I knew from a young age I was allergic to cats and dogs. That didn't stop me from having both as pets. I currently have cats that make my allergies go through the roof. I make sure to wash my hands immediately after petting them because if I even as much as rub my eyes, I will be sneezing for hours. Sometimes even that isn't good enough. The fur flying everywhere doesn't help.

Going to friend's houses can be a nightmare because of pets. I hate having to ask my friends to sanitize their homes because of pet dander but if I end up going to their house, it's a necessity. It makes me feel like I'm a burden.

Every time I see someone with their pets, I sigh because I know that will never be me. I take extra precautions when it comes to my cats which means I can only pet them for a short period of time. I can't really let them lay on me or be in the same room as me for long periods of time. Even minimal contact occasionally makes me sneeze.

Being unable to experience a pet's presence like most people is a terrible feeling. Nothing takes the place of an animal's love. I just want to be able to pet them, hold them, lay with them and be in the same room as them for longer than 10 minutes.

I know there are medications to prevent allergies when it comes to pets but they don't always work. Even worse is that the medications sometimes makes me drowsy so it defeats the purpose. The last time I checked, you need to be awake to pet a cat.

Never take for granted the ability to be around your pets for more than 10 minutes. They love and cherish every moment with you. Maybe one day my pet allergies will go away. I can only dream of that day.