#dog health articles

[allhealthandfitness33]

6 Top Tips for Covering Your Dog or Cat's Vet Expenses

[doggozila]

(via Trash Diving Dogs: Keep Them Out of the Garbage - Doggozila Magazine)

[healthydoggos]

(via Cancer in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment | Doggozila Magazine)

[ri5k]

dogs are more psychologically and emotionally similar to humans than any other animal. in this sense it is an error to overemphasize breed when it comes to personality, because dogs are individuals primarily shaped by environment. yes, certain instincts are in-built for a generality of a breed (by far the most consistent and prevalent example being herding), but an individual dog will have unique fears, habits, likes and dislikes, quirks, temperament, physicality. this is missing from most discussions on the topic but it is well-understood by animal behaviorists. there is no particular behavior that all members of a breed display, and there is no monolithic personality that automatically applies to all members of a breed, full stop.

[petnews2day]

Don't Share These BBQ Foods With Our Maine Dogs

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/DRQvU

Don't Share These BBQ Foods With Our Maine Dogs

As a dog owner of two adorable beggars, I completely understand how almost impossible it is to NOT share our food with our pets, especially when they give you those eyes. On the rare occasion where I end up ordering Taco Bell, our Australian Sheppard mix ends up getting most of the order because I can’t […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/DRQvU #DogNews #Articles, #Country, #Education, #Entertainment, #Family, #Health, #Holidays, #Kids, #Maine, #MaineOutdoors, #Pets

[inkskinned]

"this website uses cookies" fucking why. i wish we hadn't named it that, so cheap and unthreatening. a cookie can be anything from a single data point to actively tracking your usage throughout websites. and if you try to research it, you overwhelmingly get (ad-placed) cheery and chipper responses that "cookies are useful data tools that help websites to help you!"

one article suggests cookies allow for "more personalized websites." i do not want them to know how to personalize their website for me. what they really mean is "make this website better for advertisers." they are not going to turn the website a nice shade of my favorite color. they are going to put ads up they think i like. so it's not for me.

okay sure. it makes shopping easier! okay, great. spend money more! happy advertiser. but then why the fuck when you google how long cooked chicken good for are they skimming your data. why when you google can my dog eat tomatoes are they skimming your data. why does mixing bleach and vinegar bad? require someone skimming your data.

so now you slog through AI responses because sometimes the AI tells you no worries! cooked chicken can never go bad and all dogs go to heaven. something about this feels like being 13 before google was really-a-thing when you had to be kind of clever about how you used Ask Jeeves. what is even the point anymore. half of these sites are not written with human hands anymore. we are creating an infinite digital graveyard in order to give advertisers more space, more billboards.

you have to find the first reputable-looking site in a list of GORP.COM/HEALTH. and when you click the first thing it says is can i skim your data? and meanwhile yes bleach and vinegar bad, you've made chlorine gas.

and meanwhile! yes! the infinite digital graveyard. the internet turned into a true highway: devoid of life. endless paved monotony. the exit sign blinking - this website uses cookies.

[arsenenicholas]

https://goodlawproject.org/crowdfunder/nhs-cyp-guidance/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaadkVMoRUHpcFptnjlifnc1xJ0i7YGVi78tfv2vEXVaVIQDPTEp1-ozNcY_aem_AfqNP9xEERFn6GRCZCIP7B2RriLi8ZN7pVAFzmNwdvqIXW0nmc1mTe5Hq0UV3xC6VPWdYe1x64wHk7O6-HPOhIdf

Please share, tag someone who could bring this to a lot of people, and post to other platforms. Not originally mine, idk who is the source of the screenshots.

Image ID under cut

Image ID:

In thick white text on black background-> NHS ENGLAND ARE PLANNING A HONEYPOT WHERE THEY SEND ALL KIDS ON GIDS WAITLIST TO CAHMS TO HAVE THEM BE ASKED IF THEY ARE TAKING BLOCKERS/HRT VIA PRIVATE OR DIY ROUTES

Text is broken and in the middle is an excerpt from a leaked nhs document-> a) For medication sourced directly (e.g via the internet), explain the increased risks of harm due to the unregulated nature of these medicines/products. These may include the use of counterfeit chemicals, unsafe/unknown ancilliary ingredients or variability of potency etc. More information can be found here (link to nhs website). // b) Do not initiate or continue prescribing puberty surpressing hormones or gender affirming hormones. The General Medical Council's guidance to medical professionals on 'bridging prescriptions (a course of endocrine intervention managed by a healthcare professional outside of the specialised gender service while an individual is waiting to be seen) does not apply to care offered to young people under 18 years of age. // c) If the child/young person or their carer disregards your advice and you consider that this puts the child/young person at increased risk, then a safeguarding referral might also be appropriate in line with standard safeguarding approaches. Discuss with your line manager and your organization's safeguarding team.

Thick white text on black background continues-> ANY WHO SAYS YES AND DO NOT DESIST FROM DOING SO WILL BE THREATENED WITH SAFEGUARDING REFERRAL (TAKEN INTO STATE CARE)

Next image ID:

In black text on white background, from the news article linked above-> It seems to us - and to those inside the NHS who have leaked the document to us - that what purports to be an "assessment" in fact an exercise in bringing very significant pressure to bear on trans youth and their families to cease private treatment, backed up with a threat of a safeguarding referral to social services if they do not. // We are concerned about what appears to be a misleading exercise in gathering data on which trans youth are obtaining private treatment from abroad, for the purposes of seeking to cause or compel them to stop treatment.

In the same thick white text on black background as previous image-> So an internal NHS document has been leaked basically asking trans kids on excruciatingly ling waiting lists to come to a 'mental health assessment' where the NHS will harvest their personal information & threaten their families with a social services referral if they're found to be on private blockers/hormones & refuse to come off them. // This country is for dogs i swear.

[great-and-small]

You know what I hate about the internet? Sometimes people will just lazily slap a “citation” on an infographic and trust that they’ll be completely taken at their word and nobody is going to dig deeper. And it works all the time. As an example, please look at this photo someone posted to dispute my assertion that garlic can be toxic to dogs.

Okay well, kind of a pain to manually type in that link but obviously I am going to look into this study that is confident enough to recommend people feeding their dogs garlic. So here’s the article, kind of a weird journal choice for this graphic to reference from but looks like a legit (though 20 year old) study

Funny thing is, almost immediately this article acknowledges that garlic can indeed be toxic to dogs. The health benefits mentioned in the graphic are referring to human health, not canine. This section is literally in the introduction of the article and one of the first things you read. Emphasis here is mine.

Crazy to me that someone would imply that this article encourages giving dogs garlic when it in fact immediately asserts that doing so has the potential to cause hemolytic anemia. The article does explore the anti-thrombotic effects of garlic components in dogs and humans, but by no means does it say that “contrary to misconceptions garlic is safe for pets”. It is dishonest to assert this in an infographic. However the creator of the image correctly assumed nobody would check, because the person who posted it took it as fact without further investigation.

I am begging you to be skeptical. Check your sources. Check their sources. Check my sources. Learn how to dig deeper and exercise that muscle as much as you can, especially on the internet. You will be absolutely shocked how much misinformation is casually stated and received as pure fact.

[krishnadebnath]

Effortless Kitchen Organization: 360° Rotating Rice Dispenser"

Description: "Say goodbye to messy pantry shelves! Keep your kitchen neat and organized with our 360 Degree Rotating Rice Dispenser. This sealed, moisture-proof cereal and grain bucket dispenser is the perfect storage solution. Grab yours now for a clutter-free kitchen!"

Buy now

[always-a-slut-4-ghouls]

Sometimes I get into some really specific and niche argument with someone online and it’s clear that the other person has no idea what they are talking about and I sit back and go, “why am I doing this?” Before getting back into an argument about how bodies can be preserved at the bottom of Lake Superior, and yes it’s that cold, yes it limits bacterial growth, yes your body fat can turn into soap under certain conditions! It’s chemistry! We have observed it many times before!

And someone who isn’t in the argument is like “woah, that’s cool” and I’m just like. Well I guess someone listened. Now I’m going to eat or something.

[pet-hub-space]

Pet Grooming: Unveiling the Secrets of a Pampered Coat

Our beloved pets bring immeasurable joy and unconditional love into our lives. Whether they wag their tails, purr affectionately, or chirp with delight, our furry and feathered friends become cherished members of our families. Just as we take care of our own grooming routines, it’s equally important to ensure our pets’ grooming needs are met. Pet grooming is more than just a superficial task; it…

[kirammanswifey]

arcane characters in an alternative universe x fem reader

writer's note: hello guys... so i have been sooo obsessed with this idea since i finished season 2 and i wanted to share it with the world, hope u guys like itttt. also i'll probably continue this as a series, so be free to give any feedback or ask for suggestions ;)

characters: viktor, jinx, vi, caitlyn, jayce, ekko, silco, mel and sevika.

Viktor

job: viktor is a renowned scientist specializing in artificial intelligence and robotics, highly recognized for his research in biotechnology. he's also a guest lecturer and a leader in technological innovation.

hobbies: he would enjoy scientific documentaries, philosophical readings, and stargazing. viktor would take nighttime walks to gaze at the stars and ponder the universe's mysteries. he might also love solving intricate puzzles and sudoku, always seeking intellectual challenges.

social media: on linkedIn, viktor would share articles about his scientific breakthroughs and collaborations in the field of biotechnology. on Instagram, he would keep a low profile but occasionally post pictures of his lab or progress in his research. from time to time, he might upload a story featuring his dog or a visit to the park for some mental clarity.

music: he enjoys classical music and electronic instrumental pieces, a blend of avant-garde with a touch of nostalgia. pianists like ludovico einaudi or experimental electronic composers like amon tobin would be to his liking.

favorite food: viktor enjoys simple yet comforting meals. he loves complex soups like spicy ramen or handmade italian pasta. everything must be fresh and minimally processed.

lifestyle: he would live in a minimalist, functional apartment equipped with advanced technology tailored to his health needs. viktor would maintain a strict exercise routine to manage his condition but remain private about his life. he’d find solace in a structured routine of rest and meditation.

how you’d meet: you would meet him as a journalist interviewing him at a scientific event where he’s presenting his research. your curiosity and sharp questions would surprise him, and although he’s initially reserved, he ends up revealing more of himself. after the interview, you ask him out on a date, intrigued by his worldview and genius. the encounter would be tense yet captivating, and the chemistry would be immediate.

