The Next Chapter

Good Morning. There is such refreshing cool air pouring in through the office window as I key these words on my computer. The sun is shining brightly and the sky is the perfection of blue. There is a breeze which is helping to bring in the cool air. I opened all of the windows earlier. I woke up a bit later than I usually do during the week. There is a dog barking in the distance. Hopefully its’ owners have not left him/her outside. Now that the temperatures are getting warmer and very hot on some days, it is so important to carry water with you when you are walking with your dog(s). They are wearing a fur coat and you have on shorts, a teeshirt and flip flops. Think about it. Also skin is not fur. They need to be hydrated. Also please do not take them when it is hot. Not only is the temperature hard on them but the pavement and sidewalks can burn the bottom of their paws, their pads. I have seen this close up on a poor doggie that we found wondering on our back lane. Please people be responsible. The night before last when I was walking with my friends Alejandro, Eddie & Bruno (they are those handsome yellow labs), we saw this man on a skateboard of sorts, more current and I do not know what it is called. Shorter than the old ones and he had a baby strapped on the front of his baby, a cell phone in one hand and holding the leash for a medium-large dog in the other. I almost lost my breath. How irresponsible. What is wrong with people. Every day we see people out riding bicycles with a poor dog on a leash trying to keep up. Sometimes I have seen this person on a bike with two dogs. You have no control and should not be riding a bike and walking your dogs. Get off the damn bike and do a walk/run with your pet if they like to run a bit. Dogs do not love to run full out with you on your bike. THEY DO NOT! Can you imagine being on a leash trying to keep up with someone on a bike. Also they do not have water with them.

Last night Alejandro had two pet water bottles with him and I took Alvin’s bottle with me. Well it was funny as Eddie saw the reflection from the bottle and starting trying to paw at the light. Finally I figured that my pocked on my pants (cargo pants) would hold the water bottle so that he would not be trying to get at the reflection. Smart guy that Eddie. Poor Bruno. He is doing better than last night but still having a hard time. He has/had cancer. He is on prednisone to stop and hopefully kill the cancerous tumour. Last night his poop was starting to firm up. No where near what regular poop should be but definitely better than the previous night. He has put on weight from the steroid for sure. You know that a pup is in pain or not himself when their tail hangs low. Another reason is when they are hot and thirsty. We walked for one and half hours last night. I love being with Eddie and Bruno and their humans of course. The boys make me happy and I remember when I used to be walking Alvin and would see them.

Today is going to be a busy day so I have to get my poop in a group and get going. I want to go and wash the deck (have to hook up the garden hose first), do some cleaning and have a shower before noon. I am expecting a grocery delivery sometime between noon and 2:00 p.m. (hopefully closer to noon). The kids are dropping off Aspen and Milo and heading over to Costco. One of their friends is dropping off their dog Breeze here as they are watching him/her for a few days. We are ordering in supper for Mother’s Day. Lots going on.

Be safe, make good choices and remember to laugh.

I found out that the $60 million lotto jackpot was won by someone in Alberta. A man from Red Deer. So there is definitely hope for our group or me to win. I know there is a lot of money coming my way.

Happy Mother’s Day early to all you Moms out there. Oh, I better put together a little something for my daughter, she is a Mom. All Moms count. Whether to children, to pups or cats or fish. Oh, I am on pet sitting duties this weekend as well for Humphrey & Bogart. Time is flying by, I have to go.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

P.S. I am able to work from home this next week for Monday through Thursday as our office is undergoing the finishing touches on some earlier renovations. We will be going onto two sites for Wednesday morning but otherwise I am at home. So grateful.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 3rd day of August, 2016.

We actually went for an extra long walk around what we lovingly refer to “The Big Lake.”

It was funny about half way around Mr. Alvin turned to go back (I guess he figured that was enough).

But I coaxed him onward between gentle words and some water we carried on.

I always carry a puppy water bottle with us on our walks in the summertime.

Even on a cooler day such as today animals get thirsty.

I mean the health professionals are always saying that when you are out for a walk we humans are to take water with us.

Personally I think the poor puppies need it more than we do ….. after all they are sporting fur coats when we have shorts and tank tops on as as example.

Honestly other than my daughter and her husband I have yet in the six years since I adopted Alvin have ever seen one person walking with their dog(s) that was carrying some kind of water bottle for them.

No one does.

I am slightly no I am in total disbelief of this action.

I know that most of the folks I have seen love their animals as they are out walking with them, they are well groomed for the most part …. so why no water.

It truly has been bugging me for a long time.

I even told my daughter I would like to buy a bunch of pet water bottles and hand them out to people when me and Alvin are out for our walks.

Also one time earlier in the summer on a warm day …. it was after work and we were out for a walk.

A man was walking with his dog …. a collie I believe …… long long hair and the dog was panting to beat the band.

We had said hello.

I was giving Alvin a drink and he asked about his water bottle.

I explained to him that when dogs pant they are not only trying to cool down but they are stressed.

They get stressed when they get hot.

I immediately offered some water to the dog but he said they were on their way home.

He asked where you buy the water bottles and I told him.

I sure hope that he did pick up a bottle.

He had talked about going for two walks every day so I know that he cared about the dog.

Just amazes me that no one thinks to carry water with them for the dogs.

Anyway …..

GREAT NEWS.

Sir Elton, my daughter and son-in-law’s boy and my grand-puppy had a check up / follow up appointment with his Doctor yesterday.

My daughter said the appointment went great.

She said that the Doctor was almost giddy with joy over Elton’s amazing recovery.

As are we.

He is a stubborn, old guy that just will not give up.

We are so grateful for that …..

My kids are great parents to Elton and I know their love and support through these past few months have truly made a difference.

More news:

Yesterday I received a necklace that I earned through Steeped Tea.

It is a blue/turquoise glitter ball made for Steeped Tea by Hillberg & Berk, a Saskatchewan Jewellery Company out of Regina.

The necklace is absolutely gorgeous.

Also the new Fall/Winter Steeped Tea Catalogues along with my second last tea order arrived yesterday.

It was an awesome day for good news.

Ending the day Alvin and I walked by our park and met up with our friends and their puppies.

We had a fun walk.

Today let me see:

Agenda ….. clean bathroom fans ….. one thing about having three bathrooms …. there are three fans.

I will also take apart some catalogues and place the individual pages in page protectors and folders for my customers.

I am also putting together a couple of packages to mail over the next couple of days …. I do need the big envelopes, though.

I also am going to continue to pull weeds from back and sides of the garage.

Some of the neighbours have just let the back go and therefore makes it harder for the rest of us to be weed free.

Always cleaning to do.

Also I am going to dig up an area out front by the front sidewalk to the street and make a new flower bed.

It is a big job so likely won’t start it until Friday or Saturday.

Well time to get going here.

Coffee time.

I hope that you all are doing well.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Special Hello to: my friend “V” ……. gathering your package contents up to mail tomorrow or Friday.

Always, Carol & Alvin