Comments | raptor1313: You May Have Lost Perspective

raptor1313

You May Have Lost Perspective

Dec 27, 2010 08:06

According to this article, some people are more than willing to drop $20,000 to try to save their pet from horrifying crap like cancer: http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/111673/the-$20,000-petRead more... )

ranting, commentary

Comments 4

jajy1979 December 27 2010, 20:30:41 UTC

I won't shell out 20K for most humans either...

As for perspective, there is a limit financially for things, but I don't consider that unless it would sink us (I won't do that), but then again they have pet insurance you can buy. I consider quality of life rather than quantity. If the surgery would both prolong and enhance quality for the animal (who lowers my BP and makes me happier) then it's worth considering. If it does not improve quality then it isn't an option.

But I have a very different perspective on animals than you probably do.

raptor1313 December 27 2010, 20:48:12 UTC

Hey, when I had cats, I loved 'em, but frankly, if I'm spending money to prolong suffering, then I'm doing something horrifically wrong.

There's no real benefit for ANYONE to put an animal through chemo.

jajy1979 December 28 2010, 03:51:39 UTC

That goes back to what I said about quality. But I believe it about humans too. If you're going to suffer, I'm not going to encourage you to prolong your life. But I view humans and animals on the same level. Unlike idiots like PETA and ELF/ALF, that isn't animals are equal to humans implying that we should treat them better, rather that we ourselves aren't worth so much. I.e. bringing us down not them up. At least as far as the food chain allows. A cow is still dinner and I've no qualms about it.

raptor1313 December 28 2010, 05:17:16 UTC

It's probably not as easy to apply the quality/quantity thing to humans, but I think it still kind of does.

It's not a choice anyone looks forward to making, but a few months of decent time versus a year of chemo? Add in the potential monetary cost of chemo, and the effect your slow descent has on everyone, and there is certainly grounds for some debate.

I think the popular term is 'death with dignity' or something. I've also heard 'extraordinary means' used in reference to what it takes to keep you alive and chances of recovery.