When people are asked how much they think it will cost to have a dog in the family, most think they will not incur expenses in excess of $6,500 over ten years. Boy howdy, is that wrong! This graphic from CNBC shows it could be more than seven times higher!
Turns out size really does matter!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
There’s never been a better time time to adopt a dog from your local shelter or rescue. Some are even offering fee reductions in honor of Dog Adoption Awareness Month.
Here’s a good reminder of some of the things you should consider before adopting.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
From the Friends of the Aiken County (SC) Animal Shelter, as reported by The Augusta Chronicle: five tips for making your dog adoption a success. (My comments are also included.)
1. Prepare by purchasing the things you need before you bring the dog home. Reduce your stress by having the bowls, leash, toys, crate, bed, and other necessities before the dog ever gets there, which will help ease the dog’s stress as well. Continue reading Easing the Adoption Transition
If you’re thinking about adding a dog to your family, you may be wondering if you can afford it. Here’s our guide to costs associated with having a dog in your pack.
Acquisition: Your initial cost to buy a dog will vary greatly depending on the breed (or lack thereof) and on where you buy. If you adopt a dog from a public shelter, your fees will generally be much lower than any other means of obtaining a dog. Shelter fees generally cover spay/neuter, worming, and up-to-date shots. Depending on where you live, shelter fees may run from $50 to $300. Many shelters hold special adoption events where fees may be discounted or waived altogether, particularly if their cages are full. Continue reading How Much Does It Cost to Have a Dog?
Did you read today’s Dear Abby? The letter writer brought up the age-old debate of adopt vs. shop when getting a new dog. To summarize, the writer was upset that people continually questioned her as to whether or not she rescued her new dog, implying that purchasing a purebred was to be frowned upon.
Abby’s response brought up two important points: Continue reading Adopt vs. Shop
September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month, and the American Kennel Club has a list of 75 ways to be responsible about having a dog in the family. Here are their top ten. Continue reading Tuesday Top Ten: Ways to be a Responsible Dog Owner
Thursday’s post linked to an infographic showing about how much people spend on their dogs each month, but noted that most of us drastically underestimate what we spend.
What’s your guess for dog-related expenses (for one dog) for an average month?
[poll id=”134″]
OK, after you vote, go look at the infographic, and see if you are close to the average from the survey.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
A new survey from Rover.com found that most of us underestimate the amount of money we spend on our dogs. Make your guess before you scroll down. Ready? Continue reading Cost of Living with a Dog
Do you struggle to keep your dog – and at least some of the water – inside the tub when it’s bath time? File this under the best dog hack I’ve seen in a long time.
Smear dog-safe peanut butter on the wall around your bath tub. Your dog will be so busy licking it off, he or she may not even notice the water running. This video is a bit more in-depth than just the peanut butter, and shows a VERY well-behaved dog, but it does illustrate the principle.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Although we could never put a price on the love and companionship we get from our dogs, the ASPCA wants you to know how much it actually costs to care for a dog. Of course, it also takes time and love to raise a dog, but it’s important to consider your budgetary abilities if you are thinking about adding a dog to your pack. Continue reading How Much Does Your Dog Cost?