears that fell onto the floor or on your bare feet. 

When you were presentable with brushed hair and a washed face, you exited the bathroom. The door creaking made Leo turn to look at you. From the doorframe of the bathroom, you saw him standing next to where your pet’s ashes sat. You looked into Leo’s eyes with your own eyes that were stained pink and felt yourself crumble. Leo managed to get to you just in time as you began to sob and held you in his arms. 

He was patient, and while he was cold blooded, very warm. You gripped the back of his blue hoodie that he wore as a disguise for dear life, like if you let go, he would disappear. He was now a lifeline, a preserver dragging you back to shore from large crashing waves that nearly drowned you. Leo’s large three fingered hand ran down your hair in an attempt to soothe your crying. 

When your sobs turned into soft hiccups, he spoke up. “Is…” Leo tried to figure out his wording. “Is this why you went off the grid?” You knew he meant your pet’s death and nodded into his chest. You felt bad, the front of his hoodie was wet with your tears. “Oh, sweetie,” he mumbled as he pulled away and pushed the wet hair that stuck to your face back. “You’ll be okay. It was just their time.” 

You couldn’t help but sniffle at his words. 

“Hey, come on. How about that movie night? It’ll help get your mind off of everything.” 

You nodded and hugged him again. “Thank you.” 

It didn’t take you long to pack up and get ready to head out with Leo on your metaphorical tail. 

“We were thinking something action but maybe an action comedy?” Leo looked at you as you put on your shoes. He was standing by the front door. You shrugged. 

“I can use a laugh.” With all the crying you’ve been doing, it’ll be nice to do the opposite. Maybe the ache in your heart will be lifted. 

Leo put a hand on his chest, feigning offense. “Am I not funny enough?” He scoffed, but you saw the corners of his lips perk up. 

“It feels like you’ve been walking on eggshells since you got here,” you felt yourself grow sad once more but decided to continue with a recovery line, “but you sometimes have a few good lines here and there,” you finished. You stood up from your spot on the couch. You felt a smirk of your own begin to grow across your lips. 

“Walking on eggshells? Me?” Leo scoffed for real but smiled widely at you nonetheless. You knew he was doing his best to try and cheer you up. 

“I know, it’s hard to believe.” You mirrored his smile as you made your way over to him. He opened the door for you and led you out of your apartment to begin your walk to the Lair. 

“Hey, Leo?” You turned to him as he placed his arm around your shoulder, holding you close. You welcomed his warmth with a soft hum. 

“What’s up?” His voice was soft again, kind. You smiled warmly at him. 

“Thank you.” 

[petty-crush]

“Iron Claw” (2023)

-This film’s strengths lie in two areas irresistible to me; the ballad of macho tears let loose and invigorating ensemble acting

-the legendary wrestling family, the Von Erich’s, is spotlighted in this very new Hollywood type film

+it is somewhat sloppy, somewhat rambling, but contains great moments of emotional power that sneak up on you and makes you desperately interested in watching it again

-think “Shampoo” or “Last Detail”. Actually there is a very Hal Ashby type vibe to this film. Which is awesome

-actor Zac Efron is really moving(as Kevin von Erich), the entire film he so desperately wants to emotionally unload and escape, and when he reaches the end of this film it is utterly disarming

-before that, a moment of true joy happens when the brothers get together in the ring, and the grin on my face as (the band) Rush is needle dropped into this film was truly as big as the state of Texas

-there is a considerable dark undercurrent to Kerry Von Erich, and actor Jeremey Allen White uses his sad puppy dog eyes and longing pauses to dive deep

-for me, one of the best, most tender moments happens between Kevin and David Von Erich (Harris Dickinson) at the former’s wedding. They share a sweet bond, about the brutality of their father, the championship belt, and the strain of the wrestler’s life.

