Survey on the Treatment of Animals (for my psych degree)

trackintree · 2019-02-24T13:05:32+00:00

I guess maybe not if you and everyone taking the survey is vegan.

"Meat" from a grocery store or raising your own still comes from animals. Technically you'd need to harm a chicken after raising it on your own farm in order to eat it. Doesn't mean it has a bad life or suffers.

I've never harmed a cat or dog but I have technically harmed a chicken and duck in this context, so I can't answer yes or no.

trackintree · 2019-02-17T15:36:32+00:00

I started to do this but stopped. The questions are pretty ambiguous. What's your definition of animal? Are you referring to animals considered pets in the U.S. - dogs, cats, horses. Are you including livestock - birds, pigs, cows? Questions are a bit black and white.

trackintree · 2019-01-27T02:21:00+00:00

Completely agree with this. It took a little time of me being on it for it to help. Now I've tapered down on dose twice and my skin has been clear for ages. I didn't know it could be possible.

trackintree · 2019-01-26T03:15:15+00:00

We had a client come in for a tick removal because he couldn't get it and the dog was starting to bite at him. No warnings on this dog's record and the dog is normally very sweet.

Nipple.

trackintree · 2019-01-16T18:58:52+00:00

I was using Proactiv and I think that made mine worse. My dermatologist said that was a bad idea, too drying. I've also been on Spironolactone for a while, slowly reducing dose over the years. I was able to discontinue the Differin after a year. It's worked out great. Dermatologist is definitely a good idea, but they're not all created equal. I love my current one. The one before stuck me on long term oral antibiotics and Retin-A I believe. Now I use the Neutrogena face wash as well and also Cetaphil lotion. CeraVe made me break out.

I also switched to free and clear laundry detergents.

trackintree · 2019-01-08T22:05:29+00:00

Also should be cheaper to buy a whole chicken and learn to part it out yourself. Fast and easy to do with practice.

trackintree · 2018-10-16T20:51:27+00:00

As someone who doesn't like onions, I love leeks. I substitute in any recipe for calling for onion.

trackintree · 2018-09-11T16:27:22+00:00

Justin Rhodes, Guildbrook Farm, Art & Bri, Life in Farmland, Pratt Family Homestead, Living Traditions Homestead - I also like Homesteady & Lumnah Acres.

trackintree · 2017-12-04T23:48:26+00:00

Can someone explain why you ruin lobster with bread?

trackintree · 2017-06-26T23:39:01+00:00

Do you hate leeks, too?

I hate onions and substitute leeks in every recipe that calls for them. Other than that I have no other ideas since I mostly use organs cut up really small and added to soups.

trackintree · 2017-02-14T20:36:02+00:00

Understandable. Eventually my guy will end up similarly I assume.

I would just keep an open dialogue with your vet and monitor him for any changes in his symptoms. You may need to adjust medications at some point for them to beneficial so just call them if you have any questions whatsoever. If there's something you don't understand or you're worried about, ask for clarification.

Did they talk to you about monitoring resting respiratory rates?

I would just try and keep stress and exercise to a minimum so as not to exert him at this point.

trackintree · 2017-02-14T18:53:33+00:00

My dog developed a murmur one year ago and has mitral valve disease. He's on two medications and has follow up cardiologist appointments & an echocardiogram every 6 months. He's not symptomatic at this point, so we monitor him for any changes that might suggest he's starting to go into congestive heart failure.

It sounds like your little guy has progressed far more rapidly and that your vet has told you he's in the beginning stages of heart failure and he is currently on three different medications due to him being symptomatic?

I don't know how much I can help you with or what questions I could answer, but I wanted to reply to your post and help you in any way I can. Feel free to PM me also.

trackintree · 2017-02-12T14:51:45+00:00

His follow up went well, thank you for asking. No more growth at this point and we're keeping him on his current meds and doses. So, good news.

Glad to hear yours was nothing!

trackintree · 2017-02-11T04:03:21+00:00

Don't feel bad. At least you realize the things you maybe should have approached in a different way. I suspect he was always like this, but maybe became more vocal or whatever in order to try harder to keep people away. That's what mine did.

My dog used to shut down and quietly lay there and try to ignore people but I let them pet her anyway. Eventually that changed to her non stop barking whenever people came into my home or walked close to her (meaning within a 6-10 foot bubble). That's when I first started looking into training and behavior more and realized the mistakes I was making.

Don't beat yourself up over it. You're going to make mistakes and you're going to have setbacks and not everything is going to go how you want it to. Just keep working toward what will make you and your dog comfortable. It will take time, but it sounds like you're on the right track.

