$15,000 vet bill - NOT my dog!!

[QUOTE=Nezzy;6024151]
OMG. Seriously, I could never spend that. Bless you for doing all you could. But what if her owner comes out of the woodwork?[/QUOTE]

That’s kind of an interesting topic. What would happen if the owner did show up? They would still own the dog, wouldn’t they? And presumably they would not be responsible for a $15k vet bill they didn’t authorize.

Probably a moot point if the dog is a stray, or running at large with an irresponsible owner. But you never know; dog escapes can happen to the most caring of owners, too. My former neighbor’s dog escaped during an attempted break-in when he wasn’t home. Luckily the dog stuck around the yard, but it could have gone differently.

Bless you for doing this.

Although I have to admit I am in the :eek::eek::eek: category.

WoW! Glad she pulled through after all you went through for her - money and emotion!

Around here, if someone else showed up and could prove ownership, the dog would belong to them. Legally they would not have to pay a nickel of the vet expenses since they didnt authorize it. The fact that the dog was running loose could get them a ticket, but that is it. Doesnt seem right morally, but that is how it works legally.

I stuck some money into a stray (oh around $400 for routine stuff and neutering, etc…) then I found his owner! Ugh. She wanted the dog back, but we ended up keeping him because I had him microchipped and licensed to me. She had no proof - no vet records - no dog license. Nothing. We were in a bit of a custody battle but she finally agreed that she had no leg to stand on and let us take the dog. I didn’t feel bad about “stealing” her dog because he was abused by her boyfriend, neglected by her, running wild on the streets, he was very thin and full of worms. So yeah it sucks she lost her dog, but whatever. She should have done her part and I wouldn’t have needed to “steal” him.

So nobody has come looking for this dog? Did the dog look fat and healthy?

Bless you for doing that!!
Wow 15k for a stray dog. :eek::eek::eek:
Please post pictures - need to see lovely pictures of money.
Thank you!!

What a generous spirit and wallet you have! I’m touched by your story.

Tangent:

A friend and I agonized over how to deal with a found dog a few years ago. I found the dog in the public roadway in a place where I’d seen her before. My friend took her into her home and fell head-over-heels in love. We both guessed that the poor, emaciated, cringing thing lived rather close to where we had found her. We had her microchip scanned at a discreet vet clinic rather than at the shelter (probably a no-no, legally), and the address which came up was directly adjacent to where she’d turned up. Finally, I called from a public phone in order to get a sense of the people. It turns out the girlfriend—and registered owner—was delighted get the dog out of her life because she feared her boyfriend would kill her (the dog), and she was very happy to get the microchip info. switched in secret so that her violent guy would not find out. The dog is very happy and safe today. I can’t say one way or the other about the girlfriend, though I did advise her of some numbers to call for help in relocating HERSELF!

Thanks, Miss Money is doing well…she’s really still quite sore, but she’s been such a fighter and is wagging her tail in her little dog bed :slight_smile:

I wouldnt have had the $15000 either! At first, it was emotions that said to treat her - but as the problems built, so did the bill. Even my vet gently suggested euthanizing her (but a tricky situation since she was a stray), but Im happy I made the decision I did.

My father in law passed away 3 months ago, he was a huge dog lover and when he passed we did inherit from him (my husband is the only living child). I guess deep down I know he would have saved this dog, and he left us the money to save her :sadsmile:.

Miss Money is legally mine, I contacted animal control and there is 5 business days to claim a dog. I cant say I would keep her if her family does come looking for her - but no lost posters and no replies to my animal control report. Im not selfish, and if she really did stray away and had a great home she would absolutley go back. However, no collar, no microchip and we are at 2 weeks with no reply or posters up. Its a very rural area, I bet she was an outdoor farm dog or a dump? She doesnt appear to be spayed and couldnt really tell how she looked - she looked pretty poopy when I hit her! Either way, she’s safe now :slight_smile:

Vet thinks she is about 10, lab cross type. She’s not going to win a beauty contest, but her personality is A++. She gets along just perfect with my doodle - and he is very careful around her.

I will try to get some pictures together. She is going back to the vets for a recheck tomorrow, hope to post some more good news. I want to bring the staff something special - they went above and beyond with her!!

Aw! Now I’m all teary-eyed. The fact that she’s already 10 and that you know it’s a lot of money (that is, that you don’t throw tens of thousands of dollars around every day)—these things make the story all the more sweet.

Amazing…absolutley amazing. Wish you many happy years ahead. She’s one lucky dog.

:yes:

[QUOTE=meupatdoes;6024652]
Owner will probably crawl back into the woodwork 15,000 times.[/QUOTE]

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

OP- You certainly went above and beyond! I wish you much joy with your new, bionic dog!

[QUOTE=Sithly;6025453]
But you never know; dog escapes can happen to the most caring of owners, too. My former neighbor’s dog escaped during an attempted break-in when he wasn’t home. Luckily the dog stuck around the yard, but it could have gone differently.[/QUOTE]

IMO a caring owner has a collar w/ tag on their dog AND a microchip should the collar somehow come off or the tag(s) come loose.

My dogs are all chipped plus have 2 tags on their collar, attached separately in case one catches on something and is pulled off, the other tag is left on the collar.

Dogs do get out no matter how careful we are, but if they are chipped/tagged and animal control picks the dog up, it will get scanned and the owner will be notified.

Would your car insurance pay the vet bill? Your premiums might go up, but it might be worth it.

I hope your dog brings you great pleasure for many years. You are wonderful to save her.

Me too!!

[QUOTE=didgery;6025668]
Aw! Now I’m all teary-eyed. The fact that she’s already 10 and that you know it’s a lot of money (that is, that you don’t throw tens of thousands of dollars around every day)—these things make the story all the more sweet.[/QUOTE]

Now the addition of that angle just makes this one of the sweetest tales I’ve ever read on COTH.

Thank you for honoring your FIL.

and treats and pets for your doodle for being so careful with Ms. Money.

You’ve restored my faith in humanity tonight :slight_smile:
It’s not about the bill, but it’s the fact that you were able to provide the dog with something she didn’t otherwise have-- someone to look out for her and be there for her. I applaud you a million times over. You’re the kind of person that makes veterinary medicine live up to its full potential. I hope you have many long years with your new friend! I know she will be forever grateful :slight_smile:

I can’t not comment, but don’t know what to say. That you would do that for a stray dog, truly a Christmas story. You are a good person.

Your generosity has brought me to tears. You make up for some very crappy people in this world. I hope you and Miss Money have many happy years together!!!

And what a lovely way to honor your FIL.

that is one lucky dog! I couldn’t have done that for my own but I am glad for her sake you were able to. You definitely have earned you way into doggy heaven!!

…what an absolutely wonderful story and what an absolutely wonderful person 3TBS is! After reading this heart-warming story, I think about words spoken by my warm and loving Vet. Several years ago, I was forced to make a decision about euthanizing one of my dogs and she said a few words that have stayed with me since. Those words were, “our animals depend on us to make the right decisions for them”. And, when faced with a situation like 3TBS experienced, that little lab/cross definitely depended on her to make the right decision and despite the fact that the bill was incredibly high, she spared no expense to help this brave little dog survive!

…all I can say is “Bless your heart and soul, 3TBS”!