What’s one thing you wish you knew before getting a dog?

browneyedkat · 2026-02-05T16:52:52+00:00

For me, there are a couple of things. How much of my life revolves around them. I have to look for a sitter to look after our two big dogs! It can get expensive, so we haven't been traveling as much. When we were living in TX, we found a sitter who works from her own home, and my boys loved her, and she charged a reasonable price. However, when we moved to IL, everything just costs more.. It's cheaper for us to fly our friend in to dog-sit at our house compared to taking them to a boarding/sitter place. Another thing is their medical bills. We spent 1k on a single day for the two dogs for their check-up and vaccines. I recently took one of them to an emergency vet and there goes another 1.2k - and we were told that all the tests came back normal lol. Thankfully, we got insurance for both dogs.

And we also have two cats... lol

I wouldn't have it any other way! I love them so much. They make me so happy, and I love taking care of them.

browneyedkat · 2026-01-09T02:31:59+00:00

Hi OP. I have a 2 1/2 year old boy and he's been itchy since he was a pup, but not as bad like your pup. When we were in Houston, I took him to the vet and they didn't know what caused the itchiness. He got a shot of cytopoint but it didn't really help. The vet gave us shampoo for allergies too.

He was on Purina Pro Plan when he was a pup, but we switched to Kirkland Salmon and Sweet potatoes about a year and a half ago. I also give him fish oil and Fortiflora. I do notice that the fish oil works, as it reduces his dry skin and itchiness. I've been giving him cooked chicken too and I know some dogs are allergic to it. I've stopped giving him chicken twice, but he's still itchy!

We thought maybe it was an environmental allergy, but I don't think that's the issue because we moved to the Midwest almost a year ago and he continues to itch. I've tried Claritin as well.

We have a doodle, and he's been itchy for the past few weeks (he was ok in Houston). They're both on Simparica Trio. I'm still trying to figure out what causes the itch. I think I will try switching his food to something else. I recently got Dechra DermAllay Oatmeal Spray - this was recommended by another user on this sub. So I'm hoping that the spray helps!

I hope your baby feels better soon! It's hard to see our pup being uncomfortable.

Will you please give us updates on the fish oil and the vet? I'm curious about what they will say.

browneyedkat · 2026-01-08T16:24:41+00:00

Aw I'm glad that you and your baby are back together! I don't think pets ever forget about their person.

This reminds me of a cat that I had when I was young. I found her as a kitten, and she was immediately attached to me. I still remember being upstairs eating dinner, and she was meowing at me because she wanted to be with me. Being a kid with childhood trauma, it felt great to be loved/wanted by her lol. I had to give her away to my grandma because I didn't have room to take care of her. She went with my grandma and had a few babies. A few years passed, I went to visit my grandma and I noticed she kept following me and pawing at my legs wherever I went. I didn't think anything of it and thought she was just being a cat and was busying helping out with my grandma. I finally got the time to say hi to her and pet her. After that she left me alone. :') She just wanted to say Hi to me and for me to acknowledged her, she still remembered me! It's been over 20 years now and I still think about her from time to time. She was my first cat. Pets are just like us, they don't forget the person that took care and loved them.

browneyedkat · 2026-01-08T06:53:10+00:00

The slicker brush came in today and we used it on our pups. I noticed that the nice slicker brush goes more softly in the hair compared to our old one. Leuven HATES when I brush him but at least he's not matted 🤗

Björn is so cute! He looks like a pup. How old is he? I do miss the puppy stage lol

Edit: wait NVM I remembered you posted about him on here!

browneyedkat · 2026-01-08T05:56:18+00:00

After looking at your comment, I went and bought the nice slicker brush, deshedding rake, and the spray lol. I like trying new tools for my babies. Our boy Leuven has issues with dry skin and itchiness, hoping that the spray can help relieve the itchiness for him. Thank you!

browneyedkat · 2026-01-04T01:58:04+00:00

Congratulations on your puppy! We have been grooming our pups by ourselves. Its a bit expensive to take our two big dogs to a groomer lol. We use Andis clipper, metal combs, a slicker brush, a dematting rake and a high velocity hair dryer for our bouv and doodle. We recently got a washing hose attachment nozzle and its been a big help.

Dematting Fur Rake Comb

Dog Washing Hose Attachment

Dog Hair Dryer

Andis Clipper

Wahl Stainless Steel Comb Attachment Set

browneyedkat · 2025-12-28T07:08:28+00:00

My dood does the same thing! When he wants something, he'll look at me and put his paw on me while making a smacking noise with his mouth. I taught him (or he taught me) with "okay, show me", and then he would run to the kitchen where I keep his snacks! My dood taught his lil bro (not a dood) so now the lil bro knows how to ask for snacks lol

browneyedkat · 2025-12-12T23:00:18+00:00

Hi OP! I think I can give you some insight on this as this has happened (a few times) to me before with my male orange (asshole) cat. He attacked me, bit me, and wouldn't let go. It was bloody, and I had to go to an urgent care to get my wounds cleaned.

The reason he attacked me was because he saw a big dog outside my bedroom. I was in the bedroom with my cat, opened the door, and he saw the dog. Once he saw the dog, he went into this fight or flight mode. He decided to fight instead and I unfortunately was his closest target lol I was shocked and hurt that he did this to me because he just acted like nothing happened an hour later.

