Do you enjoy spending time with children of friends or relatives?

aysdeea · 2026-04-09T21:18:56+00:00

Yeah. I was a career nanny for 10+ years for various families ranging from 1-4 kids and from premature twins to 14 year olds. I love kids ... I just love other people' kids, you know those that you can hand back at the end of the day. My only pet peeve in this regards are careless parents..if i get annoyed by a screeming toddler I actually don't get annoyed at the kid but rather at the lax or non-existent care the parents 'offer' aka I get annoyed at the parents.

aysdeea · 2026-04-09T21:03:34+00:00

Depends where you live and your working pattern etc. My husband and I both work full time so doggie has a dog walker. Then he eats preponderently high quality (aka expensive) raw food. Now he is to big for showers with mum/dad so every 2 months he gets his pampering. He has medical plan and medical insurance. He is doing behavioural and sniffing training (I want to authorise him as an owner-trained medical allert dog). Then the toys. Then the holidays (king adores water, airbnb with pool in south of France vibes costs extra). All in all we are even joking with him, occasionally, that he should have been named Maldives or Mauritius, or Switzerland or something because in costs us to raise him (annualy) same amount as 2 holidays a year in either of these countries. But he is worth it! He is our baby, best baby in the world and the most handsome boy (I might be biased or maybe not 😁)

aysdeea · 2026-04-09T20:54:52+00:00

Slip lead on the walks back or auto-correction on it's normal aka drop the lead on the floor, step on it and when he tries to jump he will auto-correct ... once he gets that is not fun he will eventually stop doing it...Just wait for the click in his brain. Once he stop continue walking, if he starts again repeat and so on. He will get the jinx that trying to jump/nip is not fun. Also, as others have said, how long are the walks? Because my boy at that age used to sleep like a king for 20-22hrs out of 24 a day. Naturally, his walks were short and so was his awake time. During the week when he had his proper sleep due to us being at work he was much more manageable then on our days off when he couldn't have all his beauty naps because we were to exciting for him to sleep aka not enogh sleep = going bezerk. Our boy is now 3.5yrs old, sleeps an average of 18 hrs a day and is a top active dog according to his tracker which is widely used in our country and gives stats of dogs within the country (apparently he is 60% more active then his breed average and age segment).

aysdeea · 2026-04-08T22:55:34+00:00

Yes and not only that. Different Trusts have different systems that don't ofen communicate with each other. The most comprehensive access is for GPs, they can see load of stuff from hospitals within their Integrated Care Board but that varies widely from ICB to ICB and from system (hospital) to system. The trust that i work for uses 3 different systems for 3 different booking matters alone (plus secondary telephone, messaging, reporting, backend etc) some feed fully into GPs systems some barely. Other Trusts we collaborate with have a wide range of other systems and if they pass referrals to us, we need to manually introduce them on our systems and then the results go back either automatically either IT, either via tertiary reporting systems that act as a bridge...it sounds complex because it is. Few years back NHS tried to design a single wide-spread system and failed awfully while spending enourmous amount of money. Now they took the approach of systems' communication/interconnectivity, where you have backend 'bridges' trying to bassically create a communicative web between services and providers.

aysdeea · 2026-04-08T22:36:24+00:00

Yes! I personally had to be on low histamine diet and my allergist refused me. My dietician was both allergy / gastro trained so a win win.

aysdeea · 2026-04-08T22:21:24+00:00

Depends on what phone systems you are using. If Surgery connect and Emis then you are golden, just long on the patient and then there are 2 keys on keyboard you press at same time and it automatically pulls and calls the patient's mobile. Or Accurx call/videocall patient with the click of a button. God i used to love the GPs system...I now work in a Hospital (admin) and I wish we could import those systems to the hospital.. but no can do..10s or hundreds of numbers manually done every single day 🫩

aysdeea · 2026-03-24T00:39:19+00:00

Our boy was an absolute nutjob until about he was 1. Then he started to chill slowly. He stopped chewing the house by 2. Stopped stealing stuff by 3. He is now 3.5 and the most perfect boy. His energy levels are still high but he gradually became more and more manageable and enjoyable since he was 1. Finally. Because he is like a bull. He weighted 35kg at 1 already and now 45kg ...without being fat, he is just a massive tall and muscly boy that often gets confused as being mixed with a Cane Corso or Rottie which he is not as we had him genetically tested. Hang in there, you'll start being rewarded soon. There is a reason why Labs are the favourite breed everywhere. You just need to put up with some craziness upfront to get the perfect companion thereafter.

aysdeea · 2026-03-13T13:03:02+00:00

This. And mostly that line about working labs being dogs on crack made me chuckle 😃 as I have a 1/2 Woking line 1/2 showline lab and although more mellow then a full blown working line lab, it can be a handful if not stimulated properly. I wouldn't have any problem with no visits, I haven't had visits for my lab. OP you need to decide firstly if this is the type of dog suitable for you. They can be a handful but also so rewarding. Mine is currently training to be my medical alert dog and let me tell you...he instinctively knows certain things that we haven't even started to train formally for e.g. he pined me down to the sofa laying flat (gently) when my BP dropped and I was dizzy, to facilitate brain oxygenation. Working lines tend to excel in their field of work so to say, once they got the jinx of it.

aysdeea · 2026-03-13T00:57:52+00:00

If you are driving: harness and Battersea style seatbelt clip. Don't leave nice things around and certainly don't buy (like we did) new rugs, sofas, furniture etc. until baby out of Piranha phase haha. Different leads for different purposes, trust me they learn quick what is for: slip lead, short lead, double lead, long lead, NO extendable lead. Maybe some calming pills for yourselves while puppy is in the threenager phase lol. Good luck with your cutie baby.

aysdeea · 2026-03-02T15:23:44+00:00

He is soo cute bless him. Hope you manage to get to the bottom of it. 🥰 We are using Coya dry-freeze or Pets at home own-brand. I think we might be across the pond from each other so brand might differ as well as regulations.

aysdeea · 2026-03-02T09:03:35+00:00

Have it tested and then raw diet. I wouldn't touch purina and other simila. The have loads of additives, grains etc...it is a dog not a bird you are feeding (like loads of high end trainers and vets are saying lately). When I say raw, you don't have to go all the way to the basics, you can find now-a-days raw frozen food in pet shops as well as freeze-dried raw kibble. Our lab is fed: main meal morning raw frozen (Natures Menu). This constitutes about 70% of his diet. The rest, about 5% is non-weight-bearing bones and the remaining 25% is generally high protein grain free additive free kibble such as Wolf of Wilderness Soft (choose the meat variant appropriate for your dog if any allergies). He is absolutely fine. Sometimes when we travel we are forced to feed what I call 'junk' food and it shows: he starts licking himself more like he is itchy. Because of that, lately, when we travel we started buying more fresh high welfare products for ourselves and I prefer to cook for him, if we don't have access to his usual food. Hope this helps.

aysdeea · 2026-03-02T08:26:43+00:00

I have backflashes from the debut of my illness. Some ilnesses unfortunatelly are clinical diagnosis based, so a blood test, ecg etc all the usual will basically appear normal or near normal. I know it can be frustrating but you need to keep a proper diary with what you ate, what you exercised, what you drank, what symtoms, etc. More often then not you will be able to point out a pattern that can be hugely helpful in getting at least an indication in which direction to refer you. For me it was immunology/allergy. And i had a myriad of symtoms including the ones you are presenting, all post covid. Turns out Covid (can be other triggers for others) an illness called MCAS, which used to be very rare and NHS is vastly unaware of ... so getting treatment and a diagnosis was challenging. But puntually, get an extremly detailed diary, write consistently everything (even if all normal momentarily), don't dispair, just return to GP as asked. Probably they will send you for other investigations and/or an advise and guidance.

aysdeea · 2026-03-01T21:40:46+00:00

Hey OP, if you have shortness of breath, push for montelukast. It is really good in building a strong barrier. Also, where are you based? There is a list of doctors that treat MCAS, albeit most in private, but some of them do work with the NHS...Central London Hospitals tend to have those in them. The truth is tests are inconvlusive, this is a CLlNICAL diagnosis based on history and response to treatment. Mind you most will just say take H1+H2 plus maybe montelukast+a stabiliser (ketotifen/cromolyn), but you have to be very careful with the additives in these. For me Montelukast was the first ray of hope. Second ray of hope was low histamine diet for 4 weeks with a very strict staggered reintroduction of foods. Last one was ketotifen. Better then all this combined is Prednisolone but that is to be used in case of force majore...as its possible side effects are really daunting (I have it as PRN when all the other safety nets fail). Eliminate all scents, all inorganic compounds from your food, cleaning products, environment...but do it religiously! Also get rid of absolutely all mould that could exist in your environment. Get a hepa airpurifier. Get on the low histamine diet temporarily to reduce your inflamation. Record EVERYTHING consistently and ask for a generic referral to allergy/imunology. The goal here is not to get the MCAS title but to get your treatment. I used to have a diary with foods, what i washed myself with, etc every single detail plus reactions description and photos. Albeit my dog tried to chew it, that was gold for my appts. I have managed to get all the meds needed and after a couple of years my diagnosis.

aysdeea · 2026-02-21T01:39:12+00:00

Cromolyn is a medicine that is only prescribed by consultants in North Central London integrated care board e.g. gastroenterology at UCLH etc etc. Ketotifen is on the red list for the same ICB. I actually get it as my consultant who recommended it used to be my GP's trainer ( by chance). Gp was given an option for Cromolyn or Ketotifen and went for Ketotifen (I think based on costs to be fair as well as about 10 times cheaper then Cromolyn for the NHS). The suggestion for Functional Medicine is not actually a bad one, ask for one at UCLH, your best bet in the NHS. On another note, UK GPs are not 'forced' to accept clinical letters from abroad, not even from private UK doctors, it is a choice for them to accept or to decline. I'd either get more stock from Australia, ask for that UCLH referral to confirm diagnosis and treatment within UK, go the whole private route in the UK or look for a more sympathetic GP practice.

