Day “2” – Thursday, January 21st, 2010
Second day of being a dog owner. I knew it was going to be work but not quite this much. The experience is much the same as having a child. They eat, poop, sleep and bite your feet for the halibut (okay perhaps that last one isn’t quite comparable). We are basically on his schedule. I eat, poop, sleep and curl my toes under so that he cannot get at them. He has SHARP teeth !! What a life.
Day “3” – Friday, January 22nd, 2010 – 7:12 a.m.
Well, we are up 20 minutes earlier than yesterday. At this time he is playing so I thought that I would take advantage, and do some writing. Last night Amanda, Steven, Elton & Penny came for supper. The puppies all played quite well. The kids gave Alvin a toothbrush (subtle guys) LOL. When we were growing up our dogs did not have their own toothbrushes. In fact, most of the time they did not even come into the house. Now they get the best dental and veterinary care. I do draw the line at “flossing”.
I will say that Alvin is a good “pooper”. OMG, I never thought that I would say that. He usually lets me know when he has to go outside. As it is winter time, I have shovelled some of the snow away around the deck so that he doesn’t have to climb through the snow banks. He sure is a cute little guy.
Played fetch – definitely working on his playing techniques.
Oh, have to cook fish for “O” today. He likes his fish.
Day “4” – Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 – 7:35 a.m.
We were up at 7:00 a.m. this morning. Pretty good. Last night started out Alvin wanting to sleep with me but ended up on the floor. Probably a good thing as I do not want him to roll off the bed during the night. WOW, doesn’t this sound crazy. Likely the first “guy” in the history of the Earth to be relinquished to the floor….. LOL
It is so sweet when I am out shovelling the walks and Alvin is watching me through the window. He still has separation anxiety. Funny, even when he can see me.
Day “5” – Sunday, January 24th, 2010 – 7:45 a.m.
Yesterday was fun. Alvin was in a “nippy biting” kind of mood. When he wants to play he nips at my pants, slippers or whatever he can get to. Perhaps I am giving him the wrong signals. Like for instance, just a few minutes ago I was sitting writing and I told him to get his toys —- then it started, the biting. Lesson learned only mention toys when I am ready to play. YIKES. He always has his eyes on me.
Last night I was watching the last twenty minutes of a movie, and he went over to the upstairs steps (10:00 p.m.) and waited. This was his way of telling me “time for bed”. He wanted to go up. So we did. Guess who is the “pack leader” – – er, I guess not ME !!!
So cute – before bed, he hid his bone by the night table.
Day “6” – Monday, January 25th , 2010 – 7:40 a.m.
Another good sleep. I am so grateful. Alvin is eating the new “wet food” and really seems to like it. Have to figure out our “play” time. According to the dog whisperer they should have exercise (walk) every day. As Alvin has not been neutered or has had his shots yet, I want to keep him in the house and back yard. Will check with the Vet on Thursday. His check-up.
Day “7” – Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 – 7:39 a.m.
Another good sleep, thank goodness. I must say that it is nice to be getting up early. Alvin has his night and early morning routines down pat. Sure lots of snow. One of the neighbours got stuck last night so I helped push him out.
The kids are coming over tonight. Time to start planning Amanda’s 30th Birthday party. Hard to believe that she is almost thirty. Where has the time gone?
Day “8” Wednesday, January 27th , 2010 7:47 a.m.
Yay, another beautiful morning. Up at 7:30. Alvin peed, then ate and then pooped. How strange to be recording the bathroom habits of a dog – my dog no less. He is playing by himself for the moment. Alvin sure loves his toys. The street outside is busy with school buses. We have a great many children in this neighbourhood.
Day “9” – Thursday, January 28th, 2010 – 6:55 a.m.
Good Morning. Trying to be a better “pack leader” …. not working out so far. I just cave and cannot follow through. I know, consistency….. and follow through. Puppies are just like little kids. Alvin is eating well. Very rambunctious this morning. Played tug-of-war and fetch for about 15 minutes. Today is Vet day. I am hopeful that he will receive a good check-up. With luck, I hope that his infections are healed, and that he is on the road to being completely healthy. Also would be great if they would give him his vaccination and microchip, today. I have to book the appointment for him to be neutered. Sounds strange. Maybe he will settle down after the surgery – that is what I have heard anyway. I do not know as this is the first dog that I have ever owned. We had dogs on the farm when I was growing up but they did not go to the vet and rarely came into the house. Today, I am grateful for his pleasant nature.
Day “10” – Friday, January 29th, 2010 – 7:41 a.m.
Another beautiful morning here in Edmonton. I am so grateful for this weather. Alvin is doing great. We had his first Vet visit yesterday. Was an interesting adventure, kind of scary. His ears are okay, and he had blood work taken to check for anaemia, and anything out of the ordinary. One major concern is that there is irreparable damage done to the main artery in his neck (throat area). Usually they take blood from there as is less painful and easier but in Alvin’s case, it had to be taken from a smaller vein in his leg. My poor little guy. I felt so bad for him. Thank goodness I was not in the room at the time. I would have fainted. It was bad enough listening to him whimper from another room. At this time he is playing with one of his toys, as I am writing this. The Doctor said that he would call with the blood work results. On our way home from his veterinary visit he threw up in the back seat of Amanda’s car but luckily I had him on a blanket. He did great, all in all. The Vet said that they would book his surgery for another day and he would be neutered, vaccinated and place the microchip all at the same time.
I am grateful that Alvin put on weight and seems to be adjusting to his new life.
Sometimes I wonder about things – the things that he does. Like for instance, he just scratched the red floor rug. What does that mean? When he just sits and stares at me, what does that mean? If only I knew his language, so we could stop wasting time. He loves to bite my slippers and me. I believe that – that is his way of getting my attention. We have not been able to go out for walks and I think he has a lot of pent up energy.
Time to sign off for another day. We are getting on and it will get easier as the days go by. Hard to believe that it is Day ten. Where has the time gone.
Day “11” – Saturday, January 30th, 2010 – 6:30 a.m.
This beautiful Saturday morning starts a bit earlier than usual as someone (not me) has to be pee! Guess Who? He managed to wait until I made the bed, washed my face, put my hair into a quick pony tail and got dressed. No time for a shower. Got him outside just in time. Now he is patiently waiting to eat. Meanwhile as I write this entry little Alvin is playing with one of his toys and running around the main floor. Yesterday, I did have some emotional moments but thankfully had Amanda and Sonja (my neighbour) here to offer positive thoughts. Honestly, I had no idea what it would be like to have a puppy. I quit smoking only a few months ago and it still plays havoc with my emotional state. But it is getting easier. I did it on my own. YAY. Also not being able to get out of the house has been difficult. Thank goodness for the girls who have eased my mind and helped with Alvin who by the way as good as he is, can be a handful. Oh, what a life. But I am grateful everyday despite the odd moment of despair. When I think of how he must have looked and how he felt when they found him, my heart almost breaks. But he has a great life now, and is healing and learning. Really what more can anyone hope for or want.
Day “12” – Sunday, January 31st, 2010 – 7:15 a.m.
Up at 6:43 a.m., another early morning. Amanda slept over on Friday night which was great. I needed a break. Puppies are a handful. She stayed with the little guy while I ran some errands. So great to get out of the house.
Yesterday was one of those days when he just would not stop barking or biting. It was a most difficult day. Today is a new day and I feel more calm. Alvin is more quiet today. YAY.
My New Life @ 51 