Best Money Ever Spent?

 When Brianna's litter came into the rescue, I brought home these 2 teeny tiny fosters, I got to name them - Brianna and Brandon. We slept on the couch in the sunroom for about 2 weeks to more easily handle those middle of the night potty trips. Once they started not needing to go out during the night, DH bought those doggy stairs for me so they could sleep in bed with us.

So, does a gift count? If not, then without a doubt its their membership to the training center!! 

 Ari's portable wire crate. It's just big enough for her, yet still fits in the back of a subcompact car. While on the heavy side, it folds up so you can carry it like a suitcase. It has come in handy when we've had family emergencies and stayed at a family members house with her. It's great for road trips, etc. It's her safe place when we're somewhere away from home.

 When I finally broke down and ordered harnesses for my two.  I tried to copy and make my own about 3 times and they would work semi-ok, but never well.  Since I had never planned on running races or anything with them, I resisted getting real harnesses, but I'm so glad I finally did. 

 I was going to say it was the safety harness for the car-it is a seat belt for dogs.  But the best thing was the drop cloth I bought to protect the seats from dog drool.  We made an 8 hour run in the car with her in the back seat standing in the center breathing and drooling in between our shoulders.  She got out to run at several stops, and had a water supply to replace the drool.  She gets so excited to ride that she can not relax while in the car.

Well, since I can't use medical bills I'll have to say it's the extension of the yard for them to frolick in.  A closed in "poopin pin" was also created just for them.  Had to clear & burn brush, get fill, then soil and eventually seeding it and adding trees.  Took only a summer to do and I saved tonnes by doing the labor myself.  Not an easy feat considering I wheelbarrowed and spread 23 dumptruck loads of topsoil by myself.  This...BY FAR....was money and time well spent!  Now they have a grassy feild to play on everyday!

What we don't do for our furkids eh!

Johnny & Tessy

I've bought her so much stuff over the years that the real good finds stick out in my mind because usually what I buy ends up being just to spoil her or for no reason. 

Zoom Groom for baths, works great, wasn't expensive but makes shampooing her so much easier. 

PetzLife Gel for her teeth, works great. 

Happy Muzzle-a little pricey but definately helps take away that intimidating look when she's wearing it.

And, my leash that has the built in poop bag dispenser.  I forget what kind it even is but it's from Petco. 

Best expense was moving from a city apartment out to a country house....we're still renting, but they have a 3/4 acre backyard now that they can run and play in, and be dogs again. They didn't really enjoy the city all that much.

Without a doubt, an evaluation by a veterinary behaviorist for Bevo.  Had I not spent that money, I would not have been able to handle him.   Because of everything that I learned there, Bevo has turned into a great ambassador for his breed, & I have been able to apply what I learned to my other dogs as well.  There is no way that Bevo would still be with me, much less my heart dog, had we not seen the behaviorist. 

Well, I was going to say what we paid for Caleb and the gas for 2 road trips to his breeder (she's 5 hours away)  But-

best money spent on something used all the time- his leather service dog lead, Tickle Me Elmo, plastic kiddie pool and bed

best money spent on something only used occasionally- his soft sided crate 

Maggie's $7.00 glow in the dark ball....her absolute favorite toy..seeing her that happy is worth $7million.

Their microchips and their lookout car safety seat.  I'm glad I got both of them.

Something purely for them?  They love Moo tubes.

 Emma's allergy test, but since that doesn't count.....

Six house crates, three car crates, three pop up crates, and three ex pens. Peace of mind, priceless.

The money I spent on the book Culture Clash which opened my eyes to a different way of looking at the relationship between us and our dogs.  Next best thing was a clicker and the seminar I attended on clicker training back in the early '90's. 

 It has got to be the camping trips to Four Paws Kingdom - hands down. 

Taking Nemo somewhere that he can be outside off leash and the interaction with all types of dogs has been wonderful for him.  

Although he chooses not to swim, the pond area is without doubt his favorite area.   Any time I let him lead on out walks he heads straight to the pond.  I think he has discovered his inner Spaniel. 

It's going to be hard waiting out the winter so we can start going camping again.