In all my life I have dreamed about a breed dog. A dog that I can go to shows and train obedience with. You also get to know other people with the same interest if you have a dog.
As a child I used to show our Australian Kelpie and find it very amusing. I have always liked to watch dogs and always get sure to have dogs around me.
My old friend, Charlie is today 12 years old and is a mixed breed with Swedish Lapdog.
Charlie
Allergic
My fiancé Harry is allergic to dogs and cats. He already had a
cat, Smulan before I moved in with Charlie. We talked about it and I told
him that I can't get rid of the dog. But I had to leave my cat, Babys
with my mother.
Studying
Time went by
and I had my dreams of a breed dog and I start study about breeds that
allergic could have. The breeds I know where: Poodles, Bishon frisé
and naked dogs. I had never heard about Irish soft coated wheaten terrier.
A friend told me about a guy who was very asthmatic but could have Wheaten. I start study about the breed at once. I read, spoke with Wheaten owners, the breed club and breeders. Everybody gave me hope that Harry may have this breed.
I joined a wheaten e-mail group
and my mailbox got full of letters from allergic people. They gave me
the same message:
- Try, it has worked for us!
Life quality
No
one can guarantee that Harry can have a Wheaten. Allergy is individual
but we were willing to try.
I myself have eczema but the high life quality that dogs can give me is worth some itching.
Jerry & Charlie
Measures
We decided to make some measures to keep our allergy in check. I will
use gloves when I bathe the dog. Harry will not do any coat work at
all. He will only come along with the walks and that's good for all
of us. And of course no dogs in the bedroom.
We will also built a doghouse where the dog can be some hour a day.
Result
Well, the glows is very hard to use so I have skipped that. But
I'm very good at use a hand cream after the bathe.
Harry has cut Jerry's coat and it all went fine. He does have a little asthmatic feeling when he's having a cold. But we don't know if it is Jerry or the old dog Charlie and the cat who give him that. We have heard that the puppy coat is the most bad period for allergic people so we hope it's getting better later. Keep your fingers crossed!
The dogs is not allowed to enter the bedroom but they have sneaked in sometimes. There for I have had to change the bed some extra times. But If we keep the door shot there's no problem.
The doghouse is built but not finished so we don't know how Jerry will react with that. Maybe next summer?
Breeder
We wanted a breeder nearby. For the comfort of having the help close and
that the puppy won't have to travel so far.
In Mars 2000 we called Vinterstormens kennel in Niemisel, and the luck was on our side. Amelie's bitch, Tova was expecting puppies in the beginning of April.
More studying
When this was all done I read the breed book all over again. This time
with more energy and happiness. I got a puppy book from my neighbor and
read it out for just two evenings. I also start reading all my dog books
at home and articles about dogs in general.
I used the Wheaten e-mail group to ask about the coat, size of the bed, food etc.
Panic!
When I got all the facts I start panic.
"How could I take this huge responsibility that it will be to
take home a little puppy?"
I heard from other dog owners that they also had this panic feeling just before the puppy came home. But it would get better as soon as the puppy where home.
I felt a little bit calmer after that!
Tova is Jerry's mother and she belongs to Vinterstormens kennel in Niemisel.
Tova who in April 2000 is 4½ years old keeps by Amelie Gidlund. This litter is Tova's second.
Tova
-Jerry's mother
Jerry's father is Amigo proper. Mountin Mans Jim Beem Blues, and comes
from Robert Melanders kennel in Piteå. It's a famous breeder in
the north of Sweden. Amigo keeps by Yvonne in Malmberget.
Amigo -Jerry's father
The mating
& whelping
The mating took place between
February 10 and 11 2000.
Tova gave birth to 4 bitches and 2 cubs April 12 2000
In Tova's first litter Totte was born. He's not alive no more, sorry. But Totte's owner has left his homepage. You can watch Totte grows and see movies.
Totte - Jerry's half brother