November sunshine

Hello everyone and happy Sunday! It's a beautiful sunny morning for us. It's been a pretty good November so far. We found ourselves sitting on the deck again the past two days.

This past week was good. The yard work is all done. The hoses are unplugged. The propane tank for the generator got filled up. Today we will cover our Japanese Maple now that the leaves have all dropped. The shovels are by the garage door. We're ready for Winter!

We enjoyed a few walks with our pooches. The weather was gorgeous. We sat on a bench and took it all in. Merlot and Sherlock are doing wonderful. They are such good boys. They play well together and know how to entertain themselves. It is quite nice to watch. Now that we spend more time inside, they have had to adapt their puppy play...no running around in the living room please LOL! 

Aside from the backyard, our deck became their playground of sorts since we got them. They are now getting used to playing in the basement. No birds or squirrels to watch but there is plenty to do and lots of space. I have a number of enrichment activities planned for them for the Winter months.  And yes, the giraffe will also make its way to the basement 😊

Russell is just about two weeks away from his TKR surgery. He is ready. It will be good to have this behind us as we enter the holiday season.  Due to his surgery, we will not be able to attend our nephew's destination wedding in Punta Cana on January 4. Sean is hoping to arrange for a video stream so we can maybe watch it live. We will have our own little celebration with them at Christmas.

Those are my little news for today's blog. It is Grey Cup day. Not sure if we will watch the game but I hope to stay awake for the half time show...The Jonas Brothers. I love that group. Our HABS won last night, it was a good game. 

I leave you with some pics that I took last week and one of our Coop & Spicy. Without realizing it, I chose a photo of them that is similar to the one I took of Merlot & Sherlock a few days ago. I only noticed the similarity this morning 💕

Have a great week everyone!

Sherlock and Merlot at the ready (down & stay) to
begin their training session.

These two know how to dance and tussle...
it is all in the name of play.

A beautiful day for a walk at Edgewater Park
and a tender moment with the boys.

Chilling in the living room...Sherlock and 
Merlot have been asking for their own iPad.

Merlot saying "hang in there
Mr. Giraffe, I'll get you down"

Sherlock telling Merlot, "not so fast
buddy, I got him first'.

This November Friday morning sky was on fire.

Cooper and Spicy ready for their training 
session...this moment captured
November 21, 2018.

Back on track!

Happy Sunday everyone! It is a rather cool morning but the sun is shining. We don't care much for the darkness at 5 pm but we love the brightness in the early mornings. 

This past week was good. It only took two days for the boys and us to get back on track following the time change, from a waking up perspective. Meal times were never a problem for our pooches as we kept them normal...although both were singing for their food one hour early. We told them that all good things are worth waiting for.

We got some yard work done but there is still quite a bit to do. We also need to get a number of things done around the house before Russell's surgery, which is now just a little over three weeks away.

Russell continues his pre-op muscle strengthening exercises. It is going well. He purchased a cryo compression therapy device prescribed by his surgeon. It will help reduce the swelling and pain. Things have evolved since his last TKR five years ago. 

I had routine blood work done on Friday for my upcoming physical on the 18th. I also have a bone density test scheduled for that day. I might be able to get my knees x-rayed that day also. I am still bothered by the knee pain which intensifies if I stand on my feet for too long. Not a good scenario for someone who just can't sit still. It will all get sorted out.

Yesterday, we celebrated our little boy Sherlock's first birthday. He is such a wonderful doggie and brings us immense joy...well, both do 💕 He had a good day which included a tug game with his brother. Merlot let him win! 

Merlot and I had our second class yesterday. It went very well. He is by far the smallest dog in the class, the biggest one being a two year old Bernese Mountain.

In the world of sports, our Montreal Canadians are going through a rough patch these days. Some fans are just about ready to give up on them. I am not although it is disappointing to see them lose. Let's see what the next 67 games bring.  

That's my blog for this week. We will attempt to finish our yard work today...attempt being the operative word. Tomorrow we will remember all those who sacrificed so we could live in freedom. Lest we forget. Have a great week everyone!

Chilly on the deck somedays but Merlot
and Sherlock will dance for treats in any
weather.

Happy 1st Birthday Sherlock...enjoy that cake!
We love you so very much.

Sherlock graciously shared his birthday cake
with his best buddy - Merlot.

A little game of tug on Sherlock's birthday...
Merlot knew he had to let Sherlock win.

Eyes on the goings on beyond the fence.

The Habs and the boys...what could be better...
maybe a few wins in a row?

Four paws up for Merlot as he naps
securely against the wall.

Sherlock has found his comfy spot
in the living room on the sofa.

Spicy and Cooper always together and this 
moment captured their togetherness 
November 19, 2022.

We have a date!

Happy Sunday everyone! It is 6:23 am and it is bright outside, thanks to the end of Daylight Saving Time. We've been up for a while, as expected. Merlot and Sherlock didn't get fooled by this time change....their precise internal clocks were set to wake up at 5 am, although we stretched it out until 5:30. In a few days, we will all be back to normal. 

This past week brought some excellent news. On Tuesday, Russell got a call from the Lakeshore Hospital. He will have his TKR surgery on December 4. We were hoping it would be before Christmas so we are really happy about this. Russell also had an appointment with his physiotherapist Michael at Kinatex to get a pre-op muscle strengthening exercise program. Michael will take care of all post op physio as well. It's all good and my hubby will be in tip top shape for our trip to Italy in May 2025.

Until surgery, we are keeping our social activities limited and outside. Russell can't afford to get sick, neither can I. There is a lot of viruses going around at the moment. Case in point, I am recovering from a viral sore throat, which I've had for five days. I saw my doctor last Friday as I wanted to rule out any bacterial infection. I am much better this morning. Russell got his flu shot last week, I get mine on Tuesday. We both have to wait three months for our COVID shot since we got infected in September. 

On Thursday, we had a "meet and greet" with Balou, Pauline's 4 month old Bearded Collie. He is a such a sweetheart. After a few minutes of sniffing each other, all three pooches played their hearts out. They chased each other around the backyard non stop. Eventually, all three crashed from all this fun. I think they will be good friends 😊

Halloween night was not as busy as we had hoped. We had about 40 kids and we watched them from our dining room window. The weather was perfect. 

Merlot and Sherlock are doing well. Yesterday was Merlot's first class. He did well and I might even say that he was ahead of the others as we've been practicing at home. He was prancing like the show dog that he is, beautiful to watch. Sherlock spent some quality time with Russell while we were gone. 

Those are my little news on this first Sunday of November. This week should bring the long awaited US election results. We can only hope for a good and peaceful outcome. On Saturday, we will celebrate our little guy Sherlock's first birthday. I will post pics in next week's blog. 

Have a great week everyone! 

The 'three amigos" 2.0! Balou, Sherlock and
Merlot taking a little break from the chase me
game.

Balou is a handsome fellow with a gentle
personality.

Sherlock in the 'let's play bow'...Balou getting
ready to give chase but not before a ceremonial
sniff - game on!

Timeout...the grass feels so cool. Balou certainly
felt secure and right at home with his new pals.

Arms full of puppy love! Pauline and her 
boy Balou...me with Sherlock and Merlot.

The very scary Halloween set up chez Duncans

Sherlock and his human dad on the 
lookout for trick or treaters.

Merlot wanted in on the action too 
and he enjoyed the Halloween pageant.

A favourite spot for Cooper and Spicy...the
front doorstep - September 8, 2023.

Gorgeous Fall Colours

Happy Sunday everyone! It is a little overcast at the moment but the sun should make an appearance later. The forecast for this week is quite nice. What a great Fall we've had.

Today, we remember our little girl Spicy who would have been 14. She was exceptional in every way and we miss her always. She holds a very special place in our hearts. We hope she is celebrating in style with her buddy Cooper 💕

This past week was good. The weather was fantastic and we took advantage of it. Russell used his drone to take lots of photos of the gorgeous Fall colours in our neighbourhood. Quite amazing to see all those Fall hues from 150 feet in the air. His timing was perfect as much of those leaves have now fallen, thanks to the high winds from yesterday. 

Our adorable pooches are doing wonderful. Merlot had his Lepto shot on Monday and all went well. Sherlock graduated from Basic 1 Obedience yesterday with flying colours. We are proud of our little guy. Next up is Merlot who starts class this coming Saturday, round two for me. It will give me an advantage over the other handlers LOL! We will do Basic 2 sometime in 2025.

My back seems better however my knee is giving me a lot of issues again. When I have my physical in a couple of weeks, I will request another x-ray. Perhaps it's time for a cortisone shot. We will see. Russell is still waiting for a surgery date. It would be nice if it was before Christmas. 

Halloween is Thursday and the forecast is looking nice and warm. I haven't bought any goodies yet but I will in a couple of days. We will give out as we have in the past few years, a bench set up on our front walk with a few bowls filled with treat bags. It's easier for us and not disrupting for the boys. The kiddies, young and old, can help themselves....but we will be watching from our dining room window 😈 I will post pics of our set up in next week's blog.

That's my blog for this last Sunday of October. Next week, we move the clocks backwards one hour. We can't wait to see how Merlot and Sherlock will adapt..both from a sleep and meal time perspective. These two truly have an internal clock that is perfectly synchronized 😆

Have a great everyone! I will write again in November!

With the drone 150 feet up, looking Southwest
down our street, Avondale...amazing colours.

Another drone view of our neighbourhood, the
colours are stunning.

Our front yard maple in full glory
against clear blue sky.

A proud day for me and Sherlock as we pass
Basic 1 Obedience with flying colours.

The boys were not impressed with the
Habs loss to the Rangers!

We will do tricks for treats or
tasty maple leaves.

Merlot comfy and keeping an eye on 
things!

Happy Heavenly Birthday to our precious 
Spicy girl...celebrate well with your BFF
Cooper.

