A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! My first actual day of vacation. The sky is overcast and it is windy. We were up and down a few times last night and slept in this morning. Alvin would not eat his food. I just gave him his wet food with nothing else hoping that he would eat but he did not. Last night he ate his biscuits and a few small pieces of carrots so I know that it is not his teeth that are bothering him. If I gave him chicken he would eat it. I am thankful that we have an appointment with his Doctor this afternoon and hopefully we can get this sorted out. If I am able to collect a stool sample, I will take it with me. You cannot take it too much in advance so if he does not have one closer to this afternoon, I will collect one tomorrow morning and whisk it over to the vet. Better day but can tomorrow. My daughter reminded me how much her pups do not like their new food. I guess he will eat when he is hungry provided there is nothing else stopping him from doing so. I suppose if he ate carrots (not on his food list but I had to see if he would easily eat them) and biscuits which are the okay for him to have, they are a hypoallergenic treat. He ate the bits of chicken I gave him with his pills tucked inside. The tramadol must have a strong odour as it took a few tries because he kept eating the chicken and spitting out the pill. Thankfully it stayed intact until he consumed it. What a last few days! I was so sure that things were on the upswing. His poop is getting better but unfortunately at the end of the last one there was blood again. That is our update.

Considering he has not eaten much in the last couple of days, yesterday we went for a walk, he kept on walking and before we knew it were had walked our old usual route. The air was warm and the sun was shining so maybe he felt energized. As we approached his BF Teddy’s house his gait quickened and then we were there and he started to walk up their driveway. I had to stop him as they are not at home. He has not forgot his old friend. I sure wished that they would come home so that the pups could get together. Not that I think that Alvin is going anywhere at the moment but I think that seeing Teddy would do him the world of good. He has not seen him in months and I am sure that he misses him. This is the second time that he has walked to Teddy’s house in recent times. The last time he did not even go into the park he just walked straight down our street to his house.

Later this afternoon, our girl is coming over after her dental appointment (that is a good reminder that I have to get my appointment made soon, I just find it hard to think of anything but Alvin and work at this moment, which is not good I suppose). Amanda plans to sleep over tonight, I believe which will be nice.

Well I should go and have a quick shower. Alvin sounds like he is sneezing / coughing. My poor little guy. I wished that he was all better.

Have a wonderful Monday. Fingers crossed for Mr. Alvin’s appointment, please. Positive thoughts.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. so grateful that I am on vacation for this week and next. Dreaming that retirement will be close.

A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Wednesday morning? I hope that you are doing great! We are doing very well. Alvin seems to have turned the corner, his poop is looking better and there has been no blood for two days now. Fingers crossed and I will keep the positive flow of thoughts for his continued progress to good health. We were up a couple of times but in between had about three hours of sleep and I can function on that amount so we are all good.

You can probably tell that I am feeling happy and part of it is due to Alvin feeling better and the other is because after Friday I am on vacation for two weeks. YAY. When one of my coworkers asked me if I was going away or doing something special while I was on vacation, I replied that I am going to recreate a tropical vacation by having a warm bath in lavender epsom salts, perhaps burn a candle and have a large glass of Baileys on ice (I even have a drink umbrella around here somewhere) and play some of my favourite music. Realistically because I am a shower person, this may or may not happen but it should because I have lots of epsom salts to use and I do enjoy them. I have lots to do over the next couple of weeks. Alvin needs to have his nails trimmed etc, I need to make a couple of medical appointments for the near future (time has just flown by and I need my teeth cleaned and checked). The photos need to be moved to the external hard drive, and honestly there is a list a mile long. I am hoping for good weather so we can go for some walks and the big thing is getting up when we get up and not by the sound of the alarm. I would also like to have coffee and or tea with friends. There is always “cleaning” to do. One day at a time.

Last night when we got up at 1:00 a.m. it had already started to snow and there was quite the accumulation by the next time we went outside which was 4:00 a.m. I did some shovelling on the deck so that Alvin would not have to wade through six inches of snow.

