VeeshanVault

Now we can get cell phones for our pets. Isn't technology great?

I sure hope they don't use those while driving their gas-guzzling SUVs

I forwarded this to my mom, and she's contemplating getting this for her dog. She lives on farmland outside of town, and her dog took off during a storm a few weeks back. It returned with a very bad snakebite two weeks ago.

The GPS functionality I can see as being totally worthwhile. The cell phone, not so much. Doesn't a tag on your dog with your phone number work just fine without the cell phone that can call you at home or on your cell?

Sylvus wrote:The GPS functionality I can see as being totally worthwhile. The cell phone, not so much. Doesn't a tag on your dog with your phone number work just fine without the cell phone that can call you at home or on your cell?

The GPS functionality is what she is wanting. It was her devious side that wanted to be able to call and harass the dog through the cell phone portion of the collar.

They have a "just GPS" collar device as well Hope her dogs ok!

Dregor Thule wrote:They have a "just GPS" collar device as well Hope her dogs ok!

I brought the "just GPS" collar up to her as well, and that's when she mentioned how much fun she could have "tormenting" the dog when things get slow in the office.

The bite has healed up quite well, but it still smells horrible. Necrosis had set in by the time the dog showed back up, but the dead tissue has "gone away" to be replaced with healthy pink tissue. It will still take a few weeks of observation and medication to know how much use she'll have.

It never ceases to amaze me what money people will waste on their pets. recently there was a study that showed a lot of people spend more money on pet's vet bills than they do on their own health care. uninsured people who won't go to the doctor or hospital when sick will fork over thousands of dollars to get a ver to stick their finger up rover's ass. it's bizarre.

kyoukan wrote:It never ceases to amaze me what money people will waste on their pets. recently there was a study that showed a lot of people spend more money on pet's vet bills than they do on their own health care. uninsured people who won't go to the doctor or hospital when sick will fork over thousands of dollars to get a ver to stick their finger up rover's ass. it's bizarre.

One of my many "million dollar ideas" I never actually go through with was pet insurance. Pet owners can be pretty fanatical and spend stupid amounts of money on thier little ones. Alas, people have already cashed in on that one...

Pet insurance is a complete failure in the marketplace because people with it would take fido to the vet three times a day every time he sneezed. People that do that sort of thing are more fanatical about their pets than they were for their own children and it led to a lot of lawsuits.

You can still get it though, but it makes HMO's look like fucking clerics in EQ in how limited the coverage is. Of course most people don't find that out until Mr. Whiskers is bleeding out his anus on the vet's operating table and you realize that your awesome pet insurance only covers you for a maximum of $600 for the pet's lifetime on your $50/month plan.

Then a guy from PetPlan jumps out of the medical supply cabinet and points at you and goes 'OWNED! OWNED! OWNED! OWNED!'

I just spent 3200 on my mastiff for bilateral elbow dysplasia, wish it wasnt so expensive at vets but its better then letting my dog grow up crippled.

3200!!!! Buy a fucking new one....People like you fucking amaze me. Unless you have money to blow, it's ridiculous to spend that much on a sick pet. Wait until you or some family member actually needs that money for some emergency...seen it so many times. Stupid people blowing their money on simple pets only to later on find out their mother or father needs money cause the insurance won't cover it all.

We got pet insurance on our (3) dogs starting with when we got our youngest. Between the free shots, vet visits, discounted spey etc we saves thousands of dollars and we rarely take our dogs in more than out vet asks.

Our insurance is through petsmart so we are limited to their vets but it is the most complete plan we have been able to find and I think it is worth it~

Valryte, you see them as "simple pets" but some of us see our pets as family. You can't just "get another" like you'd get new shoes... You've obviously never owned an animal you really cared about or else you'd understand. Some folks lack a connection to animals I guess.

I'd spend $3200 on one of my dogs if it meant saving his life. I'd probably spend a lot more too. But then again, $3200 won't bankrupt everyone. I'd understand if someone couldn't deal with spending that kind of money on saving a pet.

