When I tied the knot with a man who preferred cats and had allergies to dogs, I always held onto the dream of introducing a furry friend into our family. Growing up with a lovable mutt named Charlie, a husky/retriever mix, I cherished the moments we shared — from his costume parties to his unique talent of ringing the doorbell when he wanted to come inside. I wanted my children to have similar joyful experiences.
While my husband, Mark, appreciated dogs, prolonged exposure would often leave his eyes red and itchy. Although I was indifferent about cats, I found them less engaging as pets, especially since they often seemed to ignore me. Mark’s tales from his childhood in England gave insight into his cat-centric upbringing, and I understood his attachment.
Interestingly, my twins, Mia and Jake, who had never been exposed to a cat, started requesting a puppy in first grade. By second grade, Mia took her desire to the next level with a persuasive writing project in class. I was eager to welcome a dog into our household but wanted to ensure my kids were old enough to help care for it. The thought of adding another responsibility while managing my children was daunting.
As time passed, my kids’ pleas intensified while Mark remained steadfast in his stance due to his allergies. However, a study from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) caught my attention — it indicated that children with dogs at home experienced lower levels of anxiety compared to those without. This revelation shifted my perspective; not only did we desire a dog, but we realized it could also be beneficial for the kids. Armed with data and the knowledge that my twins could assist, I envisioned a furry addition to our family.
When the twins turned nine, we began our search for a new family member. Our attempts to adopt a rescue dog fell through, and a visit to a local pet store ended after a friend warned me about potential puppy mills. Since we needed a hypoallergenic dog due to Mark’s allergies, it became clear that working with a reputable breeder was our best option.
After extensive research, I had my heart set on a Cockapoo — a delightful mix of cocker spaniel and poodle. A friend of mine, Sarah, owned one named Max and shared that her husband had thought he was allergic to dogs but only reacted to saliva. She brought Max over for Mark to meet. Thankfully, he had no reaction when holding him, but when Mark let Max lick his face, his eyes began to swell. We celebrated the fact that avoiding dog saliva was manageable for Mark, allowing us to provide our children with a loving companion.
I settled on a breeder located in upstate New York, but her puppies were in high demand, and she refused to take deposits. I had to call and check when litters were born, hoping we wouldn’t miss out. After a few near misses, I was ready to give up and consider getting a hamster instead — although I doubted a hamster would provide the same anxiety-relieving benefits. Just days before Christmas, I called the breeder one last time. To my delight, she informed me that one of her favorite dogs had just given birth to six puppies. This particular mother was known for her calm demeanor, and the entire litter mirrored her tranquility. “That’s our litter!” I exclaimed, eager to make arrangements to meet them.
The day after Christmas, we drove upstate and chose a tiny, buff-colored male with his eyes still closed. As we waited for him to be old enough to leave his mother, we debated names. I had a whimsical name in mind — “Lucky Star” — but the kids insisted on honoring my childhood dog by naming him Charlie. Eventually, I conceded, but not without warning them that our next pet would be Lucky Star.
When we finally brought Charlie home, he was quieter than we expected, weighing in at just two and a half pounds and preferring the security of his carrier. Fortunately, after receiving treatment for an infection and adapting to our home, Charlie quickly became a vibrant part of our family.
Now a robust 20-pound dog, Charlie has become a cherished member of our household and a source of comfort for all of us. As my unofficial “third child,” he’s the only one who follows me around without distraction, remains screen-free, and never talks back. After all the effort we went through to welcome him, I can confidently say he was a fantastic addition to our family.
For more insights into home insemination, check out Cryobaby Home Intracervical Insemination Syringe Kit Combo and Impregnator At Home Insemination Kit. For anyone considering pregnancy options, American Pregnancy is an excellent resource.
In summary, our journey to bring a dog into our home, despite allergies, turned into a heartwarming adventure that ultimately benefited our family. Charlie now enriches our lives and has become an integral part of our household.
Keyphrase: dog with allergies
Tags: [“home insemination kit” “home insemination syringe” “self insemination”]