dodgerslist

Living Worlds Apart – Love of Special Needs Dachshunds Brings Us Together

Posted by Barbara Techel

paulo, ellen and me

Gidget, me, Paulo and Ellen at our local cafe in Elkhart Lake, Off the Rail

When I decided to take a leap of faith and write my children’s books about my dachshund, Frankie, in a wheelchair, and then my memoir Through Frankie’s Eyes, little did I know who I’d meet along the way.

I just knew I had to tell Frankie’s story. I just knew I wanted to make a difference. I just knew I wanted to give others hope.

Writing my books has connected me to some truly wonderful people. Paulo and Ellen are two of those people – friends, really, because we will forever share a bond because of our love of dachshunds.

Not only that, but both our dogs came down with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) and needed a wheelchair to help them move around.

Paulo, half way around the world, lives in Brazil and found out about me, Frankie, and our story. Initially he came across me via the great organization, Dodgerslist which helps pet owners whose dogs have been diagnosed with IVDD.

I still remember receiving an email from him asking if I could send my memoir to him in Brazil even though it was going to cost him quite a bit to have me ship it internationally. I was so honored and touched.

Paulo is Italian, but his parents feared Hitler and what was happening in Germany during that reign of terror. His parents traveled to Holland thinking they’d be safe there, but after crossing into Holland without even realizing it, they feared Hitler and his army could do the same just as easily.

His father wanted an ocean between him and his wife and that terrible time in history, so they ventured to Brazil. This is where Paulo was born and has lived for most of his life.

He attended an American school in Brazil which helped him to get into UW-Madison, Wisconsin, where he studied for 12-years.  To think he was only two hours away from me during that time!

But it would first be yesterday that we met in person right here in my small village of 950 people in Elkhart Lake.

Being a car enthusiast he has been to Elkhart Lake a few times and the last time in 2011 to see the races at our well known track, Road America. When I think about the fact that he was here about 9 months before Frankie passed away, I wish he could have met her.

But it wasn’t meant to be and it was only when his Poncho went down with IVDD that he discovered my story and the connection was made.

Back in Elkhart Lake this weekend for the spring vintage car races at Road America, he looked me up on Facebook and sent me a message—could we meet for coffee?

It was sunny and in the upper 60s yesterday and perfect for us to sit outside. I was able to bring Gidget along for him and his wife, Ellen to meet, and their friend Tom, who joined us also.

The spirits of Frankie and Poncho were in my heart as we sat together, talking about our beloved dachshunds and getting to know each other better.

paulo and poncho

Paulo and his belated, beloved Poncho

I really didn’t want the time to end because being with them felt familiar in that our journey’s so similar. But most of all, the love we shared for our special needs dogs is something that has changed us all for the better.

And what brought us together even though we live worlds apart.

It was a magical morning and a memory I’ll carry in my heart right along with Frankie who resides snug and sound as the little dog on wheels who made this all possible.

Safe travels home my friends always, Paulo and Ellen!

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Wednesdays with the Wisdom of Dog: Hope

Posted by Barbara Techel

gidget and dragonfly pillow

I try not to give too much thought to what I will write about and share for this weekly series about the wisdom I’ve gained from my dogs over the years, and wisdom that they continue to share with me.

I just try to let it come to me. Sometimes the wisdom comes easy and I quickly write it down. Sometimes it takes awhile to come to the surface.

Such was the case today. Until I wrote the word hope in an email to someone. Once I typed that last letter, e of the word hope, I knew this was what I wanted to share today.

A post I did earlier this month I shared with you that Gidget has had three seizures since January.

I’ve been working hard on staying positive and not carrying around the energy of fear because I do believe strongly that our pets pick up on that from us. I’ve also been practicing Reiki with Gidget to help keep us both grounded.

While at the same time, I do believe in educating myself and doing some research to see if there are other ways in which I can support Gidget– and hopefully help her not have any further seizures or as few as possible.

