kyla duffy

Inspiring Stories About Pets with Disabilities: Share the Inspiration!

Posted by Barbara Techel

I love what Eric Melvin, an author in Inspiring Stories About Pets with Disabilities” has to say which was inspired by his dog Angelyne who is deaf:

“The D word: Many people use the word disability to describe you and me. Some things we do well, and some things we don’t, but it’s not because we don’t try. There are many words that start with D that better describe us:  Daring, Driven, Dedicated, Determined, Diligent, Dauntless, Dashing, Dapper, Delightful, Devoted, Dignified, Dynamic, Dandy: We’re not disabled. We’re uniquely-abled, and we can do amazing things.”

DisabilitiesI shared my review of this new book on Amazon today. Of course, I am a bit biased I suppose since my story about Joie is also featured. But more importantly I really want others to read these stories.  You know why?  Because it is my hope that others will be inspired and will then take action and consider adopting a special needs pet.

My life changed for the better when my first dachshund, Frankie became paralyzed. While I  thought it was a tragedy at the time, I’m so glad I gave her a chance. She in turn changed me and I became a better human being. This led me to knowing in my heart that my next dog would have to be another dachshund with IVDD and one who was in need of a wheelchair.

While my compassion and understanding of special needs pets grew deeper because of Frankie, and now Joie, I also became a better human being toward my fellow mankind. Even if bringing a special needs pet into your life is not what you can do, just reading the stories will likely inspire you. If you then encourage others to read them also, this may lead to those who can bring these animals into their lives.  How cool would that be?

I also can’t help but think of what Eric shared with all the words that do begin with D to describe special needs pets – but they also describe people.  Not only people with special needs, but all of us. We all have challenges of one kind or another. Some seen and some not. If pets with special needs can look past their special challenges, then we can too. These stories will encourage you to look for all the good you do have, and then encourage others to do the same.

Animals and the lessons they teach we mere mortals–it will always fascinate and intrigue me.

You can order Volume I as well as Volume II is now available too.  Please also do consider with your purchase of having the portion of the sale donated to Red Flyer organization which helps special needs pets.

A big congratulations to my friend, Abby and her wheelchair-bound dachshund, Sophie who is featured in Volume II!!

Note:  all authors who contributed stories for these books did not receive a fee. They all are passionate about bringing positive awareness to these amazing animals and helping those that are in need of new homes.

 

Inspiring Stories About Pets with Disabilities–Featuring Yours Truly– Joie, a Walk ‘N Roll Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

DisabilitiesIt is with great honor that I announce my story of how I came to love another wheelchair dog, Joie,  is part of this wonderful new book from Happy Tails Books and Kylie Duffy, Lost Souls Found: Inspiring Stories About Pets with Disabilities. 

A portion of the proceeds, should you elect this as your charity of choice, will go to “Red Flyer,” so your donation can go toward providing carts for pets with mobility issues. I happen to think this is a pretty special thing!

About the book:

Some people with giant hearts set out to help pets with disabilities. Other people somehow come to have special-needs pets before they realize how blessed they are to have received the pet they needed, even if it wasn’t necessarily the pet they wanted at first. Whatever the case, many people find that their “special-abled” pets have added a new dimension to their lives that no readily-adoptable pet ever could.

Lost Souls: FOUND! Inspiring Stories About Pets with Disabilities is full of 40+ stories from people whose lives have been touched by “less-adoptable” animals, animals with physical or mental limitations that significantly affect their lives. These uplifting stories prove that animals with disabilities can prove to be equally good, if not better, companions than “normal” animals.

PRE-ORDER your copy today!  All orders will ship out first week of July.

All stories were submitted as volunteer and a way of helping spread a positive message about the many blessings pets with special needs are. I tip my hat and my heart to all those who love special needs pets and who submitted stories. And I am honored to proudly display this certificate in my writing cottage for recognition of my story of Joie as one of the feature stories.

Techel joie story certificate feature story

Review of “Lost Souls: Found!” Inspiring Stories about Dachshunds

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

So if you follow me on my blog you know I am a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE (did I say huge?) Dachshund lover!  I can’t get enough of them.  If I could, I would have a house full of them, but then that would mean my husband would move out.. so even though now and then that does seem like a viable option, most days I will say are pretty great with my hubby. So I will continue to HUGELY love my little Frankie… and ok, I will share a bit of that love with husband John, also.

So here comes this fun and loving book about Dachshunds which had me laughing, crying, saying “awwww” quite often and left my heart feeling all warm and fuzzy. Authors Kyla Duffy and Lowrey Mumford of Happy Tails Books did a superb job gathering all these stories into one precious book.

The stories are all about dachshunds that have been rescued  Sharon Smith, President of DARE (Dachshund Adoption Rescue Education), Florida as quoted from the book, “There are so many Dachshunds in need, and I am just one among many devoted volunteers who have given our hearts and souls to make a difference in their lives.  Though difficult and draining at times, rescue is the most rewarding thing aI can think to do with my life.  I hope the stories in this book encourage you to consider making rescue a part of your life, too.”

If you have ever been loved by a Dachshund you know the many faces and antics of these little ones.  There simply is no other breed like them!

My favorite story in the book is, “Don’t Read This While You’re Eating.”  Little Skippy, a paralyzed Dachshund found his forever home with Angela Johnson.  Angela had never seen a dog in a wheelchair before, yet opened her heart to care for Skippy.  What she didn’t realize is because of his paralysis he could not control his bladder and bowels.  After cleaning carpets again and again, trying doggie diapers and belly bands and baby “onsies” Angela became quite overwhelmed.  She finally learned about “expressing the bladder” which she first did on a pee pad, but then did what I also now do with Frankie, which is express Skippy on the toilet!  Genius!  Skippy and Angela have formed a deep bond– no doubt because Skippy knows how much she loves him.

While some of the stories are tough to read, like “The Ripple Effect” where one little six-pound dog was left to die on the side of a busy road, she caused a ripple effect of love when many opened up their hearts to  help her heal, that this is what this book is all about.  Dogs have souls, I truly believe that, and this sweet little doxie they named Joan of Arc had the will to live and just needed a little help.

To look into the eyes of a Dachshund (or any dog for that matter) is to see what is good with the world.  No matter what they have been through they will love humans unconditionally, even if a human put them in a dire situation. These Dachshund short stories (pun intended!) will have your heart feeling complete joy and just may have you wanting to bring one into your lives.

Order a copy today for all the Dachshund lovers on your holiday list!

A portion of proceeds from the book are donated to Dachshund rescue groups.