I know you know most or all of what's below, but lots of people are cruising for Presidential Pooch info who don't know, so...

I believe you are mistaken about Bo being in training "somewhere." He's now at the White House--having spent the last month or so living with the Kennedys' trainer so that he'd have the basics down, and only have to adapt to his new environment. Call it a kindness to first-time dog owners the Obamas.

Bo is a returned dog, and his fair-market value is not remotely what the fair market value of an 8- or 12-week-old puppy is. That's why it's legally possible for Sen. Kennedy to give them the dog as a gift.

If Obama weren't the President, he wouldn't have to declare the dog as a gift; gifts up to a much higher value than the value of all but the most valuable champion dogs aren't taxable or reportable unless you are a federal official and we have laws in place to limit your ability to take bribes.

Fortunately, none of us has to worry about the cost aspect of whatever the Obamas decide to feed their dog, because the First Family pays its own living expenses, including food, out of the President's paycheck. Or, in this case perhaps, the President's $6 million or so in royalties last year from his two best-selling books. In any case, your tax dollars are NOT at work in Bo's food bowl.

Given how popular dogs have been in the White House, regardless of party affiliation of the First Family, I suspect the Secret Service has the numbers of all approved local vets. On speed dial. And that the Presidential Pooch DOES get house calls for anything not requiring hospital facilities.

Lis April 16th, 2009 10:18:05 AM

Are folks really fussing about the cost of the dog? Yeesh! I now declare that everyone who makes a stink about the cost of the Obama's dog must do the following:

- not buy a flat screen TV

- get rid of their computer

- take no vacations

- buy no new toys for their children

- wear their shoes until there are holes in the bottom

- buy only store brand food and only eat meat if its on sale at $2 or less per pound.

Why? Because complaining about an expense that the Obama's chose to incur is about as stupid as mandating any of the above.

We'd all be a lot better off if we took the stance that what you do with your time and money is your business as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. Yeah, I know, that'll happen just before hell freezes over.

2CatMom April 16th, 2009 10:18:46 AM

Members of our growing community of dog amputee care-givers know all to well how the expenses of canine cancer care can spiral out of control. But what's another thousand dollars once you've spent so much improving the quality of life for your furry friend?

We've heard comments from those who don't get it like, "it's just a dog," or "you could buy a lot of dogs for that much!" But for those who do get it, it's not about the money. It's all about the love ... that, and knowing when to say when.

tripawds.com April 16th, 2009 11:05:30 AM

People will spend as much on their pets as madison avenue and the "magic marketing magicians" tells them to in most cases. As seen on TeeVee!! Most of it cheaply produced junk and gimicks their pets don't need nor really want.  Pets want love and stability not "stuff". 

Evet April 16th, 2009 11:07:36 AM

2CatMom, I don't know what Dr. Khuly has seen specifically, but I know I've seen people who are convinced that we pay the Obamas' living expenses (we don't), and that therefore we are now paying for the food, training, healthcare, and clean-up & repair costs associated with their new dog. Which is thereby an added burden on the taxpayer.

"Willfully stupid" doesn't begin to cover it.

Lis April 16th, 2009 11:09:53 AM

Evet, I think you're missing Tripawds' point that the complainers, the ones who say "it's just a dog," aren't worrying about the $5 we spend on an overpriced toy. They intensely disapprove of our caring about the quality of the dog's food, or "wasting money" on vet care when for the same price we could replace the "defective" pet several times over.

In short, it's the love that they object to.

Lis April 16th, 2009 11:13:59 AM

Tax returns released by the White House show Obama and his wife, Michelle, together made $2.7 million last year.

While that is far more than the U.S. median household income of about $50,000, it is also far less than the Obamas made the previous year. In 2007, they made $4.2 million.

Get a grip. I think the Obamas can afford a dog.

robinsdogs April 16th, 2009 11:14:07 AM

Since this First Family is getting more attention than any since, well, the Kennedys I think there will be some really positive fallout from all this fuss.

1. Although I know some groups are angry that they didn't "adopt" a dog (get over it already), the news of how they obtained Bo is exposing THOUSANDS of people to the idea that a breeder SHOULD - and many DO - take dogs back and/or help to re-home them if things don't work out.  Sometimes people aren't willing to contact their breeder because of embarrassment or fear the breeder will be angry, but most just don't think to do it.  It never occurs to most people that the breeder might be willing to help them find a home for the dog.
2. This may boost adoptions of some of those mid-to-large black dogs that many shelters seem to have so much trouble placing.  I predict that shelters will start labeling the black or parti-colored doodle mixes they get as "PWD mixes".  I hope they will anyway - who cares what the dog is called if it helps get him or her adopted.

