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.

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! The sun is up and shining brightly, I fogged up my glasses when we were outside just a few minutes ago. The air is crisp and definitely sweater weather at this moment. I am grateful for the reprieve from the hot temperatures. The sky is blue with wisps of white long clouds here and there. It has been since before ten p.m. last night that both Alvin and I had anything to eat or drink. I feel so badly for Mr. Alvin but he has been a real trouper and has not really fussed as yet. Even when I laid back down when typically we would be getting up for him to have his breakfast, he did not fuss and laid down beside me. I will not eat or drink around him. I usually do not eat until after 10:00 a.m., so my tummy is not rumbling. He is likely wondering what is going on. Also, I opted not to take him for a walk as he usually gets thirsty and drinks water and he is not allowed to eat or to drink before his ultrasound. Last night about 12:30 were up and outside. He had to poop. No surprise. Oh, the “Pooping Tales of Mr. Alvin.” So it was back to being very loose and lots of it. OMG. I managed to collect it all so that neither of us would step in it at a later time. It is difficult holding a phone and a poop bag at the same time, lol. Really not funny, but yet it is. Isn’t life wonderful?

Alvin has his ultrasound appointment today. He is to be at the vet clinic for 10:00 a.m. We will be walking over there and will leave the house at 9:40 a.m. Thankfully it won’t be too hot to walk. Our friend Gillian offered us a ride should the need arise but I think we should walk. Normally he would not drink water on the way to the vet and it is not hot out, so we should be good. I have been tossing around whether or not to take his blue blanket and I think that I will. Does not hurt to have something from home for the little guy. I always feel badly leaving him as he suffers from anxiety. He knows the Dr. and her staff very well as we are there a lot but still not home and not with his Momma. Afterwards I will come home and drown my sorrows in a mug of coffee. Then I have some housework to do while I wait for the phone call to come and pick him up. It will likely be later this morning or early afternoon. It all depends when the Ultrasound Technician arrives at the clinic and they do the procedure. He will want to come home as soon as he is able for sure. Other times when he was sedated as soon as he woke up, he was looking around for me and crying to come home. Typically they keep them for a few hours while the anesthesia wears off but not him. Depending on how sedated he is, I am ask Gillian for a ride home.

Well time to head into the shower. I wanted to stay in bed as long as possible to keep his mind from food and water. I guess me having a shower does not help but I need to have one. I am not sure if he would be thinking of that or not. What does a dog think about other than food? Squirrels, cats and birds! Sniffing grass! Alvin thinks about me. I am pretty sure about that.

I hope that you have a great Tuesday. Today and tomorrow and I am at the office for Thursday. I am grateful that Sonia, next door is home and can watch over the boy.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. the trees are sparkling in the morning sunshine. Oh so pretty.

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! Thank goodness the smoke has dissipated and the sky was clear a few minutes ago. There are clouds in the sky so perhaps some rain is on the way. I sure hope that they are able to put out the fires in Saskatchewan. I am thinking of all the people, domestic and wildlife that are affected by the wildfires. Always a loss of life and is incredibly sad. We were up about 2:00 a.m. and then hit the sofa until 6:00 (up and Alvin had his last transitional meal with mix of his regular food and bland diet). He has not pooped since yesterday so perhaps everything is coming together. Gross thoughts but it is the truth. An important truth. My truth, my life.

We were up to stay up just after 8:00 a.m. as I thought there is no rush, resting is good. After that we spent a few minutes outside. Bogart and Humphrey were in the backyard, Alvin wanted to be outside sniffing and looking through the fence at them. I was following Mr. Alvin around the backyard waiting for him to poop when I noticed that Bogart, like an athlete in his prime, had jumped onto the top of the fence and was looking down upon us. I called out to this Mom and we had a quick chat.

So today with the cooler temperatures, it is time to get some housework done and some things outside. I will have to check the long range forecast and see when the overnight temperatures begin to dip so that I can bring in some plants. I need to winter my geraniums. Some I think I will put in the basement and others will put in the kitchen. I like the open kitchen window area so I will not fill it up with huge plants that block the light. Look beautiful but darken the kitchen.

I have already cleaned out most of the front flower bed so that is done. The back one can wait until it is almost time for frost and then I can clean it out.

Tomorrow is Mr. Alvin’s ultrasound and that will tell me what our future looks like. I will know what needs to be look for his care and for our future. Scary how one day can possibly change your life. I have ideas but cannot go ahead until I know what his prognosis is, no point in worrying ahead of time. I know that eventually things will change as no one lives forever but I need to figure out with our mandated return to work schedule how to care for him if I am back to work. I am grateful that I was able to spend everyday with him for the last 2.5 years and that would not have happened without COVID. Things may have been a whole lot different. At the end of it all, I have been blessed, we have been blessed. Just more changes to figure out a new plan A, likely a plan B and possibly even a plan C. It will be okay, I have faith and I will remain positive.

So time to head out for a walk. It may rain by the look of the sky. The windows are open to let in the fresh cool air. I had closed them all last night as it was getting so smoky in the house.

