Posted on by Karie Herring

National Kids and Pet Day

Have you seen people with those snarky bumper stickers that says the more people I meet the more I love my dog? Well I love to see those. Why? Because pets truly enrich our lives, our children’s lives.

I grew up with pets; as a small girl I had cats and we had the family dog. He passed at the age of 15 when I was 18 and about to leave for college. Since then and upon meeting my husband we agreed we always had pet in our home. We brought home to complete our family our first dog, as a couple, almost 11 years ago a snorty, scrunchy face, wrinkled little ball of love. Our English Bulldog Diesel. Poor Diesel was growing lonely so in October of that year we brought home a floppy eared, droopy eye, sad face little beauty named Daisy, our Basset Hound. The two of them were like peas and carrots and were our perfect family.

Even when we found we were pregnant, we knew these two animals would be of a great temperament for our children. Loving, kind, easy to care for (no excessive grooming or what have you) and of course, we were not worried about them with our children. But what we did not expect was to put down each of those dogs in different stages before bringing children into our home.

As poor luck would strike us, one month before Grant was due, The Chad and I had to put down Diesel due to rapid spread of cancer in his lungs as well as ruptured disks in his back causing him moments of paralysis if not permanent paralysis. This was no life for him and we went with the most humane decision.

Poor luck struck us again as well before Mother’s Day of 2007 where we had to put down my beloved Basset, Daisy. Sudden onset of paralysis due to a ruptured disk caused us to make the same gut wrenching, heart breaking decision that still brings sadness and tears to our family.

But not every story is as humane as ours. Families often do not consider the temperament of an animal or the time, love, and care that goes into caring for a pet. After both incidents with our dogs we invested in pet insurance for our current English Bulldog Ginger. I am a HUGE advocate for pet insurance now because if we had pet insurance I would be singing the praises of my two deceased dogs and how they both could walk again. Even though I am not, I will say that pet insurance is a FABULOUS investment as a pet owner.

As part of the National Kids and Pet Day I am helping to spread awareness about the care, love, and enrichment of pets in our lives and our children’s lives. Furthermore, I am helping to spread the word about Kroger’s pet insurance offerings and great pet advice:

  • Overview of Kroger’s pet insurance offerings:
    • Offered through PetFirst, Kroger pet insurance policies cover routine care and medical procedures for dogs and cats, and is available at more than 2,400 stores in the Kroger family including City Market, Dillon’s, Fred Meyer, Frye’s, King Sooper, Owen’s, Pay Less, QFC, Ralph’s and Smith’s. In addition to being available in-store, Kroger’s pet insurance can be purchased online at http://www.krogerpersonalfinance.com/pet-insurance/. Kroger’s pet insurance works at any veterinarian nationwide, with reimbursement typically occurring within two weeks. Coverage starts as low as $9.95 per month and right now, individuals who purchase online can save $10.
  • Family Friendly breeds:
    • Cocker Spaniel – These lap dogs are sensitive and sweet and enjoy the attention of children. Cocker Spaniels are obedient with training and friendly around people.
    • Pug – This affectionate breed loves being part of a family. Outgoing and mischievous, they make playful companions for children.
    • Golden Retriever – Similar to Labs in personality, Goldens are mild mannered and enjoy being around families and other people. These dogs are easy to train are gentle with children.
    • Basset Hound – This breed is good with children of all ages. They are known for their docile nature and gentleness. Their long backs need to be supported when they are picked up, and an eager child can accidentally injure them.
  • Tips parents can teach their children regarding safe pet play:
    • Teach your children to pet softy, stay away from food dishes, toys and bones, and not to startle your dog or cat when it is sleeping.
    • Keep babies and toddlers at a level higher than your dog. Dogs perceive height as representative of their hierarchy. Keep your children off the floor when the dog is in the room.
    • Don’t give your dog toys that resemble your children’s toys or clothing. Stay away from fabric stuffed dog toys that resemble your child’s stuffed animals.
    • Involve your child in your dog’s care. Even just the presence of your child in the same room while your dog is receiving his favorite things or activities can help build a positive association to children.

As part of this promotion Kroger has offered to giveaway a $20 gift card good for any Kroger brand stores. All you have to do is tell me what kind of pet you have. An additional entry would be to tell me what you think about pet insurance and whether that would be something you would invest in, or something you feel is too frivolous.

All additional entry options such as Tweets, blogging, and so forth.

CONTEST ENDS May 6th

“For helping raise awareness of National Kids & Pet Day I was provided with a $20 gift card to spoil {the pet in my life} and a $20 gift card to giveaway to a reader so that they could do the same by the Global Influence Network and the Kroger Co. The thoughts and opinions here are my own.”

195 Replies to “National Kids and Pet Day”

  2. As much as I would love to buy pet insurance for my puppy, right now my finances do not allow it. I’m more concerned with affording insurance for all of the PEOPLE in my family.

    Reply

  5. I have way too many pets…my dh and I are animal lovers to a fault. Right now we are owned by dogs, cats, birds, and a hedgehog.

    runningmatey at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  6. I don’t feel that pet insurance is frivolous. Luckily our pets are healthy, but if a person has just one pet I think it would be a worthwhile investment.

    runningmatey at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  11. I dont have a dog but I have a hamster and no insurance for it. Sounds funny to have it but I guess its pretty expensive taking a sick pet to the vet a lot so it may be worth it in the long run!

    Reply

  22. To prevent tons of vet bills, we keep our cat indoors. I’m not sure if pet insurance would be a worthwhile investment for us.

    Reply

  29. I have a ‘walk-on’ long haired tortoise shell cat – she runs the house, tells me when to do/what to do and considers me warm furniture.

    Reply

  34. I think pet insurance is frivolous. Considering the [good] luck we’ve had with our pets, the extra expense isn’t worth it. I might regret that someday though!

    Reply

  51. Pet insurance is too frivolous and plays on the owners guilt. The yearly premiums cost more than a yearly checkup paid with cash.

    Reply

  54. Pet insurance is like any other insurance. Great if you end up needing it and expensive if you don’t. It’s all good to have if you can afford the premiums.

    Reply

  62. To me pet insurance isn’t something I would invest in because I’ve learned to treat guinea pigs naturally over the years. The most I’ve ever spent on vet bills on one guinea pig for their lifetime was under $250 and that’s a LOT for a guinea pig.

    Reply

  66. In this new town i don’t have too many friends so YES i would totally spend money on pet insurance! Any pet i consider a friend–and who wouldn’t put money on saving a friendship?

    Reply

  84. We currently have cats. I want to move and if we do, I want a fenced in yard so we can have a dog who lives outside.

    Reply

  85. I think pet insurance is frivolous. It is not like humans where I will spend as much as I can to help my family but if my cat had cancer and was elderly, I would do what I could to make her comfortable but I totally am pro-euthanasia in animals when the time is right.

    Reply

  97. I’m not entering, Karie, we don’t have a Krogers around here. Just wanted to say that this is a great message. We’ve always had pets in our home too – from when I was growing up to now, 40 years later. I can’t imagine a home without at least one pet. AND HUSBANDS DON’T COUNT!!! We have two dogs and two cats. Pets are part of the family and their health and care is as important as ours.

    By the way, I NEED to see a picture of Ginger. I want to see that sweet, pudgy, wrinkly bullpuppy face!!!!!

    Reply

  98. Oh! I forgot to add that today (as of your post) was my oldest girl’s bday. 19!!! Can you believe that crap? I’m going to start taking away her birthdays.

    Oh and she loves critters too. And I’m sure she’d also want to see a pic of Ginger. In honor of her bday. Puuuuuleeeeeaaaase?

    Reply

  103. I think pet insurance is friviolous. To each his own , but I think it’s hard enough to keep insurance on ourselves much less animals

    Reply

  106. We have a rescue Toy Fox Terrier that turns five years old today! Her name is Miss Ruby. We also have a 20-year old cat we got from a no-kill shelter. She’s still going strong!

    Thanks for the great giveaway!!! 🙂

    Reply

  107. Our doggie, Miss Ruby got poisoned from something she probably ate off the ground at the park. She ended up having seizures and going into a coma. After keeping her a few nights the pet hospital gave her the all-clear and she’s completely fine now.

    It was a harrowing experience and we thought we were going to lose her. After we knew she was safe, though, it was the bill that scared us!

    We now have pet insurance and whenever I pay the bill I just think of how bad things could be without the insurance. I mean, we don’t have kids and we totally treat our pets as part of our family.

    Thanks!!! 🙂

    Reply

  109. We don’t have pet insurance because (1) our dog is young and healthy and (2) we can’t afford the premiums. Health insurance for our family has to come before health insurance for a pet.

    Reply

  110. We have SIX parakeets. The moral of this story: Never take your daughter with you to the pet store.

    Reply

  111. I absolutely believe that pet insurance is wonderful. My daughter has been researching getting a rescue dog. After hearing my friends’ horror stories on emergency vet bills, I’m absolutely sold on buying pet insurance the day we get a dog.

    Reply

  115. No pet yet, hoping to find a lab or other large breed dog at the shelter. I would have to weight the costs versus benefits of a specific insurance plan, but would most likely get it.

    Reply

  116. I have a cute shelter dog who is a pitt mix. He is energetic, yet very well behaved. He’s a great member of our family.

    Reply

  123. I have thought about pet insurance, but have never really looked into it. I think it would probably be a good investment!
    HobartsMama {AT} AOL.COM

    Reply

  124. I have four cats and a dog. The dog was abused and took her years to get over it, but she’s great now.
    AllMyCrazyCats @ aol.com

    Reply

  125. I would love to have pet insurance, but with 5 animals, I can’t afford it right now. I’ve been lucky there have been no major vet bills.
    AllMyCrazyCats @ aol.com

    Reply

  127. Yes I feel this insurance is something I believe in and I dont see it as frivilous as we love love love our pet

    Reply

  133. After having to deal with some serious health issues with my cats, I think pet insurance is a good idea. Thanks.

    Reply

  134. Right now we have a Corgi named Buddy and a Calico cat named Ruby, and they get along great, both with us and with each other. They’re both mild-mannered but playful, and they’re definitely beloved members of the family. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  135. I think when we first got our pets we might have felt that pet insurance was more on the frivolous side, but now that our dog and cat are getting more advanced in age, and as we find ourselves traveling with them more often, I think it’s definitely something we should take more seriously and consider. Thanks for letting us know about Kroger’s plan!

    Reply

  153. I wouldn’t get insurance for my pets. I can barely afford the insurance we have on us & the kids. I do have a friend though who’s dog has had some major health issues & she has spent thousands on him, so it might be a good idea.

    Reply

  158. i tihnk the plan is frivelous for us, our cat costs us so little, maybe we are lucky with a very healthy cat. (she has also never been outside!!)

    Reply

  159. I have two dogs, and two cats.
    The cats were my brother’s, I took them in while he was in Iraq but they’ve since become a part of my home, and he’s not getting them back. :]

    Reply

  160. Our family only has one pet. His name is Magoo and he is a 3 yr old puggle (pug/beagle mix) and he is my BEST FRIEND 🙂

    Reply

  175. We have had 2 goldfish and a dog. I’m not sure if I would buy Pet insurance because it is so hard to pay for our health insurance.

    Reply

  181. I have a kitten who’s approaching one year old, and she’s kinda obese so maybe she doesn’t need to get more spoiled, haha!

    Reply

  182. Thanks for the giveaway…we have a Yellow Lab, Maxine. As for insurance, we signed up for a policy through our Vet which was very moderately priced.

    Reply

  186. We have two small dogs that we love and cherish equally 🙂 Pepper is a salt and pepper, 15 pounds, three-year-old female miniature schnauzer. Mitzi is a black and tan, 7 pounds, two-and-a-half-year-old female dorkie (dachshund/yorkie designer hybrid). *Thanks* for the giveaway!

    Reply

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