Welcome October!

Happy Sunday everyone! Here we are, on the eve of a brand new month. It's been a nice Fall so far, not too cold, not too rainy.  The leaves are starting to change on the maples but that's about it. I think it will be a while before we see lots of colours.  Our weather today is grey and a bit cool. The past few days though were picture perfect for Fall, sunny and just warm enough. Our patio heater has really come in handy. We put it on towards the end of the day and it takes the chill off.  Our doggies like it a lot.

Spicy and I had a our first "solo" visit at the Wellesley's retirement home last Monday. It was a full house! We are getting the "hang of it" while learning as we go. Spicy's "personalized" vest arrived last Thursday. Today, we got our certificate, which we will frame. I actually attended a dog therapy evaluation this afternoon, as a volunteer, the second time this month. Caring Paws Animal Therapy Program is getting lots of requests for evaluation. Very nice!

It's been a quiet week for us but this coming week will be somewhat busy. Tomorrow, my brother leaves for Iceland. He's looking forward to this trip and got many tips from us. Tuesday, Russell will meet with the orthopaedic surgeon about his knee. I will be going with him. It is in Montreal, somewhere on Cotes-des-Neiges. We will have to leave early in the morning, with traffic and all. We plan on taking a cab. I hear that parking in that area is near impossible...and with all the construction that's going on, we think the cab driver will know the way around better than us. We both look forward to finding out what the "knee outcome" will be.

On Wednesday, I am going to a new hairdresser.... I decided not to go back to the one I tried 5 weeks ago for various reasons. Instead, I will go to the one a friend from training school recommended. Eveline has been going to this guy for many years so...hoping this is the one!

I will spend the rest of the week getting ready for Thanksgiving weekend. Wow, how can it be that time of year already! Russell and I will have our own celebration on Saturday. My brother, sister and two nephews will come over on Sunday. Lots of cooking on the horizon.

That's my blog for today. I leave you with a few pics of Spicy and her "vest", a few pics of the Coop (of course, can't leave him out) and a photo of a hawk that Russell captured as I was leaving this afternoon.

Have a great week everyone!

Spicy sporting her new Caring Paws therapy dog vest.

Spicy says, hey look at me...I'm a Caring Paws therapy
dog and a cute one!

Meet the new Caring Paws team, Anne & Spicy

Sometimes you just have to take a nap...Cooper is a
champion napper. So soothing to watch.

Look into my eyes....Cooper casts his spell.

It's still BBQ season... let's line up for salmon licking...Cooper and
Spicy living the dogs life!

Sharp shin hawk on the lines in front of our house.

Here's to a new season!

Happy first Sunday of Fall everyone!  A new season is upon us and it feels like it. Ever since the arrival of Fall, the weather has been cooler, the air is crisp and it just feels like Fall all around.  Regardless, we are still making good use of our deck. At this time of year, the sun is much lower in the front of our house so the back deck is virtually all shaded. No worries....our patio heater is coming in handy. Russell filled up our propane tanks today so we're good to go.

Now that Fall is upon us, it's time to make soup! On Friday, I made a double batch of a "Super Food" soup that is simply delicious. The recipe is in the book Yum & Yummer that my friend Eve gave me a few months ago. It's loaded with kale, broccoli, peas, ginger, curry paste, chicken broth and coconut milk. So yummy! I also made a batch of bolognese sauce, some of which I'm using for a lasagna that we're having tonight. Today, I used up all the basil that we had in our Veg Trug and made some lemon basil pesto. I froze most of it in an ice cube tray....that way we have lots of little packages of goodness to be used when needed. That was the extent of my cooking for the past few days. 

Last Tuesday, the Coop and I started our Fun Obedience Class.  Cooper seemed really happy to resume training, so was I. It is a fun class with a good amount of "obedience" built in.

I got a bit of work done outside. No leaf raking yet but I replaced our front pots with the good old Fall Mums planters. Nothing beats those planters at this time of year for crisp, neat colours. I got the planters at Loblaw, really nice, big and at a very reasonable price.

Not much else is going on with us. Russell and I are going to the gym regularly. It's all good. Tomorrow, I have another needle treatment for my jaw. I'm not sure if this will be my last as I still feel some stiffness and discomfort at times. We'll see.

The Spice girl and I have our bi-monthly visit at the Wellesley retirement home tomorrow. Lots of smiles will be had by many people. In November, Spicy and I will visit John Abbott College and meet with students. Research has shown that therapy dogs can help reduce stress and improve the well being of students. I'm a firm believer of that, such a great initiative!

That's my blog for today. I wish you all a great week!

Colorfull Fall mum planter in the front.

Cooper and Spicy taking a little break on the walk.

It is a dog's life...favorite chairs on the back
deck under the warming patio heater.

Cooper and Spicy know that they have an
excellent spot to watch over their terrain,
and it is nice and toasty warm.

Last blog of Summer

Happy Sunday everyone! Wow, another hot Summer day. I hear that Fall is just around the corner, as far as the calendar is concerned. What an incredible Summer it's been. Just love it!

All is good with us. Our week was good, although a bit busy for me. On Monday, Spicy and I visited the Wellesley retirement home in Pointe-Claire.  It was a very nice visit and we met lovely people. We will be going there every second Monday. On Friday, we went to the Maywood and had another wonderful visit. This time, there were two therapy dogs, Spicy and Cally, a Portuguese Waterdog. We met many people who truly enjoyed the company of both dogs. We were hoping to see Auntie Lorraine, Russell's aunt who lives there. Maybe next time. We will be going to the Maywood once a month. It's all good. The Spice girl and I make a good team.

On Wednesday, Spicy had her first Obedience class, Level 2. She did really well. She is one of the smallest dogs in the class but that didn't bother her. She can hold her own. Here's a little "it's a small doggie world" story. One of the big dogs in her class is a white Standard Poodle, Dexter. His owner is a lovely young lady and her mom was there to watch. When the class ended, the mom (her name is Anne-Marie) asked if Spicy was a Havanese. I said yes, she said she also has one. I asked where did you get yours? She said...... Talemaker Havanese. Her puppy is Bo, Saffron's little girl, Spicy's granddaughter. She got her last May. Isn't that incredible? It is a small doggie world indeed!

Cooper and I didn't start training as planned. It turns out that we got added to the Fun Obedience "advanced" class which was our first pick. We start this coming Tuesday. It will be fun and even more so because many of the doggies in last year's class are returning this year....amongst those, three lovely Havanese...Macy, Blu-Belle and Cooper. Lots of fun and learning on the way.

I had my third dry needling treatment for my jaw. Every time, the physiotherapist adds one more needle so it's a tiny bit more painful but it's working. My jaw opening is now at 40 mm, from low 20s three months ago. I'm pretty tickled pink about this!

Those are my news for now. Russell is doing well and is looking forward to seeing the orthopaedic surgeon in a few weeks about his knee.

I leave you with a few random pics of our dogs. It's quiet on the photo opportunities these days. Have a great week and I will write again in the Fall!

Spicy and Cooper practicing their 'down-stay' for sixty seconds!

Cooper and Spicy in their favorite position to get a
licking from the BBQ. What is Russell grilling?

Spicy claimed her spot at the table.

Cooper is always available for a quick photo.

Ever alert, these two survey all activity on the street.

Back to training school

Happy Sunday everyone! A tad cool today, 17 celsius, not used to this kind of weather. I'm writing my blog outside, wearing my leggins and fleece. Earlier on, I was catching some sun rays on the deck and Spicy decided that my feet needed a blanket. So, she jumped on the table and covered my feet. Funny as she did the exact same thing almost one year ago to the day. Thank you sweetheart! Warm weather on the way once we get passed Tuesday. Tropical depression Gordon will dump a lot of rain on us over the next couple of days.

All is good with us. I'm getting ready to take the pooches back to training school this week. It will be good for them to get back into it, learn a few things and meet other dogs. Spicy's Obedience class will be taught by Wanda, bonus for us! Spicy and I also start our volunteering work tomorrow. Today, I picked up my name tag and lanyard. Just waiting for Spicy's little vest which will take a few weeks. Otherwise, we're good to go. I have a bag ready for each visit which contains some grooming equipment for last minute touch up, poop bags, treats, water and a blanket which can be placed on someone's lap or bed.  It is the start of a wonderful and rewarding journey which will bring many smiles to many people.

Yesterday, we went to the Beaconsfield Pet Fair. It was fun and we met many people that we have gotten to know through this doggie world that we are part of. Spicy and I stopped by the Caring Paws Animal Therapy booth to say Hello to Barbara, the team leader. We also ran into Tracey, the lovely young woman who takes care of our pooches from time to time. Oh, and Blu-Belle was also there, it was nice seeing her again.  A lot of freebees were given out. I also bought Spicy a new blanket for our volunteer work. The proceeds went to a good cause and the blanket will also be used for a good cause.

Russell resumes his photography club meetings tomorrow night. He is looking forward to it. I have my third dry needling treatment tomorrow afternoon. I am truly starting to feel an improvement with my jaw. I have resumed working on my parents' estate. Lots to do but it's going well. September seems to be the month to "resume" doing things.

Yesterday, I learned of the passing of a wonderful man with whom I worked with for many many years, Monsieur Armel Bouchard. I have many memories of Armel, going back some 20 plus years ago.  He provided our employees with some sound advice on financial and pension matters. He also did the same with Russell's parents over a period of time and with my parents. I spoke to him a few times this year, following my parents' passing. He is now gone. I was very sad to hear of his passing. Rest in Peace Armel. You lived a great life!

I leave you with a few photos of the Pet Fair. I wish you all a great week!

Me with a new blanket and arms full of freebies for
Spicy and  Cooper at the Beaconsfield Pet Fair.

Spicy and I spent time chatting with the people at
Caring Paws booth at the Pet Fair discussing our role as
new team volunteers.

It was great to bump into Tracey and her friend while at the
Pet Fair. Spicy and Cooper made many new friends.

Spicy decided I needed a foot warmer and so she jumped
up on to the table and made herself at home on my feet .

Blu-Belle and Cooper.

September lickings

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope your Labour Day weekend is a nice one. It is truly hard to believe that a brand new month has started. It may be September but it still feels like the middle of the Summer. Another hot week on the way with some humidity. Today we had some good rain and it's very humid but the sun is now trying to come out. Looks like it may be dry enough to sit out later.

We decided to celebrate this long weekend by getting our pooches a vanilla pup cone, coated with bacon bits. It was Spicy's first visit at Wild Willy's in Pointe-Claire.  I think she liked it. We got one cone for the two of them to share.....it was lickings galore! Of course, we didn't let them finish it, it would have been too much but they sure loved it. Russell and I enjoyed watching them. Do you think we got one for ourselves? Nope. Maybe next year :-)

This past week was good. I had my second dry needling treatment last Monday. It was a bit more painful than the first one but it seemed to make more of a difference. I have a third treatment in ten days. On Thursday, Spicy and I completed our monitored visits for the dog therapy program. We are now officially a new team for Caring Paws Animal Therapy program. Well done Spice girl! Starting September 10, and every second Monday after that, we will visit a retirement home in Pointe-Claire. We will also visit another one once a month, so three hours per month to start. It is truly enjoyable and rewarding to be able to bring smiles to the people that we visit. A huge thank you to Maritza, a volunteer for the program, who took the time to show us the ropes.

So, we've been back in Quebec for just a little over two years now and I've tried five hair salons so far. Last week, I ditched the one that I had been going to for the past year and a bit. I wasn't happy with the last few hair cuts despite trying to explain to my hairdresser what wasn't working for me. Russell knows only too well how unhappy I can be if my hair is just not done right. So, I went to another place. I think I'm satisfied but the jury is still out. I will know after the next cut. I so miss Linda, my Toronto hairdresser of 30 years. I even contemplated flying to Toronto every 5-6 weeks just to get my hair done but then I thought it was a bit crazy.  If this new hair salon doesn't work out, I have another one that has been recommended to me. I'm keeping this one in my back pocket for now.

That's my blog for today. This coming week will not be too busy. Wednesday night, I will register Coop for his training, scheduled to start the week of September 10. Spicy also starts her Obedience training on September 12. Between doggy training and dog therapy visits, and everything else that we have going on on a regular basis, our weeks are starting to fill up so we need to set time aside to just do nothing. Just saying.  Have a great week everyone, a short work week for most.

A vanilla pup cone with bacon bits from Wild Willy's in
Pointe Claire...Spicy was smacking her lips as she
shared it with Cooper. It was her first cone...not the last!

Not to let Spicy have all the big licks, Cooper got in on the
action while I steadied the cone.

Cooper saying this is lip smacking good...thanks for the
Summer treat.

...one last licking please!