#not a hot dragon goat furry!!!!!!

[hollysoda]

Enjoy this shitty meme I put together in like two minutes because I hadn’t seen anyone else do it

[dracononite]

batch of recent icon comms!

[a-purely-objective-frog]

Ok I stg I saw a post on here about rating bands based on whether or not you would want *band name* in your house but I can't find it now and it's been living in my head rent free for weeks. I have an incomplete list:

Cool, no drawbacks:

neon trees, glass animals, the cure, nirvana, mamas and the papas (that's just a family reunion), blondie (I know some), air supply, magic!, everclear

Cool, minor drawbacks:

the eagles, the mountain goats, the wombats, the flamingos, the animals, the penguins, toto (not my dog), American authors (only the cool ones pls)

Cool, but AHHH:

rolling stones, grateful dead, talking heads (with bodies or?), googoo dolls (creepy), Gorillaz, Monkees, artic monkeys (monkeys/apes are dangerous man), electric light orchestra, orchestral manoeuvres in the dark (no room), owl city (I like birds but this is just out of hand)

Depends:

violent femmes (how violent?), imagine dragons (imaginary dragons or...), presidents of the usa (some are more chill than others), gin blossoms (sounds cool but tf is it?)

I already have it:

the doors, non stick pans, guns n roses (I'm an American), ACDC, REM, nine inch nails, tool, the yellow dress, black eyed peas (pantry), red hot chili peppers, cranberries, blind melon (fridge), vanilla ice (freezer), aqua, Weezer (I'm asthmatic lol)

Random people:

beach boys (I don't live near a beach, you are lost) 21 pilots (too many people), men without hats, indigo girls, village people, 4 non blondes, good Charlotte (seem chill), snow patrol (it doesn't snow here you are very lost), motley Crue (sounds like trouble), pet shop boys, sons of the pioneers (mormons), foo fighters (who is foo and what do they want?), echo and the bunnymen (furries?) postal service, girl in red

Too big:

the cars, Linkin Park, led Zeppelin, starship, b52s, jet, Asia, Europe, Berlin, Boston, America, Kansas

Nope:

earth wind and fire, smashing pumpkins (big mess), the police (stay tf out of my house), scorpions, blue oyster cult, the cult, the church, hootie and the blowfish (no fish tanks), modest mouse (no mice pls), flock of seagulls (evil birds), whitesnake, barenaked ladies, souxie and the banshees, bowling for soup, modern baseball (not inside pls), lemon demon

Would kill me:

the killers, def leppard, Slayer, poison

[touchtonetelephone77]

I got to go to a bunch of fun places last weekend :)

State fair

Got to pet goats and I felt so connected to them they’re so cool

I think I might have a bunny hearttype now because I saw a specific kind of lop bunny and was like “me”

Ren Fest

I wore my (faux) fox tail and it felt so natural I forgot I had it on 💗💗💗

I saw some fellow furries there and I thought their fur heads looked super cool. They must have been so hot tho lmao

I got a stuffed dragon from the Ren Fest! His name is Glowstick and it uses he/they/it pronouns!

I’ll upload photos of my dragon buddy and the goat + bunny soon! :)

[azrodr]

This hot summer days...

[mooshfluff]

Hewwo!

Shall I introduce myself?? Yush, I shall!!

(will update as necessary!)

💬Name: Oberon

🙈Nicknames: Obie, Soap (that's my little name) or Acorn

🎂Age: Bio Grown-up

🍼Smol Age: 1 - 5

💙Gender: TransFtM

♂️Pronouns: He/Him or They/Them

🌈Orientation(s): Aceflux (sexual), Panromantic, & Achillean/mlm (preference)

💞Poly or Mono? Polyamorus ùwú

🌎Location: United States, lol. that is all.

