#who specifically bred to be able to tan

[darkwood-sleddog]

If you would like, please talk to us about the strains and the different Visible Traits, because I am a genetics freak and am fascinated by small differences in populations

I am finally getting around to being able to answer asks in more detail again! Thanks for your patience :) To begin there are three "strains" of Malamute and by that I mean there are three separate populations of dogs that were developed on their own to make up the breed today. During World War II sled dogs were used in abundance. The war, in addition to the previous Antarctic expeditions the original strain had been bred for, decimated the breed population to the point the breed was no longer sustainable (around 30 VERY related individuals), so studbooks were opened in the late 1940's and early 1950s with the breed standard being rewritten to adjust for the variation these new genetics allowed in the 1960s.

The three strains are: Kotzebue (developed by Eva Seeley for the Byrd Antarctic Expeditions and accepted as a breed by the AKC in 1935), M'Loot (developed by Paul Voelker for companionship and not registered with the AKC), and the Hinman-Irwin (co-owned (modern description of what occured) between Dick Hinman and Dave Irwin, who was an Arctic Explorer).

Now I must mention that the Hinman-Irwin dogs were very few, more like a concentrated family of dogs and not really a strain. They only make up a very small percentage of modern dogs (often less than 1% depending on pedigree).

Below are dogs of each strain prior to the popularity of strain mixing:

We can use our general knowledge and photographs of pure strain dogs to inform us of modern dogs. There are no modern strain dogs left (some frozen pure Kotzebue semen, but no pure Kotzebue females to put it to).

Kotzebue dogs tend to be smaller, shorter on leg and more broad in the chest. Typically grey & white (domino), agouti or black and tan in color with little other variation. Smaller ears, more blunt muzzle shape, tend to be straighter in the rear (as we often see with Inuit dogs as well). Many modern dogs with heavy Kotzebue pedigrees also fit within the original 1935 standard which is often why you'll get some M'Loot influenced folks complaining that certain malamutes are being bred too small and fast. With Kotzebue heavy pedigree dogs I expect energetic temperaments with good drive to work as the line was so concentrated and set type so fast in the beginning (less variation).

M'Loot dogs tend to be bigger and taller on leg. They have narrower chests and come in a wider variety of colors (white and red come from this line typically). Larger, often lower set ears and a rear with better angulation. Even though they and the other strains are clearly of one dog type, they fall less within the Inuit dog silhouette and size than Kotzebue dogs. The standard had to be adjusted specifically to accommodate the size difference between this strain and the original dogs as they are often significantly larger (Large Kotzebue males are in the 85 pound range and large M'Loot males are within the 100+ pound range with their ideal being in that 85...thus why the desirable compromised size is 85 pounds for a male in the modern standard). M'Loot dogs also tend to be more dog aggressive.

The traits of the Hinman-Irwin dogs are less distinct and their influence on the breed is very small so I typically stick to Kotzebue vs M'Loot when talking about pedigrees in which one strain dominates. There just is no modern dog where Hinman-Irwin even makes up a double digit percentage.

Above are two related bitches with good (if not excellent) show results, I think even here it is clear what dog has more Kotzebue in her pedigree and which has more M'Loot just based on their heads and angulation.

Meanwhile I feel this bitch is VERY M'Loot-ey:

and this bitch is very Kotzebue:

(note that I have chosen short coat bitches in show stacks to most equally illustrate this, many pet bred Malamutes tend to be exaggerated M'Loot type and overly heavy so not used as an example here).

I understand that for some folks this narrowing down of subtle traits seems deranged or even non-existent, but these things become really easily seen when you're more familiar with the breed. It's not definitive either, because genetics work in a way that is often beyond human prediction you get dogs like Sigurd (very M'Loot looking) out of a heavy Kotzebue pedigree from a breeder looking to produce dogs to that original Kotzebue 1935 standard. All dogs are mixed strain though so these things happen and they're not bad either, it's a good thing that the breed has a wide range of phenotypes available. It's a good thing that we opened our studbook to increase our diversity, but people are also allowed to have preferences between what 'type' they prefer. I just happen to prefer Kotzebue, but others might prefer M'Loot influenced dogs and that's perfectly fine too!

#faq #alaskan malamute #m'loot #kotzebue #hinman-irwin #dogblr #anyways i have a heavy preference towards kotzebue bc i personally see more dogs with kotzebue heavy pedigrees #doing real work and having decent working drives #i also think they look a bit more refined and less clumsy/coarse #under his m'loot-ey worm body #sigurd does have a very typical kotzebue head shape so there's that #i find kotzebue heads have less stop overall to the muzzle but the muzzle itself is shorter #that's something that really sets the heads apart for me #additionally eye shape i find a lot of m'loot dogs have a rounder lighter eye (subtle but there) #and i do agree m'loot influenced dogs bring a lot to the angulation of the breed #although one has to ask is it TOO much angulation for a freighting dog #considering that inuit dogs tend to have less than malamutes

[doberbutts]

feel free to ignore this if you're not up for it, but if you feel inclined, would you talk a bit about the visible differences in the pictures you used between the conformation dobes/"total package" dobes? i'm kinda fascinated that you said it was immediately apparent as i don't have enough knowledge of dobe confromation to make that call just on a look, and i'm really curious what cues you off! i find it v interesting when you talk abt the breed tho i'd never be confident to own one myself.

Well, technically only two of them were 'total package' dobes- Creed and Nadia both came from breeders that valued both working ability and conformation to physical standard. Suvie was produced by a conformation only breeder, and Marco and Munch by working only breeders.

I was more talking about the specific lines rather than conformation vs working. The lines within each of these dogs is readily obvious to me, but in fairness I've spent entire weeks staring at these otherwise identical black and tan dogs telling them apart, so it's easy to see the differences to me.

For any of them, the shape of the head and muzzle and how it relates to the rest of the body is the first clue. I find the more working focused the lines, the more of that blunt wedge terrier head you see. Of course, the standard calls for a blunt wedge appearance, so it's not a huge surprise, but I digress. I see it in the underjaw, the fill of the cheeks,the thickness of the lips (and sometimes how wet or dry the mouth is), the shape of the eye. Sometimes the cropped ear is a big hint. The more you know dobermans the more you can pretty accurately guess based on head shape and crop- I was able to accurately guess not only breeder but exact litter on several tumblr dobes due to this. The color of the rust markings can be another major indicator of lines, the shape of them as well, and exact body type and how the dog carries muscle. Finally the bone, the coarseness of apperance or lack thereof, and the spring of the chest. These are all pretty good indicators of what lines are what if you know what you're looking for.

When @khayr initially rescued Suvie, who was dumped at her primary care vet after the original owner "was hospitalized" (we think she died) and the family just wanted rid of her, I thought she looked too showy to be some badly bred craigslist dog, and most of the show breeders in our immediate area require the dog to come back to them in this situation. It was mostly her head that clued me in, she was in pretty bad shape at first and you couldn't see her body very well. She had very flat planes on her cheeks, thin lips, a boxy muzzle, relatively little underjaw, but nice ears that looked like someone did a lot of work to get them standing perfectly. She looked, well, like an ancient show dog. We used her head as a basic lines guess and dug through dobe pedigree records using her recorded birthday as a rough estimate and narrowed it down to one of two people. And one of them was the correct answer, and she WAS on a contract to go back, and that means the family never bothered.

Which is why I warn people to make a plan for their pets well in advance. You're never too young to suffer grevious injury or illness or die and if you can't take care of your pets, does your family know what you'd want to happen with them?

Anyway. I specifically included the dogs I did because those were all dogs I've met in person. Munch is from old old old school lines, lines that were dying off back then and are basically gone now. He... looks like a working line dog, lol. He has the terrier head and the straight front and the shallow chest and the slightly roached back that's common in those lines. His crop is nothing like the others' because his breeder still uses the oldschool utility 'military' crop. Marco is also from working lines but not as oldschool, you can tell because he's well put together despite looking like a working line dog. When he and his owner walked out onto the first I was immedtely impressed. He's a nice dog, a lot of presense, still very working line but not bad to look at either.

[crispysnakes]

Got roped into helping mod a FB boa group and I find we’re answering the same questions without fail, every day, so I wanted to throw this up here.  

1. Folks posting normals to the group asking what morph they are. The wildtype phenotype varies greatly. Normals can be lighter, darker, cleaner, dirtier, yellower, pinker, more tan, have peaked saddles, barred saddles, aberrant patterns, reduced patterns, or random striping. ALL of these visible traits fall within the normal phenotype, especially with how many locality crosses have occurred within imperator breeding over the last couple decades. Unless you have lineage history, assume it’s a normal of unknown origin. 

2. There are no visible het markers for recessive traits that are 100% accurate. Some animals in a litter may look different with one copy of a recessive gene, but many will not. No one can tell you what your boa is het for if you don’t know the parent pairing.    

3. If you bought your animal from a breeder as a motley DH albino anery, for example, then that’s what it is. Please do not post to the group asking what your animal is if you bought it specifically as ‘x’. The number of inexperienced people who will respond, who cannot properly identify incomplete dominant morphs, is ridiculous and will only muddy the waters. Additionally, no one will be able to confirm that your animal is DH unless you also know the parent pairing. 

4. We get it, impulse buys happen. Please do your best to do some research beforehand. If you are at a show, there are a few important questions to ask the seller. Did the seller produce this animal? If not, who did? If they cannot answer that, be wary. If they can, find out what the parent pairing and/or lineage history is. Even if it’s destined to be ‘just a pet,’ because as we all know ‘it’s just a pet’ boas often turn into breeders down the line. 

5. If you cannot properly identify what you have... please don’t breed it. Morph Market is chalk full of poorly bred, misidentified boas already. The hobby is negatively influenced by poor breeding, and some base morphs no longer appear at the quality they should, with the distinguishing traits that they should. If you want to breed, please consider taking the time to learn the morphs and locales, look for quality, and arrange your pairs accordingly. Be a good steward to your projects and take care in what you produce.

#snake rambles

[flairmagazineblog]

“About-Face, About-Halsey”

Since the start of 2021, Halsey decided it was her year. Kicking off the new year with two major and meaningful surprise announcements. The New Jersey-bred artist is full of surprises. In 2020, she launched a collection of her beautifully-written poetry pieces titled “I Would Leave Me If I Could.” In 2021, Halsey continues to surprise us, as she has just launched her makeup brand, called “About-Face ” – let us tell you, it’s not just about the face but everything. This brand is Halsey’s way of sharing with the world her love for makeup, art, and creativity. For Selena Gomez has Rare Beauty, Rihanna has Fenty Beauty, etc.

Halsey was clear that this is not just another celebrity milestone for her. So, she explained that her brand is less about extending her scope into another channel. And it is more about creating a real community around something she feels passionate about and giving a safe space to the outcasts, rebels, and more to be unapologetically themselves. “About-Face” is all about breaking the beauty rules set by anyone, including other makeup brands. It encourages people to be themselves, embraces who they are, steps out of their comfort zone, and try out new bold things, starting with outstanding makeup looks.

Halsey -A.K.A Ashley Nicolette Frangipane- is known for doing her makeup in many big events, like Album covers, award show appearances, on-tour performances, photoshoots, etc. Her love for art and makeup is indescribable; both are-known to be her ways of expression other than music. “I was an art student, so I paint, and I still paint. Makeup has always been something I’ve just been naturally drawn to because I’m very dextrous with a brush and I know a lot about color.” Halsey told Byrdie about her love for painting.

Instagram was the platform that Halsey announced launching “About-Face” on. With a daring campaign video; we were able to get a glimpse of the new makeup brand. Through this brand, Halsey wants its consumers to leave the “flawless” Instagram persona all behind and focus on creating rather fun, dashing and vivid makeup looks. “About-Face” launched with ten items in beautiful pink and chrome or bold, solid-colored tubes and compacts, including highlighters, lipsticks, liquid eye shadows, beauty tools, but no face products like foundation.

We’ll say that again but “About-Face” is all about self-expression, creativity, colorful bold makeup looks. As to what Halsey said confirming this fact, “It pays tribute to the style of makeup and the makeup influences that I’ve always loved: very ’90s-heavy, very Myspace scene queen, very emo revival.” To minimize the chances of discomfort, her makeup products leave out parabens, gluten, and synthetic fragrances, and are both vegan and cruelty-free. Once the products were launched, we couldn’t help but add everything to our carts. So, here’s a sneak peek at some of our favorite “About-Face” products:

Light Lock Highlight Fluid – Liquid Highlighter

This product simply gives you the natural glow, brings out the glow from within, the one you deserve. It’s your safest way to add shimmer to your face; cause its shiny formula comes in bronze, gold, and rose gold.

Paint-It Matte Lip Colors & Matte Fix Lip Pencil – Liquid Lipsticks

For Halsey, creating matte liquid lipstick was a priority, because she feels our struggle with matte lipstick on a real level; so, creating lipsticks that didn’t make our lips look dehydrated was her superhero-act for us. With just one swipe, the Matte Lip Colors give you dispersing high-impact pigment, featherlight lips, and non-drying makeup looks even after hours of its wear. She created six shades for us to bask in their glory, they are available in sangria-colored, plum, light peach, burgundy, brown, and tan shades.

Matte Fluid Eye Paints – Liquid Eyeshadows

This product was specifically inspired by the process of trial and error and experimentation the whole brand was inspired by the experiences Halsey has gone through. And that’s why our simple liquid eyeshadows, in our world, are called eye paints, in Halsey’s. Apart from being portable, swipe-able, easy to blend on your eyelids just like paint, they’re also literally flawless. The Matte Fluid Eye Paints are perfect for you whether you’re a pro but in a hurry or just starting makeup out; as you can’t mess up in both cases, according to what Halsey said, they’d look artistic either way. They are available in six pretty shades, as well — navy blue, emerald green, baby pink, white, brown, and tan.

Lastly, Shop “About-Face” & embrace who you are; as it’s brought to you by the amazing-mother-to-be and singer and it’s created out of a passion for the many of you. Here’s a heartfelt message from the unique brand creator, Halsey: “We are about-face. Multidimensional makeup for everyone, everywhere created by Ashley Frangipane a.k.a. Halsey. Inspired by and for our diverse and artistic community, we create makeup made with integrity and intention, for all stages of life.

We are built on the truth that no one is just one thing — humans are weird, complex, and entirely beautiful because of it. Everyone has their own messy, mad, and personal method to becoming our greater selves. So, we make products that are hard-working over hype, designed to celebrate every version of us. The ones we end up being, and all of the experimental versions along the way. We hand over the reins, giving everyone the power to represent themselves and celebrate one another — because who knows what will happen when you lean into every dimension of you?”

By: Nouran Hassan

“About-Face, About-Halsey” was originally published on FLAIR MAGAZINE

#Featured

[catbreeds2]

Siamese Cats

The Standard Siamese cat and the Fashionable Siamese cat are surrounded by some controversy. No, you are not imagining points. Positive, there are two very utterly totally different variations of the similar breed of cat.

The Standard Siamese cat, a smooth-bodied, sturdy animal with a rounded head, spherical blue eyes and fundamental darkish components on a creamy physique. The cat from primary earlier movies like “Bell, Information and Candle” and “That Darn Cat”.

