wild1forever

SHIH TZU WARNS MOM WHEN HER DAUGHTER'S SEIZURES ARE IMMINENT By Linda Goldston, Mercury News http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_7531665?nclick_check=1 When a friend offered Jan Davenport a Shih Tzu puppy, the Santa Cruz woman said "no way!" She lived on the second floor of an apartment complex at the time and took care of her daughter Cyndi, who has severe cerebral palsy. But she did offer to take the pup's mother, if her friend could not find a home for the tattered, matted rescued dog. Nearly eight years later, Precious has been a lifeline for Davenport's 31-year-old daughter, who suffers from multiple medical problems, including seizures. Within a few days of joining the family, Precious was predicting Cyndi Davenport's seizures about 45 minutes before they happened. "On the fourth day we had her, Precious started running in circles around me, scratching at me," Jan Davenport said. "I thought she had to go to the bathroom and opened the front door for her." Precious refused to leave the apartment, though, running instead to Cyndi Davenport's room, where she had a seizure about 20 minutes later. "It's a miracle, I can't say anything else," Jan Davenport said. Experts recognize that certain dogs can detect seizures beforehand - the behavior has been seen in German shepherds, collies, border collies, Labradors and Shih Tzus. But no one knows for sure how they do it, though they may be picking up on a scent or a change in behavior. Some seizure-alert dogs will lick their owner's hand if a seizure is imminent. Precious alerts Cyndi Davenport's mom. Precious was 1 1/2 years old when Jan Davenport got her; the dog will turn 9 in January. She wasn't formally trained as a seizure-alert dog but did receive a California Service Assistance Dog certificate after Davenport was able to videotape the dog's actions before Cyndi had a seizure. That allows Precious to go with Cyndi and Jan Davenport inside stores and public buildings - including the new Jamba Juice in Santa Cruz, one of Cyndi Davenport's favorite places. When she's "on duty," Precious wears a bandanna with the words: "do not touch, seizure alert." Jan Davenport credits Precious with helping to reduce the number of seizures her daughter has. "Cyndi used to have them once every 10 days," Jan Davenport said. "Now she has them once about every eight weeks." In their small Santa Cruz home, Precious keeps constant watch on Cyndi Davenport but will take time out for naps in one of her three favorite sleeping places. When they go out, Precious rides in Cyndi Davenport's lap, gripping tightly so she won't fall. "When we go for a walk, I do the walking," Jan Davenport said. "These guys are riding." A former San Jose police officer who gave up her job to be the in-home caregiver for her daughter, Jan Davenport has managed to hold onto her humor and positive outlook despite a long 15 years of challenges. Cyndi Davenport was born four months prematurely, and her mother was told her only child would not live past age 5. "And now she's 31!" They made it through that, then Jan Davenport was diagnosed with Stage 4 cervical cancer in 1990 and had to undergo 36 months of chemotherapy. "I would be as sick as a dog but Cyndi would pat me and it would be OK," Davenport said. "We just take each day as it comes." The two are closer than most mothers and daughters, finishing each other's sentences and "knowing what the other is thinking." They're both "goofy about Precious."

I couldn't stand the Stooges as a child, but I have to admit they have grown on me as an adult! I thought "Unforgiven" sucked. I don't care if it did win Best Picture; it was still a western. LOL.

He looks great! Connie, how old is he now?

I'm hoping to take my boys to Natural Bridges State Park tomorrow, to see the monarch butterflies. Otherwise, I might pull out the Christmas decorations.

PJs and robe.

LMAO, Barb! Check your email.

Happy belated birthday, Emmie!

LOL Marleen, you may be right. The Poll of the Day is an imperfect science/art. :icon_laugh: Has anyone ever tried Bulgarian food? I attended a baby shower for a Bulgarian woman last year, and the food was just amazing!

Amanda, do you know where this photo was taken? Somehow it looks familiar.

My family, friends, and warm cozy house. I'm especially thankful for the Mr. He is a wonderful husband and friend; as the years pass, I find more things to love (and like) about him.

God, no!!!

Happy birthday Marion! Enjoy your day.

Happy Thanksgiving, Farmers!

I wonder why she thinks everybody is interested in looking at close-up photos of her very pregnant belly. :icon_eek: That's just too much information for me.

I learned that Nancy Grace is 48 YEARS OLD, and just gave birth to twins?!?!

I confess that I really, really dread the commercial aspects of the Christmas season.

I finished writing four books at work. If I do say so myself, one in particular was probably my best work in years. I've also been reading like a maniac. In the past week, I've finished "Game of Shadows" and "Overtreated," and am just diving into Anthony Bourdain's "A Cook's Tour."

I voted Indian, but I love all of these!

^ I wonder if they chose to show Tom Leadon because he is part of the reunited Mudcrutch? This doesn't excuse the revisionist history in any way, but would explain it somewhat.

Mike and Benmont look positively adorable in the second photo!

Do tell!

I guess I must be the only person who really doesn't care much for that look.

Me for the most part. I handle all of the paperwork and pay all the bills.

The only person I would tell is the Mr. I'm paranoid about these things, too.

This is such a wonderful event. There's actually a chance that I and the Mr. will be able to go next year. Thanks for posting this, Ref.