Jeff Gendelman

Joie, My Wheelchair-Bound Dachshund, Featured in “The Surface” Movie. Great Movie. Great Honor.

Joie, My Wheelchair-Bound Dachshund Featured in "The Surface" Movie.

Standing outside the Marcus Cinema Theatre in Appleton, WI

Yesterday as we got into the car to head to the Marcus Cinema Theatre in Appleton about one hour away, John looked at me and said, “Here we go. We are going to see Joie!”

I had been trying to hold it together all morning – the excitement, the anticipation, the wishing she could have been here for this, and how proud I am of her – and in those words John said, my emotions all came to the surface.

A mixture of happy and sad all rolled into what we call bittersweet.

Memories flashed through my mind from the day Joie and I we were on set of The Surface movie in August of 2013 to now here—almost two years later, and all the time and effort that goes into making a movie, finally here, on the big screen.

The day before we headed to the theatre I printed out the photo of Joie that was taken on the set and put it in a frame. It was my plan to have a picture taken of me holding her photo next to the poster at the theatre.

As we got comfortable in our seats at the cinema I felt like I was holding my breath as the movie began. I also didn’t want to blink for fear of missing Joie’s few seconds of fame when she rolled across the screen.

Based on a true story and written and produced by Jeff Gendelman who persevered 18 years to bring this story to life, is one of two ordinary men, each at the end of their rope who meet in the middle of the vast, cold waters of Lake Michigan.

The Surface movie

Each with struggle’s of their own, they come to find in each other that they are not alone in those moments when one feels at the very bottom of tough challenges life can hand us.

I felt connected to the story line with my own ordinary challenges I’ve faced over the years. But especially with the more challenging ones for me which have been caring for my first dachshund, Frankie who became paralyzed.

But from that challenge came a calling I couldn’t ignore and I had to tell Frankie’s story through the books I’ve written about her.

From that love of Frankie came another calling to adopt another paralyzed dachshund after Frankie passed away in June of 2012.

Joie would come to me from the Oregon Dachshund Rescue, flown here by volunteer Linda.

To think in those ten short months she was with me that she’d take part in the filming of a movie still makes me shake my head in wonder and smile.

As one of the main characters, Kelly (played by Chris Mulkey) reflects on his life in a flashback, though I wasn’t sure when Joie’s part would be shown, I knew in that moment that this was it. My heart began to beat faster.

As the film moves into that scene, the camera angle shows Joie from the front, then the back, as she rolls down the front hallway toward Kelly who is leaving for work that morning. Kelly’s daughter played by Jeff’s daughter Megan, comes bounding down the stairs, scoops Joie up in her arms and kisses her dad (Kelly) goodbye.

End of flashback. It went so fast but yet as if in slow motion as I saw my sweet little girl, roll down that hallway just like she often did in our home.

“Oh Joie, how I’d love to hold you just one more time.” I thought silently. I was giddy with excitement while at the same time felt a moment of grief and sadness — but most of all I felt so so proud.

Another part in the movie, unbeknownst to me is when Kelly tells the other character, Mitch (played by Sean Astin) that he needs to get a dog. Kelly then tells Mitch about his dog, a dachshund, shot in the back when out for walk with him in the woods, but that he survives.

At first I thought they got it wrong that Joie was a girl.

And then when the film credits rolled I understood. In the list of the cast was Joey, played by Joie the dachshund…and then in parenthesis (in memorium).

This is when I thought I’d lose it because I was deeply touched they acknowledged Joie’s passing.

And I guess it’s not everyday that you can also say, hey, there in the special thanks section was my name, Barbara Techel of joyfulpaws.com

Wow. So surreal. So fun. Such an honor. A real honor.

I saw Joie in my mind’s eye as I meditated this morning. She was standing there before me as I looked into her adorable little face. She wasn’t in her wheelchair, but healed and standing on all four paws. A beautiful light was shining down on her and I could feel how happy she is as she turned around and slowly walked away, fading into the light.

While she could only be with me for ten short months before she succumbed to the challenges of IVDD the gift of her will remain in my heart for a very long time.

I’ve put together an album on Facebook when we were on the set of The Surface.

I’ve heard from many of you wanting to know when The Surface will be playing in your local area.  Linda, rescue volunteer who brought Joie to me, contacted The Surface. This is what she heard back, “Later this summer it will screen on VOD across the country, and a DVD release will follow down the road.”

I’ll be sure to announce here and on Facebook too when I hear more.

Joie Getting Closer to Being on the Big Screen

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.

On the Set of the Movie “The Surface.” Joie’s Acting Debut.

megan and joie 1200Joie’s acting friend, Megan who stars as the daughter in the film

It’s hard to believe sitting in my writing cottage today that at this time yesterday Joie and I were on the set of a movie being filmed in our area. It was a  surreal and amazing experience. It will definitely live on in my memory bank for a long time to come.

