All posts by Maurice

We have arrived.

Bailey in the airportWell folks, we’ve done it! We have arrived in Curacao all in one piece, with Bailey in tow. She was absolutely amazing on the plane. She sat at our feet, calm as can be. The landing seemed to make her nervous; it was as if she could tell the plane was coming down and she didn’t know what that meant. She even yawned to clear her ears, just like people do!

People in the three airports (Vancouver, Dallas, and Miami) were in love with her. There were literally hundreds of people who came over to pet her, and ask about her. People told us stories about their dogs, how they missed them when on vacation, or how well, or poorly, they travelled. It was a great way to pass the time.

When we arrived in Curacao, we had lots of paperwork for her – to prove she had had her rabies, was de-wormed, de-loused, de-everything… When we got to Curacao, they never even looked at the paper work – in fact, they didn’t even look at the dog. We actually told them we had a dog with us, and he said, “Have a nice visit!” Entering the USA at Dallas was much harder, but not at all difficult, as we were sent over to the livestock section. They examined her papers, but it was a mere two minute stop over. Travelling with Bailey was actually a pleasure!

First Sunset as localsWe were worried that our apartment might not be ready for us, in that our funds have not arrived from Canada. The owner was nice enough to let us stay in the place anyway, since we had wired them proof of payment. The picture to the right is from our deck, gazing toward the beach. As you can see, we do not have a view of the ocean, but it’s not like we’re looking at a brick wall!

First snorkel as localsWe got in the ocean today and it was very warm! A super nice first snorkel back in paradise.

Our posts might be a bit sporadic for the first while. We are having fibre-optic internet installed throughout our building, and while all the cabling has been laid, it has not arrived in every suite yet. It should be done by the end of the month, we hope.

Anyway – we’re here, we’re in one piece, and Bailey is loving it as much as us!

 

Crazy Canucks invade Curacao

Pam and I have made a major change in our life. First and foremost, Pam has retired as of June 22, 2017. She is officially out of work. Her last few days were filled with get togethers and parties and lots of tears, hugs, and reminisces about her long 36 year career. It was an emotional week for everyone.

 

View from apartment 8Second of all, and perhaps equally earth shaking, is that we have sold our apartment. Yes the one we thought we’d grow old in… Just 22 short months after moving back to Vancouver, we’ve cashed out. We are moving to the Caribbean Island of Curacao. We have had movers come in, pack about half our stuff, and off it goes. It will arrive in Curacao, along with our car, in about 35 days. The other half of our stuff we left in storage for the apartment we’ll buy later, somewhere in the Lower Mainland.

Bailey in her spotWe fly out of Vancouver on July 5th. Hopefully we’ll have a place before our stuff shows up! Luckily, Curacao has no quarantine for pets so long as you’ve had all their medications and shots done properly. And of course the Canadian government had to have some forms, and the airlines needed forms and the vets needed forms… but still, Bailey will be coming with us! (We hope…)

 

 

Notes about weather

The view towards Mt BakerIt’s been another crazy year for snow. Walking around right now is still a little treacherous in spots, but no where near as bad as it was last week. And January was brutal for lots of snow and lots of cold. It really does have me considering winter tires for next year, that’s for sure.

Once again this year Pam and I both got sick: Pam was sicker, by her estimate, but insisted it was not the flu. She was sidelined for a good three weeks or more. It was a tough go… another sign we’re getting old I guess.

Stellar photo of BuckThe photo of Buck in the header is an old one, from 2002. Not sure what age that makes Buck, but he looks adorable as usual. So attentive.

Some more pictures that are blog worthy

Buck and MauriceThe photo of Buck in the header was taken in the last month of his life. The one here on the couch, I’m not sure of the year exactly, but had to be before 1998, I’d say. In other words, a very young Buck.

Buck and BugsyThis is Bugsy, one of two cats Buck had to co-exist with for a lot of his life. The picture was originally a 640×480 Sony Mavica shot, but I doubled the size of it, so that’s why the texture of the photo is off, but it’s still a fun image to see.

A few nice pictures

Bailey at Fraser River ParkJust love the crazy look on Bailey’s face right now. She’s having delusions of grandeur if she thinks she can take on this stick!

Bailey at Fraser River ParkMost hilarious.

The Fraser River Foreshore Park is dedicated to dogs – it’s completely offleash, and you are warned when you enter the park that dogs are out and about and you better get used to it. We’ve taken Bailey over there a couple of times – it is over the bridge to Richmond, so about a 20 minute drive, when traffic is good.