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doubleleoenergy · 3 years ago

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Daddy Issues

Nobody does it like you do. I know how much it matters to you. I know that you got daddy issues

Pairing: Grayson Dolan x Reader

Warnings: 18+ ONLY, fingering (female receiving), oral (male receiving), Daddy Kink, passionate sex

Word Count: 2361

Author’s Notes: My GRAYstans unite! I have unlocked a new passion for Daddy!Grayson. Also, my headers either feature the reader image as Malia Tate from Teen Wolf or Jane Villanueva from Jane the Virgin.

“Are you SURE you want to make Sledge’s doghouse from scratch?” You asked, following your boyfriend, THE Grayson Dolan, into the backyard. Grayson and you had just adopted a puppy that he was FINALLY not allergic to, and he had become quite obsessed with wanting the absolute best for your new pup

“Babe, do you REALLY want our son to have some basic and boring dog house for the backyard, or wouldn’t it be more fitting for him to have a MANSION like the king he is?” Grayson suggests, wagging his thick eyebrows at you.

You gently shove his side, rolling your eyes at his response. “Fine, Sledge and I will just MONITOR your progress by the pool.” You call back to the pup, watching him gallop towards you both, wagging his tail. Grayson moves towards the garage to bring all of the wood and materials needed for the project onto the grassy area next to the pool, arranging the pieces by length.

Sledge lays down in the grass next to your lounge chair as you sit down, tightening your lavender string bikini bottoms on your hips. Today was GORGEOUS, the sun shining and the heat not sweltering, allowing for the perfect day to tan while you watched Grayson work.

You decided to start by tanning your back, lying with your face propped on a towel in the foldout chair. Your hands hold your phone out, scrolling through Instagram as you soaked in the summer rays.

Grayson started his plans by sawing the boards to the perfect length, pulling a pair of safety goggles over the top of his tousled long locks. You eye him carefully from where you lay, watching as he handled the saw with ease, cutting the board to its perfect size before continuing on to the next piece. Your eyes linger on the curve of his back muscles squeezing through the black tank top that clung to his figure.

Sledge barked, pulling you from your daze, demanding attention beside you. You place the phone by your side, smiling down as you sit up slightly to provide your furbaby with the attention he craved. “Are you watching Daddy work? Well, so is MOMMY.” You coo, running your fingers through his soft fur.

A half hour goes by, Grayson diligently putting together the pieces of wood, sweat dripping from his hair down through his beard. You decide it’s a good time for a hydration break, Sledge following you back inside the kitchen where you grab two bottles of water along with a dish to pour some out for your pooch.

“Gray, how about you take a quick break?” You chirped, approaching him as he leaned over and inspected his work. You hand him one of the water bottles, opening the other and pouring half into the dog dish you set beside your feet, Sledge lapping happily at the bowl.

“How’s it looking so far, boss?” Grayson teased, standing back to let you inspect his work. You tilt your head from side to side, putting your fingers out as a ‘frame’, closing one eye and then the other. Grayson let out a laugh as he watched you pretend to inspect like a ‘real’ boss, a huge grin spreading on his face.

“I’d say it looks sturdy so far, keep up the good work, EMPLOYEE.” You place a kiss to his cheek, sauntering back over to your lounge chair, sitting down to let the rays tan the front of your body.

After a few minutes of lapping at the water bowl Sledge moves back over to you, rolling happily in the grass. Grayson feels sweat drenching his black tank top, a mixture of the heat of the sun and the work he was putting into his project. He grabs the hemline and tugs it off, tossing the sweaty material in the grass next to him.

You can’t help but stop and OGLE at him when he removes it, a sinful image playing out in your mind. Your eyes roam over his sculpted chest, remembering how it felt when you ran your hands up and down his abdomen. Your eyes move up to look at his hair, long locks sticking to his forehead as he continues his work on the dog house. Lastly, your eyes fixated on his hands, watching the veins protruding as he hammered nails into the wood, forming the outside walls of what would be Sledge’s humble abode. Grayson looked DELICIOUS, and you couldn’t help the way your stomach flip-flopped at the sight, his cerulean swim trunks clinging to his hips.

“Hey G-Gray, I’m gonna go inside, watch Sledge for me, please?” He nodded, eyes fixated on the task at hand. You took one last glance in his direction, taking a mental picture before pulling open the screen door and heading directly towards your shared bedroom.

You needed relief after watching him work, he wasn’t even TRYING to seduce you and yet you still felt dampness between your thighs. You opened the bedroom door and shut it behind you. Your body stumbled forward, flopping back against the bed, shimmying out of your bikini bottoms, tossing them to the floor.

Your eyes fluttered closed, REWINDING the image of Grayson working outside in your head, the back of your lids acting as a screen for the projected image. Your delicate fingers slid down your chest to your core, circling around your bundle of nerves and letting out a soft moan. You pictured the way he tossed his shirt off, how the sweat GLISTENED on his skin, that perfect beard you refused to let him shave.

Fingers move lower, parting your folds and moving in and out of your core, arching your back against the bed. You continued pumping your fingers in and out, feeling that familiar buildup in your chest when you heard the bedroom door open, Grayson taking in the sight of you.

“What are you doing, babygirl?” He asked, arms crossing against his bare chest. Your eyes snap open, sitting up straight and pulling the blanket over you. As if he HADN’T seen what you were doing just moments ago.

“N-Nothing, I think I am just exhausted from the sun. I figured I needed to lay down and rest a bit.” You stuttered, a hand moving from below the blanket to scratch nervously through your locks.

Grayson’s eyes grew dark as he approached you on the bed, standing just at the edge of it and holding your gaze. “Babygirl, don’t LIE to me, you know I don’t like it when you lie.” He tilts his head, raising an eyebrow at you, eyes still locked on yours. “Were you TOUCHING yourself?” He asked.

Your cheeks start to feel hot, a rosy blush spreading across them. “Y-Yes, I was. You just looked so good outside and I didn’t want to bother you while you were working so I came in here and-” Grayson holds out his hand, silencing you before you can finish your sentence.

“You’re forgetting the rules, babygirl, REMIND me what they are.” He questioned, his voice lowering an octave. Your bottom lip quivers, your heart pounding loudly in your chest. “N-No touching myself, only DADDY gets to touch me.” You whispered, your gaze darting to the bed to avoid his stare.

“Look at ME.” He demanded, his tone making your eyes snap up immediately. “Yes, only daddy gets to touch you, and what happens when we disobey, babygirl?” You swallow the lump in your throat, eyes going wide.

“Y-You, you get PUNISHED.”

“Exactly.” He responds, two fingers beckoning you towards the edge of the bed. “Turn around, ass up.” You follow his instructions, crawling to the edge of the bed and turning around. Grayson’s fingers grab your neck, pushing your head down against the mattress. “You’re going to count to ten for me, if you stop counting we’ll start all OVER.”

The first smack across your ass made your pussy tighten, wincing slightly at the burn of his thick hand against your skin. “O-One.” You sputtered.

“Good girl, keep counting.” He commands, sending another smack to your flesh.

“T-Two...three...four...five.” Tears are welling up in your eyes, a mix of both pleasure and pain through each strike to your tanned skin. You don’t want to falter though, you know it’ll be MUCH worse if you add more slaps to the count.

“S-six...seven...eight...nine...ten.” Tears are now flowing down your face, staining your cheeks in the light coat of mascara you had applied that morning. Grayson moves the pressure off your neck, letting out a deep breath.

“What a good GIRL, see, I knew you could be good for me.” He flexes his hand in a fist and then stretches it out over and over, relaxing the muscles as the sting starts to dissipate. “I think it’s time that I get a THANK YOU.” You know EXACTLY what he’s asking, turning around to face him, eyes level with the thick bulge in his shorts.

“Yes daddy.” Your fingers tug down the shorts, his thick cock springing free against his chest. You lick your lips before reaching up, taking his cock into your hand and SLOWLY stroking it. Your mouth parts, lips curling around the tip, sucking and licking before moving them lower and lower down the base.

His fingers move to grip your hair, a groan of delight leaving his lips. “That’s it baby, open your mouth, let me fuck that perfect mouth of yours.” You do as you’re told, relaxing your jaw and letting him slide further. Not only was he thick, but LONG, tears welling up as he pushed all the way in, your nose touching the skin right below his belly button. He uses your hair as his reins, bucking his hips in and out, a mixture of your spit DRIPPING from the sides of your lips down your chin and neck. Grayson keeps his eyes on you, watching you sputter around him, his teeth grinding together.

