Violating the law

The leash law, that is. Pacey and I got a ticket at [redacted] Park this morning for violating the local leash ordinance. It was just before 9 am. The weather was about 40 degrees and raining, and there wasn't a soul in the park besides me and another lady walking her dog.

Apparently, dogs have to be on leash in all city parks. Even when you're the only one in the park. Even when your dog is a harmless puppy.

As the Park Police officer was writing the ticket, he shared with us a story about how some dog rushed up to a stroller and the mother called the city to complain. Apparently, the city is on the lookout again for leash law violators. I got a $50 ticket. Yikes!

What was slightly satisfying is that Pacey, our 5-month old Vizsla (who still hasn't lost her baby teeth) sat in a perfect sit the whole while the officer wrote the ticket. Who would write a ticket for having a 5-month old puppy off of their leash?!

It was all I could do to hold back the thoughts in my head. I live a mile or so from the park and my garage and my wife's car have both been broken into this summer. While he was writing the ticket, I asked him, "Do you know anything about catching thieves?"

What are the different ways I can avoid probate?

Have you ever been asked how to avoid the probate process? The question seems to come up more frequently as you get closer to understanding the finality of life . . .

For the rest of us wondering what probate is, it's the process a persons estate goes through at their death to pay debts and distribute property. There's a more formal definition at wikipedia.org.

Here's the answer you've been looking for: All of the web sites below say that what, in order to avoid probate, you need is a properly made out will and beneficiary designations on your asset accounts (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, life insurance, etc). You don't necessarily need life insurance, an annuity or a trust just to avoid probate!

Check 'em out:

• Inc.com: Ways to Avoid Probate
• Crosswalk.com: Future Planning: Probate And How to Avoid It
• MSN Money: Retirement & Wills

Love at first sight (Pacey)

It was on June 13th in the airport in Rome that we came across a woman and her little Vizsla puppy. That moment started a romance for both Amanda and I. We had fallen in love with the Vizsla breed.

We arrived home on Friday, June 23rd. By Sunday, I had contacted every Vizsla breeder in the state and then some (25 in all).

We've been home from our 3-week European vacation for a whole 5 days and picked up Pacey last night. We got her from the [redacted], a breeder up in the [redacted] area.