What to do with the pets when in grad school?

[downtownchick]

I have a senior sick dog. I’ve just shelled out five grand to buy her a life-saving surgery. She’s laying in her little sick bed recovering right now. She has 2 medical conditions that need chronic disease management. I spent over $25,000 on her in the past two years over three specialists, a few emergency room visits, tests and all that jazz already. Honestly, sometimes when I read through pages and pages of her vet bills, I feel my heart is about to stop beating any second. I’m just another girl in literature, not so good with money. I have been having an okay income from working 3 gigs in entertainment and IT. I can’t imagine what I can do if I don’t make as much as now to support her if I get in to the schools I apply.

What do you guys plan to do with the high-maintenance pets after getting in?

[Pamphilia]

I won't have one. We just had to put down my cat last night. I've had him since I was six. I'm sad.

I'm also sending good vibes to your poor doggy, downtownchick.

Edited January 8, 2010 by Pamphilia

[johndiligent]

There's a similar post down in the Officially Grads section with tons of responses in case you don't get many here.

[downtownchick]

I won't have one. We just had to put down my cat last night. I've had him since I was six. I'm sad.

I'm also sending good vibes to your poor doggy, downtownchick.

So sorry for your loss, Pamphilia...

[Pamphilia]

So sorry for your loss, Pamphilia...

Thanks, I appreciate that. I hope you can figure out a good situation for your dog when you get to grad school!

[glasses]

My pets aren't high maintenance now, but you never know what's in store, so, I have 3 credit cards that I keep entirely free for emergencies and an (admittedly meager) savings account for non-emergent medical needs. (I know -- from personal experience, actually! -- that credit cards are brutal revolving doors, but you gotta do what you gotta do; in case of emergency, it's really useful to have a substantial uh-oh stash hiding out that you can pay back over a period of time, even if it is with fiendish interest rates.) I'd suggest that you start saving A.S.A.P. while you still have the three gigs and look into finding your own emergency stash if possible.

[solairne]

I have 2 dogs that will be moving with me. They're both young - two year old Beagle and a two year old Pug.

It shouldn't be a problem moving them since they are house trained and young. Were you asking more in terms of being home enough to let them out and run around or more in terms of finances and medical expenses?

For what it is worth, I have heard that some agencies offer pet insurance. You could look into that, but it probably isn't anything too spectacular or else everyone would have it by now.

[rogue]

If you end up at a university with a vet school, make friends with those students. Seriously. If you're ever in a bind, they might be able to help you out.

I say this as someone who hasn't paid for vet care in eight years because one of my best friends is a vet. I'm lucky. And if I move for school, I am for damn sure trying to make friends with another vet! I can't imagine how much money he has saved me over the years. (Lest I sound like a total mooch, we were friends before I had the dogs and I return the favor as much as I can with home cooked meals, etc.)

Edited January 11, 2010 by rogue

[downtownchick]

I wasn't as concerned about letting the dog out and run around as medical expenses. Pet insurance won’t help much since preexisting conditions are not covered.

But you guys have good ideas. Yeah, I can deal with saving, emergency credit card and mooching. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Thank so much, you sympathetic people.