My best buddy Smokey...
 

Hi folks,

I've got a great dog that is truly one of the family. He turned eight on December 26th. He's 1/2 German Shorthaired Pointer, and 1/2 English Setter. We call him our PointSetter. :)

A little over three years ago, it was a Friday morning and I went in to see my doctor to get the results of some tests I had done. The IDIOT doctor didn't even tell me to bring someone with me, fully knowing that he was about to give me a death sentence. He walked into the room with my chart and he cut right to the chase. He just said "John, from the results of the EMG, it looks like you have ALS, and if that's the case there's nothing anyone can do for you". I went numb from head to toe!

It took me a while to process what I had just been told and I almost had an accident driving home because I couldn't see straight through the tears streaming from my eyes.

I got home and laid down on the bed. Smokey jumped up there and laid down with his head on my lap. I spent the majority of the next three days in bed and in tears a good deal of the time. Smokey didn't leave my side!

I'm new here so I can't post pics or links yet, so I'll show you his picture as soon as I can. He is beautiful!

Smokey sounds wonderful. A "pointsetter" would be very handsome too. :)

Animals always know. My cat always knows when there is something wrong with me. I had something happen a few days ago and she's not left my side since. She's not even a cuddly sit on you type of cat, but she's just here on her rug at my feet the whole time and that's quite unusual for her.

I thought I saw something that you have to have ten posts to post pics or links. I've got ten now, so I'll give it a try.

Here's my favorite shot of Smokey...

Hi John
the best way to post a photo is to attach it to your post by uploading it from your computer

You will see that option under the posting box in the Additional Options section

You can only link a photo if you have it hosted somewhere online

Thanks Chemar!

That's how I usually do it on forums, but didn't see the option way down the page. Looks like it worked.

What a handsome dog! ;)

John, thanks for posting his photo.
He's just so beautiful. His name suits him too.

John,
An apt name for a handsome, intuitive boy. It's no surprise you are so deeply bonded.
Oh, to have a dog of my own once more…

Dave.

Smokey is quite the handsome fellow! Do you two hunt?

Hope you are working with a different doctor. There are things that can be done for you.

Hi Sparky!

Smokey's parents were both very good hunters, but I can't hunt anymore due to my condition. I have never set foot it that doctor's office again! The thing of it is that he had been my doctor since I was in junior high. I (over 30 years) I had never really had a problem with him until this incident. He was completely in the wrong with the way he handled giving me his diagnosis.

I've got a new GP who is wonderful. I have a very good neurologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He is an ALS specialist, but he is the one that determined I don't have ALS, but Late Onset Tay-Sachs disease.

I am currently enrolled in two natural history studies for LOTS. One is at the University of Minnesota - Minneapolis, and the other is at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. We're doing everything we can, and I'M NOT GIVING UP!