Mariner update

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

For all of those interested this is the latest update on Mariner:

Mariner was sitting by me. I have been thinking that Mariner has been seeing better lately. I decided to test his blink reflexes. His blink reflexes were great in both eyes. This is exciting. Every day he seems to get better and better.

[Karen & Lucy]

Keep up the good work Mainer. You are on your way!!!!!!!!!!!

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

When Mariner was 7 weeks old he had an accident, his skull was fractured. As a result he went blind, was in very bad shape for a while. He was still with the breeder - Bill & Betty. He was in doggy ICU for about a week. When they brought him home they had to teach him how to do everything, from eating to peeing, etc. They spent a lot of time and money on the puppy that they would never be able to sell.

We learned of him on annsdoodlechat.com . He is a biological younger brother to one of our other dogs, Boomer.

As time went on Bill & Betty could no longer keep Mariner. Either someone had to adopt him or some hard decisions would have to be made. After discussing everything with our vet, we decided that we would like to give Mariner his forever home.

We have had Mariner for about a year now. We have dealt with him have seizures - but we have that under control. He is on Phenobarb. He hasn't had a seizure in many months. Over the last year he has come a long way. At this point it is difficult to tell that he has a disability. His biggest problem now is that he cannot get up and down from the couch and our bed by himself. We think that this is due to a depth perception problem.

Ann thank you for asking - I don't mind telling everyone about him. He is an amazing guy. He has overcome a tremendous disablility, and if his story helps someone else adopt a dog that has a problem, it is well worth telling.

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

I love his positive updates! I do have some questions. How do you test blink reflexes in a dog, and how does it correlate with his sight?

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

To test his blink reflexes you swat your hand towards his eyes and see if he blinks. Remember when you were a kid and went like you were going to hit someone in the face and pulled your punch.

If you have a blink reflex it means that the nerves from the eyes are connected to the brain and are working.

When we first got Mariner he had a very limitted blink reflex.

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

That is good news! Dont you wish he could talk and tell you how he really sees?

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

YES!!!!!!

[Tamara & Giada]

That sounds encouraging!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

How wonderful to hear this great news! So glad that Mariner continues to improve, we are so happy for him!