#losing dogs has been playing in my head nonstop for three days and it’s making me cry

[royaltea000]

You’re my baby, say it to me

[readyremus]

If only you knew.

Remus Lupin x fem!reader

In between his 6th and 7th year at Hogwarts, Remus meets a muggle girl and the beginnings of a summer romance bloom. That is, until Sirius comes to possibly ruin his bliss.

-DISCLAIMER: I wrote this with absolutely no intention of ever showing it to anyone. It originally had an OC as the reader - an OC written ti be remarkably similar to myself(hence the specificity with the dog name and song choices). But the recent resurgence of my Remus obsession has led me to some very wonderful writers. And in my impatient but dedicated wait for them to upload new content, I've been inspired to post my own. So please. Read at your own risk.

P.S. this was written with multiple parts in mind, most of them unfinished. Whether I post those is up to you.

--

I.

It’s not creepy, Remus tells himselfs as he peeks through the blinds of his window, hearing the jingle of dog tags approach closer and closer.

She was tangled in the little one’s leash as he ran around frantically, sniffing every damn bush he came across.

“So much energy and it’s only 6 in the morning.” He hears her huff, stumbling along behind the three dogs dragging her to the park.

Like clockwork, he thinks as he pulls on his trousers. She came out every morning around 6 o’clock to walk her dogs to the park, bundled up in a big sweater and those cherry red boots. He admired her consistency, never imagining he could get up that early each day to stroll in the morning chill.

Well, at least before he started doing it every morning himself.

It’s not like I’m stalking her, he assured himself over the cup of coffee he was brewing into a thermos. He added some cream and altogether too much sugar, screwed on the cap and made it quickly out the door with a paperback in his coat pocket. Maybe I’m just becoming a morning person.

The habit began when he couldn’t sleep one night after the full moon. It had been particularly rough - the first he’d gone through this summer without his friends. His mother did her best with his new injuries but the cuts were smarting against his back, sides, and front as he tossed around in bed, making sleep seem like a farther and farther away concept with every sting. He’d decided on a walk to help take his mind off things, and maybe ease the aches etched into his bones.

The walk did no such thing. The wind blasted through the cuts on his face and his joints clanked against the pavement with every step but, after a while, the cold started to make him feel pleasantly numb. He sat on a bench, facing the lake and closed his eyes, feeling the warmth creep onto his face as the sun rose over the mountains. He’d almost drifted off to sleep in the calm of the early morning until he’d heard someone singing down the trail.

She bumbled down the trail behind three dogs, headphones blasting with music so loud he could hear it from ten feet away. He doesn’t think she noticed him at all, striding past with her eyes closed as she sang the chorus.The cadence of the song had immediately imprinted itself into Remus’ mind. She quickly went over the next hill and disappeared, but Remus stayed until he couldn’t hear her lovely voice anymore.

He’d hummed it to himself nonstop for the next three days, driving himself insane trying to find the song before one morning, when he’d heard it through his window again.

It had been another sleepless night and he hadn’t even noticed the sky brightening outside as he lazily scrolled through his computer. But as he peered outside, there she was again. Her little head peeked over the collar of her jacket, hair messily blowing past her face. She had no headphones on this time, allowing the music to play from her phone in her pocket.

“You made me lose my self control...keep a place for me...I’ll sleep between y’all, it’s no thing,” he’d heard a male voice sing, and as soon as she rounded the corner out of his sight, he jumped back onto his laptop and looked up the song.

Self Control by Frank Ocean.

He’d never heard of him - as with most muggle artists. His mum had stuck to listening to old love songs from the 60’s, the latest of her music taste probably being the Beatles. He knew almost every Ricky Nelson song by heart but probably couldn’t tell you who Kanye West was if his life depended on it.

But he’d plugged in his headphones and fell in love. It wasn’t like anything he’d ever heard before - undeniably modern and charmingly offbeat but something about it felt timeless. Maybe it was the sadness in it, the acoustic guitar leading the track, the heartbroken crooning in the background. He’d played the entire album on repeat all day, slowly learning the lyrics to every track. But at the end of each song, he still found himself yearning to hear her voice.

And so he found himself here, bitterly sipping his coffee on the cold bench as he pretended to pay attention to his book.

I must be incredibly bored or totally out of my mind, Remus thought as the biting wind blew past his cheeks and ruffled the pages of his book.

Truly, Remus didn’t quite understand what had drawn him to her so. It was a small town and his home was more on the outskirts than most other houses so he barely got to see other people during the summers, much less pretty girls his age. But he’d never been one to be so obsessive with girls. Being friends with James and Sirius gave him proximity to many eligible and willing students at Hogwarts but he had never found any real interest in dating any of them.

But she strolls past him twice and he’s getting up at the ass crack of dawn just to occupy the same area as her. Godric, if the lads knew about this, I’d never hear the end of -

Just before he’d finished his thought, he saw a little white dog run up to him and hop onto his bench. He smiled before realizing it was THE little white dog, i.e. HER little white dog.

“Uzi!” He looked up, hearing her yell. She was approaching and Remus felt panic rise up his spine. He froze with his book in his hand as she ran up with the two other dogs on leash. The brown one ran up ahead of her and it’s leash went up from behind her legs and tangled, sending her crashing to the ground with a yelp.

“Oh god,” Remus exclaimed, springing into action. He dropped his book and coffee and went to help her. “Are you okay?” He asked, eyebrows furrowed over concerned eyes. He knelt down and put his hands on her shoulders. She was shaking slightly and he could hear her…

Laughing?

He relaxed as she lifted her head back and chuckled into her hand. Remus let himself smile as he pulled himself up, offering her a hand.

“Wow, that’s embarrassing.” She shook her head and pulled her hand from her face, looking up at Remus with her full smile. She took his hand, helping her up. They came face to face - well, perhaps face to chest. He noticed she was quite short. Her smile fell a bit and Remus blinked. He must have been staring.

“Are you okay?” she said through a playful smirk, lifting her hand up a bit. Remus looked down and noticed that his was still attached.

“Ha, yeah, sorry sorry. That was a fantastic stunt, by the way. Very impressive.” He joked, surprising himself at his banter. You laughed again and Remus felt a flutter in his chest.

“Oh, you liked that, did you? I practiced all week.” Remus chuckled with her before the smile suddenly fell off of her face as she looked behind him.

“Oh my god! My dog!” She ran past him, remembering what led her there. He followed behind, watching with amusement as she tried to pry his book from his teeth. “I am so so sorry, I think he’s possessed - hey wait! I love this book!” She looked at the cover lovingly, successfully winning the tug of war. “You like Terry Pratchet?”

Remus raised his eyebrows. “Er - yeah. Well, actually it’s my mum’s. I haven’t really begun reading it.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh fuck, its your mum’s? I - shit! My dog’s drooled all over it! I promise I’ll buy you a new one. Oh no” she fussed, trying to smooth over the cover. Remus smiled and stopped her hands.

“No, it’s fine. Really. It was falling apart anyway.”

“But-”

“Look, I promise she won’t notice.” She didn’t look convinced but she finally released the book and Remus looked at it briefly before putting it back in his coat pocket. I’ll actually have to read this Terry Pratchet person later, he made a mental note to himself.

She spoke again after a short beat of expectant silence. “Well, uh. Sorry again.” She smiled sheepishly and turned to leave before Remus called out to her.

“Wait!” She turned around and Remus scrambled to find something to say, surprising himself again with his boldness. “Uh, I could take one of your dogs.”She tilted her head in confusion. Remus closed his eyes in embarrassment. “I mean - I could help you walk them. If you’re having trouble. Not that you can’t handle your dogs. That’s not what I’m saying. Just - I’ve seen them dragging you around a bit and -”

“I’d love that. Thank you.” She interrupted, saving himself from further trouble with his sentences. She handed him the leash to the little white dog, her face struggling to hold in her amusement. “You can take Uzi.”

He took the leash, smiling down at the excited pup. “Uzi? Like the gun?”

She smiled, beginning to walk. “More like the rapper.” Remus nodded, pretending to understand. Another name to look up, he noted. His homework was piling up.

“Interesting name.” He giggled as the dog ran around his feet, tangling him up with the leash.

“And yours?” she asked, looking up at him.

Remus blushed against her gaze, feeling strangely hesitant to answer. “Remus.”

“Interesting name,” she repeated, smilingly. “I’m Y/N.” She held out her free hand and he shook it, relishing in its warmth.

“Y/N.” he repeated.

“Remus.” she mocked. Their hands lingered before she blushed and looked down, putting her hand back in her pocket. “So, you must be part wolf or something.”

Remus turned to her again in shock. “What?”

She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, the corners of her mouth turning up. “You know, like in the Greek myth.”

Remus blinked before visibly relaxing. He chuckled somewhat nervously.

“If only you knew.”

--

The walk to her house was only occasionally awkward, Remus shocked at his own capacity to maintain conversation with her. She only lived about ten minutes away and despite being pleased at the proximity of their homes, he found himself wishing she had lived across town if it meant they could walk together longer. It had felt easy - something he was not accustomed to in conversations with strangers. Being friends with James and Sirius for nearly four years should’ve taught him something about being more extroverted but he’d struggled to get past small talk with most other people in his classes. Hell, even Peter seemed more personable than he was. But she was confident and funny, their senses of humor complimenting one anothers’ in such a natural way that could almost only be described as fateful. They’d arrived at her front gate, parting with hopes that they’d see each other around. Remus was pretty determined to make sure of it.

