Amiga (left) & Sparky (right)

Amiga and Sparky (aka Spark Plug) are two adorable little female German Shepherd mix puppies that are currently being fostered by my very good friends here in Phoenix. Amiga and Sparky are a couple of weeks shy of being ready for adoption (they’re only about 5 or 6 weeks old right now, I believe) but they’ll be ready to go to their “forever home” in just a few weeks. Apologies for using the creepy phrase “forever home” but I’ve come to find out that it’s intended to be a warm, fuzzy term so I’ve decided to embrace it.

Amiga and Sparky are very sweet little puppies – full of energy, eager to learn and play. They’re going to be great pets for someone out there. Could it be you? If you’re not familiar with the German Shepherd breed, it’s important to do your research so that you are fully prepared for life with your new puppy. First off, please take a minute to revisit my post on the costs of dog ownership. And keep in mind, this list isn’t intended to scare you or dissuade you – just want to make sure you’re prepared!

As far as specific breed information, unfortunately I don’t know what the other part of German Shepherd mix entails so that will remain a bit of a mystery. But as a starting point for you, here’s how the AKC describes German Shepherds: 

“Energetic and fun-loving, the breed is very fond of children once a relationship is established. He is a loyal family pet and a good guard dog, the ideal choice for many families. He requires regular exercise and grooming.”

If you’re interested in learning more about adopting these adorable German Shepherd mix pups, please let me know and I can help you make the connection.

The foster and adoption program is run by the AZ Humane Society here in Phoenix. It’s an amazing organization doing great things for the pet population here in Phoenix. If you’re inspired by the amazing act of generosity that my friends have displayed as foster parents, you can learn more about how to volunteer for and/or donate to the AZ Humane Society Foster program, too.

If Sparky and Amiga aren’t the perfect fit for you, don’t despair! There are plenty of other puppies, dogs, and yes, even cats looking for homes. Visit the AZ Humane Society’s “search adoptable pets” site to find your new best friend.

What, you want more??? Ok, who am I to deprive you of more pics of these adorable little german shepherd puppies. No problem, I’ll even show you a little video that I captured of the puppies in action!

To increase awareness of this “Marley Effect”, the DLRR put together a pretty raw, but pretty awesome reality check for what you can expect when you choose a lab. They’ve covered everything from housebreaking, to chewing, to exercise requirements, to an eye opening estimate of the lifetime cost of lab ownership.

The raw truth? Your new best friend is going to be a giant pain in the arse for a while, and she’s going to be expensive. There’s just no getting around it. 

Here’s a breakdown of the expenses associated with dog ownership as outlined by the DLRR:

The first year….

For the following years….

All in all, the DLRR says to expect to spend anywhere from $1,100 to $3,000 in the first year, and another $700+ each additional year, plus any additional vet costs for when they get sick or injured. The grand total estimated for owning a dog is anywhere between $10,000 to $15,000! That’s a huge expense, but worth every penny in my opinion. 

Do you know anyone that’s thinking of getting a lab? If so, please do them and their lab-to-be to be a huge favor and pass this post along. If a lab is the right answer for them, they won’t be discouraged – they’ll feel empowered by being educated and prepared. Trust me, I’m speaking from experience.

Do these expenses feel pretty accurate to you? Any significant expenses that they’ve overlooked?