When you have a dog in your life, they quickly become one of the most special ‘people’ that you have in your home. I don’t think that anyone would deny the fact that they are an important part of our lives and often, they are just as important as the human members of our family. We do what we can in order to keep them happy, healthy, and comfortable. At times, this may even mean that we are stepping outside of our comfort zone. That was obviously the case in the following story about a man who cared enough for his dog to do the right thing.
I took my dog to the vet today and he has cataracts in both eyes. The initial surgery is going to cost over $3,000 and there was never a question that I was going to pay to have this done.
A few people have expressed shock that we are actually going to pay this money “for a dog”.
I know that I’m getting soft in my old age, but no. My dog has been my faithful companion for the last 9 years. He has been by my side when I was just trying to get my career off of the ground, during those long nights when my kid wouldn’t sleep, when an unethical employer shafted me out of $25,000, through the all-nighters in grad school, and simply when I wanted nothing more than to sit on my deck and have a beer.
Nine years is middle aged for a Jack Russell. They easily live 17 years or longer. I don’t know how I could in good conscience let him go blind when I could do something to prevent it. $3,000 isn’t cheap, but he isn’t just “a dog”. He’s my friend. He’s my son. People say that pets become less important when you have your own ‘real’ children. He is more important today than the first day he came home.
I’ve got your back, buddy, and I am going to make you okay again.
