Special Needs Pet Feature: Charlie

Posted by Barbara Techel

How old is your pet?

5

Where did you get your pet?

I lost my 10-year old long hair dachshund, Panama, to cancer in November 2005. My father bought Charlie for me in Mississippi in Jan. 2006 to help me get over the loss of Panama.

What is your pets physical challenge?

Charlie suffered three ruptured discs in his back the summer of 2010. He never regained use of his hind legs after back surgery. We did physcial therapy and he saw a doggie chiropractor for 3 months after surgery. We got him a custom wheelchair from Eddie’s Wheels. He can now go outside and enjoy life!

What is your pets favorite thing to eat?

When Charlie was in the animal hospital for 10-days he got spoiled to can food. I now have to mix canned food with is dry food or he will not eat. He also loves when we do take out from Outback! On my days off work I make him a scrambled egg with cheese. As most doxies, he loves to eat!

What do you love about your pet?

I love Charlie’s spirited soul! He has never let his physcial challenges keep him down. He is happy and loves life. Ove the holidays we visited relatives in Mississippi. My aunt and uncle have both recently battled cancer. My Uncle Wallace says that Charlie is an inspiration to him. That if Charlie can handle what he has been dealt with such spirit and love for life, he can also deal with his health issues.

What has your pet most taught you?

Charlie has taught me patience. After his accident, I did not know if I was up to the challenge of taking care of a disabled pet. I knew I had to learn, as putting him down was never an option for me. It has been a major life change, but so worth every minute.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Just that if you are ever faced with making a decision for a disabled pet, do your research first. There is so much information on the Internet to help pet owners learn how to take care of these pets. Dodgerslist was so helpful for me.

Thank you, Charlie’s Mom for sharing Charlie with us.  Wow, I could relate to everything you said!

***If you care for a special needs pet and would like your pet featured, please email me through my website contact. Send a photo and I will forward the questionnaire for your pet to be featured in an upcoming post.***

Special Needs Pet Feature: Cassidy

Posted by Barbara Techel


What is your pet’s name? 

Cassidy

How old is your pet? 

1 1/2 years old

Where did you get your pet? 

A lady contacted me and said, one of her dachshund puppies was born blind and asked if I would take it, because they wouldn’t be able to sell her like that.  They bred to dapples together and that is the result.


What is your pet’s physical challenge?  

Completely blind.

What is your pet’s favorite thing to do? 

She likes to play with her siblings, go for car rides and play at the bike trail.

What is your pet’s favorite thing to eat? 

Pumpkin or Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Cubes.


What do you love most about your pet?  

She is VERY loving and VERY brave.

What has your pet most taught you? 

That you don’t have to be perfect….that you don’t have to see love, to feel it.  And that a disability doesn’t have to hinder you, from living and loving life.

Anything else you’d like to share? 

Cassidy is quite an inspiration.  Everyone that meets her, cannot believe she is even blind….she is courageous, outgoing and loves everyone….yes, I think she is amazing!


Such beautiful, beautiful photos of darling, Cassidy!  I’m so glad you shared her with me and my readers.

***If you care for a special needs pet and would like your pet featured, please email me through my website contact. Send a photo and I will forward the questionnaire for your pet to be featured in an upcoming post.***

 

Dog Wheelchairs can Lead to “Spinal Walking” in IVDD Dogs

Posted by Barbara Techel

When Frankie was diagnosed with IVDD in 2006, in my mind at the time, the only option was for her to walk on her own again without a wheelchair. It was my plan B and I didn't want to have to do it.  Not because I didn't want to help her, but because I couldn't bear to think she would not walk on her own again.

I'm so glad I realized the benefit of a wheelchair and found Eddie's Wheels to have her custom fitted for one because over the years her "walking" has improved. She may not walk like a regular dog and still needs the help of her wheelchair for standing and longer walks or playing in the yard, but she has a happy, quality life… and that was the goal.

I'm a strong believer in Eddie's Wheels for the fact that they support the long length of a dachshund's spine and because of the custom fit so their backs have the best chance at healing.

Frankie does not "spinal walk" but rather "spinal hops."  The times she does do this is always around feeding time.  She LOVES to eat!  Otherwise she pulls herself along on our hardwood floor when not in her wheelchair.

But for anyone trying to make a decsion about a wheelchair, I'd encouarge you to call or email Eddie's Wheels and talk with them.  They are so helpful and caring and will do all they can to put your mind at ease and help make the life of your disabled pet a happy one.

So check out their video on Clark, a dachshund with a wheelchair, who started to show movement in his legs after using his Eddie's Wheels wheelchair.

 

And as you can see, Clark does not even notice his wheels with his nose busy in the ground doing what dachshunds love to do best!

Read more about Eddie's Wheels and how they are helping IVDD dogs "spinal walk" as well as, in some cases, fully walk on their own again.

Why Frankie and I recommend Eddie's Wheels: