Would you put your life on hold for a pet?

[WendyZ]

I have and I will again in a heartbeat! Our dog is part of our family, my son call him "his brother from another mother." We almost lost him this past January, now he's doing great. He does require more work and meds to take. I wouldn't change a thing. I would NEVER keep him around for me if he was in pain or the quality of his life was non-existent. But for now he's happy, healthy (as he can be) and living a very fu-fu life.

 

[RainbowBrite]

O.K. RainbowBrite--that is ridiculous to start a negative thread when you know good and well what my post said. If my pet was young and temporarily sick I would rearrange schedules. That's not what the original posting was about. Maybe you should reread. I, however, would not continually put my life and my family's life on hold for a cronically ill pet. You are entitled to your option just as I am entitled to mine.

How did I start a negative thread? We were discussing putting your life on hold for a pet. I was simply asking what you'd do in the case that the pet was young and not old. The OP did say the the dog in question was an older dog, but it didn't sound like the dog was ready to kick the bucket either.

 

[Pakey]

I will do it. My two dogs took care of me when I was going through chemo so I will do the same for them when its their turn. One of my dogs is a rescue with "issues" and cannot be boarded at all. I would never leave him if he was sick.

 

[rgf207]

If my pet was old and on meds I would not board them for a night nor would I leave them. I recently lost a pet (15 year old Yellow Lab). She was a member of my family no just a "pet"

I have a 2 year old Lab Mix that I would do the same for. I don't want my pet to possibly spend it's last days away from it's Family

 

[DVCLiz]

I would never change family or vacation plans because of my pets. That is why I made the decision before I got them to board them at the vet's whenever I was out of town. I don't like the idea of strangers coming into my house to feed them and there are too many ways they could be hurt if they stayed here alone during the night or found themselves something new to get into between pet sitter visits.

I have two cats and a dog - the dog sometimes needs to go out at night but I would rather she be uncomfortable in a cage at the vet's for a few hours than roaming around my house finding things to chew up, which is what she does now. She is not crate trained and I don't want her in a crate at night anyway.

There's no way I would not go on a trip or vacation if one of them were sick - I would leave them at the vets where the real medical care is right there and I would check in frequently, but they are just animals and I am not going to rearrange my life for them, as long as they are getting quality care while I am gone.

 

[KLAIT]

Yes I have and would do so again. Pets are very much a part of our family.

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

My DH's uncle missed our wedding due to a dying dog. His aunt and (adult) cousins were on the fence. This wasn't a dog on meds, or a sick dog they were trying to nurse through, but a 17 year old dog that was beyond help.

I would have brought it to the vet to be put down - not only so that the whole family could attend the wedding, but to put the poor creature out of its misery. The poor thing hung on for almost a week not being able to move from it's bed.

I skipped a cousin's wedding I'd been looking forward to because of a puppy with pnuemonia. That can kill a little puppy. I would not leave him alone & I took a day or two off from work (vacation days) to care for him. He recovered but if I hadn't cared for him round the clock, he might not have and I never would have forgiven myself. My cousin totally understood being an animal lover herself. This was a 4 month old puppy.

I also would not leave an old, dying friend if I knew the end was near. The pain of the decision to put a pet down to end it's suffering is something no one can really explain till they have to make it. I would not be able to enjoy myself wherever I was, knowing my beloved longtime companion might be gone when I got home.

And sorry, but I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself wherever I was if I'd decided to end my pet's suffering earlier that day/week.

 

[Jenvenza]

I 100% agree. Our pets are a part of our family. I don't consider having to rearrange things for them to be putting my "life" on hold. They ARE part of my life. When you bring a pet into your family, you realize that you are now responsible for their care and well-being, and sometimes that means you have to make sacrifices.

And I agree with you 100%! There is a difference when people look at their animals as pets and when they actually consider them part of the family. They are definitely part of the family in our house!

 

[MushyMushy]

I would never change family or vacation plans because of my pets. That is why I made the decision before I got them to board them at the vet's whenever I was out of town. I don't like the idea of strangers coming into my house to feed them and there are too many ways they could be hurt if they stayed here alone during the night or found themselves something new to get into between pet sitter visits.

I have two cats and a dog - the dog sometimes needs to go out at night but I would rather she be uncomfortable in a cage at the vet's for a few hours than roaming around my house finding things to chew up, which is what she does now. She is not crate trained and I don't want her in a crate at night anyway.

There's no way I would not go on a trip or vacation if one of them were sick - I would leave them at the vets where the real medical care is right there and I would check in frequently, but they are just animals and I am not going to rearrange my life for them, as long as they are getting quality care while I am gone.

I still wouldn't take my dog to stay at the vet's. I know she would be cared for, but she'd still have to sleep in a hard cage or on a concrete floor. Plus she'd be so excited, she'd wear herself down from it all. A vet isn't the end all to be all for an older dog. It's just not the same as being in our house where the floors are wood and carpeted and she's not all excited and freaking out.

Any time we plan trips from now on, we have to do it knowing that someone will have to come stay with her. Preferably my son. The dog is a monster, so I actually don't know a whole lot of people who would or could stay with her. It's a shame too. She loved the kennel we took her to! But even when she was young and fit, she came home exhausted from the excitement. That was a good thing several years ago. Not so good now, unfortunately.

