Guinness. While we didn't come to an easy agreement on the name, the final decision was made, and Guinness was chosen. It was based on the idea that his markings are reminiscent of a draught of the beer, as it settles. You see it, right?

He's much smaller than we've normally had, even smaller than Polka was. Ah, Polka. You're still very missed in the household. Guinness came to us weighing about 110 pounds, and believed to be around a year and a half old. This was in mid-February.

I'm a little confused about what to write. He's a shy dog, still nervous about meeting strangers, still barking at men who come into the house, as opposed to looking for affection, like Kitty and Danforth. He eats his meals very quickly, which we assume stems from his history of being starved. We believe that he would have been much bigger, based on the size of his paws, had he not been stunted by starvation. He's a striking colour, and once he does acclimatize to a stranger, he's difficult to separate from. Even my sister, who is not a fan of dogs, wanted to find a way to comfort him when we took him for a ride on the subway. He just sucks you in with his neediness. Which you have to consciously make sure not to feed too much.

And he has shown a bit of improvement of fitting in, and the other two are non-plussed about him, which we're glad for. He plays briefly with Danforth, which we're glad for, although I would love for the two of them to get even more playful, I have to remind myself to be patient. He's had a tough past life, and it might take a while for him to actually get rid of his demons.

Below are some pictures captured in the first few months of him joining us in our little house.

Day 1, Guinness tries to settle into his new home
Day 1, Guinness tries to settle into his new home. 2014-02-21
Guinness and Kitty play in the snow in the back.
Guinness and Kitty play in the snow in the back. 2013-08-09
Amanda came over to meet Guinness.
Amanda came over to meet Guinness. 2014-03-08
Guinness at his first Great Dane meetup.
Guinness at his first Great Dane meetup. 2014-03-15
Guinness is small enough to sit in the wingback.
Guinness is small enough to sit in the wingback. 2014-03-15
Out for a walk with the pack.
Out for a walk with the pack. 2014-03-16
Guinness trying out the wingback.
Guinness trying out the wingback. 2014-04-11
We all enjoy some sunshine when I got home from work.
We all enjoy some sunshine when I got home from work. 2014-04-11
Marylin enjoys Danforth and Guinness.
Marylin enjoys Danforth and Guinness. 2014-04-12
Guinness at the Chadwick's.
Guinness at the Chadwick's. 2014-04-13
Guinness learns about Cracksticks.
Guinness learns about Cracksticks. 2014-04-14
Guinness plays with a friend at Cherry Beach.
Guinness plays with a friend at Cherry Beach. 2014-04-21
Guinness plays with a friend at Cherry Beach.
Guinness plays with a friend at Cherry Beach. 2014-03-15
Guinness plays with a friend at Cherry Beach.
Guinness plays with a friend at Cherry Beach. 2014-04-21
Guinness and Danforth play.
Guinness and Danforth play. 2014-04-21
Guinness tries a bizarre move.
Guinness tries a bizarre move while playing with Danforth. 2014-04-24
Guinness startles Sarah while playing with Danforth.
Guinness startles Sarah while playing with Danforth. 2014-04-24
Guinness' profile.
Guinness' profile. 2014-05-07
Guinness meets a 3-month old.
Guinness meets a 3-month old at a Great Dane meetup. 2014-05-17
Guinness gets animated with a friend.
Guinness gets animated with a friend at a Great Dane meetup. 2014-05-17