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.