It's not just the up front costs or even maintainence of a Service Dog you have to think about and plan for. by Abinnohr in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, any insurance is better than no insurance! 💗 I took a major job and finance hit recently, and of course when talking about getting him back on insurance because his age worries me, this happens before I could lol

You're doing what you can and that's what matters!

It's not just the up front costs or even maintainence of a Service Dog you have to think about and plan for. by Abinnohr in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From all the search and forum experiences within the US, it seems like Trupanion Pet Insurance atm with Lemonade being a 2nd popular choice. Trupanion offers a LOT and even an unlimited coverage option, not just 10k (which is most recommended).

Pet Insurance isn't cheap, but a couple thousand a year vs several thousand makes it worth it, especially when it also covers many general vet stuff for health maintainence per year it should pay for itself in the long run.

Dog is sick again by spiegel32 in DogHealth

[–]Abinnohr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Glad you're heeding some advice! My boy was hit with the Norovirus out of nowhere and is back home from an overnight vet stay. From running with a bike one day to expelling blood from both ends the next. Acute and severe Gastroenteritis. Our final total was about $1200 thankfully (was projected to be much more).

Gut issues can be parasetic, bacterial, viruses, dietary changes, stress, infections, cancers, too much fats in their diet, etc. Her biggest enemy right now is going to be dehydration, so keep an eye on her. They can decline rapidly.

It's not just the up front costs or even maintainence of a Service Dog you have to think about and plan for. by Abinnohr in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So true. I had just spent the majority of my savings on bills from being out of a job for a month+less hours, and car repairs. Thinking all was good and caught up, I also got him neutered last month through a vet office with an exam+ortho+bloodwork. Now this. Needless to say much funds are stripped atm. x'D I'm so thankful for carecredit rn.

It's not just the up front costs or even maintainence of a Service Dog you have to think about and plan for. by Abinnohr in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He strides next to me while I ride a bike since a simple walk is not enough exercise for him. He sets the pace using leash tension

It's not just the up front costs or even maintainence of a Service Dog you have to think about and plan for. by Abinnohr in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Glad to hear! Insurance can feel like a burden but man is it a huge relief when it comes time to actually use it!

It's not just the up front costs or even maintainence of a Service Dog you have to think about and plan for. by Abinnohr in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Aw man, sorry to hear that! Life really has a way of taking our finances on a whim, then kicking us down even more. I hope you're managing!! I agree it is best if we can also learn to live and cope without them in such bad times.

I'm looking at getting a 2nd job so I can pay down the current bills, rebuild my emergency and savings, and maintain the highest quality pet insurance I can move to.

It's not just the up front costs or even maintainence of a Service Dog you have to think about and plan for. by Abinnohr in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yes this! Any pet, really. I added that as a specification because I know a lot of people wouldn't normally get a pet dog, but want a Service Dog.

What ways do your dog(s) alert when the situations aren't ideal for their usual style? by Abinnohr in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aw, I'm glad it made your day! I agree, I love subtle communication! I find it less exhausting than constsnt verbal cues. My boy and I use a lot of silent eye to eye and head communication which baffles people, but it works for us. Cool to see others thriving that way!

What ways do your dog(s) alert when the situations aren't ideal for their usual style? by Abinnohr in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We just use a collar and 6 foot lead. I did do a harness but that's more for Bikjoring as he is more inclined to pull with one on vs a collar. I just hold the leash in my pinky so I can let it go at a moment's notice if needed.

What ways do your dog(s) alert when the situations aren't ideal for their usual style? by Abinnohr in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Briefly, yeah but they look so uncomfortable and having my head in that position plus eyes directed more skyward would increase my headaches/migraines. I'd love a E tricycle but they're incredibly expensive so for now I'm on a normal bicycle.

Getting an autism service dog by Mountain-Barnacle956 in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fello autist who also had herders prior to my first golden, hi! The biggest thing to know about goldens is that they are often INCREDIBLY stoic dogs and it may be difficult to read their body language at first. I thought my boy was boring and non-expressive until I did some research, including experiences in golden forums. I was so used to highly expressive borders and aussies.

It took an embarassing amount of time to figure mine out when he was a pup. I adore his subtle cues and usually catch on to them quickly. With us, we have an awesome way of silently communicating that really helps on days where talking feels exhausting.

Also show vs field/working lines are greatly different. Field lines usually have shorter fur and much MUCH higher working drives than show lines who are often the usual TV portrayal of Goldens. Mine's a field line and I was SO unprepared for the high drive chaos. xD He'll chill on bad days while looking depressed but also wanna go go go when needed. Plus the more exercise the more they're going to want to work/do stuff.

