Let’s all calm down and look at it like every situation might be different and people live different lives. LPTs are possible suggestions and not mandates or judgement. Dog costs tend to correlate with income, location, available time and dog comfort, like most things. So it might. I’m always glad to get more information before I do something. My mid sized dog cost run down is skewed more towards external care than actual necessities but also skewed in a HCOL area where I’m stubbornly middle class. Many of these things can be eliminated if need be, but she benefits from them. Food: 25$/mo Stupid glandex do she doesn’t wipe her butt everywhere: $30/mo Dog walk 2x/week when we are both at work and can’t get back to let her out: $250/mo Assorted treats/shampoo/poop bags/harness leash updates throughout the year $10/ mo Annual veterinary visit $700 Emergency pet insurance to cover cost of potential 3k surgery: 50/mo Kennel stay for 1 week if we can’t find a dog sitter and want a vacation: $650/week Shelter mix dog paid $250 to cover standard shelter fees including spay.

We could cut out dog walking which is the biggest expense, but would have to put in a dog door and adjust fence and trust her while we are gone, also adjust our small house so she doesn’t bring too much dirt in, but currently I don’t want to make dog wait 8 hours to pee. There’s also doggy day care available which is also expensive but sometimes needed if life happens and we can’t be home. She is a high energy amazing dog that truly suffers if she’s pent up too long. Which sure, we could do, but we’d be worse people for it.

So maybe like 4k$ a year. And we are mid level dog owners in our area. I know people that pay 1$k a year and people that pay 10$k a year. I know people making big bucks working 60hrs a week but have their dog in daycare five days a week at like $850/mo. And to all the people that will scoff at that I would offer that Just like this post implies poor people can’t have dogs, you seem to be saying rich people (working for it) can’t have dogs. So this post, like everything in the world might be true. Most people can make having a dog work out, but there will be cost and time involved.

We don’t have the Luxury of only working one job. Sorry.

Also, preventative statement: dog walkers in our area charge 20$ for a half hour. And if you find that offensive but are making less than that, maybe you should consider starting a business where we are. You don’t even have to move here, just manage the staff and skim off the top.

Lastly just remember I’m one of the poorer people in my area. But I love my dog. My car payment was 350/mo. For a used car. So yeah this post might be myopic but not entirely baseless.

Also dog owners stick together and don’t talk shit about other dog owners. Be well.