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88 posts
The Thanksgiving Turkey Twine That Cost Us $3,912November 24, 2025In 2022 Hank ate the roast twine soaked in drippings. The emergency surgery, the bill with no insurance and what we changed afterward.
Storm Windows, Door Sweeps and a Dog Bed Out of the DraftNovember 19, 2025Our old windows leak cold by mid-November. The weekend we sealed drafts, moved the dog bed and watched Mabel reclaim the radiator shelf.
Thirteen Percent Higher: Reading Our Pet Insurance Renewal NoticeNovember 12, 2025Hank's premium is going from $52.65 to $59.40 a month. What the notice said, why it went up and the options we weighed before December.
Blaze Orange for the Dog: Our Deer Season Walking SetupNovember 5, 2025Firearms deer opener is November 8. The orange vest, the collar light, the roads we avoid and how our walks change for a couple of weeks.
Halloween Costumes, Sorted by How Long Hank Tolerated ThemOctober 28, 2025A lion mane, a hot dog bun and a plain bandana. Four costumes timed with a phone stopwatch, and the only one we'd actually buy again.
Vet Payment Plans, as Seen From the Front DeskOctober 21, 2025Financing cards, payment apps, deposits and the hard talks at the counter. What I've learned about paying vet bills nobody planned for.
Raking the Big Maple With a Dog Who Claims Every Leaf PileOctober 15, 2025Our maple drops what feels like a ton of leaves each October. How we rake, bag and mulch with a golden mutt diving into every pile.
Senior Bloodwork at Eight: Why We Didn't Wait for MabelOctober 9, 2025Mabel's first senior panel came back normal, and I'm still glad we ran it. Why eight, what it checked and the $185.50 we paid after my discount.
Four Years of Hank and Our Gotcha Day TraditionOctober 2, 2025October 2 is Hank's adoption day. The same river trail, a plain burger patty and one photo under the maple, four years running.
Every Dollar of Our Monthly Pet Food Bill, Down to the TreatsSeptember 29, 2025Kibble, cat food, treats, chews and litter: what one dog and one cat cost us to feed each month in 2025, and where we already trimmed.
Caleb Built Us a Mudroom Bench for Leashes, Boots and TowelsSeptember 23, 2025Our back door had no landing zone. One weekend and $132 in lumber and hooks later, leashes, boots and dog towels finally have a home.
Boarding Hank for a Wedding Weekend: Cost, Kennel and AftermathSeptember 17, 2025Two nights at a kennel outside town for a Duluth wedding. How we picked it, the $109 total and the sleepy, slightly hoarse dog we got back.