Diabetes affects our blood vessels and nerves and therefore can affect any part of the body. However, certain parts of our body are affected more than other parts.
I don't think dogwoods have (much?) scent, maybe just lightly floral. The white petally looking things are not actually petals they are bracts, like a poinsettia has. There's something called an English dogwood that is very fragrant, but it isn't a true dogwood and is also known as mock orange. Bradford pears have a smell that this author described as sweaty socks, so if your tree doesn't smell very good that's probably it: http://www.gardenguides.com/106133-dogw ...
Plants & Trees That Cats & Dogs Hate the Smell Of. Cats and dogs may look innocent, but they can be destructive in the yard. Dogs and cats can harm flower beds and gardens. They dig in the ground around the plants, tearing up roots and beds. They chew on leaves, damaging plants.