I do have a point here, so please just continue to read and bear with me…
Do you know that feeling when you’re starting a head cold? The feeling that your head is heavy and full up to your eyes with congestion? Ugh. I cringe just thinking about it. How about the restless nights blowing your nose? It usually lasts about three days (if you’re lucky) just in time for it to start dripping towards the back of your throat. The congestion starts to feel better but now you’re battling the never ending cough, morning, noon, and night. By this time, you’re ready to: A) chop off your nose, B) dope up on Nyquil just to sleep the day and night away, or C) go throughout your day utterly miserable usually complaining to anyone who is willing to listen about just how horrible you feel.
This is very similar to what happens to my son when he spends time in a house that contains dogs. Yes, even the “allergy free” kind of dogs. (please refrain from any eye rolling) His allergy to dogs, like so many other individuals, is very high. Once the pet hair, dander, or saliva comes into contact with his body, his overactive immune system reacts. Unfortunately for him, his body thinks dog and cat proteins are invaders and his body starts producing mucous in attempt to flush out the invader. First, he breaks out in hives. Second, his eyes get itchy, watery, and swollen. Next, his nose starts filling up with mucous and running. Even after taking him out of the environment his body has already been triggered and his allergies will continue to bother him for about 2-3 days. Many people feel these same reactions to seasonal allergies.
Do you remember my first paragraph, about that horrible congested feeling? Would you willingly give yourself a cold? Heck NO! Would you jump at the chance to never have another cold again? Duhhh YES! These reasons…are exactly why I don’t bring my son into homes that contain dogs.
Please feel free to share this with someone you think could use a better understanding of dog allergies.
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