“Fuck, so beautiful.” He pulls out abruptly, a string of saliva linking your mouth to his cock, and you feel utterly EMPTY. Grayson tilts your head up with his hand, ushering you to get up. “That’s enough, don’t want to cum in your mouth today, want to cum inside you.”

His hands push you back against the bed, untying the bikini top you still wore, revealing your bare breasts to him. His hand moves to grip his cock, rubbing the red and swollen tip against your folds, a dark smile on his face. “You are already SO wet, babygirl. Do you want me to fuck you?” You nod up at him but you know that’s not what he wants, he wants you to use your WORDS.

“Yes, Gray...I mean, daddy. Please fuck me, want to feel you cum inside me.” The words are satisfaction, the code that unlocks his motions as he pushes inside of you, working in slowly as your walls INSTINCTIVELY tighten around him, pulling him deeper. After a moment he bottoms out, holding himself there, looking down at you.

“So fucking tight, babygirl. Your cunt was MADE for me.” He moves his hips, pulling out almost completely before slamming himself back in, eliciting a whine from your throat. He continues at the same pace, pulling almost completely out and pushing back in fast, your voice becoming louder which each thrust.

“Gotta keep it down, you know Ethan is still sleeping. Wouldn’t want to wake him up. Or maybe you do, huh?” He asked, two of his fingers snaking between your breasts down to your clit, circling it. “Want Ethan to know that you’re a SLUT for my cock? How your daddy is the only one that can please you?”

You moan loudly, your voice hoarse from the way he fucked your throat earlier. “Yes daddy, I want EVERYONE to know I’m yours.” His hips slap into you over and over, fingers circling your clit with more pressure now. He can tell you’re close to coming, your walls clenching and unclenching him, your thighs shaking as his own hold you apart.

“Uh-uh, gotta ASK if you can cum babygirl, you know better.” Grayson’s free hand moves to your neck, wrapping around it JUST enough that your breathing gets harder, but not enough that you might pass out.

“Fuck, PLEASE daddy, want to cum on your cock, want to show you how good I can be.” You choked out, picturing the way his hands had moved around the wood and saw earlier that were now around your throat.

Grayson is pleased by your words, eyes focusing on your face and his fingers rubbing against you faster. “Yes, babygirl, CUM on my cock.” He can barely finish his sentence before your orgasm hits you, crying out loudly, tears flowing from your eyes with pleasure. He continues his movements, feeling your walls tightening around him and knowing he can’t hold on anymore. “Gonna cum, baby, gonna coat your walls with me, want you LEAKING my cum.” A groan of satisfaction leaves his lips, his cock pressed deep inside you as he spurts thick ropes of cum into you. Your eyes roll back into your head, closing them as you continue coming down from your high, his hand moving off of your neck so you can fully breathe. His hips stutter briefly, letting you milk his cock before he pulls out, noticing your dazed state.

“Hey...come back to me baby.” He whispered, moving to lay down next to you, placing gentle kisses all over your face. Your eyes FINALLY flutter open, a lazy smile on your lips. “Sorry about that, you really did just look so good I couldn’t help myself.” Grayson let out a deep chuckle, tugging you into his side, his fingers roaming up and down your back.

“Don’t apologize baby, next time just tell me and I’ll stop to USE you how you need to be used.” He glances at the door, hearing a whine from Sledge, pulling him back to reality. “Our SON wants you.”

You shake your head, looking up at him. “Nope, YOU can deal with him now, you fucked all of the energy out of me.”

Tagging my GRAYstans: @midnightf | @certainaesthetic

#grayson dolan #grayson dolan smut #grayson dolan x reader #grayson dolan x reader smut #fanfiction #doubleleoenergyworks

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popatochisssp · 4 years ago

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Are any of the new guys ok with being child free? (I keep having to explain to my fam how I'm NOT EVER going to have kids) And I'd like some solidarity from fictional skeletons.

Broadly speaking, I think all of them would be okay with that! In general, all the boys’ idea of the future is uncertain and something they need to work out with their s/o, so that informs the perspective a lot.

I truly don’t think ‘no kids’ or ‘yes kids’ would be an explicit deal-breaker for any of them, but in terms of where their thoughts naturally fall about the topic:

Pre-discussion/negotiation, it’s probably a no: Sky (Underswap Sans), Paps (Underswap Papyrus), Mal (Swapfell Sans), Rus (Swapfell Papyrus), Ash (Undergloom Sans), Brick (Horrorfell Sans), Merc (Horrorswap Sans), Pitch (Horrorswapfell Sans)

Genuinely neutral or undecided: Sans (Undertale), Pyre (Underfell Papyrus), Papy (Horrortale Papyrus), King (Horrorfell Papyrus), Ell (Horrorswap Papyrus), Sunny (Gastertale Sans), Aster (Gastertale Papyrus)

Pre-discussion/negotiation, it’s probably a yes: Papyrus (Undertale), Jasper (Underfell Sans), Slate (Horrortale Sans), Yrus (Undergloom Papyrus), Nemo (Horrorswapfell Papyrus)

But like I said... they’re flexible, because your relationship and the future they want to have with you doesn’t work without... well, you!

If you’re a ‘definitely no kids’ person and you see your skeleton in the ‘yes’ category, that doesn’t mean you’re doomed-- it just means a couple conversations about it to convey your thoughts...and depending on the level of gungho for having kids he is (most aren’t married to it), maybe agreeing to a compromise where you adopt an animal or two and be dog/cat/iguana/whatever-the-hell parents.

Same goes for a ‘yes i want kids’ person who sees their skeleton of choice in the ‘no’ section, that’s just where they are before talking it all out with you. Some time and a few conversations to understand where everybody’s coming from and how to move forward, they’re willing to negotiate.

Kids or no kids, neither is a deal-breaker, it’s all fine and you can work it out together!

Y’know what, while I’m at it, here’s just the basic thought processes of all of them, just to give a little peek into their skulls on the matter...

Sans (Undertale): Kids are fun, doesn’t have any particularly strong desire to have one of his own, but he raised his kid brother for awhile and he knows it’s something he can do, if it’s what you want.

Papyrus (Undertale): Kids are great and he’d be a great parent, he just knows it! You’d be a great parent, too! ...But if that’s not what you want to do, then that’s okay. There’s plenty of other great things for you to do together in life!

Sky (Underswap Sans): Kids are wonderful, but raising his little brother solo after their dad disappeared... That was hard and he definitely wasn’t ready for the responsibility. It was a humbling experience and he refuses to commit to having kids of his own until he’s sure it’s something he sincerely, passionately wants.

Paps (Underswap Papyrus): Feels awkward around kids, as a rule, and also kind of thinks of himself as a (mostly contained, at least) disaster of a skeleton. Is he ready for the responsibility of being in charge of a brand new being’s growth and development??? Not sure! Not sure at all!

Jasper (Underfell Sans): He likes kids alright... thinks about maybe having some of his own someday, the idea of a family is nice, in his head... but he definitely isn’t sure about the reality. Worries about if he’d be a good enough parent, or if his kids (if he were to have them) would resent him or just not like him. It’s a nice idea, but nothing’s set in stone for him.

Pyre (Underfell Papyrus): Honestly never thought about it. Part of him fully expected to die Underground in some battle or other, or excepting that, he wouldn’t find a partner who’d want to be with him long-term, much less long enough that he could make a family with them. He’s not...explicitly opposed to it, but he also hasn’t given it a lot of thought at all. He’ll need time to sort out his feelings, whatever his partner’s opinions on potential kids are.

Mal (Swapfell Sans): Terrified, petrified to have kids of his own. Being around them is...fine, but... He’s got a lot of issues tied up with his...parent... and having to be a pseudo-parent to his own brother at a very young age, it’s made him worry about repeating patterns and failing, hurting, damaging, or otherwise doing his own children a disservice, if he were to have them-- even as a grown and well-situated adult. If kids are something his partner really wants, they’ve got those insecurities to talk about with him for sure.

Rus (Swapfell Papyrus): He’s actually really good with kids, he relates to them well and always just talks to them like people, so of course they love him. But having his own... That, he’s not sure about. He’s definitely a little bit of a disaster, and still working on a lot of Adult Life Skills, and the thought of being in charge of a whole entire brand new person is more than a little scary. Not sure if he’s ready for that step--or if he’ll ever be!

