#pets enrich your life in so many ways

[valoale]

Welcome home, baby boy 🥹🫶🏻

Today I became a dad of two again and I’m filled with so much joy I can’t believe this became a reality 😭

Fantti is a 4,5 year old German shepherd who was matched to me by my dear friend. Fantti needed a home and I have both that and all the love in the world to give him ❤️

The best part is that both me and Aino have known Fantti for some time now, so bringing him home was super easy; it was like we come home together every day, so familiar and mundane. He’s such a good and well behaved boy I’m so proud of him and I’m also very proud of Aino for being such a good sport and accepting him to her home right away. 🥹

I can’t wait for all the adventures we’ll share together— you came into my life just the right time and this feels like it was meant to be. Life has been extremely rough and depressing for a long time, but now I feel like we three are gonna be alright ❤️

[darkwood-sleddog]

So, I want to clarify here about tie-outs. Here, hunting dogs are often kept in small enclosures, but the dogs are properly exercised and enriched when out of them. I sincerely hope you are advocating for working dogs kept on tie out when not working, because having a dog whose whole existence is on a chain is just inexcusable. Being poor is not an excuse for making that a dog's entire life. Better to have a housedog or a cat if you can't have a fence. Again, working dogs are a different story.

I am advocating against the outright ban of tie outs in general be it working dogs or pets. Just as we can understand that working hounds and sled dogs can have enriched lives off of tie out we can’t possibly know that every pet dog on a tie out isn’t also getting properly enriched. You don’t see every aspect of a tied out pet’s life just as the non-working dog public often advocating for the ban out outdoor working dogs on tie outs don’t see your working dog’s enriched lives.

Are there dogs out there not being properly enriched on a tie out that are pets? Yes. Are there working dogs not being properly enriched on a tie out? Also yes. Are there pets in fenced yards that also lack enrichment? Also yes. Are the dogs that live inside that lack enrichment? Also the answer is yes.

The point is that instead of banning a very valid form of dog containment because some dogs (those often owned by people living in poverty situations) aren’t getting what they need we should instead be uplifting those in our community so they can properly provide for their dogs. There’s a real lack of empathy in your ask that implies that because your dogs get a working life that tie outs are cool but god forbid the poors do the same thing.

[seafoamreadings]

week of may 19th, 2024

these are written predominantly for the *rising* signs but they are also intuitively "channeled" enough that they should work for any dominant energy you have! (try your sun if you don't know rising, or more advanced readers can try moon, anywhere you have a stellium, etc and see what works best for you!)

aries: the increasing gemini vibes are a little more flirtatious and flippant than the preceding taurean vibes and this probably suits you well. just be careful that, with mars also in your sign, you're not getting too impulsive or wild.

taurus: that's about it for taurus season. the planets start to shuffle into neighboring gemini. but don't despair; the party is over but the material blessings continue to rain upon you, or they start if you haven't had them yet. it's like extra birthday gifts. jupiter there for the next long while blesses your finances too - assuming you're spending only responsibly. try not to overindulge.

gemini: the sun and the benefics light up your sign starting this week, in a parade of good vibes and good fortune. many wonderful things will come to you in the coming days and weeks, especially with jolly jupiter in the mix. just be advised that anything you've outgrown will leave forcefully if you don't part ways willingly.

cancerians: before a mass ingress into your 12th house there is a highly psychic, very dreamy jupiter-venus-neptune interaction at critical degrees. this can bless any travel you are planning, any long distance relationships, and your friendships overall. although neptune can be deceitful or at least illusive at times, the presence of the benefics make this a sort of magic that you can access easily and with mostly just good results. then prepare yourself to do some good shadow work once the 12th-house party starts!

leo: for everyone, the influx of gemini-ness is increased sociability and informational flow. for you especially, this is great for your networking and friendships. if you've been feeling a bit drab or lonely lately, this week brightens things up and puts you in places to be fawned over, if that's your thing, or at least appreciated if it's not so much.

virgo: a huge boost to your reputation can be intentionally kicked off from this week and then can coast on the momentum of jupiter in gemini for the next year or so. update your public image, get some nice photos done, shake the right people's hands... even if that makes your inner germophobe a bit squeamish. you can bring hand sanitizer.

libra: gemini season should be a blast for you and the social butterfly that you (at least sometimes) are. and jupiter in gemini for the next year-ish blesses any academic pursuits you wish to embark on, any long distance travel you've been dreaming of, and your spiritual life, if that's your cup of tea.

scorpio: a benevolent pileup in gemini is certainly one thing, possibly enhancing your intimate life or enriching any magical practice. but the overall tone of the week is underwritten by a pulsating, watery, psychic power. and you don't even have to really try to benefit from that. your natural charisma is just off the charts.

sagittarius: gemini season is always nice for you if you are the sort who can stand to be partnered up long-ish term. but starting from this week you have a good long jupiter transit of your 7th house as well. and this will bless such partnerships in really big ways. more temporary, venus there helps out too!

capricorn: if you're the type to do new year's resolutions it's a good time to take stock of how you've been doing regarding your routines, habits, and day-to-day life. honestly, even if you ignore the new year, this is a good time for it. and at any rate it's also a great time to rescue a pet !

aquarius: gemini season plus venus and jupiter in gemini is fun season for aquarians. jupiter in particular gives big fun, creative vibes to you for months to come. however, jupiter (and venus) in your 5th house can be *highly* fertile - you will be reaping what you sow, so it's a time to be a little bit careful what you wish for and also to have fun with some caution - otherwise it might go overboard in some way.

pisces: gemini season has most people feeling social and talky. for you it may be more of a homebody vibe. this is all well and good as long as you have made your home a sanctuary to rest and recharge in, and a place that you truly love.

[lord-aldhelm]

About Me

Since somebody (who shall go unnamed) told me I talk too much about Aldhelm, I wanted to make a post about this.

Like, you know that there is more to me than this right? Like this man and TLK is my obsession but there is so much more to me than just this. It has become an important part of my life, a hobby and an obsession, and I feel like my life has become all the richer for it. I have gone WAY out of my comfort zone in so many ways because of this fandom and have done so many things that I never would have even considered because of it. And have met so many amazing and wonderful people and made some (hopefully) lifelong friends from this. Like it has seriously enriched my life way beyond my ordinary day to day hum-drum bullshit and I am eternally thankful for it.

I am 43 years old. I am married and have two cats (they are my kids lol). I was a veterinary technician (or veterinary nurse depending on your language) for over 16 years before it took such a toll on my physical and mental health that I had to quit. I do my art full time now, so I mostly stay at home. A good friend got me into doing pet portraits in 2017 so that has been my focus, although I also do original paintings, mostly of animals, that I sell online as art prints and merch (like stickers, blankets, totes, t-shirt designs, puzzles, etc). It is not a livable income but it is a nice supplement, and I can relax and work at my own pace and not get stressed out.

When I am not doing that we like to take walks in the forests near our house, go out and explore the local area, take little trips, watch TV and movies together, you know all those kinds of things. I love gardening and yard work, and can't wait until the weather warms so I can get more work done in our gardens. I am somewhat handy and can do some repairs around the house, which is a good thing because this house has a lot of issues.

I love to read, and am reading a book called "Hild" right now by Nicola Griffith, which takes place in the 7th century Britain. I have learned a lot about the Anglo-Saxon time period because of TLK and it has intrigued me to learn more about early British history. I also LOVE fantasy, especially Lord of the Rings and Neil Gaiman. I don't have a big collection of books but I get more all the time!

I love fantasy and Ghibli movies, and have a nice little collection of DVD's that we like to rewatch. I would love to do some fanart from LOTR and Princess Mononoke, and now that I feel more comfortable drawing people I may do so.

Maybe I draw Aldhelm a lot, but that is just because I love drawing him so much... I honestly don't have a lot of time to do personal art and when I do I want to do something that I love. And drawing him relaxes me and makes me very happy. And not only that it has taken me outside my comfort zone to do a subject that I typically don't draw, and gets me acquainted with drawing textures that I am unfamiliar with, like cloth, chainmail, human hair, skin, and metal. I have learned a lot in the past year doing these drawing and I will continue for a very long time. I might do other things if I feel up to it, but drawing him has become a cornerstone of my creativity and I will not stop.

I am sorry that I like to talk about TLK and Aldhelm a lot... when I am passionate about something I don't let up. I just don't want anyone to think this is ALL I do and I am one dimensional.

[housewifebuck]

Do you have any unpopular and/or strong opinions about car care? Products people get or don’t when they should?

I’m in the freaking out about getting a cat soon stage lol

🩵💜🩵💜

hiiii<3 congratulations you have pressed my special interest button! I have extremely strong opinions on proper cat care from the perspective of a rescuer since every day I am faced with cleaning up the messes of people who do NOT take care of their cats properly. I am putting everything under the cut since this will include mentions of animal abuse/neglect etc. And also it’s going to be very long I fear.

First and foremost as I’m sure you will soon be able to tell animal welfare is something I am very very passionate about. Rescue work is my entire life. These are all things I have had to repeat over and over to people who just don’t care/don’t get it and so if some of it sounds aggressive that is NOT directed at you (Michal) 😭 I’m talking to the royal you here since this is advice for everybody.

the most important thing in the world is to make sure your cat is FIXED. if she is coming from a rescue she likely already is, but if shes not, make sure you have an appointment set up to get it + rabies and FVRCP vaccines done asap (I also recommend getting the feline leukemia vaccine, which is not usually done in house by rescues). I would even make the appointment now if you know when you are bringing her home. on top of preventing countless health issues down the road, it will also keep her from reproducing if she ever accidentally gets outside. not only is that awful for the mom cat but we already have enough homeless kittens out there tyvm. PS this is just as important for male cats.

speaking of which, do not let your pet cat free roam outside*. Ever. here is a handy article outlining just a few of the many many reason why it is a terrible and irresponsible thing to do. I dont care if you think you live in a low risk area, or if your cat seems to want to get outside, or if you've had outdoor cats before with no issue. I have had to scrape countless dead cats out of the roadway after being hit by cars because their owners let them outside. Rat poison (very commonly found around peoples houses and in trash cans), if ingested, will literally cause an animal to exsanguinate and die in agony. Other stray cats in the area could be carrying FIV/FeLV or worse. If any of your neighbors grow lilies and your cat brushes against one and licks the pollen from their fur, they will die. There’s just so many reasons to keep your cats indoors I could go on about this forever. if you absolutely must take your cat outside either leash train them (properly, dont just take them out on a leash for the first time and expect them to be okay with it) or get a kitty stroller. But there are PLENTY of ways to keep your cat enriched and entertained indoors. Cat trees, shelves, bird feeders outside, interactive toys, treat dispensers, just to name a few. Go on chewy.com and just browse. They have an excellent selection and great customer service. Another alternative is building a catio! Just make sure your cat receives regular flea/tick treatment year round.

avoid the hell out of those backpack carriers with the clear plastic windows. those are terrifying for cats to be in they feel completely exposed and the ventilation is shit. get a proper hard sided (plastic) carrier. I recommend one with two doors (one on the front and one on top, otherwise known as a top loading carrier). When you travel outside or in the car be sure to cover the carrier with a towel or blanket. This calms them down a lot. The reasons I recommend against soft/mesh carriers are: they are impossible to clean or sanitize if your cat has an accident (very common in the car) or contracts an infectious disease, they provide no protection in the event of being dropped or if you are in a car accident or if you run into a cat-aggressive dog in the vet waiting room, and especially anxious cats can and will fight their way out of them and having a terrified cat loose in your car on your way to the vet is extremely dangerous for both of you.

Expect your new cat to be scared and shy for a few days-to-weeks, minimum. This isn’t always the case, but it is more often than not. I have had so many cats returned for not being friendly enough right away because adopters were too impatient to wait. It takes cats time to decompress in a new environment. I recommend keeping your new cat in a separate room like a bathroom or small bedroom for the first few days so a) it is less overwhelming and b) once you allow them access to the rest of the house, that room will be their “safe space” to retreat to. Also normal when a cat has experienced an environmental shift are: mild vomiting and/or diarrhea (I recommend keeping the cat on whatever diet they have been fed previously and doing a slow transition to your food of choice, + add in probiotics. Proviable and Fortiflora are two brands I like, both available on chewy), hiding in one place for the first 24ish hours, and occasionally stress induced urinary issues such as UTIs. To best avoid the latter make sure their litter box is somewhere they can get to easily without encountering any human or animal traffic. But don’t put it next to their food/water obviously.

And speaking of food/water! Cats tend not to like their food to be right next to their water. I recommend placing the dishes a few feet away at least if not in separate areas of the room. Also, cats by nature do not drink enough water usually so some amount of wet food in their diet is pretty important, and water fountains/bubblers also help get them to drink more. Chronic dehydration can cause urinary issues and more. Dry food is better for their teeth but higher in carbs and a dry-only diet often leads to an overweight cat, and wet food can cause plaque buildup faster but has a much higher moisture content. A balance of both is ideal. Avoid raw diets as well as these food brands: Hartz**, kit & caboodle, meow mix, friskies.

If you keep houseplants, be very very careful. Cats are curious and love to chew on anything that smells like nature and will go out of their way to do so, but a LOT of common houseplants are toxic to cats (for example, every part of the Lily flower, if ingested and not treated immediately, will kill your cat within a day). The ASPCA has a database online to search for plants and see if they are toxic or not.

The rule of thumb with litter boxes is 1 per cat +1. So if you have one cat, you need a minimum of 2 litter boxes, preferably in separate rooms of the house. Corners and secluded areas with little foot traffic are ideal. Make sure the box is the length of your cat standing up + about 6 inches for ideal comfort. Avoid “lightweight” litter; it’s super dusty and very fine and can irritate both your lungs and your cat’s lungs.

Stay on top of your annual vet exams. Even if your cat seems perfectly healthy it’s better safe than sorry, and having a good rapport with your veterinarian makes it much easier to deal with them in the event of an emergency. And on that topic, make sure you know where your local ER vets are + their hours and phone numbers. Cats are tough and resilient but they are also fragile and stupid.

*obviously different rules may apply if your cat is feral or semi feral and cannot live happily indoors. It is not typically a good idea to try and force a feral/working cat to be strictly indoors before they’re ready. But a regular domestic pet cat does not ever “need” to be outside, nor is it cruel to keep them in. This doesn’t always stop them from being interested though, so be careful around doors until you know how your cat will behave around them.

**while the other brands are just low in nutrients, high in filler byproducts, and just overall not super healthy, Hartz brand products (especially their flea and tick medication and shampoos) have been known to straight up kill peoples pets. Like, a LOT. I have seen this happen countless times. Everyone I know who’s ever used a Hartz product has a horror story about it. Do not ask me how they’re still in fucking business.

Honestly that’s all I can think of off the top of my head but I’m sure I’m forgetting some stuff. If you have any specific questions you can hit me up, I don’t mind! Part of my job as a rescuer is educating the public so this is information I am very happy to share. Congrats on your new kitty and good luck!!!!

[honeysucklebuttons]

Any Gonta hc's involving bugs? I'd love to hear them if you'll share! I'm curious what you got c:

Hello! Thank you for your patience, I've finally had some time to think about this wonderful question!! <3

_ In general, Gonta is especially protective of the bugs that have bad reputations. He loves and respects all of the amazing life forms out there, but there's something about them that he relates to, whether he realizes it or not. These misconceptions and fear of "gross" or "scary-looking" creatures that could be aggressive if provoked, with maybe a bite or sting or a disease inside them... well, he knows what that feels like to be seen on such a surface level. He's extremely wary of letting other people handle his own bugs in this category for this reason, until he's really truly sure that they'll be handled safely.

_ Some days it feels like he has an exoskeleton, because of the way the rain falls off of his shape, how kind words can bounce off and he feels like he has to show the side of him that won't waver. Some days he wishes he had one, because skin is easy to tear and bruise and blush, and oh, how it gives him away. But having bones on the inside is good, too.

_ I've mentioned before that Gonta sings a lullaby to his bugs every night, some tune he made up or learned while he was lost. (Maybe he managed to learn how to make certain bug sounds!!) This is true for both his bugs at work and at home! He might add words if there are people around that he doesn't mind singing in front of.......

_ Not really a hc, but please, if you will, imagine Gonta talking to baby bugs in a baby-talking voice, like most people do with pets. He doesn't use it with the adults, though - they deserve to be talked to like adults, after all!

_ Gonta building fun enclosures!! (I'm thinking about people with pet jumping spiders, specifically this one person who made their spider a miniature cat tree to explore for enrichment.) He knows what they need, and he can communicate with them to make their short life spans much more exciting! (Setting up tea parties with things they can eat; having an indoor garden area for the pollinators; etc)

_ There are many reasons that Gonta tears up or cries when his bugs are concerned. Celebrating an unexpectedly long life span, happy birthday!! A fight breaking out that he couldn't stop, between bugs that should have been just fine together... A new clutch of babies are hatching!! Oh, none of them made it... Having a staring contest with someone who follows his every movement!! A funeral for someone he's had a long time... Matchmaking a compatible match, they seem very happy!! An accident happened with the enclosure, or the food, or a person mishandled one of them... At the end of the day, sometimes just thinking about bugs is enough to do it!!!! And sometimes, "IT'S JUST SO TINY" is as valid a reason as any :D

_ Gonta is That Guy at bug conventions- people whisper excitedly about him as he passes by, ask for photos, and more than once, he's had someone come up to him and ask anything from, "Would you like to hold my [species name]?! I'd be so honored if you did!!" to "Would you like to be featured in our publication? Your work proceeds you!" He's getting used to it, slowly.

_ Gonta talks to himself. Gonta also talks to bugs and other creatures. It's hard to tell who he's talking to if he's the only person around, sometimes...

_ He loves bug art and tattoos and, while he might not have any tattoos himself, he ogles politely when people show him theirs! At least a few people have asked to get his scientific drawings done as tattoos and he's always initially like "why tho????" until he sees it and then it's "!!!!!!!!!!!" hehe

Okay I think I'll stop here for now.......... thank you for the wonderful Gonta daydreams, I hope these are what you were looking for! (Hopefully you didn't want specific ones like... how does Gonta feel about ladybugs or something lol) (he loves them, next question) <3 <3 <3

[orcinus-veterinarius]

do you genuinely support seaworld? because if you do, then that is genuinely disapointing to me as i loved your content. dolphins (esp bottlenoses) are incredibly intelligent creatures with their own languages and cultures, can experience emotion in the same ways we do, and display self awareness on nearly the same level as us. there's no situation in which they should be kept in and bred in captivity, and dolphins that cannot live in the wild deserve to go to sanctuaries that are able to provide actual proper living space, respect, and care for them. they are real, living creatures, with their own personalities and identities. they shouldnt be abused and exploited for profit. it's inherently cruel, even if you personally dont view them as their own people as some (like me) do.

I'm sorry that you're disappointed. I thought I had been clear about my opinions on here but yes, I do support SeaWorld, just like I support every other AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium. I support their veterinarians and veterinary staff, people I've actually met or who have worked closely with many of my colleagues and mentors. I support their rescue teams, which have responded to over 40,000 individual marine animals in distress, and are currently one of only half a dozen facilities equipped to handle the Florida manatee unusual mortality event. I support their husbandry and training staff, folks who've made a career out of caring for animals and, like the trainers I currently work with, tirelessly advocating for their needs. I support their contributions to marine research, both through the parks and the independent Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. I support the connection to the marine world that they provide children (and adults) like myself years ago, gifting them with a lifelong love for the ocean and its life.

At the moment, I'm completing a residential internship program with the medical team at a small marine park (not SeaWorld, but similar in many ways) as a complement to my ongoing education as a DVM student. I see and work with dolphins every day. You’re right, they are extremely intelligent. Each one is an individual, with his or her own distinct personality, likes and dislikes, best friends (human and dolphin), and favorite activities. Perhaps they are “people” in their own way, although from a scientific perspective I can’t anthropomorphize them to that extent. Their trainers are more intimately familiar with the dolphins’ moods and needs than the vast majority of people are with their own pets (speaking as a 7-year veteran of general practice and emergency vet hospitals), and every second of their work day revolves around the animals, be it enrichment, training, husbandry, diet prep, habitat maintenance or, yes, public presentations. Each dolphin has a specialized care plan, made for them by their own full-time veterinarian, to ensure they are always in peak body condition. They receive a full routine medical work-up (complete with bloodwork, fecal, urine, gastric, and chuff cytology) multiple time a year, far beyond what any domestic animal receives. Their diet consists of a wide variety of human-grade seafood, with each individual fish (hundreds of pounds a day) hand-checked by a trainer to ensure it has no defects. They are never, ever forced to participate in a session and usually happily do so, because exercising their minds and bodies is enriching for them. If not, no big deal, they will still get all the food they need. 

