Real Talk
The First Time My Dog Couldn't Make It Up the Stairs
It was a Tuesday night. I remember because Tuesdays are when I do laundry, and our bedroom is upstairs. Charlie...
Real Talk
The messy, beautiful, expensive truth about dog parenthood.
Real Talk
Crowdfunding Vet Bills: The New Normal (and How to Avoid Needing It)
Scroll through GoFundMe on any given day and you'll find hundreds of campaigns for veterinary bills. Titles like "Help save...
Real Talk
The True Cost of "Waiting to See If It Gets Worse"
It's the most natural thing in the world. Your dog does something slightly off. A little limp after a long...
Real Talk
I Bought the Cheapest Supplement on Amazon. Here's What Happened.
I want to preface this by saying I'm not an unreasonable person. I comparison shop for everything. I use coupons....
Real Talk
When the Vet Recommends Something You Can't Afford: Your Options
The vet looks at you across the exam table. Your dog is between you, panting, oblivious. The vet says something...
Real Talk
The Dog Health Savings Account: Why I Set Aside $100/Month Starting at Puppy Age
When my puppy, Otis, came home at 12 weeks old, my mother in law gave me two pieces of advice....
Real Talk
Free, Cheap, and Expensive: Health Support for Every Budget
Not everyone has $100 a month to spend on dog supplements and premium vet care. I know that because I've...
Real Talk
The Financial Reality of Senior Dog Ownership That Nobody Talks About
Everyone tells you about the joy of adopting a senior dog. The wisdom in their eyes. The gentle companionship. The...
Real Talk
When Your Partner Thinks You Spend Too Much on the Dog
My husband, David, is a reasonable man. He loves our dog, Walter. He'll give Walter belly rubs for twenty straight...
Real Talk
The Preventive Care Math: Why $40/Month Now Saves $4,000 Later
I am not a math person. I chose a writing career specifically to avoid math. But when it comes to...
Real Talk
How Much Should You Actually Spend on Dog Supplements Per Month?
If you Google "how much to spend on dog supplements," you'll get answers ranging from "nothing, just feed good food"...
Real Talk
Vet Bills Ruined Me Financially. Here's How I Rebuilt and Planned Better.
In March of 2024, my dog Pepper ate something he shouldn't have on a walk. Within hours, he was vomiting...