Moments that take My Breath Away

Posted February 17, 2015 by Barbara Techel

First, just two weeks ago came the check from Darla the dachshund, her wheelie dog brother, Doolittle, and mom, Tricia who raised $350 for The Frankie Wheelchair Fund through a Jamberry Nail campaign they did in January. You may recall, The Frankie Wheelchair Fund granted a wheelchair to Darla when she was with Fuzzy Pet Rescue before Tricia and her family adopted her.

Then today, came a card and a $500 donation from someone I’ve never met that read an article in the Wisconsin State Journal when reporter Barry Adams interviewed me in April of 2013, six months after I had adopted Joie. He said, “I cut the article out intending to send a contribution then. Well, almost 2 years later I am finally following through. You are doing wonderful things and your story and the animals you care for are a blessing.”

I showed the check to John and started crying. He should know me by now and how sensitive (and appreciative!) I am as he said, “Why are you crying?” He meant it nicely and he understands how much this means to me. He smile, hugged me and said, “My emotional girl.”

How can one not be emotional when total strangers give of their hard earned money to support disabled dogs who need a wheelchair, right? Every single dollar that is donated to the fund means the world to me.

It’s moments like this that truly take my breath away and I am reminded of all the good people there are in the world.

Stay tuned for two recent dogs The Frankie Wheelchair Fund was able to grant wheelchairs to: Nora and Nimby. This makes 40 dogs helped so far through the fund! I hope to have photos soon to share with you.

You can also follow inspiring dogs in wheelchairs on the Facebook page I created for National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day.

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Who Says it Has to Be this Way?

Posted February 16, 2015 by Barbara Techel

Maybe it was the poem I read last night by Mary Oliver, What I Can Do that inspired me to follow my impulse today, which then led to another impulse to write this journal post.

I’ve been working on a writing project on and off since November 2013. Making more progress with it lately which has me feeling so alive and eager to greet each day.

This morning after finishing my ritual of standing in front of my mandala, reviewing my desires for the year and conditions I wish to live by, I then picked one of my SoulCollage cards from my deck, an angel card and then an animal card. I posed my question to the cards and found answers in them that lit me up inside.

This does not always happen and I have to search deeper for the meaning, but when it feels so right on and so clear, well, that to me, is magical… and inspiring.

I did my yoga practice and as I was moving through each pose I heard my inner voice suggest that after I was done I should go right to my writing desk and work on my writing project. It felt so freeing to think this. But then the other part of me, who is so conditioned to follow “rules” of which I’ve for the most part imposed on myself, showed up.

And the loop began, “You can’t write first. You have to first get ready for the day, put your make up on, curl your hair, eat your breakfast,” and on and on the list went of what I normally do – my normal routine.

Thank goodness my free will side was stronger today and it was having nothing of what my conditioned self was trying to tell me.

I fought back. “What do you mean I have to do those things first? Who says? I want to write first. Who cares if my hair isn’t curled or I don’t have make up on. Really, does that matter? I want to follow this impulse and see where it goes.”

I was challenging that part of myself that has to always have things in a neat orderly fashion and it felt incredibly liberating to know I was going to follow through on what was calling me to do.

And I did it. I rolled up my yoga mat and immediately plunked my butt in my chair. My fingers flew across the keyboard, much like they are right now, eager to share my voice with the page.

There are so many “rules” and how society says we should live our lives that our inner voice gets lost in all the noise. I don’t want to live like that. I want a life that is meaningful to me. One that matters most to me.

What I can do is follow the path that is right for me. What I can do is live from the heart and center of who I am. What I can do is be an example of what it means to follow our impulses and see where it can lead us.

While there may not be fireworks going off in the sky announcing that yes, Barbara Techel, just went against the “rules,” and followed what felt right to her, I must say that there a is a welcome and warm fire burning inside of me that feels delicious.

That flow of life, that when you are in it, you never want it to leave. But I won’t worry about that now. Because what I can do is ride this wave. Enjoy it. Savor it. Recall it when I need for next time my conditioned self tries to win a battle.

What I can do is life by my own inner light of desires.

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Though it is expected to be well below average in temps this week and another blast of cold air on it’s way Wednesday and Thursday, what I can do is think Spring — and so the photo of Gidget above I share from last summer after a successful day shopping at our local Farmer’s Market.

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A Blossoming Friendship: Gidget’s “Unofficial” Therapy Dog Visit with Miss Marie

Posted February 12, 2015 by Barbara Techel

Gidget isn’t a certified therapy dog, nor do I particularly think she would be cut out for that type of work on a consistent basis. But she does love our friend, Miss Marie. I guess you could say that Gidget, at her age, has learned to set her boundaries and is particular about who she is going to spend her time with.

I’ve written about Miss Marie before. A dear lady I’ve been getting to know better, who before this, was always the mysterious woman to me who lives downtown in our small village, in the big white house on the corner. Fascinated by her artistic flair for quite some time I was, and then through a series of events, we have now become friends. I’m so grateful as I love spending time with her.

She was gone for a month and a half as she traveled to see family and to spend some time in Arizona. I admire her get up and go as she just packed up her electric green SUV and drove the route by herself.

I’m happy to have her back again. She is now recovering from some foot surgery. An email came later last week kindly summoning a visit from me, but most importantly, from the little 10 lb. dog, known as Miss Gidget, to accompany me to brighten up Miss Marie’s day who has been pretty much house bound since her surgery. Seems Miss G has burrowed her way right into the heart of Miss M who has had many cats in her life, but never a dog.

For years I’d been curious about what the inside of Marie’s house looked like. And today I got to find out! In many ways, it was just as I imagined, and I was tickled pink that it fit what I had been imagining in my mind for so many years. Eclectic with a twist of artistic flair (of course!), thrown in with 2nd hand shop finds over the years, and a dash of cottage style, I wanted to stay there forever among her treasures and the inviting, cozy atmosphere.

Still a bit weary from her surgery, after we at our Chicken Caesar salads I brought for us, Miss Marie said to grab a chair and come sit by her as she nestled back in bed, propping her foot up on pillows.

As we talked, Gidget napped happily and quite contently in the pink pouch that hangs like a sling around my neck and shoulder, like a little Joey nesting in a mama Kangaroo’s pouch.

Miss Marie, comfortable in her own skin and not afraid to say what she needs or wants. She tells it like it is too and I like that about her. Her laugh is endearing and her wisdom is something I soak up and take into my heart.

I brought along Miss Gidget’s beret as Miss Marie often wears one now and then. I asked if I could get a picture of them together in their berets. Miss Marie was more than happy to oblige– anything for her little furry friend.

There are times I miss the “official” certified therapy work I did with Frankie, which we did about three times every month for three years.

But in a way, I too, am a bit more selective with my time these days and setting more boundaries. And perhaps Miss Gidget is my reminder of that for me at this time in my life. And I’m so happy for times like these where I can experience the joy of sharing the love of a dog with someone like Miss Marie.

So we may not be an “official” certified team, but our hearts are certainly in the right places as we brought joy to Miss Marie today. And in return, we came home with double the joy in our own hearts.

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