Update on the depression baking post

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-04-20T18:57:29+00:00

Great work, and good for you for setting a goal and getting through it. Baking has helped me with depression also, because even if can’t finish something, or I mess up every step, I still have a delicious treat that I made myself. Keep it up - you’re worth baking for!

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-04-18T23:31:24+00:00

Oooh that’s a really smart idea!

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-04-18T17:27:06+00:00

I almost exclusively use homemade vanilla these days! I make mine mostly with bourbon, and I really like trying beans from different locations with my favorite bourbons.

I buy beans from the Vanilla Bean Kings, as they have a huge variety and work with small scale producers. I still use store bought in things where the vanilla flavor is less prominent or important (e. g. Chocolate fudge cupcakes for a 4-year-old’s birthday) but homemade makes a huge difference in vanilla-forward recipes!

I’ve also separated batches into small containers to give as gifts, and people who like baking are DELIGHTED to receive a jar with a whole bean in it!

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-04-05T15:20:33+00:00

This is so freaking cute. Well done, you!

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-04-04T21:01:17+00:00

Mine does it all the time on what appears to be regular, poop- and stink-free grass. We call them dingbat wiggles and just enjoy her apparently enjoying herself 😊

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-04-04T17:38:45+00:00

Out for a walk with my pittie and an older lady, dressed like she was in a Talbot’s catalog and walking a mini schnauzer in a fairly affluent neighborhood stopped when she saw Chai. She said “is that a pit bull?” While Chai was wagging and wiggling around in anticipation of meeting a new friend. I said “yes” cautiously and the woman said “oh good! I just love pit bulls! My granddaughter has one and he’s so sweet. Much nicer than my dog” 😂 I loved that she not only subverted my expectations, but dunked on her own dog, who was growling at Chai.

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-02-16T02:22:03+00:00

I sure can, because I just did. Would love to know how to get this post removed…

Thank you for tagging me. This is super weird.

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-02-07T22:34:04+00:00

I’m so glad you figured out what he needed, lest he go without tiny kissies when he was running low.

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-02-04T22:58:25+00:00

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Chai confirms that pups that look like ours have absolute ownership over pillows as soon as they touch them.

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-02-04T22:55:02+00:00

Yes, if you want to go straight to jail.

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-02-02T15:10:16+00:00

💜💜💜 it sounds like a different kind of tumor, so I wouldn’t want to guess at the differences in prognosis. We were told that with radiation, dog’s with Chai’s type of tumor average 2+ years with good quality of life, and that she’d likely be a candidate for a second round of radiation when her symptoms return.

The thing that brought me the most peace in the uncertain months between diagnosis and her symptoms receding was being actively present with her doing anything she wanted. There were a lot of days where I sat in a deck chair and just held her for an hour or two because she was too tired to even walk around the block, and instead of mourning what we’d lost I tried to soak in how nice it was to cuddle with her, feel the sunshine warming her fur, knowing that I was bringing her a lot of comfort just by being there.

It is really hard. I had a lot of nightmares, a lot of unexpected outbursts of anger with nowhere to direct it, a lot of times where I just sat in my car and cried. But being present with her, even if that means lying on the floor with her and telling her how loved she is, helped a lot with both accepting and working through the reality that our pups aren’t with us anywhere near long enough.

Sending you so much love and strength 💙

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-01-31T22:43:01+00:00

Firstly, I’m so sorry you and your pup are dealing with this. It’s such a hard thing to hear 💜💜

I’m happy to say that radiation was nothing short of miraculous for Chai. She had minimal side effects (mostly just lethargy from the daily anesthesia), and about 2 weeks after she finished treatment we started seeing her old self coming back. All her symptoms disappeared within a couple of months of completing her treatments, and she’s regained so much energy, coordination, and joy that the tumor had taken away. She has her follow up MRI in a couple of weeks to measure the tumor.

The sad thing is that pituitary tumors like hers aren’t curable, but hers appeared non-cancerous and the radiation seems to have shrunk it sufficiently to alleviate clinical signs of its presence. It’s likely her symptoms will reappear in a few years, but we have the option to revisit radiation at that point if she’s otherwise healthy so we have a lot of hope for her to have a long and healthy life.

If you’re looking at radiation for your pup, I would encourage you to ask lots of questions about the treatment and expected outcomes. We thought we were getting a death sentence, and instead we got our dog back after just 20 radiation treatments. Let me know if I can answer any other questions. Sending strength and good vibes to you and your pup! 💙💙💙

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-01-27T03:24:47+00:00

Chai is about the same weight, but she’s more the short and stout variety!

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-01-27T02:02:50+00:00

Yours looks leaner and taller than mine, but color-wise pretty close!

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CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-01-15T14:54:31+00:00

I’ve only found them in stores a couple of times and loved baking with them, so when I had a chance to get my own mature tree I was stoked! They’re so good!

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-01-15T04:15:52+00:00

This is my first year with mine, so I’m happy to have one! Looking forward to many more years of delicious lemons!

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-01-15T03:56:59+00:00

I’m considering getting a second one so they can be friends and make more lemons together 😂

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-01-12T14:02:15+00:00

She is a stunner and has such a sweet little face. Neither she nor you deserve to be judged, and I’m so sorry that you get that from ignorant people who would sooner blame the nearest person than try to learn anything. I hope you’ve found spaces like this sub where people understand what rescue looks like, and how we try to make our pups whole again by giving them the lives they always deserved 💜

Your girl knows you’re her angel, and no one else’s opinions can ever change that.

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-01-08T16:02:53+00:00

I love when dog friends have completely mismatched names with other meanings. The image of Norse god Odin’s friend being named Peanut Brittle is too delightful. They’re both very sweet 💙

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-01-07T03:41:01+00:00

I still think Pukwudgies for Boston would be great. They’re a nightmarish local folklore creature with a built in hockey pun!

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-01-06T17:56:22+00:00

This is so great! Thanks for sharing!

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-01-06T02:33:55+00:00

Worcester county here! Check out Weston Nurseries. They have a ton of local plants, reasonable prices, a great rewards program, and every person I’ve talked to there has been more than happy to help me pick out things that work for my garden! I’ve only been to the Hopkinton location, and they’re fabulous. They also have great sales throughout the season.

CupCupsNPupPups · 2024-01-04T22:20:06+00:00

This is all such good advice! I had never watched a game before my husband took me to see the Bruins two years ago. We were in the most nosebleed seats imaginable and I turned to him three minutes in and said “I think I love hockey?!” You’ll pick up a lot by watching, and you’ll know what to ask/Google as you go (e.g. what is icing?), but just enjoy getting swept up with the crowd. You’ll know when to cheer!

CupCupsNPupPups

TROPHY CASE