human animal bond

Opening to Magic Led to “Magical Dogs”

Posted by Barbara Techel

Opening to Magic Led to "Magical Dogs"

When 2015 began, I chose a word for the year — really, just for fun to see what would happen — and with an intention or two just for good measure.

The word I chose was magical. I’ve been astounded at how often it has showed up these past twelve months.

Elizabeth Gilbert wrote and came out with Big Magic and my friend gifted me a copy — and that was pretty exciting! BTW:  It’s a fantastic book if you are a creative.

Little snippets of magic showed up all year long, here and there. And then today came a very magical moment….

Having shared my story about my journey with Frankie earlier this year for an upcoming book by author Patti Kerr called, Magical Dogs ( I know, can you believe the title?) – I was given first sneak peek at the final cover today.

Recognize anyone on the cover?  Hint:  She’s red and has a nice set of wheels.

Now I’d have to say this is my most memorable magical moment for 2015! It’s truly an honor to know that Frankie’s legacy continues to find its way out into the world.

And it makes me think about synchronicity which I love being open to — and how setting intentions can vibrate out into the world and return to you in ways you’d never even expect!

Now that is magic! Pure magic!

I’ll be sure to announce right here when the book is published. It’s in its final stages of editing, so it shouldn’t be too long now.

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On Being a Dog. Human’s Listen Up.

Posted by Barbara Techel

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I admit that I’m sometimes a little over protective with Gidget. Being so tiny, at 10 lbs. I worry a bit more about her than I do Kylie, my Lab of 80 lbs.

It’s another gorgeous November day in Wisconsin, which by the forecast looks like it will come to an end later today, and colder temperatures, wind and rain more typical of November will be setting in.

Taking advantage of the sun and high 50s, I took Kylie and Gidget for a walk on a favorite route of mine. It winds around an athletic field with a wooded area bordering three sides of it, which I sometimes walk the dogs through too. But today we stayed on the path around the field.

One section we always walk by has three large trees, each with a split rail fence around them because they are each in somewhat of a ravine. I’ve never let Gidget off leash in this area, though Kylie is free to explore.

But in working on myself and learning to let Gidget be all dog more often, I dropped the leash so she could romp through the leaves and smell just about every blade of grass just like Kylie often does.

It really was fun watching her check out the world around her on her own without me hovering too close by. Though I admit, I did get a little nervous when she got too close to this tree where the ravine drops quite a ways down.

But I reminded myself that this is when trust has to come into play. I gently called out her name and her wee little ears perked up as she quickly glanced my way. And then off she went in a flash in a new direction, exploring new territory.

I smiled. I then stopped to really check in with how I felt in that moment, realizing how good it felt to let her be Dog which according to the Animal Wisdom Tarot, Dog is “scampering, jumping, digging, barking—Dog delights in everything, playfully prompting us to join the adventure, love wholeheartedly, and have fun in all we do. Dog reminds us that we are on the right path and life is good.”

And that’s the thing. I let go of my own fears and insecurities and trusted in what Gidget knows best in her world of Dog. And that world of which she lives from, opened up to me. And she was right. We were on the right path and life is good.

It actually felt even better than good–it was grand!

Letting go of my worries made it possible for me to understand Gidget even more and to deepen into her world without fear, and to trust that all is well.

I’m really glad I listened today and I plan to be much better at this going forward. I imagine Gidget agreeing and saying, “You silly human, I’m just fine!”

Okay, little one, I hear you. And I promise to be better at letting you be Dog.

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The Day My Heart Found Its Way Home Again

Posted by Barbara Techel
The Day My Heart Found Its Way Home Again
The Wise and All Knowing Miss Gidget

I truly believe we get the dog we need at the different junctions on the path of our life’s journey.

To try and explain it any other way it seems to defy true explanation or pay honor, really, to what they truly can mean in our lives if we allow it.

It’s a knowing that is felt in heart and soul. A truth that is there if we choose to open to it even when we may not yet clearly understand.

It was two years ago today that I held Gidget in my arms for the first time. As always happens after the loss of a dog in my life, getting another one when the time is right for me, never fails to make me feel like my heart has found its way home again.

It’s a connection with Dog that my spirit calls out for, and can’t live without.

The first time I laid eyes on Gidget after doing a search on the Internet, looking specifically for a dachshund with special needs, there was this lightning flash of recognition that I knew I had found her. She was the one.

Her eyes, I find, are hard to look away from. They have this ancient and all knowing wisdom about them and I’ve often referred to her as my Buddha dog.

Sometimes I get lost in my own little inner world of worry and lose sight of her gifts to me. I was reminded of them again, and of seeing her for who for she truly is, when the organization I adopted her from, re-posted a video of her (see below).

I saw her again watching the video, as if for the first time,and what made me fall in love with her. And why I understand in many ways why she is in my life.

She is independent, yet loves time with me on her own terms, and something I’m learning to be more aware of to honor that in her. This also is honoring that in me, which fascinates me.  She is also quite funny in her own unique way, and sometimes reminds me of a Leprechaun or playful sprite.

Though she may be small in size at only 10 lbs. and quite petite, her spirit is that of all Dog and all knowing. I just sense that about her and what I greatly admire in her.

She has taught me so much already these past 24-months and those teachings I continue to ponder and work through, of which I can’t quite find words to express. Perhaps someday I will.

So today I celebrate Miss Gidget as we mark this day we found our way home to each other through the aligning of the stars— and how we help each other to live more fully into this time we have together here on earth.