frankie the walk n roll dog

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Interviews Author Barbara Techel (Part 2)

Posted by Barbara Techel

Last week, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog interviewed me, which was quite fun I must say!  She is quite the little journalist.  Her talents continue to amaze me.  🙂  Well, as promised here is the second part to the interview. (Click here if you missed part 1).

 

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Very good question, Frankie!  I think you pay attention when we visit schools and children ask questions, because this is one that I get asked now and then.  Good dog, Frankie. Good dog.

There is so much I like about being an author. It is hard to pick just one thing.  But, one thing I really like is knowing that the stories I have written about you are out in the world, making a difference.  I may not always hear that they are, but I believe and feel in my heart that your story is helping others.

Another thing I like is all the children you and I have met visiting schools and libraries, as well as when we do Skype visits.  I never get tired of telling your story and watching the smiles and curiosity on children’s faces, as well as their endless questions about you, and their accepting and sweet love for you.  We have met some pretty special children, and this makes me feel so very blessed.  I’m so excited for your story about Jackson, a little boy with a form of cerebral palsy, and your special friendship with him that will be coming out this fall in a book from New World Library, Animals and the Kids Who Love Them.  In that story, I grew as a writer and felt so good for it.  You see, my little one, I always felt so different and strange that I never had the urge to want children of my own.  I felt like something was very wrong with me.  But I realized in so many of the children we have met and what we do now sharing your story with them, that this was what God meant for my life.  Jackson is one of those special children that helped me to see that even if I don’t have children of my own, I can still nurture and mentor others.   Being able to share that I felt odd through the story I wrote about you and Jackson for Animals and the Kids Who Love Them and not being afraid to do so, opened me up even more, and helped me see that this was the path I was meant to take… writing your books, and all the visits we have done, and all the children we have met gave me the courage, as an author, to share something that was very personal for me.  But I believe by doing so, it will help others… and that is one of the best things about being an author… helping others see things in a new way, or not feel bad about who they are.

I remember a little boy at Brooklyn Elementary School asking you what you’d rather have, a Frankie that walked or one that did not- can you share with the readers your answer?

That was a powerful moment, wasn’t it, Frankie?  I told him that, of course, I wish you could walk normally on your own again.  But I also told him that I would not trade one moment with you as a dog in a wheelchair, and all that I have learned, and the many, many blessings that have come into my life because of you.  I also told him that someday when you are no longer here (which I pray is many years away!) that I would love another special needs dog.

Moments like those are so special as it reminds me of the power of sharing your story Frankie, and how glad I am that I wrote the books I have about you.  It is my hope that by educating our younger generation that more animals with special needs will be given a chance.

I know you think I am pretty special (flashing my fawn like eyes as I say that)… But what do you want most for people to know about special needs pets?

I think what I want them most to know is that they really are not any different than other animals.  Yes, they may require different or special care, but all they want is to love and be loved.  Just like humans do.  Too often I think others take pity on animals with disabilities and it’s not that they perhaps think they are “less than” it’s just that some perceive this as imperfect or sad.  But nothing in this world is perfect.

I still recall vividly two months after your diagnoses and the fact your back legs showed no signs of improvement and how the reality set in that it was likely you would not walk on your own again- I began to feel sorry for you and me.  But I realized one day that this was not going to solve anything, but only make things worse and harder to bear.  I could feel sorry for you the rest of your life, but how would that have helped either of us thrive?  We have to find the good in each situation and work with that- because there is no perfect, no matter what your situation.

I think in our efforts to be perfect, and to have perfect pets and perfect children we miss out on the real value of life and all it has to teach us.

Each morning when I get out your doggie stroller and we go for our walk, I find myself so in love with watching you see the world… you don’t care that you can’t physically do it yourself- you are still being you- being a dog- watching every bird, squirrel, butterfly, and bunny with intent, and curiosity.  Your ears fly in the wind, your nose lifts to the sky, and your eyes close half way as you soak in all the sweetness of a new day.  You may have “special needs” but it is not what I see when I observe you in moments like this… what I see is that animals really do get what life is about, and the more I see of it, the more I want of it too…. And how I would have likely missed out on all this, if it were not for you, Frankie, my little love dog on wheels.

 

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Interviews Author Barbara Techel (Part 1)

Posted by Barbara Techel

This is part one of Frankie’s interview with me, author Barbara Techel.  Stay tuned for part two Thursday. June 1st.  You never know what this little dog on tires will say or ask, so tune in again next week!


So I just have to ask the most important question right away.  What is it that you love about me?

Oh Frankie!  As always, you are the little stinker, aren’t you?  I love everything about you!  You are such a special little dog with a very big heart.  I love that you have taught me to expand on my compassion by teaching me what a blessing special needs pets are.  I never thought about pets with disabilities until you were diagnosed with IVDD—now I can’t imagine my life without a pet with special needs.

I also love how you are so loyal to me, how you would snuggle on my lap all day if I let you, and how you intently stare at me each morning with your little brown mouse eyes and don’t give up until I finally stir and wake up. You are relentless!!… but I still love you.

Most of all I love all the feelings of joy and love you have put in my heart… I truly believe I am a better human being because of you.

