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I have to vent so excuse me while I do.

An acquaintance of mine has 6 or 7 dogs, 2 of which are indoor small dogs. She has fallen on hard times so some things, like rabies shot, heart worm meds, have been put on the back burner for now.(Her regular vet had passed away) A couple of weeks ago the large outdoor dogs attacked the smaller indoor dog and tore her up pretty badly. I suggested taking the dog to the vet ASAP but she was trying to get in touch with the low cost vet's office. They finally called her and said they don't deal with emergencies so I gave her my vet's office number and vet's name, warning her it might be pricy (several doctors at this office so I gave her my dogs doctors name-love her, so does my dog). All the time I said the dog is suffering, to get her in. The dog had to stay 5 days hooked up to IV antibiotics and 2 drains and because she waited so long (3 day's) they couldn't stitch the wounds and she was running a fever. Well, she loved the doctor and the office. They had to update all her shots and gave her oral antibiotics for home. Now the dog will not eat and because she is a biter she cannot get the pills down and she is livid, saying "after I spent over $700 this dog better not die. I asked the vet if we should put her down. I will be p-i-s-s-e-d if she dies. I could have saved myself the money".
Then I was p-i-s-s-e-d. I said "Now you hold on a minute. If you didn't wait 3 days before taking her in it probably would not have cost that much and if memory serves me correctly, you told the vet to SAVE her". Oh boy, I was seeing RED. She is the type that the blame is always on someone else. Never her fault.
The doctor asked about the rabies shots with the other dogs and they all should be quarantined for up to 6 months. Well, she ranted to me saying she couldn't do that, she didn't have time. I told her the dogs could have rabies. OH NO, her dogs don't have rabies. I asked her how does she know. She lives in the woods with, squirrels, opossums, racoons and who knows what else. The dogs are not up to date on their shots. OMG!!! It must be wonderful to live life ignorant of responsibility.
I think from now on I will not give any info out or give any advice. She is probably angry with me for suggesting my vet.
Thanks for letting me vent.

Not knowing her, I can give her the benefit of the doubt. She is stressed because the dogs fight, the one is quite ill, she can't afford the shots for all and likely can't afford a lot of things. Then she is likely feeling guilty because she cannot do what she should.

Or she could just be ignorant and irresponsible.

Whichever it is, please do not give up trying to help people. There are many, as I am sure you have found, that are grateful for help

She is irresponsible. I bite my tongue many times. She will rather buy a golf cart for their RV than pay her taxes (on a payment plan-3 years owed). "I deserve it, s-c-r-e-w the tax man." Quote, UN-quote. While we will do without and pay our bills.

propertylady57, Vent heard AND understood! I, too, bite my tongue many times when it comes to caring for four-legged members of a family rather than fulfilling the immediate desires of the two-legged ones - "instant gratification" is a relatively new expression. It used to be that people had budgets and stuck to them to care for what they already had instead of constantly chasing after the new whatever....

I commend you for doing what you did in helping your friend find care for her injured dog and hope this experience won't stop you from doing the same in the future. Think it just comes down to priorities sometimes and, sadly, animals are not at the top of the list at times.

With any luck, your friend will learn from this experience and decide it is worth it to spend the money to get some preventive care for all of the rest of her dogs - might save her even more money in the future. Let us know how the injured dog is faring.

We have a low cost shot service that comes to our little town a couple of times a year -- everything is so much cheaper than the regular vet (I've never used it prefering to use our vet for everything) but it is there. Low income people need and love their pets, too, and it's nice that this service is available. Perhaps you can check to see if there is one in your area?

the authorities may take her dogs away from her if they haven't been vaccinated because of the rabies issue.

You are a kind person and I do understand your frustration. It's one of those instances, of saying to yourself . . . if only I had kept my mouth shut!

Martha

Well, I received a call this morning. Her dog did die early today, poor baby. At least she is not suffering any more.
Linderhof, I have to agree with you but I didn't dare tell her that. The vet did tell her they were going to call the county to see when she last gave her dogs shots so they can get all the other dogs up to date.

I will state my opinion simply. People who buy pets have a duty and responsibility to care for that animal for its lifetime. Over 42 years, we've always had dogs and cats and I would go into debt (and have) for them if they needed vet care. Some have had behavioural problems, and some were more sickly than others, but they were a COMMITTMENT I took on and I have no use for people who feel a pet is like a possession; they are all creatures who totally depend on us for their well-being.

quote:

Originally posted by suedorcoo:
I will state my opinion simply. People who buy pets have a duty and responsibility to care for that animal for its lifetime. Over 42 years, we've always had dogs and cats and I would go into debt (and have) for them if they needed vet care. Some have had behavioural problems, and some were more sickly than others, but they were a COMMITTMENT I took on and I have no use for people who feel a pet is like a possession; they are all creatures who totally depend on us for their well-being.

Thank you Sue, I agree 100% with your post. Some people shouldn't have pets. Even if you fall on hard times there are groups who can help you. I know people like her and they are just lazy and irresponsible.

I think of how much we have spent on pets over the years - we could probably have paid for any number of things for the home or more vacations. But we take care of pets we have taken on as our responsibility.

propertylady, I hear exactly what you are saying. Since I take in only the sicker and older dogs, I knew it would be tough. I however always think about their needs and if I could afford to care for everything they would ever need. I have spent over 50k on just 3 of my puppers with horrible life threatening illnesses. I did without a lot like new tires and food for myself. These three babies did pass, and I always said never again. I have lost 8 total but thankfully I now work for my vet and get a discount. Even with the large discount my pet bills are huge (over 1200 a month. I still go without, but my furkids have better health and life because I knew I had decided to keep them and they needed someone to help them. Heck with new things for myself...I had juvenile diabetes for 42 years and knew what it meant to be pushed aside and not taken care of. I always vow to never let my dogs suffer or die in pain or alone despite what I may need

That would make me very upset too. She should NOT have any dogs! Not because she she fell on hard times which can happen to anyone.....but because she doesn't CARE! And she never will be the type of person who is sensitive to her pets needs. The fact that she didn't take her injured small dog to emergency right away is a clincher for me. The county SHOULD take her dogs away and fine her for animal abuse.

I have to agree with everyone here. My dog comes first in this house. She is like my child. We could take her to a less expensive vet but we love our vet and the dog loves her too.
I had warned my friend she better have a good story because they might ask why she didn't bring the dog in when it happened. If it happened to my dog there would be no hesitation. The dog would have been in the car on it's way to the vet's immediately. I just don't understand and I guess I never will.

I was watching our local news tonight and they had a story about a woman who was bitten by a skunk outside of a local restaurant AND GUESS WHAT. IT WAS RABID!!! There has been 6 cases so far. I hope my friends outdoor dogs are not affected. This just goes to show you. GET YOUR PETS THEIR SHOTS.

People should not have any pets if they cannot afford them! Health care is as important as food. If they cannot afford to take care of them they should be placed in a no kill shelter. I love my two cats and if I had to go without, they would be taken care of. If I was in a bind, I would find a good home for them!