Drove back over to the vet supply store today to pick up Niki's meds. They're right across the street from the vet clinic, but of course they were closed yesterday since it was Sunday. For the Deramaxx pills, four weekly injections of Adequan, plus a package of Comfortis, the bill came to a little over $300 for a month's meds. Not awful for one month -- or several months. But the idea of that kind of money every month for as long as she is alive is a little depressing. I think if it really helps her and she obviously begins to feel better I'll be okay with it. I just really really REALLY hope it helps.
Situations like this make me very thankful that I'm still working. I feel like it's okay to spend whatever money is necessary to care for our crew as long as I'm working. But if I were to retire and we were trying to live on social security, I think I would feel pretty guilty about spending all our discretionary income on the animals, making it impossible for Mark and me to do the traveling and things that he really wants to do once we retire. And then if it became a choice of animal meds or Mark's meds . . .
Okay, I've GOT to stop thinking like that. We've still got enough to manage without worrying about it. We'll just have to allow attrition to reduce our animal population before we reach that point. Still, it's so sad to think that our ability to give animals a good life is limited by something as cold and unfeeling as "cash."
And once you begin to think about how a lack of money limits your ability to rescue and care for animals, you can't help but consider how a lack of money in general also limits what can be done to help all the people out there who need help. It's all so depressing. I think I'm going to go lay down and take a nap with Gracie. I love it when she jumps up and lays down next to me, rests her head on my shoulder, and gives one of those deep shuddering sighs as she relaxes and goes to sleep.
Okay, I've GOT to stop thinking like that. We've still got enough to manage without worrying about it. We'll just have to allow attrition to reduce our animal population before we reach that point. Still, it's so sad to think that our ability to give animals a good life is limited by something as cold and unfeeling as "cash."
And once you begin to think about how a lack of money limits your ability to rescue and care for animals, you can't help but consider how a lack of money in general also limits what can be done to help all the people out there who need help. It's all so depressing. I think I'm going to go lay down and take a nap with Gracie. I love it when she jumps up and lays down next to me, rests her head on my shoulder, and gives one of those deep shuddering sighs as she relaxes and goes to sleep.
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