The Next Chapter …

Morning All, it is so quiet here in my house without my beloved Alvin. I cannot believe that he is gone forever. I heard noises that I never heard before ….. were they there all along? He was my companion, my friend and my boy. I will always miss him and his cuteness. That wag of his little short tail when I called him “cuteness.” There is a canyon deep and wide within my heart that will be there for the rest of my days. I cannot and will not forget that little guy who gave me so much, and I feel as though I let him down. I am reminded by so many that he had a great life. But in the darkness of our, my bedroom late at night, I cannot see that. Yesterday I spent several hours looking at photos and videos which did help me to see him happy and playing with his friends and with me. He was my world for 13 years and one month less one day. I could never have imagined that when we went to meet him on that cold winter’s night that he would literally rock my world from the beginning to the end. How could my life be any better than it was with him? It will be different but never better. I will miss our walks together watching him sniff every blade of grass. I shall miss seeing him play and interact with his friends and family. I will miss his excitement when a parcel arrived from our friend Val. When the summer comes and the lawns are green, I will miss seeing him roll around in delight at our friends homes. I will miss seeing him open his Christmas present as though he were a boy. I miss seeing him grabbing one of his many toys and pushing it around the floor and then tossing it into the air before I caught on that he wanted to play and then we would play tug for awhile. I miss the warmth of his body next to mine when we went to bed. I miss watching the cuteness of his little bum when he walked ahead of me. He did have the cutest bum. I miss hearing him bark when he wanted his breakfast and supper and treats. I miss having him sitting beside me on the sofa watching me eat my supper with a clear want in his eyes – even though he had just had his supper and a treat before I ate mine. I miss everything about him. Those big brown eyes. His lighter brown eyebrows which had started to disappear as he got older. I miss our talks. I miss his shoulder to cry on. He was the best listener. I just miss the essence that was Alvin……..

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I need to share the words that my daughter wrote yesterday after I posted the tribute to our dear boy.

What a beautiful tribute to our special boy. We’re so lucky to have known him so well and to have witnessed your amazing relationship with him and the joy he brought to so many. It’s not fair that they have such short lives but they pack a whole lot of unconditional love and teach us so much in that short time.

We will miss our quirky, loving lil bro every day. The way he knew what he wanted and demanded that in his special voice. The way he loved you and his friends unconditionally. His handsome face and cute little tail wag. How he would pull out every toy until he found then one he wanted in that moment. The noises he made when he was annoyed. His talents for opening gifts. Just every little thing about him.

He will leave a giant hole and will forever be missed.

Rest in peace my brother

Alvin & his sister Amanda. Second photo Alvin exploring the beach near his sister’s home. Alvin just chilling with me.

Al & his sister

Mr. Alvin while I work

On this cold February morning, I will try to continue in this life to be kind, respectful, compassionate, patient, loving, to laugh, understanding, filled with gratitude, remember there are possibilities, to focus and to be present, and have a cup of coffee.

Always, Carol & Alvin, my Angel is resting on the hallway floor outside the door where he always waited for me to finish writing. His blue blanket from his foster family that was with us throughout his whole life from that first night till he left us now covers me at night. Love you buddy……..

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning,

Another hot one on the way.

We just returned from a nice walk.

The air is still a bit cool and refreshing.

Then I opened the door to the house and could feel the difference.

Even with the windows open early on to let in the cool morning air, it has warmed up again.

I have the electric fans on to help combat the hot stuffy temperature.

 

The sun was shining brightly at 6:58 a.m. when we left the house.

The sky is that clear blue.

I am amazed at how green and rich looking the grass has remained.

I was checking out the leaves on the trees.

Each one is different …. just like each one of us.

 

Today is going to be and is already a great day.

I moved my work computer downstairs once again to the kitchen after Alvin had a rough morning.

He threw up twice.

The first time I think he had too much fruit and that was my fault.

The second time …. was a bit later.

More than likely due to the heat.

So downstairs on the main floor with both fans blowing from one end of the house to the other is cooler.

It only takes me a couple of minutes to hook the computer up so easy peasy.

I can bring the equipment and stuff upstairs on Friday after work.

That will work out fine.

 

I will say that after I have been at home with him now since March and then for two weeks vacation, he is even more clingy and demanding.

He used to come into the bathroom when I would have a shower and muss up the bath mats.

Now he stands in the hallway or on the area rug in the bedroom and whines.

He does not like walking onto the laminate floor.

I guess this all comes with age.

So I sing a little song to coax him to come into the bathroom and then to leave.

It seems to work.

Everyone is surprised when I tell them he will be 12 in January 2021.

Looking at him – he has no gray.

He moves with the agility of a puppy.

Oh, my Alvin, my buddy, my pal.

Aging …..

 

Well it is almost time to head back downstairs and pour that cup of coffee.

Get the computer going and start my day.

Lots to do.

 

I hope that you are well.

Be safe.

Be strong.

Be kind.

Be respectful.

 

Have an awesome Tuesday.

Keep cool … if you are living somewhere with high temperatures.

 

Living with kindness and respect for all.

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 28th day of September, 2018.

Today Work, Funeral and then back to work.

That is the day.

 

Alvin and I picked up Teddy on our walk last night and he will be spending the next couple of days with us.

Alvin had an off night and was awake (not sick or anything) keeping the Momma awake.

Oh, it may be a long day.

 

Right now Alvin is after Teddy’s chew.

Teddy drops it and Alvin grabs it.

Then Teddy picks up Alvin’s and it is game on.

Funny but not.

 

Trying to find a bit of humour in a solemn, sad day.

 

A new star will shine exceptionally bright in the sky, tonight.