Slate (Horrortale Sans): Loves kids, and loves the idea of a big family. He’s had more than enough death, life is very appealing to him and a full house honestly sounds wonderful. ...But he does have some memory issues, a dash of narcolepsy, and some hard, dissociative days that make him worry he might not be a very good parent. He’d do his best to do right by his kids if he ends up having them, of course he would, but if that’s just not in the cards for him, that wouldn’t be the end of the world. He’s the one who’d definitely want to bring in some furbabies if two-legged babies aren’t on the table, and he’d still be a very, very happy man!

Papy (Horrortale Papyrus): He likes kids, but doesn’t have many strong feelings on having his own. He’d be alright either way his partner wanted to go-- as long as the two of them are together and safe and happy, he’s got everything he needs.

Ash (Undergloom Sans): Kids are fun, but honestly...oof. He’s got a chronic fatigue thing going on and keeping up with a kid for more than an hour or two at a time... he’s not sure he could hack it. Maybe he could, but that’s really something to think about before just diving in, y’know?

Yrus (Undergloom Papyrus): Very good with children! They’re so curious and bright and he loves that about them! He’s got a lot of nurturing, caretaker tendencies built right into his personality, so he’s a natural at looking after and corralling them. He’s easily flustered and moves slow in his romantic relationships, though, so there’s a long timeline before the ‘should we have kids’ talk is even on the table, plenty of chances to share thoughts and work out a gameplan, whether that’s yea or nay. If yea, wonderful! If nay, he’d probably be just as happy babysitting friends’ kids and being Cool Uncle Papyrus as having any of his own.

Brick (Horrorfell Sans): It’s... a nice thought. But he definitely doesn’t trust himself enough to feel totally comfortable having kids of his own. He barely trusts himself in Polite Society some days, and he’d just be too worried about not being in control and hurting or scaring a little one, especially a little one of his own. He doesn’t think he’d ever be able to forgive himself if he made his own kid afraid of him. Plus memory issues, nightmares, (depending on his fluency at the time) a language barrier... So ‘no kids’ is...probably preferable, but if it’s something you really want... maybe start with an animal or two first? The ol’ practice-baby pet, see how it goes kinda deal, and move forward from there.

King (Horrorfell Papyrus): Like his counterpart, never really thought about it much...but when he does, he decides he could go either way on it. If you’re not interested in kids, fine, that’s more time for just the two of you. If you are, well... he was literally a monarch that ruled over all of monsterkind, for a time--surely, he could manage to be a passingly decent parent, with you as his partner in the endeavor. He’ll take his cues from you as to whether it’s a yes or a no.

Merc (Horrorswap Sans): His feelings haven’t really changed from pre-Famine. In fact, he’s probably more hesitant now, after so viscerally confronting the consequences of his own hasty decisions and having to face his own fallibility the way he did. The thought of being responsible for a whole small life is very nerve-wracking--especially if said proposed life is to be biologically his, because he really doesn’t know what the DT in his system (pre or post-integration) will pass on to theoretical next-of-kin, if anything at all. Maybe not a ‘never,’ but not a vigorous, enthusiastic ‘yes’ either, lots to think about...and maybe tests to run...

Ell (Horrorswap Papyrus): A couple years ago, he’d have been a little more in the ‘no’ camp, but now... He’s been through a lot. He’s struggling sometimes still, at least emotionally, but he made it, so y’know... maybe he’s capable of handling more than he thought he was. Still not a solid ‘yes’--he’s aware of his lack of filter and its tendency to cause hurt feelings, and he does like his peace and quiet, which kids are very much not conducive to, as a rule, so he’d have to put in some work and make some sacrifices-- but he’s no longer wholly a ‘no’ either. Depending on your own thoughts, there’s plenty of room to negotiate.

Pitch (Horrorswapfell Sans): Kids are fine, he can handle them well enough, and even the thought of having his own doesn’t stress him out so much as it once did--he’s changed a lot, and been through a lot, taking a second crack at parenthood from a new perspective wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world--but he’s also not particularly interested in it. He likes his leisure time and his luxuries, and much as he’s sure he could find room in that to accommodate a child...he doesn’t see much of a reason to. He could be convinced, if it’s something that you really want, but he’d also stay childfree without a second thought to the matter.

Nemo (Horrorswapfell Papyrus): Good with kids, like his counterpart, but also a little more capable and confident in himself and his ability to get things done. So... having a kid might be a little intimidating for him, but he generally feels like he could probably figure it out... and a kid might be a nice outlet for some of his caretaking urges, and extra motivation to keep fighting his phobia, to make sure their childhood is good and doesn’t suffer from them having a dad who’s scared to go outside. He definitely likes the idea of someone to look after and to be better for, but if that’s not for you, he wouldn’t force the issue. Would maybe want a furbaby though, instead, probably special needs that not everybody could/would be able to take care of (like Dizzy!) to fill that niche.

Sunny (Gastertale Sans): Kids are really cool and fun to hang out with--crazy little people, no filter, just running around, saying things, living life--they’re awesome, but he’s not totally sold on the idea of having his own. He does a lot of aimless life-living himself, and he feels like maybe that’s not the best thing for a kid. He doesn’t really have a career, he does things without a lot of planning, he goes places spontaneously, and... maybe that’s fun and exciting for a kid to be raised around, or maybe it’s unstable and harmful. He’s not really sure which and he probably doesn’t want to bring a kid into the mix until he knows. With a partner who’s a ‘yes’ on children and can help him co-parent and all that, sure, he’d probably be willing to give it a go. With one who’s a ‘no,’ that’s fine too, it’s a nonissue!

Aster (Gastertale Papyrus): A little weird and stiff around kids, never totally sure how he’s supposed to talk to them or what he’s meant to say (especially when it comes to those things you’re supposed to lie to kids about, he’s very bad at that!!!), but he has nothing against children in general. As far as the idea of having his own... Well, if his partner wants to have kids, it wouldn’t be a no-- he’d just have to do a lot of research on the subject first, to feel more comfortable and to hopefully prepare, mentally, as much as one can ever prepare for this. After that, he’d be open to discuss and negotiate the matter with his partner from there, to sort out the logistics. With a partner who doesn’t want kids, though, he’d almost certainly never even bring it up on his own and honestly probably thinks of ‘childfree’ as the expected default rather than something quirky, nontraditional, or a deal-breaker.

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thedeskside · 3 years ago

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The Deskside: Faith Coates

Welcome to The Deskside, our interview series where we connect with up and coming creative women who are carving out their own special spaces in this wide world. We talk about their careers, experience, personal dilemmas, creative strategies, and more.

Faith Coates leads a fully customized life, pre-pandemic.

The Stats

Name: Faith Coates

Company: The Artful Marketer & XYUandBeyond

Industry: Marketing and Strategic Planning

Find Her on Social:

Facebook

How did you make the leap?

I like to say my kids wouldn't run away from home so we did, which is very true. I am constantly astounded at how many young people just hang around their hometowns and don't grab any opportunity to travel.

Apart from that, I grew very tired of crappy jobs that only contracted you for a year and paid you nothing. In my last job over 4 years I raised over 2 million dollars in extra revenues, and my rewards were yearly contracts at pathetic wages. So when my husband took early retirement from the Post Office I decided to hell with this and we made the decision to go traveling. We didn't have a fantastic income by any stretch and there was no way to live in Canada on that tiny pension. So we decided to go and housesit and save ourselves mortgage and rent. We found traveling in Europe is just so damn cheap, I mean I can fly from London to Dublin for less than it costs to take a train from my hometown of London to Toronto.

As a result of that decision and my stay-at-home boredom, I decided to put my talents to use in helping other entrepreneurs. I specialize in working with socially-minded entrepreneurs who not only want to support themselves but give something back to the community. I work a lot with creative types - from chefs, travel bloggers, not for profits and social enterprises to artists who are starting a new business and need all the practical help with writing a strategic plan, marketing on social media, and just general business guidance.

I call myself an archi-anthropologist, in other words, I can see the big picture, the whole building, or beyond the box if you like, and all the thousands of details that are critical to developing and supporting a business culture.

My third sense can literally ‘see’ the way a business needs to strategically plan for success. I can take an entrepreneur's dreams and make them a reality.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A writer.

What was your first job ever? Did it help you in your current role?

Working in a record store. I suppose it did in a way. I became fascinated by the people who shopped there—they were obsessed with music and it made for fascinating people watching. It also became very clear that the musicians and creative types that were ‘managing’ the place were completely out of their depth in business.

