Today I was reading on lenpenzo.com a post called "The 10 Best Things I Ever Bought". On the author's list at #4 is his dog, Major. He got his dog in 2003, the same year I adopted Chey (although Chey is 9 years old since she wasn't a puppy...AND according to some horrible chart that was in an email, she is now "geriatric.") I knew when I got her that I would have her through many of my upcoming life experiences (relocation, buying a house, etc). I don't know how much I've spent on Chey over her life. She's been very healthy. But I've spent quite a bit in boarding costs over the years especially when I was traveling. Friends with dogs and my sister as a roommate have cut down my expenses in this category in the past two years. She ranks right up there with the money I spend on travel for life experiences.