Preparing for Our Newest Family Member
February 17, 2008 by Deborah Ng
Filed under Simple Pleasures
Yesterday my family filled an application to adopt a puppy. Today we found out we were approved for his adoption. Meet Carter, the newest member of the Ng family.
While we’ve been talking about adopting a puppy for the past year or so, we’re very unprepared. We need food, bowls, chewing things, a leash and all the things one needs when one gets a new dog. On top of that, we’ll have to pay a $300 adoption fee – but that does cover the cost of neutering and all the first shots, so we’re about even there.
When we talked about getting a dog we talked about the expense. All that dog food plus vet bills do add up, we already know that from our two cats. We also know from our cats, and past cats and dogs,that they’re well worth the expense. They’re loving, loyal family members and great companionship. Whatever comes out of our pockets is a small price to pay for all the unconditional love we get in return.
What a cute puppy. I am glad that you chose adoption rather than a breeder. Shelter dogs need good homes and usually aim to please the new family. Well everyone’s new puppy but my little guy. I recused him from a horrible home at four months. He needed alot of work and still does at a year old. But he loves mom, so he gets to stay.
I agree with you. Pets are indispensible especially when you have children. I was just curious, though. Where did you adopt your new pet that it cost $300?
Carter is adorable
He’s adorable! We adopted both of our dogs, and I would do it all over again. I love them both dearly.
He is a cutie, isn’t he? We’re going to spend the day readying the house for a puppy and buying what we need.
@Elizabeth – We adopted Carter from an animal rescue/adoption center. The $300 fee covers the cost of neutering and shots. It’s pretty standard. We paid $250 when we adopted our kittens from a shelter as well.
@Blondie – My husband and I will also adopt from shelter or rescue center. All the dogs we had growing up were adoptees and they’re the most loyal pets!
He’s adorable! Congrats on the new member!
Ah he is gorgeous
I have a senior dog… and 2 cats… it can be a handful sometimes thats for sure but it is worth it… 
Wow, I’ve never heard of paying $300 in fees. We paid $80 when we adopted our cat. She was spayed, had her shots, and was declawed. As you can imagine, I was thrilled that I didn’t have to pay for all that. Even still, it was a lot to pay after we bought the litter pan, and other cat things.
We just rescued a kitten a few months ago. It seems every time I go to the store I am buying something for her. She brings joy to our lives though. Unfortunately, my daughter slammed the cat’s tail in a door last week. I took her to the vet and she’s scheduled to have her tail amputated in a few weeks. Ugh! I’m wondering if he’s put it off a few weeks to see if it heals on its own ok. We’ll see.
Welcome Carter. That’s quite a sophiscated name for a dog.
Karen,
The fees seem to be standard – in this area anyway. I checked some of the other adoption agencies and they’re all between $200 and $300. A lot, I know, but worth it.
My son wanted to name his dog “Dorito” but after meeting Carter he thought we should keep his original name. It seems to suit him anyway.
My best to your kitty for a speedy recovery.
I kind of figured that must be a normal price for your area. You’re thrifty, so I’m sure you did your homework and shopped around.
And it’s worth paying a bit more anyway to get the animal that you want.
Dorito . . . now that would have been a funny name. I had a cat once named Snickers. My friends used to always tease me because all of my animals had human names. My cat’s name is Paisley. We found her down the street at the church, so I googled names that mean church and that was one of them that I liked. My husband sometimes jokes that he’s going to get a dog and name it Stay. That was he can say, “Come here, Stay”. He’s a goof.
What an adorable face! And I love his little white beard.
He couldn’t be more adorable if he had noodles hanging out of his mouth. I’m really not a big dog person, but my fiance has one and you just can’t help but fall in love with all that, well . . . unconditional love!
Congrats!
Yuwanda