When I married a person who preferred cats and had allergies to dogs, I still envisioned a day when my children would have a dog of their own. I grew up with a lovable mutt named Charlie, a husky-retriever mix who enjoyed dressing up in costumes and knew how to ring the doorbell when he wanted to come inside. My childhood memories of Charlie were irreplaceable, and I longed for my kids to experience that joy.
My partner, Jake, liked dogs, but his allergies often gave him red, itchy eyes after being around them. Although I didn’t mind cats, I wasn’t keen on the idea of spending a lot of money on a pet that would ignore me. Jake’s childhood stories from England were reminiscent of a Dickens novel, so it was no surprise that he was raised with cats.
Interestingly, despite our lack of a feline friend, my twins eventually expressed their desire for a puppy in first grade. By second grade, my daughter took it a step further with a persuasive writing project focused on getting a dog. While I was fully on board with the idea of adding a pup to our family, I wanted to ensure my twins were old enough to help with the responsibilities that came with it. After all, caring for two kids was already a handful, and I wasn’t eager to take on more.
As the years went by, my children’s requests for a dog persisted, while Jake maintained that we couldn’t have one due to his allergies. Everything changed when I stumbled upon a study from the CDC that indicated children with dogs experienced lower levels of anxiety. That revelation flipped the script: not only did we want a dog, but we now felt it was necessary for our kids’ well-being. With my newfound research to back me up and my children old enough to assist, I envisioned a furry addition to our family.
At nine years old, we began searching for a new family member. Our attempts to adopt a rescue dog were unsuccessful, and visits to a nearby upscale pet store ceased when a friend warned me that the puppies likely came from a puppy mill. Considering Jake’s allergies, it became apparent that our best option was to find a hypoallergenic dog from a reputable breeder.
After conducting thorough research, I had my heart set on a Cockapoo, a charming mix of Cocker Spaniel and Poodle. My friend Lisa had a Cockapoo named Max, and she shared that her husband thought he was allergic to dogs, only to discover he was allergic to their saliva. To test this theory, she brought Max over for Jake to interact with. While nothing happened when Jake held him, a lick on his face resulted in swollen eyes. We celebrated; avoiding dog saliva was something Jake could manage to ensure our kids enjoyed a more relaxed childhood.
When I found a breeder in upstate New York, I learned that her puppies were in high demand, and she didn’t accept deposits. I had to call to find out about upcoming litters and hope they weren’t already claimed. After missing a few litters, I was ready to give up and consider getting a hamster instead. I wasn’t sure if hamsters could alleviate anxiety, but it seemed unlikely.
Just a few days before Christmas, I made one last call to the Cockapoo breeder. To my delight, she informed me that one of her favorite dogs had given birth to six puppies that very morning. The mother was known for her calm demeanor, having birthed three puppies quietly by herself. “That’s our litter!” I exclaimed. “When can we come see them?”
The day after Christmas, we traveled upstate to select a tiny buff-colored male whose eyes were still shut. As we awaited the eight weeks for him to be ready to leave his mother, we debated names. I suggested “Cody Angel,” but my kids were adamant about naming him Charlie in honor of my beloved childhood dog. Ultimately, I relented, with the understanding that our next pet would carry the name I had chosen.
When we finally brought Charlie home, he was a timid little thing weighing just two and a half pounds and preferred to stay in his carrier. Fortunately, after receiving treatment for an infection and adjusting to his new surroundings, he blossomed into a lively 20-pound dog. Now, Charlie is the shining star of our family and a proven source of comfort for all of us. As my “third child,” he’s the only one who follows me around, shows no interest in screens, and never talks back. Given everything we went through to welcome him into our lives, I can confidently say he was worth every effort.
For more insights on the journey of parenthood, consider checking out this informative piece from one of our other blogs. Additionally, for anyone exploring home insemination options, resources like this artificial insemination kit and this IVF resource can be helpful.
Summary
Clara and her partner, Jake, navigated the challenges of bringing a dog into their home despite Jake’s allergies. After thorough research and a heartwarming experience with a Cockapoo puppy, they welcomed Charlie into their family, enriching their children’s lives and providing companionship.