dodgerslist

Getting Lost & Finding My Way Back to Center

Posted by Barbara Techel

gidget apr 2014I got lost once again. It happens. This is what they call life.

But it happens to all of us. The trick is remembering what our center feels like. That place of knowing and that feeling of yes, this is where I’m meant to be. While I know many go through life without ever considering what their true center is, I give thanks that I do my best to stay tuned into what that center looks like for me. It has become so ingrained in me and once you have experienced that true place, even though I got lost, I knew I needed to find my way back again.

Last week was a trying week. My dad was taken by ambulance earlier in the week to the hospital. All turned out okay and they think he had a reaction to a new medication. But it was an odd feeling. A scary place I’d not really experienced before. To see my dad frightened as they put him in the back of the ambulance. Though I remained calm on the outside, when all turned out well, I found my insides feeling shaken up. The day will come when my parents are no longer here. It became even more real than I’d ever felt before.

At the end of the week I found myself resigning from two committee’s I had joined. One committee I had joined was recent, while the other I had been a part of since January. With the latter, I had been experiencing frustration, but I really wanted to be of service and help.

But as the months unfolded and I did my best, politics as it often plays out in these situations, made itself known. I realized I was in the wrong place. This isn’t me. While yes, there are internal issues, it was also  a tap on my shoulder that I had lost my way. I needed to return to center. I wanted to find myself back to what matters most to me.

My 21-day meditation practice I did that Oprah and Deepak Chopra offered served me well as I’ve been re-visiting lately in my heart what is important to me. My women’s group I’ve been a part of every week for the past 12 weeks has also been so enlightening and beneficial, helping me stay on track.

It’s so easy to fall off the track because we want to be good people. We want to make a difference. The trick is to do that in the way that speaks to who you are.

So I found my center again. I found it in the two hour Q & A I did with Dodgerslist on my Facebook page. The moderators, a vet assistant, and I were available for two hours yesterday morning to help people with questions they have about Intervertebral Disc Disease. Something as you all know, I’m very familiar with.

Though the two hours was intense with many questions being posted, after it was done I felt elated. I was so happy to have helped. This is what matters to me. This is how I can continue to make a difference. And on a side note, we are looking at doing another one in the future and this one in the evening.

This morning as I worked on my book, Joie’s Gift I felt back in that center again. I was also eager to come to my blog and write about my thoughts about this. This is who I am. This is where I’m supposed to be. This is where my energy of my soul is best served.

And when you live within that center of that energy that speaks to who you are, it fills you up. That light shines and shines bright, which then filters out into the world as it should. In an authentic way – not a forced or false way.

Hello center. Hello me. I’m so happy to see you again!

Tomorrow: Ask Your Questions about Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).

Posted by Barbara Techel

11950_739941356056201_133829488326862819_nTomorrow, Wednesday, May 7th, 10:00am-Noon CST is a great opportunity to ask your questions about Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).  Dog’s prone to this disease are: dachshunds, basset hounds, corgi’s, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, Pekingese, beagle and cocker spaniel.

WHERE:  My Facebook page, http://www.Facebook.com/joyfulpaws

HOW: Just come to my Facebook page anywhere between 10:00am and Noon tomorrow where you will see a post started where you can ask your question.

WHO:  The moderators of Dodgerslist will be on hand to answer your questions, along with Andrea, assistant to Dr. Issacs, DVM and Diplomate ACVIM Neurology. I’ll also answer any questions that I can having had experience with three dachshunds now with IVDD.

Please do share with family and friends with dog’s prone to this disease. IVDD is not a death sentence. There is HOPE and many options available. Education is KEY.

There is HOPE for Dogs with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). Educate yourself TODAY.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Gidget ivddAs most of you know from following my blog, I’m passionate about spreading a positive message about dogs diagnosed with IVDD. Sadly, many are still being put to sleep. Most often because of lack of education and guardian’s not knowing their options.

Just today, I heard from someone who does rescue work trying to help find homes for these special needs dogs if guardian’s choose to surrender a downed dog if they are unable to care for them. But again, sadly, it does not always turn out that way. For whatever reasons, a guardian may choose putting their IVDD dog to sleep. I’m not here to judge that person who makes that decision.

But I did want to write a post about IVDD once again in hopes it makes it out into the world and helps educate more people that IVDD is not a death sentence. It does not have to be that way.

There is help. There is hope. There are people willing to help you if you find yourself in this situation. Most rescue’s will help guide you. Dodgerslist is an excellent resource to educate yourself about this disease. While there is not a cure, often times with the right information and treatment, these dog’s can walk again. If not, there is always a dog wheelchair that can help them lead a quality life. If cost is an issue there are resources for that as well such as The Frankie Wheelchair Fund, or Red Flyer, The Handicapped Pets Community or doing fund raisers online to help pay for medical costs.

While I truly understand taking care of a special needs pet such as an IVDD dog isn’t meant for everyone, there are others who are willing and able to take care of special needs pets. Rescue’s can often times help you if you choose this avenue.

I continue to also be available by email or phone to talk with someone whose dog has been diagnosed with IVDD. Often times talking with someone who has gone through this helps ease the anxiety and to know what to expect. I’m always happy to spend some time talking with someone going through this.

I’m so grateful for those that do have the courage to say they are unable to care for their IVDD dog and do what they feel is best for their pet by finding them a new home. If not for those people, I’d never have found the love of Joie, or have the love of Gidget. I know many others who care for downed dogs feel the same way. They truly love caring for these dogs.

Please help spread the word that there is hope. Whether you can work through it with guidance with resources I mentioned above, or if you need to find your pet a new home, there are those that really do care and will help.