human animal bond

Dachshunds Are Smart…When They Want to Be.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Dachshunds Are Smart...When They Want to Be.

Normally, Miss Gidget hangs out sleeping on the over-sized wicker chair in my writing cottage while I work every day.

Somehow, over the last year she has taken to not liking her bed on the floor and only wants to curl up on the chair. Smart dachshund.

Now with spring here, the warm sun streams in through the east window in the mornings. The chair is no longer suitable for the “queen” and she crawls over to the sun spot on the ottoman in front of the chair. Smart dachshund.

Those wiener dogs, my husband John says, are smart when they wanna be. I’m thinking she is way smarter than we give her credit for. Somehow she has trained me quite well going from the bed on the floor to the cozy chair.

Sneaky little dachshunds.

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Reflecting on Lessons Learned and Sweet Spots of Love with Dogs

Posted by Barbara Techel
Reflecting on Lessons Learned and Sweet Spots of Love with Dogs
Gidget ready for belly rubs

My favorite time of the day is one-on-one time with Miss Gidget which happens most days shortly after she eats dinner at 4pm.

Yesterday as she lay on her back on the sofa and I gave her belly rubs, as often happens, I felt a huge wave of love wash over my heart.

It’s one of the best feelings in the world.

And I thought about how rough the road was when I first got her two and a half years ago trying to understand some misinformation I was given that she was in need of a pacemaker.

After a visit to the UW of Madison Vet teaching school and an expensive bill I was relieved to find out her heart was perfectly fine.

And just when life seemed to settle into place her seizures began. That was definitely a test of my will and understanding. I honestly thought I’d lose it during that year of trying to figure out why she was having them, and how to best help her.

We are approaching 150 days of no seizures and play time yesterday with her had me thinking about what is sometimes called the “sweet spot” in life.  Those stretches of time when life feels incredibly good and you hope it will last forever.

While dogs don’t typically know when they are seizing, and it is harder on the people in their lives, I certainly hope she never has another one.

But as hard as it was, I learned a lot from the experience. It was a time of standing more into the truth of things that I believe in regarding holistic care and speaking up for what I felt was best for her.

It was also a time that I believe Gidget was a reflection for me. She had me looking at a part of my soul that I’d been trying to push away for a very long time.

The sweet moments with Gidget have me reflecting on how precious these times with her truly are when all is well– and how they become so much more dear because of the tough times.

A reminder to take nothing or any day for granted. To live even more in awareness of how little time we really do have here.

Each and every dog in my life have brought gifts I don’t believe I would have experienced otherwise. And it continues to inspire me that I learn so much about life through the eyes of my dogs. Their lessons somehow find a way into my heart that stick and change me for the better.

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The “Seaside Donkey” Film. I Couldn’t Stop Smiling. A Donklightful Review!

Posted by Barbara Techel

The “Seaside Donkey” Film. I Couldn’t Stop Smiling. A Donklightful Review!

The tagline? 1000 miles around Wales, with a donkey. Indeed, that is the succinct description of what the film is about.

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Last night, I snuggled Miss Gidget on my lap, downloaded the film, Seaside Donkey onto my ipad, and was immediately hooked from the start.

It is a one hour and seventeen minute donkumentary (as it is creatively described!) by filmmaker Rhys Thwaites-Jones, and it captivated me.

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Though, truly no surprise to those who know me and that I simply adore donkeys! Just as much as dachshunds I must confess. And interestingly they are both similar in many ways!  Stubborn, willful, affectionate, and wise creatures they are.

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Hannah Engelkamp set out on a quest to travel around Wales, along the seaside, on foot, with an ass (err, donkey!) named Chico beside her as her companion. She conjured up in her mind this romantic and meditative journey.

The thing is, Hannah never had an animal in her life. She had no idea what she was about to experience in the human-animal bond phenomenon. And this is exactly why the film had me laughing out loud often, smiling just about the whole way through, and my heart melting and eyes misting over with tears and what Chico was teaching her.

Donkeys don’t like water and don’t care to climb hills. And there would be plenty of that on their jaunt around Wales which had me laughing, but also feeling very much the frustration Hannah was experiencing.

But also intriguing as it was a reminder that we are not in control. A reminder to live in the present moment and take it as it is. Donkey wisdom, don’t you know, is so wise!

The film shows how simple life can be and the immense joy we can find in that, which left me wanting even more simplicity in my own. It also taught Hannah, strong-willed herself, that asking for help isn’t a bad thing. There were times it was the only way — and the gifts she received in letting go were unexpected and delightful rewards.

This film and it’s book version (which I’ll be reading next and can hardly wait!), is one I took part in donating to via a Kickstarter campaign.

I greatly admire Ms. Englekamp for her kick-ass (ass pun intended!) attitude and adventurous spirit. It was an honor to support this endearing, full of laughter, and wisdom at every turn story.

If you love donkeys, admire those who follow their hearts calling, and live from the inside, out… well, do yourself a favor and check this film and book out today at Seaside Donkey website. It was truly donklightful!

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