paralyzed dachshunds

Sparky Will Get His New Wheelchair.

Posted by Barbara Techel

871828_1387401662.6374Because of the support of contributions from others through The Frankie Wheelchair Fund, we are able to help dog’s with mobility issues with wheelchairs. Today I’m happy to share with you that we have helped another dog! Meet Sparky who needs new wheels because he keeps tipping over in his current wheelchair all the time. This is not good especially because he has IVDD.

He was $175 away from his goal this morning and we were able to donate and help him reach his goal! I LOVE when this happens! Keep on rolling, Sparky and thank you to everyone who helped to make this happen! 

Sparky is also up for adoption through Chapman’s Dachshund Rescue.

To learn more about The Frankie Wheelchair Fund or make a contribution please visit the website.

Experiencing the “Other Side” of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Dachshunds

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1910 1200It’s been unusually cold here in Wisconsin.  The windchill is expected to dip to 20 degrees below zero tonight.  Gidget has the right idea staying in front of the gas stove in my writing cottage.

Today I want to talk about the “other side” of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).  When I set out to adopt another dachshund with IVDD this past November, I really thought I’d adopt one that was already in a wheelchair, or in need of one. Having cared for Frankie and Joie I definitely had the experience. I also have the wheelchair that both Frankie and Joie used.

I’ve had a few people ask me how I actually found Gidget. Well, all I did was google “dachshunds with IVDD up for adoption.” That is how I came across Gidget on Petfinder.com,  listed through On My Way Home Dachshund Rescue.  IVDD was actually in the title along with her name, so it wasn’t too hard to find her in this way.

When I saw her photo, just like I did with Joie, I instantly felt this connection with her. When I watched her video which was also included on Petfinder, I realized she could wobble walk. Though my intention was to adopt one with what I felt had more “needy” needs being in a wheelchair, I just couldn’t get Gidget out of my mind.  Most importantly, I couldn’t get her out of my heart.

Being an advocate for dogs with IVDD and dogs in wheelchairs, I must be honest and say that I did have some concern that others may not understand why I chose to adopt a dachshund who didn’t need a wheelchair. But I’ve come to realize that was silly thinking. I also realized that for whatever reason I felt such a strong connection with Gidget, I was to adopt her and learn new things. This also does not change my advocacy for wheelchair dogs as I’ll continue that.

It has been a joy to watch the other side of IVDD. The side when dachshunds recover enough to walk on their own again.  Many I know of that do walk again, tend to have this wiggly wobbly walk to them like Gidget does.  I’ve actually found this to be a new avenue of inspiration for me. Whether in a wheelchair or wobbly walking, their perseverance is the same.

Gidget also does not have any concerns, as did Frankie or Joie, that she looks a little “different” than “normal” dachshunds. She does all the same things dachshunds without IVDD.

There is no guarantee Gidget won’t go down again though I try not to worry about that. As Kim, who also cares for IVDD dachshunds said to me on Facebook, “We can’t allow ourselves to be paralyzed by that fear.  But we can continue to learn from them and take joy in watching them thrive each day.” So true.

As I think back when I adopted Joie, I do recall thinking the fact that she was already down and in need of a wheelchair, I didn’t need to worry too much about another episode of a ruptured disk.  Though she also had other contributing factors with her spinal cord dying, as well as the bubble on the base of her brain, it was still something I surely didn’t expect to happen so soon after I adopted her.

Through my grieving for her I came to realize that I couldn’t let fear paralyze me in adopting another IVDD dachshund. Along with many other things I learned about myself in that process, I knew I wanted to care for another special needs doxie again.

There is risk in most anything we do. When it comes to loving these special little ones, the risk, yes, may be greater– but do we really even know that for certain?  The only risk is that our hearts will break again because our love for them is so deep. But the beautiful thing about our hearts, and what these dogs teach us, is that we can expand our hearts to love another once again.

Watching the other side of IVDD and miss wiggly wobbly butt (a.k.a. Gidget) has made me smile over and over again since she came into my life. It has also opened me up even more to what perseverance is all about, as well as making the best out of each and every day… just like Gidget does and all the IVDD dachshunds out there who are given a chance.

As always, for anyone new to my blog or finding me in their search for information on IVDD, please know there is hope.  There is a wonderful organization dedicated to helping pet owners whose dog has been diagnosed with IVDD.  They are Dodgerslist.  Check them out today!

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone to Say Something I’ve Wanted to Say.

Posted by Barbara Techel

2013-12-01 17.17.46 1200It is hard for me to write about something that is controversial. My blog is about being positive, encouraging and inspiring others, as well as living a meaningful and joyful life. I always want this blog to be uplifting and a place people come to that makes them feel good. But I also want to be brave and share my thoughts on topics that not everyone may agree with me.

This feels scary to me. But I also want to share my thoughts with grace and integrity. So I take a deep breath, as I get ready to share something that has really been bothering me.

A few weeks ago I shared a photo and some information about a downed dachshund who needs a new home. She is currently with a family, but due to their circumstances the family struggles with finding a better home for their dog, then what they feel they can provide.

In emails with this family this is a gut wrenching and excruciating decision for them to make. From what I’ve been able to gather and understand, they are not taking this lightly. They also reached out to many dachshund rescues, but because their doxie is an IVDD case, many rescues are not equipped to care for them. They also are hard to place with families due to their special needs.

As many of you know, being a voice out in the world for dogs with IVDD, part of what I do is share via my Facebook page and/or my blog, disabled dachshunds who are in need of a home, no matter where they currently are, or the circumstances. I believe these little ones can live a quality life if given a chance. If I can help find them their right home, I’m so happy to do that.

Such was the case with this recent dachshund. So I posted her on my page as well as National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day page hoping someone could open their home to her and take her in.

After posting her photo and story, many people shared her on their pages also as a gesture of help. But there were a handful of people on both my pages that felt the need to say things that I felt quite nasty and offensive. The family also saw them and it caused them a great deal of pain.

Let me say that yes, I know there are many horrible and awful situations out there that dog’s sadly find themselves in. I wish there was no such thing as animal cruelty and the terrible acts that happen.

I also know many feel that when you bring a pet into your home it is a life long commitment. I like to think I will never have to worry about finding my dogs a home if I found myself in a situation I could not care for them. It would be this most heart breaking thing I’d ever have to do. I shudder at the mere thought of it.

There is also the not judging piece of it for me. When this family reached out to me, I felt it took courage for them to ask for help. To say they feel their dog deserves better. They feel they can’t give her all that she needs due to their circumstances as well as the extensive health issues their dog is dealing with.  Sadly, this was met with some comments on my Facebook page after posting the photo and story. While I won’t share what the comments were, I did delete them.  I don’t feel they are necessary.

Again, there are many awful situations out there and many animals who are just given up on. I understand this. But I also know caring for a special needs dachshund takes a different commitment. Not everyone can do it.

This family is still struggling with what to do. My heart goes out to them. I believe they are good people trying to do what is in the best interest of their dog. Many may not agree with their choice. But then I think about all the dogs who just get dumped along side of the road with no thought or care (or worse), I turn again to the courage it must take to do what this family feels is best for the life of their dog.

I’ll continue to share special needs dachshunds in need of new homes, no matter the circumstances. But I won’t allow comments that I feel serve no purpose. Negativity and cruelty just feeds more of the same. I’d rather be a beacon of light of hope for these little ones and help guide their way to a new home when need be.