Sunday, June 27, 2010

The cost of having pets

Cliff and I have had several discussions about how much money we've spent on dogs in the past few months.  First, Sadie had some sort of problem that was making her heave and puke.  I don't even remember how much it cost... I know it was over $100, though.  
About a week later I thought the same problem had returned, but turns out she'd been fed a pork bone.  It ended up killing her.  The cost of futile efforts to save her, added to the cost of putting her down, was over $200.  
So I went to Wayside Waifs and found my next dog; the adoption fee was $120.  I brought Iris home and she immediately showed signs of kennel cough.  
Turns out it was something worse than kennel cough:  cost, over $200.  Then of course, she needed flea protection and heartworm prevention.  $$$$$. 
Cliff has been very kind, although he personally wouldn't have spent all this money on dogs.  He's the chief money-maker here, so I'm glad he lets me have use of his checkbook.  I won't even mention here how much we spend on Science Diet dog food.   
I told him the other day that it must be old age making me spend so much on dogs, because up until five years ago, there's no way I would have thrown so much money away on any animal.  
And that's when it hit me:  I wouldn't have spent that much money on a pet because we simply didn't have it.  Now, we do.  
The dogs who live here these days just happened to have shown up in the best of times.  In the future, my pets might not be so fortunate.  Cliff obviously won't be able to hold down a job forever.  There will come a time when we will have to live on a fixed income.  
Meanwhile, I am thankful for my husband's generosity.  He doesn't hold it over my head or mention how much I've spent on my dogs, unless I bring it up first.  Even then, he doesn't complain.  


Thanks, Cliff.  I know there are a lot of things you do just because you want me to be happy.  I appreciate that.

9 comments:

  1. Donna, I know how you feel, I can barely afford flea and tick for my dogs and we just spent $65 at the vet for one dog being out of sorts. The other dog has "advanced skin disease" from flea allergies gone wild. I believe we will have to continue to take him to the vet for meds. Luckily our local Petsmart has walk in "free" clinic on Tuesdays. I think they try to get you to buy something while you are there however..

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  2. I have decided that any more pets are just not in my budget. It is expensive to have them and you are blessed with a wonderful husband and the money to do for your animals.

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  3. Cliff is a good man as well as you are a good woman. Helen

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  4. It's the emotional cost that is killing me, in addition to the financial cost. I've had to put two pets down in the past twelve months (one last week) and find myself almost hoping that my remaining pets outlive me so I don't ever have to go through that again. I'm saying, "No more pets!" after this, but I don't know if I could live without 'em. Who would alert me to prowlers and keep the mice off my property? I just don't want to go through the grief thing anymore. God help me if I ever lose a human.

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  5. Lindie11:12 AM

    I don't have any pets right now as my landlady doesn't allow them. My father was a veterinarian and taught us if you have a pet you have to take care of it. Once I had a cat whose front leg was caught in a trap and when we took her to the vet I said we couldn't afford to pay for the surgery and she should be put to sleep but he talked me out of it and we paid for the surgery.

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  6. Anonymous1:12 PM

    I am glad that y'all have the money to do for the animals. As far as not having any to keep from bearing the pain when they die, for all the love and comfort they give me, the sadness when they go is worth it. Oh, and you don't even want to know what my feed bill is every week...lol. Horse wormers, horse shots, booster shots, chicken feed, and I mix the crumble with scratch, black oil sunflower seeds, and wild bird seed too. The summer is easier, because the pigs, horse, and llamas are on pasture. The emus eat some pasture, but I supplement with lay pellets too. I am just glad that Ian works and makes enough money for us to enjoy the animals. Every now and then there is dog food to buy, cat food to buy also. Just a part of having animals. Love them so much! Kelly

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  7. Anonymous6:56 PM

    Donna, you and Cliff are a testament to give and take in a marriage. I envy you, but in a good way. :)


    Gabrielle

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  8. There is a limit of course but until you reach it I say enjoy it ....and because you appreciate Cliff's generosity makes it all the more sweeter...

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  9. Anonymous10:07 PM

    Sorry about Sadie Lady. Missing her problem I've felt ashamed to ask.

    Yeah Hey Okay! Enjoyed your tractor show pictures. Is there a story about the purple Oliver and the smaller i/2 pint 550?

    A decrepit old mind is asking.

    Fernan

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