+it’s moments like this that unspool our emotions to let the following scenes really have their impact

-the intent with the wrestling scenes is to make them sweaty, up close, full of pain when you least expect it. No matter now predetermined the results, the body keeps the score

-“live that way forever” (made especially for this film) by Richard Reed & Little Scream is a solid entry in the film songs catalogue. It perfectly captures the music that will be unheard in a person’s heart

-said song is glued to Mike Von Erich (Stanley Simons) who seems to take the brunt of his father’s crushing disapproval (and he has quite a bit to go around)

-the iron claw in question is not just a finishing move but an apt description of the hold the dad has over the whole family and their nerves

-full credit to Holy McCallany, he never shrinks from showcasing father Fritz Von Erich’s ugly side while making it clearly possible to see how such a human being could become so self damaged and bitter

-possibly the best shot in the entire film is where all the boys and the dad are in the ring, and the camera very slowly zooms in from the rafters.

+The father is detailing all his plans for his kids, and since the camera is one shot, we see all the boys reaction in real time in same frame, the gravity weighing down on their souls as each gets their own verbal dead end contract

-in years to come this will definitely be a film people bond to, despite the heavy tragedy, because what each actor brings to the group, representing a different feeling

-there is poetry in the final scene, a delicate balance that erupts in full power, even if it only ripples to the surface

-what I love about it is how the kids factor in, with their own kid logic.

-a man sees his children playing together, he can’t help but cry. As his children check in, he apologies for shedding tears, echoing what his emotionally illiterate father taught him. The child chimes back “what are you talking about? We cry all the time!”

Somewhat startled, the man lets the children know how he misses his brothers. And then, perfectly delivered, “that’s ok, dad. We’ll be your brothers now”

What a moment. What a force of exhale, the body removes a piece of glass and then it starts to heal (metaphorically).

And then they play catch.

-I really loved this film. I want to watch it again. I accept its flaws, like I accept the characters, because they are not their mistakes. Not a dealbreaker. They live, and that’s more than enough. From now to Forever.

[saturnniidae]

4, 7, and 14 for the Httyd ask game :0

4. What is your favourite type of dragon and why?

I can't narrow it down to one, but my top three are probably: Deathsongs, Stormcutters and the Boneknapper

Deathsongs because they remind me of rainwings from wings of fire (my first dragon media obsession) with the bright coloring and ear frills as well as the amber being vaguely reminiscent of the acid rainwings spit.

Stormcutters because I absolutely adore Cloudjumper. The way he moves (owl + dog like body language) is incredibly fun to watch and his design is gorgeous.

And the Boneknapper because I had an obsession with the special as a little kid as well as having a one in SoD, iirc. Also, the concept of a scavenger dragon coating itself in an armor of bones is badass.

7. Do you have any OCs? If so, talk about their appearance, backstories, and personalities.

No, unfortunately. I've not really been into OC making since middle school. Not sure what happened, but I kind of lost interest and shifted to focusing on pre-existing characters 😭 I'd like to make a Dragon Rider sona one day though if feel the inspiration to.

14. Which part of the franchise has your favourite animation style?

The first movie era, hands down. The rough, somewhat bleak (in the beginning, at least) gritteness of Berk's scenery, the textures and lighting, Toothless' original design (Cat-like, sleek, very clearly built for speed over raw strength, you can literally see the dust in between his scales) and the original designs for the all the dragons tbh, they feel more.. textured and wild (which I guess makes sense. Later, while they're still, very much wild animals they've become accustomed to being cared for. But still.)

And with the human characters as well!!! I love how much personality their designs have alone; Hiccup has crooked teeth and so many freckles, Astrid has really choppy, greasy looking bangs that she's always shoving out of her eyes, Snotlout's actually missing a tooth, and most of the kids have like, visible dirt on their skin and clothes.

I love how 'imperfect' the designs for all of them are!! And like of course they are!!! Like these kids were training to wage war against dragons! Of course they're gonna be grimey!! I dunno, I just feel like a lot of movies/shows aren't willing to have that level of perceived realism in their character designs. Httyd's cast feels so real to me despite how insanely stylized some of the characters are, and its an absolute shame they seemed to have lost that in the later installments.

(Hiccup's teeth magically get straighter, his freckles fade, Astrids skin is no longer ruddy, her hair looks like it's been shampooed or something, her freckles are completely gone and that's just the second movie. As it goes on the characters' designs and the world around them feels less full of life and more like shiny, plastic figurines. Especially Toothless.)

All the first movie era stuff has just a completely different feel to it that the rest if the franchise hasn't been able to replicate

Anyways, tysm for the ask! I had a lot of fun answering these!!!

[it-grrl]

Two of my temp coworkers took me to have a beverage at the cowboy bar inside the stock show barn where all the fancy cows get their shampoos and blowouts and get shown off to the other ranchers. Like, in the middle of the barn there's four temporary walls and some picnic tables and a nice woman named Dee pouring drinks. I sipped on a giant banquet Coors while a widowed Nebraska rancher showed us pictures on his phone of his favorite cows (not attending) like they were his dogs or his kids and H sincerely asked "what's the difference between a bull and a steer?" and I answered "Well, two things, mainly." (This is a joke about testicles) And L and I swapped some puns and H looked at my face, then took a pair of nail scissors out of her bag and offered to trim my overgrown undercut sideburns. Then I saw how red their hands were and shared my Good Lotion with both of them and we walked out to the shuttle bus and ate pistachios from L's Snack Bag (she is very much a mom) while we rode out to the remote car park. Anyway life takes me in weird directions alongside kind humans sometimes when I let.

[dervampireprince]

Hello Prince!! I have enjoyed your videos for a good couple months now!! Im glad to have stumbled across you in the wild planes of the YouTube recommended /gen

I have a not exactly a serious question more of a slightly silly one that occurs to me whenever werewolves appear, not necessarily requiring a solid answer more of my brain continues to project this literally any time I'm thinking about Arden

Would hair washing carry over do you think? Because he has, two forms, with different hair kind of, and my eternal question with werewolves is, does washing their hair in human form also wash wolf fur or do they have to schedule a day and spend a fortune on dog shampoo? This has tormented me since I watched wolfblood when I was like, 9, more with werewolves who can turn other days as well as full moons because otherwise itd be hard to schedule i think

(not at all sure how to end an ask, I always end up overly formal and a bit weird I think, so I'll say goodbye in brackets I guess?? Feels less like I'm writing a letter this way)

i uhh i've never thought that much about it i always just assumed with any werewolves it's the human hair that's just getting thicker and becoming fur and then vice versa. like it's still the same body so it's the same hair. idk if that's the answer you wanted. i think i've only ever watched one thing show that had werewolves in so i don't know what other werewolf lore does. i'm not an expert on werewolf fiction or werewolf lore of anything. so i mean that's how i always thought of it so that's how i think of it for arden i guess. it's not a thought i've ever had or one that's bothered me so i don't really know what to say. /gen /confused

[lacasadel]

How Do Cats Recognize Their Owners?

Have you ever wondered what your cat thinks when it looks at you in the eyes? Cats have different perspectives on people than most people do. Understanding their feline viewpoint might help you get to know your cat better.

Cats do not acknowledge humans as their superiors or masters, unlike other domesticated animals. They don't even recognize their owners at first glance, which has given them an unjustified reputation as a reclusive species. Cats cannot tell their owners apart by gazing at their faces while sleeping. Instead, cats use sound and smell to distinguish between humans.

Cats can know their owner's voice and detect a distinct aroma on human skin, regardless of whether the owner is wearing perfume. It is a myth that cats don't recognize or care for their owners because they can form strong emotional bonds. Simply put, their perception and comprehension are different from ours. In today's article, we will talk about how cats recognize their owners. But before we begin, please don't forget to like this article and subscribe to this channel to get more awesome content. Now let's get into it.

Contrary to popular belief, cats can identify their human companions, despite what you may think about their personalities and dispositions. When they come across their owners, they can tell one human from another and will recognize them. This is feasible because cats form strong emotional bonds with the people they live with, regarding them as members of their family. Even though they might not seem as expressive as dogs, it can be trickier to read their body language. Cats simply express themselves differently, as anyone who has formed an emotional attachment with one will attest to. Cats will reciprocate when their guardians meet their basic needs, establish security in the home, and show them the right amount of affection.

