Vet Bill ---- holy..!
My oldest and dearest kitty, Carly, has a flea allergy - a bad flea allergy. She also lives with a Jack Russel, a kitten and a 9 year old tabby. The tabby and the Russel go outside as do her hoomans. Despite efforts to keep natty fleas OUT, one got IN. She got a horrible reaction which necessitated a visit to the vet.
She got the exam and two injections (antibiotic and steroid)
and ear wash and "ear discharge analysis"
shaving of really bad areas
nail trim
oral antibiotics
oral anithistamine
topical cream
ear medicine
advantage anti-flea medicine for the JR, the tabby and the kitteh.
Cost?
guess! Guess!!!!! There's a poll up there, so guess!
Before my escape to Aylesbury, Diz had a weepy eye.
I did what I normally do - bathed it with a mild salt solution and kept an eye on it (no poor pun intended). But as we were being taken in by the 'rents, who have a far older cat, I felt I had better get a vet check it out, in case it was a symptom of a more serious illness.
Came away with antibiotic pills AND cream. So I had the cost of both and the consultation. In and out within 5 minutes, £80 (approx $70). Ker-ching! Of course I'm not used to medical fees because of the NHS. Perhaps £80 is normal for a quick appointment.
Anyway, I'm sure if I'd left it with just my attention, he'd have been fine.
I voted >$200. But looking again at all you got I'd probably guess <$200!
I will tell you that I was there for well over an hour. they weighed her, shaved her, clipped her and gave her the two shots and the ear wash...
£80 (approx $70). Ker-ching!
Wouldn't that be $140?
My Taj has a flea allergy too. Gaines made some trips outdoors and brought her back some skin-eaters, and her hair around her neck fell out. She looked like an old, skinny, lion. Poor girl. She's all fixed now, and preventive care in place. I won't tell you what it cost me...but I hope you got the Santy Clause treatment with an "it's all free!"
I say that because my vet, a nice old-farmer-type vet, would throw us some free treatments on occasion back in the day.
I bet they charged at least $200.00. The vet is every bit as expensive as the doctor and there's no insurance. I need to start a kitty savings account now while mine are both still healthy!
Just corrected my original post - I had £80 = $70!!!
Yes, it must have been well over $200.
Unless you gave the vet a BJ.
In which case I am seething with envy.
All our vets are either ginger or South African, but even with those social handicaps they have never given the slightest indication they will reduce bills for sexual favours. The meanies.
Wouldn't that be $140?
Realised before I read this, so corrected in my later post. But yes, I am terrible at maths.
I voted >$200. But looking again at all you got I'd probably guess <$200!
Did you get these signs mixed up or am I just missing a joke here?
> = more than
< = less than, right?
:yelsick:
I just went out for exercise and breakfast, I think they scrambled my brain rather than the eggs....
I am terrible at maths.
Worse than I even knew.
Thank goodness Customs are too, because for the last three years I've been using my own assumption of those symbols.
I voted for the completely unrealistic, but heartwarming option.
It is Christmas, after all.
I voted for the completely unrealistic, but heartwarming option.
It is Christmas, after all.
yes, it's christmas...
...for MY VET!
:D
was 203.00 dollars! So much for the Honey Baked Ham! Looks like it'll be tacos again this Christmas!! :eek:
Similar experience on my end about a month ago. $183.00.
Where is petcare reform when you need it?
They do have a form of pet health insurance...ask your vet.
We utilise a pet credit card with a $3000 limit on it. If it costs more than that to help the critter, well, it's been great knowing you! That has helped with the big bills, allowing our pets to get what they need and we get to pay on timed payments. I think we're down to $2000 now.
Aside: I think our German Shepherd came back from her spaying Tuesday with a few fleas. I found one on a Shih Tzu, and more on each after giving six dogs a bath yesterday. Not too many, but enough to cause my wife to go around spraying Tea Tree Oil on everything. And a vow to get Frontline going on all animals asap. It's too early, but the weather has been in the sixties lately and it may be that fleas have come early. We've never had a problem before but now? In December? Sheesh.
We spent $5000, collectively, on the Thong Eater when he was about 1 1/2 yrs old. I will never do that again.
We spent $5000, collectively, on the Thong Eater when he was about 1 1/2 yrs old. I will never do that again.
