paralyzed dogs

A Christmas Blessing. Bella Learns to Fly Again!

Posted by Barbara Techel

A Christmas Blessing. Bella Learns to Fly Again!

It happened again. The emotions overcame me and tears flooded my eyes while my heart swelled to ten times its size.

I mean, seriously, look at this sweet girl. Her name is Bella. Her mom, Kourtney, contacted me a few weeks ago, beside herself that her sweet doxie could no longer walk. She wanted to give her a quality of life with a set of wheels, but her tight budget didn’t allow for any extras.

Well, the Frankie Wheelchair Fund was honored to come to the rescue!  And now, Bella can fly again!

Receiving the note of joy from Kourtney today I couldn’t help but think of how appropriate the title for this post as, ‘A Christmas Blessing.’ A blessing it is, and it will always be, every single time I have the honor of providing funds to help another paralyzed dog with the gift of mobility.

And a wonderful time to say a deeply grateful thank you to each and everyone who continues to support this mission of mine with donations. You are all part of my team that helps disabled dogs fly again! I simply couldn’t do this without you and I can never say thank you enough.

I know you will join me in wishing Bella many, many joyful years of flying to her hearts content in her wheels!

If you wish to help me grant wheelchairs to paralyzed dogs in need, you can donate here. And if you’d like to check out the more than sixty happy flyers we’ve helped, visit here.

Bella’s wheelchair custom–made by Eddie’s Wheels for Pets.

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Lily Rolls for Just a Few Short Days in a Wheelchair Granted by the Frankie Wheelchair Fund

Posted by Barbara Techel
Lily Rolls for Just a Few Short Days in a Wheelchair Granted by the Frankie Wheelchair Fund
LILY

Lily found her way to someone with a huge heart willing to go the distance and help her with her paralysis after her previous owners were unable to care for her.

Sydnie was Lily’s angel. She contacted me in October stating she needed help with a wheelchair for Lily asking if The Frankie Wheelchair Fund could help. I was more than happy to do just that and provide the funds for a wheelchair to be custom built by Eddie’s Wheels for Pets.

Sydnie worked hard with Lily improving her condition, but a wheelchair was still needed to provide quality of life for Lily. The wheelchair arrived in early November and while Lily’s story had a great beginning, I’m sad to report that she was diagnosed with Lymphona a few short days after she was up and rolling in her wheelchair.

Sydnie contacted me letting me know that Lily was in a lot of pain and the most humane thing to do was help her cross over, which she did, even though her heart was shattered. She also felt so bad for not being able to do more for Lily and felt in someway she had let her down.

Having been through this with Joie, I completely understood, and assured Sydnie that I truly believe that Lily knew how fortunate she was to have had a wonderful life with Sydnie the last few months. And now Lily is Syndnie’s angel.

And…. Lily’s wheelchair will help another disabled dog in need. As part of the Frankie Wheelchair Fund I ask that recipients of a wheelchair from the fund, return the wheelchair to Eddie’s Wheels when it is no longer needed. So the gift goes on…

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If you are looking to donate this holiday season to a great cause, I’d be delighted if you considered The Frankie Wheelchair Fund, which helps disabled dogs in need of a wheelchair. To date, with the generous donations of others, I’ve been able to help over sixty dogs with the gift of mobility.  Donations can be made online here. Thanks for your consideration!

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A Book for Every Dachshund Owner Terrified of Disc Disease. Plus Enter for Chance to Win A Copy!

Posted by Barbara Techel

A Book for Every Dachshund Owner Terrified of Disc Disease. Plus Enter for Chance to Win A Copy!

I can’t say enough good about this book written by Kristin Leydig Bryant and Adam Christman, DVM.  Everyone owned by a dear little dachshund truly needs to have a copy of this book!  Education, as I’ve always said here on my blog when talking about Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), common in doxie’s, is what will save the life of your dog should this happen to him/her.

As many of you know, I’ve been  down this road. With my first doxie, Frankie, who was inflicted and became paralyzed in 2006, and that first time around – whew – it was downright scary. I didn’t have a clue about this disease – this book would have helped big time.  Though I do want to plug that I will and continue to be grateful for Dodgerslist – an organization dedicated to helping educate others about this disease also. Since Frankie, I’ve cared for two doxie’s with IVDD – first Joie and now Gidget.

While there is no cure for IVDD, there is help and hope!  Run right out and get yourself a copy of this book – it will be your IVDD bible should you be faced with this and you’ll be able to make an educated decision should this happen to your beloved doxie.

I love the fact that veterinarian Adam Christman is on board with this book sharing his story and advice – bravo! The book is filled with so much practical and helpful advice, like having a doc and those who have been through this before right beside you holding your hand should you need them. And what I loved best is the sense of humor presented throughout the book. Those of us who have been down this road know that a sense of humor is key!

I’m thrilled and honored to have provided an endorsement:

Every dachshund should come with this book attached to the collar! While we all hope our dog is never diagnosed with IVDD, education is key. Kristin Leydig Bryant and Dr. Adam Christman have done a valuable service in putting together this detailed book on how to live with, and care for, a dog with IVDD; how to be prepared ahead of time should this happen to your pup; and how a dog with IVDD can thrive! The added touch of humor in this book, I can personally attest, is the medicine that got me through when my dachshund became paralyzed. The best thing you’ll get from this book? Hope! There is always hope!  ~Barbara Techel

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COPY

Kristin and Dr. Adam have generously offered to give a copy of the book away to one of my blog readers!  Even if you have a copy already, do enter as it would make a great gift for a friend with a dachshund or give a copy to your favorite vet.  All you have to do is say YES or leave a comment is comment section below.

Open to US residents only. Enter by midnight cst, Friday, Oct. 21st. Winner will be notified on Oct. 22nd.

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Follow updates and information on IVDD on Kristin and Adam’s Facebook page here.

Order your copy of Honey, Have You Squeezed the Dachshund here.

***And one special note:  Not just for Dachshund owners, but for anyone with a long-backed dog such as corgis and basset hounds too – as they can be prone to this disease too.

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