Good Morning! Yesterday was a bittersweet day for me as dear friends said goodbye to their beloved companion Bruno. Alvin and I met this family a few years ago now. I did not really get to know them well until these past few weeks when I started to walk with them and found out that Bruno had a tumour which appeared to have shrunk but then a week or so later cancer began to grow and spread throughout his body. We knew he was in pain and major discomfort even with pain medication but he kept on wanting to walk with his son Eddie and his human family and me. I am so honoured to have spent that time with him and I learned a lot. Nothing is as important as life. Our four-legged companions teach us so much. He was brave, strong, gentle, kind, loving, patience and loved treats whether it was a bone or another treat such as the freeze dried liver ones that I gave him. He enjoyed his food and treats. There are no words to describe the loss of a pet, I really don’t like that word because they are our companions, our friends and really a major part of our family. The hole in this family’s heart is massive. He will be missed by his human family and most of all his son, Eddie. How cool is that? This family was able to adopt first the Dad and then later his son. Very cool and so wonderful. These pups have literally travelled more than most people. They have lived in different countries and I am so grateful that they came to Canada. I shall keep them in my thoughts and in my heart always and well Mr. Bruno, he was met at the rainbow bridge by Mr. Alvin. Nice to have a friend to meet you. I wished that we including Alvin would have got to know them better sooner. I guess there is always a plan.
For Bruno, I love you buddy and miss you ……
BrunoBrunoBrunoBrunoThe boysEddie & BrunoBrunoBrunoBrunoBrunoBailey with the BoysBruno & MomBruno & MeFamily
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Good Morning! I am a little late writing this morning as I ran over to look after the boys, Humphrey & Bogart and then on my way home I realized that I should water the grass/fertilizer seed that I planted yesterday out front and in the back. So I water everything. Then I thought I should put the houseplants outside and then I made coffee (have not drank yet) and then decided to haul up the clothes that were drying in the basement and then change the bedding and now I am here. Whew. Still no coffee but I will have some soon. What a gorgeous morning! Perfect time to be outside. I definitely will be drinking my coffee on the deck once I am finished with this post and after I have popped the sheets into the laundry. I have more Eddie, Bruno, Humphrey & Bogart photos to share. Who does not like to see photos of cuteness quadrupled? Despite the cancer and the pain that he must be in, Bruno loves his walk. Bruno leads the way – wherever he leads us that is the way that we go. Last night he wanted to go his old path and so we followed. I love these pups so much. I am so grateful to have had the absolute pleasure to have them all in my life.
For AlvinFor AlvinFor AlvinFor AlvinBlinds & baseboards washedSome rearrangingIn Memory of AlvinEddieEddieEddieThe boysEddie & BrunoThe boysEddie looking for lightsEddie BrunoBrunoMy GuysBruno & EddieBrunoBrunoHumphreyBogartHumphrey
Yesterday I washed the blinds on the main floor, washed baseboards, looked after Humphrey & Bogart, did some cleaning. laundry, walked with Jeanette and the boys Eddie & Bruno and miscellaneous things. It was a full day from beginning to end. I would not change a thing. My kitchen looked so bare in the photos as I had taken the plants all except for the aloe plant outside. I brought them in last night just to ensure their well being. If the sun decides to shine all day with no clouds, I will bring them in when it gets too hot. Too much of a good thing is not a good thing. The boys are doing well next door and their parents will be home in a few hours. I framed Alvin’s nose print and paw print yesterday and also put his memory card with the photo side up in a frame. I have him with me in every room of this house. Looking out of the office window at this moment, the sky appears to be a bit on the hazy side. Smoke? Everyday I pray for rain to extinguish all of the fires burning at this time. I do know that Mother Nature creates fires naturally to burn. Nature is so much more intelligent than we will ever be.
Tomorrow after work I have to slip over to one of the nearby schools and cast my vote in the provincial election. Should have, would have, could have voted in the advance voting but here we are! Oh well.
Well today is going to be a quiet one. Going to finish up here and put the sheets in the wash and then have a cup of coffee on the deck. Just chilling on this Sunday now that I almost have everything done that needs to be done. Of course, there is always something. Oh, I had better vacuum upstairs and give the bathrooms a quick going over but that won’t take long after the coffee “break.” I clean regularly so nothing gets too dirty. So much easier to keep on top of.