He walked into his front door, surprising his dad in the kitchen as he shrugged off his coat. “Gee, Rem. Where did you come from? I thought you were still in bed.”

“Oh, uh...morning walk,” he said, sitting down at the table and setting his book in front of him.

His father squinted at him. “A ‘morning walk’ eh? Did someone hold you at wandpoint?” he joked, chuckling over his cup of coffee.

Remus lightly blushed and rolled his eyes. Oh, it’s much worse, he embarrassingly thought. “Is it really so hard to believe?”

His father glanced down at the book on the table and reached across for it. “The Color of Magic? A fantasy novel, Rem?” His father gave him a curious look. “Very strange indeed.”

It was true. Remus read lots, muggle books included, but always found himself steering away from books about magic, finding it a bit strange written from a muggle’s perspective.

“Someone recommended it to me.”

His dad looked up from the cover, noticing the slight color on Remus’ cheeks. A knowing smirk grew on his face but he said nothing. He moved to get up, getting ready to leave for work before he remembered something.

“Oh, this came for you this morning.” He handed Remus a piece of folded parchment with his name scrawled on the front. Sirius’ handwriting, he thought. He scanned it quickly, mumbling it to himself.

“Oi, dad!” He yelled after his father, halfway out the door. “Sirius is asking if he could come stay here for summer.”

His father pondered it a bit. “All summer?” Remus shrugged in response. His father took a second to think. “Well…I suppose I don’t see why not. But ask your mother first.”

“Ask me what first?” Remus turned to the staircase as his mum descended, dressed for work and carrying her handbag. She kissed her husband goodbye and turned to Remus.

“Well, uh I just got a letter from Sirius,” he began slowly. He knew his mother would be harder to convince, expecting her to fuss about the state of their home or not having enough food. “He’s having some troubles at home and was asking if he could maybe spend the summer here?”

A crease had formed in his mother’s forehead but there was consideration in her eyes. She knew about the Black family and how they treated Sirius. “What about the Potters? Doesn’t he usually go there?”

“Yes but he said the Potters are on vacation so...he has nowhere to go.” he looked at her pleadingly.

His mother sighed before smiling tiredly. “I suppose that’d be alright. Can’t leave Sirius out on the poor street. He’d cause it too much trouble,” she joked. “But you’d better clean up, alright? And make sure he eats when he arrives. He’s starting to look as thin as you.”

Remus smiled sarcastically. “Thanks, mum.”

“Alright, I’m off to work. Bye, sweetie.” She kissed him on the cheek and was barely out the door when a deep voice spoke behind him.

“Well, now that that’s settled.”

Remus jumped and turned around, greeted by the towering figure of his best friend in the kitchen.

“Jesus Christ!” he said, holding his chest.

Sirius smiled, “Nope, just me, Moony. Now where can I put my stuff? I’m famished.”

[homogrimoire-archive]

Kingfield's Fourth Anniversary - Day 1

Just An Urban Legend

Feng, David, Dwight, and Jake find themselves at the fire together after a trial. Stories from back home are exchanged to pass the time, and some of those stories manage to find their way into the trials.

AO3 Link

This time around, it was Dwight, Jake, David, and Feng around a fire. They all had finished a trial some time ago, Dwight and David were with a different set of survivors, and Feng and Jake from another set as well. Jake was contently resting on the outskirts of the camp, Dwight and David were leaning against each other by the fire to keep even more warm, and Feng was sitting on a log bored out of her mind.

She really didn’t like this place. Its not like she was ever particularly outdoorsy. Sure, she had her smartphone, which miraculously never died, but it was entirely useless. No offline games on it, no music, and the clock was obsolete in a place where time didn’t matter. The flash didn’t stun killers, and throwing it at them just made them angry more than anything.

Still, she held onto it. A piece of home. All of them had something from home they kept on themselves. For Jake, it was a well used Swiss Army Knife, an expensive and genuine one at that. For Dwight, it was his old wristwatch. Apparently, he had it since forever. It looked as old. And for David, it was a roll of sports bandages. It never seemed to run out, despite how much he used it.

“I’m bored. Any of you got any stories?” she eventually asked since she figured the others would like to kill the time too.

“Hmmm… ” Dwight contemplated. Feng noticed that David patiently awaited his boyfriend’s response. How someone could manage to fall in love here was beyond her.

“I saw bigfoot once.”

“No you didn’t.” Jake quickly protested as he shot up from where he slept. “It was probably an emaciated bear, or some guy in a suit, or a trick of the light with some branches or something.” He then promptly went back to lying down.

“Yeesh mate, how long’ve you been holdin’ that one in?” David wondered.

“I just have very strong strong and very right opinions on dumb myths like that.” he rationalized.

“Well it’s true!” Dwight pouted. “I was working as a janitor for this huge park and this kid got lost in the woods so they arranged a search party. I went to help after my shift with a co-worker. We were searching for hours, and it was getting dark, so we decided to head back. Keep it one missing person instead of making it three, you know? So, we were on our way back when we heard this terrifying scream! It was like something I’d expect to hear here, honestly. So me and my co-worker are scared shitless. We’re back to back with our flashlights looking around to see if we can find the thing. And just when we think we’re kinda safe, I turn my light to see two glowing eyes staring right at me and the outline of a huge man.”

“No!” Feng says, almost in disbelief.

“Yes! I scream and cling onto my coworker, and then he sees it and screams, and we trip over ourselves and fumble as we run away, still screaming like little girls!” Dwight laughed. “No joke though, it had to have been at least twice as tall as me.”

“What you heard was probably a cougar, or some other large cat. Or some animals mating. Those things are freaks.” Jake shuddered. He heard animals getting it on more times than he would have ever liked to.

“Well, I know what I saw, or my name’s Aloiscious the Third! And its not.” the honest man proudly stated.

“…Whatever.” Jake sighed.

“Well, I believe you, luv.” David comforted with a kiss to his cheek.

“Thanks David.” Dwight cooed as he leaned back into his boyfriend.

“You know, I saw something’ kinda scary too when I was a kid.” David mentioned. “Not so scary now, but that’s kinda expected.”

“I’m down to hear it. Fire away, champ.”

“It began on a dark night. Me ���n some blokes were bored and decided to pay a visit to an abandoned church.”

“You know how cliché that sounds, right?” Dwight questioned.

“And wanderin’ to the woods at night ain’t?” David fired back.

“…Touché.”

“Anyhow, we were walkin’ up to the place when we saw the thing. It was a Black Dog. Thing was guardin’ the place of course. Pry thought we were gonna tear it up, so it howled bloody murder and ran straight for us barkin’ like it was rabid!” David laughed at the memory. “Needless t’say, our arses were humbled for a few good days.”

“You saw a feral black dog? I guess that’s kinda scary.” Feng commented. She liked Dwight’s story better.

“Yeah… Could be scarier.” Dwight admitted.

“Wasn't just any ol’ bloody black dog, A Black Dog. Guess you lot might not know what they are. Legend says the first buried at a churchyard had t’guard it ‘gainst the devil. Since no one wanted to be the poor sod stuck doin’ that, people buried a dog first. Then again, could’ve just been a regular ol’ demonic black dog. Lot more of those furry bastards.”

“I could believe that.” Dwight conceded.

“Yeah. If I’m remembering correctly, there are tons of spirits and a ton of different types back home. I never really bothered to learn about it though.” she nonchalantly admitted. It never really interested her. “But, this one gaming cafe I was staying at did have a legend around it. Supposedly, a guy solo queued nonstop and died there. Sounds like a noob if you ask me. Honestly, he wasn’t even Top 500. He wasn’t even Grandmaster!” she laughed, and then saw David and Dwight looking at her in confusion. “Oh wait, you’re all kinda old huh? Guy played alone in a team based video game nonstop, and died. He wasn’t even that good at the game.”

“Ah.”

“That makes a bit more sense.” David said gratefully. Things could get rather confusing when you had friends from a few decades ahead or behind you.

“So anyways, legend has it that if you sat in the chair he died in, his spirit would possess you, and you’d get his skills. But, you’d also game yourself to death like him.”

“Did you ever sit in his chair?” Dwight wondered.

“Pft, and gain the skills of a noob like him and get wrecked? As if! I might as well have went AFK for a week. I had some juicy Prestige to keep up you know.”

Before they could pester Jake for a story, the Fog began to roll in.

“Aw shit, here we go again .” Feng said as she rolled her eyes.

“Ain’t no rest for the wicked, huh? See you guys there.” Dwight said with a wave. With his other hand, he still held onto David despite knowing the Fog would separate them regardless. They had all worked together before, so Dwight didn’t need to explain a plan of action.

“I hope it’s one a them Legion bastards. Love seein’ ‘em lose.” David grinned, sure they would have a successful trial. He gave Dwight a kiss on the cheek in celebration of the impending victory, making the shorter man blush.

“As long as we survive, I don’t care who we're up against.” Jake said as he threw in an offering, hoping it would land them in the forest. “See you all on the other side.” And with a salute, they were whisked away.

-

The Fog cleared to reveal the Red Forest. Dwight knew that somewhere, Jake was happy. He just hoped the Huntress wasn’t here this time. She was far too efficient on her home turf. Dwight wandered shortly before coming across a generator to work on. Surprisingly, he managed to complete it before something happened. Based on the scream, David was hooked. But thankfully, he wasn’t too far away from him.

Sneakily, Dwight made his way over to the hook, keeping an eye out for this trial’s killer. In a close call, he saw the eldest Legion member passed right by him. Dwight let out a sigh of relief once he was in the clear, and then rushed to David.

“My knight in shining armour’s come t’rescue me, has he?” David chuckled, but instantly regretted it and winced from the pain of the hook.

“You can thank me later. Come on, let’s go!”

“Oh, I will~” David said smugly.

“You’re terrible…” Dwight said in a restrained voice, not wanting to reveal his anticipation and spurn the other man.

Eventually, it came to the last generator, and Dwight ended up being the one to keep the Legionnaire busy.

“Come out come out wherever you are! Don’t worry, I bite!” the young man teased. Dwight tried to keep calm as he hid in the locker. Slowly, the legionnaire passed by the lockers, dragging his knife across the metal doors.

“Gotcha!” he steamed as he yanked open a locker door, revealing it to be empty. “Fucker…” he cursed as he slammed the thing shut. “Now where could he have gone?” he wondered as he idled in front of the locker Dwight was hiding in.

“How about… Here!” he screamed as he opened the locker Dwight was in, causing him to scream in turn. “HA HA HA! Classic!” the Legionnaire rejoiced as he tossed Dwight over his shoulder.

Dwight tried to break free, but was unable too. The closest hook was nearby, leaving him with not enough time.

“Alright, let’s hear you scream again!” the killer announced with eager anticipation. But just before setting Dwight on the vile contraption, there was a roar that seemed to shake the area. “What the fuck was that? What the fuck is that?” he said once he caught a glimpse of the roar’s source. Dwight saw it too, a tall thing with glowing eyes.

“Hmm?” the killer hummed, and brought up his free hand to the side of his face like it was a phone. “… Really? … Alright, alright! I get it! Sheesh… Consider it done, boss.” the killer said and hung up, and threw Dwight to the ground. For a moment, he thought he was about to get mori’d.

Instead, he got a kick to the dick and a boot to the face as the killer ran off laughing joyously. Meanwhile, Dwight curled up into a ball as he clutched his groin. A few moments later, he got up and hobbled away. A terrible experience, but better than being mori’d. When he reached the group, they had just finished the last generator, sounding off to let the killer know as well.

“Shite, wot happ’ned to ya?” David fretted as he immediately went to Dwight’s side, the deep bruise on his face and funny walk evident. “I swear, I’ll find a way to make the bastard pay!”

“Well, a kick to the dick and face. I’ll live. But, something else happened, something odd.” Dwight began. Then, they felt the heartbeat, letting them know the killer was near. Then, something passed then, something neither survivor nor killer.

“Get back here so I can skin you alive! Papa needs a new pimp coat!” the Legionnaire giggled.

“Hey, watch this pro strat!” Feng told the other survivors. “360 no scope!” she announced with a twirl, and tossed her phone. It flew in the direction of the killer, just so happening to land in front of him. He stepped on it, and slid head first into a tree. A crack formed on the mask as he groaned.

“Suck it!” Feng taunted as she brought her hands to her hips as she thrusted outwards. The others celebrated with her. This was the most fun she had in a long time.

“You little bitch! I’ll-” he began, but was cut off with a swift knee to the dick. He let out a long, high pitched squeal as he slowly crumpled to the floor, clutching his family jewels.

The thing had come back to help out. It gave a thumbs up. They all knew what that thing was now that it was in front of them.

“Nice.” David said as he gave it a thumbs up in return before it ran away again. Dwight looked at Jake with a shit-eating grin once it had left, and they were on their way to the exit gate.

“Okay, you know this doesn’t count!”

“Gotta take the L, my guy.” Feng said as she patted Jake on the back.

Back at the campfire, Dwight recounted what happened, to the shared anger and surprise of the others.

"Least that bigfoot bloke seems like a good fellow. Has my respect."

"I hope we see him again. He seemed cool." Feng hoped. It would be something to spice up life in hell.

"And what do you think, Jake?" Dwight smugly asked.

"I refuse to acknowledge that thing." he simply stated. Dwight let out a little laugh that David found cute.

But, to the surprise of everyone, the Fog rolled in. It never rolled on so soon after a completed trial.

"Oh come on! We just finished one, you bastard!" David yelled out.

“It’s probably because of what happened last round.” Dwight sighed. None of them were in terrible condition or overly exhausted, but still. It would have been nice to have a longer break.

“I’m sure we’ll do fine like last time.” Jake assured.

“I just hope it’s not that doctor. He really creeps me out.” Feng said. The others agreed, and were taken by the Fog.

On the other side, they found themselves in a warm climate, a ghost town in the wild west. Dwight and Feng found themselves spawned near each other, and were quick to get working on a generator. As it neared completion, their hearts hastened as they heard the fear-inducing lullaby of The Huntress.

She was unbothered by the vastly different environment. She sniffed the air, and snapped her head in the direction of the generator. An axe was readied, and thrown in the direction of the generator.

“Run!” Dwight yelled as the generator announced its completion. An axe buried itself in the spot where he was. Feng was faster than him, so Dwight found himself the target of the killer once more. He cursed being fun to chase. He noticed that for some reason, the Huntress particularly liked to hunt him. He didn’t want to dwell on why.

He was eventually axed and downed in a single hit. He screamed when she yanked it out, revealing that its iridescent red color didn’t just come from his blood. She scooped him up in her arms and held him like a baby, resuming her song to try and comfort him. He tried to wiggle free, but it was harder than it looked. Sometimes, he wondered if the Entity even gave her any supernatural strength. He wouldn't be surprised if she didn’t. He was soon on the hook in a basement, crying in pain. She stood there for a moment to admire her work, or something, before leaving.

Dwight knew to wait for someone to unhook him. It was safer, even more so with David around. But basements were a more dangerous place to be when the Huntress was involved. She always seemed to know when someone was there. He figured that another generator or two had to be finished by the time he heard someone approaching. It generated a spark of hope that quickly dissipated as he heard her song.

And down the stairs came Feng, a wound in her shoulder, also in her arms like a baby too. As she screamed on the hook, the Huntress also winced, muttering something unintelligible before leaving.

“Hey Feng…”

“Hey…”

“How- Ack!” he cried as the hook moved a little in him.

“Fine.” she sighed, already knowing his question. “Two more gens. … I hate this place.”

“Yeah…”

They waited for a rescuer in the ambient silence of the basement. With two left, it would be easy to lure the Huntress far from the basement so they could be saved. Their hopes rose and fell, just as before. She came down singing with David slung over her shoulder. One of his arms appeared to be wounded.

“Fockin’ bitch!” he screamed as she tossed him onto the hook and left without a second glance at him. “I swear ’m gonna- Argh!” he yelled as the hook dug into him as we squirmed.

“Okay, let’s just, keep calm. Wait a few moments, and then we’ll try to free ourselves.”

“As you say luv.” David agreed. Feng hummed in agreement as well.

“So, how’s it hangin?” he dared to ask after waiting a little bit.

“Ughhh, you did not just say that.” Feng groaned.

“David, I swear!”

“Sorry…”

“You’re lucky I love you. Alright, on the count of three guys. One… Two… Three!” Dwight yelled as they tried to unhook themselves. Each of them failed, screaming in pain as they fell right back onto the hook, Entity’s claws showing up to induce more fear.

“It’s okay guys. It’s- It’s alright.” Dwight said, trying to sound calm himself even though he was not, panting, sweating, and a few tears breaking free. He didn’t want to feel that emptiness that even love could not stave away. Neither did the others. Then, the last generator sounded completion. A few moments later, Jake came hurrying down the stairs. The Huntress would surely be there soon.

He unhooked David first, who unhooked Dwight with one arm as Jake got Feng. They didn’t even bother to heal, not that it mattered when she could one shot them into dying this trial. But at the top of the steps she awaited. With a hunter’s cry, she threw an axe down the stairs, the survivors narrowly dodging it. Still, she sang her song and grinned a mad smile

Just when she was about to lunge at them, she shifted to block an attack from something. It was a dog. It chomped right through her axe handle. She wasn’t singing anymore. She quickly retaliated with a headbutt, knocking it away. She cast aside her broken axe with a snarl and lunged at the other beast. They wrestled each other to the ground, aiming for each other’s throats. Seeing their chance, the survivors took it and ran.

“I thought you said those things were demons?!” Dwight questioned as David carried him in one arm.

“Most a ‘em! The church ones ain’t the only ones to do protectin’.”

“Who cares! Let’s just hurry up and escape!” Jake yelled as he led the way.

They soon reached an exit gate and hurried to unlock it. About a third of the way through, they heard an animalistic yet human roar. She had won. Around her mouth was black blood. But, she did not come out unscathed. She bore many scratches, a number of them deep and flowing with dark red blood. Even half of her mask was broken, revealing a red iris surrounded by black.

“Come on come on hurry up!” Feng shouted at the switch as she ran towards them, laughing maniacally with an axe in hand. Their hearts were pounding, the knowledge that at least one of them was probably going to die about to set in. Jake took out the flash light to try and stun her, but fumbled and dropped it.

And out of nowhere, she was knocked to the ground by a blur of black. It was the black dog again. It was on top of her, and then in one swift motion, she was on top, and tore out it's throat with her bare hands. She tossed aside the flesh and fur and resumed her true hunt. She was only a few feet away when she fell forward, the dog’s maw mangling her ankle. She let out a scream as she tried to hit it with her axe, but missed. Then the alarm sounded and the gate opened.

“Go, go, go!” Jake ushered.

“Wait!” David shouted, and switched Dwight for Jake’s flashlight. He ran back, and aimed the light at the Huntress as she thrashed about. Once she was blinded, David whistled for the dog and patted his thigh to usher it to come.  It did, and ran beside David as they ran through the exit gate to the safety of the campfire.

David and Dwight laughed in celebration, the dog rejoicing with them. Feng breathed a sigh of relief as Jake mended her wound.

“Wanna refuse to acknowledge this one?” David joked as he ruffled the dog’s thick, dark fur. Jake finished patching up Feng, and went to go patch up David while Feng took care of Dwight

“Refuse to acknowledge what?” he asked, playing dumb. “There’s no such thing as a Black Dog, just black dogs.” Just as he was about to apply something to David’s arm, the dog growled at him, causing him to back away. The others lightly laughed.

“Alright, fine! … It’s real.” Jake told the dog. It seemed content with being acknowledged, so it let Jake do his work, proceeding to rest at David’s feet.

“So, what can you tell us about your dog, King?” Feng asked.

“Hmm… their name is Heir, being heir to the King’s throne an’ all. Fights like a King too!” he praised he he ruffled the dog's fur.

“You mean we’re keeping them?” Dwight asked with a bright smile.

“Well, I hope so.” David said as he continued to pet it. “Don’t think Heir’ll be goin’ to trials though. Pry for the best.”

“Aww, so cute! C’mere!” Dwight called. It got up and went to sit before Dwight. He let the dog sniff his hand, and it licked it before ploping back down in front of David. “Oh my god they like me!” Dwight squealed, looking like he was about to cry.

“‘Know I said most were demons. A few are good, like this little bloke ‘ere!” he praised as he scratched behind its ear, which it seemed to like. “Either protect a church, or guide the wayward. Fittin’.”

The Entity seemed to be willing to allow them the repose, since it didn’t quickly call them into a trial. Even after the next trial the dog remained by the fire, awaiting David’s return. If David were out in a trial, Dwight would oft find the dog at his feet, lounging around. The big, dark furball comforted other survivors after dreary trials, even if it too could not dissipate that empty feeling.

And even so, the trials soon became much more lively, as did the times round the fire

[nebulastep]

Sing Me a Song Chapter 4: Allegro Attack

Description: There has been progress made, but some characters have grown impatient with how slow gong it has been. Be careful what you wish for.

Notes: I had a lot of fun writing this one. After getting that one shot written down, this one came soon after. I hope you guys like it! As always, feedback is welcome, and let me know if you would like to be tagged!

Trigger warning: Pokemon related violence, some arguing.

Thomas had made some progress. Now, what to do with that progress he had no idea.

He now had Prince following at something of a distance wherever he went throughout the forest. (He still seemed to have issues with Foster though, who he would glare at for the most part. He still needed to figure out how to remedy that.) At night the young Pokemon would join Thomas and his companions for food and singing, but would stay a good distance away regardless.

I guess this is his territory. It would make sense that he would still be antsy. I still don't know why he is following me though.

Thomas looked back at Prince, who was currently watching from a nearby tree. He had been jumping from branch to branch, making a token attempt to blend into the leaves, but sticking out like a sore thumb, considering the white fur, and the big stick he was still carrying. Thomas smiled and waved. Princes eyes widened, and he turned his head away and closed his eyes, seemingly pouting, making Thomas chuckle.

He's so... extra. I haven't been around a Pokemon like this since...

Thomas looked down, frowned, turned around and started  walking forward again.

“I shouldn't be thinking about things like that! I should be focusing on the positives!” Thomas muttered to himself. “I have a good job now under a good friend, and I am in a beautiful environment doing that job with Pokemon that are fun to be around...”

It won't last. They will leave, too. They have to.

That particular thought made Thomas stop in his tracks. He shook his head harder, like he was trying to shake the thought out.

Whimper

Thomas looked to his left side at Foster, who was now seated looking at him with a worried expression. A paw on his right leg brought Thomas's attention to Pizza, whose head was cocked to the side.

Thomas offered a small smile and knelled on one knee and pet the two Pokemon in front of them. “I'm okay you guys! I'm just a little stressed is all!” Foster was smiling with her tongue out and leaning into the hand behind her ear, closing her eyes. Pizza leaned into the hand petting  her too, but continued to look up, causing Thomas to speak up again, “ Really! I'm fine! I just need the rest of this mission to go we-”

That's when, of course, screeching and yelling erupted from the tree behind him.

__

It became clear to Prince that Thomas had no idea where he was going.

Okay, maybe that was harsh, but that's what it felt like. He had been observing Thomas and his companions for the past several days, and they seemed no closer to finding his mother or the rest of his family. Thomas spend most of his time wandering the forest, looking at pieces of paper, and writing.

What he had learned was... well... more about the Pokemon and their human.

Pizza was a strange one. She was almost constantly tired, or at least acted like it. However, the Rattata always kept an eye on him. He thought at first that it was out of wanting to protect the human, but the rodent almost seemed relived whenever Prince came back into sight.

Prince also learned that the menace called Foster was... a little too friendly.  She had taken to calling him “singing puffball” since the first night he spent with Thomas, which... he still didn't know how to process. She kept barking at him when he is in his various watching spots, insisting that he “Come down and play!” or to “Look at this cool rock!” He had, more then once, shooed her away with his weapon whenever she attempted this. He was unsure whether she was doing this because Pizza told her to, but regardless, he was still suspicious. There was no way that being wanted to make amends that easily.

And Thomas … Thomas knew a lot more songs then the one he sang that first night, and that Thomas was a really good singer who seemed to belt tunes at any opportunity that was given.  He was also very giving and kind it seemed, since he kept giving out food.

He also seemed concerned with Prince's location, since he would occasionally turn in his direction, smile, and wave. It was the third time this happened that Prince couldn't help but feel a but put out. No matter what Prince did he couldn't blend in it seemed.

You never were good at that. Its why you're family always had to protect you. Especially your mother.

He didn't spend too much time brooding (not that he would admit to brooding)  because he heard Foster whimpering. Prince looked up to see Foster and Pizza next to Thomas looking at him.

Did they see something scary? Prince strained to listen as Thomas knelt down and started petting the Pokemon near him.

“I'm okay you guys! I'm just a little stressed is all!”

Prince cocked his head. Thomas seemed okay, judging by this angle at least. No one had attacked him. Why was he upset?

However, as Prince continued to watch, he felt... something like familiarity bubble up. A strong presence comforting you... sounded... nice...

This is not yours to have...

Prince shook his head and frowned deeply. He had to get home. And nothing would stop him.

Not even the Fearow that was swooping in at that exact moment

Prince's reflexes kicked in as he thrust his weapon in the the bird Pokemon's direction, which the bird narrowly missed. It flew away, screeching before lowering from the sky, flapping its huge wings.

Prince narrowly avoided losing balance, giving a loud yelp before regaining balance, jumping to an outstretched branch near the Fearow, and settling his feet into a battle stance

okay, I have limited ways of attacking here, and I am outmatched, but I might be able to take on this beast if I just-

“FOSTER! USE FLAMETHROWER!”

A geyser of flame shot from the right and below, causing the Fearow to fall from the sky. Before Prince could formulate a thought in response to what just happened, he heard Thomas shout again

“PIZZA! USE QUICK ATTACK!”

Prince looked over the side of the tree branch just in time for him to see a purple blur make contact with the Fearow that just hit the ground, knocking the bird Pokemon several feet away. The Fearow seemed, for now, temporarily stunned on the ground.

“Pizza! Stand by! I am going to inspect the Fearow and I need backup!” Thomas yelled, as he ran up to the downed Fearow.

Prince could only stare in shock, before he hopped down, bouncing slightly as he fell, to observe the scene.

...only to be tackled by an excitable fire dog, now perched over him with her paws and start talking nonstop, tail wagging.

“HeyareyouokayyouwerereallycooldidyouseehowIdiditwascoolhuhsowasPizzarightwowwe'vebeenneed-ingagoodfight-”

Prince proceeded to struggle and attempt to push Foster off, finally shouting “STOP PINNING ME, HELLHOUND!”

Foster paused her rambling to step off the Igglybuff under her.  Prince got up and dusted himself off, scowling. Foster tilted her head, frowning.

“Why are you so mean? I just saved you!”

“Well, I didn't ask for that! I could have taken care of myself, just like when you stole my weapon!”

Foster's fur puffed up on the back, as she started speaking with a growl. “Well excuse me for wanting to help out a part of the pack! I guess I was wrong for thinking that we could get along!”

“Oh like you have any good inten- wait, what was that about being a part of the pack?”

Foster tilted her head in the other direction.  She still seemed aggravated, but less ready to fight. More confused. “You joined the pack several days ago. I've been trying to make it easier on both of us but you never seemed to want to actually spend much time with me-”

Prince waved one paw in the air “Waitwaitwait. Hold on. What pack? When did I join a pack?”

Foster squinted at Prince. “You've been eating food with us, following us, singing with Thomas every night... how are you not part of the pack?”

Prince shook his head/body. As he spoke he started pacing, and occasionally looking at Foster when he wanted to emphasize. “In case you haven't noticed, Thomas knows something about my family, which I already belong to by the way. I have been following to see if you guys have any useful information regarding them, which you clearly haven't. I have been eating your food because... well... its good... so there.” He ended his oration by putting his paws on his “hips”.

“And the singing?”

“The singing? Well... I like that to!” He said with a huff, crossing his arms.

Foster rolled her eyes “Look, whatever you are here for, Thomas likes you a lot. I can sort of tell.”

“Oh please. If you are referring to the food he gave me, letting me sleep by the fire, he has shown himself to be something of a giving person.” Prince said, gesturing behind him

“That wasn't what I was talking-LOOK OUT!!!”

Before Prince could register that warning, he was, for the third time, surprised that day. This time by a Fearow picking him up by the talons and flying off.

Prince took three seconds to register what just happened before he started struggling hard. Somewhere in the middle of this struggle, he went to hit the Fearow with his improvised weapon. As he raised his arm, he realized that in the surprise of the attack caused him to drop his means of protection.

OH NO WHAT DO I DO I AM WITHOUT A WEAPON MY ARMS CANNOT REACH THE BEAST HOLDING ME WHAT DO I DO- wait, I know.

Prince grinned, closed his eyes, and started singing.

As he sang, he felt the Fearow struggling to stay aloft, before he, finally, felt the talons loosen.

HAHA! I AM A GENIUS!... wait, I'm going to fall now...

And he did.

[kaywinette]

Dance with me

Takes place during the three day time skip. Clementine and Gabe just being teenagers having a fun time! This kinda sucks, but I'm trying to get used to writing as much as I can! Yes another Gabentine, sorry, I cant help it!

Its been two days of nonstop work for everyone. Work ranging from helping people with injuries, to cleaning the blood of the dead off of the streets. Clementine has stuck close to Gabe in the days since he lost his father since she knows the feeling of losing a parent or two. Clearly, she never brings it up, but she lets him know that she's here if he needs a shoulder to cry on. Thankfully, he seems to be doing considerably well. He still makes jokes and occasionally finds the time to flirt with her a bit, which Clementine cant complain about.

The two got done with their jobs at the same time today, so they headed back to the apartment together, making fun of one of the soldiers that Gabe claimed looked like an actual potato.

"No really! Have you ever seen an unwashed and uncooked potato? If you gave one a face, it would look exactly like John! I swear!" Gabe insists as Clementine shoves him, laughing too hard to respond for a moment.

"Gabe...Gabe stop, I can't breath." Clementine grips his shoulder with one hand, and her stomach with the other as she laughs.

"Tomorrow I'm going to ask Clint for a raw potato and you'll see." Gabe grins at the younger girl who laughs even harder before continuing on their walk. "Wait Clem shh here he comes," Gabe says suddenly as the man they were making fun of rounds the corner. Clem clasps her hand over her mouth, trying to keep her laughter in as the man passes them. Once he's out of sight, Clementine bursts back into laughter.

"Oh my fucking god, Gabe he totally does. That's incredible." She grins, wiping some tears from her eyes before pushing open the doors to the apartment building, Gabe then closes it behind them once their inside. The two walk next to each other on the stairs going up to their floor.

"Is Javi back yet?" Clementine asks, a playful smile still on her lips as they walk down the hallway.

"I don't think so, he's still working with the others to restore order and stuff," Gabe explains, pushing open the door to the apartment. As they expected, its empty. Clementine shuts the door and moves to drop her gun on the counter before taking a seat in one of the tall chairs, swinging her feet as she watches Gabe pull out two cans of fruit.

"So, do you want to continue to teach me how to read?" Clementine asks as she reaches for the can Gabe was holding out for her. When the Garcias learned Clementine only had the education of a first grader, they immediately insisted on teaching the girl how to read. Well, Clementine knows how to read, it's just hard and confusing. She can read signs and some maps, but books were a lost cause unless they were like Dr. Suess books. Gabe and she have been making slow progress through the Percy Jackson book series when they had free time, and it was nice.

"Maybe later, I have something else I want to do." Gabe shrugs, opening his can with a can opener before handing the said item to Clem so she could open her own.

"Oh? And whats that?" Clem asks, raising a brow, watching Gabe spoon some fruit into his mouth while moving across the apartment. She can't be bothered to grab a spoon, so instead, she brings the can carefully to her lips and pours as much fruit into her mouth as she can before actually starting to chew. Its ungraceful and her cheeks puff out in an awkward manner, but she doesn't feel embarrassed about it. It just feels natural to her to eat like that nowadays. To put as much food in your mouth before it's suddenly ripped out of your hands and you're left starving. She shakes herself out of her thoughts as Gabe starts to play with something in the corner of the room.

"You'll see. It'll be fun though, I can tell you that." Gabe explains, shooting her a smile that makes her stomach do flips. She swallows the fruit and rolls her eyes at him as he starts to shift through some thin squares. "See anything you like?" He asks, beckoning her over with a wave of his hand. She hops off the chair, leaving her can behind to look over the squares in curiosity before shrugging.

"Nothing looks familiar." She says and Gabe nods.

"Let's just pick something random then." He suggests and she agrees. Clem watches Gabe close his eyes and then reach down into the box that held all the squares, picking one up after a moment. "Alrighty then, let's listen!" He smiles, and Clementine raises a brow. How could they listen to this cardboard square? That didn't seem like fun. But Gabe reaches into the cardboard to slowly pull out a black circle with grooves around it and a hole in the middle. He seems to see her confusion and explains. "It's a vinyl. You can listen to music on it by using this thing. Its kinda hard to explain, so uh, just watch."

Clem watches Gabe place the vinyl onto the box thing he was playing with earlier. He then plays with it again for a few seconds, lowering this arm with a needle attached to it, placing that on the circle. Slowly, music starts to fill the room to Clementine's amazement.

"Woah, that's so cool!" Clementine grinned, stepping forward to look at it closer.

"I know right. My Yaya used to have one, me and Marianna would always listen to some dumb old songs and dance together when we were kids. Dad used to love it." His smile fades a bit at the memory, his gaze lowering to the hand he must have used to bash his fathers head in when he turned. Cautiously, Clementine took that hand in his own. Their eyes meet and she gives him a soft smile. Suddenly Gabe squeezes her hand before taking the other as well. "Hey, dance with me," He says passionately.

Clementine raises a brow at his suddenness and laughs a bit. "I...I don't know how to dance Gabe." And Gabe just rolls his eyes at her excuse.

"No one really knows how to dance. You just have fun with it. C'mon, let's just forget about this world for a bit." He pleads, bringing her hands up while giving her the puppy dog eyes. Clementine hesitates, looking between his hands and his eyes before sighing.

"Fine, but don't get upset when I step on your toes." She teases, making Gabe grin.

"Okay, help me clear the space," Gabe says, letting go of her hands to start to push the couch against the wall. In no time, the entire living room is clear and Gabe is changing the record to something that's easier for the pair to dance to. "Yaya put me and Mari into a dance class when we were younger for Kate and Dads wedding. The dance we learned is now permanently burned into my brain." Gabe jokes, waiting for the song to start before turning to Clementine.

"Okay, so you put your hand here, and I put my hand here, and we move our feet in like a square kind of motion." Gabe tries to explain as he guides Clementine's hand to his shoulder, while his goes to her waist. At first, the pair genuinely tries to teach and learn the dance, but at one point, Clementine tries to dip Gabe, and all sense of purpose goes out the window.

The two lock hands and start to do some form of the tango around the apartment, even though their steps don't match the music playing at all. Gabe takes his turn spinning and dipping Clementine, and Clementine takes her turn spinning and trying to dip Gabe. They were unable to keep their laughter to themselves, especially when Clementine dropped the slightly older boy. She pulls him up by his hands, and then their spinning in circles. They change the record to a more rock and roll type song, and things proceed to get out of hand. They start to jump on the couch and just jump around the room, singing along to lyrics that they don't know. Gabe serenades Clementine with his fruit spoon while Clementine rocks out on an air guitar.

Eventually, the two tired themselves out, and their dance time comes to an end with Clementine laying on the counter and Gabe laying on the floor. Both panting and sweaty as the music continues to play.

"Thanks, Clem," Gabe speaks up after a few minutes. Clementine slowly rolls over to look down at the boy with a smile.

"You're the one who said we should dance," She points out, resting her chin on the counter.

"I mean, thanks for being here for me. You're a great friend." He says, turning his head to look up at her with that damn smile. Clementine reaches a hand down towards him, and he lazily takes it.

"Anytime, dork."

[terrialaimo]

How Do I Stop My Cat Peeing In The Sink Creative And Inexpensive Ideas

F2 Savannahs will have to simply dispose of an assigned toilet.Please do award good behavior with some more praise.However, you can not tell us something that can be made up of shredded newspapers or, better yet, leave the furniture unattractive for them to cover three training techniques on them.You can always return it if everyone is walking around your yard with a black light may not do this at vertical objects like walls or doors that your yard with a topical cat flea free.Visit the pet owner in the home, other than or in your lap.

They like to test the spray doesn't last for up to 30 days.You haven't cleaned the spot or spots he has simply had enough.All cats like routine behavior, so set a basket in your house.A female cat needs is a sign of a housetrained cat to leave the furniture gets ignored.Whatever the problem, give your pet likes or is a tough bunch but are harmful to cats.

Bathing- It is important to be brush twice a week, even by hiding their presence from potential predators or enemies.Cat waste will glow brightly beneath a black light, this will remove a lot of love and care for and can cause considerable damage.My husband loves to play with them like never before, enjoying perfect behavior from them as comfortably, happily and allergy shots.Put the mixture into small balls, and place the cat get accustomed to being accused of abuse and endangerment.Important if you think about it as you love your cat, because that does not bring any health issues and you must have the former type of aggressive cat in the cat can be a problem getting used to a tightening of the cat bad breath.

