It’s a Contest for 2015 National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day!

Posted by Barbara Techel

Contest for National Walk 'N Roll Dog Day 2015!

In August 2012 I founded National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day. As many of you may know, I founded this day in memory of my dachshund, Frankie who was in a wheelchair due to paralysis from disc disease.

Frankie rolled for six years touching the lives of many through visits to schools and many facilities as a therapy dog. Her life is chronicled in two children’s books I wrote about her and my memoir, Through Frankie’s Eyes.

I wanted her legacy to live on after she passed away on June 22, 2012.  And I also wanted a way in which to honor ALL dogs in wheelchairs around the world.

You know why?

Because they deeply inspire me and still do to this day!

The official day of celebration is September 22.  Along with this day and bringing positive awareness to the public that dogs in wheelchair can and DO live quality lives, I have a campaign to raise money for The Frankie Wheelchair Fund.

This fund, in Frankie’s name, has granted 43 wheelchairs to date to paralyzed dogs in need.

Yup! That is worth a Yahoo, don’t you think?

And this year to celebrate, artist Brianna Brunsell of Silly Dog Magnets has generously donated her time and talent in creating a illustration for the special day which will be available for sale as t-shirts coming soon!

And here is where I need your help!

We need a slogan for this year so I’m running a contest and have created a Facebook page just for the contest which you can check out here. This is where you can also leave your idea for a slogan!  And I welcome all ideas!

Winner will receive a t-shirt with their slogan on and the illustration Brianna is working on to celebrate National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day 2015. I will also include a signed copy of my memoir, Through Frankie’s Eyes to the winner.

Funds raised from the sale of t-shirts will benefit the Frankie Wheelchair Fund to help more paralyzed dogs in need. Yup, we need another yahoo!

The average cost of a wheelchair is $385 so as you can see we hope to raise a nice chunk of change to help as many deserving disabled dogs in need as we can.

So head on over to our Facebook page for the contest, give it a “like,” leave your idea, and please help spread the word.

Thank you!

Please note that contest is open to US residents only due to shipping costs.

Contest ends August 1, 2015.

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Gidget’s New Friend, Indy

Posted by Barbara Techel
Gidget's New Friend, Indy
Indy and Gidget

Indy is short for Indiana. This is my friend Miss Marie’s dog she adopted from a humane society in Indiana about three weeks ago.  Marie has special ties to the state and that is why she gave her dog this name.

He is a mix between a boxer and a Shepherd and about 2-years old. Shhhhhhh, it’s a secret….don’t tell Gidget and Kylie…but I’m head over heels in love with him!

He does have some anxiety issues, which I hope will shake out in time. The humane society didn’t know his history, so who knows what his life was like before he hit the honey pot with Miss Marie.

He’s generally apprehensive and a bit anxious around friends who visit Miss Marie. This was proving to be a challenge as Marie, being an artist, does some weekend shows where she can’t take Indy with her.

She was finding out that other’s weren’t able to coax him outside when checking on him while she was away.

One day last week I stopped to pick black raspberries from Miss Marie’s garden as she had given me strict instruction to do so. I say with a grin as who wouldn’t want fresh black raspberries? Yum.

I decided to check in on Indy, but when I went in the house he wouldn’t come over to me. I had Gidget with me and tied up outside around the porch post. Hmmmm, I thought. I wonder if he would come to me if I had Gidget with me.

Well, sure enough!  Gidget was the magic ticket!  Indy came running over to us, his tail wagging a hundred miles a minute.  And then he kissed and kissed my face.

Next thing I knew, I had his leash on and out the door we went for a walk.

Miss Marie, of course, is quite relieved to have at least one person and magical dog that can let Indy out when she is away.  She joked that perhaps we’d need to make some foam cutouts of Gidget so others can check on him too.

But I really don’t mind going to see him and taking him for a walk. He really is a love and so darn adorable!

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Life in Sharp Focus

Posted by Barbara Techel
Life in Sharp Focus
My family. I love them.

It’s so easy to take life for granted. Then someone you know dies and life is put back into sharp focus again.

A teacher that John had in high school, who was also his wrestling coach, died in a car accident a few days ago. Someone blew a stop sign and ended his life. He was only 71.

How fast life can change. I think of my mom often with a similar situation, her husband passing away while up north last November. Never to walk through their front door again.

I try to remember to not take life for granted.

Sitting outside this lovely summer Sunday morning, Gidget and Kylie hanging out and my Johnnie with a cup of coffee in hand.

I sat on the front stoop and felt immense gratitude for my life with this little family of ours.

We live simply. We laugh often. We love deeply.

It’s all I ever want. And it’s something I remind myself is here for only a short time. So soak it all in and give thanks.

—

PS:  In case you are wondering what all the white/yellow fuzz is on the grass, well, that is Kylie’s fur. She is shedding like crazy lately. Many little Kylie tumbleweeds float through our house if I don’t keep up on combing her out. I love my time with just her when I brush her.  I think she likes it too.

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