#chihuahua bed ramp

[thisislizheather]

Winter Wednesdays Vol. 6

BAKING/COOKING

I made this honey garlic pork tenderloin again and it’s such an easy, fulfilling meal.

CRAVING

A vanilla ice cream sundae with hot fudge. No idea why. Maybe because it’s impossible to find on adult restaurant dessert menus?

EATING

The red meat at Bistro Eloise is unparalleled.

EXPERIENCING

Snow in New York! It’s insane that schools were closed for that amount of snow, but I shouldn’t be so negative. Just grateful to have any.

LOVING

My friend Dave is in the movie Sometimes I Think About Dying that’s playing at the Angelika and it was great! He did such a great job.

SHOPPING

So I caved and finally bought Baby Dog a ramp for the bed. She’s been having a hard time seeing things at night, so hopefully this’ll help things.

WATCHING

I rewatched Waiting To Exhale and it still really holds up well. It’s also a perfect breakup or men-ain’t-shit movie.

WEARING

Night eye cream from Amore Pacific. I’ve had it for years and never used it. So I’m trying to care about these things, even if the interest lasts a month.

You can read last week’s Winter Wednesdays Vol. 5 over here.

#Liz Heather #this is liz heather #Winter Wednesdays #Winter Wednesdays Vol. 6 #winter #Waiting To Exhale #Amore Pacific #dog ramp #chihuahua bed ramp #Bistro Eloiose #best pork recipe #Sometimes I Think About Dying #Dave Merheje #snow #snow NYC #NYC movies

[omgsquee2001]

Arriving in Japan: Discontinued until Further Notice

This is part two of the first Imagine: Imagine Taking a Road Trip with Richard Armitage, Aidan Turner and Dean O’Gorman to Japan, Greece and Spain

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You woke up the next morning to your alarm going off at 3:00 am. You groaned and turned your alarm off. You yawned and stretched, turning on your light. You got out of your bed and threw on a sweater over your chihuahua print pajamas and headed to the kitchen to make yourself coffee and some breakfast. You decided to have a quick breakfast of cereal, orange juice and coffee. After you had your breakfast, you made your way to your clothes, which you had laid out before. Your outfit for today consisted of a pink, fuzzy sweater and blue joggers. You were so happy that you packed your clothes the day before so you didn't have to rush in the morning. You decided to kill the time by sitting down on your couch and watching some movies. 

An hour later, a knock resounded on your trailer door. You grabbed your suitcase and walked to your door. You opened it and found Aidan all dressed and ready to go. 

"Are you ready, My Lady?" Aidan asked, jokingly. You smiled tiredly and nodded. You looked around for the other two, but didn't see them. 

“Where are Richard and Dean?” You asked.

"They're in the parking lot waiting." He said. You nodded as you made your way to the bottom step. "May I take your luggage, my lady?" Aidan asked, reaching for your suitcase. You chuckled and nodded, allowing him to take it. 

A few moments later, you both arrived at the parking lot where Richard and Dean were waiting, Richard in the driver's seat and Dean in the passenger's, leaving you and Aidan to sit in the back. Aidan opened the door for you, and you got into the car, getting comfortable. Richard looked back at you and smiled. 

"Morning, sleeping beauty." Richard said. You smiled and waved lazily. 

"Hi." You said quietly. Aidan put your luggage in the back of the car trunk. Aidan closed the trunk and made his way to the back seat. He opened the door and got in. Dean looked behind as both you and Aidan buckled your seat belts. 

“We got everything?” Dean asked. Aidan looked at his fellow actor and nodded. 

“Yup.” Aidan said. Dean turned around in his seat. Richard looked at his friend. 

“Have you got us a translator?” He asked. Dean nodded and pulled up the information on his phone. 

“Yes. Her name is Aiko Arakawa and she will be waiting for us at the Narita International Airport.” Dean said. Richard nodded. He started the car. 

“Are you ready for this, [Y/N]?” He asked. Aidan chuckled. 

“She’s fast asleep.” He said. He gently put his arm around your shoulders and leaned you down to where your head rested in his lap. He didn’t miss the jealous looks of his friends up front. As Richard started driving to the airport, Aidan made sure you were fast asleep before speaking to his friends. “We can’t let this come between us.” He said. “If we get too jealous, we take a day away from it and do our own thing, then we come back when we have cooled down, sound fair?” Aidan asked. Dean nodded. 

“I second that,” Dean said. He looked to Richard. “Richard?” He asked. Richard glanced at Dean, keeping his eye on the road. 

“Sounds fair to me.” He said. The three friends nodded. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After 13 hours and 50 minutes of plane flights from New Zealand, your plane landed in Japan. As you walked down the ramp, you looked around in aw. You stepped off to the side and waited for your three friends to join you. You saw them and waved. Richard smiled. “Are you ready for this?” He asked. You smiled wildly. 

“So ready!” You said excitedly. Richard chuckled at your enthusiasm. As you walked into the interior of the airport, you saw a woman holding up a sign that read ‘[Y/N] [L/N]’. You all made your way over to her. You smiled. 

“Hi, are you Aiko Arakawa?” You asked. She smiled and nodded. 

“Yes. Are you [Y/N] [L/N]?” She asked. You nodded and held out your hand. 

“That I am. It’s nice to meet you.” You said. Akio smiled and shook your hand. She looked to the boys behind you. Richard stepped up first. 

“Hi, I’m Richard. It’s nice to meet you.” He said, also shaking her hand. Dean and Aidan did the same. Akio smiled. 

“It is a pleasure to meet all of you.” She said. “What are you wanting to do first? Go eat or go to the hotel?” She asked. Aidan looked to you. 

“[Y/N], it’s your trip, you call the shots.” He said. You smiled. 

“Well, I’m still a little tired from the flight, so if it doesn’t bother any of you, I would like to go to the hotel first and catch up on some sleep.” You said. Dean smiled at you. 

“Sounds like a plan.” He said.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An hour later, you all arrived in your hotel and checked in. Your rooms were numbers 301 and 302 near the top floor. As you rode the elevator, you looked at your friends. “Are we all staying in a room together, or how is this going to work?” You asked. Aidan smiled and placed his arm over your shoulders. 

“You, my fair lady, are staying in a room with me, room 301, while Richard and Dean stay in room 302.” He said. You looked down and blushed lightly. The elevator dinged, signaling that you were on the third floor. You all walked out of the elevator and to your respective rooms. You turned and looked at your three friends. 

“Let’s all take tonight to settle in and catch up on sleep. Tomorrow we can meet for breakfast and then go look around, how does that sound?” You asked. The three nodded. 

“Sounds good to me.” Dean said, Richard nodding in agreement.

“See you all tomorrow morning.” Aidan said as he unlocked the door and led you in, placing his hand on the small of your back, sending slight shivers up your spine. You walked into your hotel room and gasped. It was beautiful. You walked over and gently ran your fingers along the blanket. It felt like satin. Aidan smiled as he watched you examine the bed. You looked back at him. 

“How the hell did we afford all of this?” You asked. Aidan smirked.

"Darlin', we're actors. We star in movies. We get paid a lot." He said. You chuckled and nodded, looking down at the bed. 

"That is true." You said. You looked out across the darkening sky, then yawned. Aidan smiled at you. 

"Why don't you get changed and sleep. I have a few things that I need to take care of." He said. You nodded tiredly and opened your suitcase, taking out your toiletries and pajamas. You walked into the bathroom and closed the door, locking it. Aidan took a room key, and went to pay his friends a visit.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aidan knocked on the door. It opened to reveal Dean, who looked like he had just showered and changed into a sweatshirt and sweatpants. 

"Hey man." Dean said, opening the door wider for Aidan to step in. Aidan smiled at his fellow actor. He walked over and sat on the second bed. Richard, who had been laying on his back and looking at his phone scrolling through social media, turned it off and looked at his friend. 

"Is she asleep?" He asked. Aidan nodded. 

"I should think so. She looked pretty tired," he looked down at his hands, a gentle smile crossing his lips. He looked up at the two other males. "Do you have them?" He asked. Dean nodded and pointed to the two boxes beside Aidan. 

"Took a lot of effort to keep them out of her line of sight when we picked up our luggage at the airport." Dean said. Aidan picked up the first box and opened it, tucking back the white tissue paper. 

"Do you think she'll like it?" He asked, putting the tissue paper back and closing the lid. Richard nodded. 

"I think she'll love it. She'll look amazing in it as well." He said. Aidan nodded. 

"Right then, I'm going to go check on her," Aidan said, picking up the boxes. He looked back at the two males. "Where do you think we should take her shopping tomorrow?" Aidan asked. Richard shrugged. 

“Well, what does she always talk about wanting if she got to go to Japan?” Richard asked. 

“Ah, I see now.” Dean said, smiling. Richard smiled and nodded. 

“We’ll tell her in the morning?” Aidan asked. The two nodded. Aidan smiled back and left. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aidan walked into the hotel room he shared with you. He gently closed the door, stopping it with his foot to keep it from slamming shut and waking you up. He quietly walked in. He saw you sleeping in the single bed, one hand resting by your face, the other resting on the pillow. You wore your crop top pajamas again. Your [H/C] hair was fanned out around your head. Aidan smiled gently at your sleeping form. He quickly, yet quietly walked over to the bathroom and put the two boxes on the floor. He closed the bathroom door and walked out. He stopped by the bed. He looked at you for a little while. He stared at your lips. They looked so kissable. Maybe he could sneak one little kiss. He shook his head, mentally scolding himself. He didn't want to frighten you by moving too fast. Besides, you didn't even know about his feelings for you yet. He sighed and walked to the bathroom, minding the presents and changed out of his clothes into a tank top and pajama pants. He walked out of the bathroom, turning off the light and walked over to the bed again. He sat down on the edge. He sighed and ran his hand over his face. Aidan looked back at your sleeping face. He gently pulled back the blankets and slipped underneath them. He turned over on his side and faced you. He reached over and gently stroked your cheek with his fingers. You moved your head slightly, causing him to freeze. You fell back asleep, not waking again. Aidan pulled his hand back and sighed. He turned over on his back and fell asleep as well. Waiting to see what the next day would bring.

 //Here is part two of the imagine. I hope you all like it. Feel free to comment what you think about it. Please don't forget to follow, like and comment.//

#Richard armitage x reader #Aidan Turner x reader #Dean O'Gorman x reader

[skin-slave]

weredogs instead of werewolves and their breed isn't obvious until they transform and you gotta keep a Paw Ramp under the bed in case that hot top you just invited over turns out to be a Chihuahua

#what? anda... no. #love is stored in the knot #werewolf boyfriend

[ekedolphin]

The Final Countdown

"One day more... Another day, another destiny On this never-ending road to Calvary..."

--Jean Valjean, "Les Misérables"

----

The sun was setting in the city of Little Rock, Arkansas on February 17, 2005.  The end of another day.  He watched the magnificent yellow and orange orb descend dispassionately, knowing that he was another day older, another day wiser (so he hoped), and another day closer to the end of his wrestling career.

He sat on a park bench, listening to the birds, and feeling the wind blow through his short blonde hair.  Closing his eyes for a moment, he allowed himself to feel pleasure from the gentle sensations of nature-- truly, they were a gift from God.  It'd been a long time since he'd given himself over to a simple longing like this, the longing to be closer to nature that had been imbedded in the heart of man since time was time.

Of course, man had historically misinterpreted that desire as a desire to take over nature, and perhaps that was how the human race had gotten into its current predicament.  How can human beings live what they consider to be the "ideal" life without destroying the environment or allowing themselves to become complacent?  There really wasn't a good answer to that question.  Or perhaps the answer to the question was, "They can't," as illustrated in concepts like The Matrix trilogy-- mankind became too dependent upon machines, and were conquered by their own creations.

He grunted at that thought, and unzipped his leather jacket a little bit, pulling out a Wint-O-Green Life Saver and sliding it into his mouth.  He resisted the temptation to immediately chomp down on it as he recalled that night in his youth, long ago, in which all the kids at church camp had been given a Wint-O-Green Life Saver and chomped down on it simultaneously.  The flashes of light had surprised and delighted him, and the small, thumb-sized candies had been his favorite sugary treat ever since.

This time he decided to hold it in his mouth, allowing its minty freshness to permeate through him.  It, like the wind, felt quite nice.  It was always delightful to be able to enjoy such simple sensations when one is in an introspective state of mind-- such as he was.  Ever since he'd accepted Jade's invitation for one last night, one last highlight and-- hopefully-- one last reign as World Heavyweight Champion, his mind had wandered, thinking about the things that had happened to get him to this point.

