OrangeCat's recent activity
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Comment on Weekly thread for casual chat and photos of pets in ~life.pets
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
OrangeCat LinkI made shrimp etouffee for the first time. It was my first time making a roux darker than a blonde roux, and I used a wok because my husband stole the big pot to make chili right before I started....I made shrimp etouffee for the first time. It was my first time making a roux darker than a blonde roux, and I used a wok because my husband stole the big pot to make chili right before I started. It was the only other pan big enough for the recipe. It was much easier than expected and is delicious, with the exception of the onion being diced too large. I dislike large onion chunks, but wanted to use some leftover chopped onion and I regret it. I also added a bit too much due to my onions being huge. It's so much ONION. I can't stop burping up onion flavor and it's not fun.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
OrangeCat LinkI've been playing Crystal Project, an indie jrpg game with a heavy amount of exploration and jumping. It's pretty freeform, you level classes and discover new ones through exploration and boss...I've been playing Crystal Project, an indie jrpg game with a heavy amount of exploration and jumping. It's pretty freeform, you level classes and discover new ones through exploration and boss fights, but can switch classes and levels around freely. There's lots of exploration through platforming and trick jumps which is fun even though I'm bad at landing jumps. The game isn't super story driven which would usually turn me off but the accessibility (difficulty may be a better term but that is what the dev calls them) options have drawn me in in a way other jrpgs refuse to do. I'm not great at strategizing in games and I dislike doing so as it goes against the reasons I play games (brain off). So the ability to change difficulty of random encounters and bosses, turn off timers, and increase exp and gold amounts has made it so I can actually enjoy a jrpg without the grinding and struggling. The dev took a lot of feedback into account, as initially people complained heavily about the difficulty level and the required use of debuffing abilities, and I gotta say it's made the game so much fun for me. I personally have random encounters set to easy with increased gold and exp gains so that I don't have to grind, but kept the bosses at normal so they still feel challenging. This might be the first jrpg I finish!
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Comment on Can anyone suggest favorite sauce recipes to serve with roast duck, or favorite ways to use leftovers? Soup is already planned in ~food
OrangeCat LinkThis is late, but in case you plan to do duck another year, or someone else is curious I did a simplified Peking duck this year using this recipe: https://redhousespice.com/peking-duck/. It's just...This is late, but in case you plan to do duck another year, or someone else is curious I did a simplified Peking duck this year using this recipe: https://redhousespice.com/peking-duck/. It's just my husband and I as well and a duck is perfect for a holiday meal plus using the carcass for stock. It was extremely easy, no harder than dry brining a turkey. I made a couple of modifications. One being hoisin sauce instead of sweet bean sauce to serve, the other being a tablespoon of oyster sauce and a half a tsp of five spice powder rubbed inside the cavity before stuffing it. The duck was fragrant and juicy. The oil step is necessary for crispy skin, broiling didn't quite do it. I did handmake my pancakes using a recipe from the same site, but a couple of years ago we just used this recipe, https://thewoksoflife.com/how-to-make-mandarin-pancakes-dumpling-wrappers/, to make the pancakes from premade dumplings wrappers.
For leftovers I did a take on this Chinese duck soup, https://thewoksoflife.com/duck-noodle-soup/, but modified it to make rice cake soup. Because I love rice cakes. It was extremely easy, quick, and is a really nice light but flavorful meal after Thanksgiving. I'd suggest if you want to make this that you be confident in your ability to season to your own tastes though as I found it to need adjusting with soy sauce and bullion powder.
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Comment on What minor or inane decisions have had the biggest butterfly effect on your life? in ~talk
OrangeCat LinkMy first year of college my roommate offered to buy me Ark: survival evolved. I played on their server but kept to myself and built my own base and basically played single player. Eventually one...My first year of college my roommate offered to buy me Ark: survival evolved. I played on their server but kept to myself and built my own base and basically played single player. Eventually one of the guys on there asked why I wouldn't talk to anyone. Usually I'd give an excuse, or just tell them I was just trying to get use to the game first. But that night I told the truth, I wasn't use to voice comms and couldn't tell who was who or even if their voices were different. He was offended by that admission and decided to befriend me. This is the part where I say we're married now, but plot twist! We did have feelings for each other but it didn't work out. Instead through him I met an entirely new group of people online and am now happily married to one of them. It was our five year anniversary this week!
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Comment on Looking at getting a new phone - help with my odd requirements? in ~tech
OrangeCat Link ParentI have this phone and am not a huge fan. Mine constantly freezes, requiring me to put it into sleep mode and turn it back on. It does this with multiple apps including browsers, games, and food...I have this phone and am not a huge fan. Mine constantly freezes, requiring me to put it into sleep mode and turn it back on. It does this with multiple apps including browsers, games, and food ordering apps. It's a constant issue even with me constantly restarting it, as in it can happen multiple times in a ten minute period. If not a total freeze, then lagging. I wouldn't expect to be gaming much on the phone either as even simple platformers like Dadish lag. Mine is only 1 year old. My husband has an older model from 3 years ago and his battery is shot and doesn't last the day any longer. Mine is still going kind of strong and can last a day and a half.
My phone is also constantly dropping the data connection, although my husband's does not have this issue. We are both in the same carrier and same plan as well. I can be standing right next to him with no data and he can have a great connection.
Positives of the phone include the price (cheap), the battery life for the first couple of years, and the ability to uninstall all the bloatware that came on it. Also we've both dropped our phones on concrete, asphalt, tile, etc and the screen is invincible and the case barely gets scratched. Basically, it's an okay cheap phone for people on a budget. You get what you pay for with it.
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Comment on Graduated and moving to an apartment in a major city in the US, advice/tips? in ~life
OrangeCat LinkSomething that may be a possibility for you if you're very desperate to move and need a short term place is subleasing or month to month rentals. I've seen students subleasing their apartment for...Something that may be a possibility for you if you're very desperate to move and need a short term place is subleasing or month to month rentals. I've seen students subleasing their apartment for 1-3 months for either summer break, winter break, or so they don't have to break their lease when they move away early. Often times they keep their stuff in the apartment, so no buying furniture, but that also means you may not have as many options including whether or not you have a roommate. Another thing to consider though is that some of these students may not be doing this legally, which could possibly get you in trouble as a lot of landlords have sublease clauses.
Some landlords will offer month to month leases, but you should be very careful about predatory landlords when looking at these. Oftentimes landlords who cater to students, new graduates or other not so well off folks prey off their lack of knowledge on tenant rights, and lack of money and time to dispute. You might lose a deposit that way. I speak from experience. Look at reviews carefully, but also know that there are people who lost their deposits for genuine reasons and still complain.
When you're actually looking for a longer term apartment there are a few things to look out for. Look up what cockroach, termite, rat, and mouse poop look like. Open the kitchen cupboards and look in the back with a flash light to check for signs of pests. If the ac or heater isn't on when you walk in ask to turn it on and note whether you can actually feel hot or cold air coming out the vents. I don't know about Philly but in Chicago you want AC at minimum. You can buy a radiant heater for a studio for around $150 if needed but you will suffer without AC and many rented places don't allow window units. Flush the toilet and test the shower and sinks for water pressure. Look at the windows and ceilings for water damage or mold. This is super important if you get a garden level apartment, aka a half underground one. If there is water damage on the windows or under them around the baseboards or floors, then things likely leak during rain and snow melting. Ask them how often they change furnace and AC filters, and what's covered under their maintenance costs versus yours. Check both any used furniture and the baseboards for bed bugs. It's a long list but there a lot of ways to get screwed on an apartment that I learned the hard way. Hopefully you can't avoid most of them.
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Comment on What are your scary, spooky, creepy and unexplained experiences? in ~talk
OrangeCat Link ParentI believe I've actually read about that particular syndrome in a book from Oliver Sacks. It was interesting reading about it, particularly as I read it at the strange moment that I think was a...I believe I've actually read about that particular syndrome in a book from Oliver Sacks. It was interesting reading about it, particularly as I read it at the strange moment that I think was a pivot for me in my mental health. I hadn't been allowed to talk to anyone about my mental health as a kid, my mom is a big disbeliever in mental health issues and is huge on "natural medicene". Shortly after reading it I started seeing a psych and started unraveling everything. It was nice to feel less alone reading about people with all sorts of different mental and physical issues. It also helped me realize how fragile and wacky the brain is. Also how scary hats are.
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Comment on What are your scary, spooky, creepy and unexplained experiences? in ~talk
OrangeCat LinkWhen I was school aged I would occasionally see a tall man in a top hat watching me out of the corner of my eye. It started after I had a nightmare about a man trying to kidnap me from my after...When I was school aged I would occasionally see a tall man in a top hat watching me out of the corner of my eye. It started after I had a nightmare about a man trying to kidnap me from my after school program when I was around 8, and lasted until late high school. In the dream he pretended to be my aunt picking me up from after school. A counselor came and told me that my aunt was waiting for me but when I went up to her I realized that it was a trick and ran away. I went searching for my friend and found her in the auditorium with the man who then cut off her ear in front of me. It absolutely terrified me for a while, especially when I started seeing the hallucinations.Whenever I'd see him, I'd feel chills running down my spine and become extremely anxious, although I think I always knew he wasn't real. I remember him as being a tall lanky shadow, with a trench coat and a purple top hat.
He wasn't the only thing I'd see either. Occasionally shadows would move or shapes would twist as I lay in bed. Naturally, I got up to bug my parents a lot and had a ton of night terrors. As an adult I ended up telling my psychiatrist about the movements and the hallucinations as I got diagnosed with several mental health issues. She seemed unconcerned and never really gave an explanation, and I still see the flickers of movement, but not the man.
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Comment on Timasomo 2023: Roll Call in ~creative.timasomo
OrangeCat LinkThree years ago when I learned to crochet I bought a bunch of yarn and started making a cardigan for my husband for Christmas. As a beginner I didn't know what I was getting into and ended up...Three years ago when I learned to crochet I bought a bunch of yarn and started making a cardigan for my husband for Christmas. As a beginner I didn't know what I was getting into and ended up never finishing it. Every year I bring it back out and work on it a little more but I get discouraged by the mistakes (beginner me was not good at counting) and the time involved. So I suppose this is an opportunity to finish it! My husband is a big man, as he wants it long like mid thigh. So I've still got a good portion to go. By the end of the month. Hope to finish the back panel, make the arms and pockets, connect it and add the trim. My husband might finally get his cardigan for Christmas!
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Comment on I’m designing a Pokemon-inspired piano ed. book for kids 6-10, and looking for testers in ~music
OrangeCat Link ParentThinking back to my first years learning with the Faber books, I do recall my teacher telling me not to bother reading portions of the books, skipping between sections and just highlighting...Thinking back to my first years learning with the Faber books, I do recall my teacher telling me not to bother reading portions of the books, skipping between sections and just highlighting important passages. I know there are other companies with learning books that are popular, and I'm sure you know a lot more about them than I do. I will also note, as mentioned I did do the certificate of merit program, so I was taught notation and theory young and it was pushed upon me heavily. I actually have a lot of negative feelings toward the way I was taught, for example I was only allowed to play pieces I wanted that were not for the exams during a single month of the year when I passed an exam and before starting for the next. I wasn't allowed to learn what I wanted, and piano was just a tool for me to get into college so that colors my perception heavily. Actually kid me probably would've loved this idea as I was big on pokemon and cute animals.
It's interesting that kids don't seem to find the art as unsettling as adults. I do wonder if opinions may be colored by your students not wanting to upset you, versus adults who are more honest as they understand the investment you'd be putting into your books. Or if maybe they just find the art colorful and fun in a way that adults don't?
If you're planning on the books being for ages 6-10 and on having stickers and figurines as motivators I'd suggest sticking with something at least partially led by parents or teachers. I've noticed a lot of parents of friends who played instruments didn't keep up with what their kid was learning, and couldn't really tell if their kid was practicing correctly, so you might end up with parents rewarding bad practices.
Thinking about things that I would've wanted as a kid, I am a visual learner and would have been awesome to have videos that show how to move my hands, where keys are etc. I know a lot of people use stickers to color each key for new learners, and a set of colored stickers that match what you see in the video would've helped my young ADHD self when I got stuck on fingering outside of lessons. It stucks to unlearn a week's worth of habital fingering. Of course you mentioned that videos would be a later thing, but I thought it might be worth mentioning.
Either way I wish you luck! I don't have kids so I can't beta test, but I do hope that you are able to create a product you love. It would be interesting to see a product that caters more to the way kids learn than the books I had as a kid.
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Comment on I’m designing a Pokemon-inspired piano ed. book for kids 6-10, and looking for testers in ~music
OrangeCat LinkI played piano growing up and learned under teachers who used the Faber Piano Adventure books. I played 12 years, and much of my learning was focused on passing the MTAC certificate of merit tests...I played piano growing up and learned under teachers who used the Faber Piano Adventure books. I played 12 years, and much of my learning was focused on passing the MTAC certificate of merit tests and performing recitals. I haven't played seriously in a decade, but I'd consider myself pretty well versed in piano theory and playing as a child. I think that your idea is interesting, and certainly could appeal to kids but I see a few flaws with the idea and the sample you provided.
One thing to consider is how you'd draw kids in and make them excited about characters that are suppose to mimic Pokemon, but aren't. The base idea is good, give them something to focus on that makes the idea of practice fun! But, if a kid is into Pokemon, what makes your characters as cool as Pokemon and worth investing in especially since with the intro it's clear you're knocking off Pokemon? If Nintendo was to do something similar, what would make your book worth going for over theirs? This is especially important if you really hope to sell figurines as incentives to practice and market that as a tool for parents to use. Even if the kids did care about the characters and were highly invested, it would be a struggle for most kids to be excited about a plastic figurine that requires months of daily practice and work to get. If the kids aren't into the characters then those figurines aren't going to sell because they won't work.
Also, I'm not certain if that's the final art style you're going with, as it seems AI generated, but I highly suggest finding a single style to stick with and making that style a little less creepy. Currently the artwork is uncanny valley with the strange meat word font made of eyeballs and the creepy final rabbit evolution. Also the idea of Fingy the fingering rabbit might need a bit of reworking as its a little suggestive. I don't think kids would pick up on it at 6-10, but parents and older kids might.
I know that's a lot of criticisms, but I do think that entering a market where there is already a highly established big company in place is going to be difficult even with an amazing product. A lot of parents just buy what books their kid's teacher tells them too, so you don't just have to convince the kids and parents, but also the teachers that your books are better than Piano Adventures. My suggestion would be to think these issues through before you put more effort into creating the book, although I'm are you know a lot more about teaching music than I do.
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
OrangeCat Link ParentI do wish more people taught exploring unknown foods as being fun, rather than playing up the eww gross factor. My mother being Chinese I ate a lot of things that were considered odd to Americans,...I do wish more people taught exploring unknown foods as being fun, rather than playing up the eww gross factor. My mother being Chinese I ate a lot of things that were considered odd to Americans, especially as Asian food wasn't as popular as it is now a days. I got bullied at lunch to the point that I eventually stopped eating lunch at school, because I hated school food and hated being bullied for my food.
On a more positive note, I've seen some parents make food from other cultures a fun way to bond as a family before. One of my first jobs was as a waitress at a sushi place. I had a family come in that introduced themselves as "stereotypical white southerners" that had no clue what they were doing. As I was talking to them I learned that every week they went to a restaurant and tried something new. The kids were never forced to try it, but encouraged to and apparently they were good sports about it. They ordered less than ten dollars worth of food because they admitted they were nervous about eating raw fish, but were fun and awesome to work with. I still remember them, because I always think that if I did have kids that's how I'd want to handle food and cultures with them.
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Comment on Cat owners of Tildes, what are your tips & tricks? in ~life.pets
OrangeCat LinkThis should be obvious, but people underestimate how important it is to spay or neuter your cat. If you won't be able to afford spay or neuter for a while, then wait awhile to get a cat or find...This should be obvious, but people underestimate how important it is to spay or neuter your cat. If you won't be able to afford spay or neuter for a while, then wait awhile to get a cat or find one already fixed. This is for both the health and safety of the cat, but also your own sanity.
Unfixed cats are at higher risk for health problems, such as cancers and pyometra in female cats. They also have hormones coursing through their bodies that can make them more aggressive, cause them to mark, become easily overstimulated, and make them more prone to escaping. An unfixed cat is not living a happy life with all those hormones and no release, and no that doesn't mean you should breed as a solution. There are more than enough cats in the world, and backyard breeders, no matter how ethical they claim to be are terrible. No, one litter will not make your cat happier before you spay, no you don't need to breed because your cat is pure bred or the cutest cat in the world. I heard these excuses and more while working in shelters and vet clinics, but what it comes down to is that there are enough cats in the world without good homes and many are put down because there aren't enough homes and too many people breeding without a care.
