Watty's Awakening

greenbee

Watty1 said:

greenbee said:

Stinky has a playpen (borrowed from a cousin) which we cable-tied to the crate to give him more space. I’ve just ordered more (larger) black kongs, as these are taking Stinky nearly an hour to empty. I pack them tightly and freeze for several days. The cooked chicken/chicken livers/veg mix probably lasts longest as once defrosted (through licking) he has to bounce it on the ground to break up the pieces and get them out. But I think the trick is to fill it so that licking is the only way to get the stuff out (which is why I stopped using kibble and swapped to yogurt, mashed veg, and soft cooked meat (apparently wet dog food works too, but there’s a limit to how stinky i’m prepared for the stuff I have to handle to be!).

Message to Stinky from WattyDog = try harder!  That can be done in 20 mins tops, and if you get stuck bark for a human to get the last bit out.  Just keep barking!

The idea of giving Wattydog glass does not bear thinking about @dawnybabes

Not passing that message on thanks I suspect that over time it will get quicker, like the puzzle feeders and the lick mats. We have just got some bigger kongs though, and I worry those might actually be easier. He doesn't bark - unless he thinks someone is bullying his cats. Or he wakes up suddenly and is startled - it's a surprisingly deep bark!

I'm with you on the glass... particularly given the fact that kongs regularly get bounced to shift their contents!

Watty1

Couldn't sleep again last night, was awake from 2 until around 5.  Am exhausted this morning.  My focus is however on improving my health, so yesterday I rang the doctors, no luck with an appointment, tried again today, again same.   It is apparently an 8 to 12 week wait for a blood test IF the doctor thinks one is needed.

So I interviewed google and quick chat with pal and sorted.  The nearby town has a place that will take the blood and send away privately, selected tests that are needed, booked, paid drove there, parked, bloods taken and results will be emailed to me by the end of the week.  The company will flag anything I need to discuss with GP (and pal will look over for me if needed).

What a fabulous service.  Yes, I should not have had to pay and I am very grateful I can afford to do so, but, I want to be certain what is up with me (I have a hunch this is just stress but we will find out soon enough).

debtfreewannabe321

I don't blame you for paying for the blood tests, I had to wait 3 weeks to speak to the dr here and then about the same for blood tests then the results...what a joke. I am glad mine wasn't serious because that was a lot of wasted time in my opinion...I did consider taking money out of savings myself to pay for some privately...we really shouldn't have to but I'm glad you had the money and could do so. Peace of mind / quick turnaround is worth the cost I am sure.

daisy_1571

definitely worth the cost 

Dxx

badmemory

You should not have to pay for those tests yourself, I totally agree.  But at least doing that will mean that someone who hasn't got the financial or even mental resources to do that should get their's just a little quicker.

A case of damned if you do & damned if you don't.

greent

I've used Thriva (an app with postal service) for blood tests before now - and used the results to get the GP to run tests

Watty1

That is a nice way of looking at it @badmemory Very positive, very uplifting very nice.

I looked at the Thriva option but I'm not very good at puncturing my skin which that required so I went for one day tests which do a blood draw for an extra £29.  Having made the decision to pay, I decided to just go for it and pay for that too.  The nurse was lovely and fully booked all day which says a lot I suppose, rather sadly, as people really do seem to be struggling to get doctors appointments.

Was in bed by 7.30 pm, read for a bit, asleep by 9 pm.  Woke by WattyDog barking around mid-night and found the VNM was finishing his step target on the yard hence the barking.   

In MSE news I have started selling the September course. Not sure how this will work as we really made a big last min push for the current one so I had the money to do the garden work and the sales for this one are earmarked for pension fund and ISA as need to keep one eye on the retirement funds goal too.

Cherryfudge

Definitely Roobarb and Custard!

I had to grin at WattyDog giving away the VNM's determination to get those steps in! There was probably a conversation beforehand: 'Now, VNM, either you let me come out with you, or I tell the Missus. You so sure? I'll do it, you know. Got a bit of a bark when I need to...'

The blood tests are a good idea and I'm glad you were able to get them done in short order. If it turns out to be stress, does you GP have a mental health nurse? I found them very helpful.

I hope the word has spread for your Autumn course and you get plenty of applicants!