That's not to say I'd buy a useless gadget for him.

valryte wrote:3200!!!! Buy a fucking new one....People like you fucking amaze me. Unless you have money to blow, it's ridiculous to spend that much on a sick pet. Wait until you or some family member actually needs that money for some emergency...seen it so many times. Stupid people blowing their money on simple pets only to later on find out their mother or father needs money cause the insurance won't cover it all.

Our dogs are more than "just pets." They are a part of the family. Travel plans include them, they are factored into monthly expenses, their vet appointments are scheduled when our appointments are scheduled, etc.. I know that it's not the same for everyone even if you cannot seem to understand that fact. I could not see spending money on my pet's health as "blowing" money unless the procedure was pointless and had no benefit to the health of my dog.

I have nothing against spending money on pet health insurance, for shots, scheduled exams etc...I also have insurance on my dog through Banfield. I've bought him meds when he needed them, wash him, give him his monthly flea/ticks stuff etc... But I can tell you this much, as soon as I walk into the vets and he tells me they need 3200 to operate on him, that's where I draw the line. And yes, I treat pets differently. Maybe it's because I have kids and maybe you guys don't. Cause frankly if the vet were to ask me for 3200 for my dog, the first thing that would go through my mine is, what if I need that money later on for my kid or wife. Sorry, but the pet is on a budget and it comes out of the expendable income.

valryte wrote:3200!!!! Buy a fucking new one....People like you fucking amaze me. Unless you have money to blow, it's ridiculous to spend that much on a sick pet. Wait until you or some family member actually needs that money for some emergency...seen it so many times. Stupid people blowing their money on simple pets only to later on find out their mother or father needs money cause the insurance won't cover it all.

Why am I stupid for caring so much for my mastiff? Money is just money it can be replaced eventually, when you form a bond with a dog it isnt so easily replaced. I know you have no clue on this matter but to most people, their dog is part of the family so what you say is valid. I would spend 3200 on a family member and thats just what I did. Life isn't about what ifs and what could happen down the road, you react to things like this that happen now. I feel bad for you that you have this sort of thinking.

PS FYI to get a mastiff from a reputable breeder is a min of $1500 for a non show dog and usually much more for a show dog.

Jesus, $1500 for a dog? I paid $26 for my puppy at the pound. I have no fucking idea what kind of dog she is, only that she's awesome.

valryte wrote:I have nothing against spending money on pet health insurance, for shots, scheduled exams etc...I also have insurance on my dog through Banfield. I've bought him meds when he needed them, wash him, give him his monthly flea/ticks stuff etc... But I can tell you this much, as soon as I walk into the vets and he tells me they need 3200 to operate on him, that's where I draw the line. And yes, I treat pets differently. Maybe it's because I have kids and maybe you guys don't. Cause frankly if the vet were to ask me for 3200 for my dog, the first thing that would go through my mine is, what if I need that money later on for my kid or wife. Sorry, but the pet is on a budget and it comes out of the expendable income.

I don't have kids, but Eric has a son and feels like I do. My parents would have spent anything on our family dog. I know many people who have kids who see their pet as family and would do anything for them. So, I don't think you can say that your mentality is because you have kids. I think you just see pets as property and any money you'd spend as an investment, so you evaluate the expense to se if the investment is worth it. I'm not saying your a bad person for not wanting to spend $3200 on your pet, but its something a lot people wouldn't hesitate to do.

$3200 would have been worth every penny to have even one more measly year with my little buddy, Thor. Unfortunately he had cancer and was in too much pain for any amount of money to do him any good.

Then again, money has never been that important to me, and I loved that dog.

We paid 2200 for a male Bull Mastiff back in 1991.

When I bought my dog I made a commitment to take care of him.
If he needs surgery, he gets surgery.
You have to consider all that before you adopt one.

Never underestimate the power of anthropomorphization.

My family has always gotten pets from the pound. Why the fuck would you grab some inbred cross-eyed pooch when there's great muts at the pound that need a home?

Got one that was a neglected pet in the neighborhood as well.

One of our dogs had a liver condition so we flew special cases of food from the U.S. to Sardinia, Italy each month. I don't see the reason for spending money to buy a pet, but I can see the reasons for spending money to keep a pet healthy.

Valryte wrote:3200!!!! Buy a fucking new one....People like you fucking amaze me.

People like you amaze me. Rhyae was right. When you take in a pet, you take on an obligation to that animal. It has nothing to do with anthropomorphization, it has to do with responsibility and accountability. Once you've accepted that obligation, you do what needs to be done for the pet. If you're not willing to do that, then you have no business owning an animal.

Bull-fucking-shit.

These are animals we're talking about. There is a limit to what we're obligated to do. They are not your children, they are not "members of your family," and do not have human rights; they are non-sentient animals here for our amusement and/or service. Or in some countries, dinner.

Animals are sentient. Stop with the speciesism.

How could you possibly own a pet and not know that they're just like us, just less capable?

Just like babies and retards.

masteen wrote:...they are non-sentient animals...

I don't believe you know what sentient means.

My position has little to do with animal rights. It certainliy doesn't rest on "they're part of our families" or "they deserve human rights." I'm saying that it's an issue of personal accountability, responsibility, ethical behavior, and being a decent person.

Animal rights come into play insofar as I think an animal is something capable of demanding respect in certain situations. I don't think that's too radical a position.

Shots and the occasional checkup are one thing. Sending your cat for chemo isn't what I'd call responsible behavior.

so you're the watermark for responsible behavior now? there's nothing wrong with people that can afford to care for their sick pets.

As long as you're clear that it's luxury spending, and not a responsibility.

I guess that's a little overstated. I think owners ought to pay for care if it's possible for them to do so.

masteen wrote:As long as you're clear that it's luxury spending, and not a responsibility.

Actually it is the responsibility of the owner to maintain a certain level of health of their animal. It's not luxury spending its just called being a respectable owner of an animal that is depending solely on you for their care. If you can't afford a pet just don't buy one. Animals can be part of a family without being an actual family member, of course your real family is the priority but it doesnt make your pet any less valid as part of the family. There will always be people who think like you and that other guy here where pets are just replaceable objects with no deep meaning, but they are living things who feel and depend on us for their care.

Some people should never have pets.
I met a man at the vets office who was there with his dog. It was a very pitiful looking animal. He explained that "It got hit by a car and crawled back home, laid out yonder under the porch, so I dug a hole fer it, but it's three days and it aint dead yet, so I brung it in here."
Not a person who should own a pet. But at least he has a nice fresh hole, he should throw himself in.

Domesticated animals depend on you for their wellbeing.
As stated above, if you arent up to the challenge, don't get one. Pets are expensive, people don't think about that.
If you live at the poverty level, get a gerbil.

I spent close to 4.000 dollars about a year ago, when my cat broke his leg. When the vet tells me he can fix it, and I can scrounge up the money, you can be damn sure I will pay to give my pet the best treatment available.

You cannot just replace the bond you share with an animal. I am perfectly aware he is not a human being, but he is my cat, I love him to bits, and I will do all I can to care for him. I would do that with any animal I owned.

If you do not the money to have your pet cared for, at least spend the money to have them put down, so their suffering is as short as possible.

The guy rhyae describes above simply should not have a pet, pisses me off when people let their pets suffer for money.

At no point should an animal be left to suffer. Letting a dog lay in a hole with a broken leg for 3 days is criminal, literally. We do have that responsiblity, but I refuse to even consider putting a clueless critter through a proceedure that is brutal on a person who understands what is going on.

4.000 to fix a cat's broken leg?!?!? You know that vet was laughing his ass off all the way home after that...

How much to fix a baby bird that's fallen out of a nest?

valryte wrote:4.000 to fix a cat's broken leg?!?!? You know that vet was laughing his ass off all the way home after that...

He might have been, but since I know him privately I kind of doubt it. I paid him quite a lot of money to fix my cat, but then again I made out like a bandit in real estate over the last few years so I could afford it. I don't see any reason not to have my cat fixed when I have the money. I would do it again if it came down to it.

Poor people should not own pets.

Fairweather Pure wrote:Poor people should not own pets.

Because they eat them if things get too bad?

I don't think I could trust anyone who couldn't say "I would have done/would do anything for that dog/cat" It may be just me, but loving a pet seems like an important emotional rite of passage or a tell-tale sign of how caring a person is.

Lalanae wrote:I don't think I could trust anyone who couldn't say "I would have done/would do anything for that dog/cat" It may be just me, but loving a pet seems like an important emotional rite of passage or a tell-tale sign of how caring a person is.

I totally agree. I do everything I can for my pets, and the comfort and peace they bring me makes any financial sacrifices totally worth it.

This is simba, he is recovering nicely but still has a slight limp. There isnt a day that goes by that I regret spending the 3200 to have his legs fixed.

The purebreed business is such a fucking racket. They sell you these thousand dollar dogs with assloads of health issues caused from inbreeding, and then you have to fork over even more just so the poor critters can walk.

Not ONE purebreed animal I've been exposed to hasn't had health issues of some kind. From my friend's Doberman who only grew 3 teeth, to another buddie's golden retriever that had hip problems from the time it was 3 months old to the day he put it down 4 years (and almost $10 grand) later, all these supposedly "pure" animals are fucking defective.

Meanwhile, they have mutts at the pound that recovered from gunshots pretty much purely on their stout constitutions who can't find a home because people just gots to have that purebreed paper.

It all depends on how reputable the breeder is and how diligant you are in checking things out before you buy the dog. Its not a racket when you have responcible breeders who breed for quality and have all medical records available. Just getting some papers that have AKC on it doesnt garuntee anything as far as health goes, which is why you have to do the work. If its a large breed you ask for OFA papers and see how the parents are. In my case I took a chance because simba's parents were less than 2 years old and could not get OFA certs yet. Yes I ended up getting burned a bit but I still don't regret anything about it.

I paid 600$ each for my 2 dachshunds.

The male is 10 years old in July and he is fit and healthy, aside from a few aging teeth and he like to lick his own cock a lot now, so I guess he has cock breath too.

The female has always had problems. We got her fixed and after that she put on double her body weight, started getting infections in her cheeks that caused massive edema down her face/neck. Then since she was so fat, she hurt her legs when trying to follow my male leads by jumping up on the couch. She is better now, but she cannot walk with individual movement in her rear legs. Her legs used to make a clicking noise when she walked but dont any longer.

When she runs now she brings both her back legs up at the same time, like a rabbit.... its kinda funny, she was slow at first but now she can run as fast as ever like that.

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my dog.. purebred white german shep

just spent about a grand recently to have her ear fixed. She ruptured something internally and it filled up with blood and looked like an overfilled ziploc bag. After she had that drained it filled up again with an absess which was drained again. Luckily it healed after the 2nd drain because the next step was a more expensive surgery. its now permanently floppy due to scar tissue weighing it down. I dont miss the money at all, and I would pay more.. but as has been mentioned, I'm not exactly destitute and I have no dependents.

If I knew I couldnt afford to pay for shit like this and worse, I would not get a pet

We paid $400 for my rott. She is from a champion line and had I known then that she would be as beautiful and well tempered as she is I would have paid 10 times the price for her. She is almost 2 years old now and does appear to have the startings of minor hip dysplasia. It might end up costing a fortune to keep her comfortable or nothing at all if it doesn't progress, but I don't care either way, she is a great dog.

Some times good breeders have dogs that get sick. Dogs and cats are just like people in that just because they are sick doesn't mean they were inbred, some just get sick. My purchase contract for my rott has a money back guarantee against hereditary illness like hip dysplasia. I could return my 2 year old dog back to her and get a new puppy from the next litter or my money back, and that is a large part of what makes a breeder reputable. If finances were and issue or the dog was not as wonderful as she is then maybe I would consider that option. But, as it stands I will hang on to her because she is part of the family.