What made you want to start your business?

LOL boredom inspired me! I simply can't sit around on a beach or the house without something to do.

How do you explain what you do to others?

I just people I am a Storyteller, that usually gets them asking more questions at which point I explain that I although I have no particularly artistically creative talents myself that I work with those that are creative to help them build successful businesses.

How long have you been doing this?

Probably for over 20 years, I just didn't realize it was a talent until I needed to create work for myself. I have been giving away information for years without valuing the fact that information really is power.

What is a day for you like? What is your routine?

We get up around 6ish and Alan walks the dog and I get the animals breakfast for them (if there are pets at our housesit). After that Alan cooks breakfast and I sit down at my computer to work for a few hours. If it's a hot location (like we are now in Cyprus) we go for a swim either at the pool or find a quiet, easy access beach and go for a swim.

When we get back I go back to the computer for a few hours if necessary or simply relax outside and read a book. We often just go for a drive if we have a car available just to see the sights and explore new areas. I can't resist a museum or ancient monuments and sites. I also love a farmer's market and I am a true foodie at heart so exploring regional cuisines and taking food tours is heaven for me.

How do you end your workday?

Sometimes it feels like I don't, I am constantly reading or learning things and I love finding information and doing research. Others may call that work but I love it.

How did you go about starting your business?

I started writing a travel blog to keep our friends and family posted. From there it just sort of grew organically. I got asked to develop blogs for friends and family that had small businesses and I loved it so much I decided to try to do it for other people. So I started promoting my travel blog as a sort of portfolio of work. I got a lot of traffic from connecting to tourist groups and places through Twitter and Pinterest and it grew from there and then I started mentoring some online entrepreneurs who didn't realize they were entrepreneurs. So I started The Artful Marketer and now I work with a few clients that are establishing businesses that have at their hearts a social conscience and give back to the community.

What are your biggest responsibilities as an entrepreneur?

Understand your value and not compromise it.

Always be totally honest and transparent with your clients.

Do what you say you are going to do and to do it as well as you can.

Be ethical, reliable, and meet your deadlines.

Always tell the truth to new entrepreneurs and freelancers.

Give back and share as much as you can without jeopardizing your own business

What has been the hardest part of your transition?

Keeping my husband occupied and not ignoring him when I kept wrapped up in working.

What has been the easiest part of your transition?

Selling everything and becoming totally committed to minimalism. It is so incredibly freeing not owning anything and traveling with a carry-on.

What keeps you motivated?

The travel and the seeing new places that I never dreamed I would get the chance to, and getting to stay with and spoil other people's pets because as a traveler you don't get to have pets so for a little while we get to love someone else's furbabies.

How do you define success now?

Same as I always have, being your own person, speaking the truth, standing up for what is right, and giving back as much as you can.

How do you prevent burnout?

For me, I go and read a book. I love books that involve history, mystery, and good guys fighting bad guys James Rollins and Kathleen McGowan come to mind. When I want something different I turn to Kelley Armstrong a brilliant Canadian writer—she wrote the Werewolf series they turned into a TV show.

What do you think is the most important characteristic to have for someone who wants to take a similar career route to yours?

Willingness to learn new things and do your homework. Don't buy into the "dream it, believe it, and abundance will come mindset". If you want it you are going to have to work damn hard at it and sometimes you may get some luck that helps but mostly you will work your ass off to make it a success and a lot of times you will fail and that sucks, but you have to brush yourself off and get moving again. Persistence I think would sum it up.

What do you wish you knew before starting out on your own path?

One, I wish I had valued myself more. I ended up giving away my talents for free and making tons of money for other people.

Two, be careful who you trust and make sure you listen to your gut instincts.

Is there someone out there that you admire?

Not really work idols I respect and love women like Gloria Steinem, Maya Angelou, Bell Hooks, and Audre Lourde are all my heroes.

What is your favorite thing about your industry?

Meeting folks who are so excited and passionate about their business and want to inspire others.

What do you have on your desk or working space right now?

An iced coffee, my notebook and pens, and my computer and phone. Oh yes, and it’s damned hot here right now so I have a package of baby wipes that I just took out of the fridge for cooling down with.

What do you want other women in similar situations to know about your chosen career path?

If you have the desire to get out or are planning it - try to get out as soon as you can. Start getting rid of stuff, research all your options for traveling and living abroad or even another place. Look into housesitting, house swapping, co-work spaces, or even just getting an apartment, someplace you never thought possible, and move. Start building an online business or career now so you can make it move with you.

You may also like…

#interview #interview series #working women #entrepreneur

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sciencespies · 4 years ago

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102 Scientific Benefits of Having a Dog

https://sciencespies.com/nature/102-scientific-benefits-of-having-a-dog/

102 Scientific Benefits of Having a Dog

We call them man’s best friend for a reason. Did you know that having a dog offers you myriad benefits at any age or stage of life? It’s true, and there’s research that backs it up. Let’s look at 102 benefits of having a dog. I’ve divided them into categories so that you can filter through the list and find the aspects that fit your condition.

For Better Health

Overcome Loneliness

More and more people are living alone for at least part of their adult life. If you’re on your own, a pooch can provide companionship and more. A 2017 study of lifestyle and health details for 34,202 people suggests that having a dog can help reduce the risk of heart disease and prolong life expectancy for individuals in single-person households.

Ease Anxiety

A 2012 review article in Frontiers in Psychology examines the impact of the human-animal bond on different physiological variables. The summary explained that several studies demonstrated how interaction with a friendly animal such as a dog effectively reduced fear and anxiety.

Help Us Relax

You may not need anyone to tell you that a game of fetch or just running your fingers through Fido’s hair can help you relax. Here’s why: Studies show that these interactions cause increased levels of dopamine and serotonin in the blood. Both substances help us relax and stay calm.

Reduce Stress

Studies on how animals help reduce stress abound. One case showed that people found a difficult task less stressful when accompanied by their furbaby than when they were with a close friend or spouse. Another report demonstrated that heart attack patients in high-stress jobs were more likely to survive more than a year after the event if they had a pet.

Dogs Make Us Happy

A 2009 study in Japan revealed that looking into Fido’s eyes triggers a release of oxytocin, which is sometimes called the “cuddle” or “love hormone”. This substance enhances our sense of bonding and well-being. In another investigation involving seniors, people over 60 that live alone were 4 times less likely to become depressed if they had a pet than if they didn’t live with a furry friend.

They Make Us Laugh

There are some studies that suggest people with pets laugh more often than those without pets . The great thing about this is that laughter has many emotional and physical benefits.

Help With Weight Loss

Studies show that regular walks with your four-legged friend can help you lose weight. In one research project, public housing residents who walked loaner dogs for 20 minutes a day, five days a week lost an average of 14.4 pounds in a 50-week study period. In addition, the Wellness Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago conducted a year-long survey that showed pairing obese patients with overweight dogs for a walking program helped both parties drop pounds.

Reduce Trips to the Doctor

Particularly for seniors, owning a pet may help reduce the number of visits to the doctor. A one-year study of 938 medicare enrollees suggests that dog owners are less likely to see their physician after a stressful life event than individuals without a pet.

Motivate Us to Exercise More

Dogs need to walk, and that gets us moving. There are several studies showing that people with dogs tend to get more exercise than those without a canine companion. A Michigan State University investigation found that people who own a furbaby were 34% more likely to walk 150 minutes a week than non-dog owners. Other projects report that humans tend to walk faster and get better quality exercise when they go with a pup.

Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels

In addition to helping to relax us and lower our blood pressure, dogs may positively impact our cholesterol and triglyceride levels. One large study showed some correlation between dog ownership and lower levels of these blood lipids, but the findings weren’t conclusive.

Longer Life

A nationwide cohort study in Sweden revealed that dog owners, particularly if they live alone, were less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease or premature death than those without a furry friend.

Add Structure and Routine

Dogs are creatures of habit. They thrive on a schedule for feeding and exercise. Being responsible for a pet can give people a sense of achievement that helps them stay balanced. And routines in our lives also benefit our health.

Enhance Our Joy

This is closely related to the way that dogs make us happy. Interacting with a pooch can boost our oxytocin level, which gives us a sense of emotional well-being. For older adults, a dog can also increase morale and provide a sense of self-worth.

Just think about how much joy these famous dogs added to your life. You got all the benefits, without owning one of them.

