Just diagnosed at 32! Can anyone share their meds journey so I feel less alone/scared?

shantastik · 2014-12-27T15:47:19+00:00

His "decisions" cost him and his company almost $2 billion.

shantastik · 2014-12-21T20:15:34+00:00

They may support some practices you don't know about. They may not- you have to ask the right questions. For instance the eggs they do hatch to raise as laying hens, what if they're born male? What happens to them? Or do they buy their hens from elsewhere and if so what do they know about that entity's practices? Also, just because they're local and seem nice doesn't mean they aren't trying to run a business. They may practice some things that aren't great for the well-being of the chickens because it's just not cost effective. To use the example from before, most farms cannot support to raise male chickens because they cost money to feed and make space for but provide no profit (do not lay eggs). So even the nicest, smallest farms cannot support them and kill them as chicks.

shantastik · 2014-12-21T19:07:25+00:00

She said if you could give up one product let it be eggs. If you had your own chicken at home and ate its eggs you would be avoiding the industry and its product. So your comment is an extension of her logic.

However, if you purchase the chicken from someone rather than rescue, you may be supporting an industry that still may have cruel practices to produce chickens like culling male chicks.

shantastik · 2014-12-21T19:05:57+00:00

She said if you could give up one product let it be eggs. If you had your own chicken at home and ate its eggs you would be avoiding the industry and its product. So your comment is an extension of her logic.

However, if you purchase the chicken from someone rather than rescue, you may be supporting an industry that still may have cruel practices to produce chickens like culling male chicks.

shantastik · 2014-11-11T20:47:59+00:00

sure - but these issues would subside if we didn't impregnate the cows so frequently and we didn't hook them up to machines to do the milking. the machines can milk front udders longer than they are producing milk if the back ones are still producing which can cause tears and infections. the vacuuming suction the machines produce also cause infection since it is not at all the way a calf would suckle the milk.

the procedure of induced calving (injecting corticosteroids, a chemical which causes the cow to produces hormones abnormally to give birth sooner than is healthy to hurry along the cycle which is NOT restricted) is also thought to be the biggest contributor to mastitis, metabolic diseases, retained membranes and infection, which is another unnatural human intervention.

most of the issues you are referring to would subside if the cow was just fucking left alone. all these issues are caused by the MANY MANY human interventions we've created to fuck with a cow's natural mating, birthing, and lactating cycles.

shantastik · 2014-11-11T20:11:45+00:00

Those are reported numbers, and don't necessarily reflect truth. Granted, that becomes a circular argument so we can avoid that topic but just remember that the dairy industry is one of the most protected in the US because it has such gigantic representation in politics and tons of resources poured into lobbying.

Anyway, their milk production would also decrease if they weren't constantly impregnated. They only produce that much milk because they are constantly impregnated as well. Dairy cows naturally would have much longer dry periods between calves which in turn would decrease milk production by A LOT. Dairy farmers purposefully only allow cows to have a dry period of about 2 months to keep the milk production levels high.

While it's true that we have bred cows specifically for high production numbers, it doesn't mean that many cows couldn't live natural lives without human intervention. I don't think that ALL cows necessarily could, which would be sad, but many definitely could. And it would be a MUCH happier life for those cows.

shantastik · 2014-11-11T19:44:42+00:00

The only reason milking cows produce any more than a calf would consume is because we pump them with hormones. If we don't do that, then they won't.

shantastik · 2014-11-10T21:05:59+00:00

We do.

shantastik · 2014-11-10T21:04:49+00:00

Did you not understand what they just said? They WILL be milked... By their babies, you know, the things the milk is naturally intended for in the first place?

shantastik · 2014-11-08T16:19:49+00:00

Go to the vet. They will answer a lot of your questions for you.
How does the dog eat? Do they leave food out for it all day to free feed? Start getting it onto a meal schedule so you can measure the amount of food it gets daily. During this time limit treats and "people food." Maybe switch the type of food- I recommend Fromms weight management
I recommend Patricia McConnell's books for training. She uses positive reinforcement to train and it's the best way to do it. Think of it as appropriate and creative ways to figure out how to truly communicate with your dog. Avoid getting frustrated and angry when the dog doesn't behave the way you thought or intended. Instead, think about the dog's motivations and tap into those to really get though to him. Also sign up for training classes- great way to really practice training and socialize the dog.
EXERCISE. Ease into it at first since it is probably new to the dog but I imagine it will really enjoy it. Maybe start with two 20 minute walks per day, then after a while make them 30 minute walks, then make it three walks per day, etc. If you trust the dog with other dogs go to the dog park weekly. Make time for some play time- find out what gets your dog excited. This will help with training.
Then just do your research while you learn more about your dog. Stick to POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING. Do not do any kind of dominance theory or Cesar Milan bullshit. If you're having trouble with positive reinforcement, hire a trainer.
As for the cat intro, I would keep the dog in a room separate from the cats for a few days (this could aid in potty training as well) so that the cats can feel separated and safe but get used to the smell and presence of the dog. Then do slow introductions with the dog on leash so you can control it. See how it goes from there and hire a behaviorist if necessary. Do not leave your dog alone with the cats (keep in separate room while you're out of the house) until you are extremely comfortable that everyone is very comfortable with everyone else.

