Would you put your life on hold for a pet?

[disykat]

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.

Very good point. I feel the same way. My pets aren't my be all end all, but they are very important to me and I'm willing to sacrifice some stuff for their comfort in case of an illness. I also had kind of a traumatic experience boarding a pet when I was a child so I try to avoid that if possible.

I'm steeling myself to be ready to euthenize my pet some day if necessary. I think sometimes people wait too long because it's just so hard. My goal is to do it when it's right for my pet so she won't suffer.

I do have to add. I'd stay with my pet over a family reunion with DH's family anyday!

 

[Think-tink]

I understand your brother's disappointment but I would also choose to stay with my sick pet.

 

[CathrynRose]

Yes, I have and yes, I would again. I think it boils down to whether you see your pets as just "pets" or as "family members".

Each person should do what they are comfortable with...and others should respect their decisions.

I have and will again. Two of my dogs have literally saved my butt more then once. I owe them.

^ ^ ^ ^

My husband isn't going to Disney with us this year, because although Charley is not on meds, kennel's scare him - and frankly, we don't like him being so stressed out, when we're out lolly-gagging, having fun.

Yes - I'd rearrange my life.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yes, I have and yes, I would again. I think it boils down to whether you see your pets as just "pets" or as "family members".

Each person should do what they are comfortable with...and others should respect their decisions.

Likewise here.

 

[eliza61]

My SIL is driving my brother crazy. She has an older dog that she will not leave at the kennel since he is on meds. She will not be coming to our family reunion because it would require an overnight stay. I love my pets but I am not sure I would sacrifice so much for them. She made my brother cancel a cruise due to the condition of the dog. I guess I feel that humans are more important than animals.

In a nutshell, Yep I would. Yes humans are more important than animals but animals are way more important than cruises. They can rebooked. sacrificing a vacation for an elderly pet is a no brainer for me, but I have dogs so I'm biased.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Yes!

 

[SUSIEQ]

Yes, I have and yes, I would again. I think it boils down to whether you see your pets as just "pets" or as "family members".

Each person should do what they are comfortable with...and others should respect their decisions.

PERFECT response!

 

[Shyvioletisme]

Yes, I have and yes, I would again. I think it boils down to whether you see your pets as just "pets" or as "family members".

Each person should do what they are comfortable with...and others should respect their decisions.

I'm nowhere near being a "pet mommy" but you bet I would miss a family reunion because I couldn't board one of my dogs! I would do everything I could to have someone stay with her at home (very few people in my life willing to do that), but I sure wouldn't dream of putting her to sleep like people are mentioning here.

My older dog, who's 9, has pretty bad hip dysplasia. There's no way on earth I'm sending her to the kennel where she'll be sleeping on a concrete floor (even with a dog bed) and getting herself all excited and pacing around, happy to see the other dogs. But she's happy and living a GREAT quality of life at home! Just because she can't be at a kennel doesn't mean she's ready to DIE.

I made a commitment to these pets. Although I'm more than willing to do the right thing when their time comes, I'm not going to put one down out of convenience. I may have to miss a few overnight trips before her time comes, but that's the choice I made when I decided to bring pets into my home.

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.

I agree with all of these...my kitty is part of my family and as with any other member of my family, I am willing to make sacrifices for his well being.


personally, I would NEVER board my cat...I hire a petsitter who comes in and looks after him. Boarding is just not an option for him as he's too nervous and would worry himself sick in that situation. So for some animals, boarding is just not an option and if staying home and taking care of an animal is what she wants to do, there is nothing wrong with that...would this be such an issue if it were her child?

 

[ginna74]

yes!!!! My animals are and will always be a part of my family, and family comes first.


a friends dog pulled him to safety and saved his life!!!! I am still in awe over the whole thing many years after hearing about it. He is a wonderful dog that is a pert of their family.

 

[penguin087]

Heck yes I would miss a family function or reschedule a vacation. Not only do I love the silly dog to no end but they give so much to us. We have to do right by them in the end. Their care is our responsibility. I cant imagine shipping her off to a kennel when she was old and sick just so I could go on vacation. I know she isn't a person or as important as a person but jeez I still love her.

 

[Darsa]

I can NOT imagine anyone ever considering a pet (ANY pet) a piece of property like their sofa, that if it requires a little bit of extra something out of you it can be replaced.

It makes me angry when someone makes a committment to a pet and decides that when it's less than totally fun and convenient for THEM that it's a liability. Ergh.

I love my furbabies and would definitely skip "functions" and "parties" if they need me.

 

[stacy347]

I'd put off a family function in a heartbeat if my dog needed me at home. As a PP stated, if there were a decision to be made where I had to choose between a sick relative or my sick dog, of course it would be the person (if it was someone I was close to ~ to be honest, my dog does outrank some family members ).

My dog is a part of this family and we made a lifelong commitment to ensure his health and happiness until that is no longer possible.

 

[Mel6197]

She was 9 and never put in a Kennel, So when we decided to go to Disney world I made sure my sister could come by 3 times a day to care for her, No way would I kennel a dog that had never been in one.
Bad enough when I went away she wouldnt eat..

Now I have 2 younge ones, and Have put the 1 in a kennel for Disney, and she came home Skinny, and her nose ripped up from trying to get under the gate..

We pay the neighbor now to care for them, and if she cant do it, then we dont go or we go for alot shorter of a trip (our trips are usually 2++ weeks..

Just like my kids, When I brought them into my life, they were mine to care for threw thick and thin...

 

[castleview]

I'm sort of putting things on hold right now due to our geriatric dog. Although, I think it's extreme to not vacation or go to a wedding for the animal.

My dog doesn't have much time. While she's alert and chipper most of the time, she has an out of control bladder. So what's on hold is getting new furniture and rugs until she's gone.

I'm not really sure what to do. For some people, an out of control bladder is enough to put a dog down. But she's still alert and show interest in life, so I can't do it right now.

Anyone been in that boat?

 

[DisneyWalker44]

Absolutely. I cancelled all long trips this year - one of my dogs was getting old and had health problems. I was OK putting him in the kennel for a few days, but not for anything longer.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

In a nutshell, Yep I would. Yes humans are more important than animals but animals are way more important than cruises. They can rebooked. sacrificing a vacation for an elderly pet is a no brainer for me, but I have dogs so I'm biased.

I agree. Missing a cruise or family reunion for a sick pet is not "putting your life on hold," it's sacrificing a vacation, and I would do that for a sick pet in a heartbeat.

Neither of our pets can be kenneled at this point in their lives and if our petsitter is not available, we just don't go.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Yes, and we are, in fact, doing it right now. We have a 12 year old beagle who is on thyroid medication and is a very nervous dog. We are putting a large extended family trip to WDW on hold because she would never survive a kennel. We also have two tea cup cats that'd need special care.

 

[npmommie]

Although, I think it's extreme to not vacation or go to a wedding for the animal.

I skipped a wedding that was 3000 miles away. My dog had just been diagnosed with Insulinoma ( a type of cancer of the insulin making cells of the pancreas).
she needed to eat every couple hours to prevent hypoglycemia which would get bad enough to cause seizures. we were tweaking her medications........they told me she would live only 3-9 months tops.
once we knew the diagnosis and treatment plan, her quality of life was good, i was not about to put her to sleep........but I also could not put her in the kennel, knowing her illness and what could happen.
so we didn't go.
I would have never forgiven myself if something happened to her while we were 3000 miles away.

she ended up having 2 years of good quality until she started to get worse and we did have to put her to sleep.

we rescued this dog as a itty bitty puppy someone had thrown out on the side of the road. she was my best friend, walking buddy, we had her before kids, and when kids came along, she loved them. I couldn't abandon her when she got sick. no way.

 

[sunlver]

Well I can certainily understand this..many people do not.

I dogsit out of my house. I have been doing it for 15 yrs. I have customers that would never be boarded at kennel or left alone in their own house for somebody to come twice a day and care for them...The owners call me first to checkmy schedule, before booking their vacation

We are going to Dallas a week in August. My friend is watching my dogs for me at her house. I asked her when she was going on her week long summer trip as to make sure I book my travel when she is home.

It is crazy what us crazy dog lovers will do for our dogs.

In all honestly I would never go on vacation if I had to board my dogs in a kennel ...it would make me sad. I know people rave about this or that kennel, or the doggie hotels around..but I couldnt do it.

 

[tomthebarncat]

That is German for "children with fur", yes, I do give thought to my parental responsibilities. As my hubby just told me " It isn't a vacation if Cody Bear doesn't come with!!". As you can see, our vacation options are limited to driving 4-6 hours in any given direction from the house. So, Petra, Jordan is out!! Pets provide love and comfort when the world can be a very harsh place!!