Everything Sven

01/15/2026

I've been struggling off an on all week with a whopper of a migraine and sleepless nights Just when I think it's gone, it's been coming back, but also stuffy head, low-grade flushed feeling and slight cough. Not really sick, but not really feeling great either. I went in to get a few cleaning & HBA things including some Nyquil...

Sven alerted just as I was coming down with an episode of the vertigo-fibro fog & migraine He gave me early enough warning to avoid a disaster. He went right to work as "point man." a position just slightly in front of me leading the way but still close enough to block a fall while also avoiding obstacles and people until we were safely outside of Target. Feeling wonky we made our way with Grammy over to Panera Bread and stopped for a light lunch, beverage and a slight rest before heading for home.

Below is a rare video if Sven in action, Grammy managed our shopping cart, so I had a free hand to hold the camera and the other on Sven.

01/12/2026

Mondays... Boy this was a tough one. Even though it was a good weather day, but unable to do any errands, (i.e. laundry, grocery, HBA) or mall trips today, there were road closures in and around the mall and Rt. 128 area due to a gas tanker roll over. Traffic in all directions, so we just opted to head for home. 5+ hours we heard they were still offloading gas from the tanker. Thankfully, no serious injuries, no explosions.

3rd attempt at trimming Sven's nails, a bit more of a success today, but it's always a a bit of a battle and a lot of coaxing with him ever since he got hurt at the vet's during neuter surgery few years ago, they really chopped them off back then, and he just doesn't like it anymore. Ruined him for life one could say. Today they could be shorter and rounder, but they're not hitting the floor, so we'll call it a success for now.

In other news, Chewy & Amazon are out-of-stock on pumpkin bars for dogs. I use them for Sven's pill pockets, as he's got so many food allergies to everything else. These also help to keep him regular with bowel movements and less medication side effects.

Well anyway... while searching the internet we found wild fluctuations in price. Normally they're about $35 for a bag of 6, and I saw them as high as $75 a bag and even $138 for a bag of 6. I'll put that one in the comments section because what the f**kity f**k...? That's really scalping people. Single travel size bars normally $2.99 were up to $8.59. I could get the powdered version for $14, but for a dog his size I'm going thru that like every three days. For now, we overnighted a few bars from a shop up in NH but I'm getting nervous. Hope they come back in stock soon. - trying to make or dehydrate our own would just be too much work all the time. I had all I could do to cut up a butternut squash for thanksgiving dinner, my arm is still killing me.

Ah well tomorrow's another day. And we'll be off to look at another used car with Grampy. Looks like TJ's Orange chicken for dinner.

12/31/2025

To our friends, fans and followers, we wish you a safe & happy New Year

This year, we were tested more than ever. We lost a lot, but also won. failed, cried, rejoiced, laughed, learned, loved, and railed, but most of all we're both still here, we did not break -we survived.

Thank You all ! Looking forward to another year of shared adventures.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lMlGDZ5xBo&list=RD6lMlGDZ5xBo&start_radio=1

12/30/2025

Week between Xmas and NYE...

Cleaned up from the overhead water leak disaster, waiting on plaster and dry wall repairs. They still haven't fetched their mops and dehumidifier yet. Ordered new rugs online, fed up with searching grabbed some cheapos for now with crazy patterns that don't really match, tired of searching & didn't want to invest too heavily if it happens again. Watched part of the Patriots game with Grammy & Grampy. Grabbed odds and ends for NYE & Brunch, ordered Chinese food a day early, beat the crowds. And getting ready to trim Sven's nails...

12/26/2025

Today while out doing a few quick errands, I was admiring the vehicle we parked next to, we need an upgrade. Anyway, dog handlers notice other dog handlers, that's how it goes and I had the absolute pleasure of meeting and chatting with SDK9 Jax and his Veteran Handler. They're a K9 team from Company 2 Heroes a wonderful non-profit veteran organization, check them out.

12/25/2025

Kids: No real Santa's were harmed last night. He got away.

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas to our friends, fans, and online family.

12/23/2025

No matter where we go, we have some of the best neighbors. Last nights were

12/15/2025

12/13/2025

Picture Day with Santa...

Lunch with Grammy at and this time instead of a picture of me under a table, Grammy got in on the action too. Did a few errands on the way over to where we had to wait in line a short bit. Kudos to Sven and his training in patience & manners; there were dogs, people, distractions and temptations everywhere on all sides as the photo venue was in the classroom area this year, and my only critique is that he wanted to stand more than sit. I had to keep reminding him after each time we moved up in line. My biggest peeve was all the other people reaching over and around others to try to pet him when he's wearing a vest festooned with "DO NOT PET" ... I had to really shout at one woman, as I nearly got knocked off my feet in line. {sigh} As****es be everywhere. That's when nervous other dogs leap up and lunge and things go sideways fast. I had Grammy move the cart up and block one of the isles from people getting at us. Other than that, pretty great day and some fantastic keepsakes for the scrapbook.

What's for dinner?

12/12/2025

So, we got up early, went to 3 stores today thinking we'd avoid some of the Holiday week rush... Ha-ha-ha! No.

Turns out everyone else was up doing the same. People stopping to talk to us slowed us way down. We even met a NH state handler.

By the time we got over to the whole world was up, doesn't anyone work anymore? OMG! The store was packed with zig-zag walkers, stopping short, U-turns in the aisles. It was like trying to do a supply run during the zombie apocalypse tv show... you know the one I made a list and still it was no match for those crowds.

Pretty sure we got everything we needed if not what we wanted. Tried hard to no overspend or shop too. When low-n-behold we turned the corner and Grammy & Grampy were there too. Sven was so surprised. Wish y'all could seen the look on his astonished face. Priceless. He also broke rank and file to go hug her mid-isle.... and I crashed my cart. {sigh} She's got dementia and forgot you can't do that. Thankfully we didn't break anything. Phew.

We sure, could have used this monster truck on the drive home. Traffic between the two malls was brutal. We're both beat and it's only 5pm! Definitely a cereal for dinner kind of a night.

Market Basket, Lunch with Grammy & Pictures with Santa tomorrow. Wish us luck!