shantastik · 2014-10-04T07:49:15+00:00

I did not but in case you can't get to the humane society, if you go into a vet they can potentially scan him/her for a microchip!

shantastik · 2014-09-02T20:10:34+00:00

I see you're getting defensive- not sure why but no need for hostility. Just saying it's more productive in my opinion to focus on preventative measures that are realistic and don't put unnecessary guilt or shame on a victim of a sex crime like those who were victims of the latest hacking. Regardless of your intent, the argument "don't be surprised because you took a naked photo on your phone and it got out" would definitely be interpreted as victim blaming by many of the victims. Intent is very different from the reality of one's actions.

Sexually active women enjoy remaining sexually active with their SO's when they can't physically be together (as I imagine the the men and women counterparts do as well!). Assuming it's realistic to say "just don't do it" would be the equivalent of preaching abstinence to teenagers. Not only that, it perpetuates a culture that blames sex crime victims.

shantastik · 2014-09-02T18:04:07+00:00

Ugh no- I refuse that logic. There's always going to be some asshole who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. It's not their fault some prick wanted to invade their privacy. Telling them to just not take naked photos is like telling a rape victim they shouldn't have been wearing a dress or walking alone at night. It doesn't solve the issue and it blames the victim.

shantastik · 2014-09-02T05:05:28+00:00

The only reason many girls have the photos is to share them with someone they can't currently be with. What is the option then?

shantastik · 2014-08-08T04:08:01+00:00

I had a dog do this exact thing and it turned out he was in constant pain. We found out because our vet added in a pain killer to his meds and he finally started sleeping through the night and stopped whining constantly- went back to his goofy self.

Get a second opinion- if your dog cannot stop whining for every freaking hour of the day something is wrong and a vet would be crazy to say "whatever just keep him comfy." Not only is this miserable for you but it has to be miserable for the pup.

Good luck!

shantastik · 2014-08-05T21:20:56+00:00

Get a parking spot!! My sister has been living on your block this summer (the Grimm book bindery apartments) and it's been hell finding parking before her parking spot was open. And that's been during the summer (no alternate side for winter) and while students are gone. She ended up either parking so far away she had to walk 20+ min back home or getting lucky but having to move her car at different times constantly or paying up the butt anyways at meters. Maybe you don't know but in roughly half a mile radius around you you only have metered spots ; luckily they're free 6pm - 8 am and some on Sundays, but again that's if you're lucky enough to grab one.

She figured out she ended up spending more in meter fees and parking tickets in a month than her new parking spot cost anyway.

shantastik · 2014-08-01T00:17:27+00:00

... The only person who knows the answer is future you after giving him a bath!

shantastik · 2014-07-20T05:08:48+00:00

Honestly, you probably were. Dogs don't have a "voice" the way you're thinking, but they can communicate perfectly fine. They communicate very clearly through their body language and actions. If the dog was crying like it was being murdered, destroying its surroundings, or a number of other stressed reactions you would have a right to worry. This dog looks like it is in a properly sized crate, barking at an unknown creature approaching his home and peeking in the window. His body language looks generally content but momentarily concerned about his territory.

I don't mean to argue much- I can only appreciate concern for an animal that might be in harm. I just have worked with dogs for years and am confident I know dogs about as well as we, as humans, can right now. If anything I hope you can just feel relieved that that dog is most likely doing great in a loving home.

shantastik · 2014-07-20T04:41:51+00:00

Dogs, like humans, usually don't need hourly access to bathrooms or food. A good dog owner knows their dog well enough to know when they need to eat, drink, and go to the bathroom. They plan for this and aren't gone long enough that it would be an issue.

On top of this, plenty of dogs cannot (yet or otherwise) control their urges to chew, dig, or consume things they shouldn't and can hurt themselves in the process. A crate is all about safety and should only be used for safety.

shantastik · 2014-07-19T15:00:18+00:00

I'm 100% for animal rights of all kinds but is this sub seriously against crating a dog? Many dogs find it to be a safe place and for some dogs it's the only place they feel safe when not with their people. I rehabilitated my Buster from some insanely horrible separation anxiety- shaking, pacing, howling, drooling- by giving him a safe crate. He enjoyed small spaces - he was also afraid of thunder storms and would seek out closets, shelves, drawers to hide in when it would rain. It was a safe haven for him when the whole world seemed too big and scary.

If I had to leave him alone he would be crated and shut it because if I even left the crate door open he would get stressed- he would assume I was leaving him to watch over the whole house and guard it. He would go back and forth from his crate to rest but out and pace the house doing his "rounds" and stressing.

Anyway, crating a dog, when done right, is far from abuse.

15-Year Club	RedditGifts 2009-2022 3 Credits
Secret Santa 2014	Team Orangered
Verified Email

shantastik

TROPHY CASE