How Much is Too Much?

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Posts about medical conditions of doodles and the ensuing hardships on their families has me wondering.  I know we would all do whatever we could to keep our doodles healthy and lead a comfortable life, but...I started thinking.  My husband and I aren't weathy by any means and we have two young boys to support and try to send to college.  I started thinking...How far would I go to save Bexter and Maggie - financially?  Luckily I have pet insurance with Bexter & will be getting it with Maggie now too (which is on my to-do list for spring break)!  But...what if I didn't? Or what if the amount stated was way higher than what insurance would cover?  I don't mean to stir controversy here.  I was just thinking.  I'm guessing that I would be willing to part with more money than my DH would, and I'm afraid that would cause some marital problems if it would arise.  I know he would probably spend a lot to help too, I don't mean that, but HOW MUCH?  I don't know.  I guess we'd start thinking of things to give up - cable, etc.   I just pray that this never becomes an issue for us.  I am so sorry to all those people who it is an issue for right now.  It has to be so hard.  I certainly don't ever want to come off as judgemental because I'm sure there are lots of people who simply don't have the money to cover some big medical condition their dogs have.  However - I DO know that people should really give that effort to give up things before they give up on their doodle.  I know we love our doodles as family members, but at the expense of our kids' college or our homes?  I guess this is all hypothetical.  Sorry, I'm just rambling aloud.  I guess this should have been a blog!

[Bonnie and Kona]

OMD this brings tears to my eyes! Yea, Jack!!!

[BG and Gavin]

Your dedication to Jack and all dogs is unmatched Karen.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Linda, but there are an awful lot of you who I know would do the same, and have. :)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Amen.  I have one 8-year old chihuahua that would be unadoptable also. No insurance.  Right now I have costs under control, but that could change.  I have one credit card with over a $20,000 limit and honestly, I keep it open just for emergencies, at the top of the list are DOG emergencies.

[BG and Gavin]

The first time I boarded Gavin I literally had to put a price on his head.  The owner who was also our trainer said in case of an emergency and I cannot get a hold of you or your designate and I have to make a snap decision on the spot, how much would you authorize me to spend.  Ugh!  What a question!  At the same time DH and I responded.  He said $500 dollars, I said $3000.  So $3000 it was.  I was feeling sick all the way to our destination that it was not enough.  The next weekend away I upped it to $5000 and again felt sick.  The last time I told her $10,000 (and then whispered, unlimited really).

[Joanie]

Hi Traci.  I went through this recently with my yorkie, Sky.  She was 8 years old.  When she was 7 she got bladder stones.  Sky was only 3lbs and had a very small bladder so the stones caused a big problem.  Even though I didn't have the money, I put myself over $3,000 in debt and I was a wreck worrying about her.  She survived the surgery and everything was ok.  Then last summer I started noticing something was wrong.  We went back to the vet, and she had bladder stones again.  I knew I couldn't put her through the surgery again (she was never the same after) and I decided to try an all natural route.  I tried for months, feeding perscription food, trying anything and everything, spending tons of money at the vet which I didn't have all to try to save my baby girl.  Last August she stopped eating and drinking completely and I knew it wasn't fair to her.  She was in so much pain and I had to put her down.  I still owe well over $3,000 from the surgery and then well over $2,000 for last summer.  I put myself in debt, but she was my baby girl and I would do whatever I could in my power to save her.  It killed me when I had to put her down and it's been just about 8 months and the pain is still there.  I just try to think of the good times I had with her.  But, yes it's hard.  But I can honestly say that I would do anything and everything within my power to save my babies.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Joanie, I hope you can find some comfort in knowing that you did everything possible for Sky, and that she knew how much you loved her.

[Joanie]

Yes I take great comfort in that.  I miss her... she saved me years ago when I no longer wanted to live and she gave me a reason to want to live again.  She was my best friend, my baby and I know she knew I loved her very much and knew I did all I could for her.  I can honestly say the last day she let me know it was time, that she was ok with the decision I had to make.  Just the look in her eyes and the way she kissed me when I said goodbye let me know that she knew it was time.  After I put Kyie down I was very very depressed.  I couldn't stop crying.  Even though it was so soon after my mom said I should look around for another baby to love to cheer me up and I found Lani.  I believe that Kyie sent me Lani because she knew I needed to be happy again.  Lan has so many characteristics of Kyie's, but so many of her own as well.  I know Lani came into my life for a reason and I love her so much.  Lani is named after Sky.... her name is Hawaiian for Sky. 

[Adrianne Matzkin]

After Samantha decided to follow me out a window on the second floor (I tossed her favorite rope toy onto the patio roof and had to retrieve it) and she fell off the roof, and an ER visit to the vet and I paid $500 for x-rays nose to tail (TG she wasn't hurt and vet told me she had good hips) I got pet insurance. The day Charli got her plan. I also got it for Mickey, my GrandDoodle, cause they didn't have the money that year.

I have always said I would live in my car and eat store brand hot dogs so I could still give my girls their high quality kibble. I meant it though I pray I never have to. 

They are my kids! They didn't ask to be part of my family, that was my choice. They are my responsibility and no one elses.  I just can't understand how all families don't feel the same way.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I so agree, Adrianne. We make the choice to get a dog. The dogs don't have any say in who they end up with. People who aren't prepared to care for them for life, whatever it takes, just shouldn't get a dog.

[Christine & Camus]

You said it in a nutshell Karen and I completely agree.  People need to own up to their responsibilities.  If you cannot afford a dog, or any pet for that matter, then you should not get one! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nobody knows that better than you, Christine. I am still humbled by the way you cared for Nietzsche, financially and in every other way possible.