Special Needs Pet Feature: Squeaky

Posted by Barbara Techel


Note:  Be sure to read all the way to end and then listen to a special audio recording. Squeaky’s mom, Sussie wrote to me about Squeaky’s first time in wheels and it was so cute I asked if I could record and share with you, my readers.

What is your pet’s name?

Squeaky. Actually his name is Colt. But he gets these high pitched squeaky whines when he wants something. I started out saying to him “Thats my squeaky boy” but he seemed to like being called Squeaky. The only time I call him Colt is when he is in trouble. Kinda like when your mother called you by your full name. Oh boy…you knew you were in for it. LOL

How old is your pet?

5

Where did you get your pet?

He was a rescue. He was going to be put down.

What is your pet’s physical challenge?

He is down in the back and it is inoperable (IVDD). Very powerful from the mid section forward though. Since I got him, he has regained a tiny bit of movement in the back. But not enough to stand.

What is your pet’s favorite thing to do?

Chew on rawhide bones. Bark. Be held. Explore. Sleep.

What is your pet’s favorite thing to eat? u

um…what doesn’t he like to eat. LOL

What do you love most about your pet?

His attitude. He has never been bothered by the fact that he can’t walk. He’s always happy.

What has your pet most taught you?

Don’t worry…be happy.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Thank you to Eddie’s Wheels for making a perfectly custom made cart. It fits him like a glove! Because of them, Squeaky has wings to fly.

Listen to audio of Squeaky trying out his wheels for the first time!!

Squeaky got his wheels audio

 ***If you care for a special needs pet and would like your pet featured, please email me through my website contact. Send a photo and I will forward the questionnaire for your pet to be featured in an upcoming post.***

For help with your IVDD dog please visit an organization called Dodgerslist that is dedicated to saving lives of IVDD dogs.

My life changed for the better and my heart grew ten times it size when my dog, Frankie ruptured a disk and ended up in a doggie wheelchair.  That may sound odd, but it lead me to a calling that has brought me so much joy.

I love being an advocate for pets with special neeeds educating others that disabled pets are just as lovable as any other pet. I also feel so blessed to help kids of all ages see their challenges in a positive way through Frankie’s example. Frankie is an incredbile gift not only in my life, but she has helped thousands of children through the book series about her, as well as the visits we do to schools in WI and schools across the US and Canada via Skype.

Sharing other pets with special needs expands on the message that all animals deserve a chance. Sharing these pets helps to spread a positive message and every time I meet a new special needs pet I feel my heart grow even bigger.  I hope it does the same for you and you pass on the love.

Learn more about Barbara and her love of special needs pets

Learn more about Barbara’s special needs pet, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog

Special Needs Pet Feature: Charlie

Posted by Barbara Techel

How old is your pet?

5

Where did you get your pet?

I lost my 10-year old long hair dachshund, Panama, to cancer in November 2005. My father bought Charlie for me in Mississippi in Jan. 2006 to help me get over the loss of Panama.

What is your pets physical challenge?

Charlie suffered three ruptured discs in his back the summer of 2010. He never regained use of his hind legs after back surgery. We did physcial therapy and he saw a doggie chiropractor for 3 months after surgery. We got him a custom wheelchair from Eddie’s Wheels. He can now go outside and enjoy life!

What is your pets favorite thing to eat?

When Charlie was in the animal hospital for 10-days he got spoiled to can food. I now have to mix canned food with is dry food or he will not eat. He also loves when we do take out from Outback! On my days off work I make him a scrambled egg with cheese. As most doxies, he loves to eat!

What do you love about your pet?

I love Charlie’s spirited soul! He has never let his physcial challenges keep him down. He is happy and loves life. Ove the holidays we visited relatives in Mississippi. My aunt and uncle have both recently battled cancer. My Uncle Wallace says that Charlie is an inspiration to him. That if Charlie can handle what he has been dealt with such spirit and love for life, he can also deal with his health issues.

What has your pet most taught you?

Charlie has taught me patience. After his accident, I did not know if I was up to the challenge of taking care of a disabled pet. I knew I had to learn, as putting him down was never an option for me. It has been a major life change, but so worth every minute.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Just that if you are ever faced with making a decision for a disabled pet, do your research first. There is so much information on the Internet to help pet owners learn how to take care of these pets. Dodgerslist was so helpful for me.

Thank you, Charlie’s Mom for sharing Charlie with us.  Wow, I could relate to everything you said!

***If you care for a special needs pet and would like your pet featured, please email me through my website contact. Send a photo and I will forward the questionnaire for your pet to be featured in an upcoming post.***

Dog Wheelchairs can Lead to “Spinal Walking” in IVDD Dogs

Posted by Barbara Techel

When Frankie was diagnosed with IVDD in 2006, in my mind at the time, the only option was for her to walk on her own again without a wheelchair. It was my plan B and I didn't want to have to do it.  Not because I didn't want to help her, but because I couldn't bear to think she would not walk on her own again.

I'm so glad I realized the benefit of a wheelchair and found Eddie's Wheels to have her custom fitted for one because over the years her "walking" has improved. She may not walk like a regular dog and still needs the help of her wheelchair for standing and longer walks or playing in the yard, but she has a happy, quality life… and that was the goal.

I'm a strong believer in Eddie's Wheels for the fact that they support the long length of a dachshund's spine and because of the custom fit so their backs have the best chance at healing.

Frankie does not "spinal walk" but rather "spinal hops."  The times she does do this is always around feeding time.  She LOVES to eat!  Otherwise she pulls herself along on our hardwood floor when not in her wheelchair.

But for anyone trying to make a decsion about a wheelchair, I'd encouarge you to call or email Eddie's Wheels and talk with them.  They are so helpful and caring and will do all they can to put your mind at ease and help make the life of your disabled pet a happy one.

So check out their video on Clark, a dachshund with a wheelchair, who started to show movement in his legs after using his Eddie's Wheels wheelchair.

 

And as you can see, Clark does not even notice his wheels with his nose busy in the ground doing what dachshunds love to do best!

Read more about Eddie's Wheels and how they are helping IVDD dogs "spinal walk" as well as, in some cases, fully walk on their own again.

Why Frankie and I recommend Eddie's Wheels: