#parrot Vocal Cues

[dimetrodone]

@ospreyonthemoon they lay their larva on hosts while they are chicks (the more recently hatched the better. Their larva searches out for a soft spot in the host’s exoskeleton, and then uses its mouthparts to burry in and inject its innards put into the host, loosely like how a Sacculina barnacle larva injects its innards inside of crabs.

Some cultures bring the host home and care for it and wait and see if the infection was successful, but most actually wait until the host starts showing early signs of vocal mimicry before retrieving them. Their parental instincts and “cute response” is almost entirely based around vocal cues rather then visual appearance (a toddler learning words or a parrot’s simple repeating of words is much “cuter” to them then a newborn human baby or puppies and kittens).

The singular focus on vocal cues over looks extends to their sexuality as well. A handsome healthy host body alone looks identical to an uninflected animal. Sexual attraction for them is almost exclusively about voice and rhythm, singing and dancing is how they woo one another.

[flock-talk]

About to add Quakers to the list of “bird species that aren’t as popular but should be more often considered from rescues”

These notes come exclusively from Toto as my experience with other Quakers is very minimal:

Pretty chill, totally content spending a whole day just napping with you

Easily entertained by your daily activities, wants to explore your pens and keyboards, isn’t overwhelmingly obsessive about it though. Capable of entertaining themselves.

Quite social, nervy around new people but warms up quickly especially if food is involved

Not particularly territorial esp if you make sure to play games around the cage. Goes for any parrot really.

Toto has a short attention span so training sessions are shorter than you’d expect, steps often need to be made simpler as well. Not the easiest for newbies to train but of course totally doable.

Tons of warning body language (now) they hiss which is the worlds most obvious cue to notice, super easy to avoid getting bit so long as the bird hasn’t been taught it’s body language doesn’t work. Also notable tonal shift when they’re upset

They give you a LOT of little preens! Super delicate and sweet I’ve never had him be rough with preening me

Does just chew toys for the sake of it, doesn’t need every activity to be made in to a group project or forager in order to be interested

Food mongrel to the max, switched from seeds to pellets in a day, has readily tried every new food I’ve ever offered him

Capable of dancing and talking although their words are incomprehensible, it’s still adorable

Not great if you have respiratory issues, pretty dusty

Some vocalizations are immensely loud but they aren’t frequent, he only shouts when startled or if Newt starts screaming first. Lots of talking to himself, poor mimicry, and grumbling though

Only parrot species that builds proper nests !and for social reasons! Not exclusively a breeding behaviour! As long as they aren’t hormonal/ aggressive you can offer them sticks and they might make one! Toto just likes to walk around with sticks and pretend like he knows how to do it.

Other Quaker parrot people feel free to add on to the list/ correct things that are different with your own!

[comfymoth]

does quiin have any other autistic traits other than hyperfixation for example: talking to much,not talking alot,not making eye contact,sensory issues,feeling uncomfortable with hugs and being bad at social cues?

oh yeah! she’s definitely got the sensory issues and trouble with emotional regulation— making conversation isn’t super easy for her either? especially with new people, but even around her friends sometimes she just doesn’t have much to say, so she mostly lets leon drive conversations. she does have echolalia though, so sometimes her and leon will just sit and parrot silly noises or phrases back and forth at each other. i think at least a few of her vocal stims are actually in spanish as a result of that— although she’s usually more likely to stim with her hands.

that’s part of the bonus of wearing like a million bracelets though— million fidget toys :]

[watching-pictures-move]

Movie Review | Civil War (Garland, 2024)

I’d initially written this off based on the dopey trailer, but after hearing some of what goes down in the movie and seeing a large swath of the internet be extremely annoying in their dislike, I figured it was worth a look if it was pissing off these types. I’m gonna talk some shit here, so you can skip down at least a paragraph if you want to read something a little more substantive, but I suspect the reason these people have been so vocal about not liking this is because they were looking to have the movie parrot their views back to them in as didactic a manner as possible. We simply can’t have movies deal with political subjects without spoonfeeding you what to think in as blunt a manner as possible, and it’s simply unacceptable to capture something about a political situation that doesn’t involve spelling out who’s bad or whatever, and quite frankly I think these people would be better off rubbing one out to their copies of whatever political publication they subscribe to.

I also think a lot of these types are just bad at reading movies. I just watched a streaming show that much of the internet seems to be creaming their jeans over (that I actually mostly enjoyed) that balked at presenting anything resembling ambiguity or conflicting emotional effects and proceeded to drown any scene that might be remotely thrilling with an ironic musical cue so you would know what to think. The fact that this doesn’t do that and will present you with something that might actually seem exciting and try to implicate you in the proceedings is probably frazzling some brains. The lazier critiques of this have been saying this is afraid of having ideas or points on the subject, but I do think there’s something interesting here about the journalistic process, and the ethics of getting the shot, and the tension between reporting the facts versus the sympathy or disdain you might have for your subjects. This takes after action-packed wartime journalism movies like Salvador and Under Fire, and I think the latter has probably the best scene out of any of these movies illustrating this idea, where all the reporters watch the city being bombed from the comfort of their hotel rooftop. (I think this is also less neutral than some of its detractors are claiming, and instead playing it like The Battle of Algiers where those we’re sympathetic to can still do unsympathetic things in war.) Anyway, I’ve bitched enough about the takes surrounding this movie, so I’ll instead point to two of the more thoughtful unpackings I’ve read of this movie (1, 2).

And sorry, maybe Alex Garland is a bit of a bozo in how he packages all of this and some of the things he’s said, but this movie is super entertaining. A good chunk of the movie plays like Borat but if all the people had assault rifles and would kill you in an instant. There’s a sense of surrealism here, with images from the last few years remixed after being swirled in the subconscious, peppered with additional, sometimes bizarre details to flesh out the world (the Antifa Massacre, high value Canadian dollars, Portland Maoists , Florida being part of Central America, Texas presumably having gone Blue). Or the scene where they’re caught in sniper fire near some country side attraction turned roadblock, and the soldiers they talk to are being super condescending in answering any questions. One of the highlights of the movie has Jesse Plemons looking like a tactical Elton John but also being super scary, and the movie is, knowingly or otherwise, mining that dissonance for a surreal charge. I won’t spoil how the scene ends, but I laughed out loud, which from me is an endorsement. Maybe I was laughing through a good chunk of this, but that meant I was having a good time.

And the climax fucking rocks, the Western Forces going into DC, their tanks and helicopters mowing down any sorry ass Secret Service bastards they run into (see one of their limos get royally owned when an entire unit opens unloads on it), and eventually having to shoot it out in the White House. You know Garland was watching Black Hawk Down and going “This is so sick” and then awkwardly adding “…but also very serious” when his sourpuss viewing partner caught his reaction. It honestly feels videogamey to me, both the shooting game gunplay at ground level and the RTS-style overhead pans. The budget here (high for its studio but low for blockbusters) means that there’s a good amount of CGI assistance, but when it’s in the service of cool helicopter shit, I ain’t complaining. (I also think the lower budget influenced the episodic structure of the movie, which I again think works in its favour.)

With the gawking view of Trump… sorry, Offerman country and the queasy triumph of the closing stretch, this feels like a paranoid fantasy for a certain kind of liberal, like Red Dawn for MSNBC viewers. And it also kinda owns, if you’re okay for a filmmaker to go bozo mode on a potentially serious subject. I’d joked earlier that I would have been more inclined to watch this had it been called Trumpmerica 2025 or something like that, but the results are a lot closer to what I imagined. This is primo exploitation, like if a Tubi original somehow had serious money and filmmaking prowess pumped into it.

[turqconure473]

Turquoise Conure

Discovering the Charms of Turquoise Conures: Why They Make Exceptional Pet Birds

Introduction

In the colorful world of avian companionship, few species captivate the hearts of bird enthusiasts quite like the Turquoise Conure. With its vibrant plumage and spirited personality, this charming parrot species has gained popularity among bird lovers worldwide. In this article, we delve into the allure of Turquoise Conures, exploring why they make fantastic pet birds and highlighting the many delightful traits that endear them to their human companions.

https://flybabiesaviary.com/turquoise-conure/

Body

1. Stunning Beauty

One cannot help but be mesmerized by the striking beauty of the Turquoise Conure. Adorned in shades of vivid turquoise, emerald green, and splashes of yellow, these birds are a sight to behold. Their vibrant plumage not only adds a splash of color to any room but also serves as a visual reminder of the beauty and diversity found in the avian world.

2. Playful Demeanor

Turquoise Conures are renowned for their playful and energetic nature. They thrive on interaction and enjoy engaging in various forms of enrichment, from shredding toys to exploring new environments. Their curious disposition often leads them to investigate their surroundings with enthusiasm, providing endless entertainment for their owners.

3. Intelligence and Trainability

With their keen intellect and aptitude for learning, Turquoise Conures are highly trainable birds. They readily pick up on cues and commands, making them excellent candidates for trick training and interactive games. Additionally, their ability to mimic sounds and words adds an extra layer of charm to their personality, allowing them to communicate with their human counterparts in unexpected ways.

4. Social Bonds

Turquoise Conures are incredibly social creatures that form strong bonds with their human companions. They thrive on companionship and enjoy spending time interacting with their family members. Whether cuddling on a shoulder or engaging in a game of fetch, these affectionate birds cherish the time they spend with their loved ones and are quick to show their appreciation through gentle gestures and vocalizations.

5. Low Maintenance Requirements

Despite their vibrant personality, Turquoise Conures are relatively low maintenance pets. With proper care and attention, they can thrive in a variety of living environments, including apartments and single-family homes. Their dietary needs are straightforward, consisting of a balanced diet of high-quality pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Additionally, regular socialization and mental stimulation are essential for keeping these intelligent birds happy and healthy.

6. Long Lifespan

Turquoise Conures are long-lived birds, with lifespans averaging between 20 to 30 years or more with proper care. This longevity allows for a deep and lasting bond to form between owners and their feathered companions, enriching the lives of both parties for many years to come.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Turquoise Conures are truly exceptional pet birds, possessing a unique combination of beauty, intelligence, and charm. From their stunning plumage to their playful demeanor, these captivating creatures have a lot to offer to bird enthusiasts seeking a feathered companion. If you're considering adding a Turquoise Conure to your family, look no further than Fly Babies Aviary. Based in Florida and serving across the United States, Fly Babies Aviary offers a wide selection of healthy and hand-raised Turquoise Conures, ensuring that you find the perfect feathered friend to brighten your days.