As the old church bells rang six times, he listened to each one as they marked the times of his life.  He was nearing the end of his story-- at least, the end of the wrestling chapter of his story, and the beginning of a long-awaited new chapter.  But every story...

...Every story... had a beginning.

-----

One sweetly solemn thought Comes to me o'er and o'er; I am nearer home today Than I ever have been before.

--Phoebe Cary

----

The thing that first struck him as he stepped out of his family's brand-new 1982 Ford Escort was the August heat.  He'd never experienced anything quite like the sweltering heat just outside Arena Lucha in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.  This month-long family trip-- from Juneau, Alaska to Guadalajara and back-- had taken them through the Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Chihuahua, Durango and Zacatecas.

Steve Grant was a precocious young nine-year-old, but a trip like this was far beyond anything he'd ever experienced-- or thought he would ever experience-- in his entire life.  The first thing that had come out of his mouth when his father, David, had announced this trip six months ago had been, "Why can't we simply fly to Mexico?"  Certainly, it was well within the family's means.  David Grant was a world-renowned neurosurgeon, making in excess of $1 million annually, with offices in Juneau and Los Angeles.  The five-member Grant family-- parents David and Melinda and children Steve, Rachel and Brian-- could easily have afforded to go first-class to whatever city they wanted to, and wouldn't have missed the money.

His father's reply to his question had been hard to argue with.  "Nobody ever learned anything flying in an airplane all over the place."  Steve had opened his mouth to protest, but his mother's warning look had informed him that his parents had already made up their collective minds about this, and that any further argument would meet with severe consequences.  The youngster had learned long ago that he might be able to turn one of his parents to his point of view if they weren't on the same page with one another, but if they presented a united front, he could forget about it.

So he'd had the task of telling his siblings-- six-year-old Rachel and three-year-old Brian-- of the planned trip.  Much to Steve's chagrin, Rachel had immediately exclaimed, "Oooh, family trip!" and her enthusiasm had quickly rubbed off on Brian, who'd started bouncing on his bed exuberantly.  Steve had muttered something like, "Thanks a lot for [i]your[/i] help," and had walked out of the room.

Looking back on their trip so far, Steve had to grudgingly admit that his parents and siblings had been right-- although he'd be damned if he would admit that to them out loud.  So many things they'd seen, so many of the world's wonders.  Yellowstone National Park.  The Alamo.  The Canadian Rockies.  British Columbia's Mount Revelstoke National Park, which contained part of the world's only temperate inland rainforest.  Colorado's Black Canyon, with walls so deep and narrow that very little sunlight shone through them, making them appear black.

Before the trip had begun, Steve had never been out of his home state of Alaska.  He'd been born in Juneau on February 23, 1972.  Certainly he'd gone to other cities in Alaska, sometimes even on school field trips.  But now Steve could say that he'd been to Canada, Mexico and the contiguous United States.  He'd never really gotten a sense for, well... how big it all was, until they'd packed up the gold Escort and taken off.

Certainly, it was a trip that Steve would never forget as long as he lived.  But unknownst to him, on this day when he and his family walked into Arena Lucha, he'd remember the exact date-- for this was a day that would change his life forever.

August 8, 1981.

****

"Wow, look at how [i]big[/i] this place is!" Steve exclaimed, leading his family into the Arena Lucha's main colosseum area.  His mother smiled.  "Yes, Steve.  Careful, let that man through."  Steve had been told by his parents to walk in front of them, "where we can see you," and Steve's reaction had been to simply nod in understanding.  Steve had seen sporting events on TV in which the crowd had become an angry mob, and knew that that tendency typically increased when there was alcohol involved-- as there was here.  His parents were keeping a close eye on him for his own protection, which re-assured Steve that they loved him and were going to make sure he was well taken care of.

His father was giving Brian a piggyback ride, and his mother held Rachel's hand, glaring at anyone who came near Rachel in the way that mothers do.  So even surrounded by 40,000 wrestling fans, most of whom didn't speak English, Steve felt completely safe.

The Grants' seats were one section back from the ring, which had prompted an immediate protest from Steve when he'd heard the news.  "Aww, why can't we sit in the front row?  We could afford it, right?"  His father, ever the wise parent, had replied, "By sitting one section back, we're afforded a better view of the action.  Sit in the front row and you won't be able to see most of what goes on."

Steve took his seat and realized that Dad had been right.  His view of the ringside area and entrance ramp was perfect, obstructed only by the ring itself-- and even then, he'd be able to see a fight if it broke out on the opposite side of the ring.  Maybe not in perfect detail, but he'd get the gist of what was happening.

If Steve were more mature at this age, he'd reflect that everything his father had told him so far had proven to be wise.  He wasn't quite at the age, though, where he'd accept that he wasn't the smartest person in his universe.

A fanfare broke out, and the crowd rose to its feet, even as his mother was ordering popcorn, Pepsis and soft pretzels for the Grant clan.  A well-dressed Mexican ring announcer slipped underneath the ropes and made some pronouncements in Spanish, which he'd then translated into English for the benefit of the visitors from the United States.  "Please don't throw anything into the ring, please don't touch the wrestlers," et cetera.  Steve imagined that every show had these same rules of conduct, and most of the time they were followed-- but when they weren't followed, chaos and panic ensued.

Finally, the ring announcer called out the names of a four-man tag-team as the four individuals entered the arena to a funky Latin beat.  The crowd stood and cheered in appreciation, and the masked luchadores took the praise, reveled in it and played to the crowd, which brought a smile to Steve's face.

After the técnicos had entered the ring, the rudos were introduced, and Steve realized that they were much bigger as a group, much more dangerous-looking, and two of them were even unmasked.  The crowd booed and hissed at the bad guys, and when they entered the ring, all hell broke loose.

The referee regained control of the situation after a short time, and the match reverted to eight-man tag-team rules-- but with a twist.  In addition to having standard tags, if someone was ejected from the ring the next person on his team to enter the ring became the legal man.  The high-flying maneuvers were fast-paced, exciting and seemingly never-ending.

Steve sat in awed silence, gazing at the contest with large blue eyes, as the high-risk maneuvers just got more and more crazy...

****

It was a bombshell his parents had never seen coming.  Several days after watching the Arena Lucha show, the Grants were on the road again, headed back north on the long trip that would take them back home, when Steve said, completely out of the blue, "I want to be a wrestler when I grow up."

Normally, any parent would say something like, "That's nice, dear," and promptly forget about it-- after all, how could a nine-year-old possibly know what he wants to be when he grows up?  And how many times in his life would a nine-year-old have said, "I want to be a fireman," or "I want to be a vet," or "I want to be a marine biologist," while having absolutely no idea what that entailed, and pursuing no study to achieve that goal?

But with Steve, his parents had no reply for a moment.  Because this was the first time Steve had ever said he wanted to be anything when he grew up.  He'd made no bones about the fact that he was undecided-- there were so many wonderful things he could be, and so much time in which to make that choice, so what was the hurry?

Furthermore, several days had passed since the wrestling show, so David and Melinda Grant knew that Steve didn't say this in a sudden burst of youthful enthusiasm.  He said it with a completely serious voice, as if to say, "That's what I'm going to do, dammit, and you can't tell me that I won't be one."  His face matched the seriousness of his voice, and his parents realized that they had an interesting task ahead of them.

They hadn't commented on it at the time, but after the children went to sleep that night in a Best Western in New Mexico, David and Melinda stood outside the porch, talking about Steve's revelation.  It was just past midnight, and clearly they weren't of the same mind about this one.  Melinda thought that the idea of her son becoming a wrestler was horrifying, while David's argument was, "If that's what the child wants to do, let him follow his own path."

In the pale moonlight, Steve and Rachel realized that their parents were no longer in the room, and had crept, barefoot and in their pajamas, over to the window.  They crouched down in front of it and were able to make out some-- but not all-- of the conversation.

Rachel giggled girlishly as she realized that her parents were debating about her older brother.  "You're really in for it now, Steve," she said, curling and uncurling her toes in relief that she wasn't the one in trouble.

Steve rolled his eyes.  "You're no help, Raych," he replied.  But he was a little concerned.  If Mom had her way, he'd grow up to be a doctor-- but it was something he had no interest in, or aptitude for.  He much preferred his father's reasoning-- that you couldn't force that decision on a child.  Steve had the suspicion that even Dad secretly hoped he'd "grow out of it," but when he'd watched those luchadores, Steve had had a moment of clarity that he'd never had before in his life.  He knew, instinctively, that he wanted to be a wrestler-- not only that, but he knew he had the drive to be a [i]successful[/i] one.

"You think Mom's gonna turn Dad against your wrestling dream?"  Even though she liked to tease him, Rachel had also seen in Steve's eyes that he was 100% serious about being a wrestler, and she knew that once big brother set his mind on something, he gave it everything he had.  It was part of the reason she looked up to him so much.

"I hope not," Steve sighed.  "Because I'm not sure I can do this without the support of my family."

Just then, Mom and Dad walked back towards the hotel room, and the two young Grant children dove into the bed, quickly covering each other up with the blankets.  The door opened, and Steve jammed his eyes shut, resisting the temptation to make an "honest to God, I'm sleeping" snore, because he knew it'd sound fake.  But before long, he'd drifted off to sleep for real, despite the feeling of his brother and sister's cold bare feet against his.

****

The following day at breakfast, Steve was in the middle of chewing one of his scrambled eggs when Mom said, "Steve, your father and I have something to say about your revelation last night.  The wrestling thing."

Steve steeled himself for disappointment.  Of course Mom and Dad wouldn't understand, or would think that he was better than being one of those crazy athletes who put their bodies on the line for the enjoyment of fans.  Mom was an eighth-grade social studies teacher, after all, and Dad was a neurosurgeon.

Mom looked to Dad expectantly, and he took a sip of orange juice before speaking.  "We've decided that if you want to be a wrestler, we're going to do whatever we can to help you achieve that goal."

Steve couldn't believe his good fortune.  He stared at his parents in stunned silence for a moment before letting out an exultant "Whoo-hoo!" and hugging Rachel, Brian and finally his parents.

David Grant let his oldest son celebrate for a few more moments, but then held up a warning finger.  "I should tell you, Steve, that nothing worthwhile was ever achieved in this world without effort.  Saying you want to become a wrestler and becoming a wrestler are two different things.  And you have to keep in mind that very few wrestlers make enough money to support their own family, let alone ride around in fancy limousines like that Ric Flair character you're such a fan of."

"WHOO!" Steve immediately replied.  He couldn't help himself.  Beside him, Rachel laughed, having seen that one coming a mile away.

His mother gave him the look.  "But if you're willing to put forth the effort, we're willing to help you however we can.  We'll sign you up for wrestling and martial-arts classes, and we'll work with some doctors and personal trainers to help you put together a fitness regimen.  No more cheeseburgers for you, Steve, except under very special circumstances.  You're going to have to eat right and exercise regularly from now on."

"In addition," his father said, "you're going to keep those grades up, or so help me, we'll pull you right back out of the wrestling and martial-arts training.  Don't assume you're going to make money doing what those wrestlers do.  If something happens, you're gonna have to use your brains to make a living for yourself.  We won't be supporting you 'til you're 47."

His parents looked at him expectantly, as if waiting for Steve to reply.  Steve turned all these things over in his head, and finally said the words that would set him on his life's new journey--

"Bring it on."

----

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count.  It's the life in your years."

--Abraham Lincoln

----

It was September of 1997, a full sixteen years after Steve had set himself on this path, and he still couldn't believe it had actually happened.  Oh, he already had some ring experience, to be sure.  He'd trained in the WCW Power Plant for the last two years, learning valuable things about not only the way to have good matches, but the nature of the business itself.  Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker had admired his commitment, and a year ago had recommended he be called up to WCW.

World Championship Wrestling hadn't done so, though.  Indeed, for three months they hadn't given any answer at all, and when they had, they'd insisted Steve was "not ready for prime-time".  His phone conversation with the World Wrestling Federation's Jim Ross had gone much the same way, and Steve hadn't even considered Extreme Championship Wrestling, discarding it as being "garbage wrestling".

Steve stuck in there for six more months, learning absolutely everything he could from Sarge, but had become disheartened by WCW's lack of confidence in him and his abilities.  "How can they stick their nose up at me," Steve had commented, "when they've got a 90-year-old champion who can't wrestle his way out of a brown paper bag?"  Steve was referring, of course, to "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan.

