A reminder to look up on clear nights.
Jupiter is easy to spot being the brightest "star" in the sky currently. Easily visible from most locations, even cities. Banding and several moons can be seen in low power binoculars and telescopes.
A little work on desensitizing to showers. I don't bathe the miss often, but I want her to be comfortable with it for the times when we need it.
In less than an hour we went from a mildly aversive tub to being relaxed and comfortable as she voluntarily gets in or out of a running shower now.
TIL
I am amused. Whatever; no harm (maybe some chafing), none of my concern. Carry on and enjoy.
If that's upsetting, they're in for a shock when they open their eyes and look around.
The sheer diversity and creativity is something I appreciate in any fandom. Be unapologetically yourselves.
Woo nice. I bake a loaf every few days, for a while there it was daily, but trying to dial it back a bit.
Looks good. What's in it?
New True Facts : www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq9J...
It can be hard finding a space where you seem to fit. Best advice I can give is to keep looking and trying new spaces. There are a lot of zoo spaces out there tucked away here and there with good people in them. Some of the spaces are slow, but a little activity can fire up more...kind of like here.
That's what keeps me active in the online community. Not the same as in-person socialization, but better than nothing.
The bigger issue for me is finding spaces where it isn't toxic or welcoming of such. I get enough hate in daily life and seek a supporting community, not more hate and violence.
A screenshot of the title and abstract of the article (accessible by screen reader by clicking the link)
🎉 Thrilled to announce our new paper in the Journal of Sex Research! "Exploring Sexual Attraction to Animals: A Qualitative Analysis of Zoophile Experiences"
One of the largest qualitative studies on this topic, with 960 participants sharing their experiences.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
A slice of bread with a hole in the center with a yellow labrador retriever's snout sticking through the hole. "In-Bread dog"
Pretty sure my dog is inbread.
Zeta sticker placed on the wall with others stickers and graffiti
A sticker spotted in Chicago's Green Mill bathroom.
Thank you for sharing, I think it is important to share as it helps others see they aren't alone. So often it can seem like others don't have these problems because we don't have access to their inner thoughts as we do with our own.
While some think cross species mating is "unnatural", there's an entire reproductive strategy known as gynogenesis where females can mate with a males of another species to kick off embryo development, but he provides no genetics.
A natural and reproductive necessity of cross species mating.
An aspect I don't think most people are aware of, but there's a growing body of evidence that suggests quite that a number of insects are self aware.
A few interesting related papers
doi.org/10.1016/bs.a...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ap...
doi.org/10.1016/j.an...
Many other papers, but char limit...
It can be interesting seeing the projection that can happen. If an image conjures thoughts that aren't clearly there it might be time to reflect on the fact that those are your thoughts and if those thoughts are distressing, perhaps it is time to talk to a professional.
I think it's good to periodically reflect on ourselves, where we, as an individual are going in our lives and make sure it's where we want to be headed. I wish you well in your self discovery and I hope you find renewed vigor in your goals and ideals.
I can't tell them apart by scent, but there's no mistaking when someone's got a backlog and needs expressed.
Part of me is now wondering if I could learn and I am both amused and repulsed by that thought.
I'm certainly no expert on wasps, but is that a male Polistes dominula? My understanding is the number of segments on the antenna and the hooked ends suggests to me it may be male.
Yes, yes, "It's just a meme dude, don't read too much into it.", but I can't help it. :P
The fear and unease that comes from finding a lump on your companions and having to wait for cytology results exists in inverse proportion to the relief of finding it is nothing of concern.
I have nothing to report and I am overjoyed by that fact.
I recently finished reading "Problem Animal Behavior: Functional Assessment & Constructional Contingency Management Planning" and as expected from O'Heare it was informative, incredibly dense, and dryer than the Gobi desert.
Not for light reading, that's for sure, but covered the subject well.
There's few things I love more than seeing a sleeping dog wagging their tail. Who are you happy to see buddy?
I find it interesting that for many people if they were offered $100 to read a book about dog care they would jump at the chance, but if that same book could instead save them $2000 in unnecessary expenses it isn't nearly as motivating.
So long as nobody is harmed and everyone can nope out, I don't see a problem with it. I maintain veto for health and safety, but I try to give them autonomy. If they choose to play fetch or engage otherwise with someone else, no big deal. I do not require their entire being to revolve around me.
vigilantism isn't brave or helpful. i know that showing compassion for someone you believe has committed wrongs in the past is harder than giving in to your emotions and thinking of ways to punish them, but punishment won't help make anything better in the long run.
At it's core, CC/DS is very useful for a lot of things, including overcoming fears and phobias. A short and easy read, heavy on practical examples and not spending a lot of time on theory. It's good enough to be on my recommended reading list.
Now that I have read it, I can say it covers the counter conditioning and desensitization needed to not only get your companion to tolerate, but to even enjoy routine tasks such as nail trimming, grooming, and even being muzzled.
Finished reading "Cooperative Care: Seven Steps to Stress-Free Husbandry". Neither myself nor my dog are new to this so the book didn't offer anything new. It gave me a few things to think about such as some handling that I should be doing more often, so I'm training myself to do that more often.
Probably not particularly helpful, but I used a Corona-style hand mill for a few years and found it functional, but it did not produce a particularly fine flour. If you're not after fancy and have a more utilitarian approach, they can be serviceable and inexpensive...if you get a decent casting.
For some context, I've read the following dealing either directly or more generally:
"Effectiveness of treatments for firework fears in dogs" (Riemer 2020)
"Resolving Fears, Phobias, and Anxieties: A Guide for Dog Guardians" (O'Heare 2018)
Requesting info on resolving fireworks/loud noise fears in dogs. Not dealing with it myself, but looking to update my understanding to pass on. I appreciate your reading recommendations and your thoughts.
I am familiar with the processes of DR wrt desensitization/counter conditioning.
Tied on score for second were....
* Bettergoods Chick'n Nuggets
* Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Chick'n Nuggets
* Impossible Ultimate Plant-Based Chick'n Nuggets
Unanimous for last was Beyond Chicken Nuggets, but while they came in last, everyone agreed they were decent.