[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by gemy

Adequate care; that probably does have a whole sliding scale. Beyond the basic necessities of proper nutrition, water, warm and clean housing, proper exercise and stimulation, what is adequate care for your Yorkie?

Advances in veterinary medicine, provide an option for sick pups, that might not have been available 30 or more years ago. In fact all the new tests, that say diagnose liver shunt would not have been available a few decades ago. And here-in lies the potential heartache for the dog owner.

For Yorkies a breed with some serious health concerns, and as carefull as a purchaser is, sometimes you just have to deal with a health concern. I think/feel, that this reality needs to be addressed by a would be Yorkie owner, and a plan put in place. Be the plan pet insurance, or self insurance, something needs to be prepared.

I would do almost anything for my pups, but that anything would stop at the health and well being of my family. I know sometimes we all joke, that I'd give up my hubby before my dog, my reality is if the cost of my husbands health care was so onerous that I couldn't properly care for my pups, then I would have to rehome. I certainly hope that situation never arises for me, but this thread got me thinking about things, we don't often ponder.

We all know people here at Yt who have spent thousands of dollars to help heal their sick pup. So how much really should be put aside for a pup's/dogs extraordinary care? What happens if the cost of the care is (you fill in the number that would provide hardship for you), with no guarantee on just what the quality of life will be after. Are you a bad owner if you say no? These are very tough questions, with no easy answers.

And I believe Mary(Mardelin) wrote about someone who gets rid of a dog if it costs more than $500 per year, that one made my blood boil. Can you imagine anyone actually admitting to this in civilized company. My jaw dropped. but I guess there are still folks out there, that look at dogs as disposable property. Those ppl should own pet rocks!

$500.00 a year, NOT, $500.00 in a dog's lifetime. I have a belief; Beware of those that don't love children, animals or flowers. I've found that it rings true as to a person's character.