Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

My 14-year-old Maltipoo has been diagnosed as being diabetic... Geez, what a time to find this out. Seems I have to take him daily to the vet's office over the next 7 days. Plus give him the insulin shots (my wife said she can't and won't).

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Is he thirsty all the time, drink a lot of water?

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Yes...

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

Sorry to hear about your sick dog. I have lost several dogs over my life and it never gets easier.

Interesting side note: Dogs were the original test animals for the development of insulin therapy in the late '1920s. Diabetics all over the world owe their extended lives to, in large measure, dogs.

Good luck.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

I had a cat that was diabetic. Once the vet got the appropriate dosage worked out it was just a matter of following the schedule of when to feed and when to give the shot. It's an under the skin shot not into a muscle or vein so it's not hard to do; just have the vet supervise you for 1 or 2 so that you know what you're doing. My cat was 10 when he was diagnosed and he lived another year and a half before being put to sleep for an unrelated issue. Fuzzy seemed to understand that what was happening was helping him and soon got into the routine and would wait next to the refrigerator when it was time for his food.

Best of luck!!!

Dodie

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

I am diabetic and have never been thirsty and craving drinks........nor did i show sudden weight loss............(I am not a dog either LOL)

Jerry G Loc: Waterford, Michigan and Florida

We had a diabetic dog that we gave shots to twice a day. We also tested her and made adjustments to her insulin. When she passed it broke my wife's heart, she will not get another pet that she knows will eventually have to be put down.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

We had to put our previous rescue down after 15 1/2 years. He had cancer. It took my wife months before considering getting another dog. I had to stay with him while he was being euthanized as she couldn't... We've already given Brodie two insulin shots. I have to take him next week to have his blood checked again.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Every pet I lose tears me apart and I tell myself I won't get any more because I can't stand the pain. Then along comes a pet in need of a home and I cave. I think I would be a basket case without a pet.

I truly hope your wife changes her mind. There are so many animals in need of a loving home.

Dodie

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Don't give up!!! Hang in there!! It will get easier once a balance is reached and you have a routine. Hugs to you for persevering!!!

Dodie

Jerry G Loc: Waterford, Michigan and Florida

We've had thirteen cats and dogs all but three were rescue animals. We've had to put down all of them and it never got easier. It's been eight years since we put Sadie down and we sometimes think it would be nice to have another pet but my wife remembers the pain and says it isn't worth it.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Why is it our nature to remember the bad times or the painful times and put aside the happy times? I find it sad that your wife dwells on the pain and doesn't remember the love and happiness she experienced. She is missing out on spending happy and loving times with a pet that needs her. If people followed her way of thinking then people wouldn't have children; sometimes children die. I'm sorry to be hard on your wife's position but I guess I find it selfish. My pets mean the world to me.

I currently have 1 dog, 20 cats (yes, twenty) and 5 birds. The dog and all but one of the cats are rescues from the pound or rescue organizations and I have 1 very spoiled pure bred Siamese. I don't even know how many cats I've had over the years and I can't imagine missing out on their wonderful personalities. I know from experience what it feels like to lose a pet. I lost 6 cats in 3 months due to old age and medical problems. The youngest was 12 and the oldest 19. Losing so many so close together hit me very hard and I was very depressed. Yes, there were other animals but it was too much grief too close together. I decided to adopt 1 kitten to save a life and pay back my cats for all the love and joy they gave me. At the time there was a kitten found in the county that had rabies so even though the pound was my adoption choice I was a little leery. My vet had 2 mommas and kittens from a rescue that he works with that had been in his care for several months so I went to see these kitties. I held several an in the end adopted 1 momma and 1 of her kittens plus 1 kitten from the other litter. Felicity quickly took Tigger under her wing as her own and what fun to watch these 2 kittens play and wrestle and cuddle with me. My depression soon lifted. A few weeks later the vet's office asked me to help find a home for Felicity's last kitten. It seems that people thought she wasn't pretty enough....she was pretty enough for me and she now lives here. It took a little time for mom, Felicity, and Jade to recognize each other since they had been apart several weeks but they are best buds now. Tigger turns 2 in May and Willow and Jade in June. Felicity was a stray that was probably a year old when she had this last litter. I am so happy I made the decision to adopt them.

Yes, the pain of losing them is unbearable but I know that I had the most wonderful privilege of sharing their lives and giving them the best possible care because if I hadn't they would have been put to sleep and to me that is what is truly unbearable.

I hope someday your wife has a change of heart and allows herself to love another wonderful pet.

Dodie

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Well, Brodie is now at the Animal Hospital as he also has pancreatitis... Hopefully, he can come home tomorrow. As I understand it, this is common in diabetic dogs...