Last weekend, I got a dog! I’ve always wanted one, but my nomadic lifestyle over the past decade didn’t really mesh with pet ownership. Now that I have a permanent place and staff to help care for everything when I’m away, it seemed like the perfect time. My boyfriend wanted a Great Dane, so a couple of months ago, I posted an online ad for one as a surprise for his birthday. However, he started expressing doubts about being ready for a dog, so I stopped actively searching. But someone called me last week about two-month-old puppies from my ad.
We rode our motorcycle to check them out, and $150 later, I became the proud owner of Napoleon! At just two months old, he’s already as big as my boyfriend’s adult Schnauzers.
I had initially checked shelters but wanted a male dog. They only had females with various issues I wasn’t prepared to handle and asked for donations around the same price range. A quick search on Craigslist showed that Great Dane puppies in the US usually sell for $500 to $1,000+, some with pedigree papers, some without.
The previous owner showed us photos of Napoleon’s parents, who are huge—over 6 feet standing. Napoleon seems a bit small for his age and skinny because the owner mentioned how much he ate. Once home, he devoured two bowls of dog food. Even though his shots were up to date, he needs new ones this week, and I’m unsure of the cost.
The next day, I went shopping for puppy supplies. I was shocked at how much marketers can make you spend on a pet! Tiny bags of dog treats were $30, which is as much as 10 pounds of pork, four whole chickens, or 8 pounds of ground beef here. A $6 dog brush looked just like a $2 human brush to me, and there were also $30 brushes available. Tearless shampoo and conditioner were $8 each!
There’s no way Napoleon is getting a $50 bed or a World Cup t-shirt. Instead, I headed to the dollar store, where I bought a dog brush and a couple of toys. I also got a sticky mat for his bowls to prevent spills. Then, at the supermarket, I purchased 8 pounds of puppy chow for $15, two large bowls ($3 each), a collar ($5), and a leash ($8), totaling $38. Additionally, I bought a $3 blanket so he can sleep warm and cozy in his new bed, which is a cardboard box.
Walmart had the best deal on dog food, about half the price of a specialized pet shop and 25% cheaper than Home Depot’s pet aisle. I found a place where you can get an engraved nameplate with your phone number for $10, but it has an 8-day wait. Since I’m in Guatemala City, I’ll try to get it when I return home. Hopefully, Napoleon doesn’t get lost in the meantime.
I now understand why new parents are willing to spend so much on their kids. However, Napoleon will have just the essentials to be happy and healthy. After reading up on Great Danes, I learned that they are quite delicate as puppies. They grow very quickly, reaching five-sixths of their adult height by the age of one. Without proper feeding and vaccinations, they can suffer from bone pains and weight issues.
So, I purchased the best food available (Puppy Chow) and will keep a close eye on his monthly anti-parasite treatments and quarterly shots. I have no idea how much he’ll cost in monthly feed, but I’d estimate around $30 when he’s fully grown. I’m also relieved he’s a puppy and hopefully will adjust quickly to the other animals at home, as I was worried an adult dog might harm the chickens.
Here’s our first selfie—now I understand why proud parents post on Facebook 12 times a day.
Grand total for two days of dog ownership: $191.