Can you afford your dog?

[calsibley]

I read on another forum some sad stories dog owners experienced when their dogs required medical attention. The fees were exhorbirant, and not all owners could afford them. It can be heartbreaking to have your beloved animal put down because you don't have $500. or $1,000 or more to have him treated. I recall some years ago telling my vet that I saw the day coming when only vets would be able to afford pets. I think we're at that stage now. Personally I've spent a small fortune for medical treatment for my dogs over the years, but fortunately have so far been able to afford it.
That may not always be so. Have any of you guys faced this dilemma, and how have you handled it? It's often a heartbreaker. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[Bill]

When my Buck got cancer and I had the vet (who thought he could get it all) remove it, it probably cost more than Buck was worth by a long shot but Buck was my buddy. He hunted with me (well he watched me hunt anyway) he listened to me. He ate with me and he slept next to my bed. He told me when something was wrong with the horses and when there was a pesky rabbit or squirril in the back yard. He went for long walks with me and checked out the new tree's I had planted in the windbreak. He killed more snakes the first year I was on the my acerage that I could keep track of. Over 100 garter snakes alone.
Now the question I have is when you have a good buddy like that that needs help why wouldn't you try to help him out.
When his back end gave out from really bad hip displacia in both back hips, I still waited 6 months before I had him put down. I probably would of went longer but I had to move to the city and I knew Buck just couldn't handle that. I had him put down in his rabbit ground and I hope he is still hunting and chasing them. I felt him walking beside me for over a year after that. Even felt his head brush my hand like he did when he wanted to feel close.
Nope, I'm not complaining one bit about the vet bills of any of my dogs. Their worth more than they ever cost me for the bills.

[bounce]

It's hard to put a pet down, But You do what you have to when you need too, Spending lots of money to put an animal though more agoney is in fact a person who is selfish and of weak mind as has lost reality of the animal world as well as his senceabillity and is closeing in on a membership with peta.

[deputydon]

bounce said:

It's hard to put a pet down, But You do what you have to when you need too, Spending lots of money to put an animal though more agoney is in fact a person who is selfish and of weak mind as has lost reality of the animal world as well as his senceabillity and is closeing in on a membership with peta.

I agree Bounce ......But it's still hard to do............
Guys last fall my son had a sick puppy and took him to the vet in the town he lives in. He never called the old man first. If he would I could have A.) told him how to treat it. or B.) Told him to bring it to my vet. Only 25 miles away. It would have saved him well over $ 300.00 . Moral of the story even w/ vets you need to shop around to save money,,,,,,, or else pay it and get on w/ life. JMHO which I told the kid.

[jabba]

I have had 2 dogs put down recently. One for terminal cancer and the other for a 2nd blown ACL in 4 months. The ACL damaged dog would have HATED life retired. Flat hated it. SHe was really special to me. She tought me how to hunt with a dog.

I have spent $500 at a time on vet bills. If I got a $2000 bill I'd have to heavily weigh the options. Predict the outcome.

I have a 13 year old Lab now that getting close. She got bad hips, is getting deaf and blind, and has some fatty tumors in places. She's still pretty happy though, and still climbs the stairs every night to come sleep in the bedroom with us. She still plays a little every day and is not suffering that I can tell. So... I am gonna let her stay till I think she's getting unhappy. Then... I'll take her in.

It will be tough. She's lived with us for almost 13 years.

But at the same time... I'll almost be glag to have her gone. I hope that does not sound too bad. She's smelly, and sheds like a dog fur factory. My GSP does neither too bad.

And now... I have accidentally landed a dang rescue brittaany that I don't know if she'll ever hunt or not. She sure is gun shy.

I need to go catch a few pigeons and she how interested in them she is.

Jabba

[calsibley]

There's another thing about having a pet dog that appeals to me. I read an article today that said older people, especially those living alone tend to live quite a bit longer when they have a dog to care for and share their life with. I really believe that. If you're good to your animals there's nothing else that will give you that same degree of love and devotion. I just wish they had a longer life span. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[jabba]

Dogs take a piece of your heart, and give you ALL of theirs in return. Man makes out on that deal EVERY time.

Jabba