I have a moral dilema that really has nothing to do with parenting but I do need advice.

Casey - posted on 01/29/2011

Thankyou Sherri, and I am going to do that right now, I appriate most peoples opinions, advice and stories but I don't want people to judge me cause it was never my idea to get the dog put down and my partner has his reasons I guess for thinking about doing, but just because we found the idea of paying out so much money in surgery a scary thought doesn't mean we don't love our dog or would want to do anything to help him and it also doesn't mean we can't afford to have him and should give him away.
But once again thanks to those who contributed and I'm happy to say Scout is still happily running around the backyard with our son and so far as of friday everything is looking very well for him, and if he needs further surgery then he will have it so long as it's in his best interest despite the cost :)

Sherri - posted on 01/28/2011

Casey you can close this thread if you feel your question was answered and avoid any more nasty comments from people who can't be bothered to read the thread.

Casey - posted on 01/28/2011

Like I said only a few hours ago Devon which you obviously didn't bother to read it's not that we can't afford to care for the dog, his already microchipped, vaccinated, wormed, fed ect we treat him like his a part of the family so once again I will explain that the question is not about weather we can afford to have a dog it's about weather my partner was right in wanting to have the dog put down or weather I was right in wanting to have further surgery on him with NO guarentee that he was going to be healed at the end of it. And we're not complete idiots if we felt that we couldn't afford the day to day costs of caring for an animal then we would have never got it so I don't think you should have the right to make me feel guilty for getting a dog when we can actually afford it, but like I also said before most of you who have commented have probably not been in this situation before and if you ever were then I am sure you would have to sit and think about what to do as well, you might not think your attacking me but your being pretty damn rude and if you don't like the question then don't answer or at least read everything before you give a nasty answer.

Devon - posted on 01/28/2011

First of all you don't kill a puppy because you can't afford the bill, that is uncalled for. I would pay for the surgery and if you have to, ask them about making payments weekly or even monthly to help you out a bit. There are other options out there but some people are to lazy to look for them and they take the easy way out of destroying there animals. It's a puppy and guaranteed that it will heal, it's bones are young yet, so there should be no problem there. Just don't put an innocent dog to sleep because of some accident that your husband did and how would you have been able to afford a dog even if this incident didn't happen if you have all these things to pay for and another child on the way. personally i think that you shouldn't have even got an animal until you were more financially ready and if you feel like i am attacking you at all, i'm not trying to. I am going to school to become a veterinarian technician and animals mean alot to me and it hurts to hear that someone would just want to get rid of a poor animal that did nothing wrong.

Susie - posted on 01/28/2011

What a horrible situation,to be in.Unfortunately,I agree with Katherine Collins post.It is better,than living with a lifetime of guilt,or regret.Good luck!

Casey - posted on 01/28/2011

Louise our dog isn't inside and I wouldn't have it inside with a baby crawling around on the floor I'm not a complete idiot lol, and we can afford the dog we're not destitute it's not a question about weather we can afford the day to day expenses of owning a dog like vaccinations, microchipping, feeding ect those things arn't a problem at all, the question was about weather my partner and mother were right in getting the dog put down or weather I was right in wanting to get the surgery, so we're really not that hard up that we can't afford to feed him and care for him and yes money is a bit tight but we're not living on the poverty line lol, and I'm not sure if you have ever had to keep a lively puppy confined??? well let me tell you it's not an easy thing to do not matter how good you are.
Christine thanks so much for your comment it's good to hear someone elses opinion and I feel the same way as everyone else who has commented on this question I would do anything for an animal and spend any amount but it's easier said then done and I am sure that if alot of the people who have commented were in this situation they would also have to really think about what they would do, cause how far do you go for a pet??? but in saying that I have already said I would get the surgery done if need be, but hopefully the second x-rays will come back fine too and it won't be an issue anymore I just have to keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best :)

Christine - posted on 01/28/2011

I would never put my family in dire straights for an animal. I am a dog lover to the core, but if my dog was injured, her fault or not, and it was going to run our family into hard times, I'd put her down. It was absolutely be very hard, but you have to ask yourself if you are equating the value of an animal to the same as a human. Also, the odds are very good that if you have the second surgery done, the puppy will undo the work as he did it the same time. What would happen if he doesn't have the surgery? That is also a question I would ask.

