Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 19th day of January, 2017.
Guess what day today is?
It is a very special day in my household.
Today is Mr. Alvin’s Birthday.
It was on this day seven years ago that I adopted my handsome wonderful companion, buddy and friend.
So we are celebrating his “8th” Birthday as we are not exactly sure how old he is ….. how great is that.
He can be any age, really.
So today we are saying No. 8.
Happy Birthday Alvin Charlie Lewis.
I hope that you have enjoyed our time together thus far as much as I have ……
Love you Buddy with all of your quirks.
I love watching you bury your chew treat in the back yard winter or summer.
I love watching you searching for something by putting your whole face in the snowbank as if you could see in there all the while I know the power of your sense of smell.
You are so funny and always make me smile and laugh.
I want to post some photos from over the years and also my blog from April 2010 written about our first days together. The other night I was reading some of my older blogs and came across this – oh so many memories.
Alvin, the story begins …. Chapter 1
Monday, January 18th, 2010
Last night my daughter Amanda was over to watch the Golden Globes with me. We both love to watch the award shows. Avatar won for Best Motion Picture and James Cameron for Director. Sandra Bullock for Best Actress in a Drama. We had supper and enjoyed the evening. Over the past few weeks and months we had been discussing the possibility of me “adopting” a dog. Why not, I thought. This past eighteen months has been chalked full of firsts for me. I have always loved dogs. We had checked out the Humane Society’s web-site a few times but the smaller dogs went fast.
On this day, I was taking care of my “O” my neighbour’s cat. This is one of those cats that is definitely an one person feline. I had been around her a little bit and knew what to expect. Deep down, I believed that she would get to “love” me or at least like me. LOL. Anyway, I made sure that I had my legs covered, and also carried the “cat toy” …. mouse on a stick supplied by O’s Mom for protection. The first day, O jumped, swatted and hissed all in one smooth motion. Oh, this is a cat that has a heart condition and takes medication for it. Crazy. Anyway both of us got through both visits that day.
Back at home, my daughter had sent me the link to an animal rescue web-site so that I could check out the doggies. There was one in particular that she thought fit the bill. He was so cute. His story very sad. So I went onto the web-site and “fell in love” (so cute), before I knew it I had contacted these folks about adopting this dog. It was important to act fast as all of the smaller dogs were adopted quickly.
By evening, I was contacted by a gal from the rescue society. She told me that there had been lots of interest in this puppy. So she was going to contact her superior to see about making the next move. Someone would call me the next day.
Sweet dreams.
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
Another successful visit to “O”‘s house. One would never know that she had a heart condition. I am so grateful that each morning it is getting lighter, earlier and earlier. Spring is on the way. Big news this morning. Received a phone call from the foster Mom of a little dog. Possible dog adoption on the horizon. We are going to see him tonight. The whole family is going. It is important that Elton and Penny like this possible new addition to the family. I am going to run out to the nearby “Bone & Biscuit” store and pick up some food and toys, just in case. I want to be prepared. Oh, have to get some treats, too! I am so excited, and so nervous at the same time. This could be my very first dog. Wow, this has been a year of firsts for me. But I am so grateful for all of them. We are going after supper, and it is a bit of a drive from here so will write all about our visit tomorrow morning. YAY.
DAY “1” – Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Guess what happened last night? It was crazy. Took us a little while to find the place because it was out in the country. But we did. We were introduced to this cute little guy. His name is Alvin. He is a cocker spaniel mix. Puppy. They think that he is about one year old. Has a black & white coat with the most handsome brown eye-brows. Elton & Penny seemed to like him well enough. He has a sad story but is blessed to have such great foster parents. I know that he is going to have a great life. So no looking back. Okay, get on with it. I know. I am too wordy sometimes (okay, LOL all of the time). Arrangements were made for me to adopt him last night. He is on antibiotics and other medicine. Whew. Hard to believe – it happened all so fast. One minute we were trying to find the place, and the next we were on our way home with three dogs in the car. He was so stressed, the poor little guy. Thank goodness for the “blue blanket” that his foster parents had given him, as he was drooling so bad the whole car ride home. When we got back to my house – it was surreal. It was late when we got back so once I introduced him to each room of the house, and he had some water and a bit of food, it was off to bed. I had no plans of him sleeping in my bed but I felt so “sorry” for him that he ended up there. He was so stressed that neither of us got any sleep. I was reminded of my first night home from the hospital with Amanda. I kept imagined that he stopped breathing, which was crazy !!
It was an early morning considering neither of us slept much last night. He has to be fed every three hours, and has medicine so I am busy. Also first full day of looking after “O” next door. Should mention that I made my first mistake with Alvin. After he ate his first meal today I thought that I would send a quick e-mail to Amanda. I thought that he would be like Elton & Penny and that I would have a few minutes before he needed to go outside. He did not make it. First lesson learned. I do not have much carpet in the house and he did manage to miss it. Thank goodness for that……
Guess what happened when I got home from feeding “O” in the morning? It actually started when I left the house. Alvin stood at the living room and cried. Sounded like a baby’s cry. Separation anxiety, I was told later. I made a quick trip next door as I couldn’t bear him crying. When I got home, I unlocked the door and faster than a real “bolt of lightning” something black and white passed me. I twirled about and almost fell on my “butt”. Thank goodness that I had my boots and coat on as I did not have time to grab them. I ran down the steps,and down the sidewalk as he got nearer to the street. Man, puppies are quick. Just as he was about to step onto our busy street, I bent over and swooped him up. My heart darned near jumped out of my body. I was so scared. What a first day ! This was only the morning. The rest of the day went fairly smoothly. Lots of feedings, administering medicine and pooping. Thank goodness he is trained. As he is not neutered it will be awhile before we can go on walks. So it will be playing fetch for exercise for a bit.
Oh, the life of a pet owner…….
Alvin at home…..
Alvin with his toys & the blue blanket was a gift from his foster parents.
Alvin getting to know his “new” family….
Alvin, almost one year ago…..first hair cut
Ah, Mama’s boy…….isn’t he cute!!!
Alvin and his buddy Penny, oh the memories of the two of them.
Resting on the deck ……
My favourite photo of Alvin ….. laying on his belly at the top of the stairs …. looking like he has no body….
Me and Alvin Oct 2013
Looking out the office window …. which was our temporary bedroom at the time.
Cuteness …. Alvin and Casey. That was surely Casey’s spot … the stool.
Winter …
Alvin, one of my babies
Alvin and Me …..
One summer day – our adventure.
Alvin and Elton playing tug-o-war and then checking out the Christmas gifts.
Alvin and the newest additions to our family …. Baby Milo and Aspen.
Always waiting on his Momma….
I could post a million photos of my boy but will end here.
Happy Birthday Alvin.
Here’s to many more happy years together.
Special Hello to: the Birthday Boy of course ….
Always, Carol & Alvin
My New Life @ 51 