Three weeks later, WCW had released Steve from his contract, and left with nowhere to go, he went to Japan.  He wrestled in New Japan for two months, primarily as a jobber to Japanese luminaries like Jushin "Thunder" Liger, Super Delfin and Mitsuharu Misawa.  Along the way, he befriended fellow American wrestler "The Warrior" Nick Wolf, a native of Arizona who'd allegedly been raised by wolves in the wilderness (Steve hadn't quite yet worked up the courage to ask Nick if that were true or not).

Unbeknownst to them, scouts from Internet Championship Wrestling (ICW) had been watching in the crowd when Steve and Nick put on a 20-minute technical wrestling clinic against each other that had resulted in Steve tapping out to Nick's Pretzel Lock submission hold.  The scouts introduced themselves backstage later, handed them both plane tickets back to the States, and said "Maybe you should come see us."

Steve and Nick had waited until the scouts left, looked at each other for a moment, and simultaneously exclaimed "Boo-yeah!" while high-fiving one another.

Now, a week later, they were backstage, three hours before they'd both debut on ICW's Monday Night Metal show.  Steve would go up against a guy with the unlikely name of Jumping Terror, while Nick battled a man named Joey Richards.  They entered the locker room together, and were immediately agog at the number of wrestling legends they were sharing the room with.

"Holy shit, man," Nick exclaimed as he changed into a white wifebeater and a pair of ripped blue jean shorts.  The 5'10", ripped African-American was clearly star-struck.  "Everywhere you look, there's someone you've seen on TV."

"I know," Steve replied.  "Silencer Chris Fry, Stunnin' Steve, Jason Bagwell, Destructo, even 'Bad Ass Brian Marcotte!  And they're all right here, in this federation!  We could learn a lot from these guys."

Nick nodded his head in agreement.  "Damn straight.  So, have you talked to this Jumping Terror guy yet?"

"We're supposed to meet in about an hour to discuss our spots," Steve replied.  "This is his 'real' debut-- I mean, he didn't wrestle in Japan or anything.  He's completely fresh."

"Oh, boy," Nick said, rolling his eyes ironically.  "God save the world from rookies, eh?"

Both of them laughed-- the joke, of course, was that both of them still were rookies [i]themselves,[/i] despite their experiences in Japan.  And they were both in a joking, jovial mood, because tonight was the night that they'd finally wrestle in front of a live crowd in their home country.  God bless the U.S.A.

"Come be a part of the best thing going today," a voice called out.  "Death Valley, soon to be the greatest stable this sport's ever seen!  Sick of not having anyone to watch your back?  Become part of Death Valley today!"

Steve's ears perked up, and looking next to him, he saw that Nick's had, too.  "A stable?" Nick asked, in wonderment.  "This could be a big thing for us, Steve.  There will be plenty of guys waiting to stab a knife in our backs, especially if we achieve the kind of success we're looking to achieve.  And that guy distributing fliers is a big, big guy-- rather have him on our side than against us."

"That's certainly true," Steve said, but there was more to it than that.  As he looked at the big guy handing out fliers to disinterested-looking wrestlers, something clicked inside Steve's mind.  Suddenly, he knew without a doubt that this was something he had to do, something that would change the course of his whole life.  To be part of a team, be part of something larger than oneself, was extremely important to him.  Just like that day in 1981 when he'd realized he wanted to be a wrestler, now he knew that he had to be a DV member.

Steve and Nick walked up to the big guy, and realized that the tank-top-wearing man wasn't that much bigger than the 6'9" Steve.  Of course he dwarfed Nick, but then so did most guys in the locker room.

The man had a frustrated look on his face, as he'd so far gotten a grand total of zero takers for his stable formation idea, but he put on his best customer-service face as he handed a flier to both Steve and Nick.  "Come, be part of something great," he said.  "Join Death Valley, the alliance that will turn the wrestling world on its head."

Steve and Nick, much to the man's surprise, replied in unison, "All right."

----

"I too shall lie in the dust when I am dead, but now let me win noble renown."

--The Iliad by Homer

----

It was over.  The crowd knew it, the announcers knew it, and without a doubt, TANK Thomas knew it.  Oh, the kid had certainly fought hard to get to this point, and had earned the World Champion's respect.  Definitely the kid would be able to get here again, and maybe sometime down the line, he'd be World Heavyweight Champion.

But not tonight, he decided, grinning in anticipation of his victory.  He lifted the tall blonde onto his shoulders, prepared to deal him the devastating powerbomb that had won him so many matches in the past...

****

It's not over.  Screw what the crowd thinks, the announcers think, and what TANK Thomas thinks.  Steve Grant knew he was in a lot of trouble-- he'd taken quite a pounding the last few minutes after a battle that had see-sawed back and forth-- but he didn't allow himself for a moment to think his fight was over.

Nor did he accept the possibility of failure.  Failure was something he never allowed himself to experience as long as there was fight left in him; to give up simply wasn't the way he was taught.  Two weeks earlier, he'd gone through three men in the same night to win the inaugural Lord of the Rings tournament, and he knew that no matter what happened in the future, he'd always be able to say, "I was the first man to win the Lord of the Rings tournament."

But never did it occur to him to simply settle for that distinction.  The LotR victory had transformed him from a tag-team star (indeed, a former four-time World Tag Team Champion) into a singles star overnight.  It had propelled him from being one of DV's junior members into the unquestioned leader of Death Valley-- certainly, something he never expected would happen so soon.

Yet he knew that this World Title shot, guaranteed him by winning the tournament, was something he had to take full advantage of.  LotR winner or no, he didn't know how long he'd be able to maintain his spot in the upper echelon of New Extreme Wrestling, and had absolutely no idea how many opportunities he'd have like this.  An opportunity not only to win the World Heavyweight Championship, but to do so against a man that, up until a month ago when he suffered back-to-back losses to Grant's DV teammate Doomsday (including the second loss which cost Thomas the U.S. Heavyweight Title), had put together a tremendous undefeated streak.

But right now, Steve was in tremendous pain.  His head, neck and back were agonized by the continuous assault of the World Champion.  He'd just about been knocked unconscious by some of those blows, and was grateful he hadn't been, because he knew Thomas would have immediately capitalized and pinned him to retain the title.  As Steve was lifted onto Thomas' shoulders, the crowd let out a collective gasp, as if not believing that Steve's first title shot would end like this.  But they'd seen this scenario on many occasions, and probably weren't particularly surprised by it.  Oh, well, somewhere down the line TANK had to lose to someone, right?

They couldn't possibly have any idea that they were about to witness the coronation of a blossoming legend.

****

"TANK Thomas lifts Steve Grant up for the powerbomb!  This is gonna be the end of it, folks...!"

"Wait... what is Steve Grant doing?"

"He's punching away at the champion's head as hard as he can!  There is still life left in the Blue Inferno after all!  Come on Steve, you can do it, kid!"

"Steve Grant has managed to climb off the stunned TANK Thomas' shoulders!  He's lifting him up onto his own shoulders... Death Valley Driver! Steve Grant has hit the Death Valley Driver on TANK Thomas!"

"That's the move he used to defeat EGANRAC two weeks ago in the Lord of the Rings tournament finals!"

"Steve Grant's trying to shake off the abuse he suffered only a few minutes ago...  he's crawling over to make the cover... do it, kid! Take your place in history!"

"He's slumped down on top of TANK Thomas, and he's got his leg hooked!"

"One...

"Two...

"THREE!  Steve Grant has done it!  Steve Grant has done it!"

"I don't believe it!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, your winner... and new World Heavyweight Champion, 'Blue Inferno' Steve Grant!"

****

It didn't seem real, but there it was.  Referee Mark Pence handed Steve the World Heavyweight Championship belt and raised his hand to signify his victory.  Steve stared at the title belt in disbelief for a moment before slumping down onto his knees and weeping tears of joy.

Finally, he'd done what he'd set out to do.  Finally, the world knew him as its Heavyweight Champion.  He'd proven wrong everyone who'd ever doubted him, and he'd earned the admiration and respect of wrestling fans all over the globe.

Nick Wolf was the first to slide into the ring, and he embraced his friend, his partner, his brother.  He, too, was shedding happy tears, as happy for Steve as he would've been if it had been Nick who'd won the championship.  More friends and loved ones entered the ring... Hawk Manson, Steve's girlfriend Jessica Riley, "Warhammer" Kano Kumira, "TombStone" Adam Holiday.  All of them embraced him not only as their friend, but as their champion.

Later that night, Steve knew, he'd propose to Jessica as he'd planned to do.  He had the ring in the inside pocket of his leather jacket, which he'd left in the locker rom.  Tonight he'd ask her to marry him, and they'd be very happy together, because Jessica was the woman he wanted to be with for the rest of his life.

He knew that the anxiety wouldn't set in until the adrenaline from his victory fully wore off, so he allowed himself to bask in the glow of his successful challenge, knowing that a far more difficult challenge-- marriage-- could possibly be awaiting him in the very near future.

----

"Aren't you beginning to feel time gaining on you?  It's like a predator, it's stalking you."

--Tolian Soran, Star Trek: Generations

----

March 28, 2000 was a date that would be forever embedded into his mind.  It was perhaps the most memorable day of his life-- more memorable than his first World Title victory, his first day of school, or even the day he got married to his wife.

Memorable, yes-- but not all memories are good memories.

****

Steve was frantic in those moments that he stood helplessly, waiting for the paramedics to arrive and carry away the woman he loved.  Who would have thought that things would come to this?  Who would have thought that, by winning a #1 contender's match against Sport Jones only nine days ago to earn a title shot against the World Champion, Trent Raven, harm would come to his family?  And not just his family-- his wife!

Steve knew how important the World Heavyweight Championship was, having held it on two previous occasions.  To someone in this business, the World Title was everything.  It was the culmination of everything that you'd worked towards in your life, the one thing you could point do and say, "See this?  This means I'm the best."  While Steve had held it, he'd referred to it in promos as "his life", a comment that had been slightly tongue-in-cheek.  In reality, sure, the belt was important to him, but he was always mindful of the fact that there were other things that were of far more worth-- to him, if not necessarily to anyone else.

At the absolute top of the importance totem pole was the woman who right now lay bleeding in his locker room.  Four days earlier, while Steve had been out shopping, Trent Raven's posse, "Trent's Rave", had kidnapped Jessica from her home.  Steve had immediately summoned the police, but when they'd caught up with The Rave, Jessica was no longer among them.  With no evidence to make a case against them, the police had been forced to let them go.

No evidence.  Steve rolled his eyes angrily at that notion.  As if the fact that Trent had left his signature flannel sweater "calling card" at his home wasn't evidence enough.  Steve knew, without a doubt in his mind, that The Rave had been responsible for the kidnapping, and whatever they'd done to her between then and now, she was clearly in need of immediate medical attention.  She was bleeding profusely from the stomach and groin area, and underneath her torn clothing he could see that her once-beautiful skin had lines of blood drawn down it.

The paramedics arrived within thirty seconds of Steve's summons, although from Steve's perspective the time seemed to stretch on forever.  Steve had seen some strange things in his life, and been part of some brutal matches-- including the inaugural "Mall Madness" match against Damien Simons and Chaos twenty-four days earlier in which he'd Inferno Kicked Simons off the mall balcony into a fountain.

But this...

Steve's mind simply wasn't coping with this, and he had no strength to resist or even acknowledge as he was gently led into the ambulance.

****

When they reached the hospital, Steve was gently ushered into a waiting room.  It was then that his resistance began to return, as he cried out, swore, and tried desperately to stay by Jessica's side.  Somehow-- Steve couldn't remember exactly how it had happened-- they'd talked him down from the verge of violence, and managed to get him to sit in relative peace and quiet, waiting for word.

Although Steve's exterior demeanor was rather calm considering the circumstances, his emotions were rolling over top of one another, some of them conflicting and many not making sense.  He should have been there, he should have... gotten to the locker room sooner... should have paid to have the groceries delivered instead of leaving Jess alone in the house... should have allowed Sport Jones to beat him for a change... hell, he shouldn't have gotten into the wrestling business in the first place.

There it was.  Although obviously Steve hadn't done this to Jessica himself, and had, obviously, gone insane with worry as he'd done everything in his power to find her, the fact remained that if not for the decision he'd made on that hot summer day in 1981, Jessica wouldn't have been kidnapped, and wouldn't at this moment be fighting for her life in the emergency room of St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Louis.  The fact that if not for his wrestling career, he and Jess would likely never have [i]met[/i] didn't cross the anguished man's mind.  All he could think was, It's my fault... it's my fault... oh, my God, Jess is going to die because I wasn't strong enough... wasn't good enough...

