How much should be spent to care for a pet?

[MJJean]

Yes, this is the best approach IMO. We spent $2000 on our dog that was only one years old to have surgery, but it was a surgery that gave our dog a better quality of life for the next 10 or so years. We would have probably come to a much different decision if the surgery was required at the end of the dog’s life. My SIL thinks absolutely nothing of spending gobs of money on their dogs, including the above example of cancer treatment. It only helped the one dog live an additional 3 months. Its her and my brother’s money and if that’s the way they want to spend it, then so be it. But I wouldn’t be making the same decisions they make concerning treatment of a pet. I don’t plan on being buried with my pets either, as I have certain family members that think that’s a great idea. My dogs are my PETS, not my spouse or my child and will not be treated in the same manner as such.

For a young dog with a good prognosis, I’d spend the money, too. For an older dog, it really would depend. I had a Toy Poodle for 16 years. He went blind around age 10-11. We didn’t expect him to live for too much longer and he got around just fine as long as we didn’t rearrange the furniture, so I left well enough alone. I didn’t think it wise to spend $2000-$4000 on eye surgeries for an old dog that was doing just fine anyways.

Dogs and other pets really have an odd place in our lives. They mean so much to us and have such a central place in our lives, yet they aren’t children or spouses. Some people just don’t get it and think that we should bankrupt ourselves paying for medical treatment, even if it is really not in the animal’s best interest, the same way we would for a human who was ill. I think it’s ridiculous. Yes, I love my dogs. Yes, they are very important to me. But they are dogs.

 

[Luvz2travel]

To answer your basic question, the Church does not provide detail and specific guidance
on what one may or may not spend on their pet. while spending $3000 on a pet sounds on the surface very expensive, you also admit that you do not have all the facts and just like medical care for humans, medical care for pets can jump up very quickly as well. Since they are adults and married, what they decided to spend on this pet or anything else is really none of anyone business and without all the details known, not for you or anyone else to judge. There are many more frivilous things and very stupid things that people spend $3000 on. Would you feel the same way if $3000 was spend on furniture or clothes or decorating the home etc an so on. Frankly, its none of your business.

A pet is a personal choice and what one spends on a pet is also a personal choice. I spent at least $8,000 on my special needs cat who lived 15 years until multiple health issues and his quality of life (turn poor and painful for him) caused me to let him go. He was hospitalized 2xs at a cost of 2000 to 2,500 each time then it was always $150 a pop on every vet visit not taking into account other tests. I may have actually spent $10,000 on him. I didn’t feel it was excessive to me. I still miss him in fact but he was in pain so it was time to let him go. I could have spent that $10,000 on other stuff but nothing gave me the type of joy and enterainment and companionship he did. So if I had to choose again I would gladly do it. I have 2 healthy cats right now. One who is 9 and the other is just a year. Cross my fingers they stay healthy for awhile yet. To my they are family how to look and family and say I’m chosing material things over your comfort and health.

 

[styrgwillidar]

For a young dog with a good prognosis, I’d spend the money, too. For an older dog, it really would depend. I had a Toy Poodle for 16 years. He went blind around age 10-11. We didn’t expect him to live for too much longer and he got around just fine as long as we didn’t rearrange the furniture, so I left well enough alone. I didn’t think it wise to spend $2000-$4000 on eye surgeries for an old dog that was doing just fine anyways.
…

I do think if you get certain breeds with known issues, you need to be ready to deal with them. Shih Tzus can dislodge their eye, a factor of having large eyes in small shallow sockets. It is expensive to deal with and a known risk. So, if you can’t deal with that you should look for another breed. (Family has had three Shi Tzus and this has happened once)

 

[on_the_hill]

Yes, exactly. I love my pet and I would never say “I will pay until this financial border is reached”. If you think this way, please never get a pet.

This is one reason we never have anything more than goldfish, hamsters, and parakeets. Although I have taken parakeets to the vet. (they die anyway by the time they need a vet).

My sister’s family had a dog that required special hypoallergenic food throughout its life. They were barely making ends meet, and having a tough time keeping food on their own table, yet they spent $$$ on dog food.

