When I brought home my goldendoodle puppy, Lincoln, I was told he would grow to be about 60 to 65 pounds. Perfect size, they said. Manageable. Ideal first dog.
Well… Lincoln had other plans.
Somewhere along the way, it became clear my sweet puppy was actually the Shaquille O’Neal of the litter. Today, Lincoln weighs over 100 pounds. He’s tall, broad, and takes up most of the couch. People used to say, “Kindra, his paws are huge!” when he was little. I smiled and nodded, assuming all puppies had giant paws.
They do not. That was a warning sign.
And here’s the thing no one tells you when you get a dog, especially your first dog: bigger dog equals bigger expenses. Everywhere.
Lincoln eats a lot. Dog food disappears at an impressive speed in our house. His medications cost more because doses are based on weight. When he stays at Alps Bark Park, he needs a suite upgrade because he literally doesn’t fit in a standard kennel. Vet care, grooming, and supplies all scale up with dog size.
And then there are the expenses I didn’t even think about. Emergency vet visits. Boarding when I travel. Training. So much training. Toys and treats to keep his giant, intelligent doodle brain busy. Grooming appointments that take longer because there’s simply more dog.
Looking back, I realize I skipped an important step. Jesus actually teaches about planning ahead in Luke 14:28–30:
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’”
In other words, count the cost first.
I had never owned a dog before. I truly didn’t know what I was getting into. And financially? I definitely didn’t do the math.
Here we are now. Lincoln is nine years old. He is the very best boy. The love of my life. Honestly, he’s the best ill-informed decision I’ve ever made.
But let me be clear: he absolutely has his own line item in my budget. Multiple line items, actually. And he’s still expensive.
So here’s my advice: always do the math before making a purchase, especially one that involves a living being who will be part of your life for many years. Take the time to have your Luke 14:28 moment. Pets aren’t short-term expenses. They’re long-term commitments of love, care, time, and money.
Crunch the numbers. Think about food, vet care, training, boarding, and unexpected emergencies. Consider how your lifestyle and finances will support them over time.
Because while Lincoln has been one of the greatest joys of my life, a little planning on the front end could have saved me a lot of unexpected financial stress along the way. He’s still worth every penny, but counting the cost first would have made the journey a lot easier.
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