dachshunds

Dachshund Delights Editor Shares Beautiful Tribute About Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

Over the years  Jerry Stemnock, editor of Dachshund Delights newsletter has written some wonderful pieces about Frankie, helping to spread Frankie’s positive message about IVDD and wheelchair dogs.  I’ve never met Jerry, but consider him a wonderful friend for all he did for me and Frankie.

Without further ado, I share a portion of what he wrote and then you’ll have to click on over to the newsletter to read the rest.  While on their site check out all the fun dachshund stuff!  And a special thank you to owner, April Scott for all the cute vests she made over the years for Frankie, which Frankie loved to show off.

Goodbye Frankie

This isn’t the story we set out to write. That story was a celebration.

This isn’t the story that we wanted to write, although we knew we would eventually. This story is a memorial. But because the subject of the story naturally inspired such things, it’s a celebration as well.

On June 4, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll dog announced her retirement. She was tired, and it was time for her to take it easy. On June 14,she made her last public appearance. On June 21, unexpectedly, she passed from the world, brought down by chronic heart disease. She was two months shy of her 13th birthday.

Most of you who visit this site know about Frankie – Francesca, to use her proper name. But for those of you who are newcomers, here’s the summary. Until 2006, Frankie was like any other dog. Sweet of face and much loved, just like your dogs and ours. In 2006, while staying at a boarding kennel, she jumped onto her food container, slipped off and injured her spine. Barb Techel, Frankie’s mom, did all the right things. She got Frankie right into surgery, then worked with her at hydrotherapy and rehab. But to no avail. It became clear that Frankie would not walk again.  Click here to read the rest of the tribute.

The Poop Fairy

Posted by Barbara Techel

We love to laugh in our house. It helps to have a husband who has quite the sense of humor.

Though I’ve had my ups and downs and waves of grief since Frankie’s passing, I do welcome the laughter my husband, John provides.  I didn’t want to laugh at first, but thanked him the other day for keeping things light when I felt I couldn’t come out of my sadness.

He reminded me about the “Poop Fairy” and I thought I just need to share this with all of you and provide some laughter to you, too.

You see, when you live with a dog that has IVDD, often times they have incontinence issues.  While you can do your best to be proactive with that– those little poops can have a mind of their own some days.

And so it is that the Poop Fairy came to be.  It was early one morning as I scrambled to pick up the small little poops that were escaping Frankie’s behind. As I had one hand with tissue full of the captured poop escapees, in the other hand I had the air freshener I was spraying as I floated my way through the bedroom to the bathroom to dispose of the little buggers.  John opened his eyes just in time to see me “floating through the bedroom” and said, “I think I just saw the Poop Fairy go by!”  I thought I was going to pee in my pants from laughing so hard.

After he reminded me about the Poop Fairy the other day I said,  “The Poop Fairy just may return some day– have no fear.”

While at Bookworm Gardens yesterday and shopping in their gift shop I spotted the “Flying Fairy” (photo above). I just had to have it for my writing cottage.  When I brought it home I said to John, “If you are missing the Poop Fairy feel free to come out to my cottage and visit the Flying Fairy any time.”

You just gotta have humor in life.

This post is dedicated to my sweet hubby for all his support in the work I so love to do with bringing awareness to wheelie dogs … and for providing laugher that fills my soul with love.  I love you!!

What Joyful Paws Means to Me

Posted by Barbara Techel

In pictures this is what Joyful Paws means to me

In words, Joyful Paws represents all I’ve learned about life from my four legged friends. Cassie, my chocolate Lab led me to search for more meaning and joy in my daily life. I am grateful to her for helping  me find the courage to hire a life coach  to do just that. This led me to becoming a writer writing about what I love most–dogs and animals!  Next on my Joyful Paws journey is Frankie. Well, if you’ve been following me for any length of time you know that Frankie has been one of my biggest teachers after her diagnoses of IVDD. She helped expand my purpose to working with kids teaching powerful lessons through Frankie’s positive example. She also helped fill the empty void in my heart when we become a therapy dog team and started giving back to those in need.  She has also helped me become a stronger and more confident woman.  And then there’s Kylie, my dog who continually teaches me to slow down, soak in the moments,  and enjoy the view through her beautiful brown eyes. She is always the quiet in any storm.

Each of my dogs, as well as many animals I have met along the way always remind me to “paws” and reflect on all the joys of life… and to live as many of those joys as I possibly can.