Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Surprises Young Boy for his 11th Birthday

Posted by Barbara Techel

Last Saturday Frankie and I surprised a very special young boy named Brandon for his 11th birthday. We had visited his school the year before. Brandon’s mom called me awhile back and asked if there was any way we could stop by and surprise Brandon for his birthday party. She told us that Brandon talks about Frankie all the time. We were quite flattered.

 

So last Saturday, Frankie and I drove to Fond du Lac (well, err, I drove) which is about 30 minutes from where we live. Brandon and his friends were out in the backyard playing. Brandon’s mom, Tricia instructed us to go into the garage where tables and snacks were set up for the boys.

One of the mom’s yelled out the back garage service door that it was time to come into the garage. She said, “Brandon, your surprise is here!”  Keeping the door closed most of the way until all the boys were outside it, Frankie and and I waited patiently.

The door then opened and Brandon was in front of all his friends. His mom said, “Surprise, Brandon!  Look whose here!” Brandon was looking up and all over… and ahem, Frankie happens to be quite short, so he wasn’t looking down. I pointed to the ground and said, “Brandon, look down.”

When Brandon looked down and saw Frankie his mouth opened wide and his eyes grew big as saucers! He ran right over to her, stooped down and started to pet Frankie. He didn’t really say anything, but I could see he was surprised. He then sat down on the garage stoop. His mom said, “Brandon, do you have tears in your eyes?” He said, “I’m so happy Frankie is here!”

 

Frankie telling Brandon a secret… but it’s a secret so it’s only between Brandon and Frankie!

So this was a gift for Brandon for his birthday, but I have to say…. my heart grew three times its size in that moment realizing how thrilled Brandon was to have Frankie there.

His friends were all very nice and fun- everyone taking turns petting Frankie. It was the best!  Brandon told my me two times how much he likes the book about Frankie. Awww gosh, that made me blush!

 

Brandon didn’t want me to leave, but after about 45 minutes it was time for a well deserved doggie nap for Frankie. Brandon said to me, “Can I walk her to your car?”  I mom said, “Of course you can. And you can even put Frankie in her doggie car seat for me.”

Brandon did just that and then hugged and hugged Frankie. What a wonderful young man. He is going to make a great doggie care taker some day- I just know it.

You can follow Frankie on Facebook where we share updates and specials on our books and products. Or follow her on Twitter too!

Also please check out our Disabled Animal Rescue page on Facebook. This is our way of helping animals with special needs find their forever homes. Please feel free to share special needs pets that need homes on this special page.

 

Special Needs Pet Feature: Kaylee

Posted by Barbara Techel


What is your pet’s name?

Kaylee

How old is your pet?

Kaylee is about 7 years old.

Where did you get your pet?

We adopted Kaylee from Remember Me Ranch Rescue, Baraboo, WI in June of 2011, where she had been since February 2011

What is your pet’s physical challenge?

Kaylee was hit by a car about three years ago, and her previous owners failed to seek medical treatment.  She has a spinal cord injury at her thoraco-lumbar junction resulting in severe sensory deficits and muscle wasting in her rear legs.  Her X-rays show subluxation of the left hip which could either be from the car accident, or possibly hip dysplasia.   She isn’t always quite sure where that left leg is! Happily, after a few months of rehab, her prognosis is much better than we ever expected. At the rehab clinic, Kaylee walks perfectly on an underwater treadmill and gets laser treatments to reduce inflammation and pain. She also has lots of exercises and stretches at home to build strength and decrease her sensory deficits. She has gone from crawling 90% of the time to walking 90% of the time in just four months.


What is your pet’s favorite thing to do?

Kaylee’s favorite thing is to be involved with anything her family is doing. She is delighted to go on car rides when we run errands, be in the yard while I’m gardening, or just curl up and watch TV.  It must have broken her heart to be cast outside and ignored by her previous family.


What is your pet’s favorite thing to eat?

Kaylee loves the dried liver treats she gets at her rehab clinic. They are a good distraction during exams and an excellent motivator during exercises.

What do you love most about your pet?

Just looking at Kaylee makes me smile.  Even with all of the challenges and neglect Kaylee has faced, she still embraces life to the fullest.  And that is a good lesson for all of us!

What has your pet most taught you?

Kaylee is the perfect example of how resilient rescue dogs can be.  After being tied out and ignored for three years with her crippling injury and additional medical problems (embedded collar, Lyme Disease, UTI, and rotting teeth), Kaylee radiates joy and love.  I’m so lucky to be her mom!

Anything else you’d like to share?

I’ve made it my mission to seek out senior and special needs pets to adopt from shelters and rescues.  I know these animals will wait the longest to find homes—if they ever find one at all.   And I’ve never been disappointed—being a “rescue mom” has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Visit Kaylee at her blog.

 ***If you care for a special needs pet and would like your pet featured, please email me through my website contact. Send a photo and I will forward the questionnaire for your pet to be featured in an upcoming post.***

Announcing A New Book by Barbara Techel-coming 2012

Posted by Barbara Techel


This is only a mock-up of a cover for my new book- this won’t be the finished cover- but it serves as my visual to keep me inspired as I write my new book

I’m officially announcing, that yes, I’m working on a new book. I’ve given a hint or two about it on my Facebook page, but other than that, I’ve kept it pretty much to myself. I’ve had to build my confidence that I could write this book. I’m still working on that part- but getting stronger every day.

“Through Frankie’s Eyes- Lessons Learned from a Dachshund on Wheels” right now, is the working title and could change, but for now this is what it is. The title and a mock-up cover are great visuals for me to keep me encouraged to keep going.

As many of you know, to date I’ve written children’s books about my special needs dachshund, Frankie, as well as many articles on animals, and articles on book marketing, etc. To write a nonfiction adult book is a new challenge for me. A bigger challenge yet is that the book is about me- my transition in my early 40’s which had me seriously contemplating what this thing called life was all about after my chocolate lab, Cassie was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. This led me to hiring a life coach, which led me to begin writing, which led me to Frankie’s diagnoses of Intervertbral disc disease (IVDD)… which ultimately shaped my life in a way I would have never imagined.

Over five years ago when I decided to pursue writing, I had all intentions of writing this book, then. But after attending a writing conference in 2007, 11-months after Frankie’s IVDD diagnoses, I realized I was meant to write Frankie’s children’s books first. This book would have to wait… or maybe it would never be written. But in January of this year, the thought began to dance in my head and it wouldn’t let me rest. So following that call, I figured now was the right time to begin this book. I have so much more to share now about all I’ve learned because of my dogs, and mostly from my little dog on wheels who has taught me some of life’s greatest lessons.

I was excited to begin this book but found myself struggling greatly at the beginning as if I was trudging through mud. Sharing me with the world seems a daunting, scary task. What to share, what not to? How to say it- how not to say it? But I’ve been very inspired lately by Jon Katz and his blog post writings. This encourages me to keep going.

I will keep going, and find myself these last few weeks feeling like I am not trudging through mud anymore, but looking more forward to my writing sessions. Looking forward to a book that I hope will help others live a more joyful life- one with meaning, balance and purpose. I personally still work on the balancing part and think I always will. But I’ve become so much more aware of living my life in balance, so when things get of a whack, I seem to recognize it sooner and it helps me get back on track. I also sometimes worry about my purpose and what it will look like when Frankie passes on. But writing it all down the last few months has made me stronger and gives me faith that new adventures and purpose awaits me at some point… so we shall see what comes of this book as I continue to fine tune and move forward.

So far I’ve written 52,217 words which I think is a big accomplishment. I feel myself getting closer to finishing the first draft and then will send it off to my editor… but for now I’m taking this step of making this announcement which feels right to me now. It means I’m making progress in my confidence department. 🙂

Before I began writing this book almost 10-months ago I picked a card from Dr. Wayne Dyer’s Inspiration cards (he is my all time favorite motivational/spiritual teachers), which I keep next to the mock-up cover of my book cover. When I let fear creep into my writing and sharing my book with the world, I refer back to this card and it reminds me, just as it says, “Expect the Best.”


For updates about my new book you can subscribe via email on right hand side of my blog or sign up for my newsletter. As well as follow me on Facebook or Twitter.