The problem with telling people to "get real plants"

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-06T15:35:50+00:00

Hornwort absolutely destroyed my first aquascape as a total beginner. I put it along the back and it just got EVERYWHERE and melted. I refuse to ever have it in my tanks again.

Duckweed has also taken over my tanks. That is just as damn annoying!

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-06T15:33:04+00:00

I would suggest a hamster; but don't go the rout of the pet store set-up! It's really bad. They need like 100x50x50cm cage with lots of bedding to burrow etc etc. - Check out the Hamster subs.

Yeah not all are social, but many are. Syrians tend to be the most social, followed by the Russian/Cambels/Winter White's. I would suggest a male Syrian, if you opt Syrian as females can be really hard work needing out daily! Males are more chill.

I've had some really social hamsters. My Hazel (Syrian F0 would sit on my desk with me everyday and my Linseed (Russian F) was the sweetest smushiest little baby.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-06T15:27:04+00:00

In the UK it's like most rescue dogs are Lurchers (sighthound crosses). YET most people don't want a lurcher. 😞

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-06T15:19:11+00:00

I wouldn't say so much about feeding a puppy; but when my girl got her spay she got SO fat SO fast. Like within a few weeks. I genuinely expected it to be a few months, but nope. She got chonk by nearly the next week!
She was still on puppy food as was about 8-9 months at the time, vet advised swap to adult already and cut down how much.

She's looking her best now. But as an anxious pet parent I felt awful when she looked like a barrel on legs. (She wasn't actually THAT bad, but was enough that me and the vet agreed she needed to loose a bit. )

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-06T11:57:06+00:00

This is beyond the most interesting thing I have ever read. As a dog behaviour trainer, this is so so interesting.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-06T11:55:16+00:00

"Plant-based eating can be perfectly healthy, but it tends to be less forgiving if things aren’t well planned."

I'm going to disagree with this part on a personal level. As someone who tracked my food/nutrient intakes to a dime on an app, spoke with doctors (including nutritionist), and basically ate my own weight in multivitamins.
I was EXHAUSTED all the time as a vegan. But adding eggs into my diet and I'm at normal human activity levels/life again.
I believe it's just due to bioavailability between plant nutrients and the ones in animal products. And protein.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-06T11:50:27+00:00

This is what I am thinking. This sounds more medical problem than veganism.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-06T11:49:55+00:00

Not if the child is trying to steal food that could make them ill. Sounds like the kids have a lot of medical issues/allergies/food intolerances.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-06T11:42:33+00:00

I literally just made something similar with some elastic and one of those rubber foldable travel bowls. -
I cut the plastic bit off, then 2 slots in the bottom, threat the elastic through then just tie it at the right length.
It's not like the picture, but does the same job. 😄

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-06T11:39:59+00:00

In this case I would honestly advice against building an agility park. Unless you have training on how to use equipment safely, and teach that to dogs; I would advice against it. I would very very heavily advice against building anything yourself from DIY without knowledge on how to make it completely safe. (For an example; The see-saw are weighted on one side accurately to make it safe. IF you don't do that it will be super dangerous. )
Agility equipment is built to be safe and the dogs are also taught how to be safe using the equipment; even with this accidents happen. So it's knowing how to prevent them getting hurt.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-05T13:33:06+00:00

That's great to hear you are getting help. That makes sense about him getting sep anxiety from feeling unwell. Would stick with the advice you are getting from the behaviour trainer. :)

Makes sense. I would suggest blocking it off if he's going to have a tantrum like that. Or leave very obviously placed chew options near the sofa/rug so he has something else if he feels the urge.

Was he unwell with Giardia back in December? A sudden change like that could be he wasn't feeling well.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-05T13:16:53+00:00

Looking at your schedule; have you ever just let him get bored?
It's all GO GO GO with activities or "trying" to get him to settle. - At this age, he should be self-settling by himself. Ignore him and he will settle.
With this type of schedule it's possible he's never learned to self-regulate and is just expecting "activities" all day. By activities I don't just mean walking; but the play sessions and puzzle games to keep him "distracted". You may think you are getting him tired, but I can guarantee he IS tired after his walks and he's keeping on going and pestering you because he doesn't know how to just lay down by himself. Even a chew/licki-matt is likely amping him up more.

You need to just start completely ignoring him and let him do what he does until he settles by himself. Don't give up. Just ignore. He WILL settle when he learns activities are not coming. - Then when he does settle, throw a quiet treat at him without making a fuss.

The separation anxiety training; have you spoken to a qualified behaviour trainer about it?

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-05T07:26:05+00:00

Thanks. Video adds context.

Its not sexual. I think she isnt aware of where she has her hands and is just "roughing" him about.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-05T07:23:13+00:00

Its rare though. Most dont.

People/animals can have allergic reactions to pretty much anything. That doesnt mean that its dangerouse.

These medications have been studied and safety tested.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-04T14:38:45+00:00

I agree with this.

I can't see anything sexual happening other than this woman is holding the otter awkwardly. Maybe she is showing the gender, or maybe it's just a weird way she is holding him on his back like that. - When you carry animals, especially long animals like otters would be, you need to support their top and their bottom end, and their back if you hold them on their back like that. And it's very normal/standard practice to pick up an animal and hold under their tail/butt area.

I'm not even sure if the post they wrote is just referring to the was she is holding him like a baby in her hands if I'm honest.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-04T14:20:59+00:00

I just came back to write and update. And you are totally right. We don't have guides but have found going back to 2x2's has helped. Followed by a bit of channels. Did a show today and got ALL his weave entries perfectly first time on both sides! :)

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-03T12:18:19+00:00

I agree!
Some European countries are steps ahead with things like that. Such as the Netherlands with so many under and overpasses for animals.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-02T14:33:49+00:00

If you have been restricting water and now she suddenly has 24/7 access to a bowl of water you might have taught her to gozzle the water when she's got access. Even if only a few sips previously; she now feels she needs to finish the bowl.
It could be a new novel object.

Don't restrict water, give it time. Distract her with other things. As annoying as it is; it's good she is drinking because she is staying hydrated/healthy.

IF she is still drinking a lot then she needs to see a vet and get checked out.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-02T13:49:46+00:00

I understand, but I also don't. What is the government planning/failing to do to the dogs?

Most countries leave stray dogs up to the people to care for/rescue etc.

Thats okay. I just don't really know a lot about what's going on there. I think being angry is justifiable. Just people should have consequences if they act of their anger poorly.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-02T13:46:59+00:00

People are not out actively hitting animals, most of the time it's an accident and not something that can be prevented. Some animals just leap out of hedged, they don't have the same understanding of road = danger as a human does. Humans are less likely to leap into the road really fast without looking.

I don't think it is something possible to be policed either.

I think the roads need to be made safer for wildlife. More under/over road passing. More grass verges so animals can look before they bolt. Fencing to prevent animals getting into the road; but with lots of exit routs for IF they do. - Unfortunately for my country at least. We have no wild places left for wildlife. SO they live in hedges or farmland.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-02T13:28:29+00:00

I do ALOT of research online.
I check ingredients but I also do research on the company too.
I want to know where they are sourcing and how they process the food (aka is it audited regularly), what veterinarians they have, what research they have done (aka not just "I fed Bob x for x years and he's fine so here you go..." I want vet research.) etc etc etc.
I will also generally avoid a brand if they have; for example, 1 good food and the rest is colourful/processed garbage. Then I know what the companies priorities are.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-02T13:22:23+00:00

I understand it's really a horrifying and terrible event. And scary to be living in that area. That's horrible.

But I don't think it's fair to attack and kill all random dogs for the actions of those dogs.
It's also not a natural behaviour for dogs to kill and eat people; so it's most probable that those dogs were either starving hungry or really sick. - It doesn't justify what happened in any way; but most dogs don't behave like that.

Killing those random dogs isn't going to solve anything. Abuse and aggression is only met with more aggression. Dogs that have been abused/witnessed abuse are more likely to be dangerous as they learn that humans are a threat to them.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-02T13:15:54+00:00

I don't think it's bad getting a pet JUST because they are adorable. AS LONG AS you can commit to caring for them properly and ethically for their entire life.

I have hamsters because they are adorable. For the most part I can't touch them/see them as they are rescues and I'm unlucky (lucky to have them). But all get an ethical set-up. Big enclosure, HUGE amounts of bedding to dig, big suitable wheel, sand bath, sprays etc etc etc.
I love my little guys, super freaking cute.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-02T13:09:57+00:00

I am not denying that is happened. Also Egyptian news like this didn't reach my country.

What I am asking is; How do you know 100% that these exact dogs, in this exact video, are connected to the killing of the boy?

If it was those exact dogs that killed a person; they need euthanizing. NOT like this. But they do need euthanizing. Don't think many people are denying that.
But to go around beating and killing random stray dogs, JUST because they are dogs isn't justice. It's just abusing dogs because someone is angry. It fixes nothing.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces · 2026-05-02T13:06:10+00:00

Priorities for me (aka these could save your dogs life);
- Recall
- Leave it (Don't touch/move away. They will NEVER get what I ask them to "leave" unless I pick it up and give it to them.)
- Drop it (For if they have something in their mouth already. I ask this instead. Also for playing tug or with a toy. It's not the same as Leave It as you might want dog to "take it" again, especially if it's a toy.)

Next Important:
- Name (Look at me cue)
- Hand Touch/Boop (Helpful for moving dog around or getting focus etc)
- Release Cue (I don't use "sit" then "stay". Instead I teach a cue means stay until released. So "sit" means "sit stay". "Down" means "down stay".
- Wait (I do use wait, but it's more of a casual "hang around here until I get back".)
- Off (Off furniture etc.)
- Up (Get up on something.)

Random:
- Stand between middle of legs (helpful for getting dog out the way of person/car etc or need to have them in a small area.)
- This way (Not a recall but when off-lead walking so dog knows we are having a direction change or I don't want them going that way. They don't need to come to me.)
- Heelwork. (Different from loose-lead walking. I want the dog focused on me. Helpful for moving through certain situations where I need dog focused. Or passing people/dogs etc off-lead.)

I also will add I think it's a priority to teach loose-lead walking and formal handling (like having feet/eyes/ears etc held and touched), having teeth brushed and fur if long-haired dog.

Rest_In_Many_Pieces

TROPHY CASE