How much $$ required to own a dog?

I think that you shouldn't add a pet to the household if you cannot pay its reasonably expected expenses for food, routine and not so routine vet care, training, and an enriched environment with sufficient exercise and safety.  I do not think that the average person should eschew having a dog if they would not be able to pay for extraordinary medical care, such as cancer care, that would extend life for only a short time and would also cause an animal to suffer.  But, I also think that even those of us who plan, have a savings fund, have insurance, or think that we are ok financially, can have a problem - lose a job, get sick, etc. and not be in the financial shape that we were before.  I think the main thing is that we consider them family and act accordingly, but realize that "the sun don't shine on the same folks all the time" and not get too critical of those who gave a dog up for financial reasons - maybe the decision they made was the best one they had at the time.  I didn't have kids, so I never have to choose - but some people do.  No one's resources are infinite and guaranteed.  I do think it is irresponsible to get a dog if you know from the get go that you cannot provide for it in a husbandlike manner.  That requires that we look at our expected lifestyle for the fifteen or so years that the dog might live.  Example: don't get a Chihuahua if you want to have six kids.  Don't get a Husky if you like dogs that walk nicely on leash and you hate dog hair.  Don't get a Pug if you can't stand snoring.  Don't get a Weimaraner if you hate energetic dogs.  Don't get a Newfoundland if you think you want to move to elder housing in a few years.  The list goes on (none of those are written in stone, but examples of how people screw up because they think a dog is cute, or beautiful, and pay no attention to whether they can afford it OR, more importantly, if their lifestyle can support it.  More dogs get relinquished because of lifestyle, and because of behavior issues, than anything else.  How many times have you heard that someone is pregnant and wonders if the dog will hurt the baby????  How many times have you heard that someone is moving to an apartment that doesn't take dogs????  That makes me more uncomfortable than the desperate person who leaves their sick dog in the hands of a veterinarian who can either end its suffering or cure it and hand it along to a new family.  Sometimes, better than the shelter that will PTS no questions asked.

spiritdogs

I think that you shouldn't add a pet to the household if you cannot pay its reasonably expected expenses for food, routine and not so routine vet care, training, and an enriched environment with sufficient exercise and safety.  I do not think that the average person should eschew having a dog if they would not be able to pay for extraordinary medical care, such as cancer care, that would extend life for only a short time and would also cause an animal to suffer.  But, I also think that even those of us who plan, have a savings fund, have insurance, or think that we are ok financially, can have a problem - lose a job, get sick, etc. and not be in the financial shape that we were before.  I think the main thing is that we consider them family and act accordingly, but realize that "the sun don't shine on the same folks all the time" and not get too critical of those who gave a dog up for financial reasons - maybe the decision they made was the best one they had at the time.  I didn't have kids, so I never have to choose - but some people do.  No one's resources are infinite and guaranteed.  I do think it is irresponsible to get a dog if you know from the get go that you cannot provide for it in a husbandlike manner.  That requires that we look at our expected lifestyle for the fifteen or so years that the dog might live.  Example: don't get a Chihuahua if you want to have six kids.  Don't get a Husky if you like dogs that walk nicely on leash and you hate dog hair.  Don't get a Pug if you can't stand snoring.  Don't get a Weimaraner if you hate energetic dogs.  Don't get a Newfoundland if you think you want to move to elder housing in a few years.  The list goes on (none of those are written in stone, but examples of how people screw up because they think a dog is cute, or beautiful, and pay no attention to whether they can afford it OR, more importantly, if their lifestyle can support it.  More dogs get relinquished because of lifestyle, and because of behavior issues, than anything else.  How many times have you heard that someone is pregnant and wonders if the dog will hurt the baby????  How many times have you heard that someone is moving to an apartment that doesn't take dogs????  That makes me more uncomfortable than the desperate person who leaves their sick dog in the hands of a veterinarian who can either end its suffering or cure it and hand it along to a new family.  Sometimes, better than the shelter that will PTS no questions asked.

 

 

I think you worded that perfectly, I agree 100% with everything you said.  That's why we made sure to have a small emergency fund available for our dogs before getting them, that doesn't mean our circumstances won't change, or we'll never have to make tough decisions.   We tried to think of all the possible outcomes that you mentioned before adopting, that's why we waited until we owned our house and reached a certain level of security, which like I said, could be taken away in a heartbeat, but we didn't just adopt willy nilly because the dogs were cute.  I think it's very important to think about all the things you mentioned, not just cost, but if this dog will fit into your lifestyle for the foreseeable future.

 Would I do anything within reason for my dog, darn skippy I would.  We blew through our savings to get her the surgery the vets were recommending.  This is NOT a good time for us to be blowing through savings.  I'm very likely to lose my job in the near future - and I have been searching for employment for the last several months (even before I knew about the potential layoff) - the best offer I got was for a temp position making not enough money to cover my basic bills. My SO car is old with high mileage and he does need a new one - but his should be good for the next couple of years.  My car needs work (again) but I'm holding off at the moment. 

Would I take out a second mortgage on our home for my dog, would I risk us losing our home,  the answer is no.  I would do what I could to afford it, but I would not jeapordize our own health and well-being either.  This economy is atrocious, and I'm feeling the effects of it personally (lack of jobs, and holding onto one that is making me physically ill - and I've already been told I'm probably going to be laid off anyway).  I'm lucky my SO has a good paying job - and one that is as secure as any job can really be. 

We took on a dog with the understanding and absolute willingness to provide for good routine vet care, good quality food, training for her, shelter, and yes put aside money for emergencies and "non routine care".  I would borrow from friends and family if I needed to - but I would not pull us into more debt than would be wise.  

If we moved, anyplace we needed to go would HAVE to accept dogs - but would i live in my car - no.  I would find temporary quarters for Ari (we have family that would be more than willing to care for her) until we could find a place that is dog friendly.  Should tough times fall on us, I would do what is possible to keep her with us, but not if it would threaten her well being (aka being homeless/living in our car).  

Growing up as I did, I know what life can throw you, and there are things you simply can never be prepared for.  But I would do what I could for Ari within reason (and maybe a tad beyond).