dog carts

Meet Allie: IVDD Does Not Stop Her From Being Spunky!

Posted by Barbara Techel

Last week I received a very nice email from Allie’s mom, Katie.  She wrote to tell me she read my book Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog and found it inspirational as well as feeling like she was reading her dog, Allie’s autobiography.  She attached this photo, and of course, I fell in love!

I asked Katie if she would share a little about Allie so here is our fun little interview:

Barbara:  How old is Allie?

Katie:  Allie is 5.  She will be 6 in June.

Barbara:  Where did you get her?

Katie:  We got Allie from Starlight Kennel in Augusta, WI

Barbara:  When did she become paralyzed?

Katie:  Allie had her first surgery just before she turned 4 in May of 2009.  She made about a 95% recovery, but then she ruptured another disc in July of 2010. If she has enough motivation, she can walk really wobbly, but she usually uses her wheels or her parents to get around.  🙂

Barbara:  What is Allie’s favorite thing to do?

Katie:  Allie looooooooves to bury toys under rugs, blankets, dog beds, or even boxes, and then try to dig them out. We have many torn blankets and rugs because of this habit.  🙂

Barbara:  What is Allie’s favorite thing to eat?

Katie:  Allie loves to eat Caesar, the wet dog food. She used to get a little with her pills every morning after her surgery, and she was hooked. I still spoil her and give her some every morning, though she’s not on medication anymore.

Barbara:  What do you love most about her?

Katie:  So many things!  One thing I love that makes her unique is that she can smell a toy from a mile away.  We can hide new toys in the most obscure places, and she will sniff them out and bark at the hiding spot until we give up and give her the toy. She also loves to open presents. This past Christmas we saved all our scrap wrapping paper and wrapped up all her toys with it.  She doesn’t even care that it’s an old toy inside. It’s 30 seconds of heaven for her just to unwrap it.

Barbara:  What has Allie taught you?

Katie:  Allie has taught me that I have more patience than I thought! Seriously, though, she taught me not to let obstacles get in your way. With a loving and supportive family to help your though it, anything is possible.

Barbara:  Wow, would I have to agree on the patience thing as Frankie has really taught me that too!  BIG GRIN.  Thank you so much, Katie for sharing your spunky, beautiful little girl, Allie with us!  We wish you and Allie the very best always!

Note:  Allie’s wheelchair comes from Eddie’s Wheels.  A company I believe is truly dedicated to helping animals the best way possible.

 

A Tribute to Daisy, Eddie’s Wheels Mascot

Posted by Barbara Techel


It was so hard to hear about the passing of Daisy, who for 16-years was the mascot for Eddie’s Wheels. She passed away from a stroke.  I cried like a baby reading the news.

In 2006 after researching many different wheelchair companies to have one fitted for my little Frankie, I kept going back to Eddie’s Wheels.  Their story of why they started the company because of Ed’s Doberman, Buddha, had who suffered a back injury many years ago, and how Ed designed a wheelchair for his beloved Buddha really spoke to my heart .  At the time, Ed’s vet didn’t think a wheelchair would work for the dog… but Ed and Buddha proved him wrong.

Seeing how well Ed’s dog did, the vet started referring people to Ed for wheelchairs for their pets.  Eddie’s Wheels was born out of love to help other animals thrive and live happy, long lives despite a disability.

In 2001 they adopted Daisy and here is her story from Eddie’s Wheels website:

Chief Executive Dog, Ret.  Daisy was born in Ecuador, raised in Jersey City and became disabled due to 4 herniated discs in 2001.

Judged not to be a surgical candidate, she was surrendered to the St. Francis of Assisi Shelter who contacted us about wheels.

We adopted Daisy in September of 2001.  She has been a brilliant ambassador for disabled dachshunds, demonstrating an irascible spirit and feisty attitude that challenges anyone who would dare pity her.

I agree with all my heart of what a brilliant ambassador Daisy was for disabled dachshunds.  Doxie’s do have this amazing fighting spirit and Daisy was no exception.  Her love for life on wheels is one of the main reasons I chose Eddie’s Wheels.  I fell head over heals in love with her!

It is especially hard for me knowing how these special needs pets can truly change our lives, like Daisy has done just that  for Ed and Leslie and those that knew her… and knowing I will face this someday with Frankie.

But Daisy has made such an incredible impact on the lives of many animals, proving that the word disability is just a word… give a doxie a challenge and they will take it on with their upbeat, determined feisty spirit, and let nothing get in their way.

Daisy taught us that life goes on, and when you have wheels, you can fly pretty darn fast!  She taught us to treat her no different than anyone else and as her bio said, don’t dare take pity on her.

