Towels

Our pod coffee maker has started leaking. Until we replace it, I placed a towel under it to absorb the excess water. As you may remember, we cannot keep towels on a towel rack, because he pulls them off and hugs them. He also pulls them out of the laundry hamper. It never occurred to me that he would pull it out from under the coffee pot. So who is the dumb one here?

Enjoying the towel.

Wildlife

We have plenty of wildlife around us. Maybe a bit too much!

Our pest control person told me that this "mouse poo" I found is most likely bat poo! He must be roosting in our soffit. Not good.

Then this pastoral picture is in our backyard. Now that the leaves are coming off the trees, we can see the raccoons better -- in the hole and one in the crook of the tree.

These adorable raccoons won't leave my bird feeders alone.

They knocked them down even though I had them on an enclosed hook, they were able to open the hook and remove the feeders. I will have to wait until they hibernate to feed the birds.

Unpacking

I was a bit slow in unpacking my suitcase from the weekend, so Guinness helped me. He took out my new Halloween T-shirt.

The Model

Guinness did some modeling in our yard today -- displaying his exquisite form.

The Good and the Bad

Now that Guinness has regained his freedom, his behavior has changed in the intervening four months of rehabilitation -- some things for the better, some not.

The Good:
1) He still likes to play the reverse retrieve game, but he gives up the object quite readily. Thus, now we can keep our outdoor shoes at the door instead of on top of a cabinet!
2) He has a "job" for the first time! When I gather up the dark clothes to take down to the laundry room, invariably there is a sock dangling and Guinness grabs it. Now I can coax him to come along with me downstairs, carrying the sock, and he willingly gives it up to go in the washer! So now his job is to help carry the laundry downstairs! :)
3) He has not pulled the placemats off the table! I can actually leave them there between meals!


The Bad:
1) He has forgotten what "side" means while walking (that is the term we use for "heel"). He is much more forceful about wanting to charge ahead on a walk.
2) He is quite vocal when he sees a dog on the street. He sounds like a vicious dog because he is so adamant that he wants to play, and barks and barks while jumping at the end of his leash. Not good... He is not making favorable impressions.
3) There is no improvement in towels on towel racks. He still pulls them off.

Lonely

This morning, we walked to our unofficial doggie park beside a bike path. Over the summer, our group has broken up. Riley moved away a couple of weeks ago. Everyone else's schedules have changed so that they do not arrive at doggie park at the same time. We walked around the baseball diamond then started walking in front of the row of evergreens, when he sat down in the field just beyond the ballfield and stared at the horizon of the bikepath from where Riley and Mattie would arrive. He sat there keenly alert and motionless for about 2 minutes before I called him away!!!! He is missing his friends! Sad.

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!!!

What Else Can Happen?

I am away this entire month. Grant was out of town this week, so Guinness lounged at his pet hotel this week. Before Grant left to pick him up this morning, the hotel manager called to say that he had bit his tongue and that they could not stop the bleeding. They arranged to meet Grant at an emergency animal clinic near them.

After hearing more of the story, Grant thinks he got into a garbage can while being walked and cut his tongue on a can or other sharp object in the trash. He was transported in an airline style crate which meant that he lay in a pool of his own blood. When Guinness saw his daddy, his blood pressure rose, causing the bleeding to increase from drips to a near stream. They had to sedate him to calm our effervescent dog so that his blood pressure would go down and the bleeding subside.

Grant told me that he found a mop and bucket and mopped up the bloody floor in the vet's office. They recommended keeping Guinness until 5 PM. Grant brought him home in the pet hotel's crate in case there is more bleeding. He will relax all weekend in the crate on a tile floor to insure that he remains calm thus preventing further bleeding. Then Monday morning he must return to the pet hotel. Never a dull moment!!!

Turd?

Today was another hydrotherapy day. We are doing better upon arrival. I try to use the pop method (instead of pulling/yanking), and we have the lemon to control barking. But... tell me... how do you unscrew the cap with one hand while holding a jumping, barking dog with the other, and then squirt it in his mouth? Thankfully, the sight of it has some effect, but the real squirt has a better result, yet it rarely happens due to the juggling involved.

He was semi-under control, though racing off to sniff nearby open/empty crates, when another client entered the facility without dog. He loves pulling my gloves off my hands in the winter, then playing the catch-me-if-you-can game. This past winter, he started stealing the gloves of other masters at doggie park. Today, he nabbed the woman's car keys out of her hand, but, being on leash, could not complete his game plan. What a character! He does make everyone laugh. His therapist referred to him as "Turd" today. I guess, that is similar to the "Stinkpot" name I have uttered.

Worrisome

We returned to the vet today for a recheck of the neurological test and his annual shots. Fortunately, no one was in the waiting room when we sprinted in. While they took Guinness in the back for his pedicure, a 4 year old black lab arrived in very similar fashion to Guinness's typical entrance, but slightly more reserved. When Guinness returned to the waiting room, the two were ecstatic to meet, then relaxed under durress. Meanwhile, another client and her little dog arrived. She did not trust the two crazy labs and kept her sweetie on her lap.

Yesterday, to do the neurological test, I held Guinness's head and the vet turned his paw, but he was still loopy from sedation. Today, he did not want to stand still, so the vet called in TWO assistants to hold the goofy boy still.

When the doctor turned Guinness's left (leg that had surgery) toes upsidedown, Guinness immediately put his pad flat on the floor -- a normal reaction. When his right toes were turned, he did not move his paw. Definitely not normal. The vet said it could be due to residual sedation or he may have a problem requiring a neurologist to assess the problem. He said he would call the vet college and speak to the intern from yesterday to see what they say, then let me know.

The good news for Guinness: Guinness did not have his annual shots today.
The good news for me: There was no charge for our visit, except for the pedicure!

Today has Been a Day!

Today was the day for Guinness to have his 8 week post-op exam, x-rays, and progress report. His canine GPS was very accurate today. When we turned onto another highway, still 40 minutes from our destination, he knew where we were headed. Then two blocks from the veterinary college, he started dancing and whining with delighted delirium!!! We were early, so I stayed in the car for a few minutes while he deafened me with his eager barking. The lemon juice yields results, but his excitement exceeded its effectiveness. We went inside a few minutes early. Soon many other dogs joined us with their masters. Some looked to be in serious condition or had lost a leg. Despite their frailties, Guinness wanted to be their friend. I set the lemon beside me and threatened him with it many times.

We waited 45 minutes before being called, and then what a sight to behold. He dragged me across the waiting room as he bolted for the door. With a couple dozen people gaping at us, I declared, "He has passed advanced obedience! I have a certificate to prove it."

As he jumped repeatedly on the new intern, the doctor said that he looks like he is healing well. Assessing his level of activity, he told me that they would have to sedate him for his x-rays and asked me to return in an hour. Great! I didn't bring a book with me. The Academic Dean of my college told us once to never be caught without a book. I lamented that I did not think of that admonition today. I bought a coffee and breakfast bar at a nearby coffee shop, sat in an easy chair, and emailed, then napped.

The report is that he is healing well, but has a ways to go. He cannot be off leash, but can walk on a long lead to give him more exercise. Instead of two 40 minute walks a day, four 20 minute walks would be better. He can jump on a sofa now, but not use stairways. The doctor also felt that the sedation would wear off quickly and that Guinness could have his therapy sessions late this afternoon. We had to wait again in the waiting room before his paperwork was ready for him to be checked out. He was very groggy but nosed up against the people near me begging to be petted, and they accommodated him.


He walked to the car slowly and managed the ramp. After a few minutes on the road, he stood with his hind end crouched down and remained in that position for the remainder of the trip -- about 40 minutes. He also was salivating as if he might vomit.

At home, he walked down the ramp, but then had great difficulty walking up the grassy slope to get to the front door. Half way up, he dropped to the ground on my feet and his eyes went glassy. I was afraid he was dying! I had to leave him there to go inside to find the surgeon's phone number. I reached our intern for today, and he thinks that the car ride made him nauseous and that the sedation is wearing off slowly. He suggested that I take him to our local vet for my peace of mind. He called the vet to describe the sedation used and to prepare them for his arrival. I have to say that it was nice to have a calm dog at the vet's office. He actually behaved as a normal dog, though a bit sleepy.

I told the vet that he had crossed his hind legs when trying to walk up the grassy slope, so he did a neurological test of turning his toes under. A normal dog would set his pad flat on the floor, but Guinness didn't. So he wants to see him again tomorrow after the sedation has worn off. And, obviously, he cannot have his therapy sessions today after all.

Chautauqua

July 17 - 15, we vacationed at Chautauqua Institution.
This is where we lived this year -- in the first level apartment.


Due to his limited activity (no jumping on furniture!), Guinness was conveniently tethered to a very heavy coffee table while inside.

Grant and Guinness met the carillonneur! She petted Guinness while she played the carillon!


Grant asked her to play "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" for Karin.

Yes, that is Grant and Guinness at the base of the tower.

We took a couple of daily 40 minute walks around the grounds. Since it is a dog friendly place, we met many dogs on each walk. Guinness asks the other dogs to play by barking, so we had to use the plastic lemon for training. By the end of the week, he realized that barking was not appropriate! Yay!
Here we are walking past the President's home.

Good Boy!

Guinness can do two 40 minute walks a day now, and we can increase that to an hour if *I* feel like it. ha! It is a 15 min. walk to the ballfield where we meet for "doggie park," another 10 min. to walk around the park, and 15 min. home = an even 40 min. This morning, I was a bit slow in getting Guinness out for his walk -- 8:30. I have been told that our group is now meeting at 8:30 instead of between 7:00 and 8:00. So I was worried about Guinness meeting up with his old friends and not being able to keep him from being too crazy on leash. He goes bonkers walking into the therapy building, because they not only do therapy, but boarding, grooming, obedience, etc., so there are always lots of dogs there. If there are any dogs in the play yard next to the parking lot, he nearly drags me to the ground trying to get to the fence. Not good!

We met Holly on the way to the park. He was interested in seeing her, but did not go crazy. Also, Holly's Dad obligingly kept her away from Guinness. At the park we saw Mattie, whom he ignored, and a new Golden, Wilson, was there. They sniffed, but then Wilson and Holly spent the time rolling in the grass while I had adult conversation, with Guinness calmly at my side. :-0 I was quite shocked. He must understand that he cannot play with his friends.

A woman walked by with a little Yorkie. Guinness was more interested in interacting with the little dog than with his friends. He started barking. I pulled out my new plastic lemon and squirted some juice in his mouth.

The therapists taught me that trick, and it works!!! Silence...

Leaving

While preparing to leave, Guinness was afraid he would be left behind and somehow managed to run THROUGH this gate without knocking it down!!! We figured out that one of the bottom pressure points released allowing him to run through without pushing the gate out of the doorway. Must have hurt!

Kevin giving him a goodbye hug.

Brief Trip to NC

Grant and I made a brief weekend trip with Guinness to visit Steve and Kevin. Spunky passed over the Rainbow Bridge since we were last there. James was more brave this time. He stayed in the house most of the time, sitting on the sofa glaring at Guinness with a look that said, "What do you think you are doing in MY house?!"

Guinness acquiesced, demurely watching James. Guinny stayed far away from James, even walking behind chairs to keep as much distance between them as possible.


Kevin and I made some chalk drawings on the driveway while Guinness watched patiently. I think he enjoyed the warm NC sun too!
Kevin drew Guinness!

