elaine181000
Well-known member
Hello everyone
I hope no one minds me posting this, I wanted to talk to people who would understand.
I was talking to some people at work about Lucy's treatment and we were laughing about the cost (because let's face it, what else is there to do?!). I was saying that it's likely her insurance will max out later this year, and then we'll have to pay for it all ourselves. It's not cheap (although I know you all know this!!!), it's £100 a month for her medication, and a cardiologist visit twice yearly ranges between £400-500. That's not including any extra little visits or whatever. But she's insured, and even when it runs out, we figure we work 2 jobs each, we don't live an extravagant lifestyle. But more than anything, we love her so much we would move mountains to treat her. I don't care if I have to work day and night and live on bread and water, my dog will have everything she needs. I'd do the same for my rabbits, or for a member of my family. I think if you have a pet, you take on all the responsibilities that go with that, and if you truly love them you will do all you can. I know for some people the finances are tough and I totally understand that there may come a point when it's just not possible to go any further. I do understand that, absoloutely. And I know those people love their pets as much as I do and that it must be devastating to have to give up simply because of money.
However, someone at work clearly couldn't understand this. One of the men kind of laughed and said, well if it came to that, that would be it. But he said, my wife's the same as you, and smiled as if to say, it's a nice thing you feel that way. But then one of the women in the office turned round and made a flippant comment to the effect of, there's no way she would pay for it, as far as she is concerned it would all be over, and more or less that she wouldn't care. I try not to judge people based on their opinions, I might not always agree but everyone is entitled to think what they like. Then she went on to say that she'd been brought up on a farm and when you're brought up that way, animals are just animals. Complete with dismissive look and shrugging of shoulders. That she wouldn't pay out that kind of money on a dog. I tried to keep my cool, and I told her that Lucy has given us 10 years of happiness and I could never deny her anything. I said that I couldn't look her in the face knowing that after all she's given us, I would give up just because I wasn't willing to spend the money.
But no, she couldn't understand that either. She said, oh it's different for you, you don't have family, so she is your family. I replied that it wouldn't matter if we did, I would still find the money somehow. So then she sneered and said, I'd rather keep the money for my grandchildren's health. (Bear in mind that in the UK all healthcare is covered by the NHS and costs us nothing).
It was the way she spoke, as if I was stupid and spending the money would be frivolous. Really looking down on me. And the tone of her voice was almost of disgust - sort of, why would you want to do that you stupid girl. The worst thing? She has a dog. All I can say is, I hope it never gets ill, because it won't get much sympathy from her.
I left the room before I burst into tears, ended up in the toilet, crying for 20 minutes. It just really hurt to be attacked for loving something and trying your best for it. We love our dog with all our hearts and souls and I don't love her on the condition that she's well and doesn't cost me money, I love her no matter what.
It was even more hurtful because I was really happy beforehand about the news we got from the cardiologist and it felt like a smack in the face.
Anyone else face this? How did you deal with it?
(and thanks for listening to me vent xx)
I hope no one minds me posting this, I wanted to talk to people who would understand.
I was talking to some people at work about Lucy's treatment and we were laughing about the cost (because let's face it, what else is there to do?!). I was saying that it's likely her insurance will max out later this year, and then we'll have to pay for it all ourselves. It's not cheap (although I know you all know this!!!), it's £100 a month for her medication, and a cardiologist visit twice yearly ranges between £400-500. That's not including any extra little visits or whatever. But she's insured, and even when it runs out, we figure we work 2 jobs each, we don't live an extravagant lifestyle. But more than anything, we love her so much we would move mountains to treat her. I don't care if I have to work day and night and live on bread and water, my dog will have everything she needs. I'd do the same for my rabbits, or for a member of my family. I think if you have a pet, you take on all the responsibilities that go with that, and if you truly love them you will do all you can. I know for some people the finances are tough and I totally understand that there may come a point when it's just not possible to go any further. I do understand that, absoloutely. And I know those people love their pets as much as I do and that it must be devastating to have to give up simply because of money.
However, someone at work clearly couldn't understand this. One of the men kind of laughed and said, well if it came to that, that would be it. But he said, my wife's the same as you, and smiled as if to say, it's a nice thing you feel that way. But then one of the women in the office turned round and made a flippant comment to the effect of, there's no way she would pay for it, as far as she is concerned it would all be over, and more or less that she wouldn't care. I try not to judge people based on their opinions, I might not always agree but everyone is entitled to think what they like. Then she went on to say that she'd been brought up on a farm and when you're brought up that way, animals are just animals. Complete with dismissive look and shrugging of shoulders. That she wouldn't pay out that kind of money on a dog. I tried to keep my cool, and I told her that Lucy has given us 10 years of happiness and I could never deny her anything. I said that I couldn't look her in the face knowing that after all she's given us, I would give up just because I wasn't willing to spend the money.
But no, she couldn't understand that either. She said, oh it's different for you, you don't have family, so she is your family. I replied that it wouldn't matter if we did, I would still find the money somehow. So then she sneered and said, I'd rather keep the money for my grandchildren's health. (Bear in mind that in the UK all healthcare is covered by the NHS and costs us nothing).
It was the way she spoke, as if I was stupid and spending the money would be frivolous. Really looking down on me. And the tone of her voice was almost of disgust - sort of, why would you want to do that you stupid girl. The worst thing? She has a dog. All I can say is, I hope it never gets ill, because it won't get much sympathy from her.
I left the room before I burst into tears, ended up in the toilet, crying for 20 minutes. It just really hurt to be attacked for loving something and trying your best for it. We love our dog with all our hearts and souls and I don't love her on the condition that she's well and doesn't cost me money, I love her no matter what.
It was even more hurtful because I was really happy beforehand about the news we got from the cardiologist and it felt like a smack in the face.
Anyone else face this? How did you deal with it?
(and thanks for listening to me vent xx)
Last edited:
