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I don't understand how any parent can be heartless enough to place the ownership of a pet over the well being of their child.
Explain that to me............
I'd be happy to explain it to you. No one is saying that the OP should place the dogs' welfare over that of the child. What everyone is saying (and you appear to be missing) is that there are other options that would address the problem and still allow the dogs to remain in the home. If you can't understand the concept that you can love animals and your children then I think you may want to avoid this forum. Please also note that the most common suggestion here is to find another allergist, one that can work through the problem. We do not live in sterile environments and shouldn't live in them. Desensitizing to an allergen is always a better route than avoidance.
and again i bring up my previous point, this child is also aparently very allergic to pollen trees ect and will need medication for those allergies...so should the op also keep her child indoors 24/7, put him in a plastic bubble so hes not exposed to trees, dust, pollen ect?
the op and noone thus far has suggested she put the dogs over the child...but instead that there might be other options the op can try FIRST to manage the pet allergy side of things.
if all efforts fail then she should definatly reconsider keeping the dogs BUT i dont think theres any reason for it to be the ONLY option available...
and if it was what then? a plastic bubble or never leave the house to sheild him from his other allergies too!?
I don't understand how any parent can be heartless enough to place the ownership of a pet over the well being of their child.
Explain that to me............
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChocLot
I'm a realistic dog-owner...I know that they are just pets and that my children come first. HOWEVER, I have four children who all love the dogs dearly and rather than just making a snap decision that will bring heartache to them all, I'd like to know all of my options. Please don't be condescending...this is a big enough struggle as it is.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tdna
Because for most of us, it's not about ownership. It's about love and the amazing relationships we have with these animals. The OP is obviously trying to do what is best for her child, and that includes looking into options that would allow that child to keep the dogs in his life. She deserves credit for that, not condescension.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Va-Cat
I'd be happy to explain it to you. No one is saying that the OP should place the dogs' welfare over that of the child. What everyone is saying (and you appear to be missing) is that there are other options that would address the problem and still allow the dogs to remain in the home. If you can't understand the concept that you can love animals and your children then I think you may want to avoid this forum. Please also note that the most common suggestion here is to find another allergist, one that can work through the problem. We do not live in sterile environments and shouldn't live in them. Desensitizing to an allergen is always a better route than avoidance.
I used to raise dogs for extra money but when our youngest was diagnosed with a severe allergy to dogs I sold the whole operations and didn't worry about loosing money or what the rest of the family thought since they all wanted what was best for their son/brother.
In our house children were always first with pets being a luxury we couldn't have.
and again i bring up my previous point, this child is also aparently very allergic to pollen trees ect and will need medication for those allergies...so should the op also keep her child indoors 24/7, put him in a plastic bubble so hes not exposed to trees, dust, pollen ect?
the op and noone thus far has suggested she put the dogs over the child...but instead that there might be other options the op can try FIRST to manage the pet allergy side of things.
if all efforts fail then she should definatly reconsider keeping the dogs BUT i dont think theres any reason for it to be the ONLY option available...
and if it was what then? a plastic bubble or never leave the house to sheild him from his other allergies too!?
Allergies are associated with the dander produced by the dog and not the dog himself nor the dog hair. Dander is the dry skin that flakes off, ...
www.petplace.com/dogs/top-dog...for...allergies/page1.aspx - Cached - Similar
Many families would love to have an Angel Service Dog's Allergy Alert Dog as a companion to help their child gain freedom. For most, the cost is prohibitive ...
www.angelservicedogs.com/ - Cached - Similar
Imagine that? A dog who would prevent the child from eating anything that had a peanut in it? Would the family be as quick to get rid of the dog then? even tho the kid exhibited signs of being allergic to the dog? hmm.
Is there such a thing as a hypoallergenic dog or cat? Not really. But here are 15 dogs and cats touted—but not proven—to be better for people with ...
www.health.com › Home › Health AZ - Cached - Similar
Aug 29, 2002 ... Similar trends were found in children's positive response to allergies to dogs; it went from 8.6 percent to 3.5 percent to 2.6 percent ...
www.scienceagogo.com/.../20020728214213data_trunc_sys.shtml - Cached - Similar
I second the responses of some of the posters in that BEFORE the family decides to give the dog away that they at least TRY options listed. Speak with the pet's veterinarian as they may be able to help you more than you might think. Thinking like the kid, I would almost curse myself especially if I had grown fond of the dog or cat.
I used to raise dogs for extra money but when our youngest was diagnosed with a severe allergy to dogs I sold the whole operations and didn't worry about loosing money or what the rest of the family thought since they all wanted what was best for their son/brother.
In our house children were always first with pets being a luxury we couldn't have.
If dogs are nothing more than extra money to you, then you will never understand. You also won't find many (any?) people on this forum who agree with you. Don't waste your time trying to convince anyone that what this parent is doing by seeking alternatives is selfish or wrong.
I have to agree with the posters that suggested a new allergist! You need one that will work WITH you. An allergist that thinks pets are property that can easily be tossed, isn't one I would see twice!
I've been in your shoes, only it involved my young son being severely allergic to cats. (We had two at the time.) An allergy "problem" would cause an asthma attack.
I did many of the cleaning suggestions posted, and did NOT get rid of our furkid family members. My son is now 24 years old and is doing just fine. He is over 6 foot tall. The use of inhalers, breathing machine, and allergy meds did not stunt his growth.
My son is also allergic to Bermuda grass. The whites of his eyes swelled over. (THAT was scary!) Bermuda grass is the norm where we live. Was I to keep him locked in his bedroom all his life? No. We just didn't assign him the chore of mowing. Also, he played sports in school...all on Bermuda grass. Since we knew grass was a trigger, we could medicate accordingly.
Once we knew the "triggers" (due to allergy tests), we knew how to live WITH allergies and asthma. My son never once had an asthma attack after we educated ourselves.
I don't have much to offer by way of advice, except to say our grandson appeared to have an allergic reaction to something. The first thing the GP asked was whether he comes into contact with pets and was advised to stay away from pets.
Further tests revealed he didn't have an allergy to pets.
In the UK there are three questions a GP asks before even looking at you: -
1. Do you smoke
2. Do you drink alcohol
3. Do you have any pets
No kidding they are knackered if you answer no to all three.
Hey there, havent read all the replies, but thought I would add:
When I found out I was allergic to my 2 cats the docter was telling me to get rid of them. After I said there was no way I'm doing that, he said that a big improvement would be, as some others have mentioned, keep them out of the bedroom, and to use a HEPA air filter for when I sleep (as the particles in the rest of the house would still come through the central air vents. By the way I think you can get a filter for the vent covers in each room if you need). I was told that keeping this "safe" place to sleep in every night would help greatly, that would give my body some time to recover each night.
I used to raise dogs for extra money but when our youngest was diagnosed with a severe allergy to dogs I sold the whole operations and didn't worry about loosing money or what the rest of the family thought since they all wanted what was best for their son/brother.
In our house children were always first with pets being a luxury we couldn't have.
Quite frankly - I happy you no longer have dogs to sell as a sideline. I would think the dogs are better off too.
If dogs are nothing more than extra money to you, then you will never understand. You also won't find many (any?) people on this forum who agree with you. Don't waste your time trying to convince anyone that what this parent is doing by seeking alternatives is selfish or wrong.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Va-Cat
Quite frankly - I happy you no longer have dogs to sell as a sideline. I would think the dogs are better off too.
Quite frankly I care not one fig for what you say since I related MY experience that was best for MY family not anyone else's.
If the OP chooses to keep the dog in spite of their child's allergies then so be it but I sure as hell would put MY kid first which is what I did.
I love my children enough to make easy choices like this......bye,bye dog.
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even tho the kid exhibited signs of being allergic to the dog? hmm. 
Also, he played sports in school...all on Bermuda grass. Since we knew grass was a trigger, we could medicate accordingly. 