😍Likes: Video-games, Reading, Anime, Manga/Comics, Cartoons, Magick, Animals ESPECIALLY FOXES & GOATS, hot/spicy foods, Cherry Pepsi, Indie/Folk/Metal Music, Disney, Studio Ghibli, Fossils/Dinosaurs, Space, Swimming, tattoos, NINTENDO!!, Japanese food!, Cottage/Farmcore, Faeries/Magickal Creatures, Pastel colors, The Colors Green Yellow & Brown, Fairy-kei/Harajuku fashion, Soft Teddycore fashion, Winter/Autumn, ASMR, Furbies, Calico Critters, MLP and Peaches

😤Dislikes: Cooked Veggies, Pineapple on Pizza -^-, Ableism, LGBT+Phobia, Being Touched/Hugged, Mango/Grape/Pineapple flavors, Rap Music, Christianity, Bullies, RadFems/Modern Feminism, Bad Sensory, The Heat/Summertime & crowds

😱Phobias: Zombies (Kinemortophobia), Blood/Gore (haemophobia), Planes (aerophobia), Agoraphobia & Anthropophobia, Natural Disasters/Big Storms ( Lilapsophobia), Sickness (Nosophobia) & Abandonment (Athazagoraphobia)

💝Special Interests:

•Steadfast SpIns= Anything J.R.R.Tolkien, Pokemon, Entomology, Witchcraft, Mythology, Zoology, Among Us & Horticulture/Agriculture

•Reoccuring SpIns= Rick & Morty, Steven Universe, BNHA, Dragon Age, Minecraft, Skyrim, Psychology, Animal Crossing & True Crime

• One-Off SpIns= Horses, Inuyasha & Beauty

🧠Neurodivergencies: Autism, SPD, Selective Mutism, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysarthia & Dysnomnia

⚡Mental Illnesses: OSFED/ARFID, Agoraphobia & Anthropophobia, Dermatillomania, Insomnia, Depression, BPD (borderline, not bipolar), CPTSD, Gender Dysphoria, Impulse Control Disorder, Dependant Personality Disorder, Derealization, Paranoia, Psychosis & Dissociative Amnesia

😵Other Stuff: Chronic Tinnitus, Asthma, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Synesthesia, Aphantasia, Chronic Headaches (product of my SPD + Tinnitus), Immunocompromised, Hearing Loss & a slight Stutter and/or Skip in speech particularly when nervous or excited

🦊Other Facts:

I need a wrist brace

I have a congenital cataract in my left eye.

Im 5′2″.

I have two caregivers. They are also my partners but we keep the two seperate. I have a girlfriend/mommy & a boyfriend/daddy.

I’m Nearsighted. T-T

I'm an artist!! (Commissions are open! DM @acornfluff on most social media!)

I have a YouTube channel!! Ùwú (look up acornfluff -sfw agere-)

I’m a Witch!! I practice witchcraft (NOT WICCA).

I'm a Eclectic Polytheist. (I worship multiple gods from multiple pantheons)

I'm a SFW furry/babyfur!

I’m a SFW Age Regressor/Pet Regressor. I regress due to trauma and stress. I usually regress involuntarily. 

I’m a Hufflepuff~

I have heterochromic eyes. its called Central Heterochromia, its  an eye condition where there are two colors in the same iris.

I have Two cats. A grey tabby named Bug & a smol orange babey named Toast!

I also have a puppy. His name is Salem. Hes a fluffy black lab mix.

Im a nightowl,and i literally have THE WORST sleep schedule..

I really really like foxes WAYYY too much!

[queenofthefullmoon]

An exhaustive list of Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin bosses I would or would not date

The Last Giant

Listen… The Last Giant has No Face. I like dating people who have faces. Also, his arms detach and he’s like, at least 10 meters taller than me, so I think that would be a hazard. I think he’s more in need of a friend than a romantic partner. I’d gladly sit down with him and discuss his feelings, but we are not meant to date.

The Pursuer

The Pursuer is great because he’s just so… Rotund. He’s shaped like a friend. Or maybe… More than a friend… He’s got a biggass sword that glows blue, which is great if you need to get up at night to get water or a snack, and a big shield he can use to protect you from the hot Drangleic sun when you’re on a date. You never have to worry about losing him because HE WILL FIND YOU. I think he’s a catch.

