Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning All! Another smoky looking sky morning. Alvin and I were up and out for a walk earlier. The diarrhea had started to go in the other direction but then back again. We were in bed by 10:00 p.m. last night and then up at 3:00 a.m. to go outside (only pee), it was so nice out there. Clear sky. I don’t know if the bright shiny objects in the sky were stars or satellites or the space station but I could see them all the same. Then back into the house and settled down on the sofa for some additional sleep. I set the alarm for 6:00 a.m. as then is when Alvin needs his probiotic, the alarm went off and Alvin was still sleeping so I turned off and then got up a few minutes later. Today I can start mixing in his food with the chicken and rice. Now that is quite the mixture. I am quite sure that I am over feeding him by a bit but hard to measure them all to come up with 3/4 cup total. Oh well. After he ate we went outside, I was sad to see that the starting to firm up poop from yesterday was back to not being firm. I know, poop, poop, poop, poop. But it is my reality at this moment. We do not realize how important the state of one’s poop is in our overall health whether you are human or a dog. Any animal for that matter. The “stuff” that our bodies dispose of tells the story of how well we eat or not and our state of health. So it is a big deal and I take that very seriously. After that I had planned to stay up but the sofa was calling my name and I just laid there for awhile thinking about things, my things, what to do, what can I do, what should I do. Also thinking about how grateful I am for the life that I have lived thus far. I will say this it has not been dull. There have truly been incredible highs and equally lows. But that is life, right?

We were up just before 8:00 and I ran upstairs to throw on some clothes, because no one wants to see me out walking in my pj’s, I am quite certain of that. So once done and back downstairs, I grabbed his harness and put on him before filling his water bottle. Then grabbed my keys, leash and put on my flip flops (my Clark’s, which I absolutely love) and out the door we went (oh, I put on my sunglass clips), locked the door and carried Mr. Alvin down the steps. We did not come across anyone during our walk to our happy place. We just doddled along with Alvin smelling each and every blade of grass and me, taking in the morning air, admiring the trees, the ponds, the stones I could see in between the trees and the roses still blooming. We did not go into our friend’s yard but tomorrow we will. We both love it there and while Pauline’s flowers are blooming we want to enjoy them. I shall email her tonight to give her a head’s up, just in case she happens to look out the window and see us sitting in the yard. On the return trip home – Alvin stopped and pooped, yup still you know what. Not my favorite word in the English language or any language for that matter. I gave him a couple pieces of his hard food when we got home. Positive thoughts. His poop will get firm over the course of today. We saw a woman in the entrance way to the park and we both said hello. She told me that she was enjoying the area and that she was visiting from Vancouver. I said we live in a beautiful neighbourhood. Then we were off for home.

Once home, I removed our gear and put on the coffee to perk and then went out to water all of the plants. I read last night it is better to water in the morning than in the evening. So will give that a try. Alvin stayed on the deck like the good guy that he is while I watered the front. Then I watered the back and then took the watering can to water the Begonias on the front porch. As I walked across the lawn, I noticed a woman who then noticed me and we realized that it was a friend who lives in the neighbourhood who I have not seen in literally years. We chatted and caught up and remarked on how things have changed since COVID came into our lives. It was so nice to see her. I miss seeing her on a regular basis. She is a very sweet and nice person. Then we said our goodbyes and she continued on her walk. I finished watering the flowers and walked to the backyard where Mr. Alvin was patiently waiting for me. I actually was very surprised that he did not jump off the deck and come to find me.

Back into the house, poured some coffee and upstairs to make our bed and do some things. Now I am sipping on coffee and writing this post.

Oh, yesterday I accidentally clicked on my gmail – email on my phone and noticed that I had over 7000 emails. Yup, that many. So I started reading some of them and deleting others. I found emails from my daughter from 2016 with photos and videos of the original three amigos: Elton, Penny and Alvin. OH, my goodness such good memories. I loved reading the emails and remembering back before COVID and before we were that much older. I have to start deleting them. No one needs to have 7000+ emails and I have another email address as well but I do keep it more respectable, lol.

Life, this is my life. Trying to keep cool. Hoping that Alvin stays healthy. Sometimes thinking about miracles and trying to remain positive despite the curveballs that come my way.

I hope that you have a great Sunday. Time to head downstairs. Finish my coffee. Do a few things. This will be another quiet day. Tomorrow will be cooler so I can get some things done outside and in the house for that matter. I did vacuum the main floor yesterday and do laundry but hard to do much when it is 36 degrees outside as the more active you are inside, the more the house heats up.

