Pet expenses! Oh, the cost of being a great, responsible pet owner! Have seen the commercial where the father says, my brother gave us a free puppy for my kid...then it starts adding up all the items cost for the pet? I love that commercial, it's the truth! I recently purchased a West Highland Terrier from a breeder. I have wanted a Westie for so long! I have been waiting forever to find the perfect price. There was an ad in the local classifieds for Westies. I was so excited. There hasn't ever been a litter in the paper in our town. I called right away and droove 5 blocks to the breeders house. The owner's had a litter for $450 but decided to drop the price to $200 because they believed the market was just not right for that kind of money for Westies.

I feel in love! I picked up the puppy with the longer fur and roundest belly! I had to have him. They informed me he had a hernia that had been repaired. I said that was fine, I'd love him either way! I brought him home with his AKC registration form, only $32 to register him! Then I had to take him to get his shots. $69 there, he needed 2nd shots, then rabbies then Frontline just in case, oh and can't forget the Heartwarming pills! Oh, dog tags, too, you have to pay for your pet to be licensed!

Every time I go to the store, he gets something special. Mind you, I don't have kids so he is very spoiled! I want him to always look cute! New shirts, yes I said shirt! I love to dress him up. He has toys, toys and more toys. A new bed that he doesn't like so I think I'll buy him another one just so he's comfy!

Last week he went to the vet because his hernia repair was just not healing. The 1st surgery wasn't done correctly so then I had to pay for another surgery. We also found out he has a retained testicle! Oh, great, how much will that cost! That's ok, I didn't want to breed him anyway! He had surgery on Monday, it's been a week and now another hernia has appeared! What is wrong with my Prince?! He was only $200, the perfect price! In just his short 5.5 months that he's been alive, I have spent more money on him then anyone I have ever known! And, I'll spend more because I love him and I'm a very responsible pet owner! It just goes to show you, pets are not FREE!

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