Vaccinations are one of the safest and most effective ways to protect pets from serious, potentially life-threatening diseases.

Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs and cats because they guard against illnesses that are common, highly contagious, or pose a risk to public health. These diseases can cause severe illness and, in some cases, can be fatal.

• For dogs, core vaccines include rabies and a 4-way combo that includes distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), and parvovirus.
• For cats, core vaccines include rabies and a 3-way combo that includes feline panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus, and calicivirus.
• Puppies and kittens require a series of vaccinations during their first few months of life to build strong immunity, followed by regular booster vaccinations as recommended by your veterinarian.

Keeping your pet current on core vaccines not only protects their health but also helps prevent the spread of disease within our community. We recommend you work with your family veterinarian to develop a vaccination plan tailored to your pet’s age, lifestyle, and individual needs, ensuring they receive the best possible protection throughout their lives.

This content was provided by the Harmony Veterinary Clinic Team located in Harmony, MN. For more information, contact 507-886-6321.

In Minnesota, the Home Inspection Contingency is a buyer’s contingency and paid for by the buyer. The contract provides a specified number of days to complete inspections and review the results with their inspector and REALTOR®.

After reviewing the inspection report, the buyer may: 1) find the report acceptable and release the inspection contingency, 2) cancel the purchase agreement within the timeframe specified in the contract, or 3) negotiate repairs or a price adjustment with the seller to address concerns identified in the inspection, giving the seller an opportunity to respond.

It is important to understand that the seller is not obligated to make repairs or adjust the price, although they may agree depending on the circumstances. Any changes to the agreement must be mutually accepted by both buyer and seller and documented in writing within the timelines specified in the contract.

Every real estate transaction is unique and can be tailored to meet the needs of both the buyer and seller through mutual agreement.

Professional guidance makes your move smoother and less stressful. Reach out with your real estate questions to:
Roxanne Johnson, Harmony, MN
Roxannejohnson@remax.net
Ph: 507-458-6110

There are often many different types of gas available at the pump. Octane rating or grade rating typically falls under three categories.

Regular – usually 87, mid-grade – usually 89-90 and premium – usually 91-93. The higher the number, the more stable the gas is when it burns inside your engine.

Some engines are designed to only run-on high-octane fuel, while others can be designed to run on any grades.

You may see E15 or E85 options. This refers to the ethanol content of the gas. Just like some engines are designed only for high octane fuels, some engines are designed to be able to run on high ethanol content fuels and some are not.

Running the wrong type of fuel in your engine can cause poor fuel economy, engine performance issues and in some cases fuel system damage. The most important thing is to refer to your owner’s manual to see if there are any types of fuel that should not be run in your specific vehicle.

This content was provided by James Hagen at Total Care Care located in rural Preston, MN. For more information, call or text 507-322-4057 or visit www.yourtotalcarcare.com.

You have your perfect vacation planned. The last thing you want is to get sick! When you are in close quarters, the risk is real.

Did you know there is a lightweight portable air purifier you can easily pack in your suitcase? It is not much larger than a cell phone. Use it on the airplane first, then whenever you go to dinner, place it on your table. This purifier actively sanitizes air and surfaces effectively. It is affordable protection to mitigate exposure to the many germs surrounding you.

Testimony: “My wife ALWAYS gets sick every time we travel. We purchased the portable mobile, and she didn’t get sick this time! Very satisfied.”

Call now so you can take cleaner air with you wherever you go!

For your breath of fresh air, contact Clavonne today at 507-254-1121.
Website: drivetohealth.com
Email: drivetohealth@gmail.com

Imagine this: Your budgeting app flags unusual spending and suggests a transfer. Later, a robo-advisor rebalances your portfolio. Welcome to the age of artificial intelligence — or AI — in personal finance.

AI tools can track spending, forecast bills and offer advice via text. They can monitor credit scores, suggest budget tweaks and even negotiate lower bills.

Meanwhile, robo-advisors build and manage portfolios, and educational apps simplify complex financial concepts.

But AI has limits. It can’t weigh emotional trade-offs like saving for college versus retiring early, and it can’t help partners merge their financial visions.

That’s where human advisors shine. They help you stay focused, balance priorities and offer support through life’s changes.

As AI evolves, the key is treating it as a tool, not a guide.

The best approach? Use AI for insights and lean on human wisdom for guidance. Stay curious about what tech can do — and clear about your financial priorities, which only you can define.

This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by Maggie Schoepski, your Edward Jones financial advisor at 507-867-1460.

Yes, training can help many dogs become less fearful of loud noises like fireworks, but it takes patience and consistency.

The most effective approach is desensitization and counterconditioning. This involves playing recordings of fireworks at a very low volume while rewarding your dog with treats, praise, or play. As your dog becomes comfortable, you can gradually increase the volume over several training sessions.

The goal is to help your dog associate the sounds with positive experiences rather than fear. It’s important to move at your dog’s pace and never force them to face noises that cause panic. In addition to training, creating a safe indoor space, using calming music or white noise, and providing enrichment activities can help reduce anxiety during real fireworks displays. For dogs with severe noise phobias, consult your veterinarian or a certified dog trainer. They may recommend behavior modification plans or anxiety-reducing medications for additional support during stressful events.

This content was provided by Carla Ladd at Ladd K9 located in Preston, MN. For more information, contact 507-951-7398 or visit www.LaddK9.com.

Usually, when we want to share what has helped us, the motivation is love. We found something that made a difference in our lives, and we want the people we care about to benefit too.

The challenge is, good intentions and good experiences aren’t always the same thing. What feels like caring guidance to one person can feel like pressure to another.

There’s a difference between offering and managing. Offering says, “This helped me.” Managing says, “I need you to do what I think is best.” Most of our relationships don’t come with that kind of authority.

When someone else’s choices disturb our peace, it’s worth asking whether we’re too attached to an outcome we cannot control.

The best persuasion is the fruit people see in your life. We can offer wisdom and encouragement, but in the end, each of us must make our own decisions and answer for them.

This content was provided by Bethany Grace at Waniya Healing located in Lanesboro, MN. For more information, contact 612-790-7101 or visit www.waniyahealing.com.

Yes, and it really begins with being mindful of the family that has lost a loved one.

Here are three quick tips to share.

• One: Attend. Funerals are for the living, and your presence is more important than you know. Whether it’s a co-worker, a friend, or a relative make sure you attend one of the funeral events. It will mean a great deal to living.
• Two: Be on time. Try to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, sign the register book (it will mean a lot to the family) and find your seat.
• Three: Express your sympathy. Keep it simple and sincere. Sometimes, a simple “I’m sorry for your loss” may be all that needs to be said. Above all remember to be supportive, respectful, and mindful of those who are dealing with the loss.

This content was provided by Ashley Hoff-Czaplewski at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service located in Lanesboro, Rushford, Chatfield, Winona, Houston, St Charles and Lewiston, MN.

For more information, contact 507-467-2130 or hofffuneral.com.

Honestly, I don’t think we’ll ever see prices go back to the way they were before COVID.

Between the chip shortage in ‘21 and ‘22 and the overall lack of inventory, prices have stayed pretty high across the board. Unless there’s a major market crash or a huge surge of used cars suddenly hitting the market, I don’t see them dropping much. Plus, since new cars are so expensive, people are just hanging onto their current rides longer, which keeps the demand—and the prices—for used cars pretty strong. I think what we’re seeing right now is just the new normal.

This content was provided by Josh Lewis at Top Gear Auto Sales located in LeRoy, MN. For more information, contact 507-324-1800 or visit www.topgearautosalesllc.com.

Mini-split systems are known for their efficiency and comfort, but many homeowners overlook an important maintenance item—the indoor head. While cleaning the washable filters monthly is important, dirt, dust, pet dander, and even mold can build up on the blower wheel, evaporator coil, and drain pan inside the unit.

Over time, this buildup restricts airflow, reduces efficiency, and can create musty odors that affect indoor air quality.

A dirty blower wheel is one of the most common issues we find during service calls. Even if the filter looks clean, the blower wheel can become coated with debris, causing the system to work harder and deliver less comfort. Regular professional cleaning helps restore airflow, improve efficiency, eliminate odors, and extend equipment life.

If your mini-split smells musty, has weak airflow, or hasn’t been professionally cleaned in several years, it may be time for a maintenance visit. Please call VIS Plumbing & Heating, Inc. to schedule a professional mini-split cleaning and inspection.

Call and schedule an appointment with Vis Plumbing & Heating to learn more about mini split options and maintenance. https://www.visplumbingheating.com/

Homeowners often ask whether they should purchase or rent water treatment equipment. The answer depends on budget, maintenance preferences, and long-term goals.

When you purchase equipment, you own it outright but are responsible for maintenance, repairs, and eventual replacement. Rental programs, on the other hand, typically include service, maintenance, and system repairs as part of the agreement.

For some families, the convenience of knowing maintenance is handled provides peace of mind. Others prefer ownership and long-term equity in their system.

The most important factor is having equipment that’s properly sized and professionally installed for your home’s water conditions.

Understanding your options allows you to choose what fits your household best.

This content was provided by Nate Van Loon at Culligan Water located in Winona, MN. For more information, contact 507-452-3600.

Today, your website is often the first impression customers have of your business. If your site is outdated, difficult to use on mobile devices, or hard to update, it could be costing you customers.

The Fillmore County Journal launched SMG Web Design in 2009, currently serving more than 150 clients in the Midwest. We are locally owned and work with businesses throughout the area to create professional, easy-to-use websites designed to help businesses grow. Whether you need a brand-new site, a redesign, special features, or help improving your visibility on Google, we can build a solution that fits your needs and budget.

A good website works for you 24/7 — showcasing your services, answering questions, and helping customers connect with your business anytime.

We believe local businesses deserve a strong online presence with personal service and support close to home. If your website is not working for your business, it may be time for an upgrade.

For more information, visit www.smgwebdesign.com or e-mail service@smgwebdesign.com.