A Co Clare family, including a five-year-old girl with special needs, have been left “devastated” following the sudden death of their Great Dane, Charlie.
The dog, who developed an extraordinary protective bond with Brianna Lynch from Killaloe, died at the age of six as a result of bloat, a twisted gut.
The Great Dane’s life-saving exploits have been featured in national and international media after it was revealed he could detect when Brianna, who suffers from epilepsy and has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), was going to have an epileptic fit about 20 minutes before each episode.
When Charlie detected that Brianna is about to have a seizure he will hold her gently against a wall until someone comes to help her.
Brianna’s mother, Arabella, says she and her husband, Brian the whole family have been left “devastated” by the death of Charlie.
“Brianna is still looking for Charlie. When Charlie died I explained it to her and told her to say goodbye to Charlie. She hugged him, cuddled into him and was rubbing him,” said Ms Lynch.
“I don’t think she fully realises he is gone, she knows he is not here.
“You wouldn’t believe how many people have rung and text me. We have had cards in the post. People have been unbelievable. So many people have been genuinely upset,”
Tadhg Gavin from Killaloe Veterinary Clinic,said Charlie, who was six, got Gastric Dilatation-Volvolus (GDV), commonly called bloat, which is an emergency medical condition that is seen most commonly in large and giant breed dogs.
Mr Gavin said Charlie developed arrhythmia, irregular heart beat and his heart was too weak for an operation.
“It is ironic because Charlie had the biggest heart in the world,” said Ms Lynch. “I never met a dog with a heart as kind and as big as Charlie’s. Charlie absolutely loved Brianna to bits. Charlie was Brianna’s guardian angel.
“I have never seen this type of bond between a dog and a child. Charlie was unbelievable. I don’t think there will ever be another Charlie.”
Brianna, who will be six in September, has been resuscitated twice in the past as the sleep apnoea was causing seizures on a more frequent basis before a recent operation.