Until We Meet Again. No Goodbye.

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

From left:  My dad, Ken, my sister, Paula, me, my brother, Keith, his wife Tammy, Keith’s daughter, Sara and his son, Dean

My brother is only a few short days away from leaving and heading to Afghanistan. Today our family received a beautiful letter from him. Though it made me really cry, I can’t say enough how very proud I am of him. He is doing what he has always wanted to do.

So I told him I couldn’t say goodbye… but until we meet again. God Speed to him and all the soldiers still there or on their way.

 

How Pets Mirror Our Lives

Posted by Barbara Techel


The semi-retired life of celebrity, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog

I liked this recent post by Jon Katz, “Animals Mirror Our Lives.”  He talks about since losing his dog Rose, how his relationships with his other three dogs has changed. He now calls his Lab, Lenore, his Ride-A-Long Dog because she goes many places with him- though she didn’t before. Izzy now hangs out with his wife Maria in her studio and Freida protect the farm (which had been Rose’s job).

It made me realize how my relationships have changed with both my dogs since I made the decision to semi-retire Frankie this year.

I find myself talking to Frankie even more now that I am in my studio more. I am taking more brief little breaks to just sit and be with Frankie—holding her or petting her—telling her how much she means to me. I sometimes just sit in my desk chair and watch her sleep. It brings me such deep contentment to see her so peaceful. I think about how I love my work with her and how I didn’t want to slow down in it—but how I felt she wanted to slow down. So I felt strongly I had to honor that for her and in turn realized I too was honoring myself because I too had been wanting to slow down. Subconsciously I was wanting to write a new book, but not finding time—and here Frankie was mirroring to me what it is I wanted. What a smart dog.

My relationship with Kylie is growing deeper once again. With not as many appearances with Frankie, I am home more now, which means more walks with Kylie. And with her recent knee surgery her walks are essential to her healing. We’ve got a good six weeks to go yet with her therapy walking.  Kylie and I had just started to develop a bond as we worked together in her puppy and obedience training when she was a pup. But as many of you know that was all put on hold when Frankie was diagnosed with IVDD and an unexpected, but welcome journey was ahead of me in sharing Frankie with thousands of children. Even though it it winter here in Wisconsin, it has been mild, and now as move closer to spring, I soak in the sunshine and my time with Kylie.

I was also yearning this past year for a simpler life in 2012, more time one on one with my dogs—and how interesting that is all falling into place. If only I had gotten out of my own way sooner to see that yes, indeed, my dogs were mirroring for me all along what I was yearning for.


Kylie out for a walk today

Teaching Kids About Special Needs Pets & How to Be Positive Despite Challenges

Posted by Barbara Techel

It’s hard to believe it is has been since 2008 that Frankie and I have been teaching kids about special needs pets, while also encouraging them to see their own challenges in a positive way. This is such rewarding work. Each visit we now do seems even more precious since Frankie is semi-retired.

Recently we visited a small catholic school, Shepherd of the Hills. It was such a delightful school and the kids were oober crazy to meet Frankie! I’m so excited to share these photos with you that the school took and granted me permission to share.  Each photo describes what Frankie and I teach the kids during our presentation.  Side note:  It was catholic school week, so today’s theme was tropical, so that is why the students are all dressed so colorfully.  🙂


This student is learning how to put Frankie in her wheelchair with a little help from me.


Student learning how Frankie’s wheelchair all fits together.


A big round of applause for this student doing such a great job in helping Frankie into her wheelchair


Explaining to the students how I have to express Frankie’s bladder since she can’t do that on her own because of her Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). I then show them a photo of how I hold Frankie over the toilet as I express her bladder. As you can imagine, this gets lots of giggles!

 

I ask for three volunteers to come up and learn how to do physical therapy on Frankie. This student is getting ready to do one of the exercises I did for Frankie when she was recovering and healing.

 

This student is learning how to do a range of motion exercise for Frankie


This student learned how to move Frankie’s leg and pretend like Frankie was pedaling a bicycle in this exercise


Showing Frankie’s dog wheelchair to the students so they can see what it looks like without her in it


The grand finale is showing the students how I trained Frankie to walk in her wheelchair. I hold a treat in my hand and as soon as I start to walk, Frankie follows me.  The students cheer and clap and this always warms my heart… right down to my toes.