Human Allergies and Dogs – Part 1
If you own a small dog(s) or any dog(s); chances are, they spend plenty of time on your furniture and probably sleep in the bed with you. Contrary to popular belief, there is technically no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. You see, even if you are not allergic to your dog’s hair, most dogs spend a good amount of time outside which means that they can carry allergens from the outside into your home through their fur. If you are an allergy sufferer like I am, this can cause daily misery!
Sleeping with your dog can be hazardous to your health—especially, for allergy sufferers!
Allergies can be triggered by outdoor causes including pollen from grasses and trees. However, many allergens can also be located inside of your home. Indoor triggers include dust or mold, or irritants like perfume and smoke and of course-pet dander.
My allergy symptoms usually present themselves in the form of irritated eyes including:
- Itching
- Burning
- Tearing
You may also have nasal allergy symptoms, such as sneezing and a stuffy nose. There are many relief options available for allergy sufferers. A few weeks, ago I finally broke down and decided to seek the medical advice of an allergist. Your allergist might recommend treatments that range from OTC antihistamine medications such as Claritin or Benadryl, to prescribed meds like Chlorpheniramine and a form of Immunotherapy or as they are commonly known-allergy shots (to be covered in more detail in a later post). Non medicinal forms of treatment can also help such as regular vacuuming, dusting and investing in an air purifier for your home.
Allergy symptoms can be alleviated by seeking the attention of an allergist. Worked for me!
This post is part 1 of a 4 part series on human allergies and pets. The next 3 posts will cover treatment options and tips on reducing allergy triggers in more detail.
A Dog Walks into a Brewery…
A Dog Walks into a Brewery…
You know your social life needs a boost when you take your dog to a bar to meet people! Just kidding, Bella and I attended the Dallas Community Beer Co. Taproom on Friday night at the Hops for Hounds charity event whose proceeds helped to benefit Dallas-Fort Worth FurGotten Friends.
Dog for adoption via DFW FurGotten Friends.
Dogs were on-site for adoption and the beer and food were incredible. Each pint of beer sold benefitted a dog in need. There were also games and raffle prizes made available throughout the night. We had a great time supporting a wonderful cause. Besides…there is no better excuse to drink beer (as if I needed one anyway).
Cheers!
Tekisha — YapTalk
Pets Over People
According to a recent Washington Post article, young Americans in their 30’s commonly known as ‘millennials’ are choosing to share their lives pets rather than other humans. The article says that this generation is less likely to be homeowners, car owners or parents than their predecessors, but they do lead in one category: Pets.
The pet market is a $63 billion dollar industry that has increasingly grown since 1996. Pets are becoming replacements for children. Reportedly, three-fourths of millennials have dogs while a whopping 51% are cat owners. This generation of people are approaching pet parenting as seriously as generations in the past have approached preparing for and raising children. They buy all the books and do all of the same research that first time human parents would. Millennials are not the only people spending big money on their pets. In 2015, Americans as a whole shelled out $11 million on pet pampering products and services such as regular grooming, toys, pet costumes, bedding, strollers…etc.
This also opens a larger market for the smaller breed dogs due to the fact that most millennials are urban or apartment dwellers and prefer animals who take up less space and consume less food. The millennials are delaying parenthood and demanding flexible work arrangements — all of which, researchers say, has translated to higher rates of pet ownership.
What are your thoughts on this new trend? Do you think it’s better for American society or worse? We’d love to hear your opinion on this subject.
The younger generation are reportedly choosing their pets over children. What do you think of this trend?
Article Credit: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2016/09/13/millennials-are-picking-pets-over-people/
Bad Moms Movie Review: Being a Dog Mom Seems Easier
Bad Moms is now available on DVD or for streaming. Mila Kunis plays Amy, a wife and the mother of two human kids and a dog named Roscoe. This movie is intends to convey the message that being a mom is a hard and often thankless job but in the end, all will be well. However, the movie for me, that it is a heck of a lot easier being a dog mom than a human mom.
Bad Moms tries to represent the different types of moms: The meek and timid mom, the mom who constantly feels guilty and worries about if she is doing the right thing for her family, the slutty single mom…(is it bad that I relate to her more in this film?) the bully mom…etc. It is an entertaining movie but the characters are one-dimensional and clichéd. Christina Applegate’s character’s actions for example, are a bit too over-the-top for my tastes. I often found myself wondering if this movie is meant to be a dark comedy, or a touching but humorous film about being a mother? I think the film tries to be both but in the end it just doesn’t flesh out.
Early on in the movie, Amy says: “At least once a day, I feel like the worse mom in the world.” I am sure that many women can relate. However, I can’t imagine constantly feeling like a failure or questioning my actions almost constantly for 18 or more years. Of course that is the cynical view. Most women will probably tell you that in spite of it all, they do love being a mother and happy that they made that decision.
Bad Moms has its cute and family friendly moments. However, parents, be aware that this movie is intended for a mature audience only. For example, there is an outrageously funny but very raunchy scene that involves a hooded sweatshirt, that made me blush a couple of times. Trust me, you do not want your underage kids around for that scene!
Overall, Bad Moms is an enjoyable film. I have no doubt that being a mother is an amazing experience but I’ll stick with the fur babies. It is a very telling moment when one of the characters in the movies tells their wife that they missed the dog more than they did their own daughter.
Download or rent a copy of Bad Moms today! Be sure to stick around for the end credits to see a touching montage of the actresses in this film interviewing their real life mothers about their experiences with being a mom. It is a very candid and touching interview. Check out the trailer below: