BELLA

This one isn't about the "kids", but she's still a "kid" to us.  One of our dogs (Bella) will be 6 in July.  She's always been a "food hound" and gained some weight.  She should be probably a 10-12 pound dog.  Well, she was 15.2 back in Feb.!  Doesn't seem like much but those few pounds make a huge difference in a small dog.  I've noticed over the last few months she's lost a little weight.  I think, okay no big deal...the weight management food must finally be working?  But over the last couple of weeks she's been drinking more than usual, so I decided to take her to the vet.  She's now 12 pounds.  They ran some tests and they said "her glucose was off the charts...BAD"!  So long story short, our little Bella was diagnosed with Diabetes.  She now has to have daily urine tests and insulin shots twice a day.  I also have to take her in once a week for them to check her blood.  Steve and I are very bummed about this.  She's been an absolutely wonderful dog!  The doctor told us to prepare ourselves for changes in her.  She also has lowered function of her thyroid, liver and kidneys.  It's possible that she has some kind of adrenal disease (cant remember the name)?  But we won't know that until we can try to get this sugar under control.  The doctor also said it will be unevitable that she will get cataracts and lose her vision as well.  All of this news has my stomach in knots.  I know everyone is different when it comes to animals, but we are extremely attached to our 2 dogs and definately think of them as family.  We just pray that she can get controlled so there are less complications.

Simon and Bella...(she's the black one).

They are both such wonderful dogs :)