By Amanda Morrall
Against all better judgment, I have decided to do something that goes against every rule of good personal finance. I am getting a pet; a second pet in fact; a sweet little fluff ball named Mazzy; a canine companion for my lovely green-eyed rescue cat Molly.
I must be a glutton for punishment making this confession in a public forum. Before you cast judgment hear me out.
My decision to become a dog-owner is neither rash nor reckless. Well, that's my assessment of the situation.
My whole life I've wanted to get a dog and I'm old enough to know now that life is short and sometimes (most always in fact) it doesn't wait to deliver the perfect moment or circumstance on a silver platter. If you want something bad enough, after careful consideration of the consequences you should go for it.
Every man I've been involved with, hell even those I've never been involved with has, poo-poo'd the idea. One of the advantages of being single is that consensus decision making goes out the window. I'm mistress of my own domain apart from my two boys who heartily support the decision, as you can well imagine.
While men are to said to be the more rational of the sexes, I tend to believe that their opposition to having a cute cuddly pet join the fold has less to do with stoop and scoop duties and costs, than it does competing for attention. The pet averse women I know (my dear sister springs to mind) are usually clean freaks.
I get that pets cost money; upfront, on-going, unanticipated. So do children. If children were boiled down to pure economics, no one would have them. Same goes for pets.
The decision isn't a financial one; it's emotional and lifestyle driven. I used to be a big runner and my joints have been battered and abused to the point where running three times a week would leave me in pain for the rest of it. Having a companion for walks on the beach will get me out more.
I'm not the sedentary type, so it's not like I need an excuse to exercise. However, if a benefit of dog ownership is that I'm fitter for it, how can that be a bad thing?
Every study I've read about pets points to how they are good for your emotional well-being. Sure, they might be occasionally naughty but mostly they are happy to see you, affectionate, non-argumentative and easy going. That's also a good thing.
I won't deny the financial costs of pet ownership are high although my cat care is pretty minimal. Molly's a pacifist so she stays out of trouble, avoids cat fights and expensive trips to the vet. The biggest financial downside is that she turns her nose at cheap cat food. That and I have to treat her regularly for fleas, even though it's a figment of her imagination (or maybe mine) that she has them.
I know I'm headed into new territory with a dog particularly a pure-bred. I've been saving for a year now, so the upfront costs are taken care of. I'm not in debt, so it's not like I have to feel guilty about that money having been put to a more productive cause. Sure, I could have padded the emergency fund out a bit but I'm pretty confident I'll live.
To manage the on-goings costs, I've taken a second job teaching yoga. Fortunately for me, it doesn't feel like work. The extra income will keep Mazzy and Molly in good quality dog food. Rest assured, I won't be buying accoutrements.
The biggest set back I can see is limiting my options for holiday homes on those odd occasions when we go sight-seeing.
I don't doubt the anti-dog brigade will come up with a million more reasons but it really is true what they say about love. It makes you blind.
Yes, having a dog or cat really is good for you, "Washington Post" article
The Economics of Pet Ownership by Investopedia
Tips for Cutting Pet Ownership costs - also from Investopedia
39 Comments
I think carbon footprint died here.
Probably to be replaced by heluim footprint to give us all an hysterical laugh.
BTW Amanda, my wife got a pomeranian and he slept on our bed for 14 and a half years. Never wanted a dog but he was a treasure.
Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, sigh....
Time for a lecture that makes me look like a grumpy grinch with a heart of lead. ;)
Firstly. Life is long, particularly if you have a mortgage.
I get really grumpy with the youth of today who say life is short. It's long. We'll live to 100. Spending money now instead of repaying debt just extends the life of the debt and creates an enormous opportuntity cost of interest that doesn't have to be paid.
I know you're in a great position in not having a mortgage.
But...
For anyone who does have one.
I've worked out that not spending NZ$1,000 a year on a dog and instead using it to repay that amount extra on a NZ$200,000 mortgage would save NZ$27,548 and allow you to repay the mortgage three years and two months early.
Is a dog worth NZ$27,548?
Do I look Grinchy enough?
Mebbe it's because I still have a mortgage. Grrrr
Enjoy the dog... ;)
cheers
Bernard
PS We have a labrador/border collie cross who costs us at least NZ$1,000 per year in vet bills, food, chewed up collars, stupid little blue bags for poo etc etc.
I call him our big hairy mistake.
Or our 'three seconds on Trade Me' dog. Because that's how long it would take to sell him on Trade Me, because he looks very cute and is well trained.
But...the opportunity cost...oh the opportunity cost.
cheers
Bernard
Try and beat this.
I've had a mortgage on a dog.
