Posted by Barbara Techel

 

I’ve learned so much from my little dog on wheels, Frankie, which I’m writing about in my new book “Through Frankie’s Eyes- Lessons Learned from a Dachshund on Wheels.”

One big lesson that has helped me greatly is learning to be more patient. I had to learn patience in so many ways when Frankie was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease. Patience in accepting her not walking on her own again, patience in learning to express her bladder, patience in training her so I could express her bladder over the toilet, patience in learning and doing physical therapy for her, and patience in the fact doing things with her takes a little more time than a “normal” dog.

That patience has helped me live not only a more balanced life, but helps me not get so frustrated about things I may not be able to control…. or not get so frustrated about the small stuff.

One area practicing patience has come in very handy for me is with my 6-year old lab, Kylie. She is a very “skittish” dog and while we don’t really know why, we have learned to accept her for who she is. We don’t approach her too quickly or she freaks out and runs into her kennel. She also hates to have her ears cleaned or her nails clipped. We have had her since a pup- so it is not like she came from an abusive situation.

I used to get so frustrated because I wanted her to understand that I was just trying to help her when her ears itched and they needed cleaning- or clipping her nails which can grow into these awfully curly cue, gnarly, nasty looking nails. 

But I realized one day that she can’t help how she is. I needed to adapt to her and the best way I could help her was to remain calm and assure her I loved her. So when she sees the nail clipper comes out she still retreats to her kennel, but instead of getting frustrated, I meet her inside her “apartment” and gently talk to her as I clip her nails. 

I’ve learned that makes me feel better to not get frustrated, as well as helps her to remain calm. This in turn makes our relationship so much stronger and loving. What a win-win, huh?

What lesson has your pet helped you most with?

Frankie’s Window to the World- Reflection of My Truth

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

The front door is usually reserved for Kylie, but every now and then Frankie squiggles her way up to the front eager to see what might be going on out in the world- well as far as she can see in our little corner of the world, that is.

Sometimes Kylie and Frankie snuggle together gazing into the yard. This always gives my heart a jolt of warmth. It is especially nice to see because for so long, Kylie just couldn’t seem to understand Frankie’s wheelchair. When Frankie is in her wheels Kylie acts as if Frankie is a toy and plays too rough. It made me sad that I had to separate them and couldn’t have them in the same room together. A little over a year ago I discovered that when Frankie is not in her wheels, Kylie treats her like any other dog and hanging out with her. That was a joyful paws moment when I discovered that!  Seeing them snuggling together warms my heart.

It also makes me smile when Frankie wants the full view out the front door to herself and Kylie kindly gives up her spot, so Frankie can enjoy it all to herself.

I love to watch Frankie and try to imagine what goes through that little head of hers.It is if she is a little Budda- just sitting and being. I suspect she does not worry about what tomorrow will bring, or has a clue of what a to-do list is, or worries about what is going on in the world. It is why I love to stop and sit in a few moments of her reflection to remind myself that I always have a choice to how I live each day of my life…and how I live my truth.

Frankie and Kylie are my constant reminders of that because animals just seem to naturally live their truth. A reminder  I welcome openly. It is how I pause and give thought…. to what is my truth and how I see the world and live within it…. My dogs, my husband Johnnie, my cozy little home, a few special friends, time with my mom, and work that has meaning to me…my truth…my world.

Christmas Bells- A Joyful Paws Moment

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

I spent Thanksgiving day listening to the Packer game while John watched. I get too nervous to sit and watch them, especially since it was expected to be a tight match up. I also can’t sit for very long and always have to be doing something. After snakcing on chicken wings and pretzels with dip, I brought out out my holiday decorations.

Kylie was curled up at the front door, snoring away, while Frankie watched every move I made. She hates to miss anything and “helps” me by sniffing through everything.

As I unpacked my holiday decorations I once again brought out my Christmas bells. I remember these bells since I was a very young girl of 5 or 6. My grandma and grandpa always had them hanging in the hallway of their home. Every time we’d visit during the holiday season my grandpa would pick me up so I could pull the chord on the bells so it would play music. It still works to this day… and it is at least 42-years old.

It is always a warm and tender “joyful paws” moment for me when I pull the bells out of the storage container and hang them in my home. Vivid images of Christmas come flashing back through my mind of how much I loved Christmas at grandma Edith and grandpa Otto’s. I love to pull the chord to once again hear the music and imagine that grandma and grandpa hear them all the way up in heaven.

Do you have a favorite holiday decoration or moment that brings back fond memories?