Thank you to Pet Blogs United and Pam and Oskar for sharing my story to help educate others about Intervertebral Disc Disease – education is key and saves lives. Stop on over and check out my story and leave a comment on the blog post for your change to win a set of my fun dress up magnets! HURRY- ends Wednesday, March 7th, 2012.
WIN a set of my Frankie magnet Dress up Sets!!
Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog wins 1st place in Dachshund Costume contest in 2008 at
GermanFest in Milwaukee, WI
As I perused Facebook this morning, I came across this photo above of Frankie on Everyone Loves a Dachshund Facebook page. I was so grateful for the fact that they shared the photo uninitiated by me, but also because it helps spread our positive message. And here it is almost 4 years later and it has resurfaced.
As I read the comments (to date over 63- as well as this photo has been liked so far by over 450 people and shared over 130 times) there were about four negative comments… mostly that it was mean or cruel. My first reaction was to judge– “How could they say that,” I wondered? They don’t know me and don’t understand what a wonderful life Frankie leads. I had a lot of emotions bubble to the surface. All the good and positive comments were washed away because my heart hurt reading the negative ones. But then I caught myself.
I realized in that moment that I was being given another opportunity. An opportunity to educate those that may not understand. Those that don’t know how deeply I love this little dog– how I’ve poured my heart and soul into wanting to save other dogs being put to sleep through Frankie’s example– how I’ve worked tirelessly to encourage children to see their challenges as positive like Frankie does.
They didn’t know any better, I thought. They had no idea what this photo was all about. I could help them understand. So I set aside my hurt and judgment and shared my thoughts about the photo– as well as took the opportunity to educate about Intervertebral Disc Disease and dog wheelchairs.
They also say no press is bad press. I realized I was judging, caught myself, and said, “Frankie taught me not to judge.” Am I 100% good at this? No, I slip up now and then, but I will say I am much more aware and I try hard to be a better person.
So no press is bad press, so I took the opportunity to share that not only has Frankie taught me not to judge, but she has taught me many lessons which I’ll be sharing in my upcoming new book, Through Frankie’s Eyes: One Woman’s Journey to Her Authentic Self and the Dog on Wheels Who Led the Way. I invited them to check out my website and sign up for updates on when the book will be released.
So what began as what I initially thought as a bad thing– judging– being hurt– turn it upside down, and it became a beautiful opportunity in so many ways. Thank you Everyone Loves A Dachshund for this most unexpected, but welcome opportunity.
It’s hard to believe it is has been since 2008 that Frankie and I have been teaching kids about special needs pets, while also encouraging them to see their own challenges in a positive way. This is such rewarding work. Each visit we now do seems even more precious since Frankie is semi-retired.
Recently we visited a small catholic school, Shepherd of the Hills. It was such a delightful school and the kids were oober crazy to meet Frankie! I’m so excited to share these photos with you that the school took and granted me permission to share. Each photo describes what Frankie and I teach the kids during our presentation. Side note: It was catholic school week, so today’s theme was tropical, so that is why the students are all dressed so colorfully. 🙂
This student is learning how to put Frankie in her wheelchair with a little help from me.
Student learning how Frankie’s wheelchair all fits together.
A big round of applause for this student doing such a great job in helping Frankie into her wheelchair
Explaining to the students how I have to express Frankie’s bladder since she can’t do that on her own because of her Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). I then show them a photo of how I hold Frankie over the toilet as I express her bladder. As you can imagine, this gets lots of giggles!
I ask for three volunteers to come up and learn how to do physical therapy on Frankie. This student is getting ready to do one of the exercises I did for Frankie when she was recovering and healing.
This student is learning how to do a range of motion exercise for Frankie
This student learned how to move Frankie’s leg and pretend like Frankie was pedaling a bicycle in this exercise
Showing Frankie’s dog wheelchair to the students so they can see what it looks like without her in it
The grand finale is showing the students how I trained Frankie to walk in her wheelchair. I hold a treat in my hand and as soon as I start to walk, Frankie follows me. The students cheer and clap and this always warms my heart… right down to my toes.