So, in light of recent discussion, I am starting this thread. This is an issue that I see people struggle with every day when it comes to their pets - How much is too much?
I'm not just talking about money, though that does tend to be the deal breaker. But, how much is too much - Pain? Treatment? Money? Stress? Life style change?

It is fairly safe to say that all of us come to this site, because we love animals. Sure, many of us would love to have many animals, but that is not practical. Well, for the same reason that it is not practical for many people to have multiple animals, it is not practical for some people to have even 1.

Everyone responsible for the care and well being of a living being must make hard decisions - What standard of living will my animal enjoy, and at what point am I willing to compromise that? Is it better for my animal to live a mediocre life, than no life at all? Is my enjoyment of my animal more important than their enjoyment of life?

As someone who has worked in various dominions of the animal care industry, I have seen many facets of ownership. Love, neglect, caring, ignorance, empathy, anger, selfishness and selflessness are all in day's work; in a world where emotions frequently run high. However, all too often, what's actually best for the animal is clouded by subjectivity - as ultimately they are kept as pets for human enjoyment.

There are infinite points to be made on this topic, I can't even begin to scratch the surface. Personally, I only have as many animals as I can provide fully for. To me, this means being able to give them everything they need medically and in daily life to live a VERY satisfying life. What that means for me in reality - I have 1 dog, I have pet insurance, and I make some personal sacrifices. However, those are all planned choices.

What does being a responsible pet owner mean to you?

"Personally, I only have as many animals as I can provide fully for."

Me too. But what if I were hurt, or lost my job, or whatever? What if my human child(ren) suddenly needed my resources?

And "fully" ..... if one of my dogs needed $35,000 worth of medical care, I couldn't do it.

I'm not even sure what "fully" should mean.

I do make personal sacrifices so that my dogs eat the most healthful diet I can provide and have dental care, regular checkups, overnight care in their own home if I travel without them (at $115 a day) ... but there's no way I can tell myself that I could provide everything they could ever possibly need.

I'm old and have seen many people's fortunes go from zero to great and vice versa in very short periods, often, it seems, on a roll of the dice of fate.

"Is my enjoyment of my animal more important than their enjoyment of life?" No.

"... how much is too much - Pain? Treatment? Money? Stress? Life style change?"
I guess it goes back to two points above: Do I have the money, and is the dog still enjoying his daily life.

Or as Ed has said, can the dog still eat, potty, and sleep, all in comfort? If not, I'm asking myself some hard questions immediately.

A tough topic!

I hate seeing a pet suffer because the owner loves him.

I had to convince someone to PTS a old narcolectic mare that was having cancer issue. One day before the day she fell and broke a leg. The had fallen before while riden and the owner got a broken arm and the list goes on. But she loved the mare and could not do it. She paid cancer pill the mare was more sick but she loved her.

 Quote: ariane gauthier

I hate seeing a pet suffer because the owner loves him.

To me, if you mean quality of life gone, that means the owner is focused on avoiding his own bereavement/loss more than on the animal's relief from suffering.

To me, that's not quite enough love. For me, letting the animal go before life becomes awful, before dignity and quality of life are gone -- this is what the love of a pack leader means.


I fully understand that just because I feel to strongly about it doesn't necessarily make me "right" ... if there IS a "right."

For me, being a responsible pet owner means doing my very best to meet their needs and to ensure the best quality of life they are able to enjoy.

As with humans, what is meant by living a VERY satisfying life may not be perfection, but that does not mean it is not a life worth living. Having the priviledge of working with severly handicapped children several times a week, I am far too familar with seeing those of us who are extremely challenged - many beyond what most of us could comprehend dealing with on a daily basis - yet able to achieve a tremendous sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in doing the best at what THEY are capable of achieving. There are very many levels of what is satisfying, and it is not always what might be assumed from a "normal" persepctive.

No pet of mine will ever suffer or live a life of pain for my own personal needs. Just won't happen. Neither will their life be shortened unless I am 100% confident that I've done all I can do to provide for them the best possible care and solution to any issue we face. That may include expensive veterinarian care and it may include doing all I can possibly do within severe financial challenges.

"No pet of mine will ever suffer or live a life of pain for my own personal needs. Just won't happen. Neither will their life be shortened unless I am 100% confident that I've done all I can do ... "

What if "all I can do" includes procedures you don't want the animal to bear?

What a great question. For me it means providing all the necessary needs of the dog. A top notch diet, plenty of exercise and the best possible medical care we can afford.
We are at our max of two large dogs and because medical costs can really get out of hand quickly, we have two insurance policies on them so we can afford good care.

But aside from all that, to provide them as they provide us, the wonderful time of companionship. We take the dogs almost everywhere and even consider vacations that will include them.
For me, they are family and having them along with us is just the best thing life has to offer.

But lastly, I do think about illness and when the time comes to allow them to leave this world in peace, in comfort and knowing that we couldn't have asked for more from them.

I try to avoid making sweeping statements like this, but none of us can handle the WORST case scenario. Mentally, physically, financially, whatever. Nobody is prepared for the worst of anything. There is always one step worse than what you thought the worst was. And one step farther than that.

Plans. Psshh. What plans?

I will cross that bridge when I get there.

Good question... If it is a matter of the animal "bearing" a proceedure for a very slim hope of a good life - I would not go there, especially for an older animal. If it is something which could add appreciably to their quality of life, I'd give it hard consideration.

Doing 100% of all I can do does not mean throwing every medical option avaialable at the situation. To me it would mean doing 100% of what I could do, to the best of my ability at that time, which would benefit that animal at that time in their life, not what would be easiest on me.

I'm glad to have provoked some good thoughts and comments.

The reason that I have pet insurance, is that I know I couldn't afford a bill for a serious surgery, or major diagnostics such as an MRI. So, I made the decision to get it when he was 8 weeks old, when it would be cheapest. The company I use has unlimited coverage, I have an HD option included until he is cleared, and they cover 90% of the bill. It is an affordable monthly charge for me, that could save Faroh's life in the long run - which is WHY, in my current financial situation, wouldn't have a dog without it.

I think most of us here provide a pretty stimulating mental and physical lifestyle for our dogs. Having a high drive WL GSD, you don't have a choice, that's for sure. If I was faced with a situation where Faroh was no longer able to run and frolic, it would be a dark day for both of us. I totally understand what you are saying Barbara about overcoming adversity, and making the most of life - but you are talking about humans, not animals.
Growing frosty in the muzzle is one thing, a young dog, cut down in their prime by health problems is quite another. Now, if I had great, great love for that dog, all the resources in the world, and he was indeed comfortable, I might reassess, no doubt.