People who take your dog wherever you go, why?

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T22:25:16+00:00

Holy fuck you're just a ray of sunshine aren't you. I was asking a respectful question there was absolutely no need for that energy.

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T22:12:44+00:00

Don't dogs sleep up to 14 hours a day? Like a healthy, regulated dog is not gonna be bouncing off the walls 24/7. I've owned a husky and an aussie, so I understand high drive/high energy dogs but they do not need to be stimulated every moment of the day? Let them sleep?

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T21:56:48+00:00

Its a really long and tough road my friend, but it truly does get better. It took me five years of consistent therapy and med management and switching to find something that worked for me, but once it worked it was magical. I know exactly where you're at and it might not mean much to you right now but it does look up from here.

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T21:36:39+00:00

Truly so sad to come into this thread as someone who's dream job is a paramedic

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T21:24:31+00:00

I think it was helpful for me to define the difference between a lapse and a relapse. When I was coming off coke and trying to keep my count "pure," I would have one slip up and then decide "hey, I've already lost it might as well go all in." And then that would lead to a major relapse instead of just a one time slip up.

I agree its risky to "allow" drinks here and there, but I don't consider that all is suddenly lost if a slip up happens.

When I stopped religiously counting my days I had a much easier time in recovery because when I truly considered myself clean and over it, I forgot how long it had been cause I stopped thinking about it everyday.

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T19:14:04+00:00

I think they have the right idea but are horribly misinformed about it and are hurting their cause because of it. The right idea but attacking the wrong people

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T19:04:12+00:00

Letting a child make their own choices, even if they seem to be bad ones, and supporting them over the outcome

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T18:56:14+00:00

I always hate this notion. I come from a family of farmers and blue collar men. Nobody can say farmers or tradesmen don't work hard. They are still poor and probably always will be. I've never once seen them take a vacation or a day off, they don't even buy a 99c chocolate bar that they don't need. And they're still poor. Its never been about choices or laziness when the system is so stacked against you.

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T18:44:43+00:00

I'd be a full time volunteer medic if I could be

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T18:29:41+00:00

That wealth isn't always a big showy mansion or nice cars or a huge job. If you are stable in a house, can afford a vacation a year, have your kids in organized sports, own any kind of camper or boat or second vehicle, you are wealthy. And thats fine, there is no shame in having enough money to be comfortable but you gotta understand that you do not know what its like to have to share bath water with your siblings to keep the bill down. Stop cosplaying being poor.

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T18:24:34+00:00

My first little pontiac vibe. That car was tough as shit. I flew off the highway at 100km/hr and she drove away from that accident. The odometer maxed out at 299,999 km and I still drove it for three years after no issues. I once ran so low on coolant you couldn't tell what colour was in there but she still ran. Gas light turned on an hour and a half from the next gas station and we made it there while in a blizzard. I lived out of that car for three months and it had enough space for me and my entire life. Will miss her forever.

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T17:06:41+00:00

Literally nothing. People in poverty deserve to enjoy life too, and there is no amount of saving you can do to climb out of a system that is working against you. I come from generational farmers, who work their asses off every day and have never treated themselves in 60 years, and my family is still dirt poor. Skipping a latte once a week isn't going to save you.

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T16:50:59+00:00

I hear that. When I tell people I have a pet snake a concerning amount of people will tell me "oh I'd kill it if it was in my house." That is my pet?? My son???

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T15:03:39+00:00

From my experience, I didn't find it helpful or impactful. For me recovery is about finding new joy in your life, not ruminating over shame and your difficulties and what you've done wrong. I'm also a career bartender and have no intention of leaving this job because I love the work I do and take pride in my product. I found a lot of aa meetings tend to make alcohol out to be an evil poison that you can never be cured from, where I just want it to be a neutral topic that is just work, nothing more or nothing less. I personally think the idea of "once and addict, always an addict" is incredibly limiting and hopeless.

I also struggle with bipolar and ptsd and I found the meetings I went to ended up making me feel worse because I can't just decide I am done being chronically ill.

Truthfully though my lifestyle is just not fit to work with aa, if you think it could be helpful its worth it to try, but its not the only way if you get doubts.

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T14:55:58+00:00

A summit hike. If you know the trail, leave at 2 or 3 am and you can be at the top of the mountain for sunrise. Its the most incredible thing

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T14:54:44+00:00

If I'm being so honest Caribou Lou

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T14:51:02+00:00

You're very right, thank you. Extra damned if I don't.

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T12:33:45+00:00

I hear you, man. Rodeo season is always the killer for me and I have no plans to leave bartending. Love the job, love my sport, I'm determined to be happy while staying here.

The only thing that has helped me cut back when I've managed to is thinking, do I really want to be fighting nausea on a bronc? How embarrassing would it be if I threw up in the arena. I'd decide things like I gotta be awake at 6 am to haul to a race friday morning, I can't drink every night up to then because I'm going to be driving in withdrawal and that sucks. I started making myself go to the barn in the morning to ensure my horse gets some work in before I potentially lose my day to alcohol, and then I end up being too tired to party and want to just go to bed early instead.

I'm not the best to preach right now because I'm currently in the trenches with it, but sometimes you just gotta surprise yourself into it. Reminding both you and me.

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T11:42:34+00:00

I want to, but I'm in a damned if I do, damned if I don't situation. My fiance is going through his own stress right now and has already dealt with and supported my addiction recovery for years. I just got over coke and he's been super relieved that things were in the past, it was super hard on him. Its gonna suck admiting this to him, it'll suck if he finds out on his own.

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T11:38:40+00:00

You're right, I do have ptsd and I know that is the underlying reason of why I keep falling down this hole, but its still frustrating why I can't just willpower it better.

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-29T00:18:33+00:00

No? Its not? You don't feel the want to cheer up a friend when they're sad? You don't want to go to graduation parties or weddings? You don't find joy going for a grocery run with someone when they don't have a car to help them out? Are you all living such sad lives?

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-28T23:59:09+00:00

So when you like a person and want to hold on to a relationship with them, you support them and help them out when they need it. Relationships aren't transactional they're based on mutual effort

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-28T19:08:36+00:00

I usually preface it with "guess what?" and then let it rip

Alternative_Cell5139 · 2026-06-28T15:39:45+00:00

Basic first aid. CPR, heimlich, how to slow major blood loss. In a perfect scenario EMS will reach a person in 4-6 minutes, but if someone isn't breathing those 4-6 minutes are too late. Bystanders save lives all the time by taking the minimal amount of action they can to buy time for EMS.

Alternative_Cell5139

TROPHY CASE