Donstar

She is well socialized but makes it well known when she doesn't want to be friends with a particular dog. My worry is that I'd pick a foster dog that doesn't meet her approval. The good thing about a foster is if it doesn't work s/he can go back to the orphanage. ? Pets are being surrendered as a direct result of the impact of Covid 19. The current measures to reduce the spread of this virus are hurtful but better than the alternative. I constantly look for safe ways to part of the solution. However, taking on another dog may reduce my ability to help in more meaningful ways!

5 posts in quick succession! I try responding to one and a new one appears before I post! ? Anyway, the statistics will hopefully be used to inform. Personally, I hope the reopen doesn't happen until the numbers become much more favourable. Once the pattern is favourable then the reopen needs to be done slowly and methodically. Returning things back to the way they were before a vaccine is found and used world -wide will have devastating results.

I know exactly what you're talking about having a #1. I've had a dog in my home for most of my life and our current one has put the joy of dog ownership to an entirely new level. Her vocabulary is unfathomable. We talk in normal tones and her responses reflect a level of understanding that still amazes us after 10 years of ownership. We have to be quite specific. Going out for a walk is different than going outside for a pee. Offering her a ride in the car gets a lukewarm response but a suggestion of a ride in the truck gets her running to the door. I have seriously thought of taking in a foster dog because of the increasing need brought on by this pandemic. I laugh because I'm not sure how I'd explain this temporary guest to Star!

We took our dog to the vet yesterday for a monthly injection. This was a whole new experience! You phone their receptionist upon your arrival to the parking lot and she comes out with her own leash and takes our dog from the truck. A vet brings the dog back accompanied by the receptionist c/w portable debit machine. Conversations are held from a distance, we all were wearing gloves and/or masks, and even the debit machine was wiped down at the end. On our way home I stopped by a "Metal Superstore" to see if they were open and if I could safely pick up some aluminum for a DIY project. Wow! They had a drive-thru style window and my needs were met very quickly. I prefer the experience of going into an office or store but there is something to be said about the efficiencies created by these safety precautions. We do make a point to time our day around watching a daily afternoon report from our provincial health officer.

Rex is one handsome dog! I have an adult neighbour who use to run out of her house to pet Star when we 'were spotted going for a walk. After my wife asked her if she saw the news about animals catching Coronavirus our walks are seldom interrupted. "Upside"

It was good to hear Britain's Prime Minister speak after he was discharged from the hospital. He credited his survival to the around the clock personal care he received. For me, this really highlighted the need to reduce the impact of this highly contagious virus on medical system! If you need time in an ICU, you need trained eyes on you! Several weeks ago our local news replaced the waning to non-existent sports reports to "The Upside". (This is likely a common practice.) One of their recent reports was on home haircuts and my wife is threatening that today is the day! There was a time when I loved hair well below my shoulders but the appeal is lost when the top of your head is shiny and your hair is gray! It has been decades since I've lived "off the grid" and glad to have had the experience!

Happy Easter everyone! I usually spend my first coffee of the morning time with this forum. This morning, I chose to make virtual connections with family I don't often see. Oddly, I think this Easter will find more good wishes and love than normally expected on this occasion! I hope you are able to report the same!

One thing that this crisis has accentuated is the struggle of the more vulnerable in our communities. Conversely, it has made more of us appreciate our good fortune. "Empathy" is a good word. We phoned a friend in a "seniors, facility" last night to inform her about the homemade turkey dinner coming her way so she doesn't "cook" her regular dinner. She was so excited about this, it brought tears. I find that most understand why their lives have been changed to deal with this crisis. Individually we can not solve the conflicts but we sure have the power to brighten someone's day!

With the caveat that we know this pandemic is a terrible crisis, what are you doing for personal wellness?

A close friend sent me this yesterday: HOPE... A different perspective on Corona. 1. There are no bombs raining on our heads. 2. I am not a prisoner held in solitary confinement, as millions are. 3. I am not a refugee trying to escape with my life. 4. I am not standing in line waiting to fill a pot of water. 5. I have access to fresh food and I'm not starving. 6. I have hot running water. 7. My country has not been ruined by years of war. 8. I can reach my friends by phone and check in on them. 9. My friends check in on me because they care about me. 10. Any whiplash I feel about this strange turn of events is itself a sign of privilege. 11. More than half of the world would gladly trade their everyday problems for the modest inconveniences I am experiencing. 12. I may have anxious dreams but I'm dreaming them on a proper bed and I'm not sleeping on the sidewalk. 13. By staying at home, I'm helping the planet rest. 14. As long as I have my mind I can create, imagine, dream and not be lonely. 15. This global crisis connects me to people around the world and reminds me of our common humanity. This is a good thing. 16. When something tragic happens to another country next time, I will respond to it not with superiority, but humility and recognition. 17. I will fight for positive changes and economically just policies in my own country. 18. I am surrounded by books. 19. I am surrounded by love. 20. The trees have already begun to bloom. Stay safe / Stay healthy

It is actually fairly common among my retired friends to say they experience little change. The fact that they are not allowed to do something is the hard pill to swallow. I was in a very good routine of swimming 2-3 times per week before the public pools shut down. I fixed up my bicycle in a effort to compensate but my knees had other plans. I am riding my motorcycle more than in the past but this is more helpful to my mind than body! I heard of the "Covid fifteen" which refers to the weight gained as a result of changes. Looking in the mirror, I think I may have this and now have another goal to achieve!

