Posts by Brenda Cooper3

mistyseal11, let’s dial back the intensity for a second and actually run the numbers. What are the odds someone actually tracks this idiot down and makes an example out of him...
it’s all in his 😉

Look, casualharbor9, it’s like when you act without giving much thought to the consequences. I think we’ve all been in a situation like that at some point. We usually just call those mistakes.
But these creeps who target animals clearly have a lower IQ, which correlates with a diminished capacity for reasoning or considering the outcome before they act.
Whatever passes through their minds in that moment probably stems from some twisted part of the brain dedicated to "entertainment," or whatever you want to call it. They simply don't think long enough to realize that this particular brand of fun is fundamentally wrong.
Because they aren't factoring in a few key things:
1. Animals feel pain too.
2. Animals are innocent, helpless creatures, and you never touch them because it is—how should I put this?—an unwritten rule.

In that specific moment, they simply don't account for any of that. 😠
Perhaps they were raised in environments where animals are viewed merely as objects—typically rural areas.
In the countryside, it’s considered perfectly normal to kill a rat, or to shoot a dog or cat if they're even slightly injured instead of taking them to a vet. Birds are either food or target practice.
I’d say animals suffer quite a bit in rural settings, especially when dealing with certain human morons—and trust me, they exist. ☕
I’m not saying the idiots from the city are any better—those guys who spend 24/7 playing shooters on a PlayStation or a PC, craving the thrill of killing "for real" 🙄 only to find an animal and lash out at it. In more extreme cases of gaming addiction, they grab an AR-15 and open fire on their classmates at a university (we’ve all heard the news stories about those types).

Sarah Wood8 said:For instance, one summer down in Key West there was a huge colony of cats, and we used to feed one of them almost every single day... a big black one. By the following summer, there were hardly any cats left in Key West, and we found that black one dead and already smelling bad in our backyard before autumn even hit, so I assume someone poisoned them. Still, I guess that's somehow more humane than letting the population explode or having people go out and hunt them.
Of course, it isn't exactly "humane," but I get why people lose their minds when there are hundreds of cats around, especially with how many stray dogs you see in small towns.

Every cat has its own distinct personality... they aren't mindless followers like dogs, and you can't train them like idiots to perform whatever stupid trick you want. They are incredibly cunning, wild, and independent, but you can still have a great time with them depending on the specific cat. Personally, as I've gotten older, I've developed a bit of an aversion to all animals and I don't like touching them—not cats, not dogs—but if a cat ever shows up at my door, I'll always give them something to eat if I have some.

I agree regarding cats. Honestly, I find them slightly more endearing than dogs.
But what I love about dogs is that you can go running through a field acting like a complete idiot... and if you tease a dog, it won't snap at you the way a cat will. For instance, when I had my cat, I used to lightly tug on her tail a few times when she wasn't looking... I could see her getting agitated; the tail would start twitching nervously, then she'd meow, stand up, and by the time I tried to pet her again, she was so worked up she was ready to scratch.

Whereas a dog... haha 🤣 thinks it's a game when you grab their tail. Dogs actually enjoy playing. Cats really don't.

Then again, I don't care much for messing around with animals anymore either. Now, I just admire them from a safe distance.
My aunt has this theory that if a person doesn't know how to handle an animal, or simply isn't interested, they shouldn't be touching them at all. And she's right.

Anyway, I'm all for spaying and neutering cats, even if plenty of people disagree. What happens afterward? They just end up overwhelming people with kittens. It's a mess. 👎

placidwolf27 said:

The metropolitan landscape... it’s a sprawling, relentless machine that never seems to catch its breath—much like the endless cycle of bureaucracy we find ourselves trapped in daily. You look at the sheer scale of an American megalopolis, from the neon hum of Times Square to the concrete arteries of Chicago, and you realize how much of our lives is dictated by these massive, impersonal structures. Everything feels interconnected yet strangely isolating—a paradox of being surrounded by millions while feeling entirely alone in the crowd... It makes one wonder if we’ve traded genuine community for nothing more than high-density efficiency. We build these towering monuments to progress, only to realize they’re just more complicated ways to feel small... kaže:
It’s the state’s failure—the sheer incompetence of our legal system—that is truly to blame here. When the Animal Welfare Act doesn't impose meaningful, teeth-gritting penalties for these kinds of psychopaths, you end up with exactly this... a predator who knows he can walk away without a scratch. He isn't being restrained by morality; he's being emboldened by the fact that the consequences simply don't exist. Honestly, if he knew there was actual accountability, he might hesitate... but I have a sinking feeling he’d pull the same twisted stunts on a child if he knew he could get away with it too.

