So this past year we've spent $7938 on our dog. He's still alive amazingly. He was diagnosed with cancer left september and he torn his ACL and was 14 years old or so. He's a rescue so we're not really sure how old he is but we've had him for 10 years and they thought he might be around 3-4 years old in 2006 when we got him. The acl healed, we did chemo, and he's in pretty good spirits still.
When our other dog died 2010 I would guess I spent even more in his last year of life. I wasn't ready having been pregnant and just had a baby. I wasn't ready to let him go. When he did go I was ready and we'd had a good year with him.
But now I see lots of families who go to school with my kiddos getting a new puppy. For the "kids" to grow up with. I hope they understand what they are getting into. A huge commitment both of time and money. It's expensive to travel and when they get older you don't travel unless they are with you. Hence for now we're stuck driving because he can't handle plane rides anymore and we're too nervous he'd die if we left him at a kennel for more than an overnight. And a dog walker wouldn't work since he'd get upset being left alone so long.
Truth is I get that pets aren't family. He's not my kid. But he is I will admit probably my best friend. I am the one who walks him 2-3x/day. I'm the one who cares for him by brushing and bathing him. He sat next to me on the couch when I cried with post-partum depression. I was medicating halfway through my second pregnancy it was so bad. He walked with me when I pushed the stroller 365 days a year and when I felt lonely. I admit that he's not a person and he's not "family". But he is my friend and I've never admitted what we spend on him or our previous buddy.
I don't think that we'll get another dog anytime soon. Certainly not while he's alive. But seeing the numbers in black and white now before he passes is easier. It's not a pretty number, but it's real. I guess we know where a good chunk of our money last year went. LOL.
If anyone ever gives you a "puppy present" give it back. It's probably one of the most expensive gifts you'll ever get.
Do you know what you spend on your pets? I feel a little sticker shock since I've never added it up.
owning a pet is expensive
October 10th, 2016 at 11:39 pm
October 11th, 2016 at 12:17 am 1476145065
October 11th, 2016 at 12:50 am 1476147000
October 11th, 2016 at 03:42 am 1476157341
October 11th, 2016 at 03:42 am 1476157343
I believe that pets ARE family. They know when we are hurting, sad, happy, anxious, and are there no matter what. My heart hurts for all he has been through but I am glad to know he is with loving owners. It is so hard when we lose them.
October 11th, 2016 at 03:55 pm 1476201306
We've probably spent several thousand on ours to this point. I live in a high cost of living area, so the vet visit before any meds or diagnoses is usually $60. One of the things I'd like to do after we start getting the debts paid off is a pet emergency care fund. Our oldest is 7, so I'm guessing care expenses will increase in the next 2-3 years.
October 12th, 2016 at 06:57 pm 1476298653
It is quite expensive. Even when there are no vet bills, I averaged $169 a month this year on the cats. In addition, I realized I am tired of cleaning smelly, dusty cat litter boxes, hauling smelly used cat litter to the dump and purchasing new cat litter and heavy cases of cat food, home on a weekly or biweekly basis.
I would also like to travel and i haven't gone hardly anywhere in a very long time and i have to say one reason is i feel bad leaving the cats alone, especially the older one who is very timid and now requires meds 2x daily anyway.
Over the years, I have gone through a countless number of nice rugs, drapes and shower curtains, plus a couch, that got scratched up or damaged beyond repair. I also need to refinish wood floors now. I love my cas but recognize I've made a lot of sacrifices for them over decades, and I'm looking forward to living a cat-free life. This is what i told myself when my last cat died in 2009, but i was so upset and sad i went out less than a week later and found Luther. I really hope I can do a better job of dealing with the grief this time and withstand that temptation.