Welcoming the Familiar. Joie’s School Appearance Debut.

Posted by Barbara Techel

joie and me april 2013Joie and I will be making our first school appearance on May 10th. Well, I guess I should say it is actually Joie’s first appearance at a school as I’ve done these quite a few times.

I’m working on updating my presentation which will now be a mix of Frankie’s story and will include Joie’s as well.  I think there will be some wonderful teaching moments. I had John take this photo above as I needed a new one to send to school’s when they book a visit with us.

When Frankie passed away I really didn’t think I’d ever be doing school visits again. But I’m happy to give it a try with Joie and see if she  is up for it. While I don’t know if I will do as many as I did with Frankie, I am excited about integrating this into my schedule and doing some during the school year again.   I’m hoping the visit and presentation goes well, so I can also look into us visiting classrooms via Skype as well.

Though my life feels like a whole new chapter -a whole new book, really, since Frankie has been gone–It also feels familiar with going back to some of the things I did before.

I welcome the familiar, but am also excited to continue to move forward with new adventures.

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Tomorrow for my continued Joyful Paws Jaunt Blog Tour I’ll be sharing my guest post on Mad About Dachshunds. If you love Dachshunds you really need to check out their website and Facebook page.  Stop on by my blot post tomorrow and leave a comment so your name can be entered to win a e-book copy of Through Frankie’s Eyes. 

It’s Only Poop!

Posted by Barbara Techel

joie roosting on johns feet650 Before I get into the subject of poop, I first have to explain the above photo.  This past winter there were a few times we found Joie sitting next to the painted rooster screen we have in  the kitchen along the wall.  She actually sounded like a chicken clucking, as she starred at the painted chickens. It struck us quite funny!  Now lately she has come up with a new thing, which is sitting between John’s feet when he sits at the kitchen table. It’s as if she is “perching on her roost”and getting ready to lay an egg!  I’ll keep you posted– should she actually lay an egg, you will be the first to know!  If this happens, boy, will I have a children’s book to write!

Okay, on with the subject of poop. One thing I share in Through Frankie’s Eyes and may have shared here in the past is my interesting challenges with poop. I found one of these little buggers in an interesting place. Many dogs with Interverterbral Disc Disease (IVDD) have no control over this delicate, stinky situation. You either learn to deal with it or the alternative is to drive yourself crazy. I know those that have IVDD dogs are nodding their heads in total agreement– I think I actually hear the nods of your heads!

So I heard back from two people who have IVDD dogs who have read my book, laughing in hysterics when they read my “poop story.” They felt the urgent need to share their’s which I am glad they did– as laughter is so good for the soul.  So I now feel the urge to share them with you. To protect the embarrassment and innocent of those who were brave enough to come forward with these stories I share only their first names.

POOP STORY #1 from Cheryl:

“After reading your story about poop I had to share one of my funnies. I was having a little dinner party at my house. About 8 people were there and we were celebrating a birthday and I was serving beef wellington. I made it twice for my husband that week before the big day arrived so I was sure I could get it right and not be stressed I would screw up the meal. I served red wine and a guest removed the cork on a couple of bottles and we went on with our dinner. There was some wine left in one of the bottles and he was going to try and re-cork the bottle. He looked around for the cork and picked up on the floor of the dimly lit dinning room what he thought was the cork which has been dropped…….a petrified turd……… which he held up to the light to inspect in front of the guests………gulp.”

POOP STORY #2 from Kelly: 

“I don’t think I ever laughed so hard as I did when I read about the little turd you found. I have found such a turd and laughed so hard while trying to tell my husband on the phone. My dachshund has good aim. I guess nothing like walking around your house trying to find the poo smell and no matter where you go, you smell it. Then giving up I put my hands into my robe pocket only to discover exactly why the smell followed me around and I could not find it!” Have a good poop story?  Please do share!  The more laughter the better!

If you didn’t catch me on Dr. Diane Dike’s radio show today, here is the replay!

Forward March to 50: Feeling Good in My Own Skin

Posted by Barbara Techel

eye glasses on 650

Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month until July 18th I will be sharing my thoughts about turning 50 which I will celebrate on July 18th.  And yes, I said, celebrate!

I ran into a high school classmate yesterday who attended the Rotary Club meeting where I was their featured speaker.  Part of my talk was about a theme in my book about how ordinary issues can stop us from living our best life. For me, those issues were shyness, lack of self-confidence and worrying what others think of me.

While some of these issues still surface in my everyday life, I find myself so much more comfortable in my own skin. My classmate and I talked for a bit afterwards as she shared with me that she thought my book would be good for her 21 and 24 year old. Her daughter struggling with the same issues as I talked about.  We both agreed we feel so much more comfortable in our own skin, and wished that for young people. While yes, some of this comes with age and gained wisdom, we wondered how this could be taught to younger kids.

Maybe it can, and maybe it can’t. I don’t know for sure. But I do believe it is part of why I feel passionate about embracing turning 50 three months from today. I want to be a positive example to our younger generation. My classmate and I both also said that we wished we had known now what we didn’t know then. I don’t know if that can truly ever be–but I do believe it can start with being an example that getting older is not such a bad thing.

Yes, it has its challenges, that there is no doubt. And it is hard to watch our parents, friends, and family age if they are not well, and struggling.  But I think of the many who have a great life, minor health issues, and they complain about their age or getting older. It seems such a shame.

Maybe I’ll eat my own words as I continue to age, but for me, I want to continue working on my own self growth as well as my spirituality, which helps me through the twists and turns of life… not to mention, staying in awareness of what my pets teach me and applying that to my own life.

Just a note that my Joyful Paws Jaunt Blog Tour continues tomorrow with a stop at Dr. Diane Dike’s radio program Second Chance with Saving Grace.  Show begins at 11:00am CST- Wheelchair Bound Dachshund – Frankie – Teaches Important Lessons .