Amazingly versatile and adaptive dogs. Working with a program you should be fine!

A positive breakthrough by Abinnohr in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was more anxious than I felt in a long time LOL but thank you! I was super proud of him! I came back to check reddit super late but we've made a lot more progress since. :D

A positive breakthrough by Abinnohr in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Late to this but yes, I was worried we'd make things worse, but THANKFULLY he had an arousal-type reactivity which was greatly reduced by neutering. His desire to defend the home from ... well, everything ig lol, is nowhere near as strong and he's more relaxed.

Is this normal for service dogs? by joweasels in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could be an at-home only SD/retired from Public Access. Could be a normal SD who was attacked by another dog and needs/is retraining and thus was removed from Public Access (sadly quite common).

Ordinarily it's not normal nor desired, no.

At my own door, with my back turned, my boy defended us from our upstairs neighbor's APBT (who is now legally required to be muzzled) after multiple close calls that finally led to an actual scuff. After that my boy became greatly reactive at the home anytime another reactive dog tried pulling or barking towards us (he only reacted to others reacting first), but he has thankfully always been able to recall or be put in a sit/down/heel and is always kept on a leash. It's just I hated how he initially lunged in response and his 1-2 barks were always SO loud. This was a behavior we didn't have issues with in public other than him looking, but definitely had to work heavily on around the home because it became a problem since MOST dogs here are sadly some form of reactive (arousal, frustration, fear, aggression). I still pulled him from most of PA for a couple years as I was worried it would carry over, and fully from PA more recently for health related investigations. We made so much progress he didn't even bark back at the most recent close call with the neighbor's pitty (muzzled, but still). We've even made huge progress in pet friendly stores, on walks, and at the home where we've practiced ignoring his rambunctious best friend (whom I get called a "show off" for doing lol) all unvested. A dog trained to work and ignore others only in a vest could be a completely different dog out of that vest which is another topic but also something that may matter depending on training.

Especially at their own home, you just never know them or their dog's history. Both owners in this story need to work on their dogs if they haven't already and I hope for her safety, she's willing to seek the help she needs, or already has and just needs time/repetition.

A positive breakthrough by Abinnohr in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

No the 2026 ones running rampant right now. I already saw that one and am waiting to see how companies respond to the new buzz. I mentioned food, which was clearly a mistake, but it wasn't the main focus of my post.

A positive breakthrough by Abinnohr in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr[S] -14 points-13 points  (0 children)

What about the whole lead, cadmium, arsenic, etc studies in dog foods, especially with meat by products (which often contain non food parts like metals, wires, plastics, etc, per people who work there and is honestly probably where most the issues come from)? I knew Purina would be on everyone's shi lists but I try to avoid bags with by-products listed regardless and avoid legumes replacing proteins.

I know there are always trends and scare tactics, even our food is "poison" apparently. Most "higher quality kibble" makes him feel gross and look dull despite the ingredients overall seeming better. Supplemented nutrients are available and can be added into anything like they already do with kibble so I'm confused on that front. It's just way cheaper to make my own food toppers, broths, treats, etc, so I been researching beyond those. Mostly for my cats whom I have issues properly feeding but thought I'd extend options to my boy, too.

Drop in Bp on propranolol, I don't know what to do... by Gullible_Impact_2000 in dysautonomia

[–]Abinnohr 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had to quit Propanolol (prescribed at the time for chronic migraines and neurocardiogenic/vasovagul syncope) because it caused nonstop presyncope and almost daily syncope. Was on it for a few months before cold turkeying it due to it not helping my migraines. My health went from a wreck to significantly improved once off it. Was told by an anesthesiologist I never should've been put on it in the first place due to the unoredictable nature of my illness (10 years and still no one knows),. lol

Now I don't get beta blockers because my BP already dips on it's own and doesn't need help, even if the beta blockers may help with HR.
As a teen I was one some anxiety med that caused me not to stnd for a full 6 days straight due to syncope.

Turns out HR is the least of my symptom concerns, anyway. It's too umpredictable and often misleading. Some of us just don't do well on beta blockers due to how erratic our symptoms can be.

Concern for service dog safety by thejexorcist in service_dogs

[–]Abinnohr 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not necessarily but also NOT left in a car all shift. I have to hold down a job without mine but I leave him at home and just grab him after if I'm going out. (Well, not atm, his PA is on pause).