We Are 1 In Spirit Interview: A Special Message about Grieving You May Find Refreshing

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On this weeks Joyful Paws Jaunt blog tour, I was interviewed by author and coach, Yvonne Perry on her podcast, We are One In Spirit

Click here to listen to the interview.

Introduction from Yvonne about my segment 

Do you remember when you first began exploring your spirituality? What inspired you to seek answers to life’s greatest questions? For Barbara Techel, it was her dogs that helped her to live more authentically and more joyfully.
After her dachshund, Frankie, suffered a spinal injury, Barbara had her custom-fitted for a wheelchair that allowed her to be mobile in spite of being partially paralyzed. Barbara quickly realized the beautiful opportunity she had to spread a positive message that animals with disabilities can and do live quality lives if given a chance. This translated into also helping people see their challenges in a positive way. Today, she is a passionate advocate for special needs pets such as dogs in wheelchairs, and those in particular that are diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).

From the inspiration she gained from her little wiener dog on wheels, Barbara has found her life’s purpose. She let go of her fears, and began doing hospice work with Frankie as a therapy dog team. She let go of her fear of death and began to appreciate each day of her life. She has a special connection with all her animals, but two of them have let her know they are still with her now that they have passed into the afterlife. In the audio below, she offers a special message about grieving that you may find refreshing.

Barbara is the award-winning author of the children’s book series Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog which are true, inspirational stories about her paralyzed dachshund. From 2008-2012, Barbara and Frankie made over 350 appearances to schools and libraries in Wisconsin, as well as many visits to classrooms across the US and Canada via Skype. They were also a therapy dog team visiting local facilities and logged over 250 visits spreading joy wherever they went.

In August 2012, she founded National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day in memory of Frankie and in honor of all dogs in wheelchairs. She also started the Frankie Wheelchair Fund, which helps families who can’t afford wheelchairs for their disabled dogs. To date, this fund has helped thirteen dogs, who may not otherwise had the opportunity, to get a wheelchair.

In her newest book, Through Frankie’s Eyes Barbara takes you on a journey that led her to live her own truth and live with more joy, all because of what Frankie taught her along the way. Enjoy this interview as Barbara shares her story with Yvonne Perry on We Are One in Spirit Podcast.

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For more intuitive and inspiring podcasts with Yvonne, I invite and encourage you the visit her website today.

Don’t forget!  You can win a copy of my new book through Goodreads!  I’m giving away two copies, but hurry as you must enter by midnight on Monday, March 25th!  Good luck!

Toasting to a New Chapter and a Huge Accomplishment!

Barb & Paula celebrationMy sister Paula and I toasting to the success of special edition copies of my book signed, wrapped, sealed and (mostly) shipped

I’m happy to be back to my blog again! I’m happy for everyone who supported the launch of the special edition of my new book, Through Frankie’s EyesI’m happy (and very grateful!) for the help of my sister in helping me put all these orders together! I’m happy to say as of today at almost 2:00pm CST that 330 special edition copies of my book sold!

While the majority of orders have made it out to those who ordered, there is a batch awaiting shipment of more pens that go with the special edition. The response was amazing and I ran out of pens!  While the remainder of books could have been shipped today, the new order of pens arrived yesterday– but were for the wrong company.  I think you will laugh when I tell you that these pens said, “DJ’s Dump Truck Hauling.” Quite the opposite of what I am all about, wouldn’t you say?  And I wonder if DJ got my order of pens wondering what the heck Joyful Paws is?  Though I wish the order would have been correct so I could have gotten the rest of the books shipped, I couldn’t help but laugh.  And in all reality I was ahead of schedule shipping, promising all orders to be shipped on or around Feb. 22.

So the pens are promised to be on my door step no later than 10:00am tomorrow and I’ll finish that up and get the rest of the books in the mail to the rest of you.

I have a few special editions available if you are interested. But hurry as this offer ends at midnight tonight. You can also order my book now available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.   You can also request your favorite bookstore to order for you. Ebook version and Kindle version coming soon too!

Stay tuned tomorrow for my Thank You video!  Now onward and forward to the final touches and plans for my book launch on Feb. 28th!

Something Magical Happened Over the Summer

 

This past weekend as I was sitting with John and Kylie enjoying our evenings on our deck in front of our cheminia, I realized something magical had happened over the summer.

My bond with Kylie became stronger and deeper.  Without Frankie with us now, I’ve been able to devote my full attention to Kylie. I feel like I can see a change in her because of this. She seems to want to be with us more, even though she is still quite the independent dog. But she does seem to relish in the extra attention.

I used to feel bad that Frankie got so much more attention because of the extra needs she required, but as I’ve moved through the summer without Frankie, and took more time with Kylie, I know now I was never a  bad dog mom.  Kylie is Kylie.  She loves her independence and I’ve always tried to respect that and admire her for that.  But I’ve also seen her come around to hanging out with John and I more– wanting to be near us, and wanting to be pet even more than before.

It’s a good feeling.  I’ve promised Kylie that when a new dachshund joins the household, which have no fear, one will, I promise to give her the undivided attention she needs too, and when it is right for her.

Gosh, I can imagine just like mom’s to children, of which I never had any, the same issues we face with our pets and mom’s with kids, trying to always give each of them what they need and when they need it.  But when the bond grows deeper, as it has this summer with my Kylie girl, I must say my heart has felt a deep joy in connecting with her in a new way.

She’s been here for me this summer as I grieved the loss of Frankie- in her own sweet, independent, loving way, and I can’t thank her enough for that. Love you, Kylie girl.