Well, even if they only pull it off once in a blue moon—if not then the other one does...
It’s not even about psychopathy—honestly... people have emotions, they feel things, they're just human beings like anyone else...

The urban sprawl—this endless, gray expansion of concrete and glass—is truly something to behold... if you have a certain appetite for monotony. We call it "metropolitan," a word that sounds much more sophisticated than the reality of living in a crowded, buzzing hive where everyone is constantly rushing toward a destination they probably don't even want to reach. It’s all about density, isn't it? The sheer concentration of people, infrastructure, and noise... it creates this unique, pressurized atmosphere that defines the modern American experience. You see it in every major hub from New York to Chicago—the way the skyline dictates the rhythm of life, forcing us into these tight, organized patterns of existence. There is a certain cold efficiency to it—an impersonal, sweeping scale that makes the individual feel almost negligible... though I suppose that’s exactly how the architects intended it. kaže:
Once the government actually follows through on implementing multi-year prison sentences or those astronomical fines—and I mean real, heavy-hitting penalties—this kind of maniac won't even dream of laying a finger on an animal... let alone anything more serious...

And what exactly happens to Gavrilović then...?

It’s certainly a more entertaining thought—the idea of tormenting a human being, someone for whom you can actually establish specific criteria and complex value systems... rather than some poor, wretched cat that hasn't done a single thing to deserve it.

You forgot about the battery... and those ear piercings...

Yeah, most likely... exactly right.

Have you ever actually sat and watched a cat play with a mouse... truly watched it? It’s a peculiar thing to witness—that strange, rhythmic oscillation between predatory instinct and a sort of detached, almost cruel curiosity...
I suppose I should consider it while the mouse is still breathing...

Look, animals act out of necessity. Often, a mother cat will demonstrate hunting techniques to her kittens just so they learn how to survive. It's completely natural. Essentially, everything an animal does is inherently justifiable. They are perfect in their own right. That’s why it’s even more horrifying to see people target them.
It's like those cases where kids throw rocks at pigeons or clip their wings... It's DISGUSTING.

mistyseal11, everyone here is just venting. I doubt anyone would actually step up and work for those types of people. Still, some sort of sanctions should definitely be implemented.

When I was little, I was so incredibly foolish—I actually tried to catch a performer and endedstood there soaking his feet in water just to wash off the mud because his dirty feet were bothering me...
I ended up getting swatted with a switch when they caught me, and after that, it never even crossed my mind to "play" with animals like that again.

Austin Alvarez62 - I had no idea. Growing up, I was always told the hierarchy goes: monkeys first, horses second, dogs third, pigs fourth, then maybe cats... while chickens and turkeys are basically at the very bottom of the list.
People don't really mention rats out in the country either; they're viewed strictly as pests, meant to be dealt with harshly. It’s sad, but true. Well, maybe not "sad" exactly... in a way, yes... but not overwhelmingly so. If you know what I mean.
Dolphins aren't really brought up much either, since we don't typically have much contact with them out here. 😬

Sarah Wood8 said:Some people really can only be helped by a heavy dose of karma. I have never once understood how anyone could find pleasure in torturing another living thing, whether it's a person, an animal, or even just a bug.

Personally, I've always been a huge cat person. I wanted one so bad when I was a kid, but my parents wouldn't budge. I used to play with cats at my grandpa's place, especially this one little male cat that was incredibly sweet; we kids would wrestle with him all the time, and he was so gentle, you could just see in his eyes that he’d never scratch you no matter how much you annoyed him.
But then there was this one time, right after I fed her, she curled up and while I was petting her, she suddenly swiped at me across the arm. I must have been about ten... and man, I lost my cool instantly and almost kicked her (thankfully I didn't) 😁 ... she was a female, so of course she scratched me... just like any other woman!

Usually, it’s the male cats that go after my hands... I can't even get near them. 😕 wtf
Cats just don't seem to take a liking to me in general.
There’s this one neighbor's cat—a massive, chubby gray beast... sometimes it squeezes through the fence to visit us. I’ll be sitting there calling out "psst psst psst," and the thing just plays games; it'll approach, then bolt away, then creep back closer, then wander off again. I couldn't even tell if it was a boy or a girl...
Honestly, what can I say? I'm just not their type. If I actually had a piece of deli meat in my hand, it would come flying at me like crazy... but otherwise, nothing.
They are cunning creatures. I actually have a theory that cats are smarter than dogs. 🤷

I heard a story back in my hometown about two guys—who actually went to elementary school with me—about how they caught a cat, tied it up like you’d tie a rabbit before slaughtering it against a tree, and then just beat it until its eyes literally fell out.
🤮
Even now, seeing those two walking around town makes my stomach turn.
People talk to them like they're perfectly normal, and honestly, I don't even know if they realize the weight of what they did. But knowing how twisted those two are, I wouldn't be surprised if they actually bragged about it to anyone who would listen.
Those guys are absolutely repulsive. 🤮

not a monster, but rather... 😱

Karen Smith9 said:It’s a pretty silly movie—one of those attempts to explain certain Christian concepts to Americans through a comedic lens. Honestly, it feels like such a waste of talent, especially considering how many much better films this same crew has produced in the past...

