Oh, for the love of cats (and their health)!

alicatjoy

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Why do people think spending money on pets is a worthless investment? Don't they see it as investing in your loved ones' health? Well, I do!

So, I just dropped $297.11 at Dr. Foster and Smith. On what, might you ask? Well, let's see. I bought two six-dose packages of Revolution, my kitties' L-Lysine supplements (the only two types that they'll eat religiously), a new vial of Rescue Remedy, 2 Feliway plug-in refills, a tube of Laxatone gel (tuna flavor, of course!), C.E.T. toothpaste - both regular and extra tartar control, a new slicker brush, a zoom groom, and a flea comb. Oh, and let's not forget a couple of extra toys. Yes, my cats are loved.

And, that was on only the kitty stuff! I placed a completely separate order for my dogs' Revolution and healthcare items and even bought a few extra things for my hamsters and birds. I do this big-ticket shopping between 2 and 3 times per year. This time, though, it was quite a bit more expensive than usual -- they were having a sale on some items and, being that I'm now out of work, I wanted to get what I needed while it was on sale rather than paying full-price. This is what having savings is for, I suppose!

My mother was appalled when I talked to her. She just doesn't understand the importance of preventative care where animals and pets are concerned. She said it was a waste of money and that I should've cut corners and put some money aside in order to buy myself something. But, as far as I'm concerned, this wasn't frivolous and if my animals are healthy and happy, than I am happy. Her animals get bargain basement food and never get supplements or even such basics as flea and tick meds. I put money aside so that my pets are taken care of -- especially in situations such as this one where I'm not working. I don't have a lot and, God-forbid someone gets sick, but I have plans set in place so that I can ask for help from others if I need it.

A couple of aquaintances of mine asked if I was going to get rid of some of my cats and other pets now that I'm not working. Another asked me if I couldn't just start feeding the pets cheaper, grocery-store food. Yet another person asked if I was going to sell (yes, she said sell) my pets to make some extra money. I mean, what?! I get so frustrated when people see animals as being expendable. My pets are my family and I wouldn't stop taking care of myself if I was dealing with financial insecurity. Why would I do that to them?! And, if I had children, I certainly wouldn't sell them to the highest bidder? How is having pets any different? Thank goodness I'm not close with any of those individuals -- my true friends would never suggest such things!

I may not buy them everything I see and think they'd like, but I'm not going to cut down on the things that I feel are important to their health, happiness, and security. And, I will sell some things -- for instance, today I'm selling a hamster cage I no longer need. But, I won't put my cats' (or other animals') health on the line. Things may get rough at some point, but I plan ahead and I have faith that we'll get by.

Okay, I'm getting off of my soapbox now. I just don't understand some people.
 

kailie

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Oh I understand COMPLETELY how you feel. I get those comments all the time. I spend a fortune on my own cats but I also spend a lot of money on my fosters and on rescue in general which really baffles some people.
Recently I got the whole "If you didn't spend so much money on cats you might actually have a life." but what they don't understand is that cats and cat rescue IS my life!
 

mystik spiral

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I'm currently taking online classes working toward a second degree. I had to take a writing class last term and one woman in my class did her research paper on why people should be allowed to claim their pets as dependents on their taxes, just like people can with their human children. I thought it was a brilliant idea!

My mom asked me how much I spent to get Holland's teeth removed and I refused to tell her. She would have had a heart attack.
 

blueyedgirl5946

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I believe when people take in pets, it should be a lifetime commitment. I believe that includes what it takes to keep them fed and healthy. If one can't afford the necessities for a pet they shouldn't take one into their home.
Plain and simple.
 

mystik spiral

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Unfortunately, people's situations do change. When I adopted Holland I was not unemployed. Now I am. I would never get rid of her or abandon her or take her back to the shelter, and I think that's what a lot of people don't understand. I mean, you wouldn't turn a child over to foster care if you lost your job right?!?

If I have to live off ramen noodles to be able to keep my kitty fed I will do it.
 

blueyedgirl5946

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Mystic Spiral, here is hoping that perfect job comes along for you. Holland is blessed to have you. I understand your commitment and I am sure Holland appreciates your love very much.
 

farleyv

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You are certainly not alone in your feelings toward your kitty. My husband and I have 6 kids and 15 grandkids between us. I am as committed to my cats as I am to our kids.

