Tired Dogs, Good Dogs, and Online Shopping Mistakes

Here are the dogs helping Luke cook, and wondering when they get to sample the goodies? 
I had to snap this cute picture of my tired dogs all snuggled together on the couch during a cold day.  When they are all sleeping, it's so peaceful. 

Vegas, Victory, and Dodger helping Luke in the kitchen

 

 

Victory, Jackie, and Wishbone, snoozing on a cold day

 

 

Don't Make These Online Shopping Mistakes, with the holidays coming up.  This article and lots of other good financial literacy articles are on www.360financialliteracy.org.  I've summarized here.

 

Mistake #1.  Taking a Chance on Unknown Retailers.  Buy from well known companies.  Make sure they list an address and phone number, and try calling the customer service number or check Better Business Bureau.

 

Mistake #2.  Following Unknown Email Links.  Don't click on links in unsolicited emails or social media sites.  Never divulge personal information or credit card or bank account in response to an ad or email.

 

Mistake #3.  Shopping at Sites that Aren't Secure.  Check the website address.  Look for URls that begin with https rather than http because the s indicates it is secure.  Check for the padlock icon in the address bar. 

 

Mistake #4.  Not Using a Credit Card.  I never use debit cards for anything.  If you use a credit card, you can dispute the purchase if it doesn't arrive or live up to expectations or doesn't post to your statement in the right amount.

 

Mistake #5.  Shopping Using a Public Wifi Connection.  Don't settle in at a coffee house and shop.  It's generally a bad idea and is not secure.

 

Safe shopping everyone, and happy holidays!

 

 

 

Show Dog Training and Where Will You Retire?

We have been working diligently with the puppies to prepare them for our favorite show in January.  They are coming along, and I think by January will be doing quite well.  We've been to two handling classes with them, and have been working at home with them, too.  We'll be going to handling class weekly for several more weeks.  We started out teaching them to stack on a table, and when they would hold the stack for a little bit on the table, we started working with them on the ground.  We've also been working on gaiting, and displaying their bite.  They love treats, and are so smart, so it's pretty easy to teach them to stand, show teeth, and let's go to gait around the ring.  Our handling instructor, Verjean, is very knowledgeable, and helped train me while I was training Victory and Vegas for the show ring.  Verjean was very complimentary of Jackie and Dodger and said these are some VERY NICE pups, and they move beautifully.  So, I'm excited to see what the future holds for them.  Their parents are such stunning and intelligent dogs of the finest pedigrees, and we were so thrilled with the quality of our first litter.  Here is a picture of CH Atlantis Wildcat Victory (Victory) who is the sire of these babies.  He was the beginning of our show dogs, and is such an awesome and gorgeous dog.  I just love looking at him!

Luke's fiancé, Courtney, is also learning to show dogs, and she has a real knack for it, plus the dogs adore her.  I am so excited to watch her learn and grow in her handling skills.  Here are some pictures of Courtney, teaching Dodger to stand.  Dodger loved learning to stack on the table, and will now jump up on any table just to show off his skill and get a treat, just like his mom, Vegas, does.  Vegas is quite the show girl, too, she just loves it.

Courtney and Dodger

Dodger (LLL Victory Dodge Ram)

 

 

 

 

I read an interesting article on thinkadvisor.com about the best and worst tax friendly states for retirees.  We don't live in or plan to retire in any of these, but I thought some of my readers might find this interesting.  The best most tax friendly states for retirees are:

1.  Alaska
2. Wyoming (I love Wyoming, and wouldn't mind living there!)
3.  Delaware
4. Georgia
5. Mississippi

The least tax friendly states for retirees are:

1. Vermont
2. Minnesota
3. Rhode Island
4. Nebraska
5. California

Have a lovely Thanksgiving everyone, give thanks for your many blessings, and for your spotted kids, too!

Nice Weekend

We had a really nice weekend.  We had supper with Luke and Courtney at a wonderful Italian restaurant to celebrate Courtney's birthday.  The food was great and the company even better!  Saturday night we rode our motorcycles to church and after church went to casino night at church to raise money for the building fund.  That was a great time!  Today, we took the puppies to the flea market for some great training and socializing.  When people see the beautiful Dalmatians, they all have to stop and pet, admire, and ask questions.  Jackie took it all in stride, loving everybody.  Dodger is more reserved, but by the end of the day, he was doing really well.  Flea markets are great for getting the dogs used to loads of people, and seeing all kinds of other dogs, strange things for sale, such as animal yard ornaments made out of metal, kids toys, clothes, hordes of people young and old, things on the ground that you have to leave alone, food smells everywhere, and lots of good exercise.  Then we came home and played with all of the dogs in the yard, and I'm attaching some pictures of them this afternoon. 

Jackie

 

Jackie

 

Jackie

 

Dodger and Vegas

 

A good game of tug'o'war, Jackie, Victory, Dodger, and Vegas

Dodger, waiting for the horses to come in

 

Can't wait for the horses to come in from the pasture, Vegas, Dodger, Wishbone, Victory, and Jackie.  And, Jet, the POA.