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.

Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am well, my little furry sidekick is also on the road to wellness. With any luck Monday’s trip will be the last unplanned vet visit for us for this year. Fingers crossed. Note to all you dog owners out there, it is important to pay attention to your dog when you are out walking. I do not carry my phone and I am always looking to the ground and watching where he is sniffing and this still happened. They are also very good at hiding things, they are dogs after all. I had no idea on Sunday morning when he turned around and headed for home that he was hiding a bone in his mouth, no idea. I was watching him sniffing and did not see him take the bone from its’ spot in the grass and tuck it into his mouth. That is why he headed so quickly for home. He wanted to enjoy his spoils. I noticed that he dropped something on the floor in the house and went over to investigate when I found the bone. I quickly picked it up and threw it in the garbage and then washed my hands never thinking that for the time that dirty old bone was in his mouth, it was spreading bacteria through his body. Because that is what dirty old things do if you ingest them. Even though he did not eat it, the bone did the damage. So here we are. Monday he threw up breakfast, a small snack and then without thinking I gave him more food which left his stomach, as well. The girls at the vet said that I was too hard on myself but I know better. Not my first rodeo. Just not thinking. Anyway, when he did not keep water down, I called the vet, wishing I had called in the morning. It was so hot outside and too hot for the boy to walk on the hot sidewalk so I called friends. Our friend Signe drove us to the vet and our friend Gillian picked us up when we were done.

Alvin had a Cerenia injection to stop him from vomiting. He also had subcutaneous fluids. Sent home with probiotics, antibiotics and more of the Cerenia in tablet form.

He is not quit himself but he is definitely on the road to be well again. Poor little guy. I noticed that he is more quiet than usual. Also yesterday he did not drink much so I played a trick on him and gave him water with his food. He ate it. Chicken, rice with water. The bland diet. Just enough to keep him hydrated.

Our weather continues to be warm but certainly not the temperatures in other parts of Canada and the world. To all those folks experiencing these incredibly hot temperatures, I wish it would cool down and rain. I hope that we are starting to do things that can help to heal our environment before these super high temperatures, record breaking temperatures are the norm. We all have to do our part.

Well time to head on downstairs. I really need coffee this morning. Alvin is patiently waiting outside the office door. There is a lovely breeze wafting in through the office window.

Have an awesome July 20th, 2022.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: well today is the 20th day/sleep till I turn 65 and it is the 20th day of July, how cool is that!

I moved my flowers and plants into the shelter of the house and garage yesterday late afternoon and the storm went around us. Whew!

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 5th day of February, 2016.

YAY, it is Friday.

Both Alvin and I have been waiting “patiently” for this day …..

We still have a few hours to wait but it is closer than it was yesterday.

Tonight after work my daughter is picking me up (we now end at the same time) from work.

She is coming to our house for “STIR FRY” ….. one of her favourite things to eat.

We are so excited.

I even prepared the veggies last night so that all I have to do is cook the rice and actually cook the stir fry … no prep.

We love having her come for a visit.

At the mere mention of his beloved sister’s name he gets excited wagging his tail and usually runs back and forth from the front living room windows to the back door.

Sometimes she comes parks on the street and comes in from the front and other times through the garage.

I miss her even though she is not really far away.

We email every day ….. neither of us are really telephone chatters …. but when we need to we do for sure.

I even save some of her messages so when I need to hear her voice …. it is like she is right beside me.

She is truly my BEST FRIEND and the most WONDERFUL DAUGHTER, a Mom could ever ask for ….. sorry Alvin ….. he is the best BOY ….. SON.

Well here we are almost time to leave for work.

The morning got away on me.

I hope that you have something as wonderful to look forward to this evening as I do …..

Thank you for reading and feeling great on this Friday, February 5th, 2016.

Reach out ….. call or visit or SKYPE your BEST FRIEND.

Take Care.

Special Hello: to all the BEST FRIENDS in the WORLD ….

Always, Carol and Alvin