The Unbelievable Cost of Making Dreams Come True: $145,000 for a Puppy

I want a dog the way other people want their dream job, a baby, or world peace.

I’m the lady who stops you on the sidewalk to pet and click a pic of your stubby Corgi, fluffy Chow Chow, or gigantic Irish Wolfhound. Ten bucks says I’ll know the breed of most dogs I meet.

The only thing standing in the way of me and my little bundle of slobber? About $145,000. That’s about half the cost of raising a child.

I knew owning a dog was a significant financial investment, but crunching the actual numbers already makes my wallet hurt.

Lets take a look at some costs, with some help from Mybanktracker.com:

Starting costs

  1. Adopting or buying a puppy $50 to $1,500 from shelter rescues to purebreed
  2. Vaccinations and spaying/neutering $165 to $735, depending on the shelter or hospital
  3. Puppy class and training $20 to $300
  1. Dog food $125 to $400
  2. Routine veterinary care $150 to $600
  3. Treats, toys, vitamins, accessories, grooming, etc $150 to $2,500
  4. Boarding or kennel (while on vacation) $60 to $1,200
  5. Dog-walker $20 a day, roughly $4,800 a year

$235 to $2,535 for starting costs, plus $5,285 to $9,500 annually

Over the course of Cornbeef the bulldog’s life (yep, that will be his name), I’m likely to spend anywhere from $80,000 to $145,000.

These costs don’t even include additional expenses, like pet insurance, surgeries, and medicine, which health-risky bulldogs are likely to need.

The monthly costs alone are a tough pill to swallow. Dog-walking, a necessity for Cornbeef since I live in a suburban apartment and work in the city, is $400 a month. Gulp.

How To Make Puppies Dreams Come True

It’s hard to put cold numbers to big dreams. The dollar value shouldn’t be the deciding factor for your dreams.

But, breaking down the cost didn’t discourage me from owning a dog; it actually helped me set more realistic goals I can actually plan on. Don’t get me wrong; 145K is still a big deal. But I have a better handle on what it means to make this happen. Getting Cornbeef isn’t just an if anymore, but a when.

Figuring out the real costs of your own dream can actually bring you one step closer to making it happen, instead of just daydreaming.

For me, once Im comfortable covering the cost of dog-walking, it’s a milestone towards being ready for the lifetime investment of a happy, healthy dog. For you, it might mean figuring out how much it costs to backpack across Asia or start a non-profit. A calculator is the first step to your dreams, if you’re ready to confront it.

In the meantime, if you’re out walking your dog, humor me. Stop for a chat and let me play with your pup; you’ll be helping my big dreams come true.

Keep up the Karma,

Justine Rivero, Credit Advisor

What’s your big dream? Are you close to making it come true?

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Friday, July 1st, 2011 Financial Consultant

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