A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing okay. Up at 12:30, 5:00 and then at 6:00 and finally at 6:45. We should have stayed up at 5:00 but I was feeling it was too early and I was so sleepy. I guess the midnight hour was just as I was slipping into a deep sleep only to be awoke by my four-legged buddy who insisted upon going downstairs. So down we went. Anyway, I am not complaining as I am grateful that I can work from home this week. I can give him his medications at the proper time and monitor him and let him outside when he needs to go. It is hard for him when I am at work even with someone coming to check on him at the 5 hour mark. He will be 14 next week, I cannot believe it. We should be planning a birthday party, methinks. I must chat to his sister. His birthday came up mighty fast. He has been through a lot this last couple of years and deserves a good party. His birthday is next Thursday (checked the calendar).

This afternoon I have an appointment at the Optometrist to check the pressure in my eyes, it was a bit high at my last visit which was on the 28th of December. When they called yesterday to confirm today’s appointment, I asked if my glasses would be ready and she said they are waiting on my sunglass clips. She thought maybe they might come in today’s shipment. That would be great to get my new glasses today. Figured crossed that the pressure in my eye(s) has returned to normal.

Alvin is doing pretty good although I think he had a bit of loose poop early this morning. I did not pick it up l right away and when I went out at 5:00 it was frozen. But to be fair today is only seven days since this all started and today is the first day completely off the bland diet so I am thinking by the end of today or tomorrow there will be a major difference. Fingers crossed for my boy.

We continue to have beautiful temperatures and I only wish that we could both go for a walk. Hopefully the weather holds.

Have an awesome Tuesday.

Time to head downstairs and plug in the coffee (prepared earlier).

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus possibilities and coffee.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2025

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? Well this Sunday morning we were up as per usual at around 4:00 a.m. – Alvin went outside and then we headed to the sofa for some zzz’s. Just as I was settling down he jumped off the sofa and starting pawing at said sofa, which is his way of telling me to get up. So up I got and checked the clock and it was almost 4:30 ….. so out came his food, he happily gobbled it down and then outside to do his business. Back into the house and to the sofa for some zzz’s.

Not long later or so it would seem, he was up and pawing at the sofa (luckily he has not left marks), so up I got and looked at the time it was 7:12 a.m. We went outside. I heard we were supposed to get snow today so wanted to pick up that morning “package” that he left in the yard before I would have to play detective to find it under fresh snow. While outside I noticed that the odd snowflake was falling and glad we went out. I noticed that my neighbour Sonja was already up and Bogart the cat was up on the railing saying good morning. It was at that moment that I decided to go into the garage and grab the box for my old t.v. so that I may store it properly/securely while I decide what to do with it. I have a small television in the basement family room which I watch every once in awhile. Just not sure if I really need a bigger television. Was thinking of asking about to see if a family or someone needs a good television. Following that I grabbed all of the laundry that was drying to bring upstairs and put away. Back upstairs, made our bed and put away the dried clothing. Did some online banking. Writing this blog and then will have a shower. I have now removed several items from my TO DO LIST for today. Doing a happy dance. Thank you Alvin for getting this Momma up and mobile earlier. Usually once I get up and doing something, I am okay to get going.

I was checking out the long range weather forecast and noticed that today is supposed to bring some snow, tomorrow is to be sunny and mild and then after that rain and then snow, argh. By Friday the temperatures are supposed to dip into the minus 20’s celsius. Not really looking forward to that but we have been so lucky, so fortunate that our weather thus far has been very mild. Looks like Alvin’s birthday party is going to be cold so will be nice to have company as we likely won’t be heading out for a walk.

Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 is Alvin’s 12th birthday. I cannot believe that we have been together “11” years on Tuesday. Time flies. He definitely is a young 12 year old and I hope that we have many more happy healthy years together. I am planning a birthday party for the boy next Sunday. His best friend Teddy and his little sister Kobi and the grandpups Miss Aspen and Milo and of course, my daughter and son-in-law will attend. Tomorrow I am going to see if I can get a cake or something like that for the special day. Also pick up something for a gift for Alvin and some treats for the pup’s goodie bags. After all you cannot have a birthday party any longer without party favours / treats for the guests. Decorations will be simple. A Happy Birthday banner and I have some Happy Birthday table decorations. We do not use balloons as they are bad for the environment and for animals, birds and marine life. Alvin hasn’t mentioned anything but I think he is excited for the party. He loves to have company at home. Not much of a traveller this guy.

Looks like a fine layer of snow on the deck that was once bare to the wood. Oh well. Temperature to be mild. Hopefully we can get a walk in at some point without snow coming down.

Wednesday is the inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-Elect Kamala Harris. I hope that they have a safe and peaceful transition to their positions.

I hope that you are having a great weekend.

We continue to live with kindness, respect and compassion for all.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? I am well. Had some pretty crazy dreams last night and something to do with the giving out of blankets and missing a person with a dog. I have to say that I felt pretty guilty. I remember standing in front of a bunch of people and for some reason, not sure why there was a shortage of blankets. I had two in my hands and went over to this family who needed a blanket for their dog. The two blankets that I had one was huge and the other was too small. So I said that I would find them another blanket and went on to give the other blankets to other people. Then I woke up and realized that I had not gone back to the other family with the dog with a blanket. Also they were my own personal blankets. I also remember my sister was there and she was telling people don’t worry she has lots of blankets back home as I think perhaps they were thinking that I would run out of blankets. Wow, nothing like waking up from a dream and your first thoughts and feelings are ones of guilt and disappointment. Honestly, can say that I have never had that experience before now. Very deflating.

The sunrise is so pretty this morning. There are puffs or wisps of pink clouds scattered amongst the lighter blue morning sky. I love how our sky appears totally different each and every morning. I just got out of my chair and looked out of the window and noted that closer to the eastern sunrise the sky is more orange and already the pink clouds have disappeared. WOW. This sure has been quite the morning.

This is also my late start to work day and then I work till 7:00 p.m. and Friday I go to the office. Lots to be done in between.

We had a nice Sunday. Starting the day off with a TEAM Chat, video call with my friends Gillian and Signe. So nice to catch up and to see their pretty faces. Alvin and I had a quiet day. I was happy to receive an email saying that my parcel from Reitmans had been delivered – some new clothes. Seldom do I actually purchase clothing from a “store” anymore as most of my clothing comes from thrifting or hand me downs. So this was a nice change. The package came and was delivered into my mailbox which was good. Happy to report that every item fit well. Happy to have some brand new clothing consisting of tops and one new pair of pants. My kids gave me two pair of pants for Christmas so I have three new pair which is great as my “casual pants” selection was getting a tad on the old side. I have been wearing some pants that I got from Old Navy back in the early 2000’s so they are getting close to being 20 years old. Yikes, that is crazy. I have another pair of pants that I love that I bought from The Bay in Regina just after my daughter moved to Edmonton in 2002. Over the years they have gone from loose, baggy to more form fitting. But I can still get my back end into them which is not too bad. Further update the sky is now BLUE. That happened really fast. After our chat and I tried on the clothing – Mr. Alvin and I headed out for a walk. It was quite nice out but not as beautiful as Saturday and we got about halfway into the park and Alvin turned around as I tried to coax him to keep walking forward and before I knew it we were headed for home. Not the walk that I had thought about, much shorter.

Well almost time for a shower and then get this day going. As quickly as it is going before I know it – it will be time to start work. We will go for a walk on my 3:00 p.m. break this afternoon.

I hope that life is treating you well. Have an awesome Monday.

Alvin’s birthday is fast approaching on January 19th, 2021 and he will be “12.” Looks like his party will be held after his actual birthday. I spoke to Teddy and Kobi’s Mom and invited the pups to attend when I got the party arranged. Hopefully Alvin’s sister and family will be able to attend. The plan is to have it on the weekend after his birthday which would be the 23rd or 24th, Saturday or Sunday. I will have to go and pick up a birthday cake as well and a gift for him and party favours. I cannot believe Alvin is going to be 12.

That reminds me I must call the vet this morning and make his regular appointment for one day this week.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect and compassion for all.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 20th day of January, 2016.

WOW, the 20th day of January, 2016 ….. OMG the light bulb just came on ….. how could I have forgotten …… my baby boy’s Birthday …..

Yesterday my boy turned “7” …..  Happy Belated Birthday my darling Alvin

Here is my very first post from April of 2010 ….. “STARTING NOW”

As we start most days it is in the neighbourhood of 5:00 a.m. (just like the hours that I kept when I was working full-time, LOL). We have a routine.  He gets me up, and we go downstairs. No time to change so outdoors in my pj’s. Yikes.  Shut off the alarm.  I put on my coat.  Turn on outside light (sometimes grab the flashlight), and we go out to the backyard so that Master Alvin can perform his daily bathroom….. okay go to the bathroom.  Then we go back inside the house.  He wants his breakfast so his “Master” me serves it up with a smile or some days a little grunt.  Once he has finished the lights go out, and we hit the sofa for another two hours of sleep.  I am thinking that one of these days I should just stay up and see what he does.  Likely wouldn’t bother him at all.  It wasn’t so long ago that we stayed up.  In those first weeks it was up anywhere from 4:00 – 6:00 a.m. and we were up for the day.  Made for some very long days.  Needless to say, I was pretty cranky and overly emotional to boot.  My kids will attest to that fact.

Now we are both up, I start writing and make my breakfast.  Once done, I head upstairs (we head upstairs) to change and get ready for the day.  Most mornings Alvin helps me by nipping at my socks as I try to put them on,and then pulls on my pants as I try to get them on.  I must say it does end up being a work-out by the time I get them on.  He is so helpful.  When he goes to “bite or nip” …. he gets this look in his eyes …  kind of scares me.  Aren’t puppies fun!

Then it is time for a walk ( I have started to leave my first cup of coffee for after the first walk).  We have yet another routine.  I grab my coat.  He jumps up and grabs the sleeve or whatever part of the jacket he can get at.  I tell him “get down” or something else under my breath.  Then I retrieve my runners from the hall closet and put them on.  He is getting better.  In the early days he would run and grab my laces or the shoes making it almost impossible to actually put them on my feet.  Now he will sit or stand and watch me.  Once I am ready to go …. I grab his harness.  Usually I have to grab him as he hasn’t quite got the command “come” down pat just yet.  Anyway, his harness goes on.  Grab my sunglasses.  Hook on his leash (he used to try and eat it).  Grab the keys.  Oh, make sure have “those glorious black poop bags” in my pocket.  I set the alarm and open the door.  He will wait when I give the command “wait” and let me go out first and then he runs out.  Sometimes it looks like a comedy routine as he zooms past me and I almost go flying.  Locking the door is also a chore.  He wants to GO.  Getting better.  Then it is off to one of the neighbourhood lake / park areas.  It takes us about 35 minutes, sometimes longer.  Depends if there are people especially children out and about.  He loves everyone.  Always has to say HI.  A few days ago while we were out on a walk, we saw a pair of ducks on the lake.  He stopped and sat on his haunches.  We watched them for several minutes before resuming our walk.  I have a nature lover on my hands.  Didn’t bark or pull.  Just sat and watched them.  Very cute.  Other times he would start pulling (biting) on the leash and I would say “No”.  Finally one day, I figured out what he actually wanted.  I swooped down and picked him up and we kept walking.  He was happy.  Laid his head on my arm.  He is getting heavy so I didn’t carry him too far.  But he just wanted a rest.  There are many days when I wished that he could “TALK”.

This morning I was busy sending out e-mails to all my friends and family directing them to this blog.  Alvin is sleeping by my feet. Thank goodness for small miracles.   I do not know how many of you have had the “pleasurable” experience of owning a dog but I must say it has presented me with some interesting moments.  It is lots of work but at the end of the day, very rewarding.

Well, it is now afternoon.  Alvin is now awake and chewing on his bone.  I guess time to sign off for now.

Until later ………………….

 

 

Baby Alvin

 

Fast forward to January 20, 2016 and we are bonded and bound by time and love ….. he is a good friend and companion.  He makes me laugh and sometimes a bit frustrated so not much has really changed.  Reading over my blog from back then most of our morning routine has remained the same with the exceptions of me going to work and no work in the mornings.  I do miss that.  Well Mr. Alvin you have grown and are such a pleasure to be around and you are truly loved by all that know and meet you.  Happy Birthday Alvin.  Looking forward to many great years ahead.

Alvin at Christmas 2015

Special Hello to: me Alvin ….. Happy Belated Birthday Buddy

Always, Carol ….

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 19th day of January, 2015.

Today marks the 5th Anniversary of Alvin joining our family and what we celebrate as his 6th Birthday.

So huge ….

He is taking it all in stride beginning with wanting to sit on his Momma’s lap while I wrote in my gratitude journal.

He is just a tad too big to be doing that but I was thrilled that he still “asked” which he does in his own puppy way.

I wished that I had asked to take the day off so that we could just be together for the day but I didn’t think of it in time.

Oh well, I will be home later and we will celebrate.

No cake though but lots of fresh veggies.  His favourites.

HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVOURITE PHOTOS OF ALVIN OVER THE YEARS.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DARLING – I LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MANY MORE.

YOU ARE THE EXTRA LIGHT IN MY LIFE, IN ALL OF OUR LIVES.

WE TREASURE EVERY MOMENT.

RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING YOU FIT IN …

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALVIN.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING OUR FAMILY.

AKA: CONE-HEAD-not funny for the little guy

Enjoying a sunny winter’s day!

Baby Alvin

Alvin ……

Alvin at Home

Ah, Mama’s boy…….isn’t he cute!!!

Alvin in the snow…..

Alvin with his toys & the blue blanket was a gift from his foster parents.

Alvlin getting to know his “new” family….

Me and Alvin

We miss Simone’s hair cuts……

Lookin’ Out the Window…..

Alvin and Penny …..