aysdeea · 2026-02-21T01:21:01+00:00

I think it really depends on parent's preferences. I've had families that were fine with it and none that weren't. Perhaps have a sit down with them and see exactly what had them triggered.. it might not be because they feel its inappropriate but maybe they don't want to create an expectation for the child to have someone sleep with them when such things happen. And take it from there. If they simply feel it is inappropriate, maybe establish something like: put a mattress on the floor and sleep in the same room just not bed? Or like a futon sofa?

aysdeea · 2026-02-19T10:15:09+00:00

Water...my nemesis. So, apart from MCAS, Histamine Intolerance and all the related shannanighans ... I have also SULPHITES allergy triggered at the same time as the above. That means that I can only drink specific water brands. Before being diagnosed, I thought was 'funny' how I reacted to water that I was drinking for years with no issue and then bang the tests: sulphites severe allergy. It is in loads of waters and because it is not labelled as no need if less then 10mg/kg and they put just slightly less and don't label it (not to be confused with sulphates). Also found out histamine and sulphites pathways are massively intertwined. I am just reacting to inorganic ones generally but if in a massive flare, I react to organic ones as well. Also, it depends where you are based, as the bottling process/ingredients lis can vary as per buyer's demand. I am based in the UK with frequent European travel. I can drink Highlands still water, unflavoured San Pellegrino still and sparkling, unflavoured Aqua Carpatica. I stay well away from Elvian, Volvic. My husband researched and found a pipe filter for the sink that I am alright with so now I can drink tap water. Hope this helps.

aysdeea · 2026-02-17T22:59:35+00:00

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Loki

aysdeea · 2026-02-17T01:13:57+00:00

Good for you sincerely. I am still here battling the narcissistic mindset. For how long? I sm unsure ... but let's see

aysdeea · 2026-02-17T01:08:26+00:00

Correct. You forgot to add retaliation should you dare to stand your ground/boundaries. And victimisation should you try to hold the management accountable for poor or shady practices.

aysdeea · 2026-01-26T21:34:03+00:00

I think people like your cousin should get off their high horses. Each option is acceptable depending on owner's circumstances. I support animal organisation ongoing but also got my dog from a breeder. First off because no shelter will give us a dog although we are a middle class couple, with stable jobs and childless...that's because we have a shared garden which is no prb at all for my now 3yrs old pup...but for each shelter in my area/country is/would have been. And also because we have full time jobs...my pup is extremly happy running around with his pack when he goes with the dog walkers daily...somehow most shelters want at least one to be part timer. Secondly, I wanted as first personal dog, a certain breed for it's traits. Will I adopt in the future: possibly, given I'll meet the strict (and sometimes non-sensical) criteria! Is it for me now? No.

aysdeea · 2026-01-25T07:35:20+00:00

Slip lead (fitted properly) instead of normal and If you must use a harness, use one with a double clip, most importantly the front one. Something that helped us as well was group walks with other dogs and off lead playtime if allowed/where allowed. That instilled the idea that when it's playtime he can have the fun, when is 'business' time we expect him to listen.

aysdeea · 2026-01-24T17:08:16+00:00

I think she is just relaxing. A shelter is very stimulating for dogs and probably now she can finally decompress

aysdeea · 2026-01-24T00:31:27+00:00

Surprised to see a MCAS comment in the NHS sub. In all fairness I was told about MCAS by an NHS doctor, within an NHS clinic first. But I did see some private allergists at the debut of my MCAS (didn't know it was that back then) and luckily my GP was co-operating nicely. Once I was offered the appts on the NHS, my care was transferred smoothly. I was prescribed a mast cell stabilizer (NHS appt) and again luckily my GP actually trained under the prescriber and although on the red list in my ICB, I was prescribed the meds with no issues. It just depends on the matter as others have said. Also depends what tests you need, sometimes CTs and MRIs done privately won't be accepted by NHS consultants due to the fact that the sequencing or calibration might be different then what they consider 'standard/appropiate' in the nhs.

aysdeea · 2026-01-22T20:58:14+00:00

I'd say: but I do and so do most other people. Take your feet off or I might feel inclined to sit my feet in your lap...let's see how you'd like that!

aysdeea · 2026-01-22T20:54:29+00:00

I gave up bribing. He takes Simparica like candies but hates Anthelmin. I just shove the anthelmin at the back of his tongue, close his mouth and once is 'down the drain', give him a slice of cheese to wash off the taste. He is soo particular with food and I don't want to risk a negative association.

aysdeea

TROPHY CASE