National Dog Week- Help Us Celebrate Disabled Pets & You Could Win

Posted by Barbara Techel

Don’t you think we should have National Dog Year?  Though happy to have a week devoted to these special critters because they so deserve our love!

I need your help… so please read below… and then at the end see what you could win for helping!

Campaign:

 THERE IS HOPE!

My passion is bringing positive awareness to animals with disabilities, especially dachshunds diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).  There are still so many that are not aware of the hope there is for this breed when diagnosed with IVDD.  So many are told there is no hope and their dog must be put to sleep.  I am here to tell you that a doxie with this diagnoses CAN live a quality life.  Frankie is living proof, along with oodles of others.

 

Sadly many are still being put down. I just learned of another doxie needlessly put to sleep last night because they were told there was no hope.  It broke my heart beyond any words I can say.  Please, during this week of National Dog Week help educate other dachshund owners, vets, vet clinics, etc. that there is HOPE.  Please share with them the resource of Dodgerslist which is a website dedicated to helping educate others on the options available.  You can print out brochures to give to your local vet clinics or to those you know have a doxie.

 

If your doxie is diagnosed with IVDD it is imperative that they have IMMEDIATEcrate rest and get to a vet specializing in IVDD asap.  See Dodgerslist for more Emergency FAQ’s and please pass along.

The cost for surgery may not be an option for many due to various reasons but there is conservative treatment which often times works.  Frankie had the surgery, followed by physical therapy and now in her wheelchair.  She has made leaps and bounds since being fitted for her wheelchair from Eddie’s Wheels four years ago. Her wheelchair has helped maintain her muscle tone and she can spinal walk at times without her wheels- this is huge!!  I shudder to think if I had made the fatal mistake of putting her to sleep.

So what’s in it for you?  How can you help?  It is easy! Just forward this post to any dachshund owner, vet, or vet clinic you know to help educate others that IVDD is not a death sentenceand that there are many options available ( I don’t need proof as I will just trust that you do).  Post it on your Facebook or Twitter about it or if you have a blog post a link back to this information. Or print out the brochure from Dodgerslist  website and give to your vet or doxie owner you may know. Just let me know that you did in the comment section and I will enter your name into a drawing to win:

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Book Series

(Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House, Frankie Activity Workbook)

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog T-shirt

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog pin– EXCLUSIVE!

Dachshund magnet set

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Tote Bag

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Poster

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Stickers

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog book, by Dana Hilton

(thank you to Sparkles for donating your book- you are a great friend!)

Almost Perfect:  Disabled Pets & the People Who Love Them by Mary Shafer

(thank you so much Mary for donating a copy of your beautiful book!)

Donation made in your name to Dodgerslist

$150 value!!  Drawing will be held Sunday, May 9th.

Thank you, during this week of National Dog Week, in helping to save the lives of dachshunds whose lives are often cut short due to a diagnoses of IVDD.

With your help we can make a difference and save their lives. 

Thank you so much for passing this on!

Paralyzed Dachshund Walks Again- Paw Nation

Posted by Barbara Techel

Photo:  Geoff Robinson Photography
What a great story about Henry, the adorable doxie who took part in a study and is starting to walk again.  Woo hoo!

It is so hard for me to hear from someone who tells me their vet has told them the only option is to put their dog to sleep if it can’t walk…. but they did research on their own and discovered they can indeed help their pet.  When they find me and my story, I am so thrilled to share with them that there is HOPE, just like Henry’s story.

While not everyone can take part in such a wonderful study, I do want to let others know that there is always hope for their dogs even if they can’t be a part of the study.  If fitted for a dog wheelchair it is amazing what can happen with that as well.  Frankie is proof.

Though she still needs her wheelchair for longer walks, and to best support her spine, her wheels have kept the muscle tone in her back legs very strong.  When she walks in her wheels you will sometimes see her back legs move.  This is called spinal walk.  This means her brain is not making the connection to the spine, but because of her front legs moving, her back legs will mimic following along.  This has given her the ability to stand for moments at a time when not in her wheelchair, as well as hop like a bunny at times.  I believe her therapy wheelchair is a big reason why she is able to have some mobility now.

What I really want to encourage in others is if you can’t afford or even have in your area a dog rehabilitation center where you can go for physical therapy for your dog, there are still so many options.  I had a vet who specializes in spinal injuries in Dachshunds show me some physical therapy I could do on my own for Frankie.  I also did swim therapy in our bathtub with Frankie.  So where there is a will, there is a way… and there is ALWAYS HOPE.

Smiles Brought to You By Eddie’s Wheels

Posted by Barbara Techel

Pictures speak a thousand words…these smiles below brought to you by the company, Eddie’s Wheels, who made Frankie’s cart.  To all the animals with wheels out in the world… Keep on Rolling!  We think you are the BEST!!!

 

Daisy

 

Grace

 

Grey

 

Otis