:root {
    --primary-blue: #247ec2;
    --primary-hover: #1b67a1;
    --navy-dark: #153450;
    --text-muted: #5a7285;
    --text-light-muted: #7f95a6;
    --bg-ice-blue: #f4f9fd;
    --bg-card-blue: #eef7fc;
    --bg-pill-blue: #e0f0fa;
    --footer-bg: #1c5b8c;
    --border-color: #e5edf5;
    --card-radius: 16px;
    --transition-standard: all 0.25s ease-in-out;
}

body {
    font-family: 'Plus Jakarta Sans', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif;
    color: var(--navy-dark);
    background-color: #ffffff;
    -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
    -moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale;
    overflow-x: hidden;
}

/* ==================================================
   READING PROGRESS BAR
================================================== */
.article-progress-bar {
    position: fixed;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    height: 4px;
    background: linear-gradient(90deg, #247ec2, #48cae4);
    width: 0%;
    z-index: 1040;
    transition: width 0.1s ease-out;
}

/* ==================================================
   HEADER & NAVBAR
================================================== */
.site-header {
    background-color: #ffffff;
    z-index: 1030;
    box-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(21, 52, 80, 0.03);
}

.brand-logo-container {
    width: 44px;
    height: 44px;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    flex-shrink: 0;
}

.brand-logo-img {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: contain;
}

.footer-logo-container {
    width: 46px;
    height: 46px;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    flex-shrink: 0;
}

.footer-logo-img {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: contain;
}

.brand-name {
    font-size: 1.35rem;
    font-weight: 800;
    color: var(--navy-dark);
    letter-spacing: -0.3px;
    line-height: 1.1;
}

.brand-tagline {
    font-size: 0.72rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    letter-spacing: 0.2px;
}

.tagline-dot {
    font-size: 0.65rem;
    vertical-align: middle;
    margin: 0 2px;
}

.nav-links-group {
    gap: 0.75rem;
}

.custom-nav-link {
    font-size: 0.9rem;
    font-weight: 500;
    color: #435b70 !important;
    padding: 0.5rem 0.6rem !important;
    position: relative;
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
}

.custom-nav-link:hover {
    color: var(--primary-blue) !important;
}

.custom-nav-link.active {
    color: var(--navy-dark) !important;
    font-weight: 700;
}

.custom-nav-link.active::after {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    bottom: -2px;
    left: 0.6rem;
    right: 0.6rem;
    height: 2px;
    background-color: var(--primary-blue);
    border-radius: 2px;
}

.nav-search-wrapper {
    width: 210px;
}

.nav-search-input {
    border-radius: 50px;
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    border: 1px solid #d9e5ee;
    padding: 0.45rem 2.2rem 0.45rem 1rem;
    background-color: #fbfdff;
    color: var(--navy-dark);
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
}

.nav-search-input:focus {
    background-color: #ffffff;
    border-color: var(--primary-blue);
    box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(36, 126, 194, 0.12);
}

.nav-search-btn {
    padding: 0.45rem 0.8rem;
    color: #7d93a5;
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
}

.nav-search-btn:hover {
    color: var(--primary-blue);
}

.search-icon {
    font-size: 0.85rem;
}

/* ==================================================
   BUTTONS & GENERAL COMPONENTS
================================================== */
.btn-primary.hero-btn {
    background-color: var(--primary-blue);
    border-color: var(--primary-blue);
    border-radius: 50px;
    font-size: 0.92rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    padding: 0.65rem 1.6rem;
    box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(36, 126, 194, 0.25);
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
}

.btn-primary.hero-btn:hover {
    background-color: var(--primary-hover);
    border-color: var(--primary-hover);
    transform: translateY(-2px);
    box-shadow: 0 6px 18px rgba(36, 126, 194, 0.35);
}

.btn-outline-custom {
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    background-color: #ffffff;
    border: 1.5px solid var(--primary-blue);
    border-radius: 50px;
    font-size: 0.88rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    padding: 0.5rem 1.35rem;
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
}

