We should've named her Cha-ching

As most of you know, I am a stay at home mom to my two kids...and my three dogs (and I guess my cat too).  It is one of those unpredictable jobs and every morning brings something new and sometimes challenging.  Yesterday our household contained one sick mom, two sick kids, and one sick dog.  This meant that the sick mom and kids had to go to the doctor...for the dog.  Yes, we were all sick but the dog was the only one seeking medical attention, and I completely understand how ridiculous that sounds.  But when your little dog seems to be suffering and can't talk, you take your furry baby to the vet!

Every time I take one of the 4 legged kids in for a problem there is a sense of  dread (except if it is Bug).  What is wrong?  What will the vet say?  And this is awful, but in the back of my mind I am thinking, is the vet going to say we have to put her down?  This is not something I worry about with the kids because the Pediatrician is never going to suggest we euthanize them...but it is a real thought with a dog (and more so with each passing year).

Fortunately, the verdict at the vet's was only impacted/ infected anal glands.  They cleaned them out and gave her some meds (I sincerely apologize if anyone was eating while reading that).  Vet's visit to clean out anal glands-$115.  Not having to do it yourself-priceless.

Even though it was a $115 well spent, it did get me thinking about how much money we have pumped into this dog.  Let me introduce you to Gidget- the world's most expensive dog.

We nicknamed her "The Money Pit"

This dog is constantly trying to die and continually draining our bank account.   Here is a list of all of Gidget's near death experiences, vet procedures, and other expensive encounters:

• Pneumonia.  Almost died.
• Electrocution.  Only slightly charred.
• Chewed open a bottle of advil.  Got her stomach pumped.
• Opened a backpack, chewed through a bottle of my husband's thyroid medication.  Got her stomach pumped.
• Opened a backpack, ate medication.  Got her stomach pumped.  All these backpack incidents happened right before we were going out of town.  Both times they involved overnight vet stays.
• Knee surgery.
• Root canals (Yeah, you read that right, dogs can have root canals.  $800+ for 2 root canals)
• Pulled teeth
• Unsuccessful eye duct surgery
• Hormone medication

All of this comes to a grand total of $3,862.81 (Bug's mishaps come in only slightly less).  Ouch!  If our kids ever wonder why they don't have a college fund, I'll just have them read this.    

So why do we do it?  Why do we pump so much money into our dogs?  Because they are a part of the family!  Gidget might be a curmudgeonly little thing who seems to be the dog incarnation of Maxine:

I swear, they are twins!

But she is our grouchy girl.  When she snuggles in, gives us a lick, and wags her tail...well, it is all worth it.  Plus, Gidget and I have a very special bond: our intense hatred of Bug!!

What would you give for your pets?