When I woke up yesterday morning I got this strange idea in my head that I just can’t shake.
I want a puppy.
It’s a crazy idea. But it’s like the lights turned on in my head and I can’t shut it off. I say it’s crazy because my husband and I are both allergic to furry animals.
Of course what I really want is a baby, but that’s not happening and due to my illness it might not happen at all. So what’s wrong with a puppy?
I think we can handle the allergy part of the equation. We’re both allergic to dust mites and a few other things so we take allergy medication every day anyway. That should cover our allergy to a dog.
Obviously I won’t just go out and get a puppy to test my theory. I haven’t even told Chris yet that I have this crazy idea turning around and around in my head. When I do though, maybe we’ll spend some time visiting several of our friends that have furry pets to see how we do on those visits. If we’re ok we’ll probably be ok as long as we keep taking our allergy medications right?
Sigh … yeah it’s a crazy idea.
They have those bald dogs you could get or a bald cat. My mother has allergies and if you get a breed that doesn’t shed you might be okay. She has some toy poodles.
A bald dog just doesn’t strike me as very adorable! Probably though one that doesn’t shed so much might be a better idea. Dogs are wonderful pets anyway so if you can have one you should. But if you’re going to have reactions to it, it doesn’t sound very practical.
My sister in law had the same worry about having a baby, until she got pregnant. She had debilitating Crohn’s, and for some reason it completely went into remission until she stopped breastfeeding. Raising the baby is tough on her now, but she said she felt the best in her life from the month after conception to a year after her girl was born.
if you have allergies to dust mites then you may not have allergies to dogs. i have allergies to dust mites, which live in my bed & pillows. i use a cleanrest mattress and pillow cover which help me sleep at night. i have a cat & dog and do not have a problem. first find out if you are allergic to pets. if not, buy one!!!
Using protective bedding and vacuuming more frequently can help with dust mites, but controlling the levels of humidity in your home can eliminate them. Dust mites breed in warm, humid conditions and so using a dehumidifier to reduce humidity levels can get rid of them completely.
Dehumidifiers can also be fitted with specialist air filters to cleanse the air of other allergens and animal dander.
I hope this helps you.
I have put together a list of worst dogs for people with allergies. These are not allergy free dogs but dogs that produce far less dander than the normal dog. Dogs like Sheppards are among the worst for allergies, as effects of allergies are cumulative
Glad to hear that you are not just rushing out to get a puppy. There are many things to consider when choosing a breed of dog. However, in your case you will be looking at the ones that shed less hair. Don’t be disappointed if I tell you that, in my opinion, the dog that does not shed at all is a myth! Certainly some breeds shed more than others, but there are things you can do to minimise the problem. Regular grooming is one of the key activities. After all the more hair you remove in that process the less will be available to float around and contaminate your environment.
I hope things work out for you, and if you do go ahead you will find, I’m sure, that all the work and expense will be rewarded by the returned love and loyalty from your new family member.