dachshunds

Now that is a Funny Looking Chicken!

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1279As you can see from the photo, I have a painted chicken theme screen along a wall in my kitchen. I got it many years ago from a man who was 80-years old and painted it himself. I just love it!  It cost the price of a small appliance, but it was one of those things I just had to have.

So lately, Joie has taken up to sitting near the chickens and looking out the front door at dinner time.  And she clucks almost like the sound of a chicken! It is really making John and I laugh… of course until she does not stop!  She clucks and clucks.  I’ve tried to tell her she is not a chicken, but she continues to perch on her roost every night as I make dinner. If I want her to stop clucking I have to literally move her from her perch and place her elsewhere.  It really is quite comical!

And then this picture below that I got of her has me convinced she is indeed part chicken– as if she is looking for seed!  You know though, the thing is… I’ve always wanted chickens.  I just didn’t know I was going to get one that looked like a Dachshund!

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Living with and Caring for a Dog with IVDD and Kids

Posted by Barbara Techel

 Video made about Sophie by Abby’s friend Jo

Awhile back I shared with you a new friend I made whose dog, Sophie, has IVDD and is in a dog wheelchair. Abby’s love runs deep for her special wheelie dog. As you can imagine, we easily connected because of our love of our weenie’s on wheels.

I admire Abby for her devotion in starting a blog, just as I did years ago, to get the positive word out about dogs with IVDD to help save lives. What I admire even more about Abby is that she cares for Sophie along with two young children. I can imagine on many days she has her hands quite full. But the lessons she is instilling in her children with a dog in a wheelchair, I think,  are priceless.

So I wanted to share the beautiful video a friend of Abby’s did of pictures of Sophie. I love that it is done in black and white. I also couldn’t help think of Frankie watching the video and how she will always be in my heart… as well in all of your heart’s too.

You can also find Abby’s sweet Sophie on Facebook to follow along.

PS:  Stay tuned as I’ve been working on a special video the past weeks of Frankie that I’ll release soon. I hope you will watch and join me in walking down memory lane with her.

Valentine’s Day at Our House- No Gifts or Cards

Posted by Barbara Techel

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 Chickie took 1st place at Paws-a-Palooza in FL for her Valentine’s Day Chick costume

Yesterday I received this photo of Chickie and a few more which you can see on Facebook on National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day page.   Chickie belongs to Kevin.  I’ve never met Kevin, but consider him a friend because of our love of wheelie dogs.

The sweet photo of Chickie made me think of Valentine’s Day coming up tomorrow. John and I no longer buy gifts or cards for each other and haven’t for quite a few years. I’m not against Valentine’s Day as after all it is about love. But what I don’t care for is the pressure to do something or buy something for the one you love.

I didn’t always feel this way. Years ago I’d get so upset if John forgot, or if he would ask me what I wanted. I just wanted to be surprised and not asked– and to quote the Nike ad, Just do it.  

I’m not really sure what changed, but over time it just didn’t matter to me anymore. I love my life with John. We have so much fun together just about every day. And I’m not going to say it’s Valentine’s Day every day around here, but for the most part, we ebb and flow quite nicely.

It’s also been so heart warming to me to see John expand in this thoughts and love for Frankie and now Joie. One of the best gifts he has given to me is his understanding that my soul needs to care for these special pups- this is who I am- this is what makes my heart sing.

Not only that, he has supported my dreams of writing my children’s books and now my new book. He is the main bread winner as I try to make my way in the publishing world. He also supports my mission and my passion for my continuing efforts of wanting to educate others about IVDD as well as bringing a positive face and voice to dogs in wheelchairs. To me, this is love. No cards or gifts could convey this to me but his actions and support of all that I do.

So this Valentine’s Day I will likely take a moment to say an extra grateful thank you for the love of my life, my sweet Johnnie. And I’ll also hug and kiss Kylie and Joie a few more times than usual… if that is even possible.  <WINK>