going home again

Can I just say what a beautiful day it is today. I just got back from a walk with my neighbour Lisa (and her and Adam's dog) and we agreed it felt like a west coast day...it's so mild out today!

So here are the latest pics for Baxter and his friend nextdoor Ekiva. They are becoming good friends. As you look at the pics you can see the difference in his 2 crates. He has grown out of his small blue crate and is now into the large white one. He's growing like crazy and this past week we have felt like he's been going backwards in his training. More specifically potty training. We have to have patience I know. I'm just so thankful that the 2 of us are going through this process together. When one of us feels frustrated we hand Baxter off to the other. We live on the 4th floor and the vet said it will probably take him a couple more months before he can hold it all the way down the stairs. Poor thing, all those stairs. Must be hard. The vet also said that the male Duck Tollers from Halifax can get up to 70 pounds! Yikes! What happened to the medium size dog we ordered! Hee Hee! Let's hope he's more like 50-60lbs instead. He is retrieving very well now and we start puppy training classes first week of February. We are going to Mother Knows Best Obedience School. The lady that runs it has been very helpful in answering our questions and is always so quick to reply. We've heard she really whips the dogs into shape! Can't wait!

So I'm off to BC again tonight. I'll stay a week this time but mainly to be with my mom. When I was home for Christmas it wasn't the most ideal situation. My mom was taking care of her partner Rick who was fighting cancer. He was getting worse everyday. He passed away on Sunday Jan.15th. I'm glad he is not in pain anymore. My mom is an amazing women. I don't know how she did it. For the last 4-5 months she was taking care of him 24-7. Keeping track of his medication, how much and how long he was sleeping, when and if he ate, etc. It will be strange for her to be alone so I'm glad I can go home to be with her. She is doing very well all things considered. I'm just so proud of her. Her love is endless. Rick will be fondly remembered and I thank him for teaching my mom to take time for herself and slow down in life. I'll be singing at the service tomorrow. I just pray I don't get too emotional...sometimes you never know when a rush of emotion will take over. I hope that this can be a new beginning for my mom. She deserves all the happiness in the world.

Until next time

A New Year begins

I just got back from Victoria tonight and it feels a bit weird to be home. Very quiet, no Matt, Baxter or our fun neighbours. Matt had to stay in BC with the dog until pets are allowed to fly again. The airlines blocked pets from flights starting Dec.16 - Jan.6 so Matt will return to Toronto on Saturday with Baxter.

Baxter is growing like a weed! Every time we take him out of his crate he seems so much bigger! He can now sit, shake a paw, and lay down on command. Not bad for a 3 months old jet setter.

I'm such a procrastinator! I haven't even unpacked yet and here I am updating my blog. Oh well at least I'm doing what I said I would, making more entries on my blog. Hee hee.

The time at home in Victoria was different then expected. It's been about 8 years I guess since Matt and I have been home to celebrate Christmas. We were in Victoria from the 22nd on and got a chance to really hang out with my family and a few friends. My mom is caring for Rick who is dying of cancer so you can imagine how different it was to be home this Christmas. He doesn't have much time left in fact he might not make it to the end of the month. What can I say...she is an amazing women. Unfortunately I found my self actually starting to feel left out and then I realized that I was being completely selffish. How unfair was it for me to want more of my mom's time when she was caring for this man dying of cancer. What a horrible disease. I'm at a loss of words right now but just so thankful for my health, husband, family and friends.

Here's to a year full of good health, happiness and following dreams.

Until next time.