what to expect when your pet is getting spayed or neutered 🐱🐶

 

“YOU’LL still be a guy,” Gabe assured the cocker-terrier mix as he prepared for surgery. “Balls don’t make the man.”

He imagined if his current patient could talk, the response would be: Yeah? Hand me that scalpel, doc, and let’s try that theory out on you.

“Might seem a little barbaric from your standpoint, but believe me, it’s all for the best.”

 

 Wolf Moon

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U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric C. Tretter, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

It can be scary to think about your pet undergoing surgery, but spay and neuter procedures are common and generally low risk. A veterinarian with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine demystifies the process and lays out what to expect.

News VIRGINIA TECH

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"Me? Of course not. I just finished neutering a dachshund. Another day in paradise."

"Oh. What exactly do you—no, never mind, I don't think I want to know. How's my baby?"

 

 

Carolina Moon

"They" don't make it easy 😉

 Here I was reading a Carrie Ann Ryan's novel and what do I read?!:

And Kindle tells me it's a popular emphasis among people that are reading, or read, this book.

The Importance of Storytelling

 

“There were six,” he said, still watching the fire while the children’s whispers silenced and their squirming stilled in anticipation. “And each had the choice to accept or refuse. For even when worlds are held in your hands, you must choose to face what would destroy them, or to turn away. And with this choice,” he continued, “there are many other choices to be made.”

“They were brave and true,” one of the children called out. “They chose to fight!”

The old man smiled a little.

Valley of Silence

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Airman 1st Class Preston Cherry, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The importance of storytelling for preschool children - why it’s not just about keeping them entertained

LINK

Die with a Smile...and...Face the Fire

The first time I listened to this song it took me back to the final big scene of "Face the Fire". What a perfect soundtrack it would make...

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 “I’m working on that, Mia, but this wasn’t your fight. It was ours.”

“I wasn’t sure of that. I wanted to be, but I wasn’t sure, until you stepped out of the circle in front of me. And what you felt for me . . . telling me you love me, paled with the feeling it burst out of you in that one moment. I knew you’d come after me. I knew then, without question, that we had to finish it together.”

Face the Fire

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If the world was ending, I'd wanna be next to you

Long time no see 📖

Today I went to take blood for a check-up. Here I was, seated, thinking which arm they would take the blood from. 

Turn my head slightly to the side and what do I SEE?

A Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb Novel that the Doctor is reading. Ensued a conversation about whom is better - Nora Roberts or J. D. Robb.

It's a tie Ladies and Gentlemen. She thinks it's J. D. Robb and I am a 100% NR fan. I don't care for the last books - too much thriller for me. And she doesn't care for the oldies... gasp gasp gasp 😒 I am not trusting the blood work's results now 😛 (a person who says a thing like that, is capable of anything 😉)

But I was so happy to bring back the #peoplereadingNora!!!

(isn't the cover awesome? ALMOST enough to convince me...)

Whatever you are reading whenever I see you reading Nora Roberts or J. D. Robb we will instantly become Besties. We are the GOOD ones 💕

Pink flame retardants - what do we know about them?

 “Yeah. They’ve got a couple water sources, so she might be on the hose. I know they dropped mud on her earlier.” 

 “Why would they drop mud on Rowan?” 

 His laugh broke out, long, delighted. 

“Sorry. I meant the fire. Mud’s what we call the retardant the tanker drops. 

Believe me, no smoke jumper wants to be under that.”

Chasing Fire

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Glenn Beltz, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Aircraft battling fires raging through the Los Angeles area are dropping more than water: Hundreds of thousands of gallons of hot-pink fire suppressant ahead of the flames in a desperate effort to stop them before they destroy more neighborhoods.

CNN

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 “It’s thick pink goo, and burns if it hits your skin.” 

 “Why pink? It’s kind of girlie.” 

 He grinned as she got out a skillet. 

“They add ferric oxide to make it red, but it looks like pink rain when it’s coming down. 

The color marks the drop area.”

Chasing Fire 

Remodeling ‘Uh-Oh’ Moments

“Is there a problem over there?” Ford asked as he led the way to the kitchen.

“Something about the hot water heater, 

a protracted debate over drawers versus doors on some sort of cabinetry 

and Buddy bitching about O rings. 

Otherwise, it looks to me as if the work over there is going very well.”

