Squirrel!

Tonsillitis?

We had a real scare last month. One dayI noticed that Guinness was not her usually perky inquisitive self. She stopped eating and just lay there looking sad. Her ears felt a little hot so straight to the vet we went. He confirmed that she had a slight fever, prescribed antibiotics and gave her a shot  for possible dehydration. She was very interested in the KFC we stopped to get and seemed better after the visit. The vet didn't know what was wrong with her. She perked up the next day. One day she perked up, the next day she was down again.

She was so pathetic after the next weekend. She just lay in the laundry room on a pile of towels. We didn't have the heart to take them out from under her to wash them. Nothing we gave her would tempt her to eat. You could tell she wanted to when she went up the the bowl of special rice and chicken. We took her back in. I had noticed that she was gagging and asked the vet to look down her throat. She had to stay for the day and be sedated for them to run their tests. When he called he reported tonsillitis! He said that there are some people that don't believe dogs get tonsillitis but he had the proof right in front of him. I made her chicken mush in the cuisinart and put it on the back of ther throat so she would take one of her small pills. I even made her home made Frosty Paws with plain yogurt and peanut butter -made in my ice cream maker. Hey, I got icecream when I had tonsillitis. After a round of cat (we didn't tell her) antibiotics squirted down her throat  because she wouldn't eat, steriods, and another two types of antibiotics she is bouncing again. It's good to have the perky puppy back.

The Face of a Mouser

Guinness caught a mouse last week. I think she was as surprised as we were. She was very interested in a tarp out back at the cabin and when we moved it a mouse ran out. She grabbed it and we immediately told her to drop it, which she did. It didn't move and my SO tossed it into the woods. He said it was alive. Guinness was rewarded profusely.

I feel bad for the furry little things, but we really don't want them in the house. After the mouse incident Guinness was sniffing along the wall to the kitchen and acting very interested. We set traps there for the first time and found them full when we got back.

As a true mountain woman I realize that mice can be a problem if not kept under control. Our terrier is now an official working dog and living up to her Irish farmdog heritage.

Rainy Day Puppy

Have I mentioned that Guinness hates clothes? We live in Southern California so, unless there's a blizzard in Big Bear, she really doesn't need them often. It's been drizzling all weekend so I deemed it time to break out her raincoat. Usually she runs and hides when I take it out, but I think she wanted a walk bad enough to tolerate it.

I'm not really that lady who dresses up her dog, but the rain makes her fur/hair really curly and matted so I was glad I had the raincoat in the closet.

Normally she'll just stand there, not moving, playing doggie statue. Today she was willing to work with me, although she's doing a good statue in this picture.

Trail Blazing and Duck Hunting

Guinness is very good about staying close to us while we hike. We discovered a nice easy trail in Moonridge and she got to explore along with us. There was plenty of shade for her. She will run from shady spot to shady spot if we are hiking when it's warm out.

We also took a walk along Juniper Point in Big Bear last weekend. Since it was almost sunset there was no one around so we took the leash off to let Guinness run a bit. She loved it and got to smell everything along the trail. On the way back she spotted some ducks minding their own business. She got that look in her eye. I told my siginicant other to put her back on the leash - mostly because I knew she'd get all muddy. The ducks were in no danger. My request was vetoed and Guinness got to plunge into the lake, looking slightly disappointed when the ducks, in a very leisurely manner, swam just a little further out.

Winter Adventure for Guinness

Guinness has never encountered deep snow. Thursday morning we were able to get in the back yard and she was up to her neck in snow. She likes the snow but hates her snowsuit so I let her play. I must say it was fun to watch her trying to figure out what the white stuff was. She usually goes nose first and that didn't change in the snow.

Her fur is so fine that little snowballs accumulate after a very short time in the powder. Short of a full body snowsuit, for which she would never forgive me, there's not much to be done. What do snowy weather wheaten owners do? She hid from from the inevitable bath.

She helped me dig out after the storms, and much preferred to be running free without the much hated snow suit.

Guinness Likes the Snow

Guinness is with me in the mountains this week. Last November when there was a foot of snow she came back from a walk with snowballs all over her, especially her tummy. These things were not easy to brush off and necessitated putting her in the tub to melt them off.

Kenai's Corner in the Village had snowsuits that covered the tummy area so I talked myself into getting one for her. This is her first winter in the mountains. For some reason she is not terribly thankful for the extra protection from the elements and gives me a look and is all draggy-tailed. I tried reasoning with her but she still hates clothes. I let her out after this picture without the snowsuit and she romped and enjoyed the snow much more. It's still easier to take off the suit than those snowballs so she'll just have to deal.