animal human bond

Rent a Weenster

Posted by Barbara Techel

I’ve met some of the nicest people over the years because of my three disabled dachshunds. Among them are Lynn and Perry Phillips. They belong to these two adorable wiener dogs— Winnie, the English cream and Greta, the black and tan. Greta is a therapy dog and goes to work with Perry. I was so happy to run into them at the Farmer’s Market today!

It was a year ago that Winnie went down in her backend. I remember talking with Lynn trying to guide her at the beginning. After surgery and a bit of a rough road, Winnie is walking again. Yay! Lynn said she walks kind of like a drunken sailor, but she’s walking! Having loved and cared for three drunken sailors myself over the years, I completely understand.

Perry was holding Winnie in a dog carrier that hung around his shoulder. As we got to talking and Lynn and Perry expressed their sympathy for the loss of my Gidget, Perry slipped Winnie out of her carrier and handed her to me. I’d not held a weenster since Gidget passed the day before Mother’s Day.

Whoosh…the tears came and a flood of emotions. It felt good to hold sweet Winnie in my arms for a few moments.

Lynn and Perry both said I could rent one or both of them for a day when I feel the need to get a weenie dog fix. Rent for free Lynn said, though Perry kiddingly said it would be a quarter.  😉

It was enough for me today to pet both Winnie and Greta. I know someday I will want another dog. But for now, I’m feeling content with where I’m at. Though I still have my moments of wanting to hug my little Gidget just one more time. 

But that is what it’s all about. I’d still not trade the depth of love I experienced with all my dogs to avoid the time of grief.

And I’m grateful for the Farmer’s Market and being able to spend some time with the Phillips – two and four-legged!

P.S. Later on I ran into a friend who is a vendor at the market. She asked if I saw Winnie and Greta and commented about Perry who carried Winnie in a dog carrier around his shoulder, “That to me is a real man who will carry a dog around like that.” I could agree more. The Phillips truly love their dogs!

XO,

Barbara

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Special Celebrations!

Posted by Barbara Techel

You get one guess! Guess who is celebrating a birthday?  How did you know?  It’s true. Miss Gidget turned twelve this month.

The thing is, I don’t really know when her birthday is. Nor do I know her exact age. But from the records I received when I adopted her from a rescue five and a half years ago, this is the best guess.

In a newsletter I sent out earlier today it has a feature that shares wisdom from Gidget. She had this to say:  Happy 12th Birthday to me! My secret to life? Act like you are still two years old! One of my nicknames is “fidgety gidgety” as I sometimes tend to not sit still. But I also have my quiet moments. So my words of wisdom to you? Be still and squiggle too!

She appears to be smiling in this photo, don’t you think? I do and it makes my heart happy. Gidget has more than earned that smile. We have traveled quite the journey together of what at times has felt like more downs than ups. 

But of late, the rewards reaped from doing my personal inner work healing a childhood wound has resulted not only in more peace within me but Gidget too. I’ll be sharing that journey in my next memoir, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am. 

As has been the case with every dog I’ve been blessed to share my life with, Gidget was a reflection I needed at this time in my life that had me going through what is sometimes defined as a “dark night of the soul.”

It feels incredibly good to be on the other side of the darkness. Looking at this photo of Gidget I see and feel a lightness about her. It is definitely a reflection for me also.

What a dog of depth she is, though sweet and silly too. I often think about how I began calling her my Buddha dog when she first came to live with me and John in 2013. She has been the most beautiful beacon of light to my soul that felt lost for so long.

So… Happy Birthday dear Gidget! You wear the princess crown well. You are a dog of grace and wisdom and I’m so grateful for the unconditional love and sacred space you’ve held for me. xoxoxoxo

Speaking of celebrations!….there is more!

Yesterday afternoon John and I attended a special celebration in honor of this 90-year young lady! Many moons ago (25 years!) I worked with Marilyn at Kohl’s Dept store. She worked in the lingerie department. She was so meticulous with the many “unmentionables!”  She took great pride in keeping all the bras and panties neat as a pin on the clothing racks. I don’t know how she did it! Such patience she had. Many of us fondly called her the “Bra Lady.” For her retirement party, I still remember the “boob” cake with the adorning lace bra. It was quite the hit! It was an honor to celebrate her then as it was yesterday.

She loved the top I had on and especially loved the sleeves. I told her they are my angel wings. After I saw this photo of her and me, I was struck by the “angel wing” across her.  When we had arrived, Marilyn greeted John and me away from the other guests to tell us she is dealing with a cancer diagnosis that has no cure. 

Seeing this “angel wing” draped across her it’s my hope that angel wings indeed will be her guide and at her side, for however long she continues to be with us. Her spirit and attitude is nothing short of amazing. I have no doubt that has been her secret to reaching 90. 

The highlights of life that make the journey so worth it!

XO,

Barbara

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Happy New Year – Come Hear Gidget’s Theme Song

Posted by Barbara Techel
Happy New Year - Come Hear Gidget's Theme Song
Happy New Year from Gidget and Me!

When I heard the song the other night, it struck a chord in my heart and tears filled my eyes. I’ve heard this song often as I have the album downloaded to my ipad(do they still say album?!) 😉 But before this, I’d not heard it like I did that night. I just knew then that this song represents what Gidget has brought to my life….especially this last year.

2018 is a happy ending, even though it almost wasn’t. Holding onto an old story and pain from long ago, I almost missed the opportunity to be celebrating the New Year with Gidget at my side. I had convinced myself earlier this year that due to her chronic issues, she was suffering and I almost made the fatal mistake of putting her to sleep. I really believed at the time it was the right thing to do. It has taken me until today to be okay with sharing this as the guilt and shame was overwhelming.

But with time, support, and lot of inner personal work, I’m in a better place today. Should judgement come my way from sharing this, I’m strong enough now to know that no judgement from other’s could hurt me as much as the verbal and emotional pain I inflicted upon myself through such a trying time earlier this year.

As I’ve mentioned a few times now here on my blog, I’m working on a new book to share more about this journey with Gidget. The working title of my book, which I hope to publish sometime in 2019 is, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am.

I’ve learned so much over the last twelve months and also discovered that what I experienced, I wasn’t alone. One resource I was able to find through all this was this website, Pet Caregiver Burden. Pet caregiver burden research continues with the initial discovery that those caring for sick animals or animals with chronic issues can suffer with similar feelings and emotions as one experiences taking care of a person with Dementia. The site has many helpful articles.

Also, my friend, Joe Dwyer, who was on my support team this last year, began Noble Strength Sanctuary which is all about being of support for people and animals, after he saw more and more the compassion fatigue that those in rescue often suffer from. You can become a member at no cost and receive a copy of his ebook about his dog, Shelby who graces his life in some pretty special ways.

And so I share this song as a tribute to dear Gidget who helped me see life in a new way! Lyrics are below the video with my favorite verse as: 

You showed what a little bit of love can do
You opened my eyes and a light came through
Took me to a place that I never knew
Goodbye to my little bit of something blue

SOMETHING BLUE

I came with a little bit of sorrow
Was maybe a bit too sad
But one day rolled into tomorrow
And you gave me the best you had
That’s how we started together
And how together we’re gonna stay
 
You taught me a little ’bout good times
I fought through a little bit of rain
You brought me a part of your sunshine
You took in the heart of my pain
It wasn’t supposed to happen
But then you happened to come my way
 
Every night, every day
Every word that you say made it so
Every thought that I had
Said I ought to be glad, now I know
 
You showed what a little bit of love can do
You opened my eyes and a light came through
Took me to a place that I never knew
Goodbye to my little bit of something blue
 
You came and you found me wanting
And I’m saying that I’m in your debt
Some days were a little bit daunting
Some days I’d rather forget
You changed my life for the better
And I know I’d better be good to you
 
Every night, every day
Every word that you say made it so
Every thought that I had
Said I ought to be glad, now I know
 
You showed what a little bit of love can do
You opened my eyes and a light came through
Took me to a place that I never knew
So long to my little bit of something blue
It wasn’t supposed to happen
But then you happened to come my way
 
Every night, every day
Every word that you say made it so
Every thought that I had
Said I ought to be glad.
Now I know
 
You showed what a little bit of love can do
You opened my eyes and a light came through
Took me to a place that I never knew
Goodbye to my little bit of something blue
Farewell to my little bit of something blue.
 
Songwriters: Neil Diamond
Something Blue lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

XO,

Barb