.btn-outline-custom:hover {
    background-color: var(--primary-blue);
    color: #ffffff;
    border-color: var(--primary-blue);
    transform: translateY(-2px);
}

.section-tagline {
    font-size: 0.8rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    letter-spacing: 0.8px;
}

.section-heading {
    font-size: 2.1rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--navy-dark);
    letter-spacing: -0.5px;
}

.section-subtext {
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    color: var(--text-muted);
}

.bg-ice-blue {
    background-color: var(--bg-ice-blue);
}

.text-navy {
    color: var(--navy-dark);
}

.text-primary-blue {
    color: var(--primary-blue);
}

/* ==================================================
   HERO SECTION
================================================== */
.hero-section {
    background: linear-gradient(180deg, #dcf0fd 0%, #edf7fe 100%);
    padding-top: 2rem;
    padding-bottom: 2rem;
}

.hero-badge {
    display: inline-block;
    background-color: #cce9fa;
    color: #175480;
    font-size: 0.8rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    padding: 0.35rem 0.95rem;
    border-radius: 50px;
}

.hero-heading {
    font-size: 3.1rem;
    font-weight: 800;
    color: var(--navy-dark);
    line-height: 1.15;
    letter-spacing: -0.8px;
}

.hero-description {
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    line-height: 1.65;
    color: var(--text-muted);
    max-width: 380px;
}

.hero-cat-col {
    z-index: 1;
}

.hero-doodle-text {
    top: 5px;
    right: 25px;
    font-family: 'Patrick Hand', 'Caveat', cursive;
    font-size: 1.25rem;
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    line-height: 1.1;
    transform: rotate(5deg);
    text-align: center;
    z-index: 2;
}

.hero-doodle-text .heart-symbol {
    display: block;
    font-size: 1.1rem;
    margin-top: -2px;
}

.hero-cat-image-wrapper {
    position: relative;
    max-width: 340px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    border-radius: 50% 50% 40% 40%;
    overflow: hidden;
    box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(36, 126, 194, 0.12);
}

.hero-cat-img {
    width: 100%;
    height: auto;
    display: block;
    transform: scale(1.04);
}

.feature-pill-card {
    background: #ffffff;
    border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);
    border-radius: 14px;
    padding: 0.85rem 1.1rem;
    box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(21, 52, 80, 0.05);
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
}

.feature-pill-card:hover {
    transform: translateX(4px);
    box-shadow: 0 6px 20px rgba(21, 52, 80, 0.08);
}

.feature-icon-box {
    width: 46px;
    height: 46px;
    background-color: var(--bg-pill-blue);
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    border-radius: 50%;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    font-size: 1.15rem;
    flex-shrink: 0;
    overflow: hidden;
    border: 2px solid #ffffff;
    box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(36, 126, 194, 0.12);
}

.feature-img-icon {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: cover;
    border-radius: 50%;
    transition: transform 0.3s ease;
}

.feature-pill-card:hover .feature-img-icon {
    transform: scale(1.12);
}

.feature-title {
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--navy-dark);
    margin: 0;
}

.feature-desc {
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    color: var(--text-muted);
    line-height: 1.35;
    margin: 0;
}

/* ==================================================
   BROWSE BY CATEGORY SECTION
================================================== */
.category-section {
    background-color: #ffffff;
}

.category-card {
    background-color: #ffffff;
    border: 1px solid #e1effa;
    border-radius: var(--card-radius);
    overflow: hidden;
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
    box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(21, 52, 80, 0.04);
}

.category-card:hover {
    transform: translateY(-6px);
    box-shadow: 0 12px 28px rgba(36, 126, 194, 0.14);
    border-color: #c9e4f8;
}

.category-image-box {
    height: 130px;
    width: 100%;
    position: relative;
    background-color: #edf5fc;
}

@media (max-width: 767.98px) {
    .category-image-box {
        height: 165px;
    }
}

.category-card-img {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: cover;
    transition: transform 0.45s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
}

