Poison Ivy is the culprit of my itching Doodle

[Heather & Brinkley]

So after loads of allergy tests it turns out Brinkley's itching issues are from poison ivy.  I know it's rare for dogs to get it-- but it is possible.  I've read lots on this now and it turns out that dogs that shed are less likely to have widespread break-outs because it sheds off of their fur before making contact.  Brinkley doesn't shed--at all-- therefor it can stay on the fur-- and then he can itch and spread it.  This makes sense to why the itching always starts on his paws and tummy and then it spreads.

Also, this all makes sense now as to why it started when Brinkley and I moved in with my parents.  Their neighborhood has a beautiful walking path through the woods... but this walking path is loaded with poison ivy.  I'm no nature guru, so until my mom showed me what poison ivy looked like a few days ago, I had no clue!  It turns out I've been letting Brinkley trek through patches and patches of poison ivy. My parent's house backs up to the path so I've got to keep him away from this stuff!! 

On another note, Brinkley is 3 1/2 and as some of you know, I've had quite the horrible time finding a groomer.  Every groomer I tried just shaved him even if he wasn't that matted.  I'd say don't shave him and then I'd show up to pick him up and he'd be bald.  I finally found a groomer that I love.  She took copious amounts of notes on what I wanted, how long I wanted him, how I wanted his paws and face to remain round-- and that I don't like him crated.  She didn't crate him once in the 5 hours he was there.  She said he was a gem.  When I showed up to pick him up, he was sleeping next to her as she groomed another dog.  I couldn't be more relieved.  Here's a picture of Brinkley freshly groomed from last week. 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Very interesting. And I would never have thought about them getting it. I worry so much about Valley Fever here in Az.
We do take them camping, so now I will be much more aware of the foliage around me. As for Valley Fever, that's in the dirt and it can even get into the air during our dust storms.