I just got back from a visit and planning session at the PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance World Headquarters in San Antonio TX. As usual it was an informative event where our CEO gave us our marching orders for 2009.

I'm in charge of our marketing programs for Veterinarians. In addition, I get to do speaking engagements at veterinary conferences and meetings around the country. The good news is that I should have lots of frequent flier miles. The bad news is that I should have lots of frequent flier miles. Am I the only one that would prefer to drive a thousand miles over the same two and a half hour flight?

As part of my speaking duties I have to get advanced training on pet insurance underwriting from our Chief Medical Officer, Dr Bill Craig. Dr Craig is one of the smartest guys I know, second only in intelligence to our CEO; Dr David Goodnight, which is really amazing considering that they both went to Texas A&M.

When I tell people what I do for a living they have a hard time understanding it right off the bat.

"Wait a minute, you work for a Pet Health Insurance Company? You mean for dogs and cats"?

"Ah, er, yes that's exactly what I do," is my usual reply.

I get a litany of responses after that.

"How much is it"?

"Should I buy if for my fourteen year old dog with congestive heart failure"?

Or my personal favorite. "I sure wish I'd known about that before my dog........"

Well, I'm sure the dog wishes his pet parents had known about it, too.

The dog, or cat for that matter, would love it because owning a PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance Policy is the best way to make sure you have access to the best health care possible.

That's what it is really all about (as Yvonne and I have been telling you, in this series of posts on why pet health insurance is a good option). It's not about saving money or even about breaking even. Who in their right mind wants to break even on their own medical insurance policy or home owners policy? Ouch! It's just not about high vet bills. It's about knowing that you can do whatever you need to do in the event of an emergency or a serious life threatening disease.

Today's veterinarians have access to the latest in medical and surgical technology. They can perform almost any procedure that your own MD can perform and veterinary specialists routinely do.

I was talking about Carmie, the other day - to someone who had just found out about her leaving us for Doggie Heaven (over the rainbow bridge, my friend, Lisa, says) and the topic of Pet Health Insurance came up. Naturally, I told my friend about this blog and about Purina's new Purinacare Pet Health Insurance. She was duly impressed.

BUT...I don't know why there has to be a 'but'...but, there does! So, anyway, my friend - who is a pet lover the same as you and I, went on to express doubt and distrust, after saying she was impressed with Purina for venturing into this new territory.

"I can barely afford insurance for myself," she lamented. "How can I afford insurance for my dog?"

Hmmm...what could I say but, "How can you NOT?"

As many of you know from reading the petblog Scratchings and Sniffings, I have spent my fair amount of time at the veterinarian's. Mostly, I don't mind because the visits are for routine things - yearly exam, vaccinations, maybe because my cat or dog is acting a bit "off." The "off" visits usually turn out to be simple fixes, change in diet for awhile, or just giving my pets a little more attention.

However, when you have to take your dog or cat to the vet's office for an emergency - or a scary "I can't figure out what's wrong and it looks serious" kind of thing, your heart begins to beat hard, you get a little shakey and sweaty, and your imagination runs wild.

Right?

Now that we are so sadly dogless, people keep asking when we're going to get a puppy. Well, they say "a new puppy" but...aren't all puppies new? Like babies? Always makes me laugh when people say, "How's the new baby?"

Of course, Carmie was our puppy, despite her almost 15 years, and we called her puppy all the time. So, I guess "new puppy" is appropriate.

Here's the scoop - no new puppy. I'm not ready, first of all. I am also concerned about Wabby, our 13 year old cat. She has several more years to go - as cats generally live longer than dogs. I am not keen on bringing a puppy into the house to harass (however harmlessly) my kitty.

Interestingly, Wabby has decided to join the people once again...she comes in the bedroom and sleeps on our bed now. Almost as if she knows we're down one pet.

Here's the other thing...

Pet health insurance is showing up everywhere. I see articles about it all over the place, and since I'm part of this blog, I search out articles about it, also.

I'm going to share a great video put together by a pet parent, in memory of her beloved dog. She also has an excellent blog you should visit.

As many know, I lost my treasure, Carmie, just a week ago. Would pet health insurance have helped in my case? Well, maybe. I could have gone into the emergency clinic knowing her condition would (likely, depending on my policy, of course) be covered, and my out-of-pocket costs would be minimal. In the end, because of the condition and my ignorance of it - she would not have survived. And, for me, anyway, $$ has never been a deciding factor. Yes, I consider it - I'm not "wealthy"...but, to give my kids and my pets better health, I would take out a loan, if necessary.

Here's the issue - pet health insurance is an option that every pet owner should consider. We believe that PurinaCare™ is a good choice - and we welcome your questions and concerns. Purina is devoted to good health, happy pets, and proper nutrition. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. In the end, we know it's your choice...

For me, my goal is to keep reminding you that you have a choice to protect your pets by exploring your pet health insurance options. A half hour of your time, that's all it takes. An email to PurinaCare for clarification. A note in a comment here to Dr. Larry.

Why not?

For this moment, enjoy this beautiful video from The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood and consider sharing. I will report on her book of the same name, after I read it. Nadine has certainly captured the wonder and beauty of the love we share with our pets. Even after they are gone.