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Original poster

Dog seriously ill, due to go to Australia on Sunday

384 replies

77788r · 31/01/2025 20:07

My dog has become seriously ill in just a few days, she's having an operation on Wednesday next week and we've been told there's a 75% chance of success of her surviving the operation. If she doesn't have the operation she would likely have less than a month to live.

I am due to fly to Australia on Sunday for 2 weeks. The holiday cost me thousands. The travel insurance won't cover a cancellation or change in dates for a pet, and the pet insurance will cover £1000 which is better than nothing.

I feel devastated. It is a huge sum of money, I've saved up and done so much planning and preparation and I feel sick at the thought of it just going to waste. It was for a big birthday. The operation is also thousands of pounds, so this whole situation is costing nearly 6 months of salary for me. I also feel sick at leaving my dog, not knowing what the outcome of the surgery is gonna be or knowing if it's the last time I'll see her. I've spoken to family and friends who think I should go, aside from the family member who would be looking after her while I was away - they said it would be wrong for me to go and they would never consider going themselves.

I don't think I'll go but it hurts so much, I'm so upset at the timing of it all

OP posts:
niuwyoosername · 31/01/2025 20:11

Im sorry. That's so hard. It's difficult to know what I would do under those circumstances. I would say try to discount what others would do and think about what you would reconcile in your own mind in the long term.

cansu · 31/01/2025 20:13

Is the relative able to look after the dog after the surgery or not? If they won't or can't then you don't have a choice. If they can and will then I would go.

PixieLaLar · 31/01/2025 20:13

Oh know how awful, so sorry!

Personally if it was me (as a massive dog lover) I wouldn’t be able to go. I would be constantly worrying and wouldn’t enjoy the holiday anyway.

Thats a good chance that your dog will recover but I’m assuming they will be feeling vulnerable and not at their best in the days after surgery and that’s when they need you the most.

Womanofcustard · 31/01/2025 20:13

Sorry to read this. My dog became seriously ill couple of weeks before big prestigious event. I had to cancel, he died the day after the event. I don’t envy the position you are in, hard decision.

24Dogcuddler · 31/01/2025 20:14

Oh no how awful. Is there any chance you could sell the holiday at such short notice? I know the name would need to be changed.
Our dog was recently in the animal hospital just for a day. I couldn’t have left him and gone away. It was hard leaving him in hospital.
Fortunately he was fine and didn’t need an op. Just wanted me when he came home. Care was covered by insurance.
Doubt you’d be able to enjoy your trip sadly.
Good luck with your decision.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 31/01/2025 20:15

How old is your doggo?

TheBoysAndTheBallet · 31/01/2025 20:15

I'd still go. It's a pet not a person. As long as someone is looking after it, it doesn't really make any difference whether you're there or not.

LumpyandBumps · 31/01/2025 20:16

I am so sorry for you and your dog.
It must be very hard. I do feel for your situation, but also have some empathy for the person who was due to look after your dog. If I’ve understood correctly they will be taking your dog to the vet for the surgery and caring for her immediately afterwards? That’s a worrying responsibility.
You are clearly very upset. Is there no way to make a claim on your travel insurance for anxiety/ stress?
Or would any if the supportive members of your family look after your dog?

PixieLaLar · 31/01/2025 20:16

TheBoysAndTheBallet · 31/01/2025 20:15

I'd still go. It's a pet not a person. As long as someone is looking after it, it doesn't really make any difference whether you're there or not.

Gosh you sound vile.

”It” is a beloved pet and member of the family.

W0tnow · 31/01/2025 20:17

I would absolutely go. I hope your dog is ok.

Crushgrape · 31/01/2025 20:17

TheBoysAndTheBallet · 31/01/2025 20:15

I'd still go. It's a pet not a person. As long as someone is looking after it, it doesn't really make any difference whether you're there or not.

I’m not a dog owner but this comment made me sad.

MegaClutterSlut · 31/01/2025 20:17

I don't think I could go if it were me. I couldn't live with the guilt if my dog didn't make it plus my dog is attached to my arse 24/7 so I'd feel extra bad leaving her when she's ill

musicalfrog · 31/01/2025 20:17

Australia will always be there.

Gutting as it is, I think you should try to sell the holiday at a discount so you get some money back on it, you'll need the money to put towards the vet bills which will be large. You will also be there for your dog, I'm sure it would be better for the dog to have her owner there during recovery.

Good luck and so sorry. That's rotten timing.

lovemetomybones · 31/01/2025 20:18

A holiday can be done again at a later date. Even if you loose the money in a few years time you can save for it again. Your dog needs you it's an absolute no brainer, there is no way you can go.

MegaClutterSlut · 31/01/2025 20:19

TheBoysAndTheBallet · 31/01/2025 20:15

I'd still go. It's a pet not a person. As long as someone is looking after it, it doesn't really make any difference whether you're there or not.

What a load of shit

autumncrisp · 31/01/2025 20:19

I wouldn't go. Gutting I know. But I wouldn't. The timing isn't great but then that's not the dogs fault. Not only would I not want to leave my dog, I'd never expect another person to take care of them after the op. That's a whole different responsibility that's very difficult and not what was agreed to. I just couldn't put that on someone.

FoxtonFoxton · 31/01/2025 20:19

What a terrible situation. I'd have to stay personally. How old is your dog? Mine is very senior and I wouldn't put her through an operation at her age and let her suffer through the recovery (if she made it). Is there any possibility that the vet can bring the operation forward? EDIT -sorry, I read as you fly next Sunday, not this. Changing the day obviously makes no difference in that case.

Crushgrape · 31/01/2025 20:20

Being realistic though here

If you did go, it would be “a wasted trip” anyway

From Sunday through to the day of the OP you won’t be able to relax or enjoy yourself as you’ll be worrying about doggo.

If anything happened you’d feel horrendous.

If doggo is absolutely fine which we all hope will be, you’ll probably still have a crappy holiday as you’ll be wanting to see them and be there for the recovery.

Really awful timing 🥺 sell the holiday at a discount?

Oneflewovermydogsbed · 31/01/2025 20:22

Oh OP what a rubbish situation for you 😩 Is there anyway that you could get a not fit to travel sick note from GP to claim on your insurance?!

Costcolover · 31/01/2025 20:23

TheBoysAndTheBallet · 31/01/2025 20:15

I'd still go. It's a pet not a person. As long as someone is looking after it, it doesn't really make any difference whether you're there or not.

I just knew as soon as I clicked on this that the animal-haters would be along to say this nonsense

AppleBlossomMay · 31/01/2025 20:24

MegaClutterSlut · 31/01/2025 20:17

I don't think I could go if it were me. I couldn't live with the guilt if my dog didn't make it plus my dog is attached to my arse 24/7 so I'd feel extra bad leaving her when she's ill

You've just posted everything I was going to say, I couldn't leave mine as she's my shadow.

rainythursdayontheavenue · 31/01/2025 20:25

I couldn't leave my dog with anyone else to go through this on their own. Cancel the holiday, you won't enjoy it for worrying anyway.

Costcolover · 31/01/2025 20:25

I know you've probably already thought of this but can you change the dates of your trip? I realise that would obviously cost £££ but worth finding out if it would be less than you'd otherwise lose? Just a thought

Hellohelga · 31/01/2025 20:26

How old is the dog? What’s the operation?

Costcolover · 31/01/2025 20:26

Best of luck to furry paws 🐾

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