I must admit she does look cute George, with regard to vet bills...yes I know they can cost a fortune, I remember the costs involved with our own two dogs in the past, one time was when our neighbour gave the dog part of a chicken and a bone got lodged in his throat, it cost me £220 for a operation to remove it and that was years ago.
I was just telling my daughter about your dog as she phoned while I was reading your post, and she started telling me how much she spends on vets fee's for Leo her very elderly Labradore cross, who's 16 or 17 now, saying it costs her in total £110 every 3mths for the medicines and vet visit he has to have. He has a massive tumour, indeed it's amazing he's survived as long as he has, but he's been a most loyal and friendly dog for many years, I think he was only a puppy when they 1st had him, so she will be very upset I'm sure when his time arrives.
You take care my friend.