Joellen

Having a dog with cancer (who unfortunately is not insured) has taught me that I don't want any limits, a catastrophic illness or accident can surpass any caps. I would definitely go with Trupanion. No episode cap, no yearly cap, and no lifetime cap. I have intact BC insured, and the only thing they don't cover are things directly related to being intact, such as neutering for medical reasons. I also don't think they will cover prostate issues either, but you'd have to check. I also didn't put that he is any kind of a working/sport dog. My Rottie has had TPLO surgery on one leg and will be having the other done soon, a full 90% of the actual charges were covered, and I had a check within 10 days. Also, for another $10 (I think) you can add alternative care (acupuncture, chiropractor, homeopathy) and PT, which I have done. Some of the others may have less expensive premiums, but the piece of mind I get knowing there is no cap is worth the extra money. I only wish I could afford to have all my dogs insured.

Hi, Here's a great site to research dog food Dog Food Advisor they offer unbiased evaluations of many different brands, One of the things I like best is that they show you the "true" protein, carb, fat, etc. in the food, not just what it ways on the bag/can. Whole Dog Journal is another good source. I happen to feed Instinct kibble, Instinct Raw Boost kibble, and Earthborn Holistic. I happen to have dogs that can't all eat the same food. Best of luck to you!

Thank you! She's stronger and more full of herself every day. Scratches delivered!

<br><br> Thank you for your post. Yes it was/is VERY hard to put myself out there. It is not a decision that came easy. My attitude became as you said "But how could anyone make the choice if no one knows about it?". I felt I had to get the word out, and those who chose to and could help would donate, others would not. I just put it out there so people would know, and could choose. I expected a few posts, probably more like yours, G., was hoping I might get some from those who would do the same, but was surprised by some of the initial ones I did get. As far as being able to make a difference with a donation (and this is NOT directed at you, G, or anyone else), every dollar does make a difference. If even half the people who knew of Molly, whether through postings or word of mouth, donated just $1, the cumulative effect would be huge. This also came into play with my decision. I do appreciate the suggestions made, and will put as many as I can into action.

J, I have never kept an animal alive for me. I always ask myself that question anytime I decide about treatment.. I would say since Molly's diagnosis she has had only about 10 - 12 bad days, including her two recent hospitalizations. So her quality of life has been great! I had placed a limit on how far I was going with this last episode, but Molly improved before that point came. She is feeling really good now, just still a little weak from having been off food and laying around. I also have very realistic vets who would not put Molly through anything just for me. If at any time I feel she is "done" I will let her go. I want her go out with a sheep in one paw and a Frisbee in the other, body used up, saying wow, what a ride. No, we will not go bankrupt, just will be in debt for a long time. I'm just trying to keep my head above water by asking for a few sticks so I can start to build a life raft, not be rescued.

Maralynn Thank you for the compassionate and constructive reply. It is greatly appreciated. My friends and clients have helped out. I am going to do a fund raiser training day at one of my client's company that has a very dog friendly work environment. Also considering an Agility fun day, just trying to figure out parking as I only have enough for about 8 - 10 cars. I am going to pull my post from this forum.

I don't mean to argue, sound mean, or sound uncaring - but I take responsibility for my own animals and for my own choices, and don't plan on asking others to be responsible for my choices. I think most people here would feel the same way, and I don't think it's a matter of whether or not we "understand". I do and have always taken responsibility for my pets and their expenses. This is the first, and hopefully, the only time I will ever have to be in this position. I am not flippantly asking others to pick up my tab. I went out on a limb posting this subject here, with no preconceived expectations, except perhaps no responses. I did not expect the types of responses that I am getting, at least not so many of them. Molly's cancer diagnosis prompted me to get at least 2 of my other dogs health insurance so I will never have to be put in this embarrassing and frustrating position again.

Because she is worth it. I have and continue to incur incredible debt because of it. My husband is retired, so we are on a fixed income. Thank goodness we have excellent credit, but they will only give a person so many credit cards, and the ones we have are topping out. I swore I would never base the care my pets would get on money, they are part of my family. Morally, for me, it's not an option. I obtained help from The Magic Bullet Fund and from Land Of PureGold right after Molly was diagnosed, for which I am eternally greaful, but their funds are limited and they have to help as many as they can. Land Of PureGold has been very supportive by allowing me to raise funds through their site both to make the donations tax deductible and so donors can be assured their entire donation would go directly to the veterinarian caring for Molly. I thought that in appealing to other animal lovers for help, they would understand. It is not easy asking others for help, especially strangers. I have had to get to a place where I just have to take my chances that some will understand and some won't, and that's OK. When my Molly is no longer with me, I will be starting a non profit foundation to help other pet owners in need of help with veterinary care, so it will get "payed forward". No one should have to choose life or death for their pet based on money.