Louise - posted on 01/28/2011

I understand what you are saying here but at the end of the day you took on the responsibility of caring for the dog and it was injured from no fault of it's own and really putting it in a pen that it could get out of is a bit silly too. It getting loose is not the dogs fault either is it. You have two choices here either look into handing the dog over to an animal charity with a no kill policy who will have the surgery done and find it a new home or take better care of this puppy by sticking to the vets advice and giving it a confined space to limit movement which it can not escape from. Accidents do happen and animals are expensive what with vet bills and annual shots if you are worrid about the expense then please be kind to the dog and let him go to a family that can afford to maintain him. I think this is the best option for you because new born babies and young puppies really do not mix, with a dog that is not house broken and children crawling on the floor it really does not work.

Bonnie - posted on 01/28/2011

I would go ahead with the surgery. If it was a ton of money I couldn't afford (thousands, not just a thousand or two) I would probably have to consider another option. Once you have a dog or cat around for awhile they become part of the family and it is extremely difficult to see them ill or need surgery, let alone even have to think of putting them down. A dog or cat is like a child IMO, so I would think along the same lines.

Brittany - posted on 01/28/2011

I would do it. You're talking about a puppy not a 15 year old dog. Plus, it's your son's best buddy, I would do it.
We just lost our two 6 year old chocolate labs 2 days before Christmas Eve though...they got hit by a car so I'm being a little biased for sure.

Pauline - posted on 01/28/2011

considering it is young and has it's whole life ahead I would pay for the surgery. I have had my dog now for 15yrs and yes I've had vet bills in that time and now she hasn't got much longer with me I don't regret any money I have spent on her. They make the best and most loyal friend especially for a child and at the same time teach a child responsibility. Ultimately it is your decision.

Casey - posted on 01/27/2011

Thats exactly what I said to them both Heather and I think thats what made my other half change his mind about the dog, we sat outside lastnight and watched our son and the dog playing together and even he said he couldn't put our son through that pain and no that he caused it, I'm just hoping that the next lot of x-rays come back all clear cause it's not just about the money I really don't want the poor little thing to have to suffer and go through anymore pain and discomfort his such a sweet little thing and just doesn't deserve that.
Thanks everyone for your advice, opinions and stories it really helped me to feel better about my decision and I think I just needed to hear other people say that I wasn't being all stupid and emotional over a puppy and that I was doing the right thing, and I think that helped me get my point across to my partner and I am very glad to hear him say that if it comes down to more surgery he'll be ok with paying for it so long as the puppy is still going to have a good quality of life.

Blackwood - posted on 01/27/2011

If you can do the surgery. Ask the vet if you can do a payment plan. You could try all the want to explain money to your son and no matter what he isn't going to understand and he may really resent you or be very upset that he's dog is no longer around. Do the surgery, help to have the dog heal proberly and this chapter of your lives will be over and with son and dog happy.

Tracy - posted on 01/27/2011

I used work for vets, I've seen people pay outrageous amounts on their pets. I dropped $1500 on my 12 yr old dog when she had heat stroke a few years ago. It meant no beach that year, but I had my dog. She's still fat and happy and bouncing around at 16. Now, because her care depleted our vacation fund and was damaging our rainy day fund, we did have the "how much more do we go in debt/put her thru suffering" discussion. She came home the next day.

Basically, if you can afford it without putting your family into a financial crisis, do it. He's a young pup with a lot of years left in him. Now, if you were talking about a kidney transplant for a domestic short hair cat.... I'd have to say you're nuts. **yes, I've seen that. $10k+ later, cat died anyway**

Jane - posted on 01/27/2011

You're asking the wrong person because I spent well over 400.00 to fix a 20.00 guinea pig (LOL). I have three dogs and I've just spent well over 1500.00 for my almost 12 year old basset hound to remove a bunch of benign tumors from his body. It was worth it because he now is so much happier then he's been in months.

