dogs in wheelchairs

Little Did We Know…It was All Aligned in the Stars

Posted by Barbara Techel

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It was already in the making, aligned in the stars, this moment of serendipity that would take a few years before it made itself known.

Walking alone in the vast, vacant cement parking structure, I realized I was sweating even though it was chilly for March. It was a cold, nervous sweat.

I don’t like to travel alone or stay in a hotel by myself for that matter. Somewhat of a homebody, I feel better tucked into my own surroundings.

But this was important to me. I had to be here, even if it meant going by myself again and not knowing anyone.

As I made my way closer to the door I saw another lone solider heading in the same direction.

We smiled at each other.

She said, “Are you by chance going to the writer’s conference?”

“I am.” I said.

“Do you mind if I walk with you? I’m not sure where to go.”

“That would be great. I was here last year, but still get nervous coming to these things by myself,” I said.

I was relieved and excited all at the same time to have a writing kindred spirit beside me as we navigated our way through the large building.

“My name is Abby.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Abby. My name is Barbara.”

One thing led to another as we talked about, well, what else? Writing!

Having just published my first children’s book two months prior, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog, I shared with Abby that it was about my dachshund who was in a wheelchair.

Her face lit up and she said, “I have a dachshund named Ernie!”

Before I knew it all my nervous energy fell away.

Any chance to talk with a fellow lover of the the short-legged, oftentimes comical, loyal and lovable breed of doxie’s is a joyous occasion. And to combine it with talking about writing, well, I was floating on a cloud.

We could have talked doxie’s and writing through the whole 3-day conference, missing out on all the classes.

But we were both eager to learn all we could about writing and publishing so we contained ourselves the best we could and not getting too carried away.

Abby would end up asking me for a signed copy of my book, which I just happened  to have a few copies with me. She said she was excited to share Frankie’s story with her kids.

We parted ways after the conference, promising to keep in touch. Lucky for us, Facebook was really beginning to be the trend for staying connected and we promised to “look each other up.”

It would be two years later when I got an email from Abby.

Ernie wasn’t able to move his back legs. While Abby feared it was Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) she was also relieved to know she could reach out to me for advice.

Having been through this with Frankie in 2006, I was able to provide her with helpful information and options.

But what most people want when their beloved pet becomes paralyzed, is to know there is hope.

I could give her that and reassure her.

And that serendipitous moment came flashing into my mind when we met two years before, walking through the cold and damp, cold parking garage.

It was serendipity that brought us together, but I also happen to believe that Spirit aligned it all perfectly…

All perfectly put in place to help Abby, and her kids who could go on loving and having fun with their beloved Ernie.

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And for me to give back in a way that to this day gives me much joy when I can give hope to someone whose dog is diagnosed with IVDD.

And best of all, Ernie just celebrated his 11th birthday with this message Abby tagged me on via her Facebook page:

Happy 11th birthday to Ernie Dog! We’re so glad we’ve been able to give him 5 more years of happy life after his injury (and probably several more, with his stubborn streak!), thanks to a serendipitous meeting with Barbara Techel before it happened, who showed us what wheelie dogs are capable of!

Happy, Happy Birthday dear Ernie! Warms my heart to be a part of your beautiful journey. Keep on rolling!

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Silly G as a Silly Dog Magnet

Posted by Barbara Techel

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UPDATE:  I’ve received requests from others asking if they can purchase the magnet set of Miss Gidget. Brianna is happy to oblige with a LIMITED EDITION available through her Etsy shop. And just an FYI, I am not an affiliate and will not receive profit – just one creative person supporting another creative person I truly adore!…and bringing a positive face to special needs dogs!

 Today’s journal post brought to you by Miss Gidget…

This is me. Silly G.

And me as Silly G as a Silly Dog magnet set.

Created by artist Brianna Brunsell.

Is your dog silly?

Or sweet?

Or cuddly?

Or funny?

All of the above, I have no doubt.

And lovable for sure. I just know it!

You know you want your dog on a magnet set! Who wouldn’t?

We dogs got you wrapped around our paws and have embedded our love deep in your hearts forever.

So come on, put your dog on a magnet set.

You won’t regret it. You’ll love it.

You’ll smile every time you pass by the refrigerator with your dog smiling back at you.

WOOF!

I’m not a paid spokes dog for Silly Dog Magnets. I just happen to love Ms. Brianna and how super cute she drew me. I’d say she did a fantastic job, wouldn’t you?

To learn more about Brianna and Silly Dog magnets you can find her and her two adorable weenie’s, Billie and Daisy, on her Facebook page and her Etsy shop.

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Stay tuned to National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day celebrated annually on September 22.  Brianna will be donating a custom made print with a wheelchair dog theme with proceeds to benefit The Frankie Wheelchair Fund (helping disabled dogs in need of a wheelchair with over 35 dogs helped so far!).

Last year Brianna donated this print below which was a huge success (thank you again, Brianna!) Also just an FYI that these type prints she does just for charity auctions. We will be doing the wheelie dog themed print auction beginning sometime in mid-to-late August. I’ll announce it here and on our Facebook pages.

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Letting Go of What Was. Ready to Explore New Territory. Thank You, Frankie.

Posted by Barbara Techel

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Frankie crossed my mind this morning. She often does. I welcome it. I cherish it. I find much joy in it. I no longer mourn her being gone, but am grateful she was part of my life.

To mourn her forever would mean, to me, that I wouldn’t be honoring her life and all the blessings she brought me.

She has been on my mind also as I’ve been working through a personal challenge. I’m happy to say I feel so much better after four weeks of guidance that I sought to help me through this.

While I don’t want to share the specific challenge, I will share that I discovered something that was buried. I was surprised this came up as I didn’t realize it was even there, nor did it particularly feel connected to the challenge I was going through.

But what I’ve realized is that I never fully mourned the loss of the work I did with Frankie. While I moved through the grieving process of losing Frankie herself, the work we did together visiting schools and doing therapy dog work, is something I was still hanging onto.

In part, because I didn’t know what the next leg in my journey looked like. I’m still not quite sure “what is next,” but after journaling through an exercise called transitional grieving, I literally felt this shift of energy in myself.

I now find myself celebrating all that it was – all those glorious years of work with Frankie – instead of wishing it never ended.

Celebrating all that I learned from Frankie which has made me who I am today. Celebrating how I grew through challenges of fear, talking in front of crowds, learning to write a book, sharing my voice and how I feel about dogs in wheelchairs and dogs with disc disease, worrying less about what others think of me, and letting that inner light of who I am shine through.

So as I get ready to embark on a new learning adventure, I smile because of her.

Friday I leave for a weekend training in Madison, WI to learn more about SoulCollage. A technique that has captured my fascination the last few months.

A process of listening deeper to our wise selves and capturing those whispers on 5 x 8 cards that you create individual collages from using images from magazines. The card above is one I created yesterday.

If not for Frankie, I don’t know if I would have been brave enough to do this training. For one thing, I’m going alone. I don’t know one single soul that will be there. The woman I knew ten years ago would have never done this.

Frankie is a big reason why I’m stronger today than years ago. More willing to take steps out into the world then before.

But it is all part of my souls plan — I see this — I see it in my recent challenge that I feel I’ve made great progress on also.

Frankie was, and continues to be my guide, as I step forward into new territory to be explored.

I think back fondly to the first day she took off in her wheelchair after not walking for three months from a diagnoses of disc disease which left her paralyzed.

How she encouraged me to be who I am by her example. To follow what makes my heart happy. To live fully.

So I carry her with me in my heart as I head to the training this weekend. Her life lessons still with me, and I have no doubt will always be with me until eternity.