Something has been bugging me... need opinions
 

I started thinking about something and I need opinions on if I should say something. I've posted on here before that my parents got my Rat Terrier when I was 12 and my Cocker Spaniel when I was 16 for our family. Jasmine (the Rattie) was always my dog and I took her with me when I moved out. Caz was my sister's dog and when all of us moved out, they decided they didn't want dogs anymore so they were going to rehome him. I wasn't having that so I brought him home with me too.

For some reason, my parents never got Jasmine spayed when I was a kid and when I moved out she was already 11 years old and I was scared she was too old to go under anesthesia. In January, she got really sick (at age 15) and we took her to the vet kinda expected her to have to be put to sleep because we thought her illness was just old age. At the vet, we found out that she had pyometra and she needed surgery right away. The surgery was going to cost $700 and there was no way that DH and I could afford that. My mom agreed to put the amount on her credit card and I could make monthly payments to her. She did; however, pay the first $100.

My question is: do you think they should be responsible for helping us pay for the surgery (besides the $100) since this could have been prevented if they would have got her spayed when I was a kid? or should I just be happy with the $100?

Another thing that irritates me is that awhile back my sister moved back home and talked them into getting 2 new dogs.

What do you guys think? Should I say something or just leave it alone?

You're not going to like my answer. Lol, it's tough being a parent, but I think your parents were extremely generous to allow you to put it on their credit card and make payments to them. They also paid the first $100.00. Your parents essentially rehomed the dogs, and really bare no further financial responsibilities toward them. You sound like a person who really loves animals, but you have to remember they are luxuries, and caring fro them is really expensive, especially as they age. Also, don't compare yourself with your sister, again, how you parents interact and what they do for your sister has nothing to do with you. You and your husband are the family now, and if your parents can occasionally help out that's great, but you should never expect them to. Pay your parents back as soon as you can. You cannot possibly imagine how proud your parents will be of you. You will have shown your parents, they raised you right, and you have true character.

Oh, thank you, I want honest opinions and for the MOST part I agree with you. Had it been anything else I would not even question it but now that I am an adult I look back on it and think that it was very irresponsible for them not to have gotten her spayed when I was a kid. This whole thing could have been prevented and it wouldn't have cost near as much. I do appreciate the $100 and for her putting it on her credit card and I have almost paid all of it back.

However, that is why I want opinions... if it is the general consensus that they have done enough then I will just leave it alone and pay the rest of it back. I realize that I am an adult and I rarely ask them for anything because I don't like too. I guess it's mostly bugging me because she WAS their responsibility when they bought her to get her spayed and they failed to do that.

Again, thank you for your honest answer :)

Not everyone agrees that spaying is the best thing even now, and back then it wasn't encouraged as much.

In a way it is shaky ground to say that spaying is the responsible thing to do because then anyone who doesn't spay is irresponsible?

Your parents rehomed the dogs.
You wanted them, so the bill is yours in my opinion.
Probably not what you wanted to hear though. :(

Yeah, that is true. I guess I tend to forget that because now I know what CAN happen. Sorry, please don't turn this into a S/P debate...I also forget that people have different opinions regarding that issue. I just know that my parents didn't not spay her because it was a choice or opinion on the issue. It was more of a not wanting to spend the money thing so that's why I said irresponsible.

Oh and this wasn't directed at either of you... I just don't want it to turn into that and let everyone know that I forget that everyone has different opinions on S/Ping. I appreciate both of your replies :)

I think the dog should have been spayed, I've always had mine spayed, even 20-30 years ago, I alway knew it was the right thing to do, although, back then I didn't know about pyometra. I agree, accept the $100 that they at least paid, and then pay them back on the other $600 what you can, when you can. I feel for you, but, ever since I've been young, I knew dogs would get pregnant if they weren't fixed, and I've always had mine done as soon as possible

Well and like I said, I say irresponsible because I know they didn't have it done due to money/laziness. Had they looked into and made the decision that not spaying and decided that's what was best for her then I could accept that more. I think you guys have made me realize that I should just accept what has already been done and just leave it alone.

Okay, I'm not sure why I kept putting S/P...lol.. Peutering? LOL. I meant S/N...hehe