HOWEVER, I would understand if money were an issue why people would say to put the dog down. I wouldn't judge someone if they did that. While I love animals, it still is an animal and the human part of your family should financially come first.

Sharon - posted on 01/27/2011

No offense. Its innocent. Why should it die because someone else wasn't paying attention?

Pay up. You took on this responsibility. I guess its disposable. nice lesson for the kids. When you are inconvenienced by something, throw it away.

Codie - posted on 01/27/2011

its just a broken knee...i wouldn't put it down for something that can heal or be fixed. i had to put our puppy down after she suddenly fell blind in 4 hours. we took her to the vet bc we thought she may have been poisoned or something...but the vet said it looked like a genetic disorder and would get worse. no way to fix it either. she wasn't even potty trained yet and it had been hard enough when she could see to get her to go on the puppy pads or go to the door, let alone being blind...plus the vet wasn't sure if it would cause her pain or not. the vet told us the humane thing to do was put her down...hardest thing i've ever to do in my life!

Heather - posted on 01/27/2011

I think it was pretty rotten for your mom and partner to want the puppy put down. Did they even think about how your son would feel?

Most vets will take payments so if you had to go that route it wouldn't be so bad.

Sherri - posted on 01/27/2011

NO way would I put the puppy down. I would do whatever it took to get it fixed, just as I would do whatever it cost to fix one of my children.

Casey - posted on 01/27/2011

Well I just got home from the vets and suprisingly the x-rays look good but they do want to x-ray it again in another 4 weeks to make sure that it's still healing well cause his growth plates are not all completely fuse together yet cause his still only young, so fingers crossed in another 4 weeks it will be good news, thanks everyone for you advice, I did talk to my other half last night about what we were going to do if he needed more surgery and he ended up agreeing with me about getting further surgery if he needed it so at least we ended up on the same page in the end :)

Peita - posted on 01/27/2011

Dogs don't often show they are in pain unnfortunately, especially puppies, they are crazy critters and don't know how to slow down, you will need to put your puppy in a cage of some sort or a pen with a lid to keep him contained if you go through with the surgery!! My friend's cat went missing for a week and turned up back home with a broken leg, she had to keep her in a large cage she hired from the vet for 2 weeks so the leg began to heal befoore the cat got too active!! I would definately get the surgery done and find the money somewhere, my dogs are a huge part of my family, my husband wanted them, but the have ended up being my babies and I would be devistated if anything happened to them!! Good luck!!

Teresa - posted on 01/27/2011

pay...and if u can do a payment plan monthly.then why not.its u kid..i have 5 kids and just completed my paymeny plan of 3000. for my dog that got ran over.his front legs stuck under the tire.he lost all the skin of both legs and lost a toes.dogs great now.and loves the kids

Tyrae - posted on 01/27/2011

I would pay the money to get the dog healed up properly. Also since the puppy is so hyper see if you can get the vet to put some sort of cast on it, making it so he has trouble walking or jumping would prevent him from hurting it again, unless you want to keep him sedated till he's all healed up.

Amy - posted on 01/26/2011

My opinion is once you adopt the puppy it's now your responsibility to take care and provide for that puppy. If you can't afford the puppy find a family who can. Like another mom said they get expensive and it's a lot of responsibility.

Casey - posted on 01/26/2011

Well he is getting around on it just fine and he doesn't seem to be in any pain at all he doesn't limp or anything but when I took him to get the stitches removed the vet said that it didn't look right and he didn't feel it had healed well at all, but the xray machine was being repaired so I have to take him in tomorrow for an xray to see how bad it is so I am hopeful that it's not as bad as the original injury cause with the first one he couldn't walk at all on it.

Amanda - posted on 01/26/2011

My dog, who is an older dog, injured his wrist. We don't know how. I took him to the vet. $300 later, I was told that he just had a sprain. I was given anti-inflammatories and pain killers for the dog. His wrist now hyperextends (extends way too far backward). The vet said he would probably need surgery. I cannot afford surgery on my dog; he seems overall fine-he does walk on it and such. I would say, do you really think this surgery is necessary? If so, then by all means, go for it. Remember, pets have a way of continuously needing treatment for the same injury.

