<p>I looked back at her email-- all it said was I could take to ER vet but she would write a DNR “if anything happens”, whatever that might mean…</p>
<p>At the least, you need a phone number at which to reach her in case of an emergency. For a number of years we have cared for a neighboring couple’s cat when they have been out of town. This, of course, means we go into their house and fill the food and water bowls and scoop the litter. The cat is old now and has thyroid cancer which the owners have decided not to treat. We have their cell phone numbers and our understanding is that so long as the food and water have been eaten/drunk and the litter box has been used we will assume the cat is okay even if she doesn’t come out when we are there. If we suspected something had happened to the cat we would call before searching their house for her.
“At the least” is probably also the “simplest”.</p>
<p>You are an amazing friend, jym! I don’t know when you are going to see her, and how it will go, but it sounds like she might be a bit in denial about the issues that might be facing her pet. Not to be too cynical, but how convenient if someone else has to deal with it. </p>
<p>I have a kind of dastardly idea: ask her for either a credit card # or a blank check made out to the emergency vet, in case anything does go wrong. Tell her you understand that these places are very expensive, and you wouldn’t feel comfortable incurring costs that she doesn’t approve of. That would make her really think about what she is willing to do.</p>
<p>Are you sure she’s actually made arrangements with the vet to board the dog during the week? It’s entirely possible that the vet’s office doesn’t know anything about it and won’t take the dog on Tuesday morning.</p>
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<p>That’s kind of harsh. People can’t put their lives on hold because their pet is old and sick.</p>
<p>Why not? we didn’t go anywhere without our lab for the final two years of her long ( 16 when she died) life because we thought it wouldn’t be right.</p>
<p>Fauxnom-
Thats actually a very good idea. I found a Petsitting instructions form and modified it to fit our situation. I sent it to her, with as much info filled out as possible. I added a place for her to put specific instructions as to what care she authorizes, how much she will spend, and her credit card information. I told her I was sure everythign would be fine, but since her regular vet will be closed most of the timewe have the dog, I wanted to be sure I had her clear instructions and authorization to do what she wants. I told her of course I woudl calle her first and be sure she spoke to any vet who cared for her dog. Hopefully she will fill out the form!
Stay tuned.</p>
<p>Update:</p>
<p>Just heard back form the neighbor. She laughed and said I should be an attorney, but she would fill out the form I sent with all the instructions. I reminded her that our dog (same breed) had died at home, we’d dealt with several trips to the vet ER with our dog and cats, and recently I had to make “end of life” decisions with my dad, and was really hoping not to have to deal with any of that again anytime soon! I told her it was like taking an umbrella-- assures that it won’t rain. </p>
<p>I am comfortable that she has made the boarding arrangements for Tue-Fri., stevensmama. I dont think she’d do that (leave me in the lurch). SHe is making a separate bag of food for the boarding days, so I can keep the rest here for her return on Friday.</p>
<p>So they are dropping her off around 5 today. Hopefully it will all be fine…</p>
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<p>Well, had I taken that attitude this last spring, I would have missed a performance of my daughter in a mainstage production at school, her senior recital (she was a theatre and vocal performance double major) and the opportunity to see two very elderly aunts in Texas (88 and 93 years old), which for all we know, might be the last time I see either one of them alive. And H would have missed out on the opportunity to attend the NCAA Final Four tournament with D1 - something they planned and got tickets for last August. </p>
<p>You can’t put your life on hold.</p>
<p>Sigh…
They were supposed to bring the dog at 5 because we are going out at 6 (which I told her) and I have to get ready. Was waiting for them to arrive so I could get in the shower, etc. It takes a while for my hair to dry. But I digress.</p>
<p>OK-- its 5:20. She just called. She “just got back from the pool” and has to get the dogs bag o’ stuff ready, feed her and walk her. </p>
<p>Am I being unreasonable?? Are people really this “lah de dah” with other people’s schedule when someone is doing them a favor???</p>
<p>OK. Doggie is here. In the “instructions” area she only described the dog’s past med hx. They did put a dollar limit on vet services which, for an after hours/holiday ER facility, won’t go too far…</p>
<p>Well, the doggie ER will have their marching orders then–</p>
<p>Enjoy your guest!</p>
<p>teriwtt - that did sound a bit harsh - sorry! What I meant was that I sense this woman may be sort of wishing the problem away, not intentionally being negligent about her dog. But then again, maybe she doesn’t see it as a problem. jym (and those of us who have recently dealt with very old pets) is probably more alert to the problem. Anyhow jym, I hope the weekend goes smoothly, and I think it’s good that you got her to give slightly more clear directions. </p>
<p>BTW, as one who has more or less given up going anywhere for July 4th because the dog gets more freaked out every year, I have to say again what a nice friend you are!</p>
<p>Thanks, fauxnom. She is asleep right next to me. Fortunately we don’t have to worry about 4th of July freaking her out as she is stone deaf!</p>
<p>I have a friend who lives in another state who has a very spoiled, aging dog with health issues. They have no kids. Thir dog is her kid. She takes her dog with her almost everywhere (to work, many errands, etc). We invited them to our son’s bar mitzvahs years ago (we were having NO ONE stay at our home, not even immediate relatives) and they declined unless they could stay with us and bring the dog. Um, NO. They had just a few friends who they trusted to watch their dog when they travelled. Those friends have either moved or can no longer watch their dog due to the dogs food/health issues, etc. So while her DH travels for work, she will go nowhere as long as the dog is still alive. She is forgoing their vacations indefinitely. Wouldn’t be my choice, but it is hers. </p>
<p>This morning, the dog was asleep on the tile floor in the bathroom and of course couldnt hear me. I almost fell over her! LOL-- maybe the one who will end up in the ER while dogsitting is ME!</p>
<p>I have my granddog living with us for a few months and he is not fond of loud noises. My husband and I as staying in tomorrow night, partially for him, but I have seen my share of fireworks in 54 years 
We might grab a bite out for dinner, but would rather be home during the later evening when the kids start shooting off their fireworks in the neighborhood.</p>
<p>The dog would be ok if we left him, but it isn’t a big deal to stay home; it isn’t like our dance card is that full :)</p>
<p>snowball - the problem with fireworks, at least around here is that they started a week ago, it seems like and will go on for at least a few more days. And yea, they’re illegal around here, but people go up into WI to purchase them. </p>
<p>Last night I was sitting in my bed and felt an itch in my outer ear. As I was itching it, a LOUD boom went off, which scared the heck out of me; I must have sort of jumped, while my finger did not stay where it was itching; it must have created some sort of vacuum in my ear canal because I immediately got this loud ringing sound in my ear that took about a ½ hour to go away! </p>
<p>Funny, I also saw an article in our weekly newspaper that our local police force was going to crack down on people doing fireworks from their yards again (it has been pretty dry here this week) and that when they did so last year, they arrested FIVE whole people. Well, la-dee-dah. I think they could arrest that many within three block of my home every year. I know people who literally get tranquilizers for their dogs just for this time of the year.</p>
<p>I just can’t even imagine telling my daughter I can’t attend her senior recital (something she’s been working toward for four years) because our dog is old. I don’t think she’d speak to me for a long time.</p>
<p>I understand not everyone feels that way, but our dog was a member of our family & we made accommodations for her as she became infirm, just as we would for another member of the family.
Although we had been going away for Christmas for 20 years, we did not for the last two years before her death at 16, as we didn’t feel it would be right.
The last Christmas before her death, I stayed home with her & my H went to spend time with our daughters in Portland ( my D was house/petsitting), as my D had visited recently after my mothers death.</p>
<p>I would perhaps leave an elderly pet for a weekend, but not for the length of time that jyms neighbor is planning on, I do think it is presumptuous to expect someone to take over your own responsibilities for that length of time.</p>
<p>EK-
We actually felt bad for the dog if they boarded her at the vet for the full 9-10 days, which is why we are doing what we are. Its a bit inconvenient to take her back and forth to the kennel, but thats what I agreed to do. Oh, btw, they brought over her meds which they said they only give her randomly when they think about it (they are prescribed at 1/2 pil twice a day), but my marching instructions were not to bring the meds to the vet when I board her b/c they charge $9/day to give her her meds.</p>