Honoring the Dogs Who Live with Diabetes, and the People Who Love Them Through It

This one hits close to home.

In honor of World Diabetes Day and Diabetes Awareness Month, we’re sharing the story of a dog who changed our lives—Conner—and what he taught us about patience, perseverance, and unconditional love.

🐾 Conner’s Journey

Conner developed Cushing’s disease first, and later, around age 10, he was diagnosed with diabetes—shortly after we discovered he had cataracts in both eyes. We acted quickly, pursuing surgery to save his vision, but diabetes changed everything.

At the time (back in 2010), many vets treated diabetic dogs similarly to humans—with daily insulin injections—but routine glucose testing before each dose wasn’t standard. We were fortunate to have seen what diabetes looked like in people and knew just how dangerous a misjudged insulin dose could be.

We advocated for testing before every injection.

With our vet’s help, we learned how to test Conner’s blood sugar at home—something that was much harder than we ever imagined. Most dogs can be tested using their paw pads, ears, or gums, but for Conner, only his gums worked, and over time, that caused scar tissue and discomfort.

But he was patient. He was trusting. He let us do what we needed to do—even when it wasn’t easy.
And for years, he thrived.

🦴 Life With a Diabetic Dog

Conner lived well into his teens—through daily insulin injections, constant blood checks, and managing his diet and health with care. He eventually began to lose both his hearing and vision, and when we lost his littermate, Caeser, in 2014, something in Conner changed. He slowed down. His spirit dimmed. For the next 18 months, we did everything we could—but we couldn’t stop time.

In the end, it wasn’t diabetes that took him. It was a simple bladder stone—a condition we couldn’t treat with surgery anymore. Saying goodbye was one of the hardest choices we’ve ever made, but we carry his memory with us, always.

🧡 What Conner Taught Us

• Dogs with diabetes can live full, happy lives—with proper care, support, and lots of love

• Blood sugar monitoring matters, and it can be done at home if you’re willing to learn

• Advocating for your pet’s needs is one of the greatest responsibilities—and gifts—of being a dog parent

• Health challenges don’t make dogs a burden—they just deepen the bond

He was worth every extra step. Every vet visit. Every drop of blood. He was worth everything.

📘 For Pet Parents Navigating Diabetes

If your dog has just been diagnosed, here are a few things that helped us:

• Talk to your vet about home glucose monitoring

• Ask for training on how to give insulin and where to inject it safely

• Learn where your dog tolerates blood draws best—start gently and with rewards

• Join a support group or online forum—you’re not alone

• Don’t be afraid to advocate or ask questions—you know your dog best

🐶 A Quiet Salute

This month, we light a candle for:

• The dogs currently living with diabetes

• The caregivers doing their best, every single day

• The pets we’ve loved and lost—and the lessons they’ve left behind

And of course, for Conner.
For every scar on his gums. For every tail wag after an injection. For the love that lives on in everything we do here.

🐾 From all of us at DogStoreOnline,
Happy World Diabetes Day—may we continue learning, loving, and advocating for the pets who give us their everything.