Meet Colby: Another Recipient of the Frankie Wheelchair Fund

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_0674Perhaps you might have “met” Colby already if you are fans of Lovey Loaves Sanctuary as that is where Colby happily resides as one of the top chief ambassadors for pets with special needs.

I’ve admired the passionate work of Cheri and Ward Wells who run the special needs dog rescue for quite some time.  Colby is a very happy and active pup who is so busy keeping things in order and playing that his wheelchair broke one day!  Well, we can’t have that when one’s job is so very important and vital to things running smoothly at the sanctuary.

I’m happy to report that Colby is up and running and full speed and capacity now with his shining new wheels from Eddie’s Wheels and courtesy of the Frankie Wheelchair Fund.

I’ll be sharing two more dogs the Frankie Wheelchair Fund has helped in the near future.  This makes 17 dogs, because of the generous contributions from others, that we have been able to help live a happy, quality life. Thank you!  Thank you!

I want to help more!  To learn more about the fund please visit our website www.nationalwalknrolldogday.com

You can also follow along on Facebook for inspirational dogs in wheels as well as find Lovey Loaves on Facebook too!

What My Paralyzed Dachshund Taught Me about Spiritual Surrender and Letting Go

Posted by Barbara Techel

Frankie book quote 1200The above quote I share from my book, Through Frankie’s Eyes. Each time I think about this, I can still feel emotion rise up in me and I feel this immense gratitude in my heart.

Tomorrow I’m very honored to be taking part in a telesummit as a guest on a panel discussing Spiritual Surrender and Letting Go. As a caretaker to Frankie, letting go and accepting her paralysis wasn’t an easy thing to do at the beginning. I really wanted her to walk on her own again. What came from surrendering and accepting what was, as many of you know, revealed many blessings I could have never predicted.

Each time I struggle now to surrender and let go, I remind myself what I learned from Frankie. We are here to enjoy life and to get back to a place of healing and joy. Frankie was instrumental in my journey for just that in just the way she never felt sorry for herself and adapted, continuing to be the happy little dog she always was, despite having to be in a wheelchair.

I’m excited to talk about this tomorrow during the Radiant Survivor Telesummit. I’ll be on a panel with the world-renowned surgeon Dr. Bernie Siegel.  I keep pinching myself I will be on a panel with him!  I adore him!  One of his earlier audio’s is one that I listened to when I began what I call my spiritual awakening.  This is quite the honor for me to be on this call with him.

I invite you to join us live for this call or if you can’t make the call, do sign up as it will be recorded. The call begins at 2:00pm cst. It is being hosted by author, Erica Tucci who is a stroke survivor.  Her book, Radiant Survivor, which comes out next week shares many stories of others who have learned to let go and surrender during tough challenges.  Frankie and my story is part of the book as my role as a caregiver, which I’m so happy to be a part of.

Hope to “see” you on the call!

Soul Food Feeds My Spirit. Especially One In Particular. Bet You Can’t Guess!

Posted by Barbara Techel

full face shotYesterday on my blog I talked about a class I am taking and my aha moment with understanding the present moment and meditation better. My aha was that I moved into an even deeper understanding of my connection with present moment and dogs which equals my meditation.

A few weeks ago I listened to an audio program called “Ask Your Spirit Guides” by Sonia Choquette. I’ve always been fascinated with the spirit world and what is there to help us while in the physical world. But I find myself increasingly even more intrigued and wanting to know more.  I also always thought it had to be so complicated. I’m learning it really isn’t.

Spirit is all about paying attention to how we feel. Not only that, but then trusting how we feel. We are so conditioned to go with what our mind is telling us, rather than how our heart feels.  Spirit, according to Sonia is really our own higher self.

To understand it more simply she talks about being sensitive to our spirit. Ask yourself what does your spirit like? What does your spirit love? What do you feed it?  These things are what makes you love life and feel alive. They help you feel positive.

We were encouraged to make a list of our soul food.  Here is mine, and if you have followed me on my blog for quite some time, it should not come as any surprise what my first spirit food is!  I share my list with you and encourage you to make your own.  Then feast from at least one of your soul foods each and every day.

1.  Spending time with, and nurturing my dogs.  Also spending time with other animals when I can. (on a side note:  during my sabbatical I visited a local ranch that is interestingly enough run by nuns on a property that also houses a nursing home.  The animals are used as therapy for the residents.  Anyone can visit the animals. Being with the donkeys, llama’s, rabbits, sheep, chickens, etc. was wonderful soul food and time fell away).

2. Listening to piano music (listening to that right now as I write my blog post, which I normally do.  Love Pandora!).

3. Arranging fresh flowers for my kitchen table.

4.  Perusing home magazines.

5. Decorating or re-arranging my living room.

6.  Lighting candles.

7.  Riding my bike.

8.  Reading.

9.  Practicing Yoga.

10.  Making a conscious effort to take my time each day instead of rushing.

11.  Hanging laundry on the line to dry which I call laundry therapy.

There are so many ways in which we can feed our spirit.  I know that when I do I am a much happier person.  These are more moments of being in the present moment. I also believe by feeding our soul daily it ultimately leads to seeing more grace in our lives.

What is your soul food?  I’d love to hear!  Share in a comment below!