The Day Is Here! The Launch of National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day! Join Me in the Celebration!

Posted by Barbara Techel

It is with deep love, gratitude and joy that I announce the launch of

National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day!

This day has been created in memory of the “original” walk ‘n roll dog, my sweet girl, Frankie.  While she is not the first dog to walk in a wheelchair, she is the first to be named, “walk ‘n roll dog.” Because of her tireless work in teaching thousands to be positive, as well as our work together educating others that dogs in wheelchairs can live a long, happy, quality life, it seemed fitting (and quite the honor I might add) to continue Frankie’s legacy by honoring ALL dogs in wheelchairs who truly teach us about perseverance and adversity.

Even though I continue to miss Frankie very much, I have tears of joy pooling in my eyes as I share this announcement with you.  I know Frankie is so proud.  I know she would want us all to celebrate her life and celebrate all dogs in wheelchairs… and most importantly, carry on the positive awareness that just because a dog may lose their mobility, does not mean their lives should end.

National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day will be celebrated every September 22.  Though feel free to celebrate everyday– because that is what life is all about!

So let the celebration begin!  See below how you can be a part of our celebrating team and help less fortunate dogs who need wheelchairs be able to get them by purchasing a limited edition t-shirt and help us to continue to spread positive awareness. Stay tuned for another special announcement in the coming weeks about a photo contest!

Let’s get rolling….!!!

Special Limited Edition National Walk ‘N Roll Dog T-shirts

To kick off the first annual Walk ”N Roll dog day a t-shirt has been designed with Frankie in mind and her thousands of fans who loved her so much. Each limited edition t-shirt has Frankie’s real paw print, photo, and motto on the back to continue to spread her message…and her legacy of love. On the front is the official National Walk ‘N Roll Dog logo, our mission statement, and dated September 22, 2012.

These t-shirts will only be available through September 12, 2012 so ORDER YOURS TODAY.

 

 

All proceeds of t-shirts will be donated to Eddie’s Wheels for “The Frankie Fund” to help families in financial need obtain a wheelchair for their dog who may need one and for dogs in rescue that may need a wheelchair to make them more easily adopted out to a family.

Like US on Facebook and Share with Everyone You Know

A special page has been set up on Facebook for National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day. We would love thousands of “likes” to continue the work of Frankie and educate others that dogs in wheelchairs are pretty amazing!  Watch our Facebook page, as well as our website for the announcement of the photo contest, also.

I’ve also set up this page to help when it comes time to acquire the “official” national status and I know Frankie’s fans will help me do just that.  I will apply for the official status in 2013.  I believe with all my heart that we will obtain this status with your help, so I’m following my trust and faith designating this as such because of the national awareness Frankie and I were able to bring to wheelchair dogs from 2007-2012.

So please help by “liking” the page and sharing with everyone you know!

***A very special thank you to Mary Shafer, who designed the National Walk ‘N Roll Dog logo, Kristi Erdmenger who designed the t-shirt, and Caryn Newton of Lantern Glow Designs for help with the National Walk ‘N Roll Dog website.  Each of them were generous in their volunteer efforts as well as keeping costs to a minimum to kick off this special day.  I’m so grateful and thankful!!***

 

 

Meet Fillmore – The First Recipient of the Frankie Wheelchair Memorial Fund

Posted by Barbara Techel

Fillmore is the first recipient of the Frankie Wheelchair Memorial Fund!  He was diagnosed with IVDD and had surgery, but still needs help in getting around.  His mom, Jonnie heard about the special fund started in Frankie’s memory to help families in financial need so their dog can get a wheelchair if need be (also helps dogs in rescue get a wheelchair).

The fund is set up through Eddie’s Wheels and it truly warms my heart that Frankie’s legacy lives on and is helping other dogs who may need wheelchairs.  I know she is smiling on Fillmore and wishing him the very best for a long, happy, quality life… which he will have with his wheels!!

If you would like to help in this effort of helping less fortunate dogs get a wheelchair that need one, please visit the Frankie Wheelchair Memorial Fund  page for more information.

Please leave a comment below and share your positive and continued healing thoughts for Fillmore.

Keep on rolling, Fillmore!  We love you!

**A special thank you to Frankie fan’s who made this possible with so many wonderful and generous donations!!!  We could not have done it without you.

Keep scrolling down for more photos…

Why I Will Continue To Advocate for IVDD and Wheelchair Dogs

Posted by Barbara Techel

I’ve gotten so many emails since Frankie’s passing two weeks ago– all very touching– and the ones I find my heart ooze over with complete joy are the ones of people who I’ve heard from that Frankie and I have been able to help when their dog was diagnosed with IVDD– the ones we gave hope and they saw too, that they could care for their dog with IVDD– that it was not a death sentence.  It is why I will continue to advocate for IVDD and wheelchair dogs and it brings me complete happiness to help others through this.

Here is an email I got today from a woman named Staci sharing with me her story.  I’m so happy we could help give her hope.

Although I do not know exactly what to say in times like these, I felt that I should write you because your stories helped me feel so much better. 2 weeks ago, my Dachshund Clyde ruptured a disk in his spine. His back legs were paralyzed and he could not control his bladder.  I also thought, “Why is this happening to me?” Clyde is 6 years old and I had a feeling it was going to happen at some point in his life, but I just never thought it would be so sudden. It brings me to tears to even think about it.

As they told us about all the possibilities that could happen, the 2 main things I kept thinking about was, 1.) If he was in a wheel chair and could not control his bladder, he would be put to sleep or 2.)  He could be in a wheel chair for the rest of his life and I could not come to grips with that. I felt like my life would never be the same if that happened. When I started to read all of your stories I started to feel very selfish because even though Clyde might have ended up in a wheel chair, I would still have him in my life and that meant more to me than anything. I felt that I should write you as you are going through this rough time to tell you that ya’lls stories and encouraging words helped me understand that just because he might have ended up in a wheel chair, I would still have him and he would still love us no matter what happened. Clearly, this was the case with Frankie as well. Although she has passed, she will live on forever. I just wanted to thank you, with your stories you helped me overcome something very difficult.

I’ll continue to help who I can through those reaching out to me via email or phone with their dogs diagonosed with IVDD.  And I’ll continue to share with them Dodgerslist, a caring and dedicated organization who help educate others about this disease, as well as, share Eddie’s Wheels as one of the best dog wheelchair companies out there.