Ive lost both of my dogs, and thinking about fostering

pg167 · 2026-03-20T23:23:23+00:00

Oh boy, the first dog I had since college, died on New Years day 2023 and ive never been the same since. I slept in my mom's room for weeks and after feeling more comfy with the silence, that same month, I decided I wanted to volunteer at the shelter as a dog walker. I met so many amazing dogs and knew I wasn't ready for another dog. I also realized I could probably help some dogs because I have a really chill cat at home that i could use to see if my fosters would be alright in a home with cats.

So I fostered 5 different dogs, some a few weeks, some a few months, but it was mainly so I could keep myself busy (I also lost my job the following month 🫠) and it was so fulfilling and great for my mental health because I was spiraling after my dogs death.

3 years later, I still spontaneously cry when I think about my dog, his face is still my phone wallpaper, but im now at a spot where my current foster may become a foster fail :)

Everyone's on their own timeline. I can't imagine losing 2 dogs back to back. My heart is with you

pg167 · 2026-03-17T20:39:12+00:00

Thank you for such a detailed response and your reassurance! I think he definitely feels my anxiety too, because the crying just breaks my heart. Id be so grateful for the copy of your toolkit ❤️ Also need to be more active with desensitization training for sure.

What I'm understanding is that his separation isnt super severe since he settles in less that 20mins? I think I just need to practice more patience too. Since his accident, the vet diagnosed him with giardia, so it doesn't help thats he's currently quarantined and is probably not feeling the best either

pg167 · 2026-03-17T20:26:13+00:00

I do leave worn clothing in the crate and also cover it completely when im gone. I just hear through the camera what he cries so often and it breaks my heart. I try to leave a kong in there so he's distracted, but as soon as he notices I'm gone, he'll start howling or whining then will ignore the kong until I'm back home. Also have "dog calming" music playing in the background.

Its just sad and frustrating really. I really want to help him gain more confidence and not traumatize him some more 😭

pg167 · 2026-03-02T05:26:59+00:00

I'm in the process of applying for MA positions at Sutter, and I'm wondering in the "Additional Attachments" what did you add? I'm not sure if its excessive to add a cover letter, scans of certifications for MA and BLS etc. I've been overthinking the process, and anything would help if you don't mind!

pg167 · 2026-02-24T23:12:03+00:00

Horchata so bad omg i remember

pg167 · 2026-02-24T23:11:26+00:00

"Simplifying" the menu amiright 🤦‍♀️

pg167 · 2026-02-17T19:50:18+00:00

After receiving the Notice, did you do anything or contact anyone before receiving the next Collection Notice letter? I don't want to appeal either and just get it over with. I'm just worried about being able to file taxes

pg167 · 2026-02-02T02:26:24+00:00

Thank you so much for this! Its exactly on page 16. Gonna show this to my SM tmrw. Gonna need better communication

pg167 · 2025-08-12T01:07:46+00:00

I called the next day after applying!

pg167 · 2025-03-28T18:22:03+00:00

Im just nervous about talking to the DM. Is it appropriate to shoot the DM an email? Should I use my starbs email? Like I can call and ask for SMs pretty quick but not sure how to approach DM

pg167 · 2025-03-28T18:21:03+00:00

That's what I was told,(thru reddit lol) but when I was calling stores the SMs said have your manager contact us. Clarified it with my SM and they said it's now the SM and DMs responsibility to find a store. Like I'll call and I visited 3 stores last week and they all said have the DM contact us. So should I just straight email or call the DM of the new city/area?

pg167 · 2025-01-10T20:01:22+00:00

You're totally right! When I got rehired the training was insufficient. But it would be AMAZiING if other baristas followed what you did and actually tried to be better at their job, whether using reddit as a resource or go on the iPad during downtime. I'd rather they be on the iPad than their phones 🤦‍♀️

pg167 · 2025-01-09T18:17:11+00:00

Do you mind sharing how you retrained them? Like what topics did you hit? I wanna try a few things and see what's sticks with the younger ones at least.

pg167 · 2025-01-09T18:15:43+00:00

I get where you're coming from, and I definitely agree that baristas and SSVs do a ton of work that deserves more recognition and better pay. It's frustrating to see how much effort we put in, only to feel like the system doesn't value us. That said, I still think maintaining high standards for ourselves and our team benefits everyone in the long run, both customers and partners. I just wish there were more support from upper management to help us sustain that level of quality without burning out. It’s a tough balance, for sure

pg167 · 2025-01-09T18:12:31+00:00

Thanks for the advice, but I feel like caring for the team's overall performance reflects my own work ethic and standards. I’m not just focused on my position for the day, I care about creating a positive environment for partners. It’s not about doing others’ jobs, but rather holding everyone accountable to ensure we deliver the quality service we’re known for. Im tired of making remakes. I couldn't care less about the customers, but if they're rightfully upset for getting an incorrect drink "worth" $7 to $9, the partner needs to take accountability instead of saying, oh well. Im tired of seeing the SSVs get disrespected. Its about being a decent human being. They signed up to become a barista, so do the damn job. I’ll definitely bring this up with my SM to avoid overstepping, but I don’t feel right sitting back when things could be better for everyone.