 

[MJJean]

I do think if you get certain breeds with known issues, you need to be ready to deal with them. Shih Tzus can dislodge their eye, a factor of having large eyes in small shallow sockets. It is expensive to deal with and a known risk. So, if you can’t deal with that you should look for another breed. (Family has had three Shi Tzus and this has happened once)

Yes, I agree researching a breed and finding out what it’s most common health problems could cost is a very important thing to do. Especially in the modern age where it is possible for breeders to have their breeding stock tested for inheritable disease before breeding and passing on those genes to another generation.

When I was deciding on each of my 3 purchased dogs I was careful about their breeders practices and did a lot of research on the health of their lines. They’re perfectly healthy dogs.

The rescue I have is my problem dog. She’s an American Pit Bull Terrier with allergies, a heart murmur and she also has a hormone imbalance. The allergies mean she is on meds daily, which are cheap. And she gets supplements for her skin and coat (fish oil, mainly) which are also cheap. Her chronic ear infections cost a little bit to treat, but its only a problem once in spring and then again in late summer. We jokingly call her our “Money Pit”. She was given to us free. HAH! Free dog, my foot!

Of course, we dog folk know that any dog is a gamble. You can improve your odds by being careful selecting a breed and finding an ethical breeder or you can get a rescue pup or adult with no known issues and still end up having to pay some serious $$$ to the vet.

 

[styrgwillidar]

Yes, I agree researching a breed and finding out what it’s most common health problems could cost is a very important thing to do. Especially in the modern age where it is possible for breeders to have their breeding stock tested for inheritable disease before breeding and passing on those genes to another generation.

When I was deciding on each of my 3 purchased dogs I was careful about their breeders practices and did a lot of research on the health of their lines. They’re perfectly healthy dogs.

The rescue I have is my problem dog. She’s an American Pit Bull Terrier with allergies, a heart murmur and she also has a hormone imbalance. The allergies mean she is on meds daily, which are cheap. And she gets supplements for her skin and coat (fish oil, mainly) which are also cheap. Her chronic ear infections cost a little bit to treat, but its only a problem once in spring and then again in late summer. We jokingly call her our “Money Pit”. She was given to us free. HAH! Free dog, my foot!

Of course, we dog folk know that any dog is a gamble. You can improve your odds by being careful selecting a breed and finding an ethical breeder or you can get a rescue pup or adult with no known issues and still end up having to pay some serious $$$ to the vet.

My free dog is also the money pit and came from a very reputable breeder, and he’s the only pure-bred dog I have. Great personality, still young at 4yrs, and healthy in all respects other than having hurt his eye. Kid love him. My mutts are like bulletproof tanks and haven’t had any problems with them at all. Just the routine shots, and flea control.

But back OT, I do agree that you need to take responsibility for a pet. Acquiring them should be a considered, not a spur of the moment, decision. But however a person wants to spend their money is up to them. As long as they’re fulfilling their responsibilities a certain dollar amount isn’t a moral issue to me. If spending your money on your pets makes you happy, who am I to judge? If you’ve reached the point you can’t afford it, again- that’s not my decision to make.

 

[severus68]

My free dog is also the money pit and came from a very reputable breeder, and he’s the only pure-bred dog I have. Great personality, still young at 4yrs, and healthy in all respects other than having hurt his eye. Kid love him. My mutts are like bulletproof tanks and haven’t had any problems with them at all. Just the routine shots, and flea control.

But back OT, I do agree that you need to take responsibility for a pet. Acquiring them should be a considered, not a spur of the moment, decision. But however a person wants to spend their money is up to them. As long as they’re fulfilling their responsibilities a certain dollar amount isn’t a moral issue to me. If spending your money on your pets makes you happy, who am I to judge? If you’ve reached the point you can’t afford it, again- that’s not my decision to make.

 

[Larry1700]

Although I hadn’t posted yet, I was reading the replies, and I have to say I’m shocked by some of the responses.

**First, to those who say it’s none of my business what my daughter and husband spend:**While you are absolutely correct that the way they spend their money is their decision, you are incorrect that it is none of my business. What I was attempting to do is obtain Church-centered guidance on the issue in order to prepare myself to advise them IF they asked for my advice–which they did. In addition, my wife and I are pet owners ourselves, and I was seeking advice for the likely event that we will face someday.