Is that the critter's nickname as well as proclivity? :D
Did you get these signs mixed up or am I just missing a joke here?
> = more than
< = less than, right?
:yelsick:
I just went out for exercise and breakfast, I think they scrambled my brain rather than the eggs....
well I'm doubting myself here, but I remember in maths way back when..... they taught us to imagine it as a crocodile's jaw, and the croc is greedy and always eats the larger thing. So 34<57 and 900>5. Right? Someone tell me I'm not going nuts here.....
We spent $5000, collectively, on the Thong Eater when he was about 1 1/2 yrs old. I will never do that again.
My parents' dog almost had to have surgically removed: staples. A whole bar of them. (This was years ago.) Thankfully, she ...excreted them, with nary a problem.
Most common surgically removed items:
1. Socks
2. Underwear
3. Pantyhose
4. Rocks
5. Balls
6. Chew toys
7. Corncobs
8. Bones
9. Hair ties / ribbons
10. Sticks
Source: Veterinary Pet Insurance
linkYea, ours was for one surgery and subsequent treatment, as well as the litney of tests that lead up to figuring out what the problem was. Uggg. He is still around. 7 years old now.
I am not a veterinarian and I do not play one on TV but in the future if I can help you save some money with a natural remedy please PM me. I use veterinarians for emergencies like dying otherwise I would be twice as poor! :(
Fleas are species specific, yes that's right there are cat fleas and dog fleas. Although cat fleas can get on dogs they prefer cats and visa versa. Unless you are killing all the flea eggs on the dogs, cats and in your house and in your yard you will get fleas every year. A cheap fix for your yard is one part bleach to 2 parts water, in a sprayer. Do this twice 3 weeks apart in the spring. In your house if you do not have any toddlers use Ovitrol. $21 a bottle that shit works! Use topical flea killers every month on the critters. They are cheaper online then at your vets. I have not had fleas in 15 years, on my dogs and I do not use any topicals. Roaming cats are what bring the fleas to your house. Once you have killed them on your property you are less likely to have fleas. Just some unasked for advice I can shove if you don't want it. =)
What does pouring bleach on the yard do to your plants?
Should not do anything in that dilution, and as long as you are spraying the bleach water solution not "pouring straight bleach, but I am sure there are sensitive flora that you can just avoid spraying.
Reminder to self:
PM Nirvana regarding Gizmo's skin/itching issue.
One flea, Brianna? That totally stinks! How can you possibly avoid having that happen again? Particularly when the other pets go outside??.:thepain:
Other than being strongly acidic I am certain it will kill anything you pour it on in full strength. I have heard that if you add vineger to it it will increase the disinfectant properties so you may be able to kill fungi or other problems in your yard or on your plants when properly diluted. I would suggest looking it up before you took my advice. [COLOR="LemonChiffon"](on just about anything I say)[/COLOR]
an addendum to the bleach spraying, cats are very sensitive to bleach so make sure that when you spray it is a sunny day and it has about three hours to dry before you let the cats out.
well I'm doubting myself here, but I remember in maths way back when..... they taught us to imagine it as a crocodile's jaw, and the croc is greedy and always eats the larger thing. So 34<57 and 900>5. Right? Someone tell me I'm not going nuts here.....
Now THAT'S the sort of maths teaching that I can remember.
I had a lovely maths teacher to start with - Mr Burr. He helped me with algebra/ equations by drawing it out as bags of sand and treating it like a mystery that needed to be solved. I was 14. Then again, he was involved in all the school plays and I always got on well with the teachers who were too.
Then I failed my Maths O Level (not Mr Burr's fault!) and was passed to Mr Woodsmith. He hated me. He was my Head of Year in the 3rd year and suggested I would be better off at another school. Luckily, all the arts-based teachers disagreed with him (inc the Senior Master and Mistress who I was in A Midsummer Night's Dream with and the Head, who knew I was the school's best chance at 1500m in District sports).
Old Woody Woodsmith wasn't about shortcuts, aide memoires or even generally being helpful. He was there to lick the slackers into shape, to maintain the school's maths pass record. Lord alone knows how I managed. All I can suggest is that given it was the new system (GCSE) the education boards were advised to give us the benefit of the doubt. I didn't even make it to the last page of the exam paper.
Anyway.
All that aside.
Crocodile eats the largest number.
Wait.
What if there is only one number?
How do I remember which way the crocodile is facing when there is no other number? Surely he's always be facing < to eat it up? I am not being facetious - I am genuinely looking for a way to remember something that makes no sense to me.
The '>' or '<' is a comparison. It can only be used in the context of two numbers. If I say,
[COLOR=White]. . . [/COLOR]"The cost of the plan will be > 600M Euros"
I am really comparing
[COLOR=White]. . . [/COLOR]"the cost of the plan" (a symbolic number)
with
[COLOR=White]. . . [/COLOR]"600M Euros" (an actual number)
The croc will eat the larger number, therefore "the cost of the plan" is the larger of the two.
On the other hand, if it was
[COLOR=White]. . . [/COLOR]"The cost of the plan will be < 600M Euros"
then "the cost of the plan" would be the smaller of the two.
By Jove, I think I've got it!
SO. I am sending a package overseas.
I'm probably lying a bit anyway.
I say, I am sending goods >$15.
The crocodile is eating the real cost.
But I am filling out a form of complaint about how the package was handled, and I claim the contents were <$15... No, wait, that's wrong isn't it. Because the crocodile is eating the $15 again.
Bugger.
Anyone want to start a crocodile thread?
I'm going to bed.
'Tis simple. Whatever item is on the BIGGER side of the symbol (< or >)is the GREATER item.
So $10 > $9 = true. $10 is greater than $9.
If I say that I'll bet your vet bill was < $200, then $200 would be the higher/greater/bigger item, making your vet bill less than that.
Reminder to self:
PM Nirvana regarding Gizmo's skin/itching issue.
One flea, Brianna? That totally stinks! How can you possibly avoid having that happen again? Particularly when the other pets go outside??.:thepain:
yeah, I'll PM 'vana first, too!
nobody else looks like they have fleas and they aren't scratching - and I certainly don't see any fleas around the house or in cushions, etc. Poor Carly, though. She really suffers with them - gets all allergic. But, honestly, an oral AND topical AND ear RX??? Isn't that massive overkill?? I don't know anything about animal medicine but it just seems like a hell of a lot of Rx. And it's difficult to talk her into taking it - esp. the ear medicine. She puts her ears back and all but shuts them!
I learned the crocodile method, too.
It points at the smaller number.
$200 may seem steep for a cat bill, but it is nothing to what Tiger Woods had to pay for his pussy.
$200 may seem steep for a cat bill, but it is nothing to what Tiger Woods had to pay for his pussy.
Thanks for putting it into perspective. :)
It points at the smaller number.
$200 may seem steep for a cat bill, but it is nothing to what Tiger Woods had to pay for his pussy[s].
Fix'd it for U ;)
Pilau cost a small fortune in vet bills when he was a pup. he was a very sick little thing. Took ages to figure out what was wrong with him, but turned out he had a whipworm infection; contracted whilst in the womb.
I hate being sick in the "womba"
You should try being sick in a wombat.
By Jove, I think I've got it!
SO. I am sending a package overseas.
I'm probably lying a bit anyway.
I say, I am sending goods >$15.
The crocodile is eating the real cost.
But I am filling out a form of complaint about how the package was handled, and I claim the contents were <$15... No, wait, that's wrong isn't it. Because the crocodile is eating the $15 again.
Bugger.
Anyone want to start a crocodile thread?
I'm going to bed.
When mailing the package, you want to state the goods are worth less than a certain amount, because more than is meaningless in this context and might attract the attention of Mr Customs Officer.
So <$15 (Croc would prefer $15 to goods)
When claiming for the insurance, you might want to say they were worth over $15
>$15 (croc prefers insurance money to $15)
I was thinking this through when walking in the park this morning.
I think I have it straight. My problem was positing the missing number as a zero. Instead I will call it an unknown number, with only it's relationship to 15 known.
So I know the value of the goods to be more than $15. So if I was being honest I would write >£15, because the crocodile is eating the unknown LARGER figure.
And if I was being sneaky and trying to con Mr Taxman (which I would never do) I would write <$15 because the crocodile thinks $15 is better than what I really spent.