The fragile Siamese appears to be dressed for a chic masquerade ball in pale night time placed on with trendy black gear and tanzanite-blue eyes.

The usual Siamese is the cat many individuals grew up with, and the one cat you’ll be able to see inside the historic previous of the breed, (and it is a very prolonged historic previous) until the 1960’s.

These cats had been written about and depicted in paintings work as early as a result of the 1700’s, after which in 1884 a British dignitary visiting Siam, which is now known as Thailand, was gifted with one by the Siamese King.

Launched once more to England, this cats offspring had been confirmed on the London Crystal Palace cat current in 1885.

Footage nonetheless exist within the current day displaying the conventional breed with spherical head and plush physique. So what occurred, and why are there two varieties at the moment?

Evidently tastes merely modified, perhaps some politics had been involved, nonetheless inside the current ring, and on the excessive breeders the Siamese cats whole outward look modified pretty drastically in a matter of a very long time.

Out was the apple-head and full-body, in was an elongated, triangular head, rectangular eyes and an exaggerated physique type very like a vogue model. The “modern” Siamese cat.

By the mid 1980’s the breed commonplace had been absolutely re-written, and, aside from coloration, no Siamese current cats even resembled the cats you see on this net web page.

The persona of the two variations stays to be surprisingly the an identical – this generally is a loud, busy, demanding, demonstrative and nice cat.

Cats with this look are nonetheless bred by very devoted breeders, and some are even attempting to re-introduce them with a model new establish, the “Thai” cat. Seek for “Typical” or “Apple-head” Siamese if that’s the look you need.

Life Span: 11 to 15 years

SIAMESE CAT PERSONALITY

“We’re Siamese for many who please. We’re Siamese for many who don’t please.” These strains, sung by two haughty Siamese cats in Disney’s Girl and the Tramp, particular the Siamese character fully. Perhaps essential issue to find out about these cats is that they’re talkative and opinionated. They will inform you exactly what they suppose, in a loud, raspy voice, and they also rely on you to pay attention and act on their suggestion. Siamese cats are terribly eager on their people. They like to be “helpful” and might observe you spherical and supervise your every switch. If you find yourself sitting down, a Siamese shall be in your lap, and at night time time he could be in mattress with you, perhaps under the covers alongside together with his head on the pillow.

Some cats seem to imagine that a purr or a pleasing rub speaks louder than phrases. Siamese is not going to be of this school of thought and are recognized for his or her experience for talking their ideas and wishes clearly to their chosen individuals. When you can’t be drawn into dialogue, they’re joyful to keep up up a working monologue to your enlightenment. No meaningless meows, these, nonetheless precise makes an try at communication, in accordance with Siamese followers. To some cat lovers, preferring their felines to be seen and by no means heard, the Siamese rasp (some would say yowl) usually is a bit annoying. Nevertheless Siamese worshipers wouldn’t have it one other method.

Determinedly social and actually dependent upon their individuals, Siamese crave energetic involvement in your life. Like Mary’s little lamb, they should adjust to wherever you may go. Siamese will likely be unpredictable of their habits and may appear aloof and disinterested, nonetheless it is all an act. Siamese have to be dealt with with respect and persistence and require quite a few affection in the event that they’re to develop an in depth, caring relationship with their human companions. Siamese will pine if left too usually alone.

SIAMESE CAT HEALT

Every pedigreed cats and mixed-breed cats have numerous incidences of effectively being points that could possibly be genetic in nature. Points that can affect the Siamese embody the following:

– Amyloidosis, a sickness that occurs when a form of protein often called amyloid is deposited in physique organs, primarily the liver in Siamese – Bronchial bronchial asthma/bronchial sickness – Congenital coronary coronary heart defects harking back to aortic stenosis

SIAMESE CAT KİTTENS

raditional Siamese kittens are little characters with superior vitality. These are “climbing the curtains” kind kittens, and kitten-proofing is an absolute necessity.

These infants are pretty small and lean, with no meat to soften the blow within the occasion that they tumble off a banister or fridge.

A model new Siamese kitten is a riot, and a number of is a downright circus. Having loads of toys spherical is an effective suggestion, notably the kind that don’t require as rather a lot human effort, like feathers on sticks, are extraordinarily actually helpful for everytime you’re too pooped to play.

Siamese kittens are born white and develop their coloring over quite a few days to weeks.

Apart from that, the Typical Siamese kitten appears to be very very like a miniature grownup. They’re smooth and swish at a very youthful age.

They tend to develop at a imply price and attain mature prime at about 6 months, filling out and gaining full measurement and weight at about one 12 months outdated.

Because of this is usually a in model cat, breeders of pedigree Standard Siamese kittens may very well be found comparatively merely, and the price is generally moderately priced for a pure-bred kitten. Seek for “Applehead Siamese”.

Coat Coloration And Grooming

What the Siamese looks as if relies upon upon the breed regular of each specific group. Most cat associations title for the Siamese to have a svelte nonetheless muscular physique with prolonged traces. The wedge-shaped head is prolonged and tapering from the slim stage of the nostril outward to the concepts of the ears, forming a triangle. The unusually large ears are huge on the bottom, pointed on the tip, giving them the equivalent triangular type as the top. Medium-size almond-shaped eyes are always a deep vivid blue. The physique is usually described as tubular and is supported by prolonged, slim legs, with the hind legs elevated than the doorway legs. The Siamese walks on small, dainty, oval paws and swishes an prolonged, skinny tail that tapers to an exquisite degree.

The transient coat of the Siamese has a high-quality texture. Throughout the Cat Fanciers Affiliation, it’s out there in four colors: seal degree, a pale fawn to cream physique with deep seal brown elements and deep brown nostril leather-based and paw pads; chocolate degree, an ivory physique with milk chocolate-colored elements and cinnamon-pink nostril leather-based and paw pads; blue degree, a bluish-white physique with deep blue elements and slate-colored nostril leather-based and paw pads; and lilac degree, a glacial white physique with frosty pinky-gray elements and lavender-pink nostril leather-based and paw pads.

The Worldwide Cat Affiliation permits for a variety of colors previous the four degree colors acknowledged by CFA. They embrace tabby components, purple elements, cream elements, silver tabby components, smoke components and particolor elements.

The Standard Cat Affiliation acknowledges two types of Siamese, the Standard and the Conventional, every with a extremely completely totally different look than the fashionable Siamese acknowledged by CFA, TICA and completely different cat associations. The TCA’s Typical Siamese has a spherical head and a big-boned, rounded physique. The TCA’s Primary Siamese may also be big-boned nevertheless has a barely further elongated physique than the Typical Siamese and a big wedge-shaped head. They arrive within the equivalent four colors acknowledged by CFA, plus albino.

What regarding the Thai? The TICA breed regular requires it to have modified wedge-shaped head of medium width with rounded cheeks and a muzzle that tapers to a rounded end, very like a tapered yard spade. The top is longer than it is huge, nevertheless to not an extreme diploma. The eyes have a full almond kind and the ears are medium dimension to barely large, with the tip pointing outward at a slight angle. The lithe, smooth physique is fairly prolonged nonetheless not tubular. Medium-length legs are swish and are supported by medium-size oval-shaped paws. The tail is as long as the torso, tapering on the tip. The coat is transient and silky with a pale, off-white physique coloration and dense, even stage colors.

TRADITIONAL SIAMESE CAT BREED STANDARD

Head Type: The head is as broad because it’s prolonged, rounded and proportionate to physique dimension. The nostril must be neither broad nor pointed, and in proportion with the rest of the highest. Medium dimension ears, barely rounded on the tip, and broad on the bottom. Eyes are large, huge and vibrant blue in shade.

Physique and Tail: Medium dimension, properly muscled physique, longer than tall. Legs are of medium dimension. Ft must be medium measurement and spherical and neat. 5 toes in entrance and four in once more. The tail is frequent in measurement and kind with a imply taper. It should not be whip-like.

Coat: Transient in dimension. Fashionable and satiny. Accepted colors are seal, chocolate, brown, lilac, purple, tortie or blue Components with a physique coloration of cream, tan, beige, or near white in Blue Pointed cats.

Pattern: Elements on the masks, tail, ears and legs with successfully outlined edges. Components should all be of the similar shade. No white on physique or inside the pointed areas.

Basic Look: This should be a lean-bodied and medium dimension cat with a glossy, athletic prime quality. They should actually really feel fairly heavy when lifted and be neither comfy nor skinny. A stunning, primary look teamed with an irrepressible persona.

A FEW MORE TRADITIONAL SIAMESE CAT FACTS

Standard Siamese cats are being re-introduced to most of the people beneath one different determine – the Thai cat. Expectantly, these devoted breeders might be succesful to guard this cat in its distinctive and fabulous state.

#siamesekitten #siamesecats #cat breeds

[hysteriium]

𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭;

(𝐆𝐢𝐟 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞)!

(𝐀/𝐍 ): Ok. So. I really got carried away with this. TOMMY DESERVES LOVE OKAY???? I hope y’all enjoy! Kinda scared it sucks and I will be surprised if people read this but anyways lol – this is a lengthy boi! :)

( 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 ): Request for @enigmaticandunstable​. The reader reflects on memories and the moments leading up to how her life was changed forever.

( 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 ): Thomas Hewitt x Reader.

( 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 ): 7800+ k. 

( 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 ): Mentions of gore, fake friends, violence and swearing.

(I was previously @clownsxclowns, though I’ve recently changed my name to @hysteriium​)!     ͢  ⁽ᵉᵈⁱᵗᵉᵈ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ¹¹ᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᶠᵉᵇ ²⁰²¹⁾ 

You dangled your legs while sitting on the porch as Luda May spoke inside with Hoyt. You were unsure as to what the subject matter was, but they had been arguing for the past few minutes; his reassurances, particularly that she worried too much only worked to rile her up more. 

In some contradictory way it manifested a warm, homely sensation of tranquillity; the tingling in your chest a response to the joy of what you had – who you had. 

A family. 

With the Texan weather scorching and almost unbearable, it reminded you of another time. 

One specific day. 

One you recalled.

One that changed your life, forever.  

The Texan sun burnt into your flesh like a brand, making your skin red-hot and sticky. Without so much as a breeze, you remained perched in the back of your friend’s van, cramped up while the sweat welded your shirt to your form. Your desperate hands floated in front of you as they fanned the beads of sweat trickling down your forehead, leaving salty tracks in their path. 

You were practically sold on the idea that you’d all suffocate to death before reaching your destination. 

Mustering what was probably the last bit of energy you had, you called out to the driver. There was no way out of all the passengers on board you were the only one on the beginnings of delirium. With a quick observation it was clear heat exhaustion had coiled around everyone’s bodies, rendering them lax against the van walls.   

“It’s a fucking oven back here, we need to stop somewhere,” you shouted, amongst the bumps of the road. 

A chorus of agreement was heard, agitated murmurs and obscenities filling the thick air around you. In the rearview mirror, you could see your friend glaring at you, their eyes tight and squinting.

“Alright, alright. We passed a small store a few minutes ago. I’ll turn back,” is all they responded with. 

As the sounds of relief spread throughout the van, the piercing screech of the vehicle turning forced you to cover your ears, and before you knew it, you were thrown to the other side. Sliding across the open floor of the van, you ended up sandwiching one of the others between the wall. 

You grumbled a sorry once the van stabilised, and turned to face the only person you knew on this god awful road trip, just catching the ends of their mischevious smile. 

“Bitch,” you uttered, their laugh cutting through everyone else’s groans of pain. 

Untrue to their word, it was half an hour or so before you reached the stop they were talking about.

‘A few minutes my ass,’ you cursed internally.

It wasn’t the first time you began to believe the trip was a bad idea, but the belief was becoming more and more solidified as the minutes ticked by. The churning of your gut never failed you, and so it was a mystery as to why you had chosen to ignore it on this occasion. 

As everyone camped inside the convenience store, huddled around one of the tables, you were stationed on the other side of the wall waiting for (F/n) to come out of the bathroom. As boisterous laughter and the clacking of beer bottles filled the room, it wasn't hard to notice with a bit of observation that your group was annoying the lady at the counter; an annoyance that only worsened when one of the guys, you thought his name was Jerry, dropped his beer. Mostly empty, not much liquid coated the rotting floor planks; already in such a shambled state, it didn’t need any more stress. Instead, the glass shattered and the pieces had glided across the floor. Frantic movement behind the counter had your eyes darting towards the woman. Almost immediately you were scrambling to her side, fearful that she was going to kick you all out. 

“I’m so sorry about them, ma’am,” you shot her a sweet smile. 

She burned a look into you and it was far from friendly. She may as well have said ‘fuck off’. 

Regardless, you persisted. 

“I’ll clean up the mess and make sure it doesn’t happen again.” 

Your attempts to defuse the situation worked as she then wordlessly handed you a dustpan and broom. The scowl that had once manipulated her face lessened, and you just caught the hint of a smile. 

It was enough for you. 

You took the cleaning equipment and speedily cleaned up the scene of destruction while telling the group to be more careful. Like they were a bunch of teenagers, and you nothing more than a scolding mother, they booed at you. It was loud and obnoxious and there was no doubt the ruckus irked the owner even more. 

You felt your eyes roll at the act, the ever-increasing ache of homesickness weighing your chest down. After disposing of the remains, you returned the equipment to the older woman.

“Again, I’m really sorry about them,” you said, a small flush of embarrassment coating your cheeks.  

“That’s quite alright dear. Good things come to those who are polite,” she grinned. 

While it was sweet coming from the woman that was previously moments away from losing her temper and raining hellfire upon all of you, you couldn’t help but think the smile which tugged at her lips was ominous. 

Off. 

Eerie. 

It hastily tied a knot in your gut – something within you certain it wasn’t just the homesickness. 

You quickly excused yourself and said you needed fresh air, leaving her with a small nod. Not caring about what the fuck (F/n) was doing in the bathroom, you gladly walked back into the sun and welcomed the possibility of being fried like an egg.

Compelled by the seductive haze of autopilot, you made your way back to the van. You were going to let your head rest against the metal of the van, wanting to bask in the silence, until legs caught your eye. The legs on the other side of the vehicle were only visible from the gap between the floor and the van, their shoes unfamiliar. They certainly weren’t part of the group. 

The mystery struck you with a whirlwind of anxiety, forcing you to cautiously move toward the vehicle, and ultimately, to the person. You maneuvered around the back of the automobile, stopping just where the stretch ended.

There was a man hunched over, towards the passenger’s side door. Although it was hard to see at your angle with his back turned towards you, it looked like he was fiddling with something – hiding whatever it was in his hand. He wore a tan hat, the colour nearly matching his shirt, with coffee-coloured slacks.

“Sir?” 

The stranger froze. His brown pointed and worn leather shoes were the first thing to move towards you. When he rotated, your eyes darted to the glittering object perched on his shirt. It was a five-pointed star and it almost blinded you from the reflection of the sun. 

A nervous smile found its way to your face as it clicked, and like a common criminal, you felt your hands start to sweat. It wasn’t as if you had anything illegal on you; just being near officers made you nervous – as if you had unknowingly committed a crime.

