Eddie’s Wheels, www.eddieswheels.com recently had a story done about their company on The Today Show, msnbc.com video: Wheelchairs for pets.  Frankie’s cart came from this company.  I chose Eddie’s Wheels because the owner was trying to help out his disabled dog with wheels at a time when wheels were not an option for animals.  He cared so much about helping his best friend that he experimented in making him a cart… and it took off from there!  Now he and his wife Leslie help thousands of other disabled dogs.  INCREDIBLE!!

This is also a story that was written about them as well.    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24698170/

We love you Eddie’s Wheels!!  Thank you for doing what you do and doing it from your hearts!

Today John installed my screen door on MySpace.calm.  I love it!!  Though it is brand new it does have a squeak to it, which I love.  Can’t have a screen door without a squeak!  It took me a few weeks to paint it.  The base coat I painted a cream color.  I then painted the corner swirls periwinkle (of course!) and the little detail knobs lime green and periwinkle (what other colors are there?!).  As you can see, MySpace.calm is still “a work in progress” and needs a few pieces of siding… but hey, I have a screen door!!  Now all I need is warmer weather.

As I sat and admired it, I can’t help but reflect on a wonderful conversation I had today with a teacher I recently met.  Julie is waiting to hear if she will be a tester for Therapy Dogs, Inc. (www.therapydogs.com).  I met Julie when I did a presentation at her school a few weeks ago.  We got to talking and I shared with her my dream to do therapy work with Kylie, which was put on hold when Frankie hurt herself.  Julie does “Pages for Preston” which is a program where volunteers bring their dogs to school and children read to the dogs.  Julie’s dog Preston is her therapy dog and her inspiration.  I told her how I would love to register Frankie as a therapy dog, but she’s never had any formal obedience training.  From observing Frankie in school, Julie feels Frankie has great potential to be a therapy dog.  This means I could take her to nursing homes and hospitals.  I am thrilled!  After we talked today she agreed to meet with us this week and go through the test so we know what we will need to work on before being officially tested.  I am so thankful for this opportunity and can hardly wait to work with Julie!

I couldn’t help but think, “When one door closes, another opens.”  Meeting Julie and taking one step closer to the dream of having a therapy dog is coming true for me.  Who knows what stories will come of this?

And on a note of therapy  work I would encourage anyone looking to do something rewarding with your pet to give this a try.  There is no science to prove what is happening when an animal is involved in visiting the lonely elderly in nursing homes, the sick in hospitals, and the child struggling to read, what benefits an animal offers…but I absolutely believe in the power of an animal and their unconditional love…. you don’t need science to know what your heart feels from being loved by an animal.  I am who I am today because of being graced in my own life by some pretty spectacular paws and tails.  God gave us animals to open our hearts to the bigger picture of life.  I truly believe that.

Tuesday, Frankie and I rolled down the highway to Jefferson school in Appleton to present to the 2nd graders.  When the coordinator of the PTO organization called to ask us to visit she said the school is in a low-come district, so she did not expect many could afford a book.  I didn’t mind, as I am happy to talk with the children, so I was excited to make the visit.

Sharon, the coordinator and her daughter, Libby welcomed us most enthusiastically!  I had met Libby and her dad at the Book Fair in Appleton in April.  We struck up a conversation when she saw the name of my book.  She happens to have a dog whose name is Frankie too!  She was such a delightful little girl.  When her mom called to ask if I would come to Jefferson school I was so thrilled.  Sharon and Libby were so excited to have us at the school and were very accommodating.  Thank you!

The children had wonderful questions and were so quiet and attentive while I talked.  It was such a pleasure to meet all of them.  After each presentation Sharon shared with the children that an anonymous person was making sure that each of them would go home with a copy of “Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog” that day.  The hoots and hollers of joy were priceless!  Each 2nd grade classroom had their picture taken with Frankie and I to put into their scrapbook.

Thank you Jefferson for making Frankie and I feel right at home at your wonderful school.  We enjoyed meeting each and everyone of you!