And I labeled it for him.

Uh-oh

I returned home to find that Guinness had been a bit active while closed into the den. Thankfully, no harm was done to him, floor, or lamp (except the bulb).

More Therapy

Today was Guinness's third hydrotherapy session and his second physio-therapy session (after the first assessment). He LOVES the pool. He swims for 30 minutes with a rest break or two in the process.


He is not quite so happy about the massage. I think he takes after me -- Don't touch me!!! I don't want a back rub, a manicure or pedicure! This week was better than the last time.

New Life in the Den

Sunday, we moved Guinness's crate to the den on the main level. Now he goes outside through the front door with a ramp to bridge him safely over the three steps.
I asked the hydrotherapist if it would be OK for him to roam the den which is not large enough for him to run. She was shocked that he has been crated 24/7 until now. Well, that is what the doctor ordered. I assumed the hydrotherapist was familiar with this type of surgery and how careful you must be with the healing dog. I do have a call in to the surgeon to make sure it is OK now.
He definitely is enjoying his freedom and is remaining calm. The hardwood floor is littered with throw rugs to keep him from slipping. Tonight, I saw that he was cuddled up to a slipper he had stolen from Daddy's closet off the den. When I turned on the camera, he repositioned himself away from it. No worries; he will not harm the slipper other than to slime it. Daddy bought him that new bone last week, and he is enjoying gnawing on it!
Notice that his leg is turning brown again! The hair is growing in!

Second Hydrotherapy Session

Look at that HUGE tongue! I guess, that is the reason why labs slime everyone!
Guinness is standing on a ledge relaxing next to the jets before continuing his swimming exercise. He LOVES it! No surprise there. But at $50 a crack, we can't keep this up forever! Or maybe that is cheaper than a pool or cottage?

Physical Therapy Assessment

Today was the day for Guinness's physical therapy assessment! And it included a first hydrotherapy session! What fun!!! He was SO excited!!!

The therapist thinks that his leg/knee is coming along very well for two weeks post surgery. Even though I have not been successful in exercising his leg myself, she says that his exuberance is giving it good exercise. Nevertheless, we do need to curb the exuberance so that he does not injure the good done by the surgery.

This was his first experience of swimming. He took to it like a duck to water. ha!


The hour ended with a bath. ahhhh....

Since swimming gave him a lot of exercise, the therapist said that his leg will be sore and that we need to get a pain med for him. It was 11:30, and our vet's office closes at noon. So I called them, paid by credit card over the phone, and asked them to please leave it outside their door for us, which they did.

Feisty Dog

Guinness is losing his "privileges." I have not been diligent in snapping a leash on Guinness when I let him out of the crate for a meal. For one thing, he races out to his food with no opportunity to get a leash on. In fact, I told his surgeon, right after surgery, that he races to his food about 6 feet away. She said to put his food bowl just outside his crate door. duh... Anyway, yesterday, after gobbling his dinner in two seconds, he turned and raced to the stairs. Racing is a no-no, stairs are a bigger no-no, and I could hear him slipping on the hardwood floor, another huge no-no, in the living room as he was running to return to normal life with access to the house. Now, I will always put the leash on as he devours his food.

The past several days, he has been very interested in a smell beyond our neighbor's bushes. We pass them on the slope leading to where his "potty yard" is, as we have to avoid stairs. As we returned down the slope after our morning bathroom run, he pulled me through the bushes to the area of the wonderful odor. He is way stronger than I! I have not used his pinch collar since surgery, but, we will never leave the house again without it! The white flower petals in my hair gave away his errant behavior to Grant.

