dogs in wheelchair

I Couldn’t Have Been More Touched

Posted by Barbara Techel
I Couldn't Have Been More Touched
Elaina with Frankie’s likeness at Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan, WI

As many of you know my dear Frankie’s memory lives on in a wonderful children’s garden called Bookworm Gardens.

Today I received this photo from my sister, Paula. She is living her dream being a nanny to two sweet little girls. This is Elaina. While recently visiting Frankie at the gardens Elaina bent down and lovingly said to Frankie, “Feel better.”

Well goodness… I have tears in my eyes just writing this! I couldn’t have been more touched.

One thing I enjoyed doing when I visited schools and libraries with Frankie and sharing her message and books I wrote about her was helping kids to understand empathy.

If children can grasp empathy oh, what a beautiful future we have! And dear Elaina is leading the way with her compassion and kindness extended to Frankie’s likeness that continues to spread that message even though she will be gone for five years as of June 21st.

What a gift this photo is as I’ve been giving so much thought lately to the anniversary of Frankie’s passing. And that our loved ones, human or pet, continue to be with us in the most special and magical ways.

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Joie Getting Closer to Being on the Big Screen

Posted by Barbara Techel

Joie on set of the moviePhoto of Joie taken on the set of the movie, “The Surface.”

Hearing the news today that the film “The Surface” will make it’s debut during the Milwaukee Film Festival I feel a wave of emotion rise from my heart and flow out through my eyes. Tears of joy for the brief, small role Joie will play during a flashback scene – joy to know she is part of a family scene, living a happy life.  See, that’s the thing. Dogs in wheelchairs can live quality lives.

While the movie isn’t about a dog in a wheelchair, it is about (taken from website) “two strangers, both at the end of their rope, who suddenly meet in the middle of the unpredictable waters of Lake Michigan. As they confront the secrets and sorrows that brought them there, they find inspiration in one another’s struggle to survive.”

I was honored to have taken part in this movie with Joie, and that the film is about inspiration and ones will to struggle and survive. Oh, how my wheelie dogs have taught me that!

It is about one of the men who happened to have a dog in a wheelchair at one time in his life and this is when one of the flashbacks occurs.  To me, this speaks highly of character.

The film will first make the film festival tour before heading to the big screen. But stay tuned as I’ll be sure to announce here on my blog when it is in major theaters.

For now, you can view the movie trailer here.