We miss you buddy.

The office has not and will never be the same.

He was the best of us.

A reminder to us all.

Kind, generous, loving, caring and compassionate and FUNNY.

 

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

 

Special Hello to: my family and friends all over the world, HELLO.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 17th day of August, 2018.

Yay, today is Friday.

I love Fridays.

 

The sky is overcast with smoke once again blocking out the sunrise.

I cannot imagine what it must be like in those areas affected by the forest fires.

We are hundreds of miles from the fires.

The air quality is poor here ….. scratches the throat and burns the eyes and congests the nose.

I pray for rain.

I am grateful to all those brave souls who go to help put out the fires.

Putting their lives at risk.

Please keep them safe.

Keep them all safe.

Please look after the animals whether domestic or wild.

 

Last night after work there was a bit of a reprieve from the smoke or at least it did not seem to be so much.

Alvin and I took this opportunity and went for a walk.

We left the house at 5:00 p.m. and arrived back home at 6:30 p.m.

Needless to say we stopped for visits along the way.

Our friend “P” who has the most amazing flowers was outside in the garden.

Alvin can smell her a mile away so he pulled me to her back gate.

She was ready to take a break so we sat in the shade and visited.

She offered me a nice glass of iced tea and Alvin some treats.

I had water with me for Mr. Alvin which he drank most of the bottle.

We filled it up before heading for home.

I always enjoy our visits.

We chat about a number of things ….

I always learn something new.

 

I just saw a wasp buzzing at the office window.

Yikes, I guess they can fly high.

 

After we were on our way home from her house about 6:15 p.m. – we saw our friend “Jazmin” sitting on her home crafted ottoman at the window.

Alvin went to go up their walk and I said “home, buddy.”

We had not had supper yet.

But just as we were both back on the main sidewalk, I heard someone calling my name.

It was Jazmin’s Mom ….. so we went for a short visit.

Jazmin was so happy to see us.

Her Mom said that when she saw us she climbed off her ottoman and went to the door.

So happy that she is feeling better.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

Have an awesome Friday.

Guess you never know where a walk will lead you or how long it will take.

Great friends, I am blessed.

 

Special Hello to:  all those celebrating birthdays today.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 22nd day of March, 2016.

Well we have SNOW and more SNOW …..

A SPRING snow storm.

I shovelled when I got home from work and two hours later it was covered again.

The temperatures remain warm which is nice.

I know that it will not last.

Funny how we can go from almost no snow to a thick blanket.

Well that is MARCH.

March is truly an unpredictable month for sure.

 

Alvin had Elton for company yesterday.

Our dear Elton is pretty much deaf except for loud whistles.

I was so warmed that Alvin is not so competitive with him.

He let Elton take the lead and when I was trying to get Elton to go outside he went out first and looked at Elton.

It was as if to say “Come on buddy, time to go outside.”

So cute.

I love having Elton visit.

Good for both our boys.

 

It is the time for renewal ….

Time to think of what to plant.

Time to think about cleaning out your closets.

Time to do some spring cleaning.

Once the snow melts and the temperatures warm …. time to get some serious stuff done.

I noticed that the fans needs to be cleaned / dusted again.

Time to get up on that step ladder.

One way to get up in the world…… or not.

But it is always good to go through your things and give/toss/recycle what is not needed/worn.

We all have so many things that truly are not required ….. good to share.

It has been almost one year since I really went through my closets so it is time.

 

One of my friend’s has been spending the odd night with us as she is staying in Edmonton while her grandson is in the Children’s Hospital.

It is nice to have the company and to reconnect with an old friend ….. we have know each other for near 40 years.

 

It was funny Alvin was pacing back and forth by her bedroom door this morning and was waiting for her to open the door with tail just a wagging.

So cute.

 

Well almost time to finish getting ready for work.

My friend will drop me at the bus so YAY me I don’t have to walk through the snow.

But just in case on Sunday I did retrieve my winter boots from the basement closet.

They forecasted snow and I figured that I may need them one last time.

So I will be wearing my winter boots.

Better not to wreck my shoes.

 

I hope that you have an amazing Tuesday.

Maybe make a snow angel if you live in this white blanketed area.

 

Special Hello to: YOU as you are so special.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 4th day of April, 2014.

Today is 4th day of the 4th month of the year 2014.

Sure lots of fours.

I am always intrigued by numbers.

How they arrive to you on a daily basis.

Whether you believe in numerology or not – numbers always play a significant role in our lives.

Numbers are attached to everything we do.

Each second, minute, hour, day, month and year has a number attached to it.

Sometimes if you have a number or series of numbers that you attach a certain amount of “luck” to ….. they sometimes appear in the oddest of places.

On a license plate, on a street sign, on television, in a newspaper, in a book or absolutely anywhere you could see.

So four has a nice ring to it.

I like the number four …..

No matter what you say or do or think ….. there is always a number attached to a memory.

So take a couple of minutes and think about what memories are attached to say “4” ……

They may be pleasant or not so much …..

I hope that you enjoy this 4th day of the 4th month ……

I am happy it is Friday and that I get to go and see my friends at the store ….. and work, of course.

Have a GREAT GREAT weekend.

Oh, I also get to shop for more beads for a special order ….. so will be fun.

It is always wonderful when I get to spend time with my daughter.

Also have a coffee date with my friend who just got back from Hawaii a few days ago.

So Saturday is going to be a FUN day.

Always remember to take some time out of your busy day and do something FUN.

I do ……

Yes, Mr. Alvin ….. walks with you, too “Buddy”

Special Hello to: all those folks who celebrate a birthday today…. Happy Birthday.

Always, Carol and Alvin