About half of our dolphins are rescues, deemed non-releasable by the federal government (not the team who rehabbed them, or even the “higher ups” in aquarium/marine park management). These dolphins stranded when they were babies, too young to have learned what they needed from their mothers, or suffering from disabilites or chronic health conditions that would make survival in the wild impossible. Without “captivity,” they would be dead. Instead, I get to see them thrive every day, bonding with their trainers, playing with their dolphin friends, exploring their enrichment, and inspiring everyone who meets them. I’m sorry but no, I will never say these dolphins should be put to death or left to suffer an excrutiating fate in the wild. Not when I’ve seen the life they get to live instead.

An accredited “dolphin sanctaury” like you suggest, run by people with the proper training, resources, and (extensive) funding to care for these complex animals, does not exist. And if one did, it would be no different than any other accredited facility (many of which are “sea pen” habitats, which have their own pros and cons versus a traditional “tank” habitat) that is already open. There would still be training for husbandry, exercise, and enrichment. There would still be hand-fed diets. There would still be (nearly constant!) breeding behavior, just without any babies. And there would still be barriers keeping them from leaving although fun fact, the US Navy uses trained dolphins in open ocean missions and they always return to their human caregivers. The only thing missing would be the educational, inspirational experience aquariums give the public. 

But don’t take my word for it. Last year, the Cetacean Welfare Study was published, the result of years of work by 43 different AZA and/or AMMPA-accredited institutes. It’s a collection of studies, the first of their kind, surveying the factors affecting welfare in managed cetaceans (mainly bottlenose dolphins but also Pacific white-sided dolphins and beluga whales), and oftentimes, it’s not what the general public might think. Both SeaWorld and my park were part of it.

Thanks for hearing me out. I don’t expect you to suddenly agree with me, but I hope you’ll try to understand. If you want to hear more of what I’ve said on this topic, please look at my #seaworld and #cetaceans tag.

[is-the-primate-vid-cute]

You may have answered this before elsewhere, but I saw your ask about the Fablemans and as a film fan I'm genuinely curious. Why is it wrong to use a primate animal actor when other types of animal actors are used? I understand that a video on the internet is potentially exploitative. But animal actors are supposed to be handled by experts and treated humanely. There's at least supposed to be a regulatory system there. Plus, I would think it would be better to use a real practical animal for believability/interaction (and they'd probably unfortunately be treated better than CG people who aren't unionized. Though animatronics could possibly have been used.) Especially in an age where practical effects seem to be a dying art partly due to that last reason. So as long as it can be done safely and humanely for all involved, why not hire an animal actor primate rather than fake it?

Thank you in advance and love your blog!

The problem with primate animal "actors" is that there is no way for it to be done safely and humanely. Animal actors that are horses, dogs, rats, etc. are fine because domesticated species have symbiotic relationships with people that allow us to work together in a way that works for everyone involved. In fact, acting can act as enrichment for some animals. I would even say that some non-domesticated animals could serve roles in film and television provided their role was basically just existing on camera, but at this point it probably makes more sense to use CGI. This is long, so I'll break it down.

Primates in Human Situations

Primates are not, and will likely never be, domesticated. They are very intelligent and caring for them properly means replicating their lives in the wild as closely as possible and above all, prioritizing relationships with other members of their species. In all the primate welfare research I have done, one thing I have consistently heard is that the best thing for a primate is another of their species. Social bonds are critically important for them and even very traumatized primates can become much better adjusted and confident just by having a mate. Removing a primate from their family/social group, unless done for the necessary health and well being of the primate, is unethical and cruel. Primate actors are taken from their mothers as infants to be raised by trainers so that they imprint on people and exhibit "desirable" behaviours and are trainable. While they may interact with others of their species if the trainer has several, they are raised and taught to prioritize humans to an unhealthy degree.

Additionally, imprinting on humans makes it more difficult for primates to form relationships with their own kind. We have talked before about how different primate and human body language and communication is, and primate actors are very used to exhibiting certain behaviours, doing tricks, and acting in specific ways to get approval and treats. This leaves them unprepared for natural inner-species interactions and can prevent the forming of meaningful relationships. Even a very well cared for and humanely treated primate actor is essentially losing the ability to form meaningful close relationships with their own kind, including intimate partnerships, which will impact their life even long after retirement from the spotlight. It's unfair to deny a primate the ability and opportunity to bond with others for human entertainment.

Retiring Primate Actors

While some species of primates have longer careers than others, the vast majority of primate actors including all apes will have to be retired when they reach adolescence. Puberty is difficult enough for humans, but for a primate it poses risks as increased aggression, becoming territorial, and sexual development can be dangerous. Primates raised to perform will behave instinctively even when trained not to, and the added stress of becoming incompatible with the only environment they have ever known can be traumatic. Many primates raised by people as pets or in show business develop strong attachments to their owners/trainers that cause them to become aggressive to others that are close to them, and will present sexually to the owner/trainer. Of course, this is a problem for everyone involved, and being sexually rejected can lead some primates to become extremely frustrated, upset, and even self harm.

As such, most primate actors do not have careers into adulthood and have to be replaced by younger counterparts. This creates a cycle of captive breeding where infants are taken from their mothers to be raised by humans, become attached and learn human behaviours, become alienated from humans in adolescence, and are retired in young adulthood with no way to connect with their peers. Even in a best case scenario where the owner/trainer is incredibly knowledgeable and humane, the animal suffers.

For those that do not retire at adolescence, things are not much better as they have a life filled with stressful situations and unpredictable days where they cannot act on instinct. Primate trainer/owners have to keep their animals from behaving "inappropriately" around others, so add to that a life of not being able to choose when/where to defecate, not being able to masturbate or groom the pelvic area, and risking getting in trouble (even if it is only social disapproval) for exhibiting natural instinctual behaviour.

Humans on Set

So far I've focused on the primate actor, but the other actors are important too: the humans that inevitably come into contact with the primate actor on and off screen. Non-human primates are not built for on set environments-- frankly humans aren't either-- but we are able to understand what is happening and have a choice as to whether we participate in stressful and noisy filming environments. Primate actors are not given a choice and are brought into unpredictable and stressful situations without being able to understand what is happening or why. In a best case scenario the animal is brought on set for as short a period as time as possible and accommodations are made to make it calm and comfortable, the animal is put in costume, does the scene, and is given a treat and returned home. Not only does this rarely happen, but even when it does the environment is still one that has a lot of variables that are difficult to control.

