Comments on: Dogs provide the ‘right kind’ of dirt for kids http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/30/dogs-provide-the-right-kind-of-dirt-for-kids/ Blogging by a team of pet-care experts led by Dr. Marty Becker. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:33:29 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Dutch http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/30/dogs-provide-the-right-kind-of-dirt-for-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-397063 Dutch Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:10:11 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=2448#comment-397063 Here is my problem with children…their parents. Children can’t be blamed for not being frequently bathed (and consequently smelling awful); fences that don’t keep them contained; leaving their bicycles and skateboards on your lawn or your soccer practice field and not picking them up; not having the consideration to put even verbal restraint on them or considering the fact that some people's dogs may have trauma around children caused by other irresponsible parents; cleaning up the mud and grit they track into a house when their brought to your home uninvited; teaching them to respect that perhaps not everyone wants the child's puke or dirt on them that you get from them jumping to give you a friendly greeting; not having the consideration to wash their hands after they wipe a snotty nose even when they’re bring you a cup of coffee or a cookie platter. Whatever love I had for children, which I did have because I grew up with them, has been killed by the inconsiderate, selfish behavior of parents. Most people wouldn’t expect you to tolerate this kind of behavior from their dogs, but they expect you to tolerate it from a child, because well, it’s their child and everybody love children right? Wrong. Here is my problem with children…their parents. Children can’t be blamed for not being frequently bathed (and consequently smelling awful); fences that don’t keep them contained; leaving their bicycles and skateboards on your lawn or your soccer practice field and not picking them up; not having the consideration to put even verbal restraint on them or considering the fact that some people’s dogs may have trauma around children caused by other irresponsible parents; cleaning up the mud and grit they track into a house when their brought to your home uninvited; teaching them to respect that perhaps not everyone wants the child’s puke or dirt on them that you get from them jumping to give you a friendly greeting; not having the consideration to wash their hands after they wipe a snotty nose even when they’re bring you a cup of coffee or a cookie platter.

Whatever love I had for children, which I did have because I grew up with them, has been killed by the inconsiderate, selfish behavior of parents. Most people wouldn’t expect you to tolerate this kind of behavior from their dogs, but they expect you to tolerate it from a child, because well, it’s their child and everybody love children right? Wrong.

]]> By: Kim Thornton http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/30/dogs-provide-the-right-kind-of-dirt-for-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-397039 Kim Thornton Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:34:09 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=2448#comment-397039 The recent NYT article on this study--which I was going to blog tomorrow until I saw this--ended with this quote from Dr. David Elliott, a gastroenterologist and immunologist at the University of Iowa: Also helpful, he said, is to “let kids have two dogs and a cat,” which will expose them to intestinal worms that can promote a healthy immune system. The recent NYT article on this study—which I was going to blog tomorrow until I saw this—ended with this quote from Dr. David Elliott, a gastroenterologist and immunologist at the University of Iowa:

Also helpful, he said, is to “let kids have two dogs and a cat,” which will expose them to intestinal worms that can promote a healthy immune system.

]]> By: Gina Spadafori http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/30/dogs-provide-the-right-kind-of-dirt-for-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-396943 Gina Spadafori Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:46:55 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=2448#comment-396943 Don't know what planet you live on, pal, but my experience has been that nearly every parent these days expects you to not only tolerate but celebrate their children's unruliness. Because, well, it's their kid and everyone loves kids, right? Who couldn't love a well-mannered child ... but I see scant few of those. More civil behavior from both parents and pet-owners would be more than welcome ... as would more tolerance from everyone. As for not washing my hands before offering you a cookie: I'll gurantee you I wash my hands more than you do in a day -- 20-30 would be a ballpark guess, when I'm working at home with the animals. But believe me, you have bigger worries than pet hair on your cookie: Try rat <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-01-27-peanut-salmonella_N.htm" rel="nofollow">feces and salmonella in your peanut butter,</a> and a food safety system that thinks that's just fine. Don’t know what planet you live on, pal, but my experience has been that nearly every parent these days expects you to not only tolerate but celebrate their children’s unruliness.

Because, well, it’s their kid and everyone loves kids, right?

Who couldn’t love a well-mannered child … but I see scant few of those.

More civil behavior from both parents and pet-owners would be more than welcome … as would more tolerance from everyone.

As for not washing my hands before offering you a cookie: I’ll gurantee you I wash my hands more than you do in a day — 20-30 would be a ballpark guess, when I’m working at home with the animals.

But believe me, you have bigger worries than pet hair on your cookie: Try rat feces and salmonella in your peanut butter, and a food safety system that thinks that’s just fine.