We were o/s on holiday once many years ago when our (really, really big) sook of a dog (an English Mastiff) got ill. The kennel tried to contact us but we were mid flight to somewhere and he required an urgent blood transfusion - so to Massey he was sent and the bill was $2,500. The kennel were marvelous in their attempts to pull him through recovery and we kept in contact on a weekly basis - full of thanks/praise for their efforts. Then we boarded the trans-Pacific flight back home, and he went down again. Unable to contact us again - it was back to Massey.
Unable to pay the bill on return, we increased the loan on the house.
He went into remission a year later and that was the end - of the dog - not the repayments!
We had another dog within three months - this time a "toy". :-) Suckers for punishment, eh?
So, cheaper than a kid, more trainable, less attitude, don't skulk round the house telling you they hate you, you can leave them at home all day and their not going to play with matches. Heck if you get sick of them and want a holiday, just drop them off at the kennel, or if it's terminal, offer it up free on trademe. Sound like a bargain to me.
Statistically each large domestic dog's care/support/feeding produces as much CO2 as a car uses per annum.........now sure there are exceptions to this...your dog(s) may well be one......that doesnt effect the validity of the statemant in a macro context.
AGW is a scientifc fact.....denial it seems for many is the only way to avoid the moral problem of accepting responsibilty for the damage to the planet and our children's future we have or are doing.....go ahead and do it as much as you like.....it doesnt change the situation.
Working animals I have no issue with....the work has to be done somehow...
regards
Well we have 4 dogs, two pets, two farm dogs. The pets are large ones a lab the other is a PoodleX Waimarana he's meant to be my hunting dog but my youngest daughter has corrupted him and he follows her around and would rather not get wet or dirty. The other dog I think has just eaten the neighbours cat. I dont have any debt, but the horses cost lots more than the dogs.
Amanda - I'm sure Mazzy and your cat Molly make good friends and you have a lot of fun, just watching them having a lot of fun. So- I wouldn't care about the little additional costs for the small dog ?
We take our BorderCollieX and our 18 years old cat since she was a kitten, regularly to the beach walking.
One can save a lot of money walking the dog in stead of sitting in cafes, cinemas, etc.
Hi Amanda, as a female reader of this website and an animal lover I completely understand why you purchased the dog, but I also understand the potential financial cost of pets as well. I have a pair of cats who really are my children. They are purebred but besides the initial cost (one was free and one cost me an arm and a leg) they cost me nothing in cash. I'm a bartercard member so I get their pet food and other implements through that system. Works for me. Let me know if you want to know more. Bartercard has no Yoga teachers in Auckland!
My kids keep harping on about us getting a dog but I keep saying no. I told them looking after the 5 of them + working was keeping me busy enough, thank you very much (I know, I know, a bit heartless but I know my limits).
We do have 4 chooks, and the great thing is they give us our "daily eggs" :) We'll probably get a few lambs and a couple of cows soon too (need to put paddocks first so they don't eat our 50 or so fruit trees + dozens of blueberry bushes). So anyway, I told my oldest that we'd talk about "the dog thing" again when she is 12 and I am confident that she & her brothers & sisters can fully look after it herself. Seeing that she's recently turned 7, she wasn't very impressed... (and yes, I'm half-hoping she'll have forgotten about it by then).
That said, enjoy your dog Amanda, and congrats on the yoga teaching job :)
Facts:
1.) Wheatens are lovely dogs.
2.) He/she will lift your spritis when you are down - you will be more productive as a result and (almost certainly) get a raise because of this.
3.) You will automatically belong to that section of society that likes dogs - when taking him/her for walks it will astonish you how many people you get to know - how varied and nice most of those people are.
4.) Mazza will protect you and yours with his/her life - and that is not a trivial matter really - the only sure deterrent I know to burglars is a vocal dog.
5.) He/she will be a great person filter - judging someone on how they treat animals is not a bad way to suss out what is beneath the good looks.
6.) He/she will make you feel wealthy - because - for Mazza - wherever you are is the best place in the world to be.
.....just remember..this is a guard dog.!
Highly neccesary to a yoga instructure who must be out at night in highly dangerous neignbourhoods where hall hire is a minimum.
As such you will be able to claim all expenses associated with this highly trained canine weapon. This includes the cost of trips to the beach for exercise, apportionment of household rates/mortgage/power etc, top quality prime steak, sausage chops and so on ..plus the odd bottle of wine as a herbal remedy... (just let your imangination run wild)............now sit back and wait for the tax refund...
People get it or don't with pets there is no half way house.
Pets can also open a world of opportunity. My wife loves animals and I knew it was part of the deal when we married. They can really can inrich you life in ways you would never expect.
I have met so many different people around the world through animals and specific pets as a common interest, even have judge internationally with a few free trips include.
The ROI has been great for me as I have met all my large clients through the common interst of animals.
Never expected this,but it has really opened up a world of opportunity!
You can't just number crunch you way through life otherwise you life is just a number. Balance is the key plus add some passion.
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