“How may I help you, sheriff?” You said.

You assumed he was taken aback by your politeness because his bushy grey eyebrows jerked in surprise. Yet, it was gone as soon as it appeared and his face flickered back to a wrinkled scowl. 

Were people alien to courtesy here? Why were they so surprised whenever you showed a shred of civility?

“Honey, this here your van?” His accent drawled, breaking the stare off. It was thick and loud. 

The pet name made you want to gag, but you somehow restrained yourself.  

“No, it’s my friend’s. Why, is something wrong?”

He let out a hum, spitting to the side. “It’s not up to my standards.”

“Oh,” you paused to look back at the store, thumb pointing along with you, “I can get the owner if you’d like?” 

He failed to respond to your suggestion and advanced, looking you up and down. Your mouth grew dry, urging you to swallow. 

“What brings you to our little ol’ town, sweetheart?” He questioned. 

He was hardly a meter away and you were able to see his large pores, his blemishes and the days-old greying stubble that were bathed in sweat. 

“Oh, uh, just passing through,” your nervous laughter filled the air. The twitch of his nose signalled his suspicion as if he was a bloodhound specially bred for lies. 

“Keep outta trouble darlin’, or I’ll be seeing you.” 

“Y-Yes, sir.” 

His smile was anything but. It more of a sneer, with his snout crinkled. You were forced to watch his green-tinged spit hit the ground again as he squinted at you. His eyes lingered on your form for a short instant before he finally walked off. 

You couldn't contain the sigh of relief when he completely vanished from view and after a few more minutes, the group started spilling out of the store, just as rowdy as before. Two of them stumbled around, drunk. 

Great.

The urge to check what the Sheriff was doing to the car was shoved to the back of your mind. And then, the notion was entirely forgotten when you saw (F/n) return. You watched them run over to the driver’s seat, their shrill call declaring that the last person to get in was going to be left behind. 

You observed everyone catapult themselves into the back following their statement, and you ran to the passenger's seat, not entirely sure if (F/n) was joking or not. The chance of getting your old spot back was slim to none and it was only when they started up the car, blaring their uniquely shitty music that you regretted the decision entirely. 

Maybe you should’ve stayed behind.

The minutes passed by like hours. 

At the very least the heat had reached its peak with the passing of noon, making the weather more bearable. Finally, you were able to breathe without it seeming like you were travelling at a snail’s pace to death.

The clamour in the back had also fallen back and after some pleading, the music had dwindled down to a soft volume. 

As things started to turn around and peace seemed like a concept within reach, you found your mind wandering back to the sheriff. 

You felt compelled to tell (F/n).  

“Um hey,” you started, the awkward fumble getting their attention. “The sheriff came by earlier. He was kinda... weird.” 

“Sheriff?” They made a face, mimicking disgust, “are you about to tell me you almost got arrested?” 

You laughed.

“No, but you almost were. He was complaining about how your van wasn’t up to his standards.” 

Their gasp ripped through the air, sudden and dramatic. With one hand continuing to direct the steering wheel, the other made its way to the dashboard, rubbing the vinyl soothingly as if it had feelings. 

“Shhh, it’s okay baby, you’re up to my standards. You’re enough for me.”

“Okay, now I wish I had been arrested,” you mumbled, earning a laugh from (F/n), who had returned their attention to driving. 

“What an ass, my van’s perfect.” 

As if on cue, there was a loud ‘pop!’ It was one that startled everyone and a harmony of screams echoed throughout the car. (F/n) slammed on the breaks as the van swerved, thankful that the country road was large enough to accommodate the veering. 

“What the FUCK?” (F/n) shouted. 

The purr of the engine halted as (F/n) yanked the keys out of the ignition. Meanwhile, you worked to calm your pounding heart and your tattered breathing. A very audible string of curses fell from their lips once they realised what was wrong. 

They were on your side of the vehicle, the same area the Sheriff was at. Either he was right about the van not being up to standards, or he had done something to tamper with it. It was hard to believe that the sheriff could have done this, but then again he was kind of sketchy. If only you had checked prior, maybe this could have been avoided.

You hastily ignored the questions directed at you from the back as you followed (F/n)’s lead. Your clammy fingers gripped the door handle and curled around the latch before you pushed yourself out of the vehicle. (F/n) hunched over the front tire, their hands resting on their knees. 

“What’s wrong?” 

“The fucking tire’s exploded!” (F/n) exclaimed, their hands shooting up in an abrupt movement.  

“Exploded? How-”

They interrupted you with long strides and a face twisted up in anger. As they marched their way to the back door they harshly gripped the latch and heaved the door in one violent drag. Everyone in the back was silent as they seemingly looked up at the face of the devil. 

“Tire’s screwed. We’re gonna have to go searching for help.”

There were groans, but they were quickly crushed when (F/n) glared at the group, shutting them up. 

(F/n) started barking commands, motioning for the others to exit the vehicle. 

“(Y/n), the four of us are going to go search around. We should be back in a bit.”

“What? You’re leaving me!?” 

“Well someone needs to watch the van and I only trust you with that.” 

Another classic case of (F/n) buttering you up to get what they wanted. 

You caved. 

“Fine. Just don’t be too long. This place’s giving me bad vibes.” 

(F/n) mumbled something about feeling the same way before walking off with the rest of the group, leaving you alone and skittish. 

Your concept of time was flawed with only the sun and its position as your guide. Daylight was diminishing with every few minutes, and you found it increasingly hard to believe that the group was going to be back anytime soon. The bubbling anger that had manifested was yet to subside, the twinge of betrayal festering. You understood why they did what they did, but it didn’t make you feel any better.

Now that you were alone, you were hyper aware of everything: noises in the distance, the cicada's song, the occasional bird. You were also conscious of how dead it was. If something happened would someone be able to hear you? Help you? Were there any houses around the next few miles? 

There seemed to be nothing nearby but grass and the occasional tree. 

You were spiralling. 

Overthinking wasn’t helping, and if anything, it worsened the situation. You concluded that the best thing for you now was a distraction. 

You wiggled between the seats, careful not to knee anything on the console. When you fell into the back compartment with a grunt, you landed on your hands and knees. The distinctive crimson hue of your luggage popped its way into view, and mindful of everyone else’s things, you made an effort to avoid damaging anything. Reaching the case, you freed the zip, fixed on finding one of the few books you had packed. Your fingers operated with a mind of their own as you tossed your spare clothes, creating random mounds. 

When you discovered the novel, your features morphed into a grin. 

Then, you contorted your body back into the passenger's seat and began to read. 

As time passed, so did your energy. Before long your oldest friend, exhaustion, caught up with you and the leaden weight of your eyelids struggled to hold. You don’t remember how long it took to give into their painful demand, all you remember was the visual world floating away.

Hoyt was outside, his argument with Luda well in the past as his aged hands rested on his hips. 

He inhaled loudly. 

He was usually too busy to appreciate the beauty of the Hewitt household and its surroundings, but in one of those rare, out of the blue moments it seemed he’d found the time to do it now. 

Hoyt was, and always would be, a country man at heart. 

He was unaware of your presence and only seemed to acknowledge it you when you let out a groan from stretching. Then, he silently made his way over to you, plopping down onto the cushioned chair next to you. Wisps of dust shot into the air, looking almost like furious insects that had found their next feast. 

He started with a laugh, “you remember that time when I found you sittin’ in that van, all alone.” 

The words that left his mouth were strange and unexpected and exactly his style. Hoyt was sadistic, he could be an asshole and sometimes incredibly narcissistic, but the one thing that was certain was he cared about his family. You were apart of that.

“You was sleepin’ like a baby. Sure as hell weren’t snorin’ like one – I scared the shit outta you,” you heard the amusement in his voice, he didn’t try to hide it as the porch filled with his wheezing laughter. 

“I don’t snore!” 

He gives you a look, one that screams disbelief. 

“Ask Tommy!” 

“Yeah, because the big guy would know, wouldn’t he?” He shot you a wink.

The blood runs to your cheeks, and you avoided eye contact a fact that only fuelled Hoyt’s fit.

Under his prompt, you go to remember the memory, time rendering it hazy.  

There was a collation of noises: the crackling of gravel under wheels, the hum of something mechanical, wind; ignoring it, you remained asleep with a body that felt way too heavy to move. Two white dots of light shifted into view, piercing the skin of your eyelids before transforming into a bold red.

Although harder to ignore, it was a feat you achieved by lazily tossing your arm over your eyes. Nothing could get you to move. 

Thud, thud, thud! 

Proven wrong almost seconds later, the unexpected noise had you jolting forward and your hands striking the dashboard. You looked out the window, the shining subconscious hope of it being your friends crushed when you saw the familiar tan hat taking up most of the space. 

In a moment of disorientation, you stole a glance at the sky glad to find the sun had not set and the vibrant blue of the afternoon was still as prominent as before. It was only a matter of time, though. 

Frantic hands rolled down your window for the sheriff, your nerves performing the signature upturn of your lips. 

“Howdy again, sheriff!” You said, too enthusiastically. 

Naturally, he did not return the energy. 

“I thought I told you to say out of trouble.”

Your smile fell.

“What do you–” 

You were interrupted by his sudden movements. The older man fiddled with his belt for a second before producing a torch. One aggressive click later you were forced back into your seat as he stuck his head through the open window. The flashlight’s guiding light illuminated the back of the van, and it darted to every corner. Every crevice.

“That‘s a lot of stuff here for one person.” 

You cursed in your head, already knowing where this was leading to. 

Arrested in the middle of Texas under suspicion for transporting drugs while waiting for your asshole friends to return was not on your to-do list. 

“Not all of it’s mine, the tire exploded so my friends went to go look for help.” 

He used his flashlight even though it was not needed in daylight and shone it on the damaged tire. He didn’t mention anything about it after a glance, as if forgetting about it entirely, and returned to the subject of your friends. 

“And they left little ol’ you alone?”

“Er – yeah…” 

“Darlin’,” he said, leaning against the car, “it sounds like you need new friends.” 

You couldn’t help but think the creepy old sheriff was right.

With one swift motion, the door groaned open. The officer, you now knew as ‘Hoyt’ from his name tag, ordered you to exit the van. To avoid getting on his bad side, you did just that. 

The man’s moods shifted like the wind. 

He turned away from you as he adjusted his hat. With a flick of his wrist and the flex of his index finger, he motioned you to follow. He led you his car and after settling in, he drove off without a word. You were entirely in the dark as to where he was going, though you were trying your hardest to avoid getting thrown into a holding cell in an entirely different state. 

“What about the van?”

His fingers danced around the dashboard, appearing to look for something as his eyes remained fixed on the road. When he found it, he latched onto the small device and held it up to his mouth.  

“Monty get your ass over here, I have a van about a quarter mile from our place. Needs towin’.” 

“Towing?!” You screeched. 

Hoyt gave you a threatening look.

You shut up.

“Yes, sheriff,” there was an annoyed pitch to the man’s voice, though Hoyt didn’t acknowledge it. Whether it was because Hoyt didn’t care, or because he was unaware, you believed it was the former. 

“Are we going to the station, sir?”

There was no proper response to your question, just a grunt. 

Eventually, you arrived at a two-story house. It was visually decrepit and made out of stone. Pillars supported the structure, though you were unsure as to how long that would last, and the setting sun embraced the building with an ominous glow of which it did nothing positive for it. 

Dread churned in your gut.

If there was ever a point in your life where something screamed ‘TURN BACK NOW’ this would be it.   

“This... doesn’t look like a station…” Your voice trailed off, a million and one scenarios speeding through your mind.

Hoyt ignored you. 

When the sheriff parked he leapt out of the vehicle and opened the door for you. He barked a mean order to get out and when you didn’t do so immediately, he lost his patience. Rough hands dug into your wrists, hauling you out of the car for you. Then, acting like he did you a favour he spat a ‘your welcome’ at you as you struggled to stabilise your wobbly legs. You were shaking and unsure as to what exactly you did wrong while a wicked smirk grew across his chapped lips, replacing that semi-perminent frown.

When he dragged you to the porch, you were surprised to find that the woman from the store was standing in the doorway, holding the door open with her body. 

Were there only 2 people in this town?!

“Easy on her Hoyt, she was kind enough to help me at the store today,” she gave the man a look. One of warning.  

His gaze shifted to you, eyes narrowed and rife with distrust – though he seemed like he was pondering her words. A grunt was heard and he released your throbbing wrists, propelling you in the direction of the woman. 

Her arms captured you in an embrace. The woman proceeded to scowl at the man, a look he ignored as he moved past her, into the house. 

“Oh dear, you must be hungry. Let me fix you something to eat.”

“I’m not that hungry–” your stomach betrayed you, not even letting you finish your sentence. Your cheeks flared up in embarrassment, dragging along with it the shocking realisation you hadn’t eaten. Instead of listening to any more of your protests, she grabbed onto your wrist, similarly to Hoyt, though with a gentleness. Almost motherly. Reassuring. 

“Right through here,” she said, leading you to the kitchen, “take a seat right there, I won’t be a minute.” 

You did as she directed and make yourself as comfortable as you humanly could despite the blarring warning sings. 

You couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched, the burning gaze of another prominent. It was a feeling you managed to chalked off as mental, and so you tried to ignore it.  

She was true to her word when she returned with a steaming hot cup of tea. The wisps of smoke danced in the air, around the cup. She had a bowl in her other hand, the contents only something you were able to get a good look at when it was placed in front of you. The smell uppercut you, a pleasant homely aroma, though the visual wasn’t as appealing; it looked like some sort of stew. 

“I hope you’re not a vegetarian,” she joked. 

A few strands of her hair fell in front of her face as she cackled. Then, she manoeuvred herself into the chair across from you, watching intently as you took a spoonful of her dish.

The meat was a weird texture, it was not something you’ve tasted before. 

Strange. 

Maybe they fed the cows differently here which resulted in a different taste? You weren't sure. Regardless, it was edible in your borderline starving state; you could practically eat anything at this stage.   

“No, I’m not,” you chuckled with her, “thank you so much for your hospitality, ma’am. It’s really good!”

"It's May, dear," she continued, “Thank you, it’s a family recipe." 

“May,” you smiled, “I’m (Y/n).”   

“Oh, such a sweet name for a sweet girl. Tommy would just adore you.” 

“Tommy?” You questioned, not remembering her mention him at all. 

She paused for a moment, teacup pulled back from her mouth as she stared into the drink. You were almost convinced there was something ghastly wrong with the drink – as if a fly had fallen into the beverage – though you were also certain you would have seen it happen. 

She continued this unsettling act for a couple more seconds before a wavering grin possessed her features. The hairs on the nape of your neck rose as a result. 

“Oh, you’ll meet him soon enough.” 

The statement was as ominous as the one from earlier, perhaps more so, the dread building up and clawing at your heart. 

You hastily changed the subject. 

“Have my friends come past by any chance? You saw them earlier at the store.” 

“I’m afraid they haven’t–”

May was cut off by a scream. It was local and unsettling, its origin from below. 

Silence.

