well, in my experience--having dogs for over 50 years--I've never had anything near that cost...isn't a 4K operation more uncommon than not?Call your local vet and get prices for some surgeries. The dog Im referring to, needed over $4k in surgery costs. And that is an inexpensive vet who discounted price and didnt charge for follow up. I price checked.
Yeah, A fence would be ever so nice for me as i am not so young anymore, and for my yard, we are talking $10k for a dependable fence that my dogs cant jump or easily dig under that meets ordinances in the neighborhood. Ive price checked and been saving for 3 years now to get this. I wanted this for earlier dogs but could never get the money together and I dont dare finance this with other potential issues
I just got a $200 vet bill for one of my dogs who has chronic dermitus who cut his leg badly enough that I wanted professional look see. Again, vet is reasonable for this area and gives me 10% discount for two dogs and 5% additional because one is a foster for my deployed marine nephew.
I treat myself and then to a dog wash contraption when they muddy themselves on their romp which is $5 each time I get both dogs done for one go, and because I am tiny and in my 60s and alone, its the best way to clean the muck and mire from them. I go 3 times a week. $15 right there. $60 a month.
I have to pay for someone to walk the dogs several times a week when I have to leave them at home for more hours than They should be left without s break. $45 right there. I could lock them in crates but I want a certain quality of life for them. They get hesrtworm and other meds for going into woods and thats not cheap either. One just got Lyme vaccine. I just paid for that.
As for my car, over 100k on it so I need to think about getting another. In this area AWD important especially ax I am getting up there in age. Road service, insurance, gas, tolls, routine maintenance. I just needed all new tires$600, two were patched. Need brakes and brake pads last month, light bulbs changed (Subaru cant rrplace myself). Had done dash function issues too. Got s speeding ticket, yes, my fault and I think my insurance going to go up. So my car is expensive too and its paid up.
I guess I could cut a lot of that out but for me, its part of what I feel is care for them. I feel privileged I can afford this.
once the dog gets to old age, if it has problems--the dog is better off being put to sleep