They don't have infinite energy any more than you do.

Be organized, give each other time to recuperate, but be persistent. Make them say 'no' over and over and over again.

It wears on them too. They fear the progressives that they can't get rid of represent something inevitable.

there’s this weird idea a lot of people seem to have about how all of us writers and artists must secretly want to use AI and are merely resisting temptation for ethical reasons, and like, no, it’s not hard for me to resist drinking the bowl of Piss With Glass In It actually

I put my lactaid in a Pez dispenser, thanks someone on Insta's idea. It makes it fun and I am always excited to take the lactaid so I remember to take it.

also: that i have never tried to use physical force as a deterrent for my dog means that if i accidentally step on her or something, she just curls around my legs for her apology pets.

it is really something special to experience interacting with an animal that knows you have never hurt them, and that has had dozens, hundreds, or thousands of pleasant little interactions with you

does a lot of good for -everyone's- stress levels, i tell you hwhat

yeah... yeah. and television networks putting on shit like the Dog Whisperer even when working professionals told them it was a -bad- idea did a lot of damage, too.

but i do not even have to shit talk the bad ways, when i can just... show people what works, and the joy that's possible

whereas the KPA CTP that is closest to me (2 hours away) has a very clear price list for every service she offers

i really, really appreciate a strong culture of empathy, clarity, and no bullshit

they're also very dodgy on how much they cost but i know their multi-week packages are over $2000

i think i can do better for people

the dog training place around here with the best marketing (also the first one i called to help with Moya's issues) 1: uses shock collars (and wanted me to buy one before they even met her) and 2: only issues refunds if you sign an NDA that you won't leave them a bad review lol

there's four Karen Pryor CTP dog trainers in the Houston area, according to the map

and the closest one to me is... 2 actual hours away

there's definitely a need here

just like. god. where has science-based dog training been all my life. (not in the popular consciousness. and especially not in my area.)

i am driven by the twin compulsions of Talking About Dogs (My Cool Friends) and Being Every Dog's Friend (& being so upset when a dog gets upset that i go learn)

fwiw i think snakes are very cool, but also very not a pet i want to own personally

i am glad there are people out there through which i can see snakes vicariously! secondhand snake experiences are pretty good!

i never understood that

even if -you- don't like an animal, the person you're talking to clearly liked it enough to take care of it. what do you even achieve by saying something shitty about it? what's it do to your weird, decrepit little heart?

this was my thought too

i already own a lot of absurd costume shit!

and "hey man, i know you don't mean to, but it feels kind of inconsiderate when you [concrete behavior]" is miles apart from "so and so is a [whatever horrible thing]"

one is actionable! demonstrates faith in your friends to change behavior for better times for all!

the other just sucks.

i will sometimes discuss a friend's behavior with someone else (often someone who doesn't know anyone i'm talking about) to figure out -how- i would approach it, but like

it is always stuff like "this thing they do rubs me the wrong way, let me talk through how i'm gonna talk about it?"

Could just be me being incredibly autistic, but I’ve never understood that thing some communities do where everyone talks shit about each other behind closed doors until the entire community blows up because everyone finds out. Like. Do you people even like your friends lol

having been on the receiving end of this, and done it to an extent in my youth (which always felt AWFUL)

yeah. same. i just don't say anything to anyone (about anyone else) that i would not say to the subject's face (even if I'd prefer to be choosier with the time when approaching them directly)

Part of the joy of figuring out something that was vexing you -is- the frustration you experience beforehand!

Learning new stuff can make you feel real dumb, but that just means the learning is working. You just keep going until you get it right, and celebrate the little successes along the way.

ME: do you ever think about how a lot of insects are grubs/larvae for like 99% of their life cycle, and only use their winged forms to fuck, lay eggs, and die? that's not "adulthood", it's the literal ascent to heaven

THE RAT SKULL THAT LIVES IN MY ALOE VERA PLANT: how much of that did you smoke

emotionally-stunted ghoul behavior. they are weak and pathetic and will not survive winter or wasteland.

i am sorry about your cat! and also the abuse campaign. and moderation continuing their recurring L's about it. sucks.

Black people should be able to file a class action against the government.

yeah 1000%

I'm so thirsty...