Mariner has funtional eyesight

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

As many of you know Mariner (F1b GD) suffered a skull fracture at 7 1/2 weeks old, resulting in blindness and a seizure disorder. We adopted him when he was 4 or so months old. For the first couple of weeks he hardly moved and was very unsure of everything. Soon he would be walking around but his tail was down. Little by little his tail started going up. He was navigating by smell, feel and sound. Gradually we started getting hints that his eyesight was returning. We did not beleive that he was seeing we thought he was getting better at compensating for his lack of sight. We started to beleive when one day we had to leave him at a neighbors house and he was able to navigate their backyard and go up and down their steps - although he was bumping into things, this was quite an accomplishment. We noticed that he was getting around better and better.

Over Passover we were at my sister in laws house. He got around without a problem. This was only the second time he has been to this house. The funny thing was that he saw himself in a mirror and started barking. I am sure he sees.

I beleive that he was able to regain at least this functional sight due to a few things - Vitamins and fish oil to help brain development - having him neutered as late as possible, again the hormones help brain development and also that our other two dogs are here to assist and stimulate him. In one sense he was fortunate the accident happened when he was young before his brain was fully developed. His brain was able to develop alternate pathways to replace the injured ones.

Our vet was the one who had said from the very beginning that it was possible for Mariner to develop some sight. But no one ever thought he would do this well. It truly is amazing. Mariner will be 2 in July.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

WTG Mariner! You have taken such good care of him!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Andy, I'm so happy to hear this. I know you have said you believed he had some sight, but it really sounds like now you have more evidence. I hope his sight continues to improve, and that he will be free of seizures, too.
One thing I know is that there has never been a dog who is more loved. Whatever degree of sight Mariner regains, his loving, caring home (and doodle bro & sis, too!) will always be his greatest blessing.

[Tamara & Giada]

WOW................that's great news!!

[Deena Womack]

How wonderful that he is able to gain even some of his sight and feel more confident in his surroundings!! He is very lucky to have such a loving home.

[Brenda Hetzel]

I love these kind of stories! Kudos to you for taking such good care of Mariner and giving him a decent life! Here's hoping you see continued improvement and success!

[Kathy Spyker]

This is great news, I am so happy for you's. I hope he continues to improve.:)

[Adrianne Matzkin]

That is such fantastic news!! I wonder if Elijah added a blessing for Mariner? LOL - hey, you never know!!

[Leslie and Halas]

That's amazing! Way to go, Mariner! And way to go Andy and Sharon for adopting him and giving him a home where he is loved.

[Joy Williams]

Wow, that is such great news!! Its funny...I was just thinking about you guys last weekend, wondering how Mariner was doing as I had not seen anything lately about him. Thanks for letting us know and for taking such good care of him!! I'm sure there's not a whole lot of people who would have adopted a pet with his problems and done for them what you have done for Mariner.

[sandy b]

That is fantastic news. I hope he continues to improve each day.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

That is wonderful to hear. It's amazing what love can accomplish.

[Adina P]

That is so wonderful Andy! Thanks for taking him on and giving him a chance!