Comments on VETBLOG: Chapter 1 - Are pet owners... a little off?

We work in an inner city animal shelter and we see...

2008-12-08T21:14:00.000-05:00

We work in an inner city animal shelter and we see the other side of the coin. Instead of going to the vet ever, some of our 'clients' let their animals suffer and die in the yard with out any care. Then, when they get around to it, they bring in the sometimes decomposing body for us to dispose of. luckily, most people are intelligent regarding the medical care they provide for their animals. (PS, we like your blog and added your link to ours)

I can not stand this latest fad of dressing dogs a...

2008-11-07T15:02:00.000-05:00

I can not stand this latest fad of dressing dogs as if they were cute children. I've yet to see a happy dog, dressed in human clothes. I think their humans are more than a bit off center.

But then I have a neighbor who was upset when Animal Regulation was called, because her pedigree dog bit an adult neighbor. She didn't understand why Animal Reg had to be called. "It's just a bite." Add the bite to the progressive aggression the dog has been exhibiting. There's a disaster waiting to happen. I think this dog owner is 'way more than a bit off center.

I guess I'd rather see dogs dressed in human clothes, than have owners thinking that dog bite is nothing important.

Dee,You banged the nail right on the head: pets ar...

2008-10-21T20:24:00.000-04:00

Dee,

You banged the nail right on the head: pets are not children, no matter how much you love them.
I love my cats dearly; I make decisions, as you suggest, keeping in mind their quality of life. For example, my older cat is diabetic: I can easily give him insulin injections twice daily, I can afford to treat him, and his quality of life is now that of a healthy cat.
You kept your dog alive because your vet likely guided you that way. You are definitely not nuts for trying to save your dog.
Thanks for the post.

Sure, it can and does go too far but animals are l...

2008-10-18T20:41:00.000-04:00

Sure, it can and does go too far but animals are like kids for some of us. And we love them. I've interviewed veterinarians on the subject of how much is too much. Some just say they tell owners what can be done, leaving it up to them to decide what should be done. Others say they feel it's part of their role to make recommendations keeping in mind what they know about the animal's quality of life and the pet owner's finances.

All I can say is, I lost one dog after doing too much to keep her alive, not realizing it was hopeless because she'd ingested antifreeze. I've never really gotten over that but you just do the best you can at the time.

I also feel guilty still about another pet that might have lived longer if I had paid for a procedure I neglected to do.

Of course, both would be long gone by now!

Yes, we're nuts. But at least we love:-)!

As a pet owner, but one with limited funds, I feel...

2008-10-14T01:19:00.000-04:00

As a pet owner, but one with limited funds, I feel unbelievably guilty when faced with choices that I just cannot afford when it comes to our cats' care. It must be a really hard call for a vet when it comes to offering solutions to someone for their pet that the vet knows or suspects is well out of their monetary capabilities.

I must admit, I feel a little bit uncomfortable ab...

2008-10-13T05:25:00.000-04:00

I must admit, I feel a little bit uncomfortable about this craze for dressing up animals in costumes.