Let's look at the ways cats recognize their owners. By fragrance and marking, cats have up to 80 million scent receptors in their nose, 20 times more than humans. Every person also smells distinctively different to cats. Through the use of synthetic fragrances like shampoo or perfume, people can identify with one another. This facade is cut down by a cat's nose, which detects the scent of human skin. The cat will be intrigued if you switch up your fragrance. Your cat might glare at you while opening its jaws, lolling its tongue, and curving its upper lip. This is referred to as the "Flehmen" reaction. On the roof of a cat's mouth is the vomeronasal organ, also known as Jacobson's organ. Cats respond with the Flehmen when they smell something new because they fully absorb and minimize the fragrance. Cats remember good and bad things that are important to them, so they'll be keen to memorize a new smell associated with their owner.

Before you say anything, your cat will sniff you for any markings. Cats, as noted, won't identify their owner by sight. As far as a cat is concerned, until you speak, you may be anyone. Cats can recognize their siblings right away thanks to their sense of smell. Your cat will continually make its mark on you and will leave a scent behind every time it rubs its head or paws on you, designating you as a source of pleasure. Consider it to be the cat version of a "note to self." Your fragrance suggests that you are the source of food or entertainment. Your cat will search for these scents when it initially notices you. When it realizes that you don't pose a threat after detecting them, it will come closer to you. However, your aroma will make it feel better. Your cat is additionally sniffing around for different scents. Cats are naturally inquisitive creatures, and they are curious about your whereabouts when they are not around. Smells from the places you've been will be on your skin and clothes.

Talking to your cat will make it clear that you are who you say you are, which may cause the cat to begin rubbing up against you. If that's the case, it's refreshing its scent to mask these fresh smells. Your cat knows that other felines use scent to recognize you, so rubbing is your cat's way of claiming you and sending a warning to other cats that you have been claimed. By listening to the owner's voice, kittens respond to their mother's voice. A queen will attract her young with a distinctive meow or chirp that will alert them to impending danger or a feeding opportunity. When a cat matures and separates from its mother, its owner assumes control. The cat will react to your voice the same way it did to its mother because it expects you to protect them from harm, provide food, and provide shelter. A cat will distinguish voices other than their owners and even the other noises you make, such as breathing and footfalls. Your cat may be waiting at the door when you get home from work since it has remembered your gait and grown accustomed to hearing your footsteps. The cat, with its hearing, had you coming from a distance.

Cats can identify human respiratory patterns. Do you ever catch your cat gazing at you when you first wake up? It may be because it has noticed changes in your respiration. The cat hasn't stayed in this position all night. Cats can tell whether you're sleeping deeply versus being practically awake, possibly because you've stopped snoring.

Cats can see in color, but they presumably have a different perspective on us and the world than we do. The world seems blue, gray, and yellow to cats because they have a minimal number of red-sensitive cones. Cats cannot distinguish between red and green, thus your cat probably won't notice if you have brilliant red hair. A new study found that cats and some other mammals can see colors that humans can usually only see under a black light. The world of cats might be extraordinarily vivid, considering that many things in our world, like birds and flowers, have UV coloration. Whether or not you are glowing, if you are too far away from your cat, you can appear to be a giant blur. Cat's eyes lack the muscles that allow humans to adjust the shape of their lenses to concentrate on objects at various distances; therefore, they are limited to focusing on objects that are between 6 and 20 inches distant. Cats are, therefore, colorblind, nearsighted, and likely to see the world as being illuminated by a black light.

By treating humans as big fellow cats, it should be no surprise to any cat owner that cats can distinguish between humans. Most felines have a particular person they prefer to be with over other people. However, the cat cannot recognize this individual by sight. Cats treat us as if we're big, clumsy fellow cats. A cat will greet you the same way she would greet another cat when she rubs up against you and lifts her tail. They could consider us to be family. Kneading is a kitten's way of requesting milk, so when a cat uses her paws to knead you, she is treating you like a kitten with its mother. On the other hand, if your cat frequently tries to groom you, she may be behaving in a kitten-like manner towards you. We could conclude that cats sometimes see us as other species.

Cats can recognize their owners and other humans, but not based on their appearance. Voice and scent are critical factors in feline recognition. So speak to your cat regularly and encourage scent landmarking.

If you liked this article, subscribe to our channel and explore more interesting facts about cats with us. Also, don't forget to drop a comment in the comment section and feel free to check out the other articles on this website.

