Reply #9: Mine did...

[friesianrider]

I had a vet at my old place, and I'd do trap-neuter-release with feral cats in my area (I;d humanely trap them, vaccinate them and get them neutered to help control the overpopulation). At one time I had a vet bill over $1,500, but the vet knew what I was doing and let me make payments.

I'd just find a local vet and tell them your situation (or contact a rescue and ask them where cheap vaccinations are, then askk te vet the refer you to). Tell them you love your dog and want to do the right thing, but just can't come up with all the money right away. My vet has a sign that says "payment is due in full unless other arrangements are made beforehand." So people must do it a lot (I know I do, always having a balance at the vet of a few hundred bucks from about 25 spaying/neutering surgeries! If you call around, I'd be MORE than willing to bet if you talked it over beforehand, most vets would allow you to do a payment schedule.

As for the chain thing, can the dog come inside to be part of the family? My old Dal would be very depressed outside by himself for any length of time - Dals tend to be very "family oriented" and need time inside the home with the family - their "people" :).

You're doing the right thing to get your pup to the vet, and get him taken care of, you should be commended for that. So many people would just give up and dump the dog at a shelter. You're wonderful to be such a good and responsible pet owner :)