Pampering the pooches

I’ve always been incredulous of people who spend vast amounts on fixing up their pets’ ailments, such as having pins put in a multiple breakage of a leg and various amputations, probably because mine have lived almost rudely healthy lives. Our first two cats, a brother and sister, lived to the age of 20, although it would have been kinder to let them go at 18, and the dogs are now both 17, with some serious old age ailments. Many have advised that they are past their sell by date and should go to doggy heaven, but wiser souls have informed me that they will let us know when they are ready to go. It is very difficult to make a decision to dispose of a pet that has been in the family for more than half of your children’s lives and particularly when they have given nothing but unconditional love and companionship (something often lacking in the human world).
A few weeks ago, blind Susie’s eye gave in and without hesitation we had it surgically removed rather than put her down, because she has the body and constitution of a young dog, but just blind. The result is that she is a perfectly content old dog living in the lap of luxury, and doesn’t even know she’s had her eye removed because she couldn’t see anyway.
For about 6 months we have been managing Monty’s perineal hernia (when I say we, you know that I am doing it!) through massage and diet but things came unstuck this week with the need for a surgical procedure that could occur at any time over and over.  So another decision was made, surprisingly quickly, to have the hernia repaired and castration (should have been done years ago and the culprit for the hernia). The vet said that when he first saw him he wouldn’t have considered an op, but after watching him sniffing energetically all over the surgery with the eagerness of a young dog and establishing that his heart was strong, he agreed that Monty still had an adventure or two in him.
Despite the costs being eye-wateringly high (the receptionist said “Brace yourself!”) when she gave me the bill, he is already showing remarkable progress despite his discomfort and I have no doubt that we have made the right decision. It’s not about the money; it’s about the enrichment of our lives.