Rally for Rustin: Jasper's Diabetic Alert Dog

In March, I noticed something wasn’t right with Rustin, our diabetic-alert dog, and Jasper’s ride-or-die companion. Rustin had some GI issues and was suddenly drinking a lot of water—just like Jasper did when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 18 months old. We went to the vet, and although his temperament and physical exam were completely normal, I requested lab work instead of waiting to see if the issue would resolve on its own. I even joked nervously, “What are the odds Rustin has diabetes, too?”

The initial labs ruled out diabetes, which was a relief, but they uncovered other concerning red flags. Rustin was mildly anemic, had blood in his urine, and had low albumin levels. We proceeded with more testing, including a sterile urine culture that returned negative for infection. Still, we knew something wasn’t right.

Our amazing vet contacted an internal medicine specialist, and we proceeded with an abdominal ultrasound. The results were both confusing and alarming: Rustin showed signs of chronic kidney degeneration—moderate on the left side, mild on the right—as well as a chronic renal infarction. Given his symptoms and lowered cortisol levels in a second round of labs, we were advised to test for Addison’s disease. We felt a bit of hope—while not ideal, the outlook for Addison’s is generally good.

Steroids were prescribed over the weekend as a precaution, but by Monday, the ACTH stimulation test ruled out Addison’s. To make matters worse, Rustin’s blood pressure had spiked. It became clear we were dealing with something far more serious.

The internal medicine team wrote the following:

“It seems you convincingly demonstrated that this patient has progressed to stage II CKD relatively quickly... Unfortunately, it looks like this guy does have underlying chronic kidney disease. I was really hoping for Addison's—better prognosis…”

After a long conversation with our vet and reviewing an overwhelming list of next steps, I realized it was time to ask for help. Rustin’s care plan includes more diagnostic testing to potentially identify an underlying cause, ongoing treatment for his rapidly progressing kidney disease, and navigating many unknowns. This means daily medications, prescription renal food, frequent lab monitoring, and specialized care through NC State’s Veterinary Hospital—if I can raise the funds.

Why We’re Asking for Help

We are doing everything possible to provide Rustin with the best possible care. In less than two months, we’ve already incurred $3,000 in vet bills, and now we’re preparing for further testing and specialized care.

Your support will help us:

About Rustin

Rustin is an almost 6-year-old service dog our family was matched with after extensive training in 2022. As Jasper’s diabetic alert dog, Rustin plays a critical role in our lives. He often detects dangerous blood sugar fluctuations before technology does. He’s not just Jasper’s service dog—he’s his best friend with superpowers that help keep him safe.

If Jasper feels crummy from low or high blood sugar, Rustin is right there, nose-booping a grown-up to ensure we’re doing our part. And if the first adult is too distracted? Rustin finds someone else to notify—he won’t stop until someone acknowledges him with a “Good puppy!” and takes action.

Jasper doesn’t remember life without Type 1, and his memories of life without Rustin by his side are few.

But Rustin’s care doesn’t stop with Jasper. If anyone in the house isn’t feeling well, he knows. He’ll be right by your side. And if he can’t physically get close, he’ll drop a paw on your hand or leg and give you that classic Rustin look—equal parts derpy and serious. It’s his way of saying, “I’m here. I’ve got you. You probably need to drink some water.”

This has been a challenging and emotional few months. If you've made it this far, thank you for taking the time to read Rustin’s story. Whether you’re able to donate, share, or send some love our way, we appreciate you!