dogs in wheelchairs

The Significance of February and Frankie

Posted by Barbara Techel

calendar

Today I turned my therapy dog calendar to February. It all hit me… the significance of it all.

You see, this calendar was the last project Frankie participated in, which was a calendar done of local therapy dogs.  I had orginanlly asked that Frankie be the feature for August (since August was her birthday). But there was some confusion as to someone else wanting that month.  I didn’t make a fuss about it, as it really did’n’t matter, I was just glad to have Frankie part of the project that helped raise money for a local cancer care fund.  I thought she was going to be the dog for January but when I got my copy late last year I saw she was February. Again, I didn’t think too much of it.

As I flipped the calendar today and saw my sweet girl for February so many things came flooding back to me. First to see her there on the calendar made me so proud of all she accomplished in her almost thirteen years. Second, this is the month I will launch my book Through Frankie’s Eyes.  The special edition will be released on Feb. 14th. The day I launched my first children’s book about Frankie was on Feb. 24th, 2008.  My book launch for my new book is Feb. 28th.

I don’t know about you, but I love being open to what may seem like coincidences, but really I think it is truly synchronicity. Because when you live from your heart center, life has a way of working out just as it should. This is exactly what February and Frankie is telling me– reaffirming for me that I’m traveling down the right path. And I also believe it we are open to signs from our loved ones from the other side, that they are there… Frankie is very much alive within me as I sit in awe and thanks for something as simple as turning the calendar to February. Oh sweet girl, you are so amazing!  Thank you for stopping by to say hello again and cheer me on into the next leg of my journey.

PS:  Another great thing about February?  A fantastic review and write up was done by editor, Jerry of Dachshund Delights for my new book.  Check it out!

Three Months Ago Today My Heart Exploded…

Posted by Barbara Techel

snuggly joie for blog

…with love for my new found love dog on wheels. It’s hard to think Joie has only been here for three months. It truly feels like she was always here. Always meant to be here.

Before this I had never rescued a dog.  Cassie, Frankie and Kylie all came from breeders. Before that I had cats which most came from the humane society. Joie is my first rescue dog.  I’m pretty sure this will be the route I choose going forward when the time comes for another new one to love.  Which I hope is many moons away, as this little one sure has my heart full up with joy and sweetness.

Something that has really amazed me with Joie is that she made herself right at home. She seamlessly fit right into our lives. It truly was, and is, quite magical. I feel very fortunate for this, as I know that is always not the case. I know John worried what we might ‘be getting ourselves into’ not having had the opportunity to first meet Joie before committing to taking her into our home.  But as I spoke of when I first saw Joie on Facebook through Oregon Dachshund Rescue, I just knew in my heart she was the one. For me it is another affirmation of trusting ones intuition and following it.

When Frankie passed, I never thought I’d find another dachshund as sweet as she was. There would never be another Frankie. And while there will truly never be another Frankie, Joie is a new light and love in my life that I didn’t think possible. I keep pinching myself at how lucky I am to have found another very sweet doxie.  Though sharing this with a friend of mine she laughed and said, “Of course you found another sweet dachshund Barb, because you are sweet.”

That was very kind of my friend to say and yes, I suppose we do attract into our lives what we are like. But I also believe we attract into our lives what we most need at the time. I’m not quite sure what that is with Joie yet. But I’m up for whatever it is I’m supposed to learn from her. Or maybe it’s just simply to love and enjoy her the best I can. I know I can do that. She certainly makes that easy!joie 1

And maybe I was just supposed to learn what it is like to rescue a dog.  A dog with IVDD and in need of a wheelchair. And I still sit in awe of that as I would have never considered this had I not traveled the path I did with Frankie. Now this is all I ever want. To care for IVDD/wheelchair dachshunds. I’m so thankful Frankie opened my heart wide open to this… and that my heart got to explode once again with this intense, amazing, deep, love.

Can Paralyzed Dogs Live Quality Lives, Con’t.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Talking about my experience of running into an acquaintance that didn’t understand dogs can have a quality of life if paralyzed sure had many of you wrapping your arms around me with a big virtual hug.  Thank you for that.

One thing I’m grateful for is my blog and that I can share my feelings through my writing when things like this occur. I also am thankful for the community I’ve been able to build through this blog, as well as Facebook, and my books, as well as, the sharing of Frankie’s, and now Joie’s life.

My writing helps me to work through things. I’m not always good face to face saying how I feel, but give me a keyboard and I can share how I feel with the emotions coming faster than my fingers can keep up at times.

Some of you expressed to me in so many words and thoughts to not give into what that person said and to keep on believing what I believe and doing what I do. I can assure you that I am, and will continue to. While I was personally wounded by the statements made from this person who does not understand the blessings of a paralyzed dog, I think I was more upset with myself for not standing taller in my conviction when speaking with her.

I want to be better at not having my defense emotion kick in and approach it more with grace and integrity. While I feel like I somewhat did that, I also realize that some people’s minds you will never change. Because I am an empath and very sensitive to things like this, it feels sad for me that others may never see this. So I think that does not help in my dealing with it at times. But I also realize what a gift it is to be the sensitive person that I am. It  is why I am passionate about dogs in wheelchairs and dogs with IVDD… and really, all animals. I would not be who I am today without being open to the lessons they have taught me.

Reader of my blog, and friend, Kathleen said, “My first thought after reading about this encounter is that, as hurtful as it understandably was, this woman actually gave you a gift. She helped you reaffirm your own truth and stand firm in your convictions. She passed a quick judgement not even knowing Joie. It really says more about her than you.”

Kathleen is right and this is the conclusion I came to as I moved through the day yesterday after writing my blog post. I’m often telling others that when someone says something that feels hurtful,  it’s really about that person’s own fears/issues, not yours. And here I was caught up in that same thing and didn’t see it at first. But I do now.  I have no doubt that these situations are gifts to help us to continue to be who we are.

I also believe each encounter like this only makes me stronger and for that I am grateful.  I can’t help but also feeling that I am being prepared as my new book is released early next year.  While I’m excited to expand on my community and reach even further and wider , I understand not everyone is going to agree with my thoughts in my book. And that is okay.  My encounter with this latest acquaintance is just another lesson sent to me to help me as I continue to move forward.

And guess what?  Paralyzed dogs DO live quality lives… just ask me… I know. And I’ll continue to do my best to bring a positive light to these beautiful beings.