Being a retired teacher, I totally understand about the 1/2 salary coming in. However, I am lucky to have another one getting 1/2 his salary...my husband is a retired state employee!

What would I do in this situation? It is something I intend to do!

I am getting insurance for our Yorkie. Some of them even offer wellness policies that would cover your spaying and teeth extractions.

However, I don't think I'm necessarily going with the one that has the wellness coverage. Instead, I'm looking at one that has premiums adjusted to what I choose for the deductible and what I choose for the coverage. Also, they give discounts if the pet is microchipped (mine will be at purchase) and an even lower rate if paid annually.

Still none of that touches the fact that they do not limit their coverage of pets to a certain age. My guess (and hope) is that I won't need the insurance coverage until our Yorkie is a ripe old age. I'm considering it a necessity like I do with our coverage...you hope you never use it but you're glad you have it if you do!

Best of luck to you...another option perhaps...is a drive to a smaller town possible for you? Generally I find that procedural costs as well as things not priced through a national chain are cheaper in small towns.

Oh, my gosh...I just now looked back to see where you are from!

If you want me to, I'll check with the vet we're going to use for our Yorkie to see his costs. I'll be able to find out on Monday.

You are just an hour away from Jackson. Plus, I know you are near smaller towns...LOL...West TN is full of them!

We don't have our Yorkie yet but we know who our vet will be. However, we will be on a trip when we have her spayed and we're taking her back to visit her place of birth while we are gone. Our breeder is going to board her and nurse her through the surgery for us while we are gone. Her kennel rates are more than comparable to this area plus our girl will have a chance to visit old friends. However, it will mean a 7-hour trip to take her and bring her back.

I just look at it as a chance for another fall getaway though since we'll be very close to the Smoky Mts. when we go there. We generally try to get to east TN in the fall anyway just to see its beauty so this time, we'll just get double. Granted it seems an extreme distance for getting her spayed but our breeder has lots of experience with post-spay-surgery, etc. and I consider that worth the extra time/cost, etc.

I'm one of those queasy, uneasy nurses when it comes to taking care of anyone sick. Guess it's partly because we've never had children. One of my greatest fears is that I will become a totally neurotic dog owner...LOL

However, just 5 more weeks and I will be one!

By the way, where did you teach? PM me if you want me to check around here for you.

Retired educator here too, thanks for the advice/input

I'm taking her to one in Olive BRanch Mississippi, it's right down Hacks Cross road from me.

I understand what you mean. I'm married, but have been living off of just my little income ($1200 every month) for MONTHS. I've seriously been just watching my dogs like a hawk so there are no emergencies that I can't pay for and I've skimped down to buying them their food and treats and that's about it for right now. Once his money starts coming in, I'm going to spoil them rotten!

But anyways, check you local humane society. I know ours will do low cost spays/neuters and doing a spay is cheaper than neutering here. I think it was like $50ish in VA for a girl and like $80ish for a boy. It's worth a shot to check it out.

I was googling about vets in my area the other day cause id like to have a back up just in case. Well i ran across a vet clinic maybe 30 minutes from me that offers vet care...but heres the great deal. Health care checks are free...the only thing you pay for is shots and meds (if any) AND you pay it at their cost...no overhead price charging. The clinic is ran by volunteer vets and if you want to leave a donation..that is all they ask . The only major types of surgeries they do is Spay/Neuter...WISH I knew this BEFORE Pasquale got neutered the other day :cool: Anyways....i would try googling in your area if there are any "free clinics". I expected to see bad reviews on this clinic...since well...you know..nothing in life is free...BUT...ALL the reviews came back positive..and there was about 100 reviews too! Just an idea to throw your way. :)

Well I have made an appointment with the vet that is 120.00. I need to get a relationship with a vet that is reasonable, and I think this is the one. It's a further drive, but so be it.

On the subject of treats.....I bought mine these high dollar ones and they were gulping them down....then I read this thread on here about cherrios....which is like thousands of treats in one box, and the girl LOVE LOVE LOVE them. SO get a box of cheerios and to heck with the high dollar treats.

Oh that's very nice

Thank you for the link!! I had now idea this exsisted!!! Thank you SO much!!!!