[wheelin-after-midnight]

34.

when you wake up to pee at night, do you turn on the light?:

I don't turn on the main lights, but I turn on the bathroom light.

when was the last time you got a fresh box of crayons?:

A few years ago when I was really into colouring for a while.

what color is your favorite towel?:

I don't have a favorite towel. I don't even have that many.

do you know anyone’s phone number by heart?:

Lots of them.

do you wear hoodies?:

Sometimes.

what was the last gift you gave someone?:

Money.

do you cook on the stove at all, or just microwave:

I cook on the stove.

do you ever debate religion with your friends?:

Often. I don't feel uncomfortable talking about religion with them because they're respectful and open to different viewpoints than their own.

do you keep your shampoo in the shower or someplace else:

I keep it in the shower.

something your mother said or did that shocked you:

I wasn't very impressed with her pretty recently, but nothing she says or does really shocks me anymore. I may be disappointed or hurt, but I'm rarely surprised or shocked.

A song you play over and over and over when no one is around:

There are a lot of songs I'll repeat if I'm feeling it at the time. It doesn't matter whether or not people are around. I mostly use headphones.

how many different homes have you live in:

Like eight or nine.

did your mom go to college?:

Yes.

If your best friend was a vegetable, what would they be?:

Sweet potato, because she's the sweetest person alive. Truly. If you can platonically be in love with someone, she's that for me. That's the best way I could describe us. We were talking the last time we were together about how some people that have known each other as long as we have realize they love each other and end up actually being together, and we both looked at each other and kind of went, "omg noooo. Ewww. That would be so weird." She's straight as an arrow and has a great boyfriend, but we have a really deep relationship in every other way than the physical/sexual aspect.

where is the best place you know to take a dog for a walk?:

There's a small park close by, so maybe there. This area is pretty middle of nowhere in general though.

are there any crazy sandwich combinations you like to eat?:

Not really. They might not be common, but it's not like I'm out here creating edible crimes against humanity. - haha yeah. This.

which food do you think you have the most cans of in your cupboard?:

I don't have much of anything right now. There might be brown beans in the pantry.

Do you save fortunes from fortune cookies?:

No.

are you offended when Christmas is spelled Xmas?:

What a weird thing to be offended by.

where do you put your keys when you come home?:

On a nail on the wall, if I don't just keep them in my bag.

what is your favorite movie theater snack or candy?:

The popcorn! With extra butter.

do you prefer rugs or bare floors?:

Laminate, tile or hardwood.

describe your favorite mug or glass to drink from?:

I don't really have a favourite. I have one I use the most, but there's nothing too special about it. My favorite mug says plant based babe on it. I got it when I was vegetarian. I honestly don't use it very often, though. I'm gonna have to start again. Kinda forgot about it.

if you needed a pair of scissors now, could you find them in 5 minutes?:

Yeah.

If your bestie said your significant other is a douche, what would you say:

They wouldn't say this. They never have, even during our bad times or after our break up. They've said things like, "honey, I don't like this relationship for you" and expressed concern over the ways I was treated, but they've never said she was a douche. Babe even acknowledges she did me wrong and made big mistakes. She's walking the walk now instead of just saying the right things, and my friends can also see that. They just want the best for me and to see me treated well, not wasting my heart on someone who isn't gonna take care of it. All of us should want that for our friends.

your favorite app on your phone:

Spotify and Reddit.

your bad habit that you love the most:

Drinking coffee.

Eating carbs or sweets.

invent a pop tart flavor:

Chocolate peanut butter swirl.

do you name your pets after tv/movie/book characters?

No. I named her after Whitney Houston. Whitney's my favorite vocalist. Her nickname was Nippy. My cat gets called both Nippy and Whitney. Whitney is more reserved for when she's being a feisty little brat. She has like a hundred other little nicknames too, but those have nothing to do with what I actually named her.

[motleypets]

WHAT ARE SOME KEY ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR PET DOG?

Pets are excellent companions for humans. One would want to take good care of their needs as they are dependent on us humans for all their needs, from pet food and shelter to toys and accessories.

This is a massive responsibility for pet owners as the latter are the source for all pet needs. After all, even pets like to be well-groomed, well-fed and happy. Caring for your pet is challenging and needs much patience. With the plethora of options available in the market, it is quite a challenge to determine what your pet needs and likes. Options are mind-boggling, like smart leashes or GPS tracking devices for pets.

