If you live anywhere in Southern Ontario, then there’s a pretty good chance that you too experienced the freezing rain extravaganza that was our weather yesterday. It started off pretty innocuously but by mid-afternoon and onward it was a straight-up gross-fest. I had spent my day avoiding the roads as much as possible (my single outing to the College to teach for a couple of hours was an all-too harrowing affair for my liking) but, as my luck would have it, an evening spent cozied up on the couch was not in the cards.
You see, it was time for Jasper’s annual check-up, which meant that not only did I have to actually drive in all that miserable weather (to the next town over, no less!) but that I had yet another hefty vet bill coming my way.
This was our third trip to the vet in the last two months. First, Jasper was neutered at the very end of November – a long over-due ordeal that came with a $400 price tag. Yay! Then, at the beginning of January, I let the beast inside after his morning tear around the yard and noticed that something wasn’t quite right…
What? He looks fine to meeEEEAAHUG! WHAT IS WRONG WITH HIS EYES??
A couple of frantic messages and Google searches later and I figured it was probably a good idea for Jasper and his eye to see the vet. After a great deal of ocular prodding, it turned out that Jasper’s Bowie-like condition was the result of him most likely getting shanked with something in the eye while he was crashing through the bushes that morning. A prescription for a steroid ointment and $130 later and we were on our way.
This brings us to his check-up yesterday; the only reason we normally visit the vet. After braving the roads we (which is to say, the dog) were dealt a round of shots, a physical exam and some routine tests before being awarded a shiny new rabies tag. Oh, and another $130 bill (for me, not the dog).
Now, maybe you’re starting to think that this is a blog post about me complaining. Dogs are expensive! Life is hard! WAH.
Well of course dogs are expensive – they’re living creatures that require routine health care (among other things that also cost money). Paying your vet bills is part of responsible pet ownership. Get over it.
Which is what, ultimately, this post is actually all about. I thought about it a lot on the drive back from the vet last night: about how I hate paying bills of any kind but don’t think twice about paying for Jasper’s (and getting him the treatment he needs, as opposed to how I treat myself – I avoid visiting my doc unless it’s unquestionably necessary) and about how I really did not want to be on the roads that night but PRIORITIES, MAN! GET OUTTA MY WAY!
I like to think that this is a positive part of growing-up – that rising up to one’s responsibilities becomes easier to do as we get comfortable with our adultness. Maybe selflessness starts to come a little bit more naturally when we start to get our priorities straight.
Then again, I could just be someone who really loves my dog.
I guess we’ll see!
What about you? Have you found that you’re more genuinely willing to take on your responsibilities and priorities as you get older? Or maybe you’ve just always been an exceptionally responsible person (go ahead – rub it in). Or maybe you’re not responsible at all! Whatever the case may be, tell me your stories. Being an adult is weird so let’s wallow in that fact together.
6 Comments
This is a must read for first time dog owners I’d say. Especially young adults. Great article, Sara
Adulthood (and even adultolescence) is all about discovering and being tasked with new and sometimes daunting responsibilities. Getting to that place where we’re compelled to step-up to them because it’s the right thing and therefore we actually want to (as opposed to being told that we have to do it and therefore just feeling resentful) feels kind of like a gold star in my opinion. That said, I’m also very tired so who knows what I’m actually trying to say at this point.
I’m the same way Sara. If I needed a prescription for something, it better be a case of life or death or else I’m not paying for it. Winston, Marilyn or Becky need an ointment, flea treatment, antibiotics, special food? Paid for with little questions asked. I spent over $2500 in vet bills in 2012 (for three animals)… which sounds insane when I add it all up. But, it’s a responsibility I’ve taken on as an adult and I have to follow through with it.
But, like you said, I could just be someone who loves my dog(s) (and cat)
Right? I was hoping that this post would be able to resonate across multiple facets of budding adultolescence but when it comes to pet ownership specifically I just can’t see it any other way. We’re talking about living creatures that depend on people to survive domestically. Don’t be a dead-beat pet-parent, people! STEP UP TO THAT PLATE OF RESPONSIBILITY, YO!
(You, however, are a fabulous pet-parent. Also, I miss Winston in my life.)
This really puts into perspective my dreams about owning a pet in university – pets are expensive, even if you get a free one! I suppose right now, footing the bills for my car is about as much responsibility as I can handle… and it’s not even alive… Better leave the kitty at home for the time being.
Each situation is obviously different but sometimes it’s just better to hold out for a bit. I’m glad I waited – I had very little idea how much I was getting myself in to financially!