These pups came from a litter of 11. They were the last two left Someone brought them to the clinic where Mere works. Ike was the runt of the litter. He may have the ability to see shadows because he goes through doorways fine and doesn't run into things a lot. But he can't see like a normal puppy. He had no problems finding his brother in a fenced in yard to play. And he eats and acts like a normal puppy.

He is also only 12 pounds to his brothers 20. Dr John thinks he was born this way. His foster mom Michelle states he is almost completely blind. He really runs into virtually everything. A friend of my has had shepherds her whole life and printed me off this documentation off on vestibular disorders in the brain. Ike (we also call him ray since he bobs his head like ray charles) doesn't seem to care. He is eating like a champ, wrestling with the bernese puppy, is doing well with his house breaking, and is otherwise all boy. Hopefully we will get him to see a doggie neurologist and learn more

I love his brother's coloring, but i already have a soft spot for this boy. Those eyebrows are adorable!

He he... He has a light colored sock from the look of it. Reminded me of the white tipped cane. Partially white paw for a partially blind pup?

Runts usually turn out to be some of the best family dogs. Of course i'm even more partial after getting one of my own.

Best of luck to Ike.

He was named Ike while in Indiana, but as soon as he was here in Michigan the girls at the clinic wanted to call him Stevie for Stevie Wonder. But I wouldn't allow the dog to be named after my boyfriend. So their next choice was Ray, for Ray Charles. Just had to add that we had already been thinking that would be a better name for him!

I'd be partial to giving him a name with the meaning of light or vision, something with an S.

I'm sort of partial to these names (or making varients of) even though they mean blind:
CAECILIUS: Old Roman Latin family name derived from the byname Caecus, meaning "blind."
*** CAECUS: Latin byname meaning "blind." *** [Could be shortened to the one syllable of K]
CECIL: English surname transferred to forename use, itself a form of Welsh Seissylt, meaning "sixth." In the Middle Ages, the name was occasionally used as an English form of Latin Caecilius ("blind")
*** CECILIO: Italian, Portuguese and Spanish form of Latin Caecilius, meaning "blind." *** [CC?]
Femine:
SILEAS (Sìleas): Scottish/Gaelic form of English Cecilia, meaning "blind."

http://www.20000-names.com/

Wow... this was in male names... like the meaning. (I mean, he is after all a GSD ;-) ) What aboot Satcher? [Satch]
SASCHA: German form of Russian unisex Sasha, meaning "defender of mankind."
SASHA: Russian unisex pet form of Aleksandr and Aleksandra, both meaning "defender of mankind."

I found that while looking up Shaun.

What can i say? I like giving them human names.

took Ike today to the neurologist after I picked him up. She thinks he has two conditions, both congenital. The first is cerebellar hypoplasia which means the back of his brain that controls balance and coordination didn't form well. This can occur in all animals. Secondly on examination of his eyes, the optic disc didn't appear to be normal. This is where the optic nerve that controls vision is located. She said she did not see a normal nerve. The conclusion was that he shouldn't get worse, but he probably won't get better.


He is going to get a bath tonight and he gained two pounds in one week, so he is growing well.
I work this week from 3 pm to 1 am. Feel free to call me or email regarding how to proceed with the possible adoption. I know you have rules and I dont want to do anything wrong!
Sincerely,
Michelle

Ray charles continues to amaze me. He is growing so fast and has mastered the house. He loves to run and play outside. He may have a forever home in New York! We are keeping our fingers crossed. He is afraid of nothing and loves to run and play with toys. He didn't like his bath too much. He is learning to walk on a leash and doesn't mind his collar anymore.

Some friends of mine took in a kitten that seems that it probably had the same thing. (the vet cleared it of any diseases.) They worked with it constantly doing PT exercises with it. Two years later you can hardly tell it ever had any neurological problems. The brain is an amazing thing.

Maybe with time Ray will "outgrow" that part. (Dogs are resilient and even if that portion of the brain doesn't rewire itself i'm positive he'll learn to adapt.)