animals

Happy Mother’s Day

Posted by Barbara Techel

A special thank you to Dayna (Mom to Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog) for getting this shot of me and Frankie

Though I have never had children, which my husband I made the choice to not have kids, I realize I was destined to be a mom to pets.  I used to think something was “wrong” with me that I never had an inkling to want children of my own.

Now don’t get me wrong.  I love kids!  I just love everyone else’s kids.  And I now realize I was meant to be mom to Frankie and share her with children– which in turn has given me many children.  Every child that Frankie helps is so rewarding to me.  I have so many wonderful letters from kids Frankie and I have visited with.  Many children have hugged me and thanked me for bringing Frankie to their schools- what a feeling that is when that happens!

Just the other day a mom told me how her son still talks about Frankie- and it was almost two years ago that we visited his school.  That makes this “pet mom” so happy and so proud.

So to all you Mom’s out there, whether you have the human kind or furry kind of kids, I wish you the best Mother’s Day ever.  May it be filled with the sweetest moments that make your hearts sing.

And to my Mom, who is the BEST MOM in the WHOLE WORLD, I love you so much!  You are my dearest friend and your love and support of me keeps my wings open and sturdy so that I can continue to fly and be the best me.  I’m so incredibly grateful you are my mom.

NOTE:  Be sure to see Blog Jog Postbelow for your chance to receive an e-book and learn about new blogs- many blogs givining away prizes for stopping by their blog.  TODAY ONLY!

National Dog Week- Help Us Celebrate Disabled Pets & You Could Win

Posted by Barbara Techel

Don’t you think we should have National Dog Year?  Though happy to have a week devoted to these special critters because they so deserve our love!

I need your help… so please read below… and then at the end see what you could win for helping!

Campaign:

 THERE IS HOPE!

My passion is bringing positive awareness to animals with disabilities, especially dachshunds diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).  There are still so many that are not aware of the hope there is for this breed when diagnosed with IVDD.  So many are told there is no hope and their dog must be put to sleep.  I am here to tell you that a doxie with this diagnoses CAN live a quality life.  Frankie is living proof, along with oodles of others.

 

Sadly many are still being put down. I just learned of another doxie needlessly put to sleep last night because they were told there was no hope.  It broke my heart beyond any words I can say.  Please, during this week of National Dog Week help educate other dachshund owners, vets, vet clinics, etc. that there is HOPE.  Please share with them the resource of Dodgerslist which is a website dedicated to helping educate others on the options available.  You can print out brochures to give to your local vet clinics or to those you know have a doxie.

 

If your doxie is diagnosed with IVDD it is imperative that they have IMMEDIATEcrate rest and get to a vet specializing in IVDD asap.  See Dodgerslist for more Emergency FAQ’s and please pass along.

The cost for surgery may not be an option for many due to various reasons but there is conservative treatment which often times works.  Frankie had the surgery, followed by physical therapy and now in her wheelchair.  She has made leaps and bounds since being fitted for her wheelchair from Eddie’s Wheels four years ago. Her wheelchair has helped maintain her muscle tone and she can spinal walk at times without her wheels- this is huge!!  I shudder to think if I had made the fatal mistake of putting her to sleep.

So what’s in it for you?  How can you help?  It is easy! Just forward this post to any dachshund owner, vet, or vet clinic you know to help educate others that IVDD is not a death sentenceand that there are many options available ( I don’t need proof as I will just trust that you do).  Post it on your Facebook or Twitter about it or if you have a blog post a link back to this information. Or print out the brochure from Dodgerslist  website and give to your vet or doxie owner you may know. Just let me know that you did in the comment section and I will enter your name into a drawing to win:

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Book Series

(Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House, Frankie Activity Workbook)

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog T-shirt

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog pin– EXCLUSIVE!

Dachshund magnet set

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Tote Bag

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Poster

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Stickers

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog book, by Dana Hilton

(thank you to Sparkles for donating your book- you are a great friend!)

Almost Perfect:  Disabled Pets & the People Who Love Them by Mary Shafer

(thank you so much Mary for donating a copy of your beautiful book!)

Donation made in your name to Dodgerslist

$150 value!!  Drawing will be held Sunday, May 9th.

Thank you, during this week of National Dog Week, in helping to save the lives of dachshunds whose lives are often cut short due to a diagnoses of IVDD.

With your help we can make a difference and save their lives. 

Thank you so much for passing this on!

Celebrate the Love You Have for Your Pets

Posted by Barbara Techel

One the beautiful things about following my heart in the work I have been doing with Frankie is the chance to meet others I may have never met.

Take Lisa Taron, Founding Director of Heritage Makers, for example.  Her bio says, “I am a kid-at-heart business woman who loves to see people celebrate the love for their pets (and family and friends) through Heritage Makers.”


We have followed each other on Facebook for quite sometime.  We are the same ag (our birthdays are 24 days apart), she loves animals and she loves seniors.  Hmmm, I’d say we have a bit in common, wouldn’t you?

She recently contacted me and said she’d like to gift me with a bracelet of Frankie for all the work we do.  There are some very kind people in the world, and Lisa is one of them!  I was so touched when I got my “Frankie bracelet.”  I wear it to every presentation I do!  I can hardly wait to wear it to our next visit to Libby’s House, Senior Assisted Living.  The residents will love it!

So here are the photos she used (which I sent her):


And here is a photo of a finished bracelet (it was hard to take a photo of my completed bracelet because of the glare, but you will get the idea):


Heritage Makers is an online publishing system that helps you capture your stories and love of family, friends and pets in various ways.  To learn more about them please do visit Lisa’s blog.  Note:  Lisa was so inspired by “Be the Change” movement started by Blogpaws at their 1st annual conference recently, that she will be donating all her commission sales from the sale of bracelets for the month of April to an animal rescue in British Columbia where she lives.

My Frankie bracelet is something I will treasure forever.  What a beautiful keepsake for me to wear now to share with others, and a keepsake that will help me keep Frankie’s memory alive when she is someday no longer with me. Thank you so much, Lisa for your kindness and generous heart.