Primates are easily stressed, and stress can cause aggression, which can be unsafe for the humans involved. Even in as controlled a set as possible, things can still happen. A monkey on an actors shoulder can get curious about an earring and rip it out, get tangled in a costume and lash out, get a drop of water on it and become extremely upset. We have previously discussed the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise, in which a capuchin actor became agitated backstage and mauled a makeup artist who needed surgery to have her earlobe re-attached. It is unfair for the primate, but also unfair to everyone else working on the set to have to account for the possibility of being hurt by an animal operating on human training but wild instincts.

Regulation and Protection

While this is all written in best possible faith, the truth is that the actual treatment of animal actors varies. While there are permits required to own primates as performers and it is not legal to keep them as pets in California, there will be incidents and animals that will slip through the cracks especially when money is involved. I too do not trust studios to treat human workers humanely, and animals are even more vulnerable despite the legal measures and persons involved in ensuring they are treated well. At the end of the day, there is no reason that a primate needs to be an actor. CGI (preferably by unionized, well treated workers) should replace all primate actors so that they can live their own lives. The one exception I make is for projects such as Zoboomafoo, where the primate is unobtrusively filmed expressing natural behaviours in its own environment.

[erin-rose-24]

So this is going to be a rant about cats specifically outdoor cats here the thing DO NOT LET YOUR CAT OUTSIDE at least not unsupervised there are so so many reasons why but here are some main ones for your own cats safety the outside is hella dangerous for cats especially if you live in a city or urban environment from cars to other people to bigger animals and even other cats it's not safe this is how you get a dead cat even if they survive they quality of life is considerably lower "oh well keeping them inside is cruel" no it is notif you provide proper enrichment they cat will be considerably happier and safer or even take your cat for a walk if that suits there personality but cats do not necessarily need a massive amount of space they are small and by nature have small territories if you have toys treats and activities for them and actually play with them they are going to be happy if your unwilling to properly take care of a pet do not get that pet don't throw your cat outside and pretend it's for them because its not its fir you because you don't actually want a pet you want something that will give you dopamine when you want it but don't wanna do any actual work that involves taking care of another living thing food puzzles is another great way to engage your cat as well reason to cats are monsters adorable fluffy and loving but also straight up serial killers they kill so many things and are so good at it they are directly linked ti the extinction of several animals

[morrigan-sims]

15 Tags, 15 Mutuals

I was tagged by the lovely @latteaki and the amazing @softimbue Thank you both!

are you named after anyone?

I'm not sure for my legal name. I asked my parents when I was a child, but I can't remember their response. I do know that my middle name is my mother's middle name, and was my great grandmother's first name.

2. when was the last time you cried?

I have no idea. I don't cry very often.

3. do you have kids?

No, and I never want any. I do have two cats, though.

4. do you use sarcasm a lot?

Somewhat. I wish I used it more, to be honest.

5. what sports do you play/have you played?

When I was really little I did soccer, but hated it, so I quit. After that I didn't really do any sports, unless you count me taking riding lessons.

6. what’s the first thing you notice about other people?

To be perfectly honest, their clothing and/or hair.

7. eye colour?

Blue.

8. scary movies or happy endings?

Literally the only thing in the world that scares me is jumpscares, which a lot of scary movies rely on. So I prefer happy endings, I suppose.

9. any special talents?

Figuring out plot twists ages before they happen. It's uncanny at this point.

10. where were you born?

Somewhere in Michigan.

11. what are your hobbies?

Playing video games in waves, writing not nearly enough, taking way too many screenshots in the sims, reading books in one sitting, hanging out with my cats, watching critical role, and sleeping.

12. do you have any pets?

I have two cats, 4-year old bonded brothers named Loki and Charlie. They are the loves of my life.

13. how tall are you?

5'10" / 178cm

14. fave subject in school?

Graphic design. I took 5 or 6 classes over 3 years.

15. dream job?

Being in charge of animal enrichment for a zoo.

Tagging: @simgerale @wastelandwhisperer @violettssims @newvegastrait @afriendlyghostsim @druidberries @apricote @wileyfern @simelune @simarcana @void-critters @neverheresims @heartblobs @wildmelon @stinkrascal @rebouks @hauntedtrait @barbieaiden @sublimesims

No pressure at all! If you don't want to do it, then don't!

[jadedloverart]

Here's the thing about cats.

I see so many people talking about how they would like a dog but "cats are just easier" and I'm here to say that they are not???

They are complex, intelligent creatures, who have more independent mannerisms than dogs, so people tend to leave them to their own devices, but by nature of the dynamic between pet owner and pet, they cannot meet all of their needs on their own.

If anything, learning to communicate with cats takes MORE effort because building trust with a cat is not a given, nor is it commonly discussed. The necessity of that trust is undermined by so many pet owners, probably because they are harder to force into doing things than dogs are. (That, and the expression of their needs are far less overt than the communication of a dog's needs.)

This means that ensuring that a cat feels safe when learning to work with their owner, and that takes LOTS of time. It takes a commitment to listening to their needs.

Cats (arguably all pets) require autonomy to feel safe.

But they need to go outside.

They need to be taught consensual socialization with humans.

They need enrichment from their owner.

They need to be taught how to set boundaries. (Which requires their boundaries to be listened to first.)

They need to be taught, in safe environments first, how to accept invasive touch from the vet.

They, like their owners, need to learn how to communicate effectively, and the only way to teach them that in consensual ways requires time and effort.

Obviously (and if it's not obvious spend like 5 minutes of your time researching before deciding to take on the care of an entire life) it's fucked up to just allow your cat to freely roam the outdoors because it shortens their lifespans Considerably and wreacks havoc on the local ecosystem.

Which means IF YOU HAVE A CAT. You Need To Work With It so you can take it outside. Contrary to popular belief, cats can be trained to walk quite happily outside on a harness and lead; they can be worked with so they feel safe enough to sit in a little cat backpack so you can carry them outside.

They need to trust that if they want you to stop touching them you will. They need to trust that if you have to touch them when they don't want to be touched, that it will always, without fail, be for their own health and safety.

They can learn what "Yes" and "No" means to the same degree a toddler can understand those concepts. They can learn how to 'say' "yes" and "no".

But only if they are respected and listened to and worked with.

They aren't just extra roommates. They are a little creature under the care of their owner.

[jonquilyst]

My Perception of Pet Mortality

Not sims related, but I felt compelled to share.

