Insulted

Daddy no longer lives with us, but he came to visit today to make his donation to Christmas gifts.  Guinness totally ignored him as he did the last time Daddy was at the house.  I mentioned, "Have you noticed Guinness doesn't pay any attention to you?"  He called Guinness to him, petted him.  When he stopped petting, Guinness walked away.  That is very interesting that Guinness is showing his displeasure with his Daddy's behavior too! 

Please Pet Me!!!!

I say Guinness has become "aggressively friendly" since turning 6 in April.  Everyone HAS to say "hello" to him and pet him.  He does not take "no" for an answer! 

A couple of weeks ago, we were walking down a side street and a teen was walking towards us on her way to school.  While still 15 yards away, Guinness lay down on the street on his back, belly up expecting rubs.  I told the girl, "He is expecting your to pet his tummy."  She obliged.  What a funny dog!!!!  Since then, he has done the same thing on the sidewalk.  If he sees someone coming towards us, he flops down on his back and waits for them to rub his tummy. 

Guinness the Monster

What a day!  What a day! 

Guinness was scheduled for his water therapy at 11am.  Since it was a light traffic Saturday, I took the non-toll road.  Even though we came from a different way, he knew where we were going.  He was SOOOO excited to be there.  Barking and barking, dancing around the back of the SUV, from a mile away.  He continued barking as I arranged the ramp, released him from being tethered to the passenger seat, and tried to control him as he burst down the ramp, folded the ramp back into the car, then clung to his leash as he dragged me into the building, still barking at top voice.  With such an entrance, I always feel obliged to explain.  This time I said, "He just LOVES coming here even though they cut him up.  It is his favorite place."  Some of the clients went out of their way to say "hello" to this crazy creature, while others curled into their chairs and hugged their dog.  Of course, Guinness put on his loveable show of falling against the person petting him and rolling over for tummy rubs.

Finally, it was our turn.  He was eager to strut on the treadmill submerged in water, followed by the obstacle course.  After about five walks through it, he was catching on to what was expected of him.  His final treatment today was to have electrodes placed on his muscle to assist with redeveloping atrophied nerves and muscle tone.  His surgeon walked past a couple of times, and both times he was VERY excited to see her, and she gave him some attention and pets. 

Once finished, Mommy had more errands to run before going home.  After the first stop, I went to lunch at Cora's.  Next stop was to look for a new refrigerator as my realtor thinks we need a counter-depth one for showing rather than four inches deeper than the counter.  Discovered they are expensive with very little interior space.  Tried going to another store, but Guinness had had enough of sitting in the car.  He pushed me out the driver's door and ran around the parking lot!  ugh!  He is NOT supposed to be running!!!  And there he was running in a big circle.  I told him to sit, and he did!  As I was attempting to position the ramp for him to walk into the back of my vehicle, he went crazy and knocked it over into my knee.  OUCH!  Then made a leap for the car, and fell to the pavement.  Jumping is a huge no-no and falling is probably worse!  I got the ramp set up and he ran in.  I decided he probably needed water, so attached him to the passenger seat to keep him from jumping out.  But he jumped out anyway, hanging by his neck as that leash is not long enough to let him get out.  I could not undo the latch as it was extended too much.  It took me a while to be able to remove his collar to which it was attached.  Again, I had to set up the ramp to get him back inside.  Once he was settled, I did shop at that store and found a possibility -- not too expensive.  After a couple more stops, we finally were home and went on a potty walk.  While chatting with our cardiologist neighbor, I noted Guinness had a grapefruit-sized lump on his right hip next to this tail!  She looked at it too.  We noted he was walking just fine, but what was the lump? 

I called his surgeon, and she was willing to see him as soon as we could return.  He did not seem to anticipate where we were going until we turned on the street for the clinic.  He went bonkers!  He couldn't believe his good fortune of returning to the vet office twice in the same day!  Again, we had an identical entrance to this morning's with more crazy people who love goofy labs, and others who slink away from us.  It was now 30 minutes since the phone call, and there was barely a lump at all!  ??  She didn't know what it could have been other than a bruise, but suggested I keep him quiet (yeah... right...) and ice it.  He didn't get the ice.  Mommy needed a nap worse than he needed the ice!

Surgery Looming

While at doggy park today, a new dog came to play.  He and Guinness had a wonderful time chasing each other.  They were running in circles -- and I saw it happen again -- exactly like it happened the last time.  He stumbled in his run, then was limping.  I knew exactly what it was:  he had blown his right cruciate ligament.  Fortunately, Grant was at home.  I called him to come pick us up.  Today is Saturday.  Late afternoon.  No vet available except expensive emergency vet.  No reason to see a vet.  Keep him calm.  Monday is a holiday.  We have to wait to see the vet until Tuesday.   :\

We were told when he blew his left cruciate ligament  at the end of May 2009, a dog which does that will likely blow the other one within two years.  We were beyond two years!  I thought we were safe.  Not. . .

I knew we were facing months of recovery plus another $6000 for surgery, therapy, meds, special equipment, etc.  Could we really afford that again?  I asked Grant if we should put him down or let him live with a bum leg.  Grant said we had to fix it. 

Playtime with Molly and Her Pool

Guinness loves Molly, a labradoodle who lives adjacent to the park. He often runs to her house. If she is not in her yard, he sniffs around her front yard, ignores my calling (aka screaming) and may run to the next yard before I can catch him. But today, Molly was in her yard with her family, and they invited Guinness in to visit. Guinny LOVED Molly's little pool! Notice the color of the water in the pool! That is because, Guinness kept running under their deck, which is all dirt of course, then rinsing off in the pool. Molly's mother said she didn't mind. What could she say?!! They were very cute together. And Molly's children enjoyed the antics of the dogs.

Happy 6th Birthday!

I had hoped to have a dog birthday party while Kevin was here, but the weather did not cooperate nor was there time to execute it. But Guinness had a fun week with Kevin regardless. He was happy to spend his birthday celebration week-long with his favorite boy!!!
Kevin enjoys having Guinness outside with him as he plays.

And Guinness loves sleeping with Kevin at night.

Grass!!!

After the long winter, at the first sign of fresh grass, Guinness is gorging himself on the salad!

Snow Dog

Good boy! Cooling it in the snow.

Guinness LOVES the Snow!

The pictures say it all!!!

Sophie Comes to Play

Melanie and family joined us at doggie park today. Jake was there also.

Guinness was delighted that Jake could play with Sophie and leave him alone so that he could capture the attention of the people!

Is Sophie cute or what?!

Melanie and Philip had to hold the boys as they were afraid of the crazy dogs!

In Bed

Guinness and Daddy are having a Sunday morning snooze. How did he get under the covers???? And on MY side of the bed with his head on MY pillow???!!!!

Snow Park

A golden and Jake were at the park today. It is always more fun to have friends! Jake is a puppy and sometimes annoys Guinness with his constant haranguing. Funny.