Aww shucks, Mom… if I could blush, I would.  Ok, so about those books your wrote about me, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog book series- why did you write them?

Well you see little Frankie, though I don’t want you to feel bad about this,  I almost made a very, very bad mistake and put you to sleep when you were diagnosed with IVDD and were only given a 10-30% chance of walking even with surgery. I just couldn’t imagine that you would have a quality life if you couldn’t use your hind legs.

Thank goodness I didn’t do that because of the help from your grandma, your papa, and the vets assuring me all would be ok, I did the right thing for you.  And wow, you took over from there and watching you move forward despite all you had been through, made me realize I could help other dachshunds and pet parents see that IVDD is a manageable disease.  So many people don’t know the options available.

I also was so surprised when I took you out in public for the first time and how children loved seeing you in your wheels and were asking all kinds of questions about you.

I then got this really awesome feeling in my heart after all we had been through and knew, just knew, that even though I had never written a children’s book that this is what I was meant to do!  You gave me the courage, little Frankie, to write your story and to not be afraid, but to just go for it… and follow my heart.

Wow, Mom, I did all that for you?  ARF-A-ROO!  So what is one of the biggest lessons you have learned from me?

I have learned so much from you, sweet Frankie.  The one lesson that is in my mind today is one I shall share for this interview.

I used to worry so much about what others thought about me.  I was so insecure.  I always had to make sure I looked my best when going out, and would constantly worry if I was skinny enough or pretty enough.  Oh, how I wish I could take back all that worrying!  When I look back now, it seems such a waste of time.

When I had to make the decision to have you custom-fitted for a dog wheelchair, it was not something I immediately accepted.  You see, I really wanted you to walk on your own again.  I was also worried what others would think of me if I had a dog in a wheelchair, as if that was a bad thing.  But I realized by getting you a dog wheelchair that you could run and play and do all the dog things you could before, so I knew then the wheelchair was the right thing for you. But I still had to get over my fear that others would think it mean or strange that I had a dog with wheels.

I so wish I had never thought that way, but now I know better.  When your wheelchair arrived and you tried it out for the first time, I was elated!  Watching you get around in your wheels, it occurred to me that you had no concern for how you looked, but only that you had your freedom again. It was as if you didn’t even realize you had wheels now for back legs.

I knew then by observing you being who you always were that I had a choice, too.  I could worry what others thought about me, or I could do something positive and educate others that dogs with wheelchairs can live quality lives, and that there is nothing wrong with a dog having a wheelchair.  You taught me to hold my head high no matter what… and ultimately t that spilled over into many other areas of my life.

Now I don’t worry so much anymore.  Ok, so once an a while I do, but that is because I am human and believe me, there are days I truly wish I was a dog like you living with loving, caring parents like you have.  You got it made little one!  But all kidding aside, I have come so far in being me and liking me.  It is such a good place to be… and all because of you, Frankie…. You taught me that.

 

Disabled Dachshund Becomes First Ever Cyber Therapy Dog with Companions for the Soul

Posted by Barbara Techel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Award-winning Author Barbara Techel and her paralyzed therapy dog, Frankie, have been chosen as the first ever cyber therapy dog team. They will appear via Skype to share their inspiring story of learning to see challenges in a positive way and encourage volunteerism despite obstacles we may face.

ELKHART LAKE, WI — Barbara Techel and her 11-year old wheelchair-bound dachshund will share their inspiring and uplifting story about how Frankie suffered a spinal injury, was custom-fitted for a wheelchair, persevered, and became a volunteer therapy dog through Barbara’s award-winning book series, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog.

They will be appearing via Skype in conjunction with Companions for the Soul(CFTS)who is hosting this first time event on May 31st, 2011.  Barbara and Frankie will be sharing their story with Woodside Elementary School and their K-2 Literacy program. CFTS is a non-profit therapy dog organization based in California and is hosting this first time ever event. CFTS’s programs are targeted at enriching the lives of the handicapped, autistic and special needs children. When executive director, Ginger Mozzetti, discovered Frankie and Barbara through their website, and the work they are doing, she contacted Barbara to ask if Frankie would be their first ever cyber therapy dog and partner with CFTS.

Barbara will share Frankie’s story, a selected reading, and answer questions. And most importantly, Frankie will be there to promote both her books, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog and Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House to bring the children smiles and joy by being in her presence, as well as encourage the students to read and see their challenges in a positive way.

We all face challenges in life, but when we choose to be positive despite obstacles, we find that our challenges can often time lead to some of our most pivotal learning opportunities.  Frankie taught her owner, Barbara just that, and now Barbara finds great joy in helping others benefit from Frankie’s amazing attitude and valuable life lessons.

 

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog book series is a true collection told from Frankie’s viewpoint. The first book tells how Frankie overcame adversity and lives every day to the fullest despite her disability, while the second book in the series, tells how Frankie became a registered therapy dog and gives personal accounts of her visits to the residents of Libby’s House, a senior assisted facility where many residents have Alzheimer’s or dementia.

To learn about Barbara and Frankie visit http://www.joyfulpaws.com and to learn more about CFTS visit http://www.companionsforthesoul.org.