It’s taken some time, but I have hope in a holistic vet I found who is about two hours from where I live. She is also an acupuncturist and is well versed in Chinese herbs and has worked with pets with these modalities and seizures.  We will be going to see her on May 8th.

As I thought about hope and Gidget’s situation, it brought me back to the memories of Frankie’s diagnoses of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). It was such a scary time for me then.

But one thing I found was hope through Dodgerslist and others who’d gone through this. And as many of you know, I went on to give hope to others whose dogs were diagnosed with IVDD – which I continue to do to this day because it brings me joy to help others.

And Frankie truly taught me the meaning of never giving up on hope as she went on to live a long, full, quality life spinning many miles in her wheelchair.

While I don’t yet know the outcome of what will be discovered during the appointment in May, I must say I feel better knowing I’m taking a proactive step in seeing what can possibly be done to help support Gidget.

I have hope and that is a beautiful thing.

I will also share what I learn in hopes that it can help others who may be dealing with seizures and their pets.

A special thank you to reader, Edwina, for reaching out to me and helping me give thought to Chinese Medicine.

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The Different Stages of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) – There is Always Hope!

Posted by Barbara Techel

g on white rug eOver a year ago I had every intention of adopting another dachshund with IVDD who needed a wheelchair. And when I found Gidget I thought perhaps she was in need of a wheelchair — but whether she needed it or not, I just knew we were meant to be together and my heart was head over heels in love with her. But when she got here, I could see that she does quite well walking on her own, even though she does have IVDD.

She is a bit wobbly at times, and if she gets too excited and runs around too fast, her little backend can’t keep up, and she will flop onto her side. But within seconds she picks herself back up and is on her merry way.

When she got here I expressed her bladder 3-4 times a day, but discovered she will go a little on her own. And then I discovered that it seems like she actually loves to sniff around outside and seems proud to go potty on her own. Even though it can get quite cold here in Wisconsin during the winter, I’m enjoying taking her outside to do her thing.

Her one back leg she does have a hard time holding in place for too long while she squats, but she does a pretty good job. Though I still do need to express her fully as for whatever reasons, all the potty won’t come out on its own. And her bowels? Well, those have a mind of their own too and when they are ready to make their appearance…. well, they just do. But with a little skill and paying attention, often times I can get her outside or over the toilet for this.

And I know perhaps this may sound odd, but all those years I had Frankie, who was completely down and in a wheelchair, it has been a new kind of joy to be a part of this different stage of IVDD with Gidget.

When I hear from others, just as I did this week, of someone who had no hope because she couldn’t afford surgery for her dachshund who recently went down, I can speak with even more conviction now that you just never know how things will turn out — even without surgery.  Gidget never had surgery and she is walking – yes, sometimes wobbly, but she is walking.

Frankie had the surgery and never walked again. You just never know. There are so many different stages of IVDD. The best thing you can do should this happen to your dog is to get them in a crate and do crate rest for 8-weeks (and see a specialist ASASP) should you not choose surgery as an option. Even then, 6-weeks strict cage rest is essential. Dodgerslist is a great resource for pet owners whose dog has been diagnosed with IVDD.

No matter what, there is always hope with a diagnoses of IVDD. Sadly, this isn’t always told to pet owners when they bring their downed dog in.

I recall when I used to dog sit for a little dachshund, Kirby who didn’t have IVDD. Sometimes my heart would ache because he and Frankie would be looking out the front door and to see their little behinds was so cute – but I’d have moments of sadness that Frankie was in a wheelchair. Even though I was so happy she was living a quality life, I’d still miss that part of how she used to be.

With Gidget, when I see her standing and looking out the front door, her little behind so petite, I often find tears pooling in my eyes – to witness this with her has been such sweetness, but then it will also have me missing my doxie’s that were in wheelchairs.

But experiencing the different stages of IVDD has me wanting to always be here to keep sharing the GOOD NEWS that dogs with IVDD can be happy and thrive. Adopting Gidget and watching her thrive in a different way than Frankie and Joie, has had different and beautiful rewards for me.

There is, and always will be, hope!

As always, feel free to leave a comment…