<human>: Hey there /r/dogs!   I have noticed that I spend a lot on my dogs.  It comes in cycles, they seem to dumb things or get sick in chunks so I spend a boatload of money every few months, plus their normal vaccines and upkeep.  Because of the amount of money I am spending, I am considering pet insurance for them - but I am not sure if it's worth it. 

A little background on my pups:
Bowser, a pit/lab mix, 3.5 years old. I have posted about him before (see [here] and [here] and here are a few pics:     and he has some anxiety issues, so he's on medication (Clomicalm) for that, and he has been battling folliculitis on and off for a while, so he takes an antibiotic daily for another two weeks.  HE is constantly tearing up his dew claw, or injuring some part of his feet/legs playing like a crazy dog in the yard (with supervision - he's just clumsy).  

My other dog, Leeloo, is a 4.5 year old cocker spaniel (pic:    She gets regular ear infections (probably one every 3 months or so - doctor says it's common for her breed) and she has a funky skin condition and has to take meds for that that cost $50/month - and we've tried all the cheaper alternatives and they just don't work.  She randomly does dumb things, like getting her bottom jaw stuck in a marrow bone that require a trip to the emergency vet, but not too often.  

Both dogs are up to date on all vaccines, and I am good about following the recommended schedule on that, plus screening tests (like heartworm).  They are both on heartworm meds, but I don't currently have them on a regular flea medication because we don't have a flea problem at the moment and it's expensive and they don't tolerate the meds well.  They're regularly bathed and checked for fleas and bug bites though.

What I've heard is that for the plans that really reduce regular vet visit costs, you pay a pretty high premiums and all that.

Can you give me the gist of the text in a nutshell?
<bot>: I would love to hear your advice, your recommendations, and your experiences (good and bad) of having pet insurance.  :)