Just checked my watch and time to head downstairs. Have a wonderful day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! Well it is an awesome morning. Alvin slept for almost 7 hours straight. It was me that woke up twice while we were upstairs. First time up was around 4:00 a.m. and outside where he just had a pee. Then back to the sofa until the alarm went off at 5:30 a.m. Once we were up I gave him his breakfast and outside again where he peed and had a good poop (not quite perfect) with no blood for the first time in a long while. I was almost howling with delight at the full moon but figure that I had better not being doing that at 5:43 a.m. or I would have the lights coming on like back in the Flintstone’s neighbourhood in Bedrock. Do you remember? Anyway, what a great way to start the week. I am trying to remember the time that I gave him last food in the evening, what time did we go to bed, did I cross my eyes and dot my nose, lol.

I realized once I was showered, made up and dressed that the time was later than I thought. 6:24. My ride comes about 7:10 so I like to take Alvin out again, snuggle with him and then finish packing my bag and getting things ready for him. T.V. on etc.

We had a great Sunday. I gave Alvin a haircut and bath, did some laundry, went for a walk with Alvin, vacuumed main floor and washed, made some root veggies roasted in the oven for supper and in the early afternoon had a 1.5 hour chat with my sister. So great to hear her voice and have a laugh and catch up. Been awhile.

Okay time to fly now. I think that good news, no great news can be kept short and sweet.

Happy Monday Everyone!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! Another bright sunny blue sky morning out there. Cold. Very cold. We went to bed quite early last night and I guess we had a pretty good sleep as far as our sleeps usually go. I just did not want to get up and get going this morning at all. Laying on the sofa cuddling next to Alvin under our red cozy blanket was all I wanted to do. But it was Alvin that made me get up and get going this morning. Perhaps a shower after writing this post will get me going and my hair feels like it has not been washed in a month which is not true. But anyway!

We had a good day yesterday. I cleaned, did laundry, made some bagels, some soup and roasted some turkey breasts and made an apple crisp. Supper was soup, a bagel and some apple crisp. YUM. I used some of the Epicure packets that my friend Val gave me for the soup and the bagels and spice for the turkey breasts. Very good. I topped the soup with avocado which I will need to use tonight but I will have some turkey with supper as well. Nothing like hot soup on a cold winter’s day.

I realized this morning just how long Mr. Alvin’s nails are getting and that would be due to not many walks. Will have to check the calendar and see when he had them trimmed last. I know it was in January. Also I need to see when the 30 days is up for the treatment that he had for his right ear. Both ears will need to be cleaned. I could give him a hair cut and a bath but I think I will wait and hopefully by next weekend his poop will be normal with no blood. I was so happy to see that his first poop in a long time was actually firm. He pooped more than once and by the last bit there was blood. But I think things are going in the right direction. Tomorrow and Tuesday I work from home so I will need to call and give an updated report to his Vet. They called on Friday while I was on the way home from work and had my phone turned off so did not see the call in time to call back before they closed.

Oh, my did I ever dream last night and this morning. Some good and some well not so …..

Time to hit the shower and then go and make some coffee. We will have a quiet morning and then this afternoon put the laundry away that is drying in the basement. Perhaps I will be able to put away the Christmas decorations as well as they are sitting out in the basement family room. As I will be down there for awhile, I will need to take Alvin with me and just want to ensure that he will be okay for a bit so that I don’t have to carry him up and down and down and up much.

I hope that you are doing well. With all that is going on between Alvin and work, I have not kept in good contact with my family and some friends at a distance and even close by. Just not enough time in a time. But I am thinking of you all and please forgive me for not reaching out more often.

Oh, I transplanted some slips from a plant yesterday. They had such long roots. I am sure that they will be enjoying the dirt. This particular plant is so beautiful and has the prettiest little flowers. I just do not recall the name.

Have a wonderful Sunday. Keep warm and stay safe. You are in my thoughts!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

From Christmas ……. me Alvin, Aspen at the window and Milo and Alvin watching her from the sofa.

A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! Today is Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

Yesterday we went to the vet for Alvin’s appointment to see if we could figure out what is causing his poop not to be in a group, so to speak. After a rectal exam and going over his file (yuck, poor Alvin – although I did not hear him cry, so that was good), the vet proclaimed there is a good possibility that it is “IBS” aka Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Now that does not sound very good. I know several people who have that and it is not much fun at all. I took a deep breath and asked “what next.” She said that she wanted to put him on a very low dose of prednisone to clear up the inflammation. To add to the liver disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and more. He had extensive tests done last summer when they found out he had liver disease. Anyway, I asked what some of the side effects are of prednisone and she said that he may pee often. I told her that I have to go to the office on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Her suggestion was that I give it to him at night (with supper) and hopefully that will help. Well we were in bed just before 10:00 p.m., up at Midnight and outside, back to the sofa and then up at 2:00 and outside (thank goodness it is warm out) and then at 4:00. I changed the alarm from 6:00 to 6:30 and at 6:15 he wanted to get up. I fed him his breakfast which is rice, pumpkin, his wet food and some chicken and Metamucil. Then outside and it was snowing. The warm wet fluffy flakes. The kind that I like until I have to shovel them. Oh well. It is warm so they will not stay long. I also noticed when going to bed last night that there is some ice out by the low point in the sidewalk that needs to be cleared. A task for today. I forgot to tell you that we walked to the vet. The sidewalks from our house to the walkway were brutal and then it was okay. Twice along the way, Alvin stopped and wanted to go home. I am not sure if he realized where we were going, I think so. Likely had a good idea why. Anyway, I managed to get him there and wondered about going home. When we arrived at the vet, I was checking texts and going to call them to advise we had arrived when I noticed a message from our friend Arlene. She let me know that she would come and get us. I am, we are so blessed to have such amazing, supportive and caring friends and neighbours. She is all of these things and more. Breath of relief. I actually felt better when I heard the IBS instead of something else. Not the best news but not the worst either by far. This is treatable and hopefully we can get his poop back to normal and try to put him back on his “real food” diet. I have a lot of his hard food that he has not been able to eat for awhile. Our story is a bit out of order but it is early morning and when the thoughts come to me, I write them down. After we got home, I quickly wiped off his paws to remove any of the salt (pet friendly) that may have got into his pads. I had wore my ice picks to the vet and was grateful. I definitely needed them.

I was glad that we had some downtime before I started work yesterday. Drank a bit more coffee and just chilled with my boy.

Although our lives have been up and down like a rollercoaster as of the last while, I am over the moon grateful that perhaps we have closure on this health concern and can get back to our life. Lots coming up but as long as Alvin is doing okay, I can get through anything. Dreaming of winning the lottery and retiring in this house with my boy at my side. Sleeping in when we have a crazy night. Walking whenever we chose. Writing more and going through my photos. That is my dream.

Time to get back downstairs. I am building up the muscles in my left arm. Will have to work on the other one otherwise the muscles are going to be off balanced, lol. Wonder if it is still snowing?

I hope that you have a great Tuesday. I know that this day working from home with Alvin at my side is going to be GREAT. I love being at home with Alvin. He is the best.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee. Thank goodness for coffee and I have lots.

Always, Carol & Alvin

I am grateful for my life with Alvin. I am grateful for this beautiful home that we share. I am grateful to be surrounded by the most amazing, caring, loving, supportive people. Thank you for this day.

A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! I am so happy to report that we slept from say about 9:30 till 1:20 a.m. when downstairs we went and Alvin had the most perfect poop. We then retreated to the sofa and set the alarm for 6:00 a.m. I am so thankful that our sofa is comfy. When the alarm went off, well of course, I hit the SNOOZE button for a few more zzz’s. Why not? Then we were up and I was preparing Mr. Alvin his breakfast. I gave him the “medication” last night and only took about 6 minutes to get it into him. So that was good. After his breakfast, we headed outside where again Mr. Alvin had a really good poop(s). I am over the moon happy about these recent events. How happy can one be over poop? Just ask me! It is a most important bodily function and when it is bad, that means that inside things are not going well. So this morning, I am encouraged to believe that he is “better.” I know it does not change the liver disease and other ailments. We are good now. He is on his last day of 1/4 of rice/chicken/wet food/dry food mix before back to 100% his regular food tomorrow. The weather is also continuing to be nice so I am going to see if we can go for a walk after work. Just to give him some exercise to build up his stamina as he is a bit wobbly when out on the deck. I am so happy that things are looking up.

