The Sugar Story
0 0 0 Dear Friends, As most of you know, I have a lovely dog,Sugar, whom I adopted 3 ½ years ago. But what some of you may not know is 10months ago Sugar developed Diabetes, a genetic condition, much like human Type2 Diabetes. I give Sugar an insulin injection every 12hours and bring her for regular vet check-ups. I work to maintain her weight,which drastically decreased upon her diagnosis, on a plan of simple formulafood and regular exercise to make sure she burns off her excess blood sugareach day. I also have a dedicated dog walker who comes 3 times per week when Iam teaching at 7 a.m., before Sugar’s shot time, so that she receives herbreakfast and injection on schedule. A dog with Diabetes has the same lifeexpectancy as a healthy dog. With her Insulin well-regulated she has no morehealth concerns than any other dog would have. But there is one issue whichoccurs in 80% of diabetic dogs, usually within the first year of diagnosis:cataracts. Two weeks ago, Sugar developed cataracts in both her eyes. Theydevelop surprisingly fast and make daily life increasingly difficult. After consulting her primary DiabeticSpecialist and the Veterninary Ophthalmologist, I have decided that she mustundergo cataract surgery. It is the same surgery humans receive, and wouldrestore her vision for life.The surgery will cost $5,000. I have opted for thehard lens replacement which costs about $600 less than the newer soft lensreplacement, but with equal result, safety, and sight. I have pet healthinsurance for her but they do not cover her Diabetes as they've labeled it a"pre-existing condition." The surgery must be done within the monthbecause her eyes are healthy now and the cataracts can create pressure toeither build or drop in the eye, causing complications for the prospectivesurgery. It is the last major Diabetes-related issue we will have toface. Though Sugar’s disease has been difficult forboth of us, I have welcomed the personal growth the new responsibilities andstrict regime have afforded my life. I have always felt that Sugar and I weredestined to share a life and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for herhappiness, which is also my happiness. She is only 5 years old and as most of youknow extremely energetic and playful. Her blindness has been upsetting andstressful for both of us. We now struggle with our evening walks, as she ismore prone to knocking into things when she doesn’t have light to helpdistinguish objects or movement. The Veterinary Opthamologist described hervision as like looking through frosted glass. It will only deteriorate and sheis now knocking into things in our apartment as well as struggling to recognizepeople she knows very well who come through the door. I sense her frustration and confusion and itbreaks my heart. I first noticed her vision was significantly impaired when shetried to fetch her favorite toy and returned to me with her tail between herlegs looking upset that she wasn’t able to find it in the small space where wewere playing. I have decided upon surgery for Sugar becauseshe could easily live another 10 years of vital health. Our childhood dog ofthe same breed lived to 16 with no decrease in energy or good health till herlast day. Sugar is only 5 years old and most who meet her think I mean to say 5months old. She loves to walk at the Red Hook docks and run off the leash intall field grass where she likes to do both her favorite things at the sametime: eat wild grass and run, by running with her mouth open, taking big bitesas she leaps! A year ago, she learned to swim by imitating my boyfriend’s dogand has since developed a love of water and playing fetch in the open waves.She is truly a joy to be around, a side-kick and an animal that is my friend asmuch as my baby. I ask for help from my friends and colleugesbecause $5,000 is more than I have to put towards this necessary care. ThoughSugar is my responsibility, there are times in anyone’s life when certain caresare more than they can handle on their own. I believe we live within acommunity that can rise to help those in struggle. Please help me give Sugarthe life she deserves and give her back her sight. If you have any fundraising ideas orabilities; if you think your place of work, your place of worship, your co-operative,or your other friends would be open to passing the hat for Sugar, please let meknow. The Paypal tab goes directly to an account used solely for this purpose.If everyone on this invite gave $25, the goal would be reached. If that is toomuch, please donate whatever you feel you can and please pass this on to familyor friends you feel might help. Thank you so much, and I will keep you updatedwith Sugar’s progress. Thank you for your kind support. Love, Cadence
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