That is horrid.
Heh, Heh!! I love that book! I am allergic to cats; my bronchial tubes just close up tight when I'm around one for very long. I love dogs, but Sir SuziQ isn't a 'pet person'. We like being able to travel and not have to worry about boarding a pet, etc.
When we move down South, and closer to our families, I'd like to get a dog. A shorter trip in the car without any overnights on the road would be fine with a dog.