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.

Lessons in Dog Abilities

My six year old grandson is with me for two weeks over the holidays. He and Guinness are best buddies. He is learning information on the unusual abilities of dogs. I made a wrong turn on a busy street and had to find a place to turn around. As I pulled into an unknown parking lot, Guinness went crazy, jumping around and barking. Kevin asked why he was doing that. I said, "He knows I made a wrong turn. He knows I should not be here." Then I explained to him, when I drive to his house 600 miles away, Guinness knows when we are close! Any of my relatives whom I visit, he knows within ten miles or so, we are almost there. I also related stories of dogs who are given to a new home many miles from their original home. It sometimes happens the dog escapes and finds his way home. It may take days, weeks, or months, but they know how to go home using a sense which humans do not have.

The sense of smell is also beyond human ability and is their supreme sense. They can live without sight easier than without smell. A friend sent a forwarded email, with YouTube link, illustrating the incredible ability of a dog's nose -- http://www.petplace.com/dog-videos.aspx?p=362&utm_source=dogcrazynews001et&utm_medium=email&utm_content=petplace_article&utm_campaign=dailynewsletter
The friend, a PhD biologist, says "The longer the dog's nose, the better the sense of smell because there is more space for the cells lining the dog's snout that detect odors."

Visiting Jack for Thanksgiving

These two dogs are fast friends forever. They adore each other. Their play shows so much love. Guinness is dominant, simply by his size over the growing Jack. But he purposely lets Jack win their games. It is an equal split. First Guinness wins, then he lets Jack win.


Since my son-in-law's new lawn is not yet fenced, the dogs have to go outside on a leash. It is a trick to take the two dogs, one a trained adult on a short leather leash and one a half-grown puppy on an extendable leash, though I keep it at a set length. Of course, they want to go in opposite directions with the leashes becoming tangled. I imagine the neighbors watching the circus and laughing -- at my expense. After completing their morning constitution, I have to hold two leashes while pooper scooping with one hand. Yesterday, I decided it would be a good idea to put them back inside before picking up their leavings. When I came inside, one (or both) of them had grabbed the roll of poop bags and ripped a couple to shreds. Point taken: they were saying -- Do NOT leave us in the house while you complete the morning routine alone! This morning, my intent was to do the same thing. Sure is easier for me! After all their outdoor business was completed, I attempted to lead them back to the house. Guinness planted his feet and very clearly said, "Mom, you did not pick up our mess yet. You have to do that before taking us inside." OK, OK... I did my job with one hand holding two leashes and one doing the work. cNow I know which one shredded the bags.

Jack's rising yeast growth is bringing more strength. He has not gone to doggie school yet nor has training to walk with a master been taught,nor does he have a training collar. After two attempts to take a walk, I gave up. No more walks! It is impossible and dangerous for me as he is so strong. Guinness does his best to demonstrate walking at my side, but Jack is not comprehending the message. His only leash is a retractable one which I set at a length equal to Guinness's leather leash. Jack is just about strong enough to yank the handle of the retractable leash out of my hand, and grabbing the woven leash part is dangerous to one's hand.

As I blogged this morning, this is where they were --

After taking the picture, they began wrestling again.

Shopping Diva

Guinness LOVES to go shopping, but there are few places that allow him: my plant nursery, pet stores, and that's about it. I did go into a plate glass store recently, and they told me to bring him in! They had two Doberman puppies. Here is their fun...

Our grocery store is next door to PetsMart. He ALWAYS hopes, when I go grocery shopping, that we will go food shopping for him too, but that is not nearly as often as our trips for human food. This evening, I parked near the grocery store entrance. He was barking like a mad dog, as usual, with his barks saying, "Please, Mommy, please take me shopping!" He didn't like my answer, so he pushed me out of the car, ran across the parking lot while I yelled to everyone who froze in their places, "He's very friendly! He wants to go shopping!" Everyone was focusing on this crazy dog racing to the pet store. As he neared PetsMart, I heard someone say, "He IS going shopping!" The store has automatic doors, which parted, allowing him entrance all by himself. They also have interior automatic doors, but, thankfully, he made a sharp turn to the left where the shopping carts are stashed.

