Dear Brooklynians,

Doesn't he have a living room or office the kitty can stay in when she comes over?

Febreeze and vacuuming don't cut it - whats with the chick in the group home? Her meds conflict with anithistamines? Why isn't she meeting the dude halfway?

Cat dander is from their saliva - they lick, it dries the dander stays. HEPA vaccums don't get it out 100%.

Bluntly put - either she has got to give a little so the "friend" can get a little or your friend has got the critical p choice. The loyal versus the temp.

Get her very drunk so that she either does not notice the cat or that she doesn't care. Problem solved.

Maybe I'm weird but there is no way I would ever get rid of my cats for a transient relationship. I have two seven and a half year old cats that I've had since they were kittens. My husband of two years is allergic to cats and has shots every two weeks so he can live with them. He has never asked me to get rid of them. Before I met him, I dated several guys who were allergic to cats, and they never called for a second date, I guess assuming that in a cats vs. guy competition, the cats would win, which is true. If this woman wants to pursue a relationship with this guy she should see an allergist. In my world it's love me and my cats or move on. Similarly, I love my husband's dog, and if I were allergic, I would have shots or learn to cope. That said, when my cats eventually go to God, I don't take it for granted that we'll get more.

Sending the cat away for a weekend is not going to reduce the level of allergens in the apartment, it will only traumatize the cat and give the girlfriend the message that she has power over this guy. Things that do reduce allergen levels include giving the cat a bath, a HEPA filter, and a thorough vacuuming.

Owning an animal is a commitment for the life of the animal. I think this is non-negotiable, she either learns to cope or she moves on.

I've dated guys who were jealous of my dog. Weirdos. Like - they were annoyed if I had to go home and walk him before going out, etc. Needless to say, they did not last long. My dog is also of the retarded variety. He does silly things and is generally a pain in the ass. However, he lives there and my dates don't. If my dog wants to fart on someone and walk away, he's entitled. He always farts on the ones he doesn't like.

bohuma wrote: [quote=MeredithB]Isn't there some drug you can give the cat so that their dander isn't allergy producing?

No. You can reduce the dander levels by giving a cat a bath regularly (mine get a bath every two weeks, they hate it, but life sucks sometimes) and by vacuuming and having air cleaners in the apartment, not to mention opened, screened windows. Humans can get treatment to reduce the level of their allergic reaction. If you are allergic to cats to a degree that you can't live with them, you should exclude cat owners and lovers from your pool of potential mates.

There are real studies on this and in those studies bathing the cats every day did not reduce dander. Bathing a cat is hard (and possibly bad for them?).

Dog farts are tame compared to cat farts! Thank GOD cats don't let loose as often. Our boxer baby stinks from both ends. He poot-poots when he gets too excited - or has gotten too many processed doggie treats.

There are groomers that will bathe cats (one in the Village will NOT sedate the cat - many groomers do) to reduce the dander. A cat will have less dander if fur licking is reduced.

Our cat gets a bath twice a month and brushed weekly. She also has a fleece blanket in the least frequented room to ease shedding issues. My significant other takes allergy shots (HIS cat - now THATS love).

Beave's boxer is adorabules!! Super cute!

I love my boxer too - he is cute but named after his most outstanding attribute: Box o' Rocks. Dog is so dumb he ate Ben Gay and then dragged his ass across the rug for days.

Last time we tried off leash was in the dog park on 7th and 86th - he took off like a rocket and we had about 5 people trying to snag him. He is a true supermodel - - real pretty but absolutely NOTHING between his ears. He actually prances when he walks. You can't help but love his dumb ass and his little propeller when he gets all happy. Fawn. Yours?

Dude aimlessly wanders within 90 feet of me, then lies down.

...and sheds.

Some cats can make it to 20+ depending on the care.

I just lost my Dalmatian at the age of 16+ - I was told that as a puppy mill/rescue dog she would only live 10-12 years.

Last year I adopted an older tabby who was about 13 or 14 with polyps, a very raspy purr and some missing teeth. Tony (Soprano) is doing fine - has put on weight and the rasp is gone. The vet thinks he can easily go another 3 or 4 years.

Just get a new girlfriend meredith, shoot, I would not be giving away a 14 year old cat for the chance of getting laid by some possible girlfriend.
Go find some other woman who isn't allergic to the cat.