[Rall]

Hey guys, this one isn't actually about my Yorkie, I hope that's alright... This has just really been frustrating me.

My Stepmother has a Shih Tzu named Ki who is about 6 years old. We unfortunately acquired her from a pet store before we even knew what the term "puppy mill" meant. I have a feeling this problem might spawn from there, but I'll let you decide.

Since about the first month we had her, she's had a "problem" with itching. I use the term in quotations because I seem to be the only one who doesn't notice it. My stepmother has taken her to numerous vets, tried natural remedies out the wazoo, and had her on pregnazone at one time to see if that would clear it up.

Needless to say, it didn't. She feeds her this really expensive dog food that's dehydrated and stuff (forgive me, I can't remember the name for the life of me and she already trashed the box.)

And every time I suggest something to her, she says "She's allergic to it." Which brings me to the discussion we had today. My Stepmom was going to give the dog half a benadryll for the itching and was trying to figure out what to put it in because she won't take it alone. And I said "Well, why don't you put it in a piece of fruit or veggie? She can't be allergic to that." I couldn't believe it. "Yes she can." And I just gave her the biggest 'excuse me?' look I could muster. "Then what's in her dog food?" and she responded with "Well, it's the way it's processed!" My last response to this was "It can't be that much better than what we eat!"

I'm no dog expert. For all I know, I could be completely wrong. But I don't think a dog can be allergic to beef, chicken, pork, fruits, and vegetables all at the same time. If at all. What do I think? I think she's just itching! She doesn't chew her skin raw all the time like my dog Jason used to. She'll just rub her butt against the furniture every so often and lick herself. If anyone could give me some insight into this or confirm that I'm not stupid, I'd be really really grateful.