Secondly, to those who subscribe to the “whatever it takes” philosophy:
While there have been others who have posted quite reasoned responses against “whatever it takes”, I’d like to thrown in my 2 cents. God made us stewards of the resources he has entrusted to us. You are right that we spend a lot of money on other things, and that must be a part of the equation. I rode with my daughter and SIL to the vet. My SIL asked the vet how much they had spent so far, and it was $4400. The vet was doing her best to politely and kindly steer them to a decision to euthanize the dog, because it could not survive off life support. However, I asked the vet about the possibility of a liver transplant. Her reply? It would cost $50,000. (Yes, that’s fifty thousand dollars!)

So, for the “whatever it takes” folks; are you seriously saying they should have spent $50,000 (actually, the total would have been $54,400, including what they had already spent) to keep the dog alive?

If you say yes, I have to ask you if you consider that the impact of that kind of expenditure would be irrelevant regarding their responsibilty to raise their children (not their “dog children”, but their “human children”)?

If you say no, then apparently there is at least some as-yet-undefined limit to your “whatever it takes” philosophy.

 

[Larry1700]

BTW, I am sad to report that the dog was, in fact, euthanized. My daughter and SIL saved the dog from euthanization at Fuzzy Friends (actually, I don’t rememeber the actual name of the place), gave it 9 months of intense love/attention. The dog was very happy during that time.

 

[PatriceA]

Although I hadn’t posted yet, I was reading the replies, and I have to say I’m shocked by some of the responses.

**First, to those who say it’s none of my business what my daughter and husband spend:**While you are absolutely correct that the way they spend their money is their decision, you are incorrect that it is none of my business. What I was attempting to do is obtain Church-centered guidance on the issue in order to prepare myself to advise them IF they asked for my advice–which they did. In addition, my wife and I are pet owners ourselves, and I was seeking advice for the likely event that we will face someday.

Secondly, to those who subscribe to the “whatever it takes” philosophy:
While there have been others who have posted quite reasoned responses against “whatever it takes”, I’d like to thrown in my 2 cents. God made us stewards of the resources he has entrusted to us. You are right that we spend a lot of money on other things, and that must be a part of the equation. I rode with my daughter and SIL to the vet. My SIL asked the vet how much they had spent so far, and it was $4400. The vet was doing her best to politely and kindly steer them to a decision to euthanize the dog, because it could not survive off life support. However, I asked the vet about the possibility of a liver transplant. Her reply? It would cost $50,000. (Yes, that’s fifty thousand dollars!)

So, for the “whatever it takes” folks; are you seriously saying they should have spent $50,000 (actually, the total would have been $54,400, including what they had already spent) to keep the dog alive?

If you say yes, I have to ask you if you consider that the impact of that kind of expenditure would be irrelevant regarding their responsibilty to raise their children (not their “dog children”, but their “human children”)?

If you say no, then apparently there is at least some as-yet-undefined limit to your “whatever it takes” philosophy.

Why are you shocked? You left out a crucial part of the discussion with your daughter, the fact that she actually had asked for your advice. The responses to this thread would have been very, very different if you had stated that in the OP.

 

[MJJean]

Why are you shocked? You left out a crucial part of the discussion with your daughter, the fact that she actually had asked for your advice. The responses to this thread would have been very, very different if you had stated that in the OP.

Yes! If you had originally mentioned that the dog was on life support and needed a liver transplant to the tune of $50,000 and that your daughter asked your advice I am pretty sure the responses would have been different. Of course, since she asked, you have every right to give her your opinion.

I love my dogs. They are a very big part of my life, especially since my kids are older and don’t need me as much. But I would never keep one on life support and I certainly wouldn’t spend $50,000 for a liver transplant. Even if I could afford it. Which I couldn’t. I mean, I can see spending $2000 on a hip surgery or a ligament tear surgery or a blockage surgery for a young and otherwise healthy dog, but I couldn’t imagine spending enough to buy a house on a dog. If it’s something 50k serious, its time to humanely euthanize and to get a new dog from a great breeder or rescue/shelter.

I am sorry for the loss of your daughters dog and hope that she grieves, heals, and is able to find a healthy dog to be her companion.

