Previous Animal Updates: November 1, 2007
Earnest Einstein, the Red Setter
Following are excerpts from Ernie's story, written by his former owner, Susan Spray.
Our dog Ernie is called a Red Setter. He was bred from Irish Setter stock, and was perhaps cross-bred with either a Brittany Spaniel, an English Spaniel, or some other smaller dog with similar hunting traits. The breeder said he was sickened by the way Irish Setters are being bred for their looks in this country, and wanted to get back to the more traditional sporting dog.
Ernie was our third Setter—we think Setters are a wonderful breed. Unlike our other Setters, Ernie has some white markings on his coat, which is shorter and not as feathered as our other Setters. Ernie does have a rather flamboyant Setter tail that works as a flag, and is almost always up and wagging.
On the day of his photo shoot, Ernie has other activities in mind. Nonetheless, attempts were made to pose with him. (Back to original photo)
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From the beginning, Ernie seemed to be very much a pack dog as opposed to an alpha dog. He is high-energy, and thrives on others' company. He got his name from his earnest behavior to please us and be with us as a puppy. We found that isolation (like a time-out in the bathroom) works in disciplining him; he hates to be separated from his other pack members (our family). He is a very active dog and always on the move.
The seizures began in the fall of 2006, and the first two were a month or more apart. In January 2007, they started again and began to occur more frequently, about a week or so apart. I started researching the behaviors I observed and learned that what I had witnessed was a classic grand mal seizure.
Ernie's seizures were occurring at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning, from a sleeping state. We were awakened when they started by his low, loud, mournful howl. His confusion right after a seizure causes him to run around blindly.
When we finally realized what was happening, I began to hold on to him at the end of his seizures until he regained his sight and composure to prevent him from hurting himself on things he might run into throughout the house. Naturally, we were concerned that if an attack happened when we were not present, he could be hurt during this post-attack period. He returns to normal in five to ten minutes, but a lot of damage can happen in that amount of time.
I contacted Ernie's breeder about his seizures. I thought he would want to know about this development because it could be a genetic trait among his breeding stock. He was unaware of any of his dogs developing seizures and offered us another dog. As for Ernie, his advice was "to put the dog down."
Our vet confirmed that Ernie's seizures are probably a genetic tic. A drug therapy was prescribed that that seems to work in not just reducing the severity of Ernie's seizures, but ending them. They did not recommend putting him down and indicated that euthanasia is considered only if the seizures increase in duration (but not necessarily in number) to the point of causing significant brain damage. Even though the breeder would "put him down" as a defective dog, euthanasia was not an option that our family wanted to take.
As a family, we came to the conclusion that Ernie needed a new home. Our dilemma was: who would take a dog with so many issues? In a busy household like ours, our tolerance level for his issues can vary from day to day. We began to question our ability to adequately care for what was now clearly a special needs dog.
Seeing the vigor with which Ernie lives his days, and the vim with which he wags his tail, we assumed that Ernie would rather live than die for behaviors that are inbred, and not acquired. He seems to enjoy his life and seems unaffected by the seizures or drugs, so we decided it was in his best interest that he continue to live with this condition.
In consultation with my veterinarian, I obtained referrals for area sanctuaries for dogs, and that is when we found Home for Life®.
Ernie finally poses for a portrait.
Since June, Home for Life® is Ernie's new home. His environment includes his living with other dogs, where he seems to be fitting in as though they have always been his pack. We have received photos of him running full tilt in an open field, and with the volunteers interacting with him lovingly. As a dog who likes to interface with other dogs and people, we think his new home will make a new man of him.
Ernie's medication will be continued, so he should remain seizure free as long as the drug is effective. Those most affected by Ernie, (my daughters and me), are comforted by the fact that we can visit him, if we choose to, and that he hasn't been surrendered to an unknown fate of a shelter.
We think we made the right choice for Ernie. I can't forget the comment of a woman who helped us chase him through the neighborhood one afternoon when he slipped his lead. She said that she had never seen a dog take such joy in chasing rabbits and squirrels. Our hope is that Ernie has found that nirvana in St. Croix.