Quote: phaedra rieff

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.

Just because you read on a forum all of the terrible things that are happening to a dog does not mean that you have any grasp of how the dog really deals with everyday life.

The above statement seems like a direct attack on the dog in questions owner and I find it very distasteful. It seems to me that they are doing everything within their means to provide a good quality of life for the dog, even if those means don't live up to your standards.

I have read a lot of your posts on this board before now and always thought of you as helpful. Beginning this post in light of the other is extremely offensive.

I think the comfort of the dog (or what ever animal) and their ability to enjoy/participate in life at a reasonable level, even if not what we would want in a "perfect" world, should weigh in.

Having insurance on our pets make PERFECT sense. Hopefully this thread will encourage others to do so. If we are willing to curtail our spending in times of unexpected events, planning for those events seems very, very rational.

 Quote: Alan Hood

Beginning this post in light of the other is extremely offensive.

Alan, in all fairness, Phaedra deliberately chose to post this question separately from the other post as to not derail that thread.
One post inspired another... nothing wrong with that, imho. (She stated that she would start another thread. )

 Quote: alan hood

 Quote: phaedra rieff

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.

Just because you read on a forum all of the terrible things that are happening to a dog does not mean that you have any grasp of how the dog really deals with everyday life.

The above statement seems like a direct attack on the dog in questions owner and I find it very distasteful. It seems to me that they are doing everything within their means to provide a good quality of life for the dog, even if those means don't live up to your standards.

I have read a lot of your posts on this board before now and always thought of you as helpful. Beginning this post in light of the other is extremely offensive.

I don't think it's fair for you to make an assumption of "attack" just because you don't like my opinion in another thread.

Yes, I started this topic because the subject was brought up in that thread. I think it is indeed worthy of debate. I intentionally did not link to the thread or mention it specifically. My comments are generalized statements, not directed at anyone in particular. You are the first person to have done so.

This happens to be a topic that effects me everyday ALL DAY. I work in a vet clinic now, but it was even worse at the shelter. I won't post it to the thread, but if you like, I can give you countless specific examples of the exact scenario quoted - 3 from today at work alone.

You may not see this thread as helpful, but I certainly hope that the questions and thoughts brought up will make at least 1 lurker think twice before bringing home cat #8.

Barbara, I didn't mean the starting of the thread, what I meant was what seems like an attack on the integrity and finances of the other member.

I guess I am just more of the mindset that the dog is lucky to have someone who cares so much and is willing to give so much of their time and limited resources to help him.

America and grown into a disposable society in resources, trash, lives of animals, and even our elderly because we just can't be bothered. So I felt that the new thread was inappropriate.

 Quote: Alan Hood

the dog is lucky to have someone who cares so much and is willing to give so much of their time and limited resources to help him.

This is what the thread is about. How much is enough? How much is too much? Where do you draw the line?
What's totally manageable for some, is an unattainable dream for others.
I am trying to gather perspective here. In order to do that, you have to throw scenarios out there. Of course the thread you speak of lies somewhere in there, but my original post was quite a bit longer than that one sentence you took issue with.

Anyhow, if you can see past it. Think about it, and share your views.

I'd suggest we try to treat the new thread as unrelated to the old one, and just address the new provacative question. (The OP on the previous thread handled Phaedra's questions/feelings very graciously - she did not take offense.)

I agree that Capone is very lucky to be in his home.

Back to the topic of this thread...

deleted by me!

I think everyone knows where I stand but I have to say I think quality of life has to be looked at for each individual pet. What keeps capone happy may very well not keep a high drive gsd puppy happy. But he's not a high drive gsd. He's pretty lazy. He has his spurts of course where he tries to take a lap in the house "puppy zoomies" I call them or gets a little too excited when a friend comes over and tries to jump up a little. And of course I have to try and calm him or distract him. But he is pretty dang happy just chewing his marrow bones on his bed in the living room, or tryling to steal one of my daughters stuffed animals and making her nuts or curling up on our bed and sighing at us while we coo over how cute he is and my huband pretends to complain that I love the dog more than him. If I had a high drive dog who cried all day or was losing his mind without daily 2 hour walks it would be different. Capone is like a lion, he sleeps most of the day, even with me home
ETA I do realize ALL dogs need some sort of exercise and do like walks. I don't plan on keeping him couped up in the house 247 for the rest of his life. When given the ok we will start slowly with swims and short walks.

 Quote: phaedra rieff

But, how much is too much - Pain? Treatment? Money? Stress? Life style change?

Thor is a part of my family. And as with all wonderful family members; needs money, causes stress and comes before any life style changes since I did commit to raise him and keep him forever. Alas, my life as a glamorous globe trotter is indefinitely on hold.

How much money is too much...beg, borrow or steal, give up cable, cell phones, internet etc you do what you need to do for a family member (for emergency only). If the need for money is not an emergency I'd choose other options which would be more fiscally astute.

So pain and treatment...... since Thor is now 11 this is something I have thought about and discussed with his vet. Quality of his life takes precedence to quantity. My vet is in full agreement moving forward I will not put him through tests or procedures that require anesthesia which pretty much rules out any surgeries. One exception might be an infected tooth.

He has arthritis in his spine but rarely is stiff since being on high doses of fish oil and if he becomes stiff and sore I am not opposed to using an NSAID on a regular basis (something I would have avoided when he was younger) I'm lucky he is healthy and very engaged and we still hike, play and train daily though he does sleep more in the evenings.

This is what being responsible for Thor means to me...is it right or wrong? Who knows? But it feels right so I'll go with it.