So, as my followers on Twitter know, I had a dog for a weekend but had to give her back because of a terrible allergic reaction.
I have been wanting a dog since Tom and I moved in together, and I’ve wanted a corgi for probably half as long. Roxy qualifies on all counts. Plus, she’s four years old and already house trained! But it was not meant to be, and it took me about a week to get back to my normalish non-asthmatic breathing.
What I learned from this experience is that I don’t think I should have a dog. The one regular work day that we had her, I was so worried about her being home alone (after years of Tom saying, “But it would be home alone and sad and Bad Things could happen! Here is a list of examples! That’s why I don’t want a dog! Also, we live in an apartment!”) that I couldn’t concentrate on anything and was basically useless all day at work.
The whole experience contributed to my general feelings of failure at normal things that normal people do and I’ve just decided that any dog that has me as a caregiver is screwed and I’m screwed because somehow I’ve become allergic to dogs even though for years they were the only animals that I didn’t react to.
This was something that was supposed to just be a happy thing – we were rescuing a dog that needed a home, I love dogs, I’ve always wanted a dog, Tom was finally cool with it – and it all went to shit in less than 72 hours.
I’ve been bummed out since it happened, and even though it’s not nearly on the same scale as a human adoption not working out… it’s the closest thing that I can compare it to, having read a million adoptive-parent blogs. Because have you tried to read pet blogs? Those people are CRAZY.
So, um, no mammals in the house besides me and Tom until one of us dies, I guess. And Tom is going to read this entry and blame himself, but I think we should both blame me, because it was my idea in the first place. I win the Fail Race!
And I’m really sad about it. Bleurgh.
I am SO bummed for you. So, so bummed.
Oh, man. That stinks. I’m so sorry it’s worked out that way.
If it’s any consolation, my fish is the only pet I have that hasn’t peed on anything, pooped on anything, or torn apart my trash.
I am so sorry.
I can imagine how terrible that feels. We’ve been looking for a dog, too (Chris is allergic) and thought we’d found a rescue dog that would work, but the day before we were going to go meet the puppies and pick one out, we found out that they probably weren’t what the agency was saying they were. We didn’t go meet them because I couldn’t have dealt with it if we’d had to give it back after having it. It feels like such an over-exaggeration to compare it to trying to adopt or conceive a baby, but it’s still just as heartbreaking when it doesn’t work.
After a month of feeling terrible, we talked to a few agencies and vets and what we’re going to do is get a poodle from a small, well recommended breeder. I wish we could have a rescue dog, but we could be waiting for years for one that fits what we want to come through a shelter.
Oh, I’m so sorry it didn’t work out. How bloody unfortunate.
(Belated catching up on blogs here.)
I am so sorry that this didn’t work out. Since you have given up the dog idea, I won’t come in with any helpful suggestions, just remote hugs. Also, I’m not allowed a cat, so I feel you.