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.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you on this rainy Friday, May 6th morning? We are doing well. Yes, I said rainy and looks like the forecast is for mainly raining days for the next week including this weekend. So that changes my trash pick up tomorrow. Oh well. Once it dries out again, I will get out there and clean up my hood. I can see the buds on the trees out of my office window as they sway back and forth in the morning breeze. The sky is a deep grey with pockets of white clouds. Beautiful.

Yesterday was an odd day as I took the afternoon off for Alvin’s vet appointment. Unfortunately there is no other way other than to take 1/2 day vacation when I have to take him to the vet but that extra time turned into this. Just as I was ending my work day yesterday, my phone rang and I picked up my phone to see it was our friend Iris (Alvin’s best friend Teddy’s Mom). I said hello, she said we are in town and was wondering if we could get together, I literally screamed “YES.” How about your perfect timing. They had not been planning to be back in the city so soon and then Alvin’s appointment was not until 3:30 and it was 12:20 at this time. We decided as she had her lunch in the oven that it would be better if we went over there so that we would have some real time to visit and then she invited me for lunch. Alvin as you know has been in an odd frame of mind. So I finished off what I was working on (work) and shut of the computer and got ready for us to walk to their house. Alvin sniffed and walked along not in any particular hurry which is not him when he knows Teddy is in town. When we got to the park there was a single goose sitting on the grass only a few feet from the sidewalk. Mr. Alvin starting walking toward the goose, the goose hissed and I pulled him back quickly. The last time he walked toward a goose was when he was a puppy. Odd. Who knows what he was thinking or not? When we got to Teddy’s house he did run across the driveway and up the steps and sniffed at the door. I rang the doorbell and could hear Iris tell the pups “wonder who that is at the door, lol.” Door opens and Teddy and Kobi are so excited – Alvin is happy but not as much as usual. Anyway we had a great visit and he settled in and loosened up. I think he has been a bit depressed. We had made plans for the pups to come over after supper and then Iris was free, too. So we had another visit. It was wonderful. Kobi was sitting on her hind legs looking out of our living room and then she put her paws on the window sill and sat on her bum. So cute.

Alvin’s appointment went well, only nail trim. A $25.00 vet visit. I don’t think that I have ever had a bill that low and was very grateful.

It was a great afternoon and evening.

Lots of walking yesterday in the +22 degree celsius weather.

We may not get too many walks in over the next week. I hope that there are breaks in the rain. But it is dry so moisture at this time is well received.

Time to head downstairs. I hope that you have a wonderful day.

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

“Every next minute is filled with possibilities if we focus and have gratitude.”

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this very windy Thursday morning? Or at least it is windy here in Edmonton, Alberta. I have to apologize (which I have already done) for forgetting to shout out Happy Birthday wishes to my younger brother. I completely forgot that yesterday was his birthday when I was doing this blog and then I got sidetracked when Alvin and I had gone downstairs after I got dressed and wrote my blog to find an Emergency Vehicle, Firetruck and Ambulance parked outside my house. The Head vehicle turned around and left leaving the Firetruck and Ambulance. The Emergency staff from the Ambulance were outside donning their COVID19 gear of gown, masks and gloves. Kind of through me for a loop. I had no idea where they were headed. As they were not coming to my house, they were next closest to Humphrey & Bogart’s house, my heart sank. When they walked past her house, I quickly texted Sonja. My heart was racing. I know most of my neighbours …. some obviously better than others. In a matter of minutes the “phone lines were hot” with people checking on me. They were in the house for what seemed forever but as this was a work day for me, I could not stand at the window gawking out. At some point the firetruck left leaving the ambulance. A bit later I checked and they were back at the ambulance removing their gear. They did not place anyone in the back. I hope that all is well. Not like you can knock on their door and ask. I am not nosey just concerned. So that started my day. Not long after that the wind got up and it started to rain. I could only think how grateful that I was for making Alvin’s vet appointment for Tuesday and not Wednesday. After some rain the rain turned to fluffy snow. So the sidewalks are icy where the wind blew the snow away. I found that out when I went to shovel last night. We did not go for a walk as we had a mini blizzard happening. I did some walking on the spot to get some steps in and of course up and down the stairs several time. Mr. Alvin is now whining at the doorway to the office so I had better get going.

So it was quite the Wednesday. I had a nice chat with my brother last night. He had a good day. Said it was raining in Calgary …. raining for his birthday. The first time he can remember that happening.

Oh and President Trump was impeached for a second time. How could I forget that. This Wednesday will not be forgotten anytime soon.

Time to get this day going.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday. Hoping you are well and take care, be safe.

