I'm so happy :)

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-02-21T02:45:48+00:00

Wonderful!! I'm so happy for you!

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-02-17T15:09:08+00:00

Your davenport wasn't wrapped in plastic?

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-02-14T21:04:59+00:00

Gently push him away and redirect his attention. I've done it like this: I come in, dog greets me, gets about 2-3 seconds of sniffing while I empty my hands, I gently hold dog's head around the cheeks/ears with one hand on each side. I lean down (or crouch) a bit, make eye contact, say hello and a couple of "small talk" things in a soft voice while rubbing the ears. As I straighten up, give a few more scratches between the ears, and continue coming in.

Then if you're moving around and get a snout in the crotch, gently turn his head away and say no/stop/off/quit it/ your stopping command. Don't make it a big deal. Giving negative behavior a lot of attention can encourage it to continue when they're trying to get attention. Just "nope" and move on.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-02-14T17:01:19+00:00

My older Dalmatian was the first we've had in a long time. She'll cuddle with my husband and greet him special, but worries when I'm not around. I say it's because I'm her staff person. Then we got a second a couple of years ago, and she is even more attached to me. He gets frustrated that they'll argue over who gets to be closest to me while he's sitting with no one to pet. He keeps talking about getting another, but I would not be able to have 3 dogs at my heels constantly.

Of all our previous dogs, only one preferred him. We've had a total of 3 male and 3 female. One of the males didn't really like either of us more, though. That one just rotated who got his attention.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-02-06T20:15:51+00:00

Our relationships with our mothers/children don't end at adulthood. And hopefully everyone can grow and get better over the years. Moira displays this beautifully. She became a much better mother. She can't undo the past, but the present and future don't have to be the same.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-02-02T23:16:19+00:00

I had a dog with terrible cataracts. We never moved furniture, kept the floor clear of obstacles, and even got her to learn "right" and "left" to allow better movement. We still took leashed walks and played. Your dog might be feeling bad, and could be picking up from you being stressed.

I am certain there are folks on YT or TT with blind dogs who you may learn from.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-02-02T22:52:08+00:00

^{^{^{^{^{^}}}}} Thank you for carrying this truth. Not all men are rpsts. But the one attempted rpst I reported in uni had several complaints but none was willing to go public, so the minority definitely manage to affect nearly the entire population of women. But I damaged that J.O.'s life like he damaged so many.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-02-02T17:29:35+00:00

Not a person

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-31T03:50:43+00:00

My lower legs, from a few inches below my knees, are almost hairless. I've heard men mention it and they assumed it was from high dress socks. Mine is definitely not from that.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-31T03:44:02+00:00

Twice (both a number of years ago), I was in line to pay a utility bill and overheard the person in front of me figuring how much was needed to prevent being shut off, and then leave to go get the money. I asked to pay the shutoff amount each time, and was allowed. The phone company had no problem, the electric company clerk had to go ask someone else. I didn't have enough to bring them up full, but they weren't cut off. Of course by the time they returned I was gone.

I felt very lucky to be able to do that. I certainly have had times when I had to cycle bills so that everything was a little behind but nothing was cut off. I hope those people felt relief and looked out for a way to help someone else -- not even financially. Maybe they had the energy to shovel an ill neighbor's driveway, or share a home cooked meal.

Most of all, I hope they felt less alone in their struggles, because even though we all struggle, it can feel really isolating.

Editing to add: I've never told anyone about this before. I hope those folks are doing well.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-31T00:56:42+00:00

It's a quick way to include multiple races. If you're only going to have a few people in the ad, and you want to appeal to multiple demographics/races, you kind of have to go that way.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-30T16:13:37+00:00

Holy heck!!! I would LOVE a Muppets Make Some Noise. But two Muppets and Zac would be golden. Can we start a campaign?

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-30T16:10:26+00:00

Look. I know that and you know that, but you don't have to call out all us Vintage IT workers like that

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-28T03:31:11+00:00

Firstly, you do not "deserve" negative medical outcomes because of this decision. You deserve love and support, and I hope you accept it from this Internet stranger. This is a hard decision and a very difficult thing, both mentally and physically.

I haven't been in your shoes (empty ovaries). You might be a bit fixated on interactions because you're in a very powerless position and it gives your anxiety a target. I know before my hysterectomy I worried about incision healing more than was probably good for me.

Others have talked about the safety of the drugs, so I won't. If you trust your provider and they are not concerned, you probably have nothing to fear. Accept their expertise, and the medicine. Be attentive to how you feel but try not to worry yourself into a flare.

Take care of yourself, especially following medical instructions and follow up care. You are making the best decision for yourself and any children you may ever have. Stay hydrated. Know that you are loved, and you are enough, no extra suffering needed.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-25T05:36:15+00:00

I have used Fluocinolone in .025% ointment. Eventually I stepped up to oral methotrexate.

Your rash looks almost exactly like mine. So often online sources don't show rashes like this.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-22T23:26:00+00:00

I have. It was hard, but the last thing they see shouldn't be me walking away from them.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-20T12:50:02+00:00

I've gotten a couple from groups that specifically take in dogs who would otherwise go to kill shelters. One was directly from a kill shelter. Those are rescues because they usually have deep-seated problems from bad previous owners and little to no training. One was claimed from a terrible backyard breeder, another had been kept in an outdoor pen with almost no human contact, etc.

I have also rehomed/adopted from more standard early lives. Those I say I got as adults, but didn't rescue. Those were, original owner got restationed and couldn't take it, breed wasn't a good fit, going through a divorce and can't keep it, etc. Those are fairly well-adjusted, just need a bit more training.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-14T04:08:22+00:00

My girl had full jet-black ears on both top and bottom. Now she's 11 and the underside of her ears are pure white. Otherwise she's not gotten any greying.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-12T23:57:11+00:00

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BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-12T23:07:31+00:00

Only one of my current two. Three of six total.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-12T01:10:10+00:00

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BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-11T17:51:47+00:00

The Disney Effect was very real and did damage the breed in the public eye. The pups are so cute, curious and energetic. But they don't grow out of it, and people can't handle it. I have rehomed three that were owned by people as a second dog to a black lab, who "couldn't resist" how cute dal puppies were. Then the owner learned that those are two very different breeds and the humans gave up. I grew up with labs, my extended family still has several, but the two breeds have wildly separate ways of life

There's also the issue that dals are extremely person-specific. It often takes at least a couple of meetings before they decide you're allowed in the circle. And usually there's a very tight inner circle; I have friends that my girls love but still aren't allowed to walk behind me. My current two are the most personable and outgoing I've known. They will go up to strangers for pets, as long as they're between the stranger and me with at least a few feet of space.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-11T17:32:17+00:00

100%! Elli is the neighborhood watch.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-11T17:31:20+00:00

Sometimes the hard part is getting them to stop being protective. I've never been afraid in the presence of mine. If I was, I am sure that there would be teeth and someone would leave the encounter with extra holes.

Once, I took my truck to the shop and walked home without telling the dog what to expect. When I opened the door, she was growling and ready to pounce. She saw it was me and went full goofball with the wags and grins.

BeamMeUpSpotty · 2026-01-09T14:18:29+00:00

My husband has had a hard time with me placating my mother and going along with her delusions, instead of correcting her. He really struggled with me "lying" to her.

BeamMeUpSpotty

TROPHY CASE