[lealeclerc]

What function can telepathic animals provide as communicators?

Introduction to Telepathic Animals

animals communicators, a phenomenon often relegated to the realms of science fiction, has garnered increasing interest in recent years, particularly concerning animals. While traditional means of communication rely on vocalizations, body language, and other observable cues, telepathic animals purportedly possess the ability to transmit and receive thoughts, feelings, and intentions directly, transcending language barriers. In this article, we delve into the functions and potential benefits of telepathic animals as communicators.

Understanding Telepathy in Animals

Telepathy, derived from the Greek words "tele," meaning distant, and "pathos," meaning feeling, refers to the transmission of thoughts or feelings from one being to another without the use of sensory channels or physical interaction. While skeptics may dismiss telepathy as pseudoscience, numerous anecdotal accounts and studies suggest otherwise, especially in the realm of interspecies communication.

Telepathic Abilities in Various Animal Species

Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that various animal species exhibit telepathic abilities to varying degrees. Dogs, known for their strong bond with humans, often display telepathic behaviors, seemingly anticipating their owners' actions or emotions. Similarly, cats, with their enigmatic nature, may convey thoughts or intentions through subtle cues. Horses, revered for their sensitivity and intuition, are also believed to possess telepathic capabilities, forming deep connections with their human counterparts.

Dolphins, renowned for their intelligence and complex social structures, have been observed engaging in seemingly telepathic interactions, communicating intricate messages through clicks, whistles, and body language. Birds, particularly parrots and ravens, exhibit remarkable cognitive abilities and have been known to establish telepathic connections with humans, conveying emotions and desires.

Benefits of Telepathic Communication with Animals

The ability to communicate telepathically with animals holds profound implications for various domains:

Healing and Therapy: Telepathic communication can facilitate emotional healing and physical well-being in both animals and humans, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional therapies.

Improved Understanding and Bonding: By transcending linguistic barriers, telepathic communication fosters deeper understanding and empathy between humans and animals, strengthening the bond between them.

Assistance in Rescue Operations: Telepathic animals can aid in search and rescue operations by providing insights into their whereabouts or conveying distress signals.

Environmental Conservation: By tapping into the collective consciousness of animals, telepathic communication can help address environmental issues, such as habitat destruction and species preservation.

Case Studies: Real-Life Examples of Telepathic Animal Communication

Numerous anecdotes and case studies attest to the reality of telepathic animal communication. From instances of dogs sensing their owners' distress from afar to horses intuiting their riders' intentions, these accounts underscore the profound connections forged through telepathy.

Ethical Considerations and Limitations

While the prospect of telepathic communication with animals is tantalizing, it raises ethical concerns regarding consent, privacy, and manipulation. Moreover, the limitations of telepathy, including its susceptibility to interpretation and distortion, necessitate caution and skepticism.

Training and Developing Telepathic Communication Skills

While some individuals claim to possess innate telepathic abilities, others advocate for training and development to enhance telepathic communication skills. Techniques such as meditation, visualization, and intention setting are purported to facilitate telepathic exchanges with animals.

Telepathic Communication vs. Traditional Training Methods

Telepathic communication offers a departure from conventional training methods reliant on coercion and conditioning. By fostering mutual respect and understanding, telepathy aligns with more humane and empathetic approaches to animal behavior modification.

Myths and Misconceptions Surrounding Telepathic Animals

Telepathic animals have long been the subject of myths and misconceptions, often portrayed as mystical beings or products of fantasy. Debunking these misconceptions is essential for fostering a nuanced understanding of telepathy in the animal kingdom.

The Future of Telepathic Communication with Animals

As research and public interest in animal consciousness and communication continue to grow, the future holds promise for further exploration of telepathic abilities in animals. Advancements in technology and interdisciplinary collaboration may pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries in this field.

Conclusion

In conclusion, telepathic animals serve as powerful communicators, bridging the gap between species and offering profound insights into the interconnectedness of all living beings. While skepticism and ethical considerations abound, the potential benefits of telepathic communication with animals warrant further exploration and contemplation.

[ttttaehyungie]

lazy day cuddles | ksj x reader

lazy day cuddles | kim seokjin x reader

genre | established relationship, smut summary | As payment for waking you up, your boyfriend owes you cuddles. You’re here to collect that payment. Anything that happens beyond that? It’s not your doing. rating | 18+ word count | 2k words warnings | softttt smut, clit rubbing, nipple play, pwp a/n | i gotta admit, this is just gratuitous smut and cuddles LOL life has been really tough lately and i just wanted to write some soft smut alrite 🙈

Laid stretched out across the tiny couch, your boyfriend’s long legs spill over the wooden armrests, bare feet sticking peeking out from behind the cushions. His breathing, heavy with slumber, fills the living room with an atmosphere of serenity. One arm rests on his tummy, the other over his eyes to shield them from the bright noon sunlight that’s streaming in through your apartment windows.

You’re not surprised to find Jin napping. He was up before dawn for his fishing trip with Yoongi. As quiet as he’d tried to be while washing up, you were too light a sleeper to not have woken up from the running of the tap in the ensuite. Squinty and grumbling, it had taken many minty, damp kisses to your cheeks and the whispered promise of warm cuddles later to appease you. Through the foggy sleepiness, memories of Jin dragged themselves up, hair wet but fresh-smelling from the shower, crawling into bed for a nap after fishing trips. Ok. Cuddles are acceptable payment. With that, you released your grip on the white cotton of his t-shirt and let the waves of sleep pull you back under.

Only, you’d woken up alone today. It seems Jin didn’t make it to the bed this time for his usual post-fishing trip nap.

Crossing to the front of the couch, you kneel before your sleeping boyfriend and take a moment to admire his features, pulling his arm away from his face. The smooth, long breaths that he’d been taking stutters at that, signaling his rousing. You lean forward and pepper kisses across his face, skimming your lips across the smooth skin between pecks, knowing it will bring him to alertness.

Warm hands grasp your face gently, softly, and pull you in to meet plush lips that kiss yours with equal tenderness. Half-lidded dreamy eyes meet yours as you pull away.

“Hey,” he says, voice thick from having just woken up, and he clears his throat.

“Hey,” you parrot with a smile. “Why didn’t you come to bed?”

“Too tired. Didn’t wanna shower.”

“But you promised cuddles,” you whine jokingly. Jin responds by pulling you into him, smushing your face up in the juncture between his neck and shoulder, muffling your cries of not like this! and shaking you as he chuckles at your pleas.

When you break free, heaving a little for air but grinning, your heart is set alight when you catch sight of Jin’s matching grin. He stretches his arms out. “How about cuddles here?” he suggests.

It’s not the lazy cuddles between soft sheets that you originally planned, but it’s lazy cuddles with your boyfriend all the same. He lets out a soft oof as you accidentally elbow him in your enthusiasm to get to cuddling and you hurriedly apologize. He laughs. You and your love for cuddles are too cute for him to stay mad at. Clambering into his embrace to nestle yourself into his broad chest, you squirm around a little to find a comfortable position.

Nose buried in the soft white of his shirt, you take a deep inhale and are met with the floral fragrance of your laundry detergent, slightly muted undertones of ocean brine, and the familiarly thick scent of Seokjin that has become akin to home. With a kiss to his jaw -- which is conveniently within reach without much movement -- you lay your head back down on his chest and hum contentedly. This is what Saturdays are meant for. Soaking up the feeling of mutually shared body heat and relishing the feeling of your boyfriend gently stroking your back, sending goosebumps up your spine.

His hand dips under the fabric of your shirt as it continues its wandering. “No bra?” he asks. You shake your head. “Shameless.”

You scoff and pretend to get up. “I can put one on if it bothers you that much,” you quip, but Jin tugs you back down.

His gentle tracing resumes. “I didn’t say it bothered me.”

“You called it shameless.”

“Maybe I like my girlfriend being a little shameless,” he says, slipping a hand between you to stroke the side of your breast. When you turn to adjust your position, he seizes the chance to pinch the bud. The thrilling jolt of pleasure elicits a gasp from you.

“You’re really handsy today,” you note, but arch further into his grasp, and he takes it as confirmation to continue with his ministrations.

“Yeah, well, having you squirming on my dick and rubbing your soft chest up against mine doesn’t really help anything.”

“And here all I wanted was some cuddles,” you say, and it’s true that this was your only agenda. But the whimpers that escape you as he flicks his thumb against your nipple contradict the innocence to your statement.

“We can still cuddle,” he says. You eye him. You know him better than that. He laughs. “While doing other stuff.”

“And what might ‘other stuff’ include?” you tease, pushing him. He pushes back. The hand that’s unoccupied slips its way down from where it rested on your waist to skim the curve of your butt, till two fingers press firmly against your core. The feeling is muted through the extra layers of your sleep shorts and underwear, but it somehow makes it extra titillating. “Right here on the couch? Shameless.”

“I told you. Maybe I like shameless.”

There’s little space on your tiny couch, so you remain on top of Jin, but you plant your knees down on either side of his waist and lift your hips. With the new angle, your chests are pressed together, leaving him no space for his handsy wanderings on your chest. He pouts. But cuddles, you insist.

He relents and wraps an arm around you. The comforting warmth that emanates from him steadies you as he holds you close. And it’s a good thing it does. Because when his other hand slips under the waistband of your shorts and underwear, painstakingly slow as it slides down to your core, his hold is the only thing keeping you grounded. When he reaches his destination, he cups your mound for a moment. Teasing you. Just as you love to tease him.

“Jin. Please.”

Upon your whimpered plea, he parts your folds. A lone finger takes a long, slow swipe from your dripping hole to your quivering clit. There, it presses firmly as the pad of his finger drags up and down the bundle of nerves, aided by the slick of your own arousal.

You relish in the indulgent richness the ebbing pleasure of his strokes bring. It’s slow. Painfully but deliciously so. But it’s like a sampling that has whet your appetite and soon has you ravenous for more.

Rutting against his finger, you attempt to ramp up the pace. Jin lets you take over, stilling his movements. But before it can build up too much, he withdraws his fingers, the pleasure along with it, and you keen.

“I thought you liked me being shameless,” you huff, all pouty. He tilts his head to kiss your pout.

“I do,” he promises, moving to kiss the crease in your brow. “But I want to try something new.”

