A REPURPOSED DIABETES WORD
Arden got a new puppy in mid-December and that was a huge deal around our house because I had been steadfastly saying no to more pets for years.
Then one day I softened on the topic but not because I was worn down by constant badgering - though there was constant badgering. I softened because of something Arden said to me during one of her impassioned, "I need a puppy" pleas. I could see in her eyes that she was making more than just an emotional decision when she asked for a pet, something in her had matured.
it was time for me to say yes and so I relented and the puppy search began, in earnest.
After an exhaustive research process Arden settled on a French Bulldog/Boston Terrier mix that some affectionately refer to as a Faux Frenchie. We found a lovely woman who breeds the mix and awaited his arrival.
After we chose the puppy every waking moment in our home was spent in deep contemplation of a proper name. Arden looked in baby name books and online, we mused around the dinner table, and once seriously considered naming him after a boy that Cole plays baseball with – because of the way that the boy's mother says his name. So much fun to imitate!
I pressed hard for a few days to name the puppy Heisenberg. Though Arden has no knowledge of 'Breaking Bad', I liked the name a lot and tried to explain that if she named him Heisenberg we could also call him Mr. White, The One Who Knocks, The Danger or Walter - she didn't much care for my argument but did actually consider my request for a hot second.
One afternoon Arden walked into the house after school and calmly told me that she had chosen a name for her puppy, she was going to call him Basal.
At first I didn't like the idea because we already hear, say and think diabetes related words so much. One of the things I look most forward to if a cure is ever found, is not saying 'diabetes' ever again. I must say, think, write or speak that damn word hundreds of times a day. But Arden loved the name and so I smiled and said, "GREAT name, we'll call him Basal!".
It's only maybe six weeks since Arden choose the name and I am so happy that she did. Repurposing that word and applying it to something so innocent and adorable has reprogramed my brain. No longer do I clench my teeth at the thought of a high BG that needs more background insulin or contemplate with worry if shutting Arden's basal delivery off for an hour will stop a low blood sugar.
Now Basal means this...
Basal - Almost 5 months old
The lesson in all of this is simple in my eyes, we CAN teach ourselves not to react to how type 1 diabetes tries to make us feel.
Following in the spirit of Arden's puppy name choice and what it taught me, I've named my new podcast after another word that I just hate saying in the hopes of repurposing that word as well.
I hope that you can check out and subscribe to The Juicebox Podcast, my new type 1 diabetes parenting show. It is live on iTunes, Stitcher and Soundcloud, please subscribe at www.JuiceboxPodcast.com and give it a try.
I'm off to prep for my first interview for the podcast, you are going to love the guest - Adam Lasher from American Idol!
Contest: Guess Arden's New Puppy's Name
Arden has been asking for a puppy forever and today she got her wish when her Christmas present arrived at the airport.
Arden spent the past weeks thinking of names for her new best friend, she took suggestions from family and friends, looked through baby name books, but in the end she decided on a name all on her own - and it's a diabetes centric name.
So the first person who can guess what Arden named her new puppy wins three pairs of blue circle shoe laces. The contest runs until someone gets the name correct. If more than one person guesses correctly I'll give three pairs to the first correct guess and one pair to each of the others but the contest will be shutdown twelve hours after the initial correct guess is made.
Puppy is three months old. He's a mix of French Bulldog and Boston Terrier. They call him a Faux French, he's such a cutie!
Okay, I'm exhausted from driving to the airport at four in the morning (he missed a connecting flight) so I'm going to take it easy while you try to figure out his name. Remember, it's diabetes related... good luck!
Only two rules: All guesses must be made in the comments of this post. Open to US and Canadian residents only for shipping cost reasons.
Arden named her new puppy Basal...
