u/softmouse_

I brush my toy poodle with two different brushes every day, and bath about once a week-every other week. Professional groomer every month.

My question is, I often see other poodles out walking around that are PERFECTLY fluffy, hair combed out straight, looks like they just got back from the groomer. (I assume they don’t go to the groomer weekly?) How do dogs keep this blow out look all the time?

Mine looses his groomer blow out fluff after a few days even when I brush him out perfectly. Are they giving the dog a bath directly before? Also, when I blow dry and brush after a home bath he’s fluffy but not AI-in-real-life fluffy. I’m always astounded when I see these poodles lol.
Any thoughts?

Would like to know what other locals do for the holiday!
We have lived in Laguna Beach 1.5 years, but last 4th of July were out of town. Is it super crazy there during the holiday? We were thinking of going to the beach and also watching fireworks later, but would like to hear from others their favorite plans for the day

Edit: didn’t mean us setting off fireworks, rather watching the firework display. I worded it badly, sorry. I know it’s not allowed 👍

(Remove post if not allowed)

A bit vulnerable post. Looking for advice or tips from anyone (more specifically women) who has experienced this.

I miss the sex drive I used to have and wish that sex is something I wanted, but since developing lupus it’s just gone downhill. I’ve tried the Lemme Play gummies, didn’t do much. I know exercising increases sex drive, but I’ve been in flares so much it’s hard to be consistent when sick, but I’m going to try to do at least a little everyday.

Has anyone else dealt with this and found anything that helps?
Thanks

Got diagnosed about 6 months ago, but have had symptoms for about 4 years. Since getting on hydroxychloroquine, I’ve had more “better” days, but still many flares and hard days.
The past two weeks I’ve had the worst flare ever. I needed a wheelchair as I could barely stand sometimes.

Being in this condition has really humbled me, and it’s come with so many emotions. Accepting that I have an illness, and that I need help from people. My husband is SO supportive, I don’t know how I am so lucky. But it’s also hard to accept the love and help when I feel like I “should” be able to do more. I know that’s silly but just some thoughts I’ve been processing through.

Last week, for the first time, I met someone who also had an autoimmune disease. We talked a little about it, and talked about other things too. I cried after leaving because I never realized how I didn’t really feel understood by anyone in my life, even though they are supportive. Meeting someone else who really felt what I felt and we didn’t even have to explain- that was such a beautiful experience, one where I truly felt so understood for the first time in a long time. I didn’t have to make someone understand, they just got it.

That made me wonder if signing up for a support group in my area would be a good idea. I’m not sure because even though it’s obviously a massive part of my life, sometimes talking about the illness all the time and focusing so much on it really drags my mental wellbeing down and leaves me in a negative space. I wish I could have friends that also have autoimmune but not a group that’s solely focused on that. I’m not sure if that makes sense. Does anyone else have experiences with support groups, if so what are they like?