I ain't no dummy. I always put him in the car with his leash ON, for such instances as this. Luck was with me! The leash caught on the wheels of a cart. Meanwhile, I noted everyone INSIDE the store was staring at us too! Oh, my... Then I had to usher him in the store to explain how much he loves shopping before returning to my vehicle which still had the driver's door open.

Controlling Boy

Today, Guinness and I joined Daddy while he was on a cigar walk. We completed the loop around our complex, then headed for a our backyard. Guinness planted his feet and refused to move! I told Daddy, "I think Guinness wants a longer walk." There was still plenty of cigar left, so we walked across the street and around the block. Behind our garage, he did the same thing. The expression on his face said,"A longer walk please!" The cigar was not gone, so we did one more loop. That was the end of the cigar, and Guinness was willing to go home.

Unfortunate Thing, and then a Funny Thing!

I folded up the king-size comforter off our bed, threw it in the back of my SUV, and delivered it to the dry cleaner. When I carried it in, the clerk dropped a pile of clothes to the floor allowing me to flop the comforter down on the counter. She lurched backwards gasping, saying there must have been cat hair on the clothes. I said, "This comforter is full of dog hair!" She visibly and audibly was in immediate distress. Her response was, "You should clean it before you come in." Oh... Interesting... She had to excuse herself and run to the back for an allergy pill. I am sorry about that incident.

Several days later, I picked up my cleaning. When I arrived home, I noted there were TWO hangers. Here is the second --

I must have gathered a dog toy from the car into the folds of the comforter when I took it in! And they CLEANED it!!!! LOL

Addendum on 10/30: Guinness was playing with this toy and chewing on something which made a noise when it dropped to the hardwood floor. So I checked out what he had. The cleaning tag with safety pin! How dangerous was that?!

The Parade

Frank, the Candy Man with the dog biscuits, keeps his Mattie on leash because she tries to bite everyone. I tried to capture the ritual parade of Mattie leading, followed by Frank, and Guinness trailing at the end hoping for one more treat. Guinness follows them like this all the way around the field.

Watching Mommy

We were the only ones at dog park this morning. Guinness was enjoying sniffing all the wondrous smells, aka reading the morning paper. He wasn't paying any attention to me, so I decided to test him and wandered into a corner of the park to see if he would see me and follow. He did not, but he was headed for the path behind the trees to find me! So I called to him, he came galloping -- running past me and around in huge circles a couple of times. In other words, he HAD noticed I was missing, was looking for me, and was ecstatic to find me!!! :) He almost failed the test, but passed at the last minute!

Buddy Holly

Guinness and Holly are good friends, but they don't play. They sniff together. They wander around smelling the same things.

Enjoying the Camping Life!

Guinness relaxing on Uncle Gary's porch.

A couple of years ago, I tied him to the corner cement blocks and he pulled them out!!! :-0

Grand Day at Cousin Camp!

Today Guinness and I traveled to Letchworth State Park for Cousin Camp! First we met up with Guinness's Aunt Janet and Aunt Ruth.

Then Cousin Marlene and Cousin Etha appeared.

What a perfect, glorious fall day!!!

Guinness was a good boy, though you can't convince Uncle Gary of that! Mommy even bought him a dish of ice cream!

This evening, we stayed at a new Microtel in Olean which welcomes dogs. As we arrived, our next door neighbor came out of their room and exclaimed over Guinness who was all too eager to let them rub his belly. They said they have a yellow lab, Bear. I suggested they meet. So they opened their door, and the dogs charged for each other with great joy! Then they ran to the hallway and ran lickety-larrup down the hall and back a couple of times with their masters laughing our heads off and grateful that no one else came out of their rooms!!!