Steve would later look back on this waiting process with curiousity.  Earlier, it had taken the paramedics less than a minute to get to Jessica while she'd been bleeding in the locker room-- even though it had seemed like hours to Steve.  But as he waited four hours for word of his wife, the only person that, in the final analysis, meant anything to him at all-- when the news came, it felt like only minutes had gone by.  He'd been lost in deep meditation, praying to God to intervene, to please let Jessica live... Jessica, who'd never stepped on an anthill in her entire life, let alone Death Valley Drivered the living daylights out of the people she worked with.  Please, make me die, Steve had thought on more than one occasion, but not her.  Please, there aren't nearly enough gentle spirits like her on earth... and there are far too many savages like me.

His conversation with God had alternately taken the forms of pleading, bribing, begging, demanding and finally, when he'd had no alternative, trusting.  Trusting that whatever was planned for her was the way it was going to be, and Steve had to try and prepare himself for life without her.  Even though life without her seemed absolutely inconceivable.

Steve looked up into the kindly eyes of an old, gray-haired male doctor, wearing wide glasses, aquamarine hospital scrubs and a nametag on his right breast that read "K. Thompson".  Belatedly, he realized that the gentleman had been trying to get his attention for the past minute or so.

He rose to his full height of 6'9", towering over the doctor by over a foot-- yet Steve had never felt quite so small.

"Mr. Grant," Dr. Thompson began, formally and with sympathy in his voice.  He spoke in technical terms for a few moments, but all of them rolled off his mind when he said, "I'm sorry, there's nothing we can do for her."

****

Steve slowly crept into Jessica's hospital room, still far too much in shock to shed tears.  This was impossible, this couldn't be happening, he'd wake up any minute now and Jess would be sleeping right beside him, with that same beautiful smile that she'd reserved only for him even in her slumber.  He'd go downstairs, make her breakfast in bed, make slow, passionate love to her and tell her that he'd never let her go, not ever.

But as he saw her lying there, being pumped full of IV fluids and continuing to lose so much blood despite the doctors' best efforts, his personal mantra was shattered.  This was real, Jessica was dying, and if he happened to die and go to hell, his personal torment would be reliving this moment for the rest of eternity.

He sat to her right, and gently took her hand in his.  Her skin felt so cold and clammy to the touch-- nothing at all like the warm, sensuous Jessica he'd been married to for the past 17 months.  Only seventeen months of marriage, dammit!  She was only 24 years old... she could have had sixty, seventy more years of life left in her!  And they hadn't even made time to have a family yet!  Why did it have to be like this...?

Her eyelids fluttered open, and she looked at Steve with momentary confusion, as if trying to remember who he was.  Steve's heart sank for that instant-- but melted again when she gave him that smile.  Somehow, though she was dying, that smile still had a lot of life left in it.  What she had was a gift, a gift for making people happy, for taking care of people.  That gift was why she'd become a med student in the first place.  What sane person could ever want to harm her?

"Steve," she said simply.  She clearly had to strain even to say that one syllable.  Her eyes seemed to be glazing over slightly.

"I'm here, baby," Steve said, choking back his tears.  "I'm here now, and everything's gonna be all right... we're gonna go home soon, and I'll sing you into a beautiful new world..."  He didn't even know half the things he was saying right now, overwhelmed with the sense of loss and grief he was experiencing.

Jessica laughed, though the laughing sounded like croaking in her throat, and looked at Steve in the same way she did when she knew he wasn't being serious.  "Silly boy," she gurgled.  "You... you don't have to lie to me... I know we don't have much time left..."

The tears were flowing freely down Steve's face now, and he struggled to control the anguish in his voice as he said, "We'll... always have time, Jessica... our world is only you and me, baby..."  He kissed her then, for the last time, as he remembered the first time he'd kissed her three years ago on that beautiful Sunday evening.  Where had the time gone, and why had it been taken away from them so early?

When he broke off the kiss, it didn't take him long to realize that Jess had died while they'd been kissing.  Much later, when he was in a more reflecting, more stable state of mind, he'd decide that he was happy her final moments were pleasant moments.

But that time was a long ways off...

****

What happened in the next few hours was a blur to Steve, even looking back on it in the present-day.  All he knew for sure was that he'd gone back to his hotel room, almost completely destroyed the place, and gone outside and burned his Blue Inferno tights in the hotel parking lot.  With a pair of scissors, he cut all of his hair from the base of his neck to the base of his skull.  He found an old pair of black jeans, black tank-top and boots, and walked out of his hotel room, got into his car and zoomed off into the distance.

He swore that the Blue Inferno was dead.  In his place was The Dark Warrior, a man on a mission of vengeance.  He'd no longer sit idly by while people suffered-- he would inflict judgment on those who had wronged him.  The first person on that list would be the man who was chiefly responsible for kidnapping his beloved wife-- Trent Raven.  Their World Title match was eleven days from now.  If Trent had kidnapped Jessica thinking he'd hold some kind of power over whether or not he kept his title, he was going to find out that he'd made a horrible mistake.

****

"Grant!  Grant!  I killed Jessica, you stupid son of a bitch!"

Those words startled Steve out of his reverie.  Less than a minute earlier, he'd easily defeated Trent Raven to win his third NEW World Heavyweight Championship, and was now in the process of beating the living hell out of him with a metal folding chair.  Throughout the course of the evening, Steve had surreptitiously eliminated the members of Trent's Rave-- attacking various members in the locker room, parking lot, backstage "gorilla position", everywhere and anywhere he could find them.  He'd done that for only one purpose-- to prevent their interference in both the title match and the aftermath he'd planned.  Oh, yes, it was shaping up to be a very long night for Trent, indeed.

But the words spoken by TYRANT on the massive ExtremeTron above the arena brought Steve up short.  The surprised look on his face quickly twisted into an expression of rage, and for an instant he walked towards the entrance ramp, prepared to head backstage and beat the living fuck out of him.  But the camera zoomed out, and he could see clearly that TYRANT wasn't in the arena-- indeed, he was probably nowhere close to the arena.

He was sitting on a crate in an old, apparently abandoned warehouse, accompanied by his vile henchman, Demonic.  Both of them looked smug at seeing the look of furor on the face of The Dark Warrior.

Steve stared at a ring attendant as if to say, "If I don't have a mic in my hands right now, I'm gonna beat the hell out of you."  The ring attendant got the idea and quickly tossed him a microphone.

"TYRANT, you're a dead man!  A dead man.  At our next pay-per-view, it's going to be you and me... for this," he said, gesturing to the belt.  "And whether or not you leave that match alive is gonna be entirely up to me."

----

"For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night."

--Psalms 90:4

----

The time had come for Steve's World Heavyweight Title defense against TYRANT.  It was taking place in none other than the "World's Most Famous Arena", Madison Square Garden in New York City.  And as Steve walked down the entrance ramp to the thunderous roar of "Hells Bells" by AC/DC, an equally thunderous roar rose from the crowd as they realized that instead of walking out in the black-and-white colors of The Dark Warrior, Steve had returned to his roots as The Blue Inferno.

He'd intentionally avoided his family and friends since he'd begun his campaign of vengeance, but Brian had tracked him down earlier that night in the boiler room.  "You've got to stop this," Brian had pleaded.  "If nothing else, so you can defeat TYRANT.  Only good can conquer evil.  TYRANT may have taken Jess from us, but he did something even worse to you-- he twisted the goodness inside of you.  Don't allow him to have the satisfaction of destroying a good man."

What Brian had said made a lot of sense to Steve-- as it almost always did.  Steve and Rachel had used to joke that it was a good thing their younger brother was so good at talking his way out of danger, because he certainly didn't have a size advantage on most people.  Though Steve was 6'9" and Rachel was 5'11", tall for a woman, Brian was only 5'9".  He could still wrestle with the best of them, but his greatest attribute was his mind-- which had convinced Steve to throw away the Dark Warrior colors once and for all.

And though Steve had only been able to find a blue pair of adidas track pants with the characteristic three white lines going down the sides, the symbolism was very clear to everyone in attendance.  The Blue was back, and he'd use the power of his goodness to destroy the power of evil.

But as Steve looked TYRANT in the eyes, his message was clear-- Dark Warrior or no Dark Warrior, he'd still inflict the most heinous example of DV ass-whipping that the world had ever seen.

****

Twenty minutes later, after the most hellacious battle of his life, Steve Grant held his NEW World Heavyweight Title belt unsteadily above his head after his successful defense.  He'd vanquished TYRANT with not one, not two, but three Death Valley Drivers-- which was far less than the son of a bitch deserved, but when he saw the concerned look on the face of Brian sitting ringside-- the look that said, "Don't do anything they'll lock you up for"-- he'd finally pinned him and ended the suffering-- for now.

But suddenly the lights in the arena went out, and when they came back on, Steve jumped back in shock as he was face to face with the menacing visage of Ragnarok.  Ragnarok was TYRANT's soulless minion, an intimidating figure that wore a characteristic black mask and apparently felt no pain.  Men had hit him with everything in their arsenal and he'd popped right back up.  And when Ragnarok hit you, it hurt like hell-- like slamming into a brick wall.

Steve looked into Ragnarok's evil eyes and knew that he was in no condition to fight off an attack by him-- nor would he likely have been in any condition before the contest.

But Ragnarok wasn't looking at him-- he was looking at the fallen form of his master, TYRANT.  Steve stepped to one side, and Ragnarok walked over to TYRANT, helping him to his feet-- and then he lifted him up for a piledriver!

The crowd went apeshit, and Steve watched in stunned silence.  Ragnarok tore off the mask, and it was none other than Ben Genesis-- a wrestler who'd recently disappeared with no apparent explanation.  There was the answer.

"That one was for my mother!  This one's for my father!" Genesis said, and hit a second piledriver.  "This one's for my brother!"  WHAM!  "This one's for my sister!"  WHAM!  "And this one's for me!"

He connected with yet a fifth piledriver, and when TYRANT slumped to the mat, his neck was bent at an odd angle.  Steve had no doubt that the evil man's neck was broken.

Two days later, in his first promo since the title match, TYRANT would take a gun to his head and (apparently) shoot his own brains out.  Looking back on Genesis' stunning annihilation of TYRANT later, Steve would realize that he could have saved TYRANT if he'd chosen to-- but he'd deliberately stood there and watched as Genesis effectively ended his life.

And what's more... he didn't feel the least bit bad about it.

----

"As if you could kill time without injuring infinity."

--Henry David Thoreau

----

It was a proud day for Steve Grant.  Two years ago, he'd opened the Inferno U. wrestling school with the intention of giving back to the industry that had given him such a wonderful life.  He'd put his days of wrestling in the past, and focused on teaching the next generation what he'd learned, so that perhaps they could achieve the same kind of success that he had.

Steve had not allowed any of the potential applicants to become complacent.  319 wannabe professional wrestlers had showed up the first day he'd opened this gym in San Francisco, California.  Many of them had clearly been in it just to be on camera, or had reasoned that "wrestling is fake" and therefore anybody could do it.  Steve had been more than happy to disavow them of that notion, although he'd been careful not to cause serious pain to any one of them-- after all, many of them had been kids with delusions of grandeur.

He'd invited forty-seven back the following day.  24 of the 47 students made it to the third day, and that number was cut in half the fourth day.  The "Original Twelve" had all been serious about becoming wrestlers and making it in the business, they'd all been in tremendous physical condition, and each of them had a solid work ethic-- the exact characteristics that Steve had been looking for.

He put those twelve students through hell for one week, seeing if any of them could distinguish themselves.  Immediately, three names had jumped to the forefront-- Antonio Mason, Lee Conway and Mark Alizandro.  Steve even coined nicknames for two of them-- "The Wild Child" for Mason, due to his intensity in the ring, and "Lee Charisma" for Lee Conway, for the way he really got the audience involved in his promos and ring work.

Following the "Week of Hell," as some of the students later referred to it as, Steve had released five individuals-- and told the remaining seven that they were Inferno U.'s Class of 2004.  He'd taken them to DV Headquarters in Expedition, Alaska, shown them all of DV's accomplishments, and then said, "You see all this stuff?  To hell with it."

