Fair warning this is a RANT! - Page 3 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

celstu1 · 05-06-2008, 07:00 AM

Keep in mind, vet bills can pile up from accidents, not just genetics. My moms dog got attacked by another dog. The vet bills for 2 weeks in the hospital, surgery and then 2 months of physical therapy were roughly $7,000. Her dog is healthy, happy with no genetic diseases (the dog was also just given to her so it cost nothing). My friend came home from work one day and something was wrong with her cat (another friend had this same thing happen with his dog). They both took their pets to the vet ($90 emergency visit) to find out the animal needed emergency surgery to untangle string it swallowed that wrapped around its intestines. This surgery was $1400 for the cat and almost $2000 for the dog. I had a dog growing up that got a piece of stick stuck under his tounge, and in trying to get it out it dug in deeper and pierced his esophagus. Emergency surgery was about $500.

These types of things could happen to anyone at any time. I always tell everyone I know, if you are going to buy a dog, save $1,000 more than you need, keep it in the bank, forget you have it, until the time you need it for the pet. This could go a long ways towards bills for pets. I know it may not seem fair to some for someone else to say to have money in the bank... but I remember having a $400 vet bill for my 2 boys just for vacs and checkups. Nuetering also cost me $350 for one of my boys. I felt that the responsible thing to do before buying a pet was making sure my first year medical expenses were covered cash. It stinks because you may have to wait longer, but it does give you peace of mind to know that you are not stranded should something occur.

Tammyh · 05-06-2008, 07:44 AM

I agree with the OP, just because someone is trying to stay within a certain purchase price zone doesn't mean they can't afford to take care of their baby once they get him/her. Maybe their total budget is broken into a certain amount for purchase and certain amount for vet bills, shots, etc. I think I know the post you're referring to. I agree it's important to inform people of possible future expenses for their furbaby but it could be stated as "Remember when budgeting for your baby please take into consideration possible future vet bills etc as smaller Yorkies have a tendency to have health issues which could range in the thousands." rather than "Do you really think if you can only afford to spend $...... for your baby you can afford to care for your baby.....?" (Paraphrasing here). There's a nice way and an insulting way to say things, maybe we can stick to the nice way.

lastellaequi · 05-06-2008, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tammyh

I agree with the OP, just because someone is trying to stay within a certain purchase price zone doesn't mean they can't afford to take care of their baby once they get him/her. Maybe their total budget is broken into a certain amount for purchase and certain amount for vet bills, shots, etc. I think I know the post you're referring to. I agree it's important to inform people of possible future expenses for their furbaby but it could be stated as "Remember when budgeting for your baby please take into consideration possible future vet bills etc as smaller Yorkies have a tendency to have health issues which could range in the thousands." rather than "Do you really think if you can only afford to spend $...... for your baby you can afford to care for your baby.....?" (Paraphrasing here). There's a nice way and an insulting way to say things, maybe we can stick to the nice way.

AmyChristine · 05-06-2008, 07:50 AM

Just wanted to add that I am waiting patiently saving for our second, we make good money, but I save my own stash for the things that I want, I also save a good chunk for the unexpecteds, so I basically need twice the amount to get my dog before hubby feels ok about it. I have 5,000 saved so far but hubby says its not enough. We don't really talk about the price of the dog until he feels like there is enough saved, This is really annoying but it is also nice if we ever need it. So according to hubby I could not afford to spend 1000 on a yorkie right now, But I take really good care of the one I have and keep saving for Coppers future sis/bro

rebecca127 · 05-06-2008, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayfateleadyou

I find it a little insulting when I see people post to or about someone who can only afford to spend so much on a yorkie. These little boorgers are expensive. Everyone knows that. Well, especially in todays economy, not everyone has the money to spend a 1000+ on a pet. Does not mean we cant buy toys or vet bills or clothes etc. So I find it insulting when you say that taking in the amount you are spending into consideration means automatically who you cant afford to spend money on all the extras that come into it. I work ALOT and still dont have 1000s in the bank. But I work for my money to be able to spend money on my dog's toys and vet bills and etc. If I was to go out and buy a yorkie right now I couldnt spend more then 600 to 700. And honestly that would clear me out a good bit. But I still could afford to take my baby to the vet and etc. So just because someone doesnt have a 1000 or more to spend in the beginning to get one of these little babies doesnt mean that they are in poor condition to even be considered to be able to own one. So if you consider low income families not good enough to be able to own a yorkie I would ask you now. Please bite your tongue. I work for my money and yes I am still on a budget and no I cant afford more then 700 but there are others like me. Lay off our backs. (no I wasnt the one that had the coment made to I am standing up for someone else) SO LIVE BIG LOWER CLASS!! Cause I am!

Hey, I know who u are talking about. I just finished reading the other thread. All I have to say is that ur right... JMO

magicgenie · 05-06-2008, 08:15 AM

You are not going to find a good Yorkie puppy in NY for $700, so just forget about that. Then you're going to have vet bills, about $80 for shots a couple of times the first year, and $300-$500 for spaying or neutering. You also have to figure how you'll pay for anything unexpected that goes wrong. It is very expensive. You have to do careful research to find to good breeders who are being careful not to be selling sickly poorly bred dogs, and then you're still going to have to spend at least $1500 for one. It's good you're working hard for your money, don't waste it on an unsound, badly bred dog. If you're very very patient you may find one for adoption that's a little older that someone has to give up.

lastellaequi · 05-06-2008, 08:26 AM

Yorkies in NY are really expensive, that's true. I'm got my furbutt from Florida, so you might want to think about getting your doggie from another state. It IS doable though! I remember when I was looking around for a puppy and I cried so much because I thought I would never be able to afford a young puppy. Everyone told me I wouldn't be able to find one within my price range (My furbutt is a gift for my graduation, so I can't really tell them how much to spend on him) but I was patient, I did my research and I found him. It's not fair to tell someone they won't be able to find a good dog for under $1500-$2000, that's just not true, I've talked to a lot of people on here who've gotten their puppies for less than that. It's just a really touchy subject when you tell someone, you have to spend X amount of money to get a good dog. I understand everyone's just looking out for the well being of the puppy, but like the others have said in previous posts, there's nothing wrong with having a budget. We're not all rich, I'm a college (soon to be) graduate, and my Pancho is going to be the family dog, meaning everyone's pitching in to take care of him. Does that mean I shouldn't be allowed to get a furbutt because I don't have $1500 to spend on the initial cost of the dog? It's just unrealistic to think everyone can pay that much for a dog.

magicgenie · 05-06-2008, 08:50 AM