children’s books

…On Feeling Grateful and Delivering the Goods to Frankie’s Forever Home

Posted by Barbara Techel

helper delivering the goods

Gidget my faithful helper

Sometimes I swear there is a bit of Frankie’s spirit in the my pint-sized little Gidget. It’s hard to explain, but it’s just a certain feeling that comes over me once and awhile – like it did today.

Bookworm Gardens where Frankie’s statue likeness resides ordered more Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog books to have available for their season opening May 1st. This will be their 5th season! Miss Gidget was my helper today as we hopped in the car to make the 20-minute drive east to drop them off where they will be available yet again in their gift shop.

Where has the time gone, I wonder?  I still remember so clearly the day I walked behind John and Joe, Frankie snug in my arms, as they wheeled Frankie’s dog house (that John built) down the paved brick walk to a permanent home below a shade tree where her story now lives forever.

IMG_1772For me, in many ways, Frankie’s home in this beautiful garden feels very sacred to me. It is here that I feel her spirit very much alive.

For quite some time I’ve been giving thought to scattering her ashes there. But I’ve not done it yet. When I feel the time is right, I will approach the staff to see if that is a possibility. I’ve pictured a few times in my mind doing this and it feels right.

Time will tell. But as I drove back home today I was reminded of how far I’ve come — in big part because of Frankie. I just couldn’t help but smile and be so very grateful.

If you ever find yourself in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, do be sure to plan a visit to Bookworm Gardens. It is an enjoyable (and free!) outing for the whole family – I promise you will not be disappointed. It is such a magical and delightful place!

…And you just never know… you just may hear a distant bark of the sprite of a spirit named Frankie.

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Then…and Now.

Posted by Barbara Techel

frankie and cole 20 months eCole was just 20 months old when he began visiting Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dogs statue at Bookworm Gardens.

It has now become a tradition that he visits there every year and has his picture taken with Frankie.

Now five years old, this is his picture with Frankie taken recently.

frankie and cole e

What a gift it is to me to know that Frankie continues to inspire even though she is no longer physically here. For all the days I cried for the loss of her, I now rejoice in the joy that she left behind and the many generations she will continue to have a positive impact on.

I’m so grateful when someone shares a photo of a little one with Frankie’s likeness, like Cole’s mom, Ann did on my Facebook page. It is a reminder of all the blessings Frankie was, and will always be.

If you are new to my blog, you can learn more about Frankie through the books I’ve written about her.

Gidget’s Visit to Bookworm Gardens Plus Unique Opportunity to Ask Your Questions about IVDD Coming Wednesday.

Posted by Barbara Techel

gidget, me, willow, bwg 2014Me, Willow, and Gidget at Bookworm Gardens. Photo credit:  Cindy Ann Lee

Yesterday was the official opening of Bookworm Gardens for the season —their 4th spring season. There was a family fun run with over 300 participants, which helped raise money for the gardens, since it is free to the public. Afterwards families were free to roam the gardens to explore, read, and have fun.

Gidget and I arrived around 2:00pm. We hung out by Frankie’s spot in the garden, dedicated to her, thanks to Bookworm Gardens, my husband John for building her dog house, and my sponsors, Lynda and David Richardson, and the Richardson Foundation that made it possible with funding for her legacy to live on.

I still find myself getting emotional inside when I see Frankie’s spot in the gardens. Of course, I will always miss her, but the memories I have of our work together are such a blessing to me.

Gidget attracted kids to her quite easily as we sat in the sun near Frankie’s house. As I think about Bookworm Gardens, Frankie, and the Internet today, I smile looking at this photo of me, 5-year old Willow, and Gidget.  Willow and her family knew Frankie, then Joie, and now got to meet Gidget. If not for all of this, I’d never have met such a wonderful family and a beautiful little girl. This all means a lot to me.

Another little girl, I think around the age of 8, named Kya smiled from ear to ear petting Gidget. She said, “I talk to animals.” And it was the way in which she said it that was not your usual, I talk to the animals.

I said, “Oh wow. You do?”

“Yup. There is this black cat that won’t go by anyone else. But he comes to me and let’s me hold him. I talk to him.”

“Wow, that is amazing.”

I actually had goosebumps when Kya said this. I also couldn’t help but think of how I really believe we can communicate with animals and how I’ve been exploring that more myself lately. Here was this young girl confirming for me in only the way that a child can, that, of course, if we are open and trust, we can be one with our animal friends.

As she started to skip away a few moments later, I called out to her and said, “Hey Kya!”

She turned around and said, “Yes?”

I said, “Don’t ever stop talking to the animals, okay?”

“Okay, I won’t!” and off she went down the path.

It was only an hour of time yesterday, but an hour that filled my heart with awe and wonder being with Gidget and the kids we met yesterday. There is certainly something quite magical about those gardens!

Unique Opportunity coming Wednesday, May 7th

Coming this Wednesday from 10:00am-Noon CST on my Facebook page, the moderators of Dodgerslist, an organization dedicated to educating pet owners about Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) will be available to take your questions. I’ll share more details tomorrow on my blog, so stay tuned.

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