Living … One day at a time.

Hello, it is Saturday morning.

The office window is open as I key/type these words and there is a coolness to the air.

Humphrey the Cat is out on his deck.

He heard me when I opened the window and we made eye contact.

Then he was crying.

Perhaps for Alvin as Alvin was looking through the fence to see him earlier this morning (just a few minutes ago, actually).

 

News on the Alvin front.

We ended up going back to the Vet yesterday as there was no change in the pooping situation.

OMG, “did I really type that “pooping situation.”

Yes, I most certainly did.

ARGH.

Anyway, back to the story.

Our appointment was for 3:30 p.m.

The Doctor had said that would be taking bloodwork and if he pooped to bring in a sample.

ARGH, that would not be pretty.

So I gave him his third small meal of chicken and rice a few minutes before leaving for the appointment.

On the walk, he found a nice patch of green grass and did his business.

Not the business that I would have hoped for but he did and I did have to scoop it up.

A sample without grass for the Vet and then cleaned up the rest including pulling up some grass.

I had Alvin’s water bottle with me and poured some onto the remaining so that it would run away or so I hoped.

Not much fun cleaning up diarrhea.

Not much fun at all.

 

At the vet, she checked to ensure that he was hydrated etc.

First up was having the blood drawn ….. I opted to stay away during the procedure.

Guilt washed over me and I kept looking out from behind the door to see what was going on.

The staff are so lovely with Alvin.

Then I heard a yelp, a cry and my heart broke.

Then one of the girls said as I came out from behind the door …. he only cried when the needle was coming out.

I did notice that they took the samples from his main artery in his neck.

That would be painful.

He also had some damage done in that area when he was a puppy before I rescued him.

But it does not seem to have done him any harm.

I am grateful.

Dr. K informed me that it would take about one hour for her to check the bloodwork and then she would call me.

He would likely require “antibiotics.”

The poop sample, well it has to be sent outside of the clinic and we would not have any word until next week.

We take for granted how much the cost of blood tests etc. are in Canada as we do not pay for them.

If you have a pet – then you know that everything costs a lot of money and this was no exception.

I was grateful that for this second bill this week, I still had enough money to pay for it all.

I had been concerned about what I had left in my bank account after this bill.

So off we went for home.

Glad to get home.

First thing – checked the bank account and was pleased to see that I had made a mistake and remembered a lesser amount, whew we are okay.

Enough money for groceries etc.

Just in case he needs more chicken breasts.

Collapsing on the sofa for a moment.

Catching our collective breath.

Waiting for the call…..

About 30 minutes later the phone rang and it was the Clinic …. Alvin would need antibiotics and I could come back and get them anytime before they closed.

So I grabbed his harness and off we went.

I figured that the results must have been in so decided might as well speak to the Vet in person.

Dr. K said that the bloodwork was normal for Alvin and in addition to the antibiotics, I should pick up some Imodium to help with the diarrhea.

Off we went home once again.

Gave him his last small meal for the day and ALL his meds.

Alvin’s BF’s Mom had sent me a FB message and I replied to her.

When I had mentioned about going to pick up the Imodium, she sprang into action offering to go pick some up or perhaps coming to get me and we could go together.

But ended up she had some and brought it over for Alvin.

What a thoughtful Mama, Teddy has and WHAT a great friend we have.

I am over the moon grateful.

It took a bit of time to message everyone with the results thus far.

I am still going to see the glass half full.

Our evening was quiet.

I actually had one of my “birthday drinks” a canned drink …. PALM BAY …. don’t remember the flavour …. over ice and it was nice.

Watched the second GHOSTBUSTERS movie.

Enjoyed the evening.

WE HAD a GREAT SLEEP last night.

We both slept until a couple of minutes before the alarm at 5:00 a.m.

Then to the sofa until just before 8:00 a.m. –  fed Alvin and gave him his pills – all three.

Will give him some imodium shortly and then go for a walk.

I do need coffee but that will wait for now.

 

So our saga continues but at least there is / was some good news and I am certain that the pooping situation will rectify itself shortly.

 

Happy Saturday.

 

Always live your life in a kindness mode with respect.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 19th day of March, 2016.

One day until it is officially SPRING.

Most of our snow/ice has melted here in Edmonton.

On the streets where the lawns face any direction except north the snow has completely melted.

Unfortunately our lawn faces north and remains partially covered in snow and ice.

The temperatures have been hovering about the 4-9 mark depending on the day.

The sun is shining this morning and that is always nice to start your day with sunshine.

 

Alvin had his “TEETH CLEANING” and nail trim yesterday.

We got dropped off yesterday morning at 8:30 a.m.

Alvin’s Doctor’s receptionist went over the paperwork and I signed where applicable.

Without much fanfare she took him to the back room of the clinic and I left.

I thought I would hear him bark but he did not.

I paused outside the clinic and tried to see through the window to the back …. just in case he needed me.

But he did not.

I guess he is a big boy now.

