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Article updated: 12/4/2012 6:14 AM

Santo's widow backs diabetes-alert dogs 'Ron would have loved'

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Dogs and children played big roles in Ron Santo's life. Here he is with his grandson Sam and three dogs, from left: Hanna, Joker and Summer.

Courtesy of Vicki Santo

This diabetes-alert Labrador retriever named Nash does more than go to school with Cody, on the left here with his parents and younger brother. The dog recently alerted another student of a serious change in blood-sugar levels.

Courtesy of Alert Service Dogs

Following through on the Hall of Fame induction that immortalized Cubs legend Ron Santo, the third-baseman's widow, Vicki Santo, says she wants to "extend his legacy" by promoting diabetes-alert dogs that warn patients of serious changes in their blood-sugar levels.

Associated Press

DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO Always one to pump up the crowd and himself when it came to his beloved Cubs, popular third-baseman-turned-broadcaster Ron Santo also raised millions for diabetes research.

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This dog named Joker could be scared by Ron Santo's big personality and booming voice, but when the outspoken advocate for people with diabetes once suffered a life-threatening drop in blood-sugar levels, Joker alerted Santo's wife in time for her to help him.

Courtesy of Vicki Santo

This 4½-month-old border collie named Razor is in training at Alert Service Dogs to become a diabetes-alert dog that can warn patients of serious changes in blood-sugar levels. One of these dogs will be auctioned off Saturday at the JDRF fundraiser in Chicago.

Courtesy of Alert Service Dogs

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On the second anniversary of Ron Santo's death Monday, the Cubs legend's widow says that she couldn't be more excited about “extending his legacy” by pushing a cause “Ron would have loved.” The Ron and Vicki Santo Diabetes-Alert Dog Foundation is in the final stages of becoming a nonprofit charity with a goal of helping people with diabetes buy alert dogs that could save their lives by literally sniffing out dangerous blood-sugar levels, Vicki says.