We Got an 8-Week Old Puppy!...and We MIGHT Have to Re-Home Her! :(

QM · 03-14-2011, 08:30 AM

On Saturday morning we went out as a family and bought a little female puppy from a woman who owned three dogs in her home. Both of her female dogs had a litter of pups (between the 2 dogs--13 puppies in total) with the same male dog. Our little puppy named Bella Rosie is 1/2 Bichon Frise (her mom was a 12-lb dog) and 1/2 Japanese Chin (her dad was a 6-lb dog). The sellers think she'll grow to be 9 to 10 lbs. We bought all the supplies needed before going to see her (i.e., a travel crate, food/water bowls, food, collar, leash, toys) and picked her out of the three female dogs from one of the two litters there. It was a lot of fun!

We're still in the process of trying to figure out if I'm allergic to Bella or not. On Saturday afternoon (a few hours after bringing Bella home) my eyes got really red and itchy. I didn't rub them and within 15 minutes my eyes went back to normal. On Sunday morning I woke up to find my eyes red and itchy again. After waiting for about 45 minutes, I ended up taking an antihistimine. Then I bathed Bella in case it was the perfume that the seller sprayed on her dogs after bathing them or if it was hair from the other dog in her house. Bichon Frise are hypo-allergenic dogs, but Japanese Chins are not.

I shed a few tears yesterday thinking about having to re-home her. We've barely had her, the girls adore her and she's so adorable. A little loopy...like puppies are...but adorable.

Just wanted to share my story.

**nodmicks** · 03-14-2011, 08:52 AM

Have you experienced dog allergies before? You could just call the nurse hotline and ask a few questions. Dh once brought home a litter trained rabbit. I was miserable whenever I was home but better when I left the house. Are you better if you leave home?

QM · 03-14-2011, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by nodmicks

Have you experienced dog allergies before? You could just call the nurse hotline and ask a few questions. Dh once brought home a litter trained rabbit. I was miserable whenever I was home but better when I left the house. Are you better if you leave home?

It's still too soon to know if I'm better when I leave the house. Since I took an allergy pill yesterday morning I've been fine. I'm just waiting for it to wear off and for my eyes to get itchy, red and irritated again.

I've always been allergic to cats. Since giving birth to DD1 I've been allergic to some dogs. I just thought/hoped that since Bella was part Bichon Frise I wouldn't be allergic to her. And I also forgot to check to see if the Japanese Frise was hypo-allergenic or not until I started getting itchy.

**2ndGenGranola** · 03-14-2011, 09:32 AM

I am ALWAYS allergic to puppies or kittens.

There is something until they are about 6 months old in their saliva, urine or something that sets me off. It stops nearly as quickly as it starts. We started using unscented baby wipes (they make them for animals too) and wiping the fur when we handled them. Personally, I would suggest giving it some time.

(FWIW - I'm not a novice to or uneducated about allergies. Out of the 90 things tested for I'm allergic to 85)

**Rhiamon** · 03-14-2011, 10:15 AM

I also have loads of allergies, going through hell right now because of all the melting. I always get worse in the spring and fall. I am also allergic to cats and dogs. I own one of each.
I also wipe my pets down with baby wipes and it helps some. I also vacuum every day. And take an allergy pill when needed.

Sorry you are going through this though it sucks. I found that when I brought a new pet home it was always hell for several weeks then it always got better.

**Contrary Housewife** · 03-14-2011, 10:50 AM

That would be sad if you couldn't keep her, I'm sure you're attached to her already.

A responsible breeder will prefer you return the unwanted animal to them if you can't keep it.

QM · 03-14-2011, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

A responsible breeder will prefer you return the unwanted animal to them if you can't keep it.

I agree that a responsible breeder should let a person return the unwanted animal...especially if it's due to allergies...only 1 day after purchasing the puppy. I phoned the seller yesterday morning, explained everything, didn't ask to return her (because it specifically says in the agreement "No Cash Refunds"), hoped she would tell me to return her and told her that I might need to re-home her. She told me to wash the puppy...which I did. She didn't seem happy that I'm ready to post her for sale on kijiji, but that's not my problem. If she really cared, she would have just taken her back.

So far today my allergies haven't kicked in again. Maybe...just maybe...it was a fluke that I got itchy, red and irritated eyes.

**krbshappy71** · 03-14-2011, 11:40 AM

No dog is completely hypoallergenic. Sorry to hear you may have to rehome it.

QM · 03-14-2011, 02:06 PM

This is what our little Bella looks like. She's about 3-1/2 lbs right now. I can't believe how much little puppies sleep!

Picture #1 is her at 7 weeks. (This was the seller's picture.)

Picture #2 is her at 8 weeks. (first day at our house...sitting on her "pee pad" area.)

So far, my allergies haven't started up again. Maybe...just maybe...it was a fluke!

**Ramona** · 03-14-2011, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by QM

This is what our little Bella looks like. She's about 3-1/2 lbs right now. I can't believe how much little puppies sleep!

Picture #1 is her at 7 weeks. (This was the seller's picture.)

Picture #2 is her at 8 weeks. (first day at our house...sitting on her "pee pad" area.)

So far, my allergies haven't started up again. Maybe...just maybe...it was a fluke!

She's darling, I hope the red, itchy eyes was a fluke.

**Moonrising** · 03-14-2011, 03:41 PM

I am allergic to cats but I still have always had them. There are just certain times of the year that I don't get my face close to them.

I had a friend drop a dog off because she thougt I needed it. (I was living alone.) I was showing signs of being allergic so I got her to come and take it back although I don't think I would ever have kept it due to its size. A couple years ago, this same friend brought me a puppy from a smaller breed. Same thing. I had allergy problems but I kept the dog. Like 2ndGen, I stopped being sensitive around the 6 to 8 month mark. Oh, it still happened the odd time when I touched the dog (or cats) and then touched my eyes but nothing to make life difficult in the least.

**Ceashels** · 03-14-2011, 05:14 PM

If you were in the sellers home... perhaps your reaction was to HER environment with all the dogs and puppies. I hope you are able to keep her, she's a cutie.

**sahm2boys** · 03-14-2011, 05:39 PM

im sorry to hear that i know its sucks

just a tip..no dog is hypo allergenic..its a hype for marketing
if you are allergic to a dog you are allergic. its the saliva and dander..some breeds are easier on a body then others...

she is such a cutie!!! i hope it will work out

**Momto5RN** · 03-14-2011, 06:50 PM

the word hypo means low/ less so they are less likely to cause allergies - but not non allergic .

if you have allergies to pets it all depends on what you are allergic to .

dog fur year dogs that have " hair " like poodles- bichons are better - if its the saliva and dander well they have pretty much the same proteins in their skin and spit .

my husband has dog and cat allergies -we adopted a 100% bichon frise from a rescue - he reacted- his allergists wouldnt give him allergy meds said with his history as a child of severe allergy and asthma he would just eventually override the meds and end up in ICU

we had to give it away ( via the rescue, before i get yelled at lol ) - went to live in the pocono mountains with a sibling dog from the same litter.
we could get one of those ugly looking very $$$ hairless cats and he would still be allergic