Paying dog fees

Hi. We have had 6 dogs over the years. I would recommend Definitely Not lending any money. If the dog sadly passed away which is always a possibility with operations you will struggle maybe to get money recovered. However if you decide go ahead, There is an App which I saw on Dragons Den though which offers a solution to lending, basically it’s set up to help people manage re-payments. Just google lending App [ Dragons Den]. Good luck.

For those saying dont get a dog if you cannot afford it have you considered that the owner may have been in a different financial position when they acquired the dog and for all we know may have had pet insurance whose premiums became unaffordable!

So sorry to hear about your experiences with this horrid man. I do hope that everything he has asked you for was genuine. There are such nasty scroungers out there, thinking that the world owes them.

When OH and myself were both on benefits our dog needed treatment for heart trouble and we couldn't afford the vet bills. We went to the PDSA and gave a donation. Fast forward a year later both of us in gd jobs we sent an anonymous donation to the PDSA amounting to the private vet cost of the treatment we had received from them, hoping it would help someone else.
I lost a lifelong friend a few years ago that was always asking to borrow money, never paying back, expecting me to pay for meals out etc etc. Knew her since school but realised eventually she was just using me.
Sometimes it takes a very long time to realise you have been used. Hugs OP.

Germanshepherdsmum

*Katie*, all the vets I have used over many years have been kind, caring people who have done their best for my pets. They do a gruelling job and the profession has a high suicide rate. They are highly qualified people who deserve to earn a good salary, as would a private doctor. I expect with the things they have to deal with many find it hard to get a good night’s sleep - not for the reason you suggest.
As Iam says, it’s our duty to accept the situation when further treatment would not be in the animal’s best interest. Quality of life is everything. A vet won’t offer treatment for the sake of making money and will always advise whether it would be kinder to euthanise. Sadly, some pet owners don’t want that advice and will selfishly keep their animal alive at all costs - in which case the vet can only give such treatment as will limit suffering.

When I took my dog to the vets in the early hours of the morning because he were struggling for breath , they immediately put him in an oxygen tent to help him breathe . Problem came were when the vet advised me it be in my dogs best interest to euthanise him , but I bluntly refused , and by me doing so , the vet made me feel very guilty for refusing …. No doubt I’d have been accused of being one of those pet owners who would “^selfish keep them alive at all costs^ “ , but I’m so glad I went along with my gut feelings , as I’m sure my happy little dog would agree 🐶 .
Anyway , he made it through the night and 6 months later he’s enjoying life to the full as much as he possibly can . he’s such a happy dog with a real spark for life . If I had listened to that vet that night then he wouldn’t be here with me now , so, the vet’s opinion is not always correct .
I know that he has his health issues which are not good in the long term , but , he’s being treated on daily medication , and I am also aware that it won’t go on for ever , so, I’m enjoying my time I have with him while it lasts , he’s the love of my life and I’m so inwardly grateful that I didn’t give in to the vet persuading me to put him down. It were my gut instincts that made me say no to euthanasia that night . and I’m so glad that I went by those feelings .

jenpax

For those saying dont get a dog if you cannot afford it have you considered that the owner may have been in a different financial position when they acquired the dog and for all we know may have had pet insurance whose premiums became unaffordable!

Indeed.

We think pet insurance for our 3 frisky dogs is too much, we self insure, have saved in the long of it. People must do as they do.

I would go to the vets with your freind or ring them up .and check what the operation is for.
2 if I could afford to gift the money I would lead with agreement.
Then I would this important bit I would pay the vet bill myself so I know the money was going to right place

Does your friend have a credit card?

Our wonderful dog is going to cost us £4000 in the next 5 months. I would never dream of asking a friend for that...or any amount.

He is our dog, I took out excessive insurance when he was a puppy(in hindsight), £25 pm lifelong cover, which was raised annually to £100 pm at 9. We cancelled as it was ludicrous. We claimed once, but only for £600. We knew we could end in this position, but 6 months of egg and chips and our entire savings etc and we'll have paid it off, hopefully. I also hope we get enough years to enjoy him...sadly knowing that due to a genetic illness he is in incredible tooth pain, I can't just let him be.

I feel sorry for the dog. 😢 🐶

That is a huge amount of money and I feel like this was a terrible thing to ask of you, playing on your emotions (you love the dog, you feel guilty if you don’t…)

Be prepared for this to alter your relationship. Because it will - whether you loan him the money or not.

This pet is his responsibility, no one else’s.
USA Gundy

The OP has been back and said that this has all been sorted.
Lucyloo12 Tue 04-Apr-23 12:01:44

I wish it was sorted for the dog. He has the PDSA link and I have cut all ties with him. I feel terrible for the dog.

Much as you are fond of the dog, it is not your pet and I feel that your friend has a bit of a cheek asking you to fund the treatment.
Tell him to go to the PDSA.

I was told never a lender or borrower be. But I still learnt the hard way, I lent a good friend or so I thought she was, £75. Yes not a lot but I never got it back, I was on a low income and had to have it back but when I asked I was told to f* Off and ever spoke to her again, so don’t lend it you can loose friends that way

No way - they have the pet - they should have the insurance. Loaning to friends is rarely a good thing and can end friendships (you only have to read Mumsnet and Gransnet to see that). If they intended to repay they would have taken out a bank loan.

I see OP came back - for some resin soap posts on my site are not highlighted! Not sure how to resolve that

I feel so sorry for the dog who is in the middle of all this and may be suffering. Never mind the arguments about giving or lending money - I hope what’s right for the dog is done.

Germanshepherdsmum

I feel so sorry for the dog who is in the middle of all this and may be suffering. Never mind the arguments about giving or lending money - I hope what’s right for the dog is done.

Indeed.

When my cat was very old she went off her food and became thin and incontinent.
I took her to the vet who diagnosed kidney failure. She could have had treatment but I chose euthenasia.
I actually wish humans had that choice
She, the cat, had a good life but at the end all the quality was gone
I have no regrets.

I agree with you Gramaretto. My previously fit six year old dog over 24 days lost mobility, became confused, looked bewildered then doubly incontinent. He was at the vet within hours, then various tests that eventually showed an inoperable tumour along his d spine. Our vet and the expert were so compassionate. Our vet came to our home, I lay talking with my lovely boy as he died peacefully in my arms.
I told the vet I’d like her to come when my time to leave this world arrived. She hugged me and said many others had said the same to her

Iam64 I am glad your vet allowed you such a gentle goodbye.
Not everyone wants life at any cost.

Difficult, It depends if you are well off and can afford it easily. You say you love the dog, so if it’s an amount you can easily afford then why have the dog suffer, it is for the dog not the friend. Saying that, what happens when the dog next needs something doing, are you going to be asked every time. How close is your friendship and can your friend afford to insure the dog , ensuring you’re not asked again. I would do it if I had money and a long friendship and saw and enjoyed the dog often. It’s a lot of money if you are hard up but if have lots savings it’s not a lot to some
People. So depends on your wealth and friendship.

Do you actually feel that your financial circumstances are very different from his … I.E. :

Does he own his own house (loan security)
Could he obtain an overdraft to pay for it
Could he get a bank loan
Has he a relative to help
If you believe none of these are applicable to him …then if I could afford to I think I’d go ahead on strict understanding ( signed contract) he had to repay the loan …if of course you can afford the loss if all fails!

No way don’t pay. Your friend should have pet insurance to cover this, if not, he can ask the vet if they offer a payment plan. The dog is your friend’s responsibility not yours.

KG1241 Saggi Willow68 and others...
Lucyloo12 has been back and explained that she has had to cut ties with this man. He has the PDSA information.