A hotel would be out for this one too. Again, she's such a freak and would be overly excited.

 

[pooh6890]

Yes, I do put my life on hold sometimes for my dogs. I wouldn't have gone either, especially if they were on meds or sick. Geez, I won't even put my dogs in a kennel when I go on vacation! I know it's crazy, but they are 5 and would probably be so scared that I left them they wouldn't know what to do. They go crazy when I leave and go to the store for 1 hour. When I return you would think I was gone for a week. If I have a vacation planned, I have a house sitter. If I can't get the sitter, I would not go. Yes, my family and friends think I am nuts. Too bad, but they are very important to me and there will be other family reunions for the op (besides with my family I would rather be with my dogs anyway)

 

[lisajl]

This thread warms my heart. It is so good to see that most of us think of our animals as part of the family. I have left my dog at a kennel but she is in good health. She does have cancer, but it is very early. We are planning a trip to WDW in Oct. If something happens to her, I will stay with her.
Flat out-no question-she is my dog-my friend-my walking buddy-period.
We rescued her from the humane society, she rescued us, too.
I don't know what I will ever do without her.

Ok-enough of those thoughts..I am going to cry just thinking about it.
I prefer animals to people-I would rather stay with my dog and cats than go to an old family reunion. JMHO.
Lisa

 

[TerriP]

I prefer animals to people-I would rather stay with my dog and cats than go to an old family reunion. JMHO.
Lisa

Isn't that the truth???? Let's seeeeeee...family reunion/stay home with pets...I might just make up a pet illness just to get out of it!

And, while I'm thinking of it....if my DH sat around crabbing to his sister about how I was "driving him crazy" regarding our dog...and then one of them said I should just put the dog down...I might just put DH down!

 

[pooh6890]

This thread warms my heart too, Bottom line, some people will never understand how we feel about our pets and you know what? Who cares!!! I am so bad that sometimes when I look at my dogs and imagine life without them I get teary eyed......oh boy....what a goof I am!

 

[walkerag]

This thread warms my heart. It is so good to see that most of us think of our animals as part of the family. I have left my dog at a kennel but she is in good health. She does have cancer, but it is very early. We are planning a trip to WDW in Oct. If something happens to her, I will stay with her.
Flat out-no question-she is my dog-my friend-my walking buddy-period.
We rescued her from the humane society, she rescued us, too.
I don't know what I will ever do without her.

Ok-enough of those thoughts..I am going to cry just thinking about it.
I prefer animals to people-I would rather stay with my dog and cats than go to an old family reunion. JMHO.
Lisa

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Isn't that the truth???? Let's seeeeeee...family reunion/stay home with pets...I might just make up a pet illness just to get out of it!

And, while I'm thinking of it....if my DH sat around crabbing to his sister about how I was "driving him crazy" regarding our dog...and then one of them said I should just put the dog down...I might just put DH down!

Just for the record. My brother wasn't sitting around crabbing to me about the dog. He expressed disappointment in that she wanted to cancel a cruise and could not attend a much anticipated reunion. And not once did he or I suggest putting the dog down. period.

I can see why you shy away from humans.

 

[bubie2.5]

Yes I have and would do so again. Pets are very much a part of our family.

Same here. I can understand the OP's brother disappointment, BUT once a pet comes into my home, he becomes part of the family.

 

[TerriP]

I can see why you shy away from humans.

I was being very "tongue-in-cheek" there...I didn't mean to offend. I'm sorry I upset you.

 

[ArelysAdriana]

Mine and my boyfriend's cat has horrible seizures and requires medication twice a day. I don't consider making reasonable arrangements in order to ensure that he gets that medicine every time as "putting my life on hold." He is part of our lives and neither my boyfriend or I feel comfortable boarding him, if even for a night. Heaven forbid anything were to happen to him..I don't think either of us could live with that.

This thread warms my heart. It is so good to see that most of us think of our animals as part of the family. I have left my dog at a kennel but she is in good health. She does have cancer, but it is very early. We are planning a trip to WDW in Oct. If something happens to her, I will stay with her.
Flat out-no question-she is my dog-my friend-my walking buddy-period.
We rescued her from the humane society, she rescued us, too.
I don't know what I will ever do without her.

Ok-enough of those thoughts..I am going to cry just thinking about it.
I prefer animals to people-I would rather stay with my dog and cats than go to an old family reunion. JMHO.
Lisa

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. I wish her, and you, the absolute best.

I feel the same way about the bolded statement.

 

[WDWBarb]

No way I would leave a sick critter behind. My dogs, horses and bunny wabbit are so much a part of my life and I am 100% responsible for them. They, in turn, love me and my family unconditionally.

Very small price to pay and the returns are infinite.

 

[DisneyBeagle]

I think when discussing this subject we need to compare apples to apples. If one of my parents was dying or very ill and so was my dog, of course I would make other arrangements for my pet so that I could be with my parents. However, I wouldn't think twice about missing a family function (especially a family reunion) because of problems with my dog. The dogs are a very important part of my family and I would be miserable at the reunion knowing that my dog was hurting.