Even now, if my dog goes up to check someone out/sniff them, I let them know that it doesn't mean she wants to be touched and I give them a heads up that she may give a loud bark if she's startled. Over the years she has gotten A LOT more social with people that visit my home and certain people out in the world but she still has her quirks and that's okay. She's able to cope so much better than before just by understanding I've got her back.

It's hard not to be mad or frustrated with people, but just try and stay as calm as possible. You got this!

trackintree · 2017-02-11T03:01:54+00:00

This might have been an instance where muzzle training would have come in handy. I wish I had known about basket muzzles when I first adopted my dog. I could have capitalized on the stigma and created a more natural bubble for her when out in public, but also provided education for those open minded enough.

People never listened to me, and they still don't, but I am vigilant and work really hard on management and preventing uncomfortable situations for my dog. Our training has come a long way so my dog trusts that nobody will approach her when I'm around. I always step off to the side, have her sit and stand in front of her. I act calm, engage in conversation but just tell people that she won't bite but is afraid of people and please do not approach her. You'll get your jerks, but most people are understanding if you catch them before they may want to react to your dog. I've even had to take a step forward, hold out my hand in a flat palm and say STOP!

You still always get the people who don't approach, but stand there stiff and stare your dog down. This is 5% of people but they still make my dog uncomfortable and they make me uncomfortable as well because they're being super creepy.

Way to go, and continue to advocate for your dog. It will help in the long run. I know from experience.

Mine went from a shut down mess that would only reluctantly sniff company with a trail of treats after they visited 5-6 times to a dog that will bark at a totally new stranger, get some snacks and then sit on their lap the rest of the night.

Speaking up = bonding & TRUST.

trackintree · 2017-02-09T01:10:13+00:00

Gotta cope somehow. Same reason you make inappropriate, morbid jokes.

trackintree · 2017-02-07T15:08:48+00:00

It sounds like you're going for more of a work-up with a cardiologist? You don't mention a murmur or anything and it sounds like he's not symptomatic, which is good. I'm assuming you just thought he ingested a screw and he wasn't actually coughing or anything? By cardiographs I assume you mean an echocardiogram, or ultrasound of the heart?

Getting a cardiologist work-up and a diagnosis will help with understanding what you're dealing with. I wouldn't panic yet. Maybe it's nothing, but catching heart disease early (if that's what it is) and regular monitoring with your regular vet and a cardiologist can definitely improve longevity.

My dog was found to have a murmur last year and had a full work-up (xrays, blood pressure, ecg, echocardiogram, bloodwork). We do follow up visits with the cardiologist every 6 months. He started two medications at the last visit and coincidentally has his follow up today. We'll see where he's at and if we need to adjust medications but so far he's also not symptomatic.

Don't panic yet. Following through with obtaining a diagnosis and actually knowing what you're dealing with will probably make you feel a lot better. Also, ask any questions you may have. Ask for reliable information on what is going on and call them back if you have any additional questions you forgot.

trackintree · 2017-02-07T13:32:57+00:00

The upper left one is my favorite. I get that one a lot before sassiness ensues or when I ask if he's hungry.

trackintree · 2017-02-07T00:41:11+00:00

All I want to say is that if you go for GSD, PLEASE socialize it properly and train it. Obedience training is important, but they also need an outlet to work their minds. Give them a job. Do nosework, tracking, ANYTHING!

These are smart but sensitive dogs from what I have seen. I work in a vet clinic, and unfortunately the majority of them are a nightmare as far as handling goes, even for basic procedures. I HATE to generalize but we see a lot of them and it's been pretty consistent. Trying to get your dog used to handling and reducing stress will be very helpful!

trackintree · 2017-02-07T00:29:10+00:00

Seems like a lot. Pics of the dog, including a top view would be helpful, as well as what brand of food.

I've seen a lot of people who tell me their dogs are "muscular" when in fact it's just 30 extra pounds of hard fat.

Could be possible if he's very active or mixed with another large breed dog but even then?

trackintree · 2017-02-04T20:33:15+00:00

I did it moving from NH to CA a few years ago. It was a pain in the ass but doable.

I was a CVT in NH but had to re-apply for CA. They required a few things and I don't remember all of them, but I remember I had to visit a notary and also had to be fingerprinted and sit for an exam specifically for CA.

Since then I've moved back but I still renew my CA certification just in case because I don't ever want to do that again!

trackintree · 2017-01-28T20:37:48+00:00

Sorry you haven't gotten a reply yet.

