My name in Darwin Valentino Inestroza. No, I’m not a Brazilian model like you might assume after reading my full name, I am a diabetic alert dog. I have a pretty darn important job and have been training for this job for two years. Well, I actually started out in the Guide Dogs for the blind program but they said I was too “sensitive”. As if. I just knew I had to answer to a higher calling. (Omg my first blog pun!) I attended Diabetic Alert University at Early Alert Canines in the Bay Area. The people there were great and helped me learn what high and low blood sugars smell like and how to let the humans know something is out of whack. Man there were a lot of homes of diabetics I visited while there. They said they needed to find out what kind of humans I needed to be with. I think they just all wanted to spend time with me. I pretty much rock.
EAC helped me find my first (and only) permanent job watching after a little girl named Laura Valentina Inestroza. (yes, she gave me my middle name….). It’s been an interesting few months with her so far. She is the only child in the house and keeps calling me her brother. Whatever. I’m ok with that. Her parents seem kinda odd. More about them, the grandparents and the sister in Texas later. Did I mention the humans are farmers? Whatever. I am a city dog but am acclimating ok. Just don’t expect me to see me in any bandanas!
I’m going to use this blog to share the adventures I have with this family. They seem like they always have something going on. Off to do some alerting……
Darwin the Diabetic Alert Dog 
Oh, Darwin, what a wonderful dog you are. The Inestroza family is so lucky to have you, especially Laura. It was a pleasure meeting you, I keep telling my dogs that you need to teach them to behave.
Hi Darwin,
We’re Charlotte & Mocha & we are cats so we have no idea what work is. The hardest part of our day is waking our Mom up to have her feed us. (some more) {that editorial comment brought to you by our Mom}
We think what you do is grand & we commend you for it but we are really happy that we are cats so that we can just snooze & dream about sleeping some more. When our Mom was emailing Rainie’s Mom she had the nerve to tell Rainie that since we are cats the only thing we would alert about is that WE are hungry. Well, I guess we have to acknowledge that we don’t work but we are cute & provide lots of love too. In that respect we are like you. We are just a bit more selfish with our time.
Thank you for what you do for humans, they really are so helpless without the fuzzy friends in their lives.
Sincerely, Charlotte & Mocha Simpson
Hi I was was wondering if this is the family that’s refused service at Las Palmas restaurant? I have a friend who would like to cast their story. He works for 24 and 47 news. Can you please let me know.
Yes. Please use the contact me on the blog.
I was so fortunate to come across this blog! We are puppy raisers for guide dogs for the blind and one of our clubs puppies ” Whitley ” was just career changed out of phase 8 at guide dog training and sent to become a diabetic alert dog! Just like Darwin’s story 🙂 Hang in there with the restaurant issue, it’s a tough thing but the more the public is educated about all service dogs, the better!
Awesome! Being a DAD is pretty darn good duty! Thanks for reading the blog.
Hello Darwin, you clever pooch! My daughter Sage, also T1D, is hoping to meet you and your girl Laura some day soon! We are saddened to learn about the Las Palmas incident. Discrimination stems from ignorance. Most people know very little about Type 1, and therefore have no clue about what you do and the invaluable service and protection you offer! Keep Calm and Alert On! We are fighting the fight with you! Ruuuufffff!