ivdd

My Sabbitical Complete. I’m Happy to be Back.

Posted by Barbara Techel

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Dear Friends,

I am back.  My sabbatical complete in many ways. Thank you for your kind and compassionate patience as I took some time to clear my mind and refresh my soul.

When I decided to leave my blog and newsletter  in September, I felt quite empty. I felt like I had nothing more to give. Being someone who enjoys sharing, inspiring and encouraging others, I felt I just couldn’t offer any of those things with how I was feeling. At the same time, it was very hard to step back and trust that this was the right thing to do. It’s  important to me to be as positive as I can and share that with others, so when I felt I just couldn’t do that, I knew it was time to step away for awhile.

One big thing I’ve realized is how important sabbatical’s really are. Our Western society doesn’t seem to put enough value on them.  Though I had many moments of restlessness thinking I should just jump back in, I stayed the course. That in itself I am proud to have achieved.

I will share more about what I’ve learned through my sabbatical as I dive back into my daily blogging and bi weekly newsletter.  But I want to also acknowledge that there may be circumstances in others’ lives that two months like I did, is just not possible.  But I do believe we can find ways to carve out time, even small moments, in our everyday lives to simply just “be.” It is something that is no doubt a practice and one that I am going to try to practice more often.  Maybe not in two month increments, but broken down in smaller moments.

Journaling was something I did everyday as I went through grieving the loss of Joie, wondering about where I go from here, and thinking about what is important to me.  I’ve come back to the very same things I knew for certain when I left:

*I love writing and connecting with all of you, writing about dachshunds, dogs, animals, IVDD, and living a meaningful, joyful, and simple life.

*I will continue to be an advocate for dogs with disc disease (IVDD) and dogs in wheelchairs.

*I want to bring another special needs dachshund into my life.

I still consider myself in the exploring stage of anything other than this. But I continue to do work around that by gathering articles, information, etc. that speaks to me, as well as taking more time to read about avenues that interest me.

The above photo is of a new view from my desk in my writing cottage. During my sabbatical I did some rearranging and my desk now faces southeast which it never has before. A new perspective as I reflected (and continue to) about many things.

I’m happy to be back. It is my hope that with what I’ve learned for myself during sabbatical will serve to inspire and encourage you to do what you feel is best for you to live your best life.

Custom Rolling Dachshund Ring Holders to Benefit The Frankie Wheelchair Fund Helping Paralyzed Dogs in Need

Posted by Barbara Techel

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Click on the photo to order yours today!

10/17/2013 update:  Grace asked me that I share this info with you:  “I will accept custom orders and personalization at no additional charge. I will match the colors/markings if they send me pictures, and put the doxie’s name around their collar. ” Cool, huh?

Grace has done it again!  Though I continue to be on sabbatical (will return to my blog early November), I just had to share this wonderful offer with you from a creative and talented lady with a big heart.

The sale of the first dachshund ring holder to sell will be donated to the Frankie Wheelchair Fund which helps paralyzed dogs in need of a wheelchair (learn more about the fund here). As you may already know, this fund was started in memory of my Frankie (known as the walk ‘n roll dog) in 2012. For six years Frankie helped me spread a positive message about dogs with IVDD and dogs in wheelchairs far and wide.  The fund has helped 16 dogs to date with wheelchairs who may have never otherwise had the chance to have one.

After the first sale, 10% of all other sales of the ring holders will also benefit the Frankie Wheelchair Fund as well.

Check them out today!  You can order them to your specifications and have one made just like the doxie love of your life.  No doubt these sweet little likenesses of your doxie’s will keep your rings safe — well, that is if they don’t wag their tails too fast!

Joie to See Nerosurgeon Tomorrow Morning for CT Myelogram.

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1724 1200We were off to our local vet early this morning.  Joie yelped once before I put her to bed last night, and then twice this morning. She also wouldn’t eat her breakfast. She is not herself. I knew I needed to get her in to see the vet right away.

As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t know Joie’s past history. I don’t know the circumstances of how she went down or how she was treated.  I’m not sure if she was actually diagnosed with IVDD at some point also. I do know that she went down in May of 2012.  I adopted her in October 2013.

After my vet examined her and given her past history, he feels since the disc issue may not have been properly taken care of when she first went down,  it is now causing pressure and pain. Meds may help, but the fact we don’t know what we are exactly dealing with, he felt it best she have a myelogram done. Meds may only mask the problem for awhile and then it could get worse, and then meds would not even help.

Since my local vet does not do myelogram’s it was suggested I call Lakeshore Vet Services, which is about 40-minutes from where I live. Just about a month ago they brought on a neorsurgeon who is well versed in disc disease. I talked with Amy who is the neorsurgeon’s assistant and we will go in for a consult and CT myelogram tomorrow morning at 10:00 am. The CT portion is a newer method that they didn’t do years ago when Frankie went down.  From what I understand, the CT myelogram is able to show more in depth slices of the spine, so hopefully we can see what exactly is going on in Joie’s spine.

She is resting comfortably now that I have her home again. Though she still is not interested in eating any food. She will have to stay overnight tomorrow as that is required since they will have to put her under to do the procedure.  I pray that all will turn out the best it possibly can for my sweet little Joie.

I know many of you who read my blog have been through this before -sometimes more than once with your little ones.  I also know having been through this in a different way with Frankie, that I can take care of Joie as we move forward. I’ll also be refreshing myself and perusing Dodgerslist website today.  As I so often talk about in my blog posts, I am doing my best to stay hopeful and know there are many blessings ahead for Joie and I. Please keep Joie in your prayers.