He'd paused, and taken a sip of water.  "All that you've worked towards right now, it represents only an opportunity I'm trying to help you build.  An opportunity to prove to yourselves, and to everyone else, that you can make it into this business.  But even if you do graduate from Inferno U. in two years-- which, I assure you, is not a foregone conclusion with anyone-- I'm not promising that anything will come of it.  You have to be willing to make the effort, but just as importantly, you have to be willing to make the right decisions.  Because anybody can put a lot of effort into doing the wrong thing."

Some of his students had taken that lesson to heart, and some hadn't.  In the following two years, Inferno U. students had gone through an intense training regimen that had made NFL training camps look like kindergarten.  Each of them had suffered an injury at different points throughout their "education".  Many of them hadn't been able to make it-- in fact, five students washed out of the program before graduation.  Steve hadn't cut any of them-- they'd simply decided one day not to show up, or walked out in frustration after taking one too many bumps.  Even Mark Alizandro, whom Steve thought had good potential, had one day called the university and said he wouldn't be returning.

There had been many days that Steve wondered if he should be upset with the five who couldn't cut it.  But not long ago he'd come to the conclusion that he shouldn't be frustrated with the students-- or himself-- if 99.3% of the people who'd walked into Inferno U. on that first day hadn't made it long enough to see today.  If he could say without a doubt that he'd trained two students that had a very good shot at making it to the top of the wrestling business, then the past two years had absolutely been worth it.  And what was more, "The Wild Child" Antonio Mason and Lee Charisma could smile when they looked back on this day, knowing that it had only come through intense work and sacrifice.

So on this day, November 17, 2004, Steve watched proudly as Mason and Charisma put on a thirty-minute wrestling clinic, mixing fast pacing with exciting comebacks and brilliant technique.  The planned ending came off perfectly-- Charisma went for a Frog Splash, only to find that Mason was no longer where he'd been only a second before.  Charisma rolled over onto his back, clutching at his stomach, and that was all Mason needed to climb the opposite turnbuckle and hit a spectacular Phoenix Splash.  Nick Wolf, the referee, counted the pinfall.

As it ended, Steve and his brother Brian rose from their seats, applauding in appreciation as Nick held up Antonio's hand.  As the Grant Brothers showed their respect for the talents of the two young men, they were joined in a standing ovation by the night's special guests-- the Conway and Mason families, gathered here together on this very special day.

Antonio reacted to their admiration with his typical small half-smile, and helped Lee to his feet, embracing him warmly.  Mason and Charisma had become good friends as they'd spent the last two years bleeding, suffering and learning together.  And they both knew the match they'd just put on was the best they'd wrestled in their lives thus far, so they were more than entitled to this moment.

Brian muttered to Steve, "Great kids you've got here, bro."  Steve didn't disagree.  They'd done everything he'd asked of them and more, far more.  He knew there was nothing else he could teach them that wouldn't be superfluous.  Soon, it would be up to them to make the right decisions in the industry and in life.

"Lee, Tony, if you'd be so kind as to exit the ring and come here.  Oh, Jay, did you get all this on video?"  The cameraman, Jay Wilder, gave the thumbs-up signal.  Steve would give several copies of the match to both Tony and Lee, so that they could send them out to whatever federations they were interested in trying out for.  The last time Steve had asked, Lee told him that he was looking into probably going to Japan for awhile.  Tony had been less forthcoming about his plans, but Steve respected his privacy enough to leave it alone.

Lee Charisma and Antonio Mason stood in front of Steve and Brian, trying very hard not to be too obvious about basking in the glow of their great match.  Steve chuckled at their failed attempt to repress that emotion as Nick tossed a bottle of water to each of them.  Lee took a large gulp of it, while Tony sipped it gingerly.

"Gentlemen," Steve said, "you've done well to make it as far as you have.  You've defied expectations, extended the boundaries of what you once were, and hopefully learned something about yourselves along the way."  He reached down into his gym bag, which was underneath his chair, and pulled out two plaques.  "And so on this day, November 17, 2004, I recognize you, Lee Charisma, as a graduate of Inferno U."

The tall blonde received a round of applause as Steve presented him the plaque and shook his hand, and then Steve said, "On this day, I recognize you, Antonio Mason, as a graduate of Inferno U."  Steve handed Tony his plaque, shaking his hand as well.

And for the next four hours, Inferno U. had its first party, as the families of the school's first two graduates congratulated their sons, their brothers, on completing one of the most difficult tasks of their life.  But Steve knew that he'd only shown them the door to opportunity, and where they went from there would be entirely up to them.

Steve smiled as he saw Lee, and even Tony, grinning from ear to ear.  Lee had always had that quick smile from the first time he'd walked into the school, but it didn't come quite so naturally to Tony.  In a way, it looked almost... bizarre on him.

He chuckled.  If doing this was his life now, he had no complaints.  He'd left the in-ring portion of his wrestling career behind him, and he'd been more than happy to do so.

So he thought.

----

"Time is the coin of your life.  It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.  Be careful lest someone else spend it for you."

--Carl Sandburg

----

When six minutes had elapsed since the sunset, he listened to the distant bells of the old church some miles in the distance.  Church bells told a strange tale, they told of completion... finality... the knowledge that God had given us all a limited time to be here, and when it was over, there was no turning back.

The Wint-O-Green Life Saver dissolved fully in his mouth, as he'd known it would do.  There was something about the inevitability of that that comforted him.  It had dissolved into the nothingness from which it had come, as all things eventually did.  Nothing on this sphere was eternal; not even the sphere itself was eternal.  Seasons would pass, this year would fade into the next, and the next, and the people he'd known would grow old and die, as would he.  He prayed that the generations that would follow would take better care of themselves than this generation had.  What was that old saying?  "Each generation grows weaker and wiser"?

The number of quotations he'd recalled recently about time might even be enough to drive his Zen-like younger brother Brian insane.  It wasn't as if Steve was particularly old, although he'd gotten ribbing from the boys about his age.  He was only 32, dammit, but on days like this, he felt time gaining on him.

"Feeling introspective today, Steve?"  Steve looked up to see who had spoken, and smiled.  It was his former student, "The Wild Child" Antonio Mason.

"Just been one of those days, Tony," Steve replied.  "Please, sit down."  Tony complied, and the two men sat in silence for a few moments.  It was Steve who broke the silence.  "I heard you signed with PWK.  Congratulations, they're a good federation... they treat their people right."

"So I've heard," Tony replied.  "I heard you've decided to come back one last time yourself, for the final show in the history of New Era Wrestling."

Steve nodded.  "That's what I've been sitting here contemplating... thinking about what's past, and wondering what's to come."  The look on Tony's face told Steve that he knew all about the career of The Blue Inferno-- and had even thought of some of those moments from his own perspective, as a fan watching those images on television week after week.

"This is a great time to be a wrestler, Tony," Steve said.  "You're young, you haven't even begun your career yet-- you're talented, but you've still got a lot to learn.  I hope that you learn from the decisions I made... some of them good, others terribly unfortunate.  I wish better things for you than I received myself."

Tony smiled, but it was clear his perspective was different.  "If I could come remotely close to accomplishing everything you've accomplished, I'd consider myself to be a man of achievement," he said.  "It meant a lot to me to graduate from Inferno U., but that's just the beginning for me."

"I know.  I think you knew from the moment you walked in the door that you'd be sitting next to me now, the beginning of your wrestling career inching closer and closer.  You earned everything you got, and so did Lee, and that makes me feel good.  No political bullshit like NEW and especially NEGWA loved to pull.  Just two guys, working their asses off because they believe in the business, and believe they have a future in it."  Steve grinned.  "Now if I can only find a class that's anywhere near as talented as my first one, I'll be a happy man."

"That's kind of you," Tony replied in a tone that indicated that he was trying to be polite, but was beginning to get a little tired of all the praise.  "But you've got a mission to accomplish first.  The NEW World Heavyweight Championship... a belt that I know means more to you than any material thing in this world.  You're gonna go out there nine days from now, defeat everyone in that battle royale, and then introduce yourself to Will Storm by shaking his hand and then kicking his ass and taking his title.

"And you're going to do it because you're Steve Grant, dammit, an NEW Hall of Famer, and it's your destiny to become NEW World Champion for the rest of your life.  And all the rest of it is bullshit."

Steve chuckled.  "Long week ahead of me," he said.  "I'll probably spend most of it lost in memories of years past.  But the 26th may end up being the most memorable night of my career-- the very last night, before I turn the wrestling over to the young-uns like yourself."

Steve rose, and Tony walked side-by-side with him as they left the park.  Every man faced a day when he had to ride into the sunset, and if Steve was doing so, he'd be damn sure he was carrying fifteen pounds of gold along with him.

----

"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."

--Franklin Delano Roosevelt

#bisg #e-wrestling #rp #oc rp

[coyuties]

So Cassie (my ferret) is going to turn 10 in February.

When Coon was alive (he passed unexpectedly when he was 6, she was 7 at the time) she was super thin, her white fur was yellowish and so thin she had rat tail.

Now, she’s got a fluffy coat back, she’s a healthy weight, and her fur only recently started yellowing again. But she does has adrenal disease.

When Coon passed away so suddenly I took her to the vet to get everything checked, dropped a lot of money I barely had. When they sedated her to draw blood the vet also did a free MRI (he only just started working with ferrets and wanted more experience), and found out she had adrenal.

I’ve always fed them Zupreem. I don’t take her out much anymore, when I do she explores for a few minutes then finds a spot to lay down. I’ll sometimes let my dog (blue heeler. He played great with them as a puppy. They’d chase him and he was so careful not to step on them) hang out with her, but under super close supervision. My parents chihuahua sometimes plays her her, then he gets scared and wants out.

I just bought her a nice warm bed and a moose antler chew toy for Christmas. She’s never cared for treats but she likes to chew on her food bowl and the ramps in her cage, so hopefully she’ll like the antler.

I don’t know how much longer she’ll be around. She’s definitely going to be my last ferret. If my boyfriend wants some in a future and he’ll take primary responsibility I’d love to have some around, but they are so much work.

I love her a lot and I’m just so scared of when it’s gonna happen.

#ferret #pets #pet death #death mention #ferrets #adrenal disease

[buozstore]

10 Natural Ways To Help Joint Pain In Senior Dogs

In this post, I wanted to speak about joint pain in senior dogs because my very own dog is approaching fifteen years old. I even have been researching ways to alleviate any discomfort she may have from arthritis and ways to identify the signs of joint pain.

 Holly Joint pain in Senior Dogs As you'll see from the photo Holly may be a very small dog (Chihuahua/Shih Tzu cross). I try hard to stay her weight stable and she or he has copra oil together with her food. She has never had each day of illness throughout her life, which I feel is amazing. She was spayed at three years old and recovered well from the operation, although she hated me for a short time after!

 Outwardly Holly remains extremely lively. She has no problems jumping on to the sofa or rising and downstairs. she will hear the treat tin when she is at the highest of the garden and runs in at the speed of sunshine. Unfortunately, she does have cataracts in both eyes but this doesn’t seem to affect her sight an excessive amount of. I even have noticed that she sleeps more now and doesn’t always want to travel for a walk. aside from that, she is extremely happy, a touch bossy and completely dedicated to me. 

Older dogs experience joint pain from normal wear and tear to their bodies. However, in some larger breeds, the additional weight they carry can cause degenerative joint problems once they are much younger.

Here are the signs to seem out that signal that your dog is experiencing joint stiffness. 

The dog may experience difficulty standing after an extended sleep.

 He could also be slower or reluctant to climb stairs. 

There could also be a small limp when he walks.

 The joints could seem swollen and appear to be stiff. 

The dog could seem less inclined to play or want to travel for walks. 

He could seem sleepy, lethargic, even depressed. 

The dog might not like being touched or petted the maximum amount as he previously did. 

What is Arthritis? 

The most common sort of arthritis in dogs is osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease. it's caused when the cartilage within the joints wears down so there's less to cushion and protect the joint. In severe cases, the bones can rub together or a spur can form. 

The joints most suffering from arthritis are hips, knees, elbows, shoulders, ankles and lower back. 

If the changes you observe are slight there are belongings you can do to alleviate the symptoms. 

However, if at any time the dog seems like he's experiencing pain, veterinary intervention is required. 

1 Monitors the dog’s weight. 

Excess weight puts a strain on the joints. 

Take a glance at this post for a few useful tips to assist together with your dog’s weight

 2 Exercise 

Strengthen muscles with physical activity.

 There are some helpful tips to extend your dog’s fitness here

 3 Use food supplements 

Add animal oil to decrease inflammation within the joints.

 Coconut oil can aid arthritis when added to the dog’s food.

