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My Dachshund Thermometer

Posted by Barbara Techel

I need not ever look at the outside thermometer or watch the weather channel to know if it’s cold outside. I knew it had to be quite cold today when I saw this scene on my bed this morning…

Yup that’s Frankie’s butt after she schnuffled under the bed pillow (schnuffle may not be a word in the dictionary but it is one in our household)…. and scroll down for proof that this is the butt that belongs to Frankie.

 

 

Seems like when you are a L O N G dog one can never get both ends tucked in!

We had a great visit to Notre Dame Elementary School today where one of my favorite questions was asked again. It’s usually a boy who asks, and yup, a young boy asked today:  “Does Frankie’s wheelchair ever get a flat tire?”  I told him that she has never had a flat tire, but one tire did come off once, so she was tipped to the side on her axel in the living room, whimpering till I came and jacked her back up again.  Kids always love that story!

Cold, frigid day here in Wisconsin today, but my heart was warmed with how excited all the kids were today to meet Frankie. It was a good day.

 

Who Me? Poop In School?

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

Who me? Poop in school?

Today Frankie and I visited Jackson school. It was the second time they invited us back. As I was just getting into my presentation, Frankie decides she must poop right then. Well, I suppose when a girl has to go, she just has to go!

I calmy whisked her to the side, grabbed a plastic bag, and let her do “her thing.”  But of course, the kids could not let her poop in silence so there was a chorus of ewwwww’s, gross! and yuck! I found myself snickering as Frankie finished up her business.

Such a great teaching opportunity as I calmly said to the kids, “No big deal. This is a normal bodily function.”

I couldn’t help but think on the way home also about how I handled that all with a sense of calm. I guess after 325 appearances, one learns to just go with the flow. But I recall when I first wrote my children’s book and how I worried about writing about when she pooped in the waiting room of the vet’s office. I didn’t want to include that because I was embarrassed. But I was encouraged to include it, because others said kids would love it.  They were right. Every time I read the part in my book when Frankie pooped there is a scream of delight from the crowd- cracks me up every time.

It also reminds me of how at the beginning of Frankie’s paralysis and my frustration in trying to figure out the timing of when she’d have to go. I about went crazy cleaning up after her. But then one day realized, oh my gosh, it is only poop! There are way worse things in life. No big deal.

So as Frankie pooped in school today I was reminded of how far I’ve come. It makes me smile… and yes, even chuckle. But the best part is, I don’t get upset, but just keep moving forward with a sense of peace and calm. What a great place to be. Thank you my little dog on wheels for teaching me patience and humility.  Good dog, Frankie. Good dog.

Divine Gifts. Carrying on Frankie’s Mission.

Posted by Barbara Techel


Frankie enjoying more down time. She likes it!  She likes it!

Today I heard from someone who follows my blog. She shared with me how she admires the work I do with Frankie, as well as how some of my posts have helped her relax more and see the spiritual side of things. Thank you dear follower- oh, how I appreciate your kind thoughtful words.

She also has a doxie in a wheelchair and would like to do the same work as I do with Frankie. She feared I may take this as possibly her being a copycat, so at first she was afraid to reach out to me. With Frankie’s semi-retirement she felt a bit more comfortable in approaching me. I assured her I think it is wonderful that she has admired our mission and is inspired to do so with her pup. It also made me sad that we have to think in terms of someone worrying that others may be upset if we “copy” their idea. While Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog will always be just that and no one can take that from her, what a wonderful opportunity to help share the message she has begun. This wheelie dog and her owner will do things in their own way and thus touch the lives they are meant to touch- just like Frankie and me have done. And how beautiful to know more doxie lives can be saved through more awareness. These are all divine gifts, I think. I consider it a great honor.

While Frankie is officially semi-retired and I continue to share her message on a more limited basis, I still see myself as always doing this line of work. Likely not to the degree I did for the last five years, but to some degree now. And the day Frankie does move on I hope to continue working with children in some fashion educating them about special needs pets and using these pets shining example to help they, themselves to be positive. That may mean another special needs doxie or special needs pet in my future. I don’t know the clear answer to that yet- but I see a vision of it being a part of what I continue to do… along with new things emerging in terms of my helping animals.

But to my dear blog follower who found the courage to reach out and share her thoughts with me about her vision, I thank you. It’s another rippled pepple that will go out into the world to touch the lives of those we have not yet reached or may never reach– which in turn will make a positive difference– and that is what life is all about. Divine gifts indeed.

“The life I desire is a work in progress, and even though I can’t see the entire picture from where I stand at this moment, it is coming together in a perfect way. It’s comforting to me to remember that divine ideas have their own timing. When I can wait, in calm expectation; ready to act, but not forcing it, an idea, a suggestion from a friend, an opportunity, a new way of thinking about a perplexing problem, will come bounding into my life and bring with it the answers that I have been seeking.” ~Mary Muncil, White Feather Farm Blog