ivdd

Joie Speaks. What Is All the Fuss About?

Posted by Barbara Techel

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I love how dogs center me. How they remind me what is important. After our big morning on the movie set earlier this week, I’m finding such happiness in my sweet life with Joie (and Kylie and John, of course!). I try to imagine what Joie would say if she could speak about her experience filming a movie.

Joie Speaks:

I love my life.

My naps.

Walks and bike rides with Barb.

Snuggle time.

Play time with that big ball of yellow fur named Kylie.

Hugs and kisses from those that love me.

Movie? What’s a movie?

Oh yeah.  Nice people with headsets. Lots of them.

A guy with  a baseball hat who said my name over and over. Nice guy. Pet me on the head. Loves dogs. Said action alot. What’s action?

I walk through a hallway when Barb was calling my name from another room. Where is she, I wondered?

Nice young girl picks me up, holds me for a few moments. I could feel she cared about me and was careful with me.

Lots of people pet me hanging out in the kitchen.

Treats?  Did someone say treats?

Snuggle time in Barb’s arms. Feeling tired. Barb holds me close, assures me we get to go home soon. I trust her.

Nice guy in baseball hat says action again.

Time to walk around the corner where I see Barb.

She scoops me up in her arms.  Good girl, Joie, she says.

Pose with producer.  He calls me little one. I like that.

Snooze all the way home. Barb keeps telling me how proud she is of me. How much she loves me.

I drift deeper into sleep.

My pink bed and flower blanket welcome me as I snooze beside Barb’s feet in the writing cottage.

Feels good to be home.

What was all the fuss, I wonder?

Little me. To appear big on a screen next year.  Ok.

My hope?

See – look – dogs in a wheelchair can be happy just like me.

Think about adopting one. Give them a chance.

A soft place to lay their head.

Someone to care.

People to love them like I am loved.

People giving dogs in wheelchairs a chance.

Ok. I see.

The fuss is all about loving furry friends with special needs.

I like this.

Making a difference.

Feels good.

And now back to catching some Z’s and then snuggle time with Barb.

Life is good.

**Note:  Some of you have asked if you can get Joie’s “pawtograph” since I’ve shared she will be in a movie.  Just a reminder that you can get her pawtograph which is on a poster I have of her, or I also I have the Joie magnet set w/bookmark. If you’d like either of them personalized please include name to sign poster and/or magnet set to in the “Instructions to Seller” when checking out and I’d be happy to do that. You can order posters and magnets here!  A portion of all sales also benefits The Frankie Wheelchair Fund which helps dogs with mobility issues.

What Dodgerslist Means to Me – IVDD Awareness Month

Posted by Barbara Techel

This month is IVDD (Intervertebal Disc Disease) Awareness month. Along with Dodgerslist, I want to continue to give others hope that IVDD is not a death sentence. Joie was my helper in this video and I think you will see in the video toward the end that she thinks Dodgerslist is pretty cool, too. Thank you Dodgerslist for all you do to help save dogs lives!!

 

Tuning Into Our Pets We Can See Ourselves.

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1625 1200pMy understanding of how each dog that comes into our lives and have new lessons to teach us continues to deepen. Or as they say, each dog comes into our lives just at the right time for whatever it is we need at that time.

Joie and I have had to make our adjustments. But in being honest with myself, I realize it was me that needed to be more open and pay attention to who Joie is as a dog. Ever since I had a reading with animal communicator, Dawn, concentrating on what Joie needs, I’ve felt a beautiful shift in my relationship with her.

Now don’t get me wrong– I loved Joie from the minute I saw her. I wanted her with all my heart and I’m so glad she is mine. But I still had work to do on myself, and quite honestly, I’ll always have work to do. This is what life is all about, right?

Joie is the first dog I’ve ever adopted, so I didn’t know how her day to day was before me. It is also interesting that when I share with people that I adopted her, and she is paralyzed, many assume she was abused. As far as I know, that is not the case.

Whatever Joie was used to before she came to live with John and I, I’ve learned to be more aware of her needs and be more observant. I discovered one morning as she was watching out the patio door, that maybe she wanted to be out on the deck while I was getting ready. Sure enough, I opened the door, out she went, and she seemed to have the best time exploring all by herself. I hadn’t thought before to let her do this because Frankie didn’t like being alone outside and would whimper if I wasn’t out there with her.

I love cuddle time with Joie, but I’m also enjoying seeing her as the independent little dog she is.  How interesting as I think she is helping me to be even stronger in what is right for my own life as well.

We (hopefully) have many years ahead of us to grow into the relationship that is meant to be just right for us. But Joie is a reminder to me to stay tuned in not only to her needs, but mine as well.