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Live for today, plan for tomorrow

by | Aug 22, 2013 | Dog Health | 0 comments

Dogs live for today.

We are wired that way, and for the most part it serves us very well.  I think that many problems that peoples have could be avoided, or at least endured, if peoples thought more like dogs.

For example: Dogs don’t worry about things that haven’t happened yet.  I never find myself thinking, “What if I can’t find my toy tomorrow?  I would be really upset if tomorrow, or next week, I couldn’t find my favorite squeaky toy.”  No.  I am only concerned with finding my toy NOW.  If I can’t, then we have a problem.  If I can, then all is right with the world.

Peoples, however, tend to focus on the what-ifs.

“What if someone doesn’t like me?”

“What if something bad happens?”

“What if I make a mistake and get in trouble?”

“Whatifwhatifwhatif?!”

My thoughts on the above:

Everyone likes me.

Is something bad happening now?  No?  OK.

I will get in trouble, and I will get out of it.  Now, where’s my ball?

“Whateverwhateverwhatever!”

The thing is, there is a time and place for each kind of thinking.  And this is why peoples and dogs are meant for each other.  I remind my person that she should live more in the now.  She thinks ahead, and plans for the what-ifs.  Like, what if I get sick?  Or hurt?  That’s why she got me insured.

See, the way I understand it is this: those little green papers that I like to shred are actually something people use to exchange for things like dog food, toys and doctor bills.  Apparently they are not that easy to come by.  Which is why peoples don’t like when you shred them.

So if I get sick or hurt or bitten or whatever, my person has to give the doctor those green things to take care of me.  And doctors take a lot of those green things.

I am so grateful that peoples have this capability of thinking about the future, because I know that if I need help, my person will be able to give it to me.  And having pet insurance means that she doesn’t have to worry so much about that particular “what if.”  When something happens – like, when my stomach went all wonky last week – she can just tell the doc, do what you need to do.

So I highly recommend to all dogs that you encourage your people to get you insured.  Let them do that “what-if” thing, so you can keep doing your “now” thing.

Here are some things your person should ask when they are looking for pet insurance:

  • Is there an age limit?
    • Some pet insurance companies only take younger pets; others will happily take seniors like me.
  • What does it cover?
    • Does it cover hereditary or congenital conditions?
    • Pre-existing conditions are never covered, but different pet insurance companies have different definitions of pre-existing conditions.  Read the fine print.
    • Is it for accidents, illnesses or both?
    • Wellness coverage – some plans offer it, some don’t.  I don’t really think it’s necessary – you can budget for check-ups and wellness care.  You can’t budget for me getting hit by a car.  That’s what pet insurance is really for – the unexpected.
  • Does it cover holistic or alternative treatment?
    • Not too many plans do – but if if it is important to you, look around, because you can find one that does.
  • What is the deductible, rate of reimbursement, and what do they base the reimbursement on?
    • This is about those green things again.  Way over my head, but it has to do with how many of them your person gets back.
    • Some companies base payment on their own table of “reasonable” costs.  Others base it on what you actually paid.  My guess?  You probably want the latter.
  • What do other peoples say about it?

I am happy to report that as of today, my stomach is entirely un-wonky.  And I’d like to thank my person for thinking about the future, so I can think about NOW.

Does your person have pet insurance for you?  Have they ever needed to use it?  Please, share your experiences, ideas and tips!