.category-card:hover .category-card-img {
    transform: scale(1.08);
}

.category-floating-icon {
    position: absolute;
    top: 12px;
    right: 12px;
    width: 36px;
    height: 36px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.92);
    backdrop-filter: blur(8px);
    -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(8px);
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    font-size: 0.9rem;
    box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(21, 52, 80, 0.16);
    z-index: 3;
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
}

.category-card:hover .category-floating-icon {
    background-color: var(--primary-blue);
    color: #ffffff;
    transform: scale(1.1);
}

.category-card-body {
    padding: 1.15rem 1rem 1rem !important;
}

.category-title {
    font-size: 0.98rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--navy-dark);
    line-height: 1.3;
}

.category-desc {
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    color: var(--text-muted);
    line-height: 1.45;
}

.category-arrow-pill {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    width: 32px;
    height: 32px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background-color: var(--bg-pill-blue);
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
}

.category-card:hover .category-arrow-pill {
    background-color: var(--primary-blue);
    color: #ffffff;
    transform: translateX(4px);
}

.category-hero-thumbnail {
    width: 60px;
    height: 60px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    object-fit: cover;
    border: 3px solid #ffffff;
    box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(36, 126, 194, 0.15);
}

.pill-mini-thumb {
    width: 20px;
    height: 20px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    object-fit: cover;
    flex-shrink: 0;
}

.category-title {
    font-size: 0.92rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--navy-dark);
    line-height: 1.3;
}

.category-desc {
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    color: var(--text-muted);
    line-height: 1.4;
}

.category-arrow {
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
}

.category-card:hover .category-arrow {
    transform: translateX(4px);
}

/* ==================================================
   FEATURED ARTICLES / BLOG SECTION
================================================== */
.blog-section {
    background-color: #ffffff;
}

.article-card {
    border-radius: var(--card-radius);
    border: 1px solid var(--border-color) !important;
    background-color: #ffffff;
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
    overflow: hidden;
}

.article-card:hover {
    transform: translateY(-5px);
    box-shadow: 0 12px 28px rgba(21, 52, 80, 0.09) !important;
    border-color: #d2e4f2 !important;
}

.article-image-box {
    height: 185px;
    background-color: #f0f4f8;
}

.article-thumb {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: cover;
    transition: transform 0.4s ease;
}

.article-card:hover .article-thumb {
    transform: scale(1.05);
}

.article-card-body {
    padding: 1.25rem !important;
}

.article-badge {
    background-color: var(--bg-pill-blue);
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    font-size: 0.72rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    padding: 0.35rem 0.75rem;
    border-radius: 50px;
}

.article-title {
    font-size: 1.02rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    line-height: 1.4;
}

.article-title a {
    color: var(--navy-dark);
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
}

.article-title a:hover {
    color: var(--primary-blue);
}

.article-excerpt {
    font-size: 0.82rem;
    color: var(--text-muted);
    line-height: 1.55;
    margin: 0;
}

.article-meta-footer {
    font-size: 0.75rem;
    color: var(--text-light-muted);
    border-top: 1px solid #f0f5fa !important;
}

.article-meta-footer .meta-item i {
    color: #9cb1c2;
}

/* ==================================================
   HIGH-FOCUS ARTICLE DETAIL PAGE
================================================== */
.article-hero-banner {
    background: linear-gradient(180deg, #dcf0fd 0%, #ffffff 100%);
    border-bottom: 1px solid #eef3f8;
}

.custom-breadcrumb .breadcrumb-item a {
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    text-decoration: none;
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    font-weight: 500;
}

.custom-breadcrumb .breadcrumb-item.active {
    color: var(--text-muted);
    font-size: 0.85rem;
}

.article-main-title {
    font-size: 2.5rem;
    font-weight: 800;
    color: var(--navy-dark);
    line-height: 1.25;
    letter-spacing: -0.5px;
}

.article-lead-excerpt {
    font-size: 1.15rem;
    line-height: 1.6;
    color: var(--text-muted);
    max-width: 860px;
}

