Posts Tagged: diabetic alert dog

My Travels, New Friends and Places

Posted May 29, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

Have you ever heard the song, “I’ve Been Everywhere,” by Johnny Cash?

It came to Mom’s mind while she was helping me write this blog post. It’s almost officially summer and time for travels.

Here’s a few of mine in the past month or two, and some friends I’ve met.

I visited my cat friend, Todd, in Greeneville and I met a sweet lamb whom I gave a quick “hello” slurp.

The Gulf of Mexico had some really soft, white sand.

While I was there, I kissed a shark!

This pier was full of activity and while I sat there, some friendly dolphins surfaced behind me. Unfortunately, they were shy and disappeared quickly.

The same thing happened with a crane, but he flew off to better posts and I had to sit by this one instead.

We attended a Jesus Festival in Elizabethtown in Eastern Tennessee, where they have a historic covered bridge.

After all that, I’m glad to be home and enjoying my own chew bone on my favorite place to sleep, Mom’s bed!

PHEW! I better get some rest because the summer of travel is only beginning!

Visiting Dogs4Diabetics Center, Where My Old Pawprints Were Left

Posted February 27, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

Since moving, I haven’t had many dog interactions; Lola was a recent exception.

Find Lola’s story here (part 1) and here (part 2).

Our trip to California was full of family and friends and one huge piece of business: My recertification with Dogs4Diabetics.

Every year I get an annual vet visit, update shots and get a health clearance. Mom fills out a questionnaire and we go to D4D to meet with Carrie, the lead trainer. She gives Mom advice as they talk about my behavior. I perform obedience skills in public in order to pass for another year.

There were many familiar smells and my nose was overloaded from sniffing. I loved catching up with old furry friends, especially my girlfriend Wolfie.

She’s still as cute as ever. Mom was excited to hug Mark Ruefenacht, the founder of D4D, who just happened to be in town from his many work travels.

As we enjoyed catching up with the trainers at lunch, Mom was asked what she misses most from our move. She replied, “I miss my diabetic connections.”

Truly, D4D, its staff and clients that we both know and love, are irreplaceable. Mom just wishes she could move them close to us.

My doggy heart agrees.

Natural Fur Coats Can Only Do So Much to Keep a Dog Warm

Posted January 30, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

Even though I (Aiden, the service dog) have a natural fur coat to keep me warm, Mom has bundled me up lately.

I guess the cold streak that recently went through Tennessee is not a normal phenomenon. In fact, we were told it hasn’t been this cold in more than thirty years.

It was so cold, the plants on the enclosed porch froze up and the windows were all frosted over.

Mom was sad that her favorite succulent, which she covered up every night, didn’t make it.

Every so often Mom needs to go to the post office and this particular day, there was a sign at the top of the stairs that I had to take a closer look at.

Being a dog, I can’t read, but Mom told me it had to do with the cold and warning people to be careful going up the steps.

This photo was taken from inside, where it stayed warm on the morning it snowed.

But it wasn’t the kind of snow I like where you could make a snowball and play catch.

I’m hoping we will get more snow this winter so I can play in it and have lots of fun. But I hope it’s not so cold!

Knead These Donuts

Posted November 28, 2022 | Aiden the Service Dog

It’s the time of year for sweet treats and I’m looking forward to having a few myself. Of course, they are the kind of treats a dog can eat. No people treats for me.

One day Mom and I visited a donut shop near us that has been voted the best one in our area for a few years, according to a poll taken by the local newspaper. It’s called Knead Donuts.

A sign on the door displays the shop’s hours from opening until they run out.

From what I hear, they are on high demand and sell out quickly.

I’m on a strict diet to stay in shape and there are rules a service dog must follow like ‘no table scraps.’ That’s okay, though. I get plenty of awesome duck jerky when I correctly alert my mom to a low blood sugar.

But today, Knead Donuts gave me a doggy donut.

I’m certain we’ll return to this dog-friendly shop for more tasty treats.

What’s the Fuss About Dressing Up? My Doggy Thoughts on Halloween

Posted October 31, 2022 | Aiden the Service Dog

I’m not sure what Halloween means. I’m a dog. It’s just another day for me. But Mom has decked out the house in what she calls “fall” and celebrates the change in seasons.

All I know about this Halloween thing is it’s colder outside and I want to snuggle more, and people wear costumes, putting their fur-babies in crazy outfits, too. Mom joins in on the silliness by dressing me up.

Does this shirt make me look like I’m a country dog?

We’re going to a little girl’s birthday party and I’m Mom’s escort to a tea party. Do I look handsome enough?

This next photo isn’t really a costume. But I get to dry off in my cozy, warm robe after my bath.

I once did a photo shoot for a fundraiser involving Elvia for Dogs for Diabetics. What do you think of this one?

My all-time favorite was when I was Elvis and Mom, the Vegas sign. We won first place in the contest.

I don’t mind dressing up so much. It could be worse. Mom could dress me up as a cat!

No matter whether you dress up or now, or however you celebrate this day, I wish for you to have a safe time to enjoy the fall, y’all!

Aiden (woof! chomp!)

P.S. Leave me a comment and tell me which picture is your favorite.

Getting to Know Tennessee

Posted October 10, 2022 | Aiden the Service Dog

Many of my readers have wondered how I’m doing in Tennessee. Well, I’ll tell all y’all with a few pictures.

First of all, Mom takes me everywhere, so I get to explore places with millions of new smells. So, you know, my nose is busy. Yet I still keep track of the most important scent of all, Mom’s blood sugar.

We went to Cumberland Gap and did a little hiking, so Mom’s blood sugar dropped. I think she was taking a picture of the cannon behind us when I caught her attention with my alert.

For Mom’s birthday, we explored downtown Knoxville, where I found this extra-large dog stuck in play-mode.

He smelled like metal, but that’s because he’s made of chains! Poor boy! He can’t ever reach his ball.

According to Mom, the main street was filled with history, including the Tennessee theatre behind me, where she said a lot of musicians got their start.

One day I got to meet a guy called Elvis. I guess he’s someone famous. He sang to Mom and called her “darlin,’” and kissed her hand. Oh! Mom! Really! If I wasn’t covered in fur, you’d see me blush!

No matter where we go, I always try to squeeze in a nap. It’s not always a place where I can spread out, but I’m used to fitting in small spaces from my early training days. I know I’ll get a chance to stretch later.

A Service Dog’s Travel Log

Posted June 20, 2022 | Aiden the Service Dog

Exploring is fun and filled with new smells. My nose goes on overload, but no matter how many different scents I smell, I keep focused on the main scent to keep my Mom’s blood sugars from dropping dangerously low.

I joined Christy on a ladies weekend trip to the Atlantic Ocean, a place called Myrtle Beach, where I met a pirate.

Running on the beach was a lot of fun.

Mom’s friend Tammy took us to a beautiful place called Brookgreen Gardens. I was on sensory smell overload for the greenery and fountains we encountered. The garden is known for its statues and artwork.

Many of them were of dogs. Christy pet one like it was real since it reminded her of Faith, a Great Dane mix she had when I first came to live with her. I gave her a big slurp to lick away her tears.

My favorite statue was the mama and baby bear.

Nearby was a sitting bench that Christy insisted I sit on. I’m not sure why, but she said she couldn’t resist making me look cute. Does this bench make me look cute?

I’m told we were staying in touristy town. I’m not sure what that means, but Christy took lots of pictures of me, including this one that reminded her I’m a lifesaver, no matter where we might find ourselves.

Even if we were swallowed by a shark – but that won’t happen because I do not like water!

I Love This Song!

Posted May 2, 2022 | Aiden the Service Dog

Today started out like an ordinary day, but then Christy got all silly and put this hat on me.

I know what’s going on. Whenever I hear this song, I remember the first time Christy and a bunch of my friends with their dogs sang it to me. “Happy Birthday!”

I turned seven on April 25.

I get all happy and excited ever since the day I first heard the Happy Birthday song. I remember my first birthday with Christy where I got tons of amazing treats and toys, and when I hear it, I think everyone is singing for me and all the goodies will follow.

We went to a Bible study group and a guy there would sing Happy Birthday just to see if I would get excited. Oh, how Mom misses you, Gerry.

I digress, if a dog can do such a thing.

I am seven years old in people years, which means nothing to me. Mom got me “senior dog” food to make sure I get the proper nutrition. It doesn’t matter to me; as long as I have food in my bowl, I’m happy.

My Friend, Kermit

Posted November 29, 2021 | Aiden the Service Dog

It’s wonderful being a service dog. I love working. I want to work forever, but I know I don’t have forever.

I have lots of working dog friends in the National Institute of Canine Service and Training (NICST), formerly known as Dogs for Diabetics.

I’m proud to be a diabetic alert dog for them, serving Christy. NICST gave me a second chance at serving after being career-changed from Guide Dogs for the Blind.

It’s through them I met Kermit. Kermit was Dr. Steve Wolf’s diabetic alert dog for ten years.

Kermit loved to play tug. He loved snuggling in the car loaded with dogs and people heading to events together with our handlers.

Kermit is the first diabetic alert dog Christy met and she was highly impressed. Because Kermit worked for a doctor, he had the opportunity to help more than just his handler. Thousands of people were touched by his life.

Kermit served Dr. Steve up to the last minute of Kermit’s life here on earth, alerting just before he passed.

I don’t understand what passing means, I just know I won’t get to play with Kermit again until I see him in Heaven. I had to comfort Christy when she cried at the news.

I only have a short time on this earth, and I want to make the best of it by enjoying every slurp, snuggle and alert I give Christy.

Kermit, you are greatly missed.