Was told to give up on Luna because she's too expensive!

[Medusa]

Boy, I've been there on more than one occasion. I started selling off some possessions until I got on my feet again. I don't mean to sound like a Hallmark card but 'where there's a will, there's a way'. You'll always do what's best for Luna and she 'knows' that.

[Catsnclay]

A few years ago when our Lucky got Chylothorax he was in and out of the ER several times, and had to spend a week in there. Talk about running up the bill!


Then he needed a specialist, who happened to be over an hour away and he stayed with them for a week.

But everyone we came in contact with, the ER, the specialist and his regular vet all knew that this would be very expensive, so they all offered a payment plan.

In the end, I kept all the bills and added it up....... Lucky cost us $7,000.00 . But you know what?! He was worth EVERY penny of it!

People asked me, including my parents, WHY did we spend so much on just a 'cat' (Grrrrrr )

My answer: Lucky is not just a cat, he is my child.

So Kirsten, most of us have been through this and some how, some way, we all make it thought these tough times. So hang in there Girl!! There is a light at the end of the tunnel!!

Oh, and speaking from experiences.............don't add up Luna's bills!!

[RedHedd]

Kirsten from my recent experience I can tell you don't give up. Just get through it one bill at a time. The people at PT amazed me with their generosity during Mishi's illness. The reality is that I'm now dealing with the bills on a month-to-month basis. It's going to be tight for a while, but I will get through it. Mishi was worth every penny of the expense and in retrospect I would not have done anything different. Hang in there.

[catnapper]

I know what you mean. A lot of people have told me to just put Pouncer down because of his illness. Are you kidding?!?! I'd no sooner put him to sleep than chop off my hand. He's my boy and nothing's going to make me give up on him. I don't even consider spending money on his vet care. I made the choice to adopt him and accepted the responsibility to care for him, no matter what. I don't want to think of how much I've spent on vet care, medicines, and prescription food over the past 3 years for him. Would I do it all over again? You bet.... only I would have signed up for vet insurance when he was an itty bitty baby

They say money doesn't bring happiness. What would you have done with all the money you spent on Luna? Gone to a few more movies? Bought a few more outfits? Taken a different vacation? What is all that -- nothing compared to the love and contentment Luna gives you.

I swear that pets are cheaper than the best medical care, and often more useful than anything a doctor can give you. We've always joked here on PT about "purr therapy" and its been prooven they help with migraines and depression, now I read somewhere last week that a cat's purr can help cure bone problems! Apparently a cat's purr has the same pulse as highly technical machines that are now being developed to cure osteoperosis and other bone disorders.... so when someone says she costs too much money, show them how much you SAVE on yearly medical bills for yourself!

[DJFyrewolf36]

When I think about all the money Ive spent on pets over the years (including vet care for a couple of my rats...paid for from my alowance as a kid) I ask was it worth it and I always come up with a huge YES! Sure I missed out on some extras, for example getting Hoodini cared for made it so I couldn't go to a campout this weekend...but seeing him develop into a wonderful companion makes it worth it twenty times over.

My pets are my priority, even if it means I go without. They don't have the resources I do...all they have is me.

People without pets just don't seem to get it. Im glad my parents have been down the same road as I have, and see thier pets as more than "just animals" otherwise theyd think I was nuts! Hang in there Kirsten. Luna is such a sweet kitty, and even though people don't seem to understand, it doesn't mean you don't . Let people have their material possesions and see who is happier in the end.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Kirsten, I've also spent lots of money on vet bills,surgeries, and tests but it's all worth it in the end to get the unconditional love that my cats give me. My parents will never understand so I rarely ever let them know what's going on with my cats. They only know about Storm's PU surgery and Starr's surgical biopsy along with his colitis and food allergy problems. I know that you'll do what's best for Luna to help keep her healthy and happy. You always have the support of PT behind you.

[Kirsten]

I thank you all for your support!! I know some of you were (or are) in the same situation.

I hope you don't think that I'm one of these irresponsible pet owners who adopted a pet and cannot care for it. My financial situation was better when I adopted Luna. It's not that had more money, but life wasn't this expensive, only a couple of years ago. I'm not the only one here affected by this, it's hard for many people now. I'm desperately trying to find a way to save some money, but there isn't much left to do. I replaced my light bulbs by energy saving bulbs, and I will stop playing the lottery (which always meant to be a small glimmer of hope for a better life), but now I need to save the money for Luna.

And please do not think that I need much money for myself! For years, I buy my clothes second-hand (if I buy any clothes at all, most of the things I wear are several years old), I buy my books on amazon market place, and I never go out. When I saw the new Harry Potter movie two weeks ago, it was the first time for more than I year that I went to the movies. Oh, and btw, I never go on vacation. The last time it was in 1991, a hitch hiking trip to Sweden with a friend...

There would indeed be an emptiness in my life if I didn't have my cats! Sometimes they seem to be the only thing that bring some happiness into my life.

Freedom, I discussed the option to skip the ultrasound with my vet today, but she would also like to see her bladder. As she found crystals in her urine, we need to find out if there's a stone also. Or a tumor.

Sandra, it's true, the person who said that doesn't have any pets. But he and his family are facing a similar financial situation like I do, and he knows how hard it is. His wife has lost her job, and he knows that he will lose his in a year from now. I still have my job, but even though it's a fulltime job, paying all the bills isn't easy. For example, the prices for electricity and gas (heating) are now almost 10% of my gross income, and the prices are constantly rising. And almost every day, you read and hear about things that are getting more expensive, food included. And the price for gasoline is up to 1,90 $US/liter. (4,4 liter make 1 gallon). It's just scary! Life was so much easier in the 80s and 90s, I'd never thought the new millennium would bring so many things to worry about - but it did.


But don't worry, I won't give up on Luna. Just look into her face, it's impossible to have thoughts like this when you look into her eyes:



Kirsten

[moosmom]

Oh, and please don't get me wrong, Luna's health will always be my main concern, not the money, but I know that many here have been at this point in the past, so you will probably understand...

You are most certainly NOT an irresponsible pet owner!

I was at that point when I had Marina Mar. She was so sick. We did all kinds of tests. She was at the vet every other day for blood work. When they finally realized what it was, they told me that the last resort would be kitty chemo. I said absolutely not. I loved her with all my heart and could not put her through daily blood draws and her being even more sick than she already was. She was only 3 1/2.

Oh and for the record, I would NEVER say that to someone. That's just plain cruel.

You do what YOU feel is right. No one here can fault you for thinking about what's in your pets best interest.