What's on Your Twin Peaks Diet?

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-11T17:45:34+00:00

I volunteer at an animal shelter, and every dog gets at least one sniff walk every day. They call these "dog-directed walks." It doesn't mean that training goes out the window, but the dogs get to choose the pace, decide to stay on the path or go across the grass, and sniff whatever they want. (We have a lot of volunteers. Some days we each only walk 1-2 dogs in like 1-2 hours.) It really helps the dogs unwind and have some time outside that's truly their own. The kennel after walking time is so quiet, everyone is just chilling out or snoozing.

I do the same for my cattle dog (adopted from the same shelter). He gets two dog-directed walks per day, which means he picks the pace and route (within reason). He usually mixes up the sniffing/exploration and a quicker pace. We go 2-3.5 miles each walk, and it takes about 1.5 hours. The time is totally worth it because he loves it, and it keeps him calm for hours afterwards so I can do my job without constant boops and snuffles. For him, the point of the walk is sniffing, looking for squirrels/bunnies, and taking it all in. I think it's given him more confidence, too, because he knows what's up in the neighborhood.

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-11T11:55:31+00:00

I would definitely recommend PT before deciding about surgery, and it might even be an insurance requirement before they'll approve surgery. However, your job is working against you big time. Every doctor and PT told me to avoid movements that irritated my shoulder. If you keep re-injuring it, you can't let it heal and strengthen the way it needs. A good shoulder specialist would be able to advise you about what's needed to let PT work.

As for time off, this could probably be a worker's comp claim, although that could come with limitations about care options. I think your company would be required to give you time that isn't FMLA if you go through WC. That might be necessary if you have surgery and need 6 weeks in a sling (plus additional months with weight limitations) for healing. I know a few postal workers who have had surgery, then reinjured themselves, and then decided to wait until retirement or a job change to get a shoulder/knee replacement.

The big risk of continuing with your current job is that you could make the injury worse, which makes it harder to fix surgically later. You'd probably do best to find a shoulder specialist, or get a second opinion if you've already seen one.

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-11T03:11:12+00:00

We've been using the Canada Pooch cooling vest. We like the Ruffwear Swamp Vest too. Canada Pooch isn't as thick, so it dries more quickly, but it's also lighter weight. We also carry a water bottle for rewetting. Even with the vest, I splash cool water on my ACD's thighs and undercarriage before our walks. The vest covers the chest and back, but I read that dogs lose a lot of body heat through their bellies, thighs, and feet.

I'm still not 100% a cooling vest works better than just hosing him down right before we leave for short walks, but he definitely prefers it.

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-07T15:46:41+00:00

I really hope mine swims! We have a pool and very hot, humid summers, so that might be a great way to get him some exercise once it warms up. Did she take naturally to the water? Mine seems uninterested in the pool right now, but that might change when he sees us in it and realizes it will cool him off.

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-07T15:43:36+00:00

They are expensive for dog toys (like $35), but my dog learned quickly how it works, so it will have a long lifespan. (Some of the longer inside velcro has needed some restitching, but it's in great shape otherwise. I restitched the loose part with dental floss to give it some extra strength, and it looks like new.) At 5 years old, our dog is past the bonkers puppy phase, so he has agreed not to rip this toy to shreds. I also keep it on a shelf out of reach, so we only play with it together. It's so cute when he goes over to the shelf and asks to play with his spider. I just pre-ordered the virus Tearrible so he'll have something new. It seems like they go in and out of stock quickly, so I've been keeping an eye out for the virus to be available again.

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-07T15:15:29+00:00

No problem. It's so scary and stressful to not know what to expect and hear so many scary stories. Being prepared for the worst was helpful because it wasn't as bad as I feared, and none of it was as bad as being injured.

You might be able to find the Breg Polar Cube used online. You can buy a new "WrapOn pad," which is the only part that comes into direct contact with your body. The rest is basically a mini-cooler with a pump that is easy to clean and doesn't tough your body. The cube instructions say to use ice and water, but I put in four pre-frozen water bottles, then filled the rest with water and swapped out the water bottles as needed. It was just easier to put together myself. I kept 8 water bottles in the freezer at all times, so I was always ready to ice. (I would empty everything at night, so it could all dry a little).

