It’s a mixed season this year, with the passing of Guido after Thanksgiving, and the rest of the pack trying to figure out their new roles.  Guido was the leader, and Meadow I believe has taken that role though she isn’t exactly sure how to lead.  Abel is growing up fast; I have caught him lifting his leg a few times, and he kicks up after he poops.  He’s going to have a very strong personality like his dad, so I have to be careful it doesn’t get out of hand and cause him issues when it’s time to start coursing.

This year has been an eventful one, a sorrowful one, and also a happy one, yet one I am ready to let go.  My spiritual guide said to expect a rocky remainder of 2014, and she wasn’t kidding.  After getting bed bug bites in early November from a hotel stay, the prednisone I took lowered my immune system, which opened me up to a cold over Thanksgiving, and then the flu which hit me on 12/21.  Luckily I got to some anti virals quick enough and seem to be almost over that after just a couple days.  I HAVE to stay healthy, I no longer will have health insurance after the first of the year, so until I find a new job, I have to wing it that nothing happens.

We have an eastern Caribbean cruise in January, and upon returning, I will be hitting it hard looking for a job.  Lots of stuff coming up this spring and summer that I will need money for.  I can’t say that I have enjoyed my break after leaving work on 12/1, as I have been sick, and I honestly am ready to be productive.  Sitting home and not doing anything is NOT for me.  While the dogs like it, I don’t.  Lots of naps and walks and trips to the dog park, but that isn’t enough.

So no matter what holiday you celebrate this time of year, I hope it’s a good one! Be  happy, be safe and have a wonderful 2015!!

Annie (and Al, Meadow and Abel)

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Follow this link to hear Guido tell about his last day.

The Gumba: June 26th, 2004 – November 29th, 2014

November 29th, 2014 was one of the worst days of my life.  I had to say goodbye to my heart dog.  While you’ll notice I have shared my life with many Whippets, Guido, or “Gumba” was extra special.  He was moody, loyal, kind, assertive, competitive, smart and my best friend.  He had not been feeling well for longer than I had thought.  I feel awful for not knowing he wasn’t well, but vet visits he’d had in 2011 and 2012 weren’t showing anything was wrong.

Guido did everything I asked of him.  He ran NOTRA starting in 2008 at the age of 4, and the several meets we entered, he was always top scoring “non-race bred”.  He also humored me and went through obedience and rally and got his CD and RN at the age of 9.  He sired two litters, his first produced two top 10 ASFA runners, and his second litter is currently only 4 months old with great potential for the show ring and the coursing field.

I learned summer of this year that he had something terribly wrong going on inside.  Blood tests showed a high and severe protein loss in his system, but no enzymes were showing as off.  We put him on a prostate shrinking drug in July, and he was like a new dog.  After that, he was neutered in August.  I thought for sure we cured him, and an enlarged prostate had been the problem.  Guido had a great summer and fall, playing with his son, loving his new house and yard, and going to some state parks with his friends Steve, Argo and Gloria.

Then right before Thanksgiving, he changed over night.  He was hurting, he didn’t want to eat.  We went in for a check and they drew more blood.  His kidneys were in failure.  My heart was broken.

I fed him hamburger for two days, but after that nothing interested him anymore.  He spent Thanksgiving at home with our family and he liked having us all close.  Friday after, I knew I couldn’t ask him to hold on any longer.  I made arrangements with “MN Pets”, an at home “end of life” service for animals.  On Saturday the 29th at 1:10pm, Guido left his broken body and his soul soared up and over.  He’s with Adrian and Eddie, Willie, Walter, Peepers and Ace, plus many other Whippet friends.

I picked up his ashes on December 4th.  He’s home again, physically and spiritually.  Guido left a mark on my heart when he shared his life with me, and a hole when he left.  I miss you, Little Man.

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