Comments on: The cost of dog care: Where do you draw a line? http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/the-cost-of-dog-care-where-do-you-draw-a-line?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-cost-of-dog-care-where-do-you-draw-a-line A guilt-free zone for good dog owners Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:25:10 +0000 hourly 1 By: Edie Jarolim http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/the-cost-of-dog-care-where-do-you-draw-a-line/comment-page-1#comment-14096 Edie Jarolim Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:22:43 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=3317#comment-14096 No, Baby will not hate you. My title is ironic because, like you, many people worry about this kind of thing. You are doing the best you can and of course Baby loves you. It certainly would be good to get her teeth cleaned but if you can't afford it, you can't. You might call around to local humane societies to see if they have inexpensive dental treatment clinics or can suggest some options. And in the meantime, if you try to brush baby's teeth (with canine toothpaste, not the human kind) that would be a start. Good luck! No, Baby will not hate you. My title is ironic because, like you, many people worry about this kind of thing. You are doing the best you can and of course Baby loves you. It certainly would be good to get her teeth cleaned but if you can’t afford it, you can’t. You might call around to local humane societies to see if they have inexpensive dental treatment clinics or can suggest some options. And in the meantime, if you try to brush baby’s teeth (with canine toothpaste, not the human kind) that would be a start.

Good luck!

]]> By: Anita http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/the-cost-of-dog-care-where-do-you-draw-a-line/comment-page-1#comment-14078 Anita Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:17:51 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=3317#comment-14078 I really have a strong sense of connection with all of those who have commented, and you as well Eddie. A few years ago I got an apple head Chihuahua (His name is Baby), who was and still is as a cute as a button! I was going to school full time with no type of scholarship or help from anything and paying cash and in full every semester. I figured I could afford having a companion around. But I did not anticipate what his teeth would look like when I got him. When I adopted him, his teeth were a horrible site. I felt extremely guilty and upset that I could only afford annual shots ($65- even that was a stretch) and dog food for him (Pedigree). I've now had him for a couple years now and have yet to give him the dental care I know he deserves. I could barely pay for mine and my husband’s life; we do not have any insurance what’s so ever, and often rely on over the counter medication to heal ourselves whenever we got sick. My father has gladly taken us into his home for a little bit, without rent so we can save our money. But last night I had a horrible scare with Baby, as he was very bloated, crying and in pain. My husband and I rushed him into the Animal hospital and he was checked out. Thankfully, he only had an upset stomach. The vet gave us options, like an overnight hospital stay and some tests to be run like blood work and x-rays. This all would cost at $500-which we do not have. I had to just buy some medication from the vet and take him home with me. I felt extremely happy that Baby was just having an upset stomach, but it got me thinking. His teeth are in bad shape, and that could really be expensive to put him under. What does a dog owner do? I love my dog and he is my everything. But does that make me a bad owner that I can't give him the dental peace he needs? My husband and I only have one car, we do not have insurance of any kind, and we do not go clothing shopping either. We are living with my father, rent-free and we are trying to get on our feet and save for a rainy day. It is a hard time for us, but we are getting by. Should Baby suffer because of us? We love him dearly, but just like the title of this blog, will Baby hate me? I really have a strong sense of connection with all of those who have commented, and you as well Eddie.

A few years ago I got an apple head Chihuahua (His name is Baby), who was and still is as a cute as a button! I was going to school full time with no type of scholarship or help from anything and paying cash and in full every semester. I figured I could afford having a companion around. But I did not anticipate what his teeth would look like when I got him. When I adopted him, his teeth were a horrible site. I felt extremely guilty and upset that I could only afford annual shots ($65- even that was a stretch) and dog food for him (Pedigree). I’ve now had him for a couple years now and have yet to give him the dental care I know he deserves. I could barely pay for mine and my husband’s life; we do not have any insurance what’s so ever, and often rely on over the counter medication to heal ourselves whenever we got sick. My father has gladly taken us into his home for a little bit, without rent so we can save our money.

