May 27, 2006
Pets- How far would you go?
Written by Cindy Kirk in Jaunty PostRecently, my daughter’s Shih Tzu, Ernie, had a tragic accident involving his right eye. Because of the Shih Tzu’s shallow eye socket, they are at risk of having an eye “pop out.” That’s what happened to Ernie. He got in a fight with his “brother”, a West Highland White Terrier (pictures of both are on my website www.cindykirk.com) and his eye came out of its socket.
The vet put it back in, sutured the eye shut so it could heal, but when he unsutured the eye, Ernie had a corneal ulcer. Now he has the eye partially sutured shut with a conjunctival flap. They aren’t holding out much hope that he’ll retain his vision.
So far his medical bills have totaled $575 and its not over yet. I was speaking with a friend who has a Maltese that she adores. She said if her dog needed surgery or was injured, she wouldn’t hesitate to spend the money necessary to restore her to health. Her husband on the other hand, doesn’t agree so she knows if their dog ends up needing more extensive vet care, there’s going to be a battle (but she says she’ll win that one
Interestingly enough, one of the local news stations ran a story about a woman who’d spent $23,000 on her border collie…and she didn’t regret it one bit.
We call Ernie, our grandog and would do anything (almost) for him. But $23,000…hmmmm hopefully I’ll never be faced with that choice.
But, how far would you go for love….of a pet, that is???
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Karen H in NC Says:
I’m not a pet owner, but a friend of mine has labs, both of which have cost him a lot in vet bills. Before too long, he investigated, and bought ‘pet health insurance’. He said it is a lot cheaper paying health care premiums than the high vet bills for extraordinary health care.
Anyone with an expensive pet (even a precious mutt puppy) should probably look into that option…just in case.
Shana Says:
Oh, I’d be the person who paid $23,000 to help my dog (except I have cats). I have even paid for mendical care for stray animals I found. Once I found an overheated dog running about the neighborhood. He had a collar, but I couldn’t reach the owners. I had to take the dog to the emergency room. The vets treated him but told me the cost was going to be upwards of $500. I was a student, but I said, “Okay.” Fortunately, I finally got in contact with the owners, they came, and paid the bill. That was pretty much the only time I got off cheaply, though. Of course, in the end, the cost is worth it. I wouldn’t deny medical care to an animal any more than I would a person.
Isabel Says:
Cindy, I’m so sorry to read about Ernie’s eye. It broke my heart to read about his condition. I cannot imagine what you and your daughter must feel like at this time. I’m also the kind of animal caretaker that would shell out $23k to save and give my animal companion a happy and heathly life.
Years ago, an old lady came by my work and dropped off a gift bag at the counter. She took my hand and looked directly into my eyes and said: “I know you will take care of it” and with that left the bag with me. I was afraid to look at what was inside, since I didn’t know this lady, never seen her in my life!
I opened the bag in there was (what I later found out)a tiny kitten. His little tongue was stuck to the the inside of the bag. At first I didn’t recognize the little thing as a kitten because I really thought it was small rat.
Anyhow, I called my DH, left work and we took him to the vet. On the way there we decided that we would keep the kitten. The vet told us that the kitten was most likely hours old and most likely wouldn’t survive for a few reasons: 1)It needed its mother to make to at least six weeks, 2)The reason his mother left him behind was because he was deformed. His hind legs didn’t bend, which meant he would never walk properly. Not to mention he might be might be deformed internally. Immediatly without thinking to much we asked him what we need to do to make the kitten comfortable. Did we need to put him down or could I at least try to see if I could save him? The vet said it wouldn’t be inhumane to try to save him. If I was willing, he could refer me to a feline orthopedic surgeon at a University hospital. BUT, the vet told us the kitten’s prognosis was not good, he needed to reach at least six weeks of age in order to be out of danger.
I loved this kitten from the moment I first saw him. The DH loved him also so we turned our lives upside down. We took turns feeding this kitten around the clock, helping it go to the bathroom, keeping him warm. Since my work at the time was more flexible, I took the kitten with me. I didn’t sleep a wink during those first weeks. I had people approach me and some were willing to help me out with the orthopedic surgeon bill if need be. Which btw, was starting at $1,800. I really thought he would make it, I really did.
A few days before he was to turn six weeks old, the kitten, passed on. He lay between the DH and I as we prayed for his little soul and sang lullabies.
I was devasted and to this day re-telling part of this story, makes me so sad. I wish I could have done more.
Cindy Kirk Says:
Shana and Isabel,
What heartwarming stories. It makes me feel good to know there are other animal lovers out there.
We also have a cat (Oreo) who came to us at 4 weeks when a friend discovered her in a dumpster (in 100 degree heat). Her picture is also on my website. She is the most loving cat and it makes me sick to think how someone could have treated her like unwanted garbage.
Karen,
We’ve often joked about getting Ernie insured but he had some stomach problems (and surgery) when he was a puppy and my guess is he’s uninsurable….or, at the very least he’d have a rider excluding care for his eye and stomach…
Today as I’m working on my current book, Oreo is sleeping on the couch and Ernie is relaxing next to me in the chair (I write long hand first)…the air conditioning is on (it’s 90+ degrees in Nebraska today) and I’m so happy that they now have a good life with people who love them.
Isabel Says:
Cindy said: “I’m so happy that they now have a good life with people who love them.”
Oh absolutely! I have to girls, E.B. a six year old Nanday Conure and Jaggers a one year old brown/gray tabby. We love them to pieces. The DH and I have been together for almost ten years and it wasn’t until this past January that we finally could arrange to go away for more than a few days. It was heartbreaking for us to leave our girls. I really think they were one of the reason why we had such a blast in Hawaii, because we knew this was the first and last vacation in a very long time
Lacey Kaye Says:
I really, really hope I never have to make a decision like that. I might pick the $23K. I’m going to try not to think about that.
Isabel, that is a very sad story! I’m glad you have your little girls to take care of, but I’m sorry for your loss.
Ok…off to think happy thoughts…
Shirley Karr Says:
We had a Shih Tzu when I was a kid, mostly because my dad liked to say the name of the breed, I think.
We also had a black and white Pekingese named Candy who had only one eye. She joined our family when I was about two, and I can’t remember her ever having both eyes. She had a very long, happy life. Limited vision didn’t seem to bother her, and she never took any guff from the two Westies who joined our household later. They may have been bigger, but she was the queen.
Best wishes for Ernie’s speedy recovery. I’ll bet he has an easier time adapting than his family.
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