With all the supplies and accessories available, judging what is necessary and what is extravagant could prove challenging. When you bring a pet home, begin arranging their basic requirements and practice responsible pet ownership. You can progress to quirky items like dog toys and dog grooming products, later-on.

Following are the main pet accessories and supplies in the market:

HARNESS OR COLLAR

A collar or harness is simply the most valuable item for your pet. Ensure that this harness or collar is always equipped with tags for the pet's identity. ID tags can be supplemented by using microchips.

A harness or collar and a leash can be used to walk pet dogs safely all around. They are also good items to showcase your taste and aesthetical sensibility.

LEASH

All dogs need leashes; each must be trained to be manipulated by this accessory, like walking ahead when pulled. Even if there are no leash laws in your locality, the prospect of them manifesting in the future is high. You might also like to collect a few leashes of varied colours and myriad uses. Another fun tip is to match your pet's collar and leash for the style quotient.

BEDS

Your pet dog will like a special place to snuggle and rest, whether in a doggy's bed or a small pillow. Dog beds are available in several designs to fit all kinds of needs of different dogs. You should make arrangements for at least one bed for each dog in your home, and getting more will also not hurt. Some dogs might like to share space and will be happy with one big bed.

CRATES

Most dogs will like and benefit from dog crates or kennels. Like dog beds, having a kennel can give your dog a comfy, personal space. Crate training is vital to welcoming a pet to your home and can also impact other kinds of training. Also, kennels are highly useful for travel. After your dog grows familiar with his crate, you can introduce them to advanced options like travel strollers and backpack carriers.

TOYS GALORE

Toys are a universal favourite with dogs. Some may like a loud, squeaky toy, while others may wish to play tug-of-war or roll and fetch with some of their toys. Note that play is a vital aspect of the development of pet animals. When they play with toys, they mimic recreating activities natural in wild environments, like retrieving or chewing. Additionally, toys keep the pet dog entertained and happy, like toying around with puzzle toys.

GROOMING SUPPLIES

Based on the nature of their coat, all dogs require some grooming, such as occasional baths and trims. Grooming tools are available that match your pet's grooming requirements like shampoos, anti-flea powder and hair brushes. You can consult your vet or professional dog groomer about the specific grooming needs of your pets. For instance, though all dogs need nail trimmers, this type of accessory your dog requires will depend on the kind of nails. Also, do not forget other essential dog supplies like toothpaste and toothbrushes.

BOWLS FOR WATER AND FOOD

Your pet dog's survival and good health depend on the water and food it consumes. The primary options for materials for food and water bowls range from ceramic and silicone to stainless steel and plastic. Stainless steel is popular since it will not scratch easily, is durable and easy to maintain. No matter the options, wash these bowls regularly with soap and warm water to eliminate odours and bacteria.

DOG FOOD

Your furry friend's health depends significantly on the nature of the food and nourishment it is served. But picking the right food can be a tough challenge. For arranging the best food items for your pet, it is good to consult with your vet and discuss varied options like senior, adult and puppy food.

DOG POO COLLECTOR

Being a responsible citizen, you must remove pet waste while on the go in parks and other public places. Either online or offline shopping can be used to buy portable pet poop scooper in UK. 

Bad health is undesirable for both humans and pets, so you need to undertake preventive measures to protect your dog's health, as well. These may include dental care, using flea chemicals, flea collars, flea prevention powders and vitamins& supplements. Your vet can recommend the right products for taking preventive care of your pets.

DOG FENCING

When you intend to let your dog loose in your yard, you will also need a fence. From the start, the wall must be dog-proof so that your dog does not ever get a taste for running away. Also, ensure that the fence prevents the access of marauding animals to the pet's space. While electric fences may be superior to no wall, there can be a possibility for your pet to endure a shock while escaping this fence and not be able to get back in.

BABY GATES

Such gates afford much freedom to your dog while you set restrictions for its play within your house. Avoiding the old-fashioned style of accordions that can choke a puppy is best. You can even use a sturdy, long piece of cardboard to do the trick.