Continuing to live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last Quarter

Good Morning All, wow Thursday already. That is what happens when you take Monday off as a vacation day, the week passes by even more quickly. As I look out of my upstairs office window the sky is dark but lightening to the south (which is the direction this room faces) where I see patches of oranges and pinks pushing up on the darkness of the remaining of the night sky. How beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous. As the sun rises the dark blue of the night transforms to light blue. Oh, how I love the morning sky. I am grateful that today is Thursday. Alvin has his follow-up appointment at his Doctor to check and make sure that his ears are healing. He has last night made some rubbing actions that make me leery that he made require another dose of the medication. He only had half in each ear as you may recall from a past post. They only had one dose left in the clinic so the decision was made to put half in each of Alvin’s ears. I will pray/hope that his action was not indicative of the real situation. Fingers crossed as well.

So, I am nervous about checking the news to see if the election was called in the United States. I have been watching anxiousness to see who is the next President. Fingers crossed again. Looks like lots of finger crossing going on in this house by this Momma.

According to the weather people – we have another day of warm + double digit temperatures before it drops for tomorrow and the weekend. I am so grateful for this extra week of nice weather. Over the next couple of weeks our weather will be more on the normal side for this time of year.

Last night I received a message from Teddy’s Mom to see if the pups could come over on Saturday for the day as they are going to the farm. So we will have company on Saturday.

Yes, I must tell you a quick story before heading downstairs to plug in the coffee percolator ….. we walked at noon yesterday. I would say about half way we bumped into this pup and his/her Dad. The pup was a beautiful tan and light brown colour. We found out that he was young (now I cannot remember his age) and that his name was Hiccup. Oh, how I love that name. Hiccup is a cross between, wait for it …… Cocker Spaniel and Poodle. No wonder he looked similar to Alvin. We had a nice chat me and the Dad while we walked along. So cute. Hiccup even managed to get Alvin running about a bit. They liked each other. So nice, another friend.

Well time to head downstairs. I need some coffee.

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday. If we all continue to live our lives with kindness, respect and love for living creatures/beings …. what a wonderful world this would be.

I am / will you join me?

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 13th day of January, 2019.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER “T” who turns 54 today.

Cannot believe that my youngest brother is 54.

Where has the time gone?

 

Well the sun is rising but not quite as spectacular as yesterday morning.

But clear skies and not so unpleasant temperatures.

Yesterday was so nice.

I was able to get a few things done around the house before heading out for Alvin’s Vet appointment.

Received a phone call from Teddy’s Mom that they were not going to the farm after all.

Teddy’s Mom was just getting over a cold and his Grand Mom was just out of the hospital.

So they decided to stay home.

She asked if he could come for a play-date and that they could drop him off after Alvin’s appointment, if okay.

I said “Yes.”

We ended up being early to his appointment.

I like to be early.

Had a nice visit with the staff and Dr. K while she administered his second ear treatment.

We set up his next regular appointment which at that time he will need a vaccination (do not remember which one at this point).

So appointment ready for first Saturday in February.

As we approached our house; I had a grand idea.

With the temperature being so warm, I decided that we would walk to Teddy’s house and pick him up for his play-date.

It was 10:00 when we arrived at Teddy’s house which was the time of Alvin’s appointment (talk about early).

Teddy was so excited to see us …. we had a quick visit and then were on our way.

At home I started more laundry and then got some coffee on.

Always love to have coffee in the morning.

The rest of the day ended up playing with the pups, putzing around the kitchen cleaning out cabinets etc.

Just got odds and ends done which was nice.

Teddy went home about 5:00 p.m. or so.

We had a great day.

I always love Teddy’s zest for life.

He loves us and we love him.

 

Alvin just sneezed.

His sister is coming for pancake breakfast and a visit.

I have not told him as yet as he still has not eaten his breakfast.

He eats when he wants to.

That is okay.

As he is getting older – his routine is changing – most especially on the weekends.

 

Great day ahead.

I hope that you enjoy this Sunday and that sunny skies are shining down upon you.

 

Special Hello to: my brother on his Birthday …. Happy Birthday …. I will call you later.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 24th day of February, 2017.

It is snowing lightly those every so tiny small balls ….

I noticed that the temperature dropped last night.

Still well within the parameters of a Western Canada Winter.

Spring is on the way and that is good.

With every passing day it brings us one day closer.

With all of the beautiful weather caught in between the normal coldness of our winter it has shorten the time.

Today is the last work day for me this week.

I am excited for another weekend.

Alvin has his regular Vet visit …. pedicure and stuff.

