[nagdu] Cost of owning a guide dog

Tue Feb 22 18:22:15 UTC 2011

Tracy,

Your numbers are the rule of thumb I'm using to plan ahead for Mitzi's
retirement and replacement, barring the unexpected.  Poodles tend to be
longer lived than most other large dog breeds, so I would like for her to
work a few years longer.  Still, I will start watching for signs that she's
getting ready when she's around 9, tentatively plan to find a pup to train
when she's around 10, which will have her phasing into semi-retirement then
full retirement at around 12....

Planning for something you are convinced will never happen is a strange
thing to make yourself do.  She's going to live forever, right?  And she
will be 5 forever, right?  Why plan for another dog when I'm always going to
thave this one?  /smile/

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Tracy Carcione
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 6:38 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Cost of owning a guide dog

I'd say guide dogs usually retire sometime between 9 and 12 years old. 
Some people think a dog should be retired when he's 10, regardless. Me,
I'd like Ben to work until he's 11, but he's kinda lazy and may opt to
retire earlier.
HTH
Tracy

> Hi Jessica, Julie and all,
> Could you elaborate on what you meant by "a dog can find things
> whereas a cane cannot"?  What kinds of things are you referring to?
> Certainly it depends on a dog's health, but around what age do guide
> dogs usually retire?
> Thanks a lot for your help!
> Phil
>
>
> On 2/21/11, Jessica Pitzer <rolosgirl at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I used a cane for about 17 years or so. A dog can find things where as
>> a cane can not, but a cane can give you more tacticle info. I prefer
>> the dog obviously.
>>
>> On 2/21/11, Julie J <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
>>> Phil,
>>>
>>> I have my current guide and my retired guide here.
>>>
>>> Some people do get pet insurance, but I'd caution reading the fine
>>> print
>>> before signing on the dotted line.  I've heard a lot of people say they
>>> aren't worth the cost, that it's better to just put the money in a
>>> savings
>>> account.   I haven't spend that much time looking into insurance, so I
>>> have
>>> no idea which plans are better than others.  If this is a concern, I'd
>>> ask
>>> the program you are considering what sort of support they offer in
>>> cases
>>> of
>>> unforeseen medical expenses.
>>>
>>> Julie
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Philip S" <philso1003 at gmail.com>
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2011 4:44 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Cost of owning a guide dog
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi Julie,
>>>> Thanks for your detailed answers.  You mentioned "both of your dogs".
>>>> Do you have 2 guide dogs?  Yes, vet visits and unforeseen medical
>>>> expenses can be costly.  Is it a common practice for people to buy
>>>> health insurance for their guide dogs such as from PetPlan?
>>>> Thanks.
>>>> Phil
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 2/20/11, Julie J <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
>>>>> Phil,
>>>>>
>>>>> My best answer is...it depends.  It's hard to pin down an exact
>>>>> amount I
>>>>> spend monthly or yearly because there are so many variables. Here's
>>>>> my
>>>>> best
>>>>> guess at your individual questions.
>>>>>
>>>>>> About how much can I expect the cost to increase as a dog gets
>>>>>> bigger >
>>>>>> (eat more?) and older (more vet visits?)
>>>>> *> The cost you incur on food won't really change over the lifetime
>>>>> of
>>>>> the
>>>>> dog since all the programs will be matching you with an adult dog.
>>>>> Whether
>>>>> or not you spend a lot on vet visits totally depends on the
>>>>> individual
>>>>> health of the dog.  I wish I knew of some way to predict health and
>>>>> longevity, but I don't.*
>>>>>
>>>>>> In particular, how much do you spend each month (or each year on the
>>>>>> following)?
>>>>>> Food  *approx. $600 per year I have a very large dog who cannot
>>>>>> tolerate
>>>>>> corn, wheat or soy*
>>>>>> Treats *I only buy treats every now and then, maybe $20 per year.
>>>>>> Typically I use regular dog food or find something appropriate from
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> refridgerator.*
>>>>>> Snacks *I don't really do snacks*
>>>>>> regular Vet visit*approx. $30 per year, but I live in a very rural
>>>>>> environment.  My vet is super cheap compared to what you'd
>>>>>> experience
>>>>>> in
>>>>>>
>>>>>> a
>>>>>>
>>>>>> large city.*
>>>>>> Major medical expense*Absolutely no way to know in advance.*
>>>>>> supplies*I've had dogs for all of my life.  Many of the supplies I
>>>>>> have
>>>>>> like brushes etc.  I've had for ages.  None of them were very
>>>>>> expensive,
>>>>>> except for the Furminator.  You could buy all the brushes and combs
>>>>>> you'd
>>>>>> need for under $20.  I think the dishes I have cost something like
>>>>>> $7
>>>>>> or
>>>>>> so.*
>>>>>> Kennel*Again I have a very large dog, 27 inches tall.  There aren't
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> lot
>>>>>> to choose from when you get to that size.  I have a VariKennel which
>>>>>> was
>>>>>> about $100.*
>>>>>> license*Spayed or neutered dogs are $5 here, which I do pay.
>>>>>> Technically
>>>>>> speaking a fee cannot be charged to you because of your choice of
>>>>>> mobility
>>>>>>
>>>>>> tool.  Your experience in getting local authorities to understand
>>>>>> this
>>>>>> may
>>>>>>
>>>>>> vary.*
>>>>>> Toy*my dogs are spoiled in the toy department.  They have an entire
>>>>>> bin
>>>>>> full of them.  I try to pick super durable toys that will last a
>>>>>> long
>>>>>> while though.  I'd say the current toy selection probably cost me
>>>>>> around
>>>>>> $100, but they weren't purchased all at once and they obviously
>>>>>> don't
>>>>>> need
>>>>>>
>>>>>> all of those toys.  I like King Wholesale for toys.  They are about
>>>>>> half
>>>>>> the price of Petsmart or Petco.*
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Do you visit any dog/pet website?
>>>>> *Yes, many.  I like King Wholesale for toys, supplies, grooming needs
>>>>> etc.*
>>>>>
>>>>> Do you get your dog food/supplies
>>>>>> online or at a store?
>>>>>> *Generally online.  Again I live in a very, very small town.  There
>>>>>> is
>>>>>> no
>>>>>> pet store here.  I feed Flint River Ranch dog food to both of my
>>>>>> dogs.
>>>>>> it's only available on line and delivered to your front door.*
>>>>>> Thanks very much for your help!
>>>>> *No problem.  I did want to mention that most/all of the guide dog
>>>>> programs
>>>>> will provide you with a couple of toys, a mat or crate, leash,
>>>>> collar,
>>>>> harness, food bowl, brush and probably other stuff I'm forgetting at
>>>>> the
>>>>> moment.  the two major expenses are food and vet bills.  Some of the
>>>>> programs will provide a yearly stipend or  assistance with unforseen
>>>>> vet
>>>>> costs.  If you live close enough to the school I think most of them
>>>>> will
>>>>> allow you to take your dog there for vet visits free of charge.*
>>>>>
>>>>> Julie
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nagdu:
>>>>>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/philso1003%40gmail.co
m
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nagdu:
>>>>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/julielj%40neb.rr.com
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nagdu mailing list
>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nagdu:
>>>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/rolosgirl%40gmail.com
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nagdu:
>>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/philso1003%40gmail.co
m
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nagdu:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/carcione%40access.net
>

_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/tamara.8024%40comcast
.net