Then, you heard it again as you stared at each other, May’s eyes containing something dark and intense. Yet, they swirled with curiosity – intrigued at what you’d do; daring you to act first. The shrieks were familiar and your brain frantically searched for the missing puzzle piece until, it clicked. 

(F/n). 

To say you jumped up and bolted for the door was an understatement. 

May was faster than she looked though and she latched onto your hand like an anchor. She knew exactly how you’d react – like any normal person. 

Shrieking a cry of pain, you tried to wriggle yourself free from her death grip. 

“Let go!” 

You repeated this over and over like it would make a difference. It did to some degree, but not the outcome you hoped, only working to intensify her grasp. She proceeded to capture your other hand. The blank stare she’d taken on told you she wouldn’t be letting you go anytime soon. 

“Such a shame,” she sighed, seeming truly upset, “I’ve always wanted a girl.” 

Unsure of what that statement even meant, your foot connected with her knee in a final attempt to free yourself. A wounded gasp left her lips and she tumbled to the ground, her body joining the floor with a ‘thud’. You didn't feel remorse at the sickly sound, though you felt fear when she screamed out to Hoyt and to the man you had yet to meet, Thomas. Not wanting to find out who exactly ‘Tommy’ was, you retreated for the door, thankfully remembering your way around. 

There was commotion all around the house as if there was a blind, scared dog on the loose; its poor body crashing into furniture, producing the thuds. 

You couldn’t focus on the strange noises if you wanted to try saving your life, and headed for the door, neglecting the aching pain in your hip as it collided with one of their outdated pieces of furniture. 

The only thing that stopped you in your tracks was a knife swiping at you.

With widened eyes, everything felt like it was in slow motion – like you were about to watch yourself die.

Hoyt leapt for you, weapon in hand. The blade glistened against the light, and he struck – fast, hard and equally terrifying. You managed to dodge his first advance out of sheer luck with the weapon aimed at your jugular. It had been a close call, mere centimetres away. 

The second time he swung, you weren’t as lucky. Like a rabid wolf, he was frothing at the mouth, eager to induce pain, to see blood, and he got what he wanted when he stabbed you in the back of your forearm. Just before he had dug the blade into you, you raised your arms in self-defence, covering your face. The metal scraped against the target area, leaving a thick and deep gash. 

The wound stopped just above your elbow. 

As an automatic response, you kicked him back – once in the stomach to which he hunched over from, and a second to the groin. 

“Goddamn!” He groaned in pain, rolling to his side in a ball. His hands held his crotch and he almost sounded impressed by how hard you hit him. Reduced to nothing but a mean old man, you were happy to find that you were stronger than you thought.

You didn't have long to internally celebrate when you heard the slamming of metal. It sounded like a door, but there was more of an industrial ring to it. 

Maybe that was the notorious family member you had yet to meet.

Regardless, it was enough to send you sprinting. 

You ran as far as your legs could carry you. The grass was long, thick and rife with weeds. It tickled your legs and while it was a sign of freedom, it was far from comforting. 

You continued to sprint for your life, just missing a circular metal formation. It looked sharp, possessed razored edges and had a menacing trigger mechanism. 

A bear trap.

If you had so much as altered your sprinting, your leg would have badly damaged – if not lost. 

There was no time to dwell on the multitudinous horrors of the day you repeated to yourself, like a mantra, as you darted towards the trees. Staying focused and alive was the main priority. 

You were about to celebrate how far you’d sprinted when your internal cheering was cut short. 

First you heard a sputter, the sound of a machine purring. The ruckus of a ripcord being pulled floated to your ears and it took a few tries of the repeated drag before the noise morphed into something else entirely. Something more dangerous and unique. 

A brattle war cry. 

It turned out you hadn’t escaped as you had so wanted to believe, and now, you were being fucking chased. 

With a chainsaw. 

Too scared to look back, you tried your best to run as fast as humanly possible. (F/n) was long forgotten and the frantic drumming in your chest was a sour reminder that you’d be joining them soon. 

Shit, shit, shit, shit. 

Despite your better instincts, you caved and did exactly what you told yourself not to do. You looked back. The move was so sudden and wild that you tripped over your tangled feet and fell to the earth, dirt flying into your mouth. Terrified and sputtering the specks of ground, you were convinced you were about to end up in shreds and subsequently be served as spaghetti. 

Holding onto that last scrap of hope, you threw your hands up in surrender. This truly was your last chance at survival, the chainsaw that had caught up – swiftly and unfairly so – was shoved too close for comfort, mocking your cries while it buzzed.

“T-Thomas!” You stuttered as your hands shook above you.

The sound of his name caused him to angle his head. You had caught him off guard. 

Good.

“T-Thomas, was it? Tommy?” 

This time you called to him softer, though still loud enough to hear over the roaring of the chainsaw. The man continued to look at you, confused. 

Able to get a better view of the man in front of you, you first noticed his eyes, blue and shimmering as he hunched over. 

Striking and captivating. 

If it wasn't for the fact that he was about to slaughter you with a fucking chainsaw, and for the blood coated apron tied around his neck, you would have thought him intriguing.

His large form blocked out the setting sun from where you were beneath him and the tree’s canopies were your only source of speckled light. Messy black strands of hair littered his face, some stuck to his forehead due to sweat, while others hung freely. His breathing was noticeably ragged, large intakes expanded his large frame, yet there was no noise to it, silent and much like him, threatening.

You grew curious at the leather muzzle overlaying his face, it was brown and worn, but beckoning. It failed to cover the entrance to his mouth, so as stupid as you believed the thought was, he wasn’t wearing it because he bit people.

What else could it be for?

When he stepped closer to you, you scrambled backward, mentally kicking yourself for losing yourself in your thoughts. The rough trunk of the tree you backed into stole your breath for a moment.

“G-Ge-get ba-back!” It was hardly a confident exclamation, though it seemed to somewhat do the trick. 

He stood still for a long time. You were anxious there was no swaying him until he lowered his chainsaw. Although it was still running, loud and clear, his stare was intense and never left you. His thick brows furrowed, and there was confusion in his eyes. Bright and obvious. 

Taking advantage of this once in a lifetime second chance, your hands pushed yourself off from the ground while your back rubbed against the tree. The wound on your forearm had not stopped bleeding, the steady stream of blood continuing to seep its way out. Due to the angle you stood up from, your injury brushed up against the prickles of bark. Some directly jabbed into your wound, forcing an anguished yelp from your throat, while others were baptised with red rain. 

In a sudden movement, he lifted his chainsaw. The action immediately drew out a wail from you and you shut your eyes, bracing for the worst. You fell to the ground, whispering a silent prayer as you waited for impact. The chainsaw continued to roar and then finally it breathed its last breath, a few final sputters indicating its stop. Then, there was a thud – heavy and metallic, followed by silence. 

When you opened your eyes again and saw the man still in front of you, it was only then when you realised you were not dead. His blue eyes observed you intently, his form shrouded by the shadows. 

He stepped closer without the blessing of grace, stopped at your legs and then finally fell to his kness. He appeared to want to inspect you further as his hands reached out to grip your face. He squeezed at certain places, especially your cheeks, and you were forced to remain calm under his handling.

It was hard to contain your whimpers and sobs and you somehow managed until you caught his attention with your tears. Unable to stop them, you felt like you were beginning to lose all control entire. That is – until he wiped their salty trails away with his thumb. 

“Thomas,” you whispered with fluttering eyes, “please don’t hurt me.” 

It wasn’t clear if exhaustion, stress or the loss of blood had finally caught up with you – or if it was all of the above – but your vision began to fade, taking with it your consciousness, too. 

The next time you returned from your flashback, recalling the woman you once were, it was at the Hewitt dinner table. You don’t know why you were reminiscing so much. It wasn’t because you missed your old life. You knew it was far from it. 

The past was apart of who you were, no matter how hard you tried to dissociate from it. The memories weren't uncomfortable, they weren't haunting. Just neutral. How you perceived the gone by, those thoughts and memories, were a reflection of yourself. Where you were at mentally. 

You believed memories were like mountains; they pile up throughout your lifetime. Over time, bits and pieces fall off the rock due to weathering, while others form stronger, more stable parts of the stone. And just like mountains, memories can be daunting; scary and hard to get over. Some people never reach the top, tormented, with every day posing a challenge; some fall and get back up. For others, it’s a while before they do. 

Neither option’s right or wrong, sometimes it’s what's needed at the time. We all scale mountains in our minds, progressing at different speeds. 

It is with that, that you realised you were one of the lucky ones. To look at the past with an impartial lens, to recognise the happiness in some, the tragedy within others, but still remain content and engaging with the present; it was a feat. 

Everyone had noticed your distance, your movements automatic and trance like as you played with your food. 

Luda was the first to speak. 

“Dear, what’s wrong?” Luda was sitting to the right of you, her gentle hand reaching its way over and stopping just before your plate. 

You told them the memory – about the first time you arrived at the house and they all fell silent. Monty was yet to say anything and Thomas, to your left, was focusing on a small stain on the tablecloth. It was clear he was uncomfortable. 

Hoyt then burst out into laughter, his hand slapping his knee, “oooh-ee, you kick like a mean bitch! That shit hurt for days!” 

Finding solace in his laughter, you were glad to find that there was some sort of humour to the event, especially since things could have gone drastically sideways. 

In your best attempts to reassure Tommy, your hand snuck its way to his knee under the table, rubbing soothing circles. This got his attention as his gaze locked with yours; the slight twitch of his cheeks told you he was smiling softly, his eyes twinkling with admiration. Though, it didn’t last long and he returned to the very same mark on the tablecloth.  

Dinner passed by rather quickly after sharing the memory, and when you were near finishing assisting May with the dishes, you felt familiar hands enveloping your hips; large but antithetical in their tenderness. 

A grin took hold of your lips when he rested his chin on top of your head, his form hunching over slightly. 

"Hey, Tommy," you whispered, closing your eyes briefly to bask in his affection.

He squeezed your hips in reply as you finish wiping down the last of the wet plates. The squeaking of the ceramic grated on you and you picked up your pace, eager to spend time with your partner. Thomas let go of you when he saw you were done and nuzzled you, urging you to hurry up and put away the rest of the kitchenware. Then, he quickly grabbed your hand, impatiently leading you to the front door. 

You could tell he was just as excited to spend time with you. 

In seconds, you were out on the porch. Tommy sat down on the wooden bench and he grabbed you by the hips again, lifting you effortlessly and placing you on his lap. Adjusting, you draped your legs across his lap, feet just barely hanging off as the wind softly blew through your hair. It was cool for a change, strange for Texas, and it nipped at your bare skin, causing you to nestle into Thomas. He noticed your sudden chill, and his strong arms pulled you into a giant hug, your tired head resting against his shoulder. He was far from cold, he was more so the personification of a heater. 

Your thoughts suddenly turn back to the events at dinner – his distance, and why he was so quiet.

“Where’d you get off to at dinner, Tommy? You seemed to float away.”

The words seemed to trigger a memory within him and you witnessned him react with pain as you looked up, his gentle eyes squinting. It almost made you want to retract the question entirely. 

With care he removed his arms from around you and grabbed your wrist, raising it to display a large gash on your forearm. The wound was healed, your flesh risen and sensitive. His fingers hovered over the scar, delicate and tentative as if he was scared of reopening it again – scared of reliving the past. 

You looked down to the wound, a bittersweet monument; bitter because it had hurt, and because Hoyt was an ass. Sweet because in spite of all the pain and agony you had to endure that day, the best thing that came out of it was Tommy. The days that initially followed were hard, but you came to realise that the man you had viewed as so terrifying and murderous, was in fact only doing what he needed to help his relatives survive. He was a big softy when it came down to things, caring and protective of those he called family. 

“Hey,” you whispered, looking into his large, melancholy cerulean eyes, “it’s not your fault.” 

He grunted in response and you knew it was a protest to your statement, most likely finding a way to justify how wrong you were. 

A frown found its way to your face, and you hushed him. Whenever he got into his sad guilty moods it was hard to get him out of it. Thomas couldn’t talk, and that in itself made it difficult for him to express himself. He was often in his head as it was his only form of escapism, and by that same token, it was also his own hell. He experienced anxieties like everyone else, and spirals of self-doubt – of shame. The poor man was exceptionally critical of himself. You could only imagine what was going through his head. 

It was hard to see your love this way. 

Switching your position, your legs parted on both sides of his legs and you grabbed both of his hands, bringing them up to your lips. 

“You can’t control anyone else’s actions Tommy, and I don’t blame you for it. There’s nothing you could have done to stop him.” 

He didn’t reply, but he was listening to what you were saying.

“I love you more than anything, and I forgave you for everything a long time ago.

“It’s time to forgive yourself, my love.” 

You watched his face contort into gentle happiness. You couldn’t see the entire smile itself, a good portion covered by his leather muzzle, but you could see it in his eyes. They were the most expressive part of Thomas, and you could often figure out what he was feeling with just one look. 

Watching those very same eyes become glassy broke your heart. Perhaps it was something he had been holding onto a long time, or maybe he just really needed to hear it. Either way, your words impacted him. 

He signalled to cover your eyes and when you’d done so, you heard the jingle of metal - Thomas pulling off his muzzle. He then brought his hands to your face and cupped your cheeks. When his lips met yours, he was slow and sweet. Full of love.

If someone had told you months ago you were going to find the love of your life and settle down, you would have laughed in their face. Yet life happens and it changes so fast it’s hard to keep up with its pace. 

But for this, you were thankful. 

Wanting to see your boyfriend happy, you wiggled your fingers and darted them to his sides, causing him to writhe and grunt in laughter. You weren’t expecting him to be so ticklish and you filed the information away to use again later; his joy was a beautiful sight – his amusement a beautiful sound – and it’s one you’re certain to remember for lifetimes. 

Your moment of awe was cut short when he turned the tables. He very easily broke free. His sturdy hands dug into your side, while the other held you in place, ensuring you wouldn’t escape. Your giggles were the only thing that could be heard among the crickets and the gentle melody of wind chimes. 

“T-Thomas!” You somehow manage to blurt out through frantic laughter, “you’re hurting me!” 

The sound of your chuckles was enough to convince him otherwise, though he stopped and brought a calloused hand to your face, rubbing small circles with his thumb. You leant into his touch and reverted to the position you were in before, his arms securely around your smaller frame.  

Spending slow lazy nights with Thomas on the porch was something you loved, and wouldn’t trade for the world. Although you were usually both out here to see etheral glow of the sky at dusk – pinks, purples, and oranges scattered around to depict the perfect artwork – the stars were here instead. Just as beautiful and celestial, you couldn’t convey the swell of your feelings as you watched the stars twinkle their soft hello’s. Without fail, no matter how many times you attended the show of the universe, you always felt something. It was a sensation you loved to share with Tommy; maybe it was love, elation, but even then the words felt wrong. They weren’t enough to describe such feelings. 

But, perhaps you didn’t need to. 

Experiencing it was enough.

It wasn’t hard to conclude Tommy felt the same as the two of you sat there. Rather than counting down the seconds, waiting for the tranquil moment to end – dreading its end – you drunk in its bliss. Intoxicated by it, you were just happy to share this small moment in time.

