I know, I know, health insurance for your pets? Give me a break. Well, it’s true and many of us empty nesters, or no nesters, or those of us who say “I never wanted to have children so sue me” have pets. We have little darlings we love dearly and will suffer through hell and high water for their care, sometimes to the tune of thousands of dollars. It happens. Oh, and contrary to popular belief — you knew I would go there right — animals suffer with lupus as well.

Yes, my brother’s dog had lupus and had to be put down as a result. Others I know have told me stories of their dogs with lupus and the time, energy and medication needed to treat their animals. Dogs and cats also suffer with kidney disease, FIV, tumors, cancer, name it they have it.

In recent years, I have noticed a number of people at my vets’ office with dogs suffering from all sorts of ailments. A few years ago when we had an outbreak of tainted food, folks spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars for an answer only to see their dear four-legged friend die.

I believe it was four years ago when I received my first advertisement for pet insurance. I tried purchasing the insurance for both of my Cockers but could only insure Destiny, my older Cocker was deemed too old for coverage. I am very grateful for having done this because the medical costs to treat Destiny for cancer were unbelievable.

The New York Times has an article called The Puppy Diaries: Insurance, When the Patient Is a Pet. It’s a good article and it will give you something to think about when considering health care for you pet. I know there are some who will say “it’s a dog” but for many, they are more than just dogs or cats. For some of us they are members of our family.

Again, and you knew I would go there, there is a story of a woman who purchased insurance through the ASPCA for her dog, Humphrey at a monthly premium of $38.50.  “When his form of canine lupus was recently diagnosed, her policy covered a good portion of the costs. Here is her account.” Yep, dogs get lupus too.