Last weekend, I finally got a dog! I’ve wanted one for ages, but my nomadic lifestyle over the past decade didn’t quite fit with having a pet. Now that I have a stable home and some staff to help take care of the place and animals when I’m away, it seemed like the perfect time. My boyfriend (BF) wanted a Great Dane, so a few months back, I put up an online ad as a surprise for his birthday. However, he later mentioned he wasn’t ready for a dog, so I stopped actively looking. But the ad remained online, and I got a call last week about some 2-month-old puppies.
We took the motorcycle to check them out, and $150 later, I became the proud owner of Napoleon! At just two months old, he’s already as big as BF’s adult Schnauzer dogs. Before adopting, I had checked shelters but couldn’t find a male dog without significant issues. Plus, their suggested donations were in a similar price range, so I opted for the puppy. In the U.S., Great Dane puppies can cost $500 to $1,000 or more, depending on their pedigree.
The previous owner showed us pictures of Napoleon’s parents, who are over 6 feet tall standing up. Napoleon looked a bit small and skinny for his age because the guy mentioned he ate a lot. Once we got home, he devoured two bowls of dog food. Napoleon’s shots were up to date, but he needs additional vaccinations this week, and I have no idea how much that will cost.
The next day, I went shopping for puppy supplies. I was shocked by how much marketers charge for pet products! For example, $30 for a small bag of dog treats, which is comparable to the cost of 10 pounds of pork or four whole chickens here. A $6 dog brush looked just like a $2 human brush, and there were even $30 brushes. Tearless shampoo and conditioner cost $8 each!
I decided Napoleon didn’t need a $50 bed or a World Cup t-shirt. Instead, I went to the dollar store, got him a dog brush, some toys, and a sticky mat to keep his bowls from tipping over. Then at the supermarket, I bought an 8-pound bag of puppy chow for $15, a couple of big bowls for $3 each, a $5 necklace, and an $8 leash, totaling $38. I also grabbed a $3 blanket so he could sleep comfortably in his cardboard box bed.
Walmart had the best deal on dog food, nearly half the price compared to specialized pet shops and 25% cheaper than stores with pet aisles. For $10, you could get an engraved nameplate with your phone number, which seemed like a good deal, but it had an 8-day wait. Being in Guatemala City, I’ll get one when I return home and hope Napoleon doesn’t get lost in the meantime.
I now understand new parents willing to spend any amount on their kids. However, Napoleon will have the essentials to be happy and healthy. I’ve read that Great Danes are quite delicate as puppies because they grow fast, reaching almost their full height by the time they are a year old. Without proper food and vaccinations, they can suffer from bone pain and weight issues.
So, I bought the best food available (Puppy Chow) and will ensure he gets his monthly anti-parasite treatment and quarterly shots. I’m not sure how much he’ll eat and cost monthly, but I estimate around $30 once he’s full-grown. I’m also relieved he’s a puppy and hope he’ll adjust to the other animals at home, as I feared an adult dog might injure the chickens.
Here’s a selfie of us, just like proud parents sharing on social media. I get it now.
Total cost for two days of dog ownership: $191.