Tribute

 

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Photo by Deirdre Doherty Interiors - Search powder room pictures

A benefit of working with a designer is having someone who will ensure every detail in a space is exactly as requested. In other words, when things go wrong, it’s good to have an advocate on your side determined to make things right no matter what. Here, seven designers share an “uh-oh” moment they encountered and how they went above and beyond to solve it and make the homeowner happy.

HOUZZ

Happy Birthday Nora 🎂

 

"Every year on my birthday I give myself a gift. It's very simple, really.

One day to do whatever I choose. 

Whatever feels right to me."

Entranced

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unbekannt, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

How do you feel about celebrating your birthday?

As my birthday rolls around this year, I’ve been thinking about how people feel about their birthday arriving and whether they treat it like a celebration or not.

 

I have friends who feel it’s nothing special and prefer to ignore it, others who acknowledge it but don’t like being made a fuss of, and then others who love an excuse to take the day off work and enjoy being spoilt.

Start With You

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“We’ll have to save room for it and the ice cream,” John said. “After the birthday dinner. We were going to get pizza, but you started those meatballs, so we adjusted.”

Everything went bright, as if the sun burst through the pounding rain. “You’re going to stay.”

“I repeat, it’s your birthday. No way I’m missing out on ice cream and cake. We’ll wait for the others for eats, but I think you should open your gifts now.”

“Really? It’s all right?”

“Obviously, the genius doesn’t comprehend the power of birthday. Here.”

The Witness

World Animal Day 2024

 

He was waiting for her, pacing, watching, calling. At her approach,  the cat rubbed its body against the fencing, then stood, bracing his forepaws against it. And purred.

Six months since he’d seen her—scented her, Lil thought. But he hadn’t forgotten her. “Hello, Baby.”

She reached through to stroke the tawny fur, and he bumped his head affectionately to hers.

“I missed you, too.”

Black Hills

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MathKnight, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

World Animal Day: History, significance, theme, quotes and more

World Animal Day is observed every year on October 4 to highlight the importance of animals and spread awareness for their welfare to maintain ecological balance

Business Standard

________________

Connor slipped through the employees’ gate for the falconry school. 

As always,  he felt a little flutter—a bit like beating wings—in his heart, along his skin. 

It had always been the hawk for him. That connection, like his power, came down through the blood.

Shadow Spell

3 a.m.

 

"My favorite's the three o'clock hour. For most people, that's the hard time. If they don't sleep through it, that's the time the mind wakes up and starts worrying about what they did or didn't do that day, or what they'll do or not do the next. And the next, and right up until life's over."

Night Shield

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Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Now wide awake from a once peaceful slumber, you roll over to check the clock and find it’s 3 a.m. That’s the same time you woke up last night. And the night before.

 

If that sounds familiar, it’s because nocturnal awakenings happen to a lot of people. Waking up several times throughout the night is a natural occurrence often due to sleep architecture, which are the stages of sleep that one cycles through every night.

CNN

Elements of an Inspiring Home Gym

 

“What gym do you use, Legs?”

She opened the bottle. “My own.”

Bed of Roses

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Photo by TNHometour.com - Browse home gym photos

It’s not so much the size of your workout area that matters — whether you have a corner devoted to yoga or an entire home gym. Finding the motivation to use your workout space is often the hardest part. Here are 10 elements to give your workout space (and you) a jolt of inspiration.

HOUZZ

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Two treadmills, an elliptical, a recumbent bike, Bowflex, free weights, a bench press—not to mention the huge flat-screen and the glass-fronted fridge holding bottles of water and juice.Towels, he noted, neatly folded, alcohol wipes, killer view.

“Convenient,” he said, “and efficient.”

Happy Ever After

"Save Your Tears"

 

Raven was made for the stage, for the live audience that pumped the blood and heat into the music.

Once more with Feeling

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______________________

While these two stars and the inspired supporting cast lit up the stage, 

it was the music that drove the production.

Waiting for Nick

"Which book would you take to a desert island?"

 

A while ago, with friends, we were discussing what the title says... so it occurred to me that I had to secure the book (well, books if you want to nit pick 😉) that I would grab on-the-go to the said island...

Now, you might not agree with some of my choices - on today's shelf - but I will let you know that from time to time I change the books... some go back to the day-to-day shelf and others get eligible for that desert island trip and come here...