Savings From Fewer Doctor Visits

Seniors living alone may make 30% fewer doctor visits if they own a pet. This can be a significant benefit for the wallet!

Improved Pain Management

A 2003 study found that human-dog interactions resulted in increased levels of beta-endorphin, oxytocin, and other substances that help with pain management. A 1996 report on the psychosocial and psychophysical effects of human-animal contact also showed that people receiving animal-based therapy used fewer pain relievers to manage their condition.

Reduced Illnesses

It may sound counterintuitive, but dogs help us stay healthy. They bring germs into the house that our bodies may not otherwise encounter, and that gets our immune system working. In 2012, scientists released a report on a cohort study conducted on 397 infants in Finland that suggests contacts with a dog in the first year of life may boost resistance to respiratory illnesses.

Improved Heart Health

A 2002 study of 240 married couples showed that individuals with pets had lower blood pressure and lower heart rates when compared to those without pets. There’s also good news for dog owners that have had a heart attack. Research shows that patients with a canine companion may outlive those that don’t have a furbaby.

Companionship

Kristen Fuller, M.D. and clinical mental health writer says, “Dogs are one of people’s most popular companions.” They offer us unconditional love and a warm greeting when we come home. Caring for a pet helps us to feel needed and overcome our loneliness. What’s more, most people talk to their furry friends and may use them as sounding boards to work through problems.

They Fulfill Our Need for Touch

Psychologists understand the importance and value of physical touch. It can help to reduce stress and anxiety, decrease feelings of depression, relieve pain, and recover from health problems. Petting a dog can also lower our blood pressure and help us relax.

Surviving a Major Illness

We’ve seen how dogs can help heart attack patients live longer. This human-animal interaction also benefits people who have had a stroke or other circulatory illnesses. Single-person households with a canine companion demonstrated a reduced risk of death after a heart attack (33% less) or stroke (27% less).

They Boost the Immune System

Scientists have found that having a dog (For ex. a Yorkie) in the house can impact the types of bacteria found in the home. With this in mind, researchers at the University of Arizona proposed a study in 2015 to determine whether the microbes our pups share with us benefit our immune system. The results are not yet available.

Lower Blood Pressure

Numerous studies demonstrate that owning a pet can help lower blood pressure. In one investigation, people suffering from hypertension saw significant decreases in blood pressure within 5 months of bringing a shelter dog home with them.

Better Sleep and Coping With Insomnia

Sleeping with a service animal or pet dog may help people cope with various sleep disorders including nightmares, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy.

Helps Reduce Fears and Phobia

Whether you’re responding to a potentially dangerous situation, or you’re suffering from a debilitating, intense fear of an imagined threat, dogs can help you cope. Many pups can sense when people feel stress, and when they do, they’ll do something to make you feel safe and calm.

Improved Mental Health

Evaluating 17 studies on the impact of the human-animal bond, a team of researchers from the Universities of Liverpool, Manchester, and Southampton concluded that pets can have a positive effect on patients with mental health disorders. Pets help people manage their conditions, overcome loneliness, and find a sense of purpose, among other benefits.

For Children

Reduces Risk of Allergies

Two studies conducted in 2017 demonstrated that having a dog in the house before birth and while children are very young may help protect them from developing asthma and eczema symptoms.

Improves the Immune System

One study involving 397 children found that babies living in homes with dogs may be less likely to get respiratory tract infections like colds and ear infections than those in pet-free homes.

Eases Separation Anxiety

A family dog builds bonds with both children and adults. They can provide kids with a sense of security and help to ease separation anxiety when mom and dad enjoy a night out.

Helps Build a Positive Self-Image

Dogs provide unconditional love and companionship. They also depend on us and help us to feel like we’re needed. This kind of faithful friendship helps children build a positive self-image.

Help Children With ADHD

Some studies show that animal interactions with children with ADHD can help them to be more focused and improve social skills. Pets may also lower stress levels and teach children with ADHD about empathy and responsibility.

Reduce Aggression

Playing with the family pet can relax and calm a child. This comes in handy with overly aggressive or hyperactive kids. It’s important in these situations to teach both Fido and your child how to behave with one another.

They Help Kids Learn Perseverance

When you get your kids involved in training the family pooch, they learn how to keep working at a challenging task. Teaching a dog how to perform special tricks takes perseverance.

They Help Kids Learn Responsibility

In a 2011-2012 survey of pet owners, the American Pet Product Association reported that 58% of respondents said pets helped teach their children to be more responsible. Animals need care and attention like feeding, walking, grooming, and affection, and these practices teach us responsibility for others.

Teach Kids About Loyalty

Dogs are our faithful companions. Their constant loyalty provides a model for children that shows them how we should treat one another.

Reduce the Risk of Asthma

Several reports suggest that the dander or “dog dust” from our pups may help protect children from developing asthma when they get older.

Reduce the Risk of Eczema

Studies indicate that prenatal and infant exposure to dogs can reduce the likelihood that children will develop allergic reactions like eczema later in life.

Stimulate Curiosity and Imagination

Dogs and their children often become playmates. Learning about their furry friends can stimulate a youngster’s curiosity. Interacting with a pooch also sparks the imagination. My daughter loves to make up stories that include our pup.

Inspire Motivation

Owning a pet like a dog can build several skills such as responsibility and respect for others. When your child contributes to caring for Fido, they build an internal motivation that can help them in other areas of life.

Teaching Respect

Dogs provide a positive tool for teaching children about respect. By training your kids how to be gentle and honor boundaries when Fido is resting or eating, you’ll be preparing them to treat people properly.

Nightmare Control

Service animals have helped PTSD patients suffering from nightmares, and they may help children as well. A dog can wake up and comfort the youngster when a bad dream begins. Kids can also learn to rehearse the nightmare and imagine their pup entering the dream and rescuing them.

Increases Learning in Children With Developmental Disabilities

The use of Animal Assisted Interventions with children with developmental disabilities has promising results. Allowing human-dog interactions in the learning environment appear to help with relaxation, motivation, concentration, and attention. Regular play breaks with a furbaby can also boost alertness during the day.

Dogs in the Classroom Improve Cognitive and Reading Skills

Bringing a therapy dog to the classroom or local library can be beneficial to a child’s education. A study from the National Institutes of Health reports, “The presence of a dog in an educational setting seems to support concentration, attention, motivation, and relaxation reflecting a reduction of high stress levels which inhibit effective learning and performance.”

Increased Empathy

A study published in 2017 looked at the impact of children’s attachment to their pets. The researchers found that kids that showed a strong bond with the family furbaby had greater compassion and empathy towards animals. The results were strongest among children aged 7-12 that had a dog at home.

Improved Social Skills

Growing up with a pet can bolster social skills in children according to a 2017 literature review. The report stated that “Studies on pet ownership and social development provided evidence for an association with increased social competence; social networks; social interaction and social play.”

Increased Verbal Skills

Children in homes with a dog or another pet often develop verbal skills sooner than kids in pet-free environments. One reason is most youngsters are naturally drawn to animals. They’ll spend time playing with and talking to Fido, and this helps stimulate verbal communication.

Provide Emotional Support

From calming our fears to offering unconditional love, dogs are a source of emotional support. Studies show that children who bond to a dog may find more emotional support from the family pet than from their human relationships.

They Make Children Happy

When kids interact with dogs and spend time playing with them, the levels of dopamine and serotonin increase in their blood. These neurotransmitters help produce a feeling of calm and contentment or happiness.

Reducing Stress in Children

Studies demonstrate that interacting with a dog changes the levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol in the blood. These neurotransmitters help to reduce stress. Letting your child play with or pet Fido can help them cope with stressful situations.

Understanding the Cycle of Life

We don’t like to think about it, but most of us outlive our dogs. When children lose a beloved pet, they learn about mortality and how the cycle of life works. By nurturing our kids during the grieving process, we help them to appreciate life and the time we have.

They Provide Stability

Dogs can help give children a sense of security and stability that gives them the confidence to explore the world around them. In addition, a bond with a pooch may enable kids to regulate their emotions and cope with uncertain situations like divorce or foster care.

They Can Help An Only Child

Whether you have one child by choice or circumstances beyond your control, a dog can help. Some studies demonstrate that having a pooch helps prevent loneliness. For an only child, Fido can become like a four-footed sibling that they need to respect. Pups help only children share their time and space, be kind, and show love much as they would do with a brother or sister.

They Teach Selflessness

With a pooch in the house, kids learn to accept the fact that the world doesn’t revolve around them. Dogs need care and attention, and they foster a sense of selflessness and responsibility for another creature.

They Improve Fast Thinking

This may be surprising, but one psychological effect that dogs have on people is they can help us think faster on our feet. By taking care of a pet, kids get daily practice at making decisions. This mental training builds the ability to think more rapidly, and it can carry over into other areas of your child’s life.

Reducing Anxiety in Children

A 2015 study from the Centers for Disease Control compared kids living with dogs to those in non-pet homes. The researchers found that children with pet dogs at home had significantly lower levels of anxiety than kids without a furry friend.

For Seniors

Companionship

As people age, they often feel more isolated and lonely. Whether they’ve lost a life partner or have become homebound, seniors can have a sense of being closed off from society. Owning a canine companion can help older individuals avoid depression and feel more socially connected.

Socializing

Seniors can still feel isolated even if they join a retirement or senior living community. Getting a dog to care for helps foster friendships with their fellow residents.

Caring For a Dog Gives a Sense of Purpose

When a senior has a dog to care for, the daily tasks of feeding, watering, and playing with their four-footed companion provides routine and purpose.

Promotes Living in the Present

Having a dog or other pet helps keep seniors focused on today. After all, furbabies live in the present. Interacting with a canine companion can help keep seniors from worrying about an unknown future or dwelling on the past.

Increases Mobility and Independence

When seniors live alone, they may become less mobile. Pets can help motivate elderly individuals to get up and moving every day. A service or companion animal may also aid people with hearing loss by signaling when the phone or doorbell rings or if an alarm sounds. This allows impaired seniors to maintain their independence longer.

Dogs Keep Them Active

Dogs need to go for walks every day. As seniors bond with their special pals, they often take longer and more frequent strolls to enjoy the companionship. A 2016 study from the University of Missouri linked bonding with a dog to more frequent activity and a string of social and physical benefits.

Alzheimer Assistance

Dogs may help reduce stress and anxiety for people with Alzheimer’s. Pups can also be trained to distract and redirect their owners’ focus when the person becomes agitated. Other valuable services for seniors with these conditions include preventing the patients from wandering away from home, guide their owners through daily routines, and support their balance.

Help People With Parkinson’s

A service dog can be a helpful partner for a senior with Parkinson’s. These pooches are trained to assist their owners with balance and walking and help them get up from a chair or after a fall. When the patient stumbles, the pup can also alert other family members. Of course, having a dog also keeps their humans moving, and exercise can benefit people suffering from Parkinson’s.

Dementia Assistance

As life expectancy increases, more seniors are showing signs of decline in memory and cognitive abilities. Service dogs can be trained to assist individuals in the early and middle stages of dementia. Pups thrive on routine and can help their elderly caregivers remember things like medication and mealtimes. As walking companions, they can also lead their humans home so that they don’t become lost.

Help to Ease Anxiety and Pain

We’ve mentioned that canine companions can help relieve feelings of anxiety by triggering the release of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and oxytocin. Because there’s a physical connection between stress, anxiety and chronic pain, having a dog in your later years may help alleviate pain from arthritis and other conditions.

Protection

Dogs can provide seniors with a sense of security and protection. Some criminals target the elderly. But, if there’s a barking dog, burglars and muggers will often think twice.

For Family

Improve Home Security

One way that dogs can help boost security in the home is by their heightened senses. Our pups will hear and smell a person long before we do. As a matter of fact, their sense of smell is 10,00 times stronger than it is for humans. In addition, some breeds, such as Dobermans, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds, appear more menacing to strangers. Their mere presence can deter intruders.

Family Bonding Time

Dogs provide extra incentive for a family to spend time together. Plan a trip to the local bark park, take a walk with the kids and Fido, or get the whole family involved in training your new puppy. A side benefit is a socialization with other people in the neighborhood.

Dogs Bring the Family Together in Decision-Making

If you’re thinking about getting a dog, you can involve the kids in the process. Plan a family trip to the shelter or a local breeder, and let everyone have a say in which pup you choose. This builds ownership in taking care of Fido and helps the family to bond in the process.

For Singles

They Help to Start and Maintain New Friendships

Dogs can be terrific ice breakers. It’s common for owners to stop and chat with others while they’re at the local bark park or walking with their pup. One survey showed that pet owners were 60 % more likely to meet new people in their neighborhoods than those without an animal.

They Boost Confidence

When you own a pet, you’re responsible for another being. That means you have to make decisions and be in control when the unexpected happens. Learning to respond quickly when you need to can help to build your confidence and feel like you’re in command no matter the circumstance.

They Increase Self-Esteem

A series of studies conducted at Miami University and St. Louis University in 2011 found that pet owners had higher scores for self-esteem, tended to be more conscientious, felt more socially fulfilled, and were more able to recover from rejection than non-pet owners.

Dogs Improve Mindfulness

Dr. Ann Berger from the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, says, “The foundations of mindfulness include attention, intention, compassion, and awareness.” Most dogs naturally model this behavior so that we can learn to be more mindful.

They Can Make You Appear More Attractive

Dog Trust, a charity for canine welfare, conducted a survey of 700 people. They asked respondents how a dog could help them find a romantic partner. 60% of the participants said having a pooch increased a person’s attractiveness, and 85% thought individuals with a furbaby appeared more approachable.

They Help You Get Ready to Have Kids

Adding a pup to the household can be a helpful bridge to having children. A new dog adds unplanned disruptions to your schedule. You learn to set aside your needs to care for something else. Going through the process of housebreaking and training a furbaby can prepare you mentally for bringing a baby home. What’s more, bonding with a four-footed pal can stimulate parental feelings.

For University Students

They Help You Keep Balance

Depending on your major, college life can be really stressful, so some universities are using animal visitation to help students cope. A study conducted at Washington State University evaluated the effects of petting a dog for 10 minutes. They found that people who had the animal contact had lower cortisol (a stress hormone) levels than those who were not able to see or touch a pup.

They Can Help to Fight Homesickness

Going away to college can be a traumatic experience for some students. Assistant Professor John Tyler Binfet of the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus says that enrollees are more likely to drop out if they’re experiencing homesickness. He and his colleagues conducted an 8-week study on the effect of interaction with therapy dogs with first-year students. Participants in the program showed decreased levels of homesickness than those that did not interact with the pups.

For Entrepreneurs

They Help Maintain Balanced Stress Levels

We’ve talked about how dogs can reduce stress levels. This carries over to the workplace. Studies show that bringing Fido to work can reduce stress and increase a sense of job satisfaction. One thing: before you introduce a bring your pooch to work day, make sure none of your employees have significant allergies.

They Boost Office Morale

Greater job satisfaction as seen in the study cited above helps to lift morale in the office environment. Interacting with dogs during the day may also improve company culture and encourage friendliness.

Increase Productivity

Contrary to what you might expect, bringing dogs into the office tends to increase employee productivity rather than distracting them from their jobs. Some studies suggest that people have enhanced performance when they’re happier and not experience stress. Incorporating breaks where your workers can interact with a dog may boost their performance.

They Help Improve Communication

Because dogs can be good ice breakers and stimulate social interaction, they can help break down barriers and build teamwork. The last thing you want at work is poor communication because it can stifle productivity.

Employee Retention

When you can keep morale up and your employees happy, it’s easier to keep people in the company. Low turnover benefits productivity and your bottom line. According to Fortune.com, 53% of workers currently in non-pet-friendly offices say they’d be more likely to stick around if their boss let them bring their pet to work.

Improved Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Dogs can improve teamwork through increased trust and collaboration according to a study conducted at Central Michigan University. People who worked together on a project while a dog was present, “ranked their team-mates more highly on measures of trust, team cohesion and intimacy than those who had not.”

Encourages Healthy Living

You can incorporate a dog into your employee wellness plans. After all, Fido needs to get outside from time to time. Set up a walking rotation to get your workers moving. A quick walk in the fresh air can increase productivity as much as 60%.

Millennials Want Pets

For many millennials, the ability to have a pet at work is a huge selling point. According to Bob Vetere of the American Pet Products Association, if you let this generation bring their pet to work, “you get someone more comfortable at the office and a person willing to work longer hours.”

They Improve Your Company Image

The presence of a dog or two can also bolster the company image and goodwill. According to Mary Hope Kramer, customers usually respond positively to a pet in the office. Interacting with a pooch can help them enjoy their visit to your business.

