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

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Amen, Nancie! I was kicking myself for not getting it before Lachlan had to have his emergency rock-ectomy a few months ago - especially after finding out that instead of being out of pocket nearly $2,000 it would have been closer to $400. Now all three of my boys are covered.

What really broke my heart was sitting in that emergency room for several hours and watching dog owners crying because they didn't know how they were going to pay for treatment. That was a real wake-up call for me.  I was fortunate enough to be able to cover it (although not without wincing). Imagine having to choose not to save your puppy's life.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Nancie, Great reminder to get pet insurance as soon as possible. Congratulations on your Medicare card :)  Gracie has one smart mom!!

[Gail and Bailey]

Welcome to the Medicare group! ;>) Thanks to the many discussions on DK, I finally got insurance for Bailey. As you said...I hope I don't have to use it but it feels good to know it is there! New puppy owners should get insurance right away...before anything can be called a pre-existing condition!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

LOL on the Medicare Card, Nancie!  This is such an important reminder for our new puppy owners.