RE: Cost of a Berner

[Andrea Brin]

don't forget the resources we have at www.berner.org
http://www.berner.org/compilations/pdf_links.htm

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2003 7:41 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Cost of a Berner


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

Cost of a Berner

[Tschuggen]

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