My border terrier is 10 now and she’s starting to cost us a few quid. She’s got diabetes and we’re in the process of getting her insulin levels correct.
It’s proving to be a tricky process and we’ve also had conflicting information off the vets (x2) about how best to go about monitoring her.
With regards the money. I did have a bit of a go at my wife as her and the mother in law fuss and mollycoddle Veronica so much that I was starting to think that they were looking for problems. Countless visits to the vets about her being lethargic etc and at £35 a pop it had become a monthly bill of an easy £70 a month. Not that much I suppose but when you’re thinking it could be an unnecessary expense, it’s that what led to me questioning it. I was told in no uncertain terms by both the wife and mother in law to shut up about the money as if she’s not right, then she’s not right. As it happens they were right as her having diabetes is obviously a major health concern.
Veronica also used to have fits. She’d go into a strange, stiff mode where she couldn’t control her legs. If stood up, she’d just fall over and you’d have to just hold her until she came out of it. She’d be shaking and look terrified. She had epilepsy. After countless consultations and trials with medication, she no longer has these fits, well she hasn’t had one for about 3 years now so all is good in that respect. Special food, medication, consultations all cost a pretty penny and although we had pet insurance, at one point her policy was near £90 a month. Once the epilepsy was under control we went for a cheaper policy. Think it’s aroubd £30 a month. But we’ve always banked money to cover any issues if needed. Luckily the diabetes is covered so her insulin etc we can claim for.
I’ve always been a bit more rough (can’t think of another word) with her. I’ll play fight with her, take her on longer, more challenging walks and in general let her off the lead to do whatever it is she wants whilst out. Where the wife and mother in law, like I say mollycoddle her.
I think that Veronica has been the best £500 we’ve ever spent though. She’s a fucking mint little dog and despite having epilepsy and now diabetes she’s the happiest little thing. Father in law passed away about 4 years ago. Now Veronica is mine and my wife’s dog but the bond that the mother in law has with Veronica is unreal. She now virtually lives at her grandmas (which is just around the corner from us) due to the fact that my mother in law gets so much enjoyment out of looking after Veronica.
Dogs and pets in general can bring so much happiness and enjoyment that vets, although pricey are worth their weight in gold. Get your pet insured and maybe have a little pet fund of say £5 a week (less than 2 pints) for any unexpected issues that may arise. After 4 years of that £5 a week you’ll have over a grand to help and if insured you can make a claim anyway.
I’m off sick today, gonna pop round grandmas and play with my dog for an hour.