But last night I had a horrible scare with Baby, as he was very bloated, crying and in pain. My husband and I rushed him into the Animal hospital and he was checked out. Thankfully, he only had an upset stomach. The vet gave us options, like an overnight hospital stay and some tests to be run like blood work and x-rays. This all would cost at $500-which we do not have. I had to just buy some medication from the vet and take him home with me. I felt extremely happy that Baby was just having an upset stomach, but it got me thinking. His teeth are in bad shape, and that could really be expensive to put him under. What does a dog owner do? I love my dog and he is my everything. But does that make me a bad owner that I can’t give him the dental peace he needs?

My husband and I only have one car, we do not have insurance of any kind, and we do not go clothing shopping either. We are living with my father, rent-free and we are trying to get on our feet and save for a rainy day. It is a hard time for us, but we are getting by. Should Baby suffer because of us? We love him dearly, but just like the title of this blog, will Baby hate me?

]]> By: Edie Jarolim http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/the-cost-of-dog-care-where-do-you-draw-a-line/comment-page-1#comment-11780 Edie Jarolim Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:20:20 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=3317#comment-11780 I'm so sorry to hear this. What a terribly frustrating situation. I don't have any answers. I know how crucial dental care is; not getting proper care can leave your dog in pain and make it difficult to eat, cause dangerous levels of bacteria, etc., etc. At the same time, this seems to have escalated to an impossible level. Maybe it would be worth investing in a bit of (inexpensive) professional online advice; I know and trust this site: http://www.vetlive.com/ Best of luck! I’m so sorry to hear this. What a terribly frustrating situation. I don’t have any answers. I know how crucial dental care is; not getting proper care can leave your dog in pain and make it difficult to eat, cause dangerous levels of bacteria, etc., etc. At the same time, this seems to have escalated to an impossible level. Maybe it would be worth investing in a bit of (inexpensive) professional online advice; I know and trust this site: http://www.vetlive.com/

Best of luck!

]]> By: Peggy Buckley http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/the-cost-of-dog-care-where-do-you-draw-a-line/comment-page-1#comment-11778 Peggy Buckley Mon, 05 Sep 2011 14:45:02 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=3317#comment-11778 I really am at a loss.......my 14 year old silkie has been to (3) different vets in the San Diego area. ALL of this to get her cleared to see a very expensive dental vet....and she is not even cleared for that yet. They're holding an ultrasound over my head. So, for roughly $1800 I'm not even at the dentist for Olympia! In frustration, I asked if I could sign a waiver to allow anasthesia for my senior Olympia. I was informed that I can sign an AMA (against medical advice) form "possibly". Leave it to California to be such a litigious state that vets care more about lawsuits than pet care. My budget is gone, what do I do now? I really am at a loss…….my 14 year old silkie has been to (3) different vets in the San Diego area. ALL of this to get her cleared to see a very expensive dental vet….and she is not even cleared for that yet. They’re holding an ultrasound over my head. So, for roughly $1800 I’m not even at the dentist for Olympia! In frustration, I asked if I could sign a waiver to allow anasthesia for my senior Olympia. I was informed that I can sign an AMA (against medical advice) form “possibly”. Leave it to California to be such a litigious state that vets care more about lawsuits than pet care. My budget is gone, what do I do now?

]]> By: Cost of Pet Care Part III « Pet News and Views http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/the-cost-of-dog-care-where-do-you-draw-a-line/comment-page-1#comment-2347 Cost of Pet Care Part III « Pet News and Views Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:00:55 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=3317#comment-2347 [...] another point of view, pet owner and blogger Edie Jarolim of Will My Dog Hate Me sounds off on health [...] [...] another point of view, pet owner and blogger Edie Jarolim of Will My Dog Hate Me sounds off on health [...]

]]> By: Will My Dog Hate Me? » Blog Archive » Ulcers, mine & Frankie’s http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/the-cost-of-dog-care-where-do-you-draw-a-line/comment-page-1#comment-1453 Will My Dog Hate Me? » Blog Archive » Ulcers, mine & Frankie’s Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:25:15 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=3317#comment-1453 [...] I came home from the vet, Chris the repair guy was there.  Chris was going to fix the hole in the wall above the sink that the plumbers made and left gaping. I had told Chris when I phoned him that I needed the hole [...] [...] I came home from the vet, Chris the repair guy was there.  Chris was going to fix the hole in the wall above the sink that the plumbers made and left gaping. I had told Chris when I phoned him that I needed the hole [...]