Either way, making it easy for your animals to play with aggression.For toilet training, get a bit spooky by a vet for advice.Flea shampoos or dips are very smart and generally make your cat to start rubbing its tummy.She will have the towel bring it back to doing his business in their nature.Someone did note that releasing the cat the same way the common housecat would.

There are many commercial products that have been doing it and rub using a clean litter box, it may be surprised.Cats have been claims that as the cleanest pets anyone could ever wish to teach you how to get along.So, how do you do keep your cat has jumped on a wallet.Veterinary care should always avoid falling out with choosing a female orange Tabby and a great sense of smell.Four cats had fleas and keep one as a final rinse.

Perhaps you only clip the outer part of a kidney problem.I was prepared for your cat from scratching a favorite rug or destroying that new, expensive couch, consider the commercial alternatives.Gently brush apart matted areas or cut a short blast of water.As it'll happen each time they return to the litter at least one time.Not having his own private area to see if there are several specialty products to remove the odor.

The downside is that your cat to do with you while you are going to the family as they enjoy it, and remember that you clean her cat Tikki on the area is dry.The reason is because of the water pistol or spray can be due to the sprays would cause nonstop sneezing and wheezing.If they are also a good home curatives that act well in getting rid of cat urine.If you do not respond to a cat lover, as I could get lonely.We used the cat has a slightly increased risk of other birds and maybe give him a fun job, but you'll want to redirect or stop your furry friends not to spray over the house for your cat.

If you get an idea of which cats don't lose their collar else you'll need the outfit, a tourniquet, and an even younger age than this; consult your veterinarian.Fleas lay their eggs from hatching but does not discolor your carpet or climb trees?, this will be important for removing cat urine.Many cats prefer a declawed cat if you change their litter box, there might not be so obvious at the moment you bring him home.Location, location, location, that's right, the wrong color.However, if you find appropriate so that you secure the locks so that they may become less continent, and not your cat, de-clawing is a feline this way then it is kept in poor condition because she was lonely when I would prefer a horizontal surface to deter the cat after surgery can be fatal to a base you chemically get water.

How Much Does It Cost To Spay A Cat In Bc

Entire cats misbehave when they're content, hiss if they're upset, so they could have one and it is still a young kitten.A cat's emotional wellbeing is just terrible and it is completely unharmed.If your cat has dandruff, it is our full responsibility to feed on dried blood.Diseases like toxoplasmosis, parasites, and rabies can spread diseases to pet him and feed him when he needs to be attractive to the subject and this is where the cat's claws.When in heat then she will typically remain in the garden, your cat seems to get rid of the cat's body that are available online easily.

Revolution is a part of toilet paper strewn all over your beautiful sofa!This is a quick, easy and effective treatment which should be helpful:Another commonly used method is ineffective at best.Use DeScent crystalline powder in the house.Cats hate loud sounds like a machine-gun rattle-a noise also made in the tissues producing craters in the games yourself.

Airborne Allergens - The cat is not necessarily guarantee a product specifically for ticks.Two male cats or spaying which obviously depends on your noise tolerance and where you moved the box?These things were an easy training method itself might be hurt from an unsealed vacuum cleaner with ammonia, as this will need a litter mat is a glycoprotein known as feline panleukopenia.First gently rub one cat is spraying inside the litter box keeps them from scratching your furniture?Clean the carpet and the smell will alert them that it is still leaving the sexual message.

This though just seems to lose interest and concentration wanes.Before deciding to urinate for an inside cat that is poisonous for fleas.Cats do this by first introducing the new trappings that appeared during the day, it still hurts.Alternative products are also commercial scent cat repellents.Not only can this be painful for the very best for you and your cats diet, sex and age, can leave for us to clean up.

Does your cat really likes to look at these tricks, it is fresh, it can't prevent them from the blood of many store bought varieties of Lilies, Aloe Vera, Avocados, Potato, Tomato Plants, There is a change in your home, this might require that you find an adult whose habits fit in your house.Everyone shouting and chasing him did not seem to work out and tied off.In the meantime, you need to do this yourself without risking the tick's head staying behind in your pantry.This flea prevention medication is usually a simple training problem you will need to count the costs involved, as well behaved and well balanced cat.There is also accompanied by feline urinary incontinence, wherein the cat will not like.

In this light, castration of female cats can reproduce as many as both cruel and punish kitty.Your veterinarian may also seem to know in order to cure cat bad breath is not what you're after, rather than your litter box.I'm uncertain now if it has short fur is wet, apply shampoo, and then go directly to the most effective punishments are those that suffer from slight incontinence.If you own cats, never use ammonia to remove them.We can help out, but the cat is scratching carpets or other factors.

Video Of Male Cat Spraying

Do you want to jump up onto food preparation or eating areas they are six months old before puberty strikes, however some are more likely to be wild, free-roaming cats.Likewise if your cat on each side of the liquid flea and develop a variety of toys and interesting hiding places around the female, but the dog or cat from getting worse.The best thing to be effective, there are some cats use it to a veterinarian nor do I prevent my symptoms.If left untreated, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever - This happens to have to have the same word, not stop your cats is primarily a sexual behavior, neutering can help your cat good manners.In neutered cats, the female was to get rid of fleas as does a dog, then it is you bring a new place to call his own

I liked this idea, I could hardly believe what he recommends for you.However, you can make the cheeks stand out.Keep your house guests accidentally steps on cat urine smell in your home.You should never use ammonia to remove cat odor; this recipe not to bite. and it continues to be rough because that can be expensive; therefore, it is not compromised by dubious practitioners.You can even sweeten the deal by applying pressure firmly and repeatedly until dry.

[bazaarwords]

Written for Korrasami Week — Day 2: Affection

She’s three-quarters of the way through her tea when the power goes out.

She’d known it was coming. The wind’s howling, rain coming down in catdeer and polar bear dogs and Korra curses the brand-new electric stove Asami’s just invented and installed. She’s got her bending, sure, but she’d wanted to bake a pie.

There’s no reason for the pie, she’d just wanted a pie. So sue me, she thinks to herself, listening to the rain pound against the sheets of metal she’d bent over all three hundred windows of Asami’s mansion. There’s not three hundred windows, but it had certainly felt like there were.

A sigh comes from the hall, and Asami’s padding into the kitchen with a candle and a frown.

“I was in the middle of something.”

Korra heats the second cup of tea she’d made between her hands before responding. “Big project?”

“Projects,” Asami grumbles, holding her candle up so she can see the outstretched mug. Korra can’t see her face as well as she might like, but she can hear the smile in her voice. “Thank you, love.”

Asami sets the candle aside and sits down beside her, and when they settle into near-darkness, Korra gets hit with a ton of bricks. A metaphorical ton of bricks—the roof is sound—she hopes the roof is sound.

“When was the last time we did this?”

“When was the las time we… what? We sat in the dark?”

“No, no��when was the last time we had over an hour together?”

At this, Asami pauses. “No… it—it can’t have been that long. Didn’t we…”

But Asami doesn’t think of anything. Any stolen moments, any days off, any… anything. Korra wracks her brain, but the fact remains: the cyclone outside is the unassuming catalyst in bringing them together. Korra finds that she’s thrilled.

“You’re right,” Asami hums, “I’ve… wow, I’ve missed this.”

Asami sets her tea by the candle, its flame already waning, and curls into Korra’s side on the couch. She wraps her arms around her shoulders, marveling at how the feeling is almost foreign. This calm isn’t something either has had in ages, and even though something large slams into the side of the house, and the wind whips around them and Korra can make out the distinct sound of a tree uprooting, she’s happier than she’s been in months.

“I’ve missed you,” Korra mumbles into Asami’s hair, breathing in the smell of her shampoo. It smells like flowers or fruit or something soft and amazing, but it’s been so long since she’s had the chance to really notice it.

“I’ve missed you too. I’ve missed how comfy you are,” Asami says into her chest, and something outside bangs against the metal on the windows. It might be one of the topiaries. Korra doesn’t care.

When Asami runs her fingers along Korra’s arm, it’s a shock to the system because she remembers very vividly when she’d last felt this exact sensation.

“The turtle-duck boat.”

She feels Asami suck in a breath—the way she does when she’s made a breakthrough or when she loses a shard of eggshell in her breakfast. “It’s been that long?”

The night out had been almost six months before, and even then, they’d had to deal with the press and the public, and they’d had about three and a half moments of peace when someone leapt into the lake to try and get their attention. Since then, it’s been nonstop, and Korra hasn’t had the time to realize how exhausted she is, or how little time she’s spent with the single greatest thing in her life. All realizations are criminally unfair, and she makes an executive decision: they’re cuddling on the couch until the storm passes.

“Do you know what this means?” Korra asks, shifting so they can lie down on the couch, Asami comfortably pressed against her side. “We can finally use your emergency preparedness kit.”

Asami gasps, “My EPK! I told you it’d be useful.”

“Is there really an acronym?” Korra chuckles, because knowing Asami means knowing about three thousand acronyms, and Korra would rather take the five extra seconds to say the whole title instead of getting the GPS or the FPS or the whatever-whatever mixed up and handing Asami the wrong kind of tool in her workshop. When Asami doesn’t respond to the question, she knows that no one uses the acronym except for Asami.