I know that's pretty much what you write Monnie, I just had to test it out for myself.
Whew. Maybe we can do long division some time. I was off school when they learned that and never did pick it up.
I feel very smug and self-satisfied about this thread.
I came here to diffuse my wonderment and confusion over a 203.00 dollar flea-bite and Sundae ended up learning her math symbols. The system works!!
Yes, I've seen our vet bills increase over the years. My dogs have always been relatively healthy but I do take them in for an annual exam. Texas passed a law that dogs only need a Rabies re-vaccination every 3 years so I've noticed that all the other costs of the exam have gone up to make up for the loss of revenue.
I've always had the rule that if the procedure at the veterinarian will cost more money than I paid for the pet, it's time to say goodbye to sparky. I know friends that have paid for surgery for dogs or cats and stuff. I just don't get it.
America is the only country I've ever been to where people don't treat pets like animals. In most other countries they don't buy special food for cats and dogs. They don't let animals into the house. They don't dress up dogs or cats or buy them gifts at Christmas. They don't allow dogs to lick their faces, etc.
That's how I've always felt. I mean I've had some dogs I really loved, and even a couple of inside dogs (mainly because I was in an apartment at the time and had no yard), but there's never been a time I'd spend a ton of money on a pet, especially knowing how many hungry and homeless people are out there.
I've also never been able to figure out the homeless guy with a dog thing.
Radar, the more of your stuff I read, the less human you appear.
I've also never been able to figure out the homeless guy with a dog thing.
Have you tried to actually figure it out and failed, or is it just a figure of speech and you mean to say that it doesn't make economic sense for a homeless person to have a pet?
In case you are still trying to figure it out, I'd offer that I'm sure each homeless person with a pet will have their own take on the situation and have their own reasons. I would guess though, that those reasons are the same that people with homes have pets. Mainly companionship. I would imagine that having no home is very stressful and depressing, and a faithful companion would be nice.
I can't figure out the Radar with a dog thing. :eyebrow:
I've also never been able to figure out the homeless guy with a dog thing.
I think that when it comes to panhandling, smelly crackhead with a dog will end up with more money than just a smelly crackhead.
Years ago, this homeless guy was brought in. He had been living in a van with his cat. The cat was absolutely gorgeous. A longhair of some kind with the sweetest ever disposition. She stayed in one of our secure interview rooms for a while, and prospective foster parents (nuthouse staff) came to check her out. After a while the visitors dwindled, and we needed the interview room so we brought her into the office, where she promptly hid under a bookshelf and wouldn't come back out. It had been a very stressful day for her. My department's office manager eventually ended up fostering her, and the homeless guy understood that he wasn't going to be able to take her back while he was trying to get himself back on track, so he signed Morgie over to my cow orker. She lived out the remainder of her days in glorious suburban comfort.
Radar, the more of your stuff I read, the less human you appear.
I'm less human because I care about human beings more than I care about animals?
I think that when it comes to panhandling, smelly crackhead with a dog will end up with more money than just a smelly crackhead.
Spot on. There was a guy living under I-95 in Philly, who said he got more contributions for his dog, than for himself.
I'm less human because I care about human beings more than I care about animals?
That isn't really what you said though. You said
I've always had the rule that if the procedure at the veterinarian will cost more money than I paid for the pet, it's time to say goodbye to sparky.
You're not saying you don't have the money, or you have it but need to spend it on a human, just that if it's more than X amount you'd rather let your pet die. That comes off as rather shitty.
At the same time, at least you're honest about it. I assume some of the other millions of people who's pets end up being euthanized in shelters feel the same way.
I've heard that Dawn works great on fleas. We used it on our Rocky when he was itty-bitty and too young for the spot treatment. Also my friend Amy says she feeds her two dogs (can't remember the breed - something greyhound-like) garlic capsules and that does the trick.
I voted >$200 before I saw the answer, because I have 6 cats and 3 dogs and I know damn well what they cost. :(
Bri you are welcome to eat dinner with us on Christmas, though tacos sound pretty good, too.
I would think that a homeless guy with a dog would mean that he has hope and at least one best friend who keeps him/her great company and provides them with unconditional love. Maybe the only love they get.
And protection, when they sleeping on the street.
America is the only country I've ever been to where people don't treat pets like animals. In most other countries they don't buy special food for cats and dogs. They don't let animals into the house. They don't dress up dogs or cats or buy them gifts at Christmas. They don't allow dogs to lick their faces, etc.
Yes, they treat their women like chattel too.
In the evolved West, we find compassion is not in such limited supply. In fact it's not a currency at all, to be rationed as if there is only enough for humans and none left for animals.
If love is a currency, it doesn't operate like money. Popular songs tell us that when we give it out freely, we get more in return. Guess what. Studies show that pet ownership results in lower blood pressure and a longer life. It isn't the dog or cat that "gives" you this longer life. You can give it to yourself by being a compassionate, caring human being.
And criminologists tell us that someone who is mean to animals as a child is more likely to be a sociopath as an adult. Why is this, Radar. The animals are merely instinctive beasts, with no reason in them. Why are people with no ability to feel compassion for them more likely to be criminal towards human beings?
It's your worst fear realized: your well-being, both mental and physical, depends on your capacity to love. I recommend you find some. You'll be saving your own life.
:notworthy Well said, UT.
(Cue Radar's retort that he loves his family--so much so that he would kill his wife if she ever tried to leave him.)
Yes, they treat their women like chattel too.
That's an idiotic statement to make. It's prejudice and factually incorrect. We're not talking about East vs. West. In most nations, including western nations, they don't treat animals like they do in America. They find it hard to justify buying clothing for a pet who doesn't even want it, when there are hungry people in the street.
In the evolved West, we find compassion is not in such limited supply. In fact it's not a currency at all, to be rationed as if there is only enough for humans and none left for animals.
Who says the West is more evolved? That's a big too much jingoism for my tastes. I find those who place a higher value on human life to be more evolved than those who value the lives of animals above people. In my personal opinion those who have more pets than rooms in their house or those who leave millions of dollars to a pet are insane. They could be helping homeless people, abused children, cancer or stem-cell research, etc.
A dog or cat doesn't care if you're wealthy. They don't care if you feed them pet food or table scraps.
If love is a currency, it doesn't operate like money. Popular songs tell us that when we give it out freely, we get more in return. Guess what. Studies show that pet ownership results in lower blood pressure and a longer life. It isn't the dog or cat that "gives" you this longer life. You can give it to yourself by being a compassionate, caring human being.
If love is a currency, the love of your fellow man is a hundred dollar bill, and the love of your pet is a quarter. I enjoy pets. I love dogs. I've cried when I've lost a pet. But this doesn't change the fact that people are above animals. The suffering of a an anonymous hungry child is more important to me than whether or not fido gets a sweater, or a squeaky toy. I'm not saying people shouldn't have pets or love their pets. I'm saying they should remember that people are more important than pets. That is a much healthier and more compassionate way to live.
And criminologists tell us that someone who is mean to animals as a child is more likely to be a sociopath as an adult. Why is this, Radar. The animals are merely instinctive beasts, with no reason in them. Why are people with no ability to feel compassion for them more likely to be criminal towards human beings?
Who said anything about being mean to animals? Feeding them leftovers, and letting them sleep outside is not mean. I've never suggested that anyone should be mean or cruel to animals. And if you have a question about sociopaths, you should address it to UG.
It's your worst fear realized: your well-being, both mental and physical, depends on your capacity to love. I recommend you find some. You'll be saving your own life.
I have no fear of that at all. My life is filled with love, both giving it and receiving it. I can't think of anyone else who is loved more than I am. I'm talking about real love, not a celebrity and his fans, or an acquaintance who say they love you or your work. I'm talking about deep and lasting friendships, wonderful relationships with all my family members, the unconditional love of my daughter, and the love of a beautiful woman who can't stand the thought of ever losing me.
If the capacity to love and be loved is the measure of a long and healthy life, I'll outlive Methuselah. I love pets. I love my fellow people more. I love my friends more. I love my family more.
I love my daughter so much, if she were ill and the only way to save her was to kill every single dog in America, I'd do it. If I had to kill every single monkey on earth, I'd do that too. It's not something I'd enjoy, but I'd do it.
Just thank God your kitteh don't get kidney stones. That's all I'm saying.
