A Group of Authors Writing Stories for Your Entertainment
Dogs have a rich and nuanced communication system that goes far beyond barking. Their “language” is a blend of body signals, vocalizations, scent cues, and subtle facial expressions. Here’s a breakdown of how they connect with one another:
Tail position and movement: A high, stiff tail can signal alertness or dominance; a relaxed wag often means friendliness. Interestingly, wagging more to the right suggests positive emotions, while wagging to the left may indicate uncertainty.
Posture: Standing tall with forward weight can be assertive; crouching or rolling over shows submission or playfulness. Hackles (raised fur): Not always aggression, can signal excitement or fear.
Facial Expressions & Eye Contact: Soft eyes and a relaxed mouth indicate calmness and comfort. Tense lips, narrowed eyes, or a snarl: Signals discomfort or threat. Avoiding eye contact: A calming signal to defuse tension. Submissive grin: Some dogs flash their teeth in a goofy, friendly way, not aggression.
Vocalizations
Barking: Can express excitement, alertness, or a warning.
Growling: Often a warning, but can also occur during play.
Whining or whimpering: Signals distress, anxiety, or a desire for attention.
Howling: A form of long-distance communication or emotional expression.
Scent & Pheromones
Dogs sniff each other’s urine, feces, and bodies to gather info about age, sex, health, and emotional state. Scent marking helps establish territory and social hierarchy.
Touch
Playful nudges, pawing, or gentle mouthing can be affectionate or part of social play. Mounting could be sexual, but it can be about dominance or excitement.
“I received a copy of this book before publishing, and I can honestly say that this is by far the best children's story I ever read to my seven-years-old son. He hung onto every word and displayed a wide range of emotions throughout the story such as sadness, fear, excitement, and sheer joy. What I value most is when we finished the book he said to me, "Dad, I wish I had a dog like Peanut." At first, I thought that he's just like any other little boy is wishing for a dog, but then seeing his unusually sad expression, I asked him why he wants a dog like the one in the story. He said, "Because a dog like Peanut could save me from Connor." My heart jumped into my throat because I never noticed any sign that my son was bullied. When I asked him why he didn't tell us before, he said because he thought I would be mad at him not being able to defend himself. This story encouraged him to tell me and we are working on solving his problem together.” ~Brian VanBramer
Erika M Szabo, a prolific and talented author
with a fierce intellect and a penchant for exploring uncharted territories, is
a woman of many skills and passions. She is known for her diverse range of
writings that span historical fantasy, magical realism, cozy mysteries, sweet
romance, and children's literature. Her writing style is both evocative and
visceral, transporting readers into the depths of the characters' emotions with
a few deft strokes of her pen.
Born in a small town nestled among the rolling hills of Hungary, Erika grew up
with a deep love for literature and storytelling. She devoured books from a
young age and soon began creating her own intricate worlds and characters. Her
gift for storytelling is evident to all those who know her, and she is
encouraged to pursue her passion.
As she grew older, Erika's thirst for adventure and new experiences led her to
travel the world. She lived in various countries, soaking up their cultures and
traditions, and incorporating them into her writing. Her travels also allowed
her to meet a diverse array of people, whose stories and perspectives she wove
into her novels.
Despite her literary success and acclaim, Erika remains a humble and
down-to-earth person. She often speaks of her belief in the power of words to
connect and heal, and her writing reflects this deep empathy and understanding
of human experience.
I've always been fascinated by folk art and the meaning of the symbols. These symbols are not just decorative, they carry deep cultural meaning, often tied to nature, spirituality, and identity.
I had a long chat with a friend from nursing school, and she discussed the difficulties she and her husband are experiencing with keeping in touch with their grown children.
After a long and detailed discussion we concluded:
There’s a rising trend in our culture that very few people notice and think about: adult-age children cutting off their parents.
I’m not talking about abuse situations or dangerous relationships.
I’m talking about loving, flawed parents who raised their children, gave sacrificially, and are now being completely shut out with no warning, no conversation, and no willingness to reconcile.
I looked into this, and according to research, the vast majority of estrangements between parents and adult children are initiated by the child, not the parent.
Often, the parent doesn’t even fully know why. One day, the phone calls stop. The texts go unanswered. The holidays are silent. And when you finally hear something, it’s often a list of offenses you didn’t even know existed.
Why is this happening?
Because our culture now teaches that anyone who doesn’t “support how you feel” is toxic. Therapy-speak has replaced honor. Social site influencers and pop psychology encourage cutting people off as an act of self-love.
Many adult-aged children are now rewriting their childhoods, relabeling boundaries as trauma, and tossing aside their parents like disposable relationships.
This is rebellion. It’s spiritual deception. It’s pride disguised as empowerment.
If you’re a parent and going through this, you’re not alone.
You’re not crazy. And you’re not a failure as a parent. The goal is to target families, and this is one of his most effective tools right now: deception and division.
You, as parents, still have something to give. Love, advice, presence. Not perfection but something real. And now it just sits there, wasted. Not because you've failed, but because your children are eager to take advice from popular trends and have decided you are no longer worth the effort.
A love potion made with haste out of jealousy puts Dorian into a comalike state. A rare orchid that blooms only once a year could save his life, but Liam and his werewolf pack fiercely guard the precious flowers. The acolytes of the coven are forbidden to enter the forest, and the young apprentices volunteer to make the journey that will test their loyalty and courage. Will they succeed?
Read more:
Teasing children about their size, weight, height, or body shape, can have deep and lasting psychological effects. What might seem like a passing comment to an adult can become a defining wound for a child.
Lowered self-esteem:
Children often internalize teasing, leading them to feel abnormal, ashamed, or unworthy—even if there's no objective reason to feel that way.
Distorted self-image:
Remarks like “looks like someone’s getting a belly” or “are you sure you want to eat that?” can warp a child’s perception of their body, regardless of their actual health.
Increased risk of anxiety and depression:
Repeated teasing—especially from family members—can heighten emotional distress and contribute to long-term mental health issues.
Avoidance behaviors:
Kids may withdraw from physical activities, social situations, or even school to escape environments where they feel vulnerable.
Bullying others:
Some children cope by redirecting their pain, becoming bullies themselves to feel a sense of control.
Disordered eating:
Shame around food and body image can lead to unhealthy relationships with eating, either restriction or bingeing.
Family Teasing:
Especially Harmful. Comments from parents or relatives—even if well-intentioned—can be more damaging than peer teasing. Children often view family as their emotional compass, so teasing from loved ones can feel like a betrayal.
Affirmation and support:
Reinforcing that every body is worthy and teasing is never okay.
Open dialogue:
Encouraging kids to talk about their feelings and experiences.
Modeling healthy behavior:
Adults should avoid moralizing food or body types and instead promote kindness and self-acceptance.
https://books2read.com/u/mdzw2d
Lucky, the sweet-natured little monkey, was teased and bullied by the animals who didn't take time to get to know her. They said she was a dumpy, chunky, silly, scaredy, grumpy, clumsy monkey. Lucky was sad, but when her friend told her that instead of feeling miserable, she should listen to others who knew her and said she was a kind, lovely, cuddly, bubbly, spunky monkey.
