I joke with my husband that our dog is the best $150 I’ve ever spent. Because the truth is, she was $150 to adopt, but she’s cost thousands of dollars in care over the years.
At first, it was the food, toys, treats, and small things she destroyed early on.
We adopted her from the SPCA, and we think she was a stray for the first two years of her life. She was mouthy, and early on she chewed some cords, a hairbrush, clothes and shoes, a pillow, and many other things. We didn’t get mad at her. She didn’t know any better, and once we said no and redirected her to other things, she happily chewed on her toys and treats.
Then there were the bigger things. Doggy daycare, pet insurance, boarding when we went away on vacation. There were several medical issues - the growth on her Achilles that we had removed, another growth on her bum that required removal, the time she tore her nail running around in the backyard and had to go to the vet for care. And more recently, a dental procedure with X-rays under anesthesia.
But beyond all that, we had this sweet pup who we loved tremendously and who loved us back just as much. We won her over after a few days with some food, and never looked back.
And the years have seemingly gone so fast. My little two-year-old, who people often mistook for a puppy, is now 10, with some white on her muzzle.
When I look back, I wish I could turn the clock back eight years so I could start it all over again. I’d start with that first day when we walked her out of the shelter, got her into the car, and went to buy a dog bed. The first time she stood so gently on her hind legs for a taste of peanut butter. She’s much pushier and more demanding now!
I’d relive teaching her how to play with new toys and how to fetch. All those little moments that seemed so ordinary at the time, but that I now wish I could experience again for the first time.
It’s a privilege having a dog. Being their family, watching them grow up, and taking care of them as they get older. I get sad thinking about how short a dog’s life is. My husband says that’s why we need to give her the best life we can.
So yeah, she’s the best $150 I’ve ever spent.