The interesting bit of the story which didn't make it into the blog last year was that, a year ago today when we received the diagnosis, Ethan ran out of the MRI facility to get a mobile phone signal (damned AT&T) and called Riley's breeder in Florida. Syringomyelia breeding protocols at that time dictated that Riley's parents not be bred again, for fear of transmitting the gene forward. Ethan spoke with our breeder (Juli) and told her the diagnosis but it was too late- Riley's Mom, Isabel, had been bred just the day before. When we found out that Isabel was indeed pregnant (with a different sire) we struggled with the idea of getting another dog. We felt, though, that these "tainted" dogs needed homes as they had "bad genetic potential" at this point. After much discussion we decided to take a puppy from that litter.
The day after my last posting on this blog (before today's) Riley's mom gave birth on April 7, 2010 to 5 healthy puppies. Happily- they all found forever homes. On June 10th, we brough his brother Charlie (ACK reg. "Coosa Creek's Whispers of Chandler") home with us. Charlie has been great so far and at 10 months old, no reasons to believe he has SM, though only time will tell.
Juli was so supportive through the whole process with Riley. She's really been making strides to screen all of her dogs and to help wage the battle against SM in the CKCS community.
So this is where we are now. Today. SM, first year out. We have no idea what this might do other than help someone out there who, someday, finds out that their beautiful baby has this horrible disease. And we hope that checking in periodically, regardless of what the futures holds for Riley, in some way helps others affected by this scourge of a disease.
Today is a great day, indeed.
Riley (left) and brother Charlie (right)
