The True Litmus Test For Depression Vs Hunger For Me Is The Effect Of A Large Tater Tot. Do I Miss An

People tell me my pets are skinny all the time, and keep in mind, my dogs come with me to work... In the clinic... My dogs are both easily 5/9 BCS dogs, with my Terrier being a 3/5 MCS (average pet muscling), and my Malinois being a 4-5/5 MCS (basically the maximum muscling you can achieve in a dog)

While I don't think everyone should maintain their dogs the way my mal looks, they absolutely should be maintaining the way my terrier looks, he is lean, healthy, and decently muscled.

I work in rehabilitation, and I see a LOT of CCL tears and Spinal discomfort, while Genetics and conformation play a big role in that, the biggest factor that you as an owner have? Is keeping them at an appropriate weight. I've had one patient who did a full CCL tear while at a healthy weight, and that dog also didn't do a partial tear or full tear on the opposite leg as we worked on healing the first one. She was also a performance dog who had this tear occur halfway through an agility course. Meanwhile, I almost exclusively see full tears when patients are above a 7/9 BCS and they're almost always accompanied by a partial tear or full tear in the opposite leg within 6 months.

Their recovery takes significantly longer, their prognosis is worse, and they often have even more issues come up in their spines, shoulders, and elbows during recovery because they have too much weight to effectively support on 4 legs, let alone 3 or 2 legs, resulting in secondary and tertiary injuries.

Obese pets aren't cute, and obese pets have worse health outcomes. Talk to your vet about your pet's BCS score and, if your vet evaluates it, MCS (Muscle Condition Score) and honestly discuss what the pet is eating, including toppers, treats, supplements, and actual volume of food. Also, you can use this calculator to calculate how much of your food you should be feeding as a baseline (not just trusting the bag amounts)

Pets are very commonly overweight. And very commonly the reason given will be ‘because my parents feed them more than they’re supposed to, and they won’t listen when I tell them to stop’.

And I sympathise. I understand. Parents are hard, especially when they still think of you as ‘their kid’ and not ‘grown adult with autonomy’. Getting your parent to change their behavior is very difficult.

My two cats have a scoop in their bag of food, and they get one scoop each for dinner. It’s a very simple system: 1 scoop 1 cat. If I notice they’re getting a bit podgy then I make the scoop a bit concave. If they’re looking a bit light, I give them a little extra breakfast. But dinner is always the same, never more than one scoop.

But last night I watch my mother (the very same woman that scolded me for my weight since I was ten) decide to feed the cats for me while I finished washing the dishes.

The cats follow her, mewing pathetically, as she carries the food bag to their bowls. And I watch, as she’s talking to me and making eye contact, while she gives one cat a slightly heaped scoop of food, and then the other.

And then, dear reader, she replaces the scoop into the bag, as though it’s the most natural thing in the world, and proceeds to give each cat an additional handful of food.

I was astounded. I was politely mortified that you just increased the cats’ meals by at least 80%. No wonder they’ve been podgy!

We had a polite but firm discussion about how that is a measured scoop in the bag, and have-you-been-feeding-that-much-the-whole-time, but I do not think she has listened. I think I will need to gently ban her from feeding the cats.

She might be a weird rodent inspired girlie, but I can vibe

spin this list of all of the pokemon. you are now that pokemon.

Masking also doesn't just apply to protecting you from Covid. It also helps defend against TB, most influenza strains, and numerous other particulate, droplet, misted and air born diseases. And it helps defend against dangerous pollution, allergens, and irritating natural dusts that effect air quality. Get the most effective and efficient masks you can afford.

Now is the Time to Start Masking Again

If you stopped paying attention to COVID with the release of vaccines, you've missed a lot.

COVID is airborne.

Long COVID impacts 10% of people infected by COVID (though this is beginning to look like a low estimate). Risk of Long COVID goes up with each reinfection. Long COVID is worse than initially reported.

Bisexual and trans people are more likely to develop Long COVID.

Black and Hispanic folks are more likely than White folks experience more symptoms and health problems from Long COVID.

***COVID and Long COVID has much more in common with HIV and AIDS than the flu (28:19 - 38:30 of linked video)***

The Basics

[WEBSITE] You Have to Live Your Life

[ZINE] What's Up With COVID and How to Protect Yourself - 2024 Edition

[FAQ] r/ZeroCOVIDCommunity's FAQ and Resource List

"This is great and all but it's overwhelming. TL;DR?"

COVID is airborne. Long COVID is much more common (and serious/debilitating) than previously thought.

Mask with an N95 or better in all indoor spaces and outside when close to others. Improve your indoor air quality by opening windows and using fans/air filters.

Rapid tests are prone to false negatives so make sure to retest in 48 hours after exposure and/or when you develop symptoms. Isolate in the meantime. Consider upgrading to a NAAT (PlusLife, Metrix) or PCR (Lucira) if you have the money.

Things for you to do today:

buy some N95s or request some from a local mask bloc

open a window more often and/or buy an air purifier

buy the best COVID tests you can afford

Basics in Video Form

If you have limited time, watch the videos with * first. They will cover the basics in about 20 minutes.

*VIDEO: COVID is Airborne [2:53]

*VIDEO: What the latest research tells us about long COVID's most common symptoms [5:58]

*VIDEO: FDA warns of false negatives with at home COVID Tests [2:19]

*VIDEO: How to Stay Safe(r) at Home [10:35]

--

VIDEO: The Astounding Physics of N95 Mask [6:08]

VIDEO: Mask Fit 101: Seal [4:07]

VIDEO: Mask Fit 101: Qualitative [3:49]

VIDEO: Mask Fit 102: Quantitative [5:04]

VIDEO: How to get [and give] FREE Masks [6:07]

VIDEO: Try this DIY indoor air purifier for cleaner air [4:22]

VIDEO: Why is EVERYONE more SICK [54:55]

Want to Get Involved?

Join your local Mask Bloc

No local Mask Bloc? Consider starting one

Talk to the people in your life about COVID

Print quality zines and spread them in your communities

Push for COVID Conscious changes in your spaces.

So here's mine, it's not as good as it is on paper just yet, however, for 2025 I decided to go paperless and have just been using my tablet as my notebook. First is a photo of the tablet, and because there were some glare issues I also uploaded a screen shot with the cursive and print alphabet and a few phrases to show how my handwriting works in general. On paper my print is even more like... slender and elongated and weird, so I kind of like how using the tablet has softened it. My numbers still look like my hand on paper with digital though (See below) and I usually add a little diagonal line through my zeros if I'm not just writing numbers since they look too much like my Os

Studyblr !! Reblog with your handwriting (pretty please) !!

I like seeing how people write

Pink in Horror (4/?) Black Swan (2010) Trouble Every Day (2001) Pearl (2022)

5 Myths About Sustainable Fashion Debunked: What You Didn’t Know About Eco-Friendly Clothing

Sustainable fashion: we’ve all heard the term, but what does it really mean? With all the talk about eco-friendly fabrics, ethical production, and greenwashing, it’s easy to get confused. The reality is that there are a lot of myths floating around that might make you think sustainable fashion is out of your reach. But let’s set the record straight and dive into the 5 biggest myths about eco-friendly clothing.

Myth 1: “Sustainable Fashion is Too Expensive”

One of the most common myths is that sustainable fashion will completely break the bank. Sure, a lot of fast fashion items are cheap, but let’s be real – they don’t last. You’ll find yourself replacing those bargain bin buys faster than you can say "sale." Sustainable fashion focuses on quality, meaning fewer pieces but ones that stand the test of time. Think of it as investing in timeless items that won’t fall apart after a season. Plus, fewer purchases = more money saved in the long run. Who knew being eco-conscious could actually save you cash?

Myth 2: “Sustainable Fashion Isn’t Stylish”

Oh, the classic misconception – eco-friendly clothing is boring. Wrong! Just because an item is sustainable doesn’t mean it’s plain or out-of-date. In fact, sustainable fashion often includes cutting-edge design, modern cuts, and stunning details. Think sleek silhouettes, organic fabrics that feel luxe and unique designs that turn heads. Brands like Merci Dupre Clothiers are proving that sustainable fashion is just as chic as it is eco-friendly. So, if you think you have to compromise on style to be green, think again!

Myth 3: “Sustainable Clothing Doesn’t Last as Long”People often assume that eco-friendly fabrics are weaker or less durable. But let’s break it down: sustainable clothing tends to use higher-quality materials like organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo, which are naturally durable and long-lasting. Many sustainable clothing brands also focus on craftsmanship and thoughtful design, making sure their pieces are made to withstand the test of time. Fast fashion might be trendy, but it’s built to fall apart. Sustainable clothing? It’s made to last, giving you more wear per piece.

Myth 4: “Sustainable Clothing Is Only About Fabric Choices”

Here’s a big one: sustainable fashion isn’t just about the materials it’s made from. It’s about the bigger picture. Sure, using organic or recycled fabrics is a great start, but there’s so much more to sustainability. Ethical labor practices, reducing waste, non-toxic dyes, and designing for durability all play a huge role in what makes clothing sustainable. So next time you think about eco-friendly fashion, remember: it’s the whole lifecycle, from production to disposal, that matters.

Myth 5: “Sustainable Fashion Is Hard to Find”

With the rise of eco-friendly clothing brands, it’s easier than ever to shop sustainably. The myth that sustainable clothing is a rare find simply isn’t true anymore. In fact, many online stores now offer a wide range of stylish, eco-friendly options that make it easy to shop sustainably from the comfort of your own home. From classic staples to statement pieces, sustainable clothing has entered the mainstream, and it’s here to stay.

So, there you have it – the truth about sustainable fashion. It’s stylish, affordable in the long run, durable, and much more accessible than you might have thought. And it’s not just about the clothes; it’s about the choices you make to contribute to a more ethical, eco-friendly world. Ready to embrace sustainability in your wardrobe? It’s easier than you think – and it might just be the most fashionable choice you make!

Being calm is a super power 🤍🌸

It's Tuesday and I'm already 21 hours in 🥲 but patients need care so... what is one to do?