Expensive Dave,
My spouse and I are on Child Step 7, and now we have a family revenue of $127,000 a 12 months. We have now an older canine who has had some very costly vet payments lately. It has us each questioning how far, financially talking, we needs to be prepared to go to maintain him alive. We each actually love our canine, so we’d respect your ideas within the occasion now we have to make a very onerous choice someplace down the highway.
Jeff
Expensive Jeff,
Wow … You’re actually attempting to get me into bother, aren’t you? To start with, let me say this: I. Love. Canine. I actually do. I’ve had a number of throughout my life, and proper now, I’ve one I like greater than most individuals I do know.
That being stated, this little animal that I like like loopy remains to be … a canine. It’s not considered one of my grandchildren, and it’s not considered one of my children. Should you have been to ask me how a lot cash I’d spend to maintain considered one of my children or grandkids alive, the reply is easy — all the cash I’ve bought. The whole lot. I’ve began over from nothing earlier than, and I might do it once more. However there’s your reply.
Now, right here’s one thing that’s going to be onerous for a couple of people to listen to. With some individuals who love their animals as a lot as I do, what I’ve noticed is that the entire relationship can develop into extra in regards to the human than the animal. I’ve seen folks spend tens of 1000’s of {dollars} to maintain their pets alive, despite the fact that the animals have been nonetheless struggling. At that time, it’s not honest to the animal. And sadly, that’s what usually finally ends up occurring with this type of scenario.
Hear, I perceive this. I’m not bad-mouthing anybody, as a result of I’ve skilled these sorts of emotions, too. I’ve needed to have animals put to sleep, and I’ll be 100% trustworthy with you: I’ve sat there and cried — I imply flat-out sobbed — whereas it occurred. And in my thoughts, that’s a greater path to take generally, fairly than selfishly letting the animal spend its final weeks or months in ache simply since you don’t need to undergo one thing troublesome.
Now, if you happen to can repair the animal — if you happen to can provide it a more-or-less regular, pain-free life by spending some cash and really correcting the issue — then, certain. Do it. There’s no rule of thumb or proportion on one thing like this. Should you really have the cash, let’s get them mounted up. But when it takes going deep into debt, wrecking your funds or leaving your loved ones scrambling to make ends meet consequently — then, no. I’m sorry. It’s best to honor and love that great little animal effectively sufficient that you simply don’t make them undergo for you.
I hope you perceive this, Jeff, and that it is smart to you. God bless you all, and God bless that previous pup. I hope you’ll have many extra glad days collectively.
— Dave
