This last month has been a frustrating one. My little girl, Celie, is going deaf and we are trying to figure out ways to communicate with her non-verbally. Right now, showing her keys means car ride and the leash means going outside. We have also found that we can no longer leave her off the leash to roam free. She doesn’t hear us calling her to come back.

Besides that, the back and forth to the doctor’s office has been costly. Thankfully a bonus from work came in on time that we were able to use. If it hadn’t we would have setup payments with the vet’s office. Since we have been with them for years, they are more than willing to do this for us.

Some people may say that if you can’t spend the money to take care of a pet correctly, then you shouldn’t have a pet. I take offense at that. Would that same question be asked of every person who wants a kid? No. I do the best I can with the means that I have and hope that my pet appreciates it. Celie doesn’t have toys (we go for walks or stop off at the park), or a fancy bed (we use blankets or the couch for her). But she gets fed every day and by the looks of her, she isn’t starving.

No matter the cost I wouldn’t give up my dog to save money. There are two measures that I use when it comes to Celie. The first is the money versus quantity of life. Having a dog is well worth the money, though she may be more than the yearly upkeep of a car. The car just doesn’t give me the unconditional love I look for, no admiring headlight eyes are looking back at me, and the car doesn’t give me the impression it needs me by following me around. However, Celie does and what price can you put on that?

So far the cost for Celie does not out weigh the quantity of life. Though she is 14 years old, she has no back problems, cancer or severe arthritis. Besides the hearing problem and minor arthritis, she is doing above average. I realize there will come a time when the measure of quantity of life will be outweighed by the cost of it.

That is where the second measure will come in. The measure of cost versus quality of life. I can plunk down 3,000 for a surgery and that will fix it, no further downturn. Or I can plunk down the same amount and it not really help her, just prolong the inevitable. This will be the hardest decision. I realize that my decision to spend money can be determined by a couple influences. Guilt is one. Am I not spending enough money? Do I love her enough for a 3,000 dollar vet bill? Would she hate me for prolonging her life when pain would be the by product? The best decision will be the one I make when I ask, “What is best for her?”

The most important thing that I can give her is love, safety and keep her comfortable when the time comes that money will no longer be the fix. I think any dog, or kid, would want to be happy with that. And the only cost is time.