u/conceitedpolarbear

Hi friends,

I’m absolutely obsessed with ECS, and have decided that will be my next dog (in a few years).

I haven’t interacted too much with cockers before, but ran into one on the street last week. I asked the owner how he likes the breed, and he said, “She’s like a chihuahua. Always a little nervous, a little shaky. Yeah, like a chihuahua. Do you know English Springers? I suggest you get that.”

It really took me by surprise. I’ve been researching them so much, and “nervous” doesn’t seem like that breed trait I’ve read about. That’s not to say I would hate to have a Springer if it makes more sense (I adore them too), but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed not to get a glowing review from a cocker owner.

In any case, would love to get your opinion on the ECS personality.

ETA: I currently have two Aussies and a Border Collie mix. My sister has a Chihuahua. I don’t have very much experience with Spaniels in general, but would love to hear if my experience with herders will be a good test for giving an ECS a good home.

Just switched to an iPhone 17 Pro Max three weeks ago after using a Pixel 9 Pro Fold for 6 months. Oh man, the relief.

I had a 13 Pro Max for years, and in October I decided I wanted to try something different. I had seen some folds out in the wild, and I was just so darn curious! I finally pulled the trigger on a refurbished 9 Pro Fold.

And let me be clear, it’s on me for not being realistic with myself. I was naive in thinking I could just make this phone work for me through sheer force of will. Oh, not rated for water? No problem, I’ll keep it in a dry bag when I paddle board. Not rated for sand or dirt or dust? Okay, I’ll put it in a ziplock when I’m at the beach. Inner screen can get scratched with a fingernail? Okay, I’ll keep my nails trimmed and only open it when it’s safe.

I was a fool!

December, phone got dropped in the shower because I had it on the edge of the tub. The thing shorted out like a flip phone from 2011. I put it in rice for 24 hours, and thankfully all seemed well.

January, I dropped it into sand. The finest sand I had ever seen. I waited to get home to clean out the hinge like a surgeon. Nope, the hinge always had a crunching sound forever on out, and sometimes wouldn’t open at all.

March, I dropped the phone onto a padded forest floor. The case flew off (Google’s official case), and the back glass shattered.

April, inner screen occasionally wouldn’t work when opened. Turning off and on again would fix it though.

May, started getting a “?” On my battery symbol. Apparently that’s the phone’s way of saying it’s about to crap out.

That last issue is covered by Google’s 3 year extended warranty, so I opened a case. But then I started reading horror stories on r/PixelFold and realized I might be without a phone for a month or more only to be denied warranty because of the damaged back and water damage.

So, I just traded it in for my new 17 Pro Max.

And oh my god, what a difference. Not in just the hardiness of it, but everything. It’s so fast. It doesn’t heat up (my pixel would get burning hot). The battery life is ridiculous.

I know there’s a lot of hate for Apple really sticking to what they know, but having now explored what “different and innovative” is like…nah, I’ll take something that just works.

I apologize that this is so long, but I just needed to get it off my chest. I’m relieved to have a real phone again, not a mini laptop.

ETA: there was absolutely nothing wrong with my 13PM, I just wanted to have an upgrade. The 13PM lives on as my mom’s phone now. Show me a 5-year-old Pixel that works flawlessly, other than a little battery degradation.

Last week I dragged my older brother (36M) kicking and screaming to the ER. I accidentally came across a printed out email from his urgent care clinic. They had given him a physical, and emailed him a few days later letting him know his "blood sugar is dangerously high. Go to the emergency department."

I stormed into his room, and learned that it had been 3 days since that email, and he had not gone because he was afraid of the cost. Too bad, I said, get dressed.

When we got to the ER, I learned that his blood sugar from his physical was 615. The ER ran more tests and his A1C was 18%.

He's already been in to see a PCP (ER fast-passed him to an appointment immediately). They're working on figuring out his medication, and the NP has done some diabetic training with him.

I'm relieved that he's getting help, but I am so worried that I dragged him to the ER and probably landed him a huge bill when he could have waited.

Please tell me I wasn't in the wrong by forcing him to go.