The movie “The Surface” has been the dream of writer, actor and producer, Jeff Gendelman for 18-years. I can only imagine how he must feel seeing his dream come to life right before his eyes – right in his own hometown of Mequon, WI.

Joie and producer jeff 1200Joie with producer Jeff Gendelmann

When we arrived we were greeted by Matt from the crew who guided us to the house and showed us to the kitchen.  This is where I met Jeff’s wife, Ginny and their daughter Megan. What a delightful and professional young lady Megan is. She came very well prepared for her extra part in the movie starring beside actor Chris Mulkey and of course, yours truly, Joie. I was also able to meet Mimi Rogers who stars in the film too.

Megan took some time to get to know Joie, learning how to take Joie in and out of her wheelchair, as well learning how to pick Joie up in her wheels and hold her. We were not quite sure what Director, Gil Cates, Jr. would want her to do in the scene so she was asked to practice those two things.  Megan is a very sweet 12-year old girl who wants to be an actress someday.  Watching Megan with Joie really did my heart good as they formed a special bond from the beginning. Megan was very cautious of making sure she didn’t hurt Joie in any way, as well as she took her acting debut just as seriously.

As Megan and Joie practiced, the kitchen was a flurry of film crew and extra’s on the set waiting for their time to shoot their piece in the movie. As much as I wanted to take photos my main concern was that Joie was feeling settled and okay with everything. I did get a few shots, but there was also a set photographer snapping many photos and he got quite a few of Joie that I hope to see and share in the near future.

About an hour after we were there, Jessica, the Videography Coordinator asked if she could dress Joie’s wheelchair out in racing stickers and checkered duct tape. I thought that was so cool, sharing with her that we are from Elkhart Lake, WI where we are known for our famous race track. It couldn’t have been more perfect!  I’m still not quite sure of the reason for the stickers and checkered tape and how that plays into the film, but hopefully that will make sense once we see the movie.

back of joie's license plate 1200I was in awe of what all goes into producing a 20-30 second scene which in all took about 4.5 hours to complete. The scene Joie is in plays out with the main character having a flash back of a family scene. Actor, Chris Mulkey is heading out the door to work, as actress Megan, playing his daughter comes bounding down the stairs in the morning. As she reaches the bottom of the stairs she is greeting by Joie who she says good morning to, picks her up in her arms, walks to kiss her Dad on the cheek, tells him she loves him and to have a good day and off set she walks with Joie still in her arms.

Sounds easy, right?  Well, it basically is, but took many shots to achieve that.  I had to be off to the side in the dining room and when the Director yelled action, he then cued me by saying, “Joie.” I had to call to her so she would leave where she was hanging out on the outside of the scene with the director and film crew and roll through the entrance into the front hallway and to the stairs where Megan would pick her up.

We had to do that about six or seven times and toward the end Joie it was getting harder and harder to coax to come to me down the hallway waiting around the corner.  After that was done we got a little break. Then they actually did very short clips of that whole scene broken down, which I assume they then work their magic in how a movie is all put together.

The last part of the shoot was Joie walking around the corner into the hallway for a brief shot of her walking, so I had to again be off to the side calling her.  She was pretty tired by then, but luckily we got her to do the final shot with the promise of a sweet, long nap on the way home.

camera crew 3 1200Film crew set up outside front door with lighting to make it appear like a sunny morning. It was actually foggy and cloudy yesterday, so it was fascinating to have it appear as if it weren’t.

Everyone on the set was so kind to Joie and many were very intrigued about her asking many questions. How cool we got to share the good news of dogs with IVDD and dogs in wheelchairs in such a special way.  At one point, Jeff checked in with me to ask if I was having fun, which I assured him I was. I also thanked him once again for the wonderful opportunity.

It is a day I will never forget. Though I have a feeling when the movie comes out which will be late in 2014, that will be quite the special day as well when we make our way to the theatre to catch our sweet little wheelie dog, Joie come to life on the big screen. A once in a life opportunity that will be a moment to always cherish.

Today as I reflect back on yesterday I still feel in such a state of awe and so blessed to be a part of something so “big.” But I also give thanks and feel so much gratitude for the life I have here in my little town with my family and pets I love do dearly.

joie crashing on way home 1200Joie resting comfortably on the drive home, lost in her own little world of doggie dreams.  My heart over flowed with pride and love for such a special little dog.

To learn more about The Surface and follow along as it continues filming, as well as when it comes to a theatre near you do follow them on Facebook.

**A very special thank you to Producer, Jeff Gendelman and Director, Gil Cates, Jr. for allowing  Joie to be in this special film.**