A Clarifying Question

[BG and Gavin]

WARNING:  IF YOU ARE THE OBSESSIVE TYPE, DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER!

 

Nearly a year ago now, we left Gavin overnight at a boarding kennel.  The owner asked me a question that day which continues to haunt me from time to time.  The question was this:

 

If there is some kind of freak accident and I an unable to get a hold of you or your designate, how much money will you authorize me to spend on your dog in an emergency? 

 

This was before DK so I really had no idea how much things costs so I said what I thought was an outrageous amount: “2,000 dollars.”  At the same time my DH said “500 dollars.”  After fighting with him for 10 minutes after we drove away that he could be so callous and cheap and think our dear puppy was only worth $500, I really started to consider the question.  About an hour into our trip I called the kennel and said “make it 5,000 dollars.”

 

Fast forward 6 months and we were off to the kennel again for a three-night stay.  DH dropped Gavin off with my instruction to “make it $10,000.”  Then I started thinking my car is worth more than that!  Is he worth more than my car?  Of course!  Is he worth more than my house?  Not really, because if I was homeless neither of us would have a place to live.  But I now tend to look at everything in between is he worth more than this or that? 

 

What would you have answered the kennel owner?

[Lauria Orr]

Wow, what a question. With our Beagle, Lucy, we paid thousands on her, as she had 4 different occurrences of cancer, which required surgery, radiation and chemo. She had seizures, and she had Cushings Disease. The question for us was always her quality of life. She acted like a puppy, and went through (and recovered from) every treatment with energetic spunk, until this last April, when she developed aggressive kidney disease. She was 14 and a half, and her quality of life changed quickly. At that point, it was time to let her go. We would have done all we could to keep her if she had been her usual little self. I am with Karen..."whatever it takes". Sometimes the finances are really strained for folks and they simply cannot do it. I never had children and never had the expense of college tuition, etc... that does make a huge difference for people. Now, with Melody, luckily she has been healthy. Again, "whatever it takes"....I am certain DH feels a little differently than me...that can be an issue too!

[Missi]

I got asked this question by my vet's office when Lizzie (at 13 wks old) got Parvo. I had had her for 3 days. In my head I quickly added up my checking account (I didn't have a savings account) and the amount of my upcoming tax return and told them that. Which was about $1500 if I remember right. That was almost two years ago. I actually appreciated that the person at the vet's office did ask me that question. I could not imagine losing Lizzie and then not having anywhere near the money to pay for the care she received. It would have been two heartbreaks. Luckily she survived and the bill was less than my total net worth.

I don't know what number I would be able to give now, but probably however much it costs. I do like the idea of a living will type agreement though.

[Jazz & Jane]

WOW... never had that question, but how heartwarming to read these posts about other "totally obsessed" doodle parents. I AM normal !

We got insurance AFTER the first mishap ($1,800) at one year old. But if nothing ever happens again in her life, it's ok. I am now a "calm" mom when she CHARGES at 200 miles an hour after her ball and misses it .... going into a TUMBLE (I know how SKINNY those fluffy legs are cuz I've seen them WET! ). HAHA

Please know folks, insurance is a bit cheaper the younger your baby is when you get it, but you must keep it up. IGNORE all the good years without any issues, because you just never know. There is nothing worse than an emergency visit and dealing with your EMOTIONS. I cringe at my past experiences BEFORE pet insurance was available.

If you can afford it, please invest. There are many options .... do the research and read the fine print ....

example of what you can get:

just accidents,
accidents and illness,
accidents, illness, yearly visits and shots