author visit

This Song Melted My Heart

Posted by Barbara Techel
The song that melted my heart
Gidget enjoying the song about how special wiener dogs are

Last week Thursday I visited Fair Park Elementary school. I had a fantastic time! This school really knows how to put together a dream visit for an author!

As promised, on my blog post about the days events I wrote last week I said I’d share the song the music class sang for me — which music teacher, Terri Kramer wrote just for my visit.

I think you just might understand why it melted my heart! Enjoy!

Lyrics to Doggie in the Window by Terri Kramer (with a little help, of course, from a classic doggie song):

Doggie in the Window

How much is that doggie in the window?

The one with the waggely tail.

How much is that doggie in the window?

I do hope that doggie’s for sale.

VERSE 1

A dachshund is such a cute doggie,

It’s body is so very loooooooong.

But he can help us feel happy

To help us when we’re feeling down

Refrain

VERSE 2

A wiener dogs such a good buddy

A friend in our life that’s for sure.

He’ll lend an ear, give a little snuggle,

With a wiener dog, we can’t go wrong! Arf Arf

Refrain

Teaching Kids About Special Needs Pets & How to Be Positive Despite Challenges

Posted by Barbara Techel

It’s hard to believe it is has been since 2008 that Frankie and I have been teaching kids about special needs pets, while also encouraging them to see their own challenges in a positive way. This is such rewarding work. Each visit we now do seems even more precious since Frankie is semi-retired.

Recently we visited a small catholic school, Shepherd of the Hills. It was such a delightful school and the kids were oober crazy to meet Frankie! I’m so excited to share these photos with you that the school took and granted me permission to share.  Each photo describes what Frankie and I teach the kids during our presentation.  Side note:  It was catholic school week, so today’s theme was tropical, so that is why the students are all dressed so colorfully.  🙂


This student is learning how to put Frankie in her wheelchair with a little help from me.


Student learning how Frankie’s wheelchair all fits together.


A big round of applause for this student doing such a great job in helping Frankie into her wheelchair


Explaining to the students how I have to express Frankie’s bladder since she can’t do that on her own because of her Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). I then show them a photo of how I hold Frankie over the toilet as I express her bladder. As you can imagine, this gets lots of giggles!

 

I ask for three volunteers to come up and learn how to do physical therapy on Frankie. This student is getting ready to do one of the exercises I did for Frankie when she was recovering and healing.

 

This student is learning how to do a range of motion exercise for Frankie


This student learned how to move Frankie’s leg and pretend like Frankie was pedaling a bicycle in this exercise


Showing Frankie’s dog wheelchair to the students so they can see what it looks like without her in it


The grand finale is showing the students how I trained Frankie to walk in her wheelchair. I hold a treat in my hand and as soon as I start to walk, Frankie follows me.  The students cheer and clap and this always warms my heart… right down to my toes.