Yes, I am crazy to put thousands of dollars into medical treatment for a dog.
But I am not the only one. Just read this article in today's Los Angeles Times by Stuart Pfeifer:
"High-end pet care: Full service, advanced treatment at an L.A. animal hospital is attracting an elite clientele."
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-pet-hospital-20131113,0,2581142.story#axzz2kkcg59Qo
Okay, I guess I'm part of that elite clientele, movie stars and celebrities and all, who are willing to shell out big bucks for their dogs.
The article features a cute Welsh corgi, easily the twin of our Stormy, getting a bone marrow transplant to halt the advance of lymphoma. His owner, Richard Finn, drove from Texas with his dog and paid around $30,000 for treatment at the newly-opened VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital.
Richard and I are deep into morally questionable waters because our money could have been donated to the hungry or sick human beings in this world. Could have been, but probably would not have been.
Survivors of the typhoon in the Philippines need help to eat, drink clean water, and find shelter, but I am not stepping up to the plate.
The cause of these large expenditures is "the humanization of pets," according to a psychology professor quoted in the article. "We increasingly think of pets as friends and family members," says Dr. Hal Hertzog of Western Carolina University.
"Man's best friend" can come at a high price.
But I am not the only one. Just read this article in today's Los Angeles Times by Stuart Pfeifer:
"High-end pet care: Full service, advanced treatment at an L.A. animal hospital is attracting an elite clientele."
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-pet-hospital-20131113,0,2581142.story#axzz2kkcg59Qo
Okay, I guess I'm part of that elite clientele, movie stars and celebrities and all, who are willing to shell out big bucks for their dogs.
The article features a cute Welsh corgi, easily the twin of our Stormy, getting a bone marrow transplant to halt the advance of lymphoma. His owner, Richard Finn, drove from Texas with his dog and paid around $30,000 for treatment at the newly-opened VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital.
Richard and I are deep into morally questionable waters because our money could have been donated to the hungry or sick human beings in this world. Could have been, but probably would not have been.
Survivors of the typhoon in the Philippines need help to eat, drink clean water, and find shelter, but I am not stepping up to the plate.
The cause of these large expenditures is "the humanization of pets," according to a psychology professor quoted in the article. "We increasingly think of pets as friends and family members," says Dr. Hal Hertzog of Western Carolina University.
"Man's best friend" can come at a high price.
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