Passion, Purpose, Paws

This past year, Teddy has lived up to his name meaning and has protected our girl Layla. He has truly been the biggest gift to our family. He has saved Layla more times than we can count. He has taken away the fear of the unknowns for me because I know if he’s not alerting, she’s okay. He continuously beats her Dexcom by 10 minutes plus which is so huge for a small child who is insulin dependent. While diabetes is not fun to have, he has made it more bearable. Teddy is so much more than just a dog to our family. Thank you Bravo Kindred Canine’s for helping us get this gift. It is the best gift our girl could have ever received. 

Scout looks out for Michael day and night, catching low blood sugars well before any medical devices can, preventing scary, hypoglycemic lows, especially ones he sleeps through in the middle of the night. But Scout has provided so much more than amazing, life-saving alerts. He has been a constant companion for Michael as he navigates life as a type 1 diabetic, a journey that often feels daunting and lonely. Scout just makes it all better. We are so very grateful for Bravo's Kindred Canines that helped make getting Scout a reality. It's not always easy training a service dog, but we wouldn't trade the experience for anything!

I was out at our farm squirrel hunting and of course, Cor was by my side and he started acting odd, jumping at me and trying to get my attention.  I felt fine so I didn’t take the time to look at my Dexcom and I had silenced it because I was hunting.  I just kept walking deeper into the woods looking for squirrels.  Cor continued to jump at me and on me and then the low blood sugar symptoms started.  I finally sat down and checked my Dexcom and I was 62, Cor sensed this and began alerting way before I dropped low but I didn’t pay attention, I told him I was fixing it and we shared some snacks and all was well but I don’t know what would have happened if I wouldn’t have had Cor with me that day.  I named Cor after my best friend who died in a work accident, I miss that guy every day but I know he watches over me and I couldn’t think of a more fitting name for my new best friend.