Check...Check...Check...Caregiver Check-In!
It is easy to lose ourselves when our dog is diagnosed with diabetes. We tend to put much of our personal life on hold when our kids are ill, and our dogs are our fur kids. For most of us at diagnosis we are given very minimal information, handed insulin and syringes, told what dosage to give and receive a short lesson on how to inject. Many of us have never given an injection and this can all be overwhelming and cause major anxiety.
I know that after Lucy’s diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and diabetes I was a wreck and did not sleep well for six to seven months. I was constantly checking on her, woke to any little noise, if she got up to drink water or urinate I got up with her or I timed how long she was outside and then went looking for her. I was in constant fear that she was going to die suddenly.
A couple months into diagnosis I decided that I needed to educate myself about diabetes because I did not know much about the disease. When I first started researching I didn’t understand much and questioned most everything I read or was told. But I am also not the type of person that does what I am told without having that answer to “why.” So I researched, and researched, and researched.
I also felt incredibly alone during this time, nobody I knew had a diabetic dog or any experience with canine diabetes. I also tend to internalize and not share how I am feeling, so I did not share how I was felt with anyone.
How did I feel? I felt like I was failing Lucy. I felt overwhelmed and incredibly stressed. I was the worst helicopter mom. I did not take time out for myself or take care of myself, and I became burnt out.
Lucy lived with diabetes for four and a half years, and for most of that time she did very well. I learned A LOT and have been lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with others so that their dogs thrive. But during this journey with diabetes I realized that I am the only person that can take care of me, and self care is important. If we cannot take care of ourselves we cannot effectively care for others, and this includes our furry family.
I have always loved coloring and drawing, and out of the blue my parents sent me an adult coloring book. It sat there for a while gathering dust until one day I decided I was going to color some fairies for my nieces. I bought some markers and other cool supplies that we did not have when I was young. I enjoy it so much and quickly realized that this was my therapy! When I am coloring I shut my mind off and concentrated on color palettes, what color I want to use next, how can I make this picture look like what I envision in my head.
Getting back into coloring also made me remember that I love working on computer graphics, it is something that I did for a living but stopped due to life. But because of a fairy coloring book, I got back into graphics and this is therapy for me as well.
Be sure that you take time out for yourself, the stress of being a caretaker for diabetic dogs can be overwhelming. Go get that manicure, meet a friend for lunch, garden, take a bubble bath, create something!
Reach out to understanding people whether they have a diabetic dog or not, any animal lover with pets will at least have compassion. If you are in a forum or diabetic dog group, post that you are stressed or overwhelmed, sad, angry, frustrated, tired… we have all been there and truly understand what you are going through.
And remember this, taking time out for yourself does not make you selfish! We are no good to anyone if we do not take care of ourselves.
Until next week, I hope you have a wonderful week!
If you are looking for a Facebook community to join for support, I have been an admin in Diabetic Dog Owners for four and a half years. You can also join Canine Diabetes Support and Information on Facebook as well.
For more conversations, photos, and giveaways check out PetTest on Facebook and Instagram.