He doesn’t explain beyond that, but despite your confusion, you follow his cue as he begins stripping his shirt off and then yours. You trust him. Soon, your clothes are in a rumpled pile by the couch.

When you’re both naked and bare, you lay back onto the couch. You watch as Jin rolls the condom on and joins you to lay side by side this time. With your tiny couch, it’s a wonder that he’s not falling off. But somehow you manage.

Caged in between the soft cushions before you and the hard planes of Jin’s chest flush against your back, you realize there’s few places else you’d rather be. Time seems to have slowed back down to its leisurely crawl after your frantic stripping. It seems that Jin is on the same page, his wandering hands resuming their exploration as they come to fondle your chest once again.

Tilting your head back, Jin’s lips capture yours in a languid kiss. His hand makes its slow descent down to your core. But just as it arrives, it makes a seeming detour to your thigh. He hitches it up to guide it over his hip. Parting your folds in the same unhurried manner, he pushes inside you slowly, filling you up inch by inch.

“Is this okay?” he asks.

You nod. “More than okay,” you assure him.

He kisses your temple softly, and you shudder within his grasp. He eats this up, placing open-mouthed kisses along your shoulder. The feeling is all so much and yet not enough at all.

And then he moves. Carrying on with the stretched-out pace of things, he’s unrushed in his movements. Slipping a hand underneath you, he reaches around to gently squeeze your breast. His other hand finds your clit and he circles it with just the right amount of pressure to set you aglow with a simmering pleasure.

He continues on in this infinite cycle of pulling out, then sinking back into your wet heat, the pace measured and sedate. When you whine and try to increase the pace by bucking your hips against his, he calms your movements down with a hand on your hip -- fingers glistening slightly from your lingering arousal -- until you stop.

“Why?” you whine.

But what he says next is vocalized in such a hushed tone that somehow you catch it. You get what he’s trying to get at. “Just enjoy this moment.” You understand. The bubble of pleasure where he’s so wrapped up in you expands so you’re equally wrapped up in him. The quiet hum of pleasure is enough. It’s not quite a stagnant stasis but it’s not a frenzied chasing of highs either.

Instead, you rest in the confident assurance that your peak will come. Succumb to the bone-melting sensation that his gentle tweaks of your clit bring. And when they slowly, gradually, increase in pace infinitesimally, you clench your walls lightly, pulling a groan from him. The gruffness of it goes directly into your ear with the way you’re positioned, and it sends a new spark of arousal shooting down your spine.

You follow his pace, picking up when he does. But it never goes anything beyond relaxed. Yet, the pleasure builds, accumulating steadily like water behind a dam until it eventually cracks and breaks.

When you crest that peak, it’s like nothing else you’ve ever experienced. Rather than the usual bright flash, a quick high and the breathless, panting descent that accompanies it, your orgasm this time feels entirely different. It’s like you’re back floating in the ocean, casually rocked by the push and pull of the water that cradles you and lifts you ever higher till you ascended on a particularly big wave and now you’re riding it out gently, bonelessly, languorously as the tingling orgasm fills you from head to toe. You can still smell the salty ocean air that clings to Jin’s hair. The aptness of it fills you with a fuzzy warmth.

Soon after, Jin is grunting into your ear, his arms now encircling you and holding you tightly to his chest as he reaches his own peak. Tilting your head back to look at him, you take in the visual of him in his blissful post-orgasmic haze.

When his eyes finally flutter open, he gives you a close-lipped smile. The kind that makes your heart swell as it fills up with so much love for him that it brims over. He holds you in his gaze with galaxies in his eyes and you know he feels the same.

He makes quick work of the condom and helps you get back into your clothes after getting dressed himself. Sipping water from the cup he hands you, you glance at him from over the rim. “Is it bad if I still want to cuddle after this?” you ask.

He laughs at you, knowing your penchant for cuddling. “Hm,” he taps his chin in feigned thought. “After knowing we can have amazing sex while cuddling, I’m not opposed.”

You roll your eyes and swat at him lightly.

But when he proposes round two when you’re tucked under the covers after a quick shower, you don’t refuse.

[ducktracy]

181. the case of the stuttering pig (1937)

disclaimer: this review contains antisemitic content, stereotypes, and imagery. i in no way endorse any of this, but it’s just as important to bring awareness to these depictions rather than shove them under the rug. please, PLEASE let me know if i make any mistakes or say something offensive, i want to take responsibility for my actions and use this as an opportunity to educate myself. any outside commentary is more than welcome. thank you for your patience and understanding.

release date: october 30th, 1937

series: looney tunes

director: frank tashlin

starring: mel blanc (porky, the guy in the third row), billy bletcher (lawyer goodwill), sara berner (petunia)

just in time for the halloween season, we explore one of tashlin’s best directorial efforts to date. the case of the stuttering pig (its title derived from the case of the stuttering bishop, a warner bros. film released only 4 months prior) is the first of many warner bros. cartoons to take a jab at the ever popular dr. jekyll and mr. hyde. here, porky and his family (4 brothers and petunia, who serves as his sister rather than a love interest) are terrorized by the nefarious lawyer goodwill, the family lawyer who turns himself into a mr. hyde facsimile, hoping to kill the family in order to snag some inheritance money.

frank tashlin’s cinematography is in peak form as the cartoon opens to a ghastly exposition--william tell’s “the storm” rages alongside a furious storm. intricate camera angles include an upshot on a giant old house, trees whipping in the wind against the flashing lightning, and a close up of the window shudders snapping against the exterior. the snaps of the window shudders soon melt into the droning tick of a clock inside, an upshot exposing dynamic, drawn out shadows against the walls. tashlin handles the contrast between values exceptionally well. backgrounds are crisp, clear, and pronounced.

cue a vertical pan of porky’s siblings (patrick, peter, percy, portus, and petunia) all lined up against the wall in a row of chairs. each appear apprehensive, obviously on edge. not porky, though. porky’s at the very end of the row, looking on with a hilariously blank smile plastered on his face. 

suddenly, a knock at the door interrupts the silence. cue the famous tashlin jump cut: we only see volney white’s animation of porky jumping out of his seat, but the next shot reveals all of the siblings hanging from a chandelier, with porky trepidatiously inquiring “who-who-who-who-who-who’s theh-the-the-the-the-there...?” you can still feel mel’s attempts to distinguish his own unique porky stutter from the authentic stutter provided by joe dougherty--this delivery is more dougherty-esque than some of his others. 

billy bletcher’s syrupy sweet vocals ring out from behind the door, the disembodied voice introducing himself as lawyer goodwill. the decision not to showcase who’s behind the door is a smart one. suspense is absolutely rife all throughout the cartoon, and the beginning is no exception. with a peppy “okey deh-eh-eh-deh-do... oh-oh-okey deh-deh... okay!”, porky is followed by his siblings as he happily allows this mysterious lawyer goodwill inside. the suddenly calm, almost wholesome atmosphere inside, reassured by the self-proclaimed friendly presence of lawyer goodwill is disrupted as soon as the door opens, wind howling and blowing the entire family down the hallway as goodwill fights his way inside, his face (and head, for that matter) completely concealed by his hat and collar. tashlin plays on this as goodwill removes his hat, a mere nub placed where his neck should be as a waterfall of rain pours out from the hat. nevertheless, goodwill reveals himself, a portly yet good-natured looking fellow as he tells the children it’s time to attend to “business”.

lawyer goodwill gathers the kids around to discuss the matter of their late uncle solomon (a pig caricature of oliver hardy, just one of a handful) and his will. the animation is slightly blurred and jittery from the double exposure effects of the shadows--animation historian mark kausler has this to say (transcribed from his excellent commentary that i’m partially parroting):

“they used to hand crank the cameras here. this was before electric drive animation cameras--that’s why the shadows are so flickery, because they had to back the film up and then re-expose it to get the transparency of the shadow.”

uncle solomon’s will states that his heirs will inherit his money. however, if something were to happen to them, then lawyer goodwill gets the cash instead. goodwill exits the house, reassuring that nothing will happen to the kids... “...i hope!”

there’s a gorgeous, moody upshot of the porch as goodwill lumbers down the steps. volney white is at the hand of this scene, easy to spot thanks to his telltale speed: goodwill practically glides across the screen as he heads towards offscreen, only to whip back and put a hand over his hear, nefariously straining to hear if he’s being followed. volney’s pose and expression are as strong as ever--i made a reel of his animation awhile ago if you’d like to check it out!

bob bentley takes over to animate goodwill’s transformation into the monster--his animation is very meticulous and well crafted. a good way to spot him is to see if characters have thicker eyebrows in some scenes than others. goodwill swaps clothes in favor of a hat and cape almost effortlessly, gliding across the screen like butter. the flow isn’t interrupted, not even by the overlay of tables decorated with test tubes, skulls, etc. 

all of goodwill’s potential queries on how to transform into a hideous beast are answered with a bottle of “jekyll and hide juice” (starting at only $9.99! call now and get another FREE at no cost to you! it’s a steal, folks!)  nestled conveniently on his shelf of various poisons. he pours the concoction into a cocktail, acting like a regular bartender as he shows off by pouring the mixture from glass to glass. tashlin’s timing, both behaviorally and comically, are succinct as goodwill finally downs the mixture. he grips the table, taking heaving breaths, staring at the audience, until... nothing. he heaves a dubious shrug. 

instead, goodwill opts to use a milkshake mixer (a relatively new invention whose novelty value would have scored much bigger laughs then than it does today, but still remains amusing at the very least) to mix his concoction, downing it once more.

bob bentley’s animation of the monster is nothing short of gorgeous. well defined, well crafted, and dimensional. however, it does encapsulate antisemitic stereotypes and caricatures, from the big nose to clawed hands and pointy ears, as well as the desire for money. as skillful as the animation is, and as solid as the cartoon is, these are problems that still need to be addressed. understand that when i’m praising the animation, i’m focusing on the techniques themselves and the technicalities behind it, not the content that’s being animated itself. (thank you anon for taking the time to educate me! it’s much appreciated.) 

billy bletcher snarls in his trademark deep voice, even quipping “you wouldn’t think i was lawyer goodwill now, would you?” he talks directly to the audience, getting right close in their face, jabbing his spindly finger and bulbous nose. he even goes as far as to berate his public by screeching “you bunch of softies! YEAH, YOU IN THE THIRD ROW! ya BIG SOFTIE!” the fourth wall breaking is nothing short of genius. just IMAGINE seeing this in a dark, packed movie theater! the effect would be phenomenal! (especially if you were the guy in the third row! i’m sure all of the third-row-sitting patrons felt quite satisfied at these showings.) the monster vows to dispose of the family, sneering at our inability to help save our heroes.

