Montreal 2016: Day 1 - Via Train Nightmare

On Monday morning we left on the via train to go to Montreal. I come to Shriners Hospital once a year for bone treatments and a follow-up with all of my specialists. I have been coming here since I was 2 years old and now I am almost 21. In the past 18 years they have helped me tremendously and I would not be where I am today without their help.

We started taking the train to Montreal (as opposed to driving or flying) a few years ago. Troy came with us on the Via Train last year and he did excellent. This time was a completely different story.

We were in the back of the last car on a very old train. The ride was SO bumpy and loud that even the employee selling refreshments fell on top of my mom during one of the bumps. Troy was absolutely terrified every time the train would switch tracks (I don't blame him, I was scared too... we all were!). The conductor did slow down slightly to help alleviate the bumps but he was still very shaken up since at that point it had already been 2 hours into the trip. We had another 4 hours to go and I just couldn't stand seeing him in that much distress. He was shaking, panting, jumping, and just unable to settle. I called our vet to see if he had any suggestions. Fortunately, I have my own prescription for 0.5 mg. of lorazepam. After speaking with the vet, I decided that I had to give him some of the medication. About an hour after giving him the pill, he settled down and the trip was much more enjoyable.

When we finally got to Montreal he was SO happy to get off the train that he dragged us outside (partially because he had to pee, and partially because he was just glad that he was no longer in the torture chamber). He did well afterwards at the hotel, until bed time. He started to pant and shake again. He has a fear or slippery/shiny hardwood and unfortunately the hotel floors were recently renovated so they were very shiny. He wouldn't jump up into the bed so he had to lay on the floor. I put a few blankets down for him but he still wasn't too thrilled. Finally, after a chewy dental treat and some cuddles, he settled in for the night and seemed to be okay. Now he is in much better spirits and I am hoping that the train ride home tomorrow goes much more smoothly (literally and figuratively)!

We have spoken with a very nice Via train employee here in Montreal and our seats are in car 5 out of 7 for the way home which should make a difference. It's also a newer train. I'm hoping he isn't too scared of trains from now on as I take it often to get to Toronto. We'll have to wait and see and I'll definitely update you all on Thursday when I get home!

P.S. Via WILL be receiving a complaint about the trip to Montreal. Don't worry! I am sticking up for my boy :)

A very tired boy after yesterday's nightmare. We love the new hospital though!

What we've been up to and where you can see us next!

Hey everyone!

I know it's been forever since I updated the blog and I wish I could say you haven't really missed anything. Troy and I have actually been REALLY busy these last few months.

For starters, on Feb. 4th, we went to court regarding the taxi driver who refused our Transhelp ride (paratransit service run by the city) and drove away without arranging another ride for us (which is in violation of the city by-law regarding taxi drivers with animal allergies). Long story short - The taxi driver never showed up, I made my statement, and we go back on Sept. 15th (hopefully the driver shows up this time).

For more details on the full story, check our this video that was on CBC last year when it happened: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/kelsey-le-coure-denied-taxi-ride-because-of-service-dog-1.3056640

We have also been very busy with school this year. I am currently finishing my first year in Marketing at Sheridan College. When I got Troy, I was studying in the Bachelor of Child and Youth Care program at Humber College. Shortly after starting my 4th semester in the 4 year program, I realized that it wasn't for me. We then applied for the Finance program at Sheridan. I was accepted and started that last September.

I also opened an Etsy shop selling planner stickers and clips around the same time that I started school this year. I feel in love with all of my marketing classes and apply a lot of that knowledge in my Etsy shop - Elegant and Organized. I decided that Finance also wasn't my forte, and transferred into the marketing program (which is really easy since all first year business students take the same courses). I truly feel that this is the right fit for me and I'm so excited to learn more about marketing and hopefully work full-time as a social media manager one day!
Troy loves it at Sheridan College as well. We go to the Mississauga campus so we spend a lot of time at Square One after class to grab lunch and walk around the mall since going on walks outside is difficult in the winter!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot - Last October Troy, my mom, and I moved into a new condo! At first it was a lot of work and it's still very frustrating as it is a brand new building and there are a lot of deficiencies, but we love it here! It's closer to my boyfriend's house than the apartment was that we were renting while waiting for this to be built (we sold our house a year before the condo was ready to move in to). The only downside is that I can no longer walk to class. The place we lived before this new condo was right across the street from my campus! Now we take the bus every morning - which isn't too bad as it is a door-to-door service and pretty reliable :)

Last but definitely not least, If you want to come hang out with Troy and I, we will be at the Dog Guides Open House in Oakville this Saturday (March 5th) from approx. 1-2PM! You can come say hi to Troy and get lots of puppy kisses, and a tour of where Troy and I first met. I can't wait to see all of you there!

Here are some pictures that you may or may not have already seen. They're all pretty recent:

His auntie was in a cheer competition - we didn't end up making him wear this, but it sure was cute!)

Waiting for the bus...

Yay! A snow day! :D

Mom, I'm almost 3. I can drive now, right?

Super cold day at Sheridan. Waiting for our ride home

Taken today - loving this snow fall!