Travel with Pets - OT: Is it wrong to be an animal lover?

Hi guys,

Mods sorry if this contravenes the terms of this forum but I thought it was a good place to post it where there are lots of animal lovers. I came across this story about a poorly pup who needs some treatment and I just wondered if the sad comments left by people reflect a majority view, or whether they are just callous people looking for a reaction? What do you think?

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/quirkies/4541889.Rottingdean_puppy_Louie_needs___4k_operati on/

I am guessing this is a place that you will find a pretty slanted view....

I honestly believe that most people who have pets have a different view of what is important and what they will pay than non-pet owners.

I had friends who were shocked when I spent over $4500 two years ago to try and save our young cat that had a bowel obstruction. We tried a few things over a month before we finally had to take the tough decision to put him to sleep. I would pay the same thing today.

Are there callous people out there? Yes. But there are also many that do not have the funds and cannot see spending so much on an "animal". To me, they are family... so I have a different mindset.

IMHO there are three types of people out there, the ones that love their pets, the ones that are indifferent to animals and the ones that dislike animals. Luckily the people that post on this forum belong to the first group. ^

I had a neighbor who spent about $25k to save his Bichon Frise a few years ago. The little guy was kept at NYC's Animal Medical Center in total quarantine for almost two months with a contagious disease while they used an experimental treatment on him that was totally unproven at the time. The treatment was successful and the AMC even wrote a article in their newsletter about the dog and the treatment. The dog was nine or ten at the time and last month had a birthday party thrown because he had hit sixteen. ^^^

Hi guys,
I just wondered if the sad comments left by people reflect a majority view, or whether they are just callous people looking for a reaction? What do you think?

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/quirkies/4541889.Rottingdean_puppy_Louie_needs___4k_operati on/

Lots of people posting their comments for shock value.
My guess is once schools are back in session these type of comments will drop.

IMHO there are three types of people out there, the ones that love their pets, the ones that are indifferent to animals and the ones that dislike animals. Luckily the people that post on this forum belong to the first group. ^

I had a neighbor who spent about $25k to save his Bichon Frise a few years ago. The little guy was kept at NYC's Animal Medical Center in total quarantine for almost two months with a contagious disease while they used an experimental treatment on him that was totally unproven at the time. The treatment was successful and the AMC even wrote a article in their newsletter about the dog and the treatment. The dog was nine or ten at the time and last month had a birthday party thrown because he had hit sixteen. ^^^

There is a 4th category, people who love their pets but aren't willing to pay $25K to save one. As much as I love my pets, I think I would not invest that kind of money on a pet. $1-2K maybe, but probably not more than that. With the number of animals that need homes, I think I would choose to put a pet to sleep rather than pay that kind of money. I love my pets, but there is no guarantee that they wouldn't suffer even after medical treatment. I also have a problem spending that kind of money that could go to homeless shelters, poverty programs or animal rescue programs. That's just my opinion.

I've lost a pet who might have been saved by medical treatment, so I know what it feels like to want to save a pet. He was at an emergency hospital and died before I could get him to a surgeon to treat injuries from a dog attack.

** BTW, I think this is more appropriate for OMNI, if you ask me. It's like asking in the Travel with Children's forum if it's OK for people to have children. (No, pets are not the same as children. I'd be the first to say that.)

I fail to understand why more people do not opt for Pet Insurance. When I hear stories about folks paying thousands of dollars for vet bills, I just don't get why they don't do some research into pet insurance. I have 3 dogs; they range in age from 5-10. My monthly premium for all three is about $70.00. It is money well-spent.

I am sure there are many... myself included... that have a tough time paying that amount of money for insurance... more than I pay for my car or home... :)

I have looked into insurance... and it just does not make financial sense unless there is a major problem... which we never hope for.

I am going to look into it again... I just started a new job... and my company actually subsidizes pet insurance... go figure! :)

I fail to understand why more people do not opt for Pet Insurance. When I hear stories about folks paying thousands of dollars for vet bills, I just don't get why they don't do some research into pet insurance. I have 3 dogs; they range in age from 5-10. My monthly premium for all three is about $70.00. It is money well-spent.

I have pet insurance through the AKC which IMHO offers one of the better plans out there and it costs $458 a year (not for dental). The problem is that all of these plans have exclusions for issues that affect various breeds and you really have to read the fine print before signing up to see if your breed is totally covered. @:-)

All of the plans have some sort of wording that says they will be paying "reasonable & customary" charges that are usually based on your zip code. However I have found that to simply be a way to screw you out of a larger reimbursement. :td: