That's rather different to saying "It's only a cat."
Sadly, there are situations where some people simply can't afford expensive treatments for their pets. I understand that.
Or they blow all their money on the pet and have nothing left when the kids get sick.
That kind of argument is always brought up, but in reality, how much water does it hold?
Think about it for a moment, how many ACTUAL times have you known a family that did provide medical care to a pet, and was, at some later time, unable to provide medical care to a child, because they had spent all their available funds on the pet?
Thinking here.......well, in fact, I've never known that to happen. I've never known someone who took their animal to the vet, spent a good amount of money, and then, a week, month, 6 months later were unable to take their child to the doctor and get him/her treatment.
Sounds trite perhaps, but that expression "Tough times don't last, tough people do" is true.
When my husband was ill for an extended period, I took a 2nd job. If a 2nd job hadn't been available, we would have cut down on or cut out something for the duration.
In a family with children, if a pet became ill and it was going to be a little tight for a while, there's no harm in asking everyone, including the kids, to forego a few things until the pet was better.
Children love their pets, and I'm thinking would gladly give up their share to help Georgie out.
Let's all take one for Georgie!
Caring for someone's health isn't contingent on if they are human or animal.
What if I put "just the dog" down because things would be tight? 2 years later, I got a job, money coming in, and I think "I didn't have to do that, I could've tightened my belt, here it is just a while later, and I've got money to spare"
A good vet wouldn't say, "It's just a cat" especially when emotions are high....think about it, you've just told someone what they are feeling is stupid. Telling them they shouldn't feel that way because "It's just a cat."
A good vet will realize emotions are high, and, seeing it's a lost cause for the animal, will discuss it with the people in terms of "Quality of life for the pet. He can explain that even with the best care, the pet won't really be happy."
People who love their pets don't want to see them suffer, and if they know they won't have good quality of life, will do the right thing. Not because of the money, but because it's the right thing.
A good vet is also a hunter and not an animal rightist and knows "it's just a cat".
You're just making this up as you go along, aren't you?
My vet isn't a hunter.
My vet believes in animal rights.
My vet know that her people customers are feeling high emotion when their pet is ill or dying, and, since she would like not to atagonize them, speaks in terms of their feelings towards their pets, not that it's some mindless walking hunk of meat.
I've had to put down two of my beloved pets in the last few years. She did not encourage me in a mercenary way to have her treat them and keep them alive.
She knew I wanted to do what was best for the animal, which in turn is best for me....which in turn is best for her.
She never made me feel it was "just a cat"
I'd be interested in hearing from cowdoc and patiodog on this.
I aways wonder about people who say things like "It's just a (fill in the blank)"
It's not as if love and affection are in a limited supply within us.
It's not like....ok, I can give you 8 grams of love, and you 12....that means I only have 4 more to give to someone, so I better not waste it on "just a bird"
Funny thing about love, the more you pour out, the more your cup is filled.
Unfortunately, ignorance is the same way.
snoodQuote:If I ain't willing to cough up some dough for my boy George, I don't know what's important.
Youre a good man snood. All pets are a gamble that we make willlingly and without reservation. A house without a pet (or three) is a magazine ad.
Chai wrote:
My vet believes in animal rights.
Run. Run as fast as you can.
Quote: A responsible vet should remind you of that, perhaps by saying, "it's still just a cat, not a child".
In other words, vets should be paternalistic.
No, they should be human.
They shoot horses, don't they?
Where is snood..... Ima wondrin how Georgie is doing.
Snood sent me a PM about Georgie after my last enquiry. Georgie has been to the vet (at considerable cost) & now appears to be "in remission".
Snood didn't want to participate in some mindless discussion here about the situation & I fully understand where he's coming from.
Well,
I'm glad Georgie's doing better!
I'm happy for Georgie as well.
Sending hugs & my very best wishes for a thorough recovery Georgie's way.
Oh ... & greetings to Snood, too! :wink:
