$4,000 vet.

[J-Mech]

No cat is worth $400 to me. Kittens or not.

[olds45512]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

No cat is worth $400 to me. Kittens or not.

Jon, I would like to start out by saying that I like you and consider you a friend. However, your negative opinion on just about everything isn't always needed, if you were doing something I didn't agree with I would just shut my mouth and move on. I will be honest, I didn't really want to spend that kind of money on a cat and I'm sure most people don't but the fact is that this isn't a stray or a barn cat, we've had her since she was a kitten and she is part of our family. This entire situation is our own fault, had we had her spayed when she was younger this would have never happened and I just wouldn't feel right putting her down over something that wasn't her fault. I also have two young son's that love the cat and didn't want them to have to go through losing another pet after we lost one of our dog's a while back, I also don't want them to grow up thinking it's ok to neglect animals or simply drag them out back and shoot them anytime they need medical help. My other lab is in bad shape and we will most likely have to put her down in the coming weeks and that will be devastating but it would be much worse for my boy's if we had also just lost the cat. It's only money and I will make more tomorrow but my boy's are only young once and opportunities to set a good example need to be taken when they can.

[rwairforce]

Tim,
Have you ever thought about becoming a writer?
Maybe a life help counselor?
How about an inspirational speaker about how to be caring for something and putting that something ahead of yourself.

Regardless, your message was a great inspiration and especially when children are involved a different approach to things may be needed. Thanks for sharing.

In your case it was a great teaching moment for the kids. I do wonder what may have happened if it were $4,000. There is a time when the money and what other uses that money could go towards is a factor over a single animal.

Individual choices, thanks for sharing yours.

[drcjv]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

No cat is worth $400 to me. Kittens or not.

Jonathan I would have bet $1000 no $10,000 that this would be your position on this subject.

[drcjv]

Tim about 15 years ago we had horses, goats and donkeys. I always felt teaching the kids how to care for a living thing was a good thing. My dad who was a horseman his whole life used to tell me you can judge a person by the way they treat animals. I wholeheartedly believe this. We had a Nubian goat named Bella one night she pulled a whole stack of hay bales down on top of herself. She was trapped all night and when we found her in the morning it was an emergency. The vet came out and it was touch and go but he got her stable. She had a severe subluxation in her cervical spine. Our vet said he did not know how to help. We do not live that far from the New Bolton center an extension of the University of Penn Vet hospital and a world recognized equine center. This is where Barbaro was treated. They could not believe I wanted to bring a goat. They told me no one spends any money on goats. My wife felt it was her fault since she forgot to close the barn door. This little girl was a joy to be around she would follow and the kids loved her. I was quite fond of her too as I bottle fed her. The cost was more than I would like to say and many in my family told me I was crazy. The way I reasoned was as long as I was not taking anything away from my kids and household to pay I could afford it. Bella recovered about 85% and we had her for some years after. Tim after meeting you and knowing you from the forum I would have easily bet $10,000 that you would have done what you did. I am sure the kids learned a valuable lesson through this and best wishes with your dog.

[olds45512]

Thanks for the kind words. Before this goes any further I don't want it to turn into anybody bashing Jon. He stated his opinion and I responded to it respectfully and it doesn't need to go any further than that.

[ol'George]

Over the years of raising livestock, I had 2 such experiences, once with a first time heifer and some year later with an older cow.
Both times I pushed the prolapse back in.
The Heifer recovered and was processed into freezer beef the following year.
The older cow didn't fare as well, so the second day I put her down and processed her myself.
I was lucky as both calves survived, one was bottle fed, the other, it was not needed.
I only had that unfortunate experience twice.
It Prolly was caused from bad genetics or too large a breed bull.

My Boys & daughter understood and were not affected by the experiences.
Cows,hogs and chickens were raised for food, not pets.

Although, bottle feeding piglets, and calves on occasions, did make them pets sort of, but when it came time for market, they went without a tear as that is the way of life.
The barn cats and dogs were pets and were respected as such.
And I must admit my woman spent way too much on dogs & cats over the years.
My daughter & one son are in the medical profession, dealing with life and death daily.
I can't help but think growing up in the country, & 4H helped them be compassionate understanding people
Just another view on the subject, that's all.

[RumbleFish]

I just dropped $450 on my dog to get a mass removed. There was no questions about it and I just wrote the check. Shes part of the family, and if thats the way you regard this cat (especially with kids) nobody can fault you for that....and this comes from somebody who doesnt care for cats.

[DeltaCub]

Hey Tim...how are the kitties doing?

[olds45512]

Originally Posted by DeltaCub

Hey Tim...how are the kitties doing?

They are doing great and getting big. The other day they started to walk really good and they are getting very playful.