I want a dog (part vent)

[human bean]

I grew up always having a pet dog or two, my heart dog we had for 16 years and I still think of her often, she died of cancer in my mid 20's.

In late Jan this year, it broke my heart but we had to rehome our beautiful staffy x as DD had a rather strong allergy to her saliva. She was a very licky dog, no matter how hard we tried to get her stop, she just kept licking DD who adored her. Her reactions kept getting worse and worse, we had to keep the two constantly apart, our poor dog just wasn't getting the love and attention she deserved. We were fortunate to rehome her with a lovely family and she's doing really well.

All I can think about lately is having another dog. We have a few friends with smaller dogs, and it seems DD doesn't react to them (she didn't when we had our dog either) As our GP and vet suggested, maybe it was just our dog's saliva, not all dog saliva. We fostered a rescue for nearly a month whilst we had our dog, and no reaction to it's saliva either, just our dog. So part of my brain thinks maybe if we had a smaller/different dog..... but then I think no I shouldn't. How could I consider getting another dog? We only just rehomed our dog a few short months ago.

I am almost obsessive in keeping tabs on all the rescue dogs and shelters, ask me about any dog up for adoption in WA and I could probably quote you it's blurb, that's how much I would love to have a dog.

It's silly I know, and I don't really know the point of this post. I miss our dog, and maybe that's it. I just want her back. But I know I can't

[~StarBright~]

Thats sad that you had to re home your doggie!! But it sounds like you didnt have much of a choice! I think though that it shouldnt stop you from getting another one. You were lucky to find a good home for your doggie, so now maybe you can offer another doggie in need a good home!!

Maybe even from the shelter they could offer you a trial to make sure that your DD doesn't react to the new dog's saliva.

[onthefly]

Ah, you feel conflicted. I understand that
I'm glad to hear your dog has a lovely new home - it's probably time to let go adn move on, yeah? You know the saliva might be an issue, so find a way to confirm that before you commit and get yourselves another dog

[Astrolady]

Oh it is hard being stuck between a rock and a hard place isn't it.

If I knew my child was allergic to one dog's saliva, then I probably wouldn't go down the route of getting another dog. You wouldn't want to get another dog, and have your child develop an allergy to it over a period of time and be in another position of having to give a dog away.

I say that from experience too. I lived at my parents house with a cat for 7 years before I suddenly developed an allergy to it and basically over night. Now I am allergic to all cats. I do feel your pain of missing having a dog though. I too have always grown up with at least 2 dogs. We currently don't have one either due to her passing last September. Like you I know most of the blurbs for the animal welfare league

[YoYo]

I know an older dog in Perth at the moment, she's older.... She's large (not huge) and does not lick!!!

She is my mums dog who we couldn't bring to jersey. She needs a home... She just loves companionship, its all she needs (apart from food, walking etc) Pm me if you want to know more.


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[human bean]

Thanks everyone, and Kathryn I think that's whats sticking in my mind, what if she's fine at first and then develops a sensitivity/allergy to the saliva. Or what if a next child has an allergy? Is it worth putting ourselves and another poor dog through it all

Yules she sounds lovely, but DH has said if we do ever get another dog, we are getting a male as he is loving having his green lawn back with no burnt patches from girl dog pee! Apparently boy dog pee isn't as tough on lawn?

I've been thinking today that maybe I should see about volunteering at one of the shelters nearby. Get my dog fix in that way and all for a good cause, although the trick will be not wanting to bring every dog home with me.

[YoYo]

don't know if that's entirely true though, my boy kills grass as he tends to pee in the same place, can also kill plants if he wees up against them..... But he has his nuts though, so that might make a difference.... Let me know if you change your mind x


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