I did stop at the convenience store and pick up a lotto ticket ….. a win would be nice (more than nice).

The walk home felt strange.

The last time I left him at the Vet was 2010 when he had the CHERRY EYE SURGERY.

A long time ago.

When I got home ….. I had some water and toast ( as he was fasting overnight and in the morning, I did not want to eat or drink, that would not be fair).

Put on a pot of coffee and plunked myself down on the sofa.

With all those hours as pick up was to be about 4:00 p.m. – I could have …. should have accomplished many chores but alas I did not.

I did not even drink the whole pot of coffee ……

Approximately 1:00 p.m. the phone rang and it was Dr. Karen …… she told me the cleaning was over and that they had to pull “ELEVEN” teeth.

I almost fell off my feet ….. 11.

She explained that 9 were incisors and they are teeth that are barely rooted in small dogs.

It appeared that with grooming hair had got stuck in and around these teeth.

I do my best to brush his teeth but it is difficult to get back and all around.

He had two others and one was a main grinder / molar.

But all in all – he will not be slowed down eating as he has the majority of his molars which is good for a dog of his age.

She said that he was doing well and that someone would call me when it was time for him to go home.

It was near 4:00 p.m. and I just could not wait any longer ….. yes, I called.

The young lady on the other end of the phone said he was ready to go …..

I told her that I would be there right away.

Donning my jacket and shoes and his jacket …. I was out the door.

When I got there they had to go through the after surgery information.

Soft food for two weeks.

No brushing his teeth for two weeks.

That means no hard treats for two weeks.

Only soft foods.

They said no running up the stairs for today.

He has dissolvable stitches they said.

There might be a bit of blood from his mouth and that was normal.

and then there HE WAS ….. he jumped up and kisses me …… he did not look as though he had just had surgery.

I was so happy and relieved to see him.

We collected his antibiotics and painkiller, instructions and the receipt of the bill.

The total was just shy of $1200.00 ….

We are so lucky to have benefits and can stay awake to have our teeth cleaned.

 

He walked home with no problems.

I am happy to report that he drank a good amount of water upon his return home.

He had to wait until 7:00 p.m. to have 1/4 of his normal amount of food (had to be softened as well).

The hard part is softening his food.

I was told to put some warm water over his food and wait for ten minutes.

It takes quite some time which was hard for Alvin….

Last night he was so happy to eat as it had been since supper Thursday night.

The longest time in the world for Mr. Alvin that is for sure.

Anyway he kept the supper down no problems.

Had lots to drink with no problems.

He was kind of whining later last night so I was thinking that perhaps the pain medicine was wearing off.

Oh and the stairs …… HE RAN UP just as he usually does.

This morning I hid his medicine in pieces of bananas as he was so hungry, and could not wait for his food to soften.

I was thinking of picking up a few tins of food when I go to the Vet this morning as you see I forgot his blanket, his blue one.

I took it to the vet yesterday as I wanted him to have a piece of home with him….

They said he only whimpered a bit in the kennel ……

It has been a long long time, years in fact since he was in a kennel.

It is good to have that done.

 

Well time to get this show on the road…..

Breakfast for me, coffee, pick up the blanket and somewhere along the line some bananas as we had the last one earlier this morning, laundry and cleaning.

 

Special Hello to: my great niece …. I did not forget your birthday …. it just was not a good day for us.  Happy Belated Birthday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday, the 5th day of July, 2013.

Another bright sunny gorgeous morning here in Edmonton.

I think this warrants a reminder to us all.

FRIENDS ARE IMPORTANT TO YOUR WELL BEING.

Last night one of my friends came over for coffee and a visit.

She, “G” always makes me laugh, and laugh we did.

Throughout her visit, I started feeling better and better.

Last night I slept through the night.  First night in a week.

Now I know that the antibiotics have kicked in and they are doing what they are supposed to do to alleviate the infection from my tooth.

But good old fashioned laughter is one of the best medicines.

I love my friend ….. she counsels me well and always is true to our friendship.

I think the best thing about my friend is that she makes me laugh …. not just a giggle or fake little laugh but laughter that comes from the tips of my toes and travels all through my being.

Thank goodness for friends.

I think today and everyday should be friend day.

Never never take them for granted.

I am so blessed to have a great many friends.

My daughter is my best friend.  Now I know she is family but we are best buds.

We enjoy the same things and have the same mindset (only difference is she is not technology challenged, I am).

I have friends in Saskatchewan and in Alberta, across the ocean and across the street.

How lucky am I.

I do know it, and even though having no voice followed by an infected tooth filling me with pain and misery; I have found my way back.

I am truly grateful.

Now today I am hosting a garage sale and can enjoy it.

There will be lots of people and they will buy our treasures and we will be giving lots of things away as well.

It is a great day.

So on this Friday …. enjoy your friends and be grateful.

I sure am.

Special Hello: to all the friends in the world …. that means everyone on the planet.  We are all friends to someone…….most importantly to ourselves.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

FLOWERS FOR FRIENDS