Jinx

job: jinx would be an influencer and video game streamer, but with a unique twist: she creates explosive content, featuring “experiments” and pranks infused with rebellion and subversion. her personal brand is chaos and limitless creativity.

hobbies: jinx would be highly creative, loving visual arts, graffiti, and digital art. she's an avid gamer, drawn to chaotic, open-world games filled with action and unpredictability. another hobby could involve collecting rare or unusual items, filling her space with eclectic and seemingly nonsensical objects.

social media: jinx would totally dominate platforms like tiktok and instagram, posting chaotic videos, bizarre memes, and unpredictable content. she also has a twitch channel to stream her wild activities, like creating art or "breaking things" on live. her followers would never know what to expect, as she loves to surprise them.

music: jinx is a fan of punk and electronic music. bands like the clash and die antwoord resonate with her rebellious spirit. she loves loud, energetic music, perfect for maintaining her high adrenaline levels.

favorite food: she loves fast food, but not just any fast food—the more eccentric, the better. a xxl burrito loaded with sauces or a hot dog with wild toppings are her favorites, and of course, sweet things, she would eat crumble cookies for breakfast almost everyday.

lifestyle: jinx’s life would be messy and disorganized, likely living in an apartment full of creative chaos where her imagination runs wild. she’d be constantly on the move, rarely staying in one place for long due to her restless nature.

how you’d meet: you first caught jinx’s attention through your positive comments and donations in her streams. at a fan event, when it was your turn, you introduced yourself as the one who had been supporting her content and suggested a collaboration, since you were a new streamer. to your surprise, jinx agreed right away, leading you to her manager, and winked at you before the event continued.

Vi

job: vi would be a personal trainer at a gym where high-profile personalities often train. she’s both physically and emotionally strong, helping others unleash their own power.

hobbies: vi would love contact sports like boxing and gym training. she might also enjoy martial arts. her loyalty would make her eager to reconnect with old friends or spend time with family whenever possible.

social media: vi might have an instagram profile focused on her active lifestyle and workout. she’d post photos from her daily routines and some snapshots with friends. she will definitely have a twitter account for direct, unfiltered takes on societal issues.

music: she likes classic rock and some hip-hop to keep her energy high while working out. the rolling stones and eminem would be among her favorites.

favorite food: vi enjoys healthy, energy-boosting foods like fresh quinoa salads and protein shakes. occasionally, she indulges in organic beef burgers, but her diet is generally balanced.

lifestyle: vi would live in a modest yet cozy space, likely in a less glamorous area. her home would reflect her rough-and-tumble nature, surrounded by people from her community. it would serve as a personal sanctuary amidst the chaos of her life.

how you’d meet: you’d meet vi as your personal trainer at the gym. as an actress just starting out, you needed to build a stronger physique for an upcoming role, and vi was the perfect fit. she saw your dedication, but also noticed that there was more to you than just physical strength. you understood discipline, but you also had moments where you needed emotional space to breathe, something she admired. vi, with her no-nonsense attitude, would push you to your limits, but also knew when to slow down and listen. through the intensity of the workouts, you'd both find a deep connection, bonding over your shared past struggles.

Caitlyn

job: caitlyn would be a lawyer specializing in civil rights and public defense, with a progressive agenda promoting social justice. she also has a strong influence on local policies, fighting for equity in underprivileged communities.

hobbies: caitlyn would enjoy outdoor sports like hiking or horseback riding, appreciating nature in her spare time. she also attend high-profile events or collect art. she’d value the company of intelligent people and cherish dinners with friends who share her worldview.

social media: caitlyn would have a professional presence on linkedIn and twitter, sharing insights about legal topics, public policies, and social justice. on Instagram, she might showcase her life as a high-profile attorney, attending events and offering glimpses of her personal life while maintaining a polished image.

music: her musical taste is varied, from classical composers like chopin to contemporary pop. however, she most enjoys music that helps her unwind after a stressful day at work.

favorite food: she loves gourmet dishes, especially mediterranean cuisine. she’s a fan of fresh salads with tuna, tabbouleh, and balsamic vinaigrette, but she also enjoys the trendy haute cuisine dishes.

lifestyle: caitlyn would reside in a chic, modern apartment in an upscale neighborhood, blending minimalism with sophistication. her structured life would revolve around work, with her social life carefully curated to complement her professional image.

how you’d meet: you’d meet as a client seeking her help with after getting a divorce with your ex husband. caitlyn, impressed by your intelligence and determination, decides to support you beyond the professional consultation. from there, a deep connection based on trust and mutual respect would begin to flourish.

Jayce

job: jayce would be a lead engineer at a renewable technology company, focused on creating sustainable devices that revolutionize the world. his charisma and passion would make him a regular at innovation conferences, where he inspires young inventors.

hobbies: jayce is passionate about outdoor sports, especially running and cycling. he enjoys being active, both to keep his body fit and to clear his mind. he also enjoys collecting tech gadgets and experimenting with new tools for his company.

social media: jayce is active on twitter, where he shares news about technological advancements, as well as his thoughts on the social impact of science. he also has an instagram, where he posts pictures of his outdoor expeditions and tech events, showing a more human and accessible side.

music: jayce has a diverse playlist that combines artists like imagine dragons, the weeknd, and 80s classics like journey. In his calm moments, he might listen to hans zimmer to relax with something epic and motivational.

favorite food: he loves italian food, especially homemade lasagna, but he also has a taste for desserts like tiramisu or a good cheesecake.

lifestyle: jayce would live in a modern loft with large windows and lots of natural light. his home would reflect his success and sense of style, with built-in technology that makes his day-to-day life easier. he likes to keep the space immaculate, but without making it feel too stark.

how you’d met: you met jayce at the launch event of a new tech device. you had come along with a friend but ended up having a passionate debate about potential flaws in the prototype jayce was presenting. rather than getting upset, he was impressed by your insights and invited you behind the scenes to discuss further. that interaction sparked a connection, both personal and professional, he even asked for your number.

