Pet Specialties

Having a pet, at times, is like having a child. For us pet lovers, we often coddle our pets and shower them with luxurious beds, cute outfits, affection and sometimes, far better care than we give ourselves. With that being said, there is one thing surrounding pets that always stirs up debate – pet insurance.

Some advocate for it – alluding to the notion that it is better to be safe than sorry. Better to spend a little money each month than to have an emergency and not have the means to handle it. Others feel it is a waste of money – hundreds of dollars a year spent in the hopes that should something happen, you are covered. Yet should nothing happen, you have thrown away the money.

Honestly, I have been on both sides of the fence. Yet recently I have tried to look at this debate differently. First and foremost, I have health insurance. I pay every month essentially in the hopes that should something happen, I am covered. So far this year, I have been to the doctor once – for a routine visit yet I spend $100 each month to be covered. Why should my pet be any different?

We had an emergency with our French Bulldog yesterday – she vomited up something which essentially demonstrated that she had eaten something she shouldn’t have. Her mood began to decrease and with time, a trip to the doctor was inevitable. They had no appointments, so an ER visit was all we could do. Numerous x-rays, ultrasounds, and barium treatment later, it was determined that she had an obstruction. The looming question was now “Would she be able to pass it? Or Would surgery be in her near future?” Outside of the obvious invasiveness, the difference between these two options was about $3000. We kept our fingers crossed and as the day progressed, she was fortunate enough to make progress, come home and dodge surgery for now…assuming she continues getting better.

We were beyond thankful – first for her health, but also for the notion that thousands of dollars weren’t spent. We spent time last night looking through pet insurance options – reality is, should we have had pet insurance and she needed that surgery, rather than being responsible for the entire bill, we would have covered around $700-$800. Not cheap, but far better than the original quote. Reality is, spending a few hundred dollars a month to ensure our little ones are covered, is worth the sacrifice that nothing happens this year. Because, on the unfortunate note that something does occur, I want to know that our little ones can receive whatever care is necessary to allow them to have a long a healthy life.

With two French Bulldog puppies, who are creeping up on their first birthday, maintaining order and control is often a challenge. In the home, they run and play, wrestle and bite, get into things they shouldn’t, and essentially, need pretty consistent supervision. Outside the home, they remain on their leashes, as with children, they are completely enthralled with the world around them. The smells, the noises, the people and animals that cross their path; all increase their excitement to roam and get into whatever they possibly can. Typically what they get into is trouble. Or, if nothing else, they shoot up the anxiety of their parents to a Xanax necessary level.

All joking aside, for us pet lovers, we want our animals to have fun…experience life…and be safe. They often hold a place in our hearts, that matches a child. They become part of our family.  As parents, we often become neurotic at times, wanting so much to ensure they are okay. So, we take various measures to guarantee this happens, to the best of our abilities. We keep them on leashes, we take them to obedience classes, we remove them from harmful situations, we hover over them while they play with other dogs, we purchase “shock” collars, to help teach them about the wrongs and rights of their world. Regardless of what route we take, we do what we can to draw safe boundaries to their world.

Last summer, we took our puppies camping. First camping trip for the both of them, as they would have been about six months old. We made sure they had been flea and tick treated, packed more things for them than ourselves, and kept them on leash or on our laps the entire time. Neither of us are comfortable allowing them to be off leash in the woods, even if both were well behaved and followed every command. French bulldogs are small and all we seem to picture are hawks, owls, snakes and bears snatching them up for a little mid-day appetizer. Yet at the same time, we want them to enjoy the wilderness…enjoy camping…and look forward to those mountain trips as much as we do.

So, this year…we knew we would have to do something different. They are both bigger now and want to play even more than they did as little puppies. Forcing them to remain on our laps, wasn’t going to work this upcoming summer…for them or for us. We looked into many options and were not focused on price – how can you be? All we wanted was something to help keep them safe. We decided that by the time summer rolled around, we were investing in a portable pen/fence for them. The nice thing about these, is that not only are they portable, but they come in various sizes and allow our animals to stay within the safe confinements of a “whatever size pen” we have chosen. They can play and move around with the comfort of being off their leashes, while supplying us with the comfort of decreased anxiety.

We were fortunate; someone in our apartment complex opted to get rid of one and their trash became our treasure. You can find them online, at pet stores, or even at garage sales. Regardless of how you get them, they can be a life saver. Both of our little loved ones cannot wait for their next camping adventure.