I belong to VPI pet insurance company.  Over the years it has saved my mom money and it has been easy for her to get reimbursed for her out of pocket doggie expenses.  For a big dog like me it costs $512 per year. It sounds expensive but it is only $1.40 per day for a whole year. That is less than a cup of decaf at Starbuck’s. Ok, I think you get my point.

That premium pays for the SUPERIOR PLAN.  I think mom said that is the best plan for me.  They have others that cost less.  You can contact VPI and one of the nice folks there will find the right policy for you pet. 

I have an extra cancer coverage endorsement.  That costs $71. I also have a vaccination and routine care coverage policy.  That costs $99.  There is also a lost and found fee of $6.  We do have a $50 deductible on our policy per incident.  Mom makes monthly payments so it is easier to pay the policy premium as the year goes by. She pays $44.67 per month.

Mom will explain all of this to you and share some stories about me.  That’s right, it is all about us pet’s.  You humans are here to take care of us.  We can’t cook, drive, read, answer the phone, write, or talk.  We can however love you unconditionally and protect you from harm.  We can provide you with companionship and snuggle near you if you get sad.  We can get you couch potatoes out to take us for a walk.  Enough said.  Point well made for us pets.

VPI insurance pays the claims to my mom within a few weeks and no hassle ever.  She has to send or fax them a completed claim form and the receipts.  Then a few weeks later a check comes in the mail.

They pay part of my FRONTLINE flea and tick treatments and part of those vaccines that I do not like. They pay part of the routine tests I have like the fecal test which is embarrassing and makes me want to go home quickly.  They even covered part of my rattlesnake vaccines.

Buddy at the VET

Our plan covers up to $4500 per accident or illness.  The maximum for each year is $14,000.  With the high cost of veterinary fees it is a good thing to have pet insurance. Some pet owners have had to have their beloved pets put to sleep due to them not being able to pay a high vet bill when their pet was injured or became very ill. 

If you go to the VPI website they have answers to lots of questions about pet insurance.  They also have real pet owners and cool stories about them having pet insurance and how great VPI has been to them. www.petinsurance.com

Some Golden Retrievers have had cancer and that is very scary to mom and me.  Our policy covers up to $9,000 per incident and $14,000 for the calendar year.  Mom loves me so much that she would do only the best for me.

Here are some benefits my doggie policy covers:

Physical Exam…$10
Office call…$10
Rabies vaccine…$10
DHL-P…$10
Corona…$9
Bordetella…$8
Parvovirus…$9
Lyme…$10

Choice of one:
Heatworm Test
Heartworm preventative
Medication…$15

Fecal Exam…$10
Worming…$15

Prescription Flea Control…$15

Spay/ Neuter…$65

Microchip…$5

For cats the benefits are much the same.

Brandy and Buddy

If you have pre-existing conditions some exclusions are written into the policy.  For me I have doggie ear issues.  Mom cleans my ears on a regular basis, but they still manage to get stinky and ear wax.  She has spent enough money for ear medicines, ear wash, ear drops, and office visits over the years to buy a dog park.

I still get other gifts from mom for Christmas like dog treats and new stuffed animal toys.  I really like my bully chew sticks from COSTCO.  Mom only lets me chew them when she is home ever since that time I choked and frightened her. I get the nylabone when she goes out and leaves me for what seems like hours. 

Mom gave me the best Christmas present this year.  I sent Santa a letter a few years ago to bring mommie a doggie dad for me.  Mom cannot throw the ball very far but she tries hard.  I saw some other doggies with dads at the park and sometimes they would throw my ball. I got a chance to run really far to fetch. Having two doggie parents is like being in “Doggie Heaven”. 

“Double snuggle” is what I get every morning when I jump on their bed. I take turns snuggling with mom, who is my number one human.  I give daddy equal snuggle time.  My new dad hugs and kisses me and talks that baby talk to me. I wag my tail so hard and feel so safe and loved.

I get extra walks now, extra treats, but mom scolded daddy for giving me too many treats.  She told him to give me hugs, not biscuits.

My new dad doesn’t mind the dog hair around the house. He helps mom vacuum every day. Sometimes my hair gets on dad’s clothes and he just brushes it off.  Mom said we needed a doggie dad that would love her and her sweet Buddy unconditionally. 

The wedding. I was ring bearer.

Scratching in the grass.

Mom, dad, and I got married on November 14, 2007.  I got to be part of their wedding ceremony.  It was sort of boring but afterwards I got to scratch my back in the grass. In mom’s vows she thanked daddy for loving us both and daddy smiled at me.  I am having the best Christmas ever.  Santa answered my letter, but I really think God had something to do with this.  GOD is DOG spelled backwards.  For our little family it is only forwards to the future.  I heard that three makes a pack.  I am a happy dog and now our pack is finally complete. 

Three dogs make a pack.

Mele Kalikimaka to you all from Buddy the Dog.  I wish a very happy holiday to all you doggies and kitties and to your humans.  Woof, woof, sniff, sniff.