Wow, Ok, Hi

Hi, hello, and a big welcome back to myself. I’ve been thinking about writing a post / putting it on my to-do list for about six/ten/twelve weeks, and here I am finally sitting down to write. Since I last wrote (in June), I have become employed, leased a new horse, gained a few pounds from the last week of unemployment, confessed an enjoyment of being a morning person one (1) time, tried to settle back into being a #womanintheworkplace, gotten a new fully remote job, and bought said leased horse.

Amongst these things, I have had to bring my dog back to a routine of working. He was a COVID acquisition and never knew me “working” 5 days a week until I moved to Richmond. I would rotate with him going to daycare (I could write an essay on my love for the owner of the place he goes) while staying at home during the week. Buck has been in cahoots with my boyfriend’s dog Sam as of late, and absent a consult with my pet psychic, I’ve been at a loss on how to deal with it. The point of this is to discuss my love and advocacy for pet insurance — not an ad, just the world’s worst intro.

When I adopted Buck, I had no idea what I was doing, and my parents never had pet insurance, nor did I know anyone who did. I figured I would try it and see if it was worth it. I got a quote from Embrace, which would also give me a USAA discount. My monthly premium was ~$90, which isn’t cheap by today’s standards, but hear me out. Within the first month, Buck had an ultrasound, x-ray, and shaving of his stomach. He was 7, a rescue, and while he had had a good life before me, he was still underweight, and little was known about his time between his prior life and coming to the doggy daycare where he lived until I rescued him. This amounted to about a cool $2K, leading me to hit my deductible in the first month.

Fast-forward to April 2022, when Buck was 8 and had kennel cough, which turned into pneumonia. His little stay at the vet's office became one where they turned the card reader around and didn’t say the total out loud. This became another vet visit where I hit my deductible for the year. Contrary to human health insurance, everything about pet insurance is easy. I submit the claim after I leave the vet, and it gets applied to his deductible or paid out in 1-2 business days. Whenever I’ve had an issue with something not being covered, I’ve resolved it within a few days.

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The draft of this I made a few months ago is timely as Buck is poised for a toe removal within the next few weeks (#cancersucks). Again, the peace of mind from knowing I have hit my deductible and am responsible for ~20% of his actual bills until October is (somewhat) priceless.

Alternatively, since I have also purchased a horse, I have also learned about the wild world of horse insurance, which I think is interesting to approximately 1 reader of this newsletter. I collected quotes, interviewed providers, and compared different deductibles. I finally settled on one but was told that when Shame gets older, I should switch to another insurer that provides better rates for older horses - no loyalty needed! Also, insurers don’t mess around with pre-existing conditions. The slightest spot on his right eye? Absolutely no coverage— so I will be campaigning for Obamacare for horse insurance in my presidential run in 2030. Let me know if you’re ready to hop on the bandwagon!!