Time for an allergist…

I’m allergic to everything.  I always have been and always will be.  My allergies to animals though have significantly improved since bringing a little bundle of trouble named Dylan into my home.

The combination of allergies and asthma can make life unbearable at times.  Most of the year I do just fine but it seems the last few winters have been particularly rough of me.  I find myself taking medicated breathing treatments a bit more often and having more and more difficulty breathing with the cold weather.

The last few weeks have been tough on me.  I’ve wondered if it’s best for me to take a few months off from therapy dogs since bathing dogs becomes a big trigger for allergies (oddly enough clean dogs cause me fewer issues but cleaning them is an incredibly difficult task during the cold months).  

I know it doesn’t help to have a messy house full of dog dander and hair so I am trying to make it cleaner and ultimately I would like to live in a place that has no carpet.  I have snap and lock laminate flooring for my place but I don’t know how to put it in and neither does my dad.  I am scared to rip out the carpet and not have floor but that really would almost be better than just having carpet anyway.  I guess it’s something I really should think about though.  I’m trying to be healthier and the last few weeks have been making me feel awful!

After having so many issues the last few weeks, I have decided it’s time to go back to the allergist.  I know what they will say but getting rid of dogs is not an option.  I am committed to my two for lifetime - No matter what!  Maybe in the future I should consider one of the breeds that shed less.  They still produce dander but I know they are supposed to be a bit better.  It will be years before I get another dog though so I guess I have some time to consider that.

I won’t be seeing them for a few weeks but in the mean time I am going to try to do what I can to make life a bit easier for myself.  Cleaning is number 1 and I might see about taking the dogs to a groomer to get them bathed.  I hate spending the money but I know that bathing could trigger a trip to the ER and I really hope to avoid that.   Marley just had a bath 2 weeks ago but Dylan and Sadie are definitely due.  My flyball captain is a groomer though so maybe I will have to give her a call!