disabled dachshunds

Adopting a Dog in a Wheelchair On Purpose

Posted by Barbara Techel

JOIE FROM SIDE

This is “I know you want to take more pictures of me, but I refuse to look at you”  from Joie

A friend of mine received her invitation to my book launch in the mail the other day. She told me when her teenage son saw it he said, “I thought Frankie died.  Did she get a new one? Does she do this on purpose?” She told me he just had no idea there was another dog that had a disability like Frankie.

This surprised me at first. But it also reminded me of why I do what I do and will continue to.  It’s important to me to bring awareness to special needs pets and those in wheelchairs. It does happen to other pets- and it happens more often than I think some may realize. There is much work to continue to do.  And from what I know, since it is the world of which I’ve immersed myself, that dogs with IVDD that end up in rescue (if they are not full or able to take them) are not so easily adopted out. They require more “work” in terms of helping them with going to the bathroom as well as if they need physical therapy and/or wheelchair. It can be a tough road for them to find a loving, forever home.

So though my friend’s son’s comment took me by surprise I thought, “Yes, I do this on purpose.”  It didn’t start out that way as I never imagined Frankie would become disabled, nor did I think in my future I’d adopt a special needs dog, just as I told freelance writer, Deanne in a recent blog interview. But now I just can’t imagine my life being any other way. I purposely adopted Joie and someday (which I hope is many moons away) if I can, I will gladly open my arms and heart to another IVDD dog.

Joie’s Inner Dinner Clock- Video

Posted by Barbara Techel

Every day around 4:00pm the same scene plays out.

I’m working away at my computer in my writing cottage. I begin to feel the stare down from the beady black eyed creature next to my desk. Joie’s inner clock has been ticking… counting down to dinner time. I swear she can tell time!  Then if I make the slightest move, she jumps and starts to head for the door. “Nope, not quite time to go in yet,” I say, as if she understands. So she begins the stare down once again. Sometimes she chuff’s and snorts as you’ll hear in the video.  This goes on for at least a half hour every. single. day.

Customized Silly Dog Magnets– Check Out My Joie

Posted by Barbara Techel

joie magnets

Yesterday I got a sneak peek of the customized silly dog magnets (done by Brianna Brunsell) I ordered of Joie. Don’t you just love the colors? Can anyone guess which color is my favorite?

You might remember I had custom made magnets of Frankie also done by Brianna, which I sold through my website at one time. I love having those on my refrigerator as a reminder of her. Now Joie will soon join her. Double the fun and inspiration!

Brianna offers custom made magnet sets of just about any dog, so you might want to check out her website today.  You can also find her on Facebook.  While there check out the video she re-posted from a few years ago of her training her little doxie, Billie.  It is so adorable!

Later this spring Brianna will be donating a special custom drawing which will go up to the first taker to help raise funds for the Frankie Wheelchair Fund through National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day. So stay tuned!  AND….

Speaking of the Frankie Wheelchair Fund, I’m happy to share with you that we were able to help sweet Darla, the dachshund, with a wheelchair– so thank you for your continued contributions in helping us with this effort.  Stay tuned for an update of Darla in her wheels in the next few weeks.