I've been giving Lady insulin shots twice a day for eight years with no problem. The key is to warm the syringe between your thumb and forefinger for a minute or so. It's the cold serum that hurts, not the needle. I give myself allergy shots and can swear to this myself.

Thanks for checking in! Things have been going ok. We had a little setback recently due to some new things blooming I guess; Alex developed a small infection (bacterial and yeast) which is being treated with antibiotics and an antifungal. He was also prescribed a chlorohexidine bath, which worked on the first day and then caused a major skin irritation following his next bath three days later. Poor guy scratched and itched like CRAZY for 24 straight hours (including all night, during which I was up with him trying to keep him calm and prevent him from chewing off all his skin. It was horrible). But we got through it and I'm waiting right now for the allergist to call me back to see if we should d/c the baths and just stick with the antibiotics and antifungal (which both seem to be working).

The important part to remember with allergy shots is that they DO NOT work immediately. It takes 6-12 months to see if they work and, in the interim, you've got to rely on other stuff to keep the symptoms in check. The best news for Alex is that he is responsive to things like Zyrtec, Benadryl, and a good diet, which means we can stay away the stronger stuff (like prednison and Atopica). The allergist is optimistic, but noted that allergy shots are really a waiting game.

Despite all this, we love Alex immensely. He is as cute as could be and such a sweet, loving little guy. He genuinely seems so appreciative of everything we do for him. Sometimes caring for him seems like a full-time job, but he gives us plenty of rewards in return. And to say he has adjusted magnificantly is an understatement! He acts like he's just always lived with us. Very well-behaved in the house, eats like a horse, and has never had a single accident. He loves riding in the car and gets along great with Vinnie, our other little guy. Allergy issues aside, his transition into our home has been pretty much effortless. I am just keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed that the allergy shots work. I would love nothing more than for this little guy, who has had such a rough life up until now, to experience some relief!