The Cost of Doing Nothing

We recently took in a middle-aged Cavalier whose story is sadly all too familiar.

She had a long, documented history of pain—yelping when touched, difficulty with stairs, night-time restlessness, reluctance to eat, spinal tenderness, abdominal pain, and a loud heart murmur. She had never been scanned, never been fully investigated, and until very recently had never received any proper pain management. Her symptoms had been present for months, possibly years, yet she was still described as “fine”—even “happy.”

When she arrived with us, she was visibly uncomfortable, struggling with pain. Her owner had been considering euthanasia—not because she was dying, but because her care had become “too difficult,” especially with a holiday coming up.

The plan was to hand her over to a family member who couldn’t manage her needs. Only then was the option of rescue discussed.

This is the cost of doing nothing.

This little dog had been bred from, despite clear signs of pain and a worsening heart condition. She had not been seen regularly by vets. She had no diagnosis for her pain and neurological symptoms, and her heart disease was never managed. No one advocated for her—until it was almost too late.

It is not enough to love a dog. You have to act when they’re in pain. You have to get them help, even when it’s inconvenient or expensive or not what you hoped for when you brought them home. Because what they’re living with isn’t fine. It’s suffering.

The dog has been adopted and is doing really well with pain relief for syringomyelia and heart medication. She is such a happy dog, full of life—finally able to enjoy the world around her without constant pain.

She didn’t need to suffer for as long as she did. She just needed someone to listen, someone to act, someone to believe her pain was real.

We cannot undo her past, but we can change what happens next—for her, and for others like her.

Please don’t wait until it’s “too difficult.” Don’t accept suffering as normal. They deserve treatment. They deserve better.

Because doing nothing is not kindness.