Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Memorial Wheelchair Fund

Posted by Barbara Techel

First, and foremost I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for the outpouring of love and support during this very difficult time.  I’m just overwhelmed. But please know it is truly helping me and my husband John, as we learn to move forward without our little wheelie dog, Frankie. I would like to be able to respond personally t o all of your posts on Facebook and Twitter, and my blog, as well as the hundreds of emails I’ve gotten, but I fear I may not be able to.  But PLEASE know how very GRATEFUL and THANKFUL we are.

Many of you have asked how you can help in regards to the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day Wheelchair Fund I am working on in memory of Frankie.  So I’ve set up a special chipin page for now where you can directly donate money…. You can go there now or for more details on the chipin, see below.

Also, I will donate a portion of book sales of Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog and Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House to the Frankie Endowment Fund made between now and July 30th for any purchase of the books whether through my website or through Amazon.

Details for ChipIn Fund established for the Frankie Endowment Fund as part of Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day being created in memory of Frankie:

A special day, called Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day is being created in memory of Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog. This day will be celebrated yearly, as well as on going, celebrating not only the  legacy of Frankie, but all wheelchair dogs around the world who show us that we can all do anything we set our minds to despite obstacles. The special date is still being finalized.

The Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day will be set up with an endowment fund that will carry on the work of Frankie. For now it is set up as this Chipin Fund to get the ball rolling and will later transfer to the special webpage on Facebook that will be dedicated to Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day.

So often pet parents can’t afford to purchase a wheelchair to help their beloved pet, so these funds will help that, as well as help special needs dogs in rescue find a new home by coming with a wheelchair so that expense is not a burden to the new family adopting. By being able to provide wheelchairs for pets that could not otherwise have them, they can go on to live full, happy lives.

If you’d like to contribute to this fund in memory of Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog, the money will be donated to Eddie’s Wheels for their Buddy Wheelchair Fund with a special subcategory that is set up called, “The Frankie Wheelchair Fund.”

In Frankie’s legacy I will continue to bring positive awareness to dogs in wheelchairs–that these dogs can, and do, live quality lives if given a chance.

If you’d prefer to donate directly to Eddie’s Wheels, you can send doantion along with a note stated it is for the Frankie Wheelchair Fund, and send to:  Eddie’s Wheels, 140 State Street, Shelburne Falls, MA  01370

Again, on behalf of my husband, John and myself …. THANK YOU for the outpouring of love and comfort you are bringing to us during this difficult time.  Frankie is smiling upon us all.

Update:  8/2/2012:  A special day has been created in memory of Frankie and in honor of all wheelchair dogs.  You can visit National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day website or like us on Facebook and help spread the word!

 

 

Learning Not To Judge- Turn it upside Down

Posted by Barbara Techel



Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog wins 1st place in Dachshund Costume contest in 2008 at

GermanFest in Milwaukee, WI

As I perused Facebook this morning, I came across this photo above of Frankie on Everyone Loves a Dachshund Facebook page. I was so grateful for the fact that they shared the photo uninitiated by me, but also because it helps spread our positive message.  And here it is almost 4 years later and it has resurfaced.

As I read the comments (to date over 63- as well as this photo has been liked so far by over 450 people and shared over 130 times) there were about four negative comments… mostly that it was mean or cruel. My first reaction was to judge– “How could they say that,” I wondered? They don’t know me and don’t understand what a wonderful life Frankie leads. I had a lot of emotions bubble to the surface. All the good and positive comments were washed away because my heart hurt reading the negative ones. But then I caught myself.

I realized in that moment that I was being given another opportunity. An opportunity to educate those that may not understand. Those that don’t know how deeply I love this little dog– how I’ve poured my heart and soul into wanting to save other dogs being put to sleep through Frankie’s example– how I’ve worked tirelessly to encourage children to see their challenges as positive like Frankie does.

They didn’t know any better, I thought. They had no idea what this photo was all about. I could help them understand. So I set aside my hurt and judgment and shared my thoughts about the photo– as well as took the opportunity to educate about Intervertebral Disc Disease and dog wheelchairs.

They also say no press is bad press. I realized I was judging, caught myself, and said, “Frankie taught me not to judge.” Am I 100% good at this? No, I slip up now and then, but I will say I am much more aware and I try hard to be a better person.

So no press is bad press, so I took the opportunity to share that not only has Frankie taught me not to judge, but she has taught me many lessons which I’ll be sharing in my upcoming new book, Through Frankie’s Eyes: One Woman’s Journey to Her Authentic Self and the Dog on Wheels Who Led the Way. I invited them to check out my website and sign up for updates on when the book will be released.

So what began as what I initially thought as a bad thing– judging– being hurt– turn it upside down, and it became a beautiful opportunity in so many ways. Thank you Everyone Loves A Dachshund for this most unexpected, but welcome opportunity.