Sorry....something else just hit me too.....and Archie, it tears me up (as I think it does most members here) to see any animal suffering and not be able to receive the care they need. Even if you THINK you're prepared for whatever might possibly happen to a pet, I don't think most people are prepared for something as catastrophic as in Natalie's case. Kind of like if, after thinking you can afford to have a child and believing you've made the best of provisions, the child needs a heart transplant; or gets some type of cancer. The bills can be ASTRONOMICAL, and with vet care, it's not as well-represented and I don't think there's as much service capping, so they basically have you over a barrel; they can and will, charge you whatever they want to. Some things you just can't plan for.
I'm not taking umbrage with you; I'm just trying to point out some things that we should keep in mind. Not everybody has unlimited funds and most people operate on a budget of some sort. Setting aside a "slush fund" for your pet is a great idea, but when it can run into the thousands and thousands of dollars, and you need to know NOW if and how you can pay for the care, well, some people just aren't equipped to come up with that large of a sum at the drop of a hat. I would think that your mind goes into the "fight or flight" response at that point.
I hope I NEVER have to sit in an Emergency Vet Clinic again and hear the front office staff ask someone who can't instantaneously come up with an extra $1000 for treatment for their pet "well, do you want us to put her down then?".....
. How would they feel if they brought their child into the ER and couldn't come up with the few thousand it costs immediately and the Dr. asked "well, would you like us to put her down?". Perspective, perspective, I know...but walk a mile in the other peson's shoes; your perspective changes!