u/Filthov

This is mad embarassing but I havent got a clue where else to ask. Im ftm, me and my GF want to start having some action but yk.. dont really have the tools. We were thinking about getting a strap-on but neither of us are sure if we're even able to, let alone where. Weve tried looking into it but theres absolutely no information online, so Im resorting to reddit. The age of consent here is 17, yeah, but again we have no idea if were allowed to enter sex stores. As awkward as a subject as this is, wed really appreciate some advice...

I've (17m) had severe social anxiety for my entire life, to the point where I can't even talk to my own family without having a panic attack. I've seen several therapists about it, but for some reason, it's always presumed that my social anxiety stems from a fear of being judged and/or embarassed. Thing is, I have no idea why I freak out.

When I'm around people, I just go into blind panic. I'm not worried about what they think of me or whatnot, my body is just going into meltdown. I'm constantly sweaty, my heart's racing and I just blurt out the first words that come to me- because I literally can't think, let alone worry about what people are thinking.

Anyone else deal with anything similar?

I've (17m) struggled with severe social anxiety for my whole life- to the point where I can't even talk to my family without having a panic attack. I finally decided enough was enough and decided to get medicated. My GP has prescribed me SSRI, so, is there anything I should know before I start?

This shouldn't be a hot take, it really shouldn't. But as a Doberman owner, it's pretty topical- and somehow controversial. For those unaware, tail docking refers to the surgical removal of a dog's tail. Ear cropping refers to the partial removal of a dog's external ear flaps to make them stand erect.

As I mentioned, I own a beautiful Doberman called Willow. Owned another before, but she passed away two years ago. When people picture a doberman, they'll usually think of them with cropped ears and a docked tail. Hell, when you look up "doberman" in any search engine, that's all you see. You literally have to manually type "uncropped natural doberman" to see a normal dog. When I share pictures of Willow, some people are shocked- because they are so used to seeing a mutilated doberman, they don't know what a loved one looks like.

Many argue that ear cropping is necessary to prevent ear infections. To that I say; CLEAN YOUR DOG. The only somewhat reasonable excuse would apply to tail docking; since Doberman are quite prone to happy tail. Fine, whatever. But that's not why people do it. These mutilations are done for nothing but cosmetics.

If you don't like what a dog looks like in its natural form, don't get the damn dog. If you choose to crop/dock your dog, you are a disgusting abuser and you shouldn't own animals. End of story.

Image 1: Natural Dobie ( Willow )
Image 2: Cropped Dobie for e.g.

https://preview.redd.it/0c3hkcbul0yg1.jpg?width=649&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2b300edde23b4638187a425a5a5b5cbe16ae752e

https://preview.redd.it/vgi83rgyl0yg1.jpg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=732d788efbb5a27562243e60e470e45393e829c6