Have an awesome Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: thanks to my friend for picking up bathroom tissue and bread. Two staples in every household.

Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! I hope that this finds you in good health and happy. Alvin and I are doing great. I am enjoying my vacation and wished that it was permanent. Wouldn’t it be nice to be on vacation all the time – well I guess for me that would be retirement! Yesterday was a great day. In the morning I checked in on my charges Humphrey, Bogart and Cynder – fed them and all that. Of course, Alvin was looked after before I headed out to my birthday party at my friend Gillian’s house. Our friend Signe and Gillian’s husband Kris were there as well. We had so much fun. I was totally spoiled. They are way too good to this “woman.” I have photos to share and will keep this post short as I want to go and enjoy my first mug of coffee on the deck before the sun is too hot. I already have been over and looked after my charges next door and also took Alvin for a walk, changed bedding and a few other things. So feels good to be up early.

Well I have no idea how to delete a photo or to make the one smaller. Something changed in WordPress and I am lost.

Photos of my charges. Birthday party. So blessed.

Time to head downstairs, Mr. Alvin is restless.

Wishing my niece-in-law Sara a very Happy Birthday and my friend Karen from work. August is a huge birthday month for family and friends.

Happy Birthday Ladies.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: ONE Day until 65! I think it is going to be a great year.

Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! The sky is clear in the distance but at home there are rain clouds hovering as they dropped their precious cargo over us. The colours are more brilliant this morning as a result of the rain and the cooler temperatures a welcome relief for some of us. The wind is very strong this morning much different than yesterday morning. I love weather. Ever changing. The sky is amazing. I cannot wait to be in the country for a few days. One of the things that I love the most about the countryside is the night sky. The sky is filled with brilliant shining stars. So different than in the city where you might see five on a good night. Oh how I love the countryside!

How about some GREAT news? It seems as of late my news has been all over the place. Yesterday I called Alvin’s Vet and the tech answered the phone. She was just the person that I needed to speak with so I was very happy. Yes, the only changes that Alvin needs to do is FOOD. Change the diet. Perhaps a supplement. No more testing. No abdominal ultrasound. I confirmed that for certain. Yes, she just has to contact the reps for the food companies and sort out which is the best food for Alvin and also find out how long it is backordered. That is the problem with human food and pets alike. Backorder. I have come to despise that word. I get the supply chain, I get it. We have so many options and my Alvin does not so I am hoping that we can work something out. He will need to get on it sooner than later. I recently bought a bag of food which has not been opened yet and I was hoping that I could trade it in for the new food. I guess time will tell. Not likely as it is looking as today is Thursday. He can also take a supplement so perhaps that will help in the meantime while we wait for the food to come in. I will have to phone and find out and then pick up the supplement. I wonder how much that will cost? Michelle, also advised that he will need to have bloodwork and urinalysis in six months. We can do that. That will be during his 14th year birthday month.

Anyway, I can breathe a sigh of relief, actually I did and I did a little jig as well. Alvin must have sensed my joy and became playful. He ran into the living room and grabbed one of his toys, his favourite “teddy bear” and brought it to me so that we could play tug-o-war. The look in his eyes brought tears of joy to my eyes.

Wow, it is really raining out there now. Sure am happy that we did get a walk in yesterday. Today may be a raining day with no walking permitted.

Time to head downstairs. Walking on sunshine or perhaps a rainbow!.

Have a wonderful day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: only 5 days till I turn 65. Will I feel any different?

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Thursday morning? I almost typed Friday. Guess I am rushing the weekend just a wee bit. Oh well! It has been one of those weeks. I lost my patience a couple of times but tried to remain composed which is so much better when you are working from home. Some days even though I am very grateful for my job – it drives me around the bend. I guess most people say that. There are many aspects that I enjoy about my job and others not so much. Okay enough of venting first thing in the morning. Not the way that I want to start to my day.

I do want to share something with you. We were up about 3:00 a.m. and outside. The sky was so crystal clear that even though we are in the city, we could see so many stars in the sky. In fact, the sky was so full of stars that I was in awe. First time in the city that I have been able to see so many stars. It reminded me of our trip to see the kids for Thanksgiving and how clear the night sky was and how many billions of stars I could see. I was also reminded of being a child and looking up to the sky and making wishes on the first star and then seeing so many others. I have always throughout my entire life being drawn to the sky. I most especially love the stars. Maybe that is why some of my fav television shows and movies are situated in space. Although they cannot see the stars, one could imagine they were surrounded by them. As I have not been to space, I do not know what you can see or not. The stars took my mind off of being outside at 3:00 a.m., I will tell you.

