#flea collars for dogs cheap

[vampirekinn]

every year we travel to poland to visit my aunt and every year her nasty (but lovely..... for the most part) fucking dog, and now nasty cat, is riddled with fleas. and every year she refuses! to give him! a bath!!!!

[2frosty4you]

Hello! I wanted to ask if you would do the Mercs w a gender neutral reader who finds a stray animal (like a dog or cat) that somehow wandered into their base and BEGGING the Mercs to keep it. Preferably all mercs, but if that's too many, then just Scout, Spy, and Engie please! Thank you! ♡

Convincing them to keep a stray animal [Headcanons]

| Scout, Spy, Engie x GN!reader | 334 words | | masterlist | request-box |

Couldn't feel up to writing all 9 so these three as you wanted anon :) Tysm to my gf for her stamp of her approval ╔═════════════════╗

Scout:

The moment you show him the dog he wants it

No convincing needed, he's always wanted a dog

Now both of you have to convince Engineer and Medic to keep it.

Which was easy

This dog is going to be spoiled by you and scout

He goes on his morning runs with it

Instead of a collar it has a bandana wrapped around its neck

He tried to name it bonk and you immediately declined and threatened to lock him out of the base

Engineer:

When you found a small, skinny brown cat hidden behind a few crates you were in love.

Taking it to engineer quickly and begging to keep it, he looks uneasy (cat could have fleas, or ringworm and you're here touching it)

You and the cat convince him quickly, you with your puppy eyes and the cat with its.. uh cat qualities.

Medic gave it a small look over, it doesn't have fleas or ringworm.

He doesn't want it inside his workroom in case it gets too close to the machinery.

He'll sneak the cat some food when he's cooking meats.

Spy

"non"

You did not even SHOW him the cat and he was saying no.

You found a skinny black cat on the battlefield, took it and ran straight to spy to show him.

He doesn't want a feline shedding fur onto his suits, furniture or himself.

You keep the cat either way

The cat is very laid back, an older feline who just enjoys being in the sun.

He'll like the cat one day, but not early on.

The cat loves him though, always wants to be inside of his smoking room and wanting to lay in-front of the fireplace.

He'll buy it expensive cat food, if its going to stay in his smoking room it won't be eating cheap, disgusting smelling cat food

╚══════════════╝

Posted 5.03.2024

[dragonbleps]

Lulu's been real itchy the past few days.

We were worried maybe she had fleas, even though we couldn't see any and Bella wasn't itchy and I wasn't getting bites. That was the reason I gave her a bath, but it only helped for a little bit. Still glad I did, though! She needed it either way.

She's been scratching the same parts over and over and licking her belly, which made me think maybe there were bites of some kind, but I'm not seeing anything.

Gave her half a Benadryl and it seems to help, which tells me it is an itch and not like, pain on the inside.

Mom says it's probably allergies, although she's never been a dog bothered by allergies. I guess that can change though. And after I thought about it, it made sense--the places she's itching (her armpits, her knees, her belly) are all on her underside where the fur is thinner, and she's a small dog, low to the ground, so her underside rubs up against the grass (especially now that we have working sprinklers and it's growing quickly).

I got her a cheap little deshedding brush. Other brushes don't do much for her and she doesn't like them. The tines/bristles are too long and too far apart and don't actually do anything because her fur is too short and stiff to get tangled. But she LOVES the deshedding brush. She fell asleep for a little bit while I was brushing her :)

So for now I'll keep an eye on her and give her Benadryl when the itching gets too bad, and try to see when the itching crops up more (like maybe after she comes in from outside). And continue brushing her with the deshedding brush in case the fur is what's making it worse.

And if it doesn't clear up in a couple days, I'll do another bath with some medicated doggy shampoo just to make sure it's not something on the skin.

Oh, I also loosened her collar and it seems to have helped her coughing, I think? It wasn't tight, but she also had a flea collar, too, so if one slips under the other it might act like a tight collar. Otherwise the coughing might have also been from when she was trying to reach into the toy bin. It has a lower edge that's supposed to make it easy for dogs to reach in and grab toys, but Lulu is too small and it hits her right at the bottom of her throat. So I put it behind her bed so she has a little boost over that lip.

[critterwags]

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[manlybutterflys]

I fucking hate working the pet department at work. Real conversation I JUST had

Customer A: *looking through flea collars*

Me: I can tell you that Hartz brand has bad reviews (always desperate to get people to stop using Hartz)

C: Yeah I had bad reactions, my dog got hot spots

Me: yeah that's a problem that can happen with the cheap brands because of the chemicals they use. I do know Nextstar, Advantage and Frontline have really good reviews. I use Frontline for all my pets but these (cheaper brands) work-

C: NO! No drops! I used (Hartz) and it burned his skin! Never drops.

Me: well, yes Hartz will do that but thi-

C: I've used everything, nothing works! I've used (Hartz) drops and (Adams) pills, this is the third thing I've tried! *grabs an Adams collar* Never drops! They're horrible for animals!

Me: *dying inside knowing these poor dogs are going to suffer and their owner is an idiot*

[fmp-nic]

Beasley Street, John Cooper Clarke

Far from crazy pavements

The taste of silver spoons

A clinical arrangement

On a dirty afternoon

Where the fecal germs of Mr Freud

Are rendered obsolete

The legal term is "null and void"

In the case of Beasley Street

In the cheap seats where murder breeds

Somebody is out of breath

Sleep is a luxury they don't need

A sneak preview of death

Belladonna is your flower

Manslaughter your meat

Spend a year in a couple of hours

On the edge of Beasley Street

Where the action isn't

That's where it is

State your position

Vacancies exist

In an X-certificate exercise

Ex-servicemen excrete

Keith Joseph smiles and a baby dies

In a box on Beasley Street

From the boarding-houses and the bedsits

Full of accidents and fleas

Somebody gets it

Where the missing persons freeze

Wearing dead men's overcoats

You can't see their feet

A riff joint shuts, opens up

Right down on Beasley Street

Cars collide, colours clash

Disaster-movie stuff

For a man with a Fu Manchu moustache

Revenge is not enough

There's a dead canary on a swivel seat

There's a rainbow in the road

Meanwhile on Beasley Street

Silence is the code

Hot beneath the collar

An inspector calls

Where the perishing stink of squalor

Impregnates the walls

The rats have all got rickets

They spit through broken teeth

The name of the game is not cricket

Caught out on Beasley Street

The hipster and his hired hat

Drive a borrowed car

Yellow socks and a pink cravat

Nothing, la-dee-dah

OAP, mother-to-be

Watch the three-piece suite

When shit-stoppered drains

And crocodile skis

Are seen on Beasley Street

The kingdom of the blind

A one-eyed man is king

Beauty problems are redefined

The doorbells do not ring

A lightbulb bursts like a blister

The only form of heat

Here a fellow sells his sister

Down the river on Beasley Street

The boys are on the wagon

The girls are on the shelf

Their common problem is

That they're not someone else

The dirt blows out

The dust blows in

You can't keep it neat

It's a fully furnished dustbin

Sixteen Beasley Street

Vince the ageing savage

Betrays no kind of life

But the smell of yesterday's cabbage

And the ghost of last year's wife

Through a constant haze

Of deodorant sprays

He says retreat

Alsations dog the dirty days

Down the middle of Beasley Street

People turn to poison

Quick as lager turns to piss

Sweethearts are physically sick

Every time they kiss

It's a sociologist's paradise

Each day repeats

On easy, cheesy, greasy, queasy

Beastly Beasley Street

Eyes dead as vicious fish

Look around for laughs

If I could have just one wish

I would be a photograph

On a permanent Monday morning

Get lost or fall asleep

When the yellow cats are yawning

Around the back of Beasley Street

Beasley Street is an incredible poem observing the poverty stricken life of Brittan in the 1980s. The guttural descriptions are presented with such whit and elegance and dare it be said, some humour. While observing the grittiness of life the film Withnail and i comes to mind; and I remember watching a documentary about that film. There was one quote that stuck out to me, that it is eternally engaging to watch these characters living and getting by in these squalled conditions however you would not trade anything to swap positions with them.

[puppysimply]

10 Best Flea Collars For Dogs That Actually Works Of 2020

The best flea collars for dogs are a great way to prevent fleas and ticks from causing you and your dog problems. how best to prevent or remove it.

If you’re looking for an alternative to tablets or (spot-on) style treatments, flea collars may be the answer. An extremely low maintenance option, just wrap the flea collar around your dog and forget about it for three to eight months.

Choosing a…

[from-a-reckless-writer]

iv. couch.

read on ao3

To Lena: r u busy??? U didnt answer my calls. Dinner later?

To Lena: my place.

To Lena: Or yours! Can totally go to urs. If u want.

To Lena: Lena????

To Lena: where are u??

To Lena: Answer my calls

To Lena: Pls?

Kara rounds the corner of her hallway, keys bitten, dangling from her lips, as she types with both hands. Her 67th text message of the day to an MIA Lena Luthor sent. She fails to notice the creature lurking around the front of her door; dark fur shining under the cheap LED lights of Kara’s corridor.

She’s still deeply absorbed in her phone with worry, in the middle of jamming her keys in with one hand, when something furry brushes against her legs and Kara yelps.

She pulls the knob clean out of the wood in shock, her phone dropping to the floor loudly, the cat doing a duet with her with a startled yowl of her own.

Heart hammering and adrenaline racing, Kara looks down and sees the cat for the first time.

“Oh! Oh!” she gasps, “I didn’t see you there, buddy. I’m sorry for startling you!! I didn’t mean it.”

The door knob clatters loudly to the ground as it falls out of her grasp. And Kara sheepishly feels guilty for the hole in her door. But the cat meows loudly, catching her attention, as if in response to her apology.

She crouches down low, and reaches out a hand to touch the furball. She snaps a quick pic, sends it to Lena and pockets her phone.

To Lena: KITTY!!

“Oh, oh come here,” she coos, “where’s your collar? How’d you get here huh?”

The cat reminds her of Streaky. The first stray who ever took to her kindly. Although upon closer inspection, Kara realizes this one has striking emeralds for eyes, Streaky’s eyes were a more softer blue.

The cat surprisingly seems friendly, immediately leaning into Kara’s touch. Nosing at the inside of Kara’s wrist and it’s such a familiar gesture but she can’t seem to remember why.

And...oh, a small rumbling echoes through Kara’s palm!

Oh, they’re purring!

Kara doesn’t know how long she stays there crouched low exactly, but eventually, she stands up, takes her hand away, and picks up the damaged doorknob.

“Well, time for you to go home now, buddy,” she tells them, giving their head one last pat before dusting off her hands on her jacket.

“Go on, shooo. Shoo. Go home. I’m sure your human is looking for you.”

But the cat remains unmoving. It looks like they’ve decided to sit firmly in front of Kara’s doorstep, casually licking a paw, as if waiting for Kara to open her door.

“Are you actually waiting for me to open my door?” Kara makes a mental note to thank Rao that none of her neighbors can see her trying to hold a proper conversation with a cat.

“Look, kitty,” she says firmly, “I’m not your human.”

The cat just blinks owlishly at her. Eyes too green, too intelligent and-

Kara makes up her mind.

She turns her face skywards, takes a deep breath (This will probably backfire, she already knows. But she's always had a soft spot for strays.) and then she pushes her door wide open.

The cat races inside, cutting through Kara’s legs and almost tripping her.

“Well, somebody’s excited,” Kara mutters under her breath, she watches the cat head for her living room couch; watches as they pause all of a sudden, changes course and jumps onto Kara’s coffee table instead.

Where the cat then proceeds to knock down everything in close vicinity, even the picture frame of her and Lena together.

“Hey! No! Bad kitty-”

But the cat is already hopping down from her pedestal, landing on the frame directly.

And then things get weird.

The cat proceeds to stomp all over it, meows loud, like really loud; insanely loud for a cat their size.

Her paw seems to be almost pointing? At the other person in the frame.

“I-” Kara seems taken aback by the bizarre behavior, sure she knows cats are vastly different from dogs, but this…

This is just weird.

