Almost 50! Bring It On! What Authenticity Means to Me

Posted by Barbara Techel

bring on 50One week from today I will turn the big 5-0!  I’m excited! Let’s do cartwheels!  Ok, maybe not cartwheels. Maybe a somewhat fast, happy dance.

Authenticity to me is taking this photo of myself. I would never have dreamed of doing this years ago for fear of being judged. Who does she think she is taking a photo of herself?  But I’m happy to be alive!

Being authentic to me means many things.

I shall wear a skirt when I want. No special occasion but I just like how I feel when I wear one.

I shall express my joyful self instead of playing small.

I shall share my love of all animals, but especially those in dog wheelchairs.

I shall dance in the kitchen with John even if the neighbors see us through the window.

I shall sing loud in the car even when passing other cars instead of stopping in fear they may think I’m nuts.

I shall follow my heart.

I shall live by my own rules (without breaking the law, of course).

I shall say no to something that does not feel right to me.

I shall be nice to myself as I age.

I shall live my life in a way that is meaningful to me.

I shall express my thoughts and views about things with integrity and grace.

I shall do my best to find new ways to make a difference – big or small.

I shall live my life to the fullest.

Lights! Camera! Action!

Posted by Barbara Techel

joie movie star 1200Get the doggie dressing room ready!  Joie, a walk ‘n roll dog has been chosen to star in a movie that is being filmed in Milwaukee, WI this August!

A few weeks ago I was contacted by the Wisconsin Humane Society who was contacted by the producer of a movie that will be filmed along the shores of Lake Michigan. They were looking for a dog in a wheelchair for one of the scenes.  Angela, from the humane society knew of me and Frankie so she contacted me. She said she knew Frankie had passed away but was wondering if I knew of any other dogs in the area in a wheelchair.

I said, “Well, I do happen to know someone.”

“Oh, you do?” she said.

“Yes,” I smiled. “I happen to have adopted another disabled dachshund.”

She didn’t know I had Joie but was happy to hear I had another little one to love. She explained the call from the producer and gave me his name and number to contact.

The name of the movie is The Surface. The part is a small scene where the character in the movie is reflecting on his life. A dog in a wheelchair is required to be in the house with him, hanging out as he is giving thought to his past.

From their website a little more about the movie:

The Surface, based on true events, is an adventure with mystery, desperation, humor and heart about two strangers, both at the end of their rope, who suddenly meet in the middle of the unpredictable waters of Lake Michigan. It’s about how even on the darkest days there’s light.

As the producer and I talked, I was glad to hear it is a small part, as well as inside, as it can get quite hot in the summer here in Wisconsin. I don’t want to subject Joie to anything that would be too stressful for her and would have said no if I felt it wouldn’t be right for her.

The next step was getting the director’s approval for Joie to be in the movie.  So I had to wait.  That was about two weeks ago.  But how fun and exciting to find out yesterday that the director gave the thumbs up for Joie to “play” the part of the dog in the wheelchair.

We have a tentative shoot date and I’m looking forward to something I’ve never had the opportunity to experience before. There is no compensation for either Joie or I. But I’m just so tickled to know that by having Joie in the movie will only bring more positive attention to dogs in wheelchairs.

I’ll keep you posted as details unfold!  For now, my little super star is getting plenty of beauty rest so she will be looking her very best the day of the shoot.

Kylie Speaks: Life with my Wheelchair Dog Pal, Joie

Posted by Barbara Techel

kylie and joie on deck eDear Joie,

If I could really talk so human’s could understand me, this is what I’d say.  But of course, you already understand me because we speak the same language, which is love.

So, little squirt, I must say, you are so dang cute. The minute I saw you I knew we’d be best of friends.

I loved Frankie very much. But you see, Barb was quite nervous and new at having a wheelie dog around a big ol’ bear like me. She was often afraid I’d forget my strength and hurt little Frankie.  She’s come a long way in trusting me. She is so much more relaxed and at ease now. I like that.

This has meant a whole new world for me having you live with us. I get to run along beside you outside in the yard which is one of my favorite things to do. I loved when you first arrived and I got to show you “the way.”

Mouth wrestling with you in bed is really fun too. It’s fun to see you lay on your back with your black belly pointing to the ceiling. I like to pretend I’m tickling you when I sniff your sweet belly.

I hope you know I’m just teasing you when I try to take a toy from you. I think you do. But the fact you are young and love to play has given me a whole new energy that makes my tail go thump, thump, thump.

I love to look out for you in the yard making sure no harm will ever come to you.  Watching you run beside me with your ears flapping in the wind makes me smile.

Best of all, I love when we hang out on the deck together.  You know why?  Cause Barb and John are at their happiest when we all get to be together. Can’t you just feel the love that oozes out all around us?  All of us being together makes my heart swell with happiness.

Oh, little wheelie squirt, such a delight to have you here in our quaint cottagey home. You brought a new love and light to my days. A thousand Lab kisses and wags of my bushy tail will never be enough to show you how very much I love and adore you. But I think you already know.

Love,

Kylie