Stitches Out

Today was the day! But getting Guinness to the vet's office, into the office, and back home was a challenge. My plan:
At home:
Set up the ramp to the SUV.
Take a photo of the sloping stairs beside the house to ask the vet if Guinness can navigate these short, deep stairs now.
Retrieve Guinness from his crate.
Have a potty run.
Attach a second leash.
Guide him up the ramp into the car.
Place the second ramp in the car also.
At the vet's:
Park adjacent to the back door.
Attach one leash to the armrest of the driver's seat to prevent him from leaping out.
Walk into the waiting room to let them know I am there and need help.
Open the back of the SUV (he is tethered so cannot go anywhere).
Set up a ramp over the stairs to the back door of the building, so that we don't have to go through the waiting room where he will be excited by other dogs and people.
Set up a ramp for him to get out of the SUV.
When help arrives, release the leash attached to the driver's seat and two people guide him down the ramp -- one with short leash, one holding his collar -- up the second ramp.
Take him directly to an exam room; meanwhile, leaving the ramps in place and my SUV wide open.

WHEW!!!!
It worked, but what a crazy clown!!!!

I led him onto the scale -- 71 pounds. He has lost 4 pounds since surgery.
As we waited for the vet, he was peeking through the swinging door and pushing it to get into the inner sanctum.

A technician came to take him in the back for suture removal. When the technician brought him back, a new vet accompanied them into the exam room. Guinness was being wild. The vet told the technician to release him, that he could handle him. Of course, he was happy to just be wandering the room. I was not pleased to have a new vet who doesn't know my dog. Besides that, I just did not like the man. He asked ME what I wanted to do about his care. What?! I replied, "I am not in charge of his healthcare; you are!" I asked when he can have his Elizabethan collar removed. He said in a couple of days. He began to speak about him walking around the house when I interrupted and said that he is in the crate 24/7. Walking around the house? What is he thinking?! They have all the information from the surgeon giving her instructions and medications, etc., yet he asked me what medications they gave him. Huh? The only recommendation he gave me was to call if I feel he needs more pain medicine. I had to ask him if he had examined his leg. He had, and his joint is doing well. He asked if I am exercising the joint, and I told him that he does not allow me to play with his leg during the cuddle time while holding the heating pad on his joint. Besides, I don't have enough hands! He asked if someone else in the family could help. Yeah... sure... Maybe on weekends when Grant is home.
It was a most unsatisfactory visit. I don't think he liked Guinness. Or me. The feeling was mutual.
We reversed the arrival plan and exited with minimal difficulty, but I did need the assistance in forcing him to use the ramps instead of vigorously leaping.

How is Guinness Doing?

He is not allowed to increase his activity for a few weeks. He is tolerating his new lifestyle of being crated 24/7. I am proud of him! :) We are off medications except the anti-biotic which ends tomorrow, so that is a relief. But now I am to place a hot pad on the joint for 10 min. 2-3 times daily. He likes the cuddle time, but 5 min. is all he wants. I am also to try exercising the leg while we cuddle, but that isn’t working either. His surgeon asked me the other day if he tries to “trot” when out for potty breaks. Then she said, “Be truthful.” OK… yes, he trots. She said we MUST keep him from trotting or the surgery will be wasted.

I did buy him a new cushy pad for his crate yesterday so that it doesn't scooch around like this one. Also this one needed a washing, so it is good to have two.
Here is in new pad staying in postion. Did you know that Mommy and Daddy sleep beside him on the sofa bed? :)

Recuperating?

Guinness is on a somewhat complicated regimen of medications. We wrote it all down so that we won't forget anything.

Today, my great nephew got married near my hometown. Before surgery, we thought we could leave him in his pet hotel, but, once we realized the gravity of his condition, we could not do that. He needed peace and quiet and the love of a parent. So Daddy stayed home with him while I enjoyed the lovely ceremony.

As I began my trip home this evening, I called Grant. He was eager for me to be home, because he was worried about Guinness's leg. When I arrived home, there were large red blotches all over his leg and the incision was beginning to ooze. We put him in the car and went to the Emergency Animal Clinic. It was infected, and he is now on anti-biotics as well as his other meds.

Here he is being a good boy while we waited at the animal clinic. Cha-ching, cha-ching.

Coming Home Day

Guinness's intern called this morning to say that he was doing well and could be released at noon. She showed me his post-operative x-rays. If you enlarge this photo, you can see a dark curved line at the top of his tibia bone. They rotated that bone forward to create a somewhat flat surface at the top, instead of a sloped surface, to keep the ball of the femur from sliding off the tibia. If you look closely, you can see the cut portion of the fibia turned forward of the tibia. Then the joint is stabilized with a plate that is screwed in to the two pieces of bone. Ouch!

Dr. Sarah had left me temporarily at the cashier's window in the background. I turned away from Guinness to speak to the cashier, and wouldn't you know, he jumped placing his front paws on the shelf at the window. Another client offered to hold him while I concluded business, and he jumped with her holding him too. Not good!

Here he is ready to go home with his surgeon assisting to porter him to my car.

At home, he was sedated enough to relax for a minute and show off his leg which had surgery.

Surgery Day

I thought it best for Guinness to sleep in the den last night on his bed rather than navigate the stairs, which he is not supposed to do, to sleep with me, as is the norm. In the middle of the night, he barked and barked. I know I am not supposed to give in, but my night was going to be short enough as it was, so I went downstairs and attempted to sleep on the living room sofa next to him. It didn't work, so I went back to bed for a few more winks before the alarm rang at 5:30 AM. I was to leave Guinness at the Veterinary College Hospital at 7:30 AM. It was a very foggy morning, I saw a deer beside the road. She walked onto the road and stared at me, while I slowed down, then she scaled a high fence and gracefully flew into the woods. After dropping him off, I witnessed an accident right in front of me. Scary.

The intern assisting the orthopedic surgeon called mid-afternoon to say that the surgery went well. The crutiate ligaments were completely torn and were trimmed back. The meniscus had been damaged and needed to be trimmed and "released." A complete explanation, with diagrams, of the TPLO surgery can be found at http://www.thespaw.ca/pdfs/cruciate-tplo.pdf. The stabilization of the joint was completed, and he was resting comfortably. She said she would call me in the morning to give me a pickup time which would probably be Friday evening.

Why is My Life a 3-Ring Circus?

I am such a ditz! Yesterday, I painstakingly figured out where the veterinary college is, where to park, the route to take from home (since Grant has the GPS with him),etc. Google indicated it would take 45 min. from door to door, so I decided to leave at 8:30 to arrive by 9:30. But my confused brain, upon awaking this morning, interpreted that to be that I needed to BE there at 8:30. I awoke at 6:50, and realized I didn't have time for a shower. I pulled some clothes on, made myself decent, and took off, arriving at 8:15!

Somehow, Guinness knew that this was a vet's office. He was SOOOOO excited to be there! He isn't supposed to be jumping, so I have Hershey's ramp in the car for Guinness to get in and out of our SUV without further strain on his knee. The only way to keep him in the car when I open the back, is to attach the loop of the leash to the driver's armrest. I set up the ramp, unhooked his leash while holding his collar to guide him down the ramp. He was far too excited and jumped with me holding him, almost dragging me to the ground. After retrieving the leash from the armrest, I held him while putting the ramp away.

The next excitement was to enter the waiting room, full of people and animals. Guinness made a grand entrance barking and leaping at the end of the leash. Everyone thinks he is a crazy dog (which he is) and grabs their pets to protect them. At the registration desk, the lady had me sign forms while Guinness danced around jerking me as I tried to write, then she asked for his papers from our vet. I assumed they would take Guinness away while I fetched the vet's packet from the car. I said, "They are in the car. I couldn't bring them in and Guinness." She said she needed them, so I stood there wondering what to do with Guinness. A client, whose dog was being seen, offered to hold his leash. What a nice man! Soon we were ushered into an examination room. At 8:45, someone came in confused about why we were there. I said that Guinness was to have surgery. She checked the schedule and saw that he was on the docket for 9:30! She suggested that I go out for a coffee and return at 9:30.

I had not had breakfast, so that sounded like a good idea. I found a Tim Hortons, but it was only a drive through. I could not eat in the car with a fasting Guinness without giving him a Timbit. I bought a TH coffee, then drove around the corner to a McDonald's. I walked in with my TH coffee and ordered a McMuffin. Just before 9:30, we returned to the clinic, entering the building through a drenching rain. Both of us dripped on the floor while Guinness barked and danced around as we waited to be ushered to an exam room. As I tried to keep him from sniffing every dog we passed, I commented, "He passed Advanced Obedience!" And someone chortled, "I'd like to see that."

A young female doctor came and invited me to be seated. I told her I preferred to drip dry while standing. She explained that they needed more detailed x-rays of the knee for the surgery, thus he would only have x-rays today and the surgery would be tomorrow. I had a choice of waiting for him today or leaving him overnight at an $80 fee. I chose the overnight option. She wanted a brief exam of his knee, asking me to get on the floor with her, hold his two right legs to the ground with my right elbow pressing on his neck to keep his head down while she manipulated his left hind knee. She went into great detail on what has happened to Guinness's knee, how they will repair it, the potential problems, and about his recuperation. He must stay off stairs for EIGHT weeks, only 5 min. walks on level ground, and must remain calm. If we have smooth floors, they need to have carpeting on them to keep him from skidding. We recently removed our carpeting and had hardwood put in! She discovered that imaging could take him immediately, and he would be ready to go home by noon.

Off I went to the corner university coffee shop -- one with nice atmosphere and seating. I bought yogurt, an enticing but tasteless cookie, and a cup of their icky, warm, brown drink. If I had known all the waiting I would do, I would have brought a book, so my Blackberry sufficed as my pastime.

Back at the clinic, I asked when he could have food and water. They said that detailed instructions would be given to me. They called a porter to come. He asked me where my dog was. I said, "I don't know. You're supposed to bring him to me."
He replied, "When you find him, let me know." Can this get any crazier??! The young man at the desk called to him that Guinness was in the back and he was to bring him out.
The man guided groggy Guinness out. He had a tough time walking to the car. Once I had the ramp in place, he refused to go up it. I was not sure what to do. After considering walking all the way back into the building to ask for help, I held his collar, and shepherded him up the ramp. They obviously had manipulated his knee so that it was uncomfortable for him. He had trouble sitting, then going down into a lying position.

At that point, I realized I had no care instructions or discharge papers. Returning to the registration desk, they were very confused. The intern was in surgery, so they found a clinician who advised he could drink, but not eat until 8 PM.

Once we were home, he came down the ramp, had difficulty walking up the short, but deep steps around our house to the front where he was then faced with 3 stone steps to the porch. They were a real obstacle and are going to need a ramp. Our condo townhouse neighbors are not going to enjoy a ramp on our steps all summer. After coming in the house, he disappeared. I looked all over the main level of the house and finally found him on the sofa. I wonder how he managed to get up there!

Then I pulled out throw rugs which I have kept in case they were ever needed (hurray!) and littered our floors with them.

Unhappy

Guinness is not a happy boy with his hurt leg. He is being very quiet and not requesting exercise.

The Happy Devil

That is what Dr. C. called Guinness today. He always has quirky nicknames for him. Dr. C. determined yesterday that he does have a torn crutiate ligament(s). He wanted to x-ray him today to see how bad the damage is.

I left him at the vet's at 8:00 this morning to be sedated for his x-rays, then I returned this afternoon for the results and to take an eager boy home. The x-ray showed that his thigh muscle has atrophied, so he has had this knee problem for a long time without any visible difficulty. It certainly has not slowed him down from being crazy! It also revealed some damage which has happened to the joint. He needs surgery to stabilize his knee. Our vet had two recommendations for an orthopedic surgeon. When we decide which way to go, he will book an appointment for us.

It is going to be very difficult to keep him off flights of stairs. There are stairs to the garage on the lower level, stairs from the deck to the yard, and stairs to the bedrooms. Thank goodness we have the ramp Hershey used to get into the back of the SUV. Getting Guinness to wait for me to set up the ramp before he jumps out is going to take some practice...

At least, now we know the problem and are moving towards a resolution, though it will not be quick and easy or cheap!

Poor Guinny

Note he is holding his left hind foot up. Grant noticed him limping on the weekend, though I never saw it. After racing at high speed at doggie park, he could not walk on it and came home on three legs. I called my vet nephew to see if I should take him to the vet today or wait a few days before going. He suggested waiting, and not letting him go up and down stairs, no jumping, no walks, etc. If he isn't better in a couple of days, he needs to go in. He probably has a pulled cruciate ligament like football players get. If it is that, he will need surgery.

Guinness is a BAD Boy!

I heard the clanging of pots and pans and ran to the kitchen. See these muffin pans?

They used to have freshly baked muffins in them. The banana oatmeal chocolate chip muffins were tipped on their sides and the baking papers removed for cooling. But... Guinness got a taste of delicious birthday cake last week in NC. So he decided to try Mommy's baking. Apparently, he liked it. A lot. At 4 years old, we have entered a new phase -- stealing baked goods.

Goofy Guinness

Coming home from NC, I stopped overnight at a college friend's house in WV. We had talked on the phone, so she knew I was about to arrive any minute and left the front door wide open. I pulled into the driveway, opened the car, Guinness galloped out before I could grab his leash, ran straight through the front door, down the hall, through the kitchen, and THROUGH the screen to the deck!!!! By the time I caught up with him, I saw the broken screen door and commented, "I'm glad one of your grandchildren broke the door before Guinness did." The response was, "Guinness did it." :-0 Oh, my...

He was pretty crazy all evening, so I had to keep him on leash to keep him with me and not tearing through their house. By Friday morning, he was much more calm, and was even a bit gentlemanly. (Is that possible???)

I had to blog the door episode, so before we left Friday morning, Ruth took him outside so that he could demonstrate the doggie door he had created for himself.

Guinness, My Hero!

On the way home a week later, I was headed to an college friend's house in the panhandle of West Virginia sandwiched between Ohio and Pennsylvania. My GPS guided me off the Interstate in Ohio and onto a small, scenic river road. At first, it was only two lanes, but it eventually became four lanes. Cruising my usual ten miles over the speed limit, I passed an ugly, old black car with three guys in it. The driver pulled out of the right lane and started tagging me. I assumed that he perferred that I be stopped for speeding instead of him. After a while, he was not just following me, but was tailing me. I considered touching my brakes to make him back off, but didn't which may have been fortuitous. I was becoming annoyed with his tailgating, when Guinness awakened and stood up. Immediately, the car passed me, not to be seen again.

When I told Grant the story, he thinks the car was stalking me. These red necks saw a Lexus from Canada with an older woman -- an easy target and one who likely had money. The usual technique is to bump a vehicle, causing it to stop, giving them the opportunity to rob or worse. After he planted that idea, I remembered that the car had passed me at one point, then pulled into the right lane allowing me to pass them again. They were probably getting a good look at their prey. Thank God for Guinness!!!

Guinness's Last Day in NC

Spunky is not afraid of Guinness and wanders into the house at will! They were nose to nose, but I didn't have my camera. This was their position by the time I snapped a shot.

We tied Guinness to a tree and planted two marigolds and a bean plant that came home from Preschool and a baby oak tree that we started from an acorn given to us by Laura, Mom's hairstylist, as something living to remind us of Mommy. During a break from work, Kevin tried climbing this tree and swung from a branch upside down!