Moral responsibility for a rescue dog?
I adopted a dog from the south last week. He was fostered for a week with a volunteer, then flown to me via three volunteer pilots. His vetting results came back with a report of positive for heartworm and ehrlichia.
Upon asking questions on this usually useful website, a certain user keeps popping in to voice their opinion, stating that I am "causing this dog to suffer" (I assume they mean by not making the decision to euthanize him) and that I am "wasting my money on a stray".
I have to know. I really do. Is this how the general population of dog breeders/AKC snobs think? I'm all for breeding dogs responsibliy- I just choose to rescue instead. Why would this be anyone's business but my own?
So here is my most pressing question:
As one to step forward and say I will take in and care for this dog, do I not have a moral responsiblity for his health? This is not a foster and let go case- I will be keeping him should he pull through this disease. I have treated a dog for heartworm once before, I know the risk, I know what I am up against. I do not, however, see how I am to be called irresponsible for putting this dog through treatment.
I have found that a great number of "knowledable" people on this website practically explode when you suggest they adopt a mutt. "I want no mutt/mongrel in my home." (Imagine more punctuation). I have always been under the impression that we are here to resect all life. If someone wants to step forward and rescue a dog or two, they should not be told that this is a "waste of money" because "they are not responsible for cleaning up the mess of others".
Am I wrong?
Update:Blunt- Where are you getting your information? How could you possibly know why I saved this dog? Why I save any dog? I'm not the type to prance around the gloat about saving the life of x or y. I am a rescue person through and through- I do what I do because I can. Because I have the ability in my heart and in my head to make the right decision where someone else made a wrong one. Forced to suffer in what way? I only met this dog two days ago. His coughing began then. Should I abandon all hope and euthanize him because he's got a cold? I don't remember saying he was strugging to breathe- I do remember pointing out that he has heartworm, hence the reason he is having issues with breathing- but struggling? No. If he were that bad I would do what is right and euthanize him. I have made the decision before- I would it again. What could I possibly have to gain from spending thousands of dollars on rescue dogs?
Update 3:Do you really think I would invest that much money to make myself feel holy and fantastic about being alive because I helped someone else? Money means nothing- is nothing. If you are a realist, I am an idealist. I see things the way they should be rather than the way they are.
I don't know who you are, and I don't care. The fact that I have never traded a civil word with you speaks volumes on what you know about me.
Comments
Whoa....it's quite a stretch to take a HW positive dog with a cough, and suggest it's a "suffering animal that's struggling to breathe".
If people feel that any money spent to heal a young, treatable, yet temporarily "suffering" animal is wasted, whether it be a Champion or a puppymill rescue....goodness, where do we draw the line at what constitutes "suffering"?
Do we euthanize the working dog who pulls a muscle in the field and is laid up in bed for a few weeks? Do we euth a hunting hound who goes up against a particularly formidable prey animal and gets torn up? Do we euthanize the pet who comes down with a nasty cold, pneumonia even?
HW is CURABLE. The treatment can be a little rough, depending on how advanced the condition.....but in my experience, most cases of HW can be eliminated. Ehrlichiosis is also treatable as long as it's not advanced, which seems to be the case here. I fail to see where this dog is a "lost cause".
Euthanasia is for the elderly, the incurable, the chronically ill. This isn't somebody pouring thousands of dollars into "experimental chemo" for a 14 year old, cancer-ridden animal (I've seen it happen). This isn't an elderly dog with some sort of advanced chronic, painful disease. This is a YOUNG dog with two treatable ailments.
I'd like to think that most reasonable dog enthusiasts- whether they prefer purebreds or mutts, would be willing to spend a reasonable amount of time or money to treat *their* dogs for any curable, treatable ailments.
The only difference between this dog and anyone else's dog, is the fact that this dog didn't have someone to care for him properly, until Fur & Fiction stepped up and took responsibility for him. How she chooses to spend her money, shouldn't be anybody's business. Nor should her decision to put forth reasonable effort to treat a treatable illness, be degraded as some kind of self-serving martyrdom.
And for what it's worth...not that it really matters, but the dog in question isn't a mutt. He's a rather nice looking, purebred Border Collie; and I understand he even has some decent working dogs in his background. To me, a healthy, sound animal has value no matter what it's lineage....but for anybody who would dismiss this dog as "just a mutt" is sorely mistaken.
You know what you're doing for this dog is right. You know what they say about opinions....everybody has one. Just do what you feel is best.
Maybe because I have been the one to decide who gets the needle today, then had to make the injection, I tend to look at things from the point of view that asks, "How can you use your resources to be sure the least amount of animals die?" I won't say, "You are wrong because you choose to expend so much of your time and money on this one dog". But for me, I see ALLLLL the other dogs who are just as good as this one that will die because there's no one left to spend the time and money on them. Dogs that have no health problems and need less effort. Were it me, I would probably let this one go, and make my money and effort go to three healthy dogs that won't get a chance otherwise. But I'm not you.
As I have spent many years more in shelter and rescue work than I have showing and responsible breeding, I take deep exception to you calling me an "AKC snob/dog breeder". Or anyone for that matter. AKC show exhibitors and responsible dog breeders are what keep dog breeds from degenerating into a hodge-podge of unpredictable looks and temperaments. They are the guardians of the breeds they are involved in. While there is nothing wrong with mutts for pets, and I had/have my share, there is nothing wrong with preserving a pure breed. I love my mutts, but I also love the beauty of my show dogs. I love the fact that I can see their instinct blossom when they see livestock, and I can predict how they will behave in certain situations. I love knowing that a long, thick beautiful coat will appear on that little hamster-looking thing wiggling around at its mothers nipple.
And I can still see a mutt on a shelter or rescue website and see its beauty and bring it home to live as well. THAT is the mark of a real dog lover; to appreciate the beauty in ALL dogs, even the ones you are smart enough to know that you couldn't actually live with, no matter how pretty you think they are; the ability to give up one, no matter the pain it causes you, for the good of the many. But that's just my opinion.
No you are not wrong. Different strokes for different folks. I think it is great people adopt dogs at shelters since so many of them are destroyed. Without people like you, even more will be euthanized. Many dogs are positive with heartworm and can survive treatment depending on the severity and health of the dog.
I have owned nothing but AKC registered dogs (mainly because I am partial to Cairn Terriers which are hard to find through shelters), but would not hesitate to adopt one in a heartbeat had I found the particular breed I prefer.
Congratulations for being such a caring, responsible pet owner. If others wouldn't be so cruel, ignorant, and irresponsible, these pets wouldn't be in the shelter to rescue in the first place. Fortunately, there are those who do care like you. Kudos!
You are doing the right thing. Nothing about saving a life that you hold dear to your heart is irresponsible. It will be rough but very well worth it. Who cares if this dog is a AKC champion or a "mutt". It is your baby. That is like saying that your child not being of royal blood that may fall ill is not worth the treatment. BULL. You do what you do to get them better, life is precious.
Everyone has their opinion and everyone is entitled to their own. Yours is the one that matters. I have 4 dogs myself. 3 of them are AKC and 1 was rescued from the pound. I love them all equally. And my "mongrel/mutt " is one of the most wonderful dogs you could ever meet. Personally, I will NEVER buy a dog from a breeder again. (not that I don't love my dogs, I do but I will not help fund the over population) From now on my dogs will be from the pound.
And.....for everyone that would never let a "mongrel/mutt" into their home should go visit one of the shelters that are putting dogs down because there are not enough homes. GOOD dogs that don't deserve to have life cut short....alot are PUREBRED that originally were AKC from breeders. Look into the eyes of those dogs and then try to say they are not worth it......if you can say that....God help you.
You are NOT irresponsible. Thank you for saving this dogs life.
Part of my personal decision to respect all life is to not beat myself (or others) up regarding their decisions for the animals they care for when choosing whether to euthanize a pet or rescue.
In all honesty, I weigh things on a cost/benefit model while taking into account the longterm prognosis for the animal. Which means ~ I'm not going to spend a fortune on a single rescued dog with a poor prognosis when less money and effort could be used to save 8 other dogs. I also do not EVER deal with dogs who have biting issues that are not easily managed ~ there are simply too many dogs out there with NO SUCH ISSUES for me to bother with saving one who does (not to mention risking humans!). *I* have decided to utilize my resources as I believe assists the greatest number of dogs/people.
I, personally, do not want a mutt. Its not that I believe they are worthless.. its because I believe my expertise lies elsewhere. I rescue my breed ~ as a breeder, I feel responsible to "clean up" the mess others leave with my breed. In general, however, I do NOT feel at all responsible for dogs left in shelters by people who are irresponsible - not my mess.
I'm not going to debate whether you should treat this dog or not. You've already made the decision.
I realize that people are going to disagree with me... that's ok. I'm an adult and am willing to stand by my principles and beliefs without getting into a tizzy. I can even accept the opinions of others, read between the lines and will evaluate whether these opinions are valid for me. At the very least, I learn something.
I think you are 100% right in what you are doing.
People can call me soft hearted or stupid all they want.You are not taking donations or government dollars to save this dog, it's coming out of your own pocket. I think what you are doing is commendable and people who lash out at such actions are guilt ridden, otherwise there is no good reason to get so up in arms over YOUR PERSONAL CHOICE with YOUR PERSONAL DOG. Perhaps it's a luxury that I know a bit of the back story but I don't see making a different decision were I in your shoes, or if I didn't know you from adam - and in fact if I had the room, ability and means to do so, I'd be right along side you doing the same with another dog.
For people to say you are causing needless suffering is ridiculous and hypocritical. You are saving this dog's life, a chance he otherwise would not get, bottom line, and no one can say that doesn't matter or isn't worth something.
Who's to weigh the worth of a single life? Ask the dog.
I bet his life matters to him.
Vintage Collies
I have found there is a group that considers that the option of euthanasia means we should not allow a dog (heck any animal) one minute of pain or illness even if the illness or cause of the pain can be cured or treated! I once had the experience of an aunt that euthanized a cat for ear-mites because "he didn't like having drops in his ears"! To her astonishment my family instead of having sympathy for her tears told her "that was the stupidest thing we every heard of" I actually consider this borderline insanity.
AS for a mutt - while a mix would not meet the things I desire in a dog, I see no reason someone else would not be happy with one. Now the designer crosses bringing huge premium smacks of rip-off....
PS I have often though of putting my personal medical mess dog up here for "what should I do" advice just to watch folks go nuts. I can handle the cost & treatment his quality of life is good ( you could not walk in my house & tell which of my dogs is ill) so we will go on as before......
As long as dog has a good prognosis to survive & be fine, I am all in favor of it. I adopt all of my dogs - some are purebred & some are mutts. It doesn't make a difference whether the dog is purebred or not, they all deserve treatment & vet care. I have never gotten ppl who only want purebreds & assume it has to do with their own self image & insecurities. Congrats on adopting(i live in GA one of the states with a huge overpopulation & moving dogs out of state for adoption). I wish more ppl realize the majority of dogs there are not throwaways or someone else's problem or misfit. I had only a great experiences with adopting my 7 dogs & didn't have to go thru a lot of the puppy destructions. I will never buy a dog.
You are not wrong. I will be honest, Im not super fond of dogs. I pretty much like shepherds, dobermans, and pits, lol. But I love my two shepherds more then most things. I have been to the shelters, and I have seen several dogs I fell in love with. "mutts" that deserve a home just as much as my purebreds. If I were looking for another dog, I would of rescued one of them.
Keeping a dog alive that is suffering and going to die is cruel. But if there is a good chance this dog will pull through, then fight for him! he deserves it just as much as my 800$ shepherd deserves it. Idiots like that shouldn't own a dog in the first place.
There are many breeds and mutts alike that I don't like. But I wouldnt want them to die.
I know heartworm treatment is a painful experience for a dog, but I am very against euthanasia. If it can be treated, there is no need to kill an animal. I have three rescue dogs and i LOVE them, and they show me the most love ever. I think they know they are rescued.