Just ONE of these books stays forever. I would like for you to guess which one and make yourself the same exercise - "Which Nora's book would you take to a desert island?!" 🏝

Take Care!

" Knowledge isn't just a defense. Knowledge is power."

 

"Anyway, I've got to go online and find out when Chef Boy-Ar-Dee manufactured its first box of pizza mix."

 

She headed off, coffee in hand, to her desktop.

 

"Where do they think up these things?

 

 

 

Key of Knowledge

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Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Bites Of Nourishing Trivia

MSN

Quoting Nora

 

Do You Talk to Your Pet?

The big dog sat on the covered front porch of the two-story cabin. Body alert, eyes bright. When she got out of the car, she signaled release. 

He bounded to her, all hundred and thirty pounds of him wriggling in joy. 

“There’s my good boy. Best dog in the world. So smart. Just so smart.” 

She gave him a brisk rub before retrieving her market bag. 

“You wouldn’t believe the morning I had.” 

She took out her keys as they walked to the house together on the narrow stone path. 

“Minding my own business, buying supplies, and the chief of police comes into the market to interrogate me. What do you think of that?”

The Witness 

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PhotKing ♛ from Cambridge , UK, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Why We Should Talk to Our Dogs More

... and why many would rather confide in dogs than people.

Psychology Today

Secrets to A Good Night's Sleep

 He continued to eat, mildly amused by the annoyance in her voice. "Let me think about it. Why couldn't you sleep?"

"How do I know? The doctor's got some sort of holistic tea he wants me to try."

"Sex is a good is a good sedative."

"Maybe. Especially, for instance, if your partner's on the inadequate side. You can catch a quick nap during the act."

"I can promise you won't sleep through it."

She only smiled, and ate her salad.

ANGELS FALL

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Amin, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

When it comes to a healthy lifestyle, most of us ignore a good night's sleep. Our prime focus is usually healthy food, exercise, and appropriate water intake. Experts say that sleep is the time when our body organizes all of its functions for a healthier you. So, fix your sleep to be healthy.

MSN

Women Over 40 Discovered New Passions and Hobbies

 

She'd taken on the role to prove herself—to her family, to David and even to herself. She'd spent a week assisting with tours, being trained—delicately, she thought now. Staff members treated family members with kid gloves.

It had jarred her to realize just how little she knew about the winery, about the vineyards, about the process and about the public areas and retail venue. It would take more than a week and some subtle education to learn how to handle any of those areas on her own. But by God, she could handle a group at a wine tasting.

And was determined to prove it.

She was going to learn how to handle a great many things, including her own life.

The Villa

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Kristin Hardwick, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

We're not sure about old dogs and new tricks, but for humans of a certain age, the science is clear: Being an absolute beginner is an absolutely great way to stay sharp and strong. Learn from eight women who mastered new skills in their 40s and beyond, and warm up for your next act.

MARTHA STEWART

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Struggling to crochet—her newest hobby—Sylvia sat on the porch with a pitcher of fresh lemonade and butter cookies while Fiona listened to the client repeat the gist of their phone consult.

The Search

Your Dog Knows When You're Stressed

 

“Oh, for God’s sake. What does he want now?”

Her tone had Bert growling low in his throat. “Pillow.” Her code word for stand down had the dog relaxing again but watching her for any distress.

The Witness

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Natalia King from Austin, Texas, United States, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

A recent study found that dogs can determine when humans are stressed by smelling their sweat and breath.

Martha Stewart

________________

She gave him a little shove.

He gave her a little nudge.

And behind him the dog growled low in his throat.

“Stop!” Fiona ordered sharply, and the dog froze. “Newman, friend. Friend. He thought you were hurting me. No, don’t back off. Simon,” she said to the dogs. “We’re playing. Simon’s a friend. Put your arms around me.”

The Search

Start reading Nora 📖

 

Bookbub says:

If You’ve Never Read Nora Roberts Start with One of These 7 Books

If you haven’t read one of Nora’s books before, you might be too overwhelmed by choice to know which one to pick up. So to celebrate her birthday on October 10, we’ve made your life a little easier: Here are seven books that are great entrance points into Nora Roberts’s canon.

BOOKBUB

I will be re-reading, this weekend, my favoutite from all: