Wondering

[Cathy P.]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Well, the vet called and wants to do a bunch of tests to determine if the dog has bladder cancer, and she wants to remove a cyst to determine if it may become cancerous.
I told her, this is a ten year old dog that was born a genetic disaster and I am not making the vet's next car payment. I'm not sending the dog for chemo.
Asked if the dog is in pain and she said no.
All done.

I know this has to be hard and you have my sincerest sympathy. I have the two older dogs and we all know hard decisions will be ahead. I know that vet care costs have skyrocketed and that owners often feel pressurized into procedures. Gosh, we went to one vet with a questionnaire that asked just how much would be willing to spend on our dog and we didn't go back since we were there just for yearly shots. I think until we are in the moment making decisions do we really know how it would play out since it is not black and white but many shades of gray. Again, I am so sorry that you find yourself in this situation.

I went and read the prognosis. You might though look at natural medicine, especially homeopathic remedies to make symptoms maybe easier to cope with. We have great luck with homeopathy for humans and pets since we gave up on the "medical" machine.

[Glenn Baglo]

Been there before. About four years ago.
Dog was screaming with pain ( neck ). After examination we were presented with an estimate between $8,000 and $10,000.
They made us wait for half an hour to discuss where we go from here. ( "need to talk to the manager" )
Took me 30 seconds to say "it isn't going to happen" and a few seconds more for my wife to agree. Spent 29 minutes waiting for the "specialist" to return.
I said, "so, if we are not going to do surgery, then we don't need the MRI and if we don't do the MRI, we don't need it to be read, and so, we don't need the Xrays and we don't need those to be read".
And so it went, until I said, "if we're not doing any of that, what can we do"?
Got a prescription for some drug that for humans costs about 1/10th what it costs for dogs. She's been fine ever since.
Did you know there are only four vet neurologists in Canada? Ever checked the parking lot at your vet for BMWs?

What ever you do, do not agree to anything without taking time to think about it.

[cpaharley2008]

Vet's are the only doctors that doctors are afraid of what their bill may be.

[Cathy P.]

In the last town we lived in, we had the nicest vet and he was extremely reasonable. It was a town with low wages and he just wanted to see the animals get the care they needed. He would suggest over-the-counter meds and once I took my dog in and he didn't even charge me except for a tube of ointment. Of course, he was old school.

The medical machine consistently made any issue with our son with DS worse so I turned to herbal and homeopathy medicine with great success. Then I started making the same choices for our pets. I get a lot of static on this from the members of the medical machine but I don't back down. Praise all the info available on the internet!

I, for the life of me, cannot understand why vet care is so high. A bladder infection with meds cost us $90 in a low cost of living area. You know though, I read that vet care in Mexico is good and inexpensive along with dental care for people so maybe being on wheels is the way to go. My dentist told me that a lot of his patients got most of their dental care in Mexico when they were snowbirding in the winter.

And, concerning the $200 fee for a room at the Marriott, I'd rather sleep on my dog's bed then in a bed of a stranger. If you came to my house and my pets were out for a ride and I hide the beds/toys/dishes, I don't think you would know we had dogs. It isn't about the dogs, it is about whether the people that own the dogs are responsible or not.

[cpaharley2008]

Taking my dogs with me traveling versus putting them in a kennel is one of the main reasons for purchasing a camper, it's our hotel/kennel on wheels. If the dogs did not travel well I do not think we would be in the camper we now have. So, $200/night savings times xxx nights means I'm camping really cheap.

[honda03842]

Just for the record it's $200 per stay, not per night.

[David Schroeder]

Originally Posted by honda03842

"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."

Robert,

I really got a kick out of your saying.

I think it might be more noble to help love people than pets though the results may not be as satisfactory. I slept in a shelter and cooked in a soup kitchen and found it easy to give an ear and a meal to those in need but extremely difficult to help them turn their lives in a better direction. Human solution is difficult, often impossible.

Having a pet or human companion is a very rewarding experience. Whether pet or human, having a purpose is what makes life a positive experience. My terrier's purpose is to eradicate all vermin! That is where her happiness is found. She loves to share her zest for life with us and we with her.
I've met many that lack purpose and are headed down the wrong path. A job, education, service to community, and dedication to family is where the zest is.
That said, it can be difficult.

[kbingel]

We are traveling with our 12 year old dog. When we got him our boy was the perfect age...then he left for college, we retired, and now we have a dog that travels with us. Ha ha. At this point, we couldn't imagine giving him away...we are all too bonded..however, he will not be replaced when the time comes. It's not as bad as we thought it would be, but it does limit us at times. He loves to travel however, so it's working out. I have seen people with three and four dogs, and they are huge sometimes too...I can't even imagine. But to each their own.


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[Carl Pa]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Taking my dogs with me traveling versus putting them in a kennel is one of the main reasons for purchasing a camper, it's our hotel/kennel on wheels. If the dogs did not travel well I do not think we would be in the camper we now have. So, $200/night savings times xxx nights means I'm camping really cheap.

Me to... Carl

[Pineapple Man]

Our dog (that my wife wanted) saved my life a week after we got him.
Talk about "job security" !!
But he's a rescue, so we'll approach camping very slowly. Not sure how he'll handle it.
Will camp out in the yard first, then just overnight trips to start.

[honda03842]

Pineapple,

We got started by moving ffom the house to our RV and stayed in the front yard learning the rig. Our first trip was 3 miles to a nearby state park, knowing we will have forgotten something. That summer we started going weekend camping. That fall we hit the road for 14 years of travel.

[james kent]

[QUOTE=honda03842;506265]A very significant number of RVers travel with pets. I often wonder why.



Here's some serious and humorous reasons. I don't mean this post to be judgemental or critical. Beyond being a wander. I am a

3. Some studies have shown that people who own pets have a higher risk of mental health problems, such as depression and panic attacks.

When our parents were in a retirement home we would take our JR with us when visiting. She was well accepted by both staff and residents alike. She would go to a senior and curl up on their lap waiting to be held and petted. These dogs have a calming and comforting effect on many people. Especially those feeling agitated. Many residents looked forward to our visits and we met a lot of grandpas and grandmas who welcomed us as extended family.


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[honda03842]

James,

I have seen that effect from pets many time in all kinds of care facilities.

[SusieinNC]

Soon after we bought our first camper, we spent the night next to an older couple in a motorhome. The husband was a stroke survivor who had difficulty with speech but was still able to drive. They owned a terrier dog of some sort. The wife told me her children didn't approve of them having a dog or going camping. She said she told them, "You know, we've been married almost 50 years. We've already said to each other about all there is to say. This little dog gives us something to talk about." Don't judge.

[Noreen Bradshaw]

I am not in any kind of facility and hope not to be any time soon.......but if it wasn't for my 19 yr. old cat, Bobby, I might very well have been. Bobby has been with me since he was 4-5 wks old. We are both ancient seniors now and hopefully will finish the race together. I can't imagine travelling without him......and he appears to enjoy the experience too.