OWNING A DOG IS EXPENSIVE

The Vet costs are phenomenal Richie! They offer so many things now that was not available back in the day! Teeth cleaning? They definitely tug at your heart strings by making you feel like you have to do all that you can, like a child! "Uh sir... your dog needs braces"

Time was when a young woman began having the urges to become a mom, wiser heads would advise, "first get a dog and see how you like caring for it before bringing a child into the world.

From your accounting of expenses for a pet, and I have no doubt you're spot on, I'd say to a prospective pet buyer, "have a kid first and see if you like the work/expense.

Now, I know there's a lot more to having a child than acquiring a pet. 

However, the expenses almost mirror each other today in our over commercialized world.

Richie, it is amazing...I'm giving the gift of pet training to a son's dog and it is very pricey since he must be taken away for 2 weeks to rehabilitate his bad manners!!  I prefer my cat... I hear you on being a vet!

I know dogs can be expensive...but isn't everything? I find the money spent was more than offset by happiness and fun they bring into our lives. I lost my dog three years and I think I am getting a rescue dog this summer.

Pet health insurance policies must be read thoroughly.  Some are better than others and cost is not the deciding factor.  Shop around.  I agree with George and many others.  Pets can be a huge part of our lives.  I must also contend that if you can't train a dog... kids are probably a bad idea.

Richie, pets can and are expensive in all ways it seems.  We had a dog named Dory who was a guide dog that did not make it through all the training but she was a fabulous dog for us.  My husband was so attached that it is hard to describe.  She had her 7th birthday and 3 days later died in our front yard.  Tragic.  We still do not know why. We then got a rescue dog Henry, a Golden, who is marvelous as well.  Such a pal, when he goes I don't know if my husband will be able to stand he is also very attached.  Our granddaughter has a dog, Anno, that also lives with us so it is a constant merry-go-round of animals.  I love them all and they are good companions but expensive in many ways.  Guess one has to weigh out the pros and cons and see what comes up.  We opt for the dogs because they add so much to our lives.  I bet yours does as well.

On another note, I no longer buy dog toys because Anno has even the hardest of the toys chewed up in a couple of hours.  I learned that the hard way, Henry on the other hand will have them for years.  He just has a more gentle mouth and spirit.

Richie, I can attest to the cost of owning dogs, I just lost my 2 dogs within 2 weeks of each other and in the last year or so, we did spend some money on medicine to ease their pain. For my husband and I, it is an expense that is outweighed by the joy we receive from our dogs.

If you think dogs are expensive, try owning a horse:)  A saddle can easily cost over $2,000.  A mid priced bridle $150, the bit another $50.  This doesn't even get you started.  Horse's don't jump in the back seat of the care for a joy ride, you have to have a trailer and their goes another 10 grand.  Vet care per-visit is about on par with dogs but horses just need more of it.  Yes, they cost us a lot but I don't want to think of live without them.  

I grew up with dogs (and horses, Allen) and thought they were wonderful, but they are also a huge time cost as well.  So, unfortunately, we do not have a dog, as we don't think it would be fair to it with us being gone for work too much.  We do have a couple of cats, however, two of which are currently on my work desk hoping I scratch them now and then.  Very nice post.

Richie, Dogs are mans (and Woman's) best friend. They don't lie, cheat or steal (usually) and give you unconditional love. I have seen people bring their doggie in Pet smart and let it pick out their own toy.

My granny was very demanding of my uncle and became quite outrageous at the end. They lived in San Francisco. When I was at the funeral I said to Uncle Gene I bet this is hard on you loosing your mom. His reply, "I felt worse when the dog died" and that was at the funeral home.

Hi Richie.  I will never be without a dog.  Their costs are inconsequential to the love and peace they bring to my wife and me.