joyful paws

Merry Christmas From Our Home to Yours (Wagging Tails and All!)

Posted by Barbara Techel

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Dear Friends,

I share with you a special Christmas letter of short captions and photos I’ve put together!

It is memories and experiences that make our lives meaningful.

 My wish for you this holiday season, and always, are memories to warm your heart and new experiences to enrich your life.

Merry Christmas and all the best in 2014!

2014 brought many blessings, a few goodbyes, and some wonderful welcomes…

January 2013:  We welcomed my brother, Keith, home after serving nine months in Afghanistan. We are so proud of his service, and all the men and women who continue to serve.

February 2013: I published my memoir, Through Frankie’s Eyes: One woman’s journey to her authentic self and the dog on wheels who led the way.

May 2013:  We welcomed our dear friend, Cassy Tully, into our home, guiding her through a major life transition. In the process, little did we know, we’d become our special definition of a family.

July 14, 2013: We said goodbye to my Uncle Dale—one of the hardest working men we ever knew!

July 18, 2013: I turned 50!  Something I embraced with open arms and am so happy to have arrived—not everyone is lucky enough to say that.

August 2013: Joie had the amazing opportunity to play her cute self in wheels in the film, “The Surface.” Filmed in Mequon by producer Jeff Gendelman and directed by Gil Cates, Jr. It was the opportunity of a lifetime! Though her part is very short (no pun intended!) she will represent all dogs in wheelchairs around the world when the movie comes out in theatres later in 2014.

August 22, 2013:  Just a little over a week after being on the set of the movie, we had to say goodbye to our sweet, little Joie.  Complications we were unaware of when we adopted her came without much warning. Though our hearts broke, we did the most humane thing for her and set her free. She was such a gift.

September 2013:  Our “little bird,” Cassy, decided to spread her wings and fly out on her own into a little apartment of her own. Shortly after that, we all took a memorable trip to Door County, giving thanks for all the blessings of the summer, and reminisced in how we all grew in many ways!

October 2013:  A fun-filled trip was made to Asheville, North Carolina.  We had a blast!

October 2013:  Kylie weighs in at 80 pounds- down from 105 pounds in December 2012.  Her secret?  A change in lighter food and no longer “cleaning” plates.

October and November 2013:  John gave of his time and talent building Cassy’s dream of a new studio and custom frame shop.

November 14, 2013:  We welcomed a new special needs dachshund into our lives—Gidget! And yes, as you already know– she has stolen our hearts!

November 17, 2013:  John and I celebrated 29 years of marriage!

November 21, 2013: We welcomed a woodstove into our little cottage. Ever since we visited Vermont two years ago, staying in an 800 ft. rental cottage with a woodstove, we dreamed of adding one to our cozy home.  We love it!

December 2013:  We were proud to showcase the talent of John and his craftsmanship of Cassy Tully – Fine Art during Cassy’s Grand Opening.

As always, I continue to be so very grateful for your support in reading my blog and books, as well as your support of my mission and special needs pets.

Wishing you a beautiful Christmas!

With gratitude and Love,

Barbara

You Asked the Question. How Does Kylie Like Gidget? I Answer.

Posted by Barbara Techel

kylie and gidgetIt was late when I got home with Gidget last Friday night. Steph’s connecting flight with Gidget had been delayed two hours.  After getting Steph to her hotel room and then getting to know Gidget, I felt myself getting quite tired from all the anticipation, excitement, and running on little sleep. After a tearful and grateful goodbye, I headed home around 10:00pm.

It was 11:15pm when I got home. Well past my bedtime!  The house was dark and Kylie and John were fast asleep.  I tiptoed quietly into the house with my special little fur bundle. I was giddy with excitement, but also didn’t want to startle my two sleepyheads. So I turned on a side light.  This was enough to get both my sleeping beauties to stir.

It took John a bit to wake up from a deep sleep, while Kylie jumped down off the bed and came to check out what it was I was holding in my arms.  I said, “Come meet your new little sister.”

I walked to the kitchen and Kylie followed.  I bent down by her and let her sniff Gidget. As Kylie lay on the hardwood floor, I set Gidget  down. She proceeded to wiggle walk around the kitchen checking things out, rather oblivious to the big yellow dog who just gave her a big sniff.

Kylie has always been a dog that just goes with the flow of things. While I can never really know what she thinks, I do believe if she could talk she would tell me she expected I’d be bringing home another dachshund eventually. I swear watching her watch Gidget she was thinking, “Well, it’s about time!”

If you’ve lived with a dachshund you know they have this way of becoming queen or king of the house almost instantly. It is no different with Gidget.  She is now the Queen and Kylie is happy to let her be just that. Never being an alpha dog, this is fine with Kylie.

They have not yet really played together, but I think in time that will happen too. It is all still so new. But I must say, Kylie is a wonderful big sister. But more than that she, is a great dog. She has been laid back and gentle all her eight years. Just like all my dachshunds with IVDD have done with adapting to their life as it is, so it is with Kylie. Nothing really flusters her except strangers or strange dog’s in the yard.

I know introducing a new dog to a dog already in your household does not always go smoothly creating not so happy endings at times.  I count my blessings that Kylie is fine with Gidget and vice versa.  Home Sweet Home.