Can You Afford A Dog?

Not many consider this big question before buying or adopting and animal. Pets are expensive. There is a reason the pet industry is worth 60 BILLION dollars a year. Here are some numbers from Petfinder.com that should really be looked over before buying, adopting, or taking in an animal.

Expense Adoption Food Nutritional Supplements Food/water bowls Treats Dental/chew toys Routine veterinary exam Vaccinations Emergency veterinary care Heartworm test** Heartworm prevention Fecal exams Worming Flea/Tick prevention Spaying/neutering Professional teeth cleaning Collar(s) Leash(es) Training Grooming tools Professional grooming Shampoo Fence Stain/odor removers Doggy bed(s) Crate(s) Toys Boarding, per day TOTAL

First Year $0-500 $120-500 $0-100 $10-40 $20-200 $20-200 $45-200 $60-150 $0-2,000+ $0-35 $24-120 $10-30 $10-25 $200-500 $35-200 $60-500 $7-50 $10-50 $30-250 $20-250 $0-1,200 $5-50 $0-2500 $10-100 $25-100 $20-250 $10-200 $15-50 $766-$10,350

Each Following Year N/A $120-500 $0-100 $0-25 $20-200 $20-200 $20-100 $60-150 $0-2,000+ $0-35 $36-132 $10-20 $10-25 $200-500 N/A $0-500 $0-40 $0-50 $0-200 $0-25 $0-1,200 $5-50 $0-2500 $10-100 $0-100 $0-250 $0-200 $15-50 $526-$9,352

I would say some of these numbers run a little on the low side but as an average it is spot on. Youre not only committing your time to an animal but your finances as well. It isn’t fair to provide any animal with less than what you would provide your own child with… the best of care. Please consider these numbers before taking in an animal.

Breed Spotlight: Labrador Retriever and Lab Mixes

  

For over 20 years the Labrador Retriever has been America's Breed!

Here's the facts:

Lifespan: 10-12 years

Height/Weight: 55-80lbs... although I've seen Labs weighing in well over 100

Exercise Levels: HIGH

Grooming: Easy

Often described as the perfect family dog.

 

SO WHY DO SO MANY WIND UP IN RESCUES AND TURNED INTO THE POUND.

 

Simple, this is a dog that needs to move and needs something to do. Lab and lab mix puppies are beyond high energy often finding trouble when left to their devices. I have known Lab owners to report missing shoes, handbags, carpet corners, and even Taser Guns. For a family that works full time or doesn't have the time to devote to proper training a Lab is probably not your best bet. Labs maintain that puppy energy and zeal at least until the age of 3.

 

That being said, this is a dog that wants to work for you. They function well in almost all climates and love the water... ANY WATER.

 

When looking to rescue a Lab type dog you may want to consider looking at one that is just a bit older. That way you skip most of the wild puppy phase. You may also look for a lab mix w a lower energy dog. This may just offset the wild beast and produce you a well mannered new best friend.

 

 

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

 GHILLEY

I figured the best way to start is on a good note. My original rescue.

I decided we needed a second dog to give big Timber a little kick in his butt. He was getting a little older and slowing down a little but really just getting lazy. Nothing like a new brother to liven the spirit!

After a friend rescued a really nice Shepard mix I wanted to help a dog in need as well. Adopting a dog is also a cost effective alternative to buying from a breeder. In most cases the dog comes spayed or neutered and with some if not all shots. We found Ghilley on Petfinder.com via Enore Pets he was in a foster home already but was still in a little bit of a sad state. He was skinny, had mange around one of his eyes, and had cuts on his ears that were still healing. To me it looked like someone had tried to tag his ears just like they tag cattle but each tag had been ripped out so there were permanent tears in his ears. You would never know this poor little street animal had suffered a day in his life. He wasn't timid or cautious he was full of life and energy and love. Ghilley was the best Christmas present a girl could get.

Entrance into the house was not as smooth. I had never crated a dog before and honestly was questionable of the practice. Dogs don't really chew do they? The answer is yes. A nice new pair of Vibram shoes chalked up to the chewing gods. We proceeded to go out that night and get a crate, Ghilley accompanied us on the trip. We then learned he wasn't quite fond of crating. There was no issues getting him in but it was always a surprise to see where he would be when we got home. Because he had anxiety he learned how to slide the bottom tray out and move the crate with him in it room to room. After we removed the tray he then proceeded to dig through the carpet all the way to the subfloor. We were both frustrated and disheartened as to what the next step would be.... Thankfully we found a good YouTube video on carpet patching and an awesome Heavy Duty 20 gauge welded steel crate on amazon.

HELPFUL HINT #1: spend the money on an amazing crate. The money you invest in that crate will pay for itself a thousand times over!

From the day the new crate came on almost all our stress disappeared. Three and a half years later Ghilleys love for life hasn't vanished a bit! He's my wild man and everyone knows it. I'd like to think he's wild in a good way but I'm sure some would debate it. Ghil is my number one snuggler and for a healthy sized dog he can sure squeeze his big body into a small space to share the love.

About Us

Here is a bit about our decision to become a foster family.

We're new to this! It all started with the passing of Timber. He was our 9 year old Bernese Mountain Dog who I have had since he was 8 weeks old. My heart was broken and I was sure that there wasn't another dog in my future for quite some time. However, we rescued a Lab/Pit mix three and a half years ago and I think he may have been more heartbroken than me and my husband. Ghilley is our wild man. There is no way of stopping his tail, the dog is a maniac! Not the case after that day. He wouldn't eat or drink didn't want to play; he wouldn't even snuggle which is what he does best. Poor Ghil just sat on the edge of the couch being sad.

So, we decided something must be done.

Enter Gracie. I got in contact with a few people I had "met" through Facebook. North Carolina has a lot of high kill shelters and I've been tempted to snag a few pups but I knew 2 was my limit. Just by chance another foster family needed to downsize a bit and move one of their dogs to a new foster home. Gracie is a one and a half... maybe 2 year old pit who has brightened Ghilley right back up. She has also helped perk me and my husband bs as well.

Fostering is a big step to take and even though I am a somewhat experienced dog owner there is a lot I wish someone would have told me. I am starting this as a platform for fostering. We will feature tips, tricks, stories, and happy tails!