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Originally Posted by ademas  Not all expenses can be anticipated and absorbed. I, too, have savings, and all of my credit cards and lines of credit have zero balances. Aside from a modest car payment, I have no debt.
That said, it's still not difficult to imagine a series of circumstances that could destroy my nest egg. I'm grateful it hasn't happened, but I firmly believe that the vast majority of people are one medical emergency away from bankruptcy.
I love my baby. He's 12, diabetic, hypothyroid, and today I got the possible diagnosis of Cushing's Disease. I'm really beside myself. Yes, I can afford his insulin, needles, blood glucose testing supplies. and regular vet visits. Yes, I could afford the $140 in blood work today, and I'll be able to afford the $242 test to confirm his Cushing's diagnosis.
After that? I'll have to take things as they come. I live in the real world. There are treatments and medications that I can't afford for myself. There are also treatments and procedures that I simply would not put a 12-year old, elderly dog through.
I wish I was without limits on my resources, but it's my reality. There would be a lot more homeless (and euthanized) pets out there if only those with the means to anticipate every emergency were able to be pet owners. |
You sound like a wonderful Yorkie mom, and I know it can be overwhelming, especially since you can't plan for this. This is one of the main reason’s I’m an advocate for good breeders. I really believe that good breeders check the backgrounds of their breeding dogs and keep in touch with puppy’s families so that they are aware of these things that show up as the pup ages. We have to stop supporting all the backyard breeders that are in and out of the breeding business, and sell breeding dogs to other backyard breeders without even knowing if the dogs should be bred. For those on a budget, insurance might be helpful, but it doesn’t often cover “preexisting conditions”, and even with insurance, it can be expensive. From my understanding, the Cushing’s, diabetes and hypothyroid, are all interrelated, and it’s not unusual for a dog to have all three, so I hope you don’t feel too unlucky, I’ve read of them occurring together many times. Best of luck, and all we can do is try our best, but we all have some limits.