Ed, Leslie and all the Eddie’s Wheels family, please know my heart is heavy for the loss of such an amazing dog that Daisy was, and that I will miss her greatly.  But how blessed I feel to have found you in a time of great need, and how Daisy truly inspired me and gave me hope, that my doxie, Frankie could live a full, happy, quality life just like Daisy. I’ll always be incredibly grateful.  And Frankie promises to carry on with Daisy’s message as only a doxie can do… and that Eddie’s Wheels will always be our #1 recommendation for wheelchairs for pets.

Rest in peace, Daisy… Frankie and I shall miss you very much….

As a special tribute dedicated to the memory of Daisy we share the illustration and page in our book, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog 


Everyone hopes I will walk again and I do not want to disappoint them. However, after three months, not much as changed in my legs. But Mom and Dad do not give up on me and find another way for me to walk with wheels! It is a cart made especially for dogs similar to a wheelchair they make for people.

My mom researches the internet and finds a good cart. The president of the company is a dog who looks just like me and her name is Daisy. She is also paralyzed and has a cart. One night Mom and Dad measure from the bottom of the floor to the top of my belly, the base of my neck to the tip of my tail, and then around my little chest. The cart will fit me perfectly and I will be able to zoom down the block!

Thank you again, Daisy for being our hero on wheels, and giving us hope that our little Frankie would live a happy life on wheels!

New Website to Help Disabled Animals

Posted by Barbara Techel

I was so delighted to come across this new website, Disabled Animal dedicated to helping special needs animals find a home, as well as a resource page, that is expanding as the website gains more awareness.  If you are looking to bring a special needs pet into your life, this page might help you do just that.

When I discovered the website through a post on Facebook from Eddie’s Wheels, I was touched to learn the website is the work of a 3rd year vet student.  I just had to interview her and share this with you.  Part of the challenge with dogs diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is the lack of education among vets and society, as to the options.  Thanks to the organization, Dodgerslist and others, this is changing, but there is still much work to be done.  That is why it is so wonderful to see a young vet so enthusiastic and full of heart who wants to help disabled animals.  Thank you, Celine!!

Without further ado- My interview with Celine.

1.  Why did you start Disabled Animal website?

I was so frustrated! I chose veterinary medicine as a career and like many others, thought that I would like to share a home and help a disabled animal. I started to do research on my options and decided that I would like a wheelchair dog to adopt. It spoke to me. After deciding I started to look and to my surprise… they weren’t easy to search for! I was astounded at this and got to the point of where I was literally cold calling to California from Georgia looking for one to adopt. I hung up the phone, decided that was enough, and within five minutes was working on the website so that others wouldn’t have to do what I did.

2.  What is it about disabled animals that you want people to know?

I want people to know that they really aren’t broken. I go to school every day learning how to treat medical problems and many of them simply take a pill for them to be able to live a normal life. There are so many advances in veterinary medicine that pets are living longer and are able to be helped more than ever. A wheelchair dog can still live a normal life with an aid, too. No legs? No problem! They’re still capable of loving to me!

3.  When you are done with college and in practice as a vet how will you bring positive awareness to special needs pets?

I am done with vet school in May of 2012 and I would like to be a personal veterinarian. What I mean by that is that I’d rather not be a drive-thru clinic. I would like to get to know these pet parents and be able to connect with them and be a resource for their special needs pets. Depending on the need, there may need to be modifications to techniques such as training and that information can be hard to find.

4.  I see on your website you are looking for a two-legged dog to adopt.  Why a two-legged dog?

Actually, I just want a medium to small wheelchair dog. I called a rescue for one without back legs but he was set out to be adopted the next day. They informed me of one that was missing the front two legs and I got attached. Sadly, the foster parents said that I would not be considered for adoption due to the fact that I was going to have children and they thought that he needed someone at home for the majority of the day. That’s really the only reason – I honestly wouldn’t mind one with all four legs attached as long as they are in a wheelchair.

5.  What do you think animals with special needs teach us?

To live life! Have you ever seen a special needs pet wallow in their own sorrow? No. I believe that humans tend to think about themselves too much sometimes and feel as though they can’t do much because of a disability. Wrong. These pets are still smiling, still wagging their tails if they can. Carpe diem because life’s too short to be unhappy.

6.  What advice can you offer those wanting to adopt a special needs pet?

Do your research. Don’t look at an animal and think, “oh, you’re cute because you have paralysis,” and not know what you are getting into. You don’t need to adopt one just because you feel pity. Animal ownership is a big responsibility and it shouldn’t be taken lightly regardless of whether they are normal or disabled. With that said, adopting a disabled animal can be an incredibly rewarding experience even if you haven’t owned one before.

7.  Anything else you’d like to share?

Absolutely. A big thank you to my fiance Chris as he has helped me through my vet school years so far. I am indebted to him for all of the support he has given me. GO DAWGS and UGA VET MED!