Very lightly sand, with a fine(ish) grit sandpaper or sanding sponge. You just want to create a little bit of texture so the next layer of paint (or poly) will stick better. Also, allow plenty of time for it to dry between coats. A lot more than the paint can recommends, usually.

I'm not a worshipper of protein (and that's an under statement) but I need a lot more complex carbs than you're eating in order to feel satisfied. That much simple sugar combined with lack of complex carbs would leave me feeling both a tiny bit nauseous and ravenous. Also, for me not getting in a decent amount of calories by mid afternoon is a recipe for disaster in the evening. It doesn't work for me to go into my most tired/least willpower part of the day hungry. I do best if I eat a larger lunch.

I'm pretty sure it's her car's AC that isn't working. Not at her house. Thank goodness!

I've always heard that six weeks is the time frame to re-test after a dosage change. But after I was first diagnosed and started on medication I definitely noticed some changes in how I felt within a couple of weeks.

That's what I don't understand. In the four vet practice I use they have a retired vet who fills in when just one of them is on vacation or out sick, so they don't get backed up or the others don't have to work extra long hours. I don't understand how a one vet office can just close up shop and still manage to keep clients. Unless it's a very rural area? I could understand that. ETA: The retired-vet-as-fill-in is a common thing. I know many practices who do it, it's not just the one I use most.

I agree with the others that I'd get him checked as soon as possible. If nothing else I'd do it for my own peace of mind. And this is kind of off topic, but -- Do people really accept having to wait that long to see a vet? That's just not something that happens in my world. I go to a multi-vet practice. I can make an appointment if I want, but mostly they operate on the first-come-first served method. I can usually see a vet within an hour (that's including drive time) any time Monday morning through noon Saturday. I can't imagine being expected to wait nine days!!

Another option is an Aeropress. I've never used one but they get very good revieews.

A French press or pour over system is probably your best bet. I don't care for coffee made in a French press, but pour over is very good. I keep one of these at home and one in the RV. It's plastic, which isn't my first choice of materials, but it's very handy for traveling since breakage isn't a concern. There are lots of pour over options.

Polyps are always biopsied. I always have them, and thus I have to have a colonoscopy every five years. I've never had a follow up appointment with anyone. I do get a copy of the written report in the mail.

I only have my MIL left. She refers to herself by her first name, or by the name the grandchildren call her.

Same, except I've also done home-cooked. I had one particularly high energy dog who didn't do well at all on raw. His muscle tone/overall body condition deteriorated very noticeably and improved dramatically on kibble/canned (with grain) and some healthy additions. But for the majority of dogs I haven't noticed any appreciable difference.

I'm 56, on the tail end of the Boomers, and it doesn't bother me at all. I can't say that I've ever even thought about it. To me you're welcome, no problem and my pleasure are all just polite acknowledgements.

There are a few theories about rotating -- That by doing so you avoid over/under supplementation of anything critical. That if there's a supply issue you won't have a problem, because your pet is used to eating more than one food. That choosing kibbles with different protein/carb sources and rotating between them so that the dog isn't constantly exposed to the same ingredients reduces the likelihood of developing food allergies (which generally occur after long term exposure to an ingredient). There are probably more reasons that I'm forgetting in my hurry to start dinner. But those are some of the main ones.

So there are "voluminous" studies. "Scads" of them. But you won't provide a link to even one. You never have, in all the many times this has been discussed. You just repeat your opinion over and over and claim it's fact, or try to change the goal posts or start straw man arguments when your contentions are refuted. Wash, rinse, repeat. I think everyone who's ever spent significant time on a message board has at some point heard some version of "do your own due diligence." And knows that it means the poster can't back up his claim with any credible sources. It really is okay to feed your dog however you choose simply because *you* believe it's the best way. Various methods of raw feeding are certainly considered legitimate choices by almost anyone who knows anything about feeding dogs, even if the veterinary world overwhelmingly disagrees. There's nothing wrong with doing it just because *you* think it's best. Most people who are truly confident in their own choices aren't threatened because others choose otherwise for their dogs.

I’ve had several polyps removed and have never been put on a restricted diet afterwards. Nor has anyone else that I know. So maybe that’s a regional medical difference?

Has any legitimate doctor (and I am not completely against naturopaths, but here I do mean a traditional Western medicine doctor) instructed her to follow such a restrictive diet? Does she understand that the AIP's strictest phase is meant to be followed for only a few weeks? I hesitate to post this because of course I don't know your DD, but as someone who has pretty much BTDT I am suspicious that she's using that diet as an excuse to disguise an eating disorder.

I believe the medical definition of "clear liquid" means you can see through it when held up to a bright light in a clear/glass container. And when coffee is properly brewed you can indeed do that. I'm sure it's possible to make it so incredibly strong (or maybe to let it stand for so long) that you couldn't see through it. But I think most people don't do that. Here's the Mayo Clinic's definition:

"Clear liquids" includes black coffee. Nothing in it. Adding milk or creamer means it's no longer a clear liquid. ETA: At least you don't have time to dread it! That's probably a good thing.

You need to gently reiterate to her over and over and over again that this is nothing to be ashamed of. It's no different than any other physical or mental disorder, and it's not her fault. Tell her how proud you are that she's advocating for herself, reaching out for help. And again--do NOT try to police or control her food intake for her. It's a no win situation for both of you. It won't work. It won't help. It will only make the situation worse. Perhaps much worse. She has to learn to do it herself.

I think it's best to say nothing at all specific. Perhaps something very general like "You look great" but even that is very iffy. When I was losing weight (I lost at least 64 pounds, I don't know my exact starting weight) I got LOTS of compliments and they didn't bother me. I'm an introvert, so I didn't enjoy the attention at all, but I didn't perceive it as really any different from any other personal attention. I didn't take the compliments as "but you looked like a hippo before." That never really occurred to me except far in hindsight. But the longer it went on the more I realized that yes, apparently some people are extremely fixated on others' weight. I'm definitely not one of those people, and it was a true revelation to me. In the thirty years since then I've continued to be astounded at the degree to which people care about others' weight or other aspects of their appearance. I've decided I'm simply not a very visual person. Or maybe it's because I'm an introvert--I'm more inward than outward focused. But as I got sucked up into an eating disorder I realized that everyone who complimented me on my weight loss would also be noticing if I gained any back. It was a very uncomfortable feeling, and it was a hindrance in recovering from the disordered eating patterns. Keep in mind that was back in the late 1980's/early 1990's--way before people were so obsessed with photographing themselves multiple times a day. I think our obsession with appearance has gotten exponentially worse since then. (Caveat: The only good thing that came out of the realization that so many people are fixated on appearance is that it did make me a bit more cognizant of it in one good way--as the kids came along and as my parents and in laws aged I made much more of an effort to notice their looks as a barometer of their health--were they looking tired, worried, etc.)

When I was a late teen I had a lymph node in my neck that stayed swollen for over a year. I have no idea why it was swollen, but it eventually went away. I don't think it's uncommon at all. But I'd watch them for a week or two, and if they don't shrink perhaps think about taking her in for a check, just in case.

TOTW is made by Diamond Pet Foods. Therefore it isn't something I'd ever use. They have an incredibly long history of recalls and pet deaths.

All of this. General anesthesia makes me horribly ill afterwards. The propolol or profolol (I don't know the correct name/spelling) was wonderful. I had a very nice nap, woke up easily, and was alert within a couple of minutes or so. The Versed and whatever else combo they used to use wasn't bad, but it took me 30-60 minutes to feel like I was fully "there" afterwards. As others have said, what type of prep you do will depend mostly on your doctor. There are lots of variations, so don't get confused by people posting about different things. It's not fun, but it's worth it. Follow directions and you'll likely be fine. I'd try to arrange it so that you can do absolutely nothing the rest of the day. Definitely plan on not driving, but I'd plan on not doing anything at home, either. There's a good chance you'll feel just fine, but it's nice to know you don't have to function if you don't want to. And it's a nice reward for getting it done.

Muscle fatigue or pain. Or both. But I'd lean more towards pain, especially since your vet said arthritis. There are some very good pain control options for dogs nowadays.

IIRC she's an older dog? If so the most likely cause is age-related muscle loss in her shoulders and hips. It makes it really hard for them to stand up on hard flooring. I assume that's where it's happening, and not on carpet or grass? What you describe doesn't sound at all like a seizure, although it's possible there's something neurological (spinal issue) going on. But simple muscle loss is what it sounds like to me. I've seen it in many older dogs. ETA: Muscle loss can cause them to have trouble on stairs, even when they're carpeted.