"poor" people owning dogs

Yes, I agree. Yours was a much different situation and it sounds like you did everything in your ability (or anyones!) I read on Craigslist where someone posted that she had a new dog but was very poor and the dog got sick, and unless readers donated money to her she wouldn't be able to take him to the vet. I couldn't understand why she would have adopted the dog in the first place if she couldn't afford to care for him! Also, I see a lot of people trying to get rid of their animals because they can't afford food or basic necessities. Or someone who says I would like to get my kids a pet but cannot pay even a small rehoming fee. Yikes - if you can't afford $50 then you certainly can't afford a pet!Also, it makes me sad that animals owned by homeless people have to be cold and hungry. I think they should concentrate on taking care of themselves rather than trying to keep a pet in bad conditions with them. Those are the situations I am talking about. Not at all yours and I am sorry for your sadness.

Anyone that would do as much as you did for your sick dog, without even having funds...is a HERO. You did right by that dog in every way. You should walk in that... In Montreal, like every province, we have our share of poverty...but I live in a small town outside of the island...and it does not have poverty. I know that there are horrid shelters in the city "Centre Ville", (down town), and they have dogs that are given up for many reasons, just like ya'all are talking about. My comment earlier was strickly about this tiny affluent town I reside. I am aware of the raw disadvantages of a large city...which is why I chose to live in this bubble. I"ve "been there, done that" and at this age I'd really like to reward myself and be in surroundings with less upset. I live in a doggy town...ON PURPOSE. Now, at this stage of my life, I have earned it. Also, I LOVE this site...it's so rich with so many different types of people and opinions...I choose this FABULOUS site as well!!!! You are all so intelligent and informative. THANK YOU...

After my dog and rabbit both were sick I decided to invest in pet insurance (VPI). I wish I would have done it the day I bought the animals! Would have saved me probably $2000 dollars. It cost $11 for my rabbit and $30 for dog each month, I included cancer rider for my dog since my neighbors dog died of cancer because they didn't want to pay for chemo and surgery. I'd probably be just as good to put aside money in a savings account just for pets, but I'd probably end up spending it on some other emergency that would come up.