The Importance of Pet Insurance For Your Doodle!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

As I sit here and read more and more about all the poor Doodles that are going through various types of medical issues, one thing keeps coming to mind...MONEY!  I honestly can say that one of the best things I have done for Gracie Doodle was to get Pet Insurance.  I only wish I had done it when she was a puppy but I was not yet a member of DK and was not up to speed on this type of thing.  I always sort of assumed I would have a very healthy dog and any of the regular stuff I could pay for.  My feeling is that when you decide to get a dog you are aware of the cost of  annual wellness checks and are committed to that price.  I would never get a dog if I couldn't afford it...based on my old way of thinking.  Well, as they say "s_ _ t" happens!  And when it does, I hope you all have insurance.  Our first eye opener was when Gracie was about two years old and we went on a trip.  We sent Gracie to the Dog Ranch in the mountains where she stays when we travel.  Well, she was there seven days having the time of her life until "foxtails" embedded in between her toes and channeled their way up her paws.  For those of you who aren't familiar, foxtails are usually found in the western dry states.  Well, Gracie had two surgeries within a week totaling $1,200.00.  After that I started researching insurance.  I ended up with Embrace which I have been completely happy with.  You need to do your homework and actually call and speak to a real person and know the questions to ask.  There are a lot of hidden exceptions you are not aware of.  This is how I ended up with Embrace and have never looked back.  All of the insurance companies have plans you can build yourself based on how much deductible and monthly payment you want to end up with.  Again, I knew when I got Gracie Doodle that I could pay for her annual vaccines, well-checks and various other minor stuff that came up. That was just a given when you get a new dog.  I have put in a few claims over the past few years for foreign objects up her nose which turned out to be from our Ornamental Feather Grass.  Other than that my sweet girl has been a very healthy Doodle.

Then the nightmare started this last April.  Gracie was diagnosed at 5 years old with Masticatory Myositis which is an autoimmune disease.  I have posted a few discussions on this so I won't go any further.  All I can say is THANK GOD FOR INSURANCE!  That says it all!  The blood tests, medication and vet visits up up in the thousands now and all is good.  My vet submits the claim and my insurance company sends me a check.  Without the insurance, yes, I could still pay the bills but it would have meant doing without something else.  We all have to make adjustments to our budgets all the time.  But it certainly is nice not having to worry about that.  This allows me to still fly up the coast every month to visit my new little granddaughter, fly to Boston to visit my other grandchildren, take some photography classes and things like that.  I can still live my life within my means and not have to worry about the vet bills that are really starting to add up.  I have gotten back way more than I have paid into it for sure.  It's a gamble.  We all think our Doodles will never have a problem but boy when they do...watch out!

I just wanted to post this to let all you new Doodle owners know that pet insurance is available and it can be tragic if something should happen to your Doodle and you find you can't pay the bills!  Don't put it off.  You want to get your Doodle covered as young as possible so there are no pre-existing conditions!  

I am sooo thankful this month for my wonderful pet insurance and my new Medicare Card!!!  lol

[Leslie and Halas]

Thanks for the reminder. We haven't had to use our insurance yet, but I'm so glad we have it. And I made my mom get insurance for Barley, too.

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

Nancie, I couldn't agree with you more.  I've said many times that I don't know what we would have done, had we not had insurance when Penny was diagnosed with her mast cell cancer.  Those bill ended up totaling well over $20,000, and insurance paid for 90% of it.

The founder and CEO of Embrace is a dear friend of mine, and I know she'd be delighted to hear that you've been happy with their company.  They are all very special people.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you for posting this, Nancie. Even a healthy dog can swallow something that requires surgery, or get injured while running and playing. The costs can get into the thousands very quickly. JD's endoscopy last December cost $3000. Add that to the bloodwork, medications, Xrays and ultrasounds that were done first trying to avoid an invasive procedure under anesthetic, and his vet bills for Nov. & Dec. were over $5000.

If anyone is reading this who does not have insurance coverage for their dog, please get it today!

[Brandi]

I got insurance on both of my doodles, but I pray to God everyday that I do not have to use it though and haven't as of yet.  I do not EVER want to base me doodles life on how much money I have...Def worth it, but, again I hope I never have to use it, but peace of mind that I do have it

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Great reminder. If I would have bought Tacky's insurance, I would have saved myself thousands. I hope I never have to use Peri's but I am sure I will at some point and am glad to know that I will not have the stress of finances involved in any decisions I have to make. 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I totally agree. I have pet insurance and it has definitely paid off for me. If for nothing else, it is worth the peace of mind. I hope Gracie is feeling well today :)

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Nancie - truer words were never spoken.  I was like you - I assumed my dog would be healthy and if the rare emergency cropped up - we'd deal with it.  Rooney came from one of the best breeders in the country and I still thought - insurance was stupid.  So Rooney doesn't have any :(     But thanks to all the people on DK sharing their stories (like you have) by the time we adopted Stuart (whose medical background as a rescue does not exist) -- I KNEW what I needed to do.  And now with his Anaphylactic Shock and bee sting allergy - I'm doing the happy dance!  

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thanks for the reminder Nancie. Boy you just never know what life is going to throw at you or your doodle.  So glad you had insurance in place when Gracie became ill. 

[Amy M. and Molly]

Nancie~ I've been following your posts about Gracie Doodle since I joined DK a couple of months ago, and have a special place in my heart for her because I know that you got her from Christy.  I am so, so sorry about what she is going through, and hope and pray that things will get better for her (you!) soon!  My Molly just turned 7 mos old, and after reading all of these discussions about vet bills, I went online and purchased insurance over the weekend.  Thank you so much for all of your encouragement to do that.  I hope that I never need to use it, but I have some peace of mind now in case anything should happen. Sending love and prayers to Gracie Doodle (and you!)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Truer words were never spoken Nancie.