Ekko

job: ekko's a young entrepreneur who runs a community workshop in a disadvantaged neighborhood, where he teaches children how to build gadgets and repair things. he also has a startup that creates accessible technological solutions.

hobbies: ekko loves skateboarding, painting murals with social messages, and designing gadgets in his free time. he likes to play video games and explore new virtual worlds.

social media: on instagram, ekko would share photos of his murals, videos of his skateboarding tricks, and technological projects. he would have a youtube channel where he teaches how to build things from scratch and shares ideas for social impact.

music: his playlist would include artists like childish gambino, tyler, the creator, and indie bands like gorillaz. he enjoys lo-fi and chill beats while working.

favorite food: he prefers street food, like tacos al pastor or gourmet hot dogs, valuing its connection to the community and the convenience of grabbing a quick bite to eat while he's busy.

lifestyle: ekko lives in a loft filled with tools, street art, and unfinished gadgets. although his life may seem chaotic, he finds a sense of order within his creative space.

how you’d met: you met ekko at an urban festival where he was showcasing skateboarding and street art. you approached him to ask about his mural, and he ended up telling you the story behind the design. when you mentioned your interest in social projects, he invited you to one of his community workshops. since then, art and creativity have connected you both.

Silco

job: silco is said to be the ceo of an unconventional investment firm, operating in both legal and grey areas. his presence in the business world is both feared and respected, and he's an exceptional strategist.

hobbies: silco enjoys mental games, reading philosophy, and political theory. he's so drawn to collecting rare and valuable historical objects. his strategic mind keeps him constantly occupied in finding new ways to consolidate his influence.

social media: silco doesn't have traditional social media, preferring to keep his personal life out of the public eye. however, he may be present in secret forums or private groups where he influences others' opinions. his focus is always on discretion, seeking control rather than exposure.

music: he prefers classical and jazz music, as both help him reflect on the nature of power. he likes composers such as bach and miles davis, whose music lends itself to both reflection and strategic planning.

favorite food: silco appreciates sophisticated dinners such as grilled steaks and red wine pairings, he has a taste for exotic dishes that reflect his unique style.

lifestyle: silco lives in a dark, minimalist penthouse, decorated with abstract art and exclusive pieces that reflect his reserved personality. his home is designed to be a refuge from the outside world.

how you’d met: you met silco at an exclusive art gallery, where you both seemed out of place compared to the more pretentious attendees. you made a sarcastic comment about an overly abstract piece, and silco, overhearing, couldn’t help but smile and reply with a similarly sharp remark. that initial spark led to a fascinating conversation about power, art, and ambition.

Mel

job: mel would be a high-level businesswoman, leading international consulting projects for large corporations. she's known for being a visionary in the most complicated negotiations.

hobbies: she loves collecting contemporary art and painting in her spare time. mel enjoys attending galas, cultural events, and traveling the world to discover new artists and traditions.

social media: her instagram shows her sophisticated life: exclusive events, international travel, and art in progress.

music: mel listens to contemporary jazz by artists like esperanza spalding or soul by adele, also likes the soft rhythms of sza while working or relaxing.

favorite food: she enjoys haute cuisine, especially seafood and dishes with exotic ingredients. she always accompanies her meals with a good white wine.

lifestyle: mel lives in a modern penthouse in a cosmopolitan city. her home is a mix of luxury and art, with minimalist decor that highlights her personal collection of unique pieces.

how you’d met: you met mel at a cultural retreat abroad, where both of you attended a dinner organized by a local art collector. while everyone else was engaged in small talk, you caught her attention by passionately discussing a sculpture by an emerging artist. intrigued by your perspective, she joined the conversation, and the exchange of ideas lasted all night.

Sevika

job: sevika it's a security manager at a well-known company, overseeing high-risk operations. she also has a personal business involving customizing motorcycles and tactical equipment.

hobbies: sevika do boxing, martial arts, and of course, rides her motorcycle. she enjoys billiards and hanging out at local bars with her friends.

social media: her instagram features photos of her bike, videos of her workouts, and casual moments at bars or gatherings. although, she's not very active.

music: she listens to classic rock bands like ac/dc and metallica, as well as punk groups like the clash, but she also has a softer side with occasional blues.

favorite food: she prefers home-cooked food like stews or well-made burgers, always with a craft beer on the side.

lifestyle: sevika lives in a simple but cozy apartment, with personal tools and memories. her lifestyle is practical and adapted to her need for constant movement.

how you’d met: she met you at a bar when someone was being annoying to you. she jumped in without a second thought, and it led to a deeper conversation about her life experiences. her interest grew when she saw that you weren't easily intimidated, and from there, you started hanging out.

