Poodle care proves to be perilously expensive proposition

One of my friends has had a poodle called Snow for years. It recently gave birth to four puppies, and she asked if I would be interested in having one.

"It's not much work taking care of a puppy, all you need to do is walk and feed him," she said.

But she was also quick to add: "For Snow, I just buy imported dog food since I have no time for cooking, that costs 1,000 yuan ($145) a month including snacks. Her liver is not functioning well, and the doctor has prescribed some liver supplement health products, which cost approximately 300 yuan a month."