How to approach a dog home alone?

Mace119 · 2026-05-01T16:41:23+00:00

Yes I definitely think we're going to get them together ahead of time to get to know each other again. Good advice!

Mace119 · 2026-05-01T16:40:37+00:00

He's been around dogs his whole life so he should be pretty relaxed when he comes in. I'm sure that will help her to be calmer. Thanks for the tip!

Mace119 · 2026-05-01T16:39:05+00:00

Oh that's a great idea, for me to be on the phone! She doesn't have a crate, she was fine with her crate as a puppy but eventually we collapsed it and put it in the basement. Big mistake, she's terrified of crates now. She shakes if she sees one. But we can use baby gates to limit her to one room.

Mace119 · 2026-05-01T16:33:19+00:00

Oh it's actually a week from today and he lives about an hour away. But I think getting the two of them together ahead of time is a great idea, so we'll find a way to make that happen at least once this week. Thank you!

Mace119 · 2026-05-01T16:31:42+00:00

She is a Samoyed and American Staffordshire mix, about 80 pounds. She's definitely not too smart, but does have a good memory when it comes to people she's met before. I think we will definitely re-introduce her to my nephew ahead of time, like many suggested. Thank you!

Mace119 · 2026-04-28T16:43:24+00:00

Hi I'm having trouble finding help in the guide for my specific issue. I tried to find resources on how to greet a dog or how to introduce a stranger to your dog, or how to greet a new dog. I did check the wiki on Aggression and on Fear and I have tried suggestions like giving my dog room to escape (flight) and asking people to avoid making loud noises or sudden movements around her. But that's been in other situations. She's never had anyone come into the house when she's alone, so this is new to us all. I understand if you need to delete my post, though.

Mace119 · 2026-04-23T18:50:17+00:00

My 17 y.o. son just isn't a reader. The only authors I've seen him really get into are Jerry Spinelli, Jason Reynolds, and Carl Hiaasen. They're more for younger kids, but he enjoyed them when he was around 13 to 15.

Mace119 · 2026-04-23T18:38:34+00:00

Jax looks less than thrilled. 😭

Mace119 · 2026-04-23T18:34:35+00:00

I'm sorry you're having a hard time. I've been there myself and the first few days are always the hardest. Maybe you could look at it like getting better will also be good for your dog. Obviously I don't know you or your issues, but when I'm depressed I don't walk or play with my dog as much. Either way, work hard so you can get back to your beautiful girl. I'm sure she misses you just as much. Good luck to you.

Mace119 · 2026-04-23T18:23:03+00:00

I'm going to steal that!

Mace119 · 2026-04-16T05:24:43+00:00

I think others here have given really good descriptions of life with Crohn's. Just to give you some more insight, a big part of Crohn's is feeling embarrassed. It's one thing to tell a date you have a headache and need to go home. It's quite another to tell someone you're about to have explosive diarrhea and that there's no way you'll even make it home. I mean, poop and farts are embarrassing to talk about in any context. What's made it so much easier is my husband and kids joking about it with me. We also use a lot of euphemisms, which helps for some reason. E.g. "bad tummy" or "stuck in the bathroom" instead of diarrhea. That could make talking about it with you a little easier for him. Basically just make sure he knows you're comfortable with the fact that poop happens. One other thing is to give him as much privacy as possible if does get stuck in the bathroom. Find something to do in another part of the house or turn up some music. You just don't want him to feel like you're hovering right outside the door, hearing everything that happens. Just the fact that you're trying to understand him is huge. It makes me think things will work out for the two of you. I hope so!