I hope that you have a wonderful day. Time to relax after the work is done. Time with family & friends. Go for a walk. Enjoy!
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Always, Carol & Alvin, My Forever Angel
Look in the photos above and you will see where I finally hung the whirly gift from Jessica.
Good Morning. The sky is overcast this morning and as I have not opened the window to breathe in the air, I do not know whether it is from possible rain clouds or from the smoke of wildfires. Yesterday they lifted the evacuation notices and four Alberta communities went home. Some of these communities remain on alert. The Alberta Fire Lead said that even though they are on alert much work has been done by the army and firefighters to separate the communities from the spread of fire. Fingers crossed. Hopefully more rain is on the way to us and to the areas affected by the wildfires.
Thursday today. The week just zipped by. I have some photos to share from our walk last night. Poor Bruno even though he mustered enough energy to walk with many rest stops even is not doing well and there is not good news on the horizon. Oh, Bruno, I have fallen in love with you! Eddie and Bruno are such wonderful dogs.
Bruno treat timeEddie & BrunoBrunoBrunoBrunoEddieEddie, Me & BrunoEddie & the lightBruno and EddieEddieBrunoBrunoIn the ParkBrunoWalkingBrunoBrunoBruno
I am so happy that I have been able to reconnect and get to know both Eddie & Bruno and their lovely parents in these last weeks. Our time together will be cherished by me forever. Their Poppy was showing me photos on his phone last night during out walk and these boys are so photogenic. I only wished that I was a better photographer. Most days we have no idea where our life is going to take us and I am grateful that I have been able to spend my evenings with these handsome boys and their parents. My life is good. I am so grateful that we had another evening of clear blue and sunny skies.
Time to head downstairs. Have a wonderful day.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Good Morning! Well it looks like we had some rain overnight and the sky is cloudy or smoky – hard to tell without smelling the air, so I am going to hop off my chair and briefly open the window. Smells like smoky rain. This morning I am taking the city bus to work and also tomorrow morning as my carpool has to wait at home with her son while her son goes to the Doctor. Their Day-Home provider has Covid. I had not realized that people were still getting Covid. I guess it will be with us for a long time.
I am very happy that we had some moisture over night. Last night I walked with my friends. Initially I received a text saying that Bruno was not up for a walk. I asked if I could take Eddie for a walk so that she could be with Bruno. As soon as she got Eddie ready – Bruno was up and wanting to go. They have the best raincoats for the boys. They are bright yellow and are more substantial than the little one that I had for Alvin. Alvin did not really like it anyway and we seldom walked if it was raining too much. Sprinkling yes, raining hard, no. Anyway she left Bruno’s raincoat off and Eddie has his on when they arrived. I had not realized that it was raining so I had on shorts, a tank top and three quarter length sleeve sweater. It was warm so I was okay. Shortly after we left my house, Jeanette put on Bruno’s raincoat as it started to rain more and she did not want him to get wet. We set off shortly afterwards. The rain did not really come down too hard for long. It was a nice little rain and then it stopped. On the way we saw a woman and her dog Bruno. Jeanette remembered his name. Two Brunos. I thought that she looked familiar and sure enough when started to speak, she remembered Alvin’s water bottle and him. I was holding the water bottle and she recognized it and when I mentioned Alvin and his colouring etc., she remembered him. We had a good walk and one hour later back home. Nice to get out and as long as he is able to, nice for him to enjoy some fresh air. We never know how long we have so might as well enjoy all that we can, when we can.
I am going to be short here as I have to leave the house half an hour earlier than usual. Looks windy outside so I hope that it does not start to rain as an umbrella will not help. Might have to wear my jacket. Will see when I get downstairs.
Happy Tuesday. Be safe and happy.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Good Morning! Well we made it to the WEEKEND. I think that I would like to change my name to WEEKEND, lol. Too bad the name was already taken by a famous rapper who happens to be a citizen of Canada as per SIRI. She is all wise. Happy Saturday. This is going to be a quiet weekend for us, for me. No plans for serious cleaning or running about. I am just going to be here for Miss Cookie. We went for a walk after work last night and the smallest harness that I have just doesn’t work, hangs down in the middle. She is much smaller than Alvin ever was. My son-in-law popped in for a visit after he walked the “line” He texted that she was very anxious. She is anxious period. A very busy little girl. I was just happy he popped in to check on her. Cookie is not alone for long periods of time so this is hard for her. I remember having to leave Alvin for the day. In the early days it bothered me but everyone left their pups at home for long days while they were at work. Unfortunately there was not much of a choice in the matter. Alvin never had an accident. When I arrived home, he was my first order of business. Can you imagine having to hold your “pee” all day long for like 11 hours or so? I cannot. I would have had a big old accident every single day and likely more than one. I am grateful for COVID, for the Pandemic in that I was here for Alvin everyday for about 2.5 which was in his later years.
This is Miss Cookie. She is very fast. Very inquisitive and likes to explore. She is small and can up to place that I would not even imagine. Alvin was larger and although he was curious, the curiosity was mainly when it involved food. He loved food and to eat. Cookie on the other hand could care less. She did eat a bit of her wet food yesterday morning and then after work she ate some dried food. Cookie likes variety. I am enjoying having her here but she certainly keeps me on my toes, literally. I have to be careful opening the door. So I have ordered groceries and was thinking that I will need to hold her until I get the bags into the house. I can hear her doing that shake downstairs, like she is shaking off something. You know. She also stretches in the morning just like I do, or should do. Alvin used to stretch which is good for them as well as we humans.
She also likes to lie down in the brown chair which is opposite the one that she is looking out the window from. Mainly the brown chair is her sleeping or napping chair and the green one is for checking out the neighbourhood. I also tied up the one blind so that she had a better view of outside. I think she enjoyed that. I love how her one ear stands straight up. She is a busy little doll. I love her.
I also found out yesterday that Alvin’s best friend Teddy just had major surgery and has cancer. We, me and my family are sending them love and good thoughts for a speedy recovery and I hope with my whole heart and soul that he will be with his family for a long time. Kobi needs her big brother. I cannot remember if Teddy just turned 10 or 12. Such a doll and I miss those days when he would sleep over with Alvin. They were so chill. Best buddies.
Okay, I still have a few chores to do, like LAUNDRY. That never seems to go away. I will do little things so that I can spend more time with Cookie. Besides I am exhausted as it was a “very busy difficult” week at work and I hope that things calm down in the upcoming weeks. All of my coworkers are feeling it. I see a lotto win in our future. Hoping that our temperatures warm up a bit, these under 10 degree days are brutal although I am grateful that we did not get the massive amounts of snow that our neighbour to the east Saskatchewan received. For that I am most grateful. I sure hope that it warms up and starts to melt but not too fast that there is flooding.
Have a great Saturday. Enjoy the view. Deep breaths.
Continuing to live this life with kindness respect, patience, compassion, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel) and Miss Cookie.
Good Morning. The sky is beginning to lighten outside earlier with each passing morning as we hedge toward spring. A week from this coming Sunday, we turn our clocks ahead by one hour here in Edmonton. SPRING is on its’ way. The first three days of this week I worked from the office so away from home. I am so grateful to be home today and tomorrow to be closer to all the reminders of my beloved Alvin. I had been taking one of his toys in my purse to the office just so that I could have something of his not just a memory with me. At home, I feel more connected to my beloved boy. Oh, how I miss him.
Today at noon, one of my daughter’s friends is going to be dropping off his pup named Betty Ann to stay here until my daughter picks her up after work. She was an old friend of Alvin’s as my kids would look after her quite often while her parents travel from home. It will be different but nice to have her here with just me for a few hours. She will be staying with my daughter and son-in-law and grand pups for about one month. Betty Ann is like extended family to the kids and grand pups.
I woke up with a headache so I am going to cut this short so that I can go and take something and make some coffee.
The house is oh so quiet except for the hum of the furnace fan as it moves the heat throughout the house. There is the odd creak. I am glad to be home.
I hope that you are well. I hope that life is treating you with kindness and respect and you are in turn. Remember to show love.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
I am so grateful to be surrounded by family and friends who have shown me so much love and support during this time of loss.
Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am okay despite being up six times during the night not including the time we actually got up for the day. NOTE: it is darn cold outside. I pray and hope every night and day that Alvin will be better that day. So fingers crossed today is the day that he makes the switch to good poop and that it continues from now on. I went to Save-On on my lunch break yesterday with one of my coworkers to pick up chicken breasts for Alvin and lottery tickets for me. At this point, the possibility of money out weighs my desire to buy groceries for myself (don’t worry my fridge, freezer and panties (whoops, meant pantries) have enough food to keep me going for awhile. As I was typing and notices that I typed “panties” instead of pantries, I thought well that is funny, just leave it. Sometimes an error needs to be left but not quite undone. Although considering I may have had four hours sleep during the past two days, I apparently still have sort of a sense of humour. Hopefully I keep that to myself today as we have a meeting with our AVP and Director followed by a lunch meeting with them and all of the site teams. I will take my coffee and sit as close to a wall out of the way as I can. Surely do not want to nod off or anything. Yesterday, I was bouncing off the walls and like a squirrel could not stay focused for very long at a time. This is not by any means, my normal self but is due to lack of sleep, stress and anxiety between Alvin and work. Oh well, I have so much to be grateful for …… that every morning I wake up in this beautiful house that I wait until I was 52 to have …… that even if we are waking up on the sofa, I have Mr. Alvin beside me ……. that I, we have lots of good food to eat …… that I can afford to order pizza every so often (which I did last night and believe you me, it is like buying a small car, these days) …… that I am in good health except for being tired …… that I am surrounded by so many good, caring, compassionate family and friends who love and support me who matter what …… that I live in this country where we can live our dreams so we should decide to ……. that I have beautiful plants that are flowering at this time and their colours bring me great joy ….. there is so much more but I am running out of time. Alvin needs to go outside before I leave for work and that is fast approaching.
One more day this week and then it is the weekend. I have five days next week to work and then I am on two weeks vacation. I was thinking that perhaps I should only take one week as I am using all of my earned vacation and then I thought …. no …. I need this break ……. so vacation time in February in Edmonton …… on my sofa and figuring out my life……
Wishing you a great day.
Yesterday was our friend Signe’s birthday. I did remember in the morning to send her a birthday text and we are celebrating her birthday at Gillian’s house on Saturday. I forgot to send her wishes from this blog. I try to remember people here but honestly when I write these posts early in the morning, sometimes I forget. Trying to remember! Looking forward to Saturday morning with my friends with a short break from the “madness” of my home. Not really but sounds good, not really……..lol.
I be needing those mugs of coffee this morning for sure. Perhaps I should take my big mug today.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Trying to keep remember “when nothing is sure anything is possible.” I love that thought.
Good Morning ALL! How are you this Thursday morning? We are okay here in windy Edmonton or at least it is breezy here in our neighbourhood. We were in bed by 9:30 and I read for a few minutes. I am rereading THE SECRET. At this point, I need some positive reinforcement in my life. Our office is filled with negativity and not by choice. Sometimes when choices are made – how it is reflected by the staff is not joined with the same enthusiasm. This is the case. But I have noticed over last decade that change happens on a regular basis with this employer, almost daily. So after a time, people are just deflated and tired. It always irritates me when we get told about “change is good” and blah blah, well change can be good but sometimes it is difficult to embrace. Anyway, I am going to stop there. I am grateful everyday by all the goodness in my life. I am grateful to be surrounded by loving, supportive family and friends. I may have mentioned that once or twice. I am so over the moon grateful that I had the opportunity to buy and live in this house and hope to continue to be here for many many years to come. Gratitude for the wind, for the snow, for the birds and the bees. Grateful for life, for the good health that I am blessed to have and grateful that Mr. Alvin is my trusty companion through this stage of my life. I am grateful that retirement is just around the corner, that will be the next step in my life. I look forward to that time where I can snuggle with Alvin, it won’t matter if he is up during the night because we can sleep in, walks whenever we choose, I can write more and perhaps get that book done, go through my photos and learn some technical stuff.
I wanted to share this with you. Are you older like me or just not tech savvy. Somedays I feel like life is just changing at a pace that I can not keep up with ….. who knew that watching hours of my beloved “Disney + channel” would result in an extra $55.00 on my cable/internet bill. Well it did. I was shocked when I saw how much my bill was and immediately contacted my provider to find out why. I learned a valuable lesson …… “streaming” …… well I guess streaming has nothing to do with water and more about extra money. Anyway, my provider gave me for six months free “unlimited” something or other, I just forget what it is called at the moment and I want to say this before I have to sign off. Oh, “unlimited data” that is the term. I guess to have unlimited data there is a $20.00 charge or at least with Telus. The young man on the phone explained everything and was very patient and kind. Lesson learned. So I need to get all of these terms figured out and make sure that I know what is going on. I had no idea that watching a day of Disney or many days of Disney would end up costing me $55.00 extra when I had already paid $125.00 for Disney. They find a way to take your money – all of these billion dollar companies. It is sometimes over the top frustrating.
