Is your Dog (or Cat) a Money Pit?
How Much is Too Much?
Hard question to answer, especially if you found yourself in a situation similar to mine, that of having owned a dog for one day before he was stricken with an almost fatal illness. It almost cost him his life and me money I didn't have. That's when you have to look within yourself, you know it's the right thing to do, that of giving a dog or cat a shot at a good life. But if the money isn't there what can you do?
The vet took one look at my dog's condition and his first words were "since you just adopted this dog yesterday, fortunately you have not had a chance to bond with this dog so we will prepare to put him down". I was agast, What was that you just said? 'Doc, this dog had me at woof, do what you need to do to save him.'
This was a question that I was reading about in a waiting room at the dentists office, just a month before I adopted my dog. This guy they were doing a story about had a cat that was blind and needed more work, surgery and care requiring thousands of dollars, all this on a pet that was already 14 years old. I wondered then what I would do in a situation like that and since I didn't own a dog or a pet then, the clinical decision I arrived at would surprise me later.
He didn't hesitate to do what it took for that cat because #1, he loved it and #2 he could afford it. What about those of us who can't afford it, what would you do?
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May 23rd, 2010 at 7:59 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Steve Frerichs, Duke. Duke said: Is your Dog (or Cat) a Money Pit? http://bit.ly/cbB6NH [...]
June 9th, 2010 at 8:17 am
This is interesting. I remember seeing an article about a week ago on this same topic. Now, I can't seem to put my hands on it, but I know that the costs were staggering. LOL. That's for sure.
June 10th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Yes, well, didn't I hear somewhere that you recently took the plunge yourself and got a dog? Welcome to the club!
June 10th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Thanks for the mention Steve
August 18th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Call me old-fashioned but personally-speaking as soon as I become the owner of a new pet I believe it is my duty to do whatever I can to keep that animal happy and healthy.
Whilst pets can become money pits there are also a range of ways of potentially reducing these costs without compromising on your pet's health. Examples might be ensuring you get pet insurance to help cover vets bills and feeding dried foods rather than wet foods which will typically work out much more cost effective as well as often being better for your pet in a number of ways.
Reef One Biorb Life Review´s last blog ..The Importance Of Patience When Setting Up A New Aquarium
August 19th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
It is matter of courage and interest to spend thousands of dollars on the pet.
August 20th, 2010 at 7:15 am
I dont know about the courage part all I know is I had to do it. Thanks for stopping by!
August 20th, 2010 at 7:23 am
Excellent advice Reef and thank you for your thoughtful comment. I agree with you that we have an important responsibility when we take on an animal to do whatever we can to keep it healthy and happy and I do my part every day.