Allergic to Humans

Those of you in rescue groups have heard it before, right? "I love my dog, but I'm allergic. I have to give him up." Well, next time, tell them about me. I'm allergic to humans! A couple of thousands of dollars of allergy tests and treatments have revealed that I'm allergic to cats, birds, dandelions, a couple other types of weeds, three types of molds and humans. My allergy test was described by the specialist as "one of the more severe I've seen."

So, now what do I do? If I try to rehome my humans and find hypoallergenic ones, I would have to say good-bye to the ones I really love. Think of it. They feed me a raw meat diet, they take me on walks every day, they play with me, they let me sleep on the furniture (even though that is making my allergies worse) and they spend lots of money to make sure I'm healthy. What if the hypoallergenic humans aren't as fun or nice? What if they have tempers, like my first human, and beat me?

Of course, I have decided to keep my humans. How do we make this work? Well, according to the information sheet, I can't be allowed on any furniture or carpet that they are on. Since our whole house is carpet and furniture, that doesn't make sense. The compromise is that they must dust and vaccuum two or three times a week, and I can't be in the house for an hour afterward (long walks, yea!). They have to wash all my bedding and toys and their bedding once a week in hot water. They have to cover all the furniture with hypoallergenic covers. I have to have shots every two weeks for the rest of my life.

But isn't it all worth it when you find the humans that you love? I can't imagine giving them up.

Love, Fenway

Still Touching

Well, we hit a little snag in our touch training this week. I don't like it. I'm a little nervous touching with my nose since I'm bringing my mouth close to something I can't bite. But I'm very happy to touch with my paw.

My mom says that training is about being flexible to the way each individual dog learns best. She also says that a part of her development as a trainer -- and a person -- is learning to accept me for who I am and accept my limitations. I'm very grateful to her for this. We are best friends, and sometimes friendship means embracing imperfections.

Thus, my mom has changed her training around. She said if nose touch is too scary with her, it will be to scary to transfer to the person she wants me to like. So she is letting me touch with my foot. That is my instinct and I like it. Every time my mom says touch and puts out her flat hand, I now touch her with my foot. I'm so good at it that I don't even get a treat every time anymore. (This is a bad tactic, fellow dogs. Stay bad at things so you get more treats!)

Remember, everyone, sometimes dog training involves flexibility -- and accepting your friend for who is, not who you hoped he would be. Have fun training!

Love, Muggsy