My Pet World; Diabetic alert dogs poised to save lives, thanks to special pooch named Joker
"Obviously, the person who has diabetes is affected, but so is the entire family," says Vicki Santo. Her husband, Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Ron Santo, played major league baseball (1960-1974) with diabetes, and suffered consequences of the disease throughout his later years, including amputation of both his legs.
Vicki says her husband sometimes didn't know what was happening as his blood sugar roller-coastered out of control because the change came on so suddenly. But another family member figured it out.
"Ron might be watching a ball game in another room and Joker would come to get me, like he was frantically barking, 'follow me,'" Vicki recalled. She followed her Australian Shepherd many times to find Ron suffering from a severe drop in blood sugar, and then provided appropriate help.
Ironically, Joker and the legendary Cubs third baseman and broadcaster had an odd relationship, with Santo once saying, "How can man's best not like me?" Of course, Joker loved Santo; their connection was palpable. After all, Joker knew Ron better than anyone else, including his doctors.
Ron was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2003. After treatment, the cancer went into remission, but it returned in 2010.
"While we were waiting for confirmation of the biopsy, we were sitting in our living room and Joker sat next to Ron, with his paw on his knee," Vicki recalls. "Ron looked at me and said, 'he knows.'" After two rounds of chemotherapy, Ron's kidneys shut down and he passed away in 2010.
"Five weeks later, Joker was losing his balance," Vicki recalls. "I prayed, 'Please, God, you took my husband; don't take my dog, too.' A trip to the vet and my worst fear came true. Joker's kidneys were shutting down; they were filled with cancer. As the vet put him to sleep, I put my hand over his eyes and told him, 'Joker, you did your job to help me (to) help Ron.' I now look back and see how special Joker was and see that he was meant to be with Ron."
Only later did Vicki learn that dogs could actually be trained to detect diabetic highs and lows.
Adults with diabetes always worry that something will happen in their sleep, but if they awaken, there's a chance they'll understand what's going on and react. Children aren't able to do that.
"Parents of diabetic children really never sleep," Vicki says.
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