The current crisis has impacted everyone and has created changes in our daily routines. Many of us have exercised preventative measures now, like limiting our work or trips away from our homes, for a couple of months. I appreciate my good fortune and know my greatest hardships pale in comparison to the majority of individuals around the planet. With this being said, I suspect that most people following this forum are like me and share similar fortunes. If you are struggling with who to blame or whether we're over/under reacting there are threads on this forum where people can express their concerns. I would like to share some highlights as to what many of us our doing with the extra time generated by this crisis. For example: I've been in my current house for six years. Up until this week, we have only been able to fit my motorcycle in our two car garage. Now a car can fit alongside my motorcycle! I take pride in my tool collection, but they are of little use when I can't find what I need! My wife gets out of bed every morning with a goal to help a neighbour or friend who is less lucky. Today she is preparing Easter meals to deliver to loved ones tomorrow. With the caveat that we know this pandemic is a terrible crisis, what are you doing for personal wellness?

I know some were saying this but I question the "expert" status. I remember sitting in a couple of US airports in January in awe of the huge number of travellers going through a large airport on a regular day. Multiply this by the number of international airports in North America and your chances of any virus not hitting US soil are miniscule. (I believe the idea that the US could avoid this one was actually pretty limited.) Hindsight will hopefully work to our advantage in the future and we'll collectively become experts in preventing the spread of deadly viruses!

Yes they did. Valuable time allowing for proactive measures was lost.

Two tone trucks were popular for quite awhile. They were two colours of paint, not one with a decal. I owned a "deluxe two tone" F100 and a red GMC with a white roof. At the time, the paint scheme was not a priority for me nor did they stand out. I would welcome two tone as a factory option along with interior colour choices. A black/white two tone with a red interior would be my choice! Yes, I'm a grandpa but this just means I've had the pleasure of owning new trucks off the lot that we now wish we could find!

If I push my lock button once, the doors lock and all I hear is the sound of the locks. If I push the lock button twice, I also get the horn. Unlocking does not sound the horn.

I know you want to keep the discussion going and like to keep it interesting. You make and receive some good points but know not everyone interprets information in the same manner. I am glad most leaders take this threat seriously and are directing their citizens to behave in an unselfish manner. As I have suggested before, I find the global response impressive. There are situations where we need to be cognoscente of our responsibilities to others and on a larger scale. My neighbour has this posted outside of her house, "The world has come together by staying apart." We are just at the beginning of this crisis and some have yet to take it seriously. However. I believe most have gone beyond making comparisons to flu or car accidents statistics and are taking this pandemic seriously. Adopting a mindset that this will be a threat for an extended period of time and doing our part to slow down/eliminate the spread is the best we can do for our fellow citizens.

This is why it is so important to be informed. Seeing news clips of crowded beaches in Florida and Australia on the same day as a parade of military vehicles carrying dead bodies for cremation in Italy is bizarre, to say the least. Every country has its share of uninformed people but I wouldn't disrespect a country as it is suffering as heavily as Italy. To the contrary, we should be very upset at those still dismissing the seriousness of this crisis. We have the advantage of learning from those regions ahead of us in the spread of this deadly virus. I am hopeful that we don't suffer the devastation experienced in Italy. I think this forum is a great place to share experiences and I wish we could use this thread as an arena to encourage a proactive and calm process for eradicating this threat. Karnut has done an admirable job of keeping this thread alive. The conspiracy, political, blame and denial stuff have made the rounds and we need to focus our energy to the current crisis. We are at the end of the beginning and now need to put the pedal to the metal!

I'm also passed the spring time of life and appreciate being old. The alternative is unacceptable! I honestly can say I don't currently live in fear or feel trapped in a bubble. I know it is often tempting but I strive to keep optimistic and positive. I appreciate the hardships of this pandemic on you and your loved ones. Imo, you have the added burden of believing this is a political crises centered around your president. I don't get a sense (or believe) that your fear is universal. But, I appreciate you have a circle of supporters. This pandemic by definition is not owned by one country and we all have to work together to beat this virus.

Washing your hands is preferred. Hand sanitizer is a good second best when you don't have access to soap and water.

Looks great! I'm hoping to do something similar. I currently just have four LED floods. They're fine for general use but poor for working on projects. Do you have these strips on a dimmer?

Thanks for your interest! My feelings weren't hurt. I was thinking people were more interested in the American political situation than combating the current crisis. Here you go: Homemade hand sanitizer gel: Ingredients 1 cup of 91% isopropyl alcohol. ½ cup of aloe vera gel (natural or store-bought) 15 drops of tea tree oil (or another antibacterial essential oil) · If you add some glycerine, it will stay mixed, otherwise you need to shake it. · White vinegar can be used instead of alcohol · “Thieves Oil” is available at health food stores. It can be used instead of tea tree. Also any other antibacterial essential oil. · Use an empty container with a pump, or…

Well said! This includes people venting about people venting and people venting about people venting about people venting!

Ouch! I'm hearing some pretty high numbers from retired friends. I

Good to hear. My wife and I are also exercising an elevated state of cleanliness and preparedness. We are also fans of gloves. This thread can be useful for members when we share experiences but all of the pollical jabs are counterproductive, imo. I was about to add a recipe for hand sanitizer but this thread often digresses to be more of a political venting opportunity. I speak regularly to family in other parts of the world and their concerns are all centred around the health of themselves and their neighbours. We spoke yesterday to family in Norway and the focus on eliminating this threat was razor sharp. Absolutely no hint about politics or conspiracy, just talk about dealing with the issue. This is a far larger problem than the impact on the vulnerable. The impact on the health care system puts the healthy at great risk. This hit home for me on Friday when my wife needed to see a doctor for a totally unrelated, single issue, concern. The fact that she disclosed she was nursing mild cold symptoms when making an appointment has her at home waiting to see if her concern gets better on its own. Of course, she can still receive attention but the accessibility of health care as we once enjoyed has tightened and will get worse before it gets better.