Kevin's Ramblings…

A friend of mine since grade 7 is visiting and arrives tomorrow. Because I have 3 Doctorates in Procrastination, I still have a lot to do.

I have made good progress though, I’ve cleaned the apartment, I even steamed the floors. I do need to touch up the kitchen, everyday life gets messy. I also need to do another load of laundry.

I also need to go to the grocery store and get some stuff for meals.

I guess I’ve got a fair amount left to do.

Today is also Sunday and the Buffalo Bills play their opener. I need to watch that. Priorities here…

I will get to the grocery store, hopefully before the Bills game, cause after I’ll need a nap seeing as I’m awake at 4am.

My friend arrives tomorrow morning. Nothing huge planned, some touring around Alberta including Banff and likely Drumheller to go to the Royal Tyrell Museum. I think we are also heading to Crowsnest Pass. A buddy of mine will let the dogs out when we are in Banff and we’ll probably take the dogs when we go to Crowsnest Pass, well, we WILL take the dogs with us.

Speaking of the dogs, I got a crate for Achilles for when I’m out and can’t take them. I don’t think I’ll have to use it too long, but I’m afraid he’d be destructive if he wasn’t crated.

It’ll be a fun week I’m sure. Enjoy yours and, Go Bills.

As I’ve written, and posted daily on my Facebook page, I’m counting down the days until my next cruise.

As most people notice, time appears to go by more quickly as you get older. I think most would tend to agree. It doesn’t of course, time is time, 24 hours to the day.

Well, it’s now 18 days until my next cruise and time is dragging along like it’s walking through a thick swamp. I guess I’m overly excited for my cruise. Hawaii has always been a bucket list item and this cruise should be amazing.

On the puppy front, Achilles is fitting in well and is starting to feel comfortable I think. He and Apollo get along great, for the most part.  There are some jealousy issues, with both of them now. It started with Apollo being jealous when I’d give attention to Achilles and now that Achilles knows me better and realizes what an amazing (and modest). individual I am, he’s getting a bit jealous when I’m giving attention to Apollo.  We are working on this…

Last night, I went to bed around 930, a nice early night. Apollo was in his chair and Achilles was in my spot on the couch. After about 5 minutes, Apollo joined me in the bedroom and Achilles started crying and whining, possibly because he was all alone in the living room. He didn’t settle down until I got up, came to the living room and gave him a pet and a kiss on the forehead. Maybe this was what happened with whoever previously had him, maybe he’s trained me, unsure, but he settled right down.

He’s welcome in the bedroom, my dogs always have been but when I put him up on the bed, he jumps right off, I guess he’s decided he’s a couch sleeper. Apollo left at some point overnight and was in his chair this morning. Achilles was in my spot – no incidents, no accidents which is great.

First thing as soon as I get up, the three of us head to the dog park in the complex to “take care of business”, well, they do, I’m indoor trained.

Have an amazing weekend.

Today is day three with Achilles. He’s coming along nicely, I’m sure he’s starting to feel settled.

He’s far more confident being outside, he’s walking great on leash although he doesn’t like the tandem leash as yet. I will try it again and hopefully he’ll get used to it. For now, they are each on their own leash and I am not getting tangled up too much.

We’ve gone to the small dog park a few times a day. Apollo and Achilles wrestle and have a great time. Achilles has made friends with one of the dogs in the complex, Ivy, and the three of them have a great time. It’s typically boys versus girl, but she holds her own.

Achilles is sleeping through the night. He’s sleeping in the living room, doesn’t want to go into the bedroom with Apollo and I, but that’s ok. It took him a bit to realize he’s allowed on the couch, now he’s napping away on the couch, sometimes using Apollo as a pillow, sometimes being a pillow himself.

He’s a very happy puppy. We’ve had some minor growing pain issues and Apollo has been a bit jealous of Achilles, but we are working through issues. This isn’t my first rodeo with multiple dogs.

More to come…

It’s a long process. Achilles is starting to feel comfortable in the apartment. He and Apollo are getting along well, which is awesome.

He’s eating his food and drinking water, both of those things are great. Some adopted dogs get really freaked out and don’t eat or drink.

He hasn’t had any accidents, so that’s good. We went out as soon as I woke up at 430am and he peed, and once Apollo and I “talked him into” going to the dog park, he took care of business and he and Apollo wrestled. I think wrestling is going to be a major fun point for these two.

Achilles is unsure when he’s outside, he wants to return to the apartment, so I’m working on that. People are often drawn in by a cute puppy but he’s not sure of most people yet. He’s getting more comfortable with me so that’s great, he’s currently sleeping with his head on my foot. As a good dog dad, I’m not moving my foot (although I badly want to).

Yesterday we drove to High River so my sister in law could meet Achilles. She’ll be looking after the boys when I head for my cruise at the end of the month. We went to the dog park, both the boys made friends with all the other dogs at the park, they are both very social with dogs. We headed home and had a quiet evening.

I’m not planning on doing too much today. We may go for a car ride, Achilles does seem to enjoy car rides and Apollo loves em.

We are scheduled to see our vet on Monday. Achilles already has all his vaccines including rabies so that’s great. It’ll be an opportunity for our vet to meet him and say hi to Apollo.

I found in the files that the Cochrane Humane Society sent me that Achilles birthday is December 29, so he’ll be one year old just after Christmas. At least with his birthday so close to Christmas, I don’t have to buy separate presents 😜. The dogs always get a New York strip on their birthday, so I know they’ll enjoy that.

Apollo and I went to the Cochrane Humane Society this afternoon at 3 to meet the dog that I met last week. His current name is Brownie, as of tomorrow, it’ll be Achilles.

Apollo and Achilles met and the meeting couldn’t have gone any better.

They played, chased each other, wrestled, had a great time for about 30 minutes. They played together like they were old friends.

My decision on adopting Achilles was confirmed, Apollo DOES want a little brother.

I’ll be picking up Achilles tomorrow at Noon.

Welcome to the pack, Achilles.

This past weekend was very relaxing, but it was very wet. We had rain every day, which is odd for this time of year. That meant that Apollo and I were unable to go to a dog park for a hike.

We did get to the dog park in our complex, but that was it.

I didn’t do a lot, I did nap here and there, did some reading, watched some TV, it was peaceful to be sure.

The weather improves today, so we’ll be heading to a dog park today for sure, hopefully it won’t be overly wet.

We have an appointment this afternoon at 3pm to meet the puppy that I may be adopting. Some question me getting a second dog, but, I’ve found I have always liked having two dogs. We’ll see if Apollo likes his possible new brother and I’m sure he will, he’s never met a dog that he hasn’t liked.

Apollo definitely misses Twix, as do I. I’m sure he misses his daily interactions with his sister, he loved her and she tolerated his enthusiasm. She’s been gone for a little over a month now and it feels like it’s the right time to get a new addition. Presuming the meeting goes well, we’ll add the new addition this week.

Other than that, I have no plans for this week at all, other than some grocery shopping.

My friend from Ontario arrives Monday so I have some stuff to do for that, but it should be a good week.

I have been officially retired since June 1 of this year, and I’m really enjoying it I must admit.

Since I’ve retired, I’ve gone on a Caribbean cruise and a road trip to Montana and Idaho. Otherwise, I’ve taken it pretty easy for the most part.

I have taken Apollo to a number of different dog parks around the city and the immediate area, we’ve had a good time.

I am worried that I might get bored this winter as my outdoor activities will be slightly curtailed by the colder temperatures. So, I’m thinking about picking up a part time job doing something. What, I’m not exactly sure.

I know it will not be in the IT field, that’s a guarantee. I was in IT for about 35 years and believe me, that was enough.

I don’t want or need anything full time, maybe 20-25 hours a week. That’ll keep me out of trouble and should keep me entertained as well.

I won’t be starting to look until November or so, I get back from my Hawaiian cruise on October 16, so I don’t want or need anything until after that date. I’m also considering another cruise that will get me home before Christmas, so there’s that to consider as well, it’ll be a last minute booking if I do it.

We’ll see how things pan out. For now, I’m enjoying doing what I want, when I want. Happy retirement to me.

I started back at the YMCA today. I won’t be working out, I doubt I could as I have very little energy.

Instead, I am using the pool, a lap or two, sometimes three, then a sit in the steam room, quick shower off then a soak in the hot tub.

It takes me about 45 minutes in total, just over an hour including travel time.

I feel great afterwards. Relaxed and refreshed. It’s exhilarating.

I’ve had my new car for just under 2 weeks and I’m absolutely loving it.

For the first time since I was 25, I don’t have a car payment either, and that’s great.

I’ve taken a road trip to Montana and Idaho and put about 4200km on it, it performed very well. I’m happy with the fuel economy, I get around 650km to a tank of gas.

It’s now just over 5100km and I’ll need an oil change on it before the end of the month. All of the maintenance is included in the purchase price as well, so oil changes are covered.

It’s got all the bells and whistles that one could want. The lane assist and adaptive cruise control are amazing features.

Yesterday, I was driving to Cochrane and for some reason, the person in front of me broke hard for no apparent reason and the collision avoidance system kicked in before I could even react. Pretty handy indeed.

By far, this is the best vehicle I’ve ever had.

I’m thinking about adding a new dog to my pack. Only remotely thinking about it, but I may go and meet this little guy.

His name is Brownie and he’s at the Cochrane Humane Society.

It says he’s good with other dogs, but he’d obviously need to meet Apollo before any final decision is made

He’s a mix, looks like he has German Shepherd in him. I’d probably change his name as well, I’m not overly fond of Brownie.

I may go take a look at him today.