What if . . ?

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Sadly they are probably not getting those first items you mentioned. Some people think if they provide food, water and what they call "love", that is all a pup needs.

Exactly! And then get upset when you tell them that the pet needs the other "necessities".

[1Ieisha]

There was a thread started, and the OP asked... Why do people always ask for advice, but they never use it? (It was a very good question) I think that's where a lot of YTers frustration comes from. I mean how many times can you answer the same question politely, and they keep finding excuses to not take your advice. & a lot of times the dog could be in some serious trouble. Kind heart or not sometimes tough love is neccessary.

As for the spay/neuter subject. I'd have to agree with everyone else. If you can't afford to do that, then how can you afford the pet??? & just because you can have one doesn't mean that you should get one. Spay/neuter should be the 1st thing you ask about. It's the RESPONSIBLE thing and its also the RIGHT thing to do. If those aren't your intentions then I would suggest you leave the pup where it is.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by 1Ieisha

There was a thread started, and the OP asked... Why do people always ask for advice, but they never use it? (It was a very good question) I think that's where a lot of YTers frustration comes from. I mean how many times can you answer the same question politely, and they keep finding excuses to not take your advice. & a lot of times the dog could be in some serious trouble. Kind heart or not sometimes tough love is neccessary.

As for the spay/neuter subject. I'd have to agree with everyone else. If you can't afford to do that, then how can you afford the pet??? & just because you can have one doesn't mean that you should get one. Spay/neuter should be the 1st thing you ask about. It's the RESPONSIBLE thing and its also the RIGHT thing to do. If those aren't your intentions then I would suggest you leave the pup where it is.

Very well put!

[Lil Sis]

It's funny because when I was a newbie I read a few post that I thought some people were really rude. I think I even posted how rude I thought they were...but now I see them as the most caring and compassionate people. Maybe I just know the group better or see the heart behind the post...idk

I now do notice a lot of new members who make comments to start something..or don't listen to advice and get really rude about it. I don't understand joining a group that stands for the love of animals and then mistreat them and don't understand why someone talks harsh to you??

[Ellie May]

There is (as with any online forum) some unnecessary rudeness on YT. I trust that the administrator and moderators can and do take care of things of that nature. If you think something was uncalled for, report it.

I think sometimes insistence that one seeks the help of a professional is mistaken for rudeness. There is always talk about just answering the question and not giving our opinion. Here's the problem. Every single post on this forum is an opinion. Yes, we can give facts; however, in the end they are still just the opinions of laypeople because we do not know if we're even interpreting these facts correctly. And to just explain to somebody how to get their female through pregnancy with no lecture, well, I think that in itself is a disservice to the dog because that lecture may just get the OP to get the dog spayed. Nobody wants to hear that they should spay after breeding their girl, so IMO it doesn't matter how sweetly it is said. I also almost never answer medical questions to the best of my knowledge simply because I am not a vet and will not play one online even in the name of being kind and helping a dog. If somebody just doesn't have the money, I'm not going to tell them how to treat at home. I'm going to say very strongly that medical care is needed. Would it be better for the dog to lay at home and get sicker without care or us give the owner an answer that could get them through? Of course the dog would be better off if we gave an answer. However, ethically that is wrong.

There is a place to ask about mild medical issues. There is not a place to ask about life threatening, acute emergencies. ONLY a vet should be answering those questions. It is unfair to the dog AND to the people feeling forced to give an answer who are untrained to do so. If a dog gets hit by a car or the like, I'm not going to spend too much time trying to convince them to seek veterinary care. And for people who think some people here hide behind a forum and wouldn't word things this way in real life - I'd say not so. When one of my family members' pets is critically ill, they know they can call me anytime. They know I'll hold their hand through it. They know I'll help them in whatever way I can. They know I'll even talk to the vet for them. But they also know that I sure as heck am not going to stand by and watch their animal suffer without saying something - and no, it's not going to be what they want to hear. They get over it and do what needs to be done.

I'll say in the past some have thought I was too harsh. That's fine. I certainly don't try to be. At the same time, I'm okay being a little bit to the point sometimes. IMO, it is a better approach than trying to vet peoples' dogs without a license which does happen here.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

That would be wonderful, new members could finally get decent answers to their questions, like:

Original Post:
"my dog is throwing up, having bloody stool, and can barely keep his head up, what do I do?"
Non-Bully Answer:
Stay home, maybe you will be a lucky one and the dog will turn around on its own, best of luck to you, regardless of what happens you will have saved some money".

Original Post:
"OMG! I am so excited I found a cute little morkiepoo today, a nice lady was selling them in the Wal-Mart parking lot and she said she is the BEST breeder and really really loves dogs and they are raised in the best environment".
Non-Bully Answer:
"OMG! Congrats! I am sure your new baby is SOOOO adorable, this lady sounds like a great breeder she was so nice to meet people in the Wal-Mart parking lot that is so convenient."

Oh my goodness that is so funny, I need to send all my replies to you and you can edit them to make them more "politically correct."

[chachi]

Originally Posted by KazzyK810

WTH??? It is part of the basic costs of dog ownership to be expected within the first year....just like an initial exam, puppy shots, rabies shot, fecal test, heartworm medicine & flea protection. Makes you wonder if these poor dogs that aren't getting fixed are getting the rest of the medical care they need....my guess would be no and they are probably the same people that post here and attempt to get a diagnosis from lay people based on their description of the problem, rather than pay to have their pup seen by a vet.

Agreed! It is basic care and if they cant afford it they shouldnt have a pet. There are even low cost clinics in every state. There is no excuse for it

[chachi]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

That would be wonderful, new members could finally get decent answers to their questions, like:

Original Post:
"my dog is throwing up, having bloody stool, and can barely keep his head up, what do I do?"
Non-Bully Answer:
Stay home, maybe you will be a lucky one and the dog will turn around on its own, best of luck to you, regardless of what happens you will have saved some money".

Original Post:
"OMG! I am so excited I found a cute little morkiepoo today, a nice lady was selling them in the Wal-Mart parking lot and she said she is the BEST breeder and really really loves dogs and they are raised in the best environment".
Non-Bully Answer:
"OMG! Congrats! I am sure your new baby is SOOOO adorable, this lady sounds like a great breeder she was so nice to meet people in the Wal-Mart parking lot that is so convenient."

Love it!!!!!!!

[dawn27]

True, we lay people are not qualified to answer medical questions and I hope that the OP's who do ask a medical question about their animals know the difference between an rash, flea problem etc and a real emergency.

I guess I'm just a push over. I care too much about whether the OP gets the answers they seek in order to care for their furry family member.

Have you considered the economy lets face it it has not only affected the humans when it comes to cut backs in their life styles but also the pet they own. Some people may have had the means to care for their family members shin and fur but now things are very different. The money spent on pet care may need to be spent to maintain basic family needs such as electric, water, gas or the rent and if YT is an avenue to seek help in order to provide assistance to their pets than I am more than willing to offer my assistance.

I'm not making excuses... but it definitely factors into the number of OP's coming to YT for answers, dont you think?

This has been a very interesting read, thank you for your opinions and for taking the time to get your point across without getting out of hand. You all definitely keep it real . . !

[Rhetts_mama]

So, the economy is the reason for so many irresponsible owners popping up on YT...interesting. I wonder if you would give the same pass to a person on a parenting forum who didn't want to take their child in to see the doctor because money was tight. "So, you need instructions for a do it yourself appendectomy? No problem. First, hit the kid over the head with a heavy object (not too hard mind you, just enough to knock em out for a couple of hours...)"

Truly, I don't get the point of this whole thread. No one has told you to stop giving advice. If you want to continue, that's your prerogative. If someone else chooses not to or to voice their opinion of the situation, that's their prerogative, too. The biggest difference is that you won't have to face anyone publicly complaining about how you are enabling reckless and potentially dangerous behavior.

