November 28, 2011

White Dog and I sat together talking about life and the strange twists it sometimes takes. I shared that although some part of me still holds my breath that Quinn will have another seizure, I have found comfort in others' stories and in the knowledge I have gained about seizures and canine epilepsy. Knowing that there are effective treatments that would allow Quinn to continue a normal life takes away the fear.

"There have been some wonderful positive reactions within the White Dog Army as a result of our scare," White Dog observed. "Nuka, for example."

Nuka, Another White Dog, has adapted well to life within our family but she is not a mixer preferring to stay on the sidelines during group cuddles and being unsure how to express herself to the other WDA members. If you insist, she joins in...but rarely does she ask for inclusion.

Quinn to a certain extent is the same way but has opened up a lot over the past months. He asks for attention and uncertainly joins the group (always with an eye on the exit route) but he still sleeps apart from the rest...except for Nuka.

And that is the heartwarming, smile making side effect of Quinn's seizure. Nuka has assigned herself Quinn's guardian "Angel." She escorts him out of the dog door when YoYoMa is sleeping nearby (which still makes Quinn nervous in going in and out); she goes out to check on TOWD if he is gone too long; she sleeps nearby so she can see him. When the others get silly or are crowding too closely, she becomes Quinn's bodyguard plowing a path through the White so that the claustrophobic Quinn can get through. She is not above standing her ground and yipping in some body's face if she feels TOWD is not being given enough respect.

In return there are nose touches and standing shoulder-to-shoulder moments between the two that just melt the heart. If the ugly seizure monster should strike The Mighty Quinn again, I know with confidence that Nuka Angel will be there, sounding the alarm, keeping her brother from harm.