Casey - posted on 01/26/2011

Thats what I told him Joanna it's not really that much money if you consider how much alot of other people pay out to have their pets fixed, and I do agree with Vanessa they just give back so much love in return and I know if Steve sits down and watches Scout playing with our son he would see things the way I see it, you can't give a child a friend and then take it away the minute it gets to hard.

Casey - posted on 01/26/2011

I guess there is no guarentee that he won't damage his knee again while it is healing but I think this time I will just have to work harder at trying to keep him calm and confined untill it's strong enough and we have untill tuesday before the surgery can be done so we have plenty of time to sort out a better pen for him and make him more comfortable whereas last time it was all very rushed cause it was emergency surgery. Money isn't that tight for us I guess there is always something left over at the end of the week and the bills are always paid on time along with the mortgage and I think alot of unnessacary spending happens each week by both of us so it's really not that bad it just couldn't have come at a worse time, the vet is fantastic and really doesn't care how long it takes to pay it off so long as something gets paid off weekly which we can easily afford $100 a week so I don't think it will take to long to pay off.
I actually didn't want a dog but my partner knew someone who desperately wanted to get rid of this dog as they couldn't afford it and at the time we were told it was at least a year or two old so that was fine I gave in and we got it and when it was dropped off here it was this tiny beagle puppy and my son and I just fell inlove with him, we've already had him microchipped and vaccinated ect and those kind of things arn't over the top expenses it's just this huge vet bill that is freaking my partner out I think.
But I am even more determined now that his having the second surgery, I just wasn't sure wheather I was doing the right thing or not cause the only two people who I had talked to had said to have him put down but after hearing everyone elses comments I know now that I am not just being stupid, I know my other half will give in eventually and get it done he feels guilty enough for stepping on him in the first place I just wish it never happened.

Vanessa - posted on 01/26/2011

Puppies give back threefold the amount of love they receive ---- he's a member of the family now. Poor baybee!!

Firebird - posted on 01/26/2011

I'm not going to express too much of my personal opinion here, since you've said you are against putting the puppy down, so here's my advice... money comes. If you get the leg fixed, you will be able to pay for it, and it won't take forever, it's not like it's a $10,000 surgery. If you can't convince your partner, then do the next best thing and (quickly) give the puppy to a loving family who IS willing to do the right thing, pay for the surgery, and give this animal a long, happy life.

Sammie - posted on 01/26/2011

I agree with paying the money, that said however, you need to look at both sides. Can you guarantee the puppy will not do more damage after the second surgery as he did the first time? Will paying the bill for the surgery mean going without necessities in your household? Can you arrange a payment plan with the vet to pay the bill weekly in manageable payments?

This is also none of my business, but if money is tight already why get a puppy? They are expensive little buggers, immunisations, injuries, worming, food etc. :p

I wouldn't suggest putting the puppy down but I would reevaluate if financially it is the best choice for your family.

JuLeah - posted on 01/26/2011

Your call, but ... in for a penny, in for a pound as they say. Money can be found.

Tara - posted on 01/26/2011

My opinion is right in line with Katherine - pay the money, hands down. I also think that telling you to put the poor thing down is cruel. Yes, it will make things a bit tight, but there are ways you can cut costs in any budget.

Casey - posted on 01/26/2011

Thanks Katherine I agree with you, I just couldn't do it and I really think my partner needs to suck it up and pay for the bill seemings he was the careless one who stepped on him, and I really don't know how he or my mum can put a price on the poor little things life.
I think this is going to be one of those battles that I won't back down on, I just need to hear someone else tell me that I'm right and that I'm not being silly.

Katherine - posted on 01/26/2011

This is up to you, but in my opinion? I would hands down pay the money. It's a PUPPY, through no fault of it's own it has been injured. I think it's really quite heartless to say put him/her down.