How much should be spent to care for a pet?

[severus68]

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.

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.

 

[BaggioTX]

I’m sorry if I sound blunt…but pet insurance seems be in order. I’m sure that for a charge as extravagant as $3000, the medical conditions with which their pet was must be relatively serious, which is probably going to be covered by pet insurance. I’ve recently read a post where a young couple had a pet (covered by pet insurance, petinsurancedirect.net/) who incurred medical expenses accruing to $20k. After pet insurance, they only had to pay $1k. Quite a reduction in financial pressure, no?

But IMO, I don’t think that how much medical expenses add up to is relevant - isn’t it about having the heart to care about their dog in the first place? Obviously, there should be limits (something they have probably considered at length when welcoming their dog into the family), but I don’t think you can really put a price, or a ceiling for that matter to love.

If you don’t think you can afford this, that seems fine. Then you might not want to opt for adopting an animal. However, everyone’s definition of what’s “too much” might be slightly different.

Hope that helps.

 

[Winter_Warlock_1]

Larry,

In my opinion it would depend on the person / people on how much they want to spend. If they give to the Church / Charities / etc. and want to spend X amount for the care of an adopted Furry child then more power to them.

In my case I give to the Church and Charities, and for my little girl – a Siberian Husky – I also spend on her; food, toys, vet checkups etc. She has allergies also so I took her to a Puppy Dermatologist, yes they do have specialist for “pets” also .

Winter

 

[Magdalen2013]

To the OP

IF your daughter had lost a child, would you have said to her: “When you’re back a work you won’t think of (child) so much?”

Your daughter may be a person who cares for her pet the way she would care for a child. If so, your statement is harsh and unfeeling.

While I’m not a “whatever it takes” person, if my pet is ill or injured and I can afford the treatment then that pet gets treated. When the treatment is more than I can afford, then I have had the pet put to sleep. (In most cases, these have been VERY elderly pets.)

I give to charities for both animals and people, because I believe these words are ALWAYS applicable to both:

“Whatever you have done for the least of these, my brethren, you have done unto me.”

 

[TK421]

Whatever you consider prudent. I grew up on a farm and when an animal got severely sick, it got shot. On the other hand, my aunt burned through 5k treating her pet dog.

In my personal opinion, it is spiritually unhealthy to invest large sums of money on animals, but that’s just me.