With him. 

#i hope this is okay! #I worked v hard on this but idk if its good #yeet #thomas hewitt x reader #thomas hewitt #slashers #slashers x reader #x reader #fanfiction #very very long #sorry #texas chainsaw massacre #tcm #long reads #thomas brown hewitt #soft boi right here #he worries a lot #slasher daddies #will be surprised with anyone reads this

[guilianafms]

            new  york’s  very  own  guiliana  rasananda  was  spotted  on  broadway  street  in  gucci  marmont  logo - embellished  leather  sandals  .  your  resemblance  to  lalisa  manoban  is  unreal  .  according  to  tmz  ,  you  just  had  your  twenty  third  birthday  bash  .  while  living  in  nyc  ,  you’ve  been  labeled  as  being  doctrinaire  ,  but  also  pragmatic  .  i  guess  being  an  aquarius  explains  that .  three  things  that  would  paint  a  better  picture  of  you  would  be  the  lingering  scent  of  her  perfume  after  she’s  long  gone  ,  a  fenty  beauty  gloss  bomb  as  her  staple  to  any  makeup  look  ,  and  the  glitter  of  diamond  encrusted  jewelry  on  tanned  skin  .

            hello  ladies  ,  gents  ,  and  nonbinary  pals  !  my  name’s  jin  and  i’m  super  stoked  to  be  here  !  i’ve  seen  this  group  in  the  tags  over  the  years  ,  and  i  decided  that  it  was  high  time  for  me  to  slide  in  (  and  now  that  my  school’s  closed  ....  indefinitely  ....  i’ve  got  the  time  )  .  giuliana  is  fairly  new  so  i’m  still  working  out  some  kinks  that  may  arise  ,  but  i  have  a  pretty  good  idea  of  the  direction  i  want  her  to  go  in  !  i  can’t  believe  that  this  is  my  first  time  playing  lalisa  in  a  couple  of  years  ,  but  since  the  chance  arose  ,  i  decided  to  take  it  .  i  won’t  chat  too  much  ,  and  i  need  to  make  a  new  d.iscord  since  i  forgot  the  password  to  my  old  one  but  if  anyone  wants  to  plot  ,  feel  free  to  slide  into  my  dms  (  or  i’ll  slide  into  yours  !  )

basic  information  .

FULL  NAME  :  guiliana  kanya  rasananda  .

NICKNAME(S)  :  gigi  ,  lia  ,  liana  ,  ana  .

BIRTHDATE  +  AGE  :  february  12th  +  23  .

ZODIAC  :  aquarius  .

HOMETOWN  :  new  york  ,  ny  .

GENDER  :  cis  female  .

NATIONALITY  :  thai - american  .

ETHNICITY  :  thai  .

HEIGHT  :  5′6″  .

LABEL(S)  :  the  amaranth  ,  the  vixen  ,  the  trust  fund  baby  ,  and  the  princess  .

ROMANTIC  ORIENTATION  :  biromantic  .

SEXUAL  ORIENTATION  :  bisexual  .

LANGUAGE(S)  SPOKEN  :  english  ,  thai  ,  japanese  ,  and  learning  spanish  .

OCCUPATION  :  socialite  ,  ‘  model  ’  ,  and  youtuber  /  social  media  influencer  .

POSITIVES  :  clear - headed  ,  assiduous  ,  self - reliant  ,  pragmatic  ,  and  cosmopolitan  .

NEGATIVES  :  disputatious  ,  exigent  ,  doctrinaire  ,  selfish  ,  and  unscrupulous  .

PLAYLIST  :  roxanne  /  arizona  zervas  ,  bad  guy  /  billie  eilish  ,  body  /  loud  luxury  ft.  brando  ,  nasa  /  ariana  grande  ,  mother’s  daughter  /  miley  cyrus  ,  sway  with  me  /  saweetie  w.  galxara  ,  say  so  /  doja  cat  ,  mad  at  me.  /  kiana  ledé  ,  apeshit  /  the  carters  ,  elastic  /  joey  purp  ,  watermelon  sugar  /  harry  styles  ,  ain’t  my  fault  /  zara  larsson  ,  lemon  /  n.e.r.d.  ft.  rihanna  /  nice  for  what  /  drake  ,  sugar  /  brockhampton  ,  icon  /  jaden  smith  ,  zimzalabim  /  red  velvet  ,  come  thru  /  joji  ,  in  my  head  /  ariana  grande  ,  broke  bitch  /  tiny  meat  gang  ,  honey  /  lay  ,  deserve  /  kris  wu  ft.  travis  scott  .

biography  .

let’s  see  if  we  can  keep  this  short  ,  am  i  right  ladies  ?

ratana  saelim  has  humble  beginnings  in  bangkok  .  her  parents  owned  a  small  restaurant  in  their  neighborhood  ,  and  they  lived  comfortably  ,  but ratana  still  had  to  work  hard  to  ensure  that  she  got  into  college  and  could  stay  in   college  .  she  often  did  her  homework  behind  the  counter  of  the  restaurant  ,  and  eventually  went  on  to  attend  bangkok  university  .

she  met  her  future  husband  at  bangkok  university  ,  a  fellow  student  named  kamnan  rasananda  .  he  was  studying  business  while  she  was  studying  law  .  in  contrast  to  ratana  ,  kamnan  grew  up  in  an  extremely  affluent  home  and  was  set  to  inherit  his  family’s  company  .  he  was  a  year  older  than  ratana  ,  and  the  two  got  married  after  her  graduation  with  her  master’s  degree  .  they  settled  in  bangkok  following  their  wedding  .

the  years  passed  ,  and  the  couple  established  themselves  in  their  respective  fields  .  kamnan  started  his  own  business  in  real  estate  and  construction  ,  so  they  decided  to  expand  out  of  asia  and  into  the  states  .  they  made  their  home  new  york  city  ,  and  settled  easily  into  a  multi - million  dollar  penthouse  on  the  upper  east  side  .  since  they  were  to  focused  on  their  careers  ,  it  wasn’t  until  they  reached  their  mid - thirties  when  they  had  their  first  and  only  child  ,  a  daughter  they  named  guiliana  .

guiliana  was  a  beautiful  little  baby  who  has  an  infectious  personality  while  growing  up  .  ratana  and  kamnan  may  have  been  busy  people  ,  but  they  never  had  an  issue  with  putting  work  on  pause  to  spend  time  with  their  daughter  .  the  couple  supported  their  daughter  in  everything  that  she  did  ,  and  that  even  included  when  she  turned  fourteen  and  decided  that  she  wanted  to  start  doing  youtube  videos  . 

going  through  high  school  ,  guiliana  had  been  a  member  of  the  photography  and  yearbook  clubs  ,  and  this  was  at  the  same  time  that  she  started  to  truly  focus  on  her  channel  .  of  course  ,  her  content  at  the  time  was  quite  cringy  (  shoutout  to  that  one  song  that  everyone  used  in  morning  routines  )  .  as  the  years  passed  ,  she  obtained  the  right  equipment  to  make  her  content  better  .

by  her  senior  year  of  high  school  ,  her  channel  grew  to  massive  numbers  .  she  dropped  the  makeup  videos  since  she  found  that  she  was  more  interested  in  fashion  than  makeup  ,  and  was  comfortable  with  sharing  her  personal  style  .  she  got  a  lot  of  backlash  because  she  grew  up  rich  and  people  often  felt  that  she  was  ‘  flaunting  ’  her  lifestyle  ,  but  really  ,  most  of  her  clothes  from  the  places  that  were  often  the  rage  at  the  time  (  urban  outfitters  ,  brandy  ,  etc  )  with  the  occasional  luxury  piece  like  a  purse  or  something  .

now  ,   she  isn’t  that  active  on  youtube  anymore  since  she’s  grown  into  more  of  a  socialite  ,  but  she’ll  still  do  weekly  vlogs  ,  catching  up  videos  ,  and  her  fashion  videos  .  despite  not  being  that  active  ,  her  channel  is  still  growing  and  has  now  amassed  five  million  subscribers  .

personality  .

guiliana  has  been  a  part  of  youtube  since  she  was  a  fourteen  year  old  ,  so  she’s  been  able  to  start  ignoring  the  haters  !  quite  honestly  has  the  most  idgaf  attitude  towards  people  who  have  anything  to  say  about  her  only  showing  luxury  outfits  and  such  on  her  channel  .  that’s  all  she  knows  since  she  grew  up  in  that  ,  but  quite  frankly  she  doesn’t  care  !

out  of  all  of  her  labels  ,  i’d  say  she  mostly  resonates  with  the  trust  fund  baby  .  outside  of  her  youtube  channel  ,  guiliana  doesn’t  do  much  other  than  spend  money  and  sleep  until  eleven  so  don’t  expect  her  to  be  out  there  making  businesswoman  moves  .

don’t  give  her  a  compliment  because  what’s  the  saying  ...  give  her  an  inch  and  she’ll  take  a  mile  ?  that’s  guiliana  to  a  T  !  she  knows  that  she’s  cute  and  her  parents  have  only  ever  praised  her  ,  so  she’s  got  something  of  an  over  inflated  ego  at  times  .  she  can  go  on  and  on  ,  so  please  tell  her  ass  to  shut  up  if  she  starts  taking  it too  far  !

headcanons  .

a  born  and  bred  new  yorker  ,  guiliana  doesn’t  possess  a  driver’s  license  .  she  gets  driven  around  in  a  bentley  bentayga  and  when  her  driver’s  not  available  ,  she  exclusively  uses  uber  black to  get  around  the  city  .

her  style  is  pretty  similar  to  lisa’s  where  one  day  she’s  exclusively  wearing  streetwear  ,  another  day  she’s  a  bit  more  feminine  ,  and  then  sometimes  she’s  wearing  pieces  straight  off  the  runway  !  when  it  comes  to  her  more  feminine  style  i  think  of  the  youtuber  kerina  wang  .

she’s  most  comfortable  when  she’s  in  her  apartment  .  usually  ,  she’s  only  wearing  a  lingerie  set  (  not  the  entire  thing  )  and  lounging  around  .  she’ll  throw  on  a  robe  or  something  to  answer  the  door  ,  so  just  call  her  ahead  of  time  .

i  can’t  make  up  my  mind  on  how  guiliana  usually  has  her  hair  (  since  lisa  switches  between  long  and  short  )  so  we’ll  just  say  that  she  gets  extensions  a  lot  !  currently  ,  i  love  her  long  brown  hair  so  click  for  reference  here  .

she  has  no  real  plans  for  the  future  ?  she’s  kinda  of  taking  it  day  by  day  and  enjoying  her  twenties  while  she  has  them  .  right  now  her  main  focus  is  her  instagram  and  her  youtube  ,  and  she  has  no  real  aspirations  to  do  anything  outside  of  that  at  the  moment  .

never  leaves  the  house  without  wearing  a  pair  of  heels  ?  even  when  it’s  cold  outside  ,  she’s  wearing  ankle  boots  with  a  heel  or  the  ever  elegant  over - the - knee  boots  .  

her  go - to  drink  from  starbucks  is  a  cold  brew  with  vanilla  sweet  cream  .  she  doesn’t  drink  coffee  with  sugar  .

wanted  connections  .

            i’ll  more  than  likely  end  up  reblogging  things  into  the  tag  i  made  for  these  ,  but  since  there’s  nothing  there  right  now  ,  i’ll  just  list  off  some  specifics  that  i’d  love  to  have  !  if  none  of  these  are  to  your  taste  ,  we  could  always  brainstorm  ,  work  off  chemistry  ,  or  let  me  know  if  there’s  something  that  you  think  guiliana  could  fill  !

i  might  end  up  sending  this  in  to  the  main  ,  but  i’d  love  to  have  the  fiancé  that  she  left  at  the  altar  !  truth  be  told  ,  i  kind  of  feel  as  though  she  may  have  done  it  simply  because  she  finally  realized  that  things  were  moving  too  fast  and  she  kinda  of  needed  to  pump  the  breaks  ?  she  definitely  didn’t  do  it  in  the  best  way  ,  but  it  could  be  an  interesting  relationship  /  dynamic  to  explore  .

she’s  been  in  new  york  since  forever  so  i  just  imagine  there  being  a  slew  of  connections  stemming  from  that  ?  friendships  ,  rivalries  ,  and  romantic  connections  !  idk  why  i  love  them  so  much  ,  but  i’d  really  love  for  her  to  have  an  ex  best  friend  .  we  can  determine  why  their  friendship  ended  ,  but  i  really  love  exploring  the  demise  of  relationships  .

my  brain  is  blanking  so  🤠  .

#wealthyhq:intro #shout out to the tnu / swt albums #really got me through this FNJSDBFHDS

[marius-ffxiv]

Meet the Character - Marius Pyr Septim, the Garlean Knight

- [Basic Info]:

- Name: Marius Pyr Septim - Age: Early Thirties (32 Summers old) - Height: 6’8” Feet tall (81.6 inches) - Weight: 245+ lbs (106.5 kgs) - Build: Herculean, Strapping - Hair Color: Dark Brown - Eye Color: Sea Green - Skin Color: Pale colored (Very lightly tanned)

- Personality Traits: + [Positive]: - Responsible - Courageous - Protective - Fearless + [Negative]: - Opinionated - Willful - Suspicious - Indulgent 

- [Class: Paladin]

+ [Proficiencies] - Armor: Heavy Armor & shields - Weapons: Martial Weapons - Skills: Athletics / Insight / Persuasion / Perception + [Paladin Oath: Of the Heavenly Storm] - Free Paladin Soulstone / Lightning aether based - Aether based combat abilities & defensive abilities

- [Descriptions]:

- Tattoos: There is very little in the way of ink markings on his body as whole, however on the length of his right wrist, there is four bands that trail upwards. Jet black in color, each one has a diamond shaped symbol that the bands stem from which trail in a horizontal line pattern. While there aren’t any more markings of ink on his flesh, there is room for more to be added. - Scars: Two very prominent scars adorn his face from his very first fight as an Officer of the Garlean Empire. Having pushed his men to advance further into territory that was designated as a space to avoid with heavy artillery, the fresh Decurio marched onward. Seperated from his party, the Decurio’s helmet was crushed by a Roegadyn attacker, barely able to avoid the strike downwards which carved into his face and chest. Though he very rarely shows anyone the length of his back, there are multiple lines of deep scars which give a very clear picture that at one point or time within his training or position as an Officer he was lashed nearly sixteen times in counting. They all are of the same length and width, trailing from his shoulder-blades down to the small of his back. Marius’s flesh is marked with smaller scars from cuts, scratches and things that come naturally from someone who has worked and trained for a majority of their life. - Body:  From Garlemald, the aspiring Centurion is the epitome of a well bred, well trained and loyal soldier. Marius’ features are strong with a wide jaw, tapering down into a rounded chin with stubble lining the length of it. Resting atop a strong neck, it sits upon broad shoulders from years of lifting and moving in heavy armor. Solid cords of muscle coil down the whole of his arm with defined veins around his forearm and hand. His body is sturdy and well defined from years of manual labor, training and working for the Empire in both times of peace and war. Unlike many privileged children who are born into wealth with hands as soft as silk, Marius bears hands of callous and roughness, worn by gripping the hilt of a sword and various other tools during his time of basic training.