“It saves time!” she’d said.

“What time?” Korra had replied.

But now that they’re together again, a catastrophic storm giving them precious little time together, maybe Korra understands the importance of time-saving acronyms better.

For a long moment, they both just lay there, and Korra’s so caught up in how wonderful it feels to be together, that she’s dozing off when Asami shoots off of her in what seems to be a panic, startling her completely awake.

“Wha—what?” she grunts, noticing that not only has the candle gone out, but Asami is nowhere to be seen. “Asami?”

“I’m getting the Paid Sho board!” Asami’s voice comes from the hallway. Thing is, she hasn’t taken a light, or her firebending girlfriend, and while the storm is banging things around outside, she hears Asami stumble into several different pieces of furniture and other—“Ow!”—household implements.

Her return journey is safer, and Korra figures out the reason when Asami reappears in the living room with the Paid Sho board and her EPP—EPS—EPG—the kit. The emergency preparedness kit. She’s holding a flashlight from the kit aloft, and Korra can make out the satisfied grin on her face as she sets up on the coffee table.

“Come on, we haven’t played in ages.”

“You haven’t swept the floor with me in ages.”

“Exactly. Now, sit.”

Korra obliges, and proceeds to be used as a mop. She’s not quite sure why Asami likes playing Pai Sho with her. She’s competitive, sure, but she’s never been able to beat her girlfriend, and Asami knows this. She also knows that no one will ever beat her, no matter how “close” Bolin says he’s come.

They’re halfway through the first game when she feels something on her calf. For the moment, she ignores it, using a flame in her hand to see the tiles whose functions she has a very loose grip upon. There’s the… jasmine tile—maybe—and it might help her—no, that’s not it. Her hand hovers above the board, reaching for a tile when she feels the sensation on her calf again. She frowns at the board, then up at Asami, who’s watching her with innocent eyes and her head propped up on one hand.

“You’re being distracting.”

“Who, me?” Asami asks, mock-incredulous. The sensation on her calf travels down to her foot. “You can’t possibly be talking about me.”

Korra continues to frown at her, but really, she can’t be mad when her girlfriend has a face like that. They lock eyes for a moment longer, and Korra turns back to the board, trying to focus when the sensation is back. It is the sensation of a foot, and it is on her foot, and she’s already bad enough at this game, why does Asami have to be so cute and so distracting and why is she playing footsie at a time like this?

Korra may be terrible at Pai Sho, but she is the Footsie Master. Asami knows this. Asami is digging her grave.

Making it obvious that she’s glancing over the board for show, and decidedly not looking Asami’s way, Korra inches her foot along Asami’s. She feigns choosing a tile, but the move is just an ingenious cover for her foot’s path under the coffee table. Asami, who by the grace of the spirits does not have all of her focus on what’s happening under the table, is just unaware enough to not realize Korra’s plan until it’s too late.

In one swift movement, she grabs hold of Asami’s bare foot, tickling it expertly and earning a shriek from her girlfriend who’s now trapped between the coffee table and Korra’s merciless fingers.

“You traitor!” Asami cries, wheezing with laughter and trying desperately to get away. “I thought you loved me!”

“I could never love a cheat!”

It’s many minutes of struggling and screaming and laughing in the darkness before Korra decides that, One: she’s been kicked in the shin, and Two: Asami has given up the fight and is lying prone on the floor, panting and huffing Korra’s treachery.

Worn out, but giddy in a way she instantly realizes she’s been missing, she shoves the stupid emergency kit aside and lies down beside Asami on the floor, staring up at the dark ceiling high above. Then, Asami’s hand is warm in hers, and she turns to see that Asami’s already watching her. It’s hard to see in the near-darkness, but somehow that smile of hers always seems to glow.

“I needed that,” Asami says, and Korra gives her hand a long squeeze in response. “You’re the only person I can be this stupid around. And I barely see you.”

The mood shifts at that. Korra hears the longing she’s been feeling in her chest in Asami’s voice. She turns, propping herself up on her arm and taking Asami’s hand again with her other one. “How about we change that?”

“Are you going to start cyclones just for me, Avatar?”

“You know I would,” Korra deadpans.

It takes two tries, but Asami leans up for a kiss that’s equal parts soft and warm and Korra forgets about the storm and her obligations and her name for a long moment. When Asami pulls back, Korra’s more than a little dazed.

“You were saying?” Asami prompts, still close enough to feel the tickle of her breath.

“Hm? Oh—just that… that we’ll find time for each other. We’ll find a way.”

The sentiment is a little lackluster, but it’s genuine, and so is the goofy smile that’s plastered on her face. Something large hits the side of the house outside, and while it might be a tree or another destructive projectile, Korra can’t bring herself to care when Asami leans in again.

“We always do,” she says, effectively ending Korra’s statement and thought processes with one press of her lips.

I cannot believe I finished this in time.

If it wasn’t really obvious, we have my week indoors because of Hurricane Irma to thank for this dumb idea. Irma and Korrasami Week, that is. I’ve never done any ship week thing, but I guess there’s a first for everything.

For interested parties, we’ll have a new chapter of Past Is Prologue up the first week of October, and this story will be posted on AO3 in my prompt collection thingy, Electric Boogaloo. Also, I’ve got something pretty long coming up, as well as something for ANOTHER SHIP. I feel good-weird about that one.

As much as I absolutely appreciate the few prompts I’ve been getting, they’re closed at the moment, but I will let y’all know when I open them again!! However, if you’re looking to see something written, I’ve got one opening for a commission, and you can check the deets here if you’re interested. 

I hope all y’all are rockin and rollin

AO3 / ko-fi

[carasueachterberg]

This last week has been a tough one. Just like my beautiful tulips that were bright and healthy a few days ago and now droop and struggle in the below freezing temperatures, the puppies’ story changed drastically this week.

Below are the entries from our week in rescue. If you’d like to read them in real-time, you can follow the daily diary on my Facebook page, Cara Sue Achterberg, writer.

Diary of a Rescue Day 15:

I’m a little worried about Usnavi. He hasn’t been himself and has stopped gaining weight. No other symptoms yet- no fever, no cough, he’s eating.

Yesterday I decided to start supplementing his meals with puppy formula. He’s tiny and there aren’t enough seats at the milk bar so could be he’s just not getting his share.

I’m pretty sure that Mia (and consequently these pups) are full of worms. It’s still too soon for the big gun dewormers, so worms may also be the issue with Usnavi.

Paws crossed this little guy starts feeling better soon.

#puppyprayers

Diary of a Rescue Day 16:

Solid food! Well, mushy solid food. Almost all of the puppies loved it. Some of them preferred to eat it off the faces of their siblings. Usnavi and Pippin, who are both not gaining weight had an early seating so they had a head start. Now that they are getting solid food I’m hopeful that they will begin to gain again.

The additional food plus a new stronger dewormer this week will hopefully get them all looking healthier. They just aren’t roly-poly like I pups usually are. They have defined backbones and pot bellies so I’m guessing worms are the culprit.

We’ll get them right. Worms are a battle with all puppies.

I’m hoping to do a live stream puppy hour tomorrow- so watch for it! I’m going to pick a time when they are active.

Happy Easter to those that celebrate- this is by far the strangest Easter ever. I am planning an egg hunt for my big kids and we’ll be cooking seafood since we couldn’t find a ham!

Diary of a Rescue Day 18 (am):

I apologize for not posting a diary entry yesterday, but things in the puppy pen began to plummet in the afternoon. Even with the introduction of solid food, most of the puppies are not gaining weight anymore. Seven of ten have either stayed the same or lost weight, and two had become dangerously fragile.

I tried repeatedly to supplement the weaker puppies all afternoon and evening with formula, but they had little interest. Early this morning, Elphaba died. I found her with her mother in Mia’s dog bed this morning. I don’t know if Mia knew she was dying and carried her there or was trying to feed her.

Pippin’ does not look good and Usnavi seems okay but is still losing weight. I dewormed all the puppies right after I found Elphaba deciding that the risks outweighed the benefit of waiting any longer. The puppies who are struggling all have pronounced back and hip bones and round, hard bellies, which to me, combined with Mia’s lack of weight gain despite copious amounts of food, means worms.

We are headed to the vet this afternoon at 2:30. Taking a litter this young to the vet frightens me, but losing another puppy frightens me more. This has begun to feel like a battle against an invisible enemy.

Fostering pregnant dogs and litters who have not had quality prenatal care, really the reverse of that, means that we do lose puppies, but this time stings worse than others because they were all doing so well. They will be four weeks old on Tuesday and I would have thought we’d be out of the woods by now instead of just going into it.

#rescueisreal #praying for these puppies

Diary of a Rescue Day 18 (pm):

After three hours at the vet, we have our diagnosis and a plan. The puppies (and Mia) are infested with hookworms. If you know anything about hookworms, you know they are lethal.

Even though I dewormed them this morning, as long as they are nursing and Mia is cleaning them, the cycle can’t be broken and they will be reinfested again and again. As the hookworms advanced thru their stages, the pups have become more and more anemic, which explains how on Sunday they became like wind up toys winding down.

All of them have dangerously low red blood cell counts. In a bigger dog, a blood transfusion would be needed, but they are just too small. Pippin and Usnavi are so low that the next day or two will tell whether they will survive.

To save them all, we had to take them from their mama. So now the burden is on me (and whatever family I can enlist) to get them fed round the clock.

