A Visit to the Quarantine Station and a Move

Look!
Tucker discovered his pockets!

I haven't blogged in a few days. Feel like I ran out of things to say for a bit. Tucker got sick- his usual asthma and fever- and we took it easy for a bit. He is doing much better thanks to a good doctor and some adjustments to his medicine, oh, yeah, and some steriods.  He slept through the night for the first time in over a week. Yay!  Yay for him and yay for me!

Today we boarded a train and headed for the quarantine station where the dogs will be staying for the next month. They are not there yet, but I wanted to meet the people who will be caring for them, to see the facility and to see how long it will take to get there and back as I will have to visit once a day for the duration of their stay to care for Tofie.  The train ride was about 45-50 minutes. Then we had to hail a taxi for another 15 minute ride to the station.  As we were walking into the station office the first thing we saw were two, old, chubby Pugs.  Seeing them made us all smile and we took it as a good sign. The people at the station were very nice and professional. The facilities were clean and they seem very organized when it comes to keeping track of the care of the animals.  The  director of the station gave us a personal tour and we were able to meet Scott, the attendant who will be "in charge" of Tofie and Manzie while they are there.  Then it was back in the taxi, back to town for a quick lunch and a Target stop and back to the train.  We de-boarded the train at the central station here in Sydney (hadn't done that before). I was glad to see it up close and personal as we can the station and all that goes on there from our apartment window. I will return to the quarantine station on Wednesday when the girls arrive to meet with the veterinarian who will examine them.  I cannot wait!

Tucker running around at the
quarantine station

Cooper at the
quarantine station

Had a little freaky experience on the train on the way home. We struggled to get the stroller or pram on the train and while doing so I accidentally ran into this one guy's foot. He freaked on me and started rambling on about how "you people have no compassion" and he was swearing up a storm (in front of Tucker- Coop was with my mom). I was a little nervous, but was ignoring him. He said to me, "I wish you man was here because he would pay attention to me."  Yikes. Thankfully right then, the a few security guards appeared and told them to watch their mouths because they were offending people. Needless to say, at the next stop, we quickly got off the train and got back on another car.

Tomorrow morning we check out of the apartment we are staying in and check into a new place in the eastern part of town. We will be staying in an area called, Bondi Junction.  It will be a nice change from living in downtown Sydney. We will be about 10 minutes from the beach, a great shopping mall is across the street and there is a whole outdoor mall/strip area of restaurants and shops.  The area is more neighborhood-y and hopefully a little more kid friendly.  Once there we will take some more photos and share them here. Cooper's biggest concern was that there would not be a pool there, but no worries folks, there is!

A Visit to the Quarantine Station and a Move

Look!
Tucker discovered his pockets!

I haven't blogged in a few days. Feel like I ran out of things to say for a bit. Tucker got sick- his usual asthma and fever- and we took it easy for a bit. He is doing much better thanks to a good doctor and some adjustments to his medicine, oh, yeah, and some steriods.  He slept through the night for the first time in over a week. Yay!  Yay for him and yay for me!

Today we boarded a train and headed for the quarantine station where the dogs will be staying for the next month. They are not there yet, but I wanted to meet the people who will be caring for them, to see the facility and to see how long it will take to get there and back as I will have to visit once a day for the duration of their stay to care for Tofie.  The train ride was about 45-50 minutes. Then we had to hail a taxi for another 15 minute ride to the station.  As we were walking into the station office the first thing we saw were two, old, chubby Pugs.  Seeing them made us all smile and we took it as a good sign. The people at the station were very nice and professional. The facilities were clean and they seem very organized when it comes to keeping track of the care of the animals.  The  director of the station gave us a personal tour and we were able to meet Scott, the attendant who will be "in charge" of Tofie and Manzie while they are there.  Then it was back in the taxi, back to town for a quick lunch and a Target stop and back to the train.  We de-boarded the train at the central station here in Sydney (hadn't done that before). I was glad to see it up close and personal as we can the station and all that goes on there from our apartment window. I will return to the quarantine station on Wednesday when the girls arrive to meet with the veterinarian who will examine them.  I cannot wait!

Tucker running around at the
quarantine station

Cooper at the
quarantine station

Had a little freaky experience on the train on the way home. We struggled to get the stroller or pram on the train and while doing so I accidentally ran into this one guy's foot. He freaked on me and started rambling on about how "you people have no compassion" and he was swearing up a storm (in front of Tucker- Coop was with my mom). I was a little nervous, but was ignoring him. He said to me, "I wish you man was here because he would pay attention to me."  Yikes. Thankfully right then, the a few security guards appeared and told them to watch their mouths because they were offending people. Needless to say, at the next stop, we quickly got off the train and got back on another car.

Tomorrow morning we check out of the apartment we are staying in and check into a new place in the eastern part of town. We will be staying in an area called, Bondi Junction.  It will be a nice change from living in downtown Sydney. We will be about 10 minutes from the beach, a great shopping mall is across the street and there is a whole outdoor mall/strip area of restaurants and shops.  The area is more neighborhood-y and hopefully a little more kid friendly.  Once there we will take some more photos and share them here. Cooper's biggest concern was that there would not be a pool there, but no worries folks, there is!

Happy ANZAC Day

Happy ANZAC Day Mates!  Today is Australia's most important national holiday. It marks the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the first world war. Tucker and I were up super early (darn those teeth) so we went walking around the area.  It was dark and rainy when we started out, but the city was alive preparing for the festivities for the day. We watched the TV cameras being set up, the police redirecting traffic and closing off streets and tents being built to shield onlookers from the rain.  We also saw many, many members of the armed forces of Australia dressed in their uniforms heading to the parade.  The rain here, by the way, is not like the rain in WA- it comes down in sheets!  We sat at Starbucks for a long time and just watched the preparations.

Tucker at Starbucks

The ANZAC War Memorial from our
apartment window

The ANZAC War Memorial from the park

After our walk, we headed back to the apartment, I did a quick workout and then Cooper, Tucker, my mom and myself headed to watch the ANZAC Day parade.  The rain actually worked to our benefit because not as many people were out for the parade as might have been in the sunshine.  There were bands, bagpipers, horses and military members for miles and miles (or so it seemed). Tucker was mesmerized!  Cooper enjoyed it for a bit, but then got antsy and wanted to leave.  We watched the parade for about 40 minutes or so and then, at Cooper's request, we headed back to the apartment.

The parade was a great experience in the culture of another country. There is great pride here in the military and what they have accomplished. But the thing that struck me the most was when we saw an American flag being carried next to an AU flag. It made me realize how long it has been since I have seen our country's symbol and made me think of home.

The Boys Waving their AU Flags

Pictures from the Parade

Oddly enough taxis began
the parade

Bagpipers

Color guards- is that what they are
called?

The loneliest job in the parade....

The American flag (in the distance)

More bagpipers- love those hats!

Local marching band- I liked the name

Happy ANZAC Day

Happy ANZAC Day Mates!  Today is Australia's most important national holiday. It marks the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the first world war. Tucker and I were up super early (darn those teeth) so we went walking around the area.  It was dark and rainy when we started out, but the city was alive preparing for the festivities for the day. We watched the TV cameras being set up, the police redirecting traffic and closing off streets and tents being built to shield onlookers from the rain.  We also saw many, many members of the armed forces of Australia dressed in their uniforms heading to the parade.  The rain here, by the way, is not like the rain in WA- it comes down in sheets!  We sat at Starbucks for a long time and just watched the preparations.

Tucker at Starbucks

The ANZAC War Memorial from our
apartment window

The ANZAC War Memorial from the park

After our walk, we headed back to the apartment, I did a quick workout and then Cooper, Tucker, my mom and myself headed to watch the ANZAC Day parade.  The rain actually worked to our benefit because not as many people were out for the parade as might have been in the sunshine.  There were bands, bagpipers, horses and military members for miles and miles (or so it seemed). Tucker was mesmerized!  Cooper enjoyed it for a bit, but then got antsy and wanted to leave.  We watched the parade for about 40 minutes or so and then, at Cooper's request, we headed back to the apartment.

The parade was a great experience in the culture of another country. There is great pride here in the military and what they have accomplished. But the thing that struck me the most was when we saw an American flag being carried next to an AU flag. It made me realize how long it has been since I have seen our country's symbol and made me think of home.

The Boys Waving their AU Flags

Pictures from the Parade

Oddly enough taxis began
the parade

Bagpipers

Color guards- is that what they are
called?

The loneliest job in the parade....

The American flag (in the distance)

More bagpipers- love those hats!

Local marching band- I liked the name

The House and the Dogs

We asked Cooper what he would like in his new home and his responses were so great. He said, "We need a porch with a sloped roof so the dogs can get some sunshine and not get wet." He then added that we need "a tall bedroom with steps that go up, up, up."

Speaking of the dogs, they depart Tacoma on May 2nd.  They fly from Tacoma to LA and then LA to Auckland, NZ and finally from Auckland to Sydney. They are set to arrive on May 4th in the afternoon. Flying pugs or other brachycephalic (that right, Kate?) dogs is a risky thing to do. I would appreciate any and all good thoughts, prayers or any other means you have of hoping things go well.  I will keep you updated.

The House and the Dogs

We asked Cooper what he would like in his new home and his responses were so great. He said, "We need a porch with a sloped roof so the dogs can get some sunshine and not get wet." He then added that we need "a tall bedroom with steps that go up, up, up."

Speaking of the dogs, they depart Tacoma on May 2nd.  They fly from Tacoma to LA and then LA to Auckland, NZ and finally from Auckland to Sydney. They are set to arrive on May 4th in the afternoon. Flying pugs or other brachycephalic (that right, Kate?) dogs is a risky thing to do. I would appreciate any and all good thoughts, prayers or any other means you have of hoping things go well.  I will keep you updated.

Australian Money

I thought I would share a little about the money here for all you who may be interested.  There are a lot of coins here.  I swear I am carrying 10 extra pounds in coins around each day. The reason for that in AU they use a $1 coin, a $2 coin and 50¢, 20¢, 10¢ and 5¢ coins.  That is a lot of coins!

50¢ piece with AU's coat of arms: the 6 state badges on a
central shield supported by a kangaroo and an emu

20¢ piece with a platypus; one of only two egg-laying
mammals in the world

10¢ piece features the male lyrebird dancing

5¢ piece depicts the echidna or spiny anteater,  the
world's only other egg-laying mammal

$1 piece depicts 5 kangaroos

$2 piece depicts an Aboriginal tribal leader

The dollar bills interestingly enough are made of polymer.   The polymer notes are much, much harder to counterfeit and last four times as long as paper money.  This type of money was developed in AU and they actually print polymer money for several other countries.  The bills are actually quite intricate and are very beautiful as well.

$50 note depicts a famous Aboriginal writer and inventor and
the first female parliament member

$20 depicts some famous Australians

$10 note depicts 2 AU poets

$5 Queen E the seond

Australian Money

I thought I would share a little about the money here for all you who may be interested.  There are a lot of coins here.  I swear I am carrying 10 extra pounds in coins around each day. The reason for that in AU they use a $1 coin, a $2 coin and 50¢, 20¢, 10¢ and 5¢ coins.  That is a lot of coins!

50¢ piece with AU's coat of arms: the 6 state badges on a
central shield supported by a kangaroo and an emu

20¢ piece with a platypus; one of only two egg-laying
mammals in the world

10¢ piece features the male lyrebird dancing

5¢ piece depicts the echidna or spiny anteater,  the
world's only other egg-laying mammal

$1 piece depicts 5 kangaroos

$2 piece depicts an Aboriginal tribal leader

The dollar bills interestingly enough are made of polymer.   The polymer notes are much, much harder to counterfeit and last four times as long as paper money.  This type of money was developed in AU and they actually print polymer money for several other countries.  The bills are actually quite intricate and are very beautiful as well.

$50 note depicts a famous Aboriginal writer and inventor and
the first female parliament member

$20 depicts some famous Australians

$10 note depicts 2 AU poets

$5 Queen E the seond