Today my brother and I discussed pet mortality today, so I wanted to share the advice I shared with him about pet mortality in case if you have a pet (and especially if you've lost a pet in the past)

This is Shaggy, my beloved childhood cat. He died in 2020 at the age of 11 from kidney failure. To quickly describe the cat he was, he was an intelligent, though grumpy indoor-outdoor boi who patrolled the neighborhood block and was an affluent hunter. He frequently brought home live birds and bunnies to our deck to give us a lovely execution show before he would devour his treat.

He was such a good hunter that the bunny population in our neighborhood bottlenecked and did not return until last year (3 years after his passing).

10 months after Shaggy died, we rescued a kitten named Oskar, who has been with us ever since.

Now, introducing my very own cat, Lacey. She's a kitten in this picture but she will be 5 years old next month. My brother asked me today if when Lacey eventually dies, I would adopt another cat.

My answer was yes.

He asked me if I would adopt the cat so I could replace Lacey.

I said no.

He then asked me why I would adopt another cat if I wasn't intending on replacing her, especially since we had adopted Oskar after Shaggy died.

This is what I told him (though fumbling on my words trying to get my point across):

Pet mortality is a very sad thing, yes. It is the worst to lose a pet, but I think there's a very good reason why pets only serve a fraction of our lifetimes and this is why:

When we lose a pet, our animal-loving hearts tend to open up to loving new animals. Of course, it'll take some time to grieve the loss of the departed pet, but more often than not, we adopt a new animal.

Why do we do this? Is it because we're "replacing" the lost pet?

Most often times, no. The reason why is because the animal being adopted is an entirely new being, with a different personality and quirks and habits that's totally different from the lost pet.

Pets only live for so long so us humans can love as many animals as possible. Again, it's sad, yes, but I stand by the quote: "they may not have lasted all of your life, but you lasted all of theirs." There's something so beautiful about being there for an animal for the duration of its life, even if you adopted the animal later in its life, and especially when it comes to touching the lives of many animals over the course of your own human life.

Point being, when you adopt a pet after the loss of a previous one, you are not replacing them. Rather, you are opening your heart to a new being who will enrich your life in a brand new way. You will never have an animal that's exactly like the one you lost again, so it's very much worth remembering them.

I told my brother that even though it's been 4 years since Shaggy died, we still talk about him, reminisce about him, laugh about him, remember him. His urn containing his ashes and a cast of his pawprint still remain on our fireplace mantle. I told him that the fact that we still continue to remember him, that Shaggy impacted us in this way, is proof that we never replaced him.

Our new cat Oskar is simply a new addition to our family.

So, when my Lacey eventually passes (hopefully not for a long long time, but Ik it will happen), I will adopt a new cat, because I want to keep loving cats for as long as I live. Humans impact cats and cats impact humans in such a beautiful and powerful way that I want to continue extending my impact to new felines who will live alongside me, and so that they can impact me in the same way, even if they might not last the entirety of my life.

Pets are family forever.

[macawritesupdates]

I loved the new chapter of MoL it was so good I would have commented sooner but I bought a bunch of new plants yesterday but it was way to hot to get them in the ground so I decided to wait until today so I could work in the early morning before the sun got hot enough to bake me. I saw your chapter and desperately wanted to throw those plans out the window so I could sit down and read it all in one sitting right away, but alas, it was time sensitive that damn summer sun really is lethal 😔 ah the plight of a gardener. At least I had a super fun reward waiting for me when I got done. And what a reward it was! I loved yuuji's internal strife as he tried to deal with his morals and the knowledge that his sweet childhood best friend grew up to be someone who does so many awful things. Yuuji, it's not your fault baby you are only responsible for your own actions, not his... ah man, that's a lesson cannon yuuji also needs to learn huh. I am so glad he met choso I can't tell you how often I desperately want characters to just leave abusive relationships in fiction like baby get out of there yes he loves you and you love him back but his love bears rotten fruits. He's controlling and keeps you isolated and will weaponise any fear or guilt you feel against you. It is not a betrayal to leave him because he broke trust he betrayed you first by keeping you like a pet and slowly smothering the light in your soul. But usually, it's impossible to leave a relationship like that without help, especially when he controls the finances and your entire social circle. So I'm glad yuuji met choso, who offered to take him away. It still hurts though especially when I go read the yuuji files and see a version of their relationship that works because sukuna is actually willing to make compromises and doesn't try to steal yuuji's autonomy in an attempt to keep him chained. It's not easy for him, but the fact that he puts in that effort means he gets to be way happier than mol sukuna. God, I know that this is the angst fic, so we're not getting happy, but some part of me is still crying out to mol sukuna to change his ways. Just try. I know the world is awful, but you can learn to live in it side by side with him. I keep thinking of like exotic birds when they are kept in small cages without their social and enrichment needs met, look at how they start to wither sukuna, look how they stop eating and start to pull out their own feathers. That's what you've been doing to yuuji to the person you love best in all the world. He needs to be able to fly free. I know you love him and want to keep him, but you let your fear of losing him drive you to hold him too tight and now something beautiful has shattered right in your hands. If you had just trusted him he would have flown free and been happy, and always flown back to you. But you held on too tight and now he needs to flee. Ugh ouch 😫. Now I'm really worried about how their eventual reunion will go because that chapter count looks so threatening to me right now. Beautiful work thanks now I've got to go re read the yuuji files to recover. Maybe even lessons their relationship there is also so so good those silly boys pretending to be in deep hate even as they work to take such good care of each other and build a life together ❤️.

I understand the gardener's plight as I too garden u_u all my stuff is planting, now I'm just weeding, watering, and working on fixing my deck now 83 The outside work never ends!

But glad you enjoyed the chapter <3 even if this story is getting more heartbreaking by the chapter, especially next chapter where things are going to be set for what is to come ; w ; I've actually mapped out this story until the end, now just a matter of writing it all out! But I need to write some lighter things myself to recover XD The next Yuuji Files is coming up as is the last two chapters of Well Executed Failure!

[hjellacott]

They say genitalia isn't important when choosing to date someone. As a bisexual woman, I consider biological sex to be essential for me to decide whether to date or not, even if it's not about having sex. Here's a list of things I consider when dating a man or a woman, that to me are entirely biologically sex-based:

IF MALE

Is he sensitive? Because if he isn't, not interested.

Is he physically strong? I need to know I could defend myself if I needed to.

How's his voice? I get PTSD triggered from very loud, strong male voices, so it's got to be something that sounds gentle.

How's his temper? No way I'd date a man with a strong temperament.

Is he protective or over protective? Because I'll take a bit from a man, but there's a limit.

Is he going to treat me like property?

Is he a sensible man, that'll make the right decisions? Because many men aren't, they get too cocky.

Am I comfortable talking about sensitive topics with him? Does he have enough empathy and compassion, or will he laugh?

Do I feel safe with him?

Can I hold intellectual debates with him without causing an argument?

Is there a chance he'll get physical in an argument, even a slim one?

Is he a feminist?

Does he love his mother/sisters/other females in his family?

Is he kind to gay men?

Is he an attention seeker?

Is he too happy with being sexually admired by other women, that he'll be constantly seeking that even if we're together?

Is he the jealous kind? Will he try to end my friendships with other men?

Will he demand my consent for sexual things, and respect that it is my body, my choice?

Would he be a good father? (because if you're having sex, accidents might happen).

Is he good with animals?

Does he like poetry?

How does he feel about guns?

What would he do if he had a homosexual child?

Is he good with children, while also respecting their space?

Would anyone feel safe around him?

How does he respond to witnessing violence and possible harassment?

What kind of friend is he?

Will he be respectful if I reject kinky sex? Will he respect my sexual decisions in general?

Is he honest?

Is he mature and responsible?

Does he have a job he's committed to?

Is he the kind of guy his friends/relatives trust for babysitting or pet sitting?

Is he a good carer?

Is he academic? Does he enjoy reading novels?

Will he sit playing videogames all the time?

Will he put sports above spending time with me, my family or my friends?

Will he be kind towards me and my period, or act like it's something disgusting he ought to stay away from?

Will he be patronising and mansplaining?

IF FEMALE

Is she emotionally grounded? Is she emotionally dependent?

Is she too fucked up by past relationships?

Can she be reasonable in a fight, or will she bring up every past relationship?

Will she move too fast, or respect my pace?

Is she woke?

Does she have personal aspirations, passions, and goals she's committed to?

Does she have good self esteem?

Does she take care of her own health, even if it means not being too thin?

Does she rely on make up at all times? Because I want to see a woman's real face and fall in love with it.

Will she judge my style, or the kind of woman I am, or will she support me and appreciate our differences?

Is she excessively sappy?

Does she think violence is OK if it comes from a woman? Because no thanks.

Is she strong and independent, like a cat?

Can we live like two ships moving side by side, without trying to overpower the other?

Being bisexual and actually getting to gain romantic and sexual experience with both men and women is quite enriching, because it actually gives one great knowledge about what makes someone who they are, and how deeply someone's biological sex can influence them, whether they realise or not. It goes well beyond breasts and penises, biological sex is in every part of you, your sensitivities, your physicality, your can-do attitude, your confidence, so on. Depending on your biological sex you face brutally different challenges in life, which shape you into different kinds of people. That is what I'm trying to show.

I want you to see that whether one dates a man or a woman, you have different concerns and things to think about. Mine are these, yours might be something else. Notice I haven't put things like religion or race, because they don't depend on sex, I am always going to worry about someone's attitude towards those no matter who they are. What is important is to see how experiences with men and women differ, even if you don't know what's under their trousers.

Notice, for example, how I think of far more things and have far more concerns when it comes to dating men than I do with women. Notice how my concerns with men are more about my safety and well-being, and stereotypes that are associated to men for a reason (and that I've noticed continuously when it has come to relationships with men), while the things I worry about with women, based on past experience, are more related to their emotional and mental stability, and how well can we be two women with our own lives who don't try to become each other.

Biological sex matters, even if you're not having sex. Because it's the essence of you. It's your DNA. It's you, just like bulls and cows are brutally different, so are men and women, genitalia aside.

[miniaturemoonheart]

I am a huge advocate for Self Care and Self Love. Two things that are an absolute must.

List of simple daily rituals I love ❤️

If you are anything like me, when we embark on a spiritual path, sometimes the path gets twisted and we feel we lose our connection to the Divine. This is totally normal and shouldn’t get you down! Sometimes we are too busy with the mundane to cater to our spirituality. But there are ways to include simple daily pagan rituals into your routine without a fuss.

Here are some of my favorite morning, noon or night simple daily rituals you may enjoy as well.

1. Light a candle

Many of us pyromaniacs already love burning candles in our homes, so why not make it a part of your daily pagan rituals? Light a candle and say a quick prayer of gratitude to your god or goddess or ancestors. Then go about your day.

2. Offerings for the Gods

Everyone thinks offerings are complicated…here’s a little secret – they’re not! Offerings can be anything you feel your god or goddess would enjoy: food, beverage, water, incense, herbal blends, art, and poetry. Some gods enjoy a nice black cup of coffee in the morning. Some enjoy a portion of your dinner at night. Some prefer the scent of patchouli incense. Incorporate offerings into your daily routine and watch the blessings roll in!

3. Offerings for the Ancestors

Same as above – make offerings to your ancestors one of your daily pagan rituals. Did your granny like to steal sweet n’ lows? Add a couple to your ancestor altar for her. Did your Uncle enjoy bonfires? Light a candle for him in the evening.

4. Rise to Greet the Sun

If you’re an early riser, this should be a simple one – rising to greet the sun. Sit outside with your coffee and watch the sun rise. Bask in the glory of the star that gives life to this planet.

5. Runic Stadhas or Yoga

Edred Thorsson talks about runic stadhas in his book Elder Futhark. These are similar to yoga positions. So whether you enjoy yoga or feel a connection to the runes, try physical positions like the runic stadhas or yoga on a daily basis. Even if you only do one or two in the morning to get your day started or in the evening to relax and connect.

6. Go for a Walk

Simply going for a walk outside is enough to relax you and re-connect with Mother Earth. Don’t have a lot of time to fit in a walk? Instead of sitting at your desk for lunch break, take your lunch outside and go for a walk afterward. Even if it’s only a ten minute walk.

7. Dream Journalling

Keep a journal at your bedside. Before you even set foot on the floor in the morning, write down your dreams in a dream journal. This is a simple, yet effective way to tune into your higher self and gods – through dreams. The more you journal your dreams, the more dreams you will recall.

8. Meditate

You don’t have to meditate for an hour or even a half an hour. Pop in a set of earbuds and listen to a ten minute relaxing guided meditation for free on YouTube.

9. Nature Signs and Omens

Throughout your day, pay attention to any nature signs or omens. This could be anything – a praying mantis on the windshielf, a blue jay that seems to repetitively visit you, a cloud in the shape of a heart, a snail that’s entered the house, etc. The gods and ancestors often use nature to communicate with us. This is one of the most enriching daily pagan rituals in my practice.

10. Light an incense

Just as you light a candle for your gods or simply to re-connect, light incense on a daily basis. Something about the scent of incense in the air puts me into an otherworldly state of mind. It is relaxing and grounding, too.

11. Read a Spiritual Book

Take fifteen minutes out of your day to read a spiritual book. Whatever topic you’re studying in the realm of paganism, set aside a little time daily to read and absorb what you are reading. Knowledge is power, after all.

12. Love Your Pets

Whether you have a dog, horse, or a hamster, set aside some time every day to love on your pets. This doesn’t seem like a pagan ritual, but anything done with intention and in a routine can be a ritual. And what’s more pagan than loving on animals?

13. Light a Red Candle in the Kitchen

Keep a red candle in your kitchen. Light it in honor of the ancestors who came before you, who cooked hearthside to feed and nourish their families just as you do today!