EXERCISE PEN

An X-PEN ( Exercise Pen) is a portable (4ft by 4ft) enclosure which serves as a playpen for your puppy. This is safer than locking your dog in the bathroom, and even your pet might prefer a spacious arrangement over the claustrophobic feeling of being locked in. Set up this pen near your den or kitchen where you can keep an eye on him while busy with other tasks.

SPRAYS FOR DETERRING CHEWS

Like off-limit signs for some spaces in your home, anti-chew sprays taste bitter, so your puppy will be discouraged from obnoxious chewing habits. This will help protect your furnishings from puppy teeth.

In sum, these are some key supplies and accessories you can buy for your precious pet dog. Factors impacting your choice may depend on safety, aesthetics and functionality.

[petcarewing]

What Are the 10 Best Practices for Pet Grooming?

1. Use the Proper Tools First

Using the appropriate tools is the first step in grooming. Choose brushes according on the type of coat your pet has. Pets with long hair require different brushes than those with short hair. To get rid of tangles, gently comb through their fur, beginning at the roots. To make sure your brushes are functioning properly, clean them on a regular basis.

2. Give Your Pet a Proper Bath

One essential Pet Care Tips and Trick of grooming is taking a bath. Select a shampoo for your pet based on their coat type and skin type. Human shampoos might irritate their skin, so stay away from them. It’s crucial to bathe them as needed, usually every few weeks or as your veterinarian instructs, as bathing too regularly might deplete their skin’s natural oils.

3. Regularly trim nails

Injuries and discomfort can result from overgrown nails. Every two weeks, examine your pet’s nails. It’s time for a trim if you hear clicking noises when they walk. When using clippers, exercise caution to prevent cutting the quick, which can hurt and result in bleeding. If in doubt, think about hiring a professional groomer to do the work.

4. Clean their eyes and ear

Another important aspect of pet grooming is cleaning their eyes and ears. Check for filth, wax accumulation, or illness symptoms on a regular basis. Use a vet-approved ear cleaner and soft cotton balls to wipe away any debris. For eyes, a gentle wipe with a damp cloth can remove discharge.

However, if you notice any redness, swelling, or excessive discharge, consult your pet doctor immediately.

5. Regularly Check for Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks can cause serious discomfort to your pet. Regularly Pet Care Tips and Tricks your pet’s fur for these pests, especially after outdoor activities. Use flea and tick prevention products, but always follow your vet’s advice for choosing the right one. Comb your pet’s fur with a flea comb to remove any pests that might be hiding.

6. Brush Teeth for Oral Health

Just like humans, pets need dental care. Brush their teeth helps prevent tartar buildup, gum disease, and bad breath. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste designed specifically for pets. Start slow, and gradually get your pet accustomed to having their teeth brushed.

7. Coat Care and Professional Grooming

Also pets, those with thick or long coats, need to be groomed more frequently. To avoid mats and tangles, regular brushing and trimming are crucial. Think about hiring a professional groomer for pets with challenging coats. In addition to handling various coat types, groomers are qualified to offer extra services including anal gland expression, nail care, and ear cleaning.

8. Proper Grooming for Particular Breeds

Grooming requirements vary by breed. While some cats and dogs need little care, others need to be groomed more frequently. Find out the breed-specific grooming needs of your pet. For instance, Siamese and other short-haired cats are easier to groom than poodles, which require frequent haircuts.

9. Check for Skin Issues

While grooming, always check your pet’s skin for any abnormalities such as lumps, bumps, or signs of infections. Dry patches, redness, or hair loss could indicate allergies, infections, or parasites. Early detection of skin issues can help you address problems before they become more severe.

10. Stay Calm and Be Patient

Both you and your cat should enjoy the grooming process. Grooming sessions should begin when your pet is at ease. Sessions should be brief, and excellent behavior should be rewarded with praise. When working with a creature that isn’t accustomed to being groomed, patience is crucial. Your pet will eventually come to appreciate the procedure.

Conclusion

An essential Pet Care Guide for your pet is proper grooming. In addition to making them look better, regular care also helps keep health problems at bay. You can keep your pet clean, healthy, and content by adhering to these pet care tips and tricks. For guidance on particular grooming techniques that are appropriate for your pet’s breed and requirements, always seek advice from your veterinarian.