Head out and check out the park. Alvin will again sniff out each blade of grass and I will admire the trees, the flowers in the yards that back onto the park, the water that is flowing in the ponds and the sky and life.

Have a wonderful Monday. Today is Labour Day. We are grateful.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. if you have multiple emails and did have old emails – you should read them. I have found some treasures that make me realize how much my life has changed and not changed over the years.

2021

Good Morning ALL. Well it is a quiet time in our house this morning. Everything happened so quickly. As you know Mr. Alvin had ultrasound testing yesterday. It was early afternoon when they called to say that he was ready to be picked up. He wouldn’t go outside to go pee because I was not there. So I hustled over to get him. As the ultrasound technician had to send the report to the vet – it would be awhile before knew the results. He was happy to get outside and go pee and then pooped a few times on the way home. I was glad that I had taken a roll of bags with me. I gave him his breakfast which was actually a late lunch. He gobbled his food down and had quite a few sips of water, poor guy. A few hours later the vet called to give me the report. It was pretty intense, I will say. Please forgive me as the words are not coming as quickly this morning without him here. He has stones in his bladder and in his urethra. Possible to flush out but likely would require surgery. Was on the phone with the vet when the hospital called about him. So I called them back. The plan to take him to the hospital to be assessed as soon as possible. My son-in-law came as soon as my daughter got home from the office as she worked downtown. We had him there around 6:30 p.m. With covid the restrictions are apparent everywhere. Anyway after a time and we all waited in the car and and talked to the hospital via cell phone, I took him into the triage area to drop him off. Long story short ….. we waited in the car for them to assess him … before talking to the hospital vet who was so nice ….. and then I left him there and we went home. The house is so quiet this morning. They wanted to see if they could push the stone from his urethra into his bladder and it was successful. The vet called about 10:00 or so last night to let me know. He will be having surgery today at some point to remove the stones from his bladder. I am grateful to my kids and to the vets and I know that he will be fine and back home hopefully tomorrow.

Continuing to live with gratitude, kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Alway, Carol & Alvin …..

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? Today we celebrate my longest friend’s birthday and that would be my sister. We have been together since 1959. She is the best. Wishing my sister the best day. She also shares this day with two more special women. My friend Diana whom I have known since the early 80’s and my neighbour down the street Arlene. Both incredible friends and I would like to wish them a very Happy Birthday.

This is an odd day as today is Alvin’s ultrasound. I felt guilty going to the bathroom a few minutes ago because he cannot. They want him to have a full bladder and he was not allowed to eat anything after 10:00 p.m. last night so I made sure he basically had a good late snack just before ten. I went to bed at late as I possibly could hoping that he would sleep in a bit later. Sleeping is better than wanting food and wanting to go bed and you are not allowed. I feel so bad for him. I think it was about 3 a.m. when he first got up and went outside and did both, I also gave him his glucosamine chew. We then headed back to the sofa. He woke up I think about 5:00 and then kept trying to get me up until we were up just before 7:30 a.m. I thought the later / longer we slept the easier it would be on him. I am hoping that he doesn’t have to poop but if he did at 3:00 a.m. and has not ate …. he should be okay. This breaks my heart. We are getting a ride to the vet which is nice. He looks sad. I guess he realizes that something is off the norm for sure. I am keeping positive thoughts and energy for my little guy that all is well inside him. He has not had blood in his pee for at least two days now. So hopefully that is a good sign.

The sun is rising, there are clouds in the sky and it looks mixed up as I am feeling. I am happy that it is my sister’s birthday and two of my friends but then I am concerned about Alvin.

Mr. Alvin

New sweater

A proper Gentleman

Flowers for the birthday girls

Well I will go now and wish the girls Happy Birthday on Facebook and then hop into the shower. Our ride will pick us up at 9:45 a.m. and I hope that the company that does the ultrasound will come to the clinic this morning. They gave a window of 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. …… not sure why it could not be an actual set time, one would think so with the money they are charging. I am going to voice my concerns. Why our beloved pets through this. I hope it is this morning. Oh, I hope it is this morning.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Me and Alvin in the beginning of our lives together.

Thought for the day…

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunny Thursday, the 16th day of May 2013.

It is a bright beautiful morning here in the City of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

I am feeling pretty great.

Yesterday I had the first of three physiotherapy sessions for my knee.

The one that I happen to fall on just about three weeks ago.

Certainly is interesting ….. I must say my favourite part was the ultrasound.

You don’t feel anything ….. but calm ….. just lay there and enjoy the treatment.

Now that is nice.

My therapist is wonderful ….. a bright, kind, handsome young man.

He so reminded me of my daughter (he said he was an only child).

Guess it must be part of the makeup of an only child.

Or ast least some.

Well I must admit I have been staying up past my bedtime the past few nights and it is beginning to show.

So that is my thought ….. always important to get enough sleep.

I told Alvin this morning ….. we are going to bed at 9:00 p.m. tonight.

Well I better go as I have to grab a necklace that my daughter sold to a friend.

Have the best day and remember to get enough rest/sleep.

 

Special Hello to:  all you recent retirees, I hope that you are enjoying retirement.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin