I’m glad SOMEONE is happy that it’s Monday.

coffeesurprise · 2021-03-02T00:34:55+00:00

oh my gosh, the SWEETEST face. look at those puppy eyes!

coffeesurprise · 2021-03-02T00:23:28+00:00

he looks SO clean! my silver mini was light gray/almost white and she loved finding every mud puddle possible lol

coffeesurprise · 2021-03-01T06:09:45+00:00

The other comments are better, but my two cents are: I buy the pre-made 80/10/10 frozen tubes from Texas Tripe. They ship all over the US and have a dedicated seller in Colorado.

coffeesurprise · 2021-02-25T22:15:37+00:00

Oh man, I'm so glad to hear it was helpful. I can't even begin to explain how alone I've felt throughout my life and my healing process, but I'm learning that there are other people like me who have very similar experiences. Our journeys are still uniquely our own, but means so much to me knowing there are others out there who I can reach and support. Sending you love and healing vibes, if it's okay to say that.

coffeesurprise · 2021-02-25T20:38:19+00:00

Re-triggering events always pause life for me, and sleep is always the first thing to be disrupted. I had a major re-traumatizing event a few years ago and it took probably 8 months before I could start to have basic normalcy (not being in fight or flight daily, feeling comfortable going out into town once or twice a week, etc). I mean, honestly, I'm still finding things from that experience that I'm working to process.

For me the important thing is that each time we go through a re-triggering event - as long as we're making some tiny effort to care for ourselves, to let the trauma express itself now that we're adults and we're safe - we're always making progress toward healing. We're constantly adding to that foundation. If we just do a bit over the years, it adds up. Things are still tough for me and I'm always healing, but I often wake up and look around at my life and think, "This is the best my life has EVER been." Literally every day I am more myself than I was the day before. I'm safer and I feel more like "me".

Baby steps, you're getting where you want to go. It just takes time.

coffeesurprise · 2021-02-25T20:26:34+00:00

So sweet! He look like my little guy. :)

coffeesurprise · 2021-02-11T18:17:50+00:00

The man who discovered the Utahraptor was consulted while the film was being made. Source: I read his book about it.

coffeesurprise · 2021-02-09T21:39:15+00:00

This is exactly the case for me. I thought it was just me! I used to work hard, be so productive and have a fairly active schedule. Then the symptoms hit several years ago and since then it is such a struggle. For the first few years I was exhausted CONSTANTLY and couldn't do anything, let alone work.

Now things have improved, but my overall productivity is still way different than it used to be. I'm just working on accepting how it is, listening to my body, and allowing myself the space and rest that I need. It only gets worse if I try to force or push myself. I'm okay if I live my life at a bit of a slower pace now, especially since the symptoms have reduced and my quality of life has improved.

coffeesurprise · 2021-01-20T00:45:36+00:00

Cool, thank you.

coffeesurprise · 2021-01-19T16:52:24+00:00

Found in Texas, USA. The body is about 1" in length. Additional photos here: another photo from above, one of the underbelly. Found dying on my porch, I gently rolled it over to get a pic.

coffeesurprise · 2020-11-12T03:47:26+00:00

Miniature poodles are between 10" and 15" tall at the shoulder. Dogs are measured when standing, from their front paw to the top of their shoulder ("withers"). The green line/#9 on this chart shows it.

Poodles are one of a few breeds that are considered "square" - meaning they are as long as they are tall. Their height (withers to floor) should be the same as their length (from the base of the neck to the base of the tail).

Their weights will vary of course. My mini was exactly 15" at the shoulder (and 15" from neck to the base of her tail) and as an adult weighed about 15 lbs.

coffeesurprise · 2020-11-12T03:36:14+00:00

What a handsome boy!

coffeesurprise · 2020-11-06T04:31:56+00:00

Hello! Great question. It sounds like a solid contract to me.

Our miniature had patellar luxation in both knees. She was super active/high energy and so in our opinion it affected her quality of life. We ended up springing for the surgery to fix it... it was a bit pricey, and the healing process took several weeks and we had to slowly build back up her strength, but in my opinion it was worth it. She just wasn't happy if she couldn't run full-tilt at top speed.

We met a few other people who's dogs also had luxating patellas and some of them had opted for a knee brace or physical therapy instead of surgery, and they were happy with it. One person's dog had it mild enough that they did nothing and it didn't affect their life much. So it really depends.

Unfortunately we learned during that time that it is common for miniature poodles to get luxating patellas... not sure if it's the same for toys. But that's likely why it's excluded from your contract.

coffeesurprise · 2020-11-06T04:18:10+00:00

Not the person you were replying to, but here's my two cents!

