Crazy, Then Relaxed

Today is the first day in four months that he has been allowed to go to doggie park to see his friends. Our group seems to be dwindling with different schedules plus Riley will be moving away next week. Today only Riley and Smartie were there, but, boy, was Guinness happy to see them! Not sure they were as thrilled. When I let him off leash, he ran like a crazy man around them making a huge circle as fast as he could go -- just like he did on May 19 when he blew his knee. I thought I should snap his leash back on before he does any damage, so he didn't even get his 5 minutes of allotted freedom.

When we arrived home, he was content to lie in the yard, so I left him there for a couple of hours. During that time, a UPS man came to our door, passing Guinness beside the patio. Amazingly, he didn't go crazy. He lay there like a perfect gentleman. I had to take his picture to prove it.

Recovery at 16 Weeks

Today was our final post-op check at the vet college. Again, Guinness was very happy when we turned on Route 6. Again, a half hour later and two blocks from the veterinary college, Guinness was dancing his happy dance!

Two German shepherds parked beside us as we arrived and everyone got out of the cars together. Guinness's "I want to get to know you and play" barks sent the Shepherds into "Don't you dare come near us!" barks. I had to have the lemon in my hand and threaten him with it repeatedly to slow down the barking. We entered the waiting room, and it was a challenge to to be heard at the check-in window above his excitement.

We arrived on time, but had to wait an hour before Guinness was ever called. The intern checked his leg, and we conversed a bit about his progress. He informed me that they needed to do more X-rays, and I pleaded that they not over medicate him as they did last time. He told me that overly excited dogs sometimes react more acutely to sedation. An hour and a half later, the intern said that he would be ready in 10 minutes for me to talk to the doctor. 45 minutes later, I was finally called. When we left, we had been there a total of FOUR hours!!!! And I came without a book to read.

Our instructions for now are -- only 5 minutes per day of playing off leash, limited stair useage, and no jumping in and out of the car. He said that going up stairs is easier for him than going down, but it is rather difficult to traverse stairs only in one direction. We left with a clean bill of health!

Life's Embarrassing Moments

Today, we drove to Chautauqua to check out houses available for rent next summer. We stopped in Mayville at The House on the Hill for brunch. Grant parked under a tree to give Guinny some shade, then we walked him around the property for a potty break. When Grant put him back in the car, he removed his leash. I asked why. He said, "I don't want him to get caught and hurt."
"Well, *I* would have left the leash ON."
As we bantered, Guinness jumped OUT, ran straight to the back door/kitchen door of the restaurant and ran THROUGH the already broken screen!!!! Oh, my.... There I am screaming at the top of my lungs, "Guinness!!!! Come!!! Stop!!!" The cook was quick! He grabbed Guinness's collar and brought him to me.
No harm done. Thank goodness!!!

After lunch, I saw the young man standing on the back porch. I apologized to him profusely and asked to take a picture for Guinness's blog. He said, "Don't worry about it. That is the most fun thing that will happen today!" For sure. Glad it was fun!!!