I don't usually write about the PurinaCare® pet health insurance, itself, because that's really Dr. Larry's expertise. But, I wanted to kind of talk about health insurance in general, and why I think pet health insurance is so valuable.

Here's my story: a year ago I was in CO (where I'm writing this post now, though I will be back home in Rochester, NY by the time you read it) and I was having a rip-roaring time with my granddaughter when... the unthinkable happened. I slipped, fell, and dislocated my left shoulder.

The pain was excruciating! I can tell you that I never want to go through that again! My quick-thinking daughter, and my hubby, Tom, got my arm into a sling (well-prepared, that daughter of mine) and into the car where we were off to the clinic in no time. All was put back together...although, the x-rays showed a hairline fracture, also...meaning a much longer recovery time, without a cast, just a sling.

I think this is worth writing about here because I never hesitated to be taken to the closest, and best, clinic in the area. Neither Tom nor I, considered the cost issues associated with the care I would need, and the care I would receive. Why? Because we have health insurance, and we knew our health insurance would cover the cost.

Imagine if that had been...my daughter's dog? Imagine if it were your dog. Just goofing around the house, playing ball (now, who said you could play ball in the house?) and Kylie (your dog, just for the sake of our story) slids across the living room floor and into the entertainment center, fracturing his shoulder, or injuring his neck, or knocking himself out, omg!

In this story, you quickly check him over, shout to your wife (or husband, or son, or daughter) and call the vet. Why do you call the vet? Because you don't know exactly what's wrong. You need guidance on how to transport Kylie to the vet or the emergency clinic. And, once there...guess what -- it's time to fill out papers. It's time to admit, "Well, no, we don't have pet health insurance. I mean, Kylie's so healthy and young and well-behaved and," whatever other reason you have for neglecting to carry pet health insurance on your beloved Kylie.

We can speculate on what might happen - the doctor's exam, the x-rays, the fluids, the blood work, the vet assistant's time, the kennel costs, the overnight stay, the medicine Kylie will need when he goes home...and that's just for a minor injury. Wouldn't it be nice to know a portion of that cost is covered - by insurance? Maybe a BIG portion? If you've listened to Dr. Larry and Dr. Bill discuss claims, you'll understand why I say, "BIG"...

I once overheard a father talking to a friend, at coffeeshop, about health insurance and doctor visits and he said, "We don't take the kids to the Dr until it's at least a $30 sickness." So, does that mean...the kid has to suffer with whatever illness he or she has, until it gets to $30...is $30 the lowest amount worth his time? I don't know.

What I do know is that pet health insurance is on everyone's mind. When I ask friends and family about it, they all say, "Yeah, I've been thinking about that." Well, it's a darn good thing I didn't waste a lot of time 'thinking' about MY health insurance. The cost of taking care of that dislocated shoulder - JUST here in CO, was in the thousands. And, the cost of the follow-up visits when I got home, ran into the hundreds. All I paid, out of pocket, was the $20 co-pay. And, $50 for being in the emergency room.

Money well spent. So, are you still just "thinking" about pet health insurance? Or, are you ready to at least get a free quote?