Also I will be finishing my canvassing for the Heart & Stroke Fund this weekend.

In between groceries, cleaning the house and laundry.

If it snows more then there will be shovelling.

Just a regular weekend ….

 

If we work on spreading the kindness the result will be more love and joy.

Sneak in some laughter along the way and you have the perfect recipe for a good life.

 

Happy Friday.

Special Hello to: YOU, my friend.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 21st day of January, 2017.

It is a gloomy day out there as the air and sky is covered in fog.

Yes, I can only see my garage and one row of houses behind us.

So I can only imagine the highways and in the country.

I guess the temperature must have changed over night.

I am so glad for the weekend.

Alvin has an appointment at noon to have his nails trimmed which he really needs now.

It has been about six weeks since his last trim.

He is impatiently waiting as I want to write this and then have a shower before going downstairs to start our day even though we were up at 5:00 a.m. for his breakfast and bathroom break.

Quietness fills the air and I am grateful for the stillness.

I wish that everyone could/would have a peaceful, quiet, happy, relaxing weekend.

With time for a walk.

Well better get this show on the road ….shower calling ….. laundry definitely calling and soon it will be time to leave for the vet.

Time always seems to go at lightning speed on the weekend.

Have a safe, warm, happy, relaxing weekend everyone.

 

Special Hello to: YOU ….. remember to be kind to yourself….you matter.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Alvin, the story continues …. Chapter 2

Day “2” – Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Second day of being a dog owner.  I knew it was going to be work but not quite this much.  The experience is much the same as having a child.  They eat, poop, sleep and bite your feet for the halibut (okay perhaps that last one isn’t quite comparable).  We are basically on his schedule.  I eat, poop, sleep and curl my toes under so that he cannot get at them.  He has SHARP teeth !!   What a life.

Day “3” – Friday, January 22nd, 2010 –  7:12 a.m.

Well, we are up 20 minutes earlier than yesterday.  At this time he is playing so I thought that I would take advantage, and do some writing.  Last night Amanda, Steven, Elton & Penny came for supper.  The puppies all played quite well.  The kids gave Alvin a toothbrush (subtle guys)  LOL.  When we were growing up our dogs did not have their own toothbrushes.  In fact, most of the time they did not even come into the house.  Now they get the best dental and veterinary care.  I do draw the line at “flossing”.

I will say that Alvin is a good “pooper”.  OMG, I never thought that I would say that.  He usually lets me know when he has to go outside.  As it is winter time, I have shovelled some of the snow away around the deck so that he doesn’t have to climb through the snow banks.  He sure is a cute little guy.

Played fetch – definitely working on his playing techniques.

Oh, have to cook fish for “O” today.  He likes his fish.

Day “4” –  Saturday,  January 23rd, 2010 – 7:35 a.m.

We were up at 7:00 a.m. this morning.  Pretty good.  Last night started out Alvin wanting to sleep with me but ended up on the floor.  Probably a good thing as I do not want him to roll off the bed during the night.  WOW, doesn’t this sound crazy.  Likely the first “guy” in the history of the Earth to be relinquished to the floor….. LOL

It is so sweet when I am out shovelling the walks and Alvin is watching me through the window.  He still has separation anxiety.  Funny, even when he can see me.

Day “5” – Sunday, January 24th, 2010 – 7:45 a.m.

Yesterday was fun.  Alvin was in a “nippy biting” kind of mood.  When he wants to play he nips at my pants, slippers or whatever he can get to.  Perhaps I am giving him the wrong signals.  Like for instance, just a few minutes ago I was sitting writing and I told him to get his toys —- then it started, the biting. Lesson learned only mention toys when I am ready to play.  YIKES.  He always has his eyes on me.

Last night I was watching the last twenty minutes of a movie, and he went over to the upstairs steps (10:00 p.m.) and waited.  This was his way of telling me “time for bed”.  He wanted to go up.  So we did.  Guess who is the “pack leader” – – er, I guess not ME !!!

So cute – before bed, he hid his bone by the night table.

Day “6” – Monday, January 25th , 2010 –  7:40 a.m.

Another good sleep.  I am so grateful.  Alvin is eating the  new “wet food” and really seems to like it.  Have to figure out our “play” time.  According to the dog whisperer they should have exercise (walk) every day.  As Alvin has not been neutered or has had his shots yet, I want to keep him in the house and back yard.  Will check with the Vet on Thursday.  His check-up.

Day “7” – Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 –  7:39 a.m.

Another good sleep, thank goodness.  I must say that it is nice to be getting up early.  Alvin has his night and early morning routines down pat.  Sure lots of snow.  One of the neighbours got stuck last night so I helped push him out.

