How Much is that Doggy... Going to Cost My Allergies?

September 18, 2012

The desire to bring a dog into my family has always been there despite having discovered that I couldn’t breathe upon picking up a puppy in the second grade (which led to a diagnosis of asthma). I have always loved animals but they have not really loved me back so well. Not only have I been known to have trouble breathing, but also to break out in hives and terribly red itchy eyes. So, whenever the thought of bringing a canine companion into our home came to mind, I usually would dismiss it reluctantly, convinced that it was never to be for me.

During my life, I have found many great things from the Library, but I never dreamed that I would one day find my loving, little, furry companion! Because of a book I discovered here at MCPL, I am happy to say that I am living very comfortably with the newest edition to my family, a Coton de Tulear named Poppy. I had never heard of her breed before reading the book Sneeze-Free Dog Breeds. She was just the right fit for our family life and my allergy issues. Prior to my book discovery, my thinking was all wrong regarding what type of dog would be a good fit, and incidentally, the dogs I was around when growing up are known to be more troublesome to allergy sufferers. The book educated me not only in selection, but what causes allergies in the first place and how to manage them better without giving up the privilege of having a pet to love.

It turns out that after having my doggie, Poppy, for the past nine months...She hasn’t cost my allergies a bit!

Laura J.
Boardwalk Branch