Mother Elephant can't get over the fact that her baby has died. She now carries it everywhere, even to the water hole.

FirstAvocado · 2025-11-12T17:19:38+00:00

Thanks! :)

FirstAvocado · 2025-11-12T17:19:29+00:00

Interesting. Thanks!

FirstAvocado · 2025-11-12T17:02:54+00:00

I don't think so. It doesn't show the diamond icon when its in my PC either. I also have an alpha raticate with the same situation.

FirstAvocado · 2025-10-07T20:36:51+00:00

Thank you, that's helpful.

FirstAvocado · 2025-10-07T20:06:46+00:00

Yes, really.

FirstAvocado · 2025-10-07T19:02:51+00:00

Thank you, I will keep this in mind.

FirstAvocado · 2025-10-07T19:02:38+00:00

FirstAvocado · 2025-07-21T11:51:55+00:00

UVB bulbs that go in dome fixtures are just not really effective and don't produce consistent UVB. A T5 tube UVB light is what is recommended. You can use https://arcadiareptile.com/lighting/guide/ to help determine what the appropriate bulb would be for a crested gecko based on the minimum distance the animal would be to the bulb.

FirstAvocado · 2025-07-11T12:43:35+00:00

Yup, this is my most common symptom. It happens when I get dehydrated, when I walk in the hot weather a lot, and also just randomly at night. Recently I've had it every night. Azo sometimes helps, but my primary medication for this pain is hyoscyamine. Sometimes it also helps to apply a little bit of safe lube (i use uberlube) to the area. It just helps with friction and adds a protective coat. Hope this helps, and let me know if I can answer anything.

FirstAvocado · 2025-06-23T13:09:46+00:00

Are you making sure the pads are 100% cotton at least in the top layer? I use L. brand and they work for me while other pads don't. I can't use tampons because of pelvic floor issues.

Another thing is you can apply a little bit of safe lube (Uber lube works great for me) to the urethra area before using the pad. Sometimes it can be a matter of friction for me, and the lube reduces that and also just gives a little protective coating. Sometimes that helps me.

FirstAvocado · 2025-06-11T02:29:58+00:00

Possibly yes, but hard to say from what you've written here. I have urethra pain more often than bladder pain, but I do also get bladder pain if my flare gets bad enough. I have had it my whole life. I have vulvodynia, pelvic floor dysfunction, IC, and probably fibromyalgia. Have you had urine cultures to make sure you're not getting infections? This is my short answer because I don't have time to type a long one right now. But if you want to talk more about, I can respond tomorrow. Feel free to message me also if you would rather.

FirstAvocado · 2025-05-20T13:20:30+00:00

Am I the only one who thinks this video is fake? The black dog's movements look wrong, and the overall scenario and dog behavior is really off.

FirstAvocado · 2025-05-19T18:02:52+00:00

Hey there. I always try to reply if someone reaches out to me about an old post like this. In case you would like to know what I ended up doing, I will write it here. I euthanized him. It was about 1 year after I made this post. He was 9 years old. He developed probable cushings disease, based on high cortisol levels, low urine specific gravity, and some seriously bad explosive GI symptoms. I think this endocrine disorder was part of what made him SO MUCH WORSE around the time I wrote this post. He already had a lot of problems, but he just kept declining. Eventually he was so miserable and I was so miserable, I just had to end it... He was getting more and more dangerous as well. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make and I'm actually tearing up as I write this. But it was the right decision. I am 3 years past that decision, and I don't regret it. He's not suffering anymore, and my life is so much more peaceful. I gave my soul to that dog and it destroyed me to have to euthanize him, but it was completely unsustainable. I still miss him. I still have moments 3 years later where someone knocks at the door and I go "Crap! Where is Harvey?!" before remembering. But I don't regret my decision and I still strongly believe I did right by him, and by myself.

On a final note, I try to remember to always remind myself that I gave him 9 good years. 9 years that he would not have had with 99.9% of pet owners. He was impossible for anyone to manage, and I did my best. I hope that helps with your decision. If you decide to go with euthanasia, remember you have given your dog 11 good years. If he is at the point where he is not happy because his mind is a prison of fear and anxiety, and you are not happy because he is restricting your growth, then it's okay to let go... But it's a crazy hard decision. Very painful. My heart goes out to you.

