Old Yeller

It’s safe to say that times have changed for pets and the way we care for them since the debut of the movie Old Yeller.  For those that don’t know, "Old Yeller" was the story of the life of a remarkable Yellow dog that wandered into the life of a family who lived on a ranch back in the days of the old west.  The movie was made in 1957, but was set in the late 1860's.  The part that made the movie famous was also the worst part and the most difficult to watch. Old Yeller ends up contracting rabies and has to be "put down" the only way that was known back then. With the shotgun.  Old Yeller's companion and best buddy a young boy named Travis was the one who had to pull the trigger.  I was thinking the other day how synonymous the Old Yeller movie is with the modern day movie "Marley and Me".  Both told the story of  that wonderful relationship we call the human/animal bond.  Both ended with the family having to make the decision to end the dogs life.  Marley's life came to an end with modern day anesthetic euthanasia. Even though the way the dogs lives came to an end were drastically different, the emotion shown by the family was the same.    

The comparison of these two movies really shows us how differently we think about our pet’s lives today and the different options we have now, that allow them to be such an integral part of our lives.   Our pets have really climbed the social status ladder.  What was acceptable and common 60 years ago (or less) is not so much acceptable and common today.  Here are some comparisons of what was common and acceptable then and what is common and acceptable now:

We take them everywhere with us:

Sixty years ago (or less) our pets stayed at home and most likely slept outside in kennels or in the barn.  Very rarely were they allowed in the house.  Their job was to hunt and protect. 

Today, they come everywhere with us.  They accompany us to family gatherings, ride with us in the car wherever we may be going, and even go to nursing homes to visit and give comfort to the elderly or come to schools or libraries to interact with children and help them learn to read.  And yes.......they have even taken over the bed!  How many of us have found ourselves scrunched up in a ball in one corner of the bed while the dog (or cat) sprawls out in the middle.

We have pet stores and boutiques:

Sixty years ago (or less) if you asked somebody where you could find a pet store, they would have probably pointed you to the nearest grocery, hardware store or feed mill.   And if you asked them about a pet boutique?.........well, one can imagine the looks, laughs and smirks you would have gotten.

Today, you would be hard pressed to NOT find a pet store or boutique in any town small or large.  These stores carry everything you can imagine for your pet.  Might I mention, sometimes, at a pretty impressive price.  But we buy that $8.00 cat toy, $10.00 ball or $25.00 Packer jersey for them, because well, it is worth it.

We have daycare:

Sixty years ago (or less) if you happened to mention at the office that you had to go and pick your dog up at the daycare center, you can be quite certain that the "white coats" would have been waiting for you at the door when you got back.

Today, doggy daycare is just as common as child daycare.  We want our pets to be entertained and well exercised and taken care of while we are at work. Might I mention, sometimes, doggy daycare can come at a pretty impressive price.  But we pay it, because well, it is worth it to know that we don't have to worry about our pets when we are gone during the day.

We have access to high quality veterinary care:

Not to say that veterinarians didn't give quality care 60 years ago (or less), but just like in the human medical world, new practices and treatments have given us the opportunity to extend the lives of our pets and help them live much longer, happier and healthier lives.

Today we have veterinary clinics and 24 hour emergency hospitals, equipped with the best and most up to date medical equipment, as well as veterinarians who specialize in all different areas of veterinary medicine.  Primary care veterinarians who may not have some of this equipment or specialty care have the opportunity to refer their clients to the specialists instead of saying I'm sorry, we have tried everything but there is nothing more we can do.  Might I mention that access to this higher quality of care sometimes comes at a pretty impressive price.  But we pay it, because well, it is worth it.

Better options for end of life care:

Sixty years ago (or less) when a pet reached the end of his or her life, it was most often handled the Old Yeller way.  In fact it seems it was almost a "rite of passage" of pet ownership to end your pet's life this way.

Today, the choice to euthanize a pet is made with much thought and consideration to not only the comfort of the pet, but the comfort of the family. Often times special accommodations are made for all hours of the day and night because we don't want our pets to suffer.  It is often done in the comfort of the home or special comfort room at a veterinary clinic or it may take place at the 24 hour emergency care hospital. It may also take place while the pet is in the care of a pet hospice.   After the euthanizing, your veterinarian or after care provider may do some special things for you like make an ink or clay paw print and send you a sympathy card.  They most likely follow up with you a few weeks later to see how you are doing.  Might I mention, you may think that this quality of end of life care, may come at a pretty impressive price.  But truthfully, it does not.

We have professional pet death care services:

Sixty years ago (or less) there was no such thing as professional pet death care.  Your pet died either on its own, or like Old Yeller and burial was in your backyard or on the farm. 

Today we have professional pet death care services such as cremation and memorial tribute centers and dedicated pet cemeteries.  We have visitations and funeral or memorial services for our pets.  If we have them cremated, we put them in an urn and take them home.  We might put some of their cremated remains in a necklace or other keepsake, so we can have them with us always. We memorialize them.  Might I mention, you may think some of these services come at a pretty impressive price.  But truthfully, they do not.

If I've managed to keep your attention throughout this rather long blog, you may have noticed how I used key sentences and wording at the beginning and end of each paragraph. Let me assure you... there is a method to my madness.   Sixty years ago (or less) we didn't have to spend a lot of money on our pets, nor did we have the options and level of care we do for them today.  For most of us, our pets had different purposes.  Dog's hunted, protected and managed the herd.  The job of a cat was to catch the mice.  Today the dogs still hunt, protect and herd, and the cats still catch mice, but regardless, they are part of the family and we treat them as such.

Throughout a pets life today, we may spend literally thousands of dollars on them whether it be at the pet stores or boutiques or training or daycare, grooming or for preventative health, specialty or emergency care.  Some of these things may come at a pretty impressive price, but we pay for them because, well, it is worth it. 

When a pet comes to the end of his or her life, that worth for some people, seems to diminish somewhat. The services and care the pet needs to give them a dignified and peaceful ending, some believe, costs too much.  The truth is, when you compare the cost of caring for a pet throughout their life to the care they need for a peaceful and meaningful end to their life, the cost doesn't compare at all.  The price for a peaceful tranquil, and comforting ending to a pets life is worth every dollar that you have spent giving them a happy, healthy and fulfilling life. 

Most of you who read this blog already know and understand what I am trying to convey.  So, I am "Preaching to the choir" as they say.  Maybe you are one who grew up in the times of Old Yeller and have witnessed the change in the social status of our pets today.  You have helped lead that change.  Maybe you are of the Marley and Me generation.  If so, you never knew any different way.  Your dog always slept with you, your cat always laid on the counter or sat at his favorite perch on the windowsill and couldn't care less if a mouse ran by.  In writing this blog all I ask of you is this.......continue living and experiencing that wonderful and priceless human/ animal bond.  Continue to take advantage of the opportunities we have today to give our pets the best care, both during their lives and at the end of their lives.  Because as you know and have experienced, it is well worth it.