We have evolved to care about those close to us; not 'anonymous' people. I care more about anonymous people than i do about anonymous animals. I care more about my pet than i do about anonymous people.
Most countries have different attitudes to different animals. In some countries, dogs are not valued as pets. Then again in some countries pigs are valued as pets. In some countries cows are slaughtered with no regard for their well-being. In other countries they are held up as sacred.
In many countries pets are treated to toys and clothes they don;t need. Often whilst people starve on the streets.
We have not evolved tocare about those people we do not personally know. We have evolved to care about our tribe. Some tribes have adopted dogs into their midst. Some tribes have adopted other animals into their midst. Some tribes have not adopted animals into their midst. Those that care for animals and those that don't are equally likely to allow their fellow man to suffer unduly.
I love my two cats more than I do some hypothetical stranger, but if some little kid came to my door with tears in his eyes and it was somehow either him or my cats, I'd pick the kid.
That said, I buy my cats toys and treats because it makes me happy to see them happy. I give what I can to help other people, too. Its all a continuum as far as I'm concerned.
Just feed the kid to the cats.
Or vice-versa if you're in Korea or Vietnam.
It's no secret that I can't stand UG. He is among the most worthless, uneducated, disgusting, unlibertarian, foul, and most egotistical people I've ever had the displeasure of knowing. If I had a dog and he was on my doorstep begging me for help, I'd even help a piece of shit like UG and feed my dog table scraps rather than buying special dog food, toys, treats, etc. because I value the lives of people over dogs.
That's not to say I don't value the lives of dogs or other pets. I loved my dog Sparky and my dog Bernard very much and I cried when Bernard died. When my first wife and I divorced, she gave away Sparky to hurt me. Then she had the nerve to call me and ask for his breeding papers for the new owner. Anyway, that's a different story for a different thread.
Just feed the kid to the cats.
Filet of Nigerian Child or Mexican Minced Boy - only for the discriminating cat. ;)
Not that bland soylent green either, it's all in the spices and marinating. A good cook can make even those tough little buggers taste good. ;)
I think it's an admirable attitude Radar. And in truth, I also care more about people than animals. I think where I take issue with what you said is the bit about if the cost of vets is more than the amount paid for the animal in the first place, that's it, time to say goodbye.
I have a problem with that because that's the attitude I have towards electrical goods: if the cost of repair is more than the cost of replacement, why bother?
Also: when you buy a puppy, that's exactly what you're buying: a puppy (or a kitten). A creature that is yet to grow into what it eventually will be. Later on, you have a dog (or cat) who has moulded itself to your home and life, under your influence. Why would a creature who has spent 10 years (for example) moulding itself to you and learning to be your companion be worth the same money to you as an unknown quantity?
I don't spend a lot on Pilau. I buy him new toys every so often, maybe three or four dogtoys a year. I buy him a new collar or lead when he needs one. He gets food every day and that includes a small portion of gravy bone biscuits. None of these are expensive items. But I will spend whatever I need to at the vets, because I am responsible for his health and happiness. I became responsible for his health and happiness the day I removed him from his mother at the age of 8 weeks.
These are creatures who've been specifically bred as companions. They are, by nature, social animals who remain in family groups. They are denied canine family groups and instead expected to confom to human families. Which they do. As indeed they have done for thousands of years.
he does his duty as a dog: he guards my house from unwanted guests (unfortunately this includes the postman but that's probably my fault for not training him properly:P) he guards me and protects me when we are walking (again, he protects me a little too enthusiastically, but as far as he's concerned this is his job). He doesn't go off-duty until I am in bed. He does his bit; I do mine.
Besides...*smiles* I made his mother a promise to look after her baby.
I paid 60 bux for Carly. What she has given to me in return is priceless. She is well worth the 200 dollars and even more. I feel sorry for someone who doesn't understand that.
I paid somewhere in the region of $850* for Pilau when he was a puppy. He's worth every penny of that. he's certainly worth the money on vet bills.
Once I have brought a dog into my home he becomes a member of my family. It ceases to be a financial equation. If he needs treatment at the vets then he needs it: what it costs is not important beyond the question of whether or not I can afford it.
* this is a guess: I don't know what exhange rates were 11 years ago. He cost us £425.