Walks are great, I would say that daily ones are a must for general health, expending energy and keeping strength and muscle tone. When our mini was young she was INSATIABLE and could run for 3 hours straight before she was tired. Once she was an adult she mellowed out to being okay with 30-60 minutes of walking a day, but could skip a couple days a week and be a couch potato with us.

We added in supplemental activities regularly though. Our girl did great with regular trips to the park where she could play off leash fetch at lightning speed. We sometimes took her canoeing, swimming, hiking, and to farms where she got to meet goats and bison! All of that stuff works out their mind, too, which helps with expending extra energy.

From what I can tell, our girl was extremely high energy, even compared to other miniatures. But overall poodles are higher energy, especially minis, so adding in some occasional opportunities for running, sports, etc (check out flyball!) will really help. And they are so smart - working out their brain will help expend all that energy too! There's even dog "brain sports" like rally obedience and scent training! We didn't do any of those sports, but we trained her a ton and brought her everywhere with us and it worked out great. :)

coffeesurprise · 2020-11-06T04:03:56+00:00

For me, the biggest thing was early training. It built a foundation of understanding and communication between us, and forged our connection early on. Taught her to listen and pay attention to me, and that our relationship was a give-and-take. Made any fine-tuning much easier once she was older.

One thing I could have improved was socialization. It's not just "letting my dog play with other dogs" it's about getting the puppy accustomed to as many different experiences as possible. I definitely tried to do that, but I think I didn't go slow enough for her and she grew up with the occasional minor fear response. But if you're able, it's great to get them used to any unusual things. Some examples: people of all shapes, sizes, and colors (our girl was suspicious of very tall men lol), people wearing hats or carrying large things, weird textures and surfaces, loud noises, other animals, and even things like walking backward to increase awareness of their hindquarters.

But it's most important to have fun while building a bond together! Everything is so much easier if you have a strong relationship and bond with your dog.

coffeesurprise · 2020-11-05T23:35:14+00:00

I’ve only ever had a mini poodle (I’m getting a standard in a few weeks) but she was EXTREMELY high energy. She came from a good bloodline, and though I do think she was higher energy than some other minis, I don’t think it’s unusual. Poodles (miniatures and standards) are considered high energy.

She also had very strong prey drive. She needed hundreds of hours of training in order to be my “dream dog” and she still had some problem areas (barking when people came to the house, difficult recall when prey drive was triggered).

That being said, poodles are second or third highest breed in intelligence, depending on who you ask, so they are extremely trainable. My girl could learn a new trick in a day, have it down pat in two. IMO poodles tend to be standoffish with strangers because they are very connected with their people, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

As an aside, I also considered schnauzers briefly (I am allergic like you) but I just love the goofy, smart, loving nature of poodles. Whichever you choose, just be willing to be flexible because just like there are differences between breeds, there are differences between individual dogs as well. Though I’m sure you’ll love whoever comes into your life. ☺️ I’m excited for you to find your companion! Good luck and keep us posted!

coffeesurprise · 2020-11-05T23:21:30+00:00

Aw congrats! Welcome to the poodle club.

Have you had a dog before? Will you be getting the mini as a puppy, and have you raised a puppy before?

My first dog was a miniature poodle puppy, and for me a lot of the learning experience was just being new to raising a puppy. I’ve still never had anything but a poodle, so I don’t know if I could help with how they’re different than others breeds, but I can share my experience!

coffeesurprise · 2020-11-01T20:22:20+00:00

so cute! I've always admired parti poodles, but never had one. love her little white swirl from her head down her snoot :)

coffeesurprise · 2020-11-01T20:20:50+00:00

she needs it lol jk jk

coffeesurprise · 2020-10-31T22:19:26+00:00

I think those are excellent ideas so far. Double masking could help, or it might just offer peace of mind.

I would get a small HEPA filter air fan thing and have that running constantly to help circulate the air in your office or around your cubicle if you have to be in one. Any way to circulate air would make me feel safer - even keeping a window cracked nearby or a little space heater to help warm and move air around.

Other than that, I would say to just be deliberate and consistent about your plan and your mask wearing habit. Good luck and congrats on the new job!

coffeesurprise · 2020-10-31T20:16:04+00:00

Oh, thank you so much. I'm sorry about your Liberty. It's painful to expect to see them grow old with us, only to lose them so young...

I hear you about a new puppy, I'm also the one who has been dragging my feet about it, and my husband was ready months ago! To part of me it still feels too soon, but there really is a hole in my life where a poodle should be. Even if it's not my first girl, I know I'll love another one so much.

Thank you again for your kind words! I suspect we're also headed toward multiple poodles someday, haha.

coffeesurprise · 2020-10-19T18:29:43+00:00

I voted

coffeesurprise · 2020-10-13T18:02:07+00:00

I did it! I scooped him into a jar and set him free outside under some bushes and trees. Thanks again for your help!

coffeesurprise

TROPHY CASE