--updated page 48--Rockee's time too?

[Catlady711]

Hi, lorn.

I think Catlady was speaking from her own experience, that's all.

You now have had two dogs that got to a good age, and that does speak well for the care they got.

There are some exceptions to that rule - as Catlady said, at her work (vet's office) she has seen many old animals who were NOT well cared for. Just that age is not always a guarantee of good care.

And - she has seen many young, loved, and well-cared for animals that die way too young for no reason.

It's just that age all by itself doesn't guarantee anything.

I can understand you being really sensitive about this, with Rockee so sick, and you just lost Thunder so recently. I really think CL was just pointing out some things, not fingers.

Thank you for answering that for me. I think you did a better job of it that I would. lol

[bckrazy]

Based on those and quite a few other scenarios I've seen, age is not always a determining factor of the care of an animal.

Sure... but on the flipside, there are also people who will do anything to keep their dog alive, when they are simply prolonging the suffering.

My friend's stepmom is a Vet tech. She had a yellow Lab, who began showing signs of hip dyplasia at a young age. Around 8 years old, it got worse. That dog went through 4 hip surgeries in his life... elbow surgeries... and was fed a concoction of pills every day of his life, from 8-12 years old. For over a year before he finally passed, his hair was almost completely gone, he could barely walk, he couldn't get up or down stairs, and he would shake all the time. He went into the Vet for surgeries, what seemed like constantly. He was a heart-breaking sight, but she put countless dollars into that dog, trying to keep him alive.

I think it's ridiculous to make the assumption that Rockee hasn't been well cared for. Duh. This isn't the case of a dog who has rarely seen a Vet, is fed crap, and lives outside. I find it incredibly cruel and condescending to suggest that they are giving up on Rockee... they have cared for her for 14 years! I think they, having owned her for 14 years, might know a little bit more about her and her time to go than you.

[chocolatepuppy]

I think it's ridiculous to make the assumption that Rockee hasn't been well cared for. Duh. This isn't the case of a dog who has rarely seen a Vet, is fed crap, and lives outside. I find it incredibly cruel and condescending to suggest that they are giving up on Rockee... they have cared for her for 14 years! I think they, having owned her for 14 years, might know a little bit more about her and her time to go than you.

Thank you. Why was 'not being cared for' even brought up in this thread.

[lorn]

Thanks for all the support....

[dab_20]

My prayers for Rockee... I am sorry to hear she is not doing well. We all will be crossing our fingers for her.

All I want to say is sarcasm and immature comments are not at all necessary on this forum. If you have a problem with someone, give them a private message please. This is supposed to be a friendly, supporting place. If you have issues with buttercup, or anyone else for that matter, grow up a little and send them a private message, NICELY explaining whatever issue you have. Or else keep your mouth shut. This isn't to a specific person, just everyone in general.

[Catlady711]

@ bkcrazy & chocolatepuppy - In case neither of you had noticed when I made my original reply I took Rockee's name out of the equation, just check. Also I thought Catty1 already did a good job of clarifying for me about the general nature of the comment. You may want to go back and read both posts again.

[Muddy4paws]

People can be very spiteful. Its quite disappointing on an animal forum, Having a elderly sick animal does make people worry like mad so having this thread as an attention grabber is a lot of crap.

Buttercup obviously is being worried about this so posting it on the forum would relieve some stress. Thats why people share problems, its not always for attention.

Good luck in whatever you decide. In my opinion a dog is better off being put to sleep at an elderly age instead of tests etc. The dog is old and doesn't need the added stress of regular vet visits and stresses. Fair enough if the dog is fully mobile and its not too much of a condition but when joints and bones start to come into the situation then I dont feel its fair to keep them alive.

One of my old customers keep their 18 year old dog alive and Its such a sorry sight, This poor dog is made to have a bath weekly due to incontinence and can barely move without joints popping. I have told her I wont do her dog any more. Hes on 7 pills a day and to me that is no life what soever. He cant see or hear anything.


Sometimes you need to think deeply and decide if you are keeping them alive for youself or for the dogs health.

[chocolatepuppy]

@ bkcrazy & chocolatepuppy - In case neither of you had noticed when I made my original reply I took Rockee's name out of the equation, just check. Also I thought Catty1 already did a good job of clarifying for me about the general nature of the comment. You may want to go back and read both posts again.

Thanks Catlady, I can read. YOU quoted me and said you disagreed, a bit. Why should you disagree when I was simply being kind to someone and have NO reason to believe they aren't caring for their dog? Perhaps you could start a new thread about what you have learned about people not caring for their dogs.
IMO you were way out of line posting information about people not always caring for their dogs just because they lived to be old, in Rockee's thread. If I had a old, sick dog and you posted that in my thread, I'd be very upset.

[K9soul]

This thread is about Rockee, therefore the only observations necessary to the thread are those pertaining to Rockee and thoughts about what is best for her. I don't know of many people who would appreciate and find comfort in some clinical and impersonal observations about age versus level of care in a thread that is supposed to be a tender subject about their elderly/ill dog.

I can only say that no one can really tell you when it's "time." Only you can make that determination and what we consider "that time" may be different for each of us. Whatever you decide, cherish each day and each hour you have left with her. I am sure she is a very loved girl.

[bckrazy]

@ bkcrazy & chocolatepuppy - In case neither of you had noticed when I made my original reply I took Rockee's name out of the equation, just check. Also I thought Catty1 already did a good job of clarifying for me about the general nature of the comment. You may want to go back and read both posts again.

I completely agree with Jess.

Just because you didn't include Rockee's name, doesn't change the fact that it was insensitive and uncalled for, given the context of this thread. Very, very trolly... and not the first time, I've noticed.

Buttercup and Lorn, please don't let rude comments get to you, and please keep us updated on how Rockee is doing. She's definitely in my thoughts.

[Alysser]

This thread is about Rockee, therefore the only observations necessary to the thread are those pertaining to Rockee and thoughts about what is best for her. I don't know of many people who would appreciate and find comfort in some clinical and impersonal observations about age versus level of care in a thread that is supposed to be a tender subject about their elderly/ill dog.

I can only say that no one can really tell you when it's "time." Only you can make that determination and what we consider "that time" may be different for each of us. Whatever you decide, cherish each day and each hour you have left with her. I am sure she is a very loved girl.

I agree 100% with this post and Holly's also. Awhile ago I started the same type of the thread with Sassy and I didn't get such remarks, I don't get why other people deserve it. I know if this type of BS had been in my thread I would have been PISSED.

[Catlady711]

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...90#post1985290

[elizabethann]

Also, you may want to try water therapy. I just saw something about that the other day. They have it in NH - at a day care/kennel. The dog is put in a big tub of water and it does the dog paddle. I guess it's great therapy work. It may help to work the muscles a bit? I don't know. Just throwing that out there. Good luck.

[buttercup132]

Good lord I'm gone for the weekend and I come home to my thread about having to put my dog to sleep turned into a bashing, flaming thread
I guess here goes my reply..

It's not a good idea to make an assumption based on just a few vets and one (or a couple) people you know that work for just a few vets

It's not just a few vets, I hear all the time from people complaining about vets, I know people who work with the whole vet community (as some know I work for a vet who).

If we (or our animals) break a leg we can't go to a doctor (vet) or ER hospital because you know there are a few that will rip you off. Better that we just let the bone stick out through the leg and heal itself

I never said I wouldnt take them to the vet because of it, it's hard to find a good vet that your trust in. And actually I know alot of people in the states who don't fo to the ER with broken bones because they dont want to pay (unless it's really severe).

If you disagree with the vet, get a 2nd opinion somewhere else.

I already said I was going to the other vet at the place who I trusted. Good to see your schooling skills doing you well..

Rockee being 14 years old speaks for itself

I was going to say the same thing, she's old anyone who puts their dog through that at that age I'm sorry but they are thinking of themselves not the dog..

Jenn please stop appologizing and commenting in my threads.
Your so two faced, you reply in my thread and act like a huge ***** and then the next day or whatever you pm me saying how sorry you are and how you won't do it again yet you keep doing it. Please keep your ********* out of my threads. I bit my tounge when you had to "give up" your new puppy so I expect the same expecially from someone who thinks they are so mature.

Elizabithan thanks for the suggestion.
I think that swimming would make her worse though cause it will hurt her joints and she's not a fan of water either unless she goes in by herself on her own time.

Thank you for those who stuck up for me while I couldn't defend myself and everyone who pmed me.

[Jessika]

I will first off admit I have not read through the entire thread since I stopped when the posts got not only out of hand but off-topic, but I do have a few comments if you don't mind:

#1. I hope Rockee is feeling better and gets the medicine/treatment he needs

#2. Not all vets are out for money. Notice I say "not all", because I obviously can't speak for them all. Heck I'm only going to school become a vet tech and already a week into classes... if you don't really care about animals, you won't put up with half the stuff we have to learn.. it's long, it's hard, it's expensive, and more importantly... I'm not even studying to become a vet!! Just a tech! Even then vets don't even make that much... I guess unless you owned your own practice, maybe, but working for a clinic... I know starting out I'll only be making about $30k/year. That isn't much AT ALL.

Even if money was of no factor for them, let's say they were in it to "make money", the schooling would immediately turn you off. It's HARD. It isn't easy. Especially for how much I'll be making after I graduate... $30/year... that's what I PAID for schooling! And reminding again, this is just for a TECH, not a full-fledged vet even!

But I Can't speak for everyone obviously, just from my own experiences I can say that if you honestly do not love and care for animals, there is NO WAY anyone would force themselves to learn the material and go to classes. Anyone who didn't have that passion would quit early on, and this is from my experiences after only a week of classes!

I WILL say, however, that some vets are friendlier than others. I've been to vets that were so impersonal they will just walk into the exam room, feel up the dog, fill syringes with Lord knows what, pull liquids out of random places, run random tests, and give random shots, all without ever having said a word to me, explaining what the heck they were doing, OR even asking if it was ok to do those things. Not to mention they never even introduced themselves! But I have also have vets that were so friendly and loving and went above and beyond to make not only myself feel at ease but my dogs, too, and you know it's a hit or miss but I do honestly believe even the "impersonal" vets are still there for the love of the animals, or they would have never completed school much less still be in the business, because no amount of money is worth some of the BS I'm sure they have to deal with on a daily basis.

Also please forgive me for this winded novel, I'm not disagreeing with anyone, I am not trying to cause trouble, I am just trying to give an alternative view point to this to maybe help others understand the other perspective.

And also I took benedryl an hour ago and it's starting to hit me so if some of this rambles or makes no sense... I apologize lol.