ivdd

A Tribute to Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog by Linda Cole of Canidae Pet Ownership Blog

Posted by Barbara Techel

The outpouring and caring and tributes continue to bring my heart and soul such comfort.  This is a beautifully written tribute by Linda Cole, freelance writer with Canidae Pet Ownership blog.  I can’t say thank you enough… but thank you so much.

On a side note I made a final visit to Libby’s House today, where Frankie and I were a volunteer therapy dog team for 3.5 years to help the residents find closure after Frankie’s passing.  I had planned to write about it later today, but it got late. It was also all very emotional– healing, but emotional so I’ll write about it tomorrow.  Hope you will enjoy this wonderful tribute from Linda…

A Tribute to Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog

by Linda Cole

When you gaze into the eyes of a dog, there’s a goodness and honesty no human can match. Dogs are just so unpretentious, and walk beside us for as long as they can. Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog lived the last six years of her life in a wheelchair. She crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on June, 21, 2012 from Chronic Heart Disease, but this isn’t about the end – it’s about the amazing life of a little dog who never gave up. I spoke recently with Frankie’s mom, Barbara Techel, to learn more about the little Dachshund who stole the hearts of thousands of people she met. You see, Francesca was a therapy dog who used her disability and spirit to teach others, including Barb, about life and why it’s important to savor every moment we have on earth, and never give up.

Read the rest of the tribute here…

Why I Will Continue To Advocate for IVDD and Wheelchair Dogs

Posted by Barbara Techel

I’ve gotten so many emails since Frankie’s passing two weeks ago– all very touching– and the ones I find my heart ooze over with complete joy are the ones of people who I’ve heard from that Frankie and I have been able to help when their dog was diagnosed with IVDD– the ones we gave hope and they saw too, that they could care for their dog with IVDD– that it was not a death sentence.  It is why I will continue to advocate for IVDD and wheelchair dogs and it brings me complete happiness to help others through this.

Here is an email I got today from a woman named Staci sharing with me her story.  I’m so happy we could help give her hope.

Although I do not know exactly what to say in times like these, I felt that I should write you because your stories helped me feel so much better. 2 weeks ago, my Dachshund Clyde ruptured a disk in his spine. His back legs were paralyzed and he could not control his bladder.  I also thought, “Why is this happening to me?” Clyde is 6 years old and I had a feeling it was going to happen at some point in his life, but I just never thought it would be so sudden. It brings me to tears to even think about it.

As they told us about all the possibilities that could happen, the 2 main things I kept thinking about was, 1.) If he was in a wheel chair and could not control his bladder, he would be put to sleep or 2.)  He could be in a wheel chair for the rest of his life and I could not come to grips with that. I felt like my life would never be the same if that happened. When I started to read all of your stories I started to feel very selfish because even though Clyde might have ended up in a wheel chair, I would still have him in my life and that meant more to me than anything. I felt that I should write you as you are going through this rough time to tell you that ya’lls stories and encouraging words helped me understand that just because he might have ended up in a wheel chair, I would still have him and he would still love us no matter what happened. Clearly, this was the case with Frankie as well. Although she has passed, she will live on forever. I just wanted to thank you, with your stories you helped me overcome something very difficult.

I’ll continue to help who I can through those reaching out to me via email or phone with their dogs diagonosed with IVDD.  And I’ll continue to share with them Dodgerslist, a caring and dedicated organization who help educate others about this disease, as well as, share Eddie’s Wheels as one of the best dog wheelchair companies out there.

Dachshund Delights Editor Shares Beautiful Tribute About Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

Over the years  Jerry Stemnock, editor of Dachshund Delights newsletter has written some wonderful pieces about Frankie, helping to spread Frankie’s positive message about IVDD and wheelchair dogs.  I’ve never met Jerry, but consider him a wonderful friend for all he did for me and Frankie.

Without further ado, I share a portion of what he wrote and then you’ll have to click on over to the newsletter to read the rest.  While on their site check out all the fun dachshund stuff!  And a special thank you to owner, April Scott for all the cute vests she made over the years for Frankie, which Frankie loved to show off.

Goodbye Frankie

This isn’t the story we set out to write. That story was a celebration.

This isn’t the story that we wanted to write, although we knew we would eventually. This story is a memorial. But because the subject of the story naturally inspired such things, it’s a celebration as well.

On June 4, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll dog announced her retirement. She was tired, and it was time for her to take it easy. On June 14,she made her last public appearance. On June 21, unexpectedly, she passed from the world, brought down by chronic heart disease. She was two months shy of her 13th birthday.

Most of you who visit this site know about Frankie – Francesca, to use her proper name. But for those of you who are newcomers, here’s the summary. Until 2006, Frankie was like any other dog. Sweet of face and much loved, just like your dogs and ours. In 2006, while staying at a boarding kennel, she jumped onto her food container, slipped off and injured her spine. Barb Techel, Frankie’s mom, did all the right things. She got Frankie right into surgery, then worked with her at hydrotherapy and rehab. But to no avail. It became clear that Frankie would not walk again.  Click here to read the rest of the tribute.