Dragonrider

He almost didn’t make it in the list of bosses I would date, but encountering him so often made me have a soft spot for him. Plus he’s a little bit round and I’ve gotta say. Rotundness is where it’s at. He’s fun to fight so I feel like you could have some fun jousts together and then chill… And go, like, I don’t know, ride dragons*? Fun couple activities.

*although dragonrider is his name I’m not sure we saw any dragonrider ride a dragon so this is a shot in the dark

Old Dragonslayer

The Old Dragonslayer has a very sexy armor, I’ll give him that, but he 1. Has a furry mask (a terrible fashion faux pas that I cannot forgive) 2. Is just sitting in the Cathedral of Blue while a DRAGON is outside, unslayed, which says something about the quality of his work. I had to kill the dragon myself, while the Old Dragonslayer was sitting around… Being old, I guess. Not for me.

Flexile Sentry

DISGUSTING AND WRONG.

Ruin Sentinel

The Ruin Sentinels are arguably the sexiest armor bosses in all of Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin. Something about these long lads and their eldritch identities and behaviors just tickles me the right way. The shape of their helmets looks a little bit like a turtle which gives them just enough cuteness while not taking away from the fact that I’m absolutely terrified of them and that they are in fact very scary (which is good). They’re also very tall which means they can carry me around and make me feel tall too. Definitely a good thing in a partner.

Belfry Gargoyles

I wouldn’t date the Belfry Gargoyles, but I’d be friends with them. I feel like they’d be fun at a sleepover. Girl’s night! Girl’s night!

Lost Sinner

I’d date the Lost Sinner. It might be a little bit controversial because yes she is a little bit nasty, I’m aware of that, but I think she just needs a little bit of company. I don’t want to change her, I love her right like she is, but if she wants me to teach her how to shower, I might just do it! I am a little bit biased because she’s got a big sword that looks really cool? Perhaps.

Executioner’s Chariot

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

Skeleton Lords

I think the Skeleton Lords are neat but I don’t really see myself dating them. Firstly, I’m not a skeleton fucker, so that puts a little bit of distance between us (given that they are in fact skeletons). They also have an army of skeleton children, which I’m just not ready to raise. I’m trying to find a date, not to become a skeleton mom. I feel like we’d be great friends though, I’d probably invite them over so they can practice their standup routine at my house while they leave their 30 skeletons children with the babysitter and we can like drink wine or something.

Covetous Demon

I would not date the Covetous Demon, but I would keep him as a mean dog in my yard to discourage my enemies from entering my property.

Baneful Queen Mytha

I’d be all here for the sniddies if Mytha kept her head on her neck but alas she is headless. 

Smelter Demon

Mh… Yes. He’s big and large and he’s got horns. He could put me up on his shoulder and walk around and I’d be warm up there. Sounds like nothing but a good time.

Old Iron King

Ngghghhh….. I wanna say no but he is Ripped… Absolutely jacked! I’m also a hoe for horns and wings! What can I say. Call me out if I ever make fun of scalies again? (im gonna do that like in a few paragraphs anyway)

Scorpioness Najka

Given the fact that her own fiancé, made miserable by her, asks you to murder her, I don’t think Najka is a fine romantic partner. In addition to that, even though I was here for sniddies, scorpions are scary and gross me out, so no, I would not date Scorpioness Najka.

The Duke’s Dear Freja

She’ll remain dear to the Duke only and she is NOT invited in my yard.

Royal Rat Authority

Wouldn’t date the big rat that makes all of the rules, but similarly to the Covetous Demon, having him on my property to scare people away would be pretty neat.

Prowling Magus and The Congregation

Prowling Magus has a SICK aesthetic I can absolutely get behind (« look at my cool sorcerer boyfriend wearing his goat helmet ») and I’ve stated before I Am a Hoe for horns so we could have something going on.

