disabled dogs

It’s a Contest for 2015 National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day!

Posted by Barbara Techel

Contest for National Walk 'N Roll Dog Day 2015!

In August 2012 I founded National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day. As many of you may know, I founded this day in memory of my dachshund, Frankie who was in a wheelchair due to paralysis from disc disease.

Frankie rolled for six years touching the lives of many through visits to schools and many facilities as a therapy dog. Her life is chronicled in two children’s books I wrote about her and my memoir, Through Frankie’s Eyes.

I wanted her legacy to live on after she passed away on June 22, 2012.  And I also wanted a way in which to honor ALL dogs in wheelchairs around the world.

You know why?

Because they deeply inspire me and still do to this day!

The official day of celebration is September 22.  Along with this day and bringing positive awareness to the public that dogs in wheelchair can and DO live quality lives, I have a campaign to raise money for The Frankie Wheelchair Fund.

This fund, in Frankie’s name, has granted 43 wheelchairs to date to paralyzed dogs in need.

Yup! That is worth a Yahoo, don’t you think?

And this year to celebrate, artist Brianna Brunsell of Silly Dog Magnets has generously donated her time and talent in creating a illustration for the special day which will be available for sale as t-shirts coming soon!

And here is where I need your help!

We need a slogan for this year so I’m running a contest and have created a Facebook page just for the contest which you can check out here. This is where you can also leave your idea for a slogan!  And I welcome all ideas!

Winner will receive a t-shirt with their slogan on and the illustration Brianna is working on to celebrate National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day 2015. I will also include a signed copy of my memoir, Through Frankie’s Eyes to the winner.

Funds raised from the sale of t-shirts will benefit the Frankie Wheelchair Fund to help more paralyzed dogs in need. Yup, we need another yahoo!

The average cost of a wheelchair is $385 so as you can see we hope to raise a nice chunk of change to help as many deserving disabled dogs in need as we can.

So head on over to our Facebook page for the contest, give it a “like,” leave your idea, and please help spread the word.

Thank you!

Please note that contest is open to US residents only due to shipping costs.

Contest ends August 1, 2015.

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Skippy Runs his Final Race – a Tribute

Posted by Barbara Techel

Skippy Johnston Runs His Final Race - a Tribute.

A little dachshund with a huge spirit, Skippy Johnston, loved by so many, ran his final race to heaven yesterday.

The wheelchair dog community lost a very special little guy.  In a wheelchair for almost 12 of his 14 years he ran many races. But better than that, he spread such a positive message that being in a wheelchair was no excuse to not enjoy life.

Sadly, a mis-step he took left him with a broken neck and there was nothing that could be done. It was time for him to hop upon his chariot one last time and make his final trek to heaven.

He was so very brave to the end. His last note on his Facebook page filled with such an uplifting, positive spirit, I laughed and cried:

“Thank you everyone who prayed for me! My miracle has come! My body is whole again! And the streets here may be paved with gold for you guys, but the dog paths are paved with bacon! And my toenails will never have to be trimmed, my glands never have to be expressed (that’ll be Heaven for Mom, too!) I love you all, and we’ll meet again one day! Love for eternity, Skippy J.”

Tears fill my eyes once again as I write this post. Skippy or as he was also called, Skipster, was just that special. He brought so much joy to so many.

I’ll never forget a week after my Frankie passed away and Skippy ran a race in her honor. I like to think of Skippy and Frankie now in heaven together, meeting for the first time, sharing some pretty darn good stories together, tails wagging, and eating all the bacon they want….with a side of green beans for Skippy as those were his favorite.

frankie

I’ll say again, dogs just die way too soon – it never seems fair. But I know they’d not want us to grieve for too long – but to go on loving more dogs, expanding our hearts – and being happy.

Skippy was the happiest little fellow and I just know he wants us to smile when we think of him.  And it’s truly hard not to smile when you look at photos of Skippy because his charisma and charm were truly bigger than life.

Please hold Skippy’s mom, Angela in your heart as she learns to move through her days in a new way without her beloved Skippy. She was Skippy’s angel and now Skippy will watch over her until they meet again someday.

We will never forget you, Skippy J. Never.

skippy 1

skippy 2

skippy 3

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The Surface Movie, featuring Joie, My Beloved Dachshund, Coming to More Theaters

Posted by Barbara Techel

Joie on set of the movie

Joie on the set of the movie, “The Surface.”

Joie was only with me ten short months when I had to make the most humane decision for her and help her cross over.

But boy, did she leave a lasting impact. I would have never dreamed she’d play a part in a movie the week before I had to let her go.

surface

If you believe in destiny, as I do, well, I believe this is why we found each other when we did. Along with the beautiful fact that she filled a void in my broken heart when I lost Frankie four months before.

Though the movie isn’t based on a dog in a wheelchair, it is based on a true story starring Sean Astin, Chris Mulkey and Mimi Rogers. One of the main characters, played by Chris Mulkey, had at one time, a dog in a wheelchair.

During one of the scene’s he has a flashback recalling a morning he was leaving for work. His young daughter and their dog in a wheelchair (played by Joie) helped see him off for the day.

It is a short scene and Joie is perhaps on the screen for about 15-20 seconds. There was a chance the scene would get cut. But it didn’t and I was thrilled when producer Jeff told me she made it in.

I still get goosebumps thinking about the experience and how proud I am that Joie is playing the part of a disabled dog who lives happily within a family.

Because it is an independent film it is still in the process of screenings, but now available in more cities/states. Hopefully soon it will be in all major theaters and when it is, I’ll be sure to post it here on my blog.

Check it out to see if it is playing near you now,The Surface Movie.

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