Guinness Stout 7/23/97-3/10/11

reposted by permission … we here at DDN would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Teers on their loss today

We had to let Guinness go this morning.
At 13 years, 7 months, he has…. he has what? I sit here writing this (because writing has always been therapeutic for me) and I simply can’t express what Guinness has done in his life, or more accurately, for our lives. In his life he won numerous awards in the disc dog world. I remember Guinness and Steve winning the Northern California Disc Dog Extreme Games Championship in 2001. NCDDE was the first disc dog club we had ever heard of, and had the privilege to join. I remember Guinness and Steve winning the California State Championship at Iron Dog Days in Van Nuys , CA in 2002. When Disc Dogs of the Golden Gate formed in 2003, it was because we and some of our friends had caught the infamous “disc dog bug” and were determined to show as many people as possible how much fun they could have with their canine partners. And Guinness was right there with us, as eager as we were (if not more so!) to just have fun.
I think one of my all-time favorite competition memories is the Skyhoundz World Finals in 2003, when Steve and Guinness were the top-scoring team after the first round of Freestyle. Such a proud moment for this disc dog mom! When Steve’s nerves got the better of him in the Toss and Fetch Round, of course we were disappointed. But Guinness? Nah. He just wanted to play with his daddy. There’s a lesson in priorities if ever there was one.
Steve has always said that when they started playing disc, he couldn’t throw and Guinness couldn’t catch. So they learned together. And for years now, I have said that they became the epitome of a team: in Freestyle and in Toss and Fetch (and really, whenever they were together) they moved as one entity. Steve would move his foot, and Guinness would go. Those of you with dogs will understand the enormity of what I mean when I say
they had “that” connection in everything they did together.
Guinness, in spite of acting, for the most part, like we had trained him well, was a notorious food thief. He learned to move with such stealth that his tags would make no noise and if we were fool enough to leave food out (God forbid we should have a party at our house and try to feed our guests,) we had to be sure to tell people “Oh, yeah, we store pizza in the oven once it gets here, unless you’re actually taking a slice out of the box. Want a sandwich? Yeah, bread’s in the microwave.” To put Guinness outside was to risk the “I’m starving, I’ve never eaten before” look we dog people know so well. And the people in our disc dog club learned to never, EVER leave any type of food unattended at a competition.
Once Steve decided to “retire” Guinness from disc, for the most part, their focus turned to therapy work. Having children read to Guinness let them know that he wouldn’t laugh if they didn’t know a word, or grow impatient if they read slowly. What a gift to be able to boost childrens’ confidence just by laying there hoping for belly rubs! And he was still always willing to run out after a disc that someone – anyone!- was willing to throw.
In November 2010 when Guinness was diagnosed with prostate cancer, we were sad, of course. But the sadness was tempered with the joy of knowing what a full, rich life he led, what a privilege it was to have a dog that was such an integral part of our lives, and how unbelievably lucky and blessed we are to have forged this kind of “forever” bond with him. We knew, as well, that the very bond that has grown will make it that much harder in the days to come when we forget, and look for him when we open the door, or call one of the other dogs by his name. But part of that bond is giving back to Guinness a very small part of what he has given to us: we get to let him go with his dignity still intact, before he can no longer walk, or open his eyes, or breathe on his own. The light in his eyes has grown dimmer, faster, over this last week, and we know in our hearts that this is the time for Guinness to receive the last gift we can give him.
And so it is with great sadness that we allow our hearts to become raw, open wounds for a time. Please feel free to share words of comfort, memories, pictures, and/or video with us. I plan to save everything we are sent and go over it as we are able, again and again, as proof of how Guinness brought joy to so many lives around him.
I think that the Rainbow Bridge looks suspiciously like the bridge at Point Isabel Off-Leash Dog Park in Richmond , CA. We know that Guinness is there now, running free and chasing plastic. I say “Rest in Peace,” knowing that Guinness’ “peace” surely involves barking, running, chomping plastic, and lots and lots of treats. Founding member of Team Flyin’ Irish, and one of the “OG’s” of Disc Dogs of the Golden Gate; you will always be our Forever Dog. So Guinness, as you carry on in that place where nobody ever has to stop playing, or barking, or eating, remember that we love you, buddy, and can’t possibly thank you enough for the way you changed our lives.

Jill Teer
Disc Dogs of the Golden Gate
Team Flyin’ Irish: Guinness, Sandy, Irish and Whiskey
www.discdogg.com
www.youtube.com/moteer2001
www.youtube.com/discdoggs

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