said heroes are contentedly socializing in the living room, peppy porky talking about how safe and sound they are in their own little house. so, of course, that serves as the cue for a gnarly hand to grab the light switch and kill the lights. i love the detail of the shadow creeping along the wall before you even see the hand itself--little decisions like that go such a long way.

the lights go out, and all we hear is the pluck of an electric slide guitar. the lights come on, and one of porky’s alliteratively named siblings is gone, with an x cleverly marked in his place. the ritual occurs four times, with porky remarking each of the names of his fallen siblings (”peh-peh-patrick!” “eh-peh-peh-peh-eh-peter!” “eh-peh-peh-eh-peh-percy!” “puh-portus!”). the lights go out once more, and x’s mark where porky and petunia were just sitting prior. definitely an artsy and interesting way to convey the kidnappings--even more so when we see porky and petunia trepidatiously popping their heads out from behind the armchair after the camera trucks in on their deserted spot.

volney white animates the close up of petunia clutching to porky, stuttering (from fear, that is) “g-g-gee, p-p-porky, i’m scared!” her voice here is provided by sara berner as opposed to berneice hansell, who voiced her in her last appearance in porky’s romance. ironically, hansell would take over for petunia again after bob clampett adopted (and subsequently redesigned) her character. you can hear the evolution of her voice here. 

porky reassures her that they’ll find the brothers as we cue a clever pan from inside to outside the house, spotlighting the basement. the backgrounds are so gorgeous and moody! we find the pigs tied up in stocks, with the monster sneering about how he’ll do away with all the pigs once he nabs porky and petunia. once more, our ever-aware villain resorts to heckling the poor sap in the third row: “and if that guy in the third row comes up, I’LL FIX HIM TOO! you big CREAMPUFF!” again--this is exceedingly entertaining to watch 83 years later on a laptop screen, but imagine what a riot this would be in theaters! frank tashlin understood that the audience was paying to watch his cartoons, and he knew how to make it worth their time. the cartoons catered to the audience rather than the studio executives always make for the best ones--tex avery was especially keen of this, as we’ll soon explore.

back to porky and petunia, both cautiously traipsing down the hallway as porky calls the names of his fallen brothers, both straining to hear any signs of life. while the poses aren’t nearly pushed to the same extremes as they would be in tashlin’s second directorial stint from 1943-1946, they’re still quite nice and accentuated just enough. certainly stronger than the poses present in the other directors’ cartoons. seeing as tashlin was a newspaper cartoonist, his illustrative, comic look translates well into his own cartoons. it’s almost as if his comic art has leapt right off the page, but also meshes well enough with the animation to have a good sense of motion to it. it’s the best of both worlds.

while porky is unaware, petunia is yanked off screen by a hand protruding from a trick wall panel. suddenly, the villain himself tinkers behind porky, mimicking his movements. porky even manages to grab a hold of his gangly hand, assuming it’s petunia, going so far as to look him straight in the eyes and shush him. the volney white animated villain looks strikingly different than that of bob bentley’s--volney’s is exceedingly more streamlined and design driven, especially around the eyes. he’s not nearly as hairy, grotesque, or dimensional. not that that’s a bad thing! in fact, i love when animators are able to make their styles so distinguishable from the other animators. not only is it fun, it makes identifying animation much easier.

when porky finally realizes that he’s being stalked by the monster, he does the signature volney white eye take and runs for the hills, er, stairs. tashlin’s speed dominates as porky scales flights of stairs at lightning speeds--it’s dizzying to even watch! eventually, porky jumps right into the arms of the monster, clinging to him (thinking it’s petunia) as he describes what he just saw: “i eh-seh-saw the most teh-teh-teh-eh--awful leh-leh-lookin’ man, all beh-beh-big and beh-beh-eh-bleh-black... beh-beh-BIG teeth...” all the while, porky is grabbing onto the villain’s nose and clinging to him like a baby. the animation is positively hilarious, especially when porky recognizes who he’s being cradled by, actually connecting nose to snout as he lets out a scream and barrels down the staircase once more, the same footage from before just in reverse. a wonderful scene with great dialogue and hilarious animation. bob clampett would borrow this in his own jeepers creepers just two years later, with a ghost in place of the monster.

porky locks himself in the basement, discovering his siblings tied up in stocks (”leh-leh-land sakes alive!”), his attempts to free them interrupted by the sound of the villain knocking the door down. interestingly enough, after we pan to the monster infiltrating the premises, the next shot is the entire family huddled in a corner, indicating that porky did manage to free them after all. the technique is reminiscent of the cartoon’s beginning, where we see only porky jump out of his seat before showing all of the siblings hiding in the chandelier. 

just as it looks like the pig family is bacon, a random chair from offscreen is lobbed at the monster, sending him tumbling right into the stocks. the family is just as perplexed as the viewer, asking in unison “who DID that?”

“ME!” mel blanc’s gruff, more natural voice rings out from behind the screen. the locked up monster ogles at the audience, pointing a gangly finger as he snarls “who are YOU?” mel’s tough guy new yoik accent snarls back “I’M DA GUY IN DA THOID ROW, YA BIG SOURPUSS!” iris out on a deflated, dejected villain--just IMAGINE witnessing this in real time in the theaters! 

this cartoon is one of the reasons why frank tashlin is one of my favorite directors of all time. it’s got all of the tashlin essentiasl. the effects animation by A.C. gamer at the beginning is lovely, doing a wonderful job of establishing such an eerie mood. the raging, wild storm juxtaposes perfectly with the unsettlingly still atmosphere inside the house. lawyer goodwill makes an excellent villain, topped off with billy bletcher’s vocals and bob bentley’s skilled animation. the constant fourth wall breaking with him... need i say more? it’s such a great way to involve the audience with the picture and really suck in their attention, especially that ending. the animation is excellent, the backgrounds are gorgeous, it’s absolutely rife with atmosphere. this is tashlin’s best effort thus far and one of his best efforts overall.

however, the antisemitic stereotypes and caricatures should be accounted for. while i do say you should watch this one to get an idea of frank tashlin’s mastery as a director, tread with caution and discretion. i absolutely don’t endorse these concepts. so, if you do want to watch it, you can go to HBOmax or click this link, just be advised.

[mishasminion360]

We’ll All Float On

An It: Chapter 2 epilogue

Warning: Language; mentions of trauma and therapy; coming out of the closet; angst; fluff. You know what? Everything. It’s got everything.

A/N: I wrote this ages ago immediately after seeing the movie, but I’m just getting around to typing it up and posting it. The remaining members of the Losers Club deserve all the happinesses life can dish out. And in this house we ship Reddie!

Derry, Maine, 2017

Maybe coming back there wasn’t the best idea. After all, the last time they’d all gathered at that particular restaurant it had been a disaster, a God damned nightmare, and Mike had sworn to himself that he’d never eat Chinese food again. But as he gazed into the bubbling waters of the aquarium (this time tranquil and free of severed heads), his worries began to subside. And when the second of the Losers finally arrived his fears vanished completely.

“Jesus, isn’t there anywhere else to eat in this town?” Mike turned to see Bill Denbrough sling his jacket over the back of a chair and offering him a wide grin.

“Man, you grew up here, too, Bill. You should know that the answer to that question is a resounding ‘no’.”

The two men embraced with a hearty laugh, things already felt so much different than before.

***

Beverly gazed up at the glowing neon of the Jade of the Orient as Ben wrapped an arm tenderly around her waist.

“How does it feel to be back, Mr. Hanscom?” Bev asked, leaning into him.

“A lot better now that I’m not saddled with this overwhelming sense of dread weighing on my chest.”

Beverly circled both of her arms around Ben’s muscular torso which 28 years ago had not been so muscular. “Well, now the only thing resting on your chest is me.”

She hoisted herself up on her toes to lock her lips with his and Ben smiled into the kiss. “Easy now, Mrs. Hanscom,” he murmured. “Time and place. Time and place.”

“Get a room you two, before I lose my appetite.”

The lovebirds extricated themselves from each other’s arms to gape at the bespectacled man who’d approached them.

“Seriously, how the fuck is it that the two of you look even better than you did last year? And what the fuck am I doing wrong?”

“Beep beep, Richie!!!” Ben and Beverly cheered in unison as the pulled good ol’ Trashmouth Tozier into a bear hug.

“All right you two, lay off,” Richie laughed as he shrugged his way out of their embrace. “Don’t touch me, you don’t know where I’ve been.”

The three linked arms and strode to the front door of the restaurant like Dorothy, Scarecrow and the Tin Man sauntering down the yellow brick road.

“Alrighty, fellas,” Bev said, never afraid to take the lead. “Let’s do this thing.”

***

“Hello and welcome! How many in your…oh.”

The hostess trailed off as she took in the trip before her. Oh, she remembered these three, and the rest of their strange little gang as well. The last time the six of them had dined there they’d nearly destroyed their finest dining room. She didn’t need to open up a fortune cookie to know she’d be cleaning up more shattered dishes and splintered furniture that night.

“Right this way,” she said, clearing her throat. “The rest of your party is expecting you.”

Volleying quips and sharing in quiet giggles, Bev, Ben, and Richie followed the hostess as she procured their utensils and menus and led them to their seats.

“Where is your sick friend? The small man who is allergic to everything? I don’t believe he’s arrived yet.”

The trio immediately fell silent. She’d been referring, of course, to Eddie Kaspbrak. Bev would had to have been blind not to notice Richie’s face fall and his body sag with an unspoken sadness at the mere mention of their late friend. Reaching behind her without looking, she grasped Richie’s hand tightly in her own and her stiff shoulders relaxed when she felt him squeeze back in thanks.

“He’s, um,” Ben paused as a he searched for the right words. “He’s one of the reasons we’re here tonight.”

***

Mike and Bill were already engaged in an animated discussion about something or other and hadn’t even noticed the others approach. Ben gazed wistfully at the joyful pair, admiring their exuberance and allowing it to overtake him as well before removing the padded mallet from its place and offering it to Richie. “Care to do the honors?”

Bill and Mike’s conversation was abruptly silenced by the thunderous echo of a gong and Richie’s announcement.

“This meeting of the Losers Club has officially begun.”