.author-avatar-circle {
    width: 44px;
    height: 44px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background-color: var(--bg-pill-blue);
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    font-size: 1.2rem;
}

.vet-review-badge-card {
    background-color: #f0fbf4;
    border: 1px solid #c9ebd4;
    max-width: 580px;
}

.vet-shield-icon {
    font-size: 1.8rem;
    color: #198754;
}

.article-featured-image-box {
    max-height: 440px;
}

.article-featured-img {
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: cover;
}

.article-rich-content {
    font-size: 1.05rem;
    line-height: 1.8;
    color: #2b455b;
}

.article-rich-content h2 {
    font-size: 1.6rem;
    font-weight: 800;
    color: var(--navy-dark);
    margin-top: 2.2rem;
    margin-bottom: 1rem;
    letter-spacing: -0.3px;
    scroll-margin-top: 100px;
}

.article-rich-content h3 {
    font-size: 1.25rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--navy-dark);
    margin-top: 1.8rem;
    margin-bottom: 0.8rem;
}

.article-rich-content p {
    margin-bottom: 1.3rem;
}

.article-rich-content ul, .article-rich-content ol {
    margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
    padding-left: 1.4rem;
}

.article-rich-content li {
    margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
}

.article-callout-box {
    background-color: #ebf6fd;
    border-left: 4px solid var(--primary-blue);
    padding: 1.25rem 1.5rem;
    border-radius: 0 14px 14px 0;
}

.callout-icon {
    font-size: 1.5rem;
    color: var(--primary-blue);
}

.alert-danger-custom {
    background-color: #fff2f2;
    border: 1px solid #fed7d7;
    color: #9b2c2c;
}

.lab-table {
    font-size: 0.9rem;
    border-color: #e5edf5;
}

.table-primary-header th {
    background-color: #eaf4fb !important;
    color: var(--navy-dark) !important;
    font-weight: 700;
    padding: 0.75rem 1rem;
}

.sticky-sidebar {
    position: sticky;
    top: 90px;
}

.toc-nav a {
    display: block;
    padding: 0.45rem 0.75rem;
    font-size: 0.88rem;
    color: var(--text-muted);
    text-decoration: none;
    border-left: 2px solid transparent;
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
    border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0;
}

.toc-nav a:hover, .toc-nav a.active {
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    background-color: var(--bg-ice-blue);
    border-left-color: var(--primary-blue);
    font-weight: 600;
}

.share-btn {
    border-radius: 50px;
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    font-weight: 500;
    padding: 0.55rem 1.1rem;
    border-color: #e1eaf0;
    color: #4a6174;
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
}

.share-btn:hover {
    background-color: var(--bg-ice-blue);
    border-color: var(--primary-blue);
    color: var(--primary-blue);
}

.lab-banner-widget {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #1f6ea9 0%, #15456f 100%);
}

.lab-icon-circle {
    width: 48px;
    height: 48px;
    background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
    border-radius: 50%;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    font-size: 1.25rem;
}

.comment-avatar {
    width: 38px;
    height: 38px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background-color: #247ec2;
    color: #ffffff;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    font-weight: 700;
    font-size: 0.95rem;
}

.author-bio-avatar {
    width: 68px;
    height: 68px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background-color: var(--bg-pill-blue);
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    font-size: 1.8rem;
}

.custom-input {
    border-radius: 12px;
    border: 1px solid #d9e5ef;
    padding: 0.65rem 1rem;
    font-size: 0.9rem;
    color: var(--navy-dark);
}

.custom-input:focus {
    border-color: var(--primary-blue);
    box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(36, 126, 194, 0.12);
}

/* ==================================================
   CATALOG & CATEGORY PAGES
================================================== */
.filter-pill-btn {
    border-radius: 50px;
    font-size: 0.82rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    padding: 0.4rem 1rem;
    background-color: #ffffff;
    border: 1px solid #d7e6f2;
    color: #4b6377;
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
    text-decoration: none;
}

.filter-pill-btn:hover {
    background-color: #eaf4fb;
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    border-color: var(--primary-blue);
}

.filter-pill-btn.active {
    background-color: var(--primary-blue);
    color: #ffffff;
    border-color: var(--primary-blue);
    box-shadow: 0 3px 10px rgba(36, 126, 194, 0.25);
}

.catalog-search-input {
    border-radius: 50px;
    padding: 0.6rem 2.5rem 0.6rem 1.25rem;
    border: 1px solid #d0e1ee;
    font-size: 0.9rem;
}

.category-badge-pill {
    background-color: #cce7f8;
    color: #124d77;
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    padding: 0.35rem 0.95rem;
    border-radius: 50px;
}

/* ==================================================
   ABOUT SECTION
================================================== */
.about-section {
    background-color: #ffffff;
}

.about-card-wrapper {
    background-color: var(--bg-card-blue);
    border-radius: 24px;
    border: 1px solid #e1eff8;
}

.about-image-card {
    border-radius: 18px;
    box-shadow: 0 6px 20px rgba(21, 52, 80, 0.06);
}

.about-cat-img {
    height: 290px;
    object-fit: cover;
    display: block;
}

.about-doodle-note {
    top: 20px;
    left: 20px;
    font-family: 'Patrick Hand', 'Caveat', cursive;
    font-size: 1.15rem;
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    line-height: 1.15;
    transform: rotate(-10deg);
    z-index: 2;
    text-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(255,255,255,0.8);
}

.about-doodle-note .doodle-heart {
    font-size: 1rem;
}

.about-paw-doodle {
    bottom: 20px;
    left: 25px;
    font-size: 1.4rem;
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    z-index: 2;
    opacity: 0.85;
}

.about-paragraph {
    font-size: 0.94rem;
    line-height: 1.65;
    color: var(--text-muted);
}

.team-avatar-box {
    width: 64px;
    height: 64px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background-color: var(--bg-pill-blue);
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
}

/* ==================================================
   NEWSLETTER SECTION
================================================== */
.newsletter-card-wrapper {
    background-color: var(--bg-card-blue);
    border-radius: 22px;
    border: 1px solid #dceef9;
}

.newsletter-icon-circle {
    width: 48px;
    height: 48px;
    background-color: var(--bg-pill-blue);
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    border-radius: 50%;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    font-size: 1.25rem;
}

.newsletter-title {
    font-size: 1.25rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--navy-dark);
}

.newsletter-subtitle {
    font-size: 0.82rem;
    color: var(--text-muted);
}

.newsletter-input-group {
    background-color: #ffffff;
    border-radius: 50px;
    padding: 4px;
    border: 1px solid #d4e7f5;
    box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(21, 52, 80, 0.03);
}

.newsletter-input {
    border: none;
    border-radius: 50px 0 0 50px;
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    padding: 0.6rem 1.1rem;
    color: var(--navy-dark);
}

.newsletter-input:focus {
    box-shadow: none;
    border: none;
}

.newsletter-btn {
    border-radius: 50px !important;
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    padding: 0.55rem 1.4rem;
    background-color: var(--primary-blue);
    border-color: var(--primary-blue);
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
}

.newsletter-btn:hover {
    background-color: var(--primary-hover);
    border-color: var(--primary-hover);
}

.newsletter-doodle-text {
    font-family: 'Patrick Hand', 'Caveat', cursive;
    font-size: 1.05rem;
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    line-height: 1.15;
}

.newsletter-doodle-text .doodle-heart {
    font-size: 0.95rem;
}

/* ==================================================
   FOOTER
================================================== */
.site-footer {
    background-color: var(--footer-bg);
}

.footer-brand-name {
    font-size: 1.35rem;
    font-weight: 800;
    color: #ffffff;
    letter-spacing: -0.3px;
    line-height: 1.1;
}

.footer-brand-tagline {
    font-size: 0.72rem;
    font-weight: 500;
    color: #aed6f3;
}

