I have encountered a number of penny pinchers throughout my days. Most of us have known at least a few, if we think about it. In fact, if you’re reading a personal finance blog, you just might be one yourself….or at least close to being one:)
Of the people I have known that practice something approaching “extreme frugality”, most are great but just a very small few have done some things that I just can’t respect. Even then, at least I can have a good laugh at how crazy they really are.
Here’s a story I came across from The Washington Post with unfortunate, not at all funny news about of how a dog died in a parked car on an overheated day. These happen a lot, and it’s really too bad these dogs’ owners don’t care for their pets properly, with the result being a sad ending. Like I said, not funny but unfortunate.
Per the article, in this situation the pet owner – who had obtained “custody” of the dog after separating from her husband of 38 years – left her dog in the car while she was shopping at Costco. The weather was hot that day, with temperatures reaching as high as 104 degrees. She apparently bought the dog some food, treats, and bedding while in the store. When she returned to the car, the dog was dead.
What makes this a story related to money, however, is what she did after finding out that the pet died.
According to the story, after finding out that her dog died after sitting in a 104 degree car while she shopped, she then went back in the store and tried to ask for a refund for the items she just purchased for her dog.
Again, this is right after she found out the dog was dead. She left the dead dog in the car while going back in to get her money back.
I have to admit, the first thing I thought of (besides feeling bad for the dog, of course), was how bad this woman might have felt to see her dog dead.
After thinking about it, however, I came to another conclusion: how can anybody be so callous as to return those items immediately after seeing one’s pet dead? Really remarkable.
I see these reported actions as being shamelessly frugal. There are times to return unused items, but a time like that is one where you would think that shock and sadness would be the dominant feelings, not the need to recoup some small expenditures.
Maybe she was just sad, felt bad and didn’t know what to do. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. But this one…..I’m not sure.
What do you think?
- Do you see it the way I do, that it’s an extremely shameless attempt to save a few bucks; or
- Do you think that the lady probably felt bad and didn’t know what to do about it, so it’s harsh to call her actions poor?
That story sounds almost like something out of a sitcom!
I am shocked her mind even considered returning the items. I would want that dead dog out of my car as soon as possible, and I would probably be crying my head off.
I wonder if she only wanted the dog to spite her ex-husband? Who knows!
Everyday Tips – Good point about this being like a sitcom. Another crazy act that George might do on Seinfeld.
Dawn – Hard to imagine anybody going right in the store to get money back, immediately after seeing that the dog was dead. It seems like she was devoid of emotion.
Perhaps there is more to this than meets the eye. Maybe she was depressed since her marriage was apprarently broken, and she was just out of it? Who knows.
I would be more upset that my beloved pet had die because I didn’t remember to open a window a bit to circulate air. One can always keep the store receipt and return the pet items at a later date.
First, she sounds cold in emotion to me, the dog wasn’t a “family member” and therefore she was emotionally removed and probably the reason why she left the dog in the car in that heat in the first place.
Then, I thought about how she viewed money as more important as her dog. (buying bulk may also have been her idea of “saving money”)
I’d wonder who in the hell rolled my window up since I’m not stupid enough to have left any live thing in the car with the window up…but I digress.
Even if I had a brainless moment, I’d be feeling too sad and guilty and mad at myself to even think about the crap I just bought.
Nope, I think people should be able to judge away on this one…I simply cannot fathom this level of Spockdom…no emotions at all except for “guess I can get a refund”?!
Oof… at first read, that seems quite cold. On the other hand, she was buying stuff for her pet, so maybe she just didn’t share that emotional bond, as she had just gotten custody of the dog… on the other hand, that implies that they spent some time with the dog together, and obviously she wanted the dog, so why WOULD she be so cold?
It’s just really, really strange…. and completely agreed, first thing I would do even if I was completely emotionless is to at least take care of the dead dog and get him cremated or buried!
It’s hard to say from the story. She might just have been in shock.
But seriously folks, don’t leave animals (or children) in the car, not even for a moment.
Nicole – I agree, dont leave kids – or pets – in a car alone. When the temperature is over 100 degres, it can be lethal. Tragedies such as this are entirely preventable.
My mom is definitely in the extreme frugal camp. I haven’t had the guts yet to blog about her creative uses of urine. It used to embarrass me as a kid, but now I understand that when she was growing up she had no access or money, education, or doctors to buy antiseptics, so urine it was.
She also lived on a farm and even though she might bond with the animal, at the end of the day it was food. I’ve never had pets, so I can’t speak of the bond first hand.
I probably would’ve returned the dog things too but I would’ve waited until after I took care of the dog.
Sandy –
Thanks for the comments.
I think that’s the big thing here: she could have taken care of the dog first. It seems like she had very little bond with the dog, and thought of money first instead of dealing with shock, sadness, etc.
Also, if you ever do share those creative tips from your mom, that would probably be a popular read.
Wow, this is really a sad commentary, both for the dog and the owner. I can’t believe someone would do this to their dog on a 104 degree day. The fact that they returned the food before attending to the dog says a lot about the kind of person this is.
Se was buying the dog treats so I think it would be reasonable to assume she cared for the dog, otherwise she wouldn’t have bought treats.
I’m would assume she was in shock, I don’t believe any one but serial killers could be so cold.
First off, I love the layout of your site as well as your writing style-very engaging.
That individual is pretty much an idiot. If they watched a minute of TV they would know not to leave their pet in the car, and it is disgusting to go in for a refund.
Barb – thanks for visiting and for the nice feedback! As for the pet owner, I find hard to imagine doing those things. She made some poor decisions all around. Now she’s famous for it (or infamous).
I am reading a lot of comments on how callous this woman was, but consider this: the dog was already dead. Doing something immediately would not change that situation one bit. If the dog were suffering and she returned the items before taking the animal to the vet, that would be cold and callous. This–there was NOTHING she could to to change the situation!
At that point she may not have been emotionally able to get in that car and drive off to bury the animal. She may also have been unable to bear the thought of taking things home that she had just purchased for her beloved pet who died. I know some when they lose loved ones that will immediately purge the deceased possessions in an attempt to reduce the pain.
She may have simply focused on something practical (returning the items) to help her regain emotional control before doing everything else that had to be done.
I don’t see a cold, callous person here. Thoughtless to leave a beloved pet in the car–yes. Not cold and callous. I think her heart was broken and she used the only excuse she could think of to step away from the situation and regain emotional control.
Sometimes I feel we are too quick to judge someone’s reaction to grief. While I feel for the dog, I also suspect that there is a burden of guilt she will carry with her for the rest of her life, and I wish her the best, whoever she is.
Annie, I have to say that I’m impressed to see a caring post such as yours. You’re really trying to see a different angle here, and give the woman the benefit of the doubt. I can say that I sincerely hope the lady gets her life straightened out. Come back again!
I’m really shocked that she left the dog in the car with the windows up in that heat. Obviously the dog was on her mind if she was buying him food! I honestly don’t know what I would have done in that situation. I know I would feel guilty, but I probably would have returned the items eventually. But at that moment, I would be focused on getting a dead animal carcass out of my car!!!
It’s not thoughtless, it’s criminal. She should be arrested and charged with animal cruelty.