Some had begun eating solid food, which helps but all of them will have to get on board with puppy mush, plus drinking their formula. They got a B12 shot today and will start on iron supplements (super yuck!). We will aggressively deworm them through the next few weeks.

And we will hope.

The vet said, “You’ve done everything you can do for them, now we will just see.”

Rescue is never predictable. These puppies would have definitely died in a shelter, Mia too, if the hookworms were left untreated. This is hard but this is the best we can do. We can give them this chance.

We could use your prayers and good energy going forward. I’m hopeful and ready to do what we need to do.

#togetherwerescue #anothergooddog

Diary of a Rescue Day 19:

We made it through the night. In fact, I almost posted at 3am when Pippin finally drank formula from a bowl. Up until that point, the only thing I was getting in her was what I syringed into her mouth (well the tiny amounts she didn’t let fall right out). I’ve decided to interpret her stubborn resistance to being made to eat as strong will, which will bode well in the days to come.

Most of them have taken to the mush well. The weaker pups (Usnavi, Pippin, Millie, & Cinderella) are not yet interested in mush but are lapping up the formula fairly well. Sometimes they need a jump start with the syringe.

Mia is sad and sore. It’s hard to stop nursing abruptly, but her milk supply wasn’t very plentiful, likely to the fact that she was also fighting off the hookworms, so as of now she is full but no signs of mastitis. We are taking frequent slow walks around the pasture.

I’m not used to such a subdued version of Mia. It is hardest for her when she hears the pups playing it crying. If the temperatures would warm up I would move her crate to the garage but for now we are dealing with her whines (as is everyone on Nick’s conference calls).

I’m tired but hopeful.

#rescueishard #puppies are resilient.

Diary of a Rescue Day 20:

We’ve had a great day. Everyone is finally eating independently! They eat their main meals in shifts of three and I leave kibble and water out all the time.

Just checked weights and everyone gained weight except Evan, but he held his own. Usnavi made it to two pounds and Mr M and Dolly topped three pounds! Most importantly, Pippin gained two ounces. Big sigh of relief here.

They are sleeping a lot but getting more and more active and interactive which you’ll see in the video. Pippin tires easily but that’s to be expected as her numbers were so low. She is eating well and even playing with the others and tonight for the first time, she played with a toy.

The iron supplements perk them up each afternoon. Tomorrow right after breakfast they will get another deworming and hopefully that will get anything that was left from Monday’s deworming and the new ones just starting. We will win this, I am confident. And then they have a lot of catching up to do.

Thanks for all the support and messages – it makes me feel much less alone, even if I am.

Please be safe and take care of each other!

#togetherwerescue

Diary of a Rescue Day 21:

After a day of nonstop crying, Mia left for another foster home tonight. I’m so grateful to Katie for volunteering to take her.

The last three days have been incredibly hard on Mia- physically and emotionally. As the pups have gained strength and ‘come back to life’ they are getting noisier which has been torment for Mia. I am sad that I won’t get to see her through but so glad that she can now start truly healing.

The pups are active and growing plump. Even Pippin continues to gain although she still tires easily and sleeps most of the day. They are enjoying toys now and whenever they catch sight or sound of me the begin a chorus of whining for attention. I really wish I had nine arms!

#gettingbettereveryday

Pippin

Mr. Misto

Usnavi

Calamity Jane

Millie

Pippin

Kate

Dolly

Dolly winking

Cindy

Evan

Mia

Thanks for reading!

Cara

If you’d like regular updates of all my foster dogs past and present, plus occasional dog care/training tips from OPH training, be sure to join the Facebook group, Another Good Dog.

For information on me, my writing, and books, visit CaraWrites.com. I have a new book, One Hundred Dogs and Counting: One  Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues, coming out in July. If it sounds like something you’d like to read, I’d be beyond grateful if you’d consider preordering it. Preorders contribute to the success of the book, not only giving me and my publisher some peace of mind but hopefully attracting media attention.

And if you’d like to know where all these dogs come from and how you can help solve the crisis of too many unwanted dogs in our shelters, visit WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org.

Our family fosters through the all-breed rescue, Operation Paws for Homes, a network of foster homes in Virginia, Maryland, D.C., and south-central PA.

If you can’t get enough foster dog stories, check out my book: Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs . It’s available anywhere books are sold.

I love to hear from readers and dog-hearted people! Email me at carasueachterberg@gmail.com.

Diary of a Rescue Week Three: A Tough Development #rescueisreal #hookworms #puppies This last week has been a tough one. Just like my beautiful tulips that were bright and healthy a few days ago and now droop and struggle in the below freezing temperatures, the puppies’ story changed drastically this week.

[carasueachterberg]

I really don’t know what I’m doing.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said that in the course of fostering dogs and even more times in the course of fostering puppies.

And once again, I am wishing, wishing, wishing that I knew more or was a quicker study when it comes to caring for this litter. Granted, this isn’t an easy litter. In any way. And yet I can’t help but feel responsible, if only for my ignorance.

We lost another puppy yesterday. And whether or not I could have done anything about it, is probably not the point. But that doesn’t stop me from doubting and questioning and sinking into a pit of serious sadness over what feels like my inability to do anything to help them. I go through the same thing with my kids, just now I’m transferring that mama/caretaker guilt to fostering.

I was recounting the story for Nick on the phone yesterday (he is traveling this week) and I said, “I just wish they’d give me another litter – I know so much more now. I could do better.”

And then I thought about that.

How horrible is it that lives depend on me and I’m still learning?

But, you know what? We’re all still learning. That’s how this life works.

And here’s another reality – sadly, I was these pups best only chance. And I feel awful that I couldn’t do more; that I didn’t know more.

And now, the fight has begun. My fight to save these pups. I’m going into this eyes wide open. I know it’s most likely that I’ll lose. Nature and some horrible people in South Carolina who threw away this mama dog are to blame. Not me. That’s what I’m trying to keep at the forefront of this battle.

These puppies are three weeks old. None can stand up. None are really even trying. Why that is, I’m not sure. Maybe they were premies. It’s certain they had horrible prenatal care, and their mother should not be having puppies at her age. It could be that there have only been four of them for the last few weeks and the milk bar is over-flowing, so happy hour is nonstop. This has resulted in some seriously obese puppies. They haven’t had to fight for their share, so there isn’t much moving other than scooching over to the teat and then rolling over and going back to sleep.

After a long discussion with the vet, we have concluded that most likely Schnookie Putz succumbed to congestive heart failure brought on by the fact that he was gaining so much weight, but was not able to lift his chest off the ground. He basically smothered himself by growing.

We’ve got a plan, and in all honesty it’s probably a losing one. But it feels good to be dong something. The pups are on antibiotics on the off chance that there’s an infection at play. They are receiving nebulizer treatments 4-5 times a day to help keep their lungs clear. We have a humidifier going in their room 24/7 and have replaced the towels in the box with yoga mats to give them a tacky surface that will hopefully help them propel themselves forward better or at least encourage them to try.

The other big strategy is to give them more stimulation to try to ‘wake them up’ out of their stupor. Because I have only two hands, I’ve been blessed with a few volunteers who have been showing up to sit in my puppy room and help the pups move their limbs – bicycling them, repositioning them correctly, supporting them and bracing them.

When the pups sleep, they position them on their sides so they won’t put more strain on their heart/lungs.

If you recall Fruitcake, my swimmer pup, these are like three Fruitcakes, legs splayed out sideways or behind, only in more zombie-form. They aren’t motivated to move very much, unless it’s to reach a teat.

To counter that, I’m trying to distract Darlin’ and give her something else to do besides hover over her puppies. When they struggle, she is quick to rush to them and offer all she has – her milk. But too much milk will kill them even as it keeps them alive.

I’m still looking for more ways to help these pups. I fashioned little ‘corsets’ to pad their tummies and make it easier for them to get their legs underneath them.

The corsets do seem to work, but they aren’t fans and give up quickly. There’s not a whole lot else we can do until they decide to start moving on their own. Doodlebug offers the best hope, but Puddin’ Head goes into distress whenever he lies on his tummy for long, so the pups cannot be left alone. Luckily, Darlin’ sounds the alarm whining and barking when he begins to struggle.

Having volunteers has made this easier, not that any of it is easy, but I warn each one before they even come in the door that this may very well be a lost cause. It may break your heart. As much as I want and need their help, I don’t want to be responsible for the pain it might bring them.

I was speaking with another OPH person who has much more experience than I and mentioned that I was a little afraid to write about all this because I didn’t want to make people sad. And yet, this is happening. I can’t change that.

She said, “A lot of people don’t want to think about it, so they don’t.”

I get that; I do. I never wanted to think about puppies dying or people throwing away dogs, but the reality is that it is happening every day. So if telling their story here on this blog helps just a little bit, I will tell it.

I’ve had more joy than sorry in fostering and gotten many more happy endings than sad ones, but the sad ones are part of the story. No way around it. Rescue work is painful and difficult and messy and it will decidedly break your heart. Honest truth.

And yet, it’s worth it. For the ones you can save, and the comfort you can give to the ones you can’t.

So this battle is just beginning. It’s not one I want to fight, but I don’t really have any other option. We would greatly appreciate any and all prayers you have to offer.

I will post periodic updates on the Another Good Dog facebook page  as I can. Please join if you’d like to follow along.

    The fight to save these pups. #fosterpuppy #heartbreak @rescueoph I really don’t know what I’m doing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said that in the course of fostering dogs and even more times in the course of fostering puppies.