.footer-col-title {
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: #ffffff;
    letter-spacing: 0.2px;
}

.footer-links li {
    margin-bottom: 0.55rem;
}

.footer-links a {
    color: #cfe6f7;
    text-decoration: none;
    font-size: 0.84rem;
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
}

.footer-links a:hover {
    color: #ffffff;
    text-decoration: underline;
}

.footer-contact-info li {
    font-size: 0.84rem;
    color: #cfe6f7;
}

.contact-icon {
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    color: #aed6f3;
}

.footer-doodle-quote {
    font-family: 'Patrick Hand', 'Caveat', cursive;
    font-size: 1.15rem;
    color: #aed6f3;
    margin-top: 0.8rem;
    transform: rotate(-3deg);
}

.social-icon-btn {
    width: 32px;
    height: 32px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15);
    color: #ffffff;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    font-size: 0.85rem;
    text-decoration: none;
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
}

.social-icon-btn:hover {
    background-color: #ffffff;
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    transform: translateY(-2px);
}

.border-white-10 {
    border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15) !important;
}

.copyright-text {
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    color: #aed6f3;
}

.footer-legal-links a {
    font-size: 0.78rem;
    color: #aed6f3;
    text-decoration: none;
    transition: var(--transition-standard);
}

.footer-legal-links a:hover {
    color: #ffffff;
    text-decoration: underline;
}

.legal-divider {
    font-size: 0.75rem;
    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3);
}

/* ==================================================
   RESPONSIVE ADJUSTMENTS
================================================== */
@media (max-width: 991.98px) {
    .hero-heading {
        font-size: 2.5rem;
    }
    .article-main-title {
        font-size: 2rem;
    }
    .hero-cat-image-wrapper {
        max-width: 280px;
        margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
    }
    .hero-doodle-text {
        top: 0;
        right: 15px;
    }
    .custom-nav-link.active::after {
        display: none;
    }
    .nav-search-wrapper {
        width: 100%;
        margin-top: 0.5rem;
    }
    .sticky-sidebar {
        position: static;
    }
}

@media (max-width: 767.98px) {
    .hero-heading {
        font-size: 2.1rem;
    }
    .section-heading {
        font-size: 1.7rem;
    }
    .article-main-title {
        font-size: 1.7rem;
    }
    .about-cat-img {
        height: 220px;
    }
}

/* ==================================================
   SITE PRELOADER
================================================== */
.site-preloader {
    position: fixed;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100vw;
    height: 100vh;
    background-color: #ffffff;
    z-index: 99999;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    transition: opacity 0.5s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1), visibility 0.5s ease;
}

.site-preloader.preloader-hidden {
    opacity: 0;
    visibility: hidden;
    pointer-events: none;
}

.preloader-logo-wrapper {
    position: relative;
    width: 90px;
    height: 90px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
}

.preloader-logo {
    width: 64px;
    height: 64px;
    object-fit: contain;
    border-radius: 50%;
    z-index: 2;
    animation: preloaderPulse 1.8s ease-in-out infinite;
}

.preloader-ring {
    position: absolute;
    width: 90px;
    height: 90px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    border: 3px solid rgba(36, 126, 194, 0.12);
    border-top-color: var(--primary-blue);
    border-right-color: var(--primary-blue);
    animation: preloaderSpin 1s cubic-bezier(0.68, -0.55, 0.27, 1.55) infinite;
    z-index: 1;
}

.preloader-title {
    font-size: 1.35rem;
    font-weight: 800;
    color: var(--navy-dark);
    letter-spacing: -0.3px;
    line-height: 1.2;
}

.preloader-tagline {
    font-size: 0.76rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    color: var(--primary-blue);
}

.preloader-dots {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    gap: 6px;
}

.preloader-dots span {
    width: 7px;
    height: 7px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background-color: var(--primary-blue);
    display: inline-block;
    animation: preloaderDotBounce 1.4s ease-in-out infinite both;
}