Improved Work/Life Balance

When your employees can bring Fido to work, it helps them balance their home responsibilities with work demands. They won’t need to run home to feed and walk the dog because he’s at the office. With their faithful friend by their side, workers can also incorporate some rest and relaxation into the day when the dog needs a potty break.

Reduced Absenteeism

Because employees find the workplace more enjoyable and relaxing when they can bring Fido, they’re less likely to take unneeded “personal days” off. Lower stress levels can also result in fewer illnesses.

For Therapy

Lupus

Service dogs can benefit patients suffering from the autoimmune disease, Lupus. Depending on the severity and nature of the person’s symptoms, trained animals can provide mobility or psychiatric assistance for these individuals. Some people with Lupus suffer from extreme anxiety, and a service dog may be able to detect signs that an attack is starting and take action to support their master.

Type 1 Diabetes

One surprising study showed how the responsibility of caring for a pet fish helped teenagers manage their diabetes. Having a regular routine carried over into other areas of daily life. The kids that had responsibility for a pet were more disciplined about monitoring their blood glucose levels.

Autism

Studies involving autistic children suggest that youngsters growing up in a household with a family pet tend to develop more social skills like sharing and offering comfort. Other research with guinea pigs showed that spending even ten minutes with a furry friend helped drop anxiety levels and increase social interactions with peers.

Recovery From Brain Injury or Stroke

We’ve talked about some of the psychological and mental benefits of owning a dog. Another way furbabies can be helpful is in boosting recovery from a stroke or traumatic brain injury. Pups:

provide comfort

ease feelings of loneliness and isolation

motivate patients to move

give them a sense of purpose

help people relearn the art of communication

These are a few of the ways that service dogs aid in brain rehabilitation.

Coping With OCD

For a person suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a trained pup can help prevent destructive behaviors like picking at your skin or pulling your hair. A pooch trained as an OCD service dog recognizes negative behaviors and will do something to distract you and disrupt the activity. They also help to ease the anxiety that a person with OCD might experience.

Addiction Recovery

When a person is struggling to recover from addiction to alcohol or another drug, pet therapy can be extremely helpful. Some ways that service dogs help patients in treatment centers include:

providing a healthy outlet for feelings of anxiety and depression

restoring confidence and feelings of self-worth

teaching responsibility

helping people learn to control their emotional responses

Help With Sleepwalking Disorder

Sleepwalking can be dangerous. With a trained service dog, many of the risks can be minimized. A pooch can learn to close doors and windows and move obstacles to make a clear path. They can also walk beside their owner and guide them during a sleepwalking episode.

Coping With Narcolepsy/Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS)

A person with narcolepsy or EDS can fall asleep suddenly with little warning. From observations in her clinic, Mary McNeight, CPDT-KA, CCS, BGS of Service Dog Academy in Washington reports that dogs may be able to give a 5-minute warning of an oncoming sleep attack. This provides time for the individual to sit or lie down or for the pup to stand in front of their owner and break their fall.

Coping with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)/Parasomnias

Dogs may be useful in detecting a person with OSA based on the smell of their urine. For patients coping with the condition, a service dog can be a useful part of therapy. Trained assistance pups will nudge or wake their owner if they stop breathing or if their positive airway pressure device comes off.

Coping With Bipolar Disorder

For those people struggling with the highs and lows of bipolar disorder, a pooch can provide invaluable support. Pups offer comfort during periods of depression and reassurance when manic episodes bring on anxiety and hallucinations. A service dog for bipolar patients can also assist their owner by providing stability and routine, reminding people it’s time to take their meds, and interrupting behaviors that could be dangerous.

Seizures

There are about 65 million people with epilepsy in the world and about 3.4 million of them live in the United States. Some service dogs are trained to alert their owners about an impending seizure. With this warning, individuals can take measures to avoid serious injury. These pups may also stay by the patient to prevent their harm during a seizure or alert other family members that a seizure is happening.

Depression

When people suffer from depression, dogs can help in a few ways. Just interacting with a pooch helps to increase levels of endorphins, oxytocin, and dopamine. These chemicals stimulate good feelings. Additionally, dogs encourage structure and routine, and that prevents people from staying in bed all day long. Furry pals also give owners a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. All of these factors can help a person overcome depression.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

With a long-term illness like PTSD, pets can help prevent the onset of an episode by distracting their owner. Other studies suggest interactions with animals may decrease the severity of the attacks. For individuals that suffer from nightmares, dogs can be trained to wake their masters as soon as symptoms of a bad dream start. This provides the person with an escape and may help diminish the frequency of nightmares.

Coping With Panic Attacks

Emotional support dogs are an increasing part of therapy for many conditions. People struggling with panic attacks may benefit from interactions with a pooch. Holding or petting a pup can help to ease the anxiety and stress that triggers an attack. An owner can also train their furbaby to lead them out of crowds or other panic-inducing situations.

Coping With Hallucination

A person struggling with hallucinations or paranoia may benefit from owning a service dog. These pups can help their owners distinguish between delusions and reality. When a person isn’t sure if they’re hallucinating about people, they can command Fido to greet the visitor(s). If their furbaby doesn’t respond, they know nobody’s there.

What’s Your Reason for Having a Dog?

It doesn’t matter whether you’re old or young, single or married with children, there are lots of benefits to owning a furbaby.

What about you? Why did you or would you get a dog?

This article was originally published by fluentwoof.com. Read the original article here.

#Nature

#09-2020 Science News #2020 Science News #Earth Environment #earth science #Environment and Nature #Nature Science #News Science Spies #Our Nature #outrageous acts of science #planetary science #Science #Science Channel #science documentary #Science News #Science Spies #Science Spies News #Space Physics & Nature #Space Science #Nature

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passitonandon · 7 years ago

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"It's not fair that there are moments in my head when it wants to die. Voices telling me to do it, but it's not my voice, it's yours." "What's it? It wants to die." "My body, my head, my life! Death! It is anything it wants to be, that is why fear is what controls and links us all. No love so therefore it has already been murdered. It is enough. It will never do. It can be a Beast, man, woman or child. It does not care about tomorrow.”

When horror pierces a new undiscovered layer the agony is what’s remembered. Wanting to die. That is better than this. The reel on replay connecting trigger to trauma. Less of a spiral & more like the snapped neck of a kitten, then 2, then a whole pile. It makes more sense. Alive & mewing and then lifeless with very little effort. Their fear never kept at a crescendo, they never knew. There are certainly different people in the world. Those who enjoy the process knowing their necks will be snapped & build that anticipation & discomfort thinking their merciful if the kittens never know. Those who feel powerful the moment they make that jarring move. Why a pile of furbabies is mounting & accelerated.

The voices remain, put there entirely void of inflection just abuzz. Every time the neck twists and snap, a first bite into an apple. Crisp, juicy, satisfying. The crack of a whip. There’s heat in the air that lingers far after the dust settles.

"You realize, it’s still not enough. These dimensions, brain buckets, that open for a short time to catch the overflow are already filled. The host doesn’t participate in daily functioning. No one can prepare when everything returns after a most unnatural shift for many. Like two planets colliding." "You wanted to live, what happened?” "How’d you miss it? A transitional moment that failed to, uh, attach and given the first-response that determines if the two wolds can, uh, meld, the parasympathetic nervous system reacted--not just fear, but confirmed abandonment--a crisis already free-reeling set to a blowtorch setting.” "What?” "If the oceans are the Earth’s lung, the atmosphere houses the essential air in an invisible bubble. Suffocation was imminent.” "How?” "The composition did not allow a transfer. You don’t just go from 2-D to 3-D and back again willy-nilly! I mean, do whatever you want, but you open dimensions at every whim without connections, you’re bound to forget your way home.” "Open another one.” "What?” "You just said, ‘you don’t go from 2-D to 3-D and back’ but you must if you want this transfer to happen seamlessly, right? The necessary moment to re-think functioning--it’s a failure to attach. Make another dimension. This time combine 3 three-dimensional properties, but put it in that 2-D space. Don’t look for that connecting piece, already use what will be successful.” "Why three?” "The strongest bonds must have structure symmetry & sharing. Hey, it’s worth a shot, right?” "Oh no!” "What?” "I already have some ideas. "That’s a good thing.” "Not when everything blows up over&over.”

#storytelling live #mental illness #depression #suicide #hope #self-education #fear = trauma #curiosity > fear

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lifebooksloves · 7 years ago

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Release Blitz Summer Love by J. Lum

Forever Valentine PR and More proudly presents the release blitz for Summer Love by J.Lum.