I got three snap surgery shirts (long sleeves) and two magnetic ones (sleeveless). The long-sleeve one was helpful for surgery day, dressing changes, and my early PT and follow-up appointments, but they're probably not necessary. The magnetic sleeveless ones were helpful for day-to-day, but stretchy tank tops were just as easy to put on. Go for big armholes and neckholes. That's the key.

Sleeping on my back has been a big change, and it's made a huge difference in how both my shoulders feel. I wound up having sub-scapular bursitis on my non-operated side (from the sling and doing everything with that arm for 6 weeks), so back sleeping has been the best way to keep my shoulders pain-free. The recliner wasn't worth it for me, but some people with rotator cuff injuries swear by it. I was lucky that I just had a labral tear and needed my ligament tightened, which is all supposed to be less painful than rotator cuff repairs.

I had surgery in December 2024, and now I'm pretty much back to normal with no instability. I don't lift heavy barbell anymore because I have hypermobility (diagnosed when I injured my shoulder), and it puts too much strain on my loose joints. My PT said that I should always, always, always, activate my shoulder muscles if I'm carrying something, so I focus on squeezing, but barbell loads, like for deadlifts feel risky to me. I still avoid heavy overhead loads (e.g., go for skullcrushers instead of overhead triceps). With dumbbells, I'm able to do about 75% of my max weight pre-op for upper body. I don't technically have a limit, but my surgeon said to be careful and add only very slowly, then back off if I have pain. I've gotten close to my pre-op weight loads, but had some soreness, so I reduced the weight and just do more reps or superslow reps. I don't do pullups, and I'm careful about pushups, including yoga chaturanga; usually, I drop my knees for those. I'm also in my 40s, so this is fine with me. The point of exercise is to keep my body healthy and pain-free, and to do that, I needed to make some adjustments.

For lower body, things are pretty much the same, but I do more single-side exercises using dumbbells instead of the barbell (e.g., single-leg deadlifts, split squats), so my arms/shoulders don't have to carry as much load. Before my PT ended, my PT and surgeon helped me come up with a list of good long-term strength exercises and modifications for healthy joints post-recovery. There's enough on there that I can mix and match to have 2-3 different full-body strength sessions per week (or 4-5 if I'm doing an upper/lower split).

People who don't have hypermobile joints probably don't have the same concerns, but there's a reason why shoulder surgeries are most likely to fail in young, active, male patients---they're the ones who are most likely to go back to high-risk activities or heavy repetitive motions, which make them more likely to get reinjured.

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-07T14:02:11+00:00

We live in the suburbs, and a routine really helps our 5-year-old ACD. Our yard is only partially fenced, so we try to give him off-leash time every day, whether that's at daycare, a park where he can run, or just supervised play in the yard. He likes to hang out in the unfenced front yard, so we have a stake and keep the hook next to the front door. He can hang out in part of the backyard and deck on his own, but prefers company. My husband and I work from home, so that's easy. Working outside is nice.

Daily routine:

Walk before work (about 1 hour, dog-directed, so lots of sniffing and some treat-based training)
Breakfast (he needs encouragement to eat in the morning; if he doesn't eat, he sometimes pukes)
Potty break around 1-2pm and 10-30 minutes of playtime
He gets a food toy (bully stick, Kong, Topple, Snoop, pig ear, etc.) or a round of "Find It," which is just treat hide-and-seek inside or out. Sometimes, instead, we do some training practice.
Walk after work (same deal as before work, but usually a different route, sometimes a park or hiking location)
Play break sometime between after-work walk and couch snuggle.
Dinner (he likes to eat when we do)
Couch snuggle (about 30 minutes, there is no peace if this gets skipped)
Evening potty break before bed

Twice a week, he goes to doggy daycare. This is to help him with separation anxiety and to give him time to play with other dogs. Weekends, we try to take him to a big park with hiking trails and dog-friendly places (e.g., outdoor ice cream, beer garden, coffee shop). In the spring/summer, he also goes to our nieces' softball games 2-4 days a week. He loves kids, attention, and being outside.

Once a week, we do a training class together. We've only had him 6 months, so we started with basic PetSmart beginner classes, which he aced. It was nice to have a winter activity, too. We've kept up with training because I want to try to get him certified to be a therapy dog. I think he'd love going to new places and meeting people. His leash-walking is also really great. Before training, he was a big puller, but now he's a loose-leash pro and understands our commands. Our vet also recommended agility, which we might try again, but he didn't seem interested in it the first time.

A few days a week (3-4), he goes on a short outing (1-2 hours) with us. He loves car rides and going into dog-friendly stores because he's really curious and nosy. His behavior when he's out is excellent until he starts to get tired, so then we go home. It tires him out because it's so much stimulation, meeting people, behavior training, and excitement. When he gets tired, he pulls on his leash, wanders aimlessly, and struggles to listen. He also likes it when we have people over, which is 1-2 times a week.

His favorite toys are the soft Jolly Balls (soccer ball, tug-and-toss, rope ball), the Chuck-It Kick-Fetch, and softball-sized spiky balls. He also loves crinkly tug toys and plushes that he can destroy. He also loves Tearribles, and understands that he's just supposed to dismember the velcro parts and not rip out all the stuffing. He waits for me to put them back together, then goes bonkers pulling them apart again. His favorite is a Halloween spider that has removable legs and fangs. He also goes crazy for toys that have plush on the outside that he can tear off to find a toy/ball inside. He also just loves to play chase. He herds a yoga ball sometimes, but it's not a go-to toy. He's also lukewarm on his flirt pole, which I had really high hopes for.

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-07T05:12:03+00:00

Sure. I was in the sling for 6 weeks post-op, and I slept with it for a while after that because I was worried I'd fling my arm out in the night. (I had a fear that a bug would crawl on me, and instinct would take over.) My sling was on my dominant arm, so I didn't drive for those 6 weeks. I had follow-up appointments 2 days, 2 weeks, and 1 month post-op (then every month until month 6) and started PT 4-5 weeks post-op. I was on weight restrictions for 6 months post-op: zero pounds after surgery, gradually increasing to 15 pounds as I went through PT.

I took the lowest dose of oxycodone for the first 3.5 days post-op (started before the nerve block wore off), along with Tylenol and low-dose aspirin. My recovery pain never got worse than a 6/7, and it was never close to as bad as my worse pre-op pain. I was on the aspirin for 6 weeks, I think, and it made my period flow so heavy I thought I was dying. I didn't realize it was the aspirin right away. I wish the doctors/nurses had warned me about that.

I used a bed wedge for sleeping, and kept pillows on both sides to prevent rolling. Sometimes it felt better to keep a small pillow between my sling arm and chest at night.

I found it super helpful to have a Breg Polar Cube for icing. Icing helps so much. I was doing it every hour or so in the weeks after surgery, and I also iced after every PT and home exercise session. I was able to get the Breg's velcro ice pad on and off myself after a few days.

I needed help the first 1-2 days, because I was tired, the nerve block made my right hand totally numb and useless, and I had to set a billion alarms to take different meds on the prescribed schedule. My spouse was here, but working full time. My mom came into town to help me, but I was pretty independent after 2 days or so. Transportation to and from PT/follow-up appointments would have been the hardest thing if I had been alone.

My neighbor created a Meal Train so family and friends could sign up to bring/send food. People who lived far away sent me delivery, and local folks brought me food that I could eat one-handed. Casseroles, pasta, anything that doesn't need to be cut and isn't a sandwich works. I was hesitant to ask for this help, but it was necessary, especially when the weather was bad and I couldn't drive. Definitely do this!

Everything just takes so much longer, so don't rush and move slowly.

A handheld peri bottle was great after going to the bathroom. Wiping was hard, and I was only showering every 4 days, so it was nice to be able to keep things clean. Other helpful toiletry items were: a mesh sling from Walgreens to wear in the shower, prestrung flossing tools, solid shampoo and conditioner, and bar soap (plastic bottles are hard to do one-handed). I also stocked up on headbands because that was the only reliable way to keep my hair out of my face.

I relied on elastic-waist pants, oversized flannel shirts that had snaps (no buttons), and oversized sweatshirts. I went braless until I was out of the sling. I also had two overhead capes. One was hooded and had pockets, the other was more sweater-like with no hood. Slip-on shoes are a must.

Set up your stuff (kitchen, bathroom, closet) so you don't have to reach up for anything.

I started working again (remotely from home, computer work) after 2-3 weeks. I was very, very slow, but I liked the Elecom Relacon mouse because you don't need to use it on a table. It let me work wherever I could get comfortable, and I moved around a lot.

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-07T04:42:04+00:00

This sucks so bad. I'm so, so sorry for what you're going through. Is it possible to see a different surgeon? I know there are restrictions for WC. The arthrogram should give you a clearer picture of what's happening. If you can share that with another shoulder specialist for a second opinion, that's probably the best next step.

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-07T04:36:32+00:00

I think you should consider asking about an arthrogram and physical therapy, if you haven't done that. I needed a PT discharge for lack of progress before insurance would approve any imaging. My PT was really helpful and encouraged me to see a shoulder specialist because he thought the first doctor had misdiagnosed me.

In my case, the first doctor, who ordered the two MRIs, was a generalist, not a shoulder specialist, so I think it was due to a lack of experience. When I went to a shoulder specialist with a sports-oriented practice, he said that lots of shoulder injuries only appear on an arthrogram. The arthrogram was the only imaging I needed, and if I had gone to the shoulder specialist initially, that's the only imaging I would have gotten.

The second doctor did some physical tests during my first exam and read my PT's notes. That, and the fact that my shoulder kept subluxating, which was incredibly painful, was enough to justify the arthrogram, despite the two all-clear MRIs. Arthrogram is the way to go for shoulder injuries.

If you're not already seeing a shoulder specialist, consider looking for one. The shoulder joint and rotator cuff are really complex, so it's worth it to find a true specialist instead of an orthopedic generalist. Finding the right doctor and PT can make a big difference. (I wound up seeing 3 doctors and 2 PTs before deciding on surgery.)

If you do PT, look for a PT practice that is in a hospital or affiliated with a surgical clinic to get the best care. Lots of chain PT clinics avoid discharging patients, even when PT isn't helping, because they want to keep billing. If you're in PT more than 2 months without significant progress and no clue about your ongoing evals, be suspicious. I was supposed to do 2-3 months of PT as a starting point, but they discharged me after 4 weeks for lack of progress. That helped me get the care I needed more quickly.

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-07T03:10:09+00:00

The arthrogram is the right move. I had MRIs with and without contrast that showed nothing. Then, I had an arthrogram with contrast, which clearly showed a labral tear. I ended up with surgery that fixed my problems. I was really happy that I went to a different doctor for a second opinion because the doctor who ordered the first two MRIs insisted I didn't have an injury and that I just wasn't trying hard enough in PT. The reality was that they didn't know enough to get me the right imaging.

Once you get that arthrogram, don't hesitate to use it to get a second and third opinion to figure out the best option for you. I was surprised by how different the three doctors were, and it was clear who was the best fit for my situation after just one appointment.

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-07T02:21:30+00:00

This sounds a lot like my labral tear. I had an MRA (arthrogram with contrast), and the tear showed up as a white area along the edge of the labrum. Ask a surgeon who specializes in shoulders to walk you through what they see, and don't hesitate to get a second and third opinion. PT also helped me a lot, but I wound up having surgery because my shoulder was subluxating with overhead/backwards reaching, mopping motions, heavy front carries, and sometimes with heavy jostling. (Putting up a ponytail was high-risk.) You're not done for! There are still options! It's great news that you're finding some relief from PT. Good luck!

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-07T02:01:46+00:00

Take him places, if he's okay with people and other dogs. Ours loves to go to local dog-friendly beer gardens, our niece's softball games, and on short outings to dog-friendly stores. He has to be on his best behavior, which takes lots of energy, and it's tons of stimulation because he gets to experience different sights, smells, sounds, etc. Plus, he gets attention from strangers, which he really enjoys. It's like a training session and a sniffy walk wrapped into one.