We enjoyed two walks yesterday. The after work walk was most especially special as we bumped into a neighbor who lives just off the park, she was out walking the puppy. We have spoke before but never had such a conversation and I enjoyed it so much. The puppy for which I have now forgotten her name is so adorable. Not tiny and full of energy. She reminded me of a poodle. We chatted for several minutes admiring each other’s pups. She loved Alvin, too. Rosie was the Mom’s name. We were walking with them back toward their home and to ours when Alvin started to pull big time. I could not see anyone or anything around so wondering why he was pulling forward. So we said goodbye. I thought maybe because he was hungry. As we walked we came across people with a dog and I could see our friend Kelly and her pup Jack and then I knew. He definitely could smell their scent even though they were partially hidden by the trees at the entrance. How cool is that? So we raced over to them. I have not seen Alvin move that fast since before his surgery and not even in recent times. He chased after Jack as though he wanted to play. Running fast. It was funny too watch and also made me a little anxious. But I could not stop him and I wanted him to do something that obviously he really wanted to do. We visited with our friends and then Alvin wanted to go. I think he was getting hungry for supper. By the time we got home it was well after 5:00 p.m. Also on the way, a car pulled up and I could see our friends Ali and Bailey. Bailey spotted us and was yelping and so excited. We quickly said hello and were on our way. Our evening was much more quiet, I will say but we had a great walk. I am so happy that I know so many people in our neighbourhood and that I can get to know some of them even more. It was a great end to a somewhat frustrating day.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday. Get out and walk. You never know who you will bump into or meet. Even though there still is a pandemic – we can still chat outside and keep apart and safe.

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

Today I choose to laugh more and have more patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? When I went outside this morning with Alvin at 5:00 a.m. the grass in the backyard was cold and crusty (frozen). So dark almost like the deep of night.

MORNINGS WITH ALVIN

When we wake and I follow you ouside.

The early morning is as the deep of night.

We walk across the deck,

You jump off at the low end and I take the steps.

We enter the grass area of the backyard.

Not too big,

Just enough for you, my Alvin.

You prefer to walk around and sniff.

Nothing new but sniff you do.

Wishing that I had remembered to buy batteries.

For the big flashlight,

As this small one brings me bent over to the ground.

To ensure that I did not miss picking up any poo,

Yes, poo from you.

Oh my Alvin,

Without you I would never have experienced the deep of night.

Out in the backyard.

This morning the stars were shining brightly in the sky.

Yes, we could see the stars.

There is nothing better than stars shining in the early morning sky.

The sky being so crystal clear.

I can see my breath and yours.

Thank you for bringing me outside to enjoy.

The early morning sky.

P.S. there are lots of middle of the night sky, too.

Thank you Alvin.

I love you.

Written by CY Lewis @ this morning October 26, 2021

Sometimes you just feel like writing a poem.

Wishing you a wonderful day.

Time to go and make a pot of coffee and perhaps start work a bit earlier than usual.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Someone just had to be upstairs with me so I let him come upstairs (all by himself). I shall carry him down.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning All,

We are back to our normal household. Mr. Alvin is back home. His sister brought him home early yesterday afternoon. He was happy and mad at me at the same time. I could tell that he was glad to be back home but at the same time he let me know in no uncertain terms that he was harbouring some unhappiness toward me. Body language in dogs is very transparent. This is one of the longest periods of time that we have been apart over our ten years together. After he was home for a bit he started to warm up to me, thank goodness. I teased my daughter in a text that “she might be having company once again.” It is wonderful to have him back home and it was nice to have a break, I think that we both needed that time apart. I will say that I slept better with him home and in bed with me. However, it was a typical Sunday night where it takes me forever to get settled down. We were up at 4:00 a.m. …… outside for a bathroom break and then back to the sofa until 6:30 a.m. when we were up and I fed him breakfast,which is late for him to eat at home but it was fine. Another outside break followed by preparing my coffee so it was ready to plug in and then we hit the sofa for 30 more minutes.

The grass was wet earlier with dew but the air was warm with the moon shining brightly in the sky dotted with stars or perhaps satellites and perhaps the space station. It was pretty nonetheless.

Well it is time to get this day going. The sun is now rising and the sky is that delicate balance of pinks and oranges with the night sky slowly disappearing.

I am looking forward to our walks together.

Welcome Home Mr. Alvin.

I hope that you all had a great Sunday.

Living our lives with kindness and respect.

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Wow, so great to wake up to bright sunshine and clear blue sky.

So wonderful to receive the rain over the past couple of days but always good to see sunshine.

Guess what!

Couple of things.

Alvin seems to be his old self but I spoke to Vet’s Office yesterday and it was agreed to bring him in his morning.

Yesterday was cold and raining and we would have had to walk there so better when not raining.

Just going to have him checked this morning.

OTHER thing …. I was able to download/upload my photos from my cell phone to my computer.

It was easy.

Not sure why I did not figure it out sooner but better late than never.

So I am going to share some of the 270 photos that I have taken with my phone since first day of May 16, 2019.

Also remember these were all taken here at our home.

Couple in the car with my daughter.

I will not share all of the photos as some were videos and some were duplicate or triplicates.

One of my favourite subjects:  Humphrey.

Enjoying his time outside.

My Grand-pup Milo in the above photo.

Followed by Alvin and Humphrey.

Just catching some zzz’s

I could take photos of them all day long.

Unfortunately the shots of Humphrey make his beautiful orange coat look dingy.

Preparing the gifts for the new to turn 40 year old.

One of my friends ….

I hosted her birthday party a couple of weeks ago.

The boys helping me get ready for the Birthday party.  Teddy, Humphrey and Alvin.

The birdie that made a next in our backyard.

Haven’t seen them as of late but am hopeful that they are around.

Birdies on the fence and down below not in frame on one side of the fence was Mr. Alvin and on the other was Sir Humphrey.

Two birds, a dog and a cat.

What a combination.

Humphrey hard at work digging his way out of our backyard.

Smoke filled skies

Night sky …..

With my daughter driving to my house …. the flowering cherry trees so pretty …..

 

Well I have to go as did not realize that this has taken almost one hour.

Big day today.

Alvin has an appointment to see the Vet this morning.

My daughter has her ART SHOW and SALE tonight.

I am over the moon.

I hope that you enjoy some of my favourite photos taken from my new iPhone, new to me.

Sadly there are many more but running out of time.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

 

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 Wednesday the 11th day of September, 2013.

Last night Alvin didn’t seem to interested in going for a walk – I know this because when I showed signs of readiness he headed for the top of the stairs.

Where he laid on his tummy with only his head showing at the top of the stairs.

I remember all too well the first time he did this …… I remembered smiling as he looked like a headless puppy.

Cute but scary ….

So instead after I finished my chores I joined him on the deck.

He loves to sit out there and sniff the evening air and just be.

He listens intently to the sounds around him.

So I decided as it has been forever since I have done this that it was high time, I did.

So I had put on a light jacket (the evening air starts to cool here in Edmonton) and luckily for me it had a hood.

I pulled up the hood and laid down beside him on the upper part of our deck.

It was after 8:30 p.m. and already the sun had set and you could literally see nightfall as it got darker and darker.

At first I scoured the night sky to see a star and there were none.

The sky did not appear to be cloudy but yet no stars.

Finally when I was starting to think it was going to be a starless night I found one …. just one but one all the same.

I just laid there and found myself in mindless bliss.

No real thoughts …. no stresses …. no phone calls…. no interruptions ….. just laying there looking up at the sky.

Alvin wasn’t quite sure what to think as he had got up and was shuffling about for a short bit, and then settled beside me.

It was absolutely glorious.

There are really no words.

It was the best part of my day.

I feel refreshed and calm and once again blissful.

So easy and so great.

Just took a few minutes with amazing results.

I feel like a million dollars or perhaps ten.

So on this mid week day I hope that you find your bliss.

Run with it and enjoy.

Thank you.

Special Hello to: all my friends near and far.

Always, Carol and Alvin

P1110586

Thought for the day…..

Happy Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 ……

I am reminded as my dog Alvin looks out the office window of the simple things.

Those moments that automatically make you smile and feel like a million dollars.

It can be watching your dog looking out the window as he stands on his hind legs, paws on the window sill, and taking in the panoramic view.

It can be watching kids playing in the park.

It can be watching the simple beauty of a sunrise or sunset.

It can be laying in your backyard watching the stars and moon light up the night sky.

It can be listening to the song of birds as they go about their day.

It can be so many things that make those moments in time seem to go on forever.

I love the peace and relative quiet of the early morning.

The smell of the early morning air …..

I hope that you also are enjoying those moments.

Have a blessed and wonderful day.

Spread the joy.

Always say “thank you” ……

Special Hello: to all those nature lovers …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

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