Both my cats were shelter rescues -- I 'donated' around $75 per cat to the shelter. So theoretically, I should never spend anything on them. Too bad my township mandates rabies and distemper vaccinations -- I guess I'll get them put down. :right:
Pie - all my pets are rescue in one way or another. I got carly at a no-kill shelter and they asked for 60.00 (9 years ago) for the spay, shots, general vet bills, etc. and the money went to the shelter. almost all our shelters here charge for an animal adoption; the humane society does, too. I got my Jack Russell from a horse farm (same one I got Spiderman from) as her owner dumped her there after five years. Spiderman was rescued from orphanhood.
I have to take exception to one thing Radar said...dogs should NOT sleep outside, except certain breeds.
They are social creatures and NEED to be with their people. Left outside for long periods, they tend to develop behavioral problems due to your suppression of a natural instinct.
Dogs sleep together in a pack for warmth and protection. I see nothing wrong with granting your pet a bed on the floor in a corner, out of the way. Or crating them. But don't push them away. You're setting yourself up for trouble of you try to suppress an instinct.
Brian
Not that bland soylent green either, it's all in the spices and marinating. ;)
IT'S PEEEEEEEEEEEPLE!!!!!
I paid about $650 for Sparky. If I had a vet tell me it would cost $1,000 to keep this dog alive for maybe another year, I'd probably put him down. I know it sounds cold. And I know you think that way about electronics, but I sort of feel that way about most things. A car, a computer, a pet, etc. To me they are things that I own, and if the upkeep of the item exceeds the value of the item, it makes no sense to keep it.
As far as keeping a dog outside, I haven't always felt that way. I have had inside dogs before. Sparky was an inside dog, a small dog. A Jack Russel Terrier. I've had outside dogs and inside dogs, but lately with a 2 year old in the house, knowing a dog could snap at any moment if my daughter pulls a tail or something, I'd just keep them outside. You play with them, and visit them, and take them for walks, and stuff, but they live outside and sleep outside unless the weather is so bad they can't.
Also having an obsessive compulsive cleaner of a wife who freaks if there are pet hairs on you or a crumb on the floor makes it tough to have one inside too.
Put the wife down...I would! ;)
Seriously, one would think a Vietnamese wife would be happy to have dogs around. ;)
How can you put pets into the same category as computers and cars? Computers and cars don;t feel, can't be scared, or lonely, can't exhibit loyalty or affection.
yes, we 'own' pets...but they're not 'things' they're living creatures.
Pets are not humans. They are less than humans. They are indeed "things". They are things we can own. What feelings a pet exhibits doesn't make them less of an object that we can own.
My computer, car, or television give me as much pleasure as I get from a pet.
I would never pay $1,000 to keep a $700 pet alive. I wouldn't pay $1,000 to keep that pet alive even if I had millions in the bank. It just doesn't make sense to me.
If you feel differently, I can respect that. But if I feel differently, why can't you offer the same respect? I'm no less compassionate, caring, feeling, or human than you. I just have different priorities than you and human life trumps all to me.
*chuckles* I respect the idea that human life trumps all: but that's not what you just said. You said you wouldn't pay $1000 to keep a $700 pet alive. That's got bugger all to do with valuing humans more highly than animals. That's to do with valuing animals no more than circuitry.
The operative word is value. When we value something we place a value on it. When I invest in a pet, I assign a value to it just as my car or computer have a value assigned to them. In my case, the value I assign to the pet is the price I paid for it.
Perhaps in your case you assign more value based on emotions or feelings, but I do not.
To me, when I invest in something and the upkeep of that investment exceeds the cost of the actual investment, I don't keep it. This holds true regardless of whether it's a pet, a car, a computer, or a television.
Oh, I understand that radar. I just don't see how that equates to 'human life trumps all in my book.' Human life trumps all in my book also, but that doesn;t mean i won't move heaven and earth to keep my pet healthy and happy.
I cuold see how those two things are related if you were intending to spend the money on helping starving children; in that case it's a choice: do you spend money on humans or on animals. But that's not the issue is it?
How you relate to animals is how you relate to animals. But by somehow equating that with the value you assign to human life you are falsely ennobling your perspective. One can value human life and also value animal life. The two are not necessarily in competition with each other.