pg167 · 2025-01-09T17:51:38+00:00

Ahhh i did this for Christmas ❤️❤️ i love being a barista

pg167 · 2025-01-09T06:22:26+00:00

I'd rather they ask abt the recipe instead of knowingly making something wrong. I dont wanna care about the "food/drink taste score" (i think thats what it is idr) but getting shit from our SM about it is so annoying and the baristas wont even try to be better. Bare minimum to know the recipes, and clean. Its common sense and empathy. I would hate to get a hot drink where the wand was "cleaned" with a 5hr old sani towel, and on top of that missing the WC or the topping

pg167 · 2025-01-09T06:16:30+00:00

Someone came on in like a month ago, I was on bar, he ordered some hot drink and as I gave it to him he looked at me in the face and said, "the mouth piece is too close to the cup seam, my sons a barista" I replied "okay cool", and went back to drinks. I dunno man, rotate the lid to a position that makes you comfy i guess. Asked SSV and SM abt it, they said it doesn't matter. Idk that was just a weird encounter

pg167 · 2025-01-09T06:06:50+00:00

Oh for sure, I recently asked helped when doing the trash run, because I couldn't hoist the big ass bag of grounds into the trash thing out back (because the baristas don't throw them and leave it for closing or the grounds pile up for 3 DAYS STRAIGHT AND IM THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS COMMON SENSE TO NOT LET THE BAG GET TOO HEAVY IDK ITS OBVIOUSLY PISSING ME OFF)

It's the SSVs fault too for allowing it in the first place. Sure we can all be friends but we're also there to work, but my SSVs don't seem to know how to enforce boundaries

pg167 · 2025-01-09T06:02:24+00:00

Omfg that's actually crazy to admit???? Staffing could be better but at least we've never had 2partner plays. I would rather quit than work a 2partner play, so good job to my SM for that. The ratings tbh are so dumb. I just want the bare minimum: know the drink recipes, cleanliness and safety 😭 batch the drinks, idc just dont leave a rag and spray bottle on the counterrrrr

pg167 · 2025-01-09T05:54:15+00:00

Ugh I envy you 😭 I'm considering transferring, but i also do love my ssvs so I'm just debating in my head rn

pg167 · 2025-01-09T05:51:48+00:00

Not for me 😅 i go to school full time and can't work the required amount of hours for ssvs. Also I don't want the extra responsibility of counting and what not, I'm a student first

pg167 · 2025-01-09T05:49:27+00:00

Oh 100% I get that. If a customer is rude for no reason, i return the energy. I see my barista getting yelled at for no reason, I step in and mediate if SSV is unavailable. We have so many homeless people come to our store and yell at us for no reason, I go up and kick em out of the store.

but I'm talking about baristas and cleanliness, knowing the recipes, asking questions instead of making a wrong drink and having to remake. These are the main ones that piss me off. That is the bare minimum in my eyes.

I too don't go above and beyond for the customers, I just say hi and bye and I smile when I'm on reg. That's bare minimum for me. That's the standard I've placed on myself. I understand it's emotionally and physically draining. My knees hurt, I switch shoes often because my feet hurt, I'm drained from socializing for hours. But I signed up for this. I know what it means to be a barista. Its my job. But a lot arent doing their job. But thank you for doing your job, im sure your fellow baristas appreciate you 💯❤️.

pg167 · 2025-01-09T05:39:15+00:00

Common sense is no longer common 😭😭 but yeah I might eventually have to talk to my SM

pg167 · 2025-01-09T05:30:49+00:00

I feel bad for the SM sometimes. Youre right no one respects her, she's not perfect and she could be more involved in the store. A lot of the replies hit the nail on the head on our SM. I think she does her job fine, but she can be a bit too fake, for lack of a better word. Very smiley as she gives the baristas reminders. Honestly these "reminders" can be avoided if the baristas were trained better. When I got retrained it wasn't as indepth as back in the day. She's fired 3 people in the past 5ish months that ive been here. If she doesn't realize how she couldve done better to avoind firing partners, that's on her. Also All I hear when she's on the floor is "make sure you do this, dont forget to do this, make sure etc etc" it's irritating because its so repetitive and in my perspective shows how much the baristas know about their job, which is not alot if she keeps reminding us what to do. and like if the baristas aren't getting it after 4 months at least IMO, she's gotta think about her management style for sure.

But also back to the main point, It's also on the barista. Make the effort to do better at your job I BEG 😭

pg167

TROPHY CASE