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 ...
That smell usually starts at a dogs feet, the only place they sweat. Try using a tea tree oil shampoo. I'm a groomer & I suggest to my clients that after a walk they dip each paw in a jug of warm water with 2 drops of tea tree oil mixed in it. As well as rinsing off any dirt it helps with the smell.