I don't really see the purchase of a pet as an 'investment' in the same way as the purchase of a car or computer is an investment. Computers and cars are not alive. My dog very much is alive. A computer does not rely on me for its survival; it is an inanimate object, without emotions or the capacity for pain, distress, or joy.
I can understand someone having a more pragmatic view of animals. Hell, i eat meat and am not camping down at the local abbattoir with protest signs. Nor am I attempting to release caged monkeys from the nearest research lab...
But the idea that a dog exists at the same logical level as a car, or television, or computer for you is disturbing (to me). I am not suggesting they should exist at the same logical level as people...but the world is not made up solely of 'things' and 'people'. There are levels in between.
If human life trumps all, Radar, what are you doing owning a computer, or a car, or a television in the first place? You chose to spend that money on these objects, rather than a starving child?
A computer helps me with my work and keeps my mind active and entertained and also helps me organize things and pay bills. A car gets both my wife and I to and from work and our daughter to and from the babysitter so we can earn money. A television keeps us entertained while not at work. I don't have a dog, but I do help needy people.
I'm having a similar issue with my cat. I've discussed her here before, this is my mom's cat, who is 19, and pretty much a scroungy mess. She's still affectionate and loves to eat, but she pisses all over the house. Has gone from peeing on the floor of the bathroom to the dining room and now that we've put hardwood in the dining room that's not fun anymore, so she is peeing in my son's room and now goes all the way down to the lower-level to pee there, too. And if we leave anything on the floor, like a towel or sweater, she will pee on it.
Vet says we can pay a few hundred bucks and treat whatever thyroid problem vet suspects, but who knows if that will stop her behavior? OTOH, I feel an obligation to this cat because she's my mom's, and we inherited all kinds of good stuff from mom when she died, seems cold to not take the bad with the good.
On the 3rd hand (ha) that was 2 years ago and I think by living in a house that smells like cat piss for two years we have fulfilled our obligation.
Kitty is quarantined in the bathroom now and may be paying a very special visit to the vet in the next couple days. :(
19 is very old for a cat. Several hundred dollars is a lot to spend for something that 'might' help. If she's having to be quarantined in the bathroom, then her quality of life is starting to suffer.
Tough decision Juni, but it strikes me you mayhave done your best by her and a quiet drift into sleep may not be the worst path for her to take at this point.
Juniper, we had a similar problem with a cat. We solved it by confining the cat to a large dog crate with her litter box (which she would use, she just couldn't remember where it was). We moved the crate from place to place to keep the cat entertained and in the sun (when appropriate). Cost of crate: less than $100.
I don't have a dog.
A good thing, too. I hope for any dog's sake you NEVER own a dog. :headshake
I've had many dogs and they loved me and I loved them. I treated them well, and they were lucky to have an owner as kind as I am.
. . . till they took ill or needed care.
I got 'em shots, flea & tick stuff, a tennis ball, etc. and when they got old and sick, I didn't make them suffer, except for Bernard. I kept him around until he was 16 years old. I had him from 12 to 28 years old. That's pretty damned old for any dog.
OTOH, I feel an obligation to this cat because she's my mom's, and we inherited all kinds of good stuff from mom when she died, seems cold to not take the bad with the good.
Nonsense, did you keep mom's half full trash can? There's not a reason in the world for putting up with a house that's drenched in cat piss... not one. If you want to, and can afford, to take a chance on treatment by all means go for it. But if you can't fix the cat's behavior, do her a favor... put her down.
Vet says we can pay a few hundred bucks and treat whatever thyroid problem vet suspects, but who knows if that will stop her behavior? OTOH, I feel an obligation to this cat because she's my mom's, and we inherited all kinds of good stuff from mom when she died, seems cold to not take the bad with the good.
Would Mom have thought poor kitty was unhappy by now? Would Mom herself have made the decision to put the cat out of her misery? Would you have counseled Mom to make that choice, if kitty were still in her house?
You certainly have no obligation to go way further than Mom would have gone.
Unless Mom was Radar.
Unless you are keeping kitty to somehow remain closer to your mom. Thats a whole different situation. Still the overriding issue at this point is the condition of the cat. Is she is pain, is her condition ever going to improve, is it treatable? IF not, then the answer seems clear.