“There’s No Such Thing As A Dragon”
My Son’s Allergy Story…
This is the story about a boy and a dog. A boy who was, and possibly still is, severely allergic to dogs, yet the two are living in harmony and seem to be forging a friendship akin to brotherly love.
There was a point where we never thought it would be possible to own a dog again. The allergist wrote in all caps on my son’s records: “INFORMED MOTHER NOT TO GET A DOG.” One of my favorite alternative pediatricians advised against it and the other said to “go for it!” My son reacted to certain dogs with hives on his arms when we pushed the limits, yet he seemed just fine when at friends’ houses that had dogs.
Most arrows pointed to “do not get a dog!” Yet, for some reason, I didn’t let those signs scare me away. My mother’s instinct told me differently and the issue didn’t seem so black and white. I knew in my heart that a dog would be so important for our family and, especially, for my son.
There were too many signs that pointed to the possibility rather than the impossibility.
You see, when Devin was six weeks old we were at the pediatrician’s office for what we thought was a cold. During the visit, the doctor informed me they were calling 9-1-1 because he wasn’t breathing properly. As one can imagine, this was a pretty terrifying turn of events for what we thought was going to be a routine doctor visit for a cold. Within seconds, the firemen and paramedics were standing in their office giving my son a breathing mask and putting him in a plastic box, and rushing him to the hospital. We spent the next four days in the ICU for treatment of RSV, a severe respiratory virus. Devin survived that “episode,” but I’ll never forget the paramedics telling me that he may suffer from allergies in the future. What proceeded over the following weeks and years was beyond my imagination. Hives, breakouts, rashes, eczema and some asthma issues early in his life, resulting in more than our fair share of trips to the ER. We will never know if his allergies were a result of RSV or genetics. Eventually we learned how to manage Devin’s environment so he could live as close to an allergy-free life as possible, and slowly he grew out of some of his allergies –or his body learned how to tolerate them.
At the age of 5, Devin was once again taken to the emergency room; this time, for a bad stomachache. However, out of nowhere, the doctors started talking to us about the possibility of cancer. Thankfully, it turned out to be a rare benign cyst that was surgically removed. This kid deserved a break, and luckily, after surgery, he got the break we were all looking for and has been clear of any major health issues since that time.
Once all of these episodes were behind us, we began to live a normal life, while mom continued her passion and schooling in nutrition. The more I learn, study and practice nutrition with clients, the more I want to heal Devin, and other children with allergies, through a nutrient-dense diet, but I know that will take time (and a lot less pizza and ice cream!).
Since hypoallergenic dogs were becoming so popular, I started researching the possibility of getting a dog. Devin had been around a lot of non-hypoallergenic dogs without any issues whatsoever. Could it be feasible for everyone to live in harmony? I had a strong urge to get a dog, feeling that it could help bring some additional love into our lives.
Testing hypoallergenic breeds
I continued my dog research (my neighbor called it “puppy porn”) and found out that many people with dog allergies are OK with their own dogs as they develop immunity to it without having to take allergy shots. My dear friend from Chicago sparked another idea when she said, “What about those allergy drops instead?”
Despite my numerous discussions with allergists and pediatricians searching for some sort of treatment for Devin that wouldn’t involve shots or steroids for the rest of his life, no one in the medical community mentioned a novel non-invasive therapy called SLIT, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), which is an alternative treatment for allergy shots.
We found an Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist in the Bay Area, Dr. Vanessa Kenyon, and Emily O. Wachs, NP, who have years of experience giving this treatment to children with allergies, with successful results. Dr. Kenyon checked Devin’s airways (all clear even with a lab visiting us that weekend) and she agreed he would be a good candidate for the treatment and had high hopes for us that a dog would work out in Devin’s life. Devin started a treatment that included protection against all of his seasonal allergies, including dog dander.
After “Maya” stayed with us for 5 days, Devin’s ears, nose and throat were totally clear before the treatment started.
I spoke with a lot of breeders, dog rescue groups and animal shelters. However, none wanted to take a chance on us since we were asking for a “trial period” to ensure Devin could live with a dog without responding negatively. I put down many deposits only later to get two deposits returned because the breeders changed their minds on our initial agreement for an extended trial period.
One day I spoke with a breeder with an amazing reputation for having a big heart — Alicia Calhoun Marshall, of Highfalutin Furry Babies, a Bernedoodle Breeder (Bernese + Poodle Mix). Alicia has a long waiting list and her dogs are valued between $2,500-3,500. Yet Alicia took the time out of her day to talk to me and was the first person that I felt truly understood my anxiety around getting a dog, my worry for my son and my desire to add a furry member to our family. I explained how I did therapy dog work with my dog before I had a family, and how much I felt my family would benefit from a dog. Alicia started her breeding program with her daughter, Lexie, who also benefited from therapy dogs.
Lexie who shares the vision with her mom to help children across the country with dog therapy
Alicia heard our story (the same exact story I sent to numerous breeders and rescue organizations), and she not only accepted us into her family of people and dogs, she decided to donate a dog to us since she felt our strong desire and need for a dog, and understood our deepest fears and concern about our son’s health issues. She trusted the process, trusted us and had the same mama’s instinct that I had – Devin’s immune system would improve with a furry friend by his side. Still, to test the “waters,” Alicia sent us test blankets with the dog scents prior to bringing a puppy into our home. Alicia and her daughter, Lexie, are true angels, as they help many children with needs across the world and hand deliver dogs to their families.
Devin sleeping with Bernedoodle scented blanket from Highfalutin Furry Babies
Today, Devin and “Dragon” are living in harmony. Well, if you call it harmony when a kid lies down next to a dog and snuggles him tightly every chance he can, pulls his ears and picks him up off the floor! They chase each other; play hard and run around all afternoon.
My mother used to read, “There’s No Such Thing As a Dragon” to me when I was younger. And, when people ask why our new pup is named Dragon, I try to explain the reason why:
Never be afraid to face the “Dragons” in your life, or they may just get bigger and bigger until you face them.
You never know what can be on the other side. An angel in the wings?