The cat’s meowing only seems to get louder.

How you land yourselves in these situations, Kara. I really just don’t know, at this point. She can almost hear Alex say.

“What are you- Are you- are you pointing? That’s- That’s Lena, yeah. That’s my best friend.”

At that, the cat seems to vibrate. They start clawing at Kara’s pant leg, meowing and meowing and meowing—

And then it hits her.

"-but it turns out that she’s a witch. And apparently, so am I."

The green, green eyes.

A pink nose nuzzling against her wrist.

“Lena?”

******

“Oh, Rao! Lena you’re a cat! What happened?! Oh, no, baby what did you do?”

Lena-

Lena The Cat—and okay, so she’s still wrapping her head around that one—just stays silent. She’s sitting on her lap, looking regal than any cat has any right to be. A judgmental look in her eyes.

Lena’s a cat. Cat’s can’t speak. Can’t answer Kara’s questions.

“Right. Sorry. Only meow,” Kara murmurs, embarrassed. For some reason even in cat form Lena manages to be intimidating.

“Okay so, uh d-does that mean you still understand me? Two meows for yes. One meow for no.”

Kara gets two meows.

“Okay, cool, cool. Great. You can still understand me, that's good.” Kara runs a hand down her spine, “Gosh, your fur is just so soft.”

She hears Lena give a small growl, body tensing, “Right. Right. Sorry. Not the time for pets.” Kara retracts her hand away.

“Uhm, so next question then, I guess? D-did you become a cat this morning? Were you testing out your uhm...gift?”

Lena meows twice. Kara nods, clenching and unclenching her fist underneath her chin. Fingers itching to run themselves through Lena’s soft fur again. Lena seems to sense this, and nuzzles her face into Kara’s hand, bumps against her repeatedly.

“Really?” Kara double-checks, giddy. If she were human Kara bets Lena would be rolling her eyes like she always does when Kara does something particularly dorky, but she just pushes her head firmer against Kara’s hand and meows twice.

“So uhm,” she starts, cautiously, noting Lena’s increasing purr, “is there like a spellbook for this or something? Something that can help you transform back?

Lena meows yes.

“Is it in The Tower or back at your place?”

There are no responses.

“Sorry, sorry lemme rephrase, is it in The Tower?”

She gets two consecutive meows.

Okay, to The Tower it is.

******

“Are you going to tell me why you’re cradling a cat in your cape or??” Alex raises a brow at her, a hand on her hip, left foot tapping impatiently. Her sister was heading out for the day, it looks like. It was just tough luck that Supergirl landed one minute before the elevator took Alex.

Crap. Now they have to explain. They didn’t talk about this. Lena still hasn’t told her if it was okay to tell people about her gift.

“I-I rescued it,” Kara says.

Well, that isn’t so far from the truth, right? She stares at the bundle in her arms, Lena the traitor staying silent all the while—green eyes shining all innocent at Kara.

Alex’s stares intensifies.

“From a tree,” Kara flounders, and Lena The Cat has the audacity to yawn, squirm and jump away from her arms. She lands gracefully, tail swishing up in the air and heads straight for the lab.

Alex eyes the cat suspiciously before turning back to Kara. She jabs a finger to her chest. “It better not have any fleas. It better not touch my training mat.”

“She won’t.”

Alex just shakes her head, rolls her eyes, grabs her helmet and walks to the elevator.

Before she goes though, Alex says, “You know, this is gonna sound weird, but I swear I think I saw that same cat slinking out of The Tower earlier this morning.”

“Alex, she’s literally a black cat. There are hundreds of black cats in the city.”

“You're being weirdly defensive about this. Why are you being weird?”

“I’m not.”

Alex seems like she wants to say more, but the elevator dings, and she’s never been more grateful that Kelly makes Alex pick her up from work. Alex huffs out breath, before conceding and disappearing into the lift.

******

The camera flash is what gets Kara busted.

But is it really her fault if she walked in on a cute kitty, hunched over, meowing adorably, trying to flip over the pages of a thick spellbook, with her teeny-tiny bean paws?

Lena hisses at her, teeth-bared and fur puffy.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. But you were just really, really, really cute okay?” She walks closer to the desk, carefully lifts a hand and scratches Lena behind the ear.

The hissing slowly devolves into purring, and Kara grins triumphantly. Lena lets herself be picked up after a few moments, Kara leafing through the pages for her.

“So, found anything yet?” She asks, cradling Lena close to her chest. A warm weight on Kara’s arms, and as much as she wants to get her real Lena back, she also isn’t too eager on giving up this version anytime soon. Then again, Kara thinks, it would be impossible for her to give up any version of Lena Luthor.

“Spell? Charm? Anything? Do you need to make a potion? Are we gonna get to make a potion? Oh, oh do you need a wand? Do you have a wa-”

Kara’s words get muffled as two black paws press against her lips. Lena’s green eyes narrowing at her. She meows at Kara. Loudly.

“Mkay, mkay. Shut up. Got it.”

Lena removes her paws, and Kara makes a gesture of zipping her lips together. This seems to appease Lena enough because the next second, a pink tongue darts out and she...licks Kara's nose.

“Did you- did you just lick me?” Kara gasps out.

Lena doesn’t even acknowledge her with a meow, just turns away and jumps out of her arms again. Before Kara can do anything about it though, her phone rings.

The screen lighting up with Andrea’s name.

“Danvers, I’ve got a story for you.”

******

“Alex, please, I’ll be quick. I promise. I’ll only be three hours at the most. Please just look after her,” she pleads, pouting and puppy eyes in full power.

It also helps that the cat burrito in her cape looks to be cooperating. Lena The Cat staring at Alex with wide round eyes.

Apparently, some governor was found dead downtown, and now Andrea wants her on the scene. She can’t just leave Lena all alone in The Tower. No matter how hard Lena’s been protesting, this is brand new territory for both of them. Nobody knows the extent of Lena’s powers.

Point is, Kara would feel a lot better if she were to leave Lena under the care of someone she trusts. Even if said someone, accuses Lena of being a stray with fleas. It's still better than leaving Lena all on her own.

“Ugh.” Alex groans and Kara knows she’s won. “If this cat causes trouble I will throw it out the window, Kara.”

“No!” Kara yells, distressed. “Don’t do that. She’ll behave. She promises.”

She puts her hand under Lena’s arms and raises her up to eye level—Simba style. “You promise to be good for Alex, don’t you?”

All she gets is a lot of squirming and screaming, there were also a lot of attempts at scratching Kara’s nose.

“See?” Kara says, chuckling nervously. “She’s telling you she’s good.”

Alex looks skeptical, her arms crossed against her chest.

Kara sets her down on the couch, and crouches down low.

She tries to pet her head, but Lena bites at her finger, she catches her teeth on the skin of her supersuit’s thumb slot. She bites deeper, her teeth accomplishing nothing but a few dents.

And oh, Rao she thinks she’s such a feral little cat but her pink adorable gummy snarl says otherwise.

“I’m sorry, I’ll be back. I promise,” she whispers, careful not to let Alex hear. “And then we’ll figure it out later, okay? The safest place for you right now is to be with Alex.”

She really doesn’t want to go, and based on Lena’s protests she doesn’t want Kara to go either. But well, Andrea had finally threatened to fire her if she disobeyed...which is...fair.

She’s aware she’s been doing a less than stellar job at being a journalist lately. Rao, what an understatement. This is basically her make it or break it.

“Look, I’ll be quick, promise. Be good to Alex,” Kara murmurs. She presses a kiss on Lena’s furry forehead. Lena finally unclenches her jaw and lets Kara go. The little whine she lets out, letting Kara know that she knows the battle’s lost.

“Both of you, be good,” Kara tells them sternly. “Alex, please don’t yeet my cat out of the window.”

Alex shrugs, staring at the cat with suspicion. “I make no promises.’

Lena is staring at Alex just as hostile. Great. They both deserve each other.

Kara sighs exasperatedly. Well, at least she tried.

******

She gets a very angry Alex Danvers on the line, right after she’s finished talking to some sources. It’s nighttime now, and when she checks her watch—yep, she’s left Lena in Alex’s care for more than six hours.

Crap.

“Hey, Al—”

“KARA IF YOU DON’T PICK UP THIS THIS THIS GODDAMNED HAIRBALL RIGHT NOW, YOU WILL NEVER SEE IT EVER AGAIN.”

There is loud meowing, and then, “What the- Get off! Get off me right no-”

The line clicks dead.

Kara Danvers quickly changes into an alley, manages to break the sound barrier.

******

It’s Kelly who opens the door.

“Hey, Kara,” she greets her. Kara is impatiently rocking on her heels, trying to peer past Kelly’s shoulders.

The place was quiet; ridiculously quiet, and Kara feels fear swoop in her belly.

“Please, tell me my cat is still alive,” Kara bursts out, Kelly just gives her a pained smile and oh, no, oh no.

She muscles her way past Kelly to a brooding Alex on the couch.

Lena is nowhere to be seen.

“Alex, Alex where’s my cat? Where is she? Where did you put her?”

Alex finally looks up at her, Kara taking notice of the red marks on her arm.

Oh no, Lena, what did you do?

“Calm down, I didn’t throw the little demon away. She’s-" Alex sing-songs before finishing, "on time-out.”

“Time-out?” Kara asks, voice shaking. Rao, does she really want to know.

Alex takes too long to answer, taking a swig of her beer first before pointing to a corner in the living room.

And there, she spots it.

It, being a small pile of laundry on the floor, next to an upside down hamper. A big white hamper housing one Lena Luthor. There's a crude cardboard sign stuck on it; "Kitty Jail". Alex has also stacked a few encyclopedia on top of it, no doubt an attempt to keep Lena from escaping.

“Oh! Oh, Lena!”

Kara superspeeds her way and scoops Lena up, the cat meowing immediately and curling into Kara’s chest.

“You named the cat after Lena?!”

Crap.

Kara turns around slowly, “Uhm yeah?”

Alex just shakes her head. “Unbelievable.”

“Her eyes reminded me of Lena, okay?!” Kara yells defensively, pressing tiny kisses onto Lena’s fur.

“I’m sorry that Alex has been such a meanie to you," she coos, "I know you didn’t deserve it, baby."

Alex seems to perk up at that, because she raises up from the couch. “That,” Alex jabs a finger in their direction, Kara cradles Lena protectively, “That baby ruined my couch and she so totally deserves all the mean! All the mean in the world, Kara!”

Lena hisses in her arms.

“No, no. That’s not true. Lena is baby and she’s perfect and you’re just a meanie.”

“She ruined my upholstery! She left hair all over the place and that’s not even to mention the scratching!”

“Because you were mean to her!”

Alex scoffs, eyes bulging wide in disbelief.

“Get out,” Alex says, her brows pinching comically, “Get out of my apartment before that little devil causes more damage.”

“Gladly,” Kara says, and Lena meows her assent. They make their way past Alex, Kara unaware that Lena has stuck out her little tongue at Alex over her shoulder.

“And she’s not a little devil!” Kara calls out.

Alex slams the door in her face.

******

That evening, Kara pores over a thick spellbook, eyes swimming with Latin symbols with a purring machine on her lap.

By midnight, Kara has managed to pass out on her couch, a black cat curled on her chest.

The spellbook lay open on her coffee table, forgotten.

******

The first sight that greets Kara when she wakes up are green eyes.

Green human eyes.

And then it hits her.

“Lena!”

The spell had blessedly wore off by morning, and Kara’s never been more glad to see the sunlight lighting up Lena’s face.

For a moment, Kara’s assaulted with the mental image of laying in a pool of sunlight with a black cat stretching leisurely next to her.

“Good morning,” Lena purrs, and oh Rao, that sound is much, much better than her meowing.

“You’re back!” Kara gasps in awe.

“I’m back,” she whispers, she’s still draped fully over Kara on the couch. A blanket covering them both.

“Rao, I missed you.” A palm comes up to cup her cheeks, Lena automatically nuzzling into the inside of her wrist.

“Mm, I missed me, too,” Lena tells her, face breaking into a small smile. Kara traces her fingers up and down Lena’s spine. Oh, how she’s missed touching Lena’s skin.

Wait-

Skin.

Is she-

“Lena,” Kara begins, swallowing. Her nerves not going unnoticed.

Lena raises a brow at her. “Kara?”

“Are you- uhm- ah. Are you naked right now?”

Lena’s eyes light up like a cat’s and Kara knows she’s in trouble.

“Mm. It seems that I am,” Lena says, and all Kara can do is gulp.

“What are you gonna do about it?”

special shoutout to @mike-wachowski, @sexybread-png and @thebreakfastgod for their cat expertise without whom this silly little fic would not be written.

[chaifootsteps]

What was Civ’s life like before he met Thrax?

Civ was born in the city of Bandit, a ratty black shepherd-and-something mix under the extremely loose ownership of a dive bar in Hoboken. Like most animals, Bandit’s body was populated by a chaotic melting pot of microorganisms; some that were straight up feral animals, others that were more humanoid in shape, and some that were in between.

Civ more or less raised himself in that free-range way that little viruses usually do, and as a young adult, was something of a big fish in a small pond. The fact that his strain could infect human flesh was a big deal, and Civ in particular just had an innate, intimate knowledge of the lungs. He loved the lungs, knew how to hit them, where to seed his genetic material to trigger a full-blown infection, and was personally responsible for sickening Bandit in a way that he'd never quite recover from.

Pretty much everyone in his immediate circle was convinced he had it in him to achieve spillover into humans, and Civ couldn't find a reason to doubt this. Not until the day he actually tried to make the jump to a human, and failed humiliatingly. And then the next time. And the next...

And gradually, he came to realize what he really should have known starting out...that he'd never learned how to become airbone. That it doesn't matter what you can do in the lungs if you can't even get past the dog's asshole. That getting aerosolized was everything.

But it never happened. And Civ found himself in that miserable place we find ourselves, somewhere between yearning and giving up; always restless, always on the lookout for his big opportunity, but without heat, momentum, or any expectation of it happening. 

In the meantime, he made himself as happy as he could in the cheap-flea-collar-and-wing-grease funk of the host body he’d been born in, and some days was actually pretty content with life. He got into scraps, got into places he shouldn’t, drank and smoked and got the daylights fucked out of him. When he could get away with it, he’d make mini-pilgrimages to Bandit’s backwater ankle towns and abandoned skin tags, just to be somewhere new. He had a few relationships, but nothing to write home about.

When he heard on the news that Bandit had slipped the fence again and gone chasing birds, he never gave it a second thought.

If he’d known what it meant, what was coming his way, he probably would have fixed his fur up a little nicer.

[demotumb111]

Eliminate Fleas from Your Dog Utilizing Natural Treatments

30 Ways to Stop and Eliminate Fleas on Dogs The fleas are the bane of the dog's life. They not only irritate your pet as they cause severe scratching after they have entered your home, they also lay eggs on carpet, furniture and everywhere else they have access to. We suggest that you follow the advice of your vet, however If you're looking for going with a natural method there's good news that there are many ways to get rid of dog fleas naturally, without chemical treatment. If you're looking for ways to eliminate fleas on your dog's hair the skin of your dog, inside your home, or even outside in the garden take a look at the thirty tips to treat fleas in your home using only natural ingredients. Get rid of fleas on your dog With Natural remedies Home remedies to rid your dog of fleas on your dog If your dog has been scratching and you believe it's due to fleas There are many flea-related remedies for dogs to pick from. If you're in search of homemade collars, combs or dip, scrub or anything different there are many options to deal with fleas in dogs without the use of any chemicals. Washes, Sprays, Dips and Rubs Essential Oils FLEA SPRAY Certain essential oils are fantastic flea treatment for dogs. Peppermint, eucalyptus and citronella tea tree, rosemary all work to repel fleas. If your dog does not mind using a spray bottle, mix the amount of the essential oil you've chosen in a water bottle of 300ml-400ml and apply it directly to the coat of your dog. It is important to be aware that certain essential oils, including tea tree oils, could be extremely toxic for pets if not dilute in a proper manner (.1%-1 percent) Find out more. Don't apply the homemade essential oil solution on your pet until you've confirmed the safety of the product with an authority source such as petmd.com and spoken to your veterinarian. The Ounce of Prevention Repellent for Fleas Our top essential oil repellent for fleas: Walking Your Dog With Love's "An Ounce Of Prevention". We love this essential oil mix from Walking Your Dog With Love. The product is natural cheap, inexpensive, and effective against ticks, fleas and all kinds of tiny creatures. Additionally, the mix of oils is completely non-toxic and safe for pets and the family. The product is available through their site here. (We also like their dog harnesses , which are amazing!) APE CIDER VINEGAR, SALT FLEA SPRAY The great thing about the apple cider vinegar lies in that it's an effective method to combat the problem of fleas on dogs organically by balancing the pH levels and creating an environment that is ideal for your dog's health , but not sustainable for fleas. Make a mixture of six cups apple cider vinegar using 4 cups of water. Add some sea salt, and then spray directly on the coat of your dog. Be sure to keep your pet's eyes. LEMON BATH This lemon bath is very easy to prepare and keeps your pet fresh and flea-free. Simply mix half a cup fresh squeezed juice of a lemon in 2 cups of water and after which add a squeeze of your usual shampoo or soap that is suitable for pets for an effective way to treat fleas in dogs. LATHER BATH The shampoos that are pet-friendly that produce an lather can naturally eliminate existing fleas. When it comes to flea treatments, natural is always the best option and that's why you should choose an all-natural pet shampoo free of any chemicals added. After your dog has been thoroughly covered in the shampoo, allow it to remain on for a couple of minutes while it is doing its job. This is a fantastic method to eliminate existing fleas before proceeding to the treatment for fleas. TropiClean Max Strength Natural Flesh & Tick ShampooOur recommendation for a natural Kill-On-Contact Shampoo TropiClean Max Strength, Natural Flare & Tick Pet Shampoo We suggest this shampoo to anyone who is looking for a strong flea shampoo made from natural ingredients. The shampoo kills fleas upon contact. It is utilized in conjunction with spot-on flea products and collars for fleas. It's suitable for puppies and dogs and also repels fleas up to 7 days following. Our recommendation for relief of The Dog Itching: TropiClean Neem & Citrus Itch Relief Flea and Tick Shampoo for Dogs A natural formula that contains Neem and citrus that can help relieve tick and flea irritations. This shampoo is not designed to treat a problem with a flea and we recommend that you use the TropiClean Maximum Strength formula, as mentioned above, for this. ROSEMARY DIP If your dog loves swimming in the water then this Rosemary dip could be an enjoyable game instead of an effective flea treatment. Make fresh rosemary leaves by boiling them in boiling water. Then, filter the mix and dilute with warm water. When the water has reached the desired level, sprinkle the mix onto your pet and let it air dry naturally. MULTI-PURPOSE NEO OIL Neem oil is a naturally-occurring insect repellent , and is among the less well-known treatments for fleas. If you're able to get this oil, which is which is indigenous to Burma, Sri Lanka, and some parts of India it is possible to apply directly onto your dog's coat, or add it to your regular shampoo for your dog or dilute it for your own homemade spray for fleas. ORGANIC SOAPS In exchange for swapping your normal shampoo for a natural one like natural peppermint soap, or Rose soaps, you are able to shampoo your dog like you would normally and enjoy a flea-free and pleasant-smelling dog at end. AROMATHERAPY SPRAY If you're familiar with the concept of aromatherapy you can prepare an aromatherapy blend that will not just help treat an infestation of fleas but also stop future infestations and act as an all-natural soother for your pet. Use sweet almond oil for the base oil and then add drops Atlas cedar oil as well as lemon eucalyptus oils, bay laurel oil common myrrh, as well as lavender oil. COCONUT OIL RUB Is there anything coconut oil isn't able to do? Coconut oil can be helpful in a variety of ways to combat fleas. Applying the oil of a teaspoon directly on your dog's coat will not only deter fleas but it will also give the coat a shiny appearance and help reduce body smell. When you add it to your dog's usual food, coconut oil could aid in the treatment of intestinal parasites because of its antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral benefits. Collars CEDAR OIL FLEA OR LAVENDER COLLAR A homemade collar for fleas is a clever method to keep your dog's flea protection in place without the need spray or rub them with the mix. Make or purchase an easy bandanna or collar and then dissolve a small amount essential oils like lavender and cedar with water, and then apply it on the bandanna or collar. VODKA FLEA COLLAR Who knew that vodka is an effective method of treating the problem of dog-fleas? Purchase or create a simple collar for your dog, then put it for a few minutes in 1 teaspoon unflavored vodka and allow to dry. You can also add the drops of the essential oil of your choice to create a scent collar, but using the vodka by itself is an excellent option for dogs who aren't a fan of the smell of essential oils. Combs and Sachets LEMON COMB Lemon is widely acclaimed for its ability to keep fleas away and eliminate them as well as remaining completely safe for both dogs and humans. Simply dip your pet's regular brush or comb in fresh lemon juice, then apply it to their hair like normal. If your dog is short-haired A cloth soaked in lemon juice can provide the same benefits. FLEA COMB If you already own an in-store flea comb this is one method to treat fleas that we suggest and doesn't require any other purchases. These combs aren't laden with chemicals, but they are specifically designed to get rid of fleas and eggs from your pet's coat. In the event that your pet is plagued by fleas, this is a fantastic method for eliminating existing fleas, before applying other home remedies for fleas for dogs to prevent any future infestations from happening. FLEA SACHET If your dog isn't keen on sprays or products applied directly to their coats the flea sashay you can make is simple to make and can provide the same advantages. Make or buy small bags of breathable fabric like muslin or hessian, and then put in lemon peel and dried lavender buds as well as cedar chip. Secure the top of the bag and put it close to your dog's sleep space. The bag could become less potent within a month, when you are able to simply open the bag again and replenish it with fresh food. Food and Drink VINEGAR OR APPLE CIDER DRINK To fight and stop the growth of lice from inside-out, consider diluting apple cider or vinegar vinegar into the water your dog drink. You'll have to test them first to see if they are able to enjoy the taste, since you don't want to stop them from drinking their water entirely. 1 teaspoon of the vinegar of preference for four cups of water is a great ratio to strive at. You will not only keep fleas away however, your dog's coat and skin benefit as well. Brewer's YEAST