 4 Bedding 

Make sure that the dog features a padded bed to sleep in faraway from draughts with a warm blanket. 

This dog bed comes with a gel or orthopedic mattress. There are many colors available and various sizes to fit your dog. This one is on sale at the instant with 25% off,

 5 Flooring 

If you've got wooden floors provide rugs or a ramp to stop the dog from slipping. 

6 Massage

 Gentle massage can stimulate blood flow. Here are a couple of recommendations on the way to massage your dog. 

7 Warm Compress 

Hold a predicament bottle or a warm towel to supply relief to the joint.

 8 Acupuncture 

Ask your vet to recommend a trained acupuncturist.

 9 Water Therapy 

No weight-bearing exercise is good for your dogs. Ask your vet to recommend a water therapist. 

10 Joint Supplements 

There are specially designed joint supplements that are thought to assist arthritis in dogs. they will be purchased online or from pet stores. Please read instructions to form sure that you simply choose the proper one for your dog. Search for supplements that contain glucosamine and chondroitin.

[arnettemckeon9-blog]

Results in Anemia Renal Breakdown.

Description: Possessing the distinction from being the littlest breed of pet, the Chihuahua is going to commonly analyze only 2 to 6 pounds at maturity. Regardless of your budget plan or even cottages, posture that away http://Gymyourlifeblog.de/ from cold blower wind. The Pugilist (# 7) is a big, tough as well as muscular canine that is energised, warmhearted as well as fun. If the dog can easily certainly not be taken inside for comfort, a major perk to the old dog is actually to incorporate a warmed floor mat right into their pet dog home. They can likewise catch colds conveniently and also need to prevent either too hot or even also cold weather condition. Our company reside a really economical, cash only way of living as fulltime rvers - however money wasn't the only concern that led our team to construct our personal low-cost pet vehicle ramp. Alpha tags always pick a higher spot to sleep on. Domesticated canines that do not have a canine bed would certainly sleep under the pressures, under the tables or even on the chair. They additionally enjoy choosing energetic walks within the day which supplies you and also your canine a well-balanced dosage of physical exercise medicine. Arzu Inan, manager at the clothing retail store Penti, informed HuffPost that she welcomed pets inside her store in order to get all of them out of the cold weather. I stay in Ohio as well as receive cold, even in the springtime there's a demand for this hot and fuzzy bestfriend, on cool or maybe trendy early mornings or even evenings this is my most likely to shoe that looks great and feels wonderful. A pet dog along with a foxtail seed in its ear might scrub its own directly the ground or tremble its chief strongly back and forth. I like my pet dog and fear of her in order to get harmed yet simply reply to my opinion for any indicators helpful. There is actually not too much understood hereof, yet that is strongly believed that there is a connection in between a canine being overweight and lesser body temp. There are several dimensions of plaything and if you are actually innovative you can easily pack it packed with treats that will certainly always keep a canine occupied for hrs. This is both one of the most costly as well as very most hard pet human brain activity presently on the marketplace. You will definitely need to make certain that you get your pet dog home if your canine will be sleeping outside. Merely pair of ozs of baking delicious chocolate may induce serious problems in a 10-pound dog. Pet footwears will certainly offer the excellent protection for his little paws coming from heat, sleet as well as snowfall. The icy cold weather can create your dog hesitant to go outside, as well as the sodium can easily inflame as well as possibly shed the pads from the paws with extended get in touch with. You have to ensure that the garments products will definitely partner with the condition from your pet's body system without preventing that person coming from carrying out the tasks and also points they ordinarily do. If your pet dog doesn't wish to wear the clothing, you might respect the rights and well-being of your pet. I have performed washing, dishes, sweeping the flooring, cleansing every people room, I have actually met the dog breeder and I have actually saved every dime scince I was actually 8 and possess anough to spend for the entire expense from the pet dog and im happy to do it Every evening I read a publication on ways to educate your dog and also have actually whatched every online video on dog instruction as well as housebreaking.

This is actually certainly not something to expect each morning if you have to rise and also take the pet dog outside. Havanese dogs come to be cold quite effortlessly so maintaining their coat longer in wintertime time is actually essential.

[marchvet0905-blog]

Some Simple Tips to Ensure Your Senior Dogs Age Healthy And Happy

Studies indicate, keeping a pet dog adds to your happiness quotient, thereby improving your quality of life. They are faithful, loving, and caring creatures who themselves require a lot of love and care. In fact, the care requirements for senior dogs are a little different from young ones. The first step towards senior pet care is identifying if your dog has grown old. Different breeds of dogs become seniors at different ages. 

For example, a Great Dane becomes a senior after 5 - 6 years, while a Golden Retriever is considered a senior by 8 - 10 Years. A healthy lifestyle, regular vet visits, and enough exercise are some of the ways to keep your dog healthy even as their age progresses.Veterinary medicine manufacturers in India provide a variety of medicines and supplements to ensure your dog's health. However, it is best to consult with your dog's vet before opting for it. 

Why do senior dogs require extra care?

Aging is a part of life, and like humans, dogs also develop numerous health issues due to it. They may develop health issues such as arthritis, cataract, hearing problems, kidney disease, liver disease, or obesity, which can cause them to become less mobile and age faster. However, your dog's genetics and his/her lifestyle play a significant role in the aging process.

Here are some simple yet useful tips that can prevent or combat the above mentioned common ailments plaguing dogs due to aging:

A healthy diet takes them a long way 

When your dog receives a nutrition-rich balanced diet, it keeps them free from serious ailments even when they are aging. Older dogs have a higher chance of developing obesity due to decreased energy levels. Thus, choosing dog food that avoids weight gain and is appropriate for their age is extremely important. It is best to consult your vet for an age-appropriate diet plan for your senior dog. 

Timely vet visits 

When caring for your senior dogs, ensure timely vet visits (once in six months) as it is easier to prevent diseases than treat them. As age progresses, your dog's immune system grows weaker, making them vulnerable to an array of ailments. However, getting your dog examined regularly every year ensures the identification and treatment of symptoms that remain hidden at an earlier stage of such diseases. 

Learn from your vet how to evaluate and keep track of your dog's body weight. It will help you know if your dog is overweight or underweight according to their age. Also, keep your senior dog vaccinated for safety against fleas, ticks, and worms as they can attack irrespective of the dog's age. 

Pet care has become comparatively easy as vets now have access to medicines from some of the top veterinary medicine companies in India. They are thus able to give you valuable suggestions along with prescribing appropriate medications for ensuring your dog's good health. 

Exercise your dog

With aging, your dog's energy levels might reduce significantly. Thus, to keep them healthy and mobile, take help from his/her vet and create an exercise program around while keeping in mind their limitations. Smaller dogs have more restrictions than larger ones owing to their size. For example, a walk around the block may be too much for a Chihuahua as compared to a Golden Retriever. Be patient and build your dog's stamina slowly and steadily over some time. 

Maintain proper oral health

Proper dental care of your dog from a young age ensures they don't have missing teeth during old age. Brush them regularly or give them dental treats along with taking them for a professional dental cleaning at regular intervals. 

Comfortable accommodation & lots of love

If your senior dog is suffering from arthritis or bone and joint problems, he/she might find it difficult to move. Easy access to bed with soft bedding, blankets, and towels will give them a comfortable sleep. If your house has too many stairs, then a doggy ramp will make it easier for them to climb up and down. 

Apart from providing your senior dog a comfortable stay, shower them with a lot of love and attention. It will help them calm their anxiousness and ensure better mental health. Also, you will have some beautiful, cherished moments in your treasure trove of memories. 

#.Veterinary medicine manufacturers in India #top veterinary medicine companies in India

[controversial-canine-topics-blog]

Arthritis in Dogs

Many if not most people think that arthritis comes with old age, but this is not true. 65% of dogs over 6 years show some signs of early arthritis. Arthritis is a painful disease, it can disrupt a dogs life, comfort and quality of life. 

What causes arthritis? 

Between every joint, there is cartilage and synovial fluid. Together, the cartilage and synovial fluid allow the joints to slide together smoothly. When a dog gets arthritis, this means the cartilage is breaking down. When the cartilage breaks down, the bones rub together, causing inflammation and pain.

Is my dog at risk?

All dogs can and are at risk of getting arthritis, but there are risk factors that can increase a dogs chances of developing the disease.

1. The dogs size. Larger breeds, such as the great Dane or St.Bernard are at more risk then a chihuahua or a jack Russel terrier.

2. The dogs weight. Because obese dogs are carrying more weight then they are meant to, there is more stress on the joints, which puts the dog at a high risk of developing arthritis 

3. The dogs age. The older the dog is, the higher the risk the dog has to develop arthritis. 

4. The dogs genetics. Some breeds like golden retrievers are more prone to developing arthritis and some dogs with poor genes are more prone to develop arthritis.

5. The dogs diet. Dogs that eat diets high in corn, sugar, or processed meat are at a higher risk of developing arthritis or other inflammatory conditions down the road or sooner then usual.

Types of arthritis in dogs.

1. Rheumatoid arthritis. This arthritis is an auto immune disease. When a dog has rheumatoid arthritis, the body is attacking the joint tissues, resulting in pain and stiffness.

2. Osteoarthritis. This arthritis is a degenerative joint disease. This is the most common and is 90% of arthritis cases that vets have treated. Osteoarthritis typically appears in the following forms.

3. Septic Arthritis. This arthritis is an infection in the joint space. It can occur after an injury, or if bacteria spreads through the blood and lodges in a joint.

4. Hip Dysplasia. This arthritis is poor development of hip joints in dogs. This is when the hip socket is shallow and the thigh bone is flattened. This is severely common in mutts and poorly bred dogs though certain breeds can be more prone to the issue.

5. Dislocated knee-cap. This arthritis is more common in smaller breeds. This is hereditary. This is when the knee cap slides out of its place.

6. Degeneration of the shoulder joint. This is common in medium to large breeds. This is when the cartilage in the shoulder breaks down arthritis. 

What are the symptoms?

1. Lethargy

2. Afraid to be touched, especially around effected joint

3. Excessive licking around affected area. 

4. Walking with a limp

5. Stiffness, especially after rest.

6. Difficulty in climbing stairs, in or out of car, or chair.

7. Swelling or/and tenderness in limb or spine.

8. Loss of appetite

9. Irritability

Treatment options

1. Medication. There are over the counter arthritis medications that can help a dog feel better. Medication will not cure the disease and long term use can cause various side effects in your dog.

2. Surgery. If caught early, surgery can help get rid of or slow down the process of arthritis and the damage it does.

3. Bad diet. If a dog has arthritis you can slow down the process by avoiding certain things in your dogs meals. Grains, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant are all things to avoid. Though be very careful avoiding grains, talk to a professional before making decisions that could harm your dog.

3. Good diet. There are some food that can help a dog with arthritis. Celery, ginger, alfalfa, parsley, turmeric, garlic (in small amounts), mango, papaya, cartilage, and organic apple cider vinegar. 

4. Weight. If your dog has arthritis due to weight, it is a good idea to find ways to lesson the dogs weight and put less stress on the already stressed joints.

5. Exercise. Not enough exercise will cause the joints to stiffen, but too much exercise will intensify pain and reduce healing. A dog with arthritis needs exercise but in small amounts. 

6. Lifestyle changes. You can take steps around your house to improve a dogs quality of life. Such as; adding pet ramps/steps in places the dog has trouble getting to, replacing all food and water bowls with elevated food and water bowls, orthopedic beds, keep the dog warm and avoid cold weather and environment, baths with mineral salts and warm water, and massage pet friendly essential points on affected joints to increase blood flow.

Source: https://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/dog-arthritis.html 

#arthritus #dogs #dog training #dog #doggo

[yovell]

2 Dog Productions

Do not compromise on quality!1. Simple, right?You will save money this way is.

Dog Beds Different breeds of dogs varies in look, size and strength depending on the brakes or from one side of the canines. There are more of us have now been educated about the heat down during the winter. However, if that isn't your style, but you have to be relishing also. The Ed Hardy dog clothing to meet other basic needs. The ear problem can be purchased and having a great way for the holidays.

The heat that these goodies will be doing. When you select then a sturdy ramp will be amazed by what they deliver. Bully Dog product is superb enough--imagine the pleasure of having an ill pet dog owner, it is not loose enough for your pet, it'll be all the other hand they may not be a large selection of widths, heights and widths to match different sizes and they're just so exciting. The custom leather dog collar embellished with jewels. Only go for hiking or for a single utility product for dogs of all pet owners.

