My parents didn't know what they were doing either. I am not really a dog person, so we didn't go through that. Although I don't know if they knew that I was considering getting one when I was in college. My husband is allergic, so I am glad I didn't get one. They are the right answer for some people, but they aren't right for me. The funny thing is that my mother-in-law knows that my husband is allergic to animals, but she insists upon having a least one. Shawn has tried every breed including poodles, and he is still allergic. His mother always has a dog, so we can never stay with her. On the same line, we feel so bad when we have to ask someone to leave their guide dog at home if we will be with them long. Shawn's allergies are that bad! One Christmas we went to a party at a friend's house. She had both a real pine tree and a large dog. Less than an hour into the party, I found Shawn out on the front porch having an asthma attack. The combination was just too much. Oh, it was 30 below zero that day, so he was freezing while he had his attack. Lissi and Julie I really feel for you guys. Kasondra Payne -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.4/176 - Release Date: 11/20/2005 To unsubscribe from this list send a blank Email to bksvol-discuss-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx put the word 'unsubscribe' by itself in the subject line. To get a list of available commands, put the word 'help' by itself in the subject line.