I actually have a friend who got a kitten from a backyard breeder because it was cheaper and easier than shelters. Now that kitten is 8 months and in puberty mode, and he's aggressive and pees on everything. They have a bunch of expensive hobby items in their house that they've had to move and hide because their cat has ruined them. He runs through the house yowling and attacking anyone that comes near but they can't afford his neuter yet. My point to this story is this: it's cheaper to get a cat or kitten from a good rescue than a free one from elsewhere. A good rescue will always spay and neuter before adopting, give vaccinations, and deworm. The neuter alone can cost $100-$400 depending on your location, with spays costing more. You may also have to pay extra for complications like infections. If you look at that alone, most shelters fees are more than worth it especially once you factor in time and energy spent at vet appointments.
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
OrangeCat Link ParentMy issue with that is that the same people who refuse the idea of meat in a can often still eat meat in a can with no issues. Like my husband, I had to convince him spam was fine and that he...My issue with that is that the same people who refuse the idea of meat in a can often still eat meat in a can with no issues. Like my husband, I had to convince him spam was fine and that he should give it a shot because he was hesitant over canned meat. The same man eats cold chef boyardee beef ravioli out of a can and loves canned soups, meat included. Those who claim it's because it's "mystery meat" or heavily processed then turn around and eat hot dogs and deli meats with gusto. I think it's unfair, and personally it seems like it's cultural foods that get this treatment most of the time.
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
OrangeCat Link ParentOkay, I will agree Chinese sausage is the superior meat. I actually used to eat these as snacks growing up, and a few years ago my mom started making her own and they are so freaking delicious. I...Okay, I will agree Chinese sausage is the superior meat. I actually used to eat these as snacks growing up, and a few years ago my mom started making her own and they are so freaking delicious. I may try making them myself this year when the weather is right. Unfortunately the closest store that sells them is 40 minutes away in an area my husband hates driving so we rarely have them. But spam is available everywhere so that's why it's become our protein of choice for fried rice.
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
OrangeCat Link ParentSpam is surprisingly hated for what it really is. It's similar to a hotdog and people guzzle those down, yet spam is apparently disgusting to most people I've asked. My mother's culture doesn't...Spam is surprisingly hated for what it really is. It's similar to a hotdog and people guzzle those down, yet spam is apparently disgusting to most people I've asked. My mother's culture doesn't have that prejudice so I grew up occasionally eating spam, but I didn't find my love for it until a few years ago when I tried spam musubi and spam fried rice. Now my husband always asks forme to cook spam fried rice. Apparently other types of meat in fried rice are inferior to spam fried rice. You get a really pop of salt and flavor with eat bite, although you have to be careful not to overseason with spam.
Also, apparently there's a spam museum and we've passed by it a couple of times on road trips. Next time we head down that way we are absolutely stopping to pick up some unique flavors!
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Comment on Managing mania? in ~health.mental
OrangeCat LinkI'm bipolar and have a similar issue with mania a few times a year. At first I wanted to be manic more often, so I could be "my best self" all the time. But eventually I took a look at myself and...I'm bipolar and have a similar issue with mania a few times a year. At first I wanted to be manic more often, so I could be "my best self" all the time. But eventually I took a look at myself and realized the mania is hurting me and my husband. Yes I felt awake, alive, happy, and could finally focus and get things done. But I focused on the wrong things or in ways that hurt my life. Personally when I get manic I obsess over hobbies, and for me for years my manic phases were plagued with new pets. I have experience with rescue and veterinary work, so I was confident I could take care of them properly, and I could as long as the mania was there. But once there were so many of them and depression hit I found myself struggling hard and dragging my husband down with me. The animals were cared for, but we were not and yet I kept wanting more when I hit that mania. However, my depression is as much of a part of me as the mania is. I had to re-home some of my animals and find ways to turn the mania towards a healthier direction. So now I have tons of orchids and crochet projects going, because those aren't conscious creatures that need constant care.
I also find that during mania I tend to make giant life changes. Things like moving cross country, changing majors at school or jobs. I would hit mania and become unsatisfied with life and decide "now is the time for action." This might sound good to some, but in the end it means I can't commit to anything and now I have half a degree in four areas with nothing to show for it to employers. Also these changes aren't possible without affecting your family, so I have to live with how I've put my husband's life on hold over these things.
My suggestion is to speak with a psychiatrist as well as a therapist with experience with bipolar patients. In my case DBT therapy as well as DBT therapy books were recommended to me. Even if you think mania is a good thing, remember it's considered as part of a mental illness for a reason, as its a form of altered mental state. Feeling amazing, and like you could accomplish anything and everything is a part of mania, and can be dangerous. Be careful commiting to anything with in that state and don't think that manic you is better than depressed you. They're both a part of yourself with their own drawbacks that you should keep in mind.
My point to saying all this is, be very cognizant of the decisions you make and behaviors you display during mania. Even if they may seem positive, be aware that in the end mania is not your friend.
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Comment on Tell me about the best urban neighborhoods you've lived in in ~life
OrangeCat Link ParentNot the original commenter but I live a few hours from Minneapolis and lived most of my life in mild climates before moving here. Winters here require you to dress warm, which really means getting...Not the original commenter but I live a few hours from Minneapolis and lived most of my life in mild climates before moving here.
Winters here require you to dress warm, which really means getting a good quality coat and some long underwear. Be prepared to not have outdoor activities for a good chunk of the year, unless you like skiing or snowshoeing. Your shoes will be covered in salt by the end of the season, so don't wear your dress shoes out during that time of year. It's very white and drab for a good portion of the year and days get really short, or at least it feels worse than down south so be prepared to feel that seasonal depression. Unless it's Christmas time then the lights sparkle in the snow and it's so cozy and joyful feeling, to me at least.
I'm not sure about Minneapolis but in my big Midwest city nearby cars are required. Public transport only gets you so many places, and you'll find yourself locked in without a car. I often find areas with no sidewalk or crosswalk making walking impossible unless you walk along major busy streets.
Walking in the winter as someone who isn't used to winter weather is interesting. My second year here I confidentially walked out onto a clear looking sidewalk in after a warmer day and found that ice can form from melting snow refreezing, and can form perfectly clear layers of flat slippery ice. My tailbone hurt so bad. There are cleats you can get that slip over the bottom of your shoes to help you walk on ice though. Also, sidewalks tend to get piled with plowed snow blocking them off and making them inaccessible. So not the best for walking during the winter.
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Comment on Interesting project to create a more humanizing helmet using objects associated with fragility in ~transport
OrangeCat LinkI think most people would hesitate to stick a traffic cone on their head, but it's pretty hilarious. I really like the other two. I do wonder if the brain helmet would stand out enough, same with...I think most people would hesitate to stick a traffic cone on their head, but it's pretty hilarious. I really like the other two. I do wonder if the brain helmet would stand out enough, same with the pattern on the porcelain one. If they aren't identifiable from far away people may ignore it or just see another white helmet. So I guess the cone may have a leg up from that perspective, but I wonder if it might endanger you in a different way when people are too busy looking at it to pay attention to the road.
Hey I know this is an older thread, but I was reading and thought I'd chime in with somethings really quickly. You may want to take a look at this page from the Merck Vet Manual on interdigal cysts in dogs. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/integumentary-system/interdigital-furunculosis/interdigital-furunculosis-in-dogs
Particularly the part about certain dog breeds, including English Bulldogs, being prone to them due to short, bristly hairs on the webbing on their paws which can end up being forced into the skin where they cause recurrent infection. If the thyme doesn't turn out to be the cause, although it sounds like it definitely could be, this may be something to consider. The treatment section may also be helpful for you as it does give recommendations for foot baths with an antibiotic shampoo daily. I'd heavily suggest that if your vet hasn't cultured the infections that you ask them to as that may help your team target the infection better.
I say none of this thinking I know better than your vet team. I only want to bring up some possibilities for you to discuss with your vet team as I know from experience working in vet hospitals that things can be over looked and that vets have so much they're expected to learn that some things get forgotten or aren't part of their expertise.
Also, if you think the thyme is a possibile cause you could ask your vet next time you're in if putting dog shoes on Quincy may be comfortable for him and help his paws. It would add a protective barrier to his feet that would prevent further outside irritation and infection from occuring. It will also help him if something other than the thyme that he's walking on is causing the irritation, such as a grass allergy. However, it can be stressful for dogs to put them on and get used to them, and as Quincy seems to be having a hard time already it may cause him to get more aggressive if he dislikes putting them on so it may not be worth the stress. Plus you'll want to make sure they won't press against the cysts causing irritation themselves.
I hope by now Quincy is feeling a bit better!