special needs pets

Replay of The Petcast Radio Show: A Disabled Pets Special Joys

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

If you missed my interview with The Petcast I would encourage you to listen and help me spread a positive message about animals with disabilities.  It is episode #260 “A Disabled Pets Special Joys” and is currently right on the home page.

Receiving notice that the replay was available came just at the right time.  Over the weekend I was feeling more sensitive to the question people would ask of me when they saw Frankie which was, “What is wrong with your dog?”  The word wrong really struck a chord.  It really hit close to the depth of my heart when a woman actually gasped and with a look on her face as if Frankie was “scary” looking as she also asked what was “wrong.”

At first I felt angry that people were being judgmental and what seemed to be ignorant.  But I also then realized how much more education is needed to let others know animals with disabilities are not weird, or strange, or “wrong.”  They are living, breathing, feeling beings.

When I did the Petcast radio show a week or so ago and listened today I was reminded of a similar situation when a woman “friended” me on facebook and then decided to tell me I was selfish for “trapping” Frankie in a wheelchair and that it is not “natural” to help her go to the bathroom.  She is a breeder of dachshunds, so I suppose the thought of an “imperfect” dachshund was hard to bear.  No one or anything is perfect.  That is what makes us all unique and special.

Though hurt and angry for some of the words chosen directed at me about Frankie over the weekend, as well as the Facebook situation, I am reminded of all the work yet to be done.  I know in my heart I am doing the right thing.  No one will ever sway me from that.  I feel it deep in my soul.  But I am human, and at times, it hurts.  And part of it is feeling like a mama bear wanting to protect her cub from any hurt.

So do listen if you can to the PetCast and help share the message and radio show with others so we can continue to show others how special these animals truly are.

Woman’s World Magazine to Feature Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dogs Story!

Posted by Barbara Techel

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think Frankie’s story would make it into a national magazine!  I received the go ahead to make this very exciting announcement that Frankie will be featured in issue #29 of Woman’s World magazine, which will be on stands July 12th.  This is one week before my 47th birthday and I could not ask for a better gift than this!

Woman’s World found out about Frankie through her story being featured in Every Dog Has A Gift by Rachel McPherson, published by Penguin/Tarcher publishing.  The research editor with Woman’s World contacted me back in January. It’s amazing where one’s journey will take you if you are open to the possibilities…

 

(This is not the actual cover of the issue we will be in- just used this for reference)

“The warmhearted weekly magazine for busy women. Includes recipes, tips for organizing the home and much more. Woman’s World Magazine is the number one woman’s weekly! This magazine is wonderful, it has an advise for every area of the everyday life, it goes from cooking, diet, money saving to decoration and fun, greatly recommend it.”

With a readership of 8.2 million we are thrilled that Frankie’s message that animals with disabilieis can and do live quality lives will make a huge splash!  We can’t thank Woman’s World enough for sharing our story which we believe will help educate so many more people about special needs pets, as well as give hope to everyone and anyone facing a challenge.

We hope you will grab the issue when it comes out– let us know what you think!

Pets with Disabilities

Posted by Barbara Techel

“Because their spirits are not broken”

Don’t you just love that?  This is the saying on Pets with Disabilities website and I think it speaks volumes.

Each quarter Frankie and I choose a disabled animal charity to donate a portion of our book sales to.  This quarter we chose Pets with Disabilities for all the extraordinary work they do to help those animals that may not have been helped due to a disability.  Below is a bit about them taken from their website… and I encourage you to check out their website… and consider an animal with special needs next time you are looking to bring a furry new friend into your life.  I promise they will bring you more blessings than you could have ever imagined for yourself.

 

Pets with Disabilities Founders Joyce Darrell & Michael Dickerson


Joyce Darrell, along with her husband Michael Dickerson, founded the Pets with Disabilities organization in 2000. Their lives were changed forever after their rescue dog Duke broke his back playing as a puppy. 

Having nowhere to turn for help in caring for him, they started the organization Pets with Disabilities – a rescue and resource that provides information and support to families caring for pets with disabilities. The story of Duke (and later Misty, another wheelchair-bound dog)  has helped raise awareness about disabled pets and has reached thousands of people worldwide.  The grassroots organization and Web site, www.PetswithDisabilities.org  provides support and information to animal caretakers whose pets suffer from birth defects or have become disabled due to illness or injury. 

Mike and Joyce travel all over the country with Duke and several other dogs, promoting their mission: “Provide a positive voice for dogs and cats with disabilities that desperately need homes”

Powerful spokes-dogs Duke and Misty have been featured on NBC’s Today show, as well as in Prevention and Dog Fancy magazines. They are always the center of attention at every pet exposition they attend!