One of the most difficult ways to combat fleas in pets is to tackle them by treating the dog's body from the inside out. There is no doubt that dogs who are healthy will be less likely be a host for fleas. One way to improve the overall health of your dog while also preventing fleas from entering your home is by adding a tiny quantity of Brewer's yeast into the food of your dog. A half teaspoon of yeast mixed with the normal food your dog eats is a great flea cure. Earth Animal Flea and Tick Internal Powder We recommend: Earth Animal Flea and Tick Daily Internal Powder The formula was developed by Dr. Bob Goldstein, this powdered product is made up of natural components that, when taken will help prevent the spread of ticks and fleas from dogs. Fleas in the house If you notice that there are fleas in your dog and you allow your pet inside What do you find? The house is swarming with fleas Of course. If you're looking for ways to get rid of the fleas on pet bedding as well as other things your pet has access to within your home, keep reading to discover a variety of methods for getting rid of the fleas at home. MACHINE WASH If you've found that there are fleas in your home The first step is to take everything your dog's soft furnishings is spending time on such as blankets, towels pillows, beds and mats. Then, you can put everything in the washer. It's an enormous task however it's an essential one to fight your current infestation of fleas. TUMBLE DRY TUMBLE Cleaning your furniture and soft surfaces is crucial, but putting everything into the tumble dryer is more efficient. In just 15 minutes, the dryer's hot setting will eliminate fleas at all stages of development including eggs, larvae, as well as adult fleas. VACUUM Your vacuum cleaner will turn out be your most reliable partner when it comes to eliminating fleas in your home. A vacuum cleaner that is water-based is the best option, since fleas drown immediately after they've been removed with the help of the vacuum. If you are using dry vacuum cleaners keep in mind that the fleas that you have collected will attempt to escape once you open the canister or bag so make sure to do this as soon as possible and keep it out of your home. It is recommended to spray the vacuum cleaner's canister with water immediately after you open it, to prevent fleas from fleeing. BAKING SODA By spraying baking soda directly on your carpet , and after that, penetrating and damaging the carpet's fibers, by sweeping from side to side using the broom, you'll get rid of fleas as well as their eggs. Let the baking soda sit on your carpet for a night and then vacuum baking soda as well as the fleas the next morning. SALT Like the baking soda method mentioned above sprinkle salt on your carpets and furniture before you vacuum the next day will cause dehydration and kill fleas as well as flea eggs. A fantastic flea treatment salt should be handled with care as it could cause your vacuum to rust if it is not removed after vacuuming. Pet Loving SPRAY LEMON Lemon spray is a fantastic treatment for fleas, and doesn't need vacuuming afterwards. Make a thinly cut lemon in water and let the mixture cool over night. The next morning take an aerosol bottle with the mixture and then lightly apply the mixture to your carpet as well as all soft furniture within your home. STEAM CLEAN Carpets that are steam cleaned and furnishings can kill fleas and can keep your home smelling and looking good. DIATOMACEOUS EARTH Diatomaceous earth is a very fine powder made - oddly enough from the tiny remains of algae. It's true that it's a bit odd however, an extremely effective method of treating fleas is to sprinkle diatomaceous Earth on your carpet and allow it to sit for up to at least 48 days. It is best to block the area off so that nobody - including your dog - will stroll over it during the period of time. After that, clean all the dirt from your carpet. Diatomaceous Earth is a powerful method of drying and killing eggs of fleas, to avoid a repeat infestation. FLEA TRAP If you're looking for a method to rid yourself of the fleas in your house this trap is a clever solution that doesn't require spraying anything on your furniture. Fill a plate or bowl using warm water, and add some drops of your typical dish soap. Leave the tray on your floor for the duration of. The high viscosity of this solution acts like glue keeping fleas off the surface. When you wake up, remove the mix and clean your plate or bowl thoroughly. ROSEMARY PREVENTION If you own a mortar and pestle at hand and you want to mix an assortment of Rosemary powder to stop a future infestation of fleas. Mix in your preferred ingredients such as peppermint as well as fennel, rue, and fennel to create the perfect powder to sprinkle around your home. Fleas within the Backyard Even if you don't observe them, it doesn't mean that they're not present. If your dog is suffering from been suffering from fleas, there's an excellent chance that they're hiding in the darkest and most moist places in your backyard as well. In the case of outdoors flea treatment, natural methods are the best choice, and we've got our top suggestions for dealing with bugs in your backyard. Keep your GARDEN BARE Fleas are attracted to hiding and the more secluded your garden is more likely they'll pick your garden to conceal in. Remove or trim the overgrown hedges and bushes, and ensure that your garden is clean of weeds. Beware of the Damp They thrive in damp, dark spaces, and they'll stay away from sunlight as long as is possible. Take a look at your garden from the perspective of a flea. Ask yourself where they're likely to conceal. This being said take out dead leaves and the excess mulch that's under the shrubs. Allow sunlight to enter your yard as much as you can and try to avoid overwatering. The GOOD KIND OF WORMS Nobody likes the thought of worms taking over their gardens, unless we're talking about a specific type of nematode. Steinerma Carpocapsea for precise. The tiny worms feed on fleas and are completely secure for your dog as well as your yard. FLEA REPELLING PLANTS A great way to combat fleas is to plant specific plants which are naturally repellent to fleas. Spearmint, chrysanthemumsand lavender along with Penny Royal are excellent natural repellents against fleas for your garden There are a lot of other options. You might need to conduct some research on what plants are suitable in your locale prior to going to your local plant store. An Important Note about Essential Oils Essential Oils for Fleas On Dogs There is the abundance of essential oils listed in the different dog flea remedies that are discussed in this post. For treatments for fleas, natural essential oils are extremely efficient and effective. There are many different scents to choose from. The final decision will come up to essential oils that are available to you and your individual preferences. Because dogs have sensitized noses, we advise beginning by testing a small amount of essential oils close to your pet's nose to determine what reaction they have. Similar to humans, dogs are prone to having certain scents they like more than others and others they find to be a bit repellent. If you're trying to cure fleas on your own, you must be aware of your dog's preferences. Also, be careful not to spray the bedding of your pet with an oil that they don't like. Imagine waking up each night on a pillow that smells of the scent you don't like and you'll realize the importance of giving your dog control over the scents and ingredients that you pick. If you've ever thought about how to eliminate fleas in the dog's bedding within your home, your garden, or from your dog's favorite pet We hope that these home remedies for fleas are able to help. Are you interested in learning more? How to Survive the Tick Season Disclaimer The information on this page should not be considered to be a replacement for veterinary advice. Talk to your vet to determine what is appropriate for your pet's particular situation prior to applying. We have put a lot of efforts into finding top-quality products and services we can suggest to friends who love dogs to help them save time and money. Some of the suggested products might compensate JPR for getting attention for their product

[hey-hamlet]

every time i see someone mention "quirk suppressant cuffs" i just picture like. yknow those cheap shitty flea collars ppl buy for their dogs? those but as zip ties

God you’re right.

[softlass27]

Aaron Week Day 5: “You tricked me!”

AO3 link here

Aaron Dingle is not a cat person. He has never been a cat person – give him a happy, energetic dog he can play fetch with any day.

So why won’t this furry little shit leave him alone?

One evening a few weeks ago, he’d been sat in his living room, minding his own business, when he looked up from his NME magazine to see an orange face watching him from his balcony.

Letting out a startled yelp that he was glad no one heard, Aaron had stared at the ginger tabby cat in the doorway. The cat had stared back. Aaron narrowed his eyes. The cat narrowed its eyes right back at him.

Shaking his head, he’d tilted the magazine a little higher so that he blocked his view of the fur ball outside. By the time he’d finished reading it, he lowered the pages to see an empty balcony. The cat was gone. He forgot all about it.

Until the next evening. It had been warmer that night, and Aaron had left the balcony door open for a cooling breeze. He’d been pottering about in the kitchen, making himself some beans on toast, when he heard a quiet “mrow” behind him.

“What the – ”

Aaron had whirled around to see the same ginger tabby – at least he thought it was the same ginger tabby – sitting innocently on the floor behind him.

“What the hell d’you think you’re doing?”

The cat licked a paw primly.

“You don’t live here, get out.”

Nothing.

Aaron sighed, dropping the tins of beans on the counter before gingerly picking the cat up, praying it didn’t have fleas, and putting it out on the balcony. As he quickly slid the door shut behind him, the cat looked at him with an outraged expression on its face.

“I see that collar round your neck, go to your own home!”

Instead the cat rolled to its side, putting on a real show of stretching out languidly and making itself comfortable. Essentially a massive fuck you right to Aaron’s face.

Aaron snorted. “Whatever.”

*

So now he’s got himself in a situation where this ginger nightmare appears on his balcony every day without fail. Always staring at Aaron, giving him grief and trying to mess with his head. It’s a little like having a tiny, fluffy stalker.

The point of no return comes on the day the damn thing learns how to open the sliding balcony door by itself (the lock broke months ago and he hasn’t gotten around to doing anything about it), and Aaron comes out of his bedroom to see it sitting in the kitchen sink. It hisses when Aaron tries to move it, and Aaron very nearly hisses back.

Despite his less-than welcoming attitude, the thing never takes the hint, returning over and over again.

“Why me, eh?” Aaron asks as he scratches the animal behind the ears one day (probably a mistake). “All the flats you could go to in this building, why’s it my doorstep you darken?”

*

Aaron trudges through the entrance to his building one Friday night, shaking rainwater out of his hair. It's been a week of long shifts at the garage where he works, topped off with the day from hell, one stupid customer after another coming through like the place had a revolving door.

Adam texted him earlier, trying to get him to come on a night out, and his mother’s also been trying to get him to come to the village for his tea, but he’s ignoring them both. All he wants to do is get into his flat, collapse on his bed and sleep for at least twelve hours.

As he walks up the stairs to his floor, he hears a familiar arrogant voice coming from above him, and mentally curses. The last thing he wants to do is run into Tall Blond Arsehole right now, but there’s no escape route.

Tall Blond Arsehole had moved into a flat on the floor above Aaron’s a few weeks ago – the penthouse. The first time Aaron had seen him, the bloke had been on his phone and been coming into the building just as Aaron was leaving. He’d been walking at top speed and had bumped Aaron had on the shoulder as they had passed each other.

“Watch where you’re goin’,” Aaron had grumbled, just loud enough for the man to hear him.

The man barely paused, throwing a quick glare over his shoulder and snapping “You watch it, mate.” before returning to his phone conversation and disappearing up the stairs.

They hadn’t spoken since that morning, and that suited Aaron just fine. Tall Blond Arsehole doesn’t seem to talk to anyone in the building, always on that bloody phone yelling at some poor sod named Jimmy, nattering on about contracts, deals and meetings. Nothing more than a boring businessman with an over-inflated sense of his own importance.

(He’s also incredibly fit, but that’s by the by.)

Now, Tall Blond Arsehole comes breezing down the flight of stairs, dressed in one of his usual sharp suits and barely sparing Aaron a glance as he passes by him. Aaron rolls his eyes, before continuing up the stairs and practically falling through the door to his flat.

He shuffles down the hallway to his bedroom, not even stopping to take his hoodie and jeans off before collapsing on top of the covers.

“Mrrrp.”

Aaron’s eyes fly open instantly and he rips the duvet back to reveal a curled up orange ball.

“Are you kidding me?” He shoots the cat an incredulous look. “My bed now?”

The demonic creature just uncurls and glares at him, as if Aaron’s the one who invaded its space, rather than the other way around.

“How did you even – you know what, fuck it. M’too knackered to give a shit. Do whatever you want.”

He slides under the duvet and lets his eyes fall shut. A few moments later, he feels slight movement next to him, and then soft warmth pressing against him. He falls asleep with the cat purring against his chest.

*

He awakes to knocking at the door. Blearily opening his eyes, Aaron realises that it’s much later now, the room pitch black. Too late to move.

Determined to ignore the noise – whatever the hell this person wants will have to wait – he rolls over until his face hits something soft and fluffy.

“Jesus Christ!” He jerks up and fumbles to switch the lamp on, the low light revealing the ginger nightmare still lying in his bed. “Oh God, you’re still here.”

The cat paws at the strings of Aaron’s hoodie, seemingly unconcerned by the fact it had nearly given him a heart attack. The knocking at the door starts up again. It’s louder this time and a quick glance at his phone tells him it’s nearly two o’clock in the bloody morning. For fuck’s sake.

Aaron staggers out into the living room and flings the door opening roughly, ready to tell whoever it is exactly where to go, only to find Tall Blond Arsehole standing in front of him.

He looks different to usual, smart clothes swapped for a soft-looking blue t-shirt and grey pair of jogging bottoms. His hair has lost its neat style, sticking up in all directions as if he’d been running his fingers through it, and instead of looking cocky, his entire being seems to be full of panic and distress.

“Uh… ” The furious words Aaron had been about to bark die on his throat, and he vaguely wonders if he’s still asleep and this is just part of some weird dream.

“Oh… it’s you,” the man says, a hint of awkwardness creeping in his expression.

“Er, yeah. What’s up?”

“Um, I’m sorry, I know it’s really late… ”

“It’s okay,” Aaron finds himself saying without meaning to. Christ, he must be going soft.

“I’m just… I’m looking for my cat. He’s a ginger tabby, has a blue collar and I can’t find him anywhere. Have you seen him by any chance?”

That little fucker.

Aaron grabs the man’s arm and pulls him into the living room.

“Wait here a sec.”

Aaron jogs back to his bedroom and picks up the cat, who rubs its head under his chin (probably thinks it’s getting a cuddle), and returns to the living room.

“Pippin!” Tall Blond Ars – okay, maybe just Tall Blond for now – gasps, taking the cat from Aaron’s arms and cuddling him to his chest. “You absolute demon.”

The cat – Pippin – yowls loudly, its head turning to Aaron with a look he can only identify as betrayal. The damn thing barely reacts when Tall Blond fusses over him happily, stroking his fur with a thumb and pressing relieved kisses to his head.

Tall Blond finally looks up at him with shining eyes, and Aaron swears he feels his heart skip a beat. Shit.

“I’m – God, I’m really sorry. I didn’t know where – I thought he might’ve – ” he rambles quickly, cradling the cat like a baby, and Aaron wonders how long his neighbour has been frantically searching for his pet demon. “I know he likes to go walkabout, but he hasn’t come home in days and… Sorry if he’s been a bother.”

Aaron frowns. “What? Days? No, he was just… oh.” His eyebrows raise in surprise. “He normally just comes and goes, lets himself out. I haven't been home much these last few days, I didn’t realise he’d been staying.”

His gaze drifts down to Pippin, who now looks impossibly smug. “You tricked me, you little stowaway!”

Pippin sneezes unapologetically.

They stand there awkwardly for a moment, before Aaron asks, “Pippin? Cute name. Doesn’t fit him at all.”

Tall Blond's face twitches into a smile. It makes his eyes crinkle in a way that has Aaron’s stomach doing somersaults, and Jesus Christ, how had he not noticed those freckles before?

“Yeah, it’s er… it’s from Lord of the Rings.”

“Oh. Never seen it.”

“You’ve never – ” Tall Blond’s eyes widen, scandalised. “You’re missing out.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“Well, thanks for having him over… even if you didn’t know it? And sorry again.”

“S’no bother. At least now I know who to call when he knocks my plants off the windowsill.”

The smile drops off the man’s face and he looks down at Pippin.

“Pip, mate!” He scolds Pippin like he’s a naughty child, and the cat meows back at him angrily. “What the hell, we talked about this!”

It’s ridiculous. This attractive man and his argumentative cat are both ridiculous, and Aaron can’t help laughing slightly hysterically.

“Oh God, I’m sorry. Again. How much do I owe you?”

“Mate, don’t worry about it.” Aaron waves away the man’s protest. “Honestly, I don’t care, they were just some cheap B&Q ones my mum forced me to get. Said my place needed brightening up or summat. Glad to have an excuse to be rid of them, if I’m honest, I’m hopeless at keeping plants alive.”

“Okay, if you’re sure… ” He still doesn’t look happy, though. “Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”

The words fly out of his mouth before Aaron can stop them. “Buy me a pint if you like?”

The man blinks at him, before his mouth curls into a small (flirtatious?) smile. “A pint it is.”

“Okay. Great. Uhm, I’m Aaron, by the way,” Aaron smiles back as he opens the door so they can step into the corridor.

“Oh. Robert.” He gestures to the squirming cat. “And you know Pippin.”

“Good to finally have a name for him, I’ve just been calling him ginger nightmare most of the time.” He decides not to share what he’d been calling Robert up until now.

Robert's surprised laugh echoes loudly in the hallway and he presses a fist to his mouth to muffle it. Aaron looks at him, helplessly fond, and can’t help but wonder how the man he’s been silently hating for weeks on end and this man giggling in his pyjamas can possibly be the same person.

“I dunno, that’s pretty accurate,” Robert says eventually, still chuckling. “Well, I… should let you sleep. And thanks again, I know this was a bit… ”

“Random?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s okay.”

“So can I… pick you up tomorrow night for that drink? Around seven?”

“I’ll be here.”

“Great. Night, then.”

Aaron nods, watching Robert walk towards the staircase. They smile at each other one last time, and Robert disappears upstairs, Pippin’s meows still faintly audible.

Before he goes back to bed, Aaron spends twenty minutes scrolling through his phone for the best cat toy he can find. He owes Pippin a thank you present.

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Traveling With Your Pet

You've decided to take your pet along on vacation. It will be more fun, and you won't have to worry about leaving a member of your family behind in an unfamiliar kennel. With some extra planning and forethought, you can have a safe and enjoyable trip with your pet.

Taking a Road Trip

If you're driving with your pet, you'll need to find a comfortable and safe way for your pet to travel. You can place your pet in a carrier and secure it in the car. Alternatively, you can purchase a seatbelt-like harness for your pet that will allow him to be out of the carrier but still safely restrained. It isn't safe to allow your pet to roam freely in the car. He can be seriously hurt in the event of even a minor accident, and he is much more likely to escape and become lost when you make stops.Don't leave your pet alone in the car, especially in hot weather. The heat can quickly become life-threatening. If your pet becomes carsick easily, you may want to ask your veterinarian for motion-sickness medicine before the trip.Carry some of your pet's food along with you, and feed your pet only small amounts of food at a time. If your trip is short, you may want to have your pet wait and eat when you arrive to avoid carsickness. You should also carry some of your pet's water along, or purchase bottled water. Local tap water may contain different minerals or sulphur, which might upset your pet's stomach.

Flying with your pet

Many pet owners do not like to fly with their pets because it can be traumatic for them, but sometimes it's unavoidable. Unless your pet is very small, he will fly as cargo and not in the cabin with you. Check with your airline to determine what type of carrier is acceptable and what rules apply to flying with a pet. Also ask what safety precautions are in place, what conditions the pet will fly in, etc. Ask your veterinarian if your pet is well enough to fly or if there are any special precautions you should take.

International Travel

Taking your pet out of the country requires careful planning. Check the regulations for the country you are traveling to and verify that your pet has the required vaccinations. In some cases, you'll need to have the vaccines administred weeks before your departure date.

Most countries will require a Rabies Vaccination Certificate and a Health Certificate. Your veterinarian can help you obtain both of these. The country you are traveling to may require that you complete paperwork gaining permission to bring your pet into the country. Also, some countries have quarantine regulations that may require your pet to remain in a kennel for up to several months.

Pet Friendly Hotels

A quick search on the Internet can help you find hotels that are receptive to pets. Many travel sites also allow you to specify only pet-frienly accommodations. Check with the hotel to find their specific rules regarding staying with a pet.

If your pet requires walks, ask for a room that opens on the outside. This will be more convenient for those late night trips outdoors.

Many alternative lodging sites, such as resorts, cabins and bed and breakfasts are also open to receiving pets. Check ahead of time for availability where you're traveling. Since many of these vacation spots offer outdoor activities, they can be great options for pet owners.

What Will your Pet do All day?

You know how you'll travel, and you've found a hotel that will welcome your pet, so now what? What will your pet do all day when you're out having fun?

An outdoor vacation is an ideal choice if you're traveling with pets. Consider renting an RV and taking a camping vacation. Many RV rental agencies allow pets with an extra deposit. A trip to the beach is another good choice for pet owners. However, keep in mind that sand can be irritating to some pets, especially dogs with deep skin folds. Some animals are bothered by long sun exposure as well.

If you're spending a lot of time outdoors, keep plenty of cold water on hand and watch your pet for signs of heat exhaustion.

Some restaurants now provide outdoor seating that is also pet friendly. Check ahead of time if any are available near where you are staying. If you'd like to spend mealtime with your pet and no pet-friendly restaurants are close by, you might consider takeout or even picnicing outdoors.

What if you're taking a more traditional vacation? Many tourist attractions will not welcome your pet, and it isn't a good idea to leave your pet alone in a strange hotel room all day. You may be able to place your pet in his carrier for shorter excursions, but for all day trips, consider researching pet daycare centers or kennels available in the area. You can leave your pet for a few hours in a safe environment but still enjoy his company on your trip.

What to Take Along

Bring your pet's food along or plan to buy it as needed. This is not a good time to change your pet's diet, and you should certainly avoid giving your pet any table scraps. Traveling can be stressful regardless of how careful you are, and you don't need the added complication of stomach upset for your pet.

Don't give your dog the local water, especially if you're traveling internationally. It's safer to give your pet only bottled water to avoid possible stomach upset.

Bring along any medicines your pet takes, including vitamins, flea medicines, heart worm prescriptions, etc. You should also bring some basic first-aid supplies in case of injury. Ask your veterinarian what should be included in your pet's first aid kit. These might include medicines for stomach upset and a mild tranquilizer in case your pet becomes extremely agitated. You can purchase pre-stocked pet first aid kits at many pet supply stores.

To make your pet more comfortable, bring along a few items from home. Bring some of your pet's bedding and a few of his favorite toys. Bring only treats your pet has eaten in the past with no stomach upset. Again, this isn't the time to try any new foods. The carrier you bring should be large enough for your pet to remain comfortably inside for a few hours. He should be able to stand, lie down and turn around easily within it. Also, be sure your pet has fresh water available within the carrier.

A Pre-Trip Checklist

Make an appointment with your veterinarian. Have your pet examined and any vaccinations done that are needed. Ask if your pet is healthy enough to travel, and ask for advice concerning any of your pet's health conditions. Remember that if you are traveling outside the country, you may need to plan weeks in advance.

Make sure your pet has current identification attached to his collar, and that it fits well and isn't likely to slip off. You might want to consider having an identification chip implanted before your trip, but you'll need to discuss with your veterinarian how soon your pet can travel after the procedure.

Gather phone numbers for veterinarians, pet emergency care facilities, kennels, etc. before you leave for each place where you'll be staying. If an accident or illness does occur, you'll be grateful that you don't have to take the time to find someone to care for your pet.

Make a packing list for your pet based on his needs and what your veterinarian recommends. Double-check it as you pack his things. Take your veterinarian's phone number along with you in case you need to call and ask a last minute question or have your pet's records sent to another clinic.

Take time to get your pet used to his carrier, especially if it's new. If you're driving, take your pet in the car for practice trips before the big day so it won't be so traumatic. Another benefit to this approach is that you'll learn if your pet become motion sick easily.

If you're traveling with your cat, bring a litterbox and litter along with you. It's easier to purchase cheap plastic litterboxes and throw them away rather than try to clean and transport them. If traveling with a dog, be sure to bring baggies to clean up after your pet's walks.

Embarrassing and Alarming Moments

Pets get stressed when traveling, so accidents can and will happen. Bring some disposable wipes and plastic baggies to clean up after your pet. Another good idea is bringing a small bottle of enzyme based cleaner. If your pet selects the hotel carpet as the perfect spot for his accident, this can remove the odor and stain before it has a change to set.

Never open your pet's carrier unless you're in an enclosed room. Pets can move much more quickly than you can, and nothing will ruin your vacation faster than losing your traveling companion.

Traveling with your pet can be challenging, but with some planning ahead, it can also be a fun and rewarding experience. Trying a short weekend trip before a longer vacation can also help your pet acclimate to travel, and you will learn how well your pet travels.

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[doocare]

Simple Ways to Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs

Fleas are a bane for dogs as well as dog owners. Fleas not only hurt your dog while causing extreme scratching but also lay their eggs on your carpets and furniture. At Doo Care, a leading Naperville dog poop removal facility, we suggest following the advice of your vet doctor to treat fleas on dogs properly without using chemical therapies. If you’re thinking about how to get relief from fleas on your dog’s hair as well as skin, keep reading this article. You will find some simple as well as natural ways to get rid of fleas naturally.

HOME REMEDIES TO SHED AWAY FLEAS FROM YOUR DOG NATURALLY

If your pup is scratching and you doubt it’s because of fleas, there’re ample flea home remedies for your fur buddies. Whether you’re looking for homemade oils, comb, collars, washing scrub, or something else, Doo Care offers enough chemical-free ways to treat fleas on pups.

DIPS, OILS, AND SPRAYS1. Essential Oils Spray

Some essential oils are used as an effective flea remedy for puddles. Citronella, tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary are natural flea repellants. You can mix a few drops of any essential oil into 400ml-500ml of water and spray directly onto your dog’s fur. However, as per the renowned Naperville dog poop removal services like Doo Care, it’s crucial to know that essential oils can be very toxic to pups if not diluted aptly.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Spray

Organic apple cider vinegar offers a good way to treat fleas on pooches naturally by balancing pH levels. It creates an optimal environment for your dog’s skin which is choking for fleas. However, diluting apple cider vinegar with the proper amount of water and some sea salt is important. You can spray the solution directly onto your dog’s fur.