Title: Summer Love (A Forever Series Novella)

Author: J. Lum

Release Date: Jul 10 2017

Cover Designer: J.M.Walker / Just write. Creations

Blurb

TOBY

Spending the entire summer with my father wasn’t in my plans. I hated him. I was angry and resentful, and it made me feel out of control.

Until I met her.

Casey is carefree. She lives life to the fullest, without regrets, and to a guy like me, she was hope. We only had the summer, and I knew better than to get wrapped up with her, but I couldn’t help it.

And now? Now, I don’t know how to let her go.

CASEY

I’d never been in love. At fifteen, my life was filled with books and family expectations. Love was not something I had time for.

And then, he saved me.

Toby is a boy from California, so you would think he’d be easy going, but he isn’t. He’s the definition of self-control; everything has to be “just so.” But when we’re together, living each day with reckless abandon, I realize that life is so much more than fairytales within the pages.

I’m pretty sure he’s my soulmate. But what good can possibly come from falling so hard when you’re this young? How can this ever work?

A promise. That’s all we have to hold on to. One. Simple. Promise.

***This novel contains adult/mature young adult situations. It is only suitable for ages 18+ due to language and sexual situations.

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Teasers

Excerpt

Tobias

“Te odio!” I hate you. The burning rage builds up inside as I am forced to converse with this family that isn’t my own.

“Tobias, I told you to speak English in the house! You will respect my rules while you are here. Do you understand me? Your mother and siblings don’t understand you!” My father is gesticulating wildly with his fist raised. I take a few steps back, my own fists clenched as I try everything to control my anger. But I can’t get my temper under control and my face is burning hot. How dare he imply Debi’s anything but my stepmother? She’s not my mother, and Molly and Jamie are not my siblings. I don’t have a brother and sister …

I glance over my father’s shoulder at them, pretending they aren’t listening in on yet another argument my father and I are having. Molly is tucked in and sitting on Debi’s lap, sucking her thumb with a sleepy look on her face while Jamie’s blue-green eyes are marked in concern. His bowl of chocolate cereal lay untouched and soggy.

We had just started screaming at each other when they walked into the kitchen, bright and early, their hair in disarray. I felt sorry about waking them up, especially Jamie, who is at the same age as I was when my father walked out. He’s not stupid; he knows something is wrong and that look on his face, the concern—I put that there. He usually looks at me like I hung the moon. The older brother he always wanted. We both carry the deep-rooted Spanish looks. While my eyes are deep brown, both Jamie and Molly’s are blue like their mother’s and hair jet-black, like our father’s.

Since coming here, almost every conversation ends up like this, and today is no different. My father set me off this morning when he tried to have a “normal” conversation with me about what I had been up to. As if he really cares about my life. Where has he been the last eleven years? Not in our home, and certainly not with me. No, he was with them, being their doting father. With my teeth and fists clenched, I stare up at my father.

“No me importa. No son mi familia …” Taking long breaths, I pause. “You left us! I don’t want to be here, just as much as you don’t want…” My eyes burn from the impending tears, and I blink hard. No, no, no. I won’t cry. He doesn’t deserve any of my feelings beyond anger. I have to get out of his house. I’m suffocating here. I try to run past him, but his strong hands grab hold of my mine, as if to anchor me in place.

“Tobias, don’t … Please, look at me.” I turn away from him and shake my head as he squeezes my hand. “Tobias, perdóname. Lo siento. I’m sorry.”

I yank my hands free from his grasp as soon as his last ‘sorry’ leaves his lips. I can’t stand to be in this house another second. I can’t hear him apologize for leaving me—leaving us—to find a new and better family. I take long strides towards the door and, without looking back at him, I swing it open and it bangs into the wall. I shake my head. “No significas nada para mi.” I pause, before repeating my words in English so they all can understand me. “You mean nothing to me. I won’t ever forgive you.” Then I slam the door shut, running quickly off the porch and down the path towards the beach. The hairs on my arms stand up as my feet beat hard against the ground. The air is crisp and breezy, but I don’t care. I need it to be cold as I burn off the anger I can still feel churning inside me. Being this close to him makes me lose all control, and I never do that. His needling questions this morning, asking how my life is. Well, fuck him, he doesn’t get that luxury. Who gives him the goddamn right to try and establish any relationship with me? I saw his agitation with my one-word answers. It was like poking the bear, and part of me enjoyed watching him struggle to gain some sort of ground with me.

What tipped this particular conversation was when he brought up my mother. For a split second it had sounded like he truly cared, but then I remembered, he can’t care about her or me. Maybe he feels guilty for being absent all these years, but he can’t crawl his way back into my life and expect me to bend to his demands just because we share the same DNA. I pick up my pace, allowing the slight sting in my feet to distract me from everything that just happened. To give me time to work my way through my anger. From a distance, I can hear my name across the wind. I know it must be my father shouting after me, but I ignore him. I refuse to let him do this to me. Not again.

At the end of the day, deceit masked in remorse is all I see when I hear his apologies. He walked away from us and never looked back. I don’t owe him anything. And he doesn’t deserve my forgiveness. I run faster, wishing for the memories to fade. All I remember was my mom’s endless tears as she begged my father not to walk out. I was thrust into immediate adulthood when he left, and I tried to pick up the pieces. It took my mom years to get over him walking away, which is why I was surprised she forced me to come here to visit. I didn’t even get a choice; she sprung this “bonding time,” as she liked to call it, on me last minute. I had been looking forward to spending the summer with my cousins, and my aunt and uncle, but now I had to see him. I love my mom, though. Despite her bouts with depression, she has always been the one constant in my life. I saw the hurt in her eyes when I yelled at her in the airport. I could barely look at her before she sent me on the plane.

“Why are you making me do this? Lo odio! I hate him, Mama. Please, I don’t want to go there. You have no right to make me go! I just … I can’t leave you by yourself.” I knew saying that would hurt her feelings, a small reminder of me as her constant shadow. Always ensuring she was safe, that she was going to be okay.

Toby, please. I know you are angry at me. But, he’s your father. He loves you. Bebé, cometí un error. My anger shouldn’t have kept you separated from a father who loves you. I was the parent, and I let that responsibility fall by the wayside. I let you carry that burden I see you carrying with you, always. You deserved a life—a childhood, and I took that away from you. It was my mistake, mijo, not your father’s. You were too young to understand at the time. Yo era egoísta. Stop holding onto that anger I put there. Mijo, I love you. You need this summer together … you both do. It’s for the best. Just, please remember, I love you. Always.

I watched the tears stream down her face as I told her how much I hated her. I was such a dick. I didn’t mean to say the words; I just couldn’t understand why my mom was doing this. Why she was making excuses for him. Of all the people in the world, why him? I never walk away angry from her, ever. It was a promise I made her years ago. And I broke it.

Things haven’t gotten any better. I’ve been here a week, and I’ve been ignoring her calls. She’s left a few messages and I can hear how hurt she sounds in every single one. Mom sounded really tired on the last message, though. I do need to talk to her, but I’m still so pissed. I don’t want to shout at her again, and I know I will once I get on the phone. I had hoped a few days of cooling off would’ve helped, but the constant fighting with my father has set me off to the point I’m always hot. I know my only reprieve is the beach, which is why I’ve come this way. The wind blows harder as I move faster. Sand kicks up all around me. It’s still early, and I know the sun will soon be peeking above the horizon. I want to make sure I can watch the sun as it rises above the waves.

☆☆RELEASE DAY GIVEAWAY☆☆

**ONE WINNER will get $20 Amazon GC, Signed Paperback (Limited; Not Sold Anywhere Else)**

TO ENTER: http://ift.tt/2t5dFIN

About the Author

Author J. Lum was born and raised in Northern Virginia, but spent most summers visiting new places or in Hawaii, where her father’s family is from. She’s got a bad case of #Wanderlust, so you’ll more than likely find her traveling more than staying put. She is a furbaby mom to a fat, chubby pug named Lani, who is buckets of snoring fun. When you don’t see her hanging and snuggling with her pug, she will more than likely have her head in a book. She absolutely adores second chance and dark romances equally, but will read a wide variety of books. She loves tats, cooking/baking, chocolate and coffee are weaknesses for her.

Author Links

FB: https://goo.gl/2jAt1i

Twitter: https://goo.gl/qG2hC6

IG: https://goo.gl/suWRFq

Wattpad: https://goo.gl/Sw15cA

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