]]> By: Will My Dog Hate Me? » Blog Archive » Putting on the Ritz http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/the-cost-of-dog-care-where-do-you-draw-a-line/comment-page-1#comment-1427 Will My Dog Hate Me? » Blog Archive » Putting on the Ritz Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:40:52 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=3317#comment-1427 [...] for free. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, go back and read my last two posts, The cost of dog care: Where do you draw the line, where I got dissed in the comments section for wanting to keep my cable; and Dental confessions: A [...] [...] for free. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, go back and read my last two posts, The cost of dog care: Where do you draw the line, where I got dissed in the comments section for wanting to keep my cable; and Dental confessions: A [...]

]]> By: Edie http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/the-cost-of-dog-care-where-do-you-draw-a-line/comment-page-1#comment-1410 Edie Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:21:40 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=3317#comment-1410 Welcome Oliver the puggle; glad you like the site. As for your question, Rebecca... well, that definitely would make a good future post! Welcome Oliver the puggle; glad you like the site.

As for your question, Rebecca… well, that definitely would make a good future post!

]]> By: Rebecca Boren http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/the-cost-of-dog-care-where-do-you-draw-a-line/comment-page-1#comment-1407 Rebecca Boren Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:30:57 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=3317#comment-1407 You're welcome. I did think of leaving a reply about how much my dogs enjoy cable, but the truth is that only one of the five seems to watch TV when it's on (as opposed to Teddy, my late fox terrier, who knew how to use the remote). And, being a pointer, she is a lot more interested in the wild critters on nature shows than picking up tips on dog grooming. This may need its own bloggie, but I am wondering what kind of experience with TV and even radio other dog people have had. Or am I just wasting electricity when I leave the TV on when I leave the house to go eat Indian food with Edie? You’re welcome. I did think of leaving a reply about how much my dogs enjoy cable, but the truth is that only one of the five seems to watch TV when it’s on (as opposed to Teddy, my late fox terrier, who knew how to use the remote). And, being a pointer, she is a lot more interested in the wild critters on nature shows than picking up tips on dog grooming. This may need its own bloggie, but I am wondering what kind of experience with TV and even radio other dog people have had. Or am I just wasting electricity when I leave the TV on when I leave the house to go eat Indian food with Edie?

]]> By: Edie http://willmydoghateme.com/dog-health/the-cost-of-dog-care-where-do-you-draw-a-line/comment-page-1#comment-1389 Edie Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:20:30 +0000 http://willmydoghateme.com/?p=3317#comment-1389 Thank you, Rebecca (a.k.a Frankie's rescuer and now savior of my cable)! In the interests of full disclosure -- something you might have guessed because of the allusion to my ancient TV and lack of DVD player -- Rebecca has a vested interest in my holding on to my cable, even though she has her own. We have spent many an evening together eating Indian food and watching UnderDog to Wonderdog and other Animal Planet shows. (Digression -- did anyone else watch that weird new pet psychic show? We were underwhelmed, though we did get a few good laughs.) Anyway, Rebecca, next time we get together (soon!), I'll tell you the full story of my plumbing woes. I've still got that extra bottle of bubbly left over from your last visit that needs to be polished off (yes, it's burning a hole in my refrigerator, beckoning me, and many other temptation cliches). Thank you, Rebecca (a.k.a Frankie’s rescuer and now savior of my cable)! In the interests of full disclosure — something you might have guessed because of the allusion to my ancient TV and lack of DVD player — Rebecca has a vested interest in my holding on to my cable, even though she has her own. We have spent many an evening together eating Indian food and watching UnderDog to Wonderdog and other Animal Planet shows. (Digression — did anyone else watch that weird new pet psychic show? We were underwhelmed, though we did get a few good laughs.)

Anyway, Rebecca, next time we get together (soon!), I’ll tell you the full story of my plumbing woes. I’ve still got that extra bottle of bubbly left over from your last visit that needs to be polished off (yes, it’s burning a hole in my refrigerator, beckoning me, and many other temptation cliches).

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