national walk n roll dog day

Meet Colby: Another Recipient of the Frankie Wheelchair Fund

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_0674Perhaps you might have “met” Colby already if you are fans of Lovey Loaves Sanctuary as that is where Colby happily resides as one of the top chief ambassadors for pets with special needs.

I’ve admired the passionate work of Cheri and Ward Wells who run the special needs dog rescue for quite some time.  Colby is a very happy and active pup who is so busy keeping things in order and playing that his wheelchair broke one day!  Well, we can’t have that when one’s job is so very important and vital to things running smoothly at the sanctuary.

I’m happy to report that Colby is up and running and full speed and capacity now with his shining new wheels from Eddie’s Wheels and courtesy of the Frankie Wheelchair Fund.

I’ll be sharing two more dogs the Frankie Wheelchair Fund has helped in the near future.  This makes 17 dogs, because of the generous contributions from others, that we have been able to help live a happy, quality life. Thank you!  Thank you!

I want to help more!  To learn more about the fund please visit our website www.nationalwalknrolldogday.com

You can also follow along on Facebook for inspirational dogs in wheels as well as find Lovey Loaves on Facebook too!

Meet Bam Bam: Another Recipient of the Frankie Wheelchair Fund

Posted by Barbara Techel

bam bam 1Could he be any cuter?  Meet Bam Bam, the newest recipient to receive a wheelchair through the Frankie Wheelchair Fund. This fund, in memory of my wheelie dog, Frankie, provides wheelchairs to dogs with mobility issues. This makes 15 dogs the fund has been able to help thanks to our very generous donors! Thank you also to Eddie’s Wheels for working with us in helping us help these special dogs.

Please help me in sending all the best for Bam Bam and his wonderful mom, Cherice for giving him a wonderful life!

If you’d like to learn how you can contribute to the Frankie Wheelchair Fund or apply for financial assistance for a wheelchair, please visit National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day website.

Bam Bam says, “Have wheels and ball?  Me can run and play!”

bam bam 2

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.