I lost my 14+ yo terrier 3 days ago, we had him put down because of back leg paralysis caused presumably by a brain tumor. Pepper suffered from Addisons disease for the last 5+ years -- it was very difficult and expensive to manage, in no small part because of the required expensive monthly injections. But it was all worth it, because it allowed him to function normally. My concern now is that I would likely want to adopt another dog sometime within the next year or so, but I shudder at the thought of managing another costly disease. How does anyone not fear the same thing will happen again? I don't think I could do it -- emotionally or financially . . . so, what to do, just buy health insurance, cross your fingers and hope for the best?

yes.

unfortunately, all dogs do die. question is, what from? the consequence of the dog's shorter lifespan means we adopt more dogs (or cats, or other animals) into our lives, and have to see them through their deaths ( unless we go first). like humans, many will die from diseases or terminal illnesses, there really is not a way around this. so rolling the dice, so to speak, is the best and most honorable thing to do in all cases.