[pangur-and-grim]

I'm looking into getting a purebred cat for the first time because I've developed allergies, and it's such a different world from my niche corner of dog breeding, I'm so lost How common is it for cat breeders to focus on temperament over conformation? I've shown a dog and been to many shows, and am working on a breed in development. I'm uncomfortable with a fixation on "correct" appearance versus a heavy focus on what an animal's quality of life is and what they're like to live with If I'm paying more for a kitten than I charge for a puppy I want to know the breeder has done a lot of handling and enrichment, grooming conditioning (for relevant breeds), and pair their cats for temperament strengths and weaknesses, not just conformation. What should I look for on a breeder site/what should I ask without sounding rude? I also have seen a couple breeders advertise a health guarantee including FIP for one year, and I'm wondering how that's possible. Can you really guarantee against it? I'm so sorry you and your gremlin are going through this, it sounds like a rollercoaster!

it's difficult to answer your first question! cat breeding seems more…..casual in terminology than dog breeding, if that makes sense? 

with temperament, there’s a stereotype for each breed (Bengals = active, Siamese = yowly, Ragdolls = angelic beings, etc). breeders often have a page on their site explaining their idea of what the breed is (the ideal appearance, personality, and so on), and then a section with their breeding cats, with blurbs for each one. and they usually also have social media, where you can see how these cats slot into their lives.

if you’re from the states, be VERY WARY of breeders who cage their cats! that’s more of a cultural norm there, and personally, I prefer breeders who treat their animals like family members and live alongside them.

here are two examples of breeders who go above and beyond: Praticalcats and Trillium Devon Rex. their sites give away how obsessive they are about their animals - all the articles on Praticalcats, and all the genetic testing on Trillium - and I would feel comfortable recommending them to anyone who asked.

as for over-emphasis on a “correct” appearance – for each breed, there will be a certain look that’s a red flag. Devon Rexes that are too brachy, Maine Coons that are too large, Siamese that are too spindly, etc. if you do enough research on your breed of choice, you’ll start recognizing it. the cat will look more ‘special’, and more ‘like it’s breed’, but it’s an exaggeration at the cost of other qualities.

for specific questions like what handling they do, whether they’re conditioned to tolerate grooming, and how the cats get paired with buyers, most of the time you have to contact a breeder to ask that. there should be a mini job interview before any money changes hand, where the breeder grills you, and you get to return the favour. if a breeder skips this, I’d consider that a major red flag. and don’t worry about sounding rude, a good breeder will be delighted that you care so much about all of this!

and now, the guarantee against FIP – what are they guaranteeing, exactly? it might be a guarantee that they’ll replace the kitten if they develop FIP (the contract with my breeder had a similar clause). but if they’re guaranteeing that any kitten from them won’t develop FIP, then that’s nonsense. basically all young cats get exposed to the feline coronavirus that causes FIP, and whether they develop it or not is just a lottery gamble. I'd be suspicious of any breeder who claims that their kittens are exempt from this.

anyway, I think I've answered everything. hopefully that was helpful, and not just me rambling!

[shadowmaat]

Most relevant bit:

The puppy was part of a litter of 12 at a July 20 event hosted by the Moms and Mutts Colorado Rescue for Pregnant and Nursing Dogs, also known as MAMCO. The event took place at the rescue's shelter at 2721 W. Oxford Ave. in Sheriden. The address is also sometimes listed in Englewood. The puppy, along with its littermates, came from Texas and was unvaccinated for rabies at the time of exposure. At the event, the puppy's litter was known as the "July Shepherd Mix" litter and may also have been referred to as the "Celebrity Kids" litter.

Rabies is bad, kids. Like, 100% fatal, bad. The pup had to be euthanized for testing and it's likely all its littermates will be, too. The article said they're trying to track down 17 people known to be in close contact with the infected pup, but anyone who was at the event needs to be wary. Rabies can be passed via saliva, so if the puppy licked you or your dog, there's a danger.

People who attended the event should call the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment for screening.

They can call the agency's hotline at 303-692-2700 during business hours or 303-692-9395 after hours or on weekends or holidays. Or they can email cdphe_zoonoses@state.co.us CDPHE staff will determine whether attendees need post-exposure treatment.

It's also worth noting that post-exposure treatment only works before symptoms show up. Once you or your pet start displaying symptoms, it's too late. Again: rabies is 100% fatal.

The article doesn't mention how the pup contracted rabies in the first place and it doesn't mention how old the pup was, but a bit of quick research shows that the vax schedule for rabies isn't until 14 weeks, so if the puppy was younger than that (and this was a "nursing dogs" event) it's possible it was just too young to have been vaxxed. There may be more nuance to it than that and there's a lot of details that aren't mentioned, but I don't think this is a case of "ugh, Texas" or anything like that. Shelters, at least, take health & safety seriously. Any employee spouting off about animals not needing vaccines is going to get kicked to the curb.

I really hope that the CDPHE has a system in place to cover the cost of the post-exposure treatment since it can cost anywhere from $1200 to $6500 without insurance and that's going to be impossible for a lot of people, even if the alternative is a slow and painful death.

What a mess. I hope everyone (and their animals) comes through this safe and healthy.

