“Diamonds”: 35 Old Trends That Many People Don’t Realize Are Harmful

We've all heard the saying, 'Old is gold,' but let's be honest—not everything from the past is worth holding onto. From outdated mindsets at work to cringe-worthy beauty hacks, some old habits need to fade away. Especially the ones that create havoc in our modern-day lives.Sparked by a discussion from u/Soren-J, the r/AskReddit community shared their opinions on the most damaging trends from our past. Pandas, let’s take an eye-opening dive into those stubborn trends that might just have you rethinking a few of your own habits!

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"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Gender reveal parties. One even started a f*****g forest fire but people still think it's cute.

greenthegreen , Alex Hussein/pexels Report

Final score:

154points

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Karl 1 month ago

Completely cringeworthy. To the best of my knowledge this hasn’t taken off in the UK yet but, as every country has its morons, it’s only a matter of time.

65points

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"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Irresponsibly selective breeding dogs. People want their cute petite dog or their “hard” looking pits while completely disregarding how their genetic deformities gives them a s**t quality of life. A lot of these animals die relatively young and if they miraculously do make it to old age, end up suffering horrendously as their issues become magnified. So much so that most of the a******s that want to have/ breed these animals end up abandoning them or just neglecting them until they’re incapable of powering through their struggles and die.

SnooDoggos7432 , Maria Rosenberg/pexels Report

Final score:

153points

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Lost Panda 1 month ago

Though I loved my Akita, love my Sheltie, the best dogs (health/temper) I ever had were all mutts

31points

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"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Child beauty pagants.

1d0m1n4t3 , TLC Report

Final score:

153points

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Groundcontroltomajortom 1 month ago

So damaging to little girls (and boys?)

33points

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Nostalgia is a very strong feeling. It can make us yearn for “the good old days” when life appeared simpler and trends carried a certain charm. However, just because something was popular decades ago doesn’t mean it’s beneficial—or even safe—today.

We find it easy to romanticize the past, especially when we’re bombarded with images of iconic fashion, vintage cars, and classic films. But beneath the surface of these seemingly idyllic times lie trends and behaviors that are better left behind.

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Excessive plastic packaging, any plastic packaging.

ConcentrateInner6086 , yusuf habibi/pexels Report

Final score:

131points

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Manana Man 1 month ago

Plastic packaging has prevented massive amounts of food waste. It also has vastly improved medical safety. Don't just ban things, find alternatives.

84points

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"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful I live in Appalachia:

People who are all “zen” and natural and at one with nature will hike to any of our rivers and balance a bunch of rocks which will, I dunno, increase their vibrations or something.

Know what it does? It takes nature and turns it into a big sign that says, “humans were here.” Which defeats the purpose of nature.

Plus, we have critically endangered stream life around here that depends on some of those rocks for their habitat. Rooting around trying to find that perfect flat rock to make your chakra more whatever it needs to be harms the creatures that need the most protection.

Stop balancing rocks into a pile on other rocks in the middle of a river! All it does is make YOU think how amazing and cool and different you are.

ilikemrrogers , Tranmautritam/pexels Report

Final score:

127points

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J9 1 month ago

What happened to "Leave nothing behind, but footprints"!

59points

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"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Forcing your ways of life on other people.

Alichici , Keira Burton/pexels Report

Final score:

124points

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Lost Panda 1 month ago

You do you, I'll do me

29points

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Smoking is a prime example. In the mid-20th century, smoking was not only widespread but also seen as something glamorous. In films, actors puffed away on-screen, and cigarette ads promised things like sophistication and health benefits.

Today, we know better: smoking is a leading cause of preventable death worldwide.

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Diamonds. Diamond engagement rings only became a thing in the 1920s due to aggressive marketing by the DeBeers diamond cartel. Diamond mining is often done under horrendous conditions, then most of them are locked away to keep the prices high. That $1000 diamond ring is a lie. Diamonds are not actually that rare.

LordLaz1985 , papatya films/pexels Report

Final score:

120points

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troufaki13 1 month ago

If I ever get proposed to, I want it to be done with a bouquet of kittens!

85points

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"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful People going to work when sick. *Still.*.

StefanTheNurse , Edward Jenner /pexels Report

Final score:

118points

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Lunar Rat 1 month ago

Companies need to stop making staff work when they are sick.

83points

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"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Being blind followers of any political, religious sect.

Wood_to_dust , Jake Guild/flickr Report

Final score:

109points

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troufaki13 1 month ago

and "celebrities"

57points

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Another example is workplace safety—or the lack thereof. There was a time when workers in factories and construction sites operated without protective gear.

Helmets, gloves, and respiratory masks were seen as mere options by many people. This resulted in numerous injuries that led to chronic ailments and loss of life, which could otherwise have been avoided.

#10

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Giving children (and adults, for that matter) open access to social media. It's utter brain rot at this point.

McNuggetballs , chiến bá /pexels Report

Final score:

105points

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Lost Panda 1 month ago

It was only good in the beginning when we were still hopeful for the global community it could create. Now it is a cess pool.

32points

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#11

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Only getting 2 days for the weekend per week. It never feels long enough. I think 3-day weekends should become the norm. The work week should be Monday through Thursday.

4-day weekends are probably too long though. I won't go that far. They should be reserved for occasions.

Cat-guy64 , Ron Lach/pexels Report

Final score:

97points

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Corvus 1 month ago

There was once a time when a 6-day work week was the norm... if this could go away, perhaps the 5-day week would go away some day as well.

27points

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#12

Men and boys being told boys don't cry, to man up, to suppress their emotions.

Legitimate-Wheel-507 Report

Final score:

91points

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Aroace tiger (she/they/he) 1 month ago

I hate it and j hate rhe obvious damage thats been done to my male friends :(

25points

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Today’s emphasis on safety gear and regulations isn’t just bureaucratic red tape but an important development that shields workers from harm. Yet, some still cling to the outdated notion that "toughness" is more important than safety.

#13

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful More of a job specific thing, but literally any tradesman that will argue that modern PPE is unnecessary. I don’t care if your grandpappy used to use a paint sprayer without a respirator, I’m trying to not destroy my lungs. Work smarter, putting yourself into an early grave to make shareholders/your boss happy is moronic.

CossaKl95 , Ron Lach/pexels Report

Final score:

88points

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PattyK 1 month ago

PPE is inconvenient, but then so is disease and death.

40points

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#14

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Giant green lawns that are nothing but non-native turf grass covered in chemical treatments. This year World Migratory Bird Day had the tagline [“No Insects, No Birds”](https://www.birdlife.org/news/2024/05/11/no-insects-no-birds-world-migratory-bird-day-2024/#:~:text=Today%2C%20on%20World%20Migratory%20Bird,migratory%20birds%20across%20vast%20distances) because so many bird populations are declining due to insect population collapse. There’s many reasons behind this, but on a micro level, monoculture lawns are causing whole areas to be basically devoid of insect life. Especially when you pair that with municipal mosquito spraying (kills all the bugs, not just mosquitos) and the lack of native plants anywhere that plants are allowed to exist, like landscaping and parks. The old trend was to have giant lawns to show you were so rich didn’t need to grow food, and now we’ve just had this idea so embedded in our culture that it’s incredibly hard to break out of it.

remembering_things , Max Vakhtbovycn/pexels Report

Final score:

87points

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J9 1 month ago

Anything to do with removing Actual Nature to replace it with something similar that is fake because it works/looks better just boils my blood 😤

21points

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#15

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful People thinking that their vote doesn't matter. Too many people.

SyntheticOne , cottonbro studio /pexels Report

Final score:

86points

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Child of the Stars 1 month ago

Also thinking that POTUS is the only thing to bother voting for. There's far more important things to vote for than just President. Your vote counts a helluva lot at the state and local levels, plus there's all kinds of things like allocation of tax money. For example, my state has a prop on the ballot this year for Medicaid funds. My school district also has one for allocation of money within the district. Both of those will have a significant impact on the people in my city and state; they're extremely important. By saying "I don't like the Presidential candidates so I'm just not going to vote," you're screwing yourself and your community.

28points

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During the 1950s and 1960s, extreme dieting was often presented as the path to beauty. As a result, women felt compelled to starve themselves to fit into tiny waists. This led to a rise in eating disorders, a problem that continues to affect many people today.

While modern movements toward body acceptance are helping to combat these harmful ideals, the ghosts of past beauty standards still linger.

#16

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful An 8-hr a day, 5 day a week work schedule still being the minimum, expected standard for employees. That’s supposed to be the maximum, as set forth by all the labor laws and guidelines from decades ago, not the bare minimum. COVID reminded and demonstrated just how unnecessary it is, and how detrimental it is to society and worker health overall. Most people can complete their tasks/duties with an adjusted schedule that allowed more time at home, but alas, we cling heavily to tradition and old practices in this area:P.

Square-Raspberry560 , Yan Krukau/pexels Report

Final score:

81points

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troufaki13 1 month ago

Also work from home. It became a thing during covid but now (in Greece at least) they're trying to minimize it and go back to the old ways.

22points

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#17

Prison industrial complex

People think locking up criminals makes you safer. But more than half of prisoners have untreated trauma and mental illness that is not being addressed in prison and is often made worse. Long term we need a restorative system not punitive if people actually want to be safer. Instead people prefer the illusion of safety, using criminality as a scapegoat.

Meanwhile, solve rates for violent crimes remains exceedingly low.

BakedBrie26 Report

Final score:

80points

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Sand Ers 1 month ago

Not to mention the insanity of creating a profit motive to incarcerate people, with full-occupancy headcount quotas in the contracts, Private prisons don’t breed corruption, they -are- corruption.

31points

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#18

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Giving cats milk. They're lactose intolerant. If you're going to give them milk, make sure it's milk specifically for cats.

TeaWithNosferatu , veeru edits/pexels Report

Final score:

78points

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Ace 1 month ago (edited)

Not all cats are in fact lactose intolerant. Symptoms if they are will be upset stomach and diarrhoea , so if your cat doesn't get these after drinking it then it's not actually harmful. https://www.webmd.com/pets/cats/features/cats-and-dairy-get-the-facts

30points

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#19

Sending your kids to school sick. 🤢

Going to work sick. 🤢.

Defiant_Network_3069 Report

Final score:

77points

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Sandella 1 month ago

Being fuelled by greedy companies not paying staff when off sick, or home to look after their sick children, or using it against workers in future

8points

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#20

Racism.

xx6xx1 Report

Final score:

68points

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Peskie Reality 1 month ago

Say what you will, I still think the best race in the world is the Bathurst 1000

28points

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#21

Going broke to have an extravagant marriage and spending said money on things that ultimately dont really matter during your wedding.
Im at an age now where people around me start marrying and my bf and I are actively keeping a list of things we missed or need to avoid for our own eventual marriage.

ElysianForestWitch Report

Final score:

68points

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Karl 1 month ago

I’ve been to a lot of weddings in my life and, of all of the couples involved, those who had stupidly expensive ceremonies are much more likely to be divorced 10 years down the line - money worries and arguments about the same being a primary cause.

15points

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Not all trends from the past are bad, of course. Some, like sustainable living practices, have made a much-needed comeback. In the past, people reused items, conserved resources, and lived more in harmony with nature.

Today, as we face environmental crises, these old practices are proving invaluable. The popularity of farmers’ markets show that not everything from the past should be discarded—sometimes, the old ways are the best ways.

#22

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Literally anything that categorizes body types into “trends”.

anon , Mizuno K/pexels Report

Final score:

62points

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Alexandra Nara 1 month ago

but how can you sell capitalism if you don't create new shopping trends for body and skintypes. Can't just kill greed with being happy as you are😬😬😬

14points

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#23

Private health insurance. We (the United States) pay more for our insurance (like, _double_) for worse outcomes and lowered life expectancies.

vbfronkis Report

Final score:

60points

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Ace 1 month ago

Nothing wrong with private health insurance per se. Here in Switzerland it is mandatory for everyone, but properly regulated to ensure that everyone can afford it, nobody can be denied it and pre-existing conditions are covered and not penalised. The healthcare system here is one of the best in the world, and cost per capita is pretty much in line with other European countries like France and the UK with more socialised systems.

20points

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#24

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Clear your plate young man...

batch1972 , Mizuno K/pexels Report

Final score:

56points

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Pernille 1 month ago

Serve smaller portions then, and try to avoid food waste. Apparently we could feed the entire world with the food that is thrown out but a few countries.

28points

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Another positive trend is community living. Decades ago, it was common for neighborhoods to be close-knit, with people relying on one another for support. In recent years, we’ve seen a revival of this sense of community, whether through online groups or local initiatives.

#25

Demonizing certain foods (i.e. carbs, fats, sugar, etc). Moderation seems to be a rarity.

anonymousrex_ Report

Final score:

56points

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J9 1 month ago

Everything is good in moderation or so they say

17points

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#26

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful That working out while sick makes you sweat out your sickness but in reality you're prolonging your recovery and potentially getting others sick at the gym too.

Lilli_Puff , Kampus Production/pexels Report

Final score:

53points

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Marcos Valencia 1 month ago

I have never heard that.

24points

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#27

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Choosing college over trade schools because of the prestige factor.

DreyfusBlue , Keira Burton /pexels Report

Final score:

52points

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Igor914624 1 month ago

College graduates looking down on the people in trades. You are not superior to me because you have a degree, you just have a different knowledge base and experience.

