Three weeks ago, the Jack Russel I had been fostering for three days challenged the pitbull next door. It was an empty threat since there was a fence between them–until the gate suddenly gave way. The pitbull simply scooped the JR up in her mouth and started shaking her. Only one bite, and only on the back leg, but every tooth left a puncture with most of them running completely through the leg. As well, the damage went beyond simple punctures due to the violent shaking. I immediately started calling vets in Dartmouth to find one that would provide the dog with medical attention. With the dog in the background crying out in pain, I explained what happened to each vet. They told me the it would cost more than the $60 in cash that I had just to walk in the door. I asked them if I could be billed for the following week. Every vet in the phonebook for Dartmouth, outside of the few numbers that went to a message service, told me no–if I didn’t have the money up front, I could not get service. Bitterly, I said to one that I guess I would have to stitch her up myself. The reply was that I would be charged with animal cruelty if I did. I think I just sputtered as my brain jammed with outrage at the hypocrisy of that statement. Anyway, by the time a Halifax vet agreed to see the dog (I had managed to borrow another $200 by this time), I had called about 12 vets and I could barely make myself understood as I had been reduced to tears. In the end, since hours had passed and it was too late at night, the Halifax vet couldn’t do anything, but they paved the way for me to get help at the Dartmouth Emergency Hospital for Animals which opened at 8:00 p.m.. I was permitted to pay what I had and I was billed for the remainder. The end result is that I will never foster another animal again. Dartmouth’s vets have made it perfectly clear to me that acts of kindness are reserved for those who have a heart and money. They (money, but not much heart) and me (heart but not much money) will have to leave it to the too few who have both.
—Disillusioned in Dartmouth
This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 5, 2009.
Not to be insensitive, but if you were fostering the JR, shouldn’t/couldn’t you have done more to protect the dog and prevent the bite in the first place? Also, I would hope that if you are fostering a pet, you would be able to have $60 or more set aside for expenses such as this…accidents happen and you should be able to handle them (financially) before you agree to look after another living creature.
I know of at least 3 Dartmouth vets that are definitely less than 60 for an examination fee, one of which lets me pay in installments, which is extremely nice for a BUSINESS to do.
If you’re fostering an animal, why the living fuck did you not have finances or a pet credit card arranged BEFORE being responsible for an animal?
Also, If my pet was bleeding after being attacked, I probably wouldn’t shop around calling 12 vets to find a good deal…I’d take the poor thing to the closest hospital to get stitched up.
Holy cow, you guys. I don’t think OP was “shopping around”. I have two cats, you think I have $400 sitting around in the just-in-case fund? Hardly, but I know that I could borrow money if I needed to. Which is exactly what the OP did. Do you both have savings accounts for your pets? If not, you have no right to preach. Good on you, OP, for fostering. I feel awful, but I’m glad it all worked out.
Ok folks, vets, like everyone else, is in their occupation to earn money. Place of business, staff, equipment, and supplies (including drugs) all cost a lot of money. Not to mention the years of school to pay for. Did I also mention a vet has to pay for their residence, food, clothing etc. Unlike people doctors, the government doesn’t pay them.
Unfortunately you learned an expensive lesson. Do not trust fences, gates, and other animals.
Yes, I have an emergency fund for my pet (or other emergencies) and pet insurance and I know where the emergency clinic is. “Shopping around” may have been harsh. It’s obvious the OP cares about animals, but I think they could have done more to prevent the bite and they should have taken the pet to the vet more quickly and should have a method for coming up with at least enough money to cover an emergency visit to the vet’s before deciding to foster. Just my opinion.
If the other dog came on to your property to grab your dog the other dog’s owner should be footing the bill. If your foster dog went on to the neighbors’ property then you’re responsible to pay and you should feel pretty guilty about the pain and suffering your negligence caused the dog. You should be inspecting your fence line several times a week to ensure that it is in good repair and that the dogs on both sides haven’t been trying to dig under it. You should also be supervising the dog while he’s in the yard. Why should the vet pay for someone else’s carelessness? If you don’t have the resources to pay for the dog’s medical care (routine and emergency) then maybe you should ask yourself if you’re ready for the responsibility of providing a dog with a safe, stable and loving home.
I’m with jai on this point… If the neighbors dog busted down your fence and came into your yard and attacked the dog then they should be held responsible for at the very least half the bill and the fence.
you are VERY cheap,$60 isn’t a big deal,you made your pet SUFFER over a few bucks,maybe that dog should be removed from your so called care…get real !!!!!
If you can’t afford the vet, you can’t afford the pet. If you have a pet (foster or not) you should have money (or credit) set aside to care for them in an emergency. If you don’t, you’re irresponsible and shouldn’t have the pet. End of story.
Yeah this is fucked; the majority of the comments are criticizing him/her for not having the cash. I absolutely think that a vet should see animals in an emergency situation and bill later. The problem is not that the OP didn’t have the cash; the problem is that the vet, who is an animal doctor didn’t put the health of the poor dog before being paid up front, which I think speaks volumes about the type of people who are vets in Dartmouth. I think that a vet refusing to treat an animal is just as bad as a person inflicting an injury upon an animal. I mean, in what other capacity would this type of behaviour be acceptable? No other capacity. The health of an animal or human is more important than money. I think this interesting though it seems a lot of people are getting hip to these scam artists pretending to be doctors, and I think our city or province should intervene here and for vets to do the right thing in emergency circumstances, anyone know which branch of the government and at which level should be contacted to discuss something like this?
Un-freaking-believable. The woman fostered an animal. Yes maybe before having pets, like before having kids, you should have the proper finances….in a perfect fucking world. Who the fuck are you holier than thou people that realistically are THAT perfect??? Give me a break. And besides, if the neighbours dog came into her yard, regardless, it is THAT dogs owner that should be held accountable. So in that case, her having or not having the money, isn’t even the problem. And when it comes to the quality of the fence, it again depends on whos fence it is. If it is a ‘mutual’ fence, then both are responsible to take care of it, not one or the other. Like sodapop stated, the health of an animal or human far outways the importance of money.
Imagine what it will be like when all OUR healthcare is the same way…. You think vets are expensive?? Wait for the human Doctors. Prime example being Dentists. They can charge pretty much whatever they choose, and it is drastically different from dentist to dentist. Just like a vet. No regulation. Christ, my dentist doesn’t have to even touch my teeth, just look, five minutes…cost? 60dollars…for NOTHING. Healthcare is heading in that same direction. Sorry off topic…that’s another bitch all on it’s own.
…or man…I guess it doesn’t specify….sounds like a woman though…
Oh my !! What a total SHOCKER!! ANother Pit Bull attack!! Who would’ve thunk it eh? But then again it is not the breed it is the breeder *rolls eyes*. Count yourself lucky that you were there and the Pit Bull did not kill your dog.
Being able to afford owning a pet is crucial to the pets health and comfort. Too many people get an animal and then find themselves unable to pay for veterinary care for the animal. A prime example of this are free puppies and kittens which the owner then cannot aford to spay or neuter. These free puppies and kittens then go on to produce more litters of free puppies and kittens…and the cycle goes on and on. When I adopted my dog my finances were one of my number one considerations. He depends on me to give him the best life possible and that includes helping him when he is sick or hurt. Love will not help your pet if it has pneumonia. Compassion will not properly immunize them against disease. Good intentions will not stitch up their wounds from a dog attack. Veterinarians are not running a charity, they have expenses and most have to have policies like the one the OP is complaining about to protect them from the myriad for people who expect free/discounted care for their animals. How many people would say “Do whatever it takes to save my dog, I dont have the cash just bill me” then walk away with a healthy dog and leave the bill unpaid and the vet holding the bag?
“Who the fuck are you holier than thou people that realistically are THAT perfect???”
It’s not being holier-than-thou, it’s called being responsible. As has been said many times here, if you can’t afford a vet bill, then you aren’t equipped to properly look after a pet. I didn’t get a pet until I knew I could afford one.
“I think that a vet refusing to treat an animal is just as bad as a person inflicting an injury upon an animal. I mean, in what other capacity would this type of behaviour be acceptable?”
Well, in the American medical system, if you don’t have insurance, you don’t get treated. Animal emergency medicine is NOT the same as human emergency medicine. People may think it should be the same because we treat our animals like people but it’s going to be a long time before the public is willing to fund pet health with tax dollars. Until then, if you aren’t going to get “free” healthcare for your pet.
St. Margarets Bay has an Anumal Hospital… that is VERY ACCOMIDATING re: payment terms. All I have to say.
Bobby33, don’t even start about the PitBull thing again and why did it have to be pointed out that it was a PitBull? What if it was a Lab or a Boxer? Both, just as capable as attacking a PROVOKING dog!
Anyway, I agree with Miles. You should be prepared for any emergencies with your pets.
Anyone who agrees to care for an animal needs to first understand that pets can be extremely expensive. If you’re not prepared to shell out for vet bills, don’t get a pet. This includes adopting and sheltering animals.
There’s an entire section on the SPCA adoption form that talks about how much you should be prepared to spend on food, toys, regular (annual) vet bills, as well as emergency bills. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.
Sue your neighbor. Even Judge Judy would make ’em fork out half.
Ustwess, that St.Margaret’s Bay vet is an exception to the norm and she is awesome and I’m surprised she’s still in business given how accommodating she is with payments.
That’s just it. The neighbor should be partly responsible for this. Also, had you have just brought the dog into a vet, they wouldn’t have turned him away. You wasted time and made that dog suffer by calling a bunch of places. I have a dog and if there’s an emergency, she’s covered. Too many people get pets cuz they think it’ll be fun and whatever and then they relise how expensive and hard work it actually is to own a dog. Thus the over crowding at the spca. Irresistible owners piss me off so much!!
This may sound cruel, but people are forgetting the other, perhaps more old-fashioned solution: if the dog was in that much pain, it might have just been better to quickly kill it yourself. A shovel would have done the trick for a Jack Russel, or it could have been just like the old days when Gramps would take the old pooch out in the woods with a shotgun, you’d hear a quick POW!, then that was it. And for those of you thinking what a heartless asshole I am, what’s on your dinner plate tonight, or that of your dog’s for that matter?
My grandfather lived on a farm with lots of cats, and used to have to snap some of the kittens’ necks when there would be too many of them. Believe it or not, that was actually the best thing he could do for them really.
She should sue her neighbour, Kay? She hardly has the money to pay the veterinarian, let alone a freakin’ lawyer. Idiot.
Who needs a lawyer to go to small claims court?
She could first make copies of her costs and present it to her neighbour BEFORE filing in court. You’d be amazed what you can get done with a mouth, lips and a voice box.
Who’s the idiot here, Heathro? What would you suggest? He/She do nothing but suck it up despite all this whining over money? You’re an ass. I hope I get you in a situation where you should sue but fail to do so thinking with that tiny of yours. It’ll look soooo good on you.
Heathero, kay was probably refering to small claims court which does not require that the plaintiff/defendant have legal respresentsation, makes it a more affordable option. If the OP is considering going this route to help recoup some of the cost of the vet bill they can find information about costs/procedures here https://www.interactivecourtforms.ns.ca/sm…
You don’t need a lawyer and the court fees are included in the amount you get if you win. You can represent yourself at supreme court as well. And if the neighbor doesn’t want to pay for what their dog did, she should take them to court over it. Vet bills, lost wages, court costs. You can pretty much sue for anything. If the fence was hers, I’d be going for that too. Its not her fault that the neighbor can’t control their dog.
I feel your pain OP that is bad bad place to be, alot of ppl have made valid points about payment so I will not touch that. Bobby33 again you are the one who needs to pull out the whole pitbull thing, I have an idea how about you give me your phone number and I will show you a few very nice pitts than maybe you can stop with the whole pitbull thing you have and if you are scared of being hurt I have 500k insurance on my dogs so that will keep you covered and i bet you it is not even a pittbull… OP don’t stop being a nice person just plan ahead a bit and either have a phone number so you can call the owner or have them leave the credit card number. I hope the dog is ok, and the emerg vet charges $102 just to look at the dog as I just paid that this weekend plus about another $2400.
Was the emerg visit because your ‘very nice pitts’ were not being very nice to each other? 😛
sodapop: Vets are not in the charity business(and did you miss where my vet gives me payment plans, btw?)
Nobody’s going to intervene with the vets from the government. It’s the person with the animal who would be charged for not providing medical care, since THEY are responsible for providing for its care, not the veterinarian.
Report the dangerous animal to have it put down!
Thanks for your responses–those that defended my position and those that attacked with reasonable arguments and complaints. Due to awareness of space while posting my complaint, I left out many details:
– The Jack Russell was not outside–it jumped my leg which was blocking the backdoor as I opened it to answer a knock.
– I was not attacking the pitbull. It is its nature to guard its territory, just as it is the Jack Russell’s nature, generally, to be aggressive with other dogs and to challenge dogs much bigger than itself. The neighbour lets me know when she is putting her dog out, so the dogs will not be out at the same time. Up until this time, the pitbull has not caused me any problems. Because my dog ran to the fence and challenged the pitbull, I took responsibility for the vet bills. My neighbour re-enforced her fence and blocked off the gate.
3. At the time of the attack, I had available $60 which I was offering to get immediate care. When it was obvious that I could get no help for the dog, I called one of my resources and had $200 wired to me. Hours passed due to the need to call and explain to so many people what the problem was. I was short of funds, at that time, due to my son’s wisdom teeth being removed at the cost of $380 above the insurance, and his end of the year fees coming in the week before from his special needs school. It was just unfortunate timing (as emergencies usually are, I realize). I paid $250 up front and the remaining $215 (+ $48 for more antibiotics and ear drops) the following week.
– I did administer first-aid: the dog’s wounds were cleaned, covered with antibiotic cream and bandaged, and the dog was given the little bit of pain medication I had left from a cat I had foster and had fixed previously.
– I understand that vets cannot work for free and that there is cost involved in treatment. I understand that some people do not pay their debts. But, since I AM a bleeding heart, I do not understand how another person, especially a person who pursued a career in the care of animals, can turn away an animal in pain, and to add insult on top of injury, accuse me of cruelty because I suggested I would take action myself if no one else would do it. I would also like to point out, the vet in Halifax that agreed to see me was shocked that no one would help me. And, she did not charge me for the exam, as she noted that I would need the money for the dog’s operation. Her service cost her time, not money. And I appreciated that she could separate the difference.
– When the dog was presented to me, I debated with myself–my head arguing with my heart. My head presented the same arguments found here, especially, no money. As well, I had no time really, as the dog needed to be re-trained as its previous abuse had caused many dysfunctions (all related to fear: wetting and soiling problems, trying to attack every dog it sees, etc.). But, through rationalizations (mainly: when is it a good time to take a dysfunctional animal, and the dog’s need cannot be timed according to how much time and money I have), my heart won. I haven’t fostered for some time due to these considerations, and I decided against fostering children for the same reasons (although there is a shortage of foster homes and the need is so great–I must admit, I was wavering until this event).
So, there you have it. People who have money generally have no time, as they are out making money. I have no money, as I use my time to help every sob story that comes my way. Oh to be rich and idle. Well, there’s our solution, isn’t is? I will call Paris Hilton right now. I am sure she would love to take in our damaged kids and animals.
You seem to think that just because vets are in the profession of healing that they do not deserve to demand fair compensation for their services. My feeling on that is that when people are providing a valuable and desirable service, they deserve compensation, regardless of whether they get personal satisfaction from the service or not. Painting the vets you’ve mentioned as cold and callous seems to be a strategy to convince yourself that you are not, in fact, the guilty party, despite the fact that you chose to foster a dog without a guaranteed source of funds for medical expenses. It’s nice to want to help, but helping is much more effective if you actually have the capacity to do it.
Is that right, Mole Rat? Following your philosophy, and assuming that my community considers fostering and volunteer work a valuable and desirable service, it stands that I should demand fair compensation for my service. Which was not my point. Neither was whether a vet should charge or not. I had money. I could get more money. I just didn’t have the estimated $400+ at that moment. And, just to be clear: my beef was that I didn’t appreciated being accused of cruelty by those refusing to help an animal in trouble. There are many caring and charitable vets in this city who volunteer their services and lower their costs to aid in some social problems (ex. the trap, neuter, release of abandoned/wild cats). Also, if more people that had access to large amounts of money would volunteer, it could be that the knocking at my door would cease. I already stated that it was my feeling that fostering at this time was not a good idea, but that I allowed the need of the dog (and others before her) to soften my heart (which I had work on hardening for over 3 years). Maybe this is the problem. The act of hardening one’s heart. Some have it perfected, some struggle with it…either way, there is something not right here.
Swampdonkey: I know they are not in the charity business, but I have had problems with vets in Dartmouth recently as well, when they refused to see my dog, because they didn’t deem it an emergency, even though my dog had to suffer for an extra day before getting his meds, and hearing a story like this really makes me sick. Okay, I concede the point that at a very basic level they are running a business in a capitalistic society, and yes in order for their business to function it needs to make money. The problem is, that they operate, in my opinion, as if they are completely unregulated in the way they do business. If they truly are offering medical services I don’t believe they should be able to turn someone down because they do not have cash in hand. That behaviour is indicative of someone who should not be in a position to care for an animal, as in my opinion it is just as bad as abusing an animal. It seems as though in this thread there is an acceptance of a false distinction between abusing an animal first hand, and by doing so by neglecting. Where a vet has the knowledge necessary to actually help, they should be obliged to do so regardless of the circumstances, and if they get burned on the bill they should chalk it up to the cost of doing business in this particular field, under the guise of providing medical services. I think more often than not you would see honest people making good on their debt. That is my opinion, which is where I am coming from because I believe that no life is worth more or less than any other. But yeah, payment plans are reasonable, and I think more vets should be that way.
It could also be that the vet (or any other professional) has heard “I would gladly pay you Thursday for a hamburger today” (so sayeth Wimpy) and Thursday never happens. People will only put up with so many rip off artists (and no OB I’m not saying you are) that there comes a time when they say “NO”.
Volunteering is great as long as it doesn’t interfere with one’s making it in the world. You can’t feed the world if you’re starving.
Not having the money at the moment means you didn’t have the money. It’s not the vet’s fault, it’s yours. Also, many people volunteer. Sometimes I’m sure even vets volunteer their time for worthy causes. But we’re talking about their livelihood, not their volunteer time. When I go to find a job, I put my volunteer efforts separate from my work experience on my resume, for a reason. No one asks to be compensated for volunteer work but this was not volunteer work. As Bro Tim mentioned, maybe the vets have heard too much of the old “I’ll have your money by Thursday” song and dance, and that’s not your fault but neither is it theirs. The solution is to be a responsible pet host and make sure you have the correct resources. Stop making others responsible for the ramifications of your bleeding heart you keep mentioning.
Black and white. Either, Or. Frankly, you are trying to sell something I already bought, Rat. My first post, and my additional responses, all state that in the future, I will not foster. All the rest is simply…bitching. I WILL harden my heart but I won’t lay down and die just because that’s the way we run things at this time. Oh, and congratulations…you volunteer. Let me guess. You organize the blood drives that harvest the blood from us bleeding hearts.
Okay then sodapop? Who’s going to fund the charity cases then? Also, let’s forget about anyone with money paying for it, since if they’re obliged to help anyway, why pay them? The should accept getting burned on the bill? WTF? My roof had a hole in it last year that could have left me homeless if unchecked, should the roofers be obligated to come fix that if I couldn’t afford it?
Like it or not, pets are a luxury item. The person taking them in is responsible for their care, and veterinarians shouldn’t be held hostage for the contents of their brains.
I DO think there should be standardization of fees however, considering the huge differences in price for services and medication, and lowering the ER vet’s prices. 100 bucks to get in the door, last time I was in. I’m actually pretty stunned they let the OP split up the payments.
Why yes, yes I do.
Well Rat, I must admit, you have made me laugh. Truly. I am smiling though exhausted…but no longer angry and frustrated. The time to call ‘Uncle’ has come. Thanks to all who took the time bitch it out with me.
Miles!!!! no my very nice dogs didn’t hurt eachother one of my dogs had a tumor on his rear leg and we had it amputated but thanks for your concern be an ass to someone else.
Don’t be a stranger!
swampdonkey, it depends on your perspective and I personally do not believe pets are a luxury item. My dog is a part of my family, and I can’t disassociate myself in that way. From my perspective, vets are obliged to provide emergency services in the same way doctors are obliged to do so. Again, that is because I believe all life forms are equal. I don’t believe that it is a fair to compare a hole in a roof, to the potential death of an animal.
Well soda, you’re not going to see (hopefully) socialized medicine for animals. It may be your perspective but it’s not mine or many others. I like animals but I live in an apartment and hardly ever home so there is no way on Earth would subject an animal to those conditions, no more than to have an animal (or child for that matter) that I couldn’t afford to feed and keep.
Chaos….my apologies I was just kidding around (hence the smiley). Sorry to hear your vet visit was for something so sad. I hope the dog recovers quickly, lives a very long time and brings you lots of joy.
Your personal belief in something does not make it a universal truth, sodapop. Pets cost money, and are not a necessary good(like, say shelter). And doctors still get paid for their services, be it by the government or insurance. Even if there is a moral obligation for them to assist, comparing doctors to vets is apples and oranges.
Here’s an idea from a little left field. Call the emerg vet, frantically schedule the emerg appointment, get treatment showing concern for a conservative bottom line then deal with (non)payment AFTER the pooch is patched. The vet might get a little cheesed with you at the end of the appointment for post-dating a cheque but… show interest in that pet insurance pamphlet they have on the counter… smile a lot, show how grateful you are, talk about your volunteer work and go from there. What’s the worst that can happen?… The vet’s on to you within the first 5 minutes of the appt and tells you and your dog to beat it? Boo hoo. So, try again.
Kay do you call the emergency vet when your son has a cough?
Postdating a cheque, without the receiver’s permission, for services rendered, is fraud.
Indeed, BroTim. It is. So one offers collateral, one healing jack russel, until payment including boarding fee is produced. Reasonable, no?
There is no such thing as a universal truth, other than life is sacred. That’s the foundation of my belief system, and you obviously disagree, which you are entitled to do. Also I think I should clarify a couple of things, before I drop this. I don’t believe that medical care for pets should be socialized; I believe that vets should be obliged to provide medical care in emergency situations whether they are paid before hand OR after. I believe they should be paid, I believe they should be paid; I believe they should be paid. My issue with the vets is that they will refuse to treat a dying animal if they are not given the money at the time, or so it seems from what the OP has stated. I also think generally most people would pay their vet bills, and truthfully I don’t think the money they would lose from the exceptions would cause their financial collapse. I don’t know of a single business, whose doors shut because of customers not paying their bills. If there hasn’t been a business that has done so, than this debate is not really about taking away a person’s means to live, and forcing them to provide services for free, but the chance that it could slightly impact their bottom line in the short term, which when weighed against the alternative, the death of an innocent animal, from my perspective it seems like a ridiculous thing to defend.
Many valid points have made during this debate, on both sides, as usual. But Sodapop expresses best my feeling at the time of crises (and Kay’s idea it not too far off what I was considering when I felt like I was being back into a corner). The cost of vet care has risen considerably over the last 10 years. Their recommendations for treatment continue to expand, and incidentals which used be included are now broken down and charged individually. I have paid for x-rays they’ve botched, and treatments that proved unnecessary. Recently a stray cat was taken into a vet. I knew there was no helping it outside of putting it down. They decided they must test for dehydration, leukemia and something else. Then, they say they may be able to help, but it would cost over $1000, but likely it would die in the end, so they suggested she be put down (since she was a stray). After paying the $200 balance, they say another $30 must be paid to dispose of the body. Granted, the main vet called the next day to return the money, but my point is, why all that testing in the first place? And if you pay to have an animal put down, which is hard enough, why wouldn’t they include disposal of the body in the price. This is not a discussion someone wants to have having just put down a family member. Regardless, I am not sure that the few who would not honor their debt would really impact them to the degree that they feel it necessary to turn away critically injured animals. Yes, they are a business, and they appear to be doing very well, so why can’t they take some risks? Even legal firms do pro bono work, doctors cross borders and James Herriot will accept a chicken for payment.
sodapop, “universal truth, other than life is sacred”
That’s quite a presumption given what you see on the news every single day. Isn’t it obvious there are people out there whose value system is NOT consistent AT ALL with your own about PEOPLE let alone ANIMALS? There are A LOT of them. There are people out there who wouldn’t think twice about wiping you out let alone your dog…. just sayin’
“Life is sacred”? I doubt that pride of lions are thinking that when they take down and eat that wildebeest or zebra.
It seems ridiculous to me to not have a safety net when taking responsibility for a living thing. Around and around we go!
Who said I didn’t have a safety net? The problem was when the shit hit the fan, I was holding a pooper-scooper. It just so happened that a back-hoe was required. My biggest hit in the last month was not the vet’s bill, nor were they the only two hits. As well, part of my safety net is having backup resources– which can sometimes take time. I accessed the one I could reach immediately. So, just to make it clear–again–my issue was not money, it was time.
HKM, as you can see, the first impulse for most of these “bitch” fans is to blame the victim, or whoever it is that has a problem, for having a problem. They are pretty quick to label them irresponsible and worse. Not much sympathy and compassion for you, but plenty for vets – anybody else but you, it seems to me.
This is simply not a forum worth engaging, in my opinion; it’s almost a setup: come and bitch, and be clobbered for it!