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MissSunni · 03-20-2015, 07:34 PM

I am all over the place on this discussion. I can never understand when people go to a very reputable breeder to purchase a perfect purebred dog, of any breed, yet don't bother to do all the things the dog may require for his/her well being and good health. I know people that don't feed the dogs properly, don't train them to behave…makes me wonder if they do take the pet for regular vet checks.

But, at the same time…My brother rescued a beautiful dog 4 yrs ago. He worshiped this dog. He was beautifully trained..went everywhere with my brother, even to work. The dog could clearly say I love you..in a doggie whine..he was amazing. Sadly he developed cysts at first. After a few more vet visits one of the biopsies came back bad. My brother did everything humanly possible. The poor dog when thru chemo, they tried other things but at the end of it, my brother had spent $13,000. trying to save Spanky. He was in a brief remission, but when it came back it was only a matter of 6 weeks before my brother had to make that awful choice. He was devasted of course. About 6 months later he adopted another rescue…both dogs were mixed breeds btw. Within 4 months because he was so paranoid about it, he noticed bumps on this dog! He had the same exact thing. I don't know what type it was…mas cell something. This poor puppy was only 2 yrs old and it was bad. My brother did the initial treatments but decided not to put him through the same treatment. He has wrestled with this since then. The vets kept suggesting new experimental treatments, but my brother just felt like the cure was as bad or worse then the cancer. The dogs were just so sick. He opted to keep the dog and treated for pain and stomach issues that had started. That poor boy lived another year. He was treated with such kindness and love, but he couldn't last. My brother let him go. Its such a hard thing to hear. My brother who never shows emotion except with his dogs, cried. No one can even bring up either dogs names or he has to leave the room. To me, he saved two dogs who would have probably lived a lonely brutal life in a cage until put to sleep..but they had a comfy life with him.
Can everyone afford to go to the extreme financially that he was able to? I seriously doubt it.
When I consider a new pet, I first add up what I think the average costs will be annually for the regular care and feeding. I also allow for emergencies and medications. From October to January I was living at my vets office with my beloved George. He had surgery on his eyes, but that did him in at his age. The surgery seems to have caused dementia..maybe the anesthesia. But, he passed away Right after New Years day. Devastating. Now my delimma is, I have another Shih Tzu, who bizarrely has the same type of cancer that my brothers dog had. It started with a big lump on his elbow. The biopsy show that it is spreading, but he is eating still..looking forward to walks, plays a little. He's on an experimental medication, but its not going to be a cure..its just slowing it down. I look at him everyday, and wonder if I should be getting him chemo. The vet said its spreading rapidly, and feels that the chemo will only make him feel sicker and may not help. I don't have $10,000 to pay for all that will be involved. He's a 10 yr old dog. Honestly I have been sick over this. I think thats why I'm ridiculously overprotective of the puppy. Who for a rescue has already cost me over $1800 in vet expenses because she had some medical needs. So, this topic is on my mind a lot. I will definitely be following this thread to see what others say.

03-20-2015, 07:34 PM	#4
MissSunni YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NJ USA Posts: 492	I am all over the place on this discussion. I can never understand when people go to a very reputable breeder to purchase a perfect purebred dog, of any breed, yet don't bother to do all the things the dog may require for his/her well being and good health. I know people that don't feed the dogs properly, don't train them to behave…makes me wonder if they do take the pet for regular vet checks. But, at the same time…My brother rescued a beautiful dog 4 yrs ago. He worshiped this dog. He was beautifully trained..went everywhere with my brother, even to work. The dog could clearly say I love you..in a doggie whine..he was amazing. Sadly he developed cysts at first. After a few more vet visits one of the biopsies came back bad. My brother did everything humanly possible. The poor dog when thru chemo, they tried other things but at the end of it, my brother had spent $13,000. trying to save Spanky. He was in a brief remission, but when it came back it was only a matter of 6 weeks before my brother had to make that awful choice. He was devasted of course. About 6 months later he adopted another rescue…both dogs were mixed breeds btw. Within 4 months because he was so paranoid about it, he noticed bumps on this dog! He had the same exact thing. I don't know what type it was…mas cell something. This poor puppy was only 2 yrs old and it was bad. My brother did the initial treatments but decided not to put him through the same treatment. He has wrestled with this since then. The vets kept suggesting new experimental treatments, but my brother just felt like the cure was as bad or worse then the cancer. The dogs were just so sick. He opted to keep the dog and treated for pain and stomach issues that had started. That poor boy lived another year. He was treated with such kindness and love, but he couldn't last. My brother let him go. Its such a hard thing to hear. My brother who never shows emotion except with his dogs, cried. No one can even bring up either dogs names or he has to leave the room. To me, he saved two dogs who would have probably lived a lonely brutal life in a cage until put to sleep..but they had a comfy life with him. Can everyone afford to go to the extreme financially that he was able to? I seriously doubt it. When I consider a new pet, I first add up what I think the average costs will be annually for the regular care and feeding. I also allow for emergencies and medications. From October to January I was living at my vets office with my beloved George. He had surgery on his eyes, but that did him in at his age. The surgery seems to have caused dementia..maybe the anesthesia. But, he passed away Right after New Years day. Devastating. Now my delimma is, I have another Shih Tzu, who bizarrely has the same type of cancer that my brothers dog had. It started with a big lump on his elbow. The biopsy show that it is spreading, but he is eating still..looking forward to walks, plays a little. He's on an experimental medication, but its not going to be a cure..its just slowing it down. I look at him everyday, and wonder if I should be getting him chemo. The vet said its spreading rapidly, and feels that the chemo will only make him feel sicker and may not help. I don't have $10,000 to pay for all that will be involved. He's a 10 yr old dog. Honestly I have been sick over this. I think thats why I'm ridiculously overprotective of the puppy. Who for a rescue has already cost me over $1800 in vet expenses because she had some medical needs. So, this topic is on my mind a lot. I will definitely be following this thread to see what others say.