Hello,
What I don't understand, and what I am confused about, is why there are so many people who don't take their pets to the vet when they sense something is wrong with them? Oftentimes I hear that it's too costly or they can't afford it. Why did they buy or adopt a pet (especially a small breed dog) if they don't have the doggy dollars or petpurse to tend to their veterinarian care and other health needs? It confuses me. I'm not angry, or disgusted (I've been called both), I'm simply bewildered.
We (my husband and myself) wanted another small dog for 10 years (our oldest is 12 years old). We are not rich people by any stretch. We live in a 1 bedroom home that we rent. We own a 20 year old Chev LOL.
That being said, we're very happy.
We decided that if we wanted another dog badly enough, then we needed to do what we did with our older dog. The first time around, for 3 years we went without internet, cable, and all other forms of costly entertainment IE: movies, eating out, bowling etc. We stored every penny and called it the 'puppypurse'. We saved over three thousand dollars, and continue to put money into this 'puppypurse' still, on a monthly basis (although now we have steady income so we do have internet and cable as well, lol) It is never touched unless it is for the vet, groomers or other forms of dog care.
Life and occurrences are never guaranteed, with or without pets. If you want to be able to afford proper veterinary care for your beloved animals, then make them a petpurse.
It has worked wonders for us, and we aren't even middle income; we're on the low end. We're never wondering how we're going to get dog food, or vet visits, shots, etc for our pets. We've had only one emergency vet journey and it was terrifying...but one aspect wasn't; the money. The money is always there because we refuse to touch it for any other reason.
After 9/11, the economy went in the pooper. It's still affecting all of us. We waited 8 years before getting another puppy because we knew we would NOT be able to save money for her puppypurse. If something happened to her, she'd be SOL because we'd be broke. That should be illegal (sorry but it should). In any case, once again we finally got to the financial point where we could create a second puppypurse for little Bella. When we reached the point where we knew we were solid on money for her (at least for the first two years if something major were to happen), we decided to get a puppy!
It is much more emotionally peaceful knowing that we'll never have to freak out not knowing how to pay for pet care.
I don't know if this will help anyone at all...I'm thinking many here are probably well off (we're not). But if it has helped anyone...I'm glad I posted it.
Moral of the story: you can have a small breed dog (or any other pet that requires more care than some others) even if you're poor, and still give it the cream of the crop in health care. It simply takes effort on your part, and a love that surpasses all understanding, and a will to save that money for your furry friend.
What is 2 years? Two years is nothing, folks. Wait 2 years if you're considering a puppy and know you have no money, lol. Wait those two years and sock away money at every possible opportunity. You'll be glad you did. :') And of course...don't stop stocking the money after you get puppy. It's a never-ending thing for those of us who live paycheck to paycheck. It CAN be done.