#the sun dog

[cryptids-of-spielzeit]

Spielzeit Bestiary #8: The Sun Dog

Nature. Every tree, plant, and animal. It is all around us, and it is a very big part of the forest town Spielzeit's identity. The townsfolk and the surrounding forest have been in kahoots with one another ever since it split from the now defunct Playtime toy company. And now, their relationship with nature has seemingly grown stronger, due in part to a new creature said to roam the woods. They call it the Sun Dog.

Said to be the most benevolent of Spielzeit's ever growing roster of "cryptids", the Sun Dog is described as being a giant Cocker Spaniel with dark orange fur. It gets its name from what locals describe as a pendant, shaped like the sun, that it wears tightly around its neck.

It is said to be missing the lower half of its body, resulting in it crawling around wherever it goes. Those who have caught a glimpse of the Sun God report it being followed by a group of animals. The animals within said group vary, but the most common group is said to be that of a red fox, a whitetail deer, and an opossum.

Stories and sightings of the Sun Dog portray it as a protector of nature, caring for wounded and abandoned animals and helping any that cross its path. It is said to be incredibly docile, even helpful, towards humans, with one witness, Jeremy Hill, 23, describing as such.

"I was taking a walk through the woods. It was a nice day, nothing out of the ordinary. So, I'm walking, and I notice this tree, looked perfect for climbing. I get to the top of the thing, the view was really nice. Then, I heard something, sounded like, I don't know, giggling? Startled me so much that I fell off the branch, broke one of my legs. I screamed put for help for what felt like forever. Then I heard someone, they sounded like he was in his 50s, he told me not to worry, that'd he'd get me back home. That's when I saw him. We were at level with one another, he had a fox, deer, and possum at his side. Now, I've heard other people talk about this guy like he was the second coming, but actually being in his presence, I don't know, it made me feel safe. He had that look in his eyes, you know? I passed out afterwards, but when I woke up I was in town square. I won't forget that day."

The Sun Dog's contributions have not gone unnoticed. For instance, since his arrival, illegal hunting in the Spielzeit area has dropped tremendously, something that Ranger Angelo Floros has taken note of.

"Now, I'm not sure a giant, orange dog is the reason all of these hunters have went away, but regardless, this is great news. And if you want to thank this 'Sun Dog' for it, be my guest."

Many residents do, in fact, thank the Sun Dog, particularly those with some background of religion. They believe in the Sun Dog's existence so much that they have made it the central figure in their annual Summer Solstice festival. Here, there are Sun Dog themed games, food, and even stage performances about its contributions. Something notable is that during the festival, there is a chance that an animal will show up, requesting food, in which they always recieve it, yet they never immediately eat it. It is said that they bring it to the Sun Dog, who watches in the distance on the Licht hillside, where the sun shines brightest.

Is there a protector of nature living in the forests of Spielzeit? Or has Lady Luck just grazed the town with a great ecosystem? Do you believe?

(A major thank you to @abugcalledtoken for writing a greater part of the Sun Dog's lore!)

[lightningarmour]

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

getting older can be so amazing? you get more familiar with yourself. learn tips & tricks for troubleshooting your own brain. trial & error helps you build routines that minimize discomfort, maximize reward. your preferences/interests don't get set in stone, but you do find out which ones are going to stay with you in the long-term, and which ones are fun but transient joys to appreciate in the moment.

you learn that the world is so much more complex than you were taught, and that that's okay, and that there's an endless supply of things you can learn or watch or experience or think about if you want to. if you're lucky, you loosen up, stop putting so much pressure on yourself. if you're lucky, you learn to recognize that negative inner voice, and whack it with a baseball bat until it hushes up. if you're lucky, you learn to treat yourself gently, not because you are fragile but because you are worthy of gentleness. (i hope you are lucky.)

and some things will change. some things will get better. some things will get good. and maybe you start to recover from the dehumanizing stress of childhood/education. maybe you learn the power of your own autonomy. maybe you learn how to walk away from bad situations (which is a superpower even if you don't realize it yet). and you get to choose your own clothes. and your own food. and which relationships to pursue! and what you do with your free time. and with your life (but don't worry you get to choose that gradually). and that's crazy! and sometimes scary. and extraordinarily, indescribably precious.

[without-ado]

Solar Eclipse & friends (x)(x)(x)(x)(x)(x)

[mischievousdog]

Heir of Fenrir

[389]

Sun dog in Canada by CarlosEnrique84

[spiritheyregone]

Sun dog in Saskatoon, Canada, on December 25, 2022.

Source: Wikipedia

[qiekz]

SPARKLEDOG PICNIC!!