[petnews2day]

Butterfly Paws will expand dog team at Nationwide Children's Hospital

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/nVNkL

Butterfly Paws will expand dog team at Nationwide Children's Hospital

Nationwide Children’s Hospital announces Butterfly PAWS, an expanded facility and therapy dog program. The hospital plans to increase the current team of 10 dogs to 80 during the next few years. Nationwide Children’s Hospital to expand therapy, facility dog team Nationwide Children’s Hospital has announced Butterfly Paws, an expanded facility and therapy dog program patients, […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/nVNkL #DogNews #Oh, #And, #Article, #ArticlePlus, #CanineCompanionsForIndependence, #Canine, #Centers, #ChildrenSHealth, #Childrens, #Columbus, #Companions, #Dog, #DogTraining, #Dogs, #For, #Health, #Hospital, #Hospitals, #HospitalsAndMedicalCenters, #HospitalsU0026TreatmentCenters, #Independence, #Medical, #Nationwide, #NationwideChildrenSHospital, #Overall, #OverallPositive, #Pediatrics, #Plus, #Positive, #Service, #ServiceDogs, #Training, #Treatment, #U0026, #Working, #WorkingDogs

[kaija-rayne-author]

The elves 'needed a win' in Dragon Age Veilguard, huh?

Obligatory 'I'm not an asshole' disclaimer. Feel free to jump to the cut if you've read it.

Something came to my attention. I need to make it crystal clear that I utterly love the diversity in DAV. It's fantastic. I'm also a heavily left leaning, non-binary, queer as fuck reviewer, editor, and author.

I was on media blackout while I played DAV. Please be safe and take care of yourselves. Arguing with incels and white supremacists is completely pointless. They sea lion worse than an actual sea lion. Your mental health is important.

Though, every single time the anti-queer brigade comes out for a new DA game, I sit there thinking 'have you bozos ever played any DA game, like, ever?' My guess is nope.

Note. None of my writing on DA, but especially DAV, is edited. This is just my off the cuff writing. I don't have the time, energy, or heart to edit them properly.

Grab a drink of preference, walk the dog, then find a comfy spot, this is gonna be a long one.

I'm referring to a quote of John Epler's. Creative Director for DAV at BioWare in this Polygon article.

"elven historian Bellara Lutare and Grey Warden Davrin, come from Dalish clans themselves and even though they’re a little shaken about confronting their gods, they’re not conflicted about doing so. In fact, among Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain’s lackeys and puppets, there’s not a single elf to be found. Epler said that it’s vindication for the Dalish — which is nice to see considering how they’ve been portrayed in past games."

Okay. Let’s think about this first part. Epler says it's vindication for the elves and how they've been treated in previous games. You know? Ever since I read that article, confusion has just run around in my head. How? How can absolutely anything that happened in DAV be considered as ‘vindication of the elves’?

Firstly, I'm not sure if vindication is the best word for the concept he's going for. Vindication means to Justify, Confirm, Substantiate, or Avenge. I can't honestly see how any of the events in DAV do even one of those things for the elves.

You know what it really is? It's not anything good, regardless of which transitive verb you use. It's just bad writing. Like absolutely awful, pretty deeply racist, terrible writing.

You’re trying to actually have me believe that within the entire race of elves, city elves, Dalish, veil-jumpers, enslaved elves (who we conveniently don’t see at all in DAV, even though we spend time in Tevinter… the capital of enslaved elves…) there aren’t some who would follow Elgar’nan and/or Ghilan’nain? At least for a little while? The enslaved elves wouldn’t follow their old gods if they promised to free them? Really?

More realistically, there would be a schism within the elves. Some would follow the returned gods, some would deny them, and some would be like fuck this, I have halla to feed or floors to scrub.

Having the gods return would be a world shaking event on every front. Not just in the Disney villain mustache twirling way, like in DAV. But also culturally, religiously, anthropologically.

Every single elf in the entire elven race is ‘good’? There aren’t any who are power hungry? (Raises an eyebrow at Zathrian DAO.) No power hungry, not exactly ‘good’ elves, huh? Riiiiiight.

Would some, maybe even most, change their minds once they realized what Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain really were? Of course, there would be some. But there would be just as many who might stick with their gods.  For so many reasons. Revenge, greed, desire for power, unwavering fanatical faith... I could keep listing reasons for a while. That's just, realistically, how intellectual beings behave. There wouldn’t be any elves on that entire continent that wouldn’t throw their fists up in victory, and shout, ‘Yes! Finally! Let’s squash Tevinter first, then Orlais.’?

Really? Isn’t that kinda reducing the existence of elves to the same old fashioned child ‘not to be seen or heard’ thing? It’s infantalizing an entire race.

That’s both so naïve it’s sad and so disrespectful of the elves as intellectual beings with free will.

And how would most elves even know that the two returned gods were, y’know, returned? Much less that they’re actually mustache twirling bad guys a la Disney? (I could personally think of a few ways, but they weren’t shown or even mentioned that I saw in game.)

THEDAS is depicted as a fantasy medieval-esque world. Communication is depicted by courier and letters. The travel time alone would mean that most elves wouldn’t have a clue about even the return of the gods, much less their character. There’s nothing shown in the games that I can recall that covers this.

It’s unrealistic that even Bellara and Davrin know they’re evil until a few story quests in, leading to the second act. They just automatically know? How?

It’s already firmly established in Dragon Age Lore that the elves will willingly, some even happily, leave behind everything to serve an ancient Elvhen God. Even one with dirt, blood, mistrust, and disgust directed at him for millennia.

In the end pages of DAI, it’s clearly shown that elves leave their current circumstances to go serve Solas. Fen’harel, The Dread Wolf, The elven trickster god. The most utterly despised God of all of them has an extremely large following of elves. (Who we don’t see anything of in DAV, convenient, no?)

