Question On Pets, Info Needed?

1. Jappalac Says

   I got my dog from the Humane Society. She is wolf/blue healer/some kind of shepherd and she is full of energy and love. I’m a very big fan of mutts–they tend to have fewer of the degenerative diseases that full-breed dogs have. Also, they are SO MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE. What’s important is that you really shop around and find the right dog. Don’t impulse adopt–which can be so hard when an adorable chubby puppy is bouncing around your feet. My husband and I went to the HS three times before we found our dog, and she is really the perfect dog for us.
   Here are my expenses so far:
   -When we got Pyrrha, that’s my wolfdog, from the Humane Society, it was about $300 to have them take care of getting her fixed and up-to-date on her shots.
   -I take Pyrrha in for a physical/booster shots/check up every six months–this is also when I purchase her heartworm meds and flea preventative meds–and it usually comes out to around $100. This depends on what vaccinations she needs, and has been as much as $200.
   -She gets about $100 worth of kibble/month. She’s almost 100lbs of dog after all, and we buy Science Diet as recommended by our vet.
   -I have had to take her to the emergency room twice. The first time she got into the trash and had to have her stomach pumped, and the second time she just sprained her tail, but she was crying so much, I was afraid it was broken! Anyway, those visits cost about $300 and $100 respectively, and I’ve known people who walked away with MUCH bigger bills than that. Bigger to the tune of thousands of dollars if your dog is really hurt.
   -Be prepared to have to buy dog supplies–leash/collar, puppy gates, food/water bowl, and all the other things your dog will generously inform you that you need in order to dog-proof your house. The nice part of these expenses that they are, for the most part, one-time buys. I believe we spent about $100 on these.
   -It’s hard not to impulse-buy her toys and treats when we’re at PetSmart, but I keep it down to about $10 a month.
   If you don’t have insurance for your dog, you have to pay all the bills with your own money. It also means that if your dog has a healthy, accident-free lifespan, you don’t get much back. I do not have insurance for my dog, but I also factor her into my finances when I’m putting away savings. We’ve got emergency funds for us, for the cars, and for Pyrrha.
   I hope you find the perfect dog and that she/he brings you as much joy as Pyrrha has brought me!

2. suzistar Says

   Well, actually a crossbreed is best!
   Pros:
   They are healthier in general
   They are less expensive
   You can get the PERFECT mix between two breeds
   They will be unique
   Cons:
   They won’t be pedigree
   And that isn’t much of a con!
   Crossbreeds live longer, and have less health problems, meaning they are doubly cheaper, as well because you are not paying for their history. Be wary about ‘designer dogs’. These are crossbreed dogs being bred for loads of money. It kinda defeats the purpose.
   Get down to the local shelters. That means PDSA, SPCA/RSPCA, just local ones, even see boarding ones because they often have animals left behind weeks after the should be collected.
   Or maybe try fostering for your local shelter. They give you a puppy or a dog, suited to YOU, and will pay vet fees. Some of them also pay for the litter and food, some don’t. If you find yourself in any difficulty, they can take it back. You will also be helping!

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