14. Smudge Yourself

One of those self-love daily pagan rituals is smudging yourself. You don’t have to do this daily, but I promise if you do take up the practice, you won’t regret it. Smudging removes the negative debris stuck in your aura, helps to relax you, and to ground you after a long day of work.

15. Love Your Family

One of the most pagan things to do is to honor and love your family. Think back hundreds of years ago – what did your ancestors value back then? Life, love, and family. They focused on survival and did what they had to do to feed and care for their families. And it’s a good thing too, because you’re here because of them! Honor your ancestors by loving your family every day. Spend quality time with your family as a daily pagan ritual. Othala.

16. Write in Journal / BOS

Keep a record of your spiritual journey, traditions, and thoughts by writing them down in a spiritual journal or Book of Shadows. Take five minutes a day to write something down – even if its just your emotions or your thoughts in that moment.

17. Wear a Stone

Choose a stone to wear on a daily basis. This is a simple, small daily pagan ritual to do in the morning. If you can’t wear it, then put it in your pocket. Choose a stone for protection, grounding, energy, etc.

18. Pray to the Gods

Take time in the morning while you’re getting ready for the day or take time just before falling asleep to say a simple prayer to the gods. Prayers of gratitude are best. The more grateful we are for the gods’ presence in our lives, the more blessings roll in.

19. Visit the Garden

Whether you keep an elaborate garden or just have a few plants and trees in your yard, take some time in the early morning or the evening to pay the garden a visit. You never know what wisdom the plants, trees, and wildlife have to share with you. I find garden visits comforting, peaceful, and enlightening.

20. Exercise

How is exercise a daily pagan ritual? In this modern day and age, everyone is so busy and sedentary. We don’t have the time to work out. But here’s the thing – we were gifted with these bodies by the gods/universe/ancestors and so we should be grateful for them and care for them just as we care for our spirits. Even if you just go for a run in the morning, do something to get your heart pumping every day. Make the gods proud.

21. Brew a Cup of Tea

Make brewing tea a daily ritual. Enjoy choosing your own loose leaf herbs, hearing the tea kettle whistle on the stove, and then pouring the hot water over the herbs. Sit down, be quiet, and sip your tea while waiting for the Divine to speak to you.

22. Smudge Your House

Along the same lines of smudging yourself, smudge your house to rid it of any negative vibes or spirits. A quick smudging does the trick, even if its only ten minutes.

23. Rune of the day

Something I enjoy doing in the morning, draw one rune or one tarot/oracle card for the day. It might give you a sneak peek of what’s to come or just provide some sage advice. Either way – drawing one rune or card of the day is one of the easiest and enlightening daily pagan rituals.

24. Use Herbs in Cooking

Have a garden with herbs or vegetables? Use them in your cooking on a daily basis. If you don’t have a garden, choose spices from your kitchen cabinet for specific purposes. For example – cinnamon for money. Sugar to sweeten up situations and people. Rosemary for love. Etc.

25. Pray to the Ancestors

Just as you pray to the gods, pray to your ancestors as well. They enjoy hearing from you too.

26. Freshen Up Your Altar

Clean up your altar on a daily basis. This means dump those ashes off your incense burner. Dust off any dirt or debris. Refresh your offerings. Etc. Make your altar a place worthy of the gods and ancestors.

27. Gaze at the Moon

On nights when the clouds are clear, go outside and gaze at the moon. Feel the lunar rays on your skin.

28. Plan the Next Sabbat

Take time to plan the next sabbat. Write down ideas on traditions, rituals, food, etc. This is a fun daily pagan ritual to do with the whole family (if they are pagan, as well).

29. Call a Pagan Friend

On days you feel you need an extra boost of comfort or confidence, call a pagan friend. There’s nothing like talking to someone of like-mind and kindred spirit.

30. Ground and Center

With how crazy life can get, making grounding and centering a part of your daily pagan rituals can really do wonders for your health and wellbeing. Even if you touch a tree before going inside or walk around outside with barefeet, both of these rituals help.

31. Plan the Next Esbat

Just as planning the next Sabbat can be fun, so can planning your next Esbat. Plan an aura-cleansing bath on the New Moon – what herbs will you use? Will you use sea salt or epsom salt? Plan to do a releasing ritual on the next Waning Moon. What will you do next full moon? Write down your thoughts and ideas.

32. Research Your God/Goddess

In addition to reading a spiritual book once a day, spend a few minutes doing further research on your god or goddess. This can be online or in books. Read your god or goddess’ mythology, folklore, and history. This gives honor to your god or goddess and enriches your relationship with them.

[silverwingborn]

GET TO KNOW THE MUN! 🌟

Tagged by: @hells-ringleader

NAME?: Soul

PRONOUNS?: she/her (I don’t mind any pronouns honestly)

MOST ACTIVE MUSE(S)?: Currently Silver, but I’m cooking on some new muses that will be joining soon~

RP PET PEEVES?: Lack of communication between muns before major decisions such as un-aliving a character or seriously traumatizing them. I’m all for angst and character growth, but please talk to me about it beforehand? So that I’m mentally prepared lol. Also people solely rping with me to ship only. I ship chemistry and wanna build our characters friendship first before getting hot and heavy (unless it’s crack lol). It’s why I rarely rp canon characters anymore, people only wanna fuck em 😔

EXPERIENCE / HOW MANY YEARS?: My friends in middle school introduced rp to me where we’d pass a notebook between classes to write entries 😂 So technically 16 yrs. Online it’s been 12 yrs lol!

PREFERENCE OF COMMUNICATION?: DMs here work but Discord is much more reliable!

BEST EXPERIENCE?: When I first joined online to rp, I was welcomed into an entire group of all OC’s and our friends own world. Those beginnings helped me grow so much and learn to create more characters. I’m still friends with her 😘 love ya @silverfire113 !

FLUFF, ANGST, OR SMUT? : All, but I am a sucker for angst and fluff balance~

PLOTS OR MEMES?: Both! I love memes for spontaneous fun and plots for a full enrichment challenge!

LONG OR SHORT REPLIES?: I usually do a middle ground, paragraph or two. However if it’s quick sillies I enjoy short replies. Big plotting and expressive rps are best enjoyed long~

TIME TO WRITE?: Evening hours most days! (CT) Monday’s I do have DnD with irl buddies tho. I’m a night owl and can’t sleep until at least 1AM.

ARE YOU LIKE YOUR MUSE(S)?: I put a lil bit of myself in every muse I write. With Silver there’s some bio family issues she’s working through (and myself a bit). Her issue is with her father leaving her and her angelic origin, where my issue is with my bio mother trying to force her way back into my life and some medical challenges that are hereditary.

Tagging: @tailoringtay @hells-greatestdad @pantheon-panic @oleandernights @divine-gnosis @hellcab and anyone else who would like to!