If you follow me on Facebook, you likely noticed my profile photo of me holding this Dapper Dachshund. His name is Charlie Brown and is also known as the Handicapable Doxie. You can find him on Facebook. I’m sure he’d be thrilled if you gave his page a like. I had the honor of meeting him while in Asheville, NC last week.
It just so happened that I posted some photos talking about the River Arts District and the Dachshund pottery I had purchased. Jo, a Facebook friend noticed where I was and tagged Kristin Hyland Dryden who is the mom of Charlie Brown. Little did I know they live in a neighboring city to Asheville. She contacted me and asked if she could meet me and bring Charlie Brown, as well as their other Dachshund Gunner.
This would turn out to be the highlight of my trip! Now don’t get me wrong, I love Asheville and all the culture, restaurants, and site seeing we did. But give me the chance to meet another Dachshund and one in a wheelchair, well, that is a right where my heart wants to be.
We agreed to meet at Starbucks in Biltmore Village (right outside the Biltmore Estate). John and I arrived early to grab a coffee and tea. It was a warm fall day and the sun felt good as we sat outside waiting for Charlie Brown and his family to arrive.
After a few moments I looked across the parking lot and my heart caught in my throat. There he was! His big ears flapping in the wind, rolling happily in his wheels, making his way across the parking lot. I jumped to my feet and made my way toward him. I immediately bent down and took his little face in my hands. Emotion overcame me. There is nothing like the love of a Dachshund.
After greeting Gunner too, I stood up and gave Kristin a hug and shook her husband Rick’s hand. It was then that Kristin got tears in her eyes and told me how she has wanted to thank me for helping give her hope when Charlie Brown first went down three years ago. She shared with me that while Charlie Brown was in surgery she researched on the Internet to find out more about Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).
Like me, when Frankie was first diagnosed in 2006, Kristin was scared. She didn’t know what Charlie Brown’s life would be like if the surgery didn’t work. Luckily she found my website and that gave her the hope and peace of mind she needed. I hugged her close as she shared this with me. This is my joy. Knowing that by sharing my story about Frankie, I was able to help someone else.
After we talked for awhile I asked if I could hold Charlie Brown. The moment Kristin placed him in my arms my heart felt home. This is who I am, I thought. This is what makes me feel alive. My mom’s comment about the photo I posted on Facebook couldn’t be more true also, “You are never as happy as when you have a doxie in your arms.”
Meeting Charlie Brown filled me with immense joy. I look forward to the day I hold a new little one of my own in my arms. It will be a day when I once again feel complete.
I really didn’t want to say goodbye to Charlie Brown or his family. But I know we will be forever friends now. Our love and devotion of these special needs doxie’s brought us together and I will always carry them in my heart.
Because of the support of contributions from others through The Frankie Wheelchair Fund, we are able to help dog’s with mobility issues with wheelchairs. Today I’m happy to share with you that we have helped another dog! Meet Sparky who needs new wheels because he keeps tipping over in his current wheelchair all the time. This is not good especially because he has IVDD.