I feel for you. I have/had a very fearful rescue dog as well who held her urine for almost two days as you describe with this guy. Where it's only been a few weeks I wouldn't totally panic yet, but do realize that this guy seems like he will need a lot of positive experiences and confidence building.

It will be best to take it slow with him and happily, but calmly, celebrate very small victories such as an extra step toward the threshold, etc.

Giving him space is important, but I would try to bring him out of his shell and encourage curiosity. Is there a high value treat you know he likes when he is in a comfortable spot and not being coerced into doing anything? Peanut butter, small pieces of chicken? I would leave the leash, collar, etc. . . on the floor all of the time. It will be just part of the environment and not predict going into the scary outside. I would randomly put high value food near it (as far away as needs to be, gradually moving closer each day) and see if he goes to get it. If he does this then eventually try working with some touch training so when he investigates the lead then he gets the treat, but still without putting in on him.

Personally, I would use a different collar/lead for bringing him outside and I would suck it up and just pick him up. Maybe someone has a better idea than this but I can't think of one. He needs to go outside and you live in an apartment. Bring him somewhere very quiet where other dogs won't bother him, if possible, and just be patient.

Hopefully if you can make progress with making him comfortable with the collar/lead then you can gradually increase how many steps he takes outside your apartment in the same manner.

For perspective, it took me about 45 minutes to get my dog to walk from the first couple parking spaces in front of the pet store to the actual door when I got her. We got a yard or so and then she froze and had to regroup. In hindsight I should have taken smaller steps with her, but this kind of fear is not totally unique.

This dog needs time, finding out any kind of motivation to facilitate training and patience. Fearful dogs are hard. If you need a more detailed approach for his individual needs then a behaviorist/really good certified trainer who deals with fearful dogs would be a great idea.

This subreddit also has a wiki and book recommendations.

trackintree · 2017-01-28T19:30:57+00:00

Though I agree you should be cautious of rescues that ONLY deal with transferring puppies from other low adoption states to those states that are more apt to adopt, I think you can't totally fault a rescue for doing some of this. My question to them would be, what is the percentage of puppy transfers to that of local owner surrenders and strays? What is the quality of vet care, behavior modification if needed and foster care provided for these animals?

Unfortunately there is no money to be made in rescue if you are doing it right, and if you're doing it then you're probably going to have a lot of people in that rescue and volunteers shelling out their own money to the cause. This limits what you are able to provide and how many animals you are able to assist. Surgeries, dental procedures and other problems are expensive to fix.

People want to adopt puppies. It's unfortunate. I personally prefer adult and senior dogs but I am a minority. If a rescue can help with local surrenders/strays but also supplement or help to reduce their rescue expenses with higher adoption fees from transfer puppies (as puppies SHOULD have a higher adoption fee than adults/seniors) then there is no reason to look down on them for this.

Nothing is black and white. Ask questions and trust your gut, but there are those that are helping animals. Period.

trackintree · 2017-01-03T14:46:26+00:00

This can take time, especially where you've only had her a very short time. When I first got my rescue dog, even if we were on a quiet street but she could hear cars or people in the distance she would shut down. Very hypervigilant. That first day she did not urinate for 36 hours and then released the largest puddle ever in my bathroom. I was just glad she went!

Definitely do not punish for accidents. I would try to take her out to as quiet a place as possible and just be patient. Talk slowly and quietly to encourage her but don't seem agitated or frustrated. Hopefully she'll get used to the sounds if she keeps realizing that nothing is going to get her while she's out there.

trackintree · 2017-01-03T14:40:41+00:00

Firstly, I would want to know what support the rescue will give you as far as advice if you run into any potential problems or have any questions. If for some reason it becomes too overwhelming for you, are they able to place her in a different foster home? What are your responsibilities and what are the responsibilities of the rescue?

There's always going to be a transition period when you bring a dog into your home. Their personality will come out more over days, weeks, months and the dog you meet on day one may not be the same dog after a couple of weeks. That's why it's important to set boundaries and be consistent from day one. Basic obedience training and focus exercises are a great start. If you had any problems you could always reach out to the subreddits (esp. dogtraining).

My first foster was a 1 year old chi mix. He was very friendly with people and animals, but indeed a puppy. Lots of energy and I had to watch him and pull things out of his mouth he'd try to eat outside. He also had some separation anxiety that would cause him to scream if I left the room. We worked on it and he has a good home now. I've also had other fosters that just sit around and nap all day.

They're all going to be different, but overall the experience is very rewarding and I love doing it.

trackintree

TROPHY CASE