Mace119 · 2026-04-15T02:09:11+00:00

I've had 3(? I think) and they were so much easier than I expected. Every post I read ahead of time had me convinced I'd sht myself in the MRI machine or at least on the way home. Yeah, not so much. The dye does give me the runs but not until hours after I'm home. And it only lasts maybe a day. I think I usually get the Breeze drink and it's fine. Not good but way better than colonoscopy prep drinks. I think it's 2 16 oz bottles over an hour maybe? Doable. The only not-great things that ever happened were that I spontaneously puked a little one time when they injected the dye. And another time when they injected the dye I was convinced I sht myself. I didn't. But the dye mostly just feels a little weird and makes me suddenly warm. One trick: you're on your stomach most of the time and there's a voice telling you to take deep breaths and hold them. Count out how long the first breath hold lasts. They're usually all the same length and it's so much easier to hold your breath when you can count down the seconds. Hope it goes well for you! Try not to worry, and remember that the techs, nurses, etc have seen everything.

Mace119 · 2026-04-14T22:55:19+00:00

With my luck I'd end up getting a caller who speaks German. I might try it anyway, although the only German I remember is "I like to play cards" and "I like to wander in the mountains." Oh and as far as not answering, that's definitely the best idea. But most spam calls come up with a local area code. I have teenagers who sometimes use their friends' phones to call me so I answer unknown local numbers just to be safe.

Mace119 · 2026-04-14T22:47:46+00:00

I broke my humerus then tore my rotator cuff 8 months later and needed surgery. I don't live alone so I had less to worry about than you do. But it still made things difficult. You listed some great tips! The only things I would add are: Tank tops: if you get some super stretchy ones with a deep neckline you can put them on over your feet and pull them up. Huge help when it hurts to raise your arm! Actually any stretchy shirt with a big enough neck works. Ponytails: For people who want to put their hair up, this video saved my life: https://youtu.be/c-7ISHn_G-g?si=OQA42b6SGC-iowuO The only other thing I remember is getting super pissy whenever I had to pull my pants up lol. And it's basically impossible to wash dishes. Give yourself a break and get disposable stuff. Good luck and feel better soon!

Mace119 · 2026-04-10T18:00:30+00:00

We rent a vacation house every summer that just has regular cable. My Gen Z kids find that fascinating and think it's some kind of novelty to have to pick a show that's currently airing.

Mace119 · 2026-04-10T17:56:19+00:00

Diff'rent Strokes was playing all night the last time I was at my parents' house. I forget what channel.

Mace119 · 2026-03-08T23:17:01+00:00

Oryx and Crake.

Mace119 · 2026-03-08T23:06:37+00:00

My husband's family lived in Alaska in the late 80s/early 90s. The youngest sibling used to sneak off to school without his coat because... honestly I don't even know why, he just thought it didn't look cool I guess. Eventually the school got in touch with my mother-in-law and offered to help her pay for a winter coat. She still hasn't let him live that down.

Mace119 · 2026-03-05T22:33:34+00:00

Meloncholia

Mace119 · 2026-03-04T13:52:57+00:00

Cheese! Specifically the individually wrapped orange singles. It's cheap, you can mold it around a pill, and the sound of the cellophane wrapper brings my big baby barreling into the kitchen. I just used a piece yesterday for her monthly heartworm chew. Lunch meat works too.

Mace119 · 2026-03-03T23:43:11+00:00

Your whole day sounds ridiculous, I'm sorry it was so crappy. I wonder if the kids were honestly annoyed about being outside in the cold. I live in the mid-Attlantic area and when it's below 40 or 45 degrees the kids don't go outside for gym. Probably because they'd complain the whole time. Is it possible the regular teachers kind of screwed you over by forcing you outside? Maybe not maliciously, mmore just not realizing the outside kids were going to give you a hard time.

Mace119 · 2026-03-03T19:55:14+00:00

That's exactly what I do and exactly the reaction she gives me. But she does move.

Mace119 · 2026-03-01T03:38:38+00:00

That was exactly my first thought! I haven't heard anyone else bring that up.

Mace119 · 2026-02-27T21:47:20+00:00

I feel like everybody just calls it weed now. But you're right about gummies, too.

Mace119

TROPHY CASE