Diabetic Alert Dog forum - Just Chatting

Lucas and Mickey (no replies)

equineacres — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:06:50 -0700

Too cute to not add to the forum. He was spectacular on this trip. I was sooo proud of him!

Fundraising (3 replies)

mindi — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 04:24:22 -0700

We're not getting very far in our fundraising efforts, so I thought I'd ask for suggestions. I'll tell you what we've done, and the circumstances also, and maybe you guys have some better ideas.

We made up a website (www.IrisAlertDog.com), flyers and letter and passed them out to the large car lots and stores in our area. Along with giving them to people we know, and posting on facebook and emailing everyone in my contact list.

Circumstances. My children range from 3 - 10 years old. I am also 6 months pregnant (and supposed to be on partial bedrest). I don't really know any teens, as we're rather new to this area, and haven't had any offers of help (some have said they'd donate, but haven't), even though I've "talked it up" with my family and people I know.

So, suggestions of other things I might do to raise funds?

Birthdays (6 replies)

equineacres — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:47:58 -0700

How do you all deal with birthdays?
I am really strict about keeping myself to foods and such with 5 grams of sugar or less whenever possible. (I know I can't be as accurate at restaurants but I do try to make healthy choices there, too.) Add to that, I am lactose intolerant. I have found a couple of rice or almond based ice creams, but they have more than 5 grams of sugar. In my house, we all try to make birthdays special with cooking a favorite meal, taking each other out to dinner, and baking their favorite cakes. But since my diagnosis, no one knows what to do for me. My birthdays have been just the same as any old day (ok, so I am a bit melancholy here). I may have reached the "top of the hill" but that doesn't mean I don't want my day to be special, too.
Anyone have anything they do that fits with the restricted diets so that I can pass it along to my family and roommates?

Website (2 replies)

mindi — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:50:22 -0700

I'm starting a website to hopefully help generate interest (and donations) for a DAD for Iris. Anyone have any specific tips, ideas or "great alert" stories and pictures that I might use?

www.IrisAlertDog.com

Thanks.

Recipes! (10 replies)

equineacres — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:29:28 -0700

I thought we could share recipes. As a mom, I know the kids want to eat like other kids, but we all want them to keep their blood sugars in check with low sugar recipes. So:
Chocolate Chip Cookies

cream together: 1/2 stick crisco shortening, 1 stick butter, 2 eggs, 1 cup splenda brown, 1/2 cup NEW Stevia, 1/2 cup Xylitol.
Mix in: 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 cups flour, 1 to 2 cups oatmeal.
Blend in 1 cup chocolate chips.

Bake at 375* for 10-12 minutes.

Alternately- instead of New Stevia and xylitol use 1 cup splenda then decrease the flour by 1/3 of a cup and the oatmeal to only 1 cup.

July WR DAD Conference! (3 replies)

Shana Eppler — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:40:12 -0700

Thanks Rachel, Mike, and Cathy for a great WR West DAD Conference! This was the best by far! I appreciate all that you do!

Thanks again!

diabetic alert dog in Texas (10 replies)

dinanoglu — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:58:31 -0700

Is there anybody in Dallas, Texas who has a DAD?

Happy Mother's Day (no replies)

mindi — Sun, 09 May 2010 10:58:35 -0700

Just wanted to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's out there!!!

Duke The Diabetic Alert Dog (1 reply)

idamac — Sat, 29 May 2010 08:24:16 -0700

Hi all,

It has been some time since I joined in the forum. I missed you all but have been really busy lately without much time to chat. I delivered Duke to Lenny who lives in New York this past March and they love each other a lot. I placed his picture on my blog if you would like to take a look. I think he is very handsome. [www.mybetterhealthandwealth.com]

God bless you all

Praying for Abbie - surgery today (no replies)

mindi — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 05:58:52 -0700

This morning is her surgery, and then her recovery time. Just wanted to remind everyone to be praying for her and her family.

Might get interesting (no replies)

mindi — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 22:22:43 -0700

My husband's parents came down for a visit, so now we have three T1 diabetics in the house together for the next 10 days. Bear will probably get lots of low exposures, and hopefully some alerts and training.

Diabetic Driver Window Decal (5 replies)

Kimmer — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 07:05:18 -0700

Hello, I jst wanted to let you all know that I recently ordered a decal for my windsheild, it says Diabetic Driver. I ordered it from this website I found it is called www.DADinnovations.com. I think it is a good idea because my bloodsugar did drop dangerously low while I was driving. I guess from what I was told I was swerving in and out of on comming traffic and someone called 911. When the police got there they did not check for a medical alert id which I did have on, they assumed I was drunk and had me in handcuffs. Thank goodness my sister was driving down the road and noticed my car in the middle of the road with police cars surrounding it and pulled over to tell them my blood sugar was low, not until then was the ambulance called.I think this is a very good idea if you are the main driver in the car.

