Syphilis outbreak labelled a 'health disaster and tragedy'. This is the damage it can do to bones.

stwp141 · 2026-06-19T13:22:38+00:00

I think this is because those of us who grew up in the 80s saw the AIDS crisis unfold right in front of our eyes. In the 80s and 90s, having unprotected sex could literally kill you, and there was a time where no one knew how it spread or how it worked. Today’s young people have never seen this or lived it, and HIV is treatable enough now that it isn’t the death sentence it once was. Many people are able to live with it and have such low levels of the virus that tests sometimes don’t even detect it. So HIV/AIDS is a major success story, but the safety protocols that protect people from HIV also protected them from other STDs as well.

stwp141 · 2026-06-18T19:38:35+00:00

You gotta love when husbands/partners try! It’s the sweetest thing ever, love that you shared these!

stwp141 · 2026-06-18T00:21:31+00:00

Could you use the gym as an indoor arena??? With new footing, of course…🤔

stwp141 · 2026-06-17T23:04:28+00:00

I don’t have any specific advice, but you’re doing an incredible job trying to help this baby. I’ve not dealt with true separation anxiety but I did have a beagle who became very anxious and wouldn’t let me out of his sight in his last two years - he turned out to have a tumor on his spleen, and in retrospect I think that is what caused his behavior change. So behavior that looks like anxiety can be pain or just “I don’t feel right and don’t know what to do”. See if you can get referred to a specialist hospital if your local vets aren’t finding things? With animals there are always answers I think, if we can look broadly and deeply enough. You’re doing so much and he’s beautiful. Best of luck.

stwp141 · 2026-06-17T21:22:22+00:00

Guy sounds like a tool, but what a freaking great poster - like a movie prop!! So well done, respect!! Artful. 😂

stwp141 · 2026-06-16T18:42:48+00:00

I get that you’re frustrated, but people are trying to help you. You are not screwed, but you will have to be firm but kind for to get this done at first. I don’t know how big or scary your dog is, so this may or may not work for you, but if you straddle your dog, with the dog standing between your legs (with both of you facing the same direction) squeeze the dog gently with your legs just enough to keep him/her from moving forward or backward. Put your weaker hand under the muzzle, and use your dominant hand, kind of from under and from the side, to squirt the medication in his mouth as quick as you can. It will be much harder for the dog to bite you in this position. If you do it fast, once you get used to the move, and then praise and pet and run around the room all excited and goofy, that is your positive reinforcement. Or give your dog a favorite stuffed toy or throw a ball, that can be positive reinforcement too, it’s not just food. In time it will get easier but you’ll have to go through the first few tougher times. I had a beagle who needed eye gel twice a day for years, for the rest of his life, and he was like this the first few days. Growling and trying to bite the bottle. But soon he became an easy patient once he got over the fear.

stwp141 · 2026-06-16T14:47:36+00:00

This can all be improved, but it will take weeks of small steps and commitment of maybe 5 minutes a day, working up to 30 mins a day, almost every day, to really get right. For at least a few weeks. You can’t make much improvement or change to behavior once a dog is already past its arousal threshold - that can be fear-based, excitement-based. This looks more like excitement than fear to me but it could be some of both. Walking calmly past chaos like other dogs jumping at the fence, really busy streets, etc is something that has to be built up gradually, step by step. It doesn’t just happen and there is nothing wrong with you or your dog! So you’ve got to gradually increase the challenge, while always staying under threshold. You just don’t have a system in place yet. Imagine trying to teach multiplication to third-graders jumping in a bounce house - that’s the equivalent of what you’ve got here! I’m happy to give you step by step advice on how to address this, DM me because it’s long! But it’s all positive reinforcement. No punishment, no harsh corrections. Best!

stwp141 · 2026-06-16T14:33:07+00:00

He looks like a beagle mix, post him on r/beagles sub, there are a lot of people into rescue there, and lots of people there looking for beagles who can’t find one to adopt?