I dearly love our human and furkids!!
 

trouts mom

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One time Trout had a $800 vet bill when she was sick....a number of my friends told me I should have "put her down". Her sickness was no where near terminal, but because the money was steep I should have ended her life?!


Some people.
 

bellaandme

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Anyone who knows me knows I have always spent more money on my babies than on myself. If a person isn't willing to go the whole nine yards with their responsibilties as a pet owner than they shouldn't have them. They are family members and who would ever neglect a child with a tooth ache or let a baby go hungry? It's all just part of the love.
 

otto

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Yeah, I really took some heat from certain people the first time I had to take Tolly to Cornell. In the first place it was none of their business how much the bill was, and I'm not sure why I answered them, maybe I thought they were being caring, not nosy, when they asked.

This was at a time when I was really struggling, and a $1800 vet bill, on top of what I'd already spent trying to get help for him was ...well staggering. I didn't blink, it was Tolly and I was only glad I had the credit card to pay it. But these people, these "friends" couldn't get over it.

They took me and my cats (Bibbs and Ootay then) in when I was homeless. They didn't ask for money, though they did get childcare and house keeping services for free from me while I lived there.

So maybe they thought, five years later, they had a right to comment on my financial choices, I dunno, but I got tired of hearing it and let the friendhsip, if that's what it was, subside. Their loss, their kids loved me, ha.
 

otto

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Originally Posted by Alison Joy

Why do people think spending money on pets is a worthless investment? Don't they see it as investing in your loved ones' health? Well, I do!



A couple of aquaintances of mine asked if I was going to get rid of some of my cats and other pets now that I'm not working. Another asked me if I couldn't just start feeding the pets cheaper, grocery-store food. Yet another person asked if I was going to sell (yes, she said sell) my pets to make some extra money. I mean, what?! I get so frustrated when people see animals as being expendable. My pets are my family and I wouldn't stop taking care of myself if I was dealing with financial insecurity. Why would I do that to them?! And, if I had children, I certainly wouldn't sell them to the highest bidder? How is having pets any different? Thank goodness I'm not close with any of those individuals -- my true friends would never suggest such things!

I may not buy them everything I see and think they'd like, but I'm not going to cut down on the things that I feel are important to their health, happiness, and security. And, I will sell some things -- for instance, today I'm selling a hamster cage I no longer need. But, I won't put my cats' (or other animals') health on the line. Things may get rough at some point, but I plan ahead and I have faith that we'll get by.

Okay, I'm getting off of my soapbox now. I just don't understand some people.
I don't either, but here was a good chance to possibly educate some ignorant people, so I hope you did!
 

carolina

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Originally Posted by Mystik Spiral

Unfortunately, people's situations do change. When I adopted Holland I was not unemployed. Now I am. I would never get rid of her or abandon her or take her back to the shelter, and I think that's what a lot of people don't understand. I mean, you wouldn't turn a child over to foster care if you lost your job right?!?

If I have to live off ramen noodles to be able to keep my kitty fed I will do it.
Same here.... I also lost the count on the number of people, family members, that I needed to set straight about my commitment and relationship to my kitties.
I got tired of listening to "you should give them away"... And the last time my mother told me that, was unfortunately, the last time I spoke to her, a few months ago. Don't take me wrong, I love her deeply, but I refuse to hear that I need to give my kids away. And when I object to it, I am told that I am intolerant and don't accept criticism well... Really, wonder why?

I also had to set my father straight when he said he would "help me, but not them". And I said: Funny... you help my sisters kids, and my brothers kids... but not mine - let me you something, these are MY KIDS. Your grandkids are four legged and furry, better get used to it real soon. And want it or not dad, the money you send to me, WILL go to them, as they WILL be taken care of BEFORE I am. So, want to starve them, will starve me first. He probably listened, because now he sends an extra $50 every month, and always asks for my babies first
.
Call me crazy, but that's how I am... I completely get what you are saying...
And guess what? Hope got really really REALLY sick, and I think one of the reasons was variety of food, and poor quality of foo (wet). Now I put her back on Ziwipeak from which I should never had taken her from in the first place. Big lesson learned there... Not a good way to save a couple of dollars (in this case per day, really!), changing to low quality food! The consequences can be very bad, and the vet bills very high!
to get a fab job!
 

mystik spiral

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Thanks Carolina! I hear you about the parents. I don't have any kids other than Holland, and honestly I've never been interested in having a human child.


