Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter

Good Morning All, We were up and down as per usual but up to stay just before 8:00 AM. I marvelled at the way some of the leaves are hanging on as if for dear life on our tree out front. They almost look like upside down umbrellas. These poor pods of leaves almost appear to be social distancing as they hang in groups every so often on the branches. Our tree has almost dropped all of its’ leaves. I can definitely see some raking in my future. The colours of the leaves on the ground look so beautiful against the lighter green/yellow grass as it prepares for winter. The contrast to the sidewalk and street is gorgeous ….. reds and yellows to gray.

The last half of this week has been well should I shall lousy. Likely just as good a word as any. Lost a friend that I used to work with at BBW at the MALL and have others who are awaiting the results of COVID19 testing. Work is off the charts, busy, which is slowly eating away at my “patience” and heart. I like to be busy but not so busy that you cannot see the light of day. This morning I looked inward for some guidance, for perhaps a thought that may get me back on track. There are many blessings in my life and I am truly grateful for each and every one of them. I know that I am extremely lucky to have a decent job in this landscape and that this time. But that does not help me but feel anxiety. Anyway, lots to do this weekend. Today is going to be a particular busy day once I finish this post, start the laundry, already started the coffee, have breakfast, give Mr. Alvin a haircut, boil potatoes and eggs for tomorrow’s potato salad, make a fruit pizza for tomorrow, dust and clean bathrooms, wash floors, pull more flowers that have gone to the other side, bring up the FALL and HALLOWEEN decorations and whatever else I can squeeze into this day. Perhaps the best thing for me right at this moment is to get busy. I know that life is life and there are things beyond my control and that I can get through anything. There might be stop signs and potholes along the road but I will keep on walking until it is my time to leave this earth. Sorry not meaning to be dark. I am so grateful to have my Alvin with me and for my life.

I am going to see later today or this weekend if I am now able to upload photos from my phone to the computer. That would be nice.

Well my friends, I hope that life is treating you well. No matter what is going on in your life and mine, we “got this.” No one ever said it would be easy all of the time but we can in our reactions to the situations determine our joy or sadness or anxiety. I am learning each and everyday and hoping to become more wise as the years go by.

Take Care and Be safe. Live with kindness and respect and laughter. I am going to add laughter to our mantra. We need to laugh. Find the funny in something each and everyday. We must.

Happy Saturday.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, good morning.

It is a rainy overcast gloomy morning.

Well at least after we, I settled down last night we had a good sleep.

I wasn’t feeling well last night …..

We were up at 5:00 a.m. or actually a few moments before the alarm went off.

I gave Alvin 1/4 of his chicken and rice as I have been doing since last Sunday.

He has now finished one of his three pills and is taking two medications plus the imodium.

So update.

Last time he had action was on the way to the Vet mid Friday afternoon.

This morning he has had gas and clearly is uncomfortable.

We have been in and out since 5:00 a.m.

I am at a loss.

First diarrhea for days on end and now appears that he is constipated.

My poor boy.

I think that he is finally at the end of his rope.

I am not sure how much more of this that either of us can take.

In and out, up and down.

We are still waiting for the last test results to come in early this week.

I am hoping that he poops today ….. cannot imagine my work will be impressed if I take yet another day.

But on the other hand how can I leave him alone in this condition.

Thankfully I have vacation days.

 

Last night after dark we were on the deck …. on of our five million times.

I snapped a couple of photos of Mr. Alvin …

 

In the first photo he was just staring about ….

Second photo he just jumped up onto the deck sofa ….

Well all I can do is try to keep positive thoughts that today will be the day.

He will have his last chicken later this morning so I will have to go to the store.

ARGH, not looking forward to that but I must.

 

I just keeping thinking “please poop.”

I do know that it is not within his control.

He would like to go as much as I want him to, actually I am quite certain he would like to go more.

Poor guy.

 

 

Living in kindness and respect in every moment is all that we can do.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, it is Saturday morning.

The office window is open as I key/type these words and there is a coolness to the air.

Humphrey the Cat is out on his deck.

He heard me when I opened the window and we made eye contact.

Then he was crying.

Perhaps for Alvin as Alvin was looking through the fence to see him earlier this morning (just a few minutes ago, actually).

 

News on the Alvin front.

We ended up going back to the Vet yesterday as there was no change in the pooping situation.

OMG, “did I really type that “pooping situation.”

Yes, I most certainly did.

ARGH.

Anyway, back to the story.

Our appointment was for 3:30 p.m.

The Doctor had said that would be taking bloodwork and if he pooped to bring in a sample.

ARGH, that would not be pretty.

So I gave him his third small meal of chicken and rice a few minutes before leaving for the appointment.

On the walk, he found a nice patch of green grass and did his business.

Not the business that I would have hoped for but he did and I did have to scoop it up.

A sample without grass for the Vet and then cleaned up the rest including pulling up some grass.

I had Alvin’s water bottle with me and poured some onto the remaining so that it would run away or so I hoped.

Not much fun cleaning up diarrhea.

Not much fun at all.

 

At the vet, she checked to ensure that he was hydrated etc.

First up was having the blood drawn ….. I opted to stay away during the procedure.

Guilt washed over me and I kept looking out from behind the door to see what was going on.

The staff are so lovely with Alvin.

Then I heard a yelp, a cry and my heart broke.

Then one of the girls said as I came out from behind the door …. he only cried when the needle was coming out.

I did notice that they took the samples from his main artery in his neck.

That would be painful.

He also had some damage done in that area when he was a puppy before I rescued him.

But it does not seem to have done him any harm.

I am grateful.

Dr. K informed me that it would take about one hour for her to check the bloodwork and then she would call me.

He would likely require “antibiotics.”

The poop sample, well it has to be sent outside of the clinic and we would not have any word until next week.

We take for granted how much the cost of blood tests etc. are in Canada as we do not pay for them.

If you have a pet – then you know that everything costs a lot of money and this was no exception.

I was grateful that for this second bill this week, I still had enough money to pay for it all.

I had been concerned about what I had left in my bank account after this bill.

So off we went for home.

Glad to get home.

First thing – checked the bank account and was pleased to see that I had made a mistake and remembered a lesser amount, whew we are okay.

Enough money for groceries etc.

Just in case he needs more chicken breasts.

Collapsing on the sofa for a moment.

Catching our collective breath.

Waiting for the call…..

About 30 minutes later the phone rang and it was the Clinic …. Alvin would need antibiotics and I could come back and get them anytime before they closed.

So I grabbed his harness and off we went.

I figured that the results must have been in so decided might as well speak to the Vet in person.

Dr. K said that the bloodwork was normal for Alvin and in addition to the antibiotics, I should pick up some Imodium to help with the diarrhea.

Off we went home once again.

Gave him his last small meal for the day and ALL his meds.

Alvin’s BF’s Mom had sent me a FB message and I replied to her.

When I had mentioned about going to pick up the Imodium, she sprang into action offering to go pick some up or perhaps coming to get me and we could go together.

But ended up she had some and brought it over for Alvin.

What a thoughtful Mama, Teddy has and WHAT a great friend we have.

I am over the moon grateful.

It took a bit of time to message everyone with the results thus far.

I am still going to see the glass half full.

Our evening was quiet.

I actually had one of my “birthday drinks” a canned drink …. PALM BAY …. don’t remember the flavour …. over ice and it was nice.

Watched the second GHOSTBUSTERS movie.

Enjoyed the evening.

WE HAD a GREAT SLEEP last night.

We both slept until a couple of minutes before the alarm at 5:00 a.m.

Then to the sofa until just before 8:00 a.m. –  fed Alvin and gave him his pills – all three.

Will give him some imodium shortly and then go for a walk.

I do need coffee but that will wait for now.

 

So our saga continues but at least there is / was some good news and I am certain that the pooping situation will rectify itself shortly.

 

Happy Saturday.

 

Always live your life in a kindness mode with respect.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin