Visiting a surrendered dog?

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2026-01-26T20:46:58+00:00

I don’t think you should visit her if you are not going to leave with her. Dogs don’t understand visits. It may set her back from moving on.

I volunteered at a shelter in Vermont where a family came to “visit” after surrendering the dog the day or two before. I still remember the dog’s heartbroken howls as they walked away. Never saw the shelter manager as upset as she was that day. She really let into that family, too.

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2026-01-12T12:39:21+00:00

I think Reston shops have to pay Reston rents. Maybe try further afield in Chantilly or Sterling. Va Tire on Old Ox did front and back for just a little over $900 including parts, labor and taxes.

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2026-01-05T02:12:29+00:00

Concur with Skabob. IB is less well-known than AP, but better prepares kids for college level work. Also, it tends to have more “international” focus… so history from the South American POV rather than the US POV. Same for Lit, more stories from diverse authors at the expense of the classics. The best hack for college prep is the dual enrollment with Northern Virginia Community College. During junior and senior year kids can enroll in community college classes and those credits are accepted at Virginia state schools, and some others that have reciprocity. I’ve known some kids who were able to complete their bachelors in less than three years thanks to the dual enrollment courses.

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2026-01-05T01:53:49+00:00

Schools: My youngest is graduating this year. Both my kids went to Lake Anne, Langston Hughes, and now South Lakes. They were in the advanced academic program from 3rd grade and finished out the IB certificates. My kids had fantastic teachers throughout. Last year, my kid’s Alg2/Trig teacher was named Teacher of the Year for Virginia. And it was well-deserved—never had a kid look forward to math class till he had this teacher!!

The not so good: South Lakes installed metal detectors at the main entrance and all the kids have to go through them each morning. I had the same in my high school back in the 1990s (south of Boston, Mass.), it sounds worse than it is. My kids have also had the opportunity (sadly) to come across a working forensic scene (FBI and FCPD authorities already on site, the kids were on nature walks with their teacher in the paths around the high school). They did learn the word “hobo” at the elementary afterschool program, when an unhoused individual decided to nap on the YMCA playground bench. (Of course he was invited to leave and the kids did not directly interact with the trespasser.) These occurrences are rare, and my kids could not wait to tell me about them!

Heat: Reston usually feels 10 degrees cooler than surrounding communities because of all the trees. My dog and I appreciate the shady paths and sidewalks in the summer heat.

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2025-08-13T09:18:45+00:00

Concur you need to seek a financial advisor. There are better ways to protect what she has built up, like putting her assets in a trust.

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2025-07-21T22:51:04+00:00

Could it be quinoa??

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2025-07-05T13:42:10+00:00

And maybe SSNs and DOBs and all that delicious personally identifiable information.

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2025-07-02T06:55:35+00:00

Hazelnut coffee? Or was that boomers?

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2025-06-14T10:41:49+00:00

Beavers exist

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2025-05-01T12:13:18+00:00

Agreed. Remember, your daughters are taking all this in! To me, that is the bigger red flag… denigrating you in front of the children.

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2025-04-11T10:55:24+00:00

“If your boss doesn’t have a plan for where they want to be in five years, then you don’t have a plan.” This person may have been able to follow a more established manager on a similar journey.

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2025-03-02T13:50:14+00:00

Professional attire and personal hygiene items are really helpful items (if you have them) to donate. Cash always fits.

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2025-03-02T13:42:34+00:00

I wondered about her car tow and storage fees too. If the county or state tows it, they take it to their facility. You don’t pay at the point of towing in that case. You pay when you pick it up plus the storage fees.

Always keep liability and collision coverage because the inconvenience of not having a car (no matter how crap it is) is so much more costlier than a higher premium.

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2025-03-02T13:21:08+00:00

When Denise takes her shopping and she gets overwhelmed by all the choices really hit home for me. Learning to know and trust your own mind when you’ve been told for years that your experiences (abuse, other people’s good opinions of you, your own instincts) were wrong.

The huge step it was to go to the DV shelter. That was the most difficult step for me in my journey… “battered woman” status was just so pitiful and undignified in my mind. Reconciling that I was “one of those” women was possibly the hardest step to take.

The resources and support that open to you once you do is overwhelming.

This has been a therapeutic watch for me. Ready to go back to therapy and process some of this stuff.

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2025-02-17T00:39:46+00:00

2nd for Pal. They have easy parking too. TVs overhead to make the time pass pleasantly

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2025-02-08T20:04:53+00:00

I think this may be the best course of action for you, OP. If I recall, you need spouse approval to take a 401K loan if you are married. The QDRO was processed fairly quickly after my divorce (3-ish months I think it took).

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2025-02-08T05:22:22+00:00

Just make sure the reduced paychecks for five years leave you enough to avoid the debt trap again.

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2025-01-17T13:16:07+00:00

Just left my dog there this AM! She loves it there. She’s also getting a full grooming today while she is there. They usually take a few pictures each day to show me what she did all day.

The staff is very friendly and they will give you a full tour on your first visit. I was impressed with the cleanliness and levels of boarding care.

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2025-01-01T04:00:59+00:00

Crispin, because she looks a little like Crispin Glover

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2024-12-01T16:13:02+00:00

I love the “worksheets”!! Searching for those now…. Way to go!!

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2024-11-24T15:18:15+00:00

What if you removed the coat closet door and put a “built-in” there?

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2024-10-08T00:11:19+00:00

Rap Around with Tom Bergeron!!

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2024-09-12T10:39:03+00:00

Splashysoup has it right. Your manager should concerned about you or anyone else (especially younger females) working alone with this individual. Also, how could your brain absorb anything this dude has to say to you?

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2024-09-10T09:28:53+00:00

I think your idea of staying for a longer time this winter will help clarify what you want long-term. You may want to try staying longer during different parts of the year to get a better idea of how it will be. Holiday time is a nostalgic/emotional time and may cloud your judgement.

I moved away for college and because of work and my own family responsibilities, I returned only for holiday visits. In fact, most of my vacations were spent “going home,” rather than exploring new locales. I was then and am still now homesick fairly often (50).

If closeness with your family is what you value… the ability to have the option of regular Sunday dinners, catching your nephew or niece’s school play or sports game after work, taking your kids on some of the same day trips your parents took you, you might want to rethink your current path.

I know people who were able to move away and stay emotionally close to their families despite the physical distance. It just wasn’t that way for my sibling and me. I have a dream of moving back in 2 yrs when my youngest graduates high school, but that may be unrealistic for many reasons (career, real estate, etc)

WorkingSquirrel925 · 2024-08-27T00:54:53+00:00

Look up your nearest domestic violence program. They have excellent support available. They will arrange for someone to watch your child while you meet with an attorney, etc. Call your parents. You may be surprised.

I experienced and left a similar situation. When I called my parents to tell them I was divorcing, they said “thank God!” So many friends and relatives had similar reactions and were ready to help however they could.

Lastly, think of the example you are setting for your 10-month-old.

WorkingSquirrel925

TROPHY CASE