LOVE the spell checker!!  Thank you, thank you!!

Barb April 16th, 2009 12:29:47 PM

Gack!  Are you kidding me?  $1,700 a year for a single dog?  Recession or no, that's a cost I'd have to think long and hard about.

Here's my estimate:

$300 for food (high quality grain-free kibble, veggies, meat bits)

$320 for grooming (although I work as a groomer, I would include this because I believe its part of maintaining a healthy dog)

$80 yearly check-up fee

$60 vaccinations (every three years divided by three)

$50 for toys, leashes, collars etc

I tally up $810 there.

Of course, since I own a cocker spaniel, that doesn't include the carpet cleanings.  Lol!  Just kidding.

We have laminate.

Still, my 19 year old cat has never eaten anything other than supermarket kibble or wet food (in the last few years she's had wet food) and for most of that time, it was whatever was on sale.  Who can say what a particular animal will thrive on?  I empathize with those, such as my parents, who have a dog and cat with such sensitive systems that they are constantly trying to find something (usually from the vet) that won't cause bloody diarhea or vomiting. 

I know my girl is a small breed so food costs are lower.  I know I don't have daycare or boarding fees to worry about, since I can do both those where I work.  But does anyone else find this number, as proposed by the "study", to be a tad unrealistic?

BCBev April 16th, 2009 01:35:33 PM

BCBev:You do expect your dog to get old, though, right? At $100 a year you're in the tiniest minority of vet bill sufferers I know.Most places have higher vet costs than that for yearlies. Add in dentals, illnesses, flea and tick meds, heartworm meds and you'll be at $1,700 in a jiffy. Large breed? Double your food costs and add in the ortho issues later in life and you're well beyond it. 

Dr. Patty Khuly April 16th, 2009 01:42:17 PM

btw, in case you missed my take on my Vincent's expenses, here it is.

Dr. Patty Khuly April 16th, 2009 01:43:57 PM

$100 annually for vet fees? I'm guessing you don't live in a major metropolitan area. My cats run several $100s each a year for vet checks, minor problems, medication, etc. And these are young animals.

And at a $1.99 for a 5.5 oz can of cat food (no it isn't a supermarket brand), 1 can a day per cat, food alone runs over $700/year. But given what it costs to treat a cat for renal failure after digesting poisoned food, that's not a bad deal.

Still - I have my limits and 2 cats is it for now. I really couldn't afford a third one and still take care of them in a way that I feel is appropriate.

2CatMom April 16th, 2009 02:08:21 PM

Is Bo "fixed"?

Robert Garnett April 16th, 2009 02:17:59 PM

Well, I always thought my dogs were above average and now I know they are!  The costs do increase as they age.  I have three seniors on NSAIDS for arthritis, which means each of them needs to have blood work every 6 months.  The meds are not cheap either, nor the prescription food that one of them eats - his food alone is probably around $900/year.  (Senior dogs are priceless; for everything else there's Mastercard.)

Anne April 16th, 2009 02:25:55 PM

Yes, Bo is fixed.

Lis April 16th, 2009 02:59:40 PM

I don't really care if Obama got a dog or not....nor do I really care where he got it. I do care that the dog does better than say the Clinton's cat, and I do care what he does with the money he does spend that comes from me, and so far, I am not impressed.

LorriM April 16th, 2009 05:07:15 PM

I'd say $1700 is about average. What it really comes down to is what each individual pet owner considers basic care. For some, that's an exam and vaccinations. For others, like me, there's a bit more to "basic" care. As the owner of a 10 year-old cat, my "basic" means twice a year visits complete with bloodwork and urinalysis, annual dental cleaning (plus minus extractions depending on what's going on with her teeth), plus premium all natural canned food and a number of supplements (multi-vitamin, CO Q10, Cosequin). I agree with Anne's comment, slightly modified - ALL pets are priceless, for everything else there's Mastercard!

Ingrid April 16th, 2009 05:07:23 PM

I don't really care if Obama got a dog or not....nor do I really care where he got it. I do care that the dog does better than say the Clinton's cat, and I do care what he does with the money he does spend that comes from me, and so far, I am not impressed.

Ah, yes, the horrid fate of Socks Clinton, who lived ten years with the Clintons as Chelea's pet (not Bill's), and then, after the advent of Bill's dog and the departure of B & H for upstate NY, and Chelsea's for college (hint: freshmen generally required to live in dorms, generally not allowed pets in the dorm), moved in with Clinton's secretary whom he already knew and had a good relatioship with, and lived another eight years until, suffering from terminal cancer, he was euthanized.

It's a fate worthy of a late-night horror flick, for sure.

Lis April 16th, 2009 05:29:12 PM

I do care what he does with the money he does spend that comes from me, and so far, I am not impressed.

I didn't particularly like the way the previous president spent my tax money either, but I didn't begrudge him his two Scotties.

JP April 16th, 2009 06:10:31 PM

I was going through my records recently for tax purposes -- and I was aghast at what I'd spent last year on vet expenses which I perused while trying to identify the truly tax deductible expenses. This includes expenses I picked up for my mom's dogs. As well as for my foster cat (thankfully, the latter actually BEING tax deductible as it was a donation to the charity from which I was fostering her). I really would love to see the day when the health expenses -- vet expenses -- for our pets are fully or partly tax deductible. Or, if they could be treated like family medical expenses, which become tax deductible if they exceed, I think, 7% of your income. If you could add vet expenses to your own out of pocket medical expenses to come up with your "medical total" to determine whether you qualify -- man, in most years, that would CHANGE my tax picture in a meaningful way.

Stefani April 16th, 2009 06:43:10 PM

The Army Veterinary Corps has, as a part (lower priority than military working dogs, food safety, public health etc) of its mission, promotion of good morale of the troops. When and where possible, some veterinary services are made available for companion animals of on-duty, dependents and retired military of all branches. This includes vaccination (especially rabies), help with travel arrangements, exams of pets for day care centers on base, parasite prevention etc. Given that POTUS is commander-in-chief, I am sure some of these services are available for the first dog. If not, I will be happy to come out of retirement -- especially if they give me time in grade and time in service for the 40 years since I went off active duty.

Dr. Steve Dubin April 16th, 2009 07:28:44 PM

I love my dogs and I love my cat.  But for some reason I would probably go to greater extents to save my dogs.  Does this make me a bad person?  Bad Pet owner?  I dunno.  I've had only one vet bill due to an illness with my cat that was rather costly ($200+) and I did not mind paying that to make him better.  However I doubt I would spend over $1000 on my cat if there was any chance at all that he would not be totally normal afterwards.  Now with the exception of hip surgery which doesn't guarantee your dog will not still be in pain, I would probably spend a lot more to save my dogs.  Again maybe I'm a bad person, and I do love my cat, however I don't think we will get another cat once he's gone.

Chuck April 16th, 2009 10:15:21 PM

Yep- don't forget grooming costs! It always annoys me when new owners bring in their pup for a badly needed (and often overdue) grooming, then complain about the price. Well, if you had done your research, you would have realized that a STANDARD POODLE (insert PWD, or doodle, here) is a large, and high-maintenance dog and therefore has higher grooming fees! Duh.

clover April 16th, 2009 10:18:57 PM

I initially gasped at "$1700" but, after thinking about it, yeah, that's about right for my dogs, amortized over the years; 20-30% less in rural Missouri than here in Houston.  My Labs eat more but my Shiba has more health problems...

Chuck, I'm kinda with you.  I haven't found my cats to be happy when they weren't reasonably well; they tended to become neurotic when anything required ongoing treatment and excessive handling.  My dogs do just fine and rebound with treatment, even surgery.  It isn't that I wouldn't pay for the cat's treatment but that it often seems a very serious compromise of their inherent independent nature resulting in misery for them.  My cats are half feral and I don't expect them to be otherwise; my dogs on the other hand are always lovey-dovey (even the Shiba who is independent - for a dog, that is).  Personally, I'm more like my cats.  There's a quality of life level below which I'd rather my docs left me to die gracefully (at a minimum); absolutely no desire for extraordinary efforts to merely keep me breathing.  Of course I've learned to smile and fake it when I'm in pain because the world treats me better but that doesn't mean I'm not in pain.  I often wonder if pets learn the same lesson and we keep them limping along when perhaps we shouldn't.

PJBoosinger April 16th, 2009 11:07:58 PM

Regarding the cats, I think it's very much an individual thing.

Looking at my own, Thomas (who incidentally used to be feral) has been so adaptable, medically speaking, that I would probably be willing to put him through just about anything if there were a good chance of a positive outcome. When a neurological incident left him partially paralyzed a couple of years ago, he adapted within a matter of days, developing a language of very specific gestures, 'signs', and vocalizations so he could direct me to help him do all the things he was no longer able to do on his own. (He's a smart boy.) If you'd asked me prior to that whether I would have euthanized an animal in his condition, my answer would have been an unequivocal 'yes!'. (Frankly, I would not have wanted to live in that state!) But after a couple days of adjusting, it was as if he'd never known anything else.

I would not put Nick through some of the things I would subject Thomas to. Not because I love him any less, but because his threshold for stress is so much lower. There are things Thomas would happily take in stride that would diminish Nick's quality of life to the point that it would be unfair to him.. and I can totally sympathize with that. (When it comes to medical stuff, I am definitely a Nick and not a Thomas!)

Having adopted a cat who had received major reconstructive surgery after suffering an attack by a large dog has changed my views somewhat. I once would have subjected any of my pets to lifesaving procedures as I saw fit. Now, not so much. That surgery gave Alex a number of good years, but it also left her traumatized in ways that make me question whether or not it was ultimately the right decision. I adored her, and cherish the years we had together.. but I think it probably would have been kinder for Al if they had just let her go.

Ramen Connoisseur April 17th, 2009 12:17:54 AM

Ramen, You're right.  I did do long term steroid treatment years ago for a very calm Siamese who took it in stride and gained two more really good years.  And fought off rounds of viral attacks in a cat for 5 years much more recently. Gotta say he was impressive.  Tip his head back a bit, open mouth, drop in pill.  He'd swallow and then go for a drink of water.

Don't really think about it beyond "can this one take it?" and not sure I was even conscious I was doing that.  Or maybe the wigged out cats burned more memories into my brain. :)

PJBoosinger April 17th, 2009 02:34:23 AM

$320 a year for grooming?!?!

Don't think so.  It depends on the animal's coat.  If you have an animal with a short or double coat, you do not need to pay some one to groom.   You need to work with your pet so that you can do the grooming.  And yes, the pet's coat does affect my choice.

What we spent on grooming for a Norwegian elkhound (double Northern coat) in my childhood was for the brushes, combs, and a little shampoo and water.  We brushed and washed her at home ourselves.  Even for the show ring, this breed is NOT to be clipped.  The whiskers are to be left ON.  She was trained as a puppy to be brushed by the family.

With a Tonkinese cat, all I've spent for grooming was to buy the brushes and combs.  She likes some better than others and she has a short smooth coat. 

As this cat is particularly water-averse we do not bathe her.  If her coat became  contaminated and she needed some kind of a bath, I'd consult a vet so that she could be properly be tranquilized first, cleaned up by someone else, and she would not blame me as much.   On the other hand, we have taught her to have her claws clipped at home.  I have heard too many horror stories about people who paid someone else to clip their pets' nails and had the quick cut.  There goes the $320 for one visit, I guess. 

If I smell a bad smell, I think that means my cat is sick and needs to see a vet for her health.

Miss Kitty's Mom April 17th, 2009 01:55:18 PM

$1700 per year per dog? Rats, you're going to goad me into doing what I've managed to dodge thus far: calculating the cost of dog ownership. Dog with cancer? Check. Dog with numerous growths that needed to be removed? Check. Elderly dog with CRF requiring sub-Q fluids and a monthly prescription? Check. Dog that comes up with misc. bizarre things that need to be treated? Check. And that's not even food, HW meds, teeth cleanings (so far only the old girl), etc. I do my own grooming, but there's the cost of the tools. OK, I'm stopping now before I get too depressed. Oh wait, I'll just go hug my dogs. :-)

Deanna April 17th, 2009 10:02:27 PM

Heh, Deanna- I'm with you!

Dog with unknown disease, which after the MRI turned out to be a blood clout in the brain- check

A cat with CRF, nearly two years now, with regular subQ fluids, bi-monthly blood checks, permanent prescriptions (3 different meds), and the occasional hospitalization- check

Ah, and the cat went through an echo-cardiogram about a year and a half ago- check

A dog with strange symptoms, monthly prescriptions (5 different meds at the moment), seizure clusters that required hospitalization, and complete neuro exam and the teaching hospital- check

Ah, and the dog went through basic training at a boarding kennel.

My 2nd cat is healthy so far, so only high quality kibble, and annual vet checkup. But she is only 7 years old.

Xslf April 18th, 2009 07:42:23 AM

We have four dogs. Let's see, it's 70/month for food, so 840 on food. Generally speaking, 100/dog/year for checkups, vax, once-overs. That's 400. Flea meds...from April to October we have no other option, and I probably spend 45/month, so 315. HW, is a must, all year round, and I'd guess that's @40/month. So, 480. Of course, I'm not counting spay/neuter since it's a one-time thing (and two of mine came that way), but here it's anywhere from 140 on up unless you can get in at a lowcost place. All together so far, $2035.00 for all four for the year. That doesn't count toys or medical emergencies, though. If one dog was 1700 a year, there's no way I could have the four I do. Never mind that 3 of them were "free" and one was adopted for 200.00 from a rescue group (but came spayed, utd on vax, crate trained, etc.)

Brooke April 18th, 2009 02:35:31 PM

Brooke, at first I thought the $1700 figure sounded high and up to two years ago my expenses would have been where yours are. Get one with cancer that you decide to treat aggressively and it blows the $1700 out of the water. (I haven't figured it out completely, but diagnosing and treating him was at least $6000. Given that he's seen two birthdays he wasn't supposed to, it's all good.) Likewise CRF. Others could add more to that list. If you've managed to dodge the big expenses with your dogs, then it's us holding up the average. Keep your fingers crossed.

Oh, and I forgot the near-bloat experience. I'm going to stop this now. :-))))

Deanna April 18th, 2009 06:41:37 PM

Yep, always said I could be mortgage-free with a brandie new Mercedes in the garage. Multiply x 8...now x 5, but I'm attempting a different philosophy. Possibly wait until something needs to be done or checked...then get the whole ball of wax, instead of the "annual" and repeated work for this and that.

Grooming? That PWD is going to be a few $$$ in grooming. Average: $40-50 for a smaller dog every 8 weeks= $280-350/yr., not including tips.

I tend to keep my lip zipped around non-pet people.

some veterinary expenses you should never pay

Barbara A. Albright/NH April 18th, 2009 07:53:58 PM

Oh Miss Kitty's Mom, if only more were like you!

In thinking about this since I posted, I wonder if that study included the kind of owners we tend to see here in our salon as they would definitely bring the average down.

The vast majority (and we do talk about these things with almost every customer) feeds low cost supermarket or Wally World food.  ("Old Roy is a good food, right?")  We see all kinds of breeds coming in once or twice a year.  ("I know he's a Maltese/Poodle/Lhasa/other long hair breed but he doesn't need to be done cause he's a farm dog.")  "Vaccinations?  Well, he had them when he was a puppy..." (Dog is 8.)  Teeth falling out of the jawbone or so bad we recommend they visit the vet immediately is commonly met with "I can't fix my family's teeth, there's no way I can afford hers."  Lumps, lipomas, cancers left untreated, dew claws grown in a full circle embedded in the pad, animals so pelted they move as though they are in a cast, ear hair completely matted; these are who I interact with.  I use as much empathy and compassion as I can to educate and encourage them.  Its a fine line between making them never come back because you gave them a hard time and being as stern as is required to get through the them.  If they don't come back their lives are going to get worse.

We've also had people surrender their dogs to us after a groom (we are part of a shelter) because its the first time in 3 years their outdoor only cocker spaniel has been groomed (... yes, I am serious) and they realize they can't cope, don't want to change, oh and love their new puppy more.

On the other end of the spectrum, I do have those customers who bring in their Border Collies, Rotties, other smooth-coated breeds for regular groomings because they physically are unable to.  There are a lot of seniors where we live.  It is pure joy to bath and brush these guys, because they just love the water, they love the brushing, not so much the toenail trims, but its being touched.  Massaged even! They are hilarious to do because they cannot hide their emotions.  If you've never scritched the back of a Pit Bull who is flat on the floor drooling and groaning in pleasure, you are missing out on a true experience!  These dogs have so much love to give, and most large breed dogs are sooooo much nicer to groom (even the long-hair double-coat ones) than the tiny ones who want nothing more than to take out chunks of flesh.  I think thats because most owners wouldn't tolerate snarling, growling or snapping in a large breed whereas little breeds aren't taken seriously and the behaviour goes on.  Alright, alright, I'll get down off my soap box now!  I guess I needed to talk about these things.

Sadly most of our clients don't do any grooming in between visits to us.  "Well, he won't let me brush him."  "She bites me when I try to do it at home."  "One of us holds her while the other one brushes".  Heard ALL of those yesterday.  (And yet you expect me to bath, brush and clip your little land shark in an hour... hmmm!")  We are slowly training them in desensitization methods at home with our handout.  But if I had a dollar for every time I've heard, "I don't brush at home because that's why I bring him to you," I wouldn't ever need to groom again! 

Thank you all for loving your pets and taking the responsibility that comes along with ownership seriously.  Sometimes it does help me to remember who I see the most isn't the norm.

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Fortunately, none of us has to worry about the cost aspect of whatever the Obamas decide to feed their dog, because the First Family pays its own living expenses, including food, out of the President's paycheck. Or, in this case perhaps, the President's $6 million or so in royalties last year from his two best-selling books. In any case, your tax dollars are NOT at work in Bo's food bowl.

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