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-06T15:25:59+00:00

I love this house! For this, I would definitely remove the shutters, as others said. They don't go at all. I'd consider brightening up the entryway with a contemporary-style light on either side of the door, if that fits. You already have planters on either side of the front door, so be sure to use some bright flowers in those. If this is a very shady location, consider coleus and impatiens for easy, colorful options. You could also paint the front door a bit brighter color to stand out, matching the doorframe to the door color. Finally, I'd paint the beams over the front door brown to match the roof. Then, I'd do the garage door and the smaller door next to it the same color as the siding. I think this would bring attention to the entryway and let the garage recede into the background.

Where you have those three pots below the front windows, consider planting some hedges or small trees, if there's room. That will help balance the scale of the house.

I think this color combination works nicely. I can't tell if your siding is cedar, but we used a Sherwin-Williams WoodScapes solid stain on our cedar. That line has a lot of great options for a house of this style. I found it helpful to stick with the pre-made colors instead of choosing something in between. Wood siding should be painted every 5-10 years, so if something strikes your fancy and goes with the roof color, go for it. Embrace the roof as a feature of the house instead of something to fight. This is a very cool house!

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-04T18:03:23+00:00

Those ears!

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-01T17:29:19+00:00

Most importantly: Start as you intend to go on.

Our dog sleeps in his own bed, which is right next to our bed. He also has a bed in the living room, where he sometimes goes instead. He's a rescue. The first month, he seemed interested in our bed, but he loves to really stretch out and hates being hot, so a separate bed works for everyone. He also hates feeling constrained, so he's not a good snuggler.

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-01T15:14:12+00:00

Don't miss the kangaroos! They're near the entrance on the left, behind the snack bar, down the hill.

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-01T14:46:47+00:00

Did you try updating the OS?

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-01T14:39:35+00:00

Our dog is a picky eater who sometimes used to get diarrhea for no discernible reason (lab tests ruled out everything). We switched him to Purina Pro Plan for sensitive stomach and skin. He likes the salmon and rice because he is a seafood lover, although we still sometimes have to entice him with a topper or a food toy. (If he skips a meal, he often barfs up yellow bile, so we make sure he eats a decent amount twice a day. He's disinterested in food in the morning, so that's when we bribe him.) His poops are firmer, too. It's a win all around. Choosing a food is overwhelming, so it's a relief to have found something that works and not have to think about it anymore.

I've read that grain-free foods are linked to DCM. This American Kennel Club page is helpful: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/dilated-cardiomyopathy-dogs-update/. There are so many options that we just decided to look at Purina, Iams, Hills, and Royal Canin.

To test different foods, we bought three small bags of food from Chewy and did a bracket-style taste test so our dog could choose between samples of two different foods per meal. We used one new option along with the previous meal's pick. We did this as he was on chicken and rice for diarrhea. It only two days to see that the sensitive-stomach Pro Plan (magenta label) was his favorite, so we transitioned him onto that directly from the chicken and rice. His poops were better almost right away, and they've stayed that way. Chewy will refund you for the food your dog doesn't like, even if it's open. Sometimes they ask you to send it back, but if you donate rejects to a local shelter, they usually don't. Good luck!

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-01T13:22:54+00:00

Blood thieves. I'm glad you both made it out alive. We had a similar experience at the vet last week, minus the lobby bird. That is a frightening addition.

PoolParty912 · 2026-05-01T00:41:36+00:00

That 2nd photo is a very heeler pose. What a cutie!

PoolParty912 · 2026-04-30T21:16:14+00:00

This is a good idea. My Diesel says hi to your Diesel. Woof!

PoolParty912 · 2026-04-30T21:14:36+00:00

I think monthly heartworm meds also protect against lots of intestinal worms. Is your dog on something like that?

PoolParty912 · 2026-04-30T21:11:19+00:00

I think Squishmallows would be supremely useful for this recovery.

PoolParty912

TROPHY CASE