Is this When My Love Affair with Animals Began?

Posted by Barbara Techel

barb and kitty eI don’t remember much from being a little girl. Well, yes, bits and parts, it’s details I don’t remember like so many others seem to. This has always bothered me because John can remember so much of his childhood – even when he was 2-years old.

The other day, my mom gave me this photo of me as a little girl with our cat Tiger. I love to see photos like this trying to remember details. What was going through my head at that age? Is this when my love for animals began?

But the cards were against me and my love of animals, when I was diagnosed with asthma. One of the biggest culprits to bring on my attacks was animal dander — especially from cats. It seemed such a cruel trick for someone like myself who loves animals.

As a child, I remember we had to find a new home for our poodle, Pixie. Turning blue and freaking my mom out all the time was taking it’s toll I suppose. I say that lightly, but if I could get in my head at that age, I’d likely have taken not breathing well over having a pet.

That is how it would play out when I got married and had a home of my own. I wanted a cat so bad. I was willing to deal with the “inconvenience” of my lungs not being able to take in air very well.

To some, I know that sounds odd. But being around animals is what makes my heart sing. It never seemed fair that I had to deal with this health challenge when I love animals so much.

For many years, John and I had cats. Jezabelle, Conway, Tigger, Sally, Tucker and Dani. Not all at one time of course, but three at one time.

It really wasn’t until the last one, Dani, passed away quite a few years ago that we decided no more cats. It would also be a few months later that I realized how my breathing changed for the better.

Having dogs, luckily, are a different story as their dander does not bother me nearly as much. So I guess this is the compromise – dogs and happy lungs. I can live with that.

But, oh, if I had my way, I’d have a whole farm of animals to tend to. Maybe in my next life. And please, dear universe, grant me wonderful lungs then too.

Meet Maggie: The 36th Paralyzed Dog Granted a Wheelchair thru The Frankie Wheelchair Fund with help from Hailey’s Wheels for Life

Posted by Barbara Techel

annie cA picture is worth a thousand words, right? Well, I think this picture says that and so much more!

Meet little Maggie who was recently granted a wheelchair. Her wheelchair granted as a collaborative effort with The Frankie Wheelchair Fund and Hailey’s Wheels for Life working together, combining our funds, and helping this little girl gain mobility.

I heard about Maggie through Matt Pike, founder of Hailey’s Wheels for Life. He forwarded an email from Annie, who was trying to help her friend, Beverly (who as you can see also has physical challenges) and her dog, Maggie who has IVDD and is paralyzed.

This joint effort was such a joy! To see little Maggie wheeling down the ramp of her home brings tears to my eyes — and to see Beverly’s smile, knowing her little girl now has a quality life — well, that is just priceless.

Annie also shot some video footage which I compiled together in one video – sorry for the sideways shots – this is how the videos came to me and I wasn’t sure how to fix. But you will see how happy Maggie is and wait until you see her roll down the ramp!

Maggie’s wheels custom-made by Eddie’s Wheels.

**To learn more or donate to help other paralyzed dogs in need please visit National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day (for the Frankie Wheelchair Fund) and/or Hailey’s Wheels for Life. Both foundations rely solely on the generous donations of others.**

Back Online: And Introducing a New Friend with No Name

Posted by Barbara Techel

20150121_165208My website was hacked yesterday, which you probably realized if you tried to view it and you were unable to.

I’m so happy to have it up and running again (thank you to my web gal extraordinaire, Caryn!).

But you know what? It was a reminder of how much I really enjoy connecting with you via my online journal. It felt like I was missing an arm yesterday. Or like someone tied my hands behind my back and I couldn’t share my thoughts via my fingers flying across the keyboard.

This place, while here on the web is so “public” it also feels so much like home to me. To feel connected with you – to know you are there in your own cozy little place, reading my thoughts. So thank you! Thank you for being here. I’m glad we are now once again connected.

I had to share with you this adorable construction dachshund my mom gifted to John a few weeks ago. Now John can’t say he’s alone running his construction business anymore.

As you might recall, we started out with three employees, two of which we had for over 12 years, who left last year. Then our last employee, Joe, left in November.

It was an interesting transition. And as John has eased into a new way of doing business, he is loving being on his own. It’s been great seeing how happy he is, even though he was unsure how he was going to handle being a one man operation.

But he’s never alone, as I’m here to be his support when he needs to talk things through. Kyie and Gidget here to remind him of what matters. And well, his new construction buddy that hangs out on the ledge of his office window to make him smile when he may feel overwhelmed. Would this little guy be considered a construction muse like I have writing muses?

I’ve yet to think of a name for him. He has to have a name. Any suggestions?