My sister has been advised (by her vet) her dog has cancer. She will get the full results soon and will need to decide what to do.

She has been told, live saving surgery will cost $5000 and wants to do whatever she can to get the money.

I saw the tears in her eyes, when one of my parents dogs died last week. I've been told her dog is part of the 'family'.

Should we put pets above people - and spend $5000? Should she accept her dog is dying and move on? I have thought of helping her to raise money, but I'm not sure if it's any of my business to get involved.

It's about perspective, has your sister ever scraped together $5000 to send to any of the starving children's funds?

If so fantastic, if not her perspective is tilted.

Dear NathanJ.,

Yes I would pay.

I would do it for my sister.

Family members are supposed to be there for
each other. I would do it for my sister's
peace of mind!

Our son had drainage problems in his front yard
and he and his wife needed $5,000 to fix it.
We gave them the money.
It's what you do for family.

NathanJ,

It is certain that the animal will be put through the most fearful processes (despite what assurances may have been given) and the chances of a complete recovery, are very dubious indeed.

Cancer is one of the more usual causes of death of dogs. Now or in a year after causing the animal huge suffering is the question.

The animal must be suffering. If it was my dog I would ask the veterinarian to move quickly to bring its life to a merciful end.

Support your sister by listening and by being there. Both are hard to do and are usually in short supply.

At the end of the day, its a dog!

I had a customer once who spent the best part of $100K on his dog over a span of a few years. It was born with a twisted spine and when I said why didn't you hit it on the head he was horrified.

As has been said, its all about prospective.

NathanJ, I would ask your sister and vet exactly what the $5000 payment will be used for.
I would go with her to the vet to give her support and to have a more unemotional view on the situation. You can then go away and decide what to do.
If the dog is going to have to go through painful procedures and medications, and there are no guarantees the cancer won't kill it anyway, I would encourage her to put the dog down.

I went through the same situation with my daughter last year. Her 4 year old cat became sick and aggressive suddenly. She took the cat to the vet and they did many tests and X-rays etc....costing her $1000. She was distraught to find out the cat had kidney cancer with possible spreading into surrounding tissues. They discussed chemotherapy and radiation with her, with huge costs involved.

I went with her to the vets and asked what were the cat's chances if she was put through all this trauma. The vet said she couldn't be sure it would even prolong her life, yet alone cure her. I suggested (after long discussion with my daughter) it might be more humane to put her down, and they did this soon after.
I don't regret that decision, as that cat was not a happy cat at all.