Possible New Dog Adoption

[aweitzm1]

I hope everyone had a nice 4th of July.

I got an unexpected call today about a possible 2 year old yorkie that is being surrendered to the rescue group I got Bella. I am very friendly with the organizer so she contacted me to see if I am interested.

I am waiting for more information as to temperament and why he is being surrendered. All I know if he is a 2 year old dog neutered and great with other dogs. I am probably going to foster first to make sure that he gets along with Bella and Thumper

I have been wanting anther boy dog. Personally I wanted a 1 year old but 2 year old is not too off the mark. I want to spread the ages out so I always have at least two if one passes. Thumper is 9 and Bella will be 4 next month

My only concern is the cost specifically pet insurance, which is an absolute must for me and very expensive where I live.

Does anyone have any advice on how to save some costs or if I am missing anything on the big ticket items?

1. Adoption Fee approximately $500
2. Pet Insurance $1000 and will go up yearly estimating about a $100 increase each year
3. Yearly Pet Insurance Deductible $100
4. All vaccines, flea and heart worm medication is covered by insurance after deductible.
5. Once insurance kicks in I am only responsible for 10% of all vet bills
6. Yearly Dental Cleanings are covered under insurance after deductible (big for me since dental cleanings average $1200 - $1500 in my area)
7. Additional Cost to food and monthly expenses is $100 a month
8. Grooming costs $250 yearly (goes 4x a year @ $60.00)

One way to save money is that I keep a yearly account of $3,000 for medical expenses (replenish it each year) I could cut that down to $2K and use my credit care at my vet that allows for 6 months interest free for any additional overage costs.

The biggest monthly cost is food, pee pads and supplements. Supplements would be less than $15 a month added costs pee pads about $60 a month if that (I need them because of Thumper) and food is $40 for about 2 months but now may be every month. I may shop around for a better cost and different food if needed.

For me I will curb my going out to eat and cooking more (which I hate but to get another dog worth it) I barely travel and if I do it is infrequent and only for special occasions so pet sitters and boarding is not a cost I need to worry about

It may be tough but I think I can do it. Well see what happens and if everything aligns. I believe everything happens for a reason and if it is meant to be it will.

[matese]

Seems financially you have thought this out very carefully, there are always sacrifices one makes when we own a furbaby or two or three lol. I had a pack of 3 females, all 3 years apart, the two oldest ones passed 6 months apart, the pain of losing one is hard and painful on us and our pups, what pulled me through their lose was having to be strong for the remaining ones, not showing my sadness, crying all the time, the pups feed off our emotions, for me it's all about my furbabies. It is good to get pups ages spaced out so you are never left alone. When my last girl passed she was 17 yo, she was my greatest loss, one I thought I would not recover from. 6 weeks later and in a depressed state my vet called me, she had just gotten a surrendered boy, 2 1/2 yo. I really did not want another dog but didn't know if I could live without a fur buddy since having a fur kid or 2 or 3 for the last 45 years. I went to "just see the dog" it was so sad to see him run from one tech to another as if asking "are you my new mom" I had to take that boy, we are a team for 5 years now, it was meant to be, he is the smartest yorkie I have ever had, he is the most perfect boy. My kid was surrendered for financial reasons, he was loved much and spoiled rotten, not an abused boy. You will know if this new baby is right for you, Thumper and Bella. Good luck, do keep us posted.

[aweitzm1]

Thanks so much. I am really excited about getting him. I don't have much history but what I know is that the person surrendering him took him from her super in her apartment building (no details as to why) She was going to keep him but unfortunately, her maltese keeps attacking him and he runs away.

I am going to have my dog walker stop by Wed-Fri while I am work to check in on him. I am also going to crate him away from Bella and Thumper until I get a feel of their interaction. I will be home all day on Saturday and Sunday so can monitor them. My dog walker will try walking them all together to see if they are compatible.

My only concern at the moment is food as they are not sure what he eats and I may not have his brand to transition him to what I have in the house. I mentioned this to them and my concern about causing stomach issues. Would a solution be to boil some chicken and rice and use a small amount of Bella's food to transition if I cannot purchase his brand of food?

I am also going to take him to Petco to get a heartworm test and fecal test prior to making any decisions regarding adopting for my own peace of mind as he is not heart worm tested yet but was told he is UTD on shots.

I think I have thought of all the major possibilities but anything can happen. I am being cautiously optimistic. Like I told the rescue group I cannot take a sick dog due to financial issues so need to make sure he is 100% healthy prior to me adopting so I can get insurance to cover him without any per-existing conditions. (biggest concern is luxating patella)

If I do adopt him I am going to change his name to Milo because I don't like the name Ricky.

I'll keep everyone posted.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by aweitzm1

Thanks so much. I am really excited about getting him. I don't have much history but what I know is that the person surrendering him took him from her super in her apartment building (no details as to why) She was going to keep him but unfortunately, her maltese keeps attacking him and he runs away.

I am going to have my dog walker stop by Wed-Fri while I am work to check in on him. I am also going to crate him away from Bella and Thumper until I get a feel of their interaction. I will be home all day on Saturday and Sunday so can monitor them. My dog walker will try walking them all together to see if they are compatible.

My only concern at the moment is food as they are not sure what he eats and I may not have his brand to transition him to what I have in the house. I mentioned this to them and my concern about causing stomach issues. Would a solution be to boil some chicken and rice and use a small amount of Bella's food to transition if I cannot purchase his brand of food?

I am also going to take him to Petco to get a heartworm test and fecal test prior to making any decisions regarding adopting for my own peace of mind as he is not heart worm tested yet but was told he is UTD on shots.

I think I have thought of all the major possibilities but anything can happen. I am being cautiously optimistic. Like I told the rescue group I cannot take a sick dog due to financial issues so need to make sure he is 100% healthy prior to me adopting so I can get insurance to cover him without any per-existing conditions. (biggest concern is luxating patella)

If I do adopt him I am going to change his name to Milo because I don't like the name Ricky.

I'll keep everyone posted.

I would take him to a vet to be completely examined not Petco. You also have to think about the cost of bedding, harnesses, leashes, collars, toys, and depending where you live clothing. If a sick dog would be a financial issues you really need to think hard because some issues might not pop up until 4 or 5 or even older. Just something to keep in mind. I have 4 and I love them all and would not change a thing but there is a bit of financial issues sometimes. Luckily for the most part the younger 3 are very healthy but Callie has many many health issues. Heart guard and nexguard for 4 dogs for a year is a little over $1,000. I thought I really thought it out when I got my 4th but there were things I forgot about.

[aweitzm1]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I would take him to a vet to be completely examined not Petco. You also have to think about the cost of bedding, harnesses, leashes, collars, toys, and depending where you live clothing. If a sick dog would be a financial issues you really need to think hard because some issues might not pop up until 4 or 5 or even older. Just something to keep in mind. I have 4 and I love them all and would not change a thing but there is a bit of financial issues sometimes. Luckily for the most part the younger 3 are very healthy but Callie has many many health issues. Heart guard and nexguard for 4 dogs for a year is a little over $1,000. I thought I really thought it out when I got my 4th but there were things I forgot about.

Thanks for the advice. I am actually going to be taking him to a local vet on Saturday for an exam and possible blood work and urinalysis. I have ten days from tomorrow to decide if I want to adopt.

As for health issues. I just need to make sure he is healthy for the insurance. If something pops up a year or later for not the insurance will pay for it as it won't be considered per-existing. However, after doing some research there is a mobile charity vet that offers discount treatment and surgeries for the area so that is also an option if something does become per-existing.

I have toys, food, harness, leash and bedding already. I am just trying to do my entire due diligence prior to me making a decision about adopting.

I understand things always pop up and you cannot account for everything but just trying to think ahead as much as possible. For emergencies I also have the care credit card which I love for the higher costs

[nanajoy]

Best of luck! So exciting for you and "the pack"! Keep us posted please.

[matese]

Originally Posted by aweitzm1

Thanks so much. I am really excited about getting him. I don't have much history but what I know is that the person surrendering him took him from her super in her apartment building (no details as to why) She was going to keep him but unfortunately, her maltese keeps attacking him and he runs away.

I am going to have my dog walker stop by Wed-Fri while I am work to check in on him. I am also going to crate him away from Bella and Thumper until I get a feel of their interaction. I will be home all day on Saturday and Sunday so can monitor them. My dog walker will try walking them all together to see if they are compatible.

My only concern at the moment is food as they are not sure what he eats and I may not have his brand to transition him to what I have in the house. I mentioned this to them and my concern about causing stomach issues. Would a solution be to boil some chicken and rice and use a small amount of Bella's food to transition if I cannot purchase his brand of food?

I am also going to take him to Petco to get a heartworm test and fecal test prior to making any decisions regarding adopting for my own peace of mind as he is not heart worm tested yet but was told he is UTD on shots.

I think I have thought of all the major possibilities but anything can happen. I am being cautiously optimistic. Like I told the rescue group I cannot take a sick dog due to financial issues so need to make sure he is 100% healthy prior to me adopting so I can get insurance to cover him without any per-existing conditions. (biggest concern is luxating patella)

If I do adopt him I am going to change his name to Milo because I don't like the name Ricky.

I'll keep everyone posted.

I think the boiled chicken and rice with a little bit Bella's food mixed in is a good idea, obviously you're aware of issues caused when a new food is introduced without transitioning. Increase more of Bella's food daily, I personally would stretch this out over a period of 7 days, I always do a longer transition to be on the safe side. You can on day 5 or 6 try just Bella's food and see what his stool looks like.
BTW Milo is a cute name

[Mike_and_Me]

Originally Posted by aweitzm1

As for health issues. I just need to make sure he is healthy for the insurance. If something pops up a year or later for not the insurance will pay for it as it won't be considered per-existing. However, after doing some research there is a mobile charity vet that offers discount treatment and surgeries for the area so that is also an option if something does become per-existing.

I've got no advice but just wanted to say how much I admire how responsible you are with thinking it through. I wish more people would be this way. We are hoping the boy is healthy and good with others and can become an addition to your happy pack