mandana-the-service-pup

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35 things on my todo list.

*cries in autoimmune flare*

😭🫠🫣🥴

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First time scootering with both dogs. I was just going to take Taravali but it was cool out & Mandana really wanted to go. I only did half the route because I didn’t want Mandana to be too sore but she was actually really helpful. We had three big surprises. A man jogging backwards. A cicada that spooked Taravali and a coyote that was particularly interested in us (probably bc Taravali is in heat)

Mandana’s confidence and reliable response to cues really helped keep Taravali in check. When Taravali was staying on track Mandana would heel next to me out of the way. When she veered off to leave love notes to potential boyfriends Mandana would go on the other side and sandwich her between us to keep her moving. She showed Taravali how to go off the path and sit patiently while others passed, helped her recover from being startled by the cicada and showed her the strange man was nothing to worry about. I don’t think Mandana noticed the coyote was actually following us but I know they could both smell it had been hanging around. I’m grateful Mandana was there. Urban coyotes are so bold but I think her size and demeanor was enough to keep it from getting any closer.

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Mandana’s old martingales were not big enough to adjust to her fluctuating weight & swelling. I got her & Taravali 1” buckle collars instead but I’ve noticed so much fur breakage around her neck from wearing them. Besides that, Taravali is a crazy pup. I didn’t love how much pressure was being applied to her neck when she’d jump around on the 1” collar. No judgement to other owners but I really do prefer wider softer collars on dogs when possible. I think depending on the material & hardware it’s often more comfortable for them.

I found a US maker (unfroggettable designs) who makes custom martingales with satin on the inside so I ordered some in bigger sizes than what I already have and they’re perfect.

2” satin lined martingales. Taravali is wearing a L & Mandana is an XL.

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Mandana has a favorite game at the pool 🦈

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From our walk yesterday. It was too hot for Mandana to go far but at least we got out there and made an effort.

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Rheumatology apt was today. It was a physically difficult day but very productive. The TNF inhibitor I was on (Enbrel Autoinjector once per week) was really great at first but has gradually been failing in 2025. My autoimmune diseases have been flaring like crazy so they are going to put me on a JAK inhibitor which is a step up in risky side effects. They gave me two options but we’re going to start with Rinvoq which is a once a day pill. I won’t have to do anymore Enbrel injections. I will continue with the weekly methotrexate injections but they are less painful for me so I don’t mind.

Besides that she’s banning me from taking ibuprofen (boo) and giving me a Rx for a different NSAID (I think it’s Celecoxib) It’s only one pill a day and she said if I really need some extra I can take “Tylenol Arthritis 8hrs”

Besides that she’s really eager for my Endocrinologist apt in September (me too gurl I’ve been waiting for half a year) and also suggests I follow up with an OBGYN bc I’ve been having a period every two weeks for five months and it’s killing me 💀

Taravali’s in heat, Mandana’s back is sore and I’m a mess so we’re fighting over the heating pad tonight 😂

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I was running through some cues with Taravali this morning. Mandana got jealous and brought Taravali’s dragline up to the gate as if to say “put puppy on a leash and train with me instead!”

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Mandana has been enjoying her mommy & me time at the pool (Taravali is in heat so I’m not taking her on off leash adventures right now)

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Swim/Bath day update. Looking good. Fur is growing back and she’s overall doing better.

Going on a different brand of hydrolyzed kibble seems to be helping reduce some bloating in her abdomen from IBD.

Lowering her medication dose seems to have helped reduce some edema.

The Librela injection did help her make some progress with physical therapy so it looks like we’ll be getting back on those.

She had a cytopoint injection to help her get through ragweed season.

Her overall endurance and muscle tone has improved since going swimming multiple times a week.

She’s lost a little weight. Which is good but takes a lot of effort on my part to keep it off her because of her metabolism issues. Still, her lipomas have shrunken a bit so that’s a good sign.

We’ve switched to iGroom products recently. She always has a little extra undercoat that’s difficult to fully remove from her feathers and tail. We did a couple baths with the deshedding shampoo & conditioner and that helped a lot. Now she and Taravali are on the fragrance free shampoo and the prebiotic conditioner since they are getting more frequent baths due to swimming and also increased seasonal allergens.

She has a vet apt coming up soon. Just to check up on her progress and plan our next steps. The cutaneous horn on her tail has morphed a lot over the last couple months and is causing some problems so maybe we’ll get a biopsy on that since it won’t stop growing & bleeding. I’m hesitant bc tails are not easy to heal and in the heat of summer she really enjoys her swimming so maybe we’ll put it off for a while longer.

They kind of butchered Mandana’s haircut yesterday for the ultrasound. I did my best to even it out so it doesn’t grow back too patchy.

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🤔 Bumper Maths 🧐

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Ok who’s been gatekeeping the baby teething wafers. They’re unironically the perfect sick girl dinner.

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First good weather day in like a month and I can’t even take the dogs hiking today 😫