[plz reblog]

[milky-shea]

Ankle biters 🐶🐱

And yes, Jack is a Pomeranian

[solarockk]

a cozy day out

designs // first meeting // 13 years old tea // Legacy

shiny duo pokemon au "Pokémon Shiny Jewels Sun&Moonstone" by @wyvernspirit and I

(feat cherrifire and zerahopepetal)

[sunflowergraves]

[cryptids-of-spielzeit]

Sundae

Epilogue: And A Cherry On Top

(A Sun Dog Story)

3 months had passed. The found family had grown ever closer, never leaving each other's side. Wherever the Dog crawled, his crew would follow suit.

Ever since the 4 of them had come together, there had been a noticable change within the forest. The once barren woods were now brimming with life, and while nature would take its course, as it always does, coexistance between all creatures was somewhat of a possibility.

To the wildlife, the Dog was like an angel, sent to save those who had been preyed upon or abandoned. They no longer had to fear the men with guns, for the Dog would always come after them.

The town of Spielzeit had noticed this change, and many locals saw it as a blessing. Throughout those 3 months, many within the town had reported seeing many strange and bizarre creatures, most of whom frightened the town, even being blamed for strings of disappearances, the accusations of which were true.

The townsfolk believed the same would be true for their wildlife. It had been in a decline for some time, mainly due to illegal hunting. Yet, the wildlife thrived, and hunters have since been dwindling. And when they kept spotting a giant, orange dog in the woods, they assumed correctly that it was the reason. They eventually christened it:

The Sun Dog

It was night time. Dogday and the Sundae crew had set up camp. It was a busy day, Dogday had helped Ranger Angelo with an injured bear cub. It had been attacked by a small group of the Fae, bite marks had been covered all around it. It was lucky it survived.

He was the only one awake. He sat by the fire, humming a tune he heard a while back on a radio. It was a calm night, clear skies, crickets chirping. It was as picturesque as you could imagine.

The smell of lavender filled the air.

"Oh, hiya, Catnap! Finally awake from your nap, huh?"

NO. No. This wasn't some "friendly reunion", it couldn't be, as much as that voice wanted it to be. That thing killed his friends, it very nearly killed him. Whatever it wanted, it wouldn't be anything good.

"...I see you managed to escape as well. I applaud you. In all honesty, I hoped you would."

"What do you want? To finish me off properly? To finally catch your prey?"

"Oh, no. Nothing of the sort, heretic. I came to give you a warning."

"Oh, so now you care about my safety? I thought heretics were meant to suffer?"

"That's what I thought. But no just God would prolong the torture of one whose will is as great as yours. You earned your freedom, dog."

"....good to hear....so what are you here for?"

"You know full well that if I am here, so is he. And he doesn't take kindly to anyone who encroaches upon his territory. We have already given all of you what you want. Freedom. And all we ask now is to leave us be."

"...you just want to be left alone?"

"Yes. Leave us alone. Or there will be consequences."

"Understood. But I'd like to make a request, even if it isn't heard."

"Yes?"

"Don't hurt them. Or else."

They stared at each other for what felt like hours, the only sound being the crickets and wolves. And like smoke, the Cat disappeared.

The Dog layed down, staring at the stars, the three animals he called a family right beside him. And even then, the only company he had was himself. And while that night may have grown darker, he knew that a brighter morning was just around the corner.

(Story: Sundae. COMPLETE. Up Next: Purpureo Sub Caelo)

"Hey."

"Hi!"

"...I'm sorry."

[natelia-aldelliz]

Ghost after meeting Soap.

Price : Have you slept?

Ghost : Depends what day it is

Price : Go to bed.

[tojisun]

he said, “i’m not the man that you think i am.”

“that’s alright,” you replied, voice measured despite its quiet rumble. “let me love you, anyway.”

he noticed the way your fingers twitched by your sides—an aborted need to pull him close—and he wondered: where do you find the fortitude to be gentle with him?

did you know how he felt at that moment? did you know what he felt when he cut himself open and was honest with the ugliness that muddles his heart, expecting your rejection, only to be met with your kindness as vast as the seas? did you know what you have done?

you fed a starving dog.

you stuffed him with tenderness until his fangs have dulled. you showed him a collar and asked if it was okay to leash him.

of course. claim me. please. i’m yours.

he stepped up into your space. “i won’t let you go.”

you said, “please. all that i am is yours.”

(you were just as starving.)

[carrotkicks]

blue sky sunny day

[lavaflowe]

“Great Sage Equal to Heaven gets his ass beat by beloved Howling Celestial Dog”