And just like that all of the pieces fell into place. The little family was whole, as it would ever be, once more.

***

“Shit, Mike, you actually went to Florida?” Richie guffawed before taking a pull from his beer.

“Mm-hm,” he responded through a mouthful of lo mein.

“Fuck, why?”

“It’s like I told you when we were kids. It’s just a place I’d always wanted to see. Now I’ve seen it.

“And?”

The other five eyed Mike in anticipation of an exciting story, but he merely shrugged. “It’s about as magical as you’d expect.”

“Yeah, I told you you’d hate it,” Richie snickered.

“It wasn’t all bad. I did meet a nice gal in Jacksonville.” This was met with a chorus of juvenile “oohs” and a salacious whistle from Bill.

“What was she, like, 70?”

“Don’t be such a smart ass, Rich,” Mike chided, waiting until Richie once again had his lips poised at the edge of his glass of booze before finishing his sentence. “She was 80.”

The gang hooted as Trashmouth Tozier choked on his beverage. Bill clapped his coughing friend firmly on his back before lifting his own glass.

“If Richie here can keep it down, I’d like to propose a toast.” The others followed suit and hoisted their drinks in the air. “To those we lost. To Stan and Eddie.”

They smiled they’d all been wearing throughout the evening finally began to falter as silence engulfed the room. After a moment of quiet hesitation, Bev tapped her glass against Bill’s.

“To Stan,” she said with a grin that took all of her strength to muster.

“To Stan,” they all repeated before clinking glasses and taking a swig.

“To Eddie,” Ben cheered, and the others parroted with a little more pep. All but one.

“Rich? You okay, man?” Bill turned to his left to see the usually boisterous comedian staring stoically into his half poised glass, his brow furrowed in concentration as if he was searching the bottom of his beer for something he’d never be able to find.

“To Eddie,” he whispered at last, clinking his glass against all the others.

***

Though Florida had been a bit of a dud, Mike did find happiness traversing other states, even other countries. Thanks to a little help from Bev’s keen eye, Ben had just designed, and would be supervising construction for, a swanky new chain of hotels. Richie’s third Netflix special would be available to stream by the end of the week. Bill’s latest book had just been nominated for an award and talks had already begun regarding a big screen adaptation. And all that good news coincided with the birth of his first child, a son named Georgie.

It certainly seemed that none of them could be considered losers anymore.

***

Another blanket of uncomfortable silence settled upon them as the waitress plopped the plate of fortune cookies in the center of the table.

“Enjoy,” she chirped before adding in a whisper, “and my boss has insisted that I ask you lot to please refrain from destroying any furniture this time.” To that end she left them to partake in their potentially hazardous desert, and the group eyed the plate of novelty snacks with trepidation.

“Okay, who wants to be the first to crack one of these suckers open?” Richie asked. “By the way, not it.”

After another moment or two of hesitation, Mike finally reached for the plate. “I got you all into this mess last time, so I might as well start making up for it. Since Eddie can’t be with us, I’ll be this evening’s designated risk analyst.”

He cracked a cookie in two and, popping one half inside his mouth and discarding the other on the table, withdrew the small slip of paper.

No blood, no milky eyeballs, no critters from another hellscape of a world. The only thing inside these cookies were fortunes. Mike read his without a sound, and he could feel the others watching him intently.

“If that fucking thing says ‘guess’ or ‘Stanley’ or ‘could’ or ‘not’ or ‘cut’ or ‘it’, I swear to God I’m fucking gone.” Richie laughed but failed to hide his growing unease.

Mike grinned as he read the fortune again, this time out loud. “‘The world is big, but time is short.’”

“Well that’s much less terrifying,” Bill sighed. “I’ll take that as a cue to dig in.”

Bill devoured the cookie and then vocalized his fortune. “‘The ending is the most integral part of the journey’.”

“Would you look at that,” Richie guffawed, clapping Bill on the shoulder. “Even a shitty cookie has offer it’s two cents about your lousy endings.”

“Fuck you, Trashmouth. My last two novels have ended quite nicely, thank you very much. Just ask my Booker Prize nomination.”

“I’d rather ask the award itself when you win it.”

Bill rolled the slip of paper into a minuscule ball and flicked it aside. “If I win it.”

Richie shook his head. “When.”

Bill patted Richie’s hand as a sign of thanks. “You know, I’ve actually been thinking about taking a step back from all the doom and gloom thriller stuff to take a swing at writing children’s books.”

“You’re kidding!” Bev exclaimed with a bark of laughter.

“I’m serious. I kind of thought it would be a good way for Georgie and I to bond. I write a story, then we read it together. You know?”

Ben leaned back in his chair and snapped his cookie in half. “Bill that’s…wow. That’s quite a change. Good for you, man.”

“What does yours say, honey? Bev asked, eyeing the slip of paper between her husband’s fingers.

“Yeah, honey. What’s it say?” Richie leaned toward the two of them, batting his eyelashes dramatically and resting his chin in his hands as the pair flipped him off at the same time.

“It says ‘he who builds the dreams of others should not neglect his own’.”

“Well, that’s oddly specific,” Richie said matter-of-factly. “You know, because you’re an architect? You build things….yeah, I’ll shut up now.”

“First time for everything,” Ben grinned.

“I want to read mine next,” Bev chimed in, holding the small piece of paper primly between her fingers. “It says ‘the smallest changes make the biggest difference’.”

Mike rubbed his chin in thought, nodding his approval at the depth of Bev’s fortune. “Anyone want to wager a guess as to what it means?”

Richie snapped his fingers as his eyes lit up. “Well, by jove, I think I’ve got it, gents,” he exclaimed in an overblown, piss poor excuse for a British accent they hadn’t heard him use since they were kids. “I do believe it means that if our dear friend William here could slightly alter his crummy endings, some of his books might actually make for a halfway decent read.”

Bill glared at his wisecracking friend. “Tozier, if you make fun of my writing one more time, I swear to God-“

“Don’t blame me, man. It’s the cookies that have it out for you!”

“I don’t think it has anything to do with Bill’s books, Rich,” Ben smiled just as Bill smacked Richie in the back of his head.

“I think it means that something small can have a huge impact on your life,” Bev clarified. She scanned the faces of her companions to see if any were catching her drift.

“What, like, a new haircut?”

“Or a baby, Richie.” Ben’s eyes twinkled when he grinned.

“Right. Or like-wait, what?”

“Bev that’s….are you really….?” Mike stammered happily.

“Three weeks along,” she confirmed proudly. “You guys didn’t think it was a little weird that I’ve been drinking water this entire evening?”

Bill leapt from his chair and threw his arms around the expectant couple. “Ben! Bev! This is amazing news! Congratulations!”

“Yeah, congrats you two crazy kids,” Richie added before Mike inquired if they’d been considering names yet.

Bev leaned into her husband affectionately. “Well, of it’s a girl, Ben has graciously agreed to name her after my mother, Elfrida. We’d call her Frida for short.”

“Beautiful choice, Bev,” Mike praised, taising his glass and taking a celebratory sip. “And if it’s a boy?”

The Hanscom’s looked silently, almost nervously at each other before answering, some sort of unspoken agreement passing between the two of them as the rest of the Losers looked on.

“If it’s a boy,” Ben finally said, releasing a breath he hadn’t realized he’d even been holding, “we’d like to name him Eddie. Edward Stanley Hanscom.”

Richie instantly felt a lump form in his throat, and he had to cast his eyes downward to ensure that no one could see the pain that burned behind them. He chewed his lip quietly as he struggled to reel his unraveling emotions back in. When he looked back up his eyes immediately found Beverly’s. She searched his face silently. Hopefully.

“He would have loved that,” Richie finally croaked. “They both would have.”

Mike and Bill were too choked up to speak, so they just adamantly nodded their agreement.

“Alright, I think I’ve had about as much sentimentality as I can take for one evening.” Ben turned to Richie and tossed him a fortune cookie. “Come on, funny man, make me laugh. What does yours say?”

Richie made a big manly show of crushing the cookie in his hand before extricating the fortune from the rubble of the snack, and as he read it to himself his face blanched.

“Oh, this should be good,” Mike snickered, noticing Richie’s sudden discomfort. “Don’t keep us in suspense, Rich.”

He felt a wave of nausea overtake him as he read and re-read the small segment of paper. The clown was dead, he knew that, but this fortune felt like another of his cruel tricks. Richie felt as if he were being mocked all over again.

Love doesn’t come only once.

“Rich?” Beverly asked softly, her gentle voice cutting through the harsh buzz of white noise in his ears. Nuh-uh. No way in hell was he reading this shit out loud. He didn’t have the stomach to explain it to them. Not yet. Not like this.

“I, uh, I guess my new special’s gonna bomb,” he coughed. “It says ‘a career change can set you on your true path’.”

The others eyed him skeptically and he feared they’d seen through his fib when Ben at last said, “it’s probably for the best, Rich. You’re not that funny anyway.”

Richie mouthed a silent “fuck you” and the tension dissolved into laughter.

***

The first to arrive, the leave. Mike stood and slipped his jacket from the back of the chair, shrugging into it as he said, “I don’t know about you folks, but jet lag and alcohol do not seem to be mixing well for me. Any of you care to continue the conversation back at the townhouse?”

“You read my mind,” Bill said, polishing off the dregs of his third beer before following Mike’s lead.

“Me, Ben, and the Lima bean here,” Bev said with a Pat of her stomach, “would be more than happy to take you up on that offer.”

“I’ll handle the check,” Bill said, already removing his wallet from his back pocket.

“Slow your roll there, Stephen King,” Ben said, reaching for his own wallet. “I’ve got this one. Really.”

“Let’s at least split it. I don’t feel right about you taking the whole thing.”

“Girls, girls, you’re both pretty,” Bev interjected. “I’ll pay it myself if it keeps this from turning into an all night debate.”

Bill turned to Richie, who hadn’t moved an inch. “Well, maybe mr. big shot comedian here would like to contribute.”

Richie still made not a move to stand. He simply sat and stared at the collection of dirty dishes littering the table, gazing so intently that he could potentially shatter one of the plates with a single thought.

“Yo, earth to Trashmouth. You okay, man?”

Richie licked his lips nervously; his mouth had gone inexplicably dry and he struggled to dislodge his voice from his throat.

“I’m not ready to, uh….guys we can’t leave yet.”

