Treatment for my dog

[porthos11]

like I said, it’s not money I would have given away to charity anyways, I already have things I do give to, the church does not require us to give away every spare penny, it was money I was planning to start saving to buy an apartment and move out, but I don’t have to do that for the time being.

people spends thousands of dollars to buy a car, that’s not sinful. a guide dog is for mobility purposes, it’s sort of similar,

I understand if you personally wouldn’t do it, that’s fine, but I have talked to a priest about it before, and he said it’s no different than any other large expense we might have, like a vacation or a car or saving up to buy a house, some other such thing

As i said earlier do not let anyone say you cannot spend to treat your dog.

And that holds true whether your pooch is a guide dog or a spoiled pet.

Do not feel pressured to justify yourself to anyone here. Your circumstances are well within reason to take care of the dog.

 

[Pup7]

people spends thousands of dollars to buy a car, that’s not sinful. a guide dog is for mobility purposes, it’s sort of similar,

I understand if you personally wouldn’t do it, that’s fine, but I have talked to a priest about it before, and he said it’s no different than any other large expense we might have, like a vacation or a car or saving up to buy a house, some other such thing

Here’s my take on that.

It actually bugs me when others say “oh, they shouldn’t buy/do/spend that because of XYZ” when the XYZ is actually the opinion of the speaker. If I stopped to think about every single other case every time I pulled out my wallet, I’d never travel, I’d never have some of the really nice things that I have worked hard to be able to have, and I’d probably never leave the house if I felt bad about everything I spend or don’t spend. And no, I’m not a spendthrift, but I’m sure my husband and I have bought a few things that others would say we shouldn’t own. It’s not their money, though.

It’s your money. As long as your needs are taken care of and no one is in danger of losing home/car/shirt off their back, you spend your money how you see fit.

I’m reminded of the line from “Steel Magnolias” when Clairee tells Ouisa, “You’d give your dog a kidney if he needed one.” It’s meant as comedic, but there’s a lot of truth in it. And if that’s what you feel is right, then it’s ultimately your decision, though I know you’re making it as prudently and as humanely (for Macy’s sake) as you can.

Yes, that’s a bit blunt. But don’t guilt trip yourself or let others do it to you. I think with animals we are called to do all we fiscally and reasonably can. You are not wrong to seek treatment you can afford, and the person who cannot afford it is not wrong for ending what would likely be untold suffering by the poor dog because they can’t get them treatment. Neither decision is incorrect.

 

[TheOldColonel]

People spend money on many things in life. I see no reason that caring for your dog would be wrong. Indeed, it is quite a loving thing to do. Surely, St. Francis would approve.

 

[Lormar]

so if it turns out my guide dog does have cancer. I do want to attempt to do something about it. my conscience is seriously bothering me if I didn’t try anything for her. she is young and in good enough spirits that I believe that she has a good chance of fighting it.

it’s most likely going to be expensive and ther is always that paragraph in the catechism about spending money on animals what should go to relieving human misery as a priority would be unworthy that always bothers me. I don’t know if it applies to this sort of situation though. I have a job now so I can afford it. my dad is also buying insurance so they may cover it, if they determine it is not a pre-existing condition. I’ve almost done paying off my debt with my parents and I did finish paying my student loans already. There is no other urgent situation in my family that would require funds at the moment.

I wouldn’t be cutting my charitable giving either if I did this, I am planning to set up a direct withdrawal with my parish since the collection baskets never relaly work out well for me. I also do a monthly sponsorship for an elderly person in Cameroon.

my next goals were to go to world youth day in Panama and to start saving money to perhaps buy an apartment but I am more than willing to forgo those at the moment if Macy needs care.
This couldn’t possibly be sinful, could it? god placed her in my care so I have to give her the best chance at life that I can. she is the most devoted and obedient dog, I have never seen anything like it. my first guide was great but very different from Macy. if she was an older dog, I might feel differently or if she doesn’t respond well to treatment thatn I would probably reconsider. but I don’t see how this would be different than any other large expense, like a vacation or a car or purchasing technology. that’s what a priest told me once anyways. any thoughts or advice?

No, I don’t think it’s sinful at all. You sound like a very responsible and conscientious person.

If I had a dog with cancer that was young like Macy and had the means to do so, I would do what you are doing.

I sincerely hope that Macy responds well to treatment. She is fortunate to have you as an owner.

 

[Lormar]

Angel, pray to St. Martin de Porres for Macy. He loved animals.

 

[DeniseNY]

There are probably things on which you, I , and everyone else spend money when the money could go to “better” causes. I don’t know that the amount is really material. Maybe there’s $5, $10, $20 extra that you could put in the collection basket or give to charity. I’m not trying to say this in a snarky way, but I think it’s always kind of easy to tell other people what they should be doing with their money.

 

[Lormar]

There are probably things on which you, I , and everyone else spend money when the money could go to “better” causes. I don’t know that the amount is really material. Maybe there’s $5, $10, $20 extra that you could put in the collection basket or give to charity. I’m not trying to say this in a snarky way, but I think it’s always kind of easy to tell other people what they should be doing with their money.

I agree with you, Denise.

Angel, you do what you want. And don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for what you want to do.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

If you have the money, no one is going to go hungry or go into big debt to pay for it, and the vet thinks this will significantly benefit the dog, then treat the dog. No need to even discuss it. I’d say the same if it was a mutt off the street.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Give me a break already. You are not the moral boss of anyone’s spending, and the OP is looking to help a living creature feel better, not buy a designer purse.
How dare you guilt anyone?
Just stop.

 

[Pup7]

Give me a break already. You are not the moral boss of anyone’s spending, and the OP is looking to help a living creature feel better, not buy a designer purse.

Exactly. To be honest, if it was a designer purse, and the OP had the money…so what?

Unless someone is starving a member of the family in the name of the latest smartphone (or committing another crime, for that matter), what someone does with their hard earned cash is that person’s problem.

 

[Lara]

A little harsh there. Agatha was just making a general statement that people should think about how they spend money. If she had said, people should think about how they use water–for in some countries it’s difficult to come by, and we should use the Earth’s resources wisely–she would have got a standing ovation from environmentalists. But her point is a good one. Often, I look back on how I’ve spent money and realized it could have gone towards something better.

But of course, it’s okay for the OP to spend money on her dog.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Speaking as someone who just paid large doctor bills for two of my animals adopted from shelters, and regularly supports charities that provide medical care for injured and sick animals, I see it as a respect for life issue. The only time I would object to someone spending on animal medical care is when their children would be going without food or shoes or when the cost and other side effects of the medical care outweigh the likely benefit to the animal. Vets are generally good about advising when they think euthanasia, rather than further treatment, is appropriate.

The problem with saying “we must look at our expenditures” in an animal context is that there is always going to be somebody who says, “animal doesn’t matter, there are plenty of animals, you ate an animal for breakfast so you’re a hypocrite to want to treat one, just put it to sleep and get a new one, and use the money on a human.” Animal lovers fight this battle all day every day and soon learn to just not bother discussing with anyone who isn’t an “animal person”.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Ok, sorry if I overreacted. It’s a bit of an issue for me since like I said I devote a lot of my own time and resources as well as donations to medical care for animals who need it.

 

[porthos11]

Ok, sorry if I overreacted. It’s a bit of an issue for me since like I said I devote a lot of my own time and resources as well as donations to medical care for animals who need it.

No you did not overreact. It is impossible to see how that post could ever be perceived as “lighthearted” and not guilt tripping. However it was bound to come up which is why I launched a preemptive strike in my very first reply.

 

[angell1]

hi Agatha,

I know you probably didn’t know this, but I suffer from some pretty severe scruples.

I am just trying to live my life the best I can for the lord, but a post like yours really did cause me a lot of grief. I realize that you didn’t really mean to, and I respect the fact that you might not make the same decision as me.

I just really can’t comprehend how trying to save Macy could in any way be sinful, she would sacrifice her life for me as mmy guide, I can’t just brush that aside fot the sake of money. like I said, I am willing to cancel my own spendings, such as my trip to wolrd youth day, or delay moving out, for her sake.

anyways, I know I don’t really need to justify myself, so many people have told me it’s not a sin, I know what you are trying to say, that we should be careful with our spendings. I actually hardly ever spend anything on myself.

and I have prayed about it. The lord is telling me that he put this creature in my care, and I would be seriously violating my conscience by not doing anything. If she was older, or if the treatments don’t work, then that might be a different story.

i really didn’t intend for this tread to become inflammatory, i am just struggling so much and was needing some advice and consolation