Opinion's please

[Dan]

Hi all,

It's been a long time since I have been here. I just got back from vacation. Which leads me in a round about way to this post.

While we were on vacation my best friend gratiously volunteered to babysit Cosmo collect the mail and housesit for us. He and his girl-friend and her child spent the week at our home. One day after they had gone to work for the day my friends girl friend remembered that she had left her daughters medication on the counter accidently, and knowing Cosmo's reputation as a counter surfer came back to the house to put it up. Unfortunately she was to late and Cosmo had drank a bottle of Amoxicillan and a half a bottle of cough medicine. Well she immediately tried to contact his vet who was closed, then contacted poison control who referred her to another vet. She got him to throw up and then brought him to the vet. Who gave him further treatment and kept him overnight for observation. Thankfully Cosmo is just fine (My carpets took a beating but he is fine). The Vet, however, cost my friend over 400 dollars. I told my wife we should volunteer to reimburse them for a portion of this expense as it is rather a tidy sum. My wife feels that we should give them nothing. What do you guys think? They were very, very worried about our baby and took excellent care of him outside this accident and during the crisis that occurred. In fact I don't think they could have been more concerned if it was there own dog. Just want your opinions. Thanks in advance!!


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Dan

Cosmo, adopted 4/17/00 Brindle, Nuetered, very tiny white patch on chest.

 

[sandy oakey]

I would offer them some money. What if they had done nothing but hoped for the best and things hadn't turned out so well. I know that has happened to many people. Thank God you had someone responsible and caring enough to do the right thing. Accidents can happen at any time. It could have been something that was totally your fault and I'm sure these people would have handled it the same way. Next time you need a dog sitter - ASK THEM!

 

[Sierra]

I would recommend that you get pet insurance! But in the mean time I would pay half of the bill.
***********************
Barney--Brindle 14mo. male/n natural ears
Anika--Brindle 10mo. female/s natural ears <foster>
Samson--Fawn ... rainbow bridge 7-20-99

 

[HELENE]

I agree, how about paying half, that seems fair to me. They were good to get him to the vets, but they were also at fault at leaving the medication out in the first place.

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Sergeant. 6 in October. Light brindle, natural ears. Full of fun.

 

[bxr_lvr]

I agree that offering to pay half the vet bill would be the right thing to do. The same mistake could have happened to anyone in your own family. Be happy and thankful that they went to the length that they did to save your Cosmo. Better to split the bill, save the friendship, and thank God you have friends like this.

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Lori
Emma - black-masked brindle girl, 04-03-00

 

[Dan]

Well in response to Pet insurance? I have researched it thoroughly and it is more rip off than benefit in my opinion. While they would have covered a portion of this type of incident. They do not cover a whole range of common problems yet still take lot's of your money for what actually works out to very little coverage. But thank you very much for your opinions and your post. I do appreciate them both

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Dan

Cosmo, adopted 4/17/00 Brindle, Nuetered, very tiny white patch on chest.

 

[Dan]

To clarify a bit. My friends do not wish to be reimbursed for this. They feel that it was there responsibility and therefore they feel also they should foot the bill. This person has been my best friend for the last 11 years and we always do this sort of thing for each other. Money is also never an issue between us (A long standing understanding). I just feel it is good policy on our part to to split the cost. My wife however doesn't agree at all. Truth be told we will not ever offer them money (at least not as far as my wife knows). She would not agree to it no matter what. She also feels it is there responsibility. I just feel it is the good friend and good dog owner thing to do.

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Dan

Cosmo, adopted 4/17/00 Brindle, Nuetered, very tiny white patch on chest.

 

[bxr_lvr]

Since you have that good a friend that the money isn't an issue, maybe another type of gesture would be nice. Send flowers with a heartfelt thank you. Take them to dinner. There is always a way to say thank you and not give money. Give them a signed "letter and a picture" from Cosmo expressing his thanks.

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Lori
Emma - black-masked brindle girl, 04-03-00

 

[Brenda]

Hi, Dan! I hope you had a super vacation! Regarding Cosmos' vet bill. Did you make it really clear to your friend that everything must be kept out of Cosmos' reach? Was he aware of a boxer's inquisitiveness and nosiness? If your friend is not familiar with the breed he might not have been aware that the dog would even touch the medication.
Maybe your friend's were overwhelmed if their daughter was sick and they also had a lively boxer to care for. I'd offer them half the cost of the bill to keep the friendship. It sounds like a good one and they're hard to come by these days!

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Brenda
Boxer Baby: Harley - born 12/27/98 - adopted 1/14/2000 - docked tail/natural ears/neutered - full of pee & vinegar!

 

[DeeDee & Clay Sewell]

hi - i read all the replies and i think the idea about sending a gift or flowers and a card would be very appropriate. I do agree that it was their fault and I also agree that since you guys are such good friends an offer to split the bill would be a nice gesture. He would most certainly turn you down - if money is not a problem for them.It could have really turned out badly and they could have never said a word. Pet sitting is a huge responsibility - I have done it on many occasions for some friends of ours and the trust between two friends is irreplaceable. They did just exactly what you trusted them to do - they cared for your dog, an accident happened which was their fault and they took care of it. To let them know how much you appreciate the extreme measure ($400.00 is a lot of money) of their valuing your dog and your friendship which is priceless - would be very appropriate. A gift and a thank you card would be something that would surely mean a great deal to them. Good luck and glad your dog is okay.