The Congregation is however BANNED from this house so since they’re probably his buddies that would most likely be a point of tension. Ultimately it might be better for me to keep a platonic relationship with Prowling Magus, as I do not want hollows to crawl on my floor when he invites his friends over.

The Rotten

Oh no lol

Looking Glass Knight

NNNYES absolutely I would date the Looking Glass Knight. He’s not only really cool looking and a Very Dramatic Man (standing in the rain when you meet him… the scenery… the atmosphere… he knows how to make an entrance), but he’d also be a great person to bring with you for a night out.

Exhibit A: he’s really fucking tall and scary which would dissuade anyone from approaching you uninvited

Exhibit B : he carries a FULL BODY mirror around everywhere which means you can fix your hair and/or makeup at any time without needing a shitty pocket mirror or going to the bathroom

Exhibit C : if you need help he can summon a limitless amount of people through his mirror

Just a great partner all around.

Demon of Song

Ohhhhhh noooooo Lord nooooooooooooooo please! Please spare me

Velstadt, the Royal Aegis

Velstadt is very loyal (a real man for following Vendrick all the way to the Undead Crypt) and he’s also very tall, very large, very strong, and very stylish (see the scales cape he wears). I would’ve put him at the top of the date list, but he’s no dating material — he’s husband material. A little downside is that he might put his job before me but I get it. It’s career before everything. I will not limit my husband’s ambitions.

King Vendrick

Vendrick is taken by an eldritch entity and still very much in love with her despite the fact that she destroyed his kingdom and brought the entire civilization down and also caused him to become a war criminal and kill a pacific race of giants all on his own like a big boy so I’m not very interested in him.

Guardian Dragon & Ancient Dragon

I’m putting them together because they essentially boil down to the same thing : I’d offer them a home but I wouldn’t date them. The Guardian Dragon can stay outside and be feral with everyone else that I put in the yard, while the Ancient Dragon can have his own room and like is invited for tea sometimes, but that’s all.

Giant Lord

See Last Giant

Throne Defender & Watcher

I’m a little bit torn on this one because I’m experiencing bisexual panic. We’ve got cool large dude with a beard ; cool slender lady that jumps around everywhere ; they could both beat me up and they both look hot, help me. However, I have to say if I had to pick I’d got with the Throne Watcher because she is hot and looks slightly cooler. I’ve always wanted a very tall wife who could suplex me into the sun, which she could do in a heartbeat.

On the other hand, they do look like a power couple that I’d love to have for dinner and I’d hate to break them up while there are so many fish in the sea and they look so great with each other.

Nashandra

Human Nashandra looks pretty and soft, however anyone who witnessed my first blind playthrough of Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin will tell you that she did not have me fooled and I was very wary of her from the beginning. Anyone who has witnessed my first fight with her looking very skeletal will also tell you that I screamed « WHAT IS THAT » for at least 5 minutes, so that probably gives you an idea of if I’d date her or not.

Also, her weapon of choice is a scythe, which looks cool, but is very unpractical, and just for this fatal mistake, she becomes undatable.

Darklurker

Wings… Four arms = twice the hugs… Cool hood… Yes…

Elana the Squalid Queen

She’s nasty and told me I was undeserving of the mire, which is pretty mean of her. Even if she thinks it, she could at least be nice about it. I would not date her.

Sinh the Slumbering Dragon

Sinh is BANNED from this house because he’s not just feral, he’s RABID and POISONOUS and if I let him live in the yard he could poison my entire property and I do not want that.

Fume Knight

Alas! The Fume Knight looks really cool and has a pretty sexy armor, but tales say that he was infatuated with another woman (whether he met her when she was already an Ashen Idol or not remains a mystery but I’m no one to judge his taste in women). I respect people’s crushes so I will let him be in love with whoever he fancies and they may come over for dinner, as long as they behave.

Aava, Lud and Zallen, the King’s pet

They are very welcome to live in the yard. They may come inside the house, but they are not allowed on the couch.

Burnt Ivory King

No… He loved his wife very much… I’d invite them over for dinner and MAYBE try to seduce one of his knights (they have sexy armors, what can I say).

Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin

Aldia is a weird dude and I wouldn’t feel safe around him. I think he’d probably kidnap me while I’m asleep and go do some experiments on me in his cursed mansion. It’s a no from me chief. Not to mention the fact that he’s a… tree?

Afflicted Graverobber, Ancient Soldier Varg, and Cerah the Old Explorer

I wouldn’t date them, even though their armors are pretty sexy, simply because they seem like a good group of friends and I wouldn’t feel comfortable inserting myself in the group. I think I’d even be too shy to befriend them, but if they wanna come by my house and have a good time, they’re welcome to do so.

Blue Smelter Demon

See Smelter Demon, but with more vigor because this one is blue.

Sir Alonne

Yeah… he’s got the eldritch factor that I like in the Ruin Sentinels while also seeming more human and he’s also a pretty stylish man. I feel like he’s one of the strongest contestants in the game and he wouldn’t mind my long nose, as he’s got one himself. Pretty sexy armor and he is a man of honor. Definitely a yes.

[wowheadquarters]

What other race would they recruit for their cause?

For a lovable anon. Ft. a lot of special guests. I would also like to thank @val-entines for the exceptional work they did on colouring the portrait of Prophet-Queen Amarnie.

Anduin: A controversial choice to start this list with but: The Black dragonflight.

Ghost Varin: You just want an excuse to get to see your boyfriend more, we get it. Wrathion: As much as I’d love to have a valid reason to sneak into Anduin’s bedroom every other night, I’d still prefer not to be dragged into all this political mess as someone’s second. I would like to have my opinions, express them, and not just... be on a wild ride whenever Greymane thinks he wants a war.

The Council of Three Hammers: The Frostborn. They are virtually the only “good” dwarves who aren’t a part of the Alliance yet. 

Velog: Yeah, sure, but if we have to travel anywhere hotter than the thawing point, we are just not going.

Tyrande: The Shen’dralar. They had asked us for help anyway.

Mordent: You know, I have been waiting for this sort of audience for quite a couple of years now. I’ve made up my mind: No. Just to spite you, it’s not happening.

Mekkatorque: The mechagnomes, because they are beautiful and also his size.

Mimiron: I don’t know if you remember, but my little creations have... kind of corrupt-defects. Not exactly reliable.

Velen: The Ethereal, namely the Consortium. We need our own all-for-the-business faction to compete the Horde’s Bilgewater cartel.

Haramand: Sure, old man goat. But I am selling you to the highest bidder.

Genn: The Vulpera. For... reasons.

Kiro: Thatr’s nice in theory. But a) I am not willing to be alligned with a guy who is both a furry on main and afraid to say it, and b) we get along with the Horde just nicely, thank you very much.

Aysa: The Saberon. I am a humanoid bear, I have no shame of being a furry on main.

Ashripper: Heh, good luck. Uniting the Saberon for any kind of cause is like herding cats. Aysa: You are cats. Ashripper: Yep. That’s why it’s so fitting!

Alleria: The centaurs. They are basically a cavalry on their own!

Kammah: I am not fighting by the side of... of.... them! Shodo: You dare to show your face here? You... you mule! Alleria: Gentlemen, please! Oh, never mind, they are after each other’s neck again.

Turalyon: Uhhhh... The Tol’vir maybe? I don’t really know, I think we’ve run out of the good races by now.

Phaoris: I think that we give this a gentle yet firm no, just because you’ve disappointed and offended half of azeroth races, the Tol’vir included. Toralyon: Fair.

Jaina: Tuskarr! Sorry, I mean Kalu’ak. I mean, my most fovorite sea-and-fishing people. And they swim on turtles!

Ko’nani: Will there be enough food for all of us? Atuik: And will there be a lower temperature so we wouldn’t boil alive?

