human animal bond

Blue Ribbon Heart Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

Blue Ribbon Heart Dog

Kylie and Gidget

Gidget is the third dachshund with special needs that has come through our doors. Kylie has loved each one of them.

Almost ten years ago we got Kylie from a breeder in Tennessee. She is an English Labrador – the true breed of the lab, with the square head, bushy tale and stocky body.  I still remember traveling there 3-weeks before Christmas to bring her home.

She was a big ball of super soft fur with the saddest face I’d ever seen. She wasn’t really sad, it was just how she looked — and still looks today — and I think her face truly expresses how deeply she loves.

And oh, how I had it all planned out. She was to be my therapy dog that would visit nursing homes and hospitals. I wanted to find a way to share the love of a dog with those less fortunate after my chocolate Lab, Cassie Jo passed away.

Then Frankie, my first dachshund became paralyzed and if you’ve followed my blog for awhile – well, you know how that story all turned out — it was a beautiful ride.

But Kylie — always in the background through everything. All she has endured with how busy my life was with Frankie and then when I brought home Joie, my second wheelchair dog after Frankie passed away.  And now Gidget.

Through it all she has thumped that big ol’ tail of hers for each little misfit that has come through our door. And she has taken them under her webbed paws and loved them with all her heart.

If I could look inside her, I bet I’d see the biggest heart one could ever see inside a dog. And if there were saints among canines, well, I’d have to say she would be one.

At times, I’ve carried guilt that she didn’t get to be a therapy dog. Perhaps she would have been a good one if I’d have had the time to devote to helping her achieve that.

But in her own way she did turn out to be a special therapy dog – to ankle high wiener dogs who have loved snuggling in her soft coat of strawberry highlights — and pestering her by licking her black lips, which she has never ever really seemed to mind.

And everyday when I rise for the day, open the bedroom door and see her lying on the over-sized maroon chair in the living room, her face with just a bit more frosting, well — that there, my friend, is one of the finest therapy dogs who brings a smile to my face every single day.

It was all meant to be. And if I could award Kylie with a blue ribbon, I indeed would and it would say:  To the best dog sister and friend in the whole wide world.

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On Knowing When It’s the Right Dog for You

Posted by Barbara Techel

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I’ve been watching with great interest as my favorite author, Jon Katz and his dear artist wife, Maria of Bedlam Farm have been searching for a new dog to bring into their lives.

The breeder they hoped to get a pup from was taking longer than usual, the dog not going into heat when they’d hoped. They considered adopting, but had a bad experience visiting a shelter over the weekend.

But then something prompted Jon to reach out to the woman who had given him his border collie, Red. As fate would have it and the stars aligned, they knew when they saw the pup with one blue eye that she was the one.

And get this….her name is Fate. I think they need no other clearer signs than this. It was meant to be.

It brought up the times this has happened to me. How it is when you just know. While at times I’ve been anxious for a new dog after one has passed, I believe that it has to feel right—that there is this connection that is undeniable.

At least this is how it works for me. It made me think again about Gidget and how I found her. Or perhaps I should say she found me? But likely once again everything aligned and we were supposed to be together.

When I saw her face and those telling eyes, after looking at hundreds of dachshunds, I felt that familiar tingle in my heart. She was the one.

While I had passed over many sweet and adorable, and most likely great dogs, I couldn’t stop looking at Gidget and found myself getting lost in her eyes. She drew me into her being. I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

It just brings me back to how connection is so important—for both you and your new dog.

Each day our love for each other deepens. I learn new things because of Gidget. I’m learning to step into and own more of my belief’s.

She is the one. And while I don’t know what the future holds, I take one day at a time, soaking in all the love that she is. And I thank all the stars in the universe for lining up in just the right way that brought her to me.

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Jon’s post about what happened during a shelter visit in Vermont is worth reading. I was saddened to learn that some animal shelters are now using a process for adopting pets out that seems cold and impersonal for both the person and the dog.

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Sweet Pea of Remembrance

Posted by Barbara Techel

Sweet Pea of RemembranceI never thought to plant sweet peas. But when my friend, Victoria was here this week she said I should plant them so they grow up the wire on the gate in my perennial garden.

This morning I did just that. I can hardly wait for them to bloom!  And then in the mail came a lovely gift of remembrance from a faithful reader of my online journal, Debbie.

A glass stone paw print to remind me of Joie’s sign to me after she passed away in August 2013. You might recall that it was a few weeks after I said goodbye to Joie that she sent me a sign that she was well in the shape of a water paw print.  There was (and still is!) no doubt in my mind it was her.

As I contemplated where to put the glass paw print it finally came to me. Of course—near the sweet peas I had just planted. I actually put a few seeds in the wrought iron bird bath too.

Then I realized as I stood back, that on either side of the bird bath are two hummingbirds.  Frankie, my first dachshund, visited me as a hummingbird a few weeks after she had died.

Then I got goosebumps. It is all so right and perfect. So fitting. Both sweet peas I had the honor of loving and caring for.

Now I think perhaps I shall scatter Joie’s ashes among the sweet peas once they begin to bloom. I’ve been wanting to do something with her ashes, but just wasn’t sure. Now I know what I will do. It feels right and good.

Frankie’s ashes I plan to scatter at Bookworm Gardens where a statue of her resides. I hope to do that on the 3rd anniversary of her passing which is in June.

What a lovely day it turned out to be with what unfolded. My heart feels content and happy.  Thank you, Victoria and Debbie for being a part of such a divine plan.

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