Andy is a big-hearted beagle, who along with a Chihuahua and a terrier are the subject of Templin's July 24, 2008 Cheapskate column.  

"After children, few living things will do as much to ruin your personal finances as dogs," writes Templin.  "I should know, having three of each."

Templin notes that he bought Andy as a pup and has raised him on dog food purchased for $20 a sack from Sam's Club.  He doesn't say, at least in this column, what he feeds his three 'other' kids.

The real expense of owning his dogs, Templin notes, has been in veterinarian bills and boarding.  Once, Templin left Andy at a doggy spa while he was out of town, but Andy was so homesick and howled so much that the doggy resort asked him not to bring the dog back.