If you knew that Cheryl had this potentially life threatening allergy to cats, why on earth would you go ahead and get a second one after already getting rid of one? I think you are both very selfish. You obviously can't have cats around...get a fish.

"This hypoallergenic cat would be a perfect solution for me. I'm determined to have a kitty." Says she in the NY Times.

You're being stupid and selfish. If you can't tolerate cats, you shouldnt' have one, period, that's the breaks, no matter how much you love cats. Now you want to buy a genetically engineered cat? Why? So you can have a cat because YOU want one? Tough breaks. Genetic engineering of animals is bad.

Read the article...The cat isn't genetically engineered. In trying to genetically engineer a hypoallergenic cat, the company discovered a naturally occuring gene mutation. They are selectively breeding those cats - a completely natural and time-proven method.

I was brought to this blog via the allergy free kitty article in the Times. I am honestly SHOCKED, Cheryl, that you would buy a second and third cat after you knew it could be life threatening. That's just plain mad. I am allergic to dogs and cats and guess what - it sucks but i will never have a dog or cat! Gotta face reality sweetheart...

I also saw your blog link in the Times article. I can relate to your dilema because I had severe allergies to cats (and grass and pollen etc...) most of my life. UNTIL I STOPPED EATING WHEAT AND SUGAR about 10 years ago. Now my allergies consist of one week in June during which I use Flonase and the rest is history. I'm careful to omit all gluten from my diet, but the sugar is more difficult. But that doesn't make too much difference when I slip a few times a month.
I now live allergy free with 5 cats in a small, small house.

I understand how you two loves cat so much that will want to have them around even in this difficult situation; however, I have to quite agree that it is not fair to the cats as well in your circumstance. I understand how you two research to find solution to keep Cimbi but getting another???? Cheryl, please take care of yourself. It is good that you care about cats and Cimbi but your health comes first. Like you know it is not a simple itchy eyes and stuffy nose, please consider living a cat fulfill life by donating your time for cat shelter or animal charity work than trying to keep them at home. Take care!!!

I saw your situation on the article as well. You should try a solution called Allerpet C. About every two weeks the solution is applied to the cat's fur with a washcloth or something similar. It almost completely eliminates the allergens, and has close to a 100% success rate.

poor Cheryl! poor Cimbi!

I too am allergic to cats, but my allergies are mild. They only surface when I have 4 or more cats in the house--which did happen once when my friend became homeless. My nails turned blue from lack of oxygen!

I am confident that Cimbi will find a great home. I would take her if I could--I know she'd have a lot to talk about with my alley cats from Washington Heights.

The posters who have just stumbled onto this blog and are berating Chris and Cheryl for trying their best and loving their animals are just plain asinine. I've been coming to this blog for several months now, and Chris and Cheryl have shown how much they love Cimbi and animals time and time again, despite the allergens. At least they tried because of their love, and to have people who don't know what you've gone through and spout off should be ashamed of themselves.

I wonder if any of you have ever thought that maybe they actually thought about this long and hard before proceeding? No, you probably didn't... but it's ok for you to come along and call them all sorts of names. Whe the hell made you judge AND jury? Give me a frigging break.

(Sorry Chris, I'm just astonished.)

im with elderta. ive been a reader for months and i totally support you guys. dont pay any mind to these people trying to act like they know you. do what you need to do, and good luck w/your home search for cimbi. and dont give up on harlem fur! i love this site!!!

For those who think that Cheryl is being selfish you need to get a grip. The people that know and love her realize that she is totally self-less.

How in the hell is trying to take the best care of a cat (who isn't allergic to humans) considered being selfish? They have spent a crapload of money to get things straightened out in their new home. They aren't doing this because they just want a cat. They are doing it because they love Cimbi and don't want to have to give him up.

If you found out that after a year that you BECAME allergic to a cherished pet or person after bonding with them WOULD YOU JUST GIVE THEM UP? I would hope not. You would hopefully try and do everything you could to help and then if nothing else seems to work then you give up.

These are PET LOVERS! Not pet haters or sorta-kinda-take-care-of-them-when-they-are-convenient-to-me- owners. They love this cat. And no, Cheryl did not have a potentially life threatening allergy to cats. She was allergic but it was always controllable. Nothing major. If she petted a cat and then rubbed her eyes she would get a rash. Same thing would happen if she got scratched by a cat.

And you ask how the hell do I know? She is my best friend and has been for 43 years. Count 'em I said 43 years. I know her like my sister. She ought to be my sister. We grew up together.

Now if you really followed the blog you could see that Marley got adopted from a friend. So how is that bad? But then Marley became allergic to something in the house. Cheryl was still allergic to Cimbi and now Marley seemed allergic to everyone. They took Marley to the vet to help with his breathing. They gave Marley an inhaler to help out. Can you imagine giving a cat an inhaler? Clipping their nails or giving them a bath is bad enough, but an inhaler.

Totally selfish behavior for sure. NOT!!!

So for all you Johnny-come-latelys.........get REAL!

Cheryl: Try quercitin and B5 - 500 mg ea. 3x a day until you get reduced reactions and that can be 3 or 4 months or longer. Then you can take 500mg. of each once a day. Worked for me. ebskye

Best of Luck for all three of you.

-ahd-

Wow, the first few comments are an interesting sample of Times readers. Maybe I will stick with the Daily News. I wish I could take Cimbi in...I know Nikki would LOVE the company but Nik is a handful in herself. I hope Cheryl can get the allergies under control. There MUST be a solution that can have both of them happy and healthy.

Hi, thanks for sharing the interesting info. I used to have terrible cat allergies (including a trip to the E.R. once) until I read an article in Scientific American something like 20 years ago. In it I discovered that cats with pink noses and toes (pink skin) have different allergens than cats with black noses and toes (black skin). I have kept 100% solid black American shorthair cats ever since, with NO allergies. White cats and orange tabbies still "kill" me but I am not allergic to black cats at all. My darling all-black Catfish slept on my pillow for nine years with no itchy-eyes or sneezing at all. He was my 'heart'. Take care and best of luck, Jean V

Interesting info from Jean! I had terrible cat allergies as a child but don't have them anymore. My kids are allergic but are much less allergic to short-haired cats with silky fur. Color doesn't matter but type of fur does. They are actually more allergic to a short-haired cat with bristly fur than our Maine Coon!

hey...who is the cat in this picture?i hav ejust recently stumbled onto this site....and that cat if freakin gorgeous!!!i like the orange one a lot too!!!i wish i could get another!!!