Sunday 27th May 2012 - Our Beautiful Boy Midnight

Todays update comes as a very very sad day for us both, after taking Midnight on his walk at 6:30am when we returned home he collapsed from what the vet said was heart failure caused by his illness DCM. We rushed him to emergency Animal hospital and they said he was in a very bad way. They told us that the next 24hrs would be crucial, thus less than an hour after we came home, they called to say things had worsened. On our return to the hospital, the Dr informed us he had passed away shortly before getting there. They gave us time to spend with him, it was like he was asleep minus the snoring. We are gutted to say the least, this has been a major shock, as we always expected the worse but not in this way.  We would like to say we couldn't have asked for a better dog, he has been smashing, funny, and had a personality of his own no other dog could ever match.

We love him with all our heart and will think of him everyday. xxxx

Dec 2002 - 27th May 2012

26th May 2012 - Elbow Falls

19th May 2012 - Pictures taken at Fish Creek Park

Since setting up our blog we haven't been up to much, as our home is set up now and are trying to get into some routine life! Over the last two weeks we have both been applying for jobs and have started to have interviews! One Sunday evening our neighbour Karen took us to see some other areas of Calgary and we to grab a bite to eat!
We have been spending time with Midnight and have taken him on trips to different parks, here are some pictures of these parks and the tour our neighbour Karen took us on.

Sunday 13th May 2012

This is how Midnight would always greet us!!

First Six Weeks

Firstly we would like to thank all those that we managed to meet up with in those last couple of weekends and to those that were able to make our leaving drinks on that Saturday before leaving for Canada it meant a lot to us!!

We hope that every one of you are well and not missing us to much lol

We are so glad we didn't have any family seeing us off at the airport as when that Wednesday came it was very emotional!! We had the extra stress of worrying about Midnight all the way there! But so glad we did it, we have been speaking to our mum's, my dad, our sisters every week and some friends due to the timing difference. We have been posting lots of photos on Facebook so they can take our adventure with us and it makes it easier to deal with us not been there!

When we arrived in Calgary we were met by Eamonn & Janet which was really nice, they were a great help to us as we didn't know what the procedure was in regards to collecting Midnight! Firstly we had to go to the live stock import area to make sure they had Midnight, then a vet checked him out who give us the paperwork to take to customs so he can be released. On arrival at customs we had to show them our goods to follow list proving we had declared Midnight and pay the vet fees, then we went back to live stock import area showed them the receipt only them would they release Midnight to us!!! We were over the moon to get him back as all we did was worry if he was ok on the flight!!

One of the first things we sorted out was our Alberta Health Cards which Eamonn took us to do as you could apply straight away as a new resident! We both had noticed that due to the dry climate we were all getting little electric shocks off every thing even poor Midnight!! He would roll around on the carpet and charge himself up lol
I had really itchy skin due to the dry climate, therefore had to get extra large moisturizer and hand cream!

We stayed at the Radisson for two weeks, which was really nice and perfect for what we needed whilst trying to find a rental! The hotel and staff were fantastic, very helpful!

However we were so glad to get out of the hotel and find a rental, isn't it funny when you are on holiday for two weeks it don't bother you but to live in a room you feel trapped!

We have settled in ok, our rental is for six months but we can extend it month by month which is good, we also bought a car the other week, they are very pricey but Lee isn't one for standing around waiting for buses and trains Lol

Before collecting the car we had to prove we had car insurance,then we had to buy our number plate & car tax which is within the purchase of the plate, before the dealership would let us take the car! Total $65!! for the year.

Whilst buying our number plate we decide to change our driving licenses over to Alberta licenses all at the same time. The purpose of buying a number plate is that the plate stays with you, so when you sell your car and purchases a new you take off the number plate and transfer it to your new car!

Midnight is getting on really well, even his health has improved!! He loves the fresh air and walks around the lake!

Lee & I have been applying for jobs, just need them to reply. However we have been told that the Canadians aren't that fast in replying and also because we don't have Canadian experience they are a bit hesitant to employ us, if they gave us a job we would get some experience lol

It's all early days so we will just have to be patient and enjoy the great outdoors!

We have had a mixture of weather since being here snow, light rain and some really hot days. It changes so much it's crazy like the next five days are going to be in the mid-20s and on Friday 18th May it will drop to 10c... We have had 4 separate days of snow, 3 days of rain but mainly sunny so can't complain.

We have been making the most of not working by exploring the area! At Easter we went to Drumheller Badlands for the day about two hours away, and then we went to Fish Creek Provincial Park which is minutes from where we live.

We have been mixing with the locals, not just meeting up with other expats. We even went to our neighbours house warming last Sunday which was really nice meeting her friends and family, they all made us feel very welcomed!

Our latest was to Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump & Waterton Lake National Park for two nights, it is 45 miles from the American boarder! We had a fantastic time there, lots of hiking, drinking beer and enjoying the beautiful scenery which words just cannot express you need to see it for yourself!! Getting up early to look for wild life, all exciting stuff we didn't see any bears but did see a Cougar by the time Lee pointed it out to me and I got the camera ready it was gone. So note to me is always have the camera ready!!

Everyone that we have meet so far have been very friendly and most defiantly helpful, seems like everyone wants to see you do good here!!

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

McKenzie Towne Community