intervertebral disc disease

Special Needs Pet Feature: Cagney

Posted by Barbara Techel

What is your pets name?

Cagney Brandon Ku’Ulako Holste J

How old is your pet?

He lived to be just a few months shy of 13 years old.

Where did you get your pet?

From a family in Hawaii whose two doxies had puppies

What is your pets physical challenge?

He had IVDD…lost the use of his back legs at age 6

What is your pets favorite thing to do?

Cagney LOVED laying on the patio in the sun…just tanning and looking around.

What is your pets favorite thing to eat?

Rawhide bones with the jerky on the outside

What do you love most about your pet?

That he was always so sweet and loving…even when he was in pain.

What has your pet most taught you?

That you really can do anything in the name of love.

Anything else you’d like to share?

When Cagney was 6 years old he lost the use of his back legs suddenly. One minute he was trotting behind me to the mail box outside our house and the next minute he was yelping in pain and I had no idea why. The following days, nights, & weeks were one long blur as Cagney had to stay at the Vet’s Hospital for IVs and Xrays and all sorts of things. Sadly he did not regain the use of his legs and surgery was not an option due to the expense and the fact that the doctor only gave him a 50 – 50 chance for walking again. That never bothered Cagney though and didn’t slow his pace one bit. In no time he was able to scoot all over the house using just his front legs to get from place to place. He could scoot faster than some dogs could run! I eventually got him his own set of wheels from “Doggone Wheels” and that afforded him the opportunity to go outside on the sidewalks, the patio, and even to the beach. Cagney was such a good boy and was always upbeat and happy….wanting to snuggle and give kisses or play with anyone he came into contact with. 

I cared for him and tended to his special needs, which was quite diffficult initially and heartbreaking at times….but I did it out of sheer love for that little angel. A lot of adjustments had to be made but he was worth every one of them! When I moved from Hawaii to Portland, OR in 2007 Cagney flew with me. It was his first time on a plane but he took it like a brave boy….even when the airline baggage handlers “lost” him at one point. About 2 hours after my flight landed I finally caught up with him going round and round on another baggage claim carousel. He was peering out of his cage as if to say, “This has been fun but I’d like to get off now, please.” I was a complete wreck not knowing what had happened to him or where he was but as soon as I tracked him down and opened his kennel door he smothered me with kisses saying, “It’s ok….there’s nothing to worry about….I’m HERE!” 

For the next 2 years I continued to love & take care of that darling boy until, on the morning of March 31st, 2009, just as suddenly as he lost the use of his back legs, Cagney woke up and was unable to use his front legs. I took him to the Vet pretty much knowing what the outcome was going to be. There was nothing they could really do for him…and no “cure”. So I had to make that VERY difficult decision and help him get to the Rainbow Bridge. I held him for so very long and just sobbed telling him I was so sorry for what I had to do….it was extremely hard and still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it. But Cagney lived a very good life and brought lots of happiness to me. His “disability” taught me so very much and I thank the Lord that I had him and all the experiences that having him brought into my life.


Thank you so much, Chops, Cagney’s dedicated Mom who took such good care of Cagney.  Your story resonated on so many levels for me… tears… laughter… love.  Thank you.  PS:  The picture of the two of you on the beach is absolutely priceless and needs no words as it speaks volumes.

If you care for a special needs pet and would like your pet featured, please email me through my website contact. Send a photo and I will forward the questionnaire for your pet to be featured in an upcoming post.

Five Years and Still Going Strong Living With IVDD

Posted by Barbara Techel

Today marks the 5th anniversary since my little Frankie “went down” as it is referred to when a dog can no longer walk and is diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).


And so began a mission I became so passionate about that I knew if I didn’t pursue it, I would regret it at the end of my life- my mission to educate others that animals with disabilities deserve a chance at living a quality life. From that mission, sprang another unexpected purpose which was to help children and adult’s see their challenges more positively because it was one of many lessons I learned from Frankie.

For me, the day that call came that Frankie went down, was one of the most devastating moments I ever had. I still recall very vividly in my mind trying to picture what Frankie’s life would look like not being able to use her hind legs.  I was 1,400 miles from home vacationing at my mom’s winter house with my husband, John when I received the call that spun my world upside down.

The surgeon gave me the news that Frankie had only a 10-30% chance of walking again even with surgery. After careful consideration, much crying, and consoling from John and my mom, I made the decision to proceed with the surgery.


Frankie when I brought her home after her surgery

You know how they say “life happens while you are busy making other plans?”  That is exactly what happened. My dream of having my new lab puppy become a therapy dog and writing about those experiences was all put on hold.  I was uncertain of my future because of the care I would need to now do for my handicapped dog. I was also angry and could not understand why this was happening when I had my whole life planned out, when my mom gently said to me, “Well maybe God meant for Frankie to be your therapy dog.”  That one line of wisdom has unfolded into countless blessings since that fateful day five years ago.

One of my greatest lessons learned from Frankie through her healing and recovery is that it does not pay to sit too long in pity for yourself or for your dog.  It is up to each of us to look for the good in the bad, find the lesson in a tough situation, and be open to a new path ahead. I realized one day that I had a choice. I could continue to be sad and negative, or I could choose to be happy and positive, and be open to the blessings that may reveal themselves.  Oh, how glad I am that I got that message and changed my attitude, because you see, once I did, everything fell right into place.


Photo taken one year after Frankie’s IVDD diagnoses- joyful and full of life rolling in the grass!

Frankie has also taught me patience, which I am still learning, and still need to be reminded of now and then. But I’m happy to say I seem to be catching on quite well to that lesson. My life is much calmer because of it.

One of Frankie’s biggest teachings was to follow my heart and not be afraid. She has taught me to push past the fear.  Watching her fly about in her wheelchair, carefree and content, is a constant reminder to me to be who I am without worry what others think.  Frankie does not care that her back legs don’t work so well, nor does she mind being a dog in a wheelchair.

I still get incredibly sad when someone puts their pet to sleep because they can’t bear to see their pet “like that.”  I’ve gotten stronger in expressing to others that pets don’t take pity on themselves, and really it is not any different than if a human loses the loss of their limbs. The difference is that we humans have a much harder time accepting the reality of that loss, where pets accept, and move forward, and we would never give one thought to putting a human to sleep because they became paralyzed. So changing the mindset of others in the same way for animals is something I strive to do with compassion, patience, understanding, and love.

Today I don’t grieve for the past of what have might have been.  Instead I celebrate the gift of that fateful day that opened me up, and through Frankie’s eyes I saw life in full bloom with opportunities and blessings growing in every direction. I don’t know how I will ever thank Frankie for all she has taught me, but giving her at least one thousand kisses and hugs a day, I have a feeling she just may know.

I love you my little dog on wheels… my ambassador of inspiration… my constant shining light as my reminder to see the world with compassion and love.  XO


Should your dog ever be diagnosed with IVDD or you know of a dog that has, please let others know about these wonderful resources:

Dodgerslist is an organization dedicated to helping people whose pets have been diagnosed with IVDD.  They have a DVD for only $3.00 that is a must to buy and educate yourself should your dog ever be faced with this diagnoses.  I encourage you to get it NOW and know your options, as there are many options to help your dog live a long, happy, and quality life.

Eddie’s Wheels is a dog wheelchair company that truly live their life’s work and mission.  Their motto is: We test our products on Animals – speaks to the over 20 years of sharing their lives with disabled pets.   They continue to take each order individually with careful attention to making sure the cart will serve each pet’s level of disability. Their well-trained and experienced staff still design and build each cart by hand with the dog’s name on it. They continue to be moved by the stories from their customers who tell them about their soul companions and feel privileged to be part of their lives.

And if Frankie could talk I have no doubt her motto is this to us:

Always be positive, make a difference, and keep on rolling!!

Support & Education for Intervertebral Disc Disease

Posted by Barbara Techel


When Frankie was first diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) it was a very difficult time in my life.  I have, and will always be, grateful for finding Dodgerslistwhich is an organization dedicated to helping pet owners understand and live with this disease.  As they adamantly say, and I so agree, IVDD is not a death sentence.

With the proper help and education your pet can live a quality life.  Frankie is just one of many examples of doxies living a full, happy life.

Part of my reason in writing Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll book series was to educate not only children on caring for a pet when something goes seriously wrong, but to also educate the parent/grandparent as they read Frankie’s book to their children.  I was uneducated in IVDD and thought my only option was to put Frankie down– thank goodness I didn’t.  As many of you know, Frankie is one of my biggest blessings- oh, how my life has been enriched because of her.

I think at times people take pity on special needs animals.  But if we take pity we then lose out on all they have to teach us.  Believe me, Frankie takes no pity on herself.  Each time I do a presentation with her I feel this passion rise up in me sharing with children that Frankie is still Frankie- she never changed.  Her mind and spirit are as alive and happy as can be.  The only thing that has changed is that now she has a special tool (her wheelchair) that helps her live the best life she can live.

So with that said, I was perusing Dodgerslist website this morning, of which I encourage you to do.  I came across their database of doxie’s with IVDD and the outcomes.  I found it quite interesting and wanted to pass along. You may at some point encounter someone going through this with their pet. Please let them know about Dodgerslist.  Unfortunately some vets don’t know these animals can be helped and sadly they are put down needlessly.

Total Dachshunds in Database: 1838

Total Dachshunds Walking: 1255
Total Dachshunds Paralyzed: 583

Total Male: 949
Total Female: 889

Of all dogs, 669 have had surgery. Of those, 444 are walking and 225 are paralyzed.

Of all dogs, 1169 used conventional medicine. Of those, 853 are walking and 316 are paralyzed.

Of all dogs, 1644 had problems occurring in the back, and 194 had problems occurring in the neck.

Of all dogs walking, 1079 had problems occurring in the back, and 176 had problems occurring in the neck.

Of all dogs paralyzed, 521 had problems occurring in the back, and 62 had problems occurring in the neck.

Of all dogs, back problems first occurred at 4 years of age and younger for 950 dogs, at 5 to 10 years of age for 798 dogs, and at 11 years of age and older for 48 dogs.

Of all dogs, 1190 have only had one episode, and 648 have had more than one episode to date.

Of all dogs, 189 have known relatives with back problems, but 1312 aren’t sure and could have some unknown relatives.