Honestly... I was cringing at how incredibly infantile their "explanation" of Christianity was..

Good grief... what an incredibly stupid movie.
It’s such a shame to see Alanis Morissette playing some half-witted Christmas role; I honestly thought she was at a much higher level than appearing in a ridiculous film that—unfortunately—isn't even funny, except for when Jay and Bob are running the show. 🙄

It showed a faint pink second T line 🙂
If only there were some chance it was just a false positive, but the kit says they're 99% accurate 👎
I am actually dying right now... 🙂

Nicole Miller71 said:@Brenda Cooper3/">@@Brenda Cooper3: I see you're "happy" about the possibility of an inflammation, and I get it if the alternative is an unplanned pregnancy. BUT don't mess around with an infection either. Go see a gynecologist. I know it's a drag, but I don't have any issues, so I just head in for my regular checkups.

I'll go, once I've taken a test 😁.

Now I'm curious about something else:

If I had actually conceived just last month, and now I'm already six days late, is there any way I could feel my cervix or uterus with my finger and tell if it feels thicker than usual?
I can usually check my cervix without an issue—it even feels a bit lower 😕 lately—but if I am pregnant (God forbid 🙄), is there any way to detect those changes myself?

It really makes me wonder.
And what are the odds that a 20-year-old with regular cycles, a healthy weight, and no major stress would just skip a period entirely? That usually only happens with more serious medical conditions (which I don't think I have), right?

I don't think there's an active thread for this movie yet, so hopefully this works.
Here is the IMDb link to get us started:

Picture perfect 😁


If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor—it's fantastic.
The story kicks off with a brief intro... I won't spoil anything because I don't want to ruin the experience if you haven't watched it.

It reminds me a bit of The Lord of the Rings. I can't quite put my finger on why, but I suspect the screenwriter had those vibes burned into their subconscious during the writing process. Regardless, it doesn't take away from the quality of this beautiful animation at all.

It’s unique, engaging, carries a real message, and is deeply moving... those are exactly the kinds of films I love. I actually teared up a couple of times; those little creatures were just adorable. And that ending? Absolutely stunning. 😍😍
Definitely worth your time. 👍

Fingers crossed for you 👍 😁

@ Queen
Yeah, I’m feeling the same way—it comes and goes, just little stabs here and there... though it hasn't actually flared up in about two weeks.
Does a bladder issue really affect the ovaries or uterus enough to disrupt a regular cycle? It feels like they shouldn't have anything to do with one another since they're separate organs, right?

@stormymaker24/">@@stormymaker24
Honestly, I'm almost relieved (not that I actually want this...) if it turns out to be an infection. I should be able to sleep okay for now, but I'm taking a test this Wednesday. Fingers crossed, or whatever the equivalent is.

Thanks, stormymaker24 and Queen👍

stormymaker24 said:Based on what you’ve described, it smells like an infection to me. Maybe bladder or ovaries, but definitely an inflammation. Or perhaps you're just run down or caught a chill.
Honestly, if I had to bet, I'd put my money on an infection rather than pregnancy.

Thanks—at this point, I’m actually hoping it’s just an infection. Infections can be treated; they aren't exactly a "threat." About a year ago, I dealt with intense kidney pain, ended up in the ER, and the doctor prescribed some meds. I drank plenty of cranberry juice after that, and since then, my bladder has been fine, aside from needing to go more often or not being able to hold it as long as I used to.
As for being chilled, I'm not quite sure what you mean. I tend to walk around barefoot on tile floors, and I know I have a tendency to get a bit frostbitten sometimes... but it’s not a major issue. I've only had one cold this entire winter, even though I usually catch them constantly. If anything, my immune system seems better. But beyond that... I truly have no clue what could be keeping my period from coming. I really don't know. 🤷 👎
By the way, who wrote that "we won't talk like this" comment? Was that you? 😕

Oh, right—if there are any experts here, is it possible for something like the cervix to tighten up and obstruct the flow of a period? Is that even a thing? 😢

rowdyhawk27 said:@Brenda Cooper3/">@@Brenda Cooper3
actually, my timing is usually spot on.
back in January, I was 10 days late this year and I was absolutely terrified I might be pregnant... the symptoms were identical to yours... constant bathroom trips, discharge, brutal PMS, bloating—I felt like my period was coming any second. I took a pregnancy test, and it was negative. Once I saw that, I finally bled.
Now, this month, I'm 10 days late again. During those ten days, I dealt with that awful pain you get right before your period hits... it's miserable.

