Mommy says I have lost my marbles.  I don't know what marbles are, but do you think you can help me find them?

My name is Milo and my story is unlike most others.  It started off in a familiar way; a Colorado shelter called ERU to come and save a 9 week old Eskie - me!  Dropped off by a breeder unable to care for me, the shelter could not provide for me either.  You see, I was more than an abandoned pup; I was blind, deaf, and had been having seizures since I came to the shelter.

When my foster mommy met me for the first time, she could not believe how small I was!  Mommy could not believe that such a tiny boy had been given up, blind and deaf or not.  Though the shelter had given me a name, Mommy had picked one out before she had even met me.  Mommy named me Milo, which means "Soldier."  She had no idea that I would prove to be the bravest soldier of them all.

My first month in foster care was great!  The veterinarian and my foster family realized that I was not completely blind, could hear very well, and though I spent a few weeks walking in circles, I settled into my environment easily.  I made fast friends with my foster sibling and became used to being picked up.  Mommy learned that I love to eat and splash in my water before I take a drink, and though I was not potty trained and did not understand stairs, Mommy felt that I was growing into a hardy little boy.

It wasn't until October that I had my first seizure.  I was playing with my brother, Evo, and he wandered over to sit by the couch.  Mommy saw that I looked disoriented, and I began salivating excessively.  When Mommy reached down to touch me, I startled and went potty all over.  I was not sure what happened, but I suddenly got very tired.  Mommy was concerned, but we went to bed a few hours later.  Throughout the night, I had about 5 seizures.  The seizures became convulsive, and I was very scared.  So was Mommy, and she took me to the vet for observation the next day.

October proved to be a very difficult month.  I began having multiple seizures and no one could figure out why.  For a while, the veterinarians thought I had Distemper.  Everyone who knew me was devastated, and I was still scared.  Mommy talked to me about my future, and she got me really wet with her tears.  After several weeks of testing - and many more seizures - Distemper was finally ruled out, and I was put on an anti-seizure medication.  It was great - I did not have any seizures the first week I was taking the medicine!!  Mommy thought that things were looking up for me, but I continued to have some seizures into November.

Finally in November I met with Dr. Lands, a doggie neurologist.  Dr. Lands watched me run and slide around the room. He put me on the table and flashed lights in my eyes. He talked to me and touched my face until I got bored, and wiggled until he put me down. Dr. Lands told Mommy a lot about me - I am completely blind in my right eye, but I can see out of the left one. This is why I don't walk into walls, can jump over suitcases, and play with my shadow. I am not deaf, but I do not understand where sounds come from; this explains why I don't always come when called. Dr. Lands also said that I have extensive neurological impairment, and that my brain is under or abnormally developed. I also have a lameness in my hind legs, which doesn't hinder me much; sometimes I flip and slide on the floor, but it's really a lot of fun!

The neurologist gave me a new medication to take in addition to my other. The two medicines combined have helped control my seizures dramatically. In the months of December and January, Mommy observed that I made noticeable progress both cognitively and with potty training. I began holding my potty overnight (at least number two) and I began to realize what stairs were. On a few occasions, I went up a couple stairs on my own, but Mommy knew my problem was with going DOWN the stairs. Mommy was proud to see that I began to stop at the stairs and either refuse to move, or move down them very slowly. This was progress!!!

My foster family and I have been through a lot since ERU rescued me last September. Mommy has shed many tears for my sorrows, but even more for my surprises. I have proven to be a brave little soldier, and at almost 7 months old I've shown that will never give up. With my seizures under control, I am able to spend my days playing with my foster siblings and frolicking in the back yard. I LOVE jumping like a kangaroo, and I have a yard big enough to jump to the moon! When I do have seizures, they are only seconds long, and I typically recover in minutes.

It may sound like my disabilities are inhibiting, and I'll admit that for a few months no one knew what the future held. Because of my cognitive disability, I may never be able to be potty trained (though we can get around that with belly bands and diapers); I may always have seizures (controlled by medication) or I may outgrow them; and I don't connect to humans like other dogs. All of these factors may make it hard for me to find a home, so ERU is trying hard to find a place for me at a pet hospice sanctuary.

In the meantime, I am the happiest puppy Mommy has ever met. Even my disabilities don't get me down, and Mommy, my doctors, and ERU are looking forward to seeing how much further I will progress. I've already been a TV star! You can see me in this clip, along with Mommy and some other ERU volunteers on Colorado and Company. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz10esA4mos. You can also see a very cute video of me singing - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWmkfhfg3cM.  Don't I have a beautiful voice?

Oh, and though I'm not sure if I'll ever know what Marbles are, I'm going to be writing a column in the ERU Newsletter called "Milo's Marbles." My column will detail my struggles and successes as a special needs soldier. I hope that you will read my column, and spread the word about my plight to find a sanctuary home. Don't forget to mention that anyone can sponsor me; I even have a special fund for my medical care!!