- [Quirks]: 

+ Can be seen wringing his hands together during moments of stress, often in his own personal abode or out in the world, never in front of a meeting or when speaking with a higher up.   + Prone to being sensitive to criticism, due to his up bringing he’s taught to be the best of the best and do everything right. And when he’s called out on doing something wrong, it very easily gets to him. + Smells of Vanilla, noted by those that come in close proximity of him. Seems whatever he showers with or wears for cologne smells of it and it lingers on him. + Much to the disdain of others who know him, Marius isn’t exactly stealthy or capable of truly going incognito. His wear is very formal, making many turn an eye to the Decurio as he moves about. 

- [Skills & Abilities]: 

+ Musically talented with the ability to play several different instruments, from the Harpiscord, Cello and the Harp. + Well versed in combat and tactics, trained from a very young age to not only earn the commission that was bought for him, but continue to keep it as he grew older and earned his title of Officer. + Skilled in combat with a sword, shield, lance, javelin and Magitek equipment. + Has the innate ability to manipulate and wield aether, more specifically lightning-aspected aether. Only further enhanced by his time in Eorzea and the abundance of aether in the air. 

- [Roleplay Hooks]: 

+ His Paladin Soul Crystal - While still attempting to learn about both the history and the duties of a Paladin, Marius has been between all of the major cities in search of other Free Paladins and those well versed in soul crystals to learn! + Wandering Knight - Separated from Ilsabard and his family, Marius has been taking up missions and jobs as a Knight to protect merchants, families and the like as he gathers enough gil to try and manage a means back into the Empire.  + Other Garleans - A welcome reprieve from the denizens of Eorzea, Marius is always searching and attempting to network with other Garleans in Eorzea. Repairing his magitek armor and so forth! 

- [Out of Character notes]: 

- I am always more than eager to plan for scenes or simply do walk-ups! If you see me out and about RPing, don’t be afraid to interject or join in!  - Please do not Meta-game Marius, I know there are a lot of people who will be very respectful and not, but I have met those few who simply wouldn’t take being told against it for an answer.  - Feel free to add me on Discord if you’d like to discuss or simply talk head-canons, I always enjoy such talks! Please just message me with your tumblr handle so I know who you are! - Marius / Gujarek [Leo]#4625

Thanks for reading! Any helpful critiques, comments and such help!

#Final Fantasy XIV #Balmung #Marius Pyr Septim #Meet the Character #Garlean #The Garlean Knight #Garlemald #Ilsabard #Hyur #Highlander #Male #Fantasy #Character Sheet #Paladin #Oath of the Heavenly Storm #FFXIV #FFXIV RP #Balmung RP #Roleplay #Long Post #Networking #I am appreciative of any helpful comments!

[borrowabuddy-blog]

Labs, Golden Retrievers,        Yorkies…Oh My!      Which Dog is Best For Me?

Big, small, hairy, hypoallergenic, high energy, loud, quiet….the list goes on and on. There are loads of dog breeds to choose from. There are currently 187 recognized breeds by the American Kennel Club, but there are tons of mixed breeds too. So, how is anyone supposed to choose what breed of dog to get? This post will touch base on some dog breeds and what types of lifestyles they would be best suited for.

In my life I have had two dogs. One was a Schnauzer mutt that we purchased for $50 out of the back of a pickup truck and the other, my current dog, is a Schnauzer-Yorkie mix who was a lot more than $50. Both of my dogs weighed less than 20 pounds, and both have made great family dogs. My Schnauzer-Yorkie has lived with 5 kids. When we purchased her our ages ranged from 13 to 3 years old. Typically, small dogs are not recommended for households with young children. While I believe this is a good rule of thumb, I also believe that if the children are properly supervised and the dog has the right temperament it all works out ok. The first breeds that I will touch base on are breeds that many people view as family dogs.

1.      Lab and Golden Retriever

The Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever, two of the most well-known dog breeds. These are commonly the go to family dogs. They are known for being incredibly gentle and good with children.

This past year, a new challenge started based on how gentle a Golden Retriever is. This was the egg challenge, where an owner would place an egg in a dog’s mouth and the dog would not crack it. Later on, it was proven that any dog was capable of this, not just Golden Retrievers. I believe that this viral challenge proves how highly society thinks of Golden Retrievers.

Golden Retrievers and Labs are also in lots of movies which depict them as a family dog. In addition to being great family dogs, they are also good hunting dogs. Retrievers are active but also like to cuddle with their owners. They do shed a lot, so this is something to keep in mind if you are considering one. Labs and Goldens both come in lots of color variations. Labs generally come in black, yellow, or chocolate. Although, there are variations to this such as fox red or silver. Goldens also come in a few color variations. These include: cream, golden, dark golden, and light golden. Goldens tend to live up to 12 years, and Labs live up to 14 years. Labs get up to 71 pounds and Goldens get up to 75 pounds. Furthermore, both of these dog breeds are easy to train and generally get along well with other animals. They are often referred to as good dogs for first time owners.

So, are these the right dogs for you?

Yes- If you are looking for a larger, active family dog with color variations who would be simple to train and love all people then this is the dog for you.

No- If you do not want to deal with shedding, a lot of slobber, high energy, and a shorter life span then this is not the dog for you.

On a side note, if you really like these breeds but do not want to deal with shedding a doodle might be perfect for you! This is a Golden or a Lab mixed with a Poodle. This allows for less shedding, but still makes for a great family dog!

2.      Yorkshire Terrier

As I mentioned earlier, my dog is half Yorkie. My family’s joke is that this is the difficult half. I have a friend who has two Yorkies, and another friend with one. The common theme we all agree on is that they are very stubborn. They are terriers; therefore, they love rodents and love to chase them. A lot of them do not do well when alone for extended periods of time, but there are ways to train them, so they do not develop separation anxiety. They are one of the few smaller dog breeds that is recommended for a first-time dog owner, and they adapt well to apartment living. Yorkies do not do well in extreme weather conditions. My own dog will choose to not go outside if it is raining or extremely cold. Yorkies are also not the best family dog, as they are not a huge fan of other dogs or strangers.

For being a small dog, they still require a lot of exercise. They are a high energy dog and need to be walked daily or they get stir crazy. They also are extremely playful. They enjoy a game of fetch or tug of war as much as a big dog does.

Yorkies stay around four to six pounds and shed very minimally. They can come in a few different colors. These include: black and tan, blue and tan, black and gold, blue and gold. Ultimately, their colors do not vary too much, and Yorkies pretty much have the same common look about them. A huge downside is that they tend to be extremely yappy and suffer from small dog syndrome.

Is a Yorkie the right breed for you?

Yes- If you want a small, non-shedding dog who still is very active then this is the dog for you.

No- If you are not a fan of yapping, have small children, want more color variations, or do not have much time for an active dog then this is not the breed for you.

3.      Beagle

Beagles are one of those dog breeds that everyone just knows. They are used as police dogs and they have starred in many movies. They are smaller in size and weigh up to 22 pounds. They are known for being excellent family dogs. Beagles are amazing with kids, other dogs, and strangers. Generally, they show very little aggression towards anything in their life.

Beagles can be difficult to train due to their stubbornness. The combination of their own intelligence and high prey drive does not help when attempting to train them. Just like a Yorkie, Beagles tend to be extremely vocal. Despite being difficult to train they do make decent dogs for first time dog owners, and they do adapt well to apartment living. Beagles do not do well when left alone, and they do not tolerate cold weather well.

Beagles are very high energy and require a lot of vigorous activity to keep them from becoming destructive. They love to play and will play with their owner 24/7 if they are allowed to. Beagles come in a few color variations. These include: lemon and white, tri-color, chocolate tri, white and chocolate, red and white, and orange and white. They do shed, but not too much. Overall, Beagles are one of the top family dogs.

Is a Beagle the right dog for you?

Yes- If you want a small sized but still active and great family dog then a Beagle is perfect for you.  

No- If you want a quiet dog who is simple to train then a Beagle is not for you.

4.      Mutts

The final “breed” I am going to discuss is a mutt. Mutts are any combination of recognized breeds. Mutts range from “Designer Dogs” to just plain mutts. Designer Dogs include breeds such as Teddy Bears (Bichon Frise X Shih Tzu), Maltipoo (Maltese X Poodle), Mini Goldendoodle (Miniature Poodle X Golden Retriever), and so on. The list could go on forever. Plain old mutts are dogs that you see that have been dumped at a shelter or stray dogs that have bred amongst themselves. These mutts could have a whole mix of things in them. I have a friend whose dog is a mutt and he is a Chihuahua, Boxer, Lab mix. This is not a combination that normally would be sought after, but he is still a wonderful dog.

Mutts tend to be great dogs. They can be all sorts of sizes. Some shed, and some may not. You just never know what you will get with a mutt. Many people gravitate towards mutts because they are what is primarily seen in an animal shelter. Unlike a purebred, there are no breed norms to a mutt because they can be any combination under the sun. Believe it or not, not having breed norms is a selling point to many people.

Not having a single breed is a selling point because it allows a dog to get the best of a combination of breeds. Take a Goldendoodle for example, these dogs are technically mutts. When they first became popular people paid a lot of money and were on waitlists to be able to own one. People are in love with the Golden Retriever attitude combined with the Poodle brain and the little to no shedding. Goldendoodle owners will tell you that their mutt is truly the best of both worlds.

Shelter dogs are also highly thought of. Many people like the fact that they are rescuing a dog who may have otherwise been put down. Our family vet has told us that he finds rescued animals to be nicer. He believes this is because the animal appreciates the life they have after the shelter. Whether this is true or not, shelter dogs do make wonderful pets. A person can pick out the size they want, the color they want, the activity level they want, and the age they want just by simply walking into a shelter. Shelter dogs also tend to be cheaper than purchasing a dog from a reputable breeder, and they are always up to date with their vaccinations and any other medical care they may have required.

Is a mutt the right dog for you?

Yes- I personally believe that mutts, especially shelter dogs, are great for any family and it is nice to give a dog a chance.

No- If you want a specific breed then this is not the dog for you.

These are only five types of dogs. There are many more dog breeds that I did not even touch base on. Before purchasing a dog, make sure you do your research, so you and your dog can live a long and happy life together. What is your favorite dog breed?

#MKT400UWL

[doberbutts]

What's your opinion on off colour dobes? I found an fb group dedicated to "all colours" and some claim to health test hips, etc - which I find is decent to do regardless of what you're breeding. But I understand blues have alopecia issues, I could never get a blue due to that. But if someone's health testing their white and solid black dobies and doing some sport or work outlet, and they where AKC registered, would you find that okay or unethical? Why or why not?

There is no such thing as a white doberman. All “white”, “cream”, “double dilute”, “cremello”, etc doberman are actually albino. Though many albino supporters will say otherwise, this is not debatable nor is it Fake News(tm). The gene mutation creates one of the many types of albinism we know can affect living creatures with pigment, and this specific one causes albinism in primates (including humans), rodents, and dogs. Many albino doberman breeders will tell you that all albinos are pure white with red eyes, but that is a very misguided and ignorant idea of what albinism looks like. Humans with this form of albinism (and gorillas) frequently have blonde hair and purple, green, or even blue eyes. Some even have brown eyes! However, all mammals affected by this type of albinism are intrinsically disabled at birth due to photosensitivity, an extremely heightened risk of cancer at a young age, and various systematic issues as pigment is used in many processes besides skin/hair/eye color such as digestion and brain function.

Mice and dogs with this type of albinism are extremely prone to intense fear reactions and seriously unstable temperament. I have a theory part of it is because they cannot see well (which is a fact- they are all photosensitive to some degree, many are cross- or wall-eyed, and some are completely blind in all but extremely low light situations due to pain caused by even overhead lights in a house) and they are bred to react to visual stimuli, they are automatically given a disadvantage in determining the difference between threat and safe.

Albino doberman are also extremely inbred as they all come from matings between a “white” bitch and her normally colored son. This makes them extremely prone to many, many more health problems than even the non-albino dobermans out there, and it’s not like the breed needs any more help being unhealthy.

So no, anyone deliberately producing albinos is not an ethical breeder, and I don’t care how much health testing or titling they do with their dogs. They are deliberately producing puppies with debilitating disabilities for profit by shrugging their shoulders and saying their dogs are “just fine” and super healthy, all the while discouraging those who buy their puppies from actually looking into the science behind it by dismissing it as fake news. Additionally, I have a bit of a personal problem with albino breeders, as they are a bit tone-deaf on the words they use to gather support for their dogs and the racial issues that surround US politics both when Sheba first was born and now.

Solid dobermans also do not actually exist- they are all one of two things: tan pointed dogs with extremely dark and muddy markings, or mixed breeds. The entire doberman breed is tan pointed. It is not genetically possible for a doberman to be born completely missing tan points. They have been all tan pointed since the “look” of the breed was finalized in the mid 1910s. This is not like German or Miniature pinschers where the solid stag red is present- that was bred out a very long time ago. As such, “solids” are produced solely by color-first breeders, who do not take long-term health and temperament into consideration, and who again rely on ignorance of their buyers to be able to continue to deceive and cut a profit. 

There are plenty of doberman out there with very dark or muddy markings that at first glance do look solid, some even are well bred (they are relatively common in working and european lines, which focus on dark dark pigment). However, if you look at any of these dogs in the sunlight, you’ll be able to see that they are indeed tan pointed, just that the tan is extremely dark. If their breeders are at all concerned about breeding to standard, they will also admit that the look is not desired, and that particular dog should be bred to another with lighter markings to fix what is a mostly cosmetic fault. Most “solids” that are actually solid trace their lineage back to either dane or viszla crosses, and many are also closely related to or bred with albinos.

Blue and fawn are allowed in the AKC standard, but are not in the FCI standard. While I would not buy a blue, the only color-specific problem in the dilutes is CDA, which is honestly mostly cosmetic and for most dogs easily controlled. At this point in my life I will likely never purchase a dog bred to the AKC standard as I vastly prefer the euro dogs, so I will never have to make a decision on supporting a breeder that intentionally produces blues or fawns because that standard does not allow them. However, here in the US, it is not considered unethical to produce dilutes so long as you are doing everything else you’re supposed to (but you should warn new owners about CDA and advise them on how to manage it).

