Talk

Flip

1 2 ··· 21 22 23 24 25 26

AIBU?

for not getting rid of dogs when niece is allergic?

643 replies

dogsdander · 12/09/2022 15:20

My husband and I don't have to work that many hours and when we do they're from home so it puts us in a good position to help our siblings and watch their kids. My husband has 1 sister with 2 children. I have a brother, with 2 children. A sister with 3 children. I also have a younger half brother with 1 child. My husband and I also have a son. So 9 kids all together between the ages 4-12. They’re usually not here all at the same time, but they all do come over often. Sort of a mix and match depending on various schedules. They all seem to have a fun time (in their words we have the “fun house”) and our son loves to socialize with his cousins.

Almost half a year ago we got two dogs. All the kids were very excited and have enjoyed playing with them. Unfortunately we found out that my one niece (Gemma) is allergic to dogs. She’s never been around a dog much before so neither she nor her parents knew about the allergy. It is not just a mild allergy either. She doesn’t just get sniffles she actually started wheezing and had trouble breathing.

We have tried to do things to minimize allergens in our home. However it is very difficult because of our home is fully carpeted. Regular vacuuming did nothing. We got an air purifier and steam cleaned our carpets before she came over one time and kept the dogs outside for the day and it worked, but of course after a day the dog dander had gotten everywhere and we were back to square one. We decided this wasn’t a viable option to do on a regular basis because of the cost and the increased amount of wear and tear. It also leaves the majority of our house unusable while we waited for the carpet to dry.

My brother and sil (Gemma’s parents) have taken her to the doctor to try different medications to help with her allergies. The problem is Gemma already takes medication for a different medical issue and it interferes with a lot of allergy medicines. They’ve tried some other things suggested by her doctor, but nothing really helps.

My brother has asked that we get rid of our dogs because Gemma had a fit the other day. She’s upset that she hasn’t been able to come over to the “fun house” and play with her cousins all these months while they still come over all the time. My brother thinks that we are causing her to feel left out by not getting rid of the dogs.

I understand how unfair it must feel for Gemma, but neither me or my husband or son want to get rid of our dogs. They’re part of the family now. We have become very attached to them. Especially our son. He would cry his eyes out if they had to be given up.

It’s not like we can stop watching the other kids to make Gemma feel less excluded either. Our siblings don’t have it as easy as us and they need the help sometimes.

OP posts:

Report

Midlifemusings · 14/09/2022 16:18

Aesop45 · 14/09/2022 13:20

The point wasn’t against vegans at all. Quite the opposite in fact.

The point is that everyone is a self proclaimed champion of dogs rights, they are sentinel beings, part of the family, defenceless animal etc….

Half have probably troughed a Big Mac this week and just pick and choose which animals deserve their unwavering protection when it suits them to do so.

Show quote history

Probably a different thread but I agree. I don't think many people are aware of how social and intelligent many animals are. Cows and pigs are both very intelligent, form close bonds, communicate , can learn many things etc. They are no different from dogs - other than cows are a bit too big to keep in the house! Pigs have started to become pets too.

Pets add the human bond on top of the animal bond so I get why people don't eat their pets but eating a cow or a dog or a pig or a horse that isn't your own is really no different. And in various parts of the world, the animals that are considered food or considered not food vary.

I get that from the human point of view, some people care more or equally about pets as people and their pets are family so they would never send them away - but from the animal perspective, not much different if it is a cow or dog or pig or cat being moved to somewhere else. For me, due to allergies and never having been able to be in close proximity or to form any bond to any animal - they are all the same. I don't really see any difference between a dog or cow or cat or pig. I would eat any of them in the right context and would give any of them away if given to me as I can't have pets. I have no hierarchy of animal worth!