Saying goodbye…again

Written by David
February 15, 2012 1:51 pm

We are sad to announce that we said goodbye to our dear little Turrean in January.    She was almost 15 years old and like Mr. Mac succumbed to kidney failure.  All breeds have vulnerabilities and with Shelties it is their urinary tract.

David adopted Turrean when she was just 12 weeks old and they began a special relationship that will always be remembered.  When we were first married, Turrean didn’t take well to the competition and tried very hard to get rid of this other female in David’s life.   It took some time, but after Anita implemented the proper incentives, (feeding & walks) Turrean finally accepted that Anita wasn’t going anywhere and acknowledged her as part of the family.

As his partner and friend, Turrean traveled all over the country with David while he attended various dog training schools and workshops.  She patiently tolerated, and adapted to, many new situations and environments while he learned his trade.  When David taught classes, Turrean was the example of proper dog behavior and students were always impressed with her confidence and calm demeanor.

She was never a lap dog but always wanted to be close or lying by our feet.  We still step carefully when we move our chairs or stand up for fear of stepping on her or her beautiful coat.

David was looking forward to one more summer of playing Frisbee with his little girl but unfortunately, that is not to be.  As when we lost Mr. Mac in September, we are again reminded that our time with our pets is very limited.   They bring us great joy and companionship while they are with us and we miss them terribly when they are gone.  We need to love and care for them and always cherish the special moments that make up the memories they leave us with. 

THINKING ABOUT VACATION ALREADY?

Written by David
1:50 pm

Don’t forget to plan for your pets.

By Train, Bus, and Boat
If you decide to travel by train, you may be disappointed – Amtrak does not allow pets of any kind, including dogs. (Seeing Eye dogs are permitted.) Local and commuter trains have their own policies.

Travel by bus may be equally disappointing – Greyhound and other bus companies that travel interstate are not allowed to carry live animals, including dogs. (Seeing Eye dogs are permitted.) Local bus companies have their own policies.

If you’re taking a cruise, you may be in luck. For example, the QE2 luxury cruiser, which sails from New York to England/France, provides special lodging and free meals for your dog.

Check with the cruise line or ship that you are planning to use for their policies. Smaller ships will usually not be able to accommodate your dog.

Lodging
If you plan to stay at a hotel or motel be sure to find out in advance if it allows dogs – many do not.
If your dog is allowed to stay at your hotel or motel, respect the privacy of other guests. Keep your dog as quiet as possible.
Do not leave your dog unattended. Many dogs bark or destroy property in a strange place.
Prevent any possibility of unwanted messes. You may want to keep your dog in its crate at night. Also, ask where you should walk your dog. The hotel or motel may not appreciate its grounds being used for this purpose.
Remember: to continue to have hotels accept guests with dogs, it is important to respect hotel property, staff and fellow guests.

International
International travel is much more involved than interstate travel. Each country has its own rules and regulations. Many countries have a quarantine period – the United Kingdom quarantines dogs for six months!  Check with the embassy or consulate of the country of your destination for details.

Other Helpful Tips
However you travel, keep these tips in mind:

• Make sure your dog has a sturdy leash and collar. The collar should have identification tags, a license, and proof of rabies shots. Your home phone number should be on the tags as well.
• You may want to consider a permanent form of ID – such as a microchip – which can increase the likelihood of reuniting you with your dog if he gets lost far from home.
• Have recent pictures of your dog with you. If you are accidentally separated, these pictures will help local authorities find your dog.
• Take the phone number of your veterinarian and any special medication your dog needs. Some dogs can’t adjust to abrupt changes in diet, so pack your dog’s regular food, bowls, and a cooler of water.
• If you think you might need to board your dog at some point during your travels, be sure to bring your dog’s complete shot records.

Most Important – Have fun and have a great trip.

Hearty Corn & Rice Casserole

Written by Anita Bates
1:35 pm

3 cups cooked rice                          

 1 10-ounce pkg. frozen corn, thawed  

¼ cup minced onion                                  

2 cups grated cheddar cheese     

1 ½ cups milk                                  

1 ½ tsp. salt              

 ¼ tsp. ground pepper                     

¼ tsp. paprika

Combine all ingredients (except the paprika) in a large bowl and mix.  Pour into a well-buttered shallow 2-quart casserole dish.  Sprinkle with paprika and bake at 350 for 40 to 45 minutes.

Option:  For a main dish meal, add 2 cups cooked chicken or ham, diced.

Got Heart?….

Written by Anita Bates
1:33 pm

Last year was the first Bates & Associates, Realtors team participation in the Heart Run.   We are excited to continue our involvement in this worthwhile charitable event that promotes heart health for adults and kids of all ages.  We would love for you to join us.  We’ll make it worth your while by providing you with a Bates & Associates Realtors Commemorative Heart Run T-Shirt and an invitation to the Appreciation Barbeque after the Run.   

This year, the Heart Run will be held on Saturday, April 28^th.  All you need to do is pay your registration fee, $15 for Adults and $5 for kids under the age of 18, which is tax deductible.  We will provide an email link so you can register on line.

Please email to anita@anitabatesrealtor.com or call 243-8777 to let us know you will be participating so we can include you in periodic email updates.  We need to have your commitment no later than Sunday, April 9^th so we know how many and what sizes of T-Shirts to order.

Current Statistics:

Written by Anita Bates
1:31 pm

Year-To-Date Active/Sold Overview (January 1 through December 31, 2011)

Year end statistics did not bring any surprises for the real estate markets in the 4 major south central Alaska communities of Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer, & Wasilla.

Active inventory for the year in Anchorage was lower than last year, which was consistently the case throughout 2011.  Palmer also had significantly fewer homes on the market.   Wasilla exhibited a slight decrease in inventory while Eagle River continued throughout 2011 with higher inventory than in 2010.

The average sale price decreased by approximately 2% in Anchorage, 1.5% in Eagle River,  and 3% in Palmer.  Wasilla’s average sales price remained the same throughout the year.

The total number of sold properties was higher this year, while the number of days on market continued to trend downward.  The percentage of list price to sale price was a healthy 98% – 101%.

Although prices were slightly down, more houses sold more quickly with fewer competing properties.

Indicators for 2012 point to continued modest improvement with a stable market in each area.  There is no evidence of any major upward or downward trends.  We will continue to provide quarterly updates as they become available.

*Rounded to nearest thousand of sale price.