Tag: Odin

Life With Dogs – June 2021

June is here and, for us, that means heading out to our seasonal site at Debonair Campground near St. Malo Provincial Park. Roland and I acquired this beautiful spot two summers ago. We were thrilled with the location and Roland immediately set to work building a fence and making it our summer place.

Little did we realize at the time that our world was about to come crashing down. Roland was diagnosed with brain cancer that October and died on November 21st of that year. I was shattered by his passing and truth be told, in many ways, still am.

Last summer, my first back at St. Malo without Roland, was gut-wrenching. This year is better. I now find myself in a more peaceful place but the edges of my being remain frayed by a lingering sadness.

The good news is that the covid restrictions are slowly being lifted and I am meeting new people at the campground. All of them are so very nice and, even at the ripe old age of 70, I find myself enjoying the idea of making new friends.

The dogs are my constant companions and are being so good. Switching to our summer lifestyle can be stressful for them but they seem to be taking it in stride.

Roland had a small garden where he liked to grow corn on the field side of our fence. Now it is a wildflower and butterfly garden in his memory. It is doing quite well this year. I think he would like it.

With the lifting of the covid restrictions we are finally allowed backyard visitors. Odin was so happy to have two of his best buds drop by unexpectedly for an afternoon playdate. They had a wonderful time and Odin was so happy!!

Two good dogs…

“What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade.” ~ Gertrude Jekyll

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This post is part of the 2021 Life With Dogs photography project.
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Life With Dogs – April 2021

On the prairies, April is often a time of transition and this year was no exception. March provided lovely warm days with little in the way of snow… but April soon showed that we best not become too complacent.

Mid-April we experienced the most dramatic snowstorm of our winter season, over 25cm of snow with strong North winds.

Lacie didn’t seem to mind but Odin and I couldn’t help but feel a little disheartened. Enough already!

Cooler days had the snow linger but the new warmth of the sun eventually won out and the snow finally slipped away.

Odin and Maple were once more enjoying doggie play dates.

But things were not so rosie for Lacie.

Over the past year, she has had a few episodes where she mindlessly walks and walks and seems unable to settle. When she does lie down, she seems to startle and immediately gets up to walk again. This can go on for hours and then suddenly she will just stop and be fine.

I can count on one hand the number of times this has happened in the past year but this past little while it has been almost every day.

The Vets are unsure if it is pain that is triggering her behaviour or the onset of some sort of dementia. Back X-rays were done that show some lumbar degenerative changes but nothing overly concerning. She is now on Gabapentin twice a day as well as Trazodone (if needed).

I am very relieved that one week of being on Gabapentin has Lacie doing well and she seems comfortable. Fingers crossed that this will do the trick.

But if not, we will deal with that too. Love you Lacie, Girl.

It is hard to watch our beloved pups get old.

Two good dogs…

“Snow in April is abominable,” said Anne. “Like a slap in the face when you expected a kiss.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Ingleside

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This post is part of the 2021 Life With Dogs photography project.
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Life With Dogs – March 2021

March came in like a lamb and has pretty much stayed the course with unseasonably warm and inviting days. These unexpectedly pleasant days have made this time of Covid more tolerable. Being able to get out and about with dogs and friends while enjoying the new warmth of the sun brings smiles even during this challenging time.

March 6th is an especially happy milestone. Two years ago on this day Roland and I bought home a very scared 5-month-old pup. Our initial intention was to foster only, but it wasn’t long before we knew Odin was home to stay.

Roland loved this dog and he would be thrilled to see what a goofy, gentle boy he is today.

Happy Gotch Day Odin!!

The blackened prairie behind our house from the grass fire in 2010.

With the small amount of snow coverage we have had this year, the field behind our place is near dry.

The ones-in-the-know are predicting possible drought conditions, which have me remembering another very dry spring way back in 2010.

That year the early melt with very little rain led to many local grass fires. Our field became the site of one of them.

That’s our little Coco Bean walking the neighbouring field.

That day was a scary one, with firemen dragging heavy long hoses through our yard then out the back gate to reach the flames. Everything turned out ok… but it is not something I will forget anytime soon.

Here’s hoping for substantial spring rains.

In the meantime, very little snow makes for very little mud and much more field fun.

The warmer days are perfect for doggie dates with best friends.

Lots of happy yard time too…

Then the lion in March made its presence known while letting out a mighty roar.

One day we are enjoying a balmy afternoon of +18C and the next we have snow, -12C temps with wind gusts of 80Kmhr.

March on the prairies…

We are not impressed!

Happily, April will soon come a-knocking with her own promise of spring.

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” ― Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

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This post is part of the 2021 Life With Dogs photography project.
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Life With Dogs – February 2021

A polar vortex settled over our prairie city during the early weeks of February, bringing with it record-breaking cold temperatures. Weather-wise, we had been spoiled these past few months so the couple of weeks of extreme cold were a reality check on what defines a Winnipeg Winter.

Walks with the dogs were short ones at best.

Winter jackets became a must. Between the three of us, getting dressed for our morning jaunt often took more effort and more time than the actual walk. But, for the most part, we were out there, every morning.

With wind chills reaching below -40C, outdoor time was kept to a minimum. Lacie and I were fairly content with snuggling on the couch but Odin found the days long.

Thank goodness he is a master at backyard zoomies… a great way to release pent-up energy.

Odin isn’t one to play fetch, but every once in a while he will pick up a toy and RUN!

Lacie, with her constant game of fetch, tolerates the cold much better than Odin. Plus her fur provides a much warmer coat.

Thankfully the end of February is seeing warmer days. The snow and ice are disappearing fast.

Soon it will be the time of splash-boots and towels.

“Without Valentine’s Day, February would be… well, January.” ~ Jim Gaffigan

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This post is part of the 2021 Life With Dogs photography project.
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Life With Dogs – January 2021

Of all the months, January is my least favoured… frequently cold, often dark.

Thankfully, the first half of the month this year brought unseasonably warm temps… such a blessing, especially while living under strict Covid-19 restrictions. The warm days provided an escape to the outdoors where walks with family, friends and dogs were a welcome reprieve from the lonesomeness that is the Covid reality.

The mild weather allowed for much anticipated outside play time.

Many of our walks are enjoyed in the field behind our house.

Hoar frost and fog remind us of how creative winter can be.

Playdates with Odin’s best friend, Maple, helped to break up the January monotony.

The middle of January brought colder days. Out came the winter coats and hats.

And last but never least… a little January fun! Where’s Bernie!

 

Happy January Happenings (may be dog related, maybe not)

** On January 6th I was blessed with a new great-grandbaby… Emilia, 7 lbs 14 oz, a sister for siblings Gabriel and Scarlett.

** On January 26th my mom, 98 years old, received the first of two Covid-19 vaccinations. Such a relief!

“JANUARY, the first month of the year, a perfect time to start all over again, changing energies and deserting old moods, new beginnings, new attitudes.”
―Charmaine J. Forde

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This post is part of the 2021 Life With Dogs photography project.
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Life With Dogs – 2021 Photography Project

The year 2020 has been a rough one… but through it all, my two dogs, Odin and Lacie have been my constant.

Inspired by the Flickr group, 12 Months for Dogs, I have decided to start a blog project for 2021. I think I will call it, “Life with Dogs” in honour of these  two.

The plan is to do a monthly photography post on our happenings. Some months will be more exciting than others, but that’s life, isn’t it? Hopefully many memories will be gathered.

This blog project is a personal one but I would love to have you visit and maybe even join in.

12 Months For Dogs – 2020

This is a mosaic of our contributions to the Flickr group, 12 Months for Dogs in 2020.

Dog’s are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

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