I speak to him as if he is human and my son, once I realize I am conversing with a dog, I think to myself, could I be demented or just lonely? Then it’s exercise time and the Simba, from the Circle of Life, routine happens. When I mention the word WALK, all hell breaks loose as he runs to the door waiting for the leash to be applied.

Lunch consists of a variety of grass-fed only meats with an occasional salmon delight to change the palate. It’s about promoting good health as my daughters state, vets are too expensive but a necessary component in the event of a mishap. Treats consist of liver with only one ingredient and a piece of cheese, not processed but varieties that range over $50/kg. It makes me wonder if the cheese is that good in my home, it could explain the reason why my daughters still live with me.

Nonetheless, moments are special. This dog won the lottery of life, he found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow becoming the King in my castle. What a lucky dog!

Speaking of good fortune, I had the pleasure to be invited to play golf. After the eventful day, there was a dinner and I had the opportunity to meet some younger people. All with young families and struggling with the high cost of schooling, mortgages and responsibilities. Each wants the best of the best with the opportunity to not miss an adventure. It seems there was a competition between them as the older guys just looked up to the heavens being grateful for having raised their own kids in a different era.  For this group, most of them are into financing, money didn’t seem to be an issue but for a majority, as we discussed, problems are rampant within our society and country as a whole. It is becoming a world that consists between those that have and those that have not.

Cracks are starting to show as USA Weekly Jobless Claims rose to 248k vs expected (230k). Translation more people out of work. Then  (CPI), the Consumer Price Index, a measurement of inflation rises to 3.2% expected(3.3%), the key word rises. Inflation (+0.2%) is still an issue and the threat of more rate increases looms large. The Fed is walking a fine line not to push the majority to the edge of financial insolvency. While the Bank of Canada (BOC) won’t hesitate to follow an agenda not made for Canadians. The latter is open to further rate increases.

As I mentioned time and time again, inflation will not be resolved until government controls their spending and central banks stop printing countless amounts of money. The more there is the less the perceived value. As a result, it will take more money to make life affordable. Inflation cannot be tamed just manipulated.