The tone had shifted once again and a far sense of dread took hold of each of the Losers. Bill tried to laugh through the unease. “You planning on spending the night here, Richie?”

“You guys, I came here tonight to say something and, God dammit, I’m gonna say it! I just need…just give me a sec.”

Richie Tozier spent so much of his time joking around that the rest of the gang often forget that he was even capable of being serious. He felt sadness and fear just like the rest of them, and it was clear at that moment that he was scared to death.

He was gripping the edge of the table so hard that his knuckles paled. Beverly slid into the chair next to him and took one of his hands in her own. He was shaking terribly.

“Richie, what’s wrong?”

For what was probably the first time in his life, Richie couldn’t bring himself to start talking. Tell them, Tozier, he commanded himself. Just tell them. They’re your friends, man. They deserve the truth. You owe it to them, and to yourself. To Stan. To…Eddie.

“Sweetie, you’re scaring us,” Bev whispered. “Talk to us, Richie.”

“I’ve been seeing a therapist,” he finally blurted, the words tumbling out with the gust of a breath.

The others glanced from one another, unsure of how to respond, until Mike placed a comforting hand on Richie’s shoulder.

“That’s nothing to be ashamed of, Rich. Shit, after everything we went through last year…” He trailed off as Richie shook his head fiercely, eyes screwed shut.

“I’m…um, I’m….gay.”

And just like that it was out. His “dirty little secret”. His painful truth laid bared before him for his friends, for the world to see.

“I’ve been having a really hard time accepting myself and….and processing all of these feelings. Especially after….after Eddie….” The rest of the words died on his tongue. He couldn’t bare to finish the sentence. It had been a year since he’d lost the only man he’d ever loved, but with each passing day the wound reopened. The pain was always fresh.

“Oh, Rich,” Bev cooed. She stroked his hair and pulled him close, already a loving mother in the making. “We know, honey.”

“You….what?”

“Richie, we know,” Bill confirmed. “We’ve always known, man.”

Richie could hardly believe his ears. Was it even possible for someone to be in so much pain but still find it possible to smile?

“Why the fuck didn’t any of you ever say anything?”

Ben slipped an arm around Bev’s shoulders and placed one of his strong but gentle hands over Richie’s. “Because we didn’t care, Rich. Who you loved didn’t matter to us. Because we loved you.”

“We still do. We’re your friends, Trashmouth,” Mike added. “We figured that, someday, you’d tell us when you were good and ready.”

Richie snatched his glasses from his face to rub his eyes as his vision went blurry. “I would have told you all a lot sooner, I think. But then we all left and….and we forgot. I forgot.”

Beverly laid her head against Richie’s shoulder. His trembling had only grown worse.

“Do you think….do you think that Eddie knew?”

“Eddie’s death hit us all pretty hard, Richie, but we could see how deeply it hurt you. Much more than any of us. We understand why now,” Bev soothed. “We all know how much you loved him, and we’re just so sorry that you’ve had to deal with all these feelings by yourself.”

He didn’t want to cry in front of them. Not again. But Richie had never been a good fighter, so the tears eventually won. Just like that day in the quarry one year ago, his friends held him as his body convulsed with harsh wracking sobs.

***

After his good healthy cry, Richie excused himself and snuck off the pay the check before either Bill or Ben had the chance to protest.

“So, I think Richie is definitely going to need another drink. How about I go grab a couple six packs and then meet you all back at the townhouse?” Bill offered.

The gang nodded their agreement as they all began filing out of the dining room and toward the front door. Suddenly, Richie came barreling past them back to the table.

“OhShitOhShitOhShitOhShit,” he chorused as he frantically snatched up as many napkins as he could that hadn’t already been soiled.

“What happened?” Ben inquired, quirking one perfect brow.

“I bumped into a guy at the register.”

“A guy?” asked Bev. “Someone you know?”

“Nope,” Richie responded, clutching two fistfuls of napkins. “And I literally bumped into him. Now he’s wearing his takeout as a suit.”

Richie rushed past them all again in a mad rush to clean up the mess he’d made.

Mike rolled his eyes. “Looks like Trashmouth has got quite a way with the fellas, doesn’t he?”

***

Cozy in the townhouse, they laughed some more, drank some more, and reminisced some more. They listened intently as Bill read aloud some of the rough passages he’d scribbled out for Georgie’s book. They helped Mike chart a course for his next adventure: a traditional backpacking trip across Europe. Richie offered to tag along if they could make a pit stop in Amsterdam for some weed.

As for Richie, the happily married Losers offered him some helpful advice for his next encounter with Don, whose number he’d been rewarded with after mopping up his spilled sweet and sour chicken. The very Don he’d promised himself to call when he returned home and felt good and ready to make a move. And Richie was starting to feel that “ready” may actually come sooner rather than later.

And as the week long visit neared it’s end, as their time together came to a close, the five collectively came to the realization that they were far from the losers that Derry had shaped them to be. But then again they never did feel like losers when they were all together.

[animlenet]

10 Smartest Animals On The Planet

Although the human intellect is remarkable, we aren't the sole species on the earth to develop intelligence. Cognitive thinking, learning behavior, adaptability, and communication through visual communication and even vocalization are shared by other members of the Animalia . Here are the ten smartest animals on the earth – aside from humans.

Dogs Dogs are as smart as a two-year-old human toddler, consistent with Live Science. they're extremely social beings and know when they’ve misbehaved. they will learn to know 165 human words on the average, with a couple of reaching the 250-word level. Some dogs have the power to sense illness in humans, like cancer, impending strokes or epileptic seizures, and other sorts of distress. Chimpanzees One of our closest living relatives, chimpanzees (who during a group are called a troop) share much of an equivalent DNA as humans. they're adept with tools (such as using stones to crack open nuts) and are successfully taught to speak with humans via signing. A chimp named Washoe learned 350 words of yank signing and even taught a number of these signs to her son.

Crows These sinister-looking creatures are literally very friendly and intelligent. they need photographic memories and like to steal and hoard objects. a gaggle of crows is named a “murder” and is ready to communicate with one another when danger is near. Elephants These gentle giants are known to use sticks or palm fronds to swat at flies and mosquitos. they're incredibly sensitive animals and even attend special locations (commonly referred to as elephant graveyards) faraway from their herds to die. Observers have witnessed elephants conveying compassion and love for each other and his or her human counterparts.

Pigs Unlike their stereotypes of being lazy, unclean and slovenly, pigs are extremely intelligent and crafty. Pigs are known to follow one another within the look for food and also devise ways to fool other pigs who might steal their food by following different paths to throw off their fellow pigs. Dolphins Dolphins also possess strong memory banks and are ready to recognize themselves when they’re placed ahead of a mirror. They use squeaks, trills, and other vocalizations also as visual cues to speak with one another, and should be ready to call one another by “name” by producing a signature whistle for people.

Sheep Sheep have sometimes thought of as dull “followers.” actually, sheep are extremely smart animals, and may identify humans’ countenance also as remember humans’ faces for all times. a gaggle of sheep is named a herd, a mob or a flock. Parrots Whether they’re macaws, cockatiels or other species, parrots are highly sociable and love human interaction. If they see their humans arguing or being affectionate with another person, they will become aggressively protective of the purpose of attacking the person physically.

Cows As with sheep, the stereotype of a cow is that of an easy animal who just about sleeps and eats all the time. You’ll drop that stereotype once you Google “crying cow” to ascertain that these gentle animals can feel fear, panic, loss, and anxiety.

In an intelligence experiment, dairy cows were ready to successfully navigate a maze by following the sound, and have also been shown to be ready to recognize their friends. Horses Horses display cognitive thinking and have a great memory. Lipizzaner stallions, for instance, can walk and “dance” in very intricate patterns. In one study, horses were shown to be ready to identify different shapes and sizes by tapping a touch-screen monitor with their noses. Be mindful about teasing a horse with a carrot: if he decides to retaliate, what’s a minor head bump to him could land you within the hospital with a concussion. Who’s the smarter one now?

[raptorsandpoultry]

How to Train Your Rooster

After my hen training video kind of blew up last week, I had someone ask me for tips on how to deal with a rooster showing “aggressive” behaviour. It’s not the first time I’ve been asked about something like this, and I know it’s something many pet chicken owners have come across. For example: http://www.yousuckatkijiji.com/2012/05/kijiji-suck-580-rooster-of-questionable.html

And these:

Let’s change this! For the benefit of roosters, and for their owners.

The first issue that needs to be addressed is labeling a rooster’s (or any animal’s) behaviour as “aggressive”. I’ll use quotation marks generously when describing an animal’s behaviour, because we are not capable of getting into an animal’s head and knowing exactly whether it is performing a certain behaviour because it is angry, happy, sad, scared, etc. Heck, as humans, we can’t even read each other’s behaviour and make these kinds of assumptions half the time! We still do, because it’s human nature, and it’s easy (e.g. X ignored me when I said “hello” to them today, they must be angry with me!). But, making snap judgments about and labeling behaviours (and the animals that perform them) like this can cause further behavioural “problems” down the road, because it causes you to ignore all their possible causes, and so nothing ends up getting fixed. In the example above, by assuming that X is angry with you, this can cause you to be angry at X is response, and/or ignore them, become confrontational with them, etc. - none of which solve the actual problem. You’re probably thinking, “Well, that’s dumb! That’s not how I would react at all. I’d try to think back and figure out why X ignored me.” If this is you, then that’s great! But you’d be surprised at how often people, yourself and myself included, knowingly and unknowingly fail to do this on a daily basis - while interacting with our human/non-human animal friends, family, and colleagues.

Let’s get back to our roosters. Lunging, flying at, kicking, chasing, and biting people. What’s wrong with labeling these behaviours as “aggressive”, and why are they happening? The answer to both of these questions lies in the fact that there are many types of aggressive behaviours - and not a single one of them have anything to do with an animal being inherently “mean” or “out to get you”. These include predatory, self-defensive, parental defensive, and social conflict aggressive behaviours, to name a few. If you want to be a caring pet owner and a good animal trainer, it is your responsibility to empathize with the animal, imagine how it perceives its environment, which includes you and your own behaviour, and use that to figure out what type of aggressive behaviour it is showing, and why.

I think that oftentimes, the aggressive behaviours that rooster owners complain about start off rooted in social conflict and dominance. In this case, it’s important to know that these are natural behaviours, and it’s actually healthy for each member of the flock to express them every now and then, under the right conditions, to maintain social hierarchies (pecking orders). You’ll notice that there’s usually some sort of kerfuffle (kicking, jumping, pecking) any time a new bird is introduced to the flock, or if someone falls out of line, but (again, under the right conditions) there should be no obvious sign of injury as a result. When a rooster begins to exhibit these behaviours towards a human, it’s likely in an effort to determine who’s dominant over who. The real problem starts when the human starts reacting to these behaviours, and all too often, it’s handled poorly, and the aggression is unknowingly reinforced. Running away from the rooster will probably reinforce further chasing. Yelling, clapping, or hitting the rooster (I dearly hope no one here has ever done that), will reinforce and escalate aggressive behaviours, or cause it to start performing them out of self-defense and/or fear instead. Any Caesar Milan nonsense of “showing him who’s boss” will only reinforce undesired behaviours initially, but for those cases when an animal’s fear of you is simply pushed beyond its limits to the point of submission, I’ve already outlined in this post the consequences of using punishment to train an animal.

So, how do you get the rooster to stop performing aggressive behaviour without using punishment? The simplest, and again the most ethical way is to simply not reinforce it. This means that you need to identify what the reinforcers are for those undesired behaviours. As I also said in last week’s post, reinforcers come in many forms, other than treats. In this case, any antagonistic or fearful behaviour that you exhibit to the rooster will be reinforcing. But, everyone understands that when a behaviour is performed, and there is no consequence for it, there will be no reason for that behaviour to keep occurring. This is called extinction. To extinguish the rooster’s aggressive behaviours, he needs to realize they are not having any effect on you. This does not mean that you have to stand there and take all of his hits (although, this is what I did with my adopted rooster for 10 days after I brought him home, and I ended up with some decently paintful bruises and scratches from his spurs. It’s up to you, but I’m not endorsing it!). However, you can try your best to calmly dodge his attacks. Apart from that, try and present yourself in the least threatening and confrontational way possible. Be as quiet as possible - if you want to talk to him, do so in a soothing manner. Don’t try and make yourself look bigger.

This is Induna. A good, round boy. He’s a White Leghorn rooster who I adopted from a very poor situation. He’d lived in a single-cage that gave him almost no room to perform any natural comfort behaviours (like preening and stretching), surrounded by hundreds of other screaming, stressed-out roosters who otherwise had no contact with each other through their cage bars. He’d never seen grass, sunlight, or hens before in his life until I brought him home. So, it was understandable that he spent his first day home almost certainly confused and scared. Knowing this, I took the first few days to build his trust, and reinforce calm behaviour as he began to explore more of the yard, find his place in the flock among my hens, and finally, get used to my presence. It only took him a few days to realize that I wasn’t a farm worker who was going to grab him by his legs and shove him into a cage. He stopped avoiding me, and eventually began eating out of my hand, because I’d also taken the time to figure out what his favourite treats were (berries of any kind, FYI). 

Then, I guess he got comfortable enough with me to the point where he wanted to know where this weird, featherless, treat-bearing chicken stood in relation to the rest of the flock, and in relation to him (this is anthropomorphizing him a bit, who knows what was actually going on in his head). He began running at and kicking me with his spurs, in typical rooster combat style. And for a couple of days, I just took it (again, I don’t endorse this - for your safety, just side-step out of the way whenever you can). It didn’t take long for him to realize that those behaviours weren’t getting him anywhere. And, because I would make a point of giving him rewards when he wasn’t doing them, he was also learning that being calm, approachable, and all-around not an “asshole”, he was more likely to get treats.

10 days after I brought him home, this happened.

Since it was his first time stepping up onto a human arm, I had to cheat a little and lure him on with a grape. But after he got on, and stayed on calmly, he got to stuff his face with all the grapes. Another week later, he was voluntarily stepping up for me whenever I asked with a vocal cue, just like all of my hens.

I wish I had more photos of him, and a video of us training. But, for some reason I never bothered to back up any of the stuff from my phone onto my computer for the rest of that summer, and the entire fall and winter, and I lost it all when I dropped my phone and it got run over by a car. Induna also passed away that winter. The only photos I have are what I was able to dig up from Snapchat memories and Facebook Messenger conversations (the photo above is a screenshot from Instagram, hence the poor quality).

A professional animal behaviour consultant, like the ones that work with rescue parrots, probably could have done a better job with him. I’m happy that I tried my best, and I’m fairly confident that I gave him a good life, and that he even trusted me. We got to a point where he’d do the shuffling courtship behaviour that roosters will apparently do for humans that they’re very comfortable with. And I miss that very much.

Please do your best to try and understand an animal and where it is coming from when you’re attempting to train it. Especially roosters. It saddens me to see all these Kijiji ads along the lines of “free rooster - too aggressive”. Because not all of them end up in good homes (if they get a home and not a cooking pot, that is). Properly trained roosters are a wonderful component of a backyard flock, if you can stand the 4AM crowing. They’re natural alarm and protection systems for the hens, and as someone who works with falcons and owls, I can still easily say that roosters are the most gorgeous and charismatic birds I’ve ever worked with. And that shuffle? Melts your heart.

Note: I am not a professional animal trainer/behaviour consultant. I am, however, a student veterinarian, an an animal behaviour/welfare/neuroscience researcher, someone who works with raptors for use in educational settings, a former zookeeping intern, and a happy chicken owner. I don’t know everything about animal behaviour - I am mostly just speaking from my personal experiences! Here are some blog posts about force-free training and aggression by Lara Joseph, a behaviour consultant from the Animal Behaviour Company, which I highly recommend checking out:

https://www.theanimalbehaviorcenter.com/concern-using-force-animal/

https://www.theanimalbehaviorcenter.com/working-with-behavior-issues-from-a-lunging-dive-bombing-amazon/

https://www.theanimalbehaviorcenter.com/a-bird-attacking-question/

[flock-talk]

I’ve been asked a lot how much fighting I allow between my birds and I think this interaction is an excellent example of the most I allow

Fighting? 0 tolerance, fighting shows an intent to harm which can quickly result in major injuries and death. A fight would present aggressive body language, the beak shutting in attempts to latch on or grab, using their feet to grab eachother, or ceaseless pursuits of one another. If they’re feeling the need to fight that’s my job to help them separate so they learn fighting isn’t a necessary method to resolve conflicts.

Communication? 100%. This is usually through body language, stiffening, hard stares, vocalization, or pecks (beak remains open), no intent to harm. These should last no more than a few seconds with both birds aiming to deescalate and diffuse tension to avoid a larger conflict. If the tension sticks for longer than a few seconds with the birds struggling to diffuse then it’s my job to step in and help them deescalate so they can learn how to effectively communicate going forwards.

Parrot communication can be hard to decipher, they move fast, many cues can mean different things in different contexts, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a peck and an intended bite in the moment. Recording their interactions to watch back slower, observing body language, tone, and ensuring to be an active part of their interactions while you learn their communication cues are helpful.

The goal is to ensure they know that they don’t need to harm eachother in order to have their boundaries respected. That means intervening before fights happen and setting them up for successful interactions, not waiting for them to hit the point of a fight before you step in.

[toosicktoocare]

[Prompt: what if when Connor starts showing signs of deviancy, Amanda pulls some bullshit in his headspace and starts giving him migraine headaches everytime he thinks or acts against his protocol? Cue confused and concerned Hank."]

[@illnessandinjury this is such a freaking cool concept!]

[Setting: pre-deviant Connor/before the rebellion]

[@quietnocturne I wasn't going to finish and post this until either way later today or tomorrow, but you inspired me, lol]

*****

The odd senses of discomfort to the top front part of his head are small at first, mere quick glitches in his system that send brief bouts of stuttered programming to his head. For a while, Connor thinks something is wrong, that he may be in need of a repair, but he's one among the most advanced android model series to date, so it doesn't take him long to pick up on a pattern.

Disobey Hank's orders? Slight discomfort. Disregard a clue to potentially protect an on-the-run deviant? Slight discomfort.

But, as his software instability increases with each minor act or thought of disobedience, the odd sensation becomes worse, and when Amanda pulls him to the garden while he's in the car with Hank on the way to a crime scene, his systems are pushing out quick, angry programs.

"What is this, Amanda?" He knows it's her; anytime there's an issue, it's always her.

"You're straying."

"I am not," Connor says back, and his words are punctuated by a loud crack of thunder over head. He glances up at the dark sky before pulling a careful gaze back to Amanda. "What are you doing to me?"

"Reminding you of your place."

Connor's eyes fly open to see Hank twisted around in his seat and shaking his shoulder.

"Connor! Connor, did you forget to charge yourself or whatever? Where's your power button?"

Slowly, Connor turns a steady gaze to Hank. "I apologize for causing concern, Lieutenant."

"What?" Hank pulls away quickly and shoves his door open, arriving at the crime scene while Connor was doing... whatever the fuck that was. "Who the hell said I was concerned?"

Connor keeps a soft gaze to Hank's back for just a moment before he slips out of the car himself and starts toward the worn down house where a couple was murdered by a deviant.

While he's looking through the evidence, he samples some Thirium that gives him a model number, and he remembers seeing an android in that model series looking oddly terrified only days before. The android was frantically looking at a bus map, but Connor ignored it because his current orders had been to retrieve Hank from a bar.

He's 99.7% sure that the android he saw is the same android who did this, and he should tell someone, but that panicked look on the android's face as him storing that potentially helpful information in a back program.

He gets to his feet, prepared to run through evidence with Hank, but an electric jolt bursts across his forehead, and he has to grip a wall to keep himself upright.

He can hear Amanda's voice in his head: "Reminding you of your place." It echoes against his auditory sensors, sounding far too faint yet worryingly close, but he closes his eyes and focuses on the rapid programs that are running rampant to his head.

"Connor?"

Slowly, Connor opens his eyes, his self-repair already mending the glitching programs that Amanda altered, and Hank's in front of him, his face visibly concerned.

"Did you find anything, Lieutenant?"

Connor deflects because he knows Hank doesn't do well with certain confrontations. Hank seems hesitant to reply, but he shrugs.

"There was a chair missing in the kitchen. One of the cops found it beside the window in the guest bedroom."

"An escape route," Connor says as he and Hank walk to the bedroom, but what he doesn't say out loud is one burning thought interrupting his programs: but what was the deviant escaping from?

*****

Connor's almost come to terms with Amanda's actions against his unsteady instability, but on his way back from the Eden Club, when he made a split-second decision to spare two deviants, his programs suddenly burn hot and send forceful pressure to his head.

It's so sudden that Connor can't help but gasp and bring a hand to his head, and Hank, who's driving the two back to the station for a debriefing, practically jerks the wheel at the sound, his gaze snapping between the slick, dark road before them and Connor.

"Connor? What the hell is wrong?"

"My... my head," Connor grits out through clenched teeth, and Hank frowns and jerks the car onto the side of the road.

"What do you mean your head?" Hank puts the car in park and takes off his seat belt. "Did you get hurt during that fight? Are you broken or something?"

Hank's voice is impossibly loud; it sounds like he's got a megaphone pressed to Connor's auditory sensors, and Connor can't help but shrink away from the sound. He fumbles for the door handle with one hand while the other unclicks his seat belt, and then he slips out of the car because the sensation is unbearably uncomfortable.

The second he's out of the car and on his feet, he manages a few steps before he's dropping to a crouch and placing his head in cupped hands. He can hear Hank cursing as he gets out of the car, and moments later, there's a surprisingly gentle touch to his back.

"Connor, talk to me, kid. You've gotta help me understand what's going on."

Hank's voice is uncharacteristically soft, his tone just loud enough to where Connor's auditory sensors can pick up on it without feeling in an overwhelming competition with the glitching programs sending waves of discomfort to his head. He keeps his gaze locked to the wet pavement below him as his programs filter through possible descriptive words. One small word keeps popping up despite how many times Connor tries to disregard it.

"Pain," he finally mutters, and Hank's hand goes rigid against his back.

"But you can't..."

"I know," Connor answers a little too quickly, his vocal projection sounding a little too shaky and nervous, both shows of emotion he's not accustomed to.

"What can I do?" Hank asks, his own voice shaking a lot because he's crouched on the side of the road in the rain with a faulty android and he has no fucking idea what to do.

"Nothing," Connor manages out through clenched teeth. "It's my fault. I... I'm... My software instability is becoming too high."

"Your software instability?" Hank parrots back, his tone tipping up and getting a little louder. "What the hell does that-- "

"Nothing," Connor says again. The pain, now that he's come to terms with what is happening, is residing. He knows Amanda is watching, knows that Amanda can see he understands, and she's backing off... for now. He makes a move to get to his feet, and Hank helps him with a strong hand to his arm, his face mirroring the confusion clouding his mind.

"Woah, Connor. Should you be up?"

"I'm fine now." Connor says. "I apologize for--"

"The concern," Hank mocks, finishing Connor's words. "You're always apologizing for the fucking concern." Hank's angry, not at Connor per se. He's more mad at himself, mad that he's let himself get too invested into a fucking piece of plastic. And, he could pull away, distance himself with alcohol, but the thought alone brings a dark haze to his mind, one he's not sure he will be able to recover from.

So he only stalks to his car and gets inside, slamming the door. But instead of driving off, he waits.

He waits for Connor to get into the car because that's how far gone he is in the plot that is Connor, the android sent by CyberLife.

[barbaraheidenreich]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Barbara~Animal Training Expert (@barbara_heidenreich)

Hurricane did not hold this cutie back. She already knew the wings up behavior (with the best cue ever) and she also learned to vocalize on cue and the beginnings of taking medication from a syringe at todays parrot training workshop in NOLA. #cockatiel #parrottrainingworkshop #wingsup https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz6fvmAlKAk/?igshid=dj6gs2268yv1

[daddyslittlejuliet]

Sounds That Scare Dogs — And What to Do About Them

The post Sounds That Scare Dogs — And What to Do About Them by Arden Moore appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

Dogs don’t need to see something scary to turn into puddles of panic. There are tons of sounds that scare dogs, unfortunately. Certain sounds that scare dogs can cause them to pace, drool, shake, shadow you or desperately seek a safe refuge like inside the bathtub.

Some dogs with noise phobias can become petrified with fear even before the dreaded sound arrives, because they pick up on pre-sound warning cues.

“My dog, Rusty, is terrified of the smoke detector in our kitchen,” says Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, professor emeritus at Tufts University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and lead veterinarian at the Center for Canine Behavior Studies in Salisbury, Connecticut. “He has learned that turning on our indoor grill may cause the smoke alarm to go off, so he starts to shake and tremble with fear when he sees us bring out the indoor grill. So, I distract him in another room while my wife, Linda, works the indoor grill. Rusty has learned what we call a behavioral chain, a common occurrence in dogs with noise phobias.”

What are some common sounds that scare dogs?

What sounds scare dogs? Photography ©Sonja Rachbauer| Getty Images

By definition, veterinarians and animal behaviorists use the term “noise phobia” to describe the intense and irrational fear displayed by some dogs to certain sounds. It is important to make the distinction that fear is a normal emotional response to a real or perceived threat or situation, such as dreading the anticipated pain from a vaccination needle. However, fear can escalate to a phobia, an exaggerated and irrational response that can completely emotionally cripple a dog.

Topping the list of sounds that scare dogs:

thunderstorms

fireworks

loud trucks

gunshots

people yelling

squawking pet parrots

security alarms

smoke detectors

But your dog may develop a noise phobia to more unusual sounds based on past experience, such as the wheels of a skateboard, the buzzer on a game show on TV or the popping of bubble wrap used to pad packages.

Sounds that scare dogs are a pretty common problem

Sounds that scare dogs aren’t uncommon, unfortunately. Photography ©igorr1 | Getty Images.

Sounds that scare dogs and escalate into noise phobia in dogs are more common than you may realize. Dr. Dodman estimates that close to 50 percent of dogs have some signs of fear and anxiety to sounds, sights and situations. But there is no study known that breaks down the percentage of dogs with fears or phobias to perceived scary sounds.

“Fear and anxiety rank as the No. 1 issue with dogs,” says Dr. Dodman, who ran the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts for more than two decades and is a best-selling pet author. “No one knows for sure, but it may have to do with their physical size, shape, structure, their temperaments and/or environmental influences.”

Most of Dr. Dodman’s canine clients being treated for thunderstorm phobia tended to be large and hairy. He has treated more breeds like German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Bernese Mountain Dogs for noise phobias than he has for breeds like Greyhounds, Shih Tzus or Dachshunds.

“A dog’s coat is a perfect receptacle for an electric charge, especially dogs with long-haired coats,” he notes. “Things and animals can get statically charged in a storm.”

Signs of fear

Is your dog hiding? He might have a noise phobia. Photography ©Alexandr Zhenzhirov | Getty Images

How a dog reacts to a fearful sound also depends on whether or not his best friend – you — are in the room or the dog is home alone.

“Clinical signs can differ, but if you are with the dog when the noise occurs, the typical behavior is for the dog to go into Velcro mode and be close to you, even press into you as the dog shakes and trembles with fear,” Dr. Dodman says. “But if you are not present to provide solace to the dog, separation anxiety is also usually present. These dogs are in extreme anxious states and tend to vocalize, have accidents on the floor and desperately try to hide or escape what they regard to be a house of horrors.”

Other signs of sounds that scare dogs can include: inappropriate chewing (your shoes, the television remote, etc.), drooling, excessive barking, diarrhea and vomiting, digging (including the living room rug), panting heavily, pacing and displaying “whale eye” — a panicky look in which you can see the whites of the eyes.

Tools to calm a noise phobia

While there is no one cure or one-size-fits-all solution to minimize sounds that scare dogs has or even make them disappear altogether, you do have plenty of tools at your disposal.

For starters, strive to be calm around your dog and avoid baby talk or panicky tones. Dogs are masters at reading our emotional states. And, consult a professional dog behaviorist or dog trainer to help modify your dog’s behavior. Keep in mind that behavior modification techniques build on small but steady successes, and you need to be patient. Never yell at your dog for his fear-related destructive behavior, as your dog could start to associate the loud noises with a punishment, too.

As for products, work with your veterinarian to see if these may aid the reaction in your dog: Anti-anxiety vests, ThunderShirts, anti-static jackets or even towel wrapping your dog to help him feel less anxious or frightened. If your dog is afraid of storms, you can try rubbing his coat with antistatic laundry dryer sheets.

Pheromone sprays and diffusers. These commercial products emit dog-appeasing pheromones that help some dogs calm down in stressful or scary situations.

Soothing music or white noise to help block out the source of the fear-causing sound.

Soundproof a crate or safe room for your dog to go to before a storm strikes.

Some dogs require supplements or prescription medication to help them cope with noise phobias, especially to thunderstorms. The popular go-to medications prescribed by veterinarians include clonidine, clomipramine, fluoxetine, benzodiazepine and Prozac. Keep in mind that your veterinarian may recommend a combination of these drugs or may prescribe for use before a storm arrives to minimize your dog’s response. Go to a holistic veterinarian if you prefer more homeopathic solutions like herbs, essential oils, Bach flower remedies or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Dr. Dodman shares one final key bit of advice: Don’t wait to get your pup or young dog treated for a noise phobia. “If your 10-month-old dog is starting to show signs of fear to a sound like thunder, don’t dismiss it and think you can just live with his pacing, because trust me, it will get worse if unchecked. I guarantee that. Get help sooner than later.”

When it comes to hearing, dog ears rule

Dogs have much better hearing than humans. Photography ©Azret Ayubov | Getty .

When it comes to a hearing contest, dogs have us beat, paws down. On average, there are about 12 muscles per canine ear that can be tilted, turned, raised and lowered to zero in on sounds at greater distances and wider frequencies than human ears.

Dogs can hear sounds within 67 to 45,000 hertz range as compared to people who can hear sounds within a range of 63 to 23,000. Hertz (Hz) is a measure of sound frequency or cycles per second.

That explains why your dog can be snoozing in an upstairs bedroom but hear you open a bag of potato chips in the kitchen and come bounding your way.

Thumbnail: © mattjeacock |Getty Images & © GlobalP | Getty Images.

About the author

Arden Moore, the Pet Health and Safety Coach, is a pet behavior consultant, master certified pet first-aid instructor, author and host of the Oh, Behave Show on Pet Life Radio. Learn more at ardenmoore.com.

Editor’s note: This article appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you! 

Read more related articles on Dogster.com:

All About Dog Genitalia and Dog Reproductive Systems

9 Things You Never Knew About Dogs in Heat

Why Do Female Dogs Hump? Reasons for Female Dog Humping

The post Sounds That Scare Dogs — And What to Do About Them by Arden Moore appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.