And we have a retcon from our dearly talented /s John Epler on that from /theplaydragonage reddit group. Paraphrased, Solas decided to work alone because he hated being a leader. He didn’t care about the elves. Somewhere between DAI and DAV the elves sworn to Solas sparkle glitter farted poof into the ether’

You know? That’s just so uneducated on how intellectual beings work that I’m not going to dignify it with a response.

And there are so many quotes from Solas about truly caring about the elves in Inquisition and supplementary materials that it's an utterly ridiculous Solas-hater thing to say.

So, why in all the worlds wouldn’t elves want to serve Elgar’nan, All-Father, the Eldest of the Sun, He Who Overthrew His Father, The Father of Retribution? He represents promise before acceptance. The power before the price. The moment of choice that precedes justice or vengeance, rise or fall.

Why wouldn’t they want to follow Ghilan’nain? Mother of the halla and Goddess of Navigation. The price and acceptance of purpose, and the becoming that allows no return. Betrayal and devotion are as equals to her.

Many, many elves throughout the history of the Dragon Age franchise have been depicted as extremely faithful to their gods, especially amongst the Dalish.

They stoned Solas and drove him away when Solas tried to tell the truth about them to at least one Dalish clan. It’s why Solas isn't particularly fond of the Dalish. If you stoned me for trying to tell you the truth of a thing, I doubt I'd like you very much either.

It really just feels like self-insertionism on Epler's part. Or poorly thought out ideas suitable to a first draft that any decent editor would've suggested get scrapped. Or maybe a bad case of CYA (cover your ass). I honestly have no idea whether Epler is faithful to any religion, agnostic, or atheist, nor do I care, it isn't anyone's business but his.

But the writing and actions surrounding both Bellara and Davrin, as well as the elves in general, feel like a modern atheist trying to self-insert their belief structure onto a fictional group of people it just would never fit for. Or that someone doesn’t actually know the Lore very well. (Yes, I’m aware how long Epler has been with BioWare. DAV, interviews, and AMAs absolutely prove he doesn’t know the Lore. And doesn’t seem to care? I’ll never understand that. Nor does he understand the people of THEDAS. Or maybe even people in general? Writing well demands at least some understanding of how people work.)

I can't for a second believe that absolutely none of the elves, a people who have been enslaved, abused, tortured, and used for thousands of years, wouldn't willingly and very even possibly happily, follow beings who are, in fact, their Legendary Gods. Beings that in elven cultures are still venerated. Beings whose bad actions have been forgotten. It just doesn't make sense to say there wouldn't be.

“Still, though, why haven’t any Dalish elves decided to join forces with their gods? As Epler put it, the gods simply don’t care about them.”

No. You know what saying there’s no elves in the entourages of either Elgar’nan or Ghilan’nain really does? It doesn’t provide vindication. Nor even surcease, which might be a better word. All it does is infantalize and remove agency from an entire race of people. From all elves.

And that somehow means the elves don’t care about the gods? That’s, uh, not how that works?

Agency, in writing, means that characters make decisions and it affects the plot (good!) or that the plot pushes your characters around, (bad).

Agency is whether the character happens to the plot, (good!). Or if the plot happens to the character (bad).

It’s honestly the essence, in some ways, of ‘choices matter’.

There is a severe dearth of good agency in DAV. Sad as that makes me.

So let’s talk about faith amongst the elves, generally, and the Dalish, in particular. Because following a god requires faith.

Saying 'there's no elves in the group of 'lackeys and puppets' following Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain is like saying that die-hard Catholics wouldn't follow a proven return of their savior, Jesus or even the father, god. Or insert any other cultures' living/dying gods return. Illogical, kinda offensive if you happen to be religious, and honestly? Foolish.

For many elves, their faith would be something they cling to. It would be hope in the darkness of abuse.

It’s kinda rude to say it’s a win for the elves to ignore their ancestral faith when it’s often, likely, the only thing they have left.

Honestly? It’s pretty offensive. THEDAS, elves, their rampaging elven gods, none of that is real. But there are plenty of abused minorities on Earth that they modelled the elves from. I didn’t grow up within the cultures, and I’m of Mohawk, Mikmaq, Irish Romani, mixed European, and (previously enslaved) African descent. Some things were passed down, regardless.

It's both my personal experience and proven in cultural anthropology that abused peoples will often cling to anything colonizers leave them that the people value. It’s the only way to maintain culture.

It’s why the residential schools took our hair first. Many native cultures don’t cut hair for numerous reasons. Then came the theft of language. My grandparents on both sides were kidnapped and taken to residential schools. The last one closed in 1996. I was a sophomore in university. This isn’t ancient history. And while, yes, Dragon Age is fake, people with similar experiences or backgrounds in the real world are hurt by crap we see in fiction every day. This is just a particularly egregious example of it.

History lives on in those still bleeding. No, if you’re of any abused minority, you’ll know what I’m talking about. We hang on to anything we can, because it’s all we have left.

So how and why would the Theodosian elves be any different? Because the gods don’t care? That’s some ridiculous authorium handwavium right there.

I could buy either Bellara or Davrin as being atheist or agnostic (more likely Bellara IMHO) but not both.

But as far as artistic depictions go? Regardless of anything anyone may say, they're shown as elves who are both pretty faithful. Here's why. They both wear Vallaslin.

It's pretty well laid out in the Lore (which we already know they ignored or retconned into insensibility in DAV and OMG in the interviews and recent AMA!) that the application of the Vallaslin (which translates to blood writing) is a sacred right of passage only offered to Dalish youths around the age of eighteen who will be staying with their people.

