my dad told me this almost verbatim when my Tank died. I said I'd never have another dog cause it hurts too damn much. and that was his response.
great words of advice.

I have never once taken my dog to the vet. Not once in 8 years. I got her vaccinated and fixed at some mobile clinic when she was young. Let her have a batch of puppies first. Why I don't know, but it worked out. She had a skin condition when she was 3 and the vet wanted $600 to do some "exploratory" work to try and find out how much it would cost from there. Yeah, no. Did some homework and found the solution. She just couldn't eat wheat based products. Have to buy special food for her that costs a **** ton of money, but it's cheaper than all the human food I was feeding her.

This is pretty much why. I'm not going to pay hundreds just to have it not work, or lose her the next day anyways. I've been lucky with her. She's 8. Clearly I take good care of her as far as her diet and whatnot go. I clean her teeth myself. I trim her nails, and do what she needs done. As much as I love her, I'm not shelling out thousands of dollars, or even hundreds if it's not something that's going to fix her.

I'm sorry for your loss. Some would say I'm a shitty dog owner after reading this, but she's healthy, happy, and I don't really know what I'd do if it came down to life or death. In that instance, and I hope it never comes, I'd probably shell out the money. It's just money. I can go make more of that. The time I have with her is limited, and I'll remember her for the rest of my life. She is my first dog. And since I have chosen to not have children, she is the closest thing I have. I even let my wife buy stupid jackets, sweaters, and God forbid it, boots for her. She means a lot more to me than just some average pet for a lot of people, and I don't care what anyone thinks of that.

Very sorry for your loss. I know all too well how it feels to make that decision and have to suddenly say g'bye to a loved one that falls prematurely ill. Just try to focus on the time you did have, and know that you gave her those years of comfort and love she needed. The feelings of loss and pain will diminish in time, I promise.

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-basic/rip.gif

I paid $3000 in vet bills for one of my dogs....and he still died 3 days later.

I don't mind going to the vet for shots, but that's the first time I have needed emergency service.

I knew there was a chance that he wouldn't make it but he was my best friend and I had to try :( It was a local country vet so he charged less than most, and wasn't out to rack me up a huge bill. Still, I lost both my money and my friend.

Just sucks ass all around.

Sorry to hear that Bro! It sure sucks when we lose em.

My condolences. :deevee:

Which ****ing sucks. All the way around. Happily paid the money, and it couldn't save him.

I'm the bad guy with that post, not you. I commend you for it. And frankly, if it really came up I'd have a hard time looking my little girl in the eyes and saying "I'll miss you, you're just not worth the money". Believe me, if it came down to it, I probably write that check 10 times out of 10. I'm really sorry you lost your friend.

I am very sorry for your loss... But do you have to put GD in a post about losing your best friend?

This.

Yeah....mine was more of a "shit went down over the 4th of July weekend" and I had to take him to an emergency vet. I'd do it again if I had the money....it's just ****ing paper.

That sucks man.

2nd one in three weeks.

This was "her" dog. Toby (the late, great boxer) was mine.

He passed away -- but we had two seasons to anticipate it. He had visible tumors, we just waited until it affected his quality of life.

Then we put him down. We had 6 months to say goodbye.

This one was a flash. Gracie was perfectly fine one day, terminally ill the next. No prep time. None.

I do want to thank everybody for their kind words. It has helped tremendously.