Harry Easter Everybody (no replies)

Kimmer — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 08:13:48 -0700

I just wanted to wish everybody a Happy easter, and let you know that I wish a perfect day !!!!!!!!!!

Prayer (7 replies)

mindi — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 09:09:10 -0700

Just to drop a note to ask you all to please pray for us. At the doctor's appointment, they wanted me to start doing all of Iris's management, not to let her do anything (since she's admitted to sneaking food and lying about taking her shots). In doing that, we've now had only one high - that first day, BUT now we're getting lows (like more than a dozen in the last three days, four of them below 35).

Thankfully, so far no seizures this week, but just pray we can get her dosages and everything figured out quickly before I have a panic attack (not really, just get really stressed when the numbers go that low). And the scary thing is, she's not recognizing these AT ALL. We've caught them because I happen to look at her and say "You don't look right, let's test your sugar."

Other than a quick blow in Bear's face if he happens to be right here, we haven't even been able to focus on him because I hurry to get the sugar up in hopes of NOT having a seizure. Bear doesn't seem to recognize anything going on unless we specifically draw his attention to Iris, and I'm still not sure he knows what he's recognizing, so we still have a long way to go there.

Anyway, I know you've all been there, so this would be the right place to ask for prayer for grace and strength and wisdom for us.

Thanks.

Mindi (Iris's mom)

Pet Store trip and Gentle Leader question (7 replies)

mindi — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:24:32 -0700

So I took (Iris's) Bear to the PetSmart along with Chasey last night (previously only been separately) - kids at home with dad. Well, Chasey thinks "we've added a dog, this is a whole new ballgame" and wants to try pulling ahead on the leash - which we had to do the correct (territorial line thing) - I stop til she comes back and sits, etc A LOT at first. Oh, and she gave one "woof" when she didn't get to meet one particular dog, because the owners freaked at her size (from the end of the other aisle) and hurried off - saw about 10 ppl jump and turn real quick. Yeah, I know - a big no-no for SDs, which is why I'm not even trying to get her "public access ready".

Anyway, Bear tried at first to keep up with Chasey, but I kept his leash in my other hand, shortened, and gave the slight correction tug whenever he'd go past my leg. He corrected immediately, and when I stopped would sit right between my legs, or lay down on my feet. When people and kids wanted to pet him, he'd stay still, etc. Excellent overall outing, better than I expected actually with both of them.

Question: one of the people I met there said she trained SDs (like the initial fostering/socialization part) and she said that they always used the "gentle leader" (thing that goes around the nose) for their dogs and thought they got the best results, especially for large dogs with those, because "the first time they try to take off, is the last time..." Anyone ever used these? Thoughts?

I did notice the last two SDs and one "in training" I've seen in stores were both wearing those.

Sugar inconsistency - ugh (no replies)

mindi — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:25:32 -0700

We thought we had a string of good sugars going with Iris. Well, I had a doctor's appointment yesterday, so the girls went to stay with a friend of mine. Iris had three lows (below 50) while there (and two 110 - 120s), but then on the way home, all the sudden she's like "I'm so thirsty, my mouth is so dry. I feel like my sugar's high" and it was just barely under 600. Will sure be nice if we ever get Bear (or another dog) reliably alerting, to catch this stuff before she goes so low or high that it takes a while for her to recover. Gave the insulin to correct, but then had three hours of crying "My head hurts. It's too loud in here." (which happens whenever she has to come down from a high). I think it's too loud in here every day, but with four kids, dogs, cat, etc. It's not ever going to be quiet, except sometimes at 2am

Found out later that when my friend had to leave to get to class, her husband gave out graham crackers to the kids about 30 minutes before i got there (and didn't remember to tell her to check and take a shot, which my friend would have done). And of course, she didn't do it on her own, even though it's been drilled into her head for three years now "Don't eat without doing your sugar and taking a shot if needed".

OK, I'm done complaining. Sorry - had to let it out.

GSDs are cheaters! (8 replies)

Bridget — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:41:46 -0700

Hehehehe.....that's so funny - we thought Tammy was just being mischievous (she's our first GS). My daughter loves to play ball with Tammy. As soon as she picks up the ball, Tammy takes off across the house where my daughter normally throws the ball.... my daughter always yells "you cheater, get back here!" :) I kind of like that cheater mind, though...... it only takes a couple of times for her to learn what you expect - then she just does it. As a matter of fact, (unintentionally), she's been left in a "down/stay" or a "sit/wait" many times because she will automatically do something & then we get distracted & she's sitting/laying there waiting to be released/allowed to get up. For example, she has great food manners. When it's dinner time, I get her bowl, put it on the bar stool (at her eye level), put in the dry, mix in the wet, and let it sit there. She just sits, waits, and watches me. Sometimes I finish loading the dishwasher or putting away leftovers & she just just waits. Then I pick it up, put it on the floor, and she automatically puts herself in a sit/wait about 2 feet from the bowl. I normally practice "watch me" at this point. But one time, one of the kids called me & I went to see what was going on & forgot that Tammy was waiting. After about 5 minutes, I walked back into the kitchen & there she was.....sitting, waiting, and looking at me like "really?????" Ooops - it was only once :(

Pic of Alan and Baylor (4 replies)

alanaycock — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:41:15 -0700

Well, I've been absent from the forum for a while and thought I'd get started back by posting a pic of me and Baylor. This is after the Bronchoscopy I had last Thursday - she was so excited to see me (after being apart for 1.5 hours for the procedure) she had to get up on the stretcher so she could "touch" me! :D

On a side note, I got good results from the biopsy they did during the Bronchoscopy - no rejection found in my lungs!!! :D

facebook (8 replies)

mindi — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 22:02:35 -0700

Is there DAD stuff on FB? If so, can someone send me a link so I can add it to mine?

Sense of Humor (8 replies)

FetchExpress — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:25:33 -0700

Borrowing slightly from Jeff Foxworthy.........a theme called "You might have diabetes....."

if you have ever thought that your insulin pump line was the draw string to your sweat pants.

Lets hear yours............it is better to laugh than to cry!

KC

Bear Pictures (6 replies)

mindi — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:50:06 -0700

I'm still hoping to get as much information as possible for scent training Bear, but thought I'd show off some pictures.

He is already showing how smart he is. We haven't even had him a week, and alreay he's going to the door when he needs to go potty, and will sit on command (with a hand signal, not the word yet). He sniffs everything, so we're hoping to put that nose to good use!

Chat Room! (12 replies)

Shana Eppler — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 06:46:14 -0700

The new chat room is AWESOME! Thanks Rachel, KC, and Crystal! You guys ROCK!>:D<

Why do dogs alert: love? devotion? training? (10 replies)

minnesota.ann — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 06:22:49 -0700

I am not trying to burst any bubbles here. I know people want to believe that these dogs are "saving" our lives because they love us. That is just too big a burden to place on a dog or a person for that matter. IF they miss a low, and someone passes out or even dies, is the dog then damned because he/she didn't love their person enough..? Sorry, they are still dogs, they are doing this alerting for us because we have taught them that they get attention, praised and treats. It is a learned behavior they do desire the rewards we give them for telling us when they smell that particular smell that gets them praised.

Do they realize they are saving our lives.?....Highly doubtful. Much as we all remember Lassie's exploits, they were trained responses. Are there stories of heroic feats cats and dogs have done to save lives, that even look very much like the animal "knew"......yes, but....please....most of these dogs do what they do for us because we have taught them and they do it because of the positive attention they receive. I love my dog, even though I realize that she cannot understand that she is "saving" me. She saves me anyway and that is what counts.

If dogs "saved" us just by loving us, there would be no need for any training and all pets would just be saving their people.

Happy Thanksgiving (no replies)

FetchExpress — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:27:55 -0700

May all of you have a wonderful day!

I am thankful for the gift of Bravo and for all of these wonderful dogs that make our lives better. I am thankful for this site and all you wonderful people!

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
KC

New to This Forum (4 replies)

FetchExpress — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:54:23 -0700

Hello All

My name is KC and I am from SLC UT. Crystal (?) from CA told me about this site. I had found it earlier this year but there wasn't much action so I drifted away. I am so happy to see it up and moving forward!

A little about me. I have been around dogs my whole life. I took my first step in life holding on to a hounds collar. For the last 15 years I have been actively involved in performance events like Hunt tests, field trials, agility, obedience, rally, dock jumping, and therapy dogs. I have had the honor and privilege of owning and training some amazing dogs. I have had the honor and privilege of helping others to get more out of their own dogs I have met very few dogs that I didn't like and that didn't like me.

In 02 I was told I had Type 2 diabetes. They immediately started me on medication that made me sick and gave me severe hypos. I got a little angry at the medical profession and told em "I would do it myself". Until early this year I managed it with diet and exercise and managed to keep a healthy A1C...then my body quit on me. Nothing I did made any difference and my BG was out of control. Once again I had to do the meds and once again the severe hypos started happening. I could drop from 100 to 20 in a half hour and not understand what was going on. During this time I started to noticing that my 3 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever was indicating on low blood sugars. At the time I was totally unsure of how he was doing it. I had an idea that it had to do with a sense of smell but wasn't sure. I haven't worked much specifically on scent training but knew enough to try some things. He became better and better at it. Over the next few months he woke me up in the middle of the night numerous times with lows, he alerted me at work, and just became more and more adapt at doing this. The interesting thing is that he is not exactly a free thinking dog normally. He will do anything I ask him to do but he generally waits to be ask. This is something he CHOOSE to do all on his own. I have since enhanced his training as best i know how. He has indicated on my sister who he had never met before, a total stranger...on me while judging a HT (a distance over 70 yards from me while in a crate in my truck). As I said before I have owned and trained some incredible dogs in my life...but this is the first time one has chosen to save my life! This is a whole new ball game to me and I am humbled and awed but what these 4 legged angels can do.

I can hardly talk about this without choking up even now. The bond between myself and this dog is so much stronger than I have ever had with another living thing. Honestly it feels that he is much a part of me as my own heart is. The interesting thing is that by playing various "doggie games" we have bonded even more. We laugh, cry, try, and breathe each other. We run, bike, hunt, play, work, and enjoy about everything together. He is my best friend and what a friend he is!

Thank you for having this site thank you for being here. I look forward to "meeting" you all!

New to Forum! (2 replies)

Shana Eppler — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:44:05 -0700

Hello Everyone!
My name is Shana Eppler (pronounced Shana like banana). I have a 5yo daughter named Abbie with Type 1 Diabetes. Abbie was diagnosed in August of 2008. We are currently waiting on our puppy from Wildrose Kennels which will be born in March (Brandy and Widgeon).
I just wanted to say that this site is AMAZING! I am learning so much! We will be attending the WR conference in November. I can't wait to meet everyone.
Thank you for posting all this wonderful information!
God bless,
Shana & Abbie Eppler

Betheden - October Class - Welcome!! (2 replies)

Bridget — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:37:38 -0700

Betheden - October Class - Welcome!!
Today at 3:35pm

I sent Ann an email earlier today & she asked that I post it here for the October class to read......welcome to our family!!

I only posted my last paragraph (you'll have to spend a weekend looking over this entire site...there's lots & lots of stories/info to read)...

"..........p.s. **just a note for your newest class.....1) you have to make it a priority to learn their personality & body language......this is your only means of communication with each other so don't discount signs such as panting, tail wagging, anxiety, excessive sniffing (nose in the air), pacing, jumping, following you around, etc.....until you figure out what is consistent with their alerts. They each have their own way of talking to you. It will take them a while to settle into your life & their alerts might switch between several different things. 2) You, then, have to let them know what you want them to do when they smell that low/high (unless they already have a clear alert). Tammy used to just get anxious/nervous until Brady taught her to put her paws up on him. 3) You have to test your BS, every single time you suspect they're alerting. It took us a couple of months to trust EACH OTHER. Tammy got better at alerting when she trusted that we would acknowledge her & do something about it.....and, of course, rotisserie chicken didn't hurt"

Don't get discouraged & be PATIENT. This is a process. We are still figuring things out but we just try to take it day-by-day. Have faith - don't get overwhelmed - be positive.

Please read all the tips/tricks - there are a lot of teams here on this site that have been doing this for quite a while! I think I've learned something from everyone here :)

checking in with Ida (1 reply)

Bridget — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:08:23 -0700

How are you doing Ida? How's your grandchild?

PLEASE PRAY FOR IDA (no replies)

nobodybutjustme — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:37:31 -0700

Hi all.
This week has been a difficult time for me, my oldest grand child was shot and killed on Wednesday of last week. I am so sad. She left a 7 months old son who is now in the custody of the parents of her "fiance" who is the one that pulled the trigger. He is facing a 2nd degree murder charge and that could be upgraded to murder 1 if after the investigation is completed the evidence warrants it. He did admit to shooting her but called it an accident. Initial tests on the pistol indicate that this is not the case.

I want you all to know about this because I believe that there is power in prayer, and I know that many of you are prayer warriors. I need you to pray that God will guide us through all of this. Since I do not know the people that have custody of my great grandchild, I only have the word of those who do and that has come to me second and third hand.

All the information that I am getting tells me that these people have already had children removed from their home and that they are not fit to raise an animal much less a child.

I have contacted DHS and they suggested that I should contact these people to set up visitation. I have done this and have been unsuccessful. I also contacted Commission of Children and Youth as well as Child Abuse hotline and they filed a referral for me with DHS. I am not for sure where else to go to find help for this child. If you have any suggestions please let me know. This baby's welfare is so important to me, I do not want him to follow in his fathers footsteps.

This is made more difficult for me to work through since my family lives in Eastern and Southeastern Okalhoma and I am here in Amarillo, Texas.

Thank you all for being there.

Ida

Jake with 4 yo daughter (no replies)

Jwatson — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:39:37 -0700

Hello everyone, my name is Jake. Thanks for all of the great tips, ideas, etc.! My 4 year old daughter is diabetic and hopefully we will be getting a puppy soon! All of your ideas are very helpful! It's great that everyone can help each other with what does and does not work!