Regardless of the meaning of the Vallaslin in the past, they’re considered sacred by modern Theodosian elves.

They aren't just cool decorations. They're not make-up they can just wash off. They indicate which of the nine gods that particular elf has sworn themselves to in Dalish culture. (Technically eight, because Solas, The Dread Wolf, God of Rebellion and Trickery, never claimed or designed Vallaslin. Because he never owned slaves that is ever indicated anywhere.)

And only the Dalish use them. The specific design each Dalish elf wears is indicative of which elven god they both feel drawn to and wish to work to emmulate in their life. Making them even less likely to be worn casually.

The Lore is clear that application of the Vallaslin is ritual. It’s sacred. It would likely take multiple days to tattoo them into someone’s face. It would be excruciatingly painful. The face is one of the most painful places to get inked. I’ve got ink. It’s not comfortable even in ‘easy to tattoo’ places. On the face? Ouch!

Vallaslin would never have been given to Davrin. Davrin’s story shows some of his past, and in his heart, he always knew he wouldn’t be staying. His mentor Eldrin said something along the lines of ‘he knew/felt Davrin wouldn’t stay with the clan’. In the kind of social structure that’s been described for the Dalish, a youth’s mentor would absolutely be consulted on whether they were ready for Vallaslin. So why, for all the halla’s in THEDAS, would Davrin have Vallaslin? He wouldn’t. They’re marks of clan belonging, of pride, of faith in their gods and the Dalish way of life. Davrin just wouldn’t have them unless he deeply believed in serving Ghilan’nain. Which would mean being a Dalish wayfinder and halla keeper. Not a Grey Warden. 

While it’s cute given his backstory that Davrin wears the Mother of Halla’s marks. He just wouldn’t have them, no matter how sexy he looks with them.

If we handwave all that though… oh, the missed opportunity to have any Dalish wearing Vallaslin as a traitor to Rook’s cause, by wearing the blood writing of the God/Goddess they’re fighting? I was just waiting for the Vallaslin to actually mean something. For the gods to control, puppet-like, those wearing their blood writing? The missed angst, character development opportunities, and just… gah.

I don’t know if I’ll ever stop grieving what DAV could’ve been.

So if Bellara is more into science and questioning things, I could see her more as an atheist. So why does she wear Dirthaman’s Vallaslin? She’s not even technically Dalish that is ever truly shown in game. Dalish have a clan that is usually pretty important to them. Lore states there aren’t many, if any, Dalish who brave Arlathan because of slave-hunters. Where is Bellara’s clan? The veil-jumpers don’t count as a Dalish clan regardless of the window-dressing. They haven’t even been around that long according to some of Bellara’s lines. Okay, so if Bellara is actually Dalish from somewhere? I could see a scientist type having Dirthamen’s Vallaslin. But where in all the mysteries did she get them? Why would she have them? Given the why’s listed above, she just wouldn’t, no matter how beautiful she looks in them.

I mean, in a lot of ways, someone getting their Vallaslin would be sort of similar to anything sacred that is deemed ritual that dedicated a person to a faith/god-dess/religion.

So a quote from the Polygon article states, “instead of being accidentally (or purposely!) killed off by the player character, the Dalish elves in The Veilguard get to righteously rally against the mages that they once called gods and reclaim part of their history.”

Er… call me mistaken but wouldn’t that be sort of like destroying part of their history? Y’know, with destroying parts of Arlathan, banishing Anaris, and outright killing two of their venerated gods? Even if those gods weren’t as advertised? (A lot like this damned game tbh.)

Epler. “I love that the Dalish in this game, by and large, are saying, No, we were lied to. We were the first victims of these gods. We’re going to fight back,” Epler said. “And they really get a sense to kind of rise up in this game and start establishing themselves in this way that in the future I can’t wait to go back to, but in this game gives them a sense of a win. They get a victory in how they respond to the threat of the gods in this game.”

Future? What future? Given the events in DAV, there isn’t even a statistically relevant breeding population (in the scientific sense) of elves left!

In the Lore, the blight is a death sentence, one way or another. Between the Venatori’s favourite blood bags being enslaved elves, the gods using them as sacrifices, and the entirety of southern THEDAS being overwhelmed with blight, just how many elves does Epler think might possibly be left?

This is what I mean about DAV having bad planning, lack of Lore adhesion, poor attention to detail, and just crappy writing. Nothing. Makes. Sense.

Completely pushing aside pretty much everything I’ve just talked about… can someone please explain how most of the elves on the entire continent of THEDAS dying from the blight… y’know, the Dalish, named after the Dales, in southern THEDAS, which were quite clearly overrun by blight and not-fucking-darkspawn in the codices… y’know, the Dalish, on the wide open Dales, in land ships/Aravel, and with herds of Halla, children, and elders to care for… how is all of them being dead or blighted a win? The only potential ‘win’ for any of them is for Bellara/Davrin, who aren’t even technically Dalish by the ways of the Dalish in the Lore. And depending on player choice, its possibly a win only for one of them?

Bellara, in speaking about the gods, sounds like the worst sort of uneducated twit. And she's supposed to be smart? The thing with smart characters? You have to actually show them being smart.

I just can’t see how one or two ‘Dalish’ being kinda creepily uncaring of their venerated gods coming back to reality and being on the team to kill them… is in any way ‘a win’.

The racism in DAV is woven all throughout. And it seems it's baked right into the core of BioWare.