Ok this might not be the chapter you've been waiting for, but I thought it would help explain some of the things in the previous chapters.
Behavior & Communication…
(Just a little explanation)
Submissive: On average, a calm and relaxed Thanagarian or Foxhund hardly shows any aggression towards whoever they're around. With Foxhunds, being dogs their tails usually are closer to their body, both of them also might be a bit friendlier towards others.
Fearful: Usually when frighten or startled, a Foxhund or Thanagarian probably might try to get away from whatever has frightened it. Both mostly likely have scared expressions on their faces. A Foxhund may show fear by whining, his or her tail might also be tucked between the legs.
Growling: Mostly used as a warning signal by both, females sometimes let out a low warning growl if anyone tries to mess with them or someone else. If a deeper or louder growl is used then most likely that particular male or female is angry.
Licking: Mostly used to show affection. (Or in Dara's case, to show he or she is friendly).
Calling: Mainly used by Thanagarians, calls such as a "cawing" like noise are used when ever a male or female may need help. Other calls most likely mean a particular male or female is sad or wants to be noticed. Foxhunds, which are a mixture of both Foxes and Maned wolves usually howl, bark, etc when they want to express themselves.
Yelping: Mostly used when a male or female is in pain or is startled by something. Sometimes a small yelp or growl is used when whenever that particular male or female is playful.
Whimpering: Usually an indication of being nervous. (Or in a newborn's case to get their parent's attention.) In short, newborn Thanagarians whimper although they do "cry" sometimes.
Purring: Mostly used when relaxed or a way of saying: "I like you"
Breeding season…
The start: Breeding season usually begins around early winter, mostly the result is young being born in the spring or summer. Although females can breed anytime of the year.
Courtship: Once a male or female has picked out a potential mate, they mostly spend the next few weeks or so getting to know him or her.
Afterwards: At this point, the male or female may ether stay with their potential mate or move on to find another. On average the two stay together. Once the female has gone into heat, it's mostly obvious by the by the scent that's given off. Soon after… (Well you can guess the rest).
Weeks later: Weeks after mating, the female seems to be acting odd. She appears to have morning sickness, mood swings and fatigue. This is usually an indication she's pregnant.
Pregnancy…
1st month: The fetus is nothing but an embryo and is developing, although it still has another 8 months to go before it can live outside the womb.
2nd month: By now the embryo has grown somewhat larger than its original size. Around this time the mother has made changes in her diet and less active than she normally is. In short, she mostly spends her time resting.
3rd month: At this point the embryo has developed quite a bit, its mother is alerted by its movements, she's also beginning to show.
4th month: It's been several weeks since the fetus started developing, by now its half way through, its mother is a bit more protective now and growls at anyone who bothers her when she tries to sleep.
5th month: The gender of the fetus can now be checked (via ultrasound). At this point its parents find out weather it's a male or female.
6th month: Only another 3 months of developing left, by now its pretty obvious that the female is pregnant. In short, she's showing a bit more than she was at 3 months.
7th month: The fetus has only a few more weeks of growing to do, around this time the mother has calmed down quite a bit.
8th month: Now almost fully developed, but still can't survive outside the womb just yet. By now he or she has imprinted the sound of its parent's voices.
9th month: Fully developed and able to survive outside the womb, it's only a matter of days when the female finally gives birth.
Birth…
Rest: Days before the due date, the female sleeps for long periods of time.
Panting: Takes place right before and during the actual birth, usually a female relative or someone is nearby incase help is needed, the female also appears to be restless.
Afterwards: Around this time the female gives birth, her mate is ether beside her or watches from a safe distance. The hired help (usually a female relative, friend, doctor etc.) gently rips open the birth sac and allows the newborn to take its first breath.
Bonding: Once cleaned off, checked etc…the newborn is now back with its mother. Around this time the two begin bonding with each other, the newborn Thanagarian begins to imprint its parent's scent and voices.
Parenthood…
Starting off: The female does most of the work that comes with parenthood, although the male does to help out whenever he can.
(Ok brace yourself for this next part, if it freaks you out…turn back now! Only kidding!)
Nursing: After the first day, the newborn now knows its mother is the one that feeds him or her. The mother is usually relaxed during this time but keeps an eye out for anyone who might be watching.
Siblings & other relatives: After some time, the newborn Thanagarian is introduced to its older siblings (if he or she has any). Weeks later he or she meets other relatives.
Sleeping: The newborn male or female, spends a good amount of time sleeping. Sometimes he or she is curled up next to its mother.
Learning: The newborn male or female mostly learns about certain things by watching. Although sometimes curiosity can get the better of him or her.
Growing up…
Newborn: For next few years, the newborn relies on his or her parents for protection, food and just about everything else. Although they learn a few things while growing up.
Young blood: Usually ranges from 2 to 20 years old, by now the young female or male can talk, walk and do several things on its own. But it still depends on its parents for the most part.
Partly grown: Basically the teen stage, the male or female can look after itself, but he or she isn't quite ready to be on its own.
Adult: Around 21, the partly grown Thanagarian is now considered an adult. Around this time he or she most likely chooses to leave his or her parent's home. Although they keep in touch with each other, the young male or female is usually with others from his or her age group. After sometime around breeding season he or she starts looking for a mate. (Although it can be hard if one of the parents is overprotective, LOL).
Other…
The shy and quiet type: Some males and females like Rikki for example are shy and quiet, mostly they're seen and not heard. Sometimes they're by themselves but once they've gotten to know someone, they're a bit easier to deal with.
Friendly: Like Bentley, Dara and Bookman for example some males and females can be kind and caring, but will take on being leader if they need to.
Dominant: Usually the "leader of the pack" so to speak the dominant male or female gets a good amount of respect from others. Although they can ether be kind or… (Well you get the idea). In short, some of them show little or no respect towards anyone else.
Fraidy cat: The title says it all, usually a male or female who is afraid of certain things. But after some time he or she manages to get over the thing that is frightening him or her.
Foxhunds…
Basically a mixture of domestic foxes and maned wolves. "Hund" is the word "Dog" in German. The dogs are mostly trained for different tasks such as:
Herding livestock
Pulling sleds (in regions where it snows).
Search and rescue
But mostly their kept as house pets. The Foxhunds also has a variety of fur colors as well as markings which are:
Two-tone
Tri-color
Tick-marked (They look sorta like freckles)
Solid colored (usually one color)
Spotted
They also have various eye colors, in some cases they might be bi-colored (usually eyes that have different colors). Then there are some that have one eye but with two different colors (called "parti-eyed") Some Thanagarians also have bi or parti-colored eyes.
Miscellaneous: When not on the job or with their owners, Foxhunds mostly spend time with their own kind or in some cases, other animals. Although they manage to co-exist with each other, but they CAN'T crossbreed since foxes, wolves and other dogs CANNOT breed together.
MORE TO COME….
Just a short page I wrote, I thought it'd help explain whatever is in the other chapters what might be in future chapters. Sorry if it might seem kinda boring but I thought this chapter would be of some help to anyone who reads this story. I based some this on nature shows I've watched and certain things in some dog books I've read. Chapter 12 will be up in a week or two. Until then…
Please read and review!