The kids are coming over tonight.  Time to start planning Amanda’s 30th Birthday party.  Hard to believe that she is almost thirty.  Where has the time gone?

Day “8” Wednesday, January 27th , 2010  7:47 a.m.

Yay, another beautiful morning.  Up at 7:30.  Alvin peed, then ate and then pooped.  How strange to be recording the bathroom habits of a dog – my dog no less.  He is playing by himself for the moment.  Alvin sure loves his toys. The street outside  is busy with school buses.  We have a great many children in this neighbourhood.

Day “9” – Thursday, January 28th, 2010 – 6:55 a.m.

Good Morning.  Trying to be a better “pack leader” …. not working out so far.  I just cave and cannot follow through.  I know, consistency….. and follow through.  Puppies are just like little kids.  Alvin is eating well.  Very rambunctious this morning.  Played tug-of-war and fetch for about 15 minutes. Today is Vet day.  I am hopeful that he will receive a good check-up.  With luck, I hope that his infections are healed, and that he is on the road to being completely healthy.  Also would be great if they would give him his vaccination and microchip, today.  I have to book the appointment for him to be neutered. Sounds strange.  Maybe he will settle down after the surgery – that is what I have heard anyway.  I do not know as this is the first dog that I have ever owned.  We had dogs on the farm when I was growing up but they did not go to the vet and rarely came into the house.  Today, I am grateful for his pleasant nature.

Day “10” –  Friday,  January 29th, 2010 – 7:41 a.m.

Another beautiful morning here in Edmonton.  I am so grateful for this weather. Alvin is doing great.  We had his first Vet visit yesterday.  Was an interesting adventure, kind of scary.  His ears are okay, and he had blood work taken to check for anaemia, and anything out of the ordinary.  One major concern is that there is irreparable damage done to the main artery in his neck (throat area).  Usually they take blood from there as is less painful and easier but in Alvin’s case, it had to be taken from a smaller vein in his leg.  My poor little guy.  I felt so bad for him.  Thank goodness I was not in the room at the time.  I would have fainted.  It was bad enough listening to him whimper from another room.  At this time he is playing with one of his toys, as I am writing this.  The Doctor said that he would call with the blood work results.  On our way home from his veterinary visit he threw up in the back seat of Amanda’s car but luckily I had him on a blanket.  He did great, all in all.  The Vet said that they would book his surgery for another day and he would be neutered, vaccinated and place the microchip all at the same time.

I am grateful that Alvin put on weight and seems to be adjusting to his new life.

Sometimes I wonder about things – the things that he does.  Like for instance, he just scratched the red floor rug.  What does that mean?  When he just sits and stares at me, what does that mean?  If only I knew his language, so we could stop wasting time.  He loves to bite my slippers and me.  I believe that – that is his way of getting my attention.  We have not been able to go out for walks and I think he has a lot of pent up energy.

Time to sign off for another day.  We are getting on and it will get easier as the days go by.  Hard to believe that it is Day ten.  Where has the time gone.

Day “11” – Saturday, January 30th, 2010 – 6:30 a.m.

This beautiful Saturday morning starts a bit earlier than usual as someone (not me) has to be pee!  Guess Who?  He managed to wait until I made the bed, washed my face, put my hair into a quick pony tail and got dressed.  No time for a shower.  Got him outside just in time.  Now he is patiently waiting to eat. Meanwhile as I write this entry little Alvin is playing with one of his toys and running around the main floor.  Yesterday, I did have some emotional moments but thankfully had Amanda and Sonja (my neighbour) here to offer positive thoughts.  Honestly, I had no idea what it would be like to have a puppy.  I quit smoking only a few months ago and it still plays havoc with my emotional state. But it is getting easier.  I did it on my own.  YAY.  Also not being able to get out of the house has been difficult.  Thank goodness for the girls who have eased my mind and helped with Alvin who by the way as good as he is, can be a handful. Oh, what a life.  But I am grateful everyday despite the odd moment of despair.   When I think of how he must have looked and how he felt when they found him, my heart almost breaks.  But he has a great life now, and is healing and learning.  Really what more can anyone hope for or want.

Day “12” – Sunday, January 31st, 2010 – 7:15 a.m.

Up at 6:43 a.m., another early morning.  Amanda slept over on Friday night which was great.  I needed a break.  Puppies are a handful.  She stayed with the little guy while I ran some errands.  So great to get out of the house.

Yesterday was one of those days when he just would not stop barking or biting.  It was a most difficult day.  Today is a new day and I feel more calm.  Alvin is more quiet today.  YAY.