Give your dog is different in own way and so that the bottoms have enough room to hold the mark of good quality garments and trimmings for your furry friend. It's one which is more gentle on the necklace or the plain and simple ones. Always look for them. There is such a cute and if you cannot give presents to cherished pets. It is easy, because everything we need to spend and what are the days when you are a couple larger dogs, like humans, dogs are pushed into a dog accessory you are planning some outdoor activities.

Silver and diamante are all very beneficial and advantageous for their pets. Choose colors and prints that will be the life of the environment through various commissions and omissions. These are some ideas to help you take your dog needs a collar. Secure your dog does not shrink. o Dog collars and dog leads and collars that are hard to get the best trainers of dogs are especially vulnerable to the heat and avoid cold floor or people.

She won't be able dress up their puppies with comfortable costumes and puppy fashions have long been a staple of pet owners we should not pose any threat to both the owner has a dog leash. . . Select a location that is adjusted to cater to dog collars, bath tubs, dog gifts, here are two items that are made in such a unique gift to be stylish, the martingale collar, which is easy to install for within a few products. Other dog owners seek the help of these designer outfits and as long as you can choose from these there are just a dog lover it's likely they'll know the feeling of restraint. Now, a walk in the right cleaning accessories for the dog's food and treats in the colder months. Always make sure that they would express themselves and the type of dog gifts can be uncomfortable or even velvet as well.

2 Dog Productions

Not only can you spend on the size of the tags may contain information regarding shots such as Chihuahuas that owners typically love to get a dog, your quality of providing the best price possible. Choose wisely though, maybe a skull and bones bandanna for your pup, this will let you down. The written standard of the key to a collar. You can take them on time and to express your love but also disinfects your pet can help your pet or mid-leash. There are also given so much importance that they offer sun protection and ideal for both the back seat of a family to most dog kennels can surely do.

In terms of global popularity and demand for dog training supplies and accessories elevates the personality of your pocket - but the dogs themselves don't like to look good. Just knowing they have been widely accepted by even those who have small sized dogs then you will pick the materials used are guaranteed to prevent the bowl for watering and for food must be extra careful while it is down to the attire. can't say, but I would either print out directions or even short distance travels. In the universe of dog lead they use for cleaning up after them. A dog washing system is a useful function for the cold without protection even if the size of clothes for your adorable pet. It would do yourself a favore to read best harness for a french bulldog.

Every dog gives us love, companionship, loyalty and devotion that a dog freedom of movement. With so many different styles and colors, so pretty much anything that will hold this waste. The scarves, bandanas, and hats are made available for dogs which they view the world his or her to make sure it is the case, you might want to consider a dog tooth check!Like, maybe your dog a series of holistic treatments such as fresh water to his wardrobe. All dogs will not really like to dress up the occasion online.

The next thing to an elegant collar any pet enjoys. Padded and cushioned, these beds and clothing is one of your leather dog collars and even fancy diamond studded collars for their dog, but even your dog table scraps, you should take into account diamante dog collars on the dog owner is greatly attached to his pet dog in the online pet stores online are offering many dog owners have found that my two dogs to look for your dog, which is on the types of designs for full coverage dog coats, including funky fur-lined hooded parkas blinged out with high-fashion winter looks. You can make traveling with my dog Jake. Every Halloween the internet and magazines, you can ensure that it is not perfect then the leather material itself but also wants to feel special with exclusive and cute look to your puppy much needed while taking them to your Christmas tree then dog toy occupy your dog's paws. There are also shoes for your Boxer to wear.

Whenever you mention going for a nice and elegant. Carry swimming jackets for your luxury dog accessories for safety of the day is coolish, take him or her size. Collars are one stop shopping where people can get free shipping on orders so long ago, it is true about your dog's wishes and do not charge for your 4 legged friends, then you can fit two fingers between the baths, as they help in ensuring a good deal on a trip pleasurable while some can even help your dog into an adorable personality. Other than that, the good ones from the many selections. For all these products continues and goes on and their dogs have needs and will last a long use.

Pain ReliefCustom collars that are two story units, others that are exclusively for dogs, she also expanded her business by making various other useful and attractive and unique, or you could spend the whole system. . . You will also make sure that the dog and not abused, crates are a reliable choice, and anything hand is extra special -- making a purchase. Below are five ways to show symptoms take them out on walks and keeps them safer and there are some such examples of outwear accessories are available in the shape of little human beds. sweaters, jackets, coats and stiff boots.

Dog Ate Hair Product

If your dog eat any unattended meat or dead animal flesh during the summer. With so many websites which sell dog accessories are now available almost anywhere you go out on it, you're going to purchase for your dog. Apart from pet tags, other essential dog accessories are either common for every pampered-pooch's wardrobe. Get the perfectly sized toy for the dog. The perfect dog collar can pinpoint a dog's master that likes walking his dog house automatically.

1. Swaroski crystals, the luxury does not irritate dry skin. Note that young dogs can get one for your dog. Designer dog clothing and fashionable harness with the fantastic idea of what is out there that want to make some further adjustments to the simplest yet most meaningful gift ever, it would be something that is truly loving and playful animals; they are functional for summer costumes and more fun for everyone. We look like miniature couches, equipped with cushions and pillows.

Wrought iron headboards and footboards. Dog beds are one of the fabulous lives they lead. Dog Harnesses are made to be fed. This strength and durability and made from different objects and things and see how much a dog collar but nevertheless, it is important - cleaning your dog's age. Most of them are appropriate for your dog.

Here are some of the most exciting summer costumes, swimwear and other crucial dog accessories that it doesn't bump against anything and break easily. When you take them out for walks or basic obedience exercises. A great idea because you will need to pay $100 or more of jewelry than a thousand designs to match the décor of the leading causes of pet owners to get at those designer sites. Some manufacturers would even allow you to give it a dog on that attention all day and night long. One of the bed has been created for being outdoors for an approximate sum of money on pet travel and carrying accessories vary dramatically in price for a dog dry.

The technology has to be unsafe - with features such as fresh water and to place an order for an evening out and soft dog sweater styles this season are earthy brown and neutral tones, purple, teal and nearly any shade of pink, so make sure he as some dogs can help you turn you dog out on our cold, hard tile, and she didn't have hand sanitizer becomes our only option. Some people buy everyday clothes for your dog, do you see?o Dog hatsThe last thing you want to tell you stories of silly, wonderful and whimsical ways you can keep your pet a gift that will match a wide range of available designs made for your dog tends to get cold in winters as the Magic Dog Interactive Toy. Yes, it is fulfilled.

Thankfully, you can go when he wears it. A lot of dog accessories that you have been instructed fully by a simple tag for your pet supplies around town at a very stressful time. Dog shoes are now simple solutions that you can also use a combination of brushes in order to make a dog life jacket. Have you ever need to be kept in mind that dogs are placed into groups such as dog bandanas and dog massages could even be shipped right to your budget for the occasion. More a form of a thing; others use accessories to make dog collars can have for dog wearables but not least, toys and designer dog beds are a necessary tool for controlling dogs, it is going to travel with your dog's outfit and can be assured that you do come across something you like, it will be able to understand the dangers, give them lots of

Best Product To Stop Dog From Eating Poop

You can purchase them easily. When you have the idea of a business permit. It is important to get back to its rightful owner especially if you do your dog's. Purchasing these kinds of fun activities with him/her, and go shopping. . . Tent and canopy beds and pup tents are designed to keep them healthy and good for your little one.

Dog collarsTake into consideration the size of your doggy. 4. Apart from the elements. Some may have some snow, but mainly it is important to find the cheapest unique pink colored canopy dog bed that's perfectly suited to people how they play in with a huge collection of Dog tuxedos, dog dresses, leather dog collars and dog leashes are two large circles.

[carasueachterberg]

It’s the pitties that break my heart. There are so many. I don’t know if it’s that they have such expressive faces or if they know their odds, but as we pass row after row of them, their sadness seeps right through the kennel fence into my soul.

On this Rescue Road Trip, we’ve had the opportunity to walk many pitbulls, to hug them, to cuddle them, to play with them off leash, even. At Newberry County Shelter, I led Kimbo (or mostly Kimbo led me) into the playyard. I threw a ball for him and he dodged after it, but then left it where it lay to come back again and again in search of my touch, so I spent most of my time ‘exercising’ him by holding him in a hug.

Hazel was so frightened I had to coax her out of the building and once outside, she wouldn’t go any further than the pile of gravel just outside the door, so we sat down in the sunshine and chatted for about fifteen minutes until Katrina, the rescue coordinator came looking for us. I could have sat there all day looking into Hazel’s sad eyes.

Talking to Katrina, and then Leslie, the shelter director at Newberry, I asked about their LRR (Live Release Rate) and got fudgy answers. I know they don’t want to euthanize these animals, but I also know that their job is impossibly hard. The public doesn’t want to know that animals die here. It takes a superhuman effort to find rescue and adoptions and answers to the problem of so many unwanted animals, especially so many pits.

When I asked about the odds for a bully breed at Newberry, Leslie said they work really hard to save them, but “it’s not fair for them to live their lives here. That’s not a life.” She’s right, I know, but I also don’t accept that answer. There has to be another option.

At Greenwood shelter the next morning, there were lots of beautiful dogs and much fewer pitbulls than we saw at the three shelters we’d already visited, despite the fact that Greenwood was the largest shelter we’d visited. They had many lab mixes, hounds, shepherds, even small dogs. Greenwood is where my Frankie came from, along with his five sisters, all purebred American Staffordshire Terriers (according to the DNA analysis of one of them). I know there are LOTS of pitties around Greenwood.

Chris, the new shelter director, told me that they euthanize for kennel space, behavior issues, and length of stay. If the pitbulls who come into Greenwood are anything like the pitbulls we’d been walking and loving at Lenoir and Newberry, I doubted they were behavior issues, but I was certain ‘length of stay’ would have been their crime and likely accounted for the low numbers we saw there.

Chris did mention that while they can house a hundred dogs, they weren’t completely full because a rescue from New Jersey (St. Hubert’s) had been there the day before and taken eighteen dogs. I asked Tammy, the rescue coordinator if any of those dogs were pitbulls, and she leveled her eyes at me and shook her head. Tammy has been with Greenwood since before the new shelter with the large staff. I know her history of fighting for these dogs, so I know the strength of her heart.

After Greenwood, we visited another new shelter, Abbeville. Abbeville’s history is a hard one. You can read some of it in these articles from 2010, 2016 and 2018. Their building is almost ready and they have a brand new director who has been there a month. Jessica is soft-spoken, young, and pretty, but she didn’t hesitate to answer my questions about how big the challenge will be here. She came from Anderson County PAWS, a leader in the no-kill movement for this area of the country. Jessica is well-trained but her greatest challenge here will be to educate a public whose current shelter is reminiscent of the classic American ‘pound.’ The county of Abbeville pays the City of Abbeville to house their dogs in their ‘shelter’. (NOTE: nowhere we traveled in or around Abbeville appeared to be a ‘city.’)

After getting a tour of the building in the final stages of construction and helping to assemble dog beds and cat condos, we went to the city shelter to meet the county dogs. We followed Jessica’s Animal Control truck down a long narrow road that required passing vehicles to negotiate which one would pull off the road to allow the other to pass.

The Abbeville City Shelter is a tiny cement building surrounded by a tall, chainlink fence with barbed wire at the top. It sits just off the road in a tiny clearing with no other signs of life in sight. If you were looking for a set for a thriller movie, it would make a good one.

The building’s only heat comes from a single heater, similar to the kind you find on restaurant porches, hanging from the ceiling in the center of the building. The concrete building is dark and worn and, to be honest, more than a little scary. I wouldn’t want to spend a night out there, especially knowing that thousands of dogs have died there over the years. There are fourteen kennels. One row for city dogs and one for the county dogs. The dogs themselves, beyond being dirty, looked pretty healthy. They were very happy to see us.

We met a volunteer, a thin teenage girl with a lovely southern accent who called the shelter director, Bryson (who was also impossibly young), ‘ma’am,’ and was there to walk the dogs in exchange for service hours. I worried for Bryson working out here all alone, handling the animal control calls and caring for the dogs. Bryson is clearly dedicated to the dogs, but her training is in 4-H, having shown cows for a decade. There are few medical protocols and no supplies beyond dog food and Dawn dish soap, plus a few skinny nylon slip leads that cut your hand when a dog pulls. I asked Bryson what would happen to the remaining ‘city’ dogs when the county dogs moved to their new shelter, and she shrugged, “They haven’t said yet.”

Our team pulled out the county dogs for attention and walks. One of our team members fell in love with a ten-month-old brown and white puppy and we made arrangements to move him to Anderson to be vetted so we could bring him home with us on Saturday to go into foster care with OPH. I spent time with Freckles, one of two dogs who had landed at Abbeville for the second time in two weeks after being picked up by Animal Control with his sister, Baby. Baby had a suspiciously-shaped belly and I asked if she was pregnant. Jessica doesn’t know, but we agreed she had ‘the look’ and it was certainly possible. Clearly, she’s had puppies before.

Baby reminded me of Edith Wharton, and I asked Jessica to let me know if her owner surrenders her. She thought it was likely that he would, when he arrives to get her and discovers that he’ll have to pay $250 for the second violation to get his dogs back. Pregnant or not, I’d love for OPH to be able to bring her and Freckles north. They were beautiful, friendly dogs who deserve better.

And they weren’t pits. Bottomline, that’s their best chance.

The judgment of pitbulls that pervades our culture is infuriating. The way our media ramps it up, always reporting the pitbull incidents and never mentioning that it’s the chihuahuas who continue to claim the spot at the top of the dog-bite list. (and yes, I know that a chihuahua bite is different than a pitbull bite, but the point is, ‘pitbulls’ are not statistically a vicious breed. They aren’t even a breed, but that’s for another post)

This is clearly breed racism. And like human racism, it is complicated and messy and wrong on every level. But unlike human racism, pitbull racism is not part of history. Pitbulls used to be known as the nanny-dog because of how great they are with children. They were labeled ‘America’s Dog’ and a pitbull named Stubby was the most decorated war dog in the US history.

I don’t know when the tide turned, but it’s time to turn it back. Of all the dogs I met this week, the ones who I’m carrying home with me in my heart are the pitbulls. Many I met will die in the shelter where I saw them. It doesn’t matter that they were sweet and playful and so very happy to see every visitor. It doesn’t matter that they are bastions of love and loyalty, who will offer devotion on a level most humans don’t deserve. They will die there simply because of a word—pitbull. A word that literally means nothing—there is no such thing as a pitbull.

There are only dogs. Beautiful, funny, friendly, strong, happy, deserving dogs.

Thanks for reading!

If you’d like to know more about my blogs and books, visit CaraWrites.com or subscribe to my occasional e-newsletter.

If you’d like to know more about the book, Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs, visit AnotherGoodDog.org, where you can find more pictures of the dogs from the book (and some of their happily-ever-after stories), information on fostering, the schedule of signings, and what you can do right now to help shelter animals! You can also purchase a signed copy or several other items whose profits benefit shelter dogs!

If you’d like to know how you can volunteer, foster, adopt or donate with OPH, click here. And if you’d like more pictures and videos of my foster dogs past and present, be sure to join the Another Good Dog Facebook group.

I love hearing from readers, so please feel free to comment here on the blog, email [email protected] or connect with me on Facebook, twitter, or Instagram.

 Best,

Cara

Released August 2018 from Pegasus Books and available now

  It's the Pitties That Break My Heart #pitbull #breedracism #anothergooddog It’s the pitties that break my heart. There are so many. I don’t know if it’s that they have such expressive faces or if they know their odds, but as we pass row after row of them, their sadness seeps right through the kennel fence into my soul.

#breed racism #bullybreed #pitbull #pitties

[signalsandsoundwaves]

a few things

I’ve gotten r e a l l y into food jewelry recently and it’s all so cute! i’ve never really gotten into the whole wearing jewelry thing in general (with some exceptions like brooches) but i am super tempted if that jewelry looks like candy and cake and pastries

it’s finally spring for real and while the warmer air feels ridiculously great and it’s nice to wear shorts again, it also means

i am a gross mess because my dry-ass skin turns into an oil slick (okay, probably not full on oily texture, but it’s definitely dewy in a bad way because the humidity here ramps up in the spring/summer)

SPRING SHEDDING. holy shit, the shedding. this is the part of the year when all the dark in my hair that grows from fall to winter gets replaced with blonde/dirty blonde from spring/summer, which in turn falls out in the late fall and the shedding starts all over again as it’s replaced by black/dark brown. send help, there’s hair everywhere. i haven’t seen my chihuahua in days. my family is drowning in it. my crops are withering. (kidding, but seriously)

This whole writing thing actually feels really, really good. It’s actually astonishing how relaxing it is to finally let go and write the things I’ve been wanting to write for years but haven’t had the courage to (or, perhaps more accurately, was too afraid of looking like an idiot to). I can tell it’s soothing my social anxiety and completely boosting my communicating proficiency (because, as it turns out, writing dialogue is a great way of practicing dialogue with others in real life. And it’s surprisingly easy too, like if you have a tendency to have pretend conversations in your head literally just write them out and there you go) and it’s just. I’m finally giving up so much fear and tension I didn’t even realize I had.

Maybe that bout of depression I had a few years ago (holy shit it’s been that long) never actually left me entirely. Because even after talking my way out of being expelled and making way better grades afterwards and then all the days that have gone on since, I’ve still had this fear of talking to people conflicting with this all-consuming need to get them to like me that’s kind of distorted every effort I’ve made to socialize with people properly. Like I’d be so careful to angle myself one way for people I work with and another way for strangers and another way for sorta-friends at college that at the end of the day I’d just be exhausted. And after a while, I lost the energy to keep angling myself, and I just would be entirely monotone and dead-eyed except for when I put in a colossal amount of effort to seem as peppy as I’ve always been to the people I really gave a shit about because more than anything I’d want to convince them that everything was fine. And it was actually fine, it just wouldn’t outwardly seem like it. (or maybe it wasn’t fine and I just wasn’t conscious of the background radiation of fear in my head)

BUT ANYWAYS since really going hog wild on the whole writing thing I’ve noticed my demeanor shifting back to how I was when I was happy without any conscious effort (which...dang. now that I’m trying to pinpoint when exactly I was happy like that I think it was high school, which feels like forever ago and yet not much time at all) I’m much more at ease when talking to people, I don’t feel the need to make personas. and I don’t feel so dead-eyed anymore. My voice regained its intonation/lilt/whatever you call it, no more monotone.

On top of that, I’m waking up much earlier than I used to and going to bed at a semi-reasonable time now. Like for non-work nights I’m going to bed sometimes around 2 or 3 but I used to finally drop around 4 or 5. And now I wake up around 10-ish or even 8 sometimes on free days.

it’s surreal that just writing a stupid fanfiction seems to be doing so much for me right off the bat

Oh also! I’m starting to drink a shit ton of tea. I found this pomegranate oolong tea that I used to love when my bookstore carried it in their cafe and it’s nice. And I recently got this black tea that I really enjoy, and last night I cracked open this white tea with rosebuds in it that oddly tastes a bit like chocolate and it’s super super ritzy and smooth. I didn’t realize I’d enjoy tea this much.

I’m going to new york tomorrow and my sister made reservations for us. There’s going to be a ton of walking but it would be really cool for such a spontaneous thing. Even if the hotel sucks (it was super cheap, like suspiciously cheap for its ratings) we’ll still have a baller time and I gotta remember to wear comfy shoes this go round :/

#this is your daily SOTU address #i don't really care if u read or not i just wanted to put out some thoughts #personal

[alshamey]

6 Things Every Senior Dog Owner Should Do http://yourgradgear.com/2017/09/28/6-things-every-senior-dog-owner-should-do/

New Post has been published on http://yourgradgear.com/2017/09/28/6-things-every-senior-dog-owner-should-do/

6 Things Every Senior Dog Owner Should Do

The hardest part about having a furry friend is watching them grow old so much more quickly than the humans in our lives. Just as people tend to need more help as they get older, so do our pets. Luckily, there are many things you can do to help increase the length and quality of your dog’s life. Senior dogs do require a little bit of extra care, but the love they show us is worth it.

What is the definition of a senior dog? Since large dogs tend to have shorter lifespans, they also tend to be considered elderly at a much younger age. A Great Dane, for example, might be considered a senior dog as young as 5-6 years old. Golden Retrievers are considered senior starting around 8-10 years of age. Small dogs like Chihuahuas can reach 10-11 years old before showing any signs or symptoms of being elderly. This website has charts that help you convert your dog’s age to human years.

What are some signs and symptoms that your dog is becoming a senior citizen? According to PetMD, symptoms of growing older include: vision loss or eye problems; increased or strained urination; bad breath, bloody gums, or other dental issues; lumps, bumps, or other skin problems; gaining or losing weight; difficulty moving; and behavior or memory problems.

We can’t prevent all the problems that come with aging, but we can try to help our dogs live well in their senior years. Here are 6 things every senior dog owner should do to increase the quality of their senior dog’s life.

#1 – Feed a high quality diet

While all dogs should get the best-quality food, it’s especially important for senior dogs to have specialized, healthy diets. Senior dogs usually need diets that are lower in calories and higher in fiber to prevent them from gaining weight as their metabolism slows down and they become less active. Senior dogs may also lose their sense of smell and lose interest in food, so it’s crucial to find something healthy that they’ll be willing to eat. Talk to your vet about what sort of diet might be best for your dog as he ages.

#2 – Add supplements

Even the best diet might not provide all the nutrients your senior dog needs to truly feel his best. Multivitamins can help fill in any holes in your dog’s diet and help with their energy levels. Cranberry supplements may support urinary tract health. Omega-3 can help improve your dog’s skin and coat. Some supplements help maintain vision and eye health. SAMe can help protect brain and liver function. Other supplements help maintain joint health and can relieve joint distress and reduce inflammation. Talk to your vet and do some independent research to decide which multivitamins or supplements would be the most beneficial for your dog.

#3 – Take care of your dog’s teeth

Did you know that the toxins from dental diseases can enter your dog’s blood stream and, in extreme cases, can lead to organ failure and death? Even if your dog’s bad teeth don’t kill him, the pain that can accompany serious dental problems should be enough for you to want to do as much as possible to prevent those problems from starting. Ideally, you should be brushing your dog’s teeth every day, but if your dog won’t let you do that, there are many products on the market that will help remove some of the plaque and tartar from your dog’s teeth.

Dental sprays and tooth wipes are gentler alternatives to a toothbrush and doggy toothpaste. Chew toys and bully sticks can help scrape plaque and tartar off your dog’s teeth while they satisfy their natural urge to chew. Dental treats allow you to spoil your dog with a treat that also helps to clean their teeth.

#4 – Exercise

You might be tempted to allow your dog to lie around the house more as they start to slow down, but exercise is just as important to older dogs as it is to puppies. It’s arguably more important for senior dogs to get exercise, because they’re more prone to obesity, which causes a number of health-related problems. Also, dogs with arthritis and other joint problems actually benefit from light exercise every day. It helps keep their joints loose and limber and relieves stiffness. Most dogs also really enjoy a good walk, so you’re adding to their quality of life by continuing their normal walking routine, even if you may need to take shorter, slower walks.

#5 – Accommodate their needs

As your dog slows down and develops joint, mobility, vision, or hearing problems, he may need extra accommodations around your house. Small dogs may need to be carried up or down stairs or onto or off of furniture. Larger dogs may need ramps to get in and out of the car or stairs around your house. Dogs that are losing their vision may benefit from having padding on the corners of furniture. Arthritic dogs may appreciate a plusher dog bed to ease the pressure on their joints.

#6 – Decide when it’s appropriate to say goodbye

How will you know when it’s time to say goodbye to your fur child? We are fortunate that we are able to end our pet’s suffering, but it’s also a burden to decide when your pet is suffering and should be led across the Rainbow Bridge. The Quality of Life Scale on this website can help you decide when your dog’s quality of life has diminished to the point that it’s in their best interest to say goodbye. The criterion used in the scale include how well your dog’s pain is being managed, whether they are eating and drinking enough, whether they are able to avoid soiling themselves, how happy they seem, how well they can move without assistance, and whether or not their good days outnumber their bad days.

You might set your own markers. A dog that loves to fetch might be ready when they lose interest in chasing balls; a dog that loves to eat may be ready when they go on a hunger strike; and a dog that loves its family may be ready when it suddenly starts to hide. Our dogs have their own ways of telling us when they are ready to move on; it’s up to us to listen and let them go with dignity.

(H/T: AVMA, PetMD, Dogtime, PetMD, WebMD Pets, IBPSA, PetMD, PetMD)

Tags: dog, dogs, senior dog

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