disabled dachshunds

The Day Is Here! The Launch of National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day! Join Me in the Celebration!

Posted by Barbara Techel

It is with deep love, gratitude and joy that I announce the launch of

National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day!

This day has been created in memory of the “original” walk ‘n roll dog, my sweet girl, Frankie.  While she is not the first dog to walk in a wheelchair, she is the first to be named, “walk ‘n roll dog.” Because of her tireless work in teaching thousands to be positive, as well as our work together educating others that dogs in wheelchairs can live a long, happy, quality life, it seemed fitting (and quite the honor I might add) to continue Frankie’s legacy by honoring ALL dogs in wheelchairs who truly teach us about perseverance and adversity.

Even though I continue to miss Frankie very much, I have tears of joy pooling in my eyes as I share this announcement with you.  I know Frankie is so proud.  I know she would want us all to celebrate her life and celebrate all dogs in wheelchairs… and most importantly, carry on the positive awareness that just because a dog may lose their mobility, does not mean their lives should end.

National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day will be celebrated every September 22.  Though feel free to celebrate everyday– because that is what life is all about!

So let the celebration begin!  See below how you can be a part of our celebrating team and help less fortunate dogs who need wheelchairs be able to get them by purchasing a limited edition t-shirt and help us to continue to spread positive awareness. Stay tuned for another special announcement in the coming weeks about a photo contest!

Let’s get rolling….!!!

Special Limited Edition National Walk ‘N Roll Dog T-shirts

To kick off the first annual Walk ”N Roll dog day a t-shirt has been designed with Frankie in mind and her thousands of fans who loved her so much. Each limited edition t-shirt has Frankie’s real paw print, photo, and motto on the back to continue to spread her message…and her legacy of love. On the front is the official National Walk ‘N Roll Dog logo, our mission statement, and dated September 22, 2012.

These t-shirts will only be available through September 12, 2012 so ORDER YOURS TODAY.

 

 

All proceeds of t-shirts will be donated to Eddie’s Wheels for “The Frankie Fund” to help families in financial need obtain a wheelchair for their dog who may need one and for dogs in rescue that may need a wheelchair to make them more easily adopted out to a family.

Like US on Facebook and Share with Everyone You Know

A special page has been set up on Facebook for National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day. We would love thousands of “likes” to continue the work of Frankie and educate others that dogs in wheelchairs are pretty amazing!  Watch our Facebook page, as well as our website for the announcement of the photo contest, also.

I’ve also set up this page to help when it comes time to acquire the “official” national status and I know Frankie’s fans will help me do just that.  I will apply for the official status in 2013.  I believe with all my heart that we will obtain this status with your help, so I’m following my trust and faith designating this as such because of the national awareness Frankie and I were able to bring to wheelchair dogs from 2007-2012.

So please help by “liking” the page and sharing with everyone you know!

***A very special thank you to Mary Shafer, who designed the National Walk ‘N Roll Dog logo, Kristi Erdmenger who designed the t-shirt, and Caryn Newton of Lantern Glow Designs for help with the National Walk ‘N Roll Dog website.  Each of them were generous in their volunteer efforts as well as keeping costs to a minimum to kick off this special day.  I’m so grateful and thankful!!***

 

 

Remembering Frankie as We Keep on Rolling by Jenny Pavlovic

Posted by Barbara Techel

I’ve been very fortunate in making some wonderful connections with some amazing women doing amazing work because of my work with Frankie.  Jenny is right up there on my list of being a compassionate, kind, and sincere woman!  Thank you to her for this lovely tribute to Frankie!

 

Frankie (short for Francesca), a Dachshund, injured her back and was diagnosed with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Her back legs were paralyzed and her people, Barbara Techel and her husband John of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, first thought they would have to put Frankie down. But Frankie’s amazing spirit and will to ‘keep on rolling’ led Barbara to learn about wheelchairs for dogs. Frankie was fitted with her own chair and Barbara learned how to take care of her in her new condition. Barbara learned a lot from Frankie as she discovered that Frankie could still have a wonderful quality of life and had much to teach us.

I learned of Barbara and Frankie a few years ago whentheir first book, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog(https://joyfulpaws.com/books/), won the Dog Writers Association of America Merial Human-Animal Bond award. I became pen pal friends with Barbara and watched as Frankie became a therapy dog and Barbara and Frankie reached out to the elderly and to school children. They spread Frankie’s positive messages far and wide, as this differently-abled little dog shared her tremendous spirit and kept on rolling.
Frankie dramatically changed Barbara’s life, gave Barbara a voice and a message that had to be shared, and turned Barbara into an author. In many ways, Barbara’s story with Frankieparalleled my story with 8 State Hurricane Kate. Barbara and I went on the Passions and Possibilities radio show together (listen to our podcast at http://tinyurl.com/passions-and-possibilities) and both contributed our stories to the book Dogs and the Women Who Love Them: Extraordinary True Stories of Loyalty, Healing and Inspiration by Allen and Linda Anderson (http://www.dogsandthewomenwholovethem.com/).

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.