Thrall: The Wild Gods. Go big or go home.

Malorne: Go home, Thrall. Go home.

Spirit of Vol’jin: I say dem kobolds, juss’ for da fun.

Ghost Garrosh: Give me one, one good reason why we should keep kobolds around! Spirit of Vol’jin: Well, we’vve kept Gallywix. Ghost Garrosh: Point taken. But what about the horrible smell? Spirit of Vol’jin: Eh, dem kobolds get used to it soon.

Baine: Moonkins! Or wildkins, the correct term is wildkin, right?

Aroom: (Very sadly shakes his head.) Hoot hoot. Baine: Fed up with fighting. No, no, don’t apologize. I understand. We can be friends, thought, right? Aroom: Hoot hoot!

Sylvanas: What about the Botani?

Phylarch: The great cycle of nature does not care for your struggles. When your bodies fall and rot, our roots will feast on you. Eventually, we become all and all becomes us. You shall join us when the time comes. Sylvanas: That was super creepy. I’m having second thoughts.

Lor'themar: What about the Vrykul?

Sigryn: What about us, little thing? Lor’themar: Can we get into an alliance with giant women? Sigryn: You think you are worthy of it? I doubt it.

Gallywix: Gilgoblins. In case we need to move our factories underwater because of... tax evasion? Tax evasion is not evil, right?

Gurboggle: Glub glrlll! Raaaaaaa! Kill!

Ji: Can we, maybe, just maybe, join forces with a dragonflight? My preferences would be the Red one, but any dragons are good dragons.

Alexstrasza: Young man, if you want to screw a dragon, just secure yourself a date. A man with cooking like yours shouldn’t find it all that difficult.

Thalyssra: What about the Netherwing? They indeed are very interesting dragons.

Neltharaku: (Suspiciously eyeing Occuleth’s “scientific devices”) No.

Mayla: I’m thinking about the Mutlocs. They are cute.

Mrgl-Mrgl: I have a list of reasons written on this patch of seaweed of why that is a bad idea for both parties included.

Geya’rah: Ogres. Definitely the Draenor ogres. Where you need power, there it helps to have an ogre or a band of them.

Rexxar: Well, theoretically speaking, I still have the position of the Chifteain of the Stonemaul, I’ve just been vacationing. Rexxar: But You said Draenor orges. I have no idea who is in charge there. Geya’rah: I bet a wolfskin that they haven’t got a clue either.

Talanji: What about de Arakkoa? I be fond of feathers, and I do not find deir culture too different from ours.

Terokk: You guys, one version of me is batshit crazy and has to be summoned from I don’t know what offerings placed at a large pile of skulls, and the other version of me is quite busy and has a crippling depression. Terokk: What I am trying to say is that we haven’t got it together enough to help you get your stuff together too. Terokk: Though... If Talanji is single, I could be persuaded...

Taedal: The Tehal. I am very aware that they aren’t part of the Warcraft universe, but you know, neither am actually I, my Golden Torch demons or my whole fucking expansion. Tehal are a part of my expansion and I would very much like to strike an alliance with them against my sister and the Old Gods. Plus, they are really and literally hot.

Amarnie: I actually think this very possible. If you help my children to put this whole place together and... Hold on, I have a list in here somewhere. Here. I need to have all of these things sorted out before we are able to efficiently help somebody without risking extinction. Taedal: Wow, this is going to be quite a chainquest.

[sleepywes]

i call this zone the “let’s just ignore the fact our green dragon goddess hot as hell queen of the dream just got corrupted by a furry angry goat tree and these two night elves won’t shut their goddamn mouths”

[happstablook-moved-blog]

my kin list, now in badly described form

• angsty spider robot • white haired anime boy who dies [in robot form] • homosexual gym leader • cyborg who watched too much naruto • "my mixtape is why hotland is so hot" • gay leg robot • gay leg robot but IN SPACE • "beep boop beep beep boop" • shy horse • lesbian • gay goat • space dorito • edgy skeleton fuck • terror from the deep blue • queen cheesyhooves • pokedex with extra sass • water boi • a mech that blows up a lot • irl bambi • gay twink pokemon with thicc hips • pumpkin • pastel bug furry • fuzzy asshole • trans seal • "HYAAAH" "YAAAH" "HAAH" • snow horse • bork bork • "what has the internet done to me" • cute as fuck dragon slayer • dragon (that's on fire 24/7) • boombox + furry combo • alien puffball • cute thing the internet loves to brutally murder • bird man • tim burton's pikachu oc • aesthetic deer

[davidoespailla]

‘Animal Cribs’ Host Shares His Secrets for Creating Spaces Any Pet Will Love

Animal Planet

Our beloved pets need spaces where they’ll feel at home, too. Few know this better than Antonio Ballatore, the host of Animal Planet’s “Animal Cribs.”

Now in its second season, “Animal Cribs” follows Ballatore as he builds a variety of animal accommodations, including a den for dragons (of the bearded variety) and a bedroom for horses (so they wouldn’t demand to sleep in their owner’s bedroom—long story).

Each week, Ballatore works with a sharp team of “catsperts” and “barkitects” to transform drab, cramped homes and yards into functional, high-style spaces for both pets and the humans who love them.

“My team and I transform family homes into pet paradises,” he says. “We’re building for every animal you can imagine!”

Rabbit ranch

Animal Planet

Horse bedroom

Animal Planet

Although Ballatore started out as a punk rocker by night, he turned to building and design to pay the bills. He became quite accomplished at it, winning the fourth season of HGTV’s “Design Star.” From there, he was tapped to host his own design and renovation show, “The Antonio Treatment.”

He took his English bulldog, Chewie, along with him on all of his design projects, and clearly adored creating spaces for the owners’ pets. So it wasn’t that much of a stretch when the producers of “Animal Cribs” approached him to be their host and designer, too.

On “Animal Cribs,” Ballatore aims to create harmony among the species in their own special living spaces—without breaking the bank.

“I’m all about taking what you have and working with the existing architecture,” he says. “I haven’t seen an unlimited budget since the early ’90s.”

Antonio Ballatore discusses plans to get this 200-pound python out of the kitchen.

Animal Planet

Ballatore recently took time out of his busy building schedule to give realtor.com some tips on creating more harmonious habitats for your own furry/feathered/scaly friends. Even if you’re not creating an entire “Dawg Town” or “Python Playground,” as he’s done in the past, you’ll be able to pick up some slick suggestions to create your own pet paradise—for any shape, size, or species.

Don’t worry about resale too much

When considering creating a pet-specific living space, many homeowners ask, “But what will that do for the resale value of my home?”

Ballatore believes that pets are members of the family, and that “people should consider the best way for everyone to live so they can enjoy life together, while you’re there,” rather than be concerned about pleasing some unknown buyer down the road.

But make your pet areas human-friendly, too

“I love tapping into the family, how they live, what fits their lifestyle best,” says Ballatore. He thinks the best animal spaces are ones where both humans and pets can be comfortable together. So in one dry, dusty backyard, he not only created diversions for the dogs, but he also made a nice conversation area where folks can sit and watch the dogs at play.

“It’s about bringing the entire family together, not just having the dog outside. Everybody’s together, everybody’s safe, everybody’s chilling,” he adds.

A comfy patio for humans alongside a playground for pooches

Animal Planet

But dogs aren’t the only pets this applies to. For goats, he’s created a tall tower with a ramp, so the adorable critters could see and be seen (they are indeed curious creatures). Even for snakes, instead of converting an entire large basement into a python paradise, he reserved one room for a stylish bedroom for one of the owner’s teenage sons, so he and his brother wouldn’t have to share a room with bunk beds anymore.

“People and animals are the same in that they need their own space,” he says.

A tower with a ramp where goats can see and be seen

Animal Planet

Animals need enrichment

“One of the main reasons animals act up is that they’re bored,” says Ballatore. “The biggest mistake people make when thinking about their animals’ living conditions is not providing them with enrichment, diversion, something to stimulate them both physically and mentally. I think 90% of all behavioral problems stem from animals not getting the enrichment they need.”

The spaces he creates are always varied and intriguing, both for humans and animals.

This goat area provides plenty of varied experiences for the critters.

Animal Planet

Do your research

“Do research specific to the animal you’re working with,” says Ballatore. “What are the safe materials to use for different species? And get information from multiple sources, because everybody has their own opinions. Find out what’s specifically needed for your specific pets.”

For example, a surface that works best for dog runs might make a tasty but toxic treat for goats. For example, he says, they had to use special kiln-dried pine wood for a chinchilla enclosure, because some woods can be poisonous to the little guys.

“Do the same type of research you’d do for a baby nursery,” he advises.

The No. 1 priority is keeping your pets safe

You don’t have to create a big, fancy pet palace to keep your animals happy, but you do have to keep them in a safe enclosure where they can’t get out and wander into traffic. It should also be safe from predators.

“The first thing to do is mend all fences,” Ballatore says, adding that animals also need to be kept safe from the elements and extreme temperatures.

Make sure your surfaces are easy to clean

“Almost all animals love water features,” says Ballatore. But water can get stagnant and filled with algae if the wading pool or watering trough is not easy to drain.

“Make sure there’s a drain and a place for the water to empty,” Ballatore advises.

Then there are the caves and small spaces where animals like to burrow, which may be hard to reach to clean. Ballatore cleverly designed a series of doghouses so the tops came off and the owners could reach down inside to clean them, rather than having to attempt to shimmy inside.

These pup pools are easy to clean because they’re above ground and have drains.

Animal Planet

Create multilevel spaces

There are very few species that don’t like some variation in their topography. Dogs, cats, goats, snakes, lizards, and birds all like to perch or climb or crawl up and down. Goats, in particular, like to climb to the highest surface, which is why goat yoga, during which these nimble critters climb atop of you, works so well.

In fact, “no one, not even humans, likes to be down on the ground all the time,” says Ballatore, who advises installing ramps, steps, raised beds, and other diverse surfaces in all of your animal areas.

Multiple levels, surfaces, and textures keep both humans and animals occupied.

Animal Planet

Multitextured surfaces are also important

Ever notice how on hot days, your dog gravitates toward cool tile, shaded cement, or slick marble, while on cold days it likes to curl up on soft beds that retain body heat? There are other textures that are important as well.

Most species like to scratch their backs against something rough on occasion, whether it’s rolling on the grass, rubbing against a fence, or even wrapping themselves around a branch with rough bark.

And what cat owner hasn’t found out the hard way that the feline inclination is to use whatever is handy as a scratching post? Ballatore believes you should “provide all your pet’s favorite textures in their living spaces.”

Grass won’t grow? Try mulch

Dog owners are well aware that it’s difficult to keep lawns looking lovely when Fido is not only constantly digging them up, but also using them as a toilet. And every dog owner is well aware of the consequences of mud and dust being trailed into the house because the lawn has been reduced to a giant dirt patch.

Ballatore’s answer to this situation is simple: mulch—but not just any old mulch.

“Believe it or not, you can get dog-run-specific mulch,” he says. “The bigger barks are better for dog runs. Mulch in the back will also keep your house cleaner, because there’s no dust and mud to track in.”

Mulch makes a great surface for dogs.

Animal Planet

Ballatore with yoga goat owners Scout and Robbie

Animal Planet

“Animal Cribs” airs on Fridays at 9 p.m. on the Animal Planet channel.

The post ‘Animal Cribs’ Host Shares His Secrets for Creating Spaces Any Pet Will Love appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

‘Animal Cribs’ Host Shares His Secrets for Creating Spaces Any Pet Will Love