I have decided to get busy now that I have the “word software” and get putting together the book about me and Alvin. Now is definitely the time. I have lots of previously written stories to draw from and use. Sometimes you never know where life is going to take you. But when it does you are know that all will be well and all of that …..

Hopefully sooner than later, the sunrise happens at an earlier time. I know Mother Nature’s schedule. Does she know mine? I suppose not.

This Saturday I was invited to my friend Lucy’s house for supper. Saturday, January 21st is Chinese New’s Year’s Eve. I decided to read up on the celebration and found out that it is tradition to give certain types of gifts and just so happens that I have two or three items that would be perfect to give. So happy. I also made arrangements for my friend’s daughter to come and stay with Mr. Alvin so that he is not alone. YAY. Works great for everyone. She makes a bit of money, I get to go out and Alvin has company.

I am feeling pretty happy with life at the moment. So happy about Mr. Alvin. He is waiting for me downstairs and I am grateful that with the hall light on and the baby gate up that he patiently waits for me. I have been carrying him up and down the stairs each time. When it is not necessary for him to be upstairs – he remains downstairs.

The aroma of the freshly perked coffee is wafting upstairs. So I will sign off shortly.

Wishing you a great Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Mr. Alvin

A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing okay. Up at 12:30, 5:00 and then at 6:00 and finally at 6:45. We should have stayed up at 5:00 but I was feeling it was too early and I was so sleepy. I guess the midnight hour was just as I was slipping into a deep sleep only to be awoke by my four-legged buddy who insisted upon going downstairs. So down we went. Anyway, I am not complaining as I am grateful that I can work from home this week. I can give him his medications at the proper time and monitor him and let him outside when he needs to go. It is hard for him when I am at work even with someone coming to check on him at the 5 hour mark. He will be 14 next week, I cannot believe it. We should be planning a birthday party, methinks. I must chat to his sister. His birthday came up mighty fast. He has been through a lot this last couple of years and deserves a good party. His birthday is next Thursday (checked the calendar).

This afternoon I have an appointment at the Optometrist to check the pressure in my eyes, it was a bit high at my last visit which was on the 28th of December. When they called yesterday to confirm today’s appointment, I asked if my glasses would be ready and she said they are waiting on my sunglass clips. She thought maybe they might come in today’s shipment. That would be great to get my new glasses today. Figured crossed that the pressure in my eye(s) has returned to normal.

Alvin is doing pretty good although I think he had a bit of loose poop early this morning. I did not pick it up l right away and when I went out at 5:00 it was frozen. But to be fair today is only seven days since this all started and today is the first day completely off the bland diet so I am thinking by the end of today or tomorrow there will be a major difference. Fingers crossed for my boy.

We continue to have beautiful temperatures and I only wish that we could both go for a walk. Hopefully the weather holds.

Have an awesome Tuesday.

Time to head downstairs and plug in the coffee (prepared earlier).

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Days 2022 – December 30th

Good Morning ALL! We had a great sleep so why I am still tired? Last night I was home and we were in bed by just after 11:00 p.m. and up at 6:30 a.m. I gave Mr. Alvin his glucosamine chew followed by his breakfast, he had a drink of water and then went outside. It was me who was up twice last night having to go pee, okay I will just say it. Why do we think bodily functions that every living creature on this planet does in some way shape or form? No idea. I guess people think it is gross. Once you have a baby or have a pet – all that goes to the wayside. Cleaning up after them is not pretty. You can be chewing on a mouth full of something and then have to go outside with your dog and pick up poop and it is okay. Not that I do that on a regular basis but I have found myself in that situation. Part of life. So we must get over it. As you know, I say the words “poop” and “pee” quite often and why at age 65 would I stop now. LOL. Anyway we are up and I am dressed with my eyebrows on writing this post.

Last night I was invited over to our friends Norbert & Irene’s house for a visit. This was my first real visit since the loss of their son in November. I had previously stopped by to give my sympathies, to drop off an arrangement, to drop off a card and Christmas baking but not long enough to take off my winter boots, and stay awhile. They are doing incredibly well and I am not sure how I would be in their position. We did speak about their son, Darcy throughout the evening. I let the conversation go where it needed to be. We chatted about so many things including Darcy and the accident leading to his passing. There was a Chinese checker game board out so I knew at some point we would be playing games. After much conversation, Irene asked if I would like to have a game of checkers and I said “yes.” I do not remember the last time that I had played this particular game but it did not take long to figure it out although I am not very good at it. Irene won every round we played. Next she brought out a mind teaser game which was interesting followed by another game which I knew “Connect Four.” I love that game. Cannot remember the last time that I played that game, oh yes, I do now. It was at a games day that we had a work a few years ago. Connect Four was one of the games that we played. Irene still won most of the games (she said that she likes to win and she wins) but I managed to score a win here and there. We kept saying “one more game.” Then it was nearing 11:00 p.m. and I knew that Mr. Alvin would wonder where the heck I was and likely needed to go pee. We said our goodnights with Irene handing me a package which contained a thank you card, a copy of the Eulogy, copy of newspaper clipping, the card from the funeral for their son Darcy. I graciously accepted and was on my way.

The once brightly lit bushes were dark as I left their house. They have their lights on timers. The lights were so beautiful when I approached the house. I forgot to mention that in the previous paragraph, I guess I could have added it but why? This is when I thought of it. LOL. The air was filled with fog as I walked the two minute walk home. Very eerie but the air was warm.

When I arrived home Mr. Alvin had been laying on his bed near the window. I deliberately placed it so he could see outside. Happy to see me, he did let me know that I should have been home with him. I pulled off my boots and we walked to the back door so I could let him outside to pee. Yup, he had to pee. A few minutes later we were upstairs and I was getting ready for bed. A great night.

Earlier in the day – I gave Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath followed by a shower for me. His hair clings to my clothing like flies to honey. He looks oh so handsome.

Well on the agenda for today. Do some laundry. A bit of cleaning. Go for a walk. Shovel the neighbour’s driveway. Relax. COFFEE, oh yes, I need to make some coffee.

Well it is time to head back downstairs. The sky looks so amazing with the sun trying to peek through the fog with the frosted tipped trees lining the horizon with the white tops of the houses and garages. That is the view from my office window. Amazing.

Have an awesome day. I guess tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. No real plans but will have to figure out what my post will be so that I have some kind of idea. Maybe some photo highlights of 2022. It has been quite the year for most of us, actually all of us.

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

Have an awesome Friday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! Well I see that I am not the only thing that is “slow” this morning, my computer is, too. I hope that you are having a great morning so far. We have been up and down for hours. I know this is my sad story but it is my truth. Lights out by 10:00, Mr. Alvin had to go outside at 11:00, then 1:30, then 4:30 and then we were up to stay up at 5:30. I feel like, I do not know exactly. Time will tell. I tried to coax him to stay in bed but he was persistent so I then know that he really has to go and he really did. But up and outside that many times is hard on a person, must be hard on him, too, although he can sleep for most of the day, I cannot. Oh well, that is life!

I heard the news that one of my favourite “funny” people “Leslie Jordan” died in a car accident yesterday. How sad that we lost such a beloved character actor. I loved him in “Call me Kat.” He will be missed.

We dropped off a parcel at my friends’ house so that she can print the mailing label and had a visit. Alvin was happy to see Maddie again. After leaving there we were on our way to the park and not quite halfway, someone who shall remain nameless, “ALVIN” turned around and headed for home. I tried but unless I physically pull him, he wanted to go home. Home we went. We were standing on our lawn when I heard a familiar voice and there was our friends Alyaa and Donia. She wanted to tell me the story from her visit today. She had brought Cookie and Donia with her as Donia did not have school. I guess Cookie not able to find a pee pad – pooped on the matt by the bottom of the stairs. She explained how she had washed the matt with dish soap and hung it over the railing on the deck. She was so concerned about the whole situation. I laughed and told her not to worry and that I have lots of pee pads which Alvin does not use. We had a giggle over it all and I advised that I would leave some out and that she is always welcome to bring Cookie with her as she thought she should just leave her at home. I think that Alvin needs to socialize and that an accident, well an accident will happen. So I will place a couple of pads out and also leaving the “pooping bags” in a bag on the table as she was bringing her own. I am so grateful to have someone watching over Alvin that care so much. I have the best support system. All of my friends who have watched Mr. Alvin when I have had to go to the office are amazing. I have a DREAM TEAM for sure.

Well it is almost time to head back downstairs. I need to take him outside once again before I leave for work. It is very frosty on the ground and deck this morning. The air was not too cold.

Sometimes life is all about the “poop.” In always arrives one way or the other!

Have an awesome Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. We did have a few snow flurries yesterday and some on the way for today.

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! Well the sun is beginning to rise and to the south the sky has bands of dark blue on the horizon and then a hazy kind of pink blue, so pretty. I wish that I could give it justice in my description. So very beautiful. It is cool out this morning but comfortable. The daytime highs are more normal now for this time of year. The trees are standing still.

The last twenty-four hours have been filled with incredible lows, then highs and then lows. How do you manage to live your life when things are so up and down. Good question?

So to the story. Yesterday as you already know was Mr. Alvin’s ultrasound on his belly to check his liver, kidneys etc. We walked over to the vet clinic for 10:00 a.m. I just had donned my mask and was about to call the clinic as we arrived when one of the staff just happened to be at the door so she let us inside. Another clerk gave me the form to sign regarding liability, another went to prepare some blankets for him (I gave her the bag with his blue blanket and for putting his leash and harness in, and with a little whisper “love you”, he was whisked off to the back. It happened so fast. I felt a lump in my throat and then I was out the door and he was left behind. Not forever. I decided that I would pick up a lotto ticket so I stopped at the convenience store nearby. Then home. All the way home, I was wishing that I had told Alvin “I will see you later so that he would know that I would come back.” Back home, I put on a pot of coffee and then once perked, I sat down to think and blindly watch a morning show. I did catch a segment about COVID and the higher than normal influenza season that is being predicted. Once I drank some of my coffee, I decided to have something to eat. I felt very guilty knowing that Mr. Alvin would have to wait for a few hours before he could eat. I always feel guilty. After that, I decided to pull up all of the floor mats and give the main floor a good vacuum followed by washing. I was almost done washing the floor when the call in from the vet. It was Michelle to say that they were done and Alvin was ready to come home. That was 11:45 a.m. Fast I thought but what would the news be, I wondered! I quickly finished and brought in and put down most of the floor mats so that Alvin would not freak out when he got home.

At the vet, I was going over some things regarding the payment and insurance, when another staff said, go see Dr. Karen she is in the exam room with the report. So off I went. We went over the rather lengthy report. There seemed like something was noted for every organ except for his heart and lungs. But gratefully, the most urgent issue was that he has pancreatitis which could be treated with antibiotics. He does have an enlarged liver and the liver is covered with benign lesions. There were a number of other items all related to age. I breathed a deep sigh of relief. Alvin’s Doctor said that he will need to be monitored closely as things could change but for now he is okay. I had a lot of questions. Dr. Karen had one of the staff take a copy of the report so that I could read when I got home. He was weighed and had definitely lost some weight but I was reminded by Dr. Karen that he had not eaten for several hours. After making the payment of over $800.00 including the antibiotics thanks to my daughter (loan), we were on our way. Such a relief.

On the way home, he pooped. It was very loose. Not surprised. I cleaned it up and we were on our way. Once home, I got him settled. He drank lots of water. I gave him a bit to eat. We settled down on the sofa so that I could text family and friends with the results of his ultrasound.

A few hours later, I found out that my coworkers had met with our higher up and were instructed to come back to the office for a minimum of three days per month starting October 3, 2022. Well that was a bit in the rear end. I was just feeling better with the news for Mr. Alvin and then this. Now what. I cannot leave him and will I be able to find someone to watch him for three days a week in less than three weeks time. My heart sank. I was sick to my stomach, well the feeling anyway.

So last night was up and down. I have lots to figure out over the next not quite three weeks. He definitely cannot stay alone as Dr. Karen said he will need to go out for a pee at noon and then have some water and food. That was based on the more slow call back to the office.

Why oh why, could we be one of the offices that allows their staff to work from home.

They make the decisions and I do not have say in the matter.

So that is where we stand. I am going to take Mr. Alvin for a walk.

I know that I will figure out something.

Have a wonderful day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: at the end of the day the most important thing is that Mr. Alvin is okay for now. That is all that truly matters. The other stuff will work out with some “elbow grease.” He also had a perfect poop this morning.