[rbbox]

Blue iguana

Blue iguana

For the 1988 comedy film, see The Blue Iguana. The blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi), also known as the Grand Cayman iguana, Grand Cayman blue iguana or Cayman Island blue iguana, is an endangered species of lizard endemic to the island of Grand Cayman. Previously listed as a subspecies of the Cuban iguana (Cyclura nubila), it was reclassified as a separate species in 2004 because of genetic differences discovered four years earlier. The blue iguana is one of the longest-living species of lizard (possibly up to 69 years). The record is 67 years. The preferred habitat for the blue iguana is rocky, sunlit, open areas in dry forests or near the shore, as the females must dig holes in the sand to lay eggs in June and July. A possible second clutch is laid in September. The blue iguana's herbivorous diet includes plants, fruits, and flowers. Its coloration is tan to gray with a bluish cast that is more pronounced during the breeding season and more so in males. It is large and heavy-bodied with a dorsal crest of short spines running from the base of the neck to the end of the tail. The fossil record indicates that the blue iguana was abundant before European colonization; but fewer than 15 animals remained in the wild by 2003, and this wild population was predicted to become extinct within the first decade of the 21st century. The species' decline is mainly being driven by predation by feral pets (cats and dogs) and indirectly by the destruction of their natural habitat as fruit farms are converted to pasture for cattle grazing. Since 2004, hundreds of captive-bred animals have been released into a preserve on Grand Cayman run by a partnership headed by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, in an attempt to save the species. At least five non-profit organizations are working with the government of the Cayman Islands to ensure the survival of the blue iguana. According to the November 9, 2013 episode of Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin, the conservancy program has released over 700 captive bred Grand Cayman blue iguanas since the 2004 nadir of only 12 remaining animals.

Taxonomy

The blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi ) is endemic to the island of Grand Cayman. The Lesser Caymans iguana has been introduced to Grand Cayman, where it has interbred with that island's native blue iguana. Its generic name (Cyclura) is derived from the Ancient Greek words cyclos (κύκλος) meaning "circular" and ourá (οὐρά) meaning "tail", after the thick-ringed tail characteristic of all Cyclura. Its specific name (lewisi ) is a Latinized form of the name of the scientist who collected the holotype of this species, Bernard C. Lewis. Its closest relatives are the Cuban iguana (Cyclura nubila) and the Northern Bahamian rock iguana (Cyclura cychlura), the three species having diverged from a common ancestor some three million years ago. The species has a low genetic diversity but does not seem to suffer the same lack of vitality that afflicts other such species of rock iguana. One theory is that the species evolved from a single female Cuban iguana (C. nubila nubila) with eggs inside her who drifted across the sea, perhaps during a storm. It is distinct from the subspecies found on Little Cayman and Cayman Brac known as C. nubila caymanensis, although it can breed with this subspecies and produce fertile offspring. In 1938, Bernard C. Lewis of the Institute of Jamaica joined an Oxford University biological expedition to the Cayman Islands. Lewis was able to obtain two blue iguanas, a male and a female, which were later lodged with the British Museum of Natural History. Chapman Grant, in a monograph published in 1940, formally described the blue iguana for the first time as Cyclura macleayi lewisi. Schwartz and Carey established the trinomial (Cyclura nubila lewisi ) in 1977. They held that the blue iguana was a strongly distinct subspecies of the Cuban iguana (C. nubila), the species which it evolved from and can breed with. They emphasized its overall bright blue coloration, and noted that further study could reveal it to be a distinct species. Frederick Burton reclassified the blue iguana as a distinct species in 2004, after years of research comparing scale counts on the heads of Caribbean iguanas, including those found on Little Cayman, Cayman Brac, Cuba, and the Bahamas, as well as mitochondrial DNA analysis performed by Dr. Catherine Malone, to re-examine the phylogeography of the different species.

Description

Blue iguana in forest off Wilderness Trail in Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, Grand Cayman The blue iguana is the largest native land animal on Grand Cayman with a total nose-to-tail length of 5 ft (1.5 m) and weighing as much as 30 lb (14 kg). It may be the heaviest species of iguana and most massive lizard in the Western Hemisphere. Its body length is 20–30 inches (51–76 cm) with a tail equal in length. The blue iguana's toes are articulated to be efficient in digging and climbing trees. Although not known to be arboreal, the blue iguana has been observed climbing trees 15 feet (4.6 m) and higher. The male is larger than the female by one third of his body size. The mature male's skin color ranges from dark grey to turquoise blue, whereas the female is more olive green to pale blue. Young animals tend to be uniformly dark brown or green with faint darker banding. When they first emerge from the nest the neonates have an intricate pattern of eight dark dorsal chevrons from the crest of their necks to their pelvic area. These markings fade by the time the animal is one year old, changing to mottled gray and cream and eventually giving way to blue as adults. The adult blue iguana is typically dark gray matching the karst rock of its landscape. The animal changes its color to blue when it is in the presence of other iguanas to signal and establish territory. The blue color is more pronounced in males of the species. Their distinctive black feet stand in contrast to their lighter overall body color.

Grand Cayman blue iguana

Blue iguanas are sexually dimorphic; males are larger and have more prominent dorsal crests as well as larger femoral pores on their thighs, which are used to release pheromones. A female blue iguana sunning herself at the Royal Botanical Park The blue iguana's eyes have a golden iris and red sclera. They have excellent vision, which allows them to detect shapes and motions at long distances. As blue iguanas have only a few rod cells, they have poor vision in low-light conditions. At the same time, they have cells called "double cones" which give them sharp color vision and enable them to see ultraviolet wavelengths. This ability is useful when basking so the animal can ensure that it absorbs enough sunlight in the forms of UVA and UVB to produce vitamin D. Blue iguanas have evolved a white photosensory organ on the top of their heads called the parietal eye (also known as the third eye, pineal eye or pineal gland). This "eye" does not work the same way as a normal eye as it has only a rudimentary retina and lens and thus, cannot form images. It is however sensitive to changes in light and dark and can detect movement. The blue iguana lives on Grand Cayman, the largest and westernmost of the Cayman Islands southwest of Cuba. The blue iguana is found only on the island of Grand Cayman. Comparison with other Cyclura species in the region strongly suggests that there was once a coastal population of blue iguanas which was gradually displaced or extirpated by human settlements and the construction of roads.The blue iguana now only occurs inland in natural xerophytic shrubland and along the interfaces between farm clearings, roads, and gardens and closed-canopy dry forest or shrubland.The interior population is believed to have been attracted to agricultural clearings and fruit farms which provide thermoregulatory opportunities, herbaceous browse, fallen fruit, and nesting soil, but this brought the blue iguana into contact with humans and feral animals. Females often migrate to coastal areas to nest. Blue iguanas released into the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park on Grand Cayman were radiotracked in 2004 to determine ranges for each animal. Females were found to occupy territories of 0.6 acres (2,400 m2) and males an average of 1.4 acres (5,700 m2) with overlap in common territories, indicating that they choose to maintain a population density of four to five animals per hectare. The blue iguanas occupy rock holes and tree cavities, and as adults are primarily terrestrial. Younger individuals tend to be more arboreal. Hatchlings are preyed upon by the native snake Alsophis cantherigerus. The adults have no natural predators but can fall victim to feral dogs. They typically reach sexual maturity at three to four years of age.

Diet and longevity

Like all Cyclura species, the blue iguana is primarily herbivorous, consuming leaves, flowers, and fruits from over 45 species of plant. This diet is very rarely supplemented with insect larvae, crabs, slugs, dead birds, and fungi. The iguanas are presented with a special problem for osmoregulation: plant matter contains more potassium and as it has less nutritional content per gram, more must be eaten to meet the lizard's metabolic needs. As they are not capable of creating urine more concentrated than their bodily fluids, they excrete nitrogenous wastes as uric acid salts through a salt gland in the same manner as birds. As a result, they have developed this lateral nasal gland to supplement renal salt secretion by expelling excess potassium and sodium chloride. Longevity in the wild is unknown but is presumed to be many decades. A blue iguana named "Godzilla" captured on Grand Cayman in 1950 by naturalist Ira Thompson was imported to the United States in 1985 by Ramon Noegel and sold to reptile importer and breeder, Tom Crutchfield in 1990. Crutchfield donated Godzilla to the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas in 1997 and the lizard remained there until its death in 2004. Thompson estimated Godzilla to be 15 years of age at the time of his capture. At an estimated 69 years of age (54 of which were spent in captivity), Godzilla may be the world's longest-living lizard for which there is reliable record. A closely related Lesser Caymans iguana (C. nubila caymanensis) has been documented as living 33 years in captivity.

Reproduction

Mating occurs from May through June. Copulation is preceded by numerous head-bobs on the part of the male, who then circles around behind the female and grasps the nape of her neck. He then attempts to restrain the female in order to maneuver his tail under hers to position himself for intromission. Copulation generally lasts from 30 to 90 seconds, and a pair is rarely observed mating more than once or twice a day. A clutch of anywhere from 1 to 21 eggs are usually laid in June or July depending on the size and age of the female, in nests excavated in pockets of earth exposed to the sun. Several exploratory nests are begun before one is completed. These burrows can range from 16 inches (0.41 m) to over 60 inches (1.5 m) in length, with an enlarged chamber at its terminal portion to allow the female to turn around. The temperature within nests that have been monitored by researchers remained a constant 32 °C (90 °F) throughout the incubation period which ranges from 65–90 days. The blue iguana's eggs are among the largest laid by any lizard. Individuals are aggressively territorial from the age of about three months onward. Females occupy overlapping areas of the order of 0.6 acres (2,400 m2) seemingly regardless of age, while males occupy progressively larger and more extensively overlapping territories as they age and grow.

Conservation

A blue iguana on Grand Cayman The blue iguana is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The population is restricted to the eastern interior of Grand Cayman, where it had been reduced to a critically low level, only three animals having been observed before the survey in 1988. The range of the blue iguana has contracted significantly over the past 25 years, with many sites once populated now showing no signs of iguanas. Surveys in 2003 indicated a total population in the range of 5–15 individuals. By 2005 the unmanaged wild population was considered to be functionally extinct. The species is one of the most endangered animals on Earth. A further blow to the dwindling population came in May 2008 when six individuals were found butchered in a nature preserve. As the blue iguana consumes a variety of plant material, favoring fruits and flowers over leaves and stems when available, it is valuable on Grand Cayman as a seed disperser throughout its range. A study in 2000 by Dr Allison Alberts revealed that seeds passing through the digestive tracts of Cycluras germinate more rapidly than those that do not. These seeds in the fruits consumed by the blue iguana have an adaptive advantage by sprouting before the end of very short rainy seasons. The blue iguana is an important means of distributing seeds to new areas and, as the largest native herbivore of Grand Cayman's ecosystems, it is essential for maintaining the delicate balance between climate and vegetation necessary to survive under harsh conditions. Restored free-roaming subpopulations in the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and the Salina Reserve numbered approximately 125 individuals in total after an initial release in December 2005. The restored subpopulation in the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park has been breeding since 2001, and the subpopulation in the Salina Reserve was deemed to be breeding in 2006 after a nest of three hatched eggs was discovered in the wild. As of April 2007, after another large-scale release, there were 299 blue iguanas living in the wild, with hundreds more being raised in captivity on Grand Cayman. In late 2012, the blue iguana Recovery Program estimated that the wild population had risen to approximately 750 individuals, and the IUCN subsequently downlisted the species from critically endangered to endangered. “ The species is nearly extinct, and I doubt that more than a dozen individuals still exist on the island.... East End people say that since 1925 the "guanas"[sic] have become so scarce that it is no longer worth their while to hunt them. ” — Chapman Grant, The Herpetology of the Cayman Islands Habitat destruction is the main factor threatening imminent extinction for this iguana. Land clearance within remnant habitat is occurring for agriculture, road construction, and real estate development and speculation. The conversion of traditional crop lands to cattle pasture is eliminating secondary blue iguana habitat. Predation and injury to hatchlings by rats, to hatchlings and sub-adults by feral cats, and killing of adults by roaming dogs are all placing severe pressure on the remaining wild population. Automobiles and motorscooters are an increasing cause of mortality as the iguanas rarely survive the collisions. Trapping and shooting is a comparatively minor concern, but occasional trapping continues despite legal protection and sustained efforts to increase public awareness. The common Green Iguana, (Iguana iguana), has been introduced from Honduras and is well-established on Grand Cayman as an invasive species. It far outnumbers the endemic blue iguana. No direct negative consequences of this introduction on the blue iguana are known, but the mere presence of the Green Iguana confuses public attitudes and understanding. For example, the people of the island are told that blue iguanas are endangered and rare, and when they subsequently see large numbers of the introduced Green Iguana, they do not understand the difference. Blue iguanas used to regularly be sold to tourists as pets, as their rarity made them appealing to exotic-animal collectors, despite this being illegal under the CITES treaty. In 1999 a World Wildlife Fund international conservation officer, Stuart Chapman, said, "The British government has turned a blind eye for over 20 years to these overseas territories which are home to many rare and endangered species. Many of these face extinction if Britain fails to honour its treaty obligations. The British Caribbean islands are extremely rich in biodiversity with many critically endangered species that are unique to the islands—yet there is virtually zero enforcement or implementation of CITES". In May 2008, six blue iguanas were found dead in the preserve within Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park on Grand Cayman. The iguanas were apparently killed by human vandals armed with knives and two of the slaughtered animals were gravid females about to lay eggs. The wild population of blue iguanas had been reduced from a near island-wide distribution to a non-viable, fragmented remnant. By 2001, no young hatched in the unmanaged wild population were surviving to breeding age, meaning the population was functionally extinct, with only five animals remaining in the wild. In 1990, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) designated the genus Cyclura as their highest priority for conservation. Their first project was an in situ captive breeding program for the blue iguana, which at the time was the most critically endangered of all the species of Cyclura. One of the early difficulties encountered was that the captive stock of the early 1990s was found not to be pure. It was discovered through DNA analysis that the captive population contained a number of animals that were hybrids with C. nubila caymanensis. The program contains only pure specimens, as these hybrids were sterilized by means of hemipenectomies and hence excluded. This program was created to determine the exact genealogies of the limited gene pool of the remaining animals and DNA analysis revealed that the entire North American captive population was descended from a single pair of animals. After five years of research two captive breeding populations were established and are managed as a single unit, with cross-breeding between the populations to promote genetic diversity. As a hedge against disaster striking the blue iguana population on Grand Cayman, an off-island captive population was established in 25 zoos in the USA. A minimum of 20 founder lines represented by at least 225 individuals is being maintained by captive breeding and recorded in a studbook for the species by Tandora Grant of the San Diego Zoo's Center for Conservation and Research for Endangered Species (CRES). The Indianapolis Zoo has had success with breeding the blue iguana in captivity twice since the year 2000. In October 2006, hatchlings were released into the wild for the first time to boost the species and help bring them back from the brink of extinction. Each released blue iguana wears a string of colored beads through its nuchal crest for visual identification at a distance, backed up by an implanted microchip and a high-resolution photograph of its head scales. (Head scale patterns are as unique among blue iguanas as fingerprints are among humans.) The blue iguana is established in captivity, both in public and private collections. As there are very few pure-bred animals in private collections, private individuals have established these animals in captive breeding programs as hybrids with the Lesser Caymans Iguana (C.nubila caymanensis) and occasional hybrids with the Cuban Iguana (C.n.nubila) minimizing the demand for wild-caught specimens for the pet trade. Blue iguana resting on park bench off Wilderness Trail at QE II Botanic Park The Blue Iguana Recovery Programme grew from a small project started in 1990 within the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. It is now a partnership, linking the Trust with the Cayman Islands Department of Environment, National Trust Cayman Islands, Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, International Reptile Conservation Foundation, IRCF, and the European Commission. This program operates under a special exemption from provisions in the Animals Law of the Cayman Islands, which normally would make it illegal for anyone to kill, capture, or keep iguanas. BIRP's conservation strategy involves generating large numbers of genetically diverse hatchlings, head-starting them for two years so that their chance of survival in the wild is high, and using these animals to rebuild a series of wild sub-populations in protected, managed natural areas. This is accompanied by field research, nest site protection, and monitoring of the released animals. A rapid numerical increase from a maximum possible number of founding stock is sought to minimize loss of genetic diversity caused by the "population bottleneck". Restored sub-populations are already present in two non-contiguous areas—the Salina Reserve and the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. Habitat protection is still vital, as the Salina Reserve has only 88 acres (360,000 m2) of dry shrubland, which is not enough to sustain the 1,000 blue iguanas that must be restored to the wild to remove this species from the Critically Endangered List. Additional separate sub-populations will be restored in one or more other areas. The overall captive population is likely to remain genetically fragmented in the long term. Individuals will be translocated between sub-populations to maintain gene flow so that the entire population remains a single genetic management unit. When the wild sub-populations have reached the carrying capacity of their respective protected areas, release of head-started animals will be phased out, and they will be left to reproduce naturally. In addition, guided by research and monitoring, control or eradication of non-native predators will be implemented to the degree necessary to allow young blue iguanas to survive to maturity in sufficient numbers to maintain these sub-populations. Maintenance of blue iguanas in the wild requires active management into the indefinite future. To sustain this activity, a range of commercial activities generates the funding required, while an ongoing education and awareness effort ensures continued involvement and support by the local community. source - Wikipedia Dear friends, if you liked our post, please do not forget to share and comment like this. If you want to share your information with us, please send us your post with your name and photo at [email protected]. We will publish your post with your name and photo. thanks for joining us www.rbbox.in

