There are several companies out there that provide pet insurance and the fine print varies. Some companies have plans to cover routine stuff like vaccines and spay/neuter while some companies only cover the major stuff like bloat or the dog getting hit by a car.
Let's think about all the costs that go into owning a dog. First of all, there is the purchase price, which by the way doesn't even compare to the hundreds to thousands of dollars that will be spent on the dog over the course of its life. Then there are yearly vet check-ups, vaccinations, heartworm prevention, food, spay/neuter, toys, bedding. etc. All of these things are going to be covered (if you can't cover these, you may want to re-consider owning a dog) with no problem. On average, routine care might cost $1,000 a year for one dog. But what if there is an emergency that exceeds what money we have?
My suggestion is to open up a separate savings account for the pets. Each month, put the pet insurance premium (what you would pay if you had pet insurance) into the account and leave it there. You consistently put money in there each month and before long, you have a nice account built up for those medical emergencies. You may go years without having a major medical emergency which is great. But when something does happen, you will be prepared and you won't have to worry about whether or not the insurance company accepts the emergency. Sure, there may be something happen that you don't have enough money for, but most vets will work with you to help save your pet.
In the meantime of building up your savings account, another suggestion is to have a separate credit card just for those major medical emergencies. Keep the balance at $0 or very low.
Recommending Reading:
Pet Insurance: Lifesaver or Ripoff?
Should you buy pet insurance?
If you do decide to purchase pet insurance anyway, please read the fine print before you purchase, and make sure your premium payments are NOT going to support animal rights organizations like HSUS or PETA whose main purpose is to eliminate our rights to own pets.
]]>And for all the mothers who count to ten because they realize how animal abuse happens.
This is for all the mothers who go to the special pet stores to collect the proper treats, food and toys no matter that it take 3 stops and 50 stoplights.
This is for all the mothers who taught their dogs to sit, come and stay.
And for all the mothers who opted for sit.
This is for all the mothers who teach their dogs agility and obedience and actually understand that it needs to be FUN!
This is for every mother who automatically sucks in their breath when she can't see a leash on a dog in the non-fenced front yard.
Then relaxes when she realizes that the dog is sitting on it.
This is for all the mothers who took their dog to the vet assuring them that there would be no needles only to be told they need a blood sample.
For all the mothers whose dog has gone missing and was returned because she had the forethought to have chip put between its shoulders.
What makes a good Mother anyway?
Is it patience? Compassion? Ever available treats?
The ability to answer the door, hold back the dog and deal with a phone call all at the same time?
Or is it in her heart?
Is it the ache you feel when you walk out the door to your job every Monday through Friday knowing that 2 eyes are boring into your back?
The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread when you hear the sounds of heaving at 2:00am?
Years later, the guilt that won't go away when you have no other choice but to put your friend down?
The emotions of motherhood are universal and so this is for you all. For all of us...
Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them everyday that we love them. And pray and never stop being a Mom.
~Author Unknown
]]>While you are here I am not supposed to
Jump up and lick your face
Sniff your crotch
Eat grass and barf
Hunch your leg
Lick my balls
Use your lap for a towel
Please keep in mind my sacrifices and obey the rules.
Sincerely,
The dog
~Author Unknown~
]]>So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile.... because they "just don't understand."
~Author Unknown~
~Author Unknown~
]]>---Author Unknown---
3. All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of dog hair;
4. When the doorbell rang, it wouldn't sound like the SPCA kennels;
5. When the doorbell rang, I could get to the door without wading thru four or five dog bodies who beat me there;
6. I could sit how I wanted to on the couch without taking into consideration where several little furbodies would need to get;
7. I would not have strange presents under my tree....like dog bones, stuffed animals and have to answer to people why I wrap them up;
8. I would not be on a first name basis with a vet;
9. Most used words in my vocabulary would not be: potty, outside, sit, down, come, no, and leave him/her ALONE;
10. My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates;
11. My purse would not contain things like poop pick up bags and dog treats;
12. I would no longer have to spell the world B-A-L-L and F-R-I-S-B-E-E;
13. I would not buy weird things to stuff into "kongs", or have to explain why I'm buying them, or what a "kong" is;
14. I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside;
15. I would not look strangely at people who think having their ONE dog ties them down too much;
16. I would not have to answer the question why do I have so many dogs from people who will never have the joy in their life of knowing they are loved unconditionally by something as close to an angel as they will ever get.
Who else has a friend who considers you the MOST important thing in the whole wide world all the time.
Author Unknown