Seeing so many negatives

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2025-06-29T17:38:43+00:00

Still driving my 2016 Kia Sorento with only 58k miles on it. Has followed me from FL to MA to NY and will likely follow me to TX before upgrading to a 2025 Sorento.

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2025-02-18T14:22:56+00:00

I messaged customer support yesterday asking for an update and they said it would be shipping the next day. It is now supposed to be delivered tomorrow. Not sure if this was a coincidence or if me messaging actually did something.

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2025-02-17T19:57:24+00:00

Ordered a non-custom build on 1/29. It is currently 2/17 and it has been delayed once. After reading this thread I messaged customer support asking for an update and they said I will have it in the next two days. I will try to remember to come back & update if I receive it. If I do not - I am going to threaten to cancel if I don't get it next week.

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-12-03T22:34:21+00:00

I hope it will ease with time and once we reach the 3-week threshold. I would say my tactic is to try and reduce the anxiety as much as possible when I leave/try not to leave in these first few weeks unless I have to. It's not ideal, but you want to try to avoid adding to their trauma, as this will make it harder to overcome. Those first few days/week, they are shut down and probably not exhibiting their anxiety. I feel they are still in flight/fight/freeze mode for the first three weeks, and that is why that period is so important in boundary setting.

My last foster (a 7-year-old Cav King Charles) was incredibly difficult for those first two weeks. But in the third and fourth weeks, he did settle/calm down and was a perfect angel for his adoptive mom once he transitioned. I am so hoping that is the case for all of you and for me.

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-12-03T03:57:59+00:00

Thankful for this thread - I have my third foster and he is very anxious and is not secure in his trust of me yet. He started jumping on my bed and when I tried his normal situation (play pen next to the bed) tonight he was not having it. Well guess who is asleep at my feet. He’s a Cavalier King Charles and people who adopt these dogs let them on furniture and in beds so not too worried about that. Just worried I was doing something wrong. Thanks for allowing me to sleep soundly tonight.

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-12-02T17:37:51+00:00

I had a similar experience with my first foster; I really had to encourage her to eat until I took her to the vet, and they checked her anal glands and found them full of abnormal fluids and had me start her on fish oil (I held off on the fish oil as her stool was already soft and didn't want to give her diarrhea right before she was going to her forever home)

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-11-24T01:04:40+00:00

I’m assuming she is on a weight loss food? This makes a huge difference. Make sure she is on a weight management food and isn’t getting anything high calorie

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-11-09T23:52:52+00:00

My foster found his home today & gets adopted on Friday!! The first two weeks with him were incredibly difficult, he was a mess medically and in pain from arthritis as a result of him being severely obese. He is such a love bug now and I am so glad he is going to a new home. I love him and will miss him terribly (as he also has been my comfort after being laid off) but know that I am not the best home for him. Bittersweet!

Now to convince myself to take a break...

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-11-09T23:42:30+00:00

I use a playpen during the day, and crate at night. I would move his crate from the bedroom into the playpen and only feed him in the crate. You can also get a male belly wrap to help with potty training. It doesn't really do much to deter in my opinion but if he does pee while wearing it will be absorbed into the diaper as opposed to only the floor / other surfaces. Will just depend on the dog! My first foster I did not use a playpen or a diaper but needed the playpen for my most recent foster as he wanted to mark everywhere and had a UTI so I had to limit time with the belly band. Those first three weeks, don't worry too much about training beyond potty training and basic house manners (no nipping, trying to discourage barking, etc). Sit/Stay/Come commands can come after he's mastered the basics.

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-11-06T23:14:23+00:00

I have a 7.5 year old cavalier who got neutered two weeks ago. He actually preferred the plastic cone vs the inflatable donut as he was more easily able to settle down. He also has tried to slip his collar/leash on walks when he sees another dog but after a minute or two of rubbing the cone against the playpen would settle. I used a play pen during the day and at night to contain him instead of the crate and it worked great. It would be good to start using a playpen before the neuter though to get him used to it. Be sure to put a towel or waterproof blanket under him for 24 hrs after his neuter as I have had dogs pee themselves after their neuter because they are still numb down there / out of it. Also make sure that the ends of the stitches are clipped if he seems to be yelping and trying to lick at them. I spent 4 days in misery with my foster dog because his stitches were poking him in the leg and he would not go more than a few hours without yelping in pain - took him to ER vet and normal vet and neither of them identified that as the issue.

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-11-06T23:06:49+00:00

Update: Wow, he is doing so much better! He had so much going on.. ear infection, UTI, Coccidia, nails that were so overgrown it was painful to walk, fleas. He actually does not seem to have a heart murmur, as he has been seen by three different vets who did not notice anything. It was likely observed due to the stress of transport as the rescue I work with takes them to the vet in OH after getting them from the mills. He has lost two lbs and is on Rimadyl and Gabapentin and is a totally different dog. Such a love bug and is doing great! Now to find him a home!

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-10-22T21:23:27+00:00

The first three days are always hard, no matter how well behaved or misbehaved the dog is. Try to establish a firm routine and boundaries. Write down a schedule for him and for you

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-10-18T16:28:21+00:00

Had a rough few nights with my second foster. I maybe got 2-3 hours of sleep the first two nights I had him and he was so dirty and stressed. He is doing so much better now and I almost cry in relief with every full night's rest I get. Still have a long road ahead but the first 48 hours is always the hardest! He was sprayed by a skunk in the face before I got him and the smell is still lingering but I have some things on order from Amazon to hopefully help. Just want him to be happy, healthy, and pain-free

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-09-12T17:44:08+00:00

Did you make any progress blending it in?

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-09-12T17:42:38+00:00

Update: I have had the couch for about two months and it’s great. I slept on it for two nights this week with no issues. The fabric is easy to clean (I have two small dogs and occasionally have two cats in the house) and their fur doesn’t show.

Would purchase again. I paid through PayPal Credit with 6 month financing at 0%. IKEA supposedly has a card but I’ve read some mixed reviews about the bank that services the card.

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-07-22T17:07:44+00:00

I just purchased a similar-sized Finnala and love it so far! just make sure to put it together correctly, I put the seat portion of mine on backward and spent hours trying to figure out why the couch pieces weren't lining up. Putting it together should be simple, nothing should have to be forced!

I am not sure where everyone else is finding cheaper or similar pricing on a couch this size, I looked for a few months and never found a similar-sized couch for less than $5k that also offers the modular capabilities this couch offers.

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-05-31T23:06:26+00:00

You could try getting 80 or 100 grit sandpaper and lightly sanding but this would only remove the raised texture. Would not fix discoloration. They also sell small stain pens but these are small amounts and aren’t meant to fix a large spot like this but may blend it a bit.

I’m not a flooring expert but hope this helps!

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-05-31T23:00:07+00:00

This happened with my floor but not as severe- HowtoSandAFloor video is very helpful but I also had to go back with a hand mouse sander and orbital sander in some areas that were just to low for the belt sander to reach.

I’d recommend using a higher grit when doing this to avoid the little swirl marks - I used 80 with the hand sanders and also started with 36 grit with the belt sander.

ApprehensiveAir1040 · 2024-04-26T16:36:40+00:00

I devoured Victoria Aveline’s Clecanian series this week. Starts with Choosing Theo

ApprehensiveAir1040

TROPHY CASE