If there’s one member of our family that has enjoyed life on minimum wage, it’s our dog Bogart.

A one-year-old Yorkie Poo, Bogie certainly has lots of energy. With
little money for other activities we have taken him on more walks than usual this month and are home more often.

Needless, to say he’s one happy puppy presently; however, the true
logistics of raising a pet with little to no expendable income are
bleak.

A typical bag of dog food for Bogart costs $15 and even a simple checkup at the veterinarian can exceed $100.

Truth be told, if we were living on minimum wage 365 days a year, Bogart would not be able to stay with us. It simply would not be an appropriate upbringing.

As for tips to cut down on the costs of raising a pet, we recommend the following:

1. Buy food from the same store – Most offer discount cards or rewards programs, which can save on expenses down the road.
2. Experiment with different brands – You want food that is good price-wise but also healthy. When you find the right kind, stick with it.
3. Buy toys from larger chain stores – Walmart and Zellers tend to have discount bins that are far less pricey than the new and hottest toys at pet-specific stores.
4. Utilize low-income offers – Many clinics will do standard procedures at a significantly reduced rate for those who qualify as low-income. Rural clinics also typically tend to be cheaper than those in the city.

As our Minimum Living project winds down, we want to hear from those of you that have been following along. What’s the one thing you will take away from this project?

Submit a 25-word response in the comments section below, or email it to me at jeremy.nolais@metronews.ca and it could appear in an upcoming edition of Metro Calgary.