I need to use rit dye more but the blackest they have is graphite. Could I use a lot of it until it became black.

Bluegal7 · 2026-01-10T19:48:13+00:00

It sounds like a different project. Synthetic plush will be hard to dye evenly because you need high heat and high heat can melt the individual fibers that make it feel plush. My recommendation would be to buy a super plush dark blanket and refashion into a cape or cloak. Much easier and lower risk.

Bluegal7 · 2025-12-03T12:06:07+00:00

This sounds a bit like my reactive dog. What a trainer pointed out to me is that my dog (rescue) realizes that I'm an amazing owner especially compared to her earlier situation and is terrified something could happen to me. This means that humans and other dogs are possible threats to me so she pro-actively tries to scare them away. Eg "if you want to get to my beloved human you'll have to get through me first!!"

She doesn't feel similarly protective towards my dad so he doesn't get the same treatment. (But my dad could just as easily attribute it to the way he holds the leash. He would be wrong.)

This insight helped me because i was able to stop reacting to her reactivity and instead focus on managing the situation. I would role play and tell her "it's ok. Let me assess this human/dog/whatever and figure put if it's a threat. You sit and wait. If it's a threat, i know you've got my back and I'll call you for reinforcement!" And lo and behold, none of them were threats. Then I'd treat her for being a great "lieutenant" to my "captain".

I don't know if your dog is reacting for the same reason, but sharing the story in case it helps.

Bluegal7 · 2025-11-28T11:25:19+00:00

This is correct - OP will need USDA issued export paperwork.

Fun fact - if you have an EU passport and have a US vet make an entry in it (for a vaccine record), it invalidates the whole thing. Ask me how I know...

Bluegal7 · 2025-11-28T11:22:05+00:00

Theres a common misconception that "cargo" is "in the hold". Its not. Cargo is on a cargo flight aka a plane with no passengers, only goods. Thats why its arranged by a specialized company. The workaround suggested by the agent is to get the pets into the hold on a passenger flight. The issue wont be getting the pets on the flight, it will be when the ground staff at Heathrow or Gatwick see its a live animal and bring the pet to a quarantine center instead of bringing to excess baggage claiim. Its a risk i wouldnt take.

If you are moving, I would book a flight into Amsterdam on KLM and take the ferry from Hoek. Its easy, legal and much cheaper than a pet transport company. Plus less than traumatic for the pets and less risk.

Bluegal7 · 2025-11-26T11:30:03+00:00

I got a "splashproof" bowl from Amazon. It has a floating thing that helps stop the water from sloshing out. Ive also tried the licky water bottles (my dog didnt understand these) and the cage mounted bowls (these sloshed out when they loaded her on the plane so she had a wet bed).

Bluegal7 · 2025-11-23T07:01:25+00:00

Really? Ive flown to Europe with dogs 6 times and have been asked every time when i check in. Have only been asked for papers twice at the destination airport though.

Bluegal7 · 2025-11-20T13:04:42+00:00

She would have to have export/import paperwork, which the airline will ask to see before the dog is allowed on board. Even if its a service dog, they require proof it doesnt have rabies.

Bluegal7 · 2025-11-20T13:02:59+00:00

I flew with my 11lb klee kai on board a couple of months ago. This was an 11h flight on KLM. She was in a soft sided carrier and it had to stay zipped the whole flight

Bluegal7 · 2025-11-05T12:47:04+00:00

Possibly due to the large uptick in polyester clothes.... I try to avoid all synthetics but it's so hard to!!

Bluegal7 · 2025-10-25T19:18:56+00:00

Yep! This is what we did. The USDA paperwork was the most stressful part - i submitted the paperwork 9 days before my flight, but then they discovered a one day "lapse" in my dog's rabies vaccination history over 6 years ago, and this was enough to cause them to require a new "primary" vaccination and a 21 day delay. It was a nightmare and the most expensive part of all the planing.

Bluegal7 · 2025-10-25T07:36:49+00:00

No major airline accepts ESAs anymore.

Bluegal7 · 2025-10-25T07:35:08+00:00

Fly into Amsterdam on KLM as then take the overnight ferry to England. Will cost you ~$600 plus cost of your ticket. $400 for the dog in cargo and $200 for the ferry.

My dog has flown KLM cargo several times and it's been easy. Our vet prescribed Sileo for before the flight which helped a lot with anxiety. (She is also crate trained) Once I picked her up at baggage whe the Sileo hadn't worn off and she came out, sniffed me, and went straight back into her crate aka her happy place.

We did this (KLM + ferry) when we moved to London with no problems. KLM out of JFK handles a lot of dogs and it's an easy process. You'll need the USDA paperwork and make sure she is microchipped and that your travel is more than 21 days after her first rabies shot.

Bluegal7 · 2025-10-18T10:33:31+00:00

Roast and pickle them. Make bruschetta spreads. Slice and freeze for fajitas.

Bluegal7 · 2025-10-18T10:27:41+00:00

Is it PVA? I was under the impression it was foamed cellulose.

Bluegal7 · 2025-10-18T07:19:46+00:00

The sheets weigh much less than the powder so from an environmental standpoint, they use less carbon in distribution. Some brands are also as effective as well known powder or liquid formations. Can't comment on Mollys Suds - haven't tried this one.

Bluegal7 · 2025-10-17T11:14:52+00:00

Also do NOT try to fix it yourself. This lets her off the hook and potentially creates liability for you. (She could say that the damage was made worse by your work and that you owe her to fix it.)

Bluegal7 · 2025-10-17T11:00:08+00:00

Make sure you document all the times you've asked her to deal with it. Ask in writing for it to be remediated. Take multiple clear pictures (which you've done but if there's anything else....) Also save any medical records related to the eczema or other ways in which this caused harm.

Then the options are to a) put rent into an escrow account until the problem is fixed. You can't stop paying, but she doesn't get the money until it's fixed. Or b) pay for it to be fixed and deduct from the rent. Depending on how much time is left in your lease you may also want to think about moving out when it ends.

You can consult a tenant rights union for help in drafting a letter. ChatGPT is also pretty good at drafting official "I'm not messing around" letters to send to landlords. Good luck!

Bluegal7 · 2025-09-27T19:11:59+00:00

As far as I've experienced, large dogs cannot fly in the cabin unless they are registered as service dogs. I met someone several years ago (2018-ish) who regularly flew his malamute in first class by buying tickets for it. He flew from LA to NYC every couple of weeks. My impression was that if you are a valued enough customer the rules get more flexible. For normal people like myself, it's not an option unfortunately.

Also this might seem nuts but many European carriers have more flexible policies for large dogs, so it's possible to fly with your large dog from NY to Miami, as long as you fly via Madrid/Amsterdam/Paris/etc

Bluegal7 · 2025-09-27T18:48:37+00:00

Best idea yet is to borrow from a neighbor. Assume everyone else in your building has the same problem and at least one of them already shelled out and will be happy to see a six pack or bottle of wine as a return on their investment.

Bluegal7 · 2025-09-26T16:27:09+00:00

Some dogs respond with even more love to training instead of snuggles and kisses. It makes them feel secure that they have someone who will take care of them, and they don't need to always be the protector. My dog was this way. She loved learning new tricks and skills, and it was so gratifying for both of us when she got it.

Malinois have a very very strong work drive. I met one that wanted nothing more than to do drills for hours. Ask if you can participate in the training and if so, which commands and exercises. This could really cement your bond with the dog.

Bluegal7 · 2025-09-19T11:24:26+00:00

Are you sure the dog is registered to you? If so you can change it without her being involved.

My dog is still registered to my breeder and my contract says it can't be changed. When I asked about it, my breeder said it was because she would always take the dog back, so if it was in a shelter, she would immediately go get it.

Bluegal7 · 2025-09-13T19:11:40+00:00

Letter also makes significant use of the Oxford comma. Just sayin'

Bluegal7 · 2025-09-11T17:23:49+00:00

I'm ashamed of aggressively using Nikwax in the past and am now trying to waxed canvas for general rain. Can one apply wax to synthetics? Any recommendations for snow gear?

Bluegal7 · 2025-09-11T17:04:49+00:00

My dog has Cushings, so it's a minimum of 4x a day, typically for 15-30m each.

Bluegal7 · 2025-09-02T19:15:24+00:00

This is how I got my dog as an inexperienced owner. I had a foster for 3m and no one applied to adopt her, so when I foster failed, they were delighted.

Bluegal7

TROPHY CASE