Worried Parents

The ER vet last night indicated that the leg would look much better this morning. We didn't think it did, so returned to the Emergency Animal Clinic. Plus the drainage from the incision had increased and had blood in it. A true emergency came in a few minutes after we arrived. The technician, who had seen us last night also, checked his leg and didn't think it looked that bad. We waited more than an hour for the vet, then went home, as it was time for his next anti-biotic pill which he certainly needed.

Pet Poisons

I arrived home from NC two weeks ago yesterday. Two weeks ago today, my computer case zippers were open as I was slowly getting things back to normal. Secret: I eat at least one square of dark chocolate per day. Shhhhh.... It's good for me; right?! Half of a bar of 72% cocoa content Heart Healthy chocolate from our local chcolatier was in my case. Three guesses what happened, and the first two don't count. This IS a blog about Guinness!

It was Sunday morning. I called the Emergency Animal Clinic. They insisted that he needed to come in to have vomiting induced. cha-ching, cha-ching. So I tried to call my vet nephew. He was in church. I called my neighbor with a lab. She said to give him some rice to dilute the chocolate, plus they did some online research. We decided that he had not had enough to be an issue unless I noted a change in his demeanor. Vet nephew called later from a noisy restaurant, and concurred that he probably had not had enough. And he was .... just fine! :)

Today, my son sent this site. A good one to bookmark!!! It says to not go to the emergency vet unless the dog is losing consciousness or having seizures. Good information! I knew most of this already, but no grapes?! I am sure I have given him a grape or two. uh-oh.

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/guest_bloggers/43/foods-poisonous-to-pets.html

Do Dogs Cause Marital Strife?

They certainly can! My mother had a little poodle when she met my Dad. Teddy did NOT like Daddy. Mom tells me that there was some definite tension in the beginning. My Dad LOVED dogs, but Teddy did NOT love my Dad.

Here are my parents on their wedding day, July 25, 1933, with their minister (the inventor of the gumball machine!) and Teddy keeping guard.


Texas Cooper here...

Today, a friend (Sarah -- who readopted Aria after Karin's death) posted an hysterical tale about her dog Cooper which proposed a wedge in her and Chris's blossoming relationship. Check it out -- http://twoinayear.blogspot.com/search?q=cooper.

On the Guinny Trail

This morning, I asked a fellow doggie park friend to take Guinny's and my photo on the bike path leading to the ballfield where we play with our best friends every morning.

Unfortunately, my stylish polka dot boots are not obvious. My unstylish waistbag is front and center, but important! It carries poop bags, treats, camera, and Blackberry.

Post Birth; Pre Death

We walked past several robin egg shells this morning. Guinness took no note, but I did! :)

I know you don't care... ha! but Kevin will! :)

Guinness continues to exhibit his new level of maturity. A 14 year old shepherd was at our park this morning. Guinness eagerly ran to him hoping for a playmate, then realized as soon as he was close that this was a dog to respect for his senior status. But the owner was healthy, so he politely requested attention from him. "Politely" is the key word in that sentence!

The Killer

Today was our date for a heartworm test. As you know, Guinness LOVES going to the vet's office. LOVES! This experience would be a good test of any potential 5 year old behavioral changes. When we turned on the street where the office is, he knew where we were going and was dancing. He couldn't wait to get out of the car. He pulled me across the lawn and through the front door as I declared, "Here we are!" There were three owners and three dogs waiting. He wanted/tried to meet them all as I attempted to restrain him. He nearly leapt over the counter to see "his girls." The barking stopped after a few minutes (sign 1), but the energy level remained off the wall. One of the newer assistants thought a treat might calm him down. He appreciated the treat, but that is not a calming activity.

They now have a scale in the waiting room. Two assistants who know Guinness appeared and wanted to weigh him. I guess, they have forgotten! No one can weigh him but me, and usually it has to be in private for him to settle long enough to register a weight. However, today, he sat still on the scale for me with others present (sign 2)! 77.8 pounds.

As our wait lengthened, Guinness relaxed a bit. First he sat (sign 3).

And eventually he even lay down (sign 4)!

When it was finally our turn to go into an exam room, the waiting room erupted in laughter at his eagerness. Again it was a long wait, and again he lay down (sign 5)! When the vet finally appeared, he greeted Guinness with, "It's Killer Guinness!" When I mentioned that I think Guinness's behavior is improving, he said, "He is a 35 year old male! He won't slow down until he retires." He devoured the vet's attention, had his first treatment of Revolution, and we were on our way. Well, we had to pay first, and, since new dogs were now in the waiting room, he was bonkers again, knocking my purse off the edge of the counter, spilling the contents on the desk of the office staff.

As we approached the door, an elderly woman and tiny Yorkie were approaching on the other side. As she started to open the door, I suggested that I hold the door for her while they walked inside, then we exited. I could see a potential disaster with him racing for her dog, knocking her off balance at the top of stairs as she tried to hold a heavy door. As it was, her Yorkie effectively told Guinness off for being Guinness, and the lady slapped the little dog's face for being impolite. Oh, my.... :\ They entered, and we exited.

I would pronounce: definite improvement! Age is not all bad!

We Finally Learned the Truth

... about Guinness's tongue gash at his pet hotel last August. The original story can be seen at http://dogsofourlives.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-else-can-happen.html.

What really happened is -- they were walking Guinness past the food cart, a two shelved cart with food for the dogs on the top shelf and trash on the lower shelf. As Guinness approached the cart, he smelled goodies on the lower shelf and tried to lick an opened and empty can, gashing his tongue. This is similar to what we expected had happened. You mean that other dogs can walk past a food cart without lurching to glean some treats?

Anyone familiar with labs would expect one to reach for either the trash or the food on top. Someone was not thinking that morning...

Will I See My Dog in Heaven?

How can heaven be heaven if my dog is not there?! I have gathered opinions of theologians and some others on this issue, plus I have written out my thoughts on the topic. I was pleased to find this book at Calvin College during The Festival of Faith and Writing. I set it on the stairs to place beside my bed for reading sometime soon. After I read this, perhaps I will post my ideas on this topic which, I hope, will be bolstered by this book.

I found Guinness running around the house with my book in his mouth!!! You can see some scratches on the cover, but everything is in tact. He rarely ruins anything anymore, but he might leave teeth marks.


Now I wonder... maybe Guinness will not go to heaven after all... if he is going to steal my books!!!!

Signs that Guinness is Maturing!

Today I began to see some indications that Guinness is actually growing up!!!

First, we had window washers come today. I tied Guinness to the tree in the side yard so that he could watch them and perhaps receive some pets. Normally, as soon as they enter the yard, he begins barking and jumping hoping for some attention. Not today. Silence. He watched them work but did not interrupt them or beg for attention. Shocking!

Also today, my computer guru came to fix the sync problem between my Outlook and Blackberry. Normally, I have to close Guinness into a room so that he will leave the guest in our house alone. Amazingly, he did NOT jump on Shawn. He lay down at Shawn's feet and behaved like a "normal" dog!!!

In recent days, I do not hold on to the leash when we are in our side yard. So far, he has not tried to run away!

I am seeing definite progress in development! Finally!

5 Year Old Antics

He may be 5 years, yet he thinks he is 5 months. Still a pesky character! Today, I noted that one crocheted placemat was missing from the kitchen table. I went upstairs to see if it was there with a naughty dog. Not only was he on our bed with the placemat, but he also had one of my Crocs. None of this is unusual. It is all par for the course with Guinness.


He still is not looking very happy. :\ His age must be weighing on him...