oaks Posted August 7, 2012 Posted August 7, 2012 But, nooooooooo! Make a whole thread about it, instead! I think we're complicit here, too... we're contributing to the thread.
Mme. Chaucer Posted August 7, 2012 Posted August 7, 2012 I think we're complicit here, too... we're contributing to the thread. You might not want to talk to me … I have cats!
oaks Posted August 7, 2012 Posted August 7, 2012 You might not want to talk to me … I have cats! Oh, yes. You're a crazy cat woman! My nose is itchy already.
The Way I Am Posted August 7, 2012 Posted August 7, 2012 I agree with Art Critic. I'm allergic to my 2 dogs, but I love them. Well... I love one of them. The second one I tolerate because I love the first one and the first one loves her. There are lots of different allergy pills you can take. I've tried many of them. Sometimes they seem to work, and sometimes they don't. There are some days where I haven't been able to stop sneezing for a couple hours even after taking medicine. I have to wash my hands after petting them or my eyes will turn red and itchy. I wear a dust mask when I clean the house or brush them, because the medicine never works when the fur and dander are brushed up. I don't think I'd put up with it for a cat. I know I wouldn't for one of those little yappy dogs. But for my dogs, I don't mind. If your love of animals isn't strong enough to overcome your allergies for them, then don't date someone with them. As far as OLD, don't count on liking the person enough to make up for it if you don't love animals. Just pass. But if you love pets and don't mind the side-effects of your allergies, then there's no harm contacting people with pets and being straight up about it. 1
OliveOyl Posted August 7, 2012 Posted August 7, 2012 I've considered finding another home for my cat because my BF's son is allergic to cats AND the cat doesn't get along at ALL with my BF's dog. However this is a big consideration and one I'm not taking lightly. I do think there is a healthy balance between "I must keep my word and my pet for the rest of the pet's life no matter how much inconvenience/money/health disturbance it causes with the humans in my family household" vs. "pets are disposable beings." I would ALWAYS let go of a pet over a family member. The idea that a pet is more valued than a spouse makes me shake my head in disbelief.
The Way I Am Posted August 7, 2012 Posted August 7, 2012 I would ALWAYS let go of a pet over a family member. The idea that a pet is more valued than a spouse makes me shake my head in disbelief. I think the concept is more about a potential spouse than a current one. Your situation with a child is different than what's been talked about. There's no excuse for entering into a relationship with a person you know is allergic to and/or hates your pet without regard for what will happen to your pet once the relationship gets serious. That's not responsible. Since introductions to kids don't usually don't come until the relationship is already solid, you might not know a child is allergic until well into the relationship. So it would be understandable to put the child first rather than break off a healthy relationship, which could be damaging to the child for the sake of a pet. The son's allergies aside, there's quite a bit that can be done about your BF's dog not getting along with the cat. A dog can be trained to behave with a cat. My dog used to get so excited to chase cats that she'd start shaking and trying to charge after them as soon as she spotted one. With very little effort -- but the right kind of training -- just from when we see cats on walks, she'll now sit and walk around near a neighborhood cat. You can train the dog to behave around the cat, and usually cats won't bother dogs unless they feel threatened. Please don't let the dog getting along with the cat be a determining factor.
MuscleCarFan Posted August 7, 2012 Posted August 7, 2012 I allergic to cats and dogs, but I love both. My wife and I have 2 adorable kitties and as long as I don't play with them too much, my allergies won't bother me. 1
Contrecoeur Posted August 7, 2012 Posted August 7, 2012 An animal is just an animal, let's have some perspective here. Earlier today I read an article on facebook where a man referred to himself as the father of his dog. Huh?? I'm kind of at a loss for words. You understand that humans are "just" animals too, right? I am my cat's mommy, and she is my baby, as much as any human child could be (adopted human child, if you must). She is a member of my family, and almost every pet owner I've ever known feels the same. You are obviously not a pet owner, and you come off as kind of ignorant making comments like the above on a topic you clearly don't understand. 3
proseandpassion Posted August 7, 2012 Posted August 7, 2012 No pet allergies, but this is why I don't currently have any pets. I am committed to finding a partner and I realize having cats may be a deal breaker in some instances.
yongyong Posted August 7, 2012 Posted August 7, 2012 Another stupid question........ One girl tells you she doesn't like your face, what are you gonna do about it? Is that why you don't get out of the house? 1
pink_sugar Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 (edited) My husband can be very allergic to our cats if he handles them too much and touches his face. But he loves them enough to put up with it. He also recently discovered being allergic to some dog breeds. Wasn't allergic to his parent's first cocker, but is very allergic to their new cocker puppies. I also have a friend that puts up with her allergies to her dog, has to take a benadryl sometimes. The companionship can really outweigh the cons of allergies. My dad put our 1 y/o cat outside for his girlfriend he was only with for one year because she was allergic...she didn't even ever live with us. She ended up cheating on him later. Honestly having pets prior to a relationship is much different than being with someone before you choose your pets. If your pets came before the relationship, you can't ask them to give up their pet. Edited August 8, 2012 by pink_sugar 1
Emilia Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 And with that attitude towards animals medication and the ignorance of human pet relationships I'd forget you in a day. The feeling would be mutual no doubt
Emilia Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 I'm kind of at a loss for words. You understand that humans are "just" animals too, right? I am my cat's mommy, and she is my baby, as much as any human child could be (adopted human child, if you must). She is a member of my family, and almost every pet owner I've ever known feels the same. You are obviously not a pet owner, and you come off as kind of ignorant making comments like the above on a topic you clearly don't understand. I used to be a pet owner (grew up with dogs, my father always had them until he died) and I also worked in Africa in a safari park that was a completely natural environment, no fencing, very minimal human interraction. We are NOT just animals. Cats and dogs and monkeys are NOT your babies, you are NOT their parents. A cat is NOT your child like your own baby is. Not being able to differentiate between relationships with other human beings and dogs/cats to me is seriously disturbing hence my comments on this thread. I would never give up an animal out of choice but I wouldn't place it above healthy relationships with human beings and wouldn't make a human take any form of medication shots (yes there is always risk with any kind of medication and we all have allergies for a reason!) I can also tell you that I see many disturbed animals, especially dogs, in towns taken out of their natural environment, walked around in clothes and treated like human beings. It's not natural. 1
SunandMoon Posted August 8, 2012 Posted August 8, 2012 I have severe allergies, so it possibly would break it for me. But, I do, however, like dogs and cats a good bit, so long as they're not a nuisance. Kinda depends on how much I like the girl (and respective pet), I guess. And I'm allergic to darn near everything anyway, even this post. Achoooo! ugkkh :sniffle: Eh, a solid maybe. 2
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