]]> By: A. Mays http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/30/dogs-provide-the-right-kind-of-dirt-for-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-396938 A. Mays Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:27:01 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=2448#comment-396938 Here is my problem with dogs...their owners. Dogs can't be blamed for not being frequently bathed (and consequently smelling awful); fences that don't keep them contained; shitting on your lawn or your soccer practice field and not picking it up; not having the consideration to put a restraint on themselves or considering the fact that some people may have trauma around dogs caused by other irresponsible pet owners; cleaning up the mud and grit they track into a house when their brought to your home uninvited; teaching themselves to respect that perhaps not everyone wants the dog hair or dirt on them that you get from them jumping to give you a friendly greeting; not having the consideration to wash their hands after they touch an animal even when they're bring you a cup of coffee or a cookie platter. Whatever love I had for dogs, which I did have because I grew up with them, has been killed by the inconsiderate, selfish behavior of animal owners. Most people wouldn't expect you to tolerate this kind of behavior from their children, but they expect you to tolerate it from a dog, because well, it's their dog and everybody love dogs right? Wrong. Here is my problem with dogs…their owners. Dogs can’t be blamed for not being frequently bathed (and consequently smelling awful); fences that don’t keep them contained; shitting on your lawn or your soccer practice field and not picking it up; not having the consideration to put a restraint on themselves or considering the fact that some people may have trauma around dogs caused by other irresponsible pet owners; cleaning up the mud and grit they track into a house when their brought to your home uninvited; teaching themselves to respect that perhaps not everyone wants the dog hair or dirt on them that you get from them jumping to give you a friendly greeting; not having the consideration to wash their hands after they touch an animal even when they’re bring you a cup of coffee or a cookie platter.
Whatever love I had for dogs, which I did have because I grew up with them, has been killed by the inconsiderate, selfish behavior of animal owners. Most people wouldn’t expect you to tolerate this kind of behavior from their children, but they expect you to tolerate it from a dog, because well, it’s their dog and everybody love dogs right? Wrong.

]]> By: CathyA http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/30/dogs-provide-the-right-kind-of-dirt-for-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-258796 CathyA Sat, 03 May 2008 12:31:31 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=2448#comment-258796 Marjorie re: The Dirt Vaccine: Interesting stuff! Don't know that this particular mycobacterium is the only one though. I think every yard that hasn't been chemically altered probably has the right kind of dirt for the person living there. Marjorie re: The Dirt Vaccine:

Interesting stuff! Don’t know that this particular mycobacterium is the only one though. I think every yard that hasn’t been chemically altered probably has the right kind of dirt for the person living there.

]]> By: CathyA http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/30/dogs-provide-the-right-kind-of-dirt-for-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-258790 CathyA Sat, 03 May 2008 12:15:22 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=2448#comment-258790 The flip side....often wondered how many kids got allergies if their parents were anti-bacterial soap freaks. The flip side….often wondered how many kids got allergies if their parents were anti-bacterial soap freaks.

]]> By: Marjorie http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/30/dogs-provide-the-right-kind-of-dirt-for-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-258652 Marjorie Fri, 02 May 2008 23:26:21 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=2448#comment-258652 This discussion is right up my alley! I would recommend those interested in this subject watch a documentary called "The Dirt Vaccine" (if you can find it). (Through a special arrangement, I was able to get a few copies on DVD, several years after seeing the doc. on television. But it was a total fluke I was able to do this.) If you're willing to take the time to read it, you can still access the text version of the piece at: http://tinyurl.com/558zby (It's the storyboard-style text account of the program, so it's difficult to follow in the format at that link. Be warned: An hour-long documentary, there's a lot there.) Essentially, after noticing that leprosy and TB rates in one particular region were lower than neighbouring areas, a particular type of naturally-occuring bacteria found in that region seemed to help strengthen the immune systems of those exposed to it. More research showed a correlation between exposure to certain types of beneficial bacteria, and a reduction in the rates of various autoimmune disorders, such as allergies, asthma, etc. This discussion is right up my alley! I would recommend those interested in this subject watch a documentary called “The Dirt Vaccine” (if you can find it). (Through a special arrangement, I was able to get a few copies on DVD, several years after seeing the doc. on television. But it was a total fluke I was able to do this.)

If you’re willing to take the time to read it, you can still access the text version of the piece at: http://tinyurl.com/558zby (It’s the storyboard-style text account of the program, so it’s difficult to follow in the format at that link. Be warned: An hour-long documentary, there’s a lot there.)

Essentially, after noticing that leprosy and TB rates in one particular region were lower than neighbouring areas, a particular type of naturally-occuring bacteria found in that region seemed to help strengthen the immune systems of those exposed to it. More research showed a correlation between exposure to certain types of beneficial bacteria, and a reduction in the rates of various autoimmune disorders, such as allergies, asthma, etc.

