ivdd

Meet Princess & Lenny: This makes 29 Paralyzed Dogs Helped with a Wheelchair

Posted by Barbara Techel

princess 2 cWe are moving and shaking big time the happy dance today here at Joyful Paw Headquarters with two new dogs we get to share with you who are the recipients of a wheelchair courtesy of The Frankie Wheelchair Fund.

First, meet Princess. She is the 28th dog we’ve been honored to help! She is still getting used to her wheels, but doing a little bit better every day according to those that love her dearly. From her ears beginning to fly out to the side as in this photo, I’d say she is making great progress in learning that her wheels will take her anywhere she wants to go!

lennySecond, meet Lenny. Such a handsome fellow, wouldn’t you agree?

Here is what his owners had to say in an email to me:

We would just like to thank you again for Lenny’s awesome wheelchair. I really do not think we could thank you and this organization enough. The first day he was put in the wheel chair he didn’t really know what to do and once he realized he was actually able to get around by himself without dragging his body, we saw a light in his eyes that has been missing since his accident. Thank you all again for his opportunity to walk again. We are all forever grateful for your kindness. -Nakia and Jake

I also received notice that Davey’s wheelchair shipped yesterday so that will make 30 dogs helped because of The Frankie Wheelchair Fund… and we plan to keep on rolling!

***Wheelchair I recommend and work with for The Frankie Wheelchair Fund is Eddie’s Wheels.

How you can help

There are only six more days in our t-shirt campaign to spread awareness of dogs in wheelchairs through National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day which is celebrated every Sept. 22.  By purchasing a t-shirt a portion of the proceeds goes to The Frankie Wheelchair Fund to help us help more dogs.  You can purchase your t-shirt today by clicking on the photo below.

frontOr choose from a variety of items in our store with portion of proceeds going to the Frankie Wheelchair Fund or you can also make a monetary donation in any amount. I sincerely appreciate your consideration and donation to help me continue to help disabled dogs in need!

Cost of a Dog Wheelchair (dog cart)? Quality of Life: Priceless.

Posted by Barbara Techel

AHLF-Gs-004-800x600Photo courtesy of Eddie’s Wheels website

When Frankie needed a wheelchair back in 2006 I had no idea they even made wheelchairs for dogs. I learned about them as Frankie was heading into surgery for a ruptured disk. The surgeon assured me at the time if the surgery wasn’t a success, Frankie could go on to live a quality life in a wheelchair.

I also had no idea how much they cost, but put it out of my mind because I wanted so badly for her to walk on her own again. I don’t think many people would know the cost either unless they are facing the possibility of having to get one for their beloved pet.

At the time, after surgery and a specialist I took Frankie to, another $480 for a custom-fit wheelchair seemed like a big chunk of money. But you know what? It was the best money I’ve ever spent!

Wheelchairs for dogs range anywhere from $325 – $650 according to the price chart on Eddie’s Wheels website. It all depends on the size of the dog and their specific needs. These are wheelchairs for dogs that have use of either their front or hind limbs and the wheels are adjusted to accommodate. So if your dog has paralyzed or weak back legs, the wheels will be on the back end and they pull with the front. If your dogs front limbs are missing, which is sometimes seen, the wheels are on the front with a saddle the dogs chest rests in, and they push off with their back limbs.

There is also the quad cart which ranges anywhere from $800 – $1,200.  Then there is also the additional equipment and choices which can add cost to a wheelchair.

I truly believe in the custom-fitted wheelchairs. With Frankie having IVDD, it was imperative that her spine stay aligned. Another wonderful thing about many of the wheelchairs is that they can act as physical therapy for dogs with walking challenges.  Some dogs have actually learned to walk on their own again after using a wheelchair for several weeks and/or months.

When Frankie passed away in June of 2012 I knew I wanted to find a way to carry on her legacy. We had worked so hard bringing a positive face to dogs in wheelchairs, I wanted to continue our work in her name in some way.

After she passed away I was deeply touched at the donation of money in memorial’s that came in for Frankie allowing me to start The Frankie Wheelchair Fund and help six small dog’s get a wheelchair who may have never otherwise been able to have one. I’ve helped families that are financially strapped or dogs in rescue hoping that they will stand a better change of adoption if they come with their own wheelchair.

It has grown from there and to date, the fund has helped 30 dogs get wheelchairs! Some we helped with a partial cost of the wheelchairs or shipping, but many we funded the full amount.  We are on track to help at least 4-5 more dogs with money currently in the fund. I never, ever get tired of seeing a dog who was down, get their wheels, and take off running and playing, happy to have their freedom back again.

Each time the Frankie Wheelchair Fund gets to help another dog, I feel Frankie’s spirit fill my whole body and heart with this warm glow of love.  I know she is proud. And I’ll always be so proud of the purpose she came here to fulfill and that she chose me to be her partner.

Currently I am doing a fundraiser in anticipation of National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day celebration on Sept. 22. This day is in memory of Frankie and in honor of all dogs in wheelchairs around the world.  If you’d like to help with a purchase of a t-shirt or car decal, a portion of the proceeds goes to The Frankie Wheelchair Fund to enable us to help even more dogs in need.

Quality of life for dogs who were once paralyzed and then get wheels is truly priceless.  Joie, my second paralyzed dog I adopted, was living proof of that. Check out this video that always makes me smile when I watch it.

A Tribute to Olive: One of the First Dachshund’s in a Wheelchair Frankie & I Befriended.

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_0004It’s like people. Some you feel more connected to than others. And so it was with a dear, little, sweet dachshund named Olive.

She was the first Dachshund in a wheelchair I came to know after publishing my first children’s book about my dachshund Frankie, who was also in a wheelchair. Both Frankie and Olive had Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).

Home 045 eI felt this special kinship not only with Olive, but her loving and devoted “mom” and “dad,”  Jill and Eric.

Caring for a special needs dog isn’t for everyone. But when we befriend others who care for these special pups, you seem to form a bond like no other.  Jill and Eric, like John and I, had no children.  Like our dogs, Olive meant everything to Jill and Eric as a very special part of their family.

Home 034 eOlive made her transition on Monday, August 11, 2014.

Reading Jill’s email that morning that they had made the difficult decision to finally let Olive go, had tears rolling down my face. I felt like, in a sense, I was losing one of my own.

Olive had wiggled her way right into my heart the first time I saw a picture of her that Jill shared with me. I enjoyed knowing how she was doing and seeing updated photos of her as the years passed. I prayed each time something was wrong with her that she would recover. She bounced back each time with amazing and stunning resilience as she battled various issues.

IMG_0958Lastly, I sat in a moment of silence for her, miles away, me in Wisconsin, and she in Kentucky, as I knew her transition would be soon. I prayed she would go peacefully. I pictured Frankie and Joie welcoming her to heaven. I wished dogs never had to die.

I’ve  thought about Jill and Eric often these past few days. I can’t get them out of my mind. I share in their heartache. I know the pain well, as do scores of many others who have loved, and lost, a beloved pet.

I know there is nothing I can do to ease the pain. I know each of us grieves in our own, unique way. I know, as was for me, that time does dull the pain, though you never, ever forget.

I think about all the beautiful lesson’s Olive taught Jill and Eric. I think about how they are forever changed. I think about how their hearts expanded beyond measure for having Olive in their lives.

Olive 006 eAnd then there is the love. The unconditional love Olive has for Jill and Eric. It remains. It will never leave. It will be there to call upon when the pain comes in yet another wave. The memories that eventually will heal the heart to smile again. To love again. These are the things that I pray for Jill and Eric.

And it is only in taking a small step each and every day, that moves you through the grief. That, and the picture that stays embedded in their hearts of a little dog in wheels who loved life with everything she had.

—

I shall not say goodbye to you my little furry friend, Olive… but know that it will be a glorious day when I see not only all my beloved pets, but you too, who I thought the world of.

olive2005