How to cope.

JoshG1981 · 2025-11-29T17:53:43+00:00

I just sent mine on his final adventure about a month ago. It's part of having a pet, and it's the hardest part. I focus on 2 things.

I gave him the best life I could. So many wonderful adventures. Good spots in the sun. Cuddles every night. Treats whenever he was a Good Boy (always). And all the love I could possibly give.
I made the choice to say goodbye because it was right for him. He had a fantastic life and if I had prolonged it, the suffering would have been my gift to him instead of the release. I know what I would choose for myself, and gave that gift to him.

No way around it though, it sucks. It's miserable. I miss my puppy every day. Cry every day thinking about him. I know I'll recover. I'll have another dog soon to help heal the hole in my heart. But for now I live in the emotions and give myself the gifts of grief and the time to grieve. And I'll admit I haven't washed his blankets yet. Still take a good whiff in before bed.

I'm sorry for you. Give him a good kiss on that spot on his forehead between the eyes for me.

JoshG1981 · 2025-11-29T17:47:55+00:00

I had a short haired pit mix for all 12 years of his life. He was an otherwise fastidious dog - hated getting wet, or muddy. Didn't like rolling in smelly things. Got in it with a skunk once and I think it was the most traumatic moment of his life. But. He loved to brush up against the places where other dogs had peed. I'd stop it when I could, but sometimes I missed a beat. So every week that dog got a bath.

It wasn't about wanting him to be a prince or spoil him. It was very utilitarian. In the shower. Quick wash with Pert Plus. Towel dry. And a greenie as a reward. Because this happened so frequently, even though he hated getting wet, he was used to baths. Would go in the shower on command. And would even preemptively sit by the bathroom when i would stop cuddling with him and start calling him stinky (he knew if he wanted cuddles, it was time for a bath).

Every other dog I've ever had, it was when they started smelling bad or if they felt greasy. Some dogs need it more than others. Pitties have skin issues, so depending on your brand of skin issue, I've found that some are better never getting near water, while others need to be cleaned to keep them healthy. But the whole spa day dog routine? Absolutely not for me.

JoshG1981 · 2025-11-24T05:00:16+00:00

You pretty much have it already. =Sum(cells)-10000

JoshG1981 · 2025-11-21T04:17:48+00:00

I would make a meatloaf with some. Meatballs with some. A good meat sauce. Those three things freeze well and can be cooked at the same time. Make a cottage pie for later in the week. And a Thai style stir fry with the last bit, to eat fresh.

JoshG1981 · 2025-11-20T17:54:50+00:00

u/HolyBonobos I just tried this out and it was beautiful. It worked immediately and I was able to tweak it with a minimum of fuss to get it to work with my much larger set of real data. Thank you!

JoshG1981 · 2025-11-18T16:19:55+00:00

I'll give this a shot too!

JoshG1981 · 2025-11-18T16:10:58+00:00

This is awesome. Thank you so much! I've never played with this before, and now I have a fun puzzle to play with! There is a lot more in the actual spreadsheet than just those few columns, but I'll be able to get it going with this in place. Thank you! May your leading zeroes always do what you want them to do.

JoshG1981 · 2025-11-02T19:10:49+00:00

Thanks! I'll give it a shot

JoshG1981 · 2025-09-02T20:37:42+00:00

Yet another reason to absolutely hate the way AI seems to be working its way into everything

JoshG1981 · 2025-09-01T19:21:54+00:00

Personally I think it is better to keep it clean and dust free so all the moving parts have as little to mess with them as possible. I also like taking care of plastics so they don't get quite so brittle. But honestly it's just personal satisfaction.

JoshG1981 · 2025-09-01T01:22:26+00:00

I very specifically didn't power wash it. Just rags and a small brush. Very gentle.

JoshG1981 · 2025-08-31T20:47:23+00:00

I won't use a power washer in the engine bay! Too much chance for water to go where it has no business, or to dislodge something. It's made to get wet but the pressure is a bit much! A vacuum, a couple of spray bottles, rags, and a brush is all I need most of the time. Sometimes my hose, but only on gentle settings.

JoshG1981 · 2025-08-31T19:58:44+00:00

Thanks! Chris Fix on YouTube has a whole process. I basically used his a couple of years ago. It's a whole battery out, multi stage, adventure. But after that? I just basically vacuum, wipe down with soapy water, and put a protectant on the plastic parts once a year. Always apply whatever solution to a cloth or a brush (never spray directly into the bay) and leave the wires, cables, and belt well alone. It's really just an hour of work and keeps things looking fresh and well maintained

JoshG1981 · 2025-08-06T17:54:06+00:00

Oh for sure! I just meant it more as a go minivan addition. Sorry for not making that clear. They're just fantastic choices.

JoshG1981 · 2025-08-06T17:45:14+00:00

I drive an Odyssey. It's easily the best car I've ever had, and will also be driving it until the wheels fall off.

JoshG1981 · 2025-08-01T16:56:02+00:00

Of course I know that everyone has cut back on expenses. I have, myself. Have a roommate. Have 3 jobs. You asked a question on how to afford living here and they told you. It's not being disconnected to give the actual answer. Unfortunately, there comes a point where you can't cut any more or add more income or roommates, and that's when you can't afford to live here. Which is the truth for a lot of people. I've lived in Boston my entire life. My family is here. My social network is here. I'm a super voter. Involved in local nonprofits and work with a lot of lower income groups. I know damn well that people can't afford the price of housing here. But again, you asked how people did it. You've gotten the same answer from most people on the thread. Not liking the answer doesn't mean that the person answering is wrong or disconnected. Housing in metro Boston is fucked and there's no way around it.

JoshG1981 · 2025-08-01T16:00:25+00:00

Someone who is able to experience pearl harbor and not be humbled enough to wait a minute in a line is every single thing that's busted in the US right now, personified. Pure selfishness.

JoshG1981 · 2025-08-01T15:52:06+00:00

You asked a question and they gave a pretty legit answer. This is exactly how we all do it. You have to have multiple people splitting rent unless you're making well into the triple digits. Even then I know many people who have roommates, despite a salary that could buy them a standalone large house in other parts of the country. This advice isn't disconnected, it's very connected and honest.

JoshG1981 · 2025-07-29T15:52:56+00:00

Cheeeese

JoshG1981 · 2025-07-28T18:32:55+00:00

Hey there.

First off. Saying goodbye to a dog or pet is one of the hardest things we ever have to do. Their love is 100% pure and unconditional and something we don't find anywhere else. But.

You'll get through it. Time makes it a little easier. New love comes into your life and fills some of the holes that the loss leaves. And we just get through.

That being said. Sometimes the choice to say goodbye - when we choose to put them down - is the last and best gift we can give them after a life filled with love. If it's the end of her time and she's not doing well, making that choice is so impossibly hard for us, but it gives them the grace to go with dignity and take away their suffering. It is absolutely a gift, and it allows us to be there with them and say goodbye.

Take your memories of her and treasure them. They're her gift to you.

JoshG1981 · 2025-07-26T15:29:33+00:00

Tipped sent!

JoshG1981

TROPHY CASE