Is this thing on?

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Joined 10 months ago
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Cake day: August 3rd, 2024

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  • If your doctor is confident enough to declare it a scam I’d go with the opinion of the trained certified medical professional whom you let do unspeakable things to all your orifices protected only by latex gloves instead of listening to anonymous idiots like me.

    That said, if you insist on listening to me then you can do your own allergen test at home:

    • Wash (with soap and cloth) and sterilize (with iodine or isopropyl alcohol) your stomach and a sewing needle.
    • With the needle gently scratch a series of small bloodless paired nicks an inch apart.
    • On the left side leave clean for a negative comparison and on the right dab a miniscule amount of a single suspected allergen on each scratch. Maybe jot down which scratch has which substance so you don’t forget.
    • Wait 20 minutes and compare the left to the right. Any on the right side significantly discoloured, swollen or blotchy compared with its respective left side negative are likely allergens and should be avoided.

    Disclaimer: Not a doctor and not medical advice.


  • From a behaviourist’s point of view there are 3 things you can do to help her:

    1) Reward bravery, and ignore fear. Dog is trembling? Don’t use a soothing voice and pet her. You’re literally encouraging her to be frightened if you do. It’s tough I know as it goes against what ‘feels’ right. Ignore her. If she jumps up for attention/pets/cuddles let her be near you but don’t pet/console. Do your own thing while also letting her hang out if so inclined. If and when she seems no longer afraid then pet her or treat her however is appropriate.

    2) Gradually acclimate her to noise Have a TV or radio on in the house to generate ambient noise. Set the volume low to begin. Raise the volume as high as you reasonably can until you get a concerned response from her. Tone the volume down a tick below that and go about your day. Increase the volume a tick after you see her relaxed for a long time repeatedly. If you can have the TV or radio on at a level that doesn’t bother you or your neighbours that is good progress

    3) Lead by example. Act unconcerned and unafraid of noises. Is she afraid to go outside? Go outside, look around, and call her to you. When she comes, shower her with praise/reward. Then go do something in the yard that doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with her. If she flees back inside don’t call her back immediately as that may be rewarding her fear with attention. Wait and call her back out after a bit. The longer you hang out outside while it is noisy the more normal it will become in the dog’s eyes.

    Combine all these strategies in escalating difficulty as she improves. For example, feed her nearer and nearer to the TV/radio, etc… Do you take her for walks? Perhaps as final challenges start walking nearer and nearer to ongoing construction, or the busy street. If you do this last thing don’t keep getting closer until she panics. Walk a little bit in the direction of noise and turn 90deg walk a bit and then walk away for that day.

    Good luck. This is something that will take a lot of thought, work and patience on your part but she sounds worth it.






  • Know that you are not just sharing your own genetic information, but also that of your blood relatives within 2 generations.

    Anyone from your grandparents and their offspring can be matched to the DNA you send in. Surpise, your father has an illegitimate child and the will is now in dispute. Oh, looks like DNA of one of your relatives turned up in a criminal investigation so now most are being investigated. That’ll be a fun discussion at the next get together…

    There is far more information packed in your genes than most laypeople understand. IMO this whole industry should have been legislated to either force destruction of all data once the report is generated or the consent of all your family members be a prerequisite.




  • Only time I was searched was in the Fall following 9/11 coming back from a hunting trip. Got pulled aside at the border, presumably because I was a teenager in a new pickup, and searched by US National Guardsman with automatic rifles.

    Their leader came up to me while I watched 4 other guys diligently search every accessible crevice in the cab, underside and wheel wells. He seemed confused why I had been set aside for search. I shrugged and just said “he pointed so I pulled over” Took 10 minutes tops and they didn’t damage anything (thank goodness. They could have taken knives to the cushions). Haven’t had a problem at the border since. FTR white Canadian.

    My advice? Don’t be rude, and don’t assume they have a bone to pick with you. If you are or do you WILL have a problem and people can cry ‘rights’ and ‘lawsuit’ all they want but I for one would rather avoid BS than antagonize. It is possible to assert your rights and not be an asshole. Thread that needle.