A special birthday moment captured for all time,
October 27, 2023.

Warm days ahead!

Happy Sunday everyone! Another sunny and warm day on the way. The past few days have been wonderful and the next few will bring unusually warm temperatures. We will take it. 

This past week was good. Russell is getting used to his APAP machine. He needed a few adjustment but all is good now. His Apple watch tracks the various sleep stages. The number of hours he is spending in a deep restorative sleep have increased quite a bit. It's all good.

Merlot and Sherlock are doing very well. They seem to eat less grass now and have switched to fallen leaves LOL! They are both so funny. Merlot will get his first Leptospirosis shot on Tuesday, followed by a booster in a few weeks. Sherlock and I will have our last class this coming Saturday. I am confident that he will graduate 😊 

I am doing well although my knee has been acting up. I was not walking well last week but it seems better now. Having said that, my limping has screwed up my back which is not good at the moment. I will see my osteopath this week so hopefully it will help. As a result, the yard work is on hold. 

Russell has been showing me bit by bit how he does the daily grooming so I can take over (for just a few days)  when he has his knee surgery. He has so many new products that he is using now, I can't keep track of all of them. Two products in particular that he really likes are Animasoin Bio degreaser and deshedding shampoos, both used by Myriam. They are wonderful products and work really well on Merlot and Sherlock's coats. 

Last Tuesday, I met up with my friend (and dog trainer) Wanda. It was good to catch up with her and get precious training tips and tricks. I'm always grateful for her good advice. 

This coming week is busy with a bunch of appointments, including getting our snow tires. The driveway snow markers were installed last week. It's that time of year.

Those are my little news for today. Have a wonderful week everyone!

Sherlock and Merlot were introduced to the 
hurdles...quick learners, they both got it!

The boys enjoying fine weather on 
the deck.

The comfort of a blanket on a chair...
priceless.

On patrol keeping the yard
safe from squirrels, one squirrel
at a time.

Merlot contemplating which toy to play
with next.

Fall colours have come to Edgewater
Park.

A winding pedestrian/bicycle path adorned
with Fall colour at Edgewater Park.

Spicy and Cooper always enjoyed 
lounging in the living room...
this moment from October 6, 2021.

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our family to yours, we wish our Canadian friends a Thanksgiving filled with the warmth and happiness of the season. On this day, and every day, Russell and I are grateful for what we have...each other, good health, the comfort of a good home which so many don't have and all the little things that can easily be taken for granted. We are also so grateful to have Merlot and Sherlock in our lives. Those two little munchkins have brought us so much happiness. They are special in every way 💕 

This past week was good. The weather was nice for the most part but it is getting a tad cool. Although we are still spending some time on the deck, we have started transitioning into the living room. It is that time of year. I am also transitioning from wearing shorts to leggings 😆 

Russell is doing well. He got fitted with an APAP machine after being diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, following his pre-op tests mid-August. He has none of the symptoms so it came as a surprise. The use of the APAP will help maximize the flow of oxygen, which in turn will help make recovery from surgery that much easier.  Russell also met with his doctor following blood work he had done last week. His iron level is low so he is on an iron supplement. Otherwise, all is good and we are awaiting a date for surgery.

On Tuesday, we had an impromptu visit from Myriam. The boys were happy to see her. It was nice to catch up and brag about the escapades of our duo.

I had planned on doing some yard work but I got lazy. Maybe later this week. As Russell keeps telling me, the plants are not going anywhere LOL! 

Merlot and Sherlot are doing well. They are truly happy boys. Sherlock did good in class yesterday. Three of the dogs were rowdy but that didn't stop him from keeping his focus on me. I was quite pleased. 

I watched the HABS opener on Wednesday. I went to bed with a big smile on my face as we beat Toronto. I won't talk about the loss to Boston on Thursday but last night's game was close to perfect in every way. The HABS beat Ottawa, first time since March 19, 2022 👏

We will have turkey for dinner tonight. It is all prepped, waiting to go in the oven at 1 pm. It will smell good in the house. I think it will be the first time that our boys are exposed to the aroma of roast turkey...I wonder if they will like it 😋

I leave you with some random photos taken last week and one of Cooper & Spicy. We may not talk about them much but they are always in our hearts. Happy Thanksgiving friends! Have a wonderful week!

From our home to yours, Sherlock and
Merlot wish everyone Happy
Thanksgiving!

Ahhh...all the comforts of home!

Is it a new dance craze or a wrestling match...
only Sherlock and Merlot know for sure.

A standoff moment waiting for the home opener
hockey game with the Habs....Merlot is asking
Sherlock who will win?!

Sherlock basking in the morning
sun with auburn highlights
dancing in his hair.

Merlot keeping an eye on the backyard from the 
comfort of his 'perch' with the ever present
giraffe.

Some well deserved living room
down time after a full day of play.

Fall colours have emerged in the front yard.

Cooper and Spicy enjoyed the opportunity to 
be photographed (treats involved), this 
moment captured October 1, 2020.