nonfiction

Available for Book Club Discussions. Touching a Chord. Book Giveaway!

Posted by Barbara Techel

chillin out with Joie

Chillin’ out with Joie, my inspiration and reminder that life is so good!

I’m really enjoying hearing from many of you after you’ve read my new book. I’m feeling so honored that my book is touching a chord. It felt incredibly vulnerable letting my story go out into the world. But those of you sharing your thoughts with me have truly touched me. Thank you.

One thing I’d like to do is connect with book clubs for discussion around any or all of the topics in my book. If you belong to a book club, we can do this via phone or Skype. If your group has never done this before in terms of phone or Skype, I can help with that. I’m also available in person depending on your location. For more information please feel free to contact me.

While I wrote my book mainly for women, I was deeply touched by an email I received from David, who is 49 years old. He gave me permission to share what he wrote to me.

“Through your work, you’ve helped me look at certain things that I’ve worried about in life a whole different light. Bailey had back surgery a couple years ago, and we were fortunate that she recovered well. However, our vet has told us that after looking at some x-rays for Rudy, she would most likely be susceptible to back issues. So, I’ve been stressed about that for quite some time, that is until I read your book. What a positive outlook it has helped me formulate on the whole situation. I’m sure that whatever happens, it will turn out to be a blessing.

I’ve also lost a lot of loved ones in my life, my parents in my 20’s and many other relatives throughout the years. Thus, turning 50 this year wasn’t feeling all that great, but once again, you’ve given me a few things to contemplate and for that I’m really thankful. I know that I have the best years of my life to come, sharing them with my loving partner of 10 years and our beautiful, very special girls that you see in the photo. I’m looking forward to get on with it now more than ever!”

I wanted to share this because as I mentioned, I felt vulnerable putting my thoughts out there. While at the same time, I realize so many of us struggle with some of the same issues. While these issues may seem ordinary, I came to see that if they stop us from living fuller, happier lives, then we need to start talking about them and encouraging each other.

In an upcoming Joyful Paws Jaunt blog stop later this month I’ll be talking about how being vulnerable actually helps us when writing memoir on Kathleen Pooler’s memoir blog. But even if you aren’t planning on writing your memoir, I’d love to connect with you and your book club for discussion around topics that do make us vulnerable and stop us from going after our dreams and our hearts desires.

**If you’d like to try and win a copy of Through Frankie’s Eyes, be sure to stop by The Mary Reader blog soon and leave a comment to have your name entered. You must also sign up to follow Mary’s blog to qualify and details on the right hand side of her page.

 

Following Inspiration Instead of Fear

Posted by Barbara Techel

Yesterday I finished another complete edit on my manuscript, Through Frankie’s Eyes. As I looked up from my computer, happy to have made it this far, I looked up to see Frankie looking at me. I couldn’t help but get tears in my eyes. She is the inspiration that keeps pushing me forward… even when fear tries to invade my thoughts.

The photo above was taken last January and I couldn’t help but take note of that as well. That is when I began writing my new book. My first adult nonfiction, and I guess you could say it is my memoir. Wow, I thought, a whole year has passed. I said to Frankie, “Hey sweetie, we did it. You helped me write this book. If it wasn’t for you I don’t know if I could have done it.” I got up from my chair and went over and kissed and hugged her. My heart was oozing with gratefulness.

It’s scary to write your story and share you thoughts with the world. I’m a constant work in progress reminding myself to follow my heart, my inspiration, and bull doze past the fear of what others will think or say about the book. I remind myself that those it needs to help, it will. Those that it does not, will never ever even read it. That’s okay. But I do hope it helps others in so many ways… to follow their own hearts, to be open and listen to the messages of our animal world, to step into their own truths, to live with more joy.

 

Press Release: Book Signing at LaDeDa Books & Beans, Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Posted by Barbara Techel

LaDeDa Books To Host Book Signing with Award-Winning Duo Barbara Techel and Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog

Barbara Techel and her 11-year-old wheelchair-bound dachshund to share their rewarding volunteer therapy dog work through newest book in the series, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Visits Libby’s House.

LaDeDa Books & Beans is sponsoring a book signing with the award-winning duo to be held on Saturday, October 9th at 10:30am at 1624 York Avenue, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Before the book signing, Barbara will give a brief talk, selected reading and answer questions.  And most importantly, Frankie will be there and promised to bring you smiles and joy by being in her loving presence.

We all face challenges in life, but dealing them is much easier when there’s support and understanding from significant others—even animals. Frankie is a dachshund who is paralyzed in her hind quarters as a result of an injury. But, she does not allow her physical challenges to limit her purpose or her gift of healing to others. Custom-fitted for a doggie wheelchair (dog cart), Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog uses her disability to bring a message of hope and encouragement to young and old.

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House is a true story told from a therapy dog’s viewpoint. This, the second book in the series, tells how Frankie became a registered therapy dog and gives several personal accounts of her visits to the residents of Libby’s House, a senior facility where many residents have Alzheimer’s or dementia www.libbyshouse.com.

Frankie’s human mom and the book’s author, Barbara Techel, hoped for years to have a therapy dog and share the love that only a dog can bring. She wanted the dog to visit people who may not have animal contact on a regular basis.

“When Frankie was fitted for a doggie wheelchair, I wrote the first book and started taking her to local schools to entertain children,” says Barbara. “I realized Frankie would make a great therapy dog for adults as well as children. The fact that she is in a wheelchair makes her a bit more unique as she helps people in nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice identify on a deeper level. She has a challenge like many of them.”

Visiting Libby’s House once a month opened Barbara’s heart and eyes to realizing that people may not always understand what the elderly are going through, and all they want is someone to listen and spend time with them.

“I especially want children to not fear seniors who face the challenges brought on by aging,” says Ms. Techel. “I hope to encourage children to spend and cherish time with their own grandparents. I hope children will realize the beauty and wisdom in the elderly.”

“All one needs to do is see the expression in the eyes of those Frankie touches to know she is tangible love,” says Christine Thill, owner and RN administrator of Libby’s House where Frankie volunteers. “When the body fails, the spirit soars! Frankie’s visits along with Barb’s gentle nature are a true blessing to Libby’s House.”

Because she is bringing positive awareness to animals with disabilities through her therapy dog work, Frankie was inducted into the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame as Companion Dog in 2009. This little dog teaches us that patience, listening, and understanding opens our hearts to what matters most—love.

Through Frankie’s example, Barbara hopes to encourage anyone facing a challenge.

Having a disability does not mean we don’t have gifts to offer. Each of us can give back to the world in our own, unique way. Frankie’s volunteer work is a great way to prompt others to get involved in their own communities and find a way to be of service. Barbara says the rewards are beyond anything she could have ever imagined.

Even though she and Frankie visit Libby’s House once a month, Barbara still enjoys sharing with children the messages in her books. In fact, she has found a new way to share Frankie’s story via Skype an Author Network whose mission is to provide K-12 teachers and librarians with a way to connect authors, books, and young readers through virtual classroom visits. See www.tinyurl.com/SkypeBarbara to learn more.

Children are invited to follow Frankie, The Walk ‘N Roll Dog’s adventures on Frankie’s Blog: www.frankiethewalknrolldog.blogspot.com/. Adults will find more information about caring for special needs animals on Barbara’s blog at www.joyfulpaws.typepad.com.

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