34points

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As we look back on the past, it’s important to recognize that not all trends are worth reviving. By understanding the impact of past trends, we can make informed choices about which ones to bring into the future—and which ones to leave behind.

For instance, these posts should definitely be left in the past. What do you think? Is there any trend from the past you don’t particularly like?

#28

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Smoking.

Going to the office 5 days a week.

Working half a day on Saturdays.

Marius_Sulla_Pompey , cottonbro studio /pexels Report

Final score:

48points

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Alro 1 month ago

If smoking was to be introduced nowadays it would not get past authorities.

21points

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#29

Social media use and the effect on mental health.

bld5145 Report

Final score:

48points

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Anthorn 1 month ago

Honestly, I've been happier since I started using social media. I've found online friends and made great connections. It just does different things to different people.

11points

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#30

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Men that show emotions and aren't in control are weak.

curlyquinn02 , RDNE Stock project/pexels Report

Final score:

47points

POST

J9 1 month ago

The "Boys don't cry" mentally, very sad 😢

15points

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#31

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful Sun tanning.

Tans are a persistent fad, but the damage is far more lasting than any fad.

People of all colours should wear sunscreen everyday, thank me in 30 years.

Aggravating_Sense183 , KoolShooters /pexels Report

Final score:

45points

POST

Corvus 1 month ago (edited)

UV radiation is the #1 cause for wrinkles and accelerated skin aging.

13points

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#32

Buying pets online/through non-certified breeders.

CuriousLavender Report

Final score:

44points

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AR 1 month ago

Don’t buy. Adopt.

43points

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#33

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful I have never understood how you can limit people's sick time, or give it in advance, you may get poorly 3 times only in one year. We have sickness policies in the UK to stop people taking the p**s, and as a non NHS nurse I don't get sick pay, but if I'm sick, I'm sick, and I'm going to be off for however long I need to be off. The US system is so bizarre.

Melodic-Professor183 , Polina Tankilevitch/pexels Report

Final score:

42points

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Louisa johnson Premium 1 month ago

I have read this week that labour is implementing more workers rights one of which is that if your off sick then you will be getting paid from the first day of sickness. A lot of the papers are up in arms over this saying businesses owners will suffer but workers deserve decency and respect to not be penalised for being sick. I think it's great that workers rights are being protected, especially as the OP said they were a nurse, if anyone deserves to not stress about losing money for illness it's the nurses, teachers frontline workers. They are literally out there holding up society just to be unpaid for the first 4 days off work for sickness.

9points

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#34

Feeling like we need to be someone we're not in order to find a partner.

projectchango Report

Final score:

42points

POST

deletemyaccount 1 month ago

We don't need partners. I havent been on a date in 25 years and Ive never been happier.

17points

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#35

"Diamonds": 35 Old Trends That Many People Don't Realize Are Harmful The lack of paid maternity leave.

Decent-Hawk-8782 , Matilda Wormwood/pexels Report

Final score:

39points

POST

Pernille 1 month ago

Most civilised countries have paid maternity leave.

46points

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Note: this post originally had 57 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.

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What do you think ?

Cee Cee 1 month ago

Rinse and repeat.

Dolevaal 1 month ago

Small one but still: having small pets in their cages all day long, especially rabbits or guinea pigs. Mostly bc you dont want your stuff to get dirty. Dude no. They need to move, jump around, run and lots of space. Keeping them in their cages all day isnt natural and will make them bored und unhappy. Pets will make your place dirty, atleast to some extend. Clean more often or dont get pets if you mind so much.

7points

Beary Nice 1 month ago (edited)

I was just talking to my sister about this yesterday(not the small pets just pets overall)they need stimulation, exercise and contact,not to be held as an ornament of some kind...her neighbor has a dog that is locked out in the backyard all the time,mine had one that wore a path into their garden from walking in circles,I use to have my own dogs (I trained one to be a sniffer lol)I had to rehome them to someone on an actual farm because I could not provide these things for personal reasons...this is not small at all...this is a big thing

2points

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after that rehoming I never had pets again...it killed me to give them away and I just can not put myself into any pet again and they deserve that...and he was a great sniffer dog,I just asked him to find certain things like money or weed and watched him do his thing he always got it,training was one of the ways I spent time with them,one was just better lol... one is not here anymore but the yonger one is now a 13 yr old cow hearder...

0points

WonderWoman 1 month ago

Telling boys the are the "man of the house"

4points

WindySwede 1 month ago

Or, he only hits you because he likes you. Or if said this so any kid.. 😵‍💫

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“Diamonds”: 35 Old Trends That Many People Don’t Realize Are Harmful

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