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CJ is our beautiful Belgian
Sheepdog who has idiopathic epilepsy. For those of you who don't know about epilepsy,
idiopathic epilepsy has no cause--or cure. It just happens, it's a misfire of
brain activity. Some dogs can have a mild seizure, some, like CJ, have clusters
(more than one), some have it much worse, and some perish from them. It's not
a fun thing to witness, you feel helpless. First you see terror in their eyes
and then their bodies begin to spasm uncontrollably. You hope that by being near them, stroking them lovingly and speaking
to them softly, they can hear you and aren't so afraid.
CJ started off his show career
as a big winner and all of us had great hopes for him. In 2004, he was selected Best of Breed in the Raritan Belgian Sheepdog
Specialty and was awarded his first Group Placement--a Group 3, all before his second birthday. His parents, Am/Can/UKC CH. Sandcastle's Kutting Edge, CDX, RE, HSAs, CGC, TDI, U-CD and CH. Rolin Ridge's
Quinlan, CD, PT, were both Best In Show, Group and Specialty winning Belgian Sheepdogs, as well as working titled and it seemed
that CJ was beginning to follow in their pawprints. CJ is BISS,
Then CJ started to have seizures,
which continued to get closer together and cluster. We never thought we'd get
CJ's seizures under control--they just kept coming more frequently and the number increased.
We were very frightened and thought we were going to lose him. Fortunately,
today after about 4+ years of numerous visits to the vet, holistic vets, a neurologist, countless blood tests, herbal supplements,
changing foods, the use of conventional medications, not to mention the thousands of dollars we've spent, he seems to be controlled. His seizure activity is usually between 3-7 months; his seizures can be anywhere from
every 10 minutes to every 6-8 hours, lasting from 2-4 days, usually totaling 6-15+ seizures.
We go for blood tests every 6 months, as the medications can severely damage his liver. The medications have made him
ataxic and although he still has a proud prance, he loses his footing very easily.
CJ's once promising show career as a Special is now memories in photo albums and ribbons hanging on the wall. Through all this, CJ has shown us what unconditional love is all about and still is
a sweet tempered, happy Belgian.
Being inspired by someone,
I wanted to do something for CJ and other dogs that have this horrible disease. I've
designed CJ's Circle of Hope Bracelet. It is a stretch bracelet, approximately
7 1/2 inches long, made from jet-black (what other color for a Belgian?) crystal beads (27 of them for CJ's birthday 9/18),
gold tone and silver tone accent beads, and a silver tone heart (CJ's hug to you). Some
of the hearts and beads may vary. The bracelets are $12 each, including postage.
The proceeds from this bracelet
will go toward the UC Davis Belgian Sheepdog Epilepsy Study in hopes that someday other beautiful dogs like CJ will no longer
suffer with idiopathic epilepsy. If your dog has epilepsy, please participate
in the UC
We’re asking everyone
in the Belgian community as well as family and friends to help support our cause. CJ's
Circle of Hope Bracelet is available by contacting me carleenwiles@optonline.net.
I always said CJ was destined
to do something wonderful for our Breed. If his story helps others and we can
prevent just one Belgian or any other dog from experiencing what CJ goes through, CJ will have accomplished something even
greater than what he could have done in the Show Ring.
Hugs to you!
Carleen, Bill & CJ