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[famousenthusiastcollectionb-blog]

Methods sexy mini dress to dress just like a French girl this wintertime

As a delivered and carefully bred Parisienne, We've always been hit by the way Uk women therefore passionately stick to dress requirements. How drink dresses are for drinks, tracksuits are for exercising and nightdresses are just for sleeping. France women are precisely the opposing. Evening dresses make great beachwear, sensible pyjamas are better put on as a tux and workout is a mere reason to show out of your latest Isabel marant sneakers trainers. Neglecting to agree to a homogeneous is seen as refined, daily level of resistance: trends are just there to become reshuffled and reappropriated.

Simply look at Caroline de sexy mini dress Maigret, Lou Doillon or Charlotte now Gainsbourg: all of them master the ability of effortless combine. As for the wintertime season, it could a no brainer for all of us: in a nation that beliefs intellectual style over sexiness (and exactly where, let's encounter it, macho culture causes it to be impossible to demonstrate cleavage at the street), we all tend to end up being rather protected up all year long. Christmas trendy is merely a continuation of the usual design, give or take a shawl or two. And the great news is, anyone can get it done, even in the event that they've by no means set feet on Gallic turf. This is how.

Going skiingWe hate the thought of wearing a part of clothing mainly because it's useful, which makes wintertime dressing challenging. We hate skiwear, however we love to skiing! The aim is certainly to make no matter what you put upon look like a stylistic choice let me give you. I remember visiting the north pole within a Claudie Pierlot bomber Beam, jacket and a complementing beanie hat-Bans. I think my Inuit instruction is still having a laugh at myself. On the inclines, you can quietly accessorise: state, a Jessica Marot beanie hat, using its trademark material plate that bears a literary juga. This way, you are able to tell the entire resort that although you are able to barely stand on two skis, your understanding of existentialism is flawless.

For après-ski, never end up being caught deceased wearing a fleece jacket. Instead, go for baggy 501 jeans below which you can privately wear dense tights. Set those with an oversized sheepskin jacket and a customized scarf simply by fantastic indie label Cardiovascular Heart Center. And conceptual sunglasses. Also, tanning is definitely tacky; prevent it at any cost. Your skin will be glad in a 10 years.

New Year's EveIt's OKAY to have a great time, just as long as it shouldn't show an excessive amount of. Partying, like party clothing, is extremely modest. We want to signify "fun" by selecting a single, decadent element. For instance , this could be you a chance to pull out individuals lamé apple green Pierre Hardy pumps you bought upon sale and haven't handled since. Naturally , if you do therefore , never set them with a dress: as well obvious, muy bien sûr. Rather, try slim, high-waisted dark jeans, a slouchy blazer and a hint of cleavage. You are able to throw in a hint of luxury, as well. I personally like my baseball glove clutch simply by Perrin Paris, france for its minor S& Meters connotation (also, it is wide enough to keep a pair of ballet flats pertaining to when I await a taxi cab for one hour in the freezing cold).

Going to operate the snowWhen it comes to snow, long sleeve midi dress Paris is much like London; snow instantaneously becomes black blend. This is where the similarities end, though, since over right here, French ladies forget completely about pumps and choose solid man classics -- I specifically like these cooperation brogues through the Broken Provide and Adieu because distinctive rubber bottoms that prevent you from breaking your neck when you rundown metro stairways. You can enable yourself to put on trainers occasionally, but only when they are impeccably white (for which I suggest Crepe protector).

No matter how cool it is, by no means touch a Michelin Man-style puffer coat. Here is what I actually do instead: We wear a complete, mid-season clothing, say a shirt, a jumper and a jeans jacket. We top everything with a big man's coating (AMI's little size functions perfectly to get a medium-sized woman). Alternatively, should you be broke, you can purchase a giant, classic man's fleece trench coat that you keep close with a leather-based belt. And tell everybody it is Céline.

Shopping for Xmas presents Xmas shopping. Picture: instagramThis may be the time to check out Frenchcore, or Gallic normcore: both low-key and shamelessly decadent. Put on Stan Jones trainers, mens trousers, a thin, cashmere or merino jumper and envelop your self in the largest faux-fur coating you can find. Also, the mega-warmth of the coat (which it is simple to take off) helps you adjust to the constant modify of temp between the roads and the shops. Remember to consider canvas carry bags (preferably with a pretentious cultural statement) with you - plastic-type bags really are a no-no.

We especially like designer Etienne Deroeux pertaining to his easy-to-wear, masculin-féminin fundamentals (pictured), ideal for running around just like a vache folle.

Christmas grâce à the family members JacquemusChristmas may be the time you find away half the Parisiennes who are around you actually originate from a town the size of my wallet. In my case, it intended travelling to an Austrian hamlet called Kleegraben to visit my elderly grandma. In any case, it really is a time if you have to appearance chic however, not trendy towards the point of terrifying all of your relatives. You need to look reputable enough to prevent any queries regarding your like life, lovemaking orientation or nightlife practices. Tell your self you are in a nouvelle vague film: I like to put on a long, buttoned-up white clothing, a big cashmere jumper and flat footwear. And inform myself We am Ould - Karina. Simply no visible make-up, minimal jewelry and a minimal ponytail is definitely mandatory -- for which you make up with really special Bardot hammer. Le Moine Tricote is definitely a preferred of my own - quietly conceptual knitwear pieces which will get parent and selfie approval.

[fluffybuttsfamily-blog]

Well, this post took a lot longer than I thought to put together.  More than 3 hours!  Here it is.

This week we’re taking a look at the most popular dog breed in the USA more than 4 years running, the Labrador Retriever, also known as the Lab.  Plus, my Coco baby was a Chocolate Lab and, because of her, I’ve always had a special place in my heart for Labs and their happy-go-lucky personalities.

The Labrador Retriever originated in Newfoundland and was originally known as St. John’s Dog, St. John’s Water Dog, or as the Lesser Newfoundland.  Though the origins of the St. John’s Dog isn’t known, they’re believed to have descended from a mix of English, Irish, and Portuguese working breeds.  The Greater Newfoundland, which is the ancestor of the modern Newfoundland, is believed to be descended from a mix of long-coated St. John’s Dogs and Mastiffs.

The shorter-coated St. John’s Dog was later named the Labrador or Labrador Retriever after the geographical region known as “the Labrador” and for their frequent use as waterfowl retrievers in the Labrador Sea.

Due to selective breeding for different purposes, there are some distinctions between the Labs bred for field work and those bred for show and conformation.  These two distinct “types” of Labs are often mislabeled as “American” and “English” respectively, but the two “types” are actually bred in both the USA and the UK.  They are more accurately referred to as “Field” and “Show” or “Conformation” Labs.

Field Labs, as one can imagine, were bred specifically for their skills in hunting, tracking, and retrieving.  As such, they tend to have longer legs, a more trim build, slimmer faces, and longer noses.  These traits are not, however, required for a Labrador Retriever to be trained as a hunting or retrieving dog.  Labs are very versatile and can both work in the field and compete in the show ring.

Show Labs were bred more for conformation and temperament.  They, therefore, tend to have broader heads, shorter noses, stockier bodies, and shorter legs than their Field counterparts.  They also tend to have a more laid-back, mellow temperament and are more often the ones chosen to be family companions for this reason.  This, however, does not mean they cannot be trained to work in the field.

Labradors have a very sweet nature and do well with all ages of people and most animals.  They are outgoing and friendly, which makes them terrible watchdogs but wonderful family dogs.  Their eagerness to please makes them easy to train, even for first-time dog owners, though their exuberance and energy can be challenging to contend with if they’re not given enough exercise.  The level of energy among Labs, however, can vary greatly.  Some are more laid-back while other seem to have boundless energy that no amount of exercise can drain.  This variation in energy level is actually an advantage, in my opinion.  It means that Labs can go to very active, hiking and camping and fishing on the weekends type of families as well as the more laid-back, stay in and watch movies type of families.  It’s only a matter of finding the right level of energy in the puppy or dog one chooses to purchase or adopt.

The trait that is one of the biggest draws of the breed and a common trait among them is their devotion to their people.  Labs are loyal, people-oriented dogs who live to please and will do most anything for those they love.

Another trait common among Labs is their love of food.  They love, love, love to eat!  Sometimes that even extends to non-food items.  As such, inappropriate chewing can sometimes be an issue, though it is something that can be trained out of them.  One way to curb inappropriate chewing is by substituting something they shouldn’t be chewing on with something they can chew on, like bully sticks, chew toys, raw meaty bones, and dried pig ears and feet.

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Their love of food can present another problem – obesity.  This epidemic is especially common in Labrador Retrievers, and not just because they love to eat.  The POMC gene, which plays a large part in appetite regulation as well as indication of the amount of one’s stored fat, is missing in part or in whole in the majority of Labrador Retrievers.  The lack of this gene contributes greatly to weight gain and the large, seemingly endless appetite in the Labrador breed.  For this reason, food portions should be regulated, treats kept to a minimum, and exercise engaged in often.  A healthy Lab should be able to do swimming wind sprints for two hours and should have a very slight hourglass-type shape.

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Obese

Hourglass figure

As retrievers, Labs love to fetch things, whether that be a dead waterfowl, a stick, or a ball.  This love of retrieving can quite easily develop into obsession, though that can be mitigated with the proper training.  It can also cause them to fetch well beyond their limits.  My Coco baby would fetch, literally, until she dropped.  We never had her run that long, but from the way she would just go and go and go and not even stop for water or a brief rest (as Luna will), we knew she would keep going until her energy was completely depleted.  Because of this, we were always careful about how long we had her fetch for us and would make sure to get her to drink plenty of water afterward.

How about we just remember that Labs don’t regulate well, in what or how much they eat or in how much they retrieve, okay?

What they do do well in is jobs, and a variety at that!  They not only retrieve for hunters, they also work well as therapy dogs, guide dogs for the blind, assistance dogs for the disabled, cart-pulling dogs, search and rescue dogs, tracking and detection dogs, police dogs, and military dogs.  They excel in many dog sports, as well, thanks to their powerful, athletic build and energetic nature.  Labs often compete, and compete very well, in agility, flyball, frisbee, conformation, and obedience competitions.

Due to their curious and exploratory nature, Labrador Retrievers can be, and often are, escape artists.  They want to know what that noise was or where that smell is coming from and what it is or they want attention from those people walking by or a bite of the food they’re carrying!  Many breeders and Labrador rescues promote micro-chipping for this reason, so an escaped Lab can be identified and returned to their owner when and if they’re found.  One way to keep a Lab inside their enclosure is to make sure they’re kept entertained with plenty of toys and that they’re exercised, both mentally and physically, often.  A bored Lab will seek something interesting to do, and that interesting something may well be outside of their owner’s “secure” fence.  (Nothing is secure enough when you own an escape artist!)

Labs have a double coat, a softer, denser, weather-resistant undercoat, and a straight, short, and thick outer coat.  This double layer coat protects Labs from the cold and wet.  Their water-resistant coat and the webbing between their toes that allows them to be such excellent swimmers makes them a quite highly sought-after retriever.  The webbing can also act as a snowshoe in colder climates, preventing the build up of ice between their toes, which can be especially painful for dogs without webbing.

The coat typically comes in three colors – black, chocolate, and yellow.  Some breeders sell “rare” colored Labs such as “polar white” and “fox red,” but these are really just variations of the yellow Lab.  There are also Labs sold as purebred silver Labrador Retrievers, but there’s dispute about the purity of their bloodline.  Most “silver” Labs aren’t allowed to be registered as purebred Labrador Retrievers, although the Kennel Club of the UK allows them to be registered as “Non-recognized.”

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Black Lab

Yellow Lab

Chocolate Lab

“White” Lab

“Fox red” Lab

“Silver” Lab

Sometimes Labs will exhibit some amount of white fur on their chest, paws, or tail or they may have a small amount of brindling or tan points similar to a Rottweiler.  These traits disqualify them from the show ring, but play no role in the dogs’ temperament or working ability.

These dogs can be, quite literally, for anyone.  I say can be because, like people, dogs have different temperaments, personalities, and energy levels, and even though Labs can be for anyone, it depends greatly upon an individual Labs compatibility with an individual person.  If you are considering purchasing or adopting a Labrador Retriever, please consult the breeder and/or shelter staff concerning the Lab’s temperament, personality and, especially, energy level!

Endal Dickin

Fun Fact:  Endal, a Labrador Retriever and service dog in the UK, placed an unconscious person in the recovery position, retrieved the man’s cell phone from beneath the car, fetched a blanket and covered him, barked at nearby houses for assistance, and even ran to a nearby hotel for help during an emergency in 2001.  He has since received several distinctions including “the most decorated dog in the world,” “Dog of the Millennium,” and the PDSA’s Gold Metal for Animal Gallantry and Devotion to Duty.

Do you or have you owned a Labrador Retriever? Please tell us about him/her in the comments below! I’d love to hear about your experiences with the breed.

Have suggestions? Comment below!

Have a breed you’d like to see featured in our next Breed of the Week? Leave your suggestion in the comments below!

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Breed of the Week: Labrador Retriever Well, this post took a lot longer than I thought to put together.  More than 3 hours! 

#animals #Black Lab #Breed of the Week #Chocolate Lab #Coco #dogs #family #Lab #Labrador #Labrador Retriever #pets #Yellow Lab