.preloader-dots span:nth-child(1) {
    animation-delay: -0.32s;
}

.preloader-dots span:nth-child(2) {
    animation-delay: -0.16s;
}

@keyframes preloaderSpin {
    0% { transform: rotate(0deg); }
    100% { transform: rotate(360deg); }
}

@keyframes preloaderPulse {
    0%, 100% { transform: scale(1); }
    50% { transform: scale(1.08); }
}

@keyframes preloaderDotBounce {
    0%, 80%, 100% { transform: scale(0); opacity: 0.3; }
    40% { transform: scale(1); opacity: 1; }
}

/* ==================================================
   SCROLL-TRIGGERED ELEMENT ANIMATIONS
================================================== */
.reveal {
    opacity: 0;
    transform: translateY(30px);
    transition: opacity 0.75s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1), transform 0.75s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
    will-change: transform, opacity;
}

.reveal.revealed {
    opacity: 1;
    transform: translateY(0);
}

.reveal-left {
    opacity: 0;
    transform: translateX(-35px);
    transition: opacity 0.75s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1), transform 0.75s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
    will-change: transform, opacity;
}

.reveal-left.revealed {
    opacity: 1;
    transform: translateX(0);
}

.reveal-right {
    opacity: 0;
    transform: translateX(35px);
    transition: opacity 0.75s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1), transform 0.75s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
    will-change: transform, opacity;
}

.reveal-right.revealed {
    opacity: 1;
    transform: translateX(0);
}

.reveal-zoom {
    opacity: 0;
    transform: scale(0.92);
    transition: opacity 0.75s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1), transform 0.75s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
    will-change: transform, opacity;
}

.reveal-zoom.revealed {
    opacity: 1;
    transform: scale(1);
}

/* Stagger Delays */
.reveal-delay-1 { transition-delay: 0.08s; }
.reveal-delay-2 { transition-delay: 0.16s; }
.reveal-delay-3 { transition-delay: 0.24s; }
.reveal-delay-4 { transition-delay: 0.32s; }
.reveal-delay-5 { transition-delay: 0.40s; }
.reveal-delay-6 { transition-delay: 0.48s; }

/* Micro interaction hover on interactive elements */
.category-card, .article-card, .feature-pill-card {
    transition: transform 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1), box-shadow 0.3s ease, background-color 0.25s ease;
}

/* ==================================================
   MOBILE BOTTOM NAVIGATION BAR
================================================== */
@media (max-width: 991.98px) {
    body {
        padding-bottom: 74px !important;
    }
}

.mobile-bottom-navbar {
    position: fixed;
    bottom: 0;
    left: 0;
    right: 0;
    height: 64px;
    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.94);
    backdrop-filter: blur(14px);
    -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(14px);
    border-top: 1px solid rgba(36, 126, 194, 0.15);
    box-shadow: 0 -4px 20px rgba(21, 52, 80, 0.08);
    z-index: 1030;
}

.mobile-nav-container {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: space-around;
    height: 100%;
    padding: 0 0.5rem;
}

.mobile-nav-link {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    text-decoration: none;
    color: #6a8296;
    padding: 4px 6px;
    flex: 1;
    transition: all 0.2s ease;
    position: relative;
}

.mobile-nav-icon-box {
    font-size: 1.15rem;
    margin-bottom: 2px;
    transition: transform 0.2s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
}

.mobile-nav-label {
    font-size: 0.68rem;
    font-weight: 500;
    line-height: 1;
}

.mobile-nav-link:hover,
.mobile-nav-link:focus {
    color: var(--primary-blue);
}

.mobile-nav-link.active {
    color: var(--primary-blue);
    font-weight: 700;
}

.mobile-nav-link.active .mobile-nav-icon-box {
    transform: translateY(-2px) scale(1.1);
}

.mobile-nav-link.active::after {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 2px;
    width: 14px;
    height: 3px;
    background-color: var(--primary-blue);
    border-radius: 3px;
}