Guinness: A Scrappy Survivor Finds a New Lease on Life

Dec 16, 2024

When PAWS Chicago first took in Guinness from Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC), the city impoundment facility, he was in rough shape. This small, scruffy, four-year-old dog had suffered significant trauma to his right eye, which had ruptured and was causing him constant pain. Along with the eye injury, Guinness was matted and suffering from severe dental disease. It was clear that this little dog needed urgent care, but it was also clear that he had the potential for a better life. 

"He came in looking pretty rough," says Dr. Alicia Eisenstein, the Chief Medical Officer at PAWS Chicago. "His main issue was his eye—it was severely damaged. We knew immediately that we needed to remove it to get him out of pain." The surgery, known as enucleation, was essential to give Guinness relief from the excruciating inflammation caused by the ruptured eye. 

The trauma to his eye was severe. Dr. Eisenstein explains, "There are different reasons why a dog might need an enucleation—sometimes it's due to uncontrolled glaucoma, sometimes it’s trauma. In Guinness's case, we believe the rupture was caused by some kind of puncture trauma, which led to the eye filling with fluid and becoming extremely painful. Removing it was the only way to stop the pain." 

After the enucleation, Guinness began his recovery. "He was definitely more comfortable after the surgery. A lot of dogs are a little more friendly, a little less head-shy once they're out of pain," Dr. Eisenstein recalls.  

A week after the eye removal, Guinness underwent a thorough dental cleaning, addressing his serious dental disease. "Once we got his eye taken care of, we groomed him, cleaned his teeth, and gave him a fresh start. He really transformed," says Dr. Eisenstein.  

Guinness’s transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. His coat is now soft and shiny, and he loves to cuddle up with a plush squeaky toy or enjoy a walk through the neighborhood. Although Guinness had a rough beginning, he’s ready for a brighter future.  

"Guinness really is a second-chance dog," says Dr. Eisenstein. "He was passed by for a while, but once we got his health back on track, he really started to show his true potential. His story is a reminder that every dog deserves a chance, no matter what they’ve been through." 

And, luckily for Guinness, his new life is just beginning! His foster fell in love with his sweet demeanor and resilient attitude, so they decided to take the jump and adopt him into their family.