[Ellie May]

Yes, the economy is a factor, but not an excuse to provide inadequate care or for laypeople to go too far in giving medical advice. It may seem that people are being harsh here sometimes when insisting that a dog is treated in the case of an emergency. I can tell you from spending many hours in a general practice office and an ER that it is even more harsh there (not rude, but the vet does talk realistically about the suffering that has to be stopped immediately). But there the option we suggest for rescue is replaced by a vet telling them if they cannot immediately treat, they need to euthanize. It sucks, but it's reality. And in the case of mild medical issues going on, they may refill an rx once without seeing the animal, but they can't go much beyond that. If there is a problem, you come in, period. Diagnosing over the phone is not generally acceptable and it is a disservice to the animal.

[gidget529]

Originally Posted by dawn27

True, we lay people are not qualified to answer medical questions and I hope that the OP's who do ask a medical question about their animals know the difference between an rash, flea problem etc and a real emergency.

I guess I'm just a push over. I care too much about whether the OP gets the answers they seek in order to care for their furry family member.

Have you considered the economy lets face it it has not only affected the humans when it comes to cut backs in their life styles but also the pet they own. Some people may have had the means to care for their family members shin and fur but now things are very different. The money spent on pet care may need to be spent to maintain basic family needs such as electric, water, gas or the rent and if YT is an avenue to seek help in order to provide assistance to their pets than I am more than willing to offer my assistance.

I'm not making excuses... but it definitely factors into the number of OP's coming to YT for answers, dont you think?

This has been a very interesting read, thank you for your opinions and for taking the time to get your point across without getting out of hand. You all definitely keep it real . . !

I would have to agree w Ellie May and caution you about being a substitute for vet care. Unfortunately, even for ppl here who have medical training (either in vet med or human med), we are unable to verify history, examine the animal, perform lab tests, and lack a license in various states to practice vet med. Really only a DVM should be "diagnosing" a dog's symptoms, and one who is licensed to practice in the state the poster lives in. Although I sympathize w ppls' plights, we should not be practicing veterinary medicine online - not just no emergencies, but that includes rashes, ingesting possible toxins; all types of situations I have seen here in the short time I have been here. I think there are stickies here helping ppl find a way to afford medical care, perhaps a more appropriate answer would be to suggest seeing a vet in their area and if a payment problem exists, post the sticky on how to get help paying for vet bills.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by dawn27

True, we lay people are not qualified to answer medical questions and I hope that the OP's who do ask a medical question about their animals know the difference between an rash, flea problem etc and a real emergency.

I guess I'm just a push over. I care too much about whether the OP gets the answers they seek in order to care for their furry family member.

Have you considered the economy lets face it it has not only affected the humans when it comes to cut backs in their life styles but also the pet they own. Some people may have had the means to care for their family members shin and fur but now things are very different. The money spent on pet care may need to be spent to maintain basic family needs such as electric, water, gas or the rent and if YT is an avenue to seek help in order to provide assistance to their pets than I am more than willing to offer my assistance.

I'm not making excuses... but it definitely factors into the number of OP's coming to YT for answers, dont you think?

This has been a very interesting read, thank you for your opinions and for taking the time to get your point across without getting out of hand. You all definitely keep it real . . !

Yes the economy def has a factor. Sometimes the best thing for the pet is to give it up to rescue. Love is not enough. For example, if the dog is on a special diet due to allergies, or needs expensive meds daily, that is not something you can skimp on, and if you can't afford that, better to let someone who can afford it take care of the dog, rather than let the dog suffer without his meds. But you mention rescue and people get really offended.

[Taryn0405]

I'm just gonna sit on my hands for this thread and watch. Or I'll get banned! Good luck everybody else!

[ladyjane]

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. I recently reworked my budget because my income has taken a huge hit over the past couple of years. In taking an in depth look at my spending I saw a lot of things that could be eliminated. I say cut corners...perhaps a start is internet access and cable tv. Perhaps that is a suggestion to make to people.