dachshund rescue

Hello. My Name is Barbara Techel and I Am…

Posted by Barbara Techel

2013-11-24 08.48.53 1200Gidget “helping” with getting bedding ready for washing

Hello. My name is Barbara Techel and I am… addicted to Dachshunds.  There, I admit it. I’ve come clean. My secret is out!  Did I just hear a collective gasp?

This is an addiction I must confess though that I have no plans of quitting. They are my drug of choice. I’ll deal with the consequences.

Gidget is the first thing I reach for each morning. Before I even get out of bed, I am thinking about her.

I reach for her and she is always there. Happy to see me.  Happy to be my friend.

She never lets me down (even when she poops on me!). I love her no matter what.

I can’t get enough of that sweet face. I look, look, and look again. Often distracting me from my work (or should I say inspiring my work?). I stare at her as if she is the cutest thing that has ever graced this earth (well, she is, isn’t she?).  I’ve got myself quite convinced of this!

I’m addicted to taking photos of her, even when they begin to all look alike!  Stop the madness I hear inside my head. But I just can’t help myself.

I think of her the minute I awake and dread putting her to bed at night knowing I do have to get some sleep.  Eight hours seems so far away before I can snuggle with her again.

I’m addicted. No question about it. I’m happy to scream it out to the world. I LOVE dachshunds!

If you are addicted to dachshunds… welcome to my world. So happy you are here.

Come See Gidget’s Video of Her Journey from On May Way Home Dachshund Rescue to Me! And How Well She Walks with IVDD.

Posted by Barbara Techel

This video was done by On My Way Home Dachshund Rescue of Gidget’s journey to me!   Many wanted to adopt her and were in love with her. But because of her special needs she had to find someone who had experience with IVDD doxie’s.  Whew, I am so happy I fit the bill. I really do feel like I won the doxie lottery!

In the video you will see how well Gidget gets around because of the love, care and therapy she got from Steph at the rescue.  They lovingly referred to Gidget as their “Wobbly Wiener.”   She still has her wiggly, wobbly moments, but I’m amazed at how well she is doing.  She also has moments of side benders where her front end goes around a corner but her back end is still giving thought how to navigate it. But all in all, it is quite endearing to see her move about on her own.

When I began my search for another dachshund with IVDD, I truly thought I’d adopt another one who was in a wheelchair or needed one.  While I didn’t know the full extent of Gidget’s range of motion when I first learned about her,  it was the connection I felt with her, that I knew I needed to pursue adopting her.

In some ways it feels strange not having a wheelie dog after having them for the past seven years. But I also am enjoying seeing a new side of adversity and perseverance in little Gidget who is proud to prance about as if she never even had IVDD. I just set her down and away she goes– no winding her up or anything!

My heart is silly in love again and it feels deliciously good.  My forever thankfulness to Steph and all those that helped Gidget get to her forever home. I’ll be forever grateful.

Meeting Joie for the First Time- General Mitchell Airport, Milwaukee

Posted by Barbara Techel

Joie is adjusting so well to our family.  She is quite the sweetheart and she is blending right in– well, okay, she is kind of the center of attention right now.  But I’m amazed at how comfortable she seems to be.  This makes my heart very happy.  As promised, yesterday I said I’d share photos of us meeting for the first time at the airport on Saturday.  So without further ado….

Oregon Dachshund Rescue (ODR), volunteer Linda took this photo shortly before she and Joie boarded the plane in Seattle, WA for the big airplane ride to WI.

Volunteer, Linda (angel to me!!) carrying my new bundle of joy

Seeing Joie for the first time.  It was quite emotional for me.

Petting Joie for the first time.  Heaven!

Getting to know each other.

Holding Joie for the first time.  My heart and life is once again complete.