Additional costs of owning a dog apart from purchase cost, are the normal treatment of:- initial vaccination, second vaccination and then booster injections annually. There is also the cost of regular worming and flea control. I had been using prescribed worming tablets (Drontal plus) and Bayer advantage 250 on a monthly basis.

Egwin is now part of Scallywags pet insurance scheme (* the chip - normally £29 was fitted free for this insurance) which covers his normal treatment and includes an annual check-up. Accident and sickness cover is included subject to a £20 excess for consultation.(So far it has worked well and I have just collected, May 25th 2000, the next pack of advantage 250 and Drontal plus worm tablets.) The Rabies jab and Certificate will also be part of the Health Scheme soon. However the Health Certificates and the supplementary treatments required for each foreign trip will of course not be included.

Egwin's chip seems to be on a walkabout and has now moved from between his shoulder blades to by the front of his right shoulder. Strange! I am going to send a e-mail to Bayer.