paralyzed dogs

Meet Lucy! The 23rd Dog The Frankie Wheelchair Fund has Helped with a Dog Wheelchair

Posted by Barbara Techel

lucy eGet your dancing shoes on and join us here at Joyful Paws Headquarters as we do the happy dance with the news of Lucy getting her wheels because of The Frankie Wheelchair Fund! Could Lucy look any happier?!?!

Thank you to Red Flyer, The Handicapped Pets Community for sharing Lucy’s story and that she was in need of a wheelchair. Here is her story in her guardian angel’s and new forever home parent’s own words:

Lucy was found in the middle of the road by my husband almost a year ago. Someone had hit her and just left her there for dead basically. We took her to our vet to see how severely injured she was. The vet said when the vehicle hit Lucy it ran completely over her bottom half. From about the bottom of her rib cage on down. It compressed her vertebrae into her spinal cord & that’s what caused the damage.

When we first begin caring for Lucy she had absolutely zero mobility in her back legs. The vet said she could feel deep pain when he pinched between her toes & he said he thought Lucy would benefit from laser treatments. We traveled back and forth to our Vet which is about 2hrs. away so she could recieve the laser treatments. He also said any type of exercise/stimulation we could give Lucy would be beneficial.

We are now happy to say Lucy can stand on her own for brief periods of time & even take a few steps on her own. However, we are afraid she has come about as far as she can go. The vet told us there was a chance she could stand/walk again someday but advised us to get a wheelchair so she doesn’t injury herself further. It’s unknown if this is permanent, we are hoping not but it is beginning to look like it is. Lucy uses diapers & we have a drag bag but she’s not a fan of it as she wants to chase after her “dog sisters” Sontie & Izzy!

She is so very happy now! Once again, we thank you for all you have done & we will def. give Lucy a GIANT hug from you! Our other dogs don’t know what to think of her at the moment because she can actually run around with them now!

Thank you always,
Tara, Seth & Lucy

The love and devotion Tara and Seth have shown Lucy I have no doubt will come back triple that in love from Lucy, as I’m sure it already has! Keep on rolling, Lucy!

To learn more about The Frankie Wheelchair Fund and how you can apply or contribute please visit the website National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day. The cost of a wheelchair, depending on the size and needs of the dog runs anywhere from $500-$1,500.

To learn more about dog wheelchairs, please visit Eddie’s Wheels.

As a reminder, 100% of proceeds of the purchase of this very roomy and durable tote bag from our friends at Beangoods goes to The Frankie Wheelchair Fund. Screen_shot_2014-02-17_at_3.16.20_PM

 

Meet Lacey! #22 Recipient of a Wheelchair from The Frankie Wheelchair Fund

Posted by Barbara Techel

lacey 2As the mom of an IVDD pup, and two before that who lived a happy life in wheels, this is the best gift ever for Mother’s Day to share with you that another little dog gets her wheels because of The Frankie Wheelchair Fund.

Meet Lacey. There was a whole fleet of people who helped this little girl find her new home. It was an honor to play a small part in a big journey for Lacey as she left a home who loved her so much, but couldn’t care for her any longer, and had the courage to give her a better life.

From Patricia to Tamara, Michelle, Eli and Zachary who played a part in helping Lacey find her way to Helen who is now her new forever mom.

She had some medical issues to contend with, one of which was to have her tail amputated. But as you can see in the photo, she is doing just fine. She is learning to walk in her wheelchair and I have no doubt she will soon be doing zoomies all around the yard soon! This should also help her work off some of the weight she had gained.

Wishing Lacey all the very best!

To learn more about The Frankie Wheelchair Fund and how you can apply or contribute please visit the website National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day.

To learn more about dog wheelchairs, please visit Eddie’s Wheels.

As a reminder, 100% of proceeds of the purchase of this very roomy and durable tote bag from our friend at Beangoods goes to The Frankie Wheelchair Fund.

Screen_shot_2014-02-17_at_3.16.20_PM

Gidget’s Visit to Bookworm Gardens Plus Unique Opportunity to Ask Your Questions about IVDD Coming Wednesday.

Posted by Barbara Techel

gidget, me, willow, bwg 2014Me, Willow, and Gidget at Bookworm Gardens. Photo credit:  Cindy Ann Lee

Yesterday was the official opening of Bookworm Gardens for the season —their 4th spring season. There was a family fun run with over 300 participants, which helped raise money for the gardens, since it is free to the public. Afterwards families were free to roam the gardens to explore, read, and have fun.

Gidget and I arrived around 2:00pm. We hung out by Frankie’s spot in the garden, dedicated to her, thanks to Bookworm Gardens, my husband John for building her dog house, and my sponsors, Lynda and David Richardson, and the Richardson Foundation that made it possible with funding for her legacy to live on.

I still find myself getting emotional inside when I see Frankie’s spot in the gardens. Of course, I will always miss her, but the memories I have of our work together are such a blessing to me.

Gidget attracted kids to her quite easily as we sat in the sun near Frankie’s house. As I think about Bookworm Gardens, Frankie, and the Internet today, I smile looking at this photo of me, 5-year old Willow, and Gidget.  Willow and her family knew Frankie, then Joie, and now got to meet Gidget. If not for all of this, I’d never have met such a wonderful family and a beautiful little girl. This all means a lot to me.

Another little girl, I think around the age of 8, named Kya smiled from ear to ear petting Gidget. She said, “I talk to animals.” And it was the way in which she said it that was not your usual, I talk to the animals.

I said, “Oh wow. You do?”

“Yup. There is this black cat that won’t go by anyone else. But he comes to me and let’s me hold him. I talk to him.”

“Wow, that is amazing.”

I actually had goosebumps when Kya said this. I also couldn’t help but think of how I really believe we can communicate with animals and how I’ve been exploring that more myself lately. Here was this young girl confirming for me in only the way that a child can, that, of course, if we are open and trust, we can be one with our animal friends.

As she started to skip away a few moments later, I called out to her and said, “Hey Kya!”

She turned around and said, “Yes?”

I said, “Don’t ever stop talking to the animals, okay?”

“Okay, I won’t!” and off she went down the path.

It was only an hour of time yesterday, but an hour that filled my heart with awe and wonder being with Gidget and the kids we met yesterday. There is certainly something quite magical about those gardens!

Unique Opportunity coming Wednesday, May 7th

Coming this Wednesday from 10:00am-Noon CST on my Facebook page, the moderators of Dodgerslist, an organization dedicated to educating pet owners about Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) will be available to take your questions. I’ll share more details tomorrow on my blog, so stay tuned.

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