handicapped dogs

The Boy Who Wanted a Crippled Puppy -Author Unknown

Posted by Barbara Techel
A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read “Puppies for Sale.” Signs like that have a way of attracting small children, and sure enough a little boy appeared under the store owner’s sign. “How much are you going to sell the puppies for?” the little boy asked. The store owner replied, “Anywhere from $30 to $50.” The little boy
said. “May I please look at them?” The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur.
One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, “What’s wrong with that little dog?” The store owner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy and had discovered that it didn’t have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame. The little boy became excited. “That is the puppy I want to buy.” The store owner said, “No, you don’t want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I’ll just give him to you.”The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner’s eyes, pointing his finger, and said, “I don’t want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I’ll pay full price. In fact, I’ll give you $2.37 now and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for.”

The store owner countered, “You really don’t want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies.” To his surprise, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, “Well, I don’t run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands.”

-Author Unknown

Can Paralyzed Dogs Live a Quality Life? Not Everyone Agrees.

Posted by Barbara Techel

This past weekend I ran into an acquaintance I had not seen in quite some time. Conversation was typical of questions such as, “What do you do now,” etc.  At one point John, standing beside me, brought up the fact we adopted a new little special needs dog. I proceeded to tell the acquaintance where we adopted Joie from, etc. and the conversation led to the fact that Joie is paralyzed with the same disc disease like Frankie had.  As the conversation continued there came a point where she said, “I wouldn’t think that is a quality of life for a dog.”  Though I don’t come across someone saying this too often, it is never easy to hear. I felt my defenses rise up.

I remained calm and said, “Oh, I wish you could come spend a day with her to see how happy she is.” She then asked how she goes to the bathroom and I explained that I express Joie’s bladder for her. The woman’s face appeared quite perplexed as she said, “That is just weird.” Again it went back to quality of life. This lady did know of Frankie so I said, “Did you think Frankie had a poor quality of life?” She said, “Well I didn’t know her.”

While yes, I took this very personally and it hurt me, I’m also trying to understand how others view a paralyzed dog and I try hard not to put judgement on it, just as I feel I don’t want how I feel about it to be judged. But I have to be honest and say it cut deep for me. While I realize I can’t help others always understand, I have come to believe I am once again being called to stand strong in my belief’s.

When we got home, I sat with Joie on the sofa and the tears flowed as I looked at her sweet face lying beside me. Yes, I wondered, how could others think she does not have a quality of life?  And yes, it feels very personal. It made me think of families with special needs children who may have similar challenges as Joie. We would never, ever say that to a parent of a child that it is “just weird,” would we?  While Joie is a dog, and not a human, she is a living, breathing being. She is part of our family. We love her deeply and caring for her is what fills my soul.

As I work through the hurt of this situation, I feel like I am being called to be stronger in my convictions and to not freeze up inside when I face questions such as these. It could very well be that this person truly didn’t understand and couldn’t grasp that Joie, and dogs like her, can and do live happy lives. I am reminded to stand in integrity and grace for what I know is right in my heart for me. I know Joie is happy, as well as so many more like her out in the world. I’ve also been so blessed to have experienced the love and blessing of  Frankie, and now Joie.  It has opened me up and I’ll never be the same because of them. And though my heart still feels pangs of hurt, I feel the light of God and his creations, such as Joie, flood me with an amazing amount of love.

Enter Your Dog in Our Photo Contest- To Celebrate & Support National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day September 22, 2012

Posted by Barbara Techel

National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day, founded by yours truly will celebrate it’s first year this Saturday, September 22!  I created this day to continue to bring a positive face to all dogs in wheelchairs and to help educate others that they can live long, quality lives with their wheels.  I also want to continue to help educate others that Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)- like Frankie had- is not a death sentence.  Frankie zoomed around in her wheels for six years, never really realizing her back end was wheels- she just knew that she could be a dog again and that was all that mattered.

I’d love for you to join in the celebration!  Have a dog?  Got a camera?  Well, great then all you have to do is print out one of the signs below and have your dog pose with it.  If you have a dog in a wheelchair than print out the first one.  If you and your dog support all the furry wheelie dogs out there, then print out the second sign (save the image to your computer by right clicking and save image as- then find image on your computer and print out as 8.5 x 11).  Check out all the dogs who have already entered the contest on our Facebook page.  I’ll bet you’ll saw awwwww at least once!!   If you don’t have a dog, we’d love your support by simply stopping by the Facebook page and “liking” it.  To see the prizes we are giving away visit the photo contest detail page on our website.