germanfest

A Day at Germanfest with Racing Wiener Dogs & Dressed Up Wieners. Oh My!

Posted by Barbara Techel

A very special thank you to Petra Theruich who chairs the Dachshund Derby and Dachshund Costume Contest every year, who gave us complimentary tickets to attend Germanfest this year.  It did my heart good to see all the wiener dogs, and I even got to pet a few.  Another special thank you to Father John who did the pet blessing and said a special blessing for Frankie…. which had me holding back the tears.

It is really hard to get pictures of those racing little wieners as they are awfully fast, but here is one good shot I got below. Along with many other shots of the other’s decked out in costumes.  During this particular race that I got a photo of, at one point the doxie’s were all in one big heap in the middle and one rolled over– it was too funny!  But have no fear, as no wiener’s were hurt in the race–  he rolled over just as fast as he was back on all four’s again and headed to the finish line.

 

 

 

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.