Monday, May 07, 2007

What to do, oh what to do...

We just got back from the hospital audiology department. I took Mr. Hockey in for a test to see how his hearing was. We have always wondered if he had 'selective hearing', and being 11 who knows?

Well, no, he really does have a problem, he is really trying to listen to us, but needs us to be closer to him so he can hear us clearly. It is his left ear that seems to have the most problems. He is very congested and that means that his ear feels like it needs to 'pop', you know when you are in the mountains or on an airplane.

However, it is like this most of the time and we need to figure out why. The technician suggested that it be allergies and I said that he did have allergies to dogs, and we haven't had the heart to part with Snoopy. We didn't see that it affected him that much, so we were just going to deal with the reactions.

Now, if the reaction is the congestion, then that is affecting his hearing and it makes the situation a little bit more difficult to handle. This dog is by far the best behaved dog we have had and he fits in so well with our family. That is what makes this so hard. If I have to choose between my son hearing better and living a fuller life, then I have no problem parting with the beloved family pet. The rest of the family don't quite see it that way...I am the mean one here, but I guess there needs to be at least one mean parent...right?

I feel so bad, should we just go with medication (antihistamines) or actually get rid of the dog? How do we get rid of the dog and not make our son feel like it is all his fault? How do we get the other kids to deal with it well enough? Why don't they have a parents manual that we can read and know what to do all the time?????

7 comments:

  1. I don't envy you this decision. It would be hard! I have to agree, though - Mr. Hockey has to come before the dog. If there's no reasonable way to solve the problem and the dog has to go, I'm sure the rest of the family will be okay with it. They all love Mr. Hockey. Perhaps everyone could choose a new pet that no one is allergic to?

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  2. I don't want to sound like a meanie either but I wouldn't even hesitate. Dog goes bye bye.

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  3. Are you guys SURE that it's the dog? What if there is another alergy that has recently developed?

    Check out other options for the cause before the drastic decision is made.

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  4. I agree with Max. I may be other irritants. Check it out to be sure. Allergy shots and meds help alot.

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  5. Yes, fill him with medication and drugs in order to keep the animal.... ummm there's something wrong with that picture guys!!

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  6. Hey Shash...we already decided against the lifetime of medicating. Pete grew up like that and we don't want that for our kids...if it were adults allergic, then they can make a rational decision...but not for the kids!! I think we may talk about getting a lizard instead!!

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  7. YEAH!!!! I LOVE LIZARDS!!! I miss Leo so bad so do the kids....

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