I took Holland to my mom's house this past Christmas because I was there for almost a week. My mom was nice and did get Holland some treats from "Santa" for Christmas, but she couldn't understand why Holland hid in our bedroom most of the time (Holland LOVED to come out and explore my mom's big house after everyone went to bed...
). She also gets annoyed when I call her "grandma" or when I say that my brother is his dog's dad. She considers people to be their pets "owners". It's clear she's never had a cat...


Along the same line, my little sister cracks me up... her boyfriend got a Weimaraner shortly after they met. To his credit, even though they had only been dating for a couple of months, he asked her opinion on getting the dog! My sister calls him Biggie's "dad", but refers to herself as Biggie's "step-mom".
I think it's cute. And they love that dog like all of us here love our cats.
 

ebrillblaiddes

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Originally Posted by Alison Joy

My mother was appalled when I talked to her. She just doesn't understand the importance of preventative care where animals and pets are concerned. She said it was a waste of money and that I should've cut corners and put some money aside in order to buy myself something.
You did buy yourself something. The peace of mind that your cats aren't going to get sick so that you could fit a shopping-and-spa day or something into the budget.
Originally Posted by Mystik Spiral

If I have to live off ramen noodles to be able to keep my kitty fed I will do it.
I've lived off rice while my cats had canned food (I was getting through to payday on mostly loose change and couldn't buy small enough amounts of their usual kibble). I can't afford the best of everything for them but they eat as well as or better than me. I make sure that at least the very first and most of the first several ingredients in their food are things a cat would normally want to eat, and they get to see a vet whenever they have an actual need (which is theoretically the same rule as when I get to see a doctor, although when it's me I try harder to tough it out).
Originally Posted by Carolina

I got tired of listening to "you should give them away"... And the last time my mother told me that, was unfortunately, the last time I spoke to her, a few months ago. Don't take me wrong, I love her deeply, but I refuse to hear that I need to give my kids away. And when I object to it, I am told that I am intolerant and don't accept criticism well... Really, wonder why?
What the heck? That is just not normal of them. I mean if someone were a hoarder and the animals were suffering that would make sense, but...it's not like there's some kind of cat shortage where there are cat-deprived millionaires praying for a furry baby to snatch up and spoil. People that really want a cat know how to get one and why would you want your cats to go to someone who doesn't even want a cat enough to go to the shelter?
 

mystik spiral

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Originally Posted by ebrillblaiddes

it's not like there's some kind of cat shortage where there are cat-deprived millionaires praying for a furry baby to snatch up and spoil.
Wouldn't THAT be awesome?!?
 

ebrillblaiddes

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Originally Posted by Mystik Spiral

Wouldn't THAT be awesome?!?
If there were cat-deprived millionaires out there, I'd let Squirrel and Panther be in the same room with their "friend" from across the apartment complex. (They're unfixed--I mean to get it done eventually for their health, but other crises keep coming up--in the meantime, I prevent kittens by keeping them strictly absolutely indoors. It gets noisy sometimes but they're going on four years old and no kittens EVER, so, it works.) He's found his way to the window next to my front door once, with them both prancing in front of them inside my apartment...poor fluffy orange and white tomcat thinking with the wrong brain... (I wish there were a kitten shortage, because he'd make pretty kittens.)
 

luvmy10

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I KNOW exactly how you feel. I get so irritated with people. I have ten cats, 2 dogs, 5 sea monkeys (expecting more in about a week) and 2 hermit crabs. I spend a LOT of money on their little fuzzy butts and for someone to say "Are you going to keep them or SELL them?" Are you serious?!?! Would you like to sell one of your children..

I dont understand people and I do not conversate very long with these people, they get the message from me really early into the conversation because I have a really rude side when I get angry. And that REALLY fires me up!
 
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