working dogs

Come Meet Baron. Garden Center Dog.

Posted by Barbara Techel

There’s nothing like a sweet dog and flowers to lift one’s spirit. Meet Baron. He lives and works at Willow Wood Acres Garden Center.

I’ve been planting some new flowers near Gidget’s resting area. Though I’ve had to do it in-between the rain and cold. It has been quite unseasonable with both.

As I was reading the tag of one of the perennials all of a sudden a snout came up under my arm and my hand landed on this handsome fellow.

He belongs to Kathy and Stewart Blanke who own the garden center. Kathy told me he is a part red fox labrador and part husky. He is only eight months old and came from Alabama. Sweet as can be and very helpful at the garden center.

I’m so glad I got to meet him and I hope I never run out of areas to plant flowers because I already want to go back again and visit him.

XO,

Barbara

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Working Weenies in Training. Come Meet Them!

Posted by Barbara Techel
Working Weenies in Training. Come Meet Them!
Dublin and Riggs

These two. Be still my heart.

In training at Cain’s Bridal Wreath and floral shop in a town near me.

I had to stop today and finally meet them. They are now three months old.

Dublin, on the left, belongs to shop owner, Donna and Riggs, on the right, belongs to Donna’s daughter.

These two brothers living the good life.

But must also earn their keep helping customers in the shop.

Sniffing out the best flowers for any occasion is their specialty. 

Well, okay, along with looking so dang adorable you can’t help but squeal and bring out your munchkin voice!

I’d say they are doing quite well with their training, don’t you?

And how I wanted to take home two of my favorite flowers in the whole store…the cutest of all…the ones that last forever in my heart…Dublin and Riggs.

Weenie love…there’s just nothing like it.

Made my morning!

P.S.  No extra charge for puppy kisses!

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Media Release: Two Canine Celebrities Join Forces to Teach Fire Safety and Help Others with Special Needs

Posted by Barbara Techel

This is going to be so incredibily fun!!  I met Dayna Hilton, volunteer Firefighter, Author and Educator and her dog Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog via Facebook about a year ago.  We have corresponded weekly and our passion of helping children, along with our special dogs, has us coming together to actually finally meet in person… and dog!  Along with Frankie and Sparkles’, Dayna and I will do some very special projects while they are here in Wisconsin (traveling from Arkansas), so I wanted you all to be the first to know!

 

TWO CANINE CELEBRITIES JOIN FORCES TO TEACH FIRE SAFETY AND HELP OTHERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Two Dogs Rollin’: Frankie and Sparkles Big Adventure 2010
Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Shows Local School Children How To Get Low and Go and
Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Encourages School Children to Help those with Special Needs

Friday, April 9th, 2010 10:30am and 1:00pm

WHO: Sparkles, a fire safety savvy Dalmatian resplendent in her red service vest along with her human mom, educator and volunteer firefighter Dayna Hilton.
Frankie, an exuberant disabled dachshund outfitted with special harness to help her walk along with her human mom, author and educator, Barbara Techel.
Elkhart Lake/Glenbeulah Elementary School
Western Canada Elementary School

WHAT: History in the making! After meeting on Facebook and Skype this past year, Sparkles and Dayna travel from Arkansas to meet Barbara and Frankie at their home in Wisconsin. They are coming together for this first time ever event to help children stay safe in case of a fire, and to encourage children to be of service by helping those with special needs. They will first present in person (and dog!) to elementary students at Elkhart Lake/Glenbeulah Elementary School. They will sign books and pose for photos. They will then present via webcam and the technology of Skype from Barbara’s home in Elkhart Lake to Karen Keys, teacher librarian, and students from a elementary school in western Canada.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. and 1:00pm, April 9th, 2010

WHERE: Elkhart Lake/Glenbeulah Elementary School at 10:30am followed by 1:00pm presentation via Skype from Barbara and Frankie’s home in Elkhart Lake.

WHY: As children follow the adventures of Sparkles, they learn valuable fire safety tips enabling them and their families to keep safe. These tips include recognizing the firefighter as a helper and friend, knowing the sound and purpose of a smoke alarm, learning how to crawl low under smoke, and understanding the importance of practicing a home fire drill using an escape map. Also as children follow the adventures of Frankie, they learn how to be positive when faced with any challenge. They learn despite a challenge they can be of service and help out in their communities. Along with Sparkles, Frankie will encourage children to be aware of those with special needs in the event of a fire to help them stay safe as well.

VISUALS: Sparkles, Dayna, Frankie, and Barbara will show:

· How Sparkles teaches children to get low and go in case of a fire
· How to get low and go to your outside meeting place
· Knowing the sound and importance of smoke alarms
· The importance of being of service and helping those with physical challenges stay safe.
· Sparkles and Dayna’s book “Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog.”
· Frankie and Barbara’s “Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog” book series.

OTHER: Both dogs love children, educating them on fire safety and being of service and going to work, while both mom’s of these special dogs are grateful for the opportunities their dogs have brought them and are passionate in helping and encouraging children of all ages. For more information please visit their blog http://www.frankieandsparkles.com/