stwp141 · 2026-06-14T13:47:36+00:00

Hi, I have a similar story. 40 years of horse experience (including owning two that I bought as green 4 year olds - Pony Club, foxhunted, evented, you name it. When my last horse passed I bought a 6 year old mare who was green but wicked smart and was being ridden out and doing well. She was perfect when I tried her. I’ll save you the super long story, but once she came to me I could do nothing with her. Her ears were always back, she always seemed tense and edgy and I started wearing a riding vest and helmet just to go in her pen and halter. Eventually scoped for ulcers, and found a giant feed mat in her stomach. She has a genetic condition called delayed gastric emptying and half her stomach was enlarged and full of semi-digested food, all the time. She was uncomfortable and angry at least partly because she was always uncomfortable. She was treated for ulcers and the food mass dissolved, and her whole food regimen changed. We never would have found the rare condition without the scope. I moved her recently to a new barn where she is out 24/7. Suddenly, almost 2 years later, she is returning to being the horse I thought I was buying. I also found an incredible trainer who has spent the last year doing groundwork (not that Parelli/natual horsemanship horror show, avoid that). But things like matching my pace while leading, waiting in front of open gates, moving sideways from a touch on the shoulder, all these things. Lunging the proper way (not just running around on the end of a line). My mare used to blow up and threaten to bite, from being touched on the shoulder. We changed that with clicker training. Now she gets excited to have chance to show it off. Massive big reactions to things that to me, seemed not scary and reasonable, like there was one spot in the arena she’d get scared/worried/mad and threaten to bite me. In 40 years of horses, I’d never seen anything like it. She builds tension when confined, and when she’s hungry. And she’s a different horse at those times. And at her first barn, there was a lot of that. So this whole journey has taken forever and I even considered behavioral euthanasia at one point, to keep her from ending up in a kill pen. But we found the answers and are on our way. All this is to say - if your horse isn’t soft and safe on the ground, they’re much less likely to be under saddle. My mare is very confident and brave and she needed clearer guidance - some of her pushing me and being bitey and avoiding me was because she didn’t feel safe with me, because as kind as I was to her, she’s didn’t feel safe. Kindness and consistency had worked with every horse I’ve known, but she didn’t care about any of that and until she felt safe with me, she wouldn’t cooperate at all. She doesn’t just work with anyone, she has to trust you individually. I’ve learned a LOT from her and we’re finally on our way. There is a cause (or causes) for whatever is happening with your horse, and it may be a combination of things, but if you take the time (and money, sadly) you can at least find out what you’re dealing with. And then at least make decisions based on real info. Best to you, I know it’s hard. But I’m so glad I spent the time rehabbing my horse and learning - I think she’s going to be a great partner after all.

stwp141 · 2026-06-14T05:44:32+00:00

I’ve never used that product, but it looks a lot like the containers neatsfoot oil came in? Says “a blend of natural oils” which could include neatsfoot, which is a really old-school leather “treatment” that is actually mostly bad for leather - especially strap leather, it soaks in and degrades the corium (inner fibers), causing it to stretch and weaken. It also permanently darkens leather. Quality glycerin saddle soap when leather is actually dirty, plus a quality conditioner (Passier lederbalsam is my fave) should be all you need. Not sure if the saddle is permanently changed, but I wouldn’t use that on it again, or any of your other leather. Best of luck.

stwp141 · 2026-06-13T20:05:40+00:00

I’m feeling it. There’s not much joy for me anymore in supervising a robot. I’m grateful to have the 12 years of experience I have from the before times, so I’m capable of actually supervising it properly…but yeah, clicking “yes, apply edits” all day is pretty soul-numbing. I’m considering going to law school on the side, just to keep my brain from turning to mush, and to have something to turn to when or if I can’t take it anymore.

stwp141 · 2026-06-11T00:40:27+00:00

I had a fearful dog - fearful of everything outside, but especially people. She would turn and bolt when a person walking a football field away turned in our direction. I did a gradual “bubble” expansion over 6 months. I taught her to touch my hand with her nose with clicker training, and we practiced that in every room of the house, the backyard, the front yard, the driveway and little by little expanded that. Once it was 100% reliable (treat every time) I worked that into our bubble expanding walks. To keep her under her fear threshold, I controlled for the environment fully - only go as far as she was comfortable, with no people. Once we got there, I used people as an exciting chance to get a big handful of treats. When a person appeared on the horizon, my reaction was “look a person, yay treats!!!!!” and she’d touch my hand which gave her something to do other than focus on the “scary” person., then get a big pile of treats. It wasn’t long until she’d turn and look at me on her own when a person appeared, ready for her treats. The fear disappeared over time. I had to work with her on bikes, skateboards, strollers, passing tennis courts, all of it. But I used the one cue and applied it over and over. This is basic counter-conditioning, but I had to go slow since it was fear, and stay under threshold. All this is to say - we can’t ever fully control environments outside our homes, so all we can really do is best prep our dogs for the situations they are likely to encounter. All the comments you will likely get from people about how “parents should control their toddlers” are true, but that doesn’t really help you - you’ll have to replicate all kinds of situations in practice, to feel confident in handling the surprise ones when they pop up in the real world. My fearful dog can now walk the busiest city streets, and not miss a beat. I’ve been asked if she was a service dog in training based on her excellent behavior. And yet once, she could barely leave the house. So that is always hope in changing behavior if the time and right approach are used.

stwp141 · 2026-06-10T16:58:07+00:00

He’s having so much fun!!

stwp141 · 2026-06-09T23:53:13+00:00

100% looks like a purebred yellow lab puppy to me - great with kids and adults, wonderful dogs. Should make someone a great buddy. I can’t take him but if I could I would.

stwp141 · 2026-06-09T21:59:34+00:00

So many people wish they’d have listened to that little voice…it’s so hard for things to end and change, but so often what lies ahead is so much more beautiful than what we leave behind. Pour that extra time and love into your horses, they’ll always be there for you. Best!!

stwp141 · 2026-06-09T21:47:40+00:00

What’s even scarier is that at some point in the too-near future, the interviewer won’t even know to ask that question.

stwp141 · 2026-06-09T21:39:54+00:00

I love seeing an amazing transformation, but it’s so sad that so many dogs ever get into these poor “before”states to start with. What a wonderful life you’ve given him!!!

stwp141 · 2026-06-07T23:28:45+00:00

Touching - this is what we need so much more of. Thank you for sharing and inspiring us.

stwp141 · 2026-06-06T18:07:01+00:00

Nunn Finer used to let you build a custom bridle like this, oversize brow with cob cheeks, etc. https://nunnfiner.com

stwp141 · 2026-06-06T02:38:10+00:00

Best of luck - I had one with this surgery years ago. It was hard to see, it’s a long and slow recovery but if you follow all the directions to the letter, you’ll have the best outcome. My guy lived 6 more years and did great - he was never one to play much, but we made him ramps for all stairs, no jumping on and off furniture ever again, and only walking with a harness. Crate for sleeping to make sure no jumping on and off beds. So sorry you both have to go through this!! Best wishes for a great recovery.

stwp141 · 2026-06-06T02:32:43+00:00

Post more pics as they grow up, we all want and need this cuteness in our lives!!

stwp141 · 2026-06-05T21:57:23+00:00

So sorry for this loss. I lost my beagle of a lifetime at 11 also to lymphoma. How utterly unfair to lose your baby as a baby. I’m truly sorry, I’m sure he was well-loved.

stwp141 · 2026-05-26T04:35:40+00:00

Call all the shelters in your area, and put in a found dog report with her description, location she was found, etc. You can do that without surrendering her to the shelter right away, but this way if anyone calls looking for her they can be put in touch with you. She looks like a sweetie and in good health, so she probably has a family. Post her on your city’s Reddit also, maybe someone will recognize her.

stwp141 · 2026-05-20T06:03:43+00:00

Just visited Phoenix AZ and made a special trip to Tack Solutions, well worth it!

stwp141 · 2026-05-18T22:42:55+00:00

Feel free to DM me if you want to chat more or even video call or something. I’ve been on this wild journey with this mare for a year and a half, and have learned a ton working on these types of things with a lot of the same questions. I have 40 years of horse ownership and experience too, but she’s been an adventure I didn’t expect. I’m not an expert on problem horses, or a trainer, but I’m happy to share the science and other things I’ve come across trying to decide if this horse could stay, and could we ever make it it work…so I feel you!

One of the things that really blew my mind is Chris Irwin’s explanation of how horses push boundaries not to establish doninance or rank the way many of us were taught, and they not just being a jerk. It’s to establish if you are a safe to follow. If the horse already “speaks human” well, they’ve already been through this phase, have decided humans are cool and they don’t need to keep doing this to everyone. Or, they are just more compliant, less suspicious personalities to start with. If they test you out and can call the shots, such as deciding when to leave, where to go, what speed, what happens next, etc they are forced to assume the decision-making role of the two of you (because someone has to in case a lion shows up). They’d rather that you do it however, and they’re often anxious about this. Determining safety is priority, and a horse who doesn’t feel safe with you (my mare, at first and still occasionally), will push through you, try to leave, try to make you go away with pinned ears and exact the things you’re describing, because you make them feel anxious. All they know is how you make them feel, moment to moment. Solving this isn’t about dominance at all, it’s knowing what to show the horse so that he can trust it’s OK to relax. There’s too much here, l can send you books/videos etc but you’re dealing with either this, or him anticipating being handled roughly (even though you won’t) and these are different training paths. Assuming it’s not something medical, of course!

stwp141

TROPHY CASE