As soon as my period starts, I'm heading to the OBGYN to get my hormones checked and schedule an ultrasound (I had a Pap smear and a routine exam last month and everything seemed fine), just to make sure my ovaries and hormone levels are actually okay.

I sometimes get pain in my right ovary—or at least, I think it's the ovary, though it could be my kidney. 🤷It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the sensation is coming from. But generally, I get this dull ache down there. I'm aware it could be a cyst, a bacterial infection, inflammation, or even what I've read about an ovary "sticking" to the uterus... and all that other nonsense. Honestly, the idea of going to the gynecologist makes me nauseous. If I get my period, I'll hopefully go, because if I am pregnant, I won't have much of a choice anyway.
I'm not sure if that's why my cycle is off, since that specific side has been acting up randomly for two or three years now. It comes and goes.

Anyway, your response actually helped calm me down a bit, rowdyhawk27.👍 It's incredible how our own bodies can play such games with us...

Brenda Ramos2 said:It’s been two months for me. It was summer, and I knew pregnancy wasn't an option, so I just lived day by day until the two months passed. Then my period finally arrived, and everything has been back to a regular cycle since.

Did you end up seeing your gynecologist to figure out why your period was running so late? 😕

fadedsailor17 said:My partner’s cycle was late by three or four weeks last summer, and then again by two or three weeks back in November or December. At that point, I wasn't too worried because we were being careful—basically just relying on withdrawal. But now she’s two weeks late again, and I was without protection for about twenty seconds, so there’s a slight chance. I'm really hoping it’s just some kind of hormonal imbalance rather than anything else, especially since she's under an enormous amount of stress right now.

That kind of thing usually happens with women who have irregular cycles, but mine is almost always on schedule. I had one instance where it was late by ten days, and a few months back, it arrived three days early. So, the question is: does your girlfriend typically have regular or irregular cycles?

stormymaker24 said:This thread is 36 pages long. Over those 36 pages, people have already explained 256 different reasons why a period might be late (not to mention how many times they've asked "am I pregnant?" due to stress, cycle changes, etc.). Based on what you wrote, we can't actually figure out what's bothering you.
If you're worried about being pregnant, just head to a CVS and spend $10 on a pregnancy test.
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Do I have time to read all 36 pages of this thread? No. Besides, by your logic, this whole thing should have been shut down after the first five pages. It serves no purpose if you think people shouldn't ask questions here, or if we're expected to just scroll back to page one and comment on the same old posts. This isn't a philosophy seminar. And $10 I’ll spend the money when I'm ready, but there's no harm in doing a little more research—preferably somewhere where people aren't as high-strung as you are. ☕

fadedsailor17 said:What's the longest your period has ever been late?

So far in my life, ten days at most.
The reason I'm worried this time—even though I asked something similar in another thread—is because I'm seeing some "signs": I'm urinating constantly, I feel like my period is coming but it won't arrive, I have thick white discharge, and my stomach feels a bit "bloated." To be honest, I've felt this way before right before my period started, too. But this time it's just not happening, and I'm starting to panic. 👎

I don't know if swollen lymph nodes under my armpits could be a sign, but that's happened to me before; I think it's just a reaction to deodorants. I've also had headaches and backaches, but I can't really link those to pregnancy since I've dealt with them before. What is unusual, though, is that my last two or three periods were short (only 2-3 days when they are usually at least 4), ending with some brownish discharge that was almost watery. My skin texture hasn't changed at all.

I've been in a state of shock since I looked in the mirror today and noticed my "belly." I can't stop thinking that I might be pregnant. I won't take a test until the day after tomorrow when I go see my boyfriend, because I don't want to find out I'm pregnant all by myself and then just spiral from fear. I feel terrible. 👎

Hello? Anyone there? Is anybody listening?
What are all the possible reasons why someone might miss their period??
Right now, I'm just seeing what people call "leukorrhea"—basically just clear discharge.
Do women experience this kind of discharge during early pregnancy? Can anyone with actual experience weigh in here? Please.🙂

redpilot17 said:I have the following issue: my period has never been late before, but I haven't had it at all this month.
I get these cramps occasionally that last for a few minutes—the typical ones you feel right before it starts—but nothing happens.
I haven't even had sex.

Same here. I'm already five days late, and I'm getting those usual symptoms every now and then, but nothing. (I actually posted about this on the 17th thinking it was late, but then I realized my cycle was only 28 days last month)😬

niinaa, please at least give us an update. Are you pregnant, did it finally arrive, or is it something else entirely? Please.