Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Dogenomics

Our cousins have gone home this evening.   After two days of playing and wrestling, Nala, Bella and I are ready for a nap, we crash in the entry and sleep till dinner.   We earned our nap, so we will be turning in early tonight.   We hope that sleeping is free because the financial times are changing.

The Bumpass Hounds set our human to thinking, which is a dangerous condition.    The Bumpass Hounds pointed out that President Obama has proposed cutting $100 million from a $3.5 Trillion Federal budget.   That amounts to 1/35,000 of the budget.   Now that our family is retired, we budget about $50,000 per year for our household budget.  Using this as a guideline, we have proposed cutting our annual household budget by $1.35.   That way we will be exactly in line with the cuts proposed by the president!   He said that we all need to tighten our belts during this fiscal downturn, and we want to do our part, no matter how much of a hardship cutting $1.35 will be.

The chauffeur began by soliciting suggestions from each of us as to how to cut the family budget.    Being an expert on Dogenomics, I immediately suggest that the tiny cans of canned cat food that Mini cat eats are 50 cents per can and she eats two cans a day.   We could balance the budget pretty fast and help her lose weight at the same time.   The reason they feed Mini cat special food is because Mini cat likes to hunt birds, and she is very good at it, if she is hungry, she goes out the dog door and finds her own dinner which means there will be feathers on the floor.  As far as Nala, Bella and I were concerned that is a great solution.   But it turns out that they don't  want her to hunt birds, so they won't let us balance the budget that way.  Something about protecting the birds.  Several nights ago, Mini caught a midnight snack, a mouse, and brought it alive into the bedroom and then chased and played with it till everyone in the house was awake.  Feeding Mini became a much higher priority.  This is going to be harder than I thought. 

Nala suggested that we could cut back on the use of dog shampoo.   She said we could save three or four times that much per year.   An eight dollar bottle of shampoo does not last long with all of the fosters coming through the house.    Besides, Nala does not like baths much, so she was willing to make the sacrifice.   But that idea was vetoed by the chauffeur as well.

Bella pointed out that it was time for the dreaded annual shots.   She would be willing to stay home when the rest of us went to the vet to get poked.    Then there is the cost of the heart worm medication that will be starting soon.    We could balance our budget in a hurry with her suggestions.    Again, the chauffeur said no, we all have to get our annual check up.

Mini cat suggested that if we limited the dog treat time to once a day from twice a day, we could save a lot of money.   I think she is still mad because I suggested taking away her food for three meals.  The chauffeur said that treat time is important, twice a day we all get to bond and he says that is important.   Something about making sure we sit and stay on command. 

Buddy cat said that she would be glad to go without a new collar this year.   She very seldom goes outside and no one sees her collar under her thick white coat.   The chauffeur pointed out that the reason Buddy cat is getting a new collar is because she pulled her old one off and lost the tags, she has to have her tags on, it's the law.   Once again we are stopped.

So we ask you, our readers, how would you reduce our annual living budget by $1.35 so that we can share in the huge sacrifice that our leaders in Washington are facing.   After all, that is a big cut to make.   So leave us your suggestions about where to cut.

Mogley G. Retriever

15 comments:

  1. You guys are all so great in helping out!

    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com

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  2. I say that the humans in your house give up either A. McDonalds or B. Starbucks.

    If they don't do that, then they have to sacrifice a bag of chips.

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  3. SLEEPYTOWN, USA :)

    I think the humans should drive 1/3 less mile per year to save $1.35 on gasoline. Maybe walk it instead - what do you think, Mogley?

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  4. Dear Mogley,

    We think that your most brilliant suggestion to address our federal budget was expounded some time ago. You suggested that every family get a dog, preferably a rescue dog. Health care costs would drop like rocks because everyone would get exercise with their 4-footed personal trainer. Mental health gains would be unsurpassed because everyone would share unconditional love with at least one member of their family. These benefits were only the beginning.

    Rescue Goldens, like us and Bella and Nala can organize the community to lead the way. What do you say?

    Cheyanne in Denver

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  5. Yeah, we're sort of thinking that if the humans search for spare change in the sofa, they might not have to make that budget cut. Just saying...

    *kissey face*
    -Fiona and Abby the Hippobottomus

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  6. Mogley,
    All your cuts are involving the dogs & cats, what about your bi-peds.
    You need to sit down and have a heart to heart with them.
    Let's see they can give up the newspapers, cable TV if you have that, buying gasoline (that would save a bunch, you would just have to stay home a lot.
    See, the possibilities are endless.

    Hamish & Sophie

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  7. If you don't buy my book, you will save $2.99! That's more than enough for 2 years saving!!

    I'm willing to make the sacrifice.

    -- Jack

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  8. Yep, our peeps are retired too, and have been looking for ways to tighten the belt...we suggested they get rid of the satellite TV and spend more quality time w/ us, but then we remembered we would no longer have Animal Planet, so that's no good!!!!
    Licks and sniffs,
    Zack, Sassy and Buddy

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  9. I asked my crew and they said they'd stop ripping up all the toys, making them last longer so we wouldn't have to get new ones as often...An idea not really supported by the Wheaten but he went along because he's a minority and because we both know that Goldens can be pretty persuasive. :-)

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  10. What ever Cheyanne in Denver said, we agree. Plus we have some saving tip, except it is not $1.37, its a little more. Instead of an $8 bottle of dog shampoo lets use some Joy dishwashing soap. Costs much less and does twice the job any dog shampoo will do.The savings would be more like $6 and we hope that would not upset the federal budget.

    Lady(senior), Sandy Paws and Oliver

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  11. I agree - Cheyenne in Denver had the best idea. I started looking around my house for something to cut, and the only suggestion I have is doggy toothpaste or ear cleaning solution. Both are pretty aggravating and won't be missed much! I am guessing these items will save way more than $1.35.

    Wags N Kisses,
    Wrigley

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  12. Instead of Buying Specific Dog Treats, like Bacon Bits, or Cheezie Bones or whatever your treats are named, which are all in the price range of 3 or 4 dollars, just go to your local bakery and buy unfrosted stale cakes. YES, LET THEM EAT CAKE for treats. You can get them for a dollar or less and just cut them into small pieces. Dogs think any kind of cake is wonderful and your budgetary problem is solved!

    Cheers,
    Stella's Mom

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  13. Hi Y'all,

    Easy, both things already suggested...walk more, drive less...heart healthy solution for all. Second, read newspaper on line and give up home delivery. It's time you retired from that daily chore anyway, Mogley.

    Y'all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  14. I think that you have awesome suggestions from everyone else. (and a very funny story from you all about how each of the animals wanted the others to be the ones to sacrifice). The only one that I have to add is to turn down the thermostat and expand your pack snuggling time.

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  15. With all those saving suggestion the federal budget is now really going to be out of whack. Especially with the one: YES, LET THEM EAT CAKE from Marie Antoinette.

    Mommie of Lady(senior), Sandy Paws and Oliver

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