]]> By: Lis http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/30/dogs-provide-the-right-kind-of-dirt-for-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-258530 Lis Fri, 02 May 2008 15:17:02 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=2448#comment-258530 My allergist, who is also my primary care physician, has never suggested that I get rid of my pets. In fact, since he is also my primary care physician, he commended me for adding a dog to the household.:) It might be different if my symptoms weren't being adequately controlled with medications he's comfortable with me using long-term, but since they are, he looks at the bigger picture. My allergist, who is also my primary care physician, has never suggested that I get rid of my pets. In fact, since he is also my primary care physician, he commended me for adding a dog to the household.:)

It might be different if my symptoms weren’t being adequately controlled with medications he’s comfortable with me using long-term, but since they are, he looks at the bigger picture.

]]> By: Colorado Transplant http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/30/dogs-provide-the-right-kind-of-dirt-for-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-258529 Colorado Transplant Fri, 02 May 2008 15:16:04 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=2448#comment-258529 The allergist was a well-known Harvard professor who was consulted whenever the newspaper wanted advise on allergies. He was a know-it-all specialist who did not even bother to do a test first to find out if it was the cat that was the problem. A test later did not show much in the way of a cat allergy. If my husband had not used DDT to spray his garden, he would be in much better shape today. Of course, that was before he learned the harmful effects and believed what was sold it the market must be safe or the government would not allow the selling of the product. We now have what I call an organic garden, but it is not certified. I was much younger than, but I could not see giving away a cat that I had adopted as an 8 week old kitten and had given love to for five years. When we moved to Colorado, the primary care physician said my husband had a pulmonary problem instead of an allergy response, and now he is better than ever. He does blow instruments to enlarge his lung capacity, and it is doing wonders for him. I do understand that some people are allergic to cats. However, it was not my husband. The allergist was a well-known Harvard professor who was consulted whenever the newspaper wanted advise on allergies.

He was a know-it-all specialist who did not even bother to do a test first to find out if it was the cat that was the problem. A test later did not show much in the way of a cat allergy.

If my husband had not used DDT to spray his garden, he would be in much better shape today.
Of course, that was before he learned the harmful effects and believed what was sold it the market must be safe or the government would not allow the selling of the product.

We now have what I call an organic garden, but it is not certified.

I was much younger than, but I could not see giving away a cat that I had adopted as an 8 week old kitten and had given love to for five years.

When we moved to Colorado, the primary care physician said my husband had a pulmonary problem instead of an allergy response, and now he is better than ever. He does blow instruments to enlarge his lung capacity, and it is doing wonders for him.

I do understand that some people are allergic to cats. However, it was not my husband.

]]> By: Gina Spadafori http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/04/30/dogs-provide-the-right-kind-of-dirt-for-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-258502 Gina Spadafori Fri, 02 May 2008 13:41:05 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=2448#comment-258502 I'm really delighted to read that some allergists today aren't starting out with, "First, get rid of the pets." Years ago, I "fired" an allergist who was going to fire me anyway after a spectacular (and highly unprofessional) shouting match in his office. I rebuked him after he told me he COULD NOT, WOULD NOT work with a patient who REFUSED TO DO AS SHE WAS TOLD, and he went ballistic at being challenged. (It was the first appointment after he'd taken over the practice of a retiring allergist I'd used for years, one who would have preferred I dump the pets but understood why I did not.) Do as I was TOLD? What a jerk! I walked out of the new guy's exam room with as much dignity as one can have while trying to put one's shirt back on, leaving him fuming in the hallway of his practice. I have been without an allergist ever since, because two others also went into the "FIRST, you get rid of ..." routines. Sorry, that's LAST, and only to save my life. Fortunately, I found a great asthma doc to address the biggest problem. And I muddle through with the rest. If I can breathe, I don't mind dealing with (and occasionally suffering from) other allergy symptoms. I’m really delighted to read that some allergists today aren’t starting out with, “First, get rid of the pets.”

Years ago, I “fired” an allergist who was going to fire me anyway after a spectacular (and highly unprofessional) shouting match in his office.

I rebuked him after he told me he COULD NOT, WOULD NOT work with a patient who REFUSED TO DO AS SHE WAS TOLD, and he went ballistic at being challenged. (It was the first appointment after he’d taken over the practice of a retiring allergist I’d used for years, one who would have preferred I dump the pets but understood why I did not.)

Do as I was TOLD? What a jerk! I walked out of the new guy’s exam room with as much dignity as one can have while trying to put one’s shirt back on, leaving him fuming in the hallway of his practice.

I have been without an allergist ever since, because two others also went into the “FIRST, you get rid of …” routines.

Sorry, that’s LAST, and only to save my life.

Fortunately, I found a great asthma doc to address the biggest problem. And I muddle through with the rest. If I can breathe, I don’t mind dealing with (and occasionally suffering from) other allergy symptoms.

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