Time to fly. I hope that you have a great day. Keep the positive thoughts coming in. Thoughts become things. That is my mantra once again. I kind of got away from it. It is so true. Keep positive.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Always, Carol & Alvin
P.S. it was raining last night after supper and it is plus 4 or so here in Edmonton this morning. WOW.
Good Morning ALL! How are you this Wednesday morning? We are doing well. Definitely Mr. Alvin has improved vastly. This morning was first meal with his regular food although I did throw a bit of chicken on the top as a treat. We had a pretty good sleep. I think it was around 4:00 a.m. when he needed to go outside and then we hit the sofa for a couple more hours of uninterrupted sleep. So I am very happy.
Tomorrow and Friday, I am back to the office. Hopefully Alvin will do okay. I think part of his anxiety stems from me having to leave the house. Even with someone coming to check on him, it is not the same. He still has to hold himself until someone comes at around noon. I get that. Can you imagine if you had to go to the bathroom and had to hold it for hours? Not me, I would have an accident. In all of our years together he has only had two accidents. Both were poop. First was the very first morning that he came to live with me and really that should not count and the second was years later. He pooped on the floor in the upstairs bathroom. That is it. No peeing accidents.
So off the above topic and something important. Tomorrow is Mr. Alvin’s 14th Birthday. If you would like to wish him a Happy Birthday – I would definitely forward the wishes to me. I cannot believe that we have been together for 13 years. Longest relationship with a male. He does wear the pants in this household and I am grateful. What a good guy he is and I am so grateful that I adopted him back on that cold night in January of 2010. It was a leap of faith, I suppose. The first month was not much fun for either of us but we got through those long days and long nights. Here we are!
I am hoping that perhaps after work or maybe at lunch time we can get out for a little walk. It has been since Christmas time, I think. Beginning of January for sure. Hopefully this mild weather will hang in for awhile longer.
Time to head downstairs and plug in my coffee to perk. I carried Mr. Alvin upstairs to be with me as I was having a shower and then writing this post.
Have a beautiful day and remember even when things seem their darkest, there is always a streak of light at the end of the tunnel. Things always work out. Sometimes it may take a bit of time but if you can remain positive, life will be good.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Good Morning ALL! How are you this winter morning? It was snowing outside earlier. So nice to have these warmer temperatures but with them comes moisture, meaning freezing rain or SNOW! Well this has been a trying morning thus far. It took me 40 minutes to get likely about 1/2 of Alvin’s medication into him and the rest landed on the sofa or in his fur. So always cleanup after the medicine. This was the least amount that he has ever taken. What a guy! Not sure what else I can do? Thankfully he does not have much left to take. Hopefully there is enough to at least coat his stomach. I don’t know. He will be eating breakfast in a few minutes which is 30 minutes after he had the medication. I am praying to whomever may listen to please make him well. Between the demands to go into the office and Alvin’s health, I am super frustrated. Not the best way to start the work week. Okay, I have vented time too “let it go.” Best line ever and from an animated movie, no less. I know the words were from the song in the movie “Frozen.”
On this Monday, I am grateful to be working from home. I am grateful that we have good food to eat. I am grateful to be surrounded by supportive family and friends. I am grateful to be employed. I am grateful to be living this life.
Is my life perfect? Well, no. Is it pretty great for the most part, well YES! So I will get over these moments this morning and get on with the day. Alvin needs to have breakfast. I will need to finish this post first. I will work and do the best job that I can. I will be a good human being. The best that I can be in any given moment.
This will be short. We did have a great weekend in between the medication episodes. I wonder what he is doing downstairs as I left him. Just needed to put some space and time between him. Yesterday, my friend Signe came for coffee & visit in the morning. It was nice to see her – feels like a long time.
Take a deep breath and have a great day. That is what I am doing.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Looking forward to the coffee this morning.
Always, Carol & Alvin
P.S. even though we have our moments, I love Alvin with all my heart. Always trying to do the best for him. Just in case you had other thoughts!
My New Life @ 51 