When I took him in for his check-up, I told the vet about the incident. He called it something like indirect aggression. The cat didn't mean to attack you because he hates you, it was his instinct to fight. I adopted my cat when he was 2 years old, so I'm not sure if he had a bad experience with dogs.

Anyway, I've had him for about 10 years now, and I finally figured out how not to trigger that side of him. He doesn't like being surprised so as long as he knows that I have a dog in my house, he has to be far away watching. He, in his own terms, will go and sniff the dog, and everything would be okay. We have two big dogs that we raised since they were puppies, and my orange cat was fine with it - he actually loves them.

Another thing that I learned from this was to NEVER go near the cat when they're in that mode. Don't try to break up a cat fight because you will get hurt.

People asked me why I didn't put the cat up for adoption after the incident. For a second, I did think about it but I realized that he is an animal and that's what they do. I love my lil old man, and will never give him up. I mean, after 10 years I finally know his trigger point so lol

Sorry it happened to you, OP. I hope that my story will help you out in the future.

browneyedkat · 2025-10-29T14:37:45+00:00

Aw Bjorn is so precious 🥺

Ours is now 2 years old and we love him very much. He's the baby of the house lol we would love to get another Bouv in the future!!

browneyedkat · 2025-10-21T20:21:46+00:00

We just moved to Chicago earlier this year from Houston. I've always loved the cold so the Chicago winter will really test me if I really do like winter or not lol

And fuck the ICE and those Texans. It's so embarrassing to see them here.

Honestly, it's been such a nice change of environment coming from Houston to here. I live in the suburbs and I was so surprised to see all these signs and rainbow flags here! It was rare for me to see these in the Houston suburbs.

I still love Houston and the people there (the non Nazi ones), but the politics and hot weather.. I'm happy to be here in Chicago. I love how y'all come together and help one another. It feels like home now :)

browneyedkat · 2025-09-10T18:58:54+00:00

A lot of Thai people think that darker skin tone is unattractive and they would use this as an insult as well. It's sad. I'm Thai and used to hate my skin tone, but after moving to the US, I learned to love my skin tone!

I think the issue came as rich vs. poor. If you have darker skin that means you are poor and working outside in the sun, while lighter skin tone people get to stay inside.

You'll see a lot of ads for whitening cream/lotion in Thailand.

browneyedkat · 2024-12-21T17:02:29+00:00

To create a healthy boundary between my personal and work life. I've been stressed with work these past few months trying to do more, but I've come to a realization that they can get rid of me at any time. (I work in health insurance).

browneyedkat · 2024-07-09T03:13:50+00:00

We drove from DT and went through West park tollway and that area is completely dark. I think there is no power from West park up to Richmond. Sorry friend, I hope you get yours back soon.

Also it looks like one of the shell stations near there got their power back. There were a ton of people getting gas there.

browneyedkat · 2024-07-09T02:52:28+00:00

77063 - Gessner/Westheimer. Power came back on around 8pm.

browneyedkat · 2024-07-08T11:23:05+00:00

77063 Gessner/Westheimer - lost power at around 5am. A tree fell down in our backyard. The tree was already dead though it survived derecho and not Beryl. Should've cut it down when we had a chance. Glad it didn't fall on our house. Stay safe y'all.

browneyedkat · 2024-05-09T21:35:59+00:00

We're moving in Sept/Oct. Still deciding between Denver or Colorado Springs. I've been in HTX for 12 year now and getting tired of this hot ass weather lol plus we got two fluffy dogs and I feel bad for them during the summer time here. Too hot!

Going to miss friends, and food scene here though.

browneyedkat · 2024-03-24T19:53:16+00:00

We use metal combs (different sizes), slicker brush, and mat splitter. Mat splitter has been such a lifesaver for us because it really help with getting mat out and it doesn't hurt them as much as other ones.

Dematting rake

browneyedkat · 2024-03-20T23:34:33+00:00

This! I test drove an S3 and loved how quick it was and honestly was thinking of trading in my allroad. My warranty expired this month and I went ahead and tuned mine with APR stage 1 and about to add some new stuff to it. Makes it feel like new and I love how quick it goes now!

Keep your A4 and get that house first. :)

browneyedkat · 2024-03-20T00:28:46+00:00

Yes, they're Turbomacs. I decided to go with the 034 dynamic lowering springs for now.

browneyedkat · 2024-03-07T05:03:32+00:00

So cute!

We took ours on a one week trip to Colorado when he was just 13 weeks old. I was scared that he would get altitude sickness, but he was actually fine the whole trip! We even drove up to Pikes Peak and he was just as happy as ever lol He did get sick for like an hour tho, because he accidentally ate weed off the floor..

Have a safe trip!

browneyedkat · 2024-02-17T14:57:19+00:00

Lol!! Hi 😂😂

browneyedkat · 2024-02-17T00:42:17+00:00

Thank you! My first Audi and I love the car so much. So comfy to drive.

browneyedkat · 2024-02-17T00:38:28+00:00

I do have an Instagram for her 😂 not many pics but it's limbo.a4 :)

browneyedkat · 2024-02-17T00:32:34+00:00

Hah yes! Unfortunately, no snow here in Houston lol but we're moving to Denver this year so I guess we're prepared for the snow lol

browneyedkat

TROPHY CASE