 

[severus68]

BTW, I am sad to report that the dog was, in fact, euthanized. My daughter and SIL saved the dog from euthanization at Fuzzy Friends (actually, I don’t rememeber the actual name of the place), gave it 9 months of intense love/attention. The dog was very happy during that time.

I am so sorry but it is now free from suffering. Your daughter and son-in- law gave it some happiness and that was a good thing.

 

[severus68]

Although I hadn’t posted yet, I was reading the replies, and I have to say I’m shocked by some of the responses.

**First, to those who say it’s none of my business what my daughter and husband spend:**While you are absolutely correct that the way they spend their money is their decision, you are incorrect that it is none of my business. What I was attempting to do is obtain Church-centered guidance on the issue in order to prepare myself to advise them IF they asked for my advice–which they did. In addition, my wife and I are pet owners ourselves, and I was seeking advice for the likely event that we will face someday.

Secondly, to those who subscribe to the “whatever it takes” philosophy:
While there have been others who have posted quite reasoned responses against “whatever it takes”, I’d like to thrown in my 2 cents. God made us stewards of the resources he has entrusted to us. You are right that we spend a lot of money on other things, and that must be a part of the equation. I rode with my daughter and SIL to the vet. My SIL asked the vet how much they had spent so far, and it was $4400. The vet was doing her best to politely and kindly steer them to a decision to euthanize the dog, because it could not survive off life support. However, I asked the vet about the possibility of a liver transplant. Her reply? It would cost $50,000. (Yes, that’s fifty thousand dollars!)

So, for the “whatever it takes” folks; are you seriously saying they should have spent $50,000 (actually, the total would have been $54,400, including what they had already spent) to keep the dog alive?

If you say yes, I have to ask you if you consider that the impact of that kind of expenditure would be irrelevant regarding their responsibilty to raise their children (not their “dog children”, but their “human children”)?

If you say no, then apparently there is at least some as-yet-undefined limit to your “whatever it takes” philosophy.

I love my pets, they are family but I would have said “no”. Not because of the expenditure itself (which is a different factor) but because if it was my dog, while it would have prolonged life, it would have prolonged suffering. Dogs know when it is time to go. I would not prolong my dog’s life for selfish reasons.

On their responsibility, with respect, they are adults.

 

[Aggie414]

I am so glad that your daughter and son-in-law were able to show this fur baby love for the last months of his/her life. I am one of those ones who would do just about anything for my dog – but I would have made the same decision as your daughter and SIL.

I do wish you had provided a bit more info in your OP as my responses would have been very different with the information you provided in your later post.

I hope your daughter and SIL are proud of the fact that they rescued their little puppy and gave it a great life for the little time they had with it. I hope they one day get to the point where they’re ready to open their home to another little dog. There are many great rescues in this area (if you, in fact, live in the Brazos Valley – which I’m assuming you do since you mentioned taking the dog to the A&M vet school) and I’m very happy to say I foster for one. Please PM me if your daughter would like some more info if they’re ready to get another one – when they’re ready.

 

[Larry1700]

Why are you shocked? You left out a crucial part of the discussion with your daughter, the fact that she actually had asked for your advice. The responses to this thread would have been very, very different if you had stated that in the OP.

At that point she had not asked for my advice. I was attempting to gather information in case she did. Perhaps I should have said so, or perhaps the responders shouldn’t have made the assumption that I was trying to control my daughter’s and SIL’s lives.

 

[Larry1700]

Yes! If you had originally mentioned that the dog was on life support **and needed a liver transplant to the tune of $50,000 and that your daughter asked your advice **I am pretty sure the responses would have been different. Of course, since she asked, you have every right to give her your opinion.

I love my dogs. They are a very big part of my life, especially since my kids are older and don’t need me as much. But I would never keep one on life support and I certainly wouldn’t spend $50,000 for a liver transplant. Even if I could afford it. Which I couldn’t. I mean, I can see spending $2000 on a hip surgery or a ligament tear surgery or a blockage surgery for a young and otherwise healthy dog, but I couldn’t imagine spending enough to buy a house on a dog. If it’s something 50k serious, its time to humanely euthanize and to get a new dog from a great breeder or rescue/shelter.

I am sorry for the loss of your daughters dog and hope that she grieves, heals, and is able to find a healthy dog to be her companion.

When I wrote my original post, my daughter had not yet asked for my advice, and I had not yet gone to the vet with them. I asked the vet the question about the possibility of a liver transplant when my family was in the room with the vet.

I don’t know if you were one of the “whatever it takes” posters, but it’s good to see that someone agrees that there is a limit on what should be expended. The limit, of course, is different for everyone, depending on their own financial position, charitable donations, family obligations, etc., but “whatever it takes” is absolutely ludicrous.

I don’t see how the responses would have been different if I had said something about the $50,000, because “whatever it takes” clearly means there is no limit.

 

[MJJean]

When I wrote my original post, my daughter had not yet asked for my advice, and I had not yet gone to the vet with them. I asked the vet the question about the possibility of a liver transplant when my family was in the room with the vet.

I don’t know if you were one of the “whatever it takes” posters, but it’s good to see that someone agrees that there is a limit on what should be expended. The limit, of course, is different for everyone, depending on their own financial position, charitable donations, family obligations, etc., but “whatever it takes” is absolutely ludicrous.

I don’t see how the responses would have been different if I had said something about the $50,000, because “whatever it takes” clearly means there is no limit.

I wasn’t a “whatever it takes”. I determine my pet spending limit based on what I can afford, the dogs age, prognosis, and quality of life.

I have an allergy dog that I have spent a few grand on in the last couple years and I love her dearly, but if the vet said she had organ failure and that medication would be expensive or that medication wouldn’t help I’d give her a good day of her favorite waking places and some cheeseburgers and then take her back to the vet, hold her, and say goodbye.

I hope your daughter is doing ok. Even when you know you did all you could it is still hard to have to put a dog down and there is a lot of what if’ing and guilt to season the grief.

 

[Larry1700]

Yes, and it’s difficult to know what to say to comfort my daughter. I have tried things like, “When you get back to work next week, it should help you take your mind off of Brandy for a while,” (my daughter’s a teacher). Unfortunately, she replied that, on the contrary, it will be difficult, because when she sings with the children, she’ll think of Brandy, because she used to sing to Brandy quite often.

I’ve tried saying other things, with similar results. My wife is much better at it.

 

[severus68]

Yes, and it’s difficult to know what to say to comfort my daughter. I have tried things like, “When you get back to work next week, it should help you take your mind off of Brandy for a while,” (my daughter’s a teacher). Unfortunately, she replied that, on the contrary, it will be difficult, because when she sings with the children, she’ll think of Brandy, because she used to sing to Brandy quite often.

I’ve tried saying other things, with similar results. My wife is much better at it.

It takes time, she is grieving. Maybe if you tell her that you do understand that she is grieving, to take her time and that you are praying for God to comfort her?

 

[Ms_Manners]

For all those saying that the money should be spent to help other humans, not animals… Do you think this is actually what most people would do with the money? Would the money actually go towards helping other people?
I don’t mean this as provocation, I have been thinking about this since this thread was started, and I must say that in most cases I know here, the money just would be considered “extra cash” and would go to something else not really necessary, and not to ease another human’s suffering or need. So in that case I guess any life comes before drinks and purses. But I wonder if that might be just my environment.

For me personally, the limit would be essentials (food, necessary clothes, etc.) for my children or other people who depend on me. Anything that could be put on hold until the next paycheck, or a time when I could afford it, would just have to wait. As long as it’s just me, I’ve had situations where I bought food for my dog and not myself (though it was a cheaper kind of dog food at those times), so I have no doubt I would do it again. For a while I felt like something happened every time I managed to put some money on the side, but I don’t regret any of it. Luckily my husband feels the same way, we would go a long way to help any of our pets, partly maybe because I owe my life to my dog, very literally.

Yes, and it’s difficult to know what to say to comfort my daughter.

Then don’t say anything. Just listen, be there, and especially don’t criticize and comment on the financial side, not now, not for while. Let her grieve, let her express it.
Sometimes it’s best not to try to rationalize, not to explain or even try to divert attention. Just let her deal with it her way, if she wants time, give her time, if she thinks she needs to keep busy, maybe try to come up with something, but let her decide and let her know you are there if she needs you.
Don’t suggest getting another dog if she doesn’t want one, let her (them) decide on that.
It may not be easy for you either, I’m sure it hurts you to see your daughter suffer.