3. Lemon Fresh Bath

A Lemon bath is effortless to make and keep your pup smelling fresh and noticeably flea-free. Simply dissolve a half cup of fresh lemon juice into two cups of water, add some mild pooch soap or shampoo, and be ready!

4. Foam Bath

Any dog-friendly body wash that produces enough lather will naturally choke fleas. While selecting flea remedies natural is always the best choice, choose organic shower gels or body wash without chemicals. Once your furry friend is aptly foamed, leave him as it is for a couple of minutes. It will surely help.

5. Multi-Purpose Neem Oil

Neem oil is a natural and effective insect repellent and thus one of the best flea treatment remedies. You can apply a layer of it directly to your pup’s furry blanket, or just add it to your usual dog shampoo. Various Elmhurst dog poop removal services recommend neem oil as the first step to prevent fleas

6. Organic Soaps

By substituting out your usual pup shampoo for enriched organic soaps such as neem soap or Rose soap, you can wash your pooch as normal. Thus you will get a flea-free as well as a pleasant smelling pup at the end.

7. Aroma Spray

If you’re familiar with aromatherapy, you can get your pooch into a batch of aromatherapy. It will not only treat a flea plague but also hinder future occurrences. It also acts as a natural soother for your dog. You can add mellow almond oil or coconut oil as the base oil, and a few drops of Atlas cedar oil, eucalyptus oil, geranium oil, laurel oil, common, and lavender oil. All these oils are available with most Naperville dog poop removal and Downers Grove dog poop removal services.

COLLARS AND COMBSa. Cedar or lavender oil flea collar

A homemade flea-resistant collar is a creative method of keeping fleas away from your dog without using any spray. You can buy or make a simple collar yourself. Just dissolve a few droplets of lavender or cedar oil into the water and apply it directly to the pup’s collar.

b. Vodka flea collar

It’s astonishing but true that vodka is an efficient way of treating fleas in dogs. Yes, it’s true! You just need to soak a simple dog collar in a spoon full of vodka and keep it for drying. You can also add some droplets of any essential oil of choice to create a scented collar.

c. Lemon Comb

Lemon is commonly known for its organic properties to both resist and kill fleas while being fully harmless to dogs as well as humans. Just dip your pup’s comb or fur brush into fresh lemon juice and apply it to their hair as normal. You can seek more guidance from professional Naperville dog poop removal services like Doo Care.

d. Flea comb

Flea combs don’t hold any chemicals but are uniquely designed to wipe fleas and their eggs from your pup’s fur. It’s a cheap way to get rid of fleas as you don’t have to make other purchases. Flea combs are readily available with most of the Elmhurst dog poop removal services.

FOOD AND DRINK

1. Vinegar or apple cider vinegar drink

To repel and combat fleas from the inside out, try diluting a spoon of synthetic vinegar or apple cider vinegar in your pup’s drinking water. This will not only keep fleas away but also your dog’s fur, as well as skin, will witness the benefits.

2. Brewer’s yeast

As per Doo Care, a leading Naperville dog poop removal service, just a half spoon of brewer’s yeast mixed with the dog’s daily meal makes for an adequate flea remedy.

Wrapping Up

All the things to prevent fleas should be done as per the vet’s advice or recommendation from a professional Dog poop service like Doo Care. According to us when it comes to the best flea remedies, organic essential oils are incredibly effective, and also there’re several scents you can use. But, as dogs have sensitive smelling power, we suggest testing a very small amount of essential oil near your pups to see how they react.

Original Source: http://doocare.com/simple-ways-to-get-rid-of-fleas-on-dogs/

[thecandywrites]

Isthantari- The Series- Miranda

I’M  SO EXCITED YOU GUYS!! Ok so please welcome Miranda, who belongs to @cerealpandas who is a vet and has some serious scaring due to a car accident. And I would just like to say, not all Jika are awkward, some ARE SMOOTH AS FUCK. So here you go! I REALLY hope you like it! And I’m sorry this took so long but we had a funeral over the weekend and life went sideways on me a little. But FINALLY it’s done. Enjoy. 

Isthantari Series- Miranda and Jabril

You were at work when a Jika came in, carrying a kitten, cradled to it’s chest. The kitten obviously was just in some kind of fight and the Jika was buzzing in what would be universally understood as distress.

“Please? Can you help me?” The Jika pleaded as he came and showed the receptionist the kitten.

“Oh my goodness, yes, Miranda!” Julie, your receptionist called out before you came from your office to see what was going on and your heart broke.

“What happened?” You asked as you took the little kitten into your hands to check it over.

“I was flying over an alley and there was a dog trying to eat it.” The Jika answered.

“Well thank you so much for trying to save it! Come on,” you invited as you walked back into an exam room and looked it over and started dressing it’s wounds and examining it and slowly but surely the Jika’s distressed buzzing softened until it stopped all together.

“Please, I’ll pay whatever it costs to repair it.” The Jika offered and you smiled appreciatively at him for his generosity.

“It’ll be ok, it’s not that bad, I think you got it just in the nick of time.” You reassured him before you started treating the poor thing for fleas and trying to assess if it was old enough for it’s shots yet and figured it was close enough and began preparing it for that as well before you gave it a little bath to wash all the fleas and dirt off.

“There you are.” You cooed to the little calico kitten as you dried it off.

“Are you surrendering it? Or would you like to adopt it?” You posed to him once you were finished.

“Jika never surrender,” The Jika informed you proudly. “I’ll happily adopt it, um, what..do I need to do though?” He answered.

“Well, for starters, you should probably name her.” You grinned.

“Oh...it’s a female, uh, Kabira.” He decided.

“Ok, well, she’ll need food, a litter box, a scratching post probably, a collar, some toys. How much do you work? Because she’ll need to be handled a lot to make sure she’ll be tame.” You answered as you pet the kitten affectionately.  

“Oh.” He answered as he considered that.

“Come on, we have what you need up front.” You invited as you walked with him to the front and set him up with what he needed as he gathered a pet carrier and put what he needed in it before your receptionist had him fill out some paperwork where you learned his name was Jabril.

“Thank you so much Dr. Miranda Gonzales.” He thanked you earnestly.

“No problem.” You smiled as you watched him take a business card and consider it carefully.

He slid a card and paid for everything before he started cooing to Kabira in the Jika native language as he left your veterinarian office. Kabira nestled to his chest in two of his four arms.

“Well he was nice.” Julie sighed wistfully, thinking Jabril was a dream boat already.

“Yeah he was, I’ve never seen a Jika like him before, have you? His black had that purple sheen to it, it was really pretty.” You noted.

“Yeah, usually it’s green.” She agreed before she looked at the paperwork.

“Oh my god,” Julie giggled.

“What?” You asked.

“He’s a prince, look, he put it on the paper work, Prince Jabril Kizu, it’s even on his receipt, he’s royalty, probably why he didn’t sound so robotic like most of them do.” Julie shrugged.

“Also why he could afford to get that little kitten the best of everything.” You found yourself grinning.

“If he’s single, I call dibs.” Julie giggled.

“And what would Mike think of that?” You put to her, reminding her of her husband.

“Oh he’ll understand.” Julie cackled and waived off as you rolled your eyes.

“Although if he’s single, I could push you towards him.” Julie smiled mischievously.

“Yeah, no, I doubt that would ever happen in a million years.” You snorted a laugh.

Your life returned to normal for a whole two days until Jabril came back in, Kabira nestled inside what you could only call a cocoon on a sling made of the same material across his chest and looking absolutely happy and content and already much better.

“Is everything ok?” You asked as he came in.

“I came back because I was worried her cuts were not healing properly.” Jabari explained as he carefully pulled the kitten out of it’s cocoon to show you as you looked her over.

“Her cuts are doing great actually.” You reassured him.

“Oh, I was thinking she would heal faster. Jika only need a matter of hours to heal.” Jabari explained.

“Well here on earth, things don’t heal that fast, injuries can take days, weeks, months or even years to heal and sometimes there are things that can’t be healed, but give her just a couple more days and she’ll be as good as new.” You assured him. “I like your sling, is that a Jika thing?” You asked as you gestured to it as he took the kitten back and pet her and moved his mandibles out of the way so he could kiss her head and nuzzle her before she went back into the cocoon and got comfy again.

“Yes, I made it for her,” Jabari beamed proudly.

“Out of what?” You asked.

“Oh my silk, we spin silk like your earth silk worms do, usually we reserve it to spin a protective cocoon around the queen but since I’m not one of her consorts, I’m not expected to do that, I’m free to spin whatever I wish out of my silk and what better purpose that for making this for my Kabira?” He smiled fondly as he pet Kibira’s head and scratched under her tiny chin grinning when she purred in delight and kneaded the inside of the cocoon.

“Wow, can I touch it?” You asked as you reached out towards it before he closed the distance between you and you got to pet it. It was insanely soft. Like softer than silk or satin or anything else and you reached inside and noticed how the inside was retaining heat so that Kabira was cozy and comfy.

“It’s amazing, I wish I could have these for all the kittens that come in.” You mused aloud. “That wasn’t a request by the way, it was just wishful thinking, aloud.” You quickly added with a nervous laugh.  

“It would be my honor to make some for you.” Jabari added.

“Really?” You asked in amazement.

“How many will you need?” He asked.

“At least a dozen.” Julie answered from behind you.

“Consider it done.” Jabril nodded. “I will need a little bit of time to make them, maybe by tomorrow.” He added.

“Oh, take all the time you need. You can make them that fast?” You asked in shock.

“Yes. I made this for her in only a few minutes.” Jabril explained.

“Can I pay you for them though? I’ve never heard of Jika silk, I imagine it can’t be cheap or easy for you to make, or is there special foods you need to eat to make it?” You asked.

“No, it’ll be my gift to you. To show my appreciation for taking such good care of Kabira when she needed your assistance.” He insisted.

“Well, thank you so, so much, I really appreciate it, even if you can only make a few or even one, I’ll be happy.” You thanked him earnestly.

“Well you could go out to dinner with me,” he invited smoothly and you nearly choked on your spit.

“Yes! She’s free to go to dinner with you tonight.” Julie agreed for you as you turned around and gave her a meaningful glare as she smiled bright enough to shame the sun and gave you an encouraging look back. But Jabril was looking at you for the answer.

“Uh..sure?” You agreed. Holy shit was this really happening right now?!

“You can pick her up at 6.” Julie offered again.

“Yeah, sure, six is fine.” You found yourself agreeing to that.

“I’ll see you at six then.” Jabril nodded in agreement before he left again.

When he left you turned on your toes to face your secretary who was smiling so cheese-ily big and clapping softly but quickly in excitement.

“That wasn’t cool, I don’t need help with my personal life.” You growled at her.

“Yes you do! It’s been ten years! And almost three since your last date!” Julie argued.

“Julie! Look at me! I’m a middle aged, fat, widowed and scarred to fucking hell! He’s a fucking prince for crying out loud!” You argued as you gestured to the left side of your face and body, scarred because of a horrific car accident that took your husband. The scarring you sustained had made you withdrawn and self conscious and the last date which was in fact three years ago had been on a blind date your sister had set you up on and it had been a disaster. So you resigned yourself to being married to your work and loving animals because they never judged you based on appearance.

“And yet, he asked you out. I don’t think any of that matters to him. You heard him say that Jika never surrender, the Jika are warriors, some of the best in the universe. I’m sure he’s seen some shit by now and I’m sure he understands that scars happen.” Julie reassured you and you huffed when you realized she had a point.

“So, go home at lunch, put on some makeup and bring some nice clothes to change into after work.” Julie advised as she gestured to your scrubs.

