joyful paws

The Right Thing to Do for Frankie. Joie’s Tire Tracks Now Lead the Way. Come Follow.

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1459[1] 1200My heart is full up with love and joy today!  It is in the 60’s and finally feels like spring. Joie was out in the yard for a good part of the morning exploring our backyard. We have about 3/4 of an acre, so lots for her to check out.  This is really the first time she has been able to do that since she arrived mid-October last fall. See more photos of her outside on my Facebook wall.

I can’t stop smiling and my heart oozes with happiness watching her outside. Reflecting back on last summer and how empty I felt without Frankie, having my new wheelie side kick with me to do outdoor things feels so good.

I’ve had a few people upset that I will be taking Frankie’s Facebook page down in June. While they respect my decision, they were sad to hear this. I’m so glad so many loved that little dog, and as you know, I loved her so very dearly. I would likely not have Joie, if it were not for Frankie.  She gave me the gift of opening my heart to another disabled doxie.

It is time to keep moving forward though, and I’ve felt that strongly with Frankie lately. I’d actually been ignoring the thoughts that kept popping in my head about her page. I wasn’t ready for that step yet.  But after receiving the beautiful shadow box of Frankie’s things from my friend, Cassy, it all made sense, that yes, it was time.

I’ve moved all her photos and created two albums on my Facebook page, as well as on National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day page, so she will always be there for anyone who wants to visit her there. She is not going away… but I just feel this is a new place for her to rest more at peace.

Some have suggested a page for Joie, but that does not feel right to me. Joyful Paws is what I am about, so it seems fitting to carry on the mission Frankie helped me begin via my Facebook page, etc.

The other interesting part to it all, is I needed to do this for Frankie. For me. She taught me not to worry so much what others thought of my choices, to define my own path, and to follow my heart. It is exactly what I am doing. If I’d do anything other than this, I feel like I would be letting her down. And so it is. The right thing to do. I rest easy in my decision and I know Frankie moves lighter in spirit.

It is time for Joie to fill a new place in our hearts and leave tire tracks to a new path… whatever that path may be is yet to be determined. But I feel strongly that letting go as completely as possible– without ever forgetting– is the way to new life and new possibilities. I can’t imagine Frankie would want that any other way.

Is that You Spring? Come Sit a Spell.

Posted by Barbara Techel

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The door to my writing cottage eagerly awaits spring and summer when it can be open for the delicious smells to waft inside, and the sounds of birds singing as the music for the day.

It has been unusually cold this spring. Plus we’ve had our share of snow covered ground quite a few mornings even though the calendar says it is April. The sun has also been hiding behind clouds that continue to invade our little village. But alas, today the sun peeked out for a good part of the day, though now it is cloudy.

What a spring (pun intended!) that brought to my step! I could hardly wait until noon to take the girls out for a walk. It was windy, but at least the wind was warm, so I didn’t mind. But it was so windy that at times, Joie had to stop and catch her breath rolling so hard against the gusts that threatened to roll her backwards. If sniffing the ground every two inches and marking your territory is a sign of spring, well then, Kylie had that down to a tee.

Oh, the glories of spring that came to my neck of the woods today for a few short hours. There is hope it will come to stay longer, though the rest of the week calls for cooler temps again, plus lots more rain, with the week ending with a chance of snow showers.

But even so, I finally felt like getting my spring wreath up from downstairs and placing it on my writing cottage door.

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I also ordered a spring flag for the front of my house since my other flag had all but faded from so many hours of sun beating down on it.  I can hardly wait for my new flag to arrive.  What do you think?  This just all has to help spring come to Wisconsin, don’t you think?

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But I say thank you for the taste of spring today. A chance to go for a leisurely stroll with the dogs, who are now curled up and napping the afternoon away. Now don’t be shy spring, and please do come around again soon!

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Now that is a Funny Looking Chicken!

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1279As you can see from the photo, I have a painted chicken theme screen along a wall in my kitchen. I got it many years ago from a man who was 80-years old and painted it himself. I just love it!  It cost the price of a small appliance, but it was one of those things I just had to have.

So lately, Joie has taken up to sitting near the chickens and looking out the front door at dinner time.  And she clucks almost like the sound of a chicken! It is really making John and I laugh… of course until she does not stop!  She clucks and clucks.  I’ve tried to tell her she is not a chicken, but she continues to perch on her roost every night as I make dinner. If I want her to stop clucking I have to literally move her from her perch and place her elsewhere.  It really is quite comical!

And then this picture below that I got of her has me convinced she is indeed part chicken– as if she is looking for seed!  You know though, the thing is… I’ve always wanted chickens.  I just didn’t know I was going to get one that looked like a Dachshund!

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