The Budget Line I Never Wrote Down: My Dogs

Okay, grab your coffee. Let me tell you about my dogs.

I have four aspins. No fancy breed, no papers. Just regular asong Pinoy. But sweet, loving and super loyal.

The first two came to me years ago. At home we call them Grandma Dog and Grandpa Dog. Then they had kids, so now we also have Daughter Dog and Son Dog.

They've had puppies a few times already. Honestly, I lost count. Right now one puppy is still with us. She's the youngest, so of course we call her Granddaughter Dog.

Yes, we named them like a family tree. Because that's really what they are to me.

Lately, two of them are sick

So, Granddaughter Dog hurt her eye.

For some reason, Grandma Dog never liked her. She always picks a fight with her. One of those fights hurt the puppy's eye.

I brought her to the vet. Then again. And again. Many times already. But the eye is still not healing the way it should.

In the end, the vet said she needs an operation. That's ₱10,000 for the surgery alone. I'm hoping that includes the medicines after, but let's be real, it probably won't.

Then there's Daughter Dog. She has allergies all over her body. Some nights I can hear her crying because she's so itchy. She keeps scratching and rolling around, trying to feel better.

If you've ever heard your dog cry like that, you know. It breaks your heart.

Her check-up and medicines cost me around ₱6,000 to ₱7,000. And honestly? I'm not even sure she's getting better.

So that's around ₱17,000, and it's not done yet. None of that was in my budget.

"Aso lang 'yan"

I know some of you are thinking, ₱17,000 for a dog?

I get it. Promise, I get it. Because I used to think the same way.

There was a time I wasn't a dog person at all. I didn't understand why people would spend that much on an animal. If you're not a dog lover, it's hard to understand. I know, because I was there.

But once they become part of your home, they're not "just dogs" anymore. They're the ones waiting for you at the gate. The ones sitting beside you when you're working late. They don't care if you had a bad day.

So when they're hurting, you just do what you can. You find a way.

Okay, here's what I learned

I never put my dogs in my budget. Not even one peso.

I had a budget for the house, for my son, for my business. But the dogs? They were just... there. Fed, loved, taken care of. But never written down as a real expense.

So when the vet bills came one after another, I had to get the money from somewhere else. From money that was meant for other things.

And I think a lot of us single moms do this. We don't just budget for ourselves. We're carrying a whole circle of people (and pets) we love. A kid who suddenly needs braces. A parent who gets sick. A sibling asking for help. A dog who needs surgery. (I wrote about carrying it all on one salary before, too.)

These aren't really surprises, if you think about it. If you love someone, at some point they'll need you, and it will cost money. The only question is when.

So next time, I want a small "love fund." A little bit every month, just for them. Kahit maliit lang. Separate from my emergency fund, so that one stays safe for real emergencies.

I also learned to ask the vet first how much everything will cost, including the medicines and follow-up visits. And to ask if there's a cheaper option. That's not being kuripot. That's being smart.

And if you have pets, check your city or municipal vet office. Many of them offer free or cheap services like anti-rabies shots, and some have spay and neuter programs. Prevention is always cheaper than treatment.

We're still in the middle of it

I don't have a happy ending yet. Granddaughter Dog still needs her operation. Daughter Dog still scratches at night. And my wallet is a lot lighter than I'd like.

But I'm sharing this because this is real life. Being financially independent isn't just about earning more. It's also about being ready for the ones you'll always say yes to.

Would I do it again? Of course. They're family.

But next time, I want the money ready before the vet bill comes.

Your turn: Do you have a pet, or someone you love, that you spent "unplanned" money on? Do you have a fund for them, or are you also learning this the hard way? Tell me in the comments. I'd love to hear your story.