Expensive Dave,
My spouse and I are on Child Step 7, and now we have a family earnings of $127,000 a yr. We’ve got an older canine who has had some very costly vet payments lately. It has us each questioning how far, financially talking, we must be prepared to go to maintain him alive. We each actually love our canine, so we’d admire your ideas within the occasion now we have to make a extremely arduous determination someplace down the highway.
Jeff

Expensive Jeff,
Wow … You’re actually making an attempt to get me into bother, aren’t you? To begin with, let me say this: I. Love. Canines. I actually do. I’ve had a number of throughout my life, and proper now, I’ve one I like greater than most individuals I do know.

That being mentioned, this little animal that I really like like loopy continues to be … a canine. It’s not one among my grandchildren, and it’s not one among my children. In the event you have been to ask me how a lot cash I’d spend to maintain one among my children or grandkids alive, the reply is straightforward — all the cash I’ve bought. The whole lot. I’ve began over from nothing earlier than, and I may do it once more. However there’s your reply.

Now, right here’s one thing that’s going to be arduous for a number of of us to listen to. With some individuals who love their animals as a lot as I do, what I’ve noticed is that the whole relationship can develop into extra in regards to the human than the animal. I’ve seen folks spend tens of 1000’s of {dollars} to maintain their pets alive, though the animals have been nonetheless struggling. At that time, it’s not honest to the animal. And sadly, that’s what typically finally ends up occurring with this sort of state of affairs.

Pay attention, I perceive this. I’m not bad-mouthing anybody, as a result of I’ve skilled these sorts of emotions, too. I’ve needed to have animals put to sleep, and I’ll be 100% sincere with you: I’ve sat there and cried — I imply flat-out sobbed — whereas it occurred. And in my thoughts, that’s a greater path to take typically, somewhat than selfishly letting the animal spend its final weeks or months in ache simply since you don’t need to undergo one thing tough.

Now, should you can repair the animal — should you may give it a more-or-less regular, pain-free life by spending some cash and truly correcting the issue — then, positive. Do it. There’s no rule of thumb or proportion on one thing like this. In the event you really have the cash, let’s get them fastened up. But when it takes going deep into debt, wrecking your funds or leaving your loved ones scrambling to make ends meet in consequence — then, no. I’m sorry. You must honor and love that great little animal nicely sufficient that you simply don’t make them undergo for you.

I hope you perceive this, Jeff, and that it is smart to you. God bless you all, and God bless that outdated pup. I hope you’ll have many extra pleased days collectively.
— Dave

Dave Ramsey is an eight-time nationwide bestselling writer, private finance skilled, and host of “The Ramsey Present.” He has appeared on “Good Morning America,” “CBS This Morning,” “In the present day,” Fox Information, CNN, Fox Enterprise, and plenty of extra. Since 1992, Dave has helped folks regain management of their cash, construct wealth, and improve their lives. He additionally serves as CEO of Ramsey Options and is the writer of quite a few books together with Baby Steps Millionaires: How Ordinary People Built Extraordinary Wealth–and How You Can Too.