handicapped pets

The Perfect Ending to a Deeply Personal Day

Posted by Barbara Techel
The Perfect Ending to a Deeply Personal Day
Visiting Frankie’s statue at Bookworm Gardens

It was the perfect ending to  such a sacred, deeply moving, magical day as I laid Frankie’s ashes to rest on the 5th anniversary of her passing yesterday morning. On Tuesday I wrote about how I came to this decision for this special day, and yesterday I shared how I followed my heart and how the timing of how this private ceremony would unfold. 

It became obvious to me as the last two days have unfolded that I have touched what my friend Diane said, as the collective heart. There was a small part of me that hesitated in sharing such a deeply personal experience because a part of me felt vulnerable. But now I have nothing but gratitude for doing so.

So many of you here, and on my Facebook page, shared so many beautiful thoughts and love that it truly only enriched this special moment in time for me. Also hearing from many of you sharing that I’ve helped you by being open with my heart about this experience, well, that means so much…and I know Frankie is so proud of that.

There are moments in life when you look back and you are able to really see the synchronicity and perfect timing of things – how life just flowed – and you were being guided by something bigger than you.

Such is the case the last two days – and really even before this. Last week I had gone to a second hand store wanting a new (or rather, I should say, pre-loved) casual dress or two. And it wouldn’t hit me as how perfect it was the one I found when my friend, Jessica sent me the pictures she took of me yesterday afternoon with Frankie’s statue at Bookworm Gardens.

I wasn’t even sure I was going to go to Bookworm Gardens on the anniversary of Frankie’s passing, but after scattering her ashes I knew I wanted to. And it just so happened I was having lunch with a lovely young lady, Jessica, who is my neighbor, and just graduated from college and will be getting married later this summer.  

The serendipity of us having lunch together near Bookworm Gardens, never really knowing each other too well all these years we’ve been neighbors… well, that is a whole other story I’ll write about some other time. But I have no doubt that God meant for her and I to be together yesterday, and for her to be the one taking pictures of me with Frankie’s statue.

While my love for Frankie and what we shared so deeply between us is something that will be with me always, being at the children’s garden yesterday, seeing her statue there, knowing her message lives on – touching new lives each and everyday – well, now I’m at a loss for words. 

The only word I can find is GRATEFUL and grateful I’ll always be.

It was the perfect ending to a day filled with such love and peace that I will carry in my heart forever. And thank you again to each of you for being a part of our journey.

When we share something from the true depth of our souls….and touch that collective heart…I truly believe we all heal.

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.

Lily Rolls for Just a Few Short Days in a Wheelchair Granted by the Frankie Wheelchair Fund

Posted by Barbara Techel
Lily Rolls for Just a Few Short Days in a Wheelchair Granted by the Frankie Wheelchair Fund
LILY

Lily found her way to someone with a huge heart willing to go the distance and help her with her paralysis after her previous owners were unable to care for her.

Sydnie was Lily’s angel. She contacted me in October stating she needed help with a wheelchair for Lily asking if The Frankie Wheelchair Fund could help. I was more than happy to do just that and provide the funds for a wheelchair to be custom built by Eddie’s Wheels for Pets.

Sydnie worked hard with Lily improving her condition, but a wheelchair was still needed to provide quality of life for Lily. The wheelchair arrived in early November and while Lily’s story had a great beginning, I’m sad to report that she was diagnosed with Lymphona a few short days after she was up and rolling in her wheelchair.

Sydnie contacted me letting me know that Lily was in a lot of pain and the most humane thing to do was help her cross over, which she did, even though her heart was shattered. She also felt so bad for not being able to do more for Lily and felt in someway she had let her down.

Having been through this with Joie, I completely understood, and assured Sydnie that I truly believe that Lily knew how fortunate she was to have had a wonderful life with Sydnie the last few months. And now Lily is Syndnie’s angel.

And…. Lily’s wheelchair will help another disabled dog in need. As part of the Frankie Wheelchair Fund I ask that recipients of a wheelchair from the fund, return the wheelchair to Eddie’s Wheels when it is no longer needed. So the gift goes on…

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If you are looking to donate this holiday season to a great cause, I’d be delighted if you considered The Frankie Wheelchair Fund, which helps disabled dogs in need of a wheelchair. To date, with the generous donations of others, I’ve been able to help over sixty dogs with the gift of mobility.  Donations can be made online here. Thanks for your consideration!

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.

A Book for Every Dachshund Owner Terrified of Disc Disease. Plus Enter for Chance to Win A Copy!

Posted by Barbara Techel

A Book for Every Dachshund Owner Terrified of Disc Disease. Plus Enter for Chance to Win A Copy!

I can’t say enough good about this book written by Kristin Leydig Bryant and Adam Christman, DVM.  Everyone owned by a dear little dachshund truly needs to have a copy of this book!  Education, as I’ve always said here on my blog when talking about Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), common in doxie’s, is what will save the life of your dog should this happen to him/her.

As many of you know, I’ve been  down this road. With my first doxie, Frankie, who was inflicted and became paralyzed in 2006, and that first time around – whew – it was downright scary. I didn’t have a clue about this disease – this book would have helped big time.  Though I do want to plug that I will and continue to be grateful for Dodgerslist – an organization dedicated to helping educate others about this disease also. Since Frankie, I’ve cared for two doxie’s with IVDD – first Joie and now Gidget.

While there is no cure for IVDD, there is help and hope!  Run right out and get yourself a copy of this book – it will be your IVDD bible should you be faced with this and you’ll be able to make an educated decision should this happen to your beloved doxie.

I love the fact that veterinarian Adam Christman is on board with this book sharing his story and advice – bravo! The book is filled with so much practical and helpful advice, like having a doc and those who have been through this before right beside you holding your hand should you need them. And what I loved best is the sense of humor presented throughout the book. Those of us who have been down this road know that a sense of humor is key!

I’m thrilled and honored to have provided an endorsement:

Every dachshund should come with this book attached to the collar! While we all hope our dog is never diagnosed with IVDD, education is key. Kristin Leydig Bryant and Dr. Adam Christman have done a valuable service in putting together this detailed book on how to live with, and care for, a dog with IVDD; how to be prepared ahead of time should this happen to your pup; and how a dog with IVDD can thrive! The added touch of humor in this book, I can personally attest, is the medicine that got me through when my dachshund became paralyzed. The best thing you’ll get from this book? Hope! There is always hope!  ~Barbara Techel

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COPY

Kristin and Dr. Adam have generously offered to give a copy of the book away to one of my blog readers!  Even if you have a copy already, do enter as it would make a great gift for a friend with a dachshund or give a copy to your favorite vet.  All you have to do is say YES or leave a comment is comment section below.

Open to US residents only. Enter by midnight cst, Friday, Oct. 21st. Winner will be notified on Oct. 22nd.

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Follow updates and information on IVDD on Kristin and Adam’s Facebook page here.

Order your copy of Honey, Have You Squeezed the Dachshund here.

***And one special note:  Not just for Dachshund owners, but for anyone with a long-backed dog such as corgis and basset hounds too – as they can be prone to this disease too.

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.