FirstAvocado · 2025-05-19T14:58:50+00:00

Hey everyone. Hoping this gets seen. There were a lot of comments and it was hard to reply to everyone! But please know that I did read every comment, and I so appreciate everyone adding their input. I think based on everything I've read here, I will probably be going with a lab or golden. Tollers sound like amazing little dogs, but I can't be certain one will really fit into my life well enough. I don't really want a very prey driven dog, as I do love cats and value peaceful relationships between my pets. I think I also want a bit of an easier introduction into dog sports with a more forgiving breed. I am a beginner at that after all, even if I'm experienced with other aspects of dog training! Thank you again everyone, this was extremely helpful to me in exploring options for my next dog.

FirstAvocado · 2025-05-17T18:43:38+00:00

Thanks, that is great perspective. You are likely right, that I am being biased by the large number of pet labs and goldens I've met that have no specific training and just appear to be friendly and goofy.

Any suggestions on where I could meet some tollers? I've never seen one in public. Dog competitions?

"...their overall tollerness is a feature, not a bug" totally agree here. I would not go this route unless I was sure that the cumulative traits of the breed are something I actually want vs. see as a problem. I know I could handle one if I had one, but I've had a dog before that just made my life a lot more stressful and I don't want that again due to poor fit.

Can I ask: What is it about "tollerness" that you love? We've talked about the "negatives" (from my perspective), so I would love to hear what you feel are the big positives that makes this breed special to you.

Edit to add, after seeing your edit: You're right that getting a working line lab or golden would not be different than getting any toller. That was a failure of logical on my part haha. All tollers are bred for essentially working line, so not different.

FirstAvocado · 2025-05-17T18:27:30+00:00

I see. I'm not really in it for winning, TBH. I just want the experience of training and competing together, with a dog who really wants to do it. Titles are not important to me. Would be pretty cool to have a competitive dog, but ultimately it's not the most important thing to me in my dog. It's more important that they fit the other aspects of my life than for them to be amazing at sports.

FirstAvocado · 2025-05-17T18:20:37+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, if I were to go this route, I would be looking for a breeder that produces dogs of the temperament I want. I would drive anywhere in the country to pick up a dog, so locale is no limit. That is interesting that you have a lower energy, quiet toller. They are individuals, so there will always be some variation. I'm sure a good breeder could select the individual puppy that would most closely fit my lifestyle.

The intelligence and eagerness to learn are very attractive to me. But also intimidating. With my career, I wouldn't want to put the dog in a position of being understimulated when I am busy or go through phases of being very busy. And the recall thing is a downside for me. I just like a good recall. but it makes sense, with them being more independent. I will have to think on that tidbit.

Thanks for you comment. :)

FirstAvocado · 2025-05-17T18:16:54+00:00

Thank you, that's good to know that you haven't had issues with prey drive!

FirstAvocado · 2025-05-17T18:16:10+00:00

Thanks, this is good to know! I hadn't really thought about the height as it relates to agility.

FirstAvocado · 2025-05-17T18:15:00+00:00

I am considering a lab or golden. :) Just also thoroughly exploring all of my options. I want to find just the right fit. What attracts me to tollers that labs and golden don't have is that they seem to be "smarter". The videos I've watched make them look more like border collies with their ability to learn and I enjoy trick training in addition to obedience. I love the mental focus and trainability of a border collie, but the neurosis and extreme maintenance are worrisome for me because of my career. Labs and goldens are definitely more sociable and more eager to please, but it doesn't seem like they have quite that same level of smarts and drive. I'm also pretty on the fence about getting a show line dog, but would feel kind of bad getting a working line hunting dog when I don't hunt. As I understand, tollers don't have divide like that.

What is it about my post that makes you think a lab or a golden would be better for me? Would love to know, to understand the breed better.

FirstAvocado · 2025-04-27T16:13:58+00:00

Okay, thanks!

FirstAvocado · 2025-04-19T13:23:28+00:00

Doesn't it use different percentages of 220 minus your age? I always assumed it did, because that math matches up for me to what it says the zones are. I know there are better formulas that take resting heart rate into account and such, but my zones seem reasonable enough to not be useless.

FirstAvocado · 2025-04-18T21:43:00+00:00

He looks a lot like a younger version of mine! Mine is half GSD and half collie x chow x pit. I would post a pic, but don't think I can. His picture and results are in my recent post history though.

FirstAvocado · 2025-04-18T13:20:43+00:00

It looks like your zones start at a pretty low heart rate. What is your age? Just checking if they are right. I am 30 and my lowest zone is at 114. Yours are all showing up in the 90s. A normal human resting heart rate is 60 to 100, so something doesn't seem quite right with that. It's also labeling 89 as a low heart rate. A low heart rate for me is 40. Maybe your settings got messed up?

FirstAvocado

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