There's a doggie sitting in a window,
a cute, wagging little guy,
How much does that doggie in that window cost?
I hope it's not too expensive.
Sing it yourself…
But I can reveal the answer: It costs quite a lot.
I've had my dog for six years now, but I still remember the many considerations I had as a future dog owner. Do I have the time, do I have the energy to train and mentally stimulate it, can I have it looked after when I go on holiday or the like, am I ready to get up an hour earlier for a morning walk and to go out in the dark and cold late at night to go for an evening walk, etc. etc.?
The only thing I didn't particularly consider was: Can I afford a dog?
Oh my god, I just needed a little toy poodle, and honestly, once I bought a basket, bowls, collar and stuff, how much would it cost to have a dog? Then it just needed some food, and that's it.
Well, six years later I can do the preliminary accounts and see that the little doggie in the window has taken up a significant item in the accounts. Food is not just food, the daily feed should preferably be of good quality, and it costs money. Not to mention the delicious treats that somehow always end up in the basket at the pet store. And then there are insurance and vet bills – here Bassen has really contributed to the vet's new summer house in North Zealand. We have also participated in training a lot, puppy training, obedience, agility, rally, and it is fun for both me and the dog, but basically the "dog's leisure activities" are more expensive than mine. And then he has to go to the hairdresser every three months – and it is both more expensive and takes longer than my hairdresser's appointments.
And I'm happy to pay for everything, because my best friend should be happy. You can have a dog in many ways, but no matter what, you really shouldn't underestimate the fact that a dog costs money.
So the TOP considerations are: Time. Profit. Money.
Behind the scenes of this week's blogger:
Heidi Christiansen is a happy dog owner of the 5-year-old mini poodle Basse, who is primarily a comfort and companion dog.
She works as a translator and therefore has plenty of time with her beautiful, energetic bundle of energy.
I wonder how much that doggie in that window costs...
There's a doggie sitting in a window,
a cute, wagging little guy,
How much does that doggie in that window cost?
I hope it's not too expensive.
Sing it yourself…
But I can reveal the answer: It costs quite a lot.
I've had my dog for six years now, but I still remember the many considerations I had as a future dog owner. Do I have the time, do I have the energy to train and mentally stimulate it, can I have it looked after when I go on holiday or the like, am I ready to get up an hour earlier for a morning walk and to go out in the dark and cold late at night to go for an evening walk, etc. etc.?
The only thing I didn't particularly consider was: Can I afford a dog?
Oh my god, I just needed a little toy poodle, and honestly, once I bought a basket, bowls, collar and stuff, how much would it cost to have a dog? Then it just needed some food, and that's it.
Well, six years later I can do the preliminary accounts and see that the little doggie in the window has taken up a significant item in the accounts. Food is not just food, the daily feed should preferably be of good quality, and it costs money. Not to mention the delicious treats that somehow always end up in the basket at the pet store. And then there are insurance and vet bills – here Bassen has really contributed to the vet's new summer house in North Zealand. We have also participated in training a lot, puppy training, obedience, agility, rally, and it is fun for both me and the dog, but basically the "dog's leisure activities" are more expensive than mine. And then he has to go to the hairdresser every three months – and it is both more expensive and takes longer than my hairdresser's appointments.
And I'm happy to pay for everything, because my best friend should be happy. You can have a dog in many ways, but no matter what, you really shouldn't underestimate the fact that a dog costs money.
So the TOP considerations are: Time. Profit. Money.
Behind the scenes of this week's blogger:
Heidi Christiansen is a happy dog owner of the 5-year-old mini poodle Basse, who is primarily a comfort and companion dog.
She works as a translator and therefore has plenty of time with her beautiful, energetic bundle of energy.