I was going through the photos taken over the school holidays when I came across this one...it would have made a nice photo...Bailey is sitting calmly with his little master and Chris... and the light is nice...but my son is covering his face with his hands as my husband comforts him. He couldn't manage half a smile this day...
Jason had been asking us if we could go into the museum, which we have visited several times before, but we said "not today" because we had Bailey with us and hadn't planned on going in. We wanted to take everyone for a walk around the grounds instead.
Spontaneity is a thing of the past for our family since Jason's diagnosis and generally every outings is planned with military precision.
So sometimes it takes a little mental adjustment to get into the mood to do something on the spur of the moment. Either that or a very unhappy child. And that's exactly what we had on our hands! Jason didn't take no for an answer and he got more upset when we got a little annoyed because he wouldn't drop it.
Anyway, eventually it led to tears and the pleasant day we started off with was going downhill fast.
We eventually compromised and decided to go into the museum for a short time, promising to come back the following weekend for a more thorough look.
Throughout the ordeal Bailey stayed faithfully by his side and started to lick him on the hand. Reflecting on this day led me to think about the positive benefits of having Bailey in our lives.
Jason resilience is undeniable in the face of adversity but some days for him are harder than others and it's easy for little things to be blown out of proportion and melt downs to follow. The daily routine of diabetes, involving constant blood glucose monitoring, insulin administration, dietary restrictions and meal structure can become a burden. It can leave him feeling burnt out.
Blood sugars levels are constantly being affected by the food he eats, how often and how much, the level of physical activity for the day, growth spurts which happen out of the blue, hormones, illness, even the weather and his emotions play a part. His well- being is affected by his metabolic control and vice-versa.
As parents, we take a positive approach to his diabetes care and view it as a lifestyle that embraces healthy eating and appropriate food choices, staying active and making sure he gets adequate sleep. Some days, like today, he also needs more warm embraces and reassuring words.
Bailey also helps us manage many aspects of Jason's diabetes too. Undoubtedly he has become valued additional tool by which to monitor his blood glucose levels, but he also instinctively offers Jason comfort when the burden of living with the disease becomes too heavy.
Bailey is often his light in the darkness, his constant, unconditional love, a distraction from the pain of daily pokes... his comfort... because sometimes only the love of a four-legged friend will do.
Jason had been asking us if we could go into the museum, which we have visited several times before, but we said "not today" because we had Bailey with us and hadn't planned on going in. We wanted to take everyone for a walk around the grounds instead.
Spontaneity is a thing of the past for our family since Jason's diagnosis and generally every outings is planned with military precision.
So sometimes it takes a little mental adjustment to get into the mood to do something on the spur of the moment. Either that or a very unhappy child. And that's exactly what we had on our hands! Jason didn't take no for an answer and he got more upset when we got a little annoyed because he wouldn't drop it.
Anyway, eventually it led to tears and the pleasant day we started off with was going downhill fast.
We eventually compromised and decided to go into the museum for a short time, promising to come back the following weekend for a more thorough look.
Throughout the ordeal Bailey stayed faithfully by his side and started to lick him on the hand. Reflecting on this day led me to think about the positive benefits of having Bailey in our lives.
Jason resilience is undeniable in the face of adversity but some days for him are harder than others and it's easy for little things to be blown out of proportion and melt downs to follow. The daily routine of diabetes, involving constant blood glucose monitoring, insulin administration, dietary restrictions and meal structure can become a burden. It can leave him feeling burnt out.
Blood sugars levels are constantly being affected by the food he eats, how often and how much, the level of physical activity for the day, growth spurts which happen out of the blue, hormones, illness, even the weather and his emotions play a part. His well- being is affected by his metabolic control and vice-versa.
As parents, we take a positive approach to his diabetes care and view it as a lifestyle that embraces healthy eating and appropriate food choices, staying active and making sure he gets adequate sleep. Some days, like today, he also needs more warm embraces and reassuring words.
Bailey also helps us manage many aspects of Jason's diabetes too. Undoubtedly he has become valued additional tool by which to monitor his blood glucose levels, but he also instinctively offers Jason comfort when the burden of living with the disease becomes too heavy.
Bailey is often his light in the darkness, his constant, unconditional love, a distraction from the pain of daily pokes... his comfort... because sometimes only the love of a four-legged friend will do.