inspirational

Today I Met a Sister I Never Knew I Had!

Posted by Barbara Techel

lisa barb collageOk, so Lisa Smith-Putnam, Host & Executive Producer of Your Pets, My Dogs  radio show,and I, aren’t really sisters. But we had this wonderful connection and we both agreed that we thought we looked somewhat alike in our photos, though obviously our skin color is a wee bit different.

We had a good chuckle over this on one of the breaks and I felt like I was talking with a very good friend.  I’ve done quite a few radio interviews, but I just have to say this was one of my favorite to date!

Many interviews I’ve done, have of course, been around Frankie, but such a lovely change of pace when Lisa’s first question to me was, “So who is Barbara Techel?”

I smiled and thought about how years ago I would have been terrified of this question. But I’m finally at a point in my life that I like living in my own skin. I can’t share what I all said and give it away, so you’ll just have to listen to the show when it airs. I’ll be sure to let you know when it does.

I truly enjoyed the angle of which Lisa took with talking with me about Frankie and my book, “Through Frankie’s Eyes” and what I’ve learned from her. It is because of Frankie, that I am who I am today.

Though I didn’t get to say this on air, this thought ran through my mind. I gave Frankie a quality life by caring for her with her IVDD diagnoses and providing her a wheelchair, and she in turn, gave me a quality of life with all the she taught me on how to be proud of who I am and to speak my truth.

When Frankie first became paralyzed I had a pity party for myself for a few weeks until I realized it was up to me to change my attitude about our situation. From that change in attitude, I grew in ways I could have never imagined. My life grew spiritually and I evolved with a deeper connection not only to my pets, but to myself.

While I’ve known this now for quite some time, my radio interview with Lisa really brought it all home for me once again. It also reminds me that there are no accidents. I was meant to have this interview with Lisa… and though we may not really be sisters in the definition we tend to use, I felt this  connection with her because of our love for life and our love for animals. It was a wonderful way to end the week!

My Inspirational Memoir, “Through Frankie’s Eyes” Turns One! Gift’s to Celebrate.

Posted by Barbara Techel

3D2 book cover tfeToday I celebrate the one year birthday of my memoir, Through Frankie’s Eyes!

My book is an uplifting gift for anyone who is a dog or animal lover, dachshund fanatic, mom, sister, aunt, best friend, vet or vet technician, animal advocates, or anyone who needs some inspiration. And pssst…. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner!

It’s because of loyal readers like you that it has been an amazing year since releasing my story out into the Universe to go where it may. What a joy it has been, and continues to be, to hear from those enjoying Through Frankie’s Eyes. Not only enjoying, but resonating with, or someone finding the courage to take a leap they’d been wanting to take.  It made it all so worth it.

A book that was hard to write at times – opening myself to feeling very vulnerable. But in being vulnerable, I received the gift of many like-minded beautiful souls like you, who I now feel this wonderful connection with.

Here are my gift’s to you with your order of Through Frankie’s Eyes:

1. With purchase you will receive this lovely, midnight blue pen (below), with my favorite quote inscribed on it: And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk to let it blossom. -Anais Nin, as well as, laminated postcard with a few other quotes that encourage to live from your heart.

I have limited quantities on hand of the pens, postcards, and books so be sure to order today through my website if you want to take advantage of this birthday celebration offer. Offer not good on orders through online stores like Amazon or through independent stores.

IMG_1971 12002. FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING**
**Please note Free Shipping is only good within the United States. Sorry I can’t extend this outside of the US as cost is too high for me to cover. But if you wish to still order and are outside of the US, please email me at barb@joyfulpaws.com so I can quote you shipping rate.

3. Each book will be autographed by me, as well as stamped with Frankie’s authentic paw print.

These are for orders made only through my website, Joyful Paws.

Offer good now through Feb. 7th, 2014 or while quantity lasts.

Messages Like This Bring Tears to My Eyes.

Posted by Barbara Techel

gidget and barb eLate yesterday afternoon I received this message from Kelly who reads my blog, “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you have found Gidget and are back to blogging. I think special needs animals do wonders for the human psyche!”

This brought tears to my eyes because when Joie died I shut down inside. I honestly didn’t know if I wanted to write again. I felt I had nothing more to say. Nothing really made sense to me.

Taking a sabbatical was a tough thing for me to do. I was afraid all the work I had done blogging, writing my books, finding my loyal readers like all of you, and educating others about disc disease and special needs animals would simply vanish. I wondered, could I really walk away for two months?

I questioned if all I had worked so hard to build would not be here when I returned. But I knew I had to step away for awhile. I pride myself in being someone who enjoys sharing, encouraging and inspiring.  We have enough bad news in the world if we want to hear it. I want to be the happy place people can come to.

I debated and finally decided to reach out to a mentor of mine, Dan Blank. He helps authors and writers. I’ve taken many classes from him and admire him greatly. I had a feeling he could help me with my decision. His words of wisdom were just what I needed to trust that this was the right thing for me to do at this time in my life.

I’ll continue to write more about what I learned on my sabbatical in future posts.  Though right now I can say I felt restless and lost many times throughout those sixty days. But now that I am back, I’m so happy to be here again. I also know that was the right thing for me to do.

Of course, having Gidget in my life now has certainly added to my heart feeling so fulfilled again! But to finally feel like me again, back to writing on my blog and giving thought to new projects, seeing that message from Kelly brought me to tears. To me, it is a message from the Universe, sent through Kelly to affirm for me that I am on the right path.

PS:  Kelly, you are 100% right… special needs animals are so good for the human psyche!  And might I add, all animals are special in one way or another and bring us so much joy.