Kenny Thanks for opening up this valuable conversation with your question about the cost of keeping a Berner - healthy or not.It's the kind of issue that once you has fallen in love with a dog (or person, horse or car)most of us don't necessarily care to examine. I would encourage any prospective puppy owner to visit the Drs. Foster & Smith website & read "Cost of A Dog".
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1671&articleid=1543 It's an enlightening article -there are far more expenses than you would think. Once owned/loved by a Berner it feels like having a child and the thought of not doing everything I could is painful to contemplate. That's the kicker: to avoid finding yourself in the position where you have to make a difficult choice to treat or not treat a dog with an illness based on finances rather than the diagnosis, prognosis and efficacy of a specific treatment. The cost of veterinary care in the northeast & many urban areas is more than in other parts of the country. I try to keep about $2500.-3000. available for emergencies.For some dogs I have used that fund - for others it was never touched. This is the way I avoid making veterinary decisions on a financial basis. I have also chosen NOT to treat dogs with life threatening illnesses because of their age (over 8) and the quality of life they would enjoy and euthanize them instead. Joy is a big issue for me: as companion dogs I feel they are here only because of our pleasure/stewardship and my dogs must have sufficient joy or chance of joy in the near future. Each owner must make this very personal decision & it involves not only the family finances but ethical values, religious beliefs, education about a particular illness (Thank you Pat Long and the berner-l community) and informed, sensitive veterinary care. Pet insurance is new and there are owners who are pleased and others who are disappointed with what they purchased:another individual choice where there is not much rock solid data. There are no right or wrong choices - only ones that are made without sufficient forethought & planning. Read, read and read some more because once that gorgeous ball of affection and fluff walks in your home you'll not have lots of time to educate yourself! Thanks for stimulating a good discussion and welcome to the Berner community. Peace, Linda Seaver & Belline Bedford, New York
