The march to financial freedom

Ali-OK

That's a good question INOD - breeds are more expensive than mixed or mongrels. Labradors are prone to hip issues later in life ergo push insurance cost up.

Things that can be done to reduce cost:

- micro-chipping (think this might be becoming a legal requirement anyway soon)
- neutering (generally done over 1 yr old or after first season for females)

They're a great companion for an only child I found - helps with learning to share too.

AlexLK

in_need_of_direction wrote: »

What kind of dog is it? Is it a breed prone to any specific problems?

A Labrador retriever. Until Ali had responded below, I was going to say not prone to any problems but that seems to be not the case. My cousin's dogs are working dogs and she has said both her female dog and the male dog she bred with both have good lineage. The puppies will be kennel club registered, if that makes a difference?

Ali-OK wrote: »

That's a good question INOD - breeds are more expensive than mixed or mongrels. Labradors are prone to hip issues later in life ergo push insurance cost up.

Things that can be done to reduce cost:

- micro-chipping (think this might be becoming a legal requirement anyway soon)
- neutering (generally done over 1 yr old or after first season for females)

They're a great companion for an only child I found - helps with learning to share too.

Thanks, Ali. I can't say I'm particularly well versed on dog ownership!

I'm fairly certain my cousin will have the puppies microchipped and as they know a lot about dog ownership should be able to help with training etc.

Ali-OK

Alex, I'm sure your cousin has them hip and eye scored if they're KC (Kennel Club) registered, so it's likely from good lineage that they'll be less problematic than say if you were buying from an unknown source. I think you can buy insurance from KC too - have a look into that.

Working line dogs need more mental exercise as well as the usual physical - so do look into how you'll provide that. I bet it will enjoy coming with you everywhere in the LR too

Ali-OK

Evening Diary,

It's been a high energy day and I've got lots done at home from usual housework through to cleaning windows inside. Might try and do the outside tomorrow morning - though am thinking of getting a window cleaner after years of not and putting up with dirty windows as my 3 times a year really isn't enough

A lunchtime break in the reflexologist's hands - £33 spent. I must keep up my foot spa and cream rub at home as it does help.

Got all the business accounts up to date last night and banking first thing this morning. Dishwasher loaded, done and emptied. All washing dried on the line (fab blowy day for it) and put away. Only DS's shirts to iron too.

Financials:
- bank account checked - and £20 of coins paid in finally! Paid myself back expenses too and have provisionally set up the capital payment for June (on 29th May) for £1,020 to the mortgage :j
- freepostcodelottery checked
- Geolotto - up at £2.50 from the free playing
- Inbox Pounds - up at £12.00
- £3.49 (Qmee & Pcone) moved to bank account
- Had a NSD Friday

I still haven't had the annual bill from D@ligas - was a year on 12th March :eek: and they've still not taken a monthly DD since February. They're at the top of my 'To Do' list for next week.

Noddle email in and new month of the free Credit Report available - finally all the CCs are showing as ZERO owed :T:T:T . Mortgage showing figure up to date too. I find it very exciting reading! However, I didn't realise GeoLotto do a credit check when signing up - technically it's a gambling site so I should have guessed. Anyone thinking of going for a new financial deal (mortgage etc) do be careful as I'm not sure lenders will look favourably on it.

Dinner is on, so it's a choice of a chill out evening afterwards or do I attack my study - it's been hanging over me for weeks, though I've moved a few bits out to the ottoman storage bed and got some stuff for car booting/charity shop which can go in the garage for now. Very slow progress.

Tomorrow a friend is coming over and is going to re-shape my front garden boundary hedge and move a few shrubs from the back garden to the front. I also need a couple of bits in town, so free parking and a very quick trip in at 10am I think.

Chicken is out of the freezer defrosting ready for our Sunday roast (and Mon casserole, Tues curry).

Hope everyone's having a good weekend

AlexLK

Glad to hear all your news and that the credit reports are showing nothing owing.

Ali-OK wrote: »

Alex, I'm sure your cousin has them hip and eye scored if they're KC (Kennel Club) registered, so it's likely from good lineage that they'll be less problematic than say if you were buying from an unknown source. I think you can buy insurance from KC too - have a look into that.

Working line dogs need more mental exercise as well as the usual physical - so do look into how you'll provide that. I bet it will enjoy coming with you everywhere in the LR too

Yes, my cousin has all the checks done. She's a kennel club "assured breeder", I had to laugh when she told me that. Kennel club insurance is really expensive, they quoted me £39 per month :eek:.

What sort of mental exercise would be good? I'm fairly certain I could provide the physical exercise as I've started doing a lot of walking lately and bad weather doesn't bother me too much.

Mentioning dogs and LRs takes me back to my childhood.

ETA: According to the kennel club a Labrador needs to live in a "large house", though it doesn't state what they consider to be a "large house".

Ali-OK

All dog insurance is expensive, more so than house or car. Perhaps use a comparison site to see what comes up?

I'm not an expert on dogs, just an owner of 6 years. Our Springer is working line and the upside is they're easier to train. The downsides are they need more attention generally and want to be on the go much more than a show line dog. So train them to help you - ours fetches slippers/shoes, newspapers and the post. He also 'steals' dirty socks :rotfl:... to swap for a treat. They're clever! Play lots of games - hiding things for them to retrieve, fetch, etc. They are also very keen to please and maybe sensitive too (ours fits that bill for sure).

Labs are lovely dogs and a great choice for family/children, but my bro has a working line one and it is as energetic as our Springer. He's found it harder to keep her occupied and entertained than his old show line lab and she will get up to mischief when bored, thought to be fair, alot of dogs will do that anyway. Big house not needed, yours will be plenty big enough.

Unlike my other dog - the labradoodle - who in comparison is very easy going. However downside of her was harder to train and she's not into playing fetch or similar games - far too much effort :rotfl:

The pup's personality will dictate quite alot of what they'll be like - advice from friends when choosing a pup from a litter is don't go for the most active nor quietest - pick one inbetween and you should be fine.

Both of ours were rescues - Springy at 5 mths old had already had several homes because he was so boisterous, Doodle was runt of a litter and incredibly shy/nervous. I like hard work :rotfl: but the rewards are fantastic, including a new circle of friends from the 'dog walking fraternity'.

I'm sure your cousin is best placed to give you all the help and advice you need

Ali-OK

Almost lunchtime :eek: but a lovely sunny day here and lots achieved already

Windows cleaned on the outside now too :T and I've been to town and spent £23.70 :eek: How did that happen? 'Stuff' on offer so stocks of Tresemme Shampoo & Conditioner, my usual hair colour and also Cuprinol Fence Paint at half price. Only one can as need to test it will change the colour of the current panels.

This afternoon will be spent outdoors - that hedge is getting a good cut and moving stuff in preparation for the back garden works starting again next weekend. :j

DS and I both need haircuts as well, so aiming to book those in for half term.

Hygienist on Tuesday is the next big cost at £46 and I need to organise the boiler service as it's due and is budgeted for this month.

Financials so far today:
- Qu!dco have confirmed £2.15 has been paid to me
- Bank account checked - use and pay off monthly CC amount goes out tomorrow
- Geolotto - up to £2.71

Better sort some lunch next

AlexLK

Ali-OK wrote: »

All dog insurance is expensive, more so than house or car. Perhaps use a comparison site to see what comes up?

I'm not an expert on dogs, just an owner of 6 years. Our Springer is working line and the upside is they're easier to train. The downsides are they need more attention generally and want to be on the go much more than a show line dog. So train them to help you - ours fetches slippers/shoes, newspapers and the post. He also 'steals' dirty socks :rotfl:... to swap for a treat. They're clever! Play lots of games - hiding things for them to retrieve, fetch, etc. They are also very keen to please and maybe sensitive too (ours fits that bill for sure).

Labs are lovely dogs and a great choice for family/children, but my bro has a working line one and it is as energetic as our Springer. He's found it harder to keep her occupied and entertained than his old show line lab and she will get up to mischief when bored, thought to be fair, alot of dogs will do that anyway. Big house not needed, yours will be plenty big enough.

Unlike my other dog - the labradoodle - who in comparison is very easy going. However downside of her was harder to train and she's not into playing fetch or similar games - far too much effort :rotfl:

The pup's personality will dictate quite alot of what they'll be like - advice from friends when choosing a pup from a litter is don't go for the most active nor quietest - pick one inbetween and you should be fine.

Both of ours were rescues - Springy at 5 mths old had already had several homes because he was so boisterous, Doodle was runt of a litter and incredibly shy/nervous. I like hard work :rotfl: but the rewards are fantastic, including a new circle of friends from the 'dog walking fraternity'.

I'm sure your cousin is best placed to give you all the help and advice you need

Maybe I'll be third time lucky in responding to this! Had trouble with the internet today.

Anyway, I will certainly look into the dog insurance online. I was hoping to get it for about £20 per month if I'm honest but I won't mind if it's a bit more. As I've not had a pet in my adult life, I think good insurance would provide some peace of mind.

Thank you for the information regarding working line dogs, it wasn't something I'd considered before. I can't imagine it will have much time to become bored or if it does, it won't be able to cause much in the way of destruction as it'll always be with me. I can't really see when it will get left on its own for more than a few hours, then I'll probably leave it in the kitchen or get one of those dog pens.

My son would have great fun hiding things for it to find and playing fetch, so would I, if I'm honest and it should have some time to play with other dogs as I usually visit my cousin 2-3 times per week.

Your advice when choosing a pup makes sense and cousin has said I can have first choice.

Skinnylatte

All sounding under control and positive

Alex, my mum has 3 dogs and is a great supporter of dog agility for keeping them fit and mentally active, it's also great for strengthening the bond between dog and owner, oh and really good for socializing them too,and fun, important especially when they are young (after all their jabs). Although I don't hink you can start until they're a bit older, so maybe puppy classes to start.

Ali-OK

Ooh yes, excellent suggestion Skinny - I did Flyball with the springer and he loved it. And Obstacle Courses - he was frightened of the tunnel but fab at the weaving.