frankie the walk n roll dog

A Garden Close to My Heart Celebrates Ten Years. Hint: Frankie Lives on Here.

Posted by Barbara Techel

I remember how nervous I was sending a copy of my children’s book, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog, to the founder, Sandy, asking if there was a possibility Frankie’s book could be included in Bookworm Gardens as it was just getting off the ground of being built.

I remember how I was overjoyed when she said that of course, she wanted to include Frankie.

I remember watching as John took great pride in building this dog house to represent Frankie and her book.

I remember how joyously overwhelmed I felt in gratitude to my mom and her husband and a special foundation that funded the effort for Frankie to have a spot in the gardens.

I still remember like it was yesterday as I watched John and a friend wheel Frankie’s house down a path paved in brick to a permanent spot in this children’s garden in Sheboygan, Wisconsin called Bookwork Gardens.

This spring Bookworm Gardens will celebrate their tenth year. It was two years after the installation of Frankie’s special place in the garden that she would pass away.

I remember it was a month later that I mustered up the courage to go visit her in the gardens and my mom went with me. I’d never hold that sweet girl in my arms again. I was overwhelmed with emotion when I saw the replica of her again since she’d been gone.

It was mixed with sadness, the uncertainty of what the next leg of my journey would be without her, and a deep sense of honor that she lives on in the garden. And the ache of grief was still acute at that point and I wondered how I’d go on without her.

Now learning it has been ten years since Bookworm Gardens came to be, I’m marveling at how far I have come.

It was Frankie who instilled in me a confidence I didn’t have before she came into my life and then became paralyzed. She brought me out of my introverted shell as we visited over 400 schools and libraries sharing her story and becoming a therapy dog team logging a combined 250 visits to a senior assisted facility, a local hospice, and a local hospital.

My world and my perspective on life expanded beyond anything I could have imagined because of the journey I took with this very special wheelie dog.

And I’m reminded all over again as I move through a myriad of memories that I feel so honored to permanently have this as part of my heart.

If you are in the Sheboygan, WI area or planning a visit here is the 2020 schedule of events for this special garden, which by the way, is free of charge to visit.

And if you go, please give Frankie a squeeze for me.  😉

xo,

Barbara

A Celebration of Spirit Dog in Spirit

Posted by Barbara Techel
A Celebration of Spirit Dog in Spirit
FRANKIE

I love the statement, ‘finding a soft spot to land.’

I’ve used it a few times in my writing. It’s those difficult times you come through that you never thought you could, but you look back and see that you have. And it’s this peace in your heart that ever-so-gently is like a soft flutter that glides down from the divine,  coating your heart with pure, sweet love – like a fluffy pillow that your soul now rests in a new knowing.

Today Frankie is seventeen years old. Though she left her physical body at almost thirteen. I really have no idea that when she was alive why I wanted her to live to be seventeen. That shall remain a mystery and that’s okay. Because in spirit she is eternal and age becomes insignificant.

But I pause with extra fondness today at the mysterious significance of seventeen, and in deep gratitude for having had her in my life. It changed my life forever. And while she feels farther away than when she passed over five years ago, I now have this knowing that she is here when I need her, and all I have to do is be in stillness to connect with her. This amazing gift she helped me to see that even in spirit our loved ones are here for us if we ask.

Without a doubt I believe Frankie being in my life was to help me to grow and evolve. For many years after her passing I was afraid to do that. I held on tightly to what was, and what I believed was my sole purpose of being here. But to not have taken steps to continue to move forward would have meant her teachings would have been lost and in vane.

I know she wants me to continue to thrive and expand. This has meant letting go of some things this summer that were bittersweet, but that I felt in my heart needed to be put to rest. Not easy as I had some fear of judgement of what others may think or say. But I reflect on one of Frankie’s many lessons, which was to stand tall and be proud of who I am. And so I am…and this will be my life long tribute to her in that I continue to accept myself for who I am.

And I know that in the vast cosmos of spirit she wags her tail and barks,  “Way to go and keep following your heart!” 

Frankie…my forever heart and spirit dog…I’ll celebrate you always.

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.

The Final Sacred Step. But Not the Final Goodbye.

Posted by Barbara Techel

The Final Sacred Step. But Not the Final Goodbye.

I didn’t start out to be with you, sitting alone on the beach starring out onto the ocean. But then out of the corner of my eye, I saw you rolling toward me, your ears blowing in the wind.

I was so happy to see you and scooped you up and gently placed you in my lap. We sat silently letting the water lull us dreamily into another realm as the waves lapped softly onto my feet and my wide-brimmed straw hat shaded your sweet face.

The feel of your silky fur against my arms and your heart beating with mine moved me to tears as they slid slowly down my cheeks.

It’s okay, she said. 

Knowing she understood my deepest thoughts and emotions I knew we were connecting in this most magical moment.

Those ashes in the box lovingly resting on the shelf are not me, she said. They are only what is left of what my physical body was.

Who I really am is alive and well in spirit.

You aren’t letting go, but rather releasing me fully back to where it is I came from.

You are helping me to fully integrate back into home.

And that home is with the stars and universe, safely and lovingly residing with our creator.

A place you can join me at anytime in your thoughts or heart until we meet again on the other side.

But you see, I’ve been preparing you for this day.

I’ve watched you grow stronger with each passing year.

And you now understand that I never left you. We have always been connected in heart.

Letting go of what is left of the physical of my ashes will not change that, but only deepen what is true.

In the inmost part of my being I understood everything she was conveying to me. And I was okay.

And I’m ready more than ever for this final sacred step.

To release, fully in trust and faith, and a knowing in my heart that this is the right thing to do.

Let’s walk, she said.

So along the shore I walked with her sweet, wise self rolling beside me.

There were no more words or thoughts to be exchanged. We just simply were.

We had come to an understanding and my heart full circle of healing.

And just as she had come to me, I stood as she rolled once again down the sandy shore on her own and then faded back into the light from which she came.

I stood for a moment in deep gratitude and then turned to walk back down the beach. While once again alone with my thoughts, I now rest more peacefully in a new space of knowing that I am truly never alone.

For all the magical, loving, blessed moments I had with my dear sweet, Frankie, will always be a part of me. 

—

Tomorrow, June 21st marks the 5-year anniversary of my “walk ‘n roll dog,” Frankie’s passing. What I shared above is what came to me in a mediation as I get ready to scatter Frankie’s ashes around my writing cottage tomorrow morning. This idea that came to me earlier this year – but really a knowing I have deep in my soul that this is right and the timing is perfect.

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.