Time to Give Thanks to a Dear Friend--But How Do You Say Goodbye?

Everyday for the past several years, after I sent my family off to school and work, I have a faithful companion by my side. He would follow me into my office and be my alarm if when someone drove up the driveway or knocked on the door. Sitting at my feet, thumping his tail, Tikki has been our family dog for nearly 16 years. I am lucky and thankful for my wonderful canine companion!

Tikki is an Australian Shepard mix that was thrust upon us by some family friends years ago. He was a playful pup that grew up with the kids. Tikki's sheparding instincts kept the kids from running too far. The boys weren’t too happy about the dog biting the tops of their shoes. When you are a wobbly toddler it doesn’t take much to knock you down!

When Tikki joined the family, we still lived in a North St Paul neighborhood. He had a fenced yard and great insulated dog house for protection. Although, he only went inside the structure once, to pull out all of the insulation! Tikki preferred the company of his boys! He loved to run and play with his kids! He was tough on the house though. Puppy chewing was a problem, but with training we kept the damage to a minimum. Dog hair was another issue all together. Having baby gates allowed us to keep the family pet confined to the downstairs and the hair problem to a minimum.

When we moved to our Ham Lake acreage, Tikki was in his glory. He had more room to run; more places to explore. We added to kittens to the family and our pet allotment was complete.

Two and a half acres in the country beats a double city lot any day! Tikki spent entire days on the front porch in the sun watching for bunnies and squirrels to chase; gophers and moles to dig up in the yard. He never did get one of those fast moving rodents but did manage to a scare up a mole once on a walk with my son. I don’t know who was more alarmed, the mole, the dog or my son as they were all within inches of each other.

In the past few years we have noticed that Tikki was slowing down. People would make comments like, “You still have Tikki? How old is he?” And “15 years, that’s old for a dog.” We started to research older dog health. My husband designed a website, www.olddogpaws.com with the information that we compiled. It was a goal to keep our friend as an integral part of our family for as long as possible.

A year or so ago, we noticed that Tikki’s limp had gotten worse. His bark had turned into a raspy noise that we call the “old dog bark”. His back right leg would shake and go out on him completely from time to time. We would watch, worry and warn our boys that their beloved dog wouldn’t be with us forever.

Around this same time, my husband and I started that big discussion remodel or move again. With Tikki aging, the discussion turned into a big circle and has put everything on hold. The dog could never be confined to one room and his toenails would ruin hardwood floors like they have ruined the decade old vinyl flooring in our kitchen and laundry room. Accidents have been happening more frequently which damage new carpet, sometimes beyond repair. Being in real estate, it is hard to watch your pet destroy parts of your home. One door has been scratched up as he recently started to paw at the door to get our attention. He is no longer able to bark. Repairs would have to be made to sell. New flooring could be damaged if remodeled so we continue in a holding pattern for our friend’s sake.

Then suddenly last fall, one of our beloved family cats died of heart failure. The boys were devastated as there was no preparation and no time to say goodbye. For the past year, thankfully, our Tikki-Dog stayed with the family, somewhat healthy and able to help the boys through their sadness.

About a month or so ago, we noticed the limp was getting worse. Tikki didn’t want to go inside the house after walking and doing his business. He couldn’t walk up the steps with his arthritic back legs. Looking closer his right leg had started to atrophy and twist. He rarely put pressure on his right foot at all. His thumping tail wagged no more.

We can no longer avoid the inevitable. My husband and younger son built Tikki a ramp a few weeks back…Carefully designing one that is sturdy but is not permanently attached to our new cedar steps. Now Tikki can go in and out of the house more easily. But as days go on we realize that the time is getting closer to when we will have to say goodbye. We live in Minnesota and the ice and snow are coming. Tikki needs strong back legs to avoid slipping on the sidewalk in the winter.

Last week, after a particularly bad day, I made the call to the veterinarian for information on euthanasia. Even though it was only for information so we know the procedure when the time comes, even thought nothing is scheduled, I broke down on the phone. There is a reality that hits when you form the words; have the discussion. It is very hard.
My family continues to take Tikki’s condition day by day; spending time with our friend. Petting him and talking to him. But we know that actual day to say farewell is coming soon. We are thankful for the many years we have had with our beloved pet. But how do you say goodbye to a friend who has been at your side for a third of your life? Or, like my boys, all of your life? The answer is very, very slowly.

Well, today’s not the day…Come on Tikk…Let’s go for your walk!

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2007 www.terieckholm.com

Our Move is on Hold—Our Senior Dog Just Isn’t Ready

Our family was planning to move to a new home this year…but for several reasons, we decided against it. It is a buyer's market in Minnesota making it a great time to buy a home. With so many options and incredible deals being made on existing homes and new construction all across the Twin Cities, we couldn’t wait to get out there and find our new dream home.

Although there were several reasons we put our move on hold, the biggest one was our dog, Tikki. The Australian Shepard mix we’ve had since he was a pup is now 15 years old and is a bit set in his ways. The Minnesota buyer’s market means that our home must be in tip top shape. As a Realtor in Anoka County of Minnesota, I know this better than anyone.

That means the carpeting and flooring must all be replaced as Tikki has spent many a day on his favorite spots on the rug and discolored them beyond cleaning. It means that the doors that our loveable old dog scratched at when he wanted to go out need replacing. It means that all the yellowed spots in the grass will need to be reseeding. But most of all it means we would have to find a place to put our senior dog during showings.

The home and yard repairs are something would be able to do easily. We have spent a decade with the same flooring so it is time to replace. The yard work would not be difficult. But finding a place for a 75 pound dog for every showing is not an easy task. Tikki is not an outdoor dog and doesn’t live in a kennel. He is not indoor kennel trained either. We used to keep him in our unfinished basement, but he couldn’t see out and damaged our door. So we put him in the garage but he won’t even walk near the garage door anymore--Just sits down and refuses to enter.
When we moved 10 years ago, we would take Tikki for walks during showings, but his days of long walks are over. If he could climb up, we would take him in the car. But at his age, we would need a special ramp and then train him to climb in and out.

Some sellers MUST move. So what should you do with your pets? This is a huge consideration for all pet owners. You must consider how your home will appear to potential buyers. Some of them may be afraid of dogs or allergic to cats. If your friendly cat greets an allergic buyer at the door, the showing will not go well.

Important Things for Sellers with Pets to Consider:

**Your very friendly pet may feel the need to protect your home and not be so nice to intruders viewing the home.
**Pets must be in a safe place. Preferably not at the home.
**If you must keep your pet in the home, put in a kennel.
**Consider having your pet stay with a friend, doggie daycare or petsitter during showings. (

**Pet odors must be eliminated.
**If your pet sheds, make certain that you vacuum prior to every showing.

My family loves our old Tikki-dog and we are not in a position where we have to move. So we decided to wait a few more years before relocating. I guess the buyer’s market isn’t such a bad thing when you have an older dog.
If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.



Copyright 2007 terieckholm.com

Something Smells Funny! Is YOUR Pet Destroying Your Home?

We Americans LOVE our Pets. Dogs, Cats, Bunnies, Monkeys, Rats…you name it. We let them sleep in our beds and eat in our kitchens. We buy and cook them special foods. We dress them up and treat them like the members of the family that they are. But have you ever considered the damage pets can do to your most important investment, your home?

As a real estate agent working in Minnesota, I have seen some strange pets inside of some homes…everything from pot-bellied pigs to monkeys and bunnies with the run of the house. Oh, yeah and then there are the people who have dogs and cats too. Many homeowners take great measures to protected their homes and property but some do not.

I have walked into vacant homes and had potential buyers pick out the exact location of where the previous owner had the litter box. I have seen puppy’s teeth marks on the sides of oak cupboards and cedar decking and claw marks on wood floors. I have walked through extensively landscaped yards destroyed by holes dug by chained dogs. I have witnessed a family whose cat jumps up and hangs on screens to notify their owner that they want to come inside. One seller had a sign posted in the furnace room on a terrarium full of large, noisy crickets announcing that it was food for the lizards and snakes that were kept in the bedrooms and family rooms of the home. And then there was the family that let the horse wander in the front yard and let the bunny have the entire house to roam…you can just imagine the damage left behind on that one.


While amusing to read about, pets can be hard on your home. When you go to sell, you could have to make extensive repairs or discount your selling price to reflect the condition.

The smells are the worst. People who keep pets in carpeted rooms even in cages or kennels can have serious problems. Often the odors will not be removed with a simple steam cleaning. In most cases, I recommend that the carpet be replaced. But homeowners with serious damage find that they are not only replacing the carpet, the padding and sometimes even the sub-flooring needs to be removed to eliminate the smell.

It is possible to have your beloved pet and to protect your home.

• Keep your pet well groomed to reduce odor, hair and nail damage.



• Get a pet bed for your dogs and cats. (Several are available at www.olddogpaws.com). Our dog loves the extra comfort and it keeps dirt and sweat from his coat from going into the carpet fibers. We will move his from room to room during the day so he can stay with us. If this is too much trouble, buy several. They are considerably cheaper than replacing carpet. Our cat uses his bed daily too. It is positioned for his easy access in front of his favorite window so he doesn’t jump and leave marks on the woodwork.



• Have a proper sized kennel or cage for exotic pets and clean often.



• Clear all accidents immediately. Use special pet cleaners to remove odors and stains.



• Cover all exposed woodwork especially around windows. Pets love to jump up and look out windows. Use gates to limit your pet’s access to soft wood floors like birch or cherry wood. Nail marks require the floor to be completely sanded down before refinishing. It can get very costly.



• Don’t chain your dog to the side of your house. Chains and bolts can cause both cosmetic and structural damage to your home.
  

If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in Forest Lake and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties real estate in Minnesota.


Copyright 2007 terieckholm.com

Is Moving Making YOU Crazy?--How to Lower the Stress

Change is difficult. Especially when the change is so big and personal as moving to a new home. While difficult, it is also an exciting time. Change opens doors and provides opportunities that staying put doesn’t allow. But when your children are leaving the only home they have ever known, no matter what positive spin you put on it, there is bound to be some stress. So how to you make a move without your entire family going crazy?





Educate Yourself—It is important for you to realize that when making a move there are some unknowns that will come into play. Sometimes things will seem out of your control as appraisers, inspectors and real estate agents enter your life and home. The sellers of your new home, the buyers of your home and your mortgage broker will make requests and decisions that will directly affect your life.



Understanding the process of purchasing a home and the steps to a smooth transaction will help considerably. A caring, experienced Realtor will lead you through the home buying/selling process while tying up the loose ends. Your Realtor can’t prevent all of the stress but a good agent can predict some of the common situations that arise. By explaining each possible scenario in a timely manner and providing options and alternatives, your Realtor will keep the process moving forward with minimal stress to you.



Prepare the Kids—If you have been in your home for even a few years, this may be the only home your children have ever known or can easily remember. As tough as the change is for you, it will be more difficult on them. It will take some time to adjust to the thought of coming “home” to a new house.



Be positive when announcing the move! Show excitement when talking about the new neighborhood and school. Don’t expect that to be mirrored in your children right away but stay upbeat. If possible, arrange a tour of the new school and visit to the neighborhood and home. If your children will be changing schools mid-year, find out the new teachers name and email address. (We are a very connected society now and all teachers have email!) Email the new teacher and ask that he/she email your child about fun things that are going on in the classroom.



Let the kids help pack their important belongings. Reassure them that all of their precious things will be safe until they are unpacked at the new house.



Email will work great for staying connected to old friends and neighbors too. Have a neighborhood going away party and take photos so your children remember their old friends. Have an address book available for everyone to write down his or her email as well as current mailing address.



Don’t Panic—Moving is a H-U-G-E change in anyone’s life. It ranks up there as one of the most stressful situations families face. Moving has caused the most levelheaded person to go a little crazy. Working with an experience Realtor in your corner can be quite calming. Just knowing that this is a professional who helps families buy and sell homes every day can relieve some stress. Realtors have been through this many times before and understand what a major change it is for your family. It is their job and goal for you to have a successful closing and move.



Be Flexible—Sometimes it may become hard to remember that there is another family on the other side of the transaction. Things will come up that weren’t foreseen by either party. Inspections reveal unknown concerns. Moving trucks arrive late. Appliances suddenly stop working.



We don’t live in a perfect world and things can, do and will change. To keep the process moving forward and stress to a minimum, you may be asked to be flexible. Remind yourself to take a step back and look at the big picture. By reviewing the entire problem with logic, not just emotion, a win-win outcome can be achieved for most situations.



Reward and Pamper Yourself—This is a tough process! When things start feeling totally out of control, it is ok to walk away for a few hours, literally. Take a walk with the kids to the playground. Go to a movie or out to dinner with friends. Order a pizza and sit outside on the deck visiting with neighbors. Head to the gym and relax in the whirlpool. After an hour or two, you will be ready to face that packing or project with renewed energy!

If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in Forest Lake and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties real estate in Minnesota.

Copyright 2007 terieckholm.com

Moving with Pets--Important things to remember!

Moving can be especially difficult on one of your most important, but often overlooked, family members: your pet. I often hear from clients that their pets begin acting up weeks before the actual move. The resulting behavior can cause destruction in the home you are selling as well as concern for the pet’s reaction in their new location. If Fido or Kitty is a senior pet, a new home can be particularly traumatic. How do you relieve your pet’s anxiety? Preparation is the key.

Before the Move

Visit the Veterinarian for a complete examination. Verify and document that all vaccinations are up-to-date. Inquire about medications for stress and the options of administering before or during the move depending on your pet’s particular needs. Keep copies of your pet’s medical records, including a current photo, in an accessible place.

Check homeowners association and local authorities for pet restrictions before purchasing your home. Many cities and neighborhoods have restrictions on the type, size and number of pets you are allowed to keep in a home. Requesting this information prior to making an offer can save the heartache of your beloved pet being restricted from your new home.

Keep to a regular routine. If your move will require the use of a carrier, find one of good quality that is sturdy, comfortable and insulated. It needs to be large enough to accommodate your pet and allow movement. Have it out in your house and use it routinely, so that your pet is familiar with his temporary home and comfortable in it.

Moving long distance and traveling by car? Many hotels are pet friendly but some are not. Plan in advance your route and check with area hotels for the ones that will allow your pet to stay with you. Your pet will appreciate the chance to get out of the carrier in the evenings and spend time with you.

Moving Internationally? Pets could require 6-12 months of surveillance or quarantine before being allowed into a different country. Check restrictions and make preparations well in advance of the move so there are no surprises for your family.

Day of the Move

Make sure your pet is safe. Keep in a safe room/kennel or at a trusted neighbor’s or pet sitter’s home while your belongings are being loaded into the truck. (A pet sitter directory is available at http://www.olddogpaws.com/ ). Make sure it is a place your pet is familiar with as to not create additional stress. If you do leave your pet in a room in your home, remember to check in frequently. Leave a litter box for cats and let dogs out on a leash for breaks to avoid accidents.

Identify your pet. Make certain that your pet’s collar or tags have current information with a cell phone number and/or the new home information so you can be contacted in the event of an escape.

Time to load the pet carrier. Put in your pet’s favorite blanket, toy or bed along with food and water for the trip. Remember a container of additional food and water in case of spills. It is a good idea to pack paper towels and wet wipes to clean up any messes from sickness or accidents during the ride. Don’t leave your pet unattended for more than a few minutes at a time in his transportation kennel.

At Your New Home Sweet Home

Expect some behavior changes as your dog or cat becomes accustomed to his new surroundings. Use as many familiar items from your pets past to make him feel at home. This is not the time to try out a new food or bring in the new pet bed. Bring in his old toys, dishes and blankets to make your old friend comfortable. With lots of love and attention, Fido and Kitty will be back to normal in no time.