8/13/12 Update Molly is feeling even better and stronger today, thank God. Someone "up there" is definitely looking out for us. She has taught so many people so much. I believe we are all here for a purpose, and she must have more we all need to learn from her. I hope it will take her a few years to teach us, after all, we are human. Wanted to share this with you all. When we went to UC Davis last Tuesday, the senior student that admitted us said she had just given a talk on TCC (the kind of bladder cancer Molly has). She said she had heard of a dog named Molly that was almost 2.5 years out since diagnosis. I told her this was her. She said "This is THE Molly?". I told her yes, this was her.

8/12/12 Molly got to come home today! She is SO HAPPY!! She is pretty tired, but has been getting stronger the last couple of days since she has been allowed to eat several small meals a day. We're keeping her on injectable antibiotics for today and will start oral tomorrow and see how she does. I will continue to give her extra fluids for a few days, too. Once she regains her strength her quality of life will be excellent, as it has been over the 29 months since she was diagnosed with TCC (Transitional Cell Carcinoma - bladder cancer). Her long term survival is unknown. We were given 1 year 29 months ago, so who knows? She is a strong dog with a strong will and is otherwise in darn good shape - kidneys, heart, liver, cognitive function, etc.. Molly just amazes me, her heart and her will to live are phenomenal! Yes, she is my heart dog. The bill for this last stay is around $4000. My CARE card is maxed, my other cards are getting close. No amount is too small. Even the biggest bucket can be filled one drop at a time. UNTIL ONE HAS LOVED AN ANIMAL, A PART OF ONE'S SOUL REMAINS UNAWAKENED ~~~Anatole France~~~

Help fund Molly's continued cancer treatments through Land Of Pure Gold Molly's Fund Molly was diagnosed with Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC - Bladder Cancer) on March 11, 2010. Her prognosis was poor, with a survival time of about 1 year with treatment. We started treatment immediately. We are now 29 months (on August 11, 2012) since diagnosis, and have been through 6 chemotherapy drugs. The toll on my family and finances of keeping my sweet, life loving girl going has been tremendous and has put us deeply in debt. Having her with us and watching her live each and every day to it's fullest has all been worth it. About Molly: Molly was born on October 30, 1999 on a cattle ranch in Sonoma CA. I had just lost the second of my elderly dogs and saw the add in the paper. I just had to call, and then go "just to look". When we arrived there was a littler of cute puppies, all of them tri-colored except for Molly, and her sister (who was almost all white). It didn't take long for us to realize Molly was meant to join our family. The breeder wanted to keep her another 2 weeks, but when I noticed all the fleas she had, I was able to convince the breeder to let us take her that day - she was 6 weeks old - not knowing that I had actually save her life. When we took her to the vets, we were told she wouldn't have made it another 2 weeks, that the fleas would have made her too anemic. Molly has had a very full life. She has done Agility, sheep herding, Flyball, and pet assisted therapy work. She has always give her all in everything we have done together, just as she has done in her battle against cancer. She has been my companion, friend, and working partner. Our bond runs deep, we are truly attached at the heart. On August 2, 2012 Molly was hospitalized due to a reaction to the 4th dose of the latest chemotherapy drug we were using on her. She developed aspirate pneumonia. It was a tough fight and we thought we may loose her, but she fought, as always, and came home on August 6, 2012. On August 8, 2012 We went to UC Davis to see our internist there. Molly was relapsing and needed to be hospitalized. We chose to hospitalize her closer to home so I could spend as much time as possible with her. Up until last night (August 10) we weren't sure if she would make it. But she had received plasma earlier that day and it seemed to be starting to kick in. She got brighter, drank some water and ravenously ate some chicken. She continued to improve over night and I was greeted in the lobby my Molly, who now was wagging her tail and trotting over to me. She is still weak and will need to stay a day or two more. The bill are tremendous, and my credit lines are running thin. Please consider a donation to help pay for Molly's accumulated bills, especially this last hospital stay. No amount is too small, every dollar counts. It may feel like a drop in the bucket and like it can't make a difference, but it can and it does. A bucket can be filled to the brim, just 1 drop at a time. Donations made using this link are tax deductible Land of PureGold Foundation Molly and I thank you in advance for anything you are able to give.

I also have the gates with the cat door in it, it works great! I also had to block off a portion of the small door, but found that a cheap cat door installed perfectly right in the hole - we just took the small door off. With a very small house - 2 bedroom, 1 bath, and 7 dogs, it was the best solution. We put a gate across the bathroom door where the litter boxes and cat food are, and one across the bedroom so at night the cats can come and go, but the dog that sleep in the bedroom can't. As far as ForBid, it will only stop her from eating her own poop, as it works by making the poop taste bad. ~ Joellen ~

Hi, There is a study at UCSF on sound sensitivity and genetics. You can find more info here. UCSF Canine Behavioral Genetics - noise phobia in Border Collies Yes, they are finding there is a genetic component to sound sensitivity in BCs, which some BC breeders have already figured out. They are working towards being able to do genetic testing. Hope this helps, Joellen