Preparing for the Season

Good morning and happy Sunday! It is a cloudy morning for us. The weather this week is looking relatively nice and mild. 

This past week was good. We enjoyed a few walks by the Lake. We hardly saw anyone, looks like many people are starting to hibernate. We plan on continuing our walks throughout the Winter as we have done in the past, weather permitting.

We got the echocardiogram results for our duo. Spicy's MVD remains stable, no change in her meds, she is still in stage B2. Very good news for our little girl. Cooper's condition has not significantly increased since May, considering that he is in Stage D, last stage of MVD. We take comfort in this. He is at high risk of recurrence of pulmonary edema in the short term so the cardiologist is recommending an increase in one of the diuretics, Spironolactone. Before doing so, we decided to get the opinion of Coop's trusted internal medicine specialist, Dr. Javard. We will be consulting with him on Tuesday afternoon. We look forward to this appointment as we have a few questions, the kind that are best asked face to face. 

Aside from this, both are doing good. Cooper still enjoys his games of retrieve with his favorite lamb chop. He hasn't lost a beat. He is eating and sleeping well. He continues to pee at all hours of the day and night, to be expected with the diuretics. We pretty well have his peeing pattern locked in now LOL! Spicy continues to enjoy her enzymatic chews and takes pleasure in lounging around. Her appetite is not the best at the moment. She will only eat soft food (we have ruled out dental issues). She seems to be in cahoots with her daughter Pepper though....both are fussy with their foods and meds these days. We are finding ways to make it work.

Yesterday afternoon, we had a family Christmas photo session with a new photographer in Kirkland, Annie Viens Photographe. We got the proofs last night and are so happy with them. The hard part will be to choose the ones that we want...maybe all 87 of them! We will review them all today and send her our picks.

Russell booked his medical appointments, blood work, physical, etc. All will be done before the Holiday Season.  On that note, we are slowly preparing for it. Now that the family photos are out of the way, I will be looking to buy Cooper & Spicy's Christmas ornaments. I will also start giving some thought to my holiday baking. 

It is 8 am. Russell and Cooper had their breakfast, Spicy will get hers around 9 or 10 depending on her appetite. Not much on the go today. Russell will be watching an NFL game being played from Frankfurt, starting at 9:30 am. I believe today is the last International NFL game. I am still rejoicing from the HABS win against the Bruins last night, first win against Boston since November 2019. What a game! I will be watching the goal replays and post match interviews later today. Also, congratulations to the Montreal Alouettes for winning the Eastern Conference, off to the Grey Cup next week in Hamilton.

That's my blog for today. Have a great week everyone! On Thursday, I will meet up with Lise and Diane for our lunch, postponed twice so far. Looking forward to it!

The long stare down...or is it what is next? 
Whatever it is, these two are partners in crime.

Cooper retrieving the lamb chop...the lamb chop
never had a chance.

Always time for a chew...these guys love
their enzymatic chews - their teeth do too.

Spicy says do you like my new 
hairdo? I did it myself!

Grandfather Watkins on his return from service
in Europe, a newspaper clipping from the 
Montreal Star.

Uncle Charlie Duncan rests at National 
Field of Honour in Pointe-Claire.