Special offer

How a free puppy turned into a monster bill

By
Real Estate Agent with Re/Max Alliance

It was the perfect family. Charming husband, beautiful wife, two amazing kids.

Happy Little Family

They had just bought a house in a nice well established neighborhood and were putting the finishing touches on their remodel projects. Dad thought he had it all. The only thing that could make it better would be a new baby. He had been trying to talk his wife into having another child for some time and she was not interested.

Well one day as Dad was relaxing on the couch Mom came in to give him some big news.

Lazy Dad

"There is going to be a new addition to the family."

"A baby? We are having a baby? I am so excited", said Dad, "This is going to be great. We can turn the office into a nursery...."

"A baby?", Mom interupted. "I don't think so. I told you, we are done."

"Then what are you talking about?"

"A puppy!"

"What? A puppy? I don't think so."

"I want a puppy. The kids will love her."

"I don't care. We don't need a puppy. We are not home enough. The kids aren't ready for the responsibility."

"At best a puppy just lies around on the furniture. We have kids for that."

 

Lazy Kids

"I am the chief here and what I say goes. We are not getting a puppy."

...Four weeks later...

"A puppy! Thanks Dad! Thanks Mom! She is soo cute!" the kids exclaimed.

"I'm glad you like her." said Dad. "But you are going to have to take care of her. I'm not tending to that dog."

"Oh Dad. Don't be mean."

So that is how the perfect family became the perfect family plus a puppy. But I have to admit. It was a really cute puppy. A free English Bulldog for the Mississippi State family. What a deal!

So time goes by and the puppy grows, and poops, and chews, and poops, and chews some more. Dad does all he can to train the pup, who became his after she grew out of the cute puppy stage. Eventually they get past the worst of it and the little pup is potty trained and no longer eats the cabinets and furniture. Great.

Next thing you know the family decides to upgrade the house. Its been two years and they can now cash out without tipping the KGB, er I mean IRS. Even though they recently remodeled there are a few maintenance items.

Dad looks it all over and comes up with a list of things that need replacing.

Carpets needs deep cleaning to remove remaining potty training stains - $100

In one room the carpet needs replacing because the cute little pup chewed a hole in it - $400

Door trim needs replacing in three rooms, chewing - $250

Bathroom cabinets needs extensive putty and paint work in attempt to repair chew damage - $100

Bathroom door needs replacing due to scratch marks from when the pup was kept there (because she cries when you put her in her crate). - $150

New couch, chewing - $1000

Large chew toy

Then in the backyard, fill in holes from digging, resod to repair damage to grass, replant dug up flower bed - $400

Replace exterior door trim on back door, chewing - $100

So the free puppy ended up costing $2500. Great bargain! Speaking of bargains, email me for a great deal on my chief head dress

Selena Lovejoy
Front Gate Realty 601.991.2900 - Brandon, MS

Ha Ha Ha!!!  You are funny!

Nov 16, 2008 01:20 PM
Ellie McIntire
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland

Cost of Puppy = Free

Cost of repairs = $2500

Cost of all the love and fun times the puppy/dog has given your family = PRICELESS!

Nov 16, 2008 01:22 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

oh no -- looks like it would have been good for dad and puppy to go to professional dog training -- it costs a lot less than $2500.

Nov 16, 2008 01:23 PM
Martine Assaf
Virtual Homes Real Estate - Quincy, MA

I recall a similar story in my family, very funny!!!

Nov 16, 2008 01:28 PM
Angela Reeves
Royal LePage West Real Estate Services - Coquitlam, BC
Angela Reeves

Not showing my husband who I am trying to convince to get a dog!   Yikes!

Nov 16, 2008 01:40 PM
Rosalinda Morgan
Brookville, NY
"The Rose Lady"

My son have two dogs and the dogs chewed the loveseat, the sofa, the carpeting, the master bed, and some brand new shoes.  They ran like maniacs in the backyard ruining the sod and digging holes to China.  But as Ellie said the fun and love the dogs gave are priceless. 

Nov 16, 2008 01:53 PM
Sun City Grand Homes Surprise AZ Real Estate Leolinda Bowers Designated Broker Leolinda Realty
Leolinda Realty - Surprise, AZ
Sun City Grand in Surprise Arizona

Brad, Take her obedience classes.  It will help.  

My puppy is now 15 and very well behaved.  I still have my $500 chair that she used as a teething ring.  BUT, I love her, she is and will always be my puppy.

Sun City West Real Estate

Nov 16, 2008 02:16 PM
Richard Shuman
The Only B.S. I Have is from the University of Massachusetts - Lake Mary, FL
Real Estate Broker - Orlando Area - Love Referrals

Tell me about it!!!!

We now have 4 dogs, two of which are puppies. While they are very cute and the kids just love them, my wife is ready to "Take them for a ride to a nice big farm with lots of room to run" because they have turned our $2000 massage chair into a litter box. She won't of course because whether she wants to admit it or not, she loves them just as much as the kids.

Nov 16, 2008 10:34 PM
Charlie Harden
Columbia, SC

Brad, you've got that same button on your couch that I have.  Every time you sit down on the cushion a light comes on and everybody thinks you're available for whatever they need.  But, the news your wife dropped on you, I'd have said the same thing!

Nov 17, 2008 12:05 AM
Tami Vroma
West Michigan Real Estate Specialist-Five Star Real Estate - Grand Haven, MI
Realtor, Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Brad - Think you wanted your title to say Monster Bill  - might want to check that out. 

Now I am going to help you all feel much better.  Try a horse!!  In fact try three!!!  You want to talk expensive!!!  How about a daughter who shows them.  Or lets talk about the vet bills or wait - lets talk farrier bills which are about $250 every six weeks.  See I am all making you feel better about those puppies aren't i!!  Enjoy!!!

Nov 17, 2008 01:50 AM
Lovejoy Team
Re/Max Alliance - Brandon, MS

Jim - We are speaking. But I give her a hard time.

 

Tami - Thanks for pointing that out. I proof read the blog but never checked the title. What can I say I'm a newb. I need my proofreading buddy from college. She saved my life on all those essays where you lose a letter grade for each grammar error. Every one of them would have been a 'F' before she fixed them.

I'm ok with the dogs, mainly I'm trying to point out to clients the damage animals can do to a home. I wanted to cover the potential of loosing a buyer because of animals in the house. I have had a couple of clients that were so allergic to pet dander that they could not enter a house that had pets.

 

I want to thank all of you for reading my post. Its my first long post and I'm very happy with the response so far. I'll work on reciprocating on your blogs.

 

Nov 17, 2008 06:11 AM
Dinah Lee Griffey
Windermere Peninsula Properties - Allyn, WA
Managing Broker Windermere Peninsula Properties

I love your blog Brad. We just spent nearly the same on two of ours. I love the giant chew toy picture-Dinah Lee

Nov 17, 2008 06:40 AM
Tony Wangrycht
OneAmerica - Seminole, FL - Seminole, FL

Brad, I know what you went/going through. Same here several years ago, however now the pup is the "Besr" addition to our family.

Nov 17, 2008 06:52 AM
Derenda Grubb
CENTURY 21 Mike D. Bono & Co.'s - Lake Charles, LA
GRI, ABR, CRS

Brad,

I am so sorry that someone did not tell you, before you obtained the puppy, that it was a very expensive endeavor.  You also need to know that your life will never be the same.  You will find yourself doing things you never thought you would do.  Yep,  Puppies and grandchildren can make us pretty silly.  It is the reality of life.  Good luck.

Nov 17, 2008 04:26 PM
Julie Chapman
Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

I have two puppies that my son found on the side of the road (there were three but we found some sucker nice person to take the third one......so I truly understand....it is amazing what dogs can get away with we won't let our children do......

Nov 17, 2008 11:17 PM
Lovejoy Team
Re/Max Alliance - Brandon, MS

Very true Julie. My neighbors kid actually pooped in my backyard one time. Perfectly acceptable behavior FOR A DOG! I sent him home fast.

Nov 18, 2008 12:07 AM
Lovejoy Team
Re/Max Alliance - Brandon, MS

Derenda,

Even though this is a bit of a tongue in cheek post, the part about me having no choice in the matter is true. I vetoed the puppy, unfortunately I learned that in some cases my wife can veto my veto. :)

Nov 18, 2008 12:20 AM
Dinah Lee Griffey
Windermere Peninsula Properties - Allyn, WA
Managing Broker Windermere Peninsula Properties

I love that ,Wife power the Veto of the alleged Veto!-Dinah Lee

Nov 18, 2008 02:43 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Hi Brad. I LOVE your story about the free puppy. That's great! ~Your friend in Rankin County, Pat

Nov 18, 2008 11:29 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Wonderful story.  I'll have to direct you to my puppy story one day.  I was the out voted veto in my house hold.  Dear old DAD wanted the puppy when the nest got empty.  Oh the stories we could share.

Nov 18, 2008 03:32 PM