Philosophy Now Forum

I was wondering how far you would be willing to go for a 4 legged friend? Would you pay high vet bills to treat its treatable medical conditions while they're still "treatable?" Would you opt for a "go it alone" evacuation in the event of a natural calamity in your own community or country or civil strife abroad?"

My answer to question 1 is it depended on the age of the cat or dog and to question 2 is definitely yes if it is possible.

They are family proud, I'd go to all ends of the Earth to help my family, and if any pet of mine got sick I'd pay as much as was needed as if it was my brother or my mother. I realise though that might be a little unusual...

You really don't know for sure till you are in the situation. Blaggard, I will assume that you have done so, and good for you. I have been in the situation also, there were several old dogs that were suffering and in a lot of pain, but not mine, that were put down. Myself, we had a dog as a pet that arrived as a stray, probably a drop-off, that ended up staying. He got bitten by a copperhead, and the anti-venom was expensive, but we did it anyway.

(1) As for the vet treatment question I would pay for vet treatment for either a kitten, a young cat or even an older cat provided the older cat still had more "good days" than "bad days" otherwise I felt it may not be worth it in the case of the older feline.

(2) I would definitely "go it alone" if possible if it ever came down to an evacuation situation if it was the only way of ever getting to evacuate with my cat.