Guest blog: He’s a keeper, that dog.

As I begin a new job this week, I’m pleased to have several friends standing in so my website doesn’t go barren. It’s also a great way to share some other diabetic blogs you may not have seen before. Today’s blog is from Kim who writes about her experiences living with diabetes at Texting My Pancreas. Kim was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of six. She uses both an insulin pump and a Continuous Glucose Monitor, and strives to find the humor in her life with diabetes – because laughing is a whole lot more fun than crying. She is moderately obsessed with Pembroke Welsh Corgis (hers is six months old, and named Billy Corgin – as you’ll read here), and lives with her adorably funny husband Aaron in Nebraska. She also started the You Can Do This Project earlier this year as a way for people with diabetes to share their stories via video and know that they are not alone when dealing with the struggles that diabetes can bring into our lives.

He’s a helpful one, that dog.

My corgi isn’t a specially trained diabetes alert dog, but he has gotten some training in the three months he’s been living with my husband and I (and diabetes). He knows that sometimes we just need to stop for a minute while we’re walking. He knows that those chalky, fruit-smelling things coming out of my bag are not treats for him. And he knows that, sometimes, he needs to get us home as quickly as possible.

He’s grown used to the whirring, beeping and vibrating coming from my waist. I thought all of the noises would bother him, but he just watches quietly as I rewind, load, and prime my insulin pump. That noisy machine makes a good napping buddy, too, I guess.

He ignores the tubing, the blood, the needles. (He’s such a gentleman.) And sometimes, if he’s not too hyper at the moment, he’ll even cuddle up to me when I’m recovering from a low. He’s not squeamish. He doesn’t judge; he doesn’t try to police my diabetes life. (Though he totally tries to police my free time – dude is ALWAYS down for a game of fetch.) He’s a great friend.

I knew I wanted a dog for all of the reasons most people do – a companion, a source of laughter and “Awww!”s, and an exercise buddy. Turns out I got much more than that – he looks out for me when I’m down; when I’m not feeling 100%; when I need him most.

He’s a keeper, that dog.

Thanks so much Kim! I link to Kim’s blog quite a bit as she’s one of my favorite diabetes bloggers. As a dog owner, I can also appreciate this post! If you haven’t checked out the You Can Do This Project, it’s worth your time! It’s an amazing project and one yesterday’s post reminded me of.