The following story is shared with permission from one of our customers. These are her own words describing her dog's journey with diabetes and how they found Old Dog Cookie Company.
Our Charlie's Diabetic Journey
Meet Charlie, our sweet Goldendoodle. (He's half Labrador Retriever and half Golden Retriever.) He has always been our gentle giant, weighing as much as 105 pounds at his heaviest. Like so many diabetic dog stories, ours began with a small change that quickly became something much bigger.
One day, my husband mentioned, "Charlie is drinking a lot of water." After filling his large water bowl for the third time that day, we knew something wasn't right. Within a short time, Charlie became weak and noticeably ill. We rushed him to our veterinarian, where he was diagnosed with diabetes.
The diagnosis was overwhelming. We were given information to read and told to return the next day to learn how to give Charlie his insulin injections. I honestly wasn't sure I could do it—I was terrified of hurting him.
During our training, the veterinary technician shared another piece of heartbreaking news: Charlie would likely lose his eyesight within a year due to diabetic cataracts. I looked into his beautiful, gentle eyes and couldn't hold back my tears. It was devastating, but I knew I had to stay strong and learn everything I could to give him the best life possible.
We immediately switched Charlie to a prescription diabetic diet and were relieved to find that Walmart carried his insulin at an affordable price. Because Charlie is highly motivated by treats, I searched for diabetic-friendly options and discovered Old Dog Cookie Company. I loved the story behind their business, and Charlie absolutely loved their diabetic treats. Old Dog Diabetic Tiny Treats quickly became one of his favorite rewards.
To help manage his diabetes, I purchased an AlphaTrak 3 glucose meter so I could monitor his blood sugar at home. Keeping detailed records helped our veterinarian adjust his insulin dosage, and after about two months we found the right balance.
One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of consistency. Feeding times, insulin injections, water intake, exercise, and daily routines all matter. Before long, I could often tell how Charlie was feeling simply by watching him.
About four months after his diagnosis, I noticed small scabs on his forehead. It didn't take long to realize he was bumping into furniture because his vision was fading. A veterinary ophthalmologist confirmed that cataracts had developed in both eyes. We discussed surgery, but it was extremely expensive, offered no guarantees, and could potentially require additional procedures.
As we were leaving, one of the receptionists quietly shared something that stayed with me: many diabetic dogs never have cataract surgery and still go on to live full, happy lives.
We decided to wait and see how Charlie adapted.
To our amazement, he adjusted incredibly well. He quickly memorized the layout of our home and yard, learning his boundaries with remarkable confidence. He was able to find his toy box and his water bowel easily. We continued taking him everywhere with us because we wanted him to experience life just as he always had.
Charlie never left my side and would nudge me with his nose as we walked to make sure I was there. We depend on each other. He also became a doggy celebrity at the baseball park as kids would come up to pet him and talk to him and ask questions…everyone knows Charlie. Caring for him became about keeping him safe, maintaining his daily routine, and making sure every day included something he loved—whether it was a car ride, a trip to the park, or simply spending time together.
I also made a point of talking to him throughout the day. Even though his eyesight was gone, he always knew where I was by the sound of my voice, and I wanted him to feel loved, secure, and included.
One thing I truly believe has helped Charlie is encouraging him to drink water throughout the day. I frequently bring him a small bowl of fresh water, which helps keep him hydrated and encourages regular urination. Every diabetic dog is different, so owners should always follow their veterinarian's recommendations, but keeping Charlie well hydrated has been an important part of his daily routine.
Today, it has been three years since Charlie's diabetes diagnosis, and he will be 12 years old soon. He has lost over 30 pounds and maintains a healthy weight of around 70 pounds. He follows the same routine every day, continues to travel with us between New Jersey and North Carolina twice a year, and still enjoys car rides as much as ever.
Charlie's story has taught us that a diabetes diagnosis is not the end of a happy life. With love, consistency, patience, and good veterinary care, diabetic dogs can continue to thrive and bring incredible joy to their families.
We feel truly blessed to have Charlie in our lives, and we hope that by sharing his journey, we can offer encouragement and hope to others beginning this same path.
Every dog is different. This story reflects one customer's experience and is not intended as veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your dog's medical care.