“Fine,” you groaned as your stomach knotted as you stomped back to your office before more clients came in with their animals and before you knew it, you worked right through lunch because a dog’s broken limb required emergency surgery and so you didn’t get a chance to get cleaned up at all. Your hair was a frizzy mess, you’re pretty sure your deodorant died trying to pick up an obese bulldog and put him on the exam table and you’re sure you threw your back out too. Your arm got scratched by a cat you had to neuter and your face nearly got scratched too and you sadly had to put down a puppy who’s six year old owner fed it a freaking bag of chocolate M&M’s and both the mother and the son were a mess and if you had been wearing makeup, you would have cried it off that afternoon and you were performing an ultrasound on a french bull dog when Jabril came back to pick you up for your date.

“Shit,” you breathed before you printed off the pictures and wrapped up that appointment.

“Hi, sorry to keep you waiting, had a very long day.” You tried to explain as you tried to clean yourself up just a tiny bit before Julie shoved some mascara and her emergency eye shadow mini palate that she kept in her purse into your hands and you just shoved them right back at her. There was no point. It wasn’t going to help that much. This was just going to be a dinner, that’s it. You would never see him again except to hopefully spay Kabira.

“It’s no trouble, I made you those cocoons for the other kittens.” Jabril offered as he handed you a box with over a dozen little cocoons and even another dozen actual cat beds made out of his silk and you wanted to cry.

“Thank you, thank you so so so much.” You thanked him as your eyes watered and you couldn’t stop smiling, this was the most precious gift to you.

“Also I made you this,” Jabril said as he pulled a shall out from behind him, it was obviously combed and woven and you nearly dropped the box.

“Oh my god!” You exclaimed as you carefully put the box down to take the shall from him as you stared at it in awed wonder and hugged it before you wrapped it around you, it was a little big but oh, instantly warm. It was so heavenly.

“Thank you, thank you so much, I love it, it’s perfect.” You thanked him earnestly. Fuck. You were in trouble.

“Well if you’re ready, we can go now if you wish? Or are you still needed here?” He asked.

“Nope! She’s good! Have fun!” Julie practically shoved you both out of there before you took Jabril’s offered arm and walked with him to your car.

“So where did you want to go to dinner at?” You asked.

“I looked online and there are good reviews at Bonefish Grill.” He suggested as you took in a deep breath as you felt a little bit of panic bloom in your chest.

“Uh, I’m not really dressed...up...for a place like that.” You grimaced a little.

“Oh, I didn’t realize..that. Well we can go wherever you would feel most comfortable at.” Jabril offered.

“Actually there’s a taco truck spot just up the road that I like to go to.” You offered before you locked your car and just decided to walk down the road to it. You were lucky, it was in walking distance as you wrapped your new shall around your shoulders a little tighter as he walked you down the street to the place that had three taco trucks in a parking lot with a group of tables in the middle of them.

“If you want fish, they have fish tacos though and even a ceviche that’s really good.” You offered.

“Ok,” Jabril nodded in agreement as he walked you to the spot and waited patiently as you ordered what you wanted in Spanish before he surprised you by ordering in Spanish too, his Spanish was flawless and the guys behind the counter were just as surprised as you were and asked him how he spoke such good Spanish before Jabril explained that Jika spoke every human language put into the directory and that Spanish, in particular, high Spanish, spoken in Spain was put into the directory first however the Latin dialects were being added and that once it was uploaded into the directory and fed into the hive mind, it filtered down to every Jika through the hive mind. Which blew you away and put a proud smile on your face none the less. You got your food and sat down at one of the picnic tables and watched as Jabril practically inhaled his food.

“Would you mind if I asked you a personal question? I don’t want to be rude or make you uncomfortable though.” Jabril asked as he came back with his second round of food as you had begun a nice, friendly conversation, switching from English to Spanish back and forth at will with Jabril being able to keep up with you remarkably well.  

“Is it about my scars?” You guessed since you caught him staring all through dinner.

“Yes.” Jabril confirmed.

“About ten years ago, I was in a really bad car accident. These are the scars left behind from it.” You explained simply.

“My sincerest apologies.” Jabril apologized softly.

“It’s ok, it’s not your fault, but it does make me self conscious when people stare at them.” You muttered as he nodded and looked away from them and focused on your eyes instead.

“Is that why you told me that some things you never heal from?” Jabril asked softly.

“Yup.” You nodded as you suddenly felt compelled to tell him about it and so you did, all the gory details and Jabril listened very intently and then you got to the worst part of the story. “I...I uh...I wasn’t alone in the accident. I was with my husband at the time, he died in the accident.” You revealed, normally you wouldn’t like to just tell anyone that but you felt like he should know that.

“I’m sorry.” Jabril offered, in a low whisper as his antennae drooped.

“It’s ok, it happened a very long time ago, but because of my age, and because of the scars, I don’t get asked out very often, actually it’s been years since I was asked out on a date.” You confessed.

“But you’re still very desirable, you’re intelligent, compassionate, professional and perfectly competent.” Jabril praised as you paused and blinked in surprise.

“Uh, I think Jika and humans have very different definitions of ‘desirable’.” You gently argued.

“I know we do. My brother’s Isthantari, she’s a very large woman, larger than you, she didn’t think that of herself either but to Jika, females are always supposed to be large, soft and delicate, their exoskeleton is very thin, usually thinner than your own epidermis, and very fragile and needs to be protected, cared for and attended to constantly. She should be so large in fact that she’s immobile. So the term you used- ‘fat’ that is actually a very desirable trait. But the compassion and intelligence is what intrigued me about you and compelled me to ask you out on this ‘date’. And as for the scars, for a female Jika, they are treated the same way battle scars are treated and are harrowed by the hive. Because Jika females are in fact so delicate, for her to survive an attack is a sign of great strength. Same can be said about you. You survived something that killed another. That deserves praise, honor and respect and only serve to make you more desirable.” Jabril explained and you were dumbfounded. A prince, no, Jabril, thought you were desirable. Just the way you were. You wanted to cry. Again.

“Wow, thank you.” Was all you could say in response.

“So, I must confess something.” Jabril began as your eyebrows pinched in concentration.

“Technically speaking, I should not be dating, to Jika, the queen and caring for her and doing what she commands should be an all consuming task, but alas it is not. I have a job within the hive, to serve the hive and the queen, but it is an easy, simple job which leaves me a lot of free time and free mental and emotional availability. However, if we were to pursue this relationship, we would have to be discrete, since the queen should not tolerate ‘rivals’ not that you pose any real threat to her and not that you really are a rival to her in several senses, because one, you’re not a Jika that can take over the hive, produce Jika offspring and control the hive mind. And she has not taken offense to my brothers becoming committed to their Isthantaris which has given rise to a freedom that myself and the rest of my brothers had not previously entertained, in that we can have relationships outside of the hive, in particular to individuals who are not Jika. I know it may seem unorthodox to you but it has stirred in us a hope of things greater than we could have previously imagined. So, that being said, would you like to go on another date with me?” Jabril asked.

“Yes, I would love that.” You confirmed immediately before the conversation flowed much easier at that and you didn’t mind the occasional flick of his pupils to the side of your face and neck that had the scars. Because he obviously didn’t look at them with pity. He looked at them with admiration which was a completely new concept to you and you found the idea of it all exciting and fun and your heart and soul were completely willing to go ahead and dive in.

After you were done eating, you made plans for a second date and then as a surprise, he picked you up and flew you back to your car and set you down with the utmost care and gentleness. And the flying thing was the funnest thing ever.

“Hey Jabril?” You called after him after you paused in getting into your car as Jabril moved to fly away again but stopped and landed and came up to you again.

“Yes?” He asked hopefully.

“What’s an Isthantari?” You asked curiously.

“It’s a Jika term, it means ‘one I am devoted to for life’.” He answered with a grin.

“Aww, that’s so sweet! Well thank you so much for...everything, for the cocoons and for my shall, it’s my new favorite.” You beamed happily.

“You’re welcome. Good night, drive safe, oh, um, would you mind if I followed you home? I worry you’ll get into another car accident.” He proposed.

“I think I would crash being distracted by you if you did.” You winced.

“Oh, I do not wish for that to happen, I will refrain from such a thing, but please, drive with extreme care.” Jabril urged you.

“Ok, I will, I usually do.” You answered before you got into your car and drove home and true to Jabril’s word, he didn’t follow you. Instead you lost track of him shortly after he flew into the darkening skies.

‘So?! How was it? Text me when you get home!’ Julie texted you while you drove home and you rolled your eyes and got home and texted her back because you never texted and drove at the same time.

‘It was good, he asked what everyone asks. But we do have another date for Friday.’ You replied as you came into your house to find your three legged dog Buster, and your one eyed cat Sauron missing you, both of them happy to see you again as you pet them and refilled their food dishes and even made sure your cockatiel with the broken beak had it’s special food.

‘Oooh! You ARE going to dress up for that right?’ She pleaded.

‘Yes, I gotta take care of my peeps, ttyl.’ You texted her before you made your rounds in your apartment and got everything ready for the next day as you tried to shake the troubles of the day off which was easier than usual because of your impromptu date.

But when you laid in bed, you couldn’t help but smile softly to yourself about the date. Jabril was...perfectly charming, and thoughtful, and kind and showed more empathy and consideration that most did. You had learned to see beauty in everything long ago and you had to admit, you were finding a lot to appreciate about him. He was practically the perfect gentleman, but he could do so much better, he could have anyone he wanted. And if the Jika truly did find beauty in larger women, you knew there were so many who were even larger than you were, surely he would probably like them more than you and before you knew it, the smile vanished and morphed into a frown.

Friday came all too fast and you found yourself both thrilled and terrified. Surely this wouldn’t go past a second date. You actually could barely sleep Thursday night, you had gotten up early and had indeed tried to put makeup on, although you weren’t sure if this was really worth it, the best concealer in the world wouldn’t cover all this scarring. You felt so defeated. But Jabril had seen you without makeup at least, so he knew the extensiveness of it on your face. He had texted you and you had agreed to go out to eat with him somewhere really nice this time. You brought in a nice outfit to change into and even extra makeup to do touch ups after work.

You didn’t know if it was a blessing or a curse that it was a slow day. Blessing that at least your hair and makeup stayed nice. A curse because you became painfully aware of the time, six hours, five hours, four, three, two, one… oh god. You were so nervous you could barely eat lunch and by dinner time you were both nervous but starving.

You had barely gotten ready by the time Jabril showed up and he seemed very pleased to see you again before he handed you another shawl made out of his silk this time, it was like giant sweater that went down to your knees from your shoulders, practically a coat. It was even dyed a gorgeous shimmering magenta that faded into a magnificent purple. It was the most beautiful garment you had ever seen before. You felt like a queen wearing it and it wasn’t nearly as heavy as you thought it would be, it was just as light as the shall was and was big enough to wrap around you so that each side could overlap each other by over a foot of fabric. You wore such a bright ecstatic smile that your cheeks almost hurt from smiling and all uneasiness, stress and nervousness you felt earlier completely melted away.

“Thank you, so, so, so much, this is magnificent! I love it.” You beamed happily as you hugged yourself in the garment. It even went with your dress and these colors really complimented your rich skin tone. You happily hopped up into his arms as he then flew you to the restaurant and set you down gently on the ground outside before opening the door for you like the gentleman he was and to your delight, he had made a reservation and you were shown to your table immediately as you took the side of the booth that had your left side towards the wall. Still feeling a bit self conscious.

“Please, order whatever your heart desires, this is my treat and there is no expectation other than the hope to enjoy your conversation during the meal.” Jabril offered to you as you both looked over the menu and when the waitress came he ordered a lovely sweet wine and a few appetizers when you had shrugged in answer to if any looked good to you.

“How did you know I wanted the crab cake?” You asked curiously with a mischievous grin.

“I confess I watched your eye movements and facial expression, but please know that money is of little importance to me, I only wish to provide you with a lovely evening.” Jabril explained.

“Then do you know what I want for dinner then?” You asked in a light teasing tone as you closed your menu to look at him expectantly.

“I believe it is currently a toss up between the Caribbean cobia and the Chilean sea bass.” Jabril answered with a smirk of his own and your jaw dropped. It was like he read your mind.

“That’s not fair.” You playfully complained with a light laugh.

“No it’s not, as a prince and potential consort, I have literally been bred to read a queen’s facial expressions and body language and to anticipate her every need, want and desire and then provide that for her, so you would say it’s ‘hard wired into me’.” Jabril explained as your cheeks burned as you looked away, a bashful smile on your lips all the same.

“I’m sure there are others more deserving of your attentions than me though.” You countered softly.

“Perhaps you are right, but none that I would ever compare to you. And even if I were to try, they would pale in the comparison to you so I will do no such thing.” Jabril reassured you and you were at a loss for words.  “Is there anything I can say to dissuade your feelings of unworthiness? Do you perhaps question my sincerity?” Jabril asked.

“Well, I guess I’m just...getting used to be treated like a queen.” You couldn’t help but shrug again as you took your glass of wine and took another long sip, loving the sweetness of it. Last night, alone with your thoughts you would have doubted he was sincere, but it was like the moment you were in his presence all your doubts and fears vanished and you felt so at ease.

“Are you trying to make me your Isthantari?” You found yourself asking with a gentle, playful twist to your accusation.

“Yes, I have been looking for some time, years in fact. You see what you may not know is a queen Jika, is incapable of emotionally bonding with all of her consorts, she may only bond with a few while all bond to her and so while we give all of ourselves to her, she gives none of herself to us, emotionally speaking that is. And since my brothers have found Isthantaris that give all of themselves just as completely as my brothers give of themselves to them, it is that- that I am looking for. So while you may not see yourself as someone desirable or worthy, know that I do.” Jabril reassured you and you were ready to kiss him and do, well, so much more.

When the waitress came back Jabril ordered you both the sea bass and the cobia and got himself the shrimp and scallops with an added on lobster tail and you watched curiously as he ate the shells of his seafood too, seeming to take more delight in those than the flesh, but you chalked it up to him being an alien, a sexy, perfectly charming and smooth as fuck alien who just up and swept you off your feet.

Dinner was absolutely delightful and you drank just enough wine to relax you and open up but all the giddiness came from Jabril, he told jokes that had you in stitches, laughing so hard you were crying, he was reached out and touched your hands with his lower arms so that his upper arms could continue to gesture and traced your hands delicately and with reverence and he made you feel like it was just the two of you in a bubble and the rest of the world completely melted away and you found you cared less and less about it. You were with Jabril, that’s all that mattered.

After he paid for dinner he few you back to your home, even though it wasn’t the wine that intoxicated you. And when he put you down on your door step, you asked him to come in and he asked if you were sure you really wanted that, being mindful that you had been drinking but you were absolutely positive you wanted him to stay and so he bent to your will and allowed you to lead him into your home and he was even more delighted with your animals, and all your animals were so happy and excited to meet him and they took to him immediately as he was supremely pleased that you took in such creatures and that you saw beauty in value in them and reminded you that you needed to see beauty and value in yourself and when he offered to show you, your clothes seemed to melt off of their own accord and while normally you would want to shy away from such things, with him, it was as if your body was a kintsugi- pottery repaired with gold, only your body was that of a goddess, made even more valuable and precious because of your scars that covered not just the left side of your face and neck, but of your left arm, shoulder and side and he kissed all of it. All that you felt sagged in your age, he caressed and loved on and made you feel electric in the best possible way and you were on the edge of being overwhelmed with such emotions and attentions.  

When his royal jelly appeared out of a duct in his chest and he explained it’s purpose you helped yourself to it and moaned in delight, it was so good. Peaches, blackberries and sour-sop were the key flavors you got out of it, but hints of guava and banana were present too and you greedily sucked it down as his cock speared your hot sopping wet center. He was large and stretched you but while it was a snug fit, it wasn’t uncomfortable at all and the tingling sensation only enhanced your own desire. He started off slow, working his way in until you whined in protest at his pulling out and wrapped your legs tightly around his waist to keep him close. God you wanted that knot. You wanted all of it and grinded your pelvis onto it, urging him to go deeper, to take you harder and he seemed to get the hint and soon you found he had to wrap his upper arms around your shoulders to keep you pinned to the bed while keeping himself up by his elbows and forearms that were under your shoulder blades as one of his lower armed hands was kneading your voluptuous hips and rear while the other hand sweetly tormented your clit and it was all you could do to keep up sucking down that divine royal jelly and with his last final and completely desperate thrusts he finally knotted you and it was that- that finally sent you over the edge and you screamed as your whole body shook from the magnitude of this orgasm, surely the most powerful and magnificent orgasm of your life so far before your cheeks were now bulging almost painfully as a huge load of royal jelly gushed into your mouth and you fought to swallow it all down. It was so good you didn’t want a drop of it to go to waste and when the duct finally didn’t give you any more did you finally giving it one last teasing lick as Jabril shuddered as you let your head rest on the pillows and pant and try to catch your breath before you reached down and felt your lower belly feel like you were pregnant, but it didn’t hurt, you just felt...well completely stuffed as he rolled to lay on his side and still cuddled you close to his chest, your legs still wrapped comfortably around his waist and didn’t feel any pressure on your leg as his antennae tapped around your head attentively and when his cock shrunk and receded, the knot literally popping out of place, did you expel what felt like at least a gallon of his seed, but again, no discomfort came, just..relief with a tiny touch of disappointment that he wasn’t in you anymore.

“How do you feel my Isthantari?” Jabril cooed as he reached up to softly and delicately move the hair out of your face and gently traced your scars.

“Like a queen, like a goddess, like...the best I’ve ever felt.” You answered as you cuddled with his chest closely as he then went to pet and comb your hair with his fingers, loving and adoring it’s silky softness.

“Good, can I ask you something?” He asked softly.

“Anything.” You answered.

“Does your scaring cause you any discomfort at all? Or is it like any of your other epidermis?” He asked as he traced the skin around the scars, mindful not to touch it just in case it did.

“The scars on my face are very sensitive, the scars on my side feel numb actually.” You answered.

“If you were interested, would you be willing to try a Jika medicine to lesson them?” He asked.

“Yes,” you immediately answered.

“Then let me experiment with something just for tonight then, it won’t harm you, I promise- but I just want to see if it will help.” Jabril posed.

“My body is yours,” you giggled and he kissed you softly but with so much promise and you felt absolutely at ease as he reached down with his lower arms and scooped up his cum and began to apply to your skin as you looked down curiously at it, noting it’s holographic nature.

“Your cum cures scars?” You asked as you felt it’s slightly jelly like nature and watched as it shifted colors depending on the light and your skin felt a cooling, tingling sensation wherever he put it.

“Well I don’t know if it will completely, but one of the Isthantari’s, she was marooned an a tropical island with my brother and she claimed it cured her sunburn and she uses it as a beauty enhancer and so far it has done wonders for her complexion and she “collects” it from their mating and uses it exclusively, her skin has thus appeared very radiant since she started using it.” Jabril explained as he gently put it all over your scars all over your body.

“Well hell,” you giggled as you scooped some up and put it all over your face, quite liking it’s cooling and tingling properties and it did soothe the scars on your face better than anything ever had before. When you practically looked like a walking holographic highlighter, you scooped up the excess and put it into a jar before you gathered your bedding up to wash it and while you left to put it into the washer, when you came back with more bedding, you were both delighted and thrilled to find Jabril spinning you a bed with his silk,

“So that’s how you do it.” You gently teased as you put the bedding down and leaned on the door jam and watched him work as he smiled bashfully and ducked his head.

“Yes.” Jabril admitted as he finished making the perfectly soft and ridiculously comfortable bed on top of your mattress and he beckoned you over when he was finished and laid you down into it and you couldn’t help but groan in pleasure as you felt yourself melt into it as he laid down with you and pulled the blanket which was part of the bed itself up over you both fluffing the pillow like softness under your head so that any part he personally wasn’t cradling, was still cradling you nonetheless. That night, in Jabril’s arms was the best sleep you had ever gotten and in the morning when you bathed with him and he oh so carefully washed his cum off, he buzzed excitedly when your scars had visibly lessened. And even to you, the overly sensitive parts weren’t nearly as sensitive, in fact they felt normal while the parts that were numb, had even more feeling to them so that over all it felt more normal and even the parts on your arms and your chest and side, the parts you could see, the darker parts had lightened considerably and the lighter parts had darkened so that your skin overall evened out. You were in shock and amazement at it. It was too good to be true, you started crying tears of happiness again as you kissed Jabril deeply and before you knew it, he had you pinned up against warm shower wall and lost himself in you again, only this time, it was even better because he buzzed while he was in you and it was better than any vibrator ever had been and in mere moments you came and he hadn’t even knotted you yet and you came a second and third time by the time he did knot you, buzzing once he knotted you which was absolutely epic.

The rest of the day was actually spent on board the ship, exploring his rooms and he took you to the botany level and you gasped as you explored all the flora before he introduced you to the fauna from the Jika home world, the Jika equivalents to pets and things as you giggled as you picked them up and pet them, noting the similarities before you got to meet the other Ishtantari’s, Dr. Kimble especially excited and eager to note how your scaring lessoned with the application of Jika cum as Sable cooked the native Jika fruits and vegetables and Lenore let you try all the desserts she had started making with the Jika fruits as the other Isthantaris were really welcoming of you too and you felt like you were with friends, practically family.

Within a matter of weeks he was moved in with you, which all he possessed was simply Kabira and her things with a phone, it’s charger and a wallet since Jika didn’t really have clothes to speak of, but he did have weaponry which he stored in a closet, that’s all he took up and living with you and practically paying all of your bills and taking care of you and your home and your animals while you were away at work during the day and with you using his cum as scar cream, in no time they were barely noticeable, to the point, you didn’t feel you had to wear makeup other than eye makeup when you wanted to and everyone complimented you on your glowing complexion and your growing Jika wardrobe which you wore with pride. Who knew that you would find happily ever after from a kind soul rescuing a kitten.

[drferox]

i found some $5 flea and tick medicine at walmart (the kind that goes on the skin) and i was wondering... how/why/what????? every other skin-based flea medicine is $35+. of course it didn’t work at all, but i was wondering if you could explain what’s going on here? how are they so cheap? btw if anyone’s curious what did (mostly, save for two or three fleas) work is a $10 adam’s flea collar though i’m getting my dog bravecto when i get the money saved up!

A lot of the ‘cheap’ flea products have active ingredients which have been around for 10+ years and so are no longer subject to copyright. Problem is once those meds have been in the market for 10+ years, they may not be all that effective.

Often they’re cheap and nasty medication to start with, and pharmaceutical companies often copyright the transport medium too, the other compounds in there that distribute the insecticide across/around the skin. You can have different products with the same active, but one will cause chemical burns and one will not.

Case in point, I saw a bunch of dogs for chemical burns over their shoulders one year because some enterprising idiot decided to buy imidacloprid used to spray on crops and put it on dogs, because it was significantly cheaper. There’s a reason.

Something at the supermarket does not have to have proven itself to the same degree that a product for same at a vet clinic needs to. If you buy a product at the supermarket that doesn’t work, are you going to complain to the supermarket? If you buy a product at a vet clinic that doesn’t work, you most certainly will be complaining to the vet!

Pharmaceutical companies don’t set their prices just based on what it costs to produce a product. They price it based on what they think the consumers will pay. That’s why products that do the same thing are all around the same price point. 

It’s an unfortunate result of for-profit businesses doing all the research, but the main driving force setting a price for a product is what they think people will pay. I am not permitted to give details, but there are market research surveys offered to vets on a semi-regular basis which ask questions like “What do you think a reasonable price is for a product which does X, Y and Z?”

Case in point, cerenia tablets are the only non-sedating tablet for car sickness in dogs. When they were first released, they were eight times more expensive than they are now. Nobody bought them, so the price mysteriously dropped.

Reconcile was a brand of beef-flavoured prozac for dogs, at more than double the price of human brand prozac from the chemist. Nobody bought it, they stopped making it.

As a vet I don’t determine these prices by the way. We can determine the in-clinic markup, but not the wholesale price. And products like flea treatments which are non-prescription and widely advertised often have a recommended retail price we’re encouraged to follow.

That’s unfortunately how the prices work right now.