dogs in wheelchairs

Be Kind to Animals Week May 5-11

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1459[1] 1200 be kind to animals weekTomorrow is the big day!  Joie’s first school debut. I’ve updated my presentation and integrated Joie into the lessons I taught with Frankie. I’ve practiced, practiced and practiced… while, err, um… you know who sleeps in her little pink bed!

What a great way to celebrate Be Kind to Animals week though with Joie and I going to school.  I’ll be sure to report back how it all goes.

No matter if animals walk on all four paws or not, they all deserve love. Hug your little ones extra tight today… and well, everyday!

 

It’s Not About the Color of the Dachshund

Posted by Barbara Techel

on bike cJoie loves the basket on my bike!

When I got Frankie in 1999 I had my heart set on a red Dachshund – smooth coat – I would have no other. Well, as we all know, it was destined to be that I found her, the last one of the litter. This was planned long before the ” itch”  of wanting a Dachshund began to make itself known to me.

After Frankie passed many of you may recall a few months after that a blog post I wrote about asking the Universe for another red Dachshund, one with IVDD, that needed a set of wheels, female, and between the ages of 4-6.  All that came true except for the color. This time it was meant to be that I have a black and tan little one.

A few months after I got Joie, I saw on Facebook that Hope Clark, author of a  mystery series, founder of FundsforWriter’s,  but more importantly, also a Dachshund lover got a new little doxie too.  I knew Hope because of the Internet and my search for help with writing years ago. But what I adore most about Hope is her love of Dachshunds as I fell in love with her black and tan Dachshund, Dixe, who was blind and deaf. I was very sad when Dixie passed away about a year before Frankie.

About two months after I got Joie, Hope ended up getting a red Dachshund puppy. When I saw the first photo of Roo I chuckled that we had “swapped”  doxie colors.

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 Hope and Roo quite smitten with each other I’d say!

So you see, it’s not about the color of the Dachshund, or any dog for that matter. I know, like me, Hope’s heart was broken when Dixie passed away. We understood this in each other that our love for our doxie’s is deep and very special.  So no matter what the color, they provide us with an ocean of love, endless giggles, warm snuggles and many kisses– whether black and tan, red, or any other color — it is the allowing of one’s heart to yet again be swallowed up with utter love from our sausage-shaped dogs that matters the most.

The Right Thing to Do for Frankie. Joie’s Tire Tracks Now Lead the Way. Come Follow.

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1459[1] 1200My heart is full up with love and joy today!  It is in the 60’s and finally feels like spring. Joie was out in the yard for a good part of the morning exploring our backyard. We have about 3/4 of an acre, so lots for her to check out.  This is really the first time she has been able to do that since she arrived mid-October last fall. See more photos of her outside on my Facebook wall.

I can’t stop smiling and my heart oozes with happiness watching her outside. Reflecting back on last summer and how empty I felt without Frankie, having my new wheelie side kick with me to do outdoor things feels so good.

I’ve had a few people upset that I will be taking Frankie’s Facebook page down in June. While they respect my decision, they were sad to hear this. I’m so glad so many loved that little dog, and as you know, I loved her so very dearly. I would likely not have Joie, if it were not for Frankie.  She gave me the gift of opening my heart to another disabled doxie.

It is time to keep moving forward though, and I’ve felt that strongly with Frankie lately. I’d actually been ignoring the thoughts that kept popping in my head about her page. I wasn’t ready for that step yet.  But after receiving the beautiful shadow box of Frankie’s things from my friend, Cassy, it all made sense, that yes, it was time.

I’ve moved all her photos and created two albums on my Facebook page, as well as on National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day page, so she will always be there for anyone who wants to visit her there. She is not going away… but I just feel this is a new place for her to rest more at peace.

Some have suggested a page for Joie, but that does not feel right to me. Joyful Paws is what I am about, so it seems fitting to carry on the mission Frankie helped me begin via my Facebook page, etc.

The other interesting part to it all, is I needed to do this for Frankie. For me. She taught me not to worry so much what others thought of my choices, to define my own path, and to follow my heart. It is exactly what I am doing. If I’d do anything other than this, I feel like I would be letting her down. And so it is. The right thing to do. I rest easy in my decision and I know Frankie moves lighter in spirit.

It is time for Joie to fill a new place in our hearts and leave tire tracks to a new path… whatever that path may be is yet to be determined. But I feel strongly that letting go as completely as possible– without ever forgetting– is the way to new life and new possibilities. I can’t imagine Frankie would want that any other way.