When we committed to pull Guinness from the shelter, we knew he was mostly or completely blind, but we didn't realize until after we got him that he is also hearing impaired. He can detect clapping and hear loud high pitched noises, but can't tell where the sound is coming from. But he is resilient and curious, so he is gradually learning his new environment. For questions about Guinness, please EMAIL ME For information about adoption or to apply to adopt, please visit the New Rattitude website.
Date(s): 06/20/25. Album by Terry. Photos by Terry. 1 - 30 of 30 Total. 459 Visits.
1 Say hi to Guinness.
2 When the shelter said they needed help with a sweet little blind gentleman, we knew he had to come to New Rattitude.
3 Guinness is estimated between 9 and 10 years old.
4 His shelter records say that he weighed 12.6 lb. on intake 6/7, but just 9 days later he weighed 11.0 lb. Clearly he wasn't eating at the shelter. When he first got here, he was having a tough time keeping food down and was totally uninterested in eating. Once we learned he had coccidia and began treating for that, he got over his extreme nausea and he turned a corner. He started eating healthily and now, after a few days, has developed a great appetite. We hope it won't be long before he weighs around 14 lbs., which would be a good weight for his frame.
5 He was friendly with the other little dogs in his temporary foster home.
6 Once he got here, he immediately began exploring, going until he touches an obstacle then turning and continuing a different direction, like a Roomba.
7 A thorough ophthalmology exam unfortunately found that Guinness has virtually no retinal activity, so even removal of his cataracts wouldn't be able to restore vision.
8 But his eye pressures are within normal limits, he has decent tear production, and he is stable, so there is no need for any treatment other than on-going monitoring at his regular annual exams.
9 We quickly noticed that he did not respond to most sounds and noises and realized that he is hearing impaired.
10 He will alert to high pitched noises and clapping but has a hard time determining what direction the sound is coming from.
11 Trying to figure out what that noise was.
12 Guinness doesn't act particularly concerned about his lack of vision and poor hearing. He just explores slowly, with mild curiosity and a sweet, gentle demeanor.
13 He will often just stand there staring into space and thinking.
14 And when he is tired of standing and thinking, he will just calmly lie down wherever he happens to be.
15 Or he will find a couch and make himself comfortable. He has no trouble jumping up onto a couch on his own. He is a little more tentative about jumping off the couch, but manages fine.
16 First backrub session with his new foster dad. He decided this was something he would love to get used to!
17 Unsurprisingly, Guinness had a couple of housetraining accidents in his first couple of days here. But once he got used to our regular outdoor schedule, he has been very reliable.
18 At his regular vet exam, everything checked out very well, including heart/lungs, teeth, bloodwork, and urinalysis. So after he gets some more weight back on he will be in great health, despite the vision and hearing challenges.
19 Guinness is a quiet, low-key guy who accepts life as it comes. He likes his naps, some calm exploring of the back yard, and occasional cuddles.
20 When you can't find him, it's because he has burrowed his way under any covers he can find.
21 Mr. Calm-Cool-and-Collected hanging out in the sunroom.
22 Guinness has excellent house manners, never getting into anything he shouldn't. He isn't an escape risk. He doesn't beg for food. He doesn't object to routine household noises nor even bark.
23 When it's dinner time, he smells the cooking and comes to the kitchen.
24 He really likes meeting newcomers, showing polite, tail-wagging interest.
