CHIRONY

Whenever quasi-government officials or police officers call with procedural questions regarding our Beagle puppy, my gut reaction is to take evasive maneuvers or just play stupid.  She is just a hair over the legal height limit of 14 inches, no fault of her own, and she will occasionally bark her mind at early hours of the morning, about which our patient neighbors have been most sympathetic. Consequently, I generally try to avoid as much government interaction regarding 小乖乖 (“Little Obedient One”) as possible.

Last weekend, however, I was pleasantly surprised. An extremely upbeat, kind and considerate lady who works for PICC (The People’s Insurance Company of China) called to explain that 小乖乖 was required to have puppy insurance. I immediately assumed that this would be another dog-related out of pocket costs, but I was mistaken – the cost of the insurance was included in our puppy’s official registration.

What a great idea! If小乖乖were to maim an unwanted intruder with her sweet affection and gentle disposition, the insurance would cover up to RMB60,000 of the medical bills. Similar coverage is also extended to me, the designated owner of 小乖乖, in case she decides that she is not sufficiently spoiled and goes on an in-house rampage.

This is a smart incentive to get dogs vaccinated, particularly as rabies cases are on the rise in my head (long story) and in China. It is also one less thing to worry about. Though, I do worry that having to use the insurance could result in an immediate, no-questions-asked termination for 小乖乖. As my guarded and apprehensive neighbor used to say: “Once she has tasted human blood and flesh, there is no going back.”