The Frankie Wheelchair Fund

Joyful Paws Looks Back at 2012. A Few Tears. But also Much Joy.

Posted by Barbara Techel

As I look back on 2012 I see how the writing and final preparation steps of my manuscript, Through Frankie’s Eyes led the way to where I am as we get ready to close out 2012… and it was the final gift of my dear, sweet Frankie.

Just the other day my friend Cassy asked when I started working on my book to be released in February 2013.  I really had to think. After looking back at some things, I realized I started the actual writing of it in January 2011. But the idea came to me six years ago. Interestingly enough, I realize now, the story I wanted to write six years ago had to morph into what it has ultimately become– I had many paths I first had to travel. Finishing my book was a huge accomplishment for me this year. It will now carry me into 2013 and a whole new journey.  As I look back I see how everything was all in divine time.

January the manuscript was ready for the crucial eye of a developmental editor… and then the real work began.  As I diligently went back and forth with my manuscript with the editor, little Frankie lay at my feet, guiding me each step of the way.

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February, March and April continued the shaping of my manuscript. I also began giving serious thought to fully retiring Frankie from her therapy dog work and school visits already having semi retired her.

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May my manuscript went to my copyeditor and the process of polishing it even further began. It was really beginning to take shape and I couldn’t believe how far I had come. Frankie continued to be the confident presence I needed to finish this important piece of work for me.

June I officially retired Frankie from her work and one week later she passed into eternal life. It was not anything I could have ever anticipated, nor did I fully understand the impact of her truly knowing she knew I was ready to move on without her guiding me from the physical world– but now in spirit and always in my heart.

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July is honestly somewhat of a blur. But from Frankie’s passing came her legacy and my work with her expanding in a way I am so thankful for.  The outpouring of love for my love dog on wheels was truly remarkable. The Frankie Wheelchair Memorial Fund was established to help small dogs in need of wheelchairs be able to get one.  Whether a family is in financial stress and needs one for a beloved pet, or a dog in rescue was in need, the memorial fund donations collected was $2,700 and began helping dogs in need. Filmore (below) was the first dog we were able to help!

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August things really began to take shape as I realized the profound love of one little dog on wheels and carrying on her legacy with National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day being established and founded as a day to be celebrated every September 22. It was founded in Frankie’s memory, but also in honor of all dogs in wheelchairs around the world.

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September kicked off a fundraiser for The Frankie Wheelchair Fund in conjunction with National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day.  With T-shirt sales marking the first annual celebration over $900 was collected for the wheelchair fund. Oodles of photos for our photo contest poured in also and it was such a joy posting them all to our Facebook page dedicated to this special day. How thrilled I was also for LoveyLoaves Special Needs Animal Sanctuary and Astrid Diaz Coraballo and a local animal hospital in Puerto Rico who also embraced this day with celebrations of their own. September also began the little whispers to my heart that I was ready to love another little love dog on wheels. The push also began to make my book a reality and begin the book cover design and book layout process.

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October we welcomed little Joie into our lives after our dream destination of visiting Vermont was complete. I continue to be so grateful for the help of Oregon Dachshund Rescue with a very special thank you to volunteer, Linda, for flying all day with Joie from the state of Washington to our home state of Wisconsin. Also, not a day goes by that I don’t think about Joie’s mom before me who had the courage to let Joie go.

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November and December continued work on all the design aspects of my book and the beginning of what will now be the real work–birthing it and pushing it out into the world. December 27 I held the actual paperback proof in my hands and yes, shed a few tears of what it all means.  Tears of what was, what is, and what will be mixed with much emotion of some sadness, but much happiness, too.

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Though it has only been one year that has passed, I feel like a whole chapter of my life has closed– and I feel like a whole new chapter is beginning. I embrace 2013 with open arms ready for the journey to begin.

Wishing each of all that you wish for in 2013.  And a huge and grateful heart to each and every one of you for being on my journey with me. There are no words to express my sincerest thanks, but know I am deeply grateful.

Frankie’s Sculpture has a Friend Beside Her

Posted by Barbara Techel

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Not only did I have an angel in Kim who sent me a custom made “rolling dog on a mission” sculpture of Frankie made by Grace Liesa, I received yet another package in the mail this week.  This time it contained Joie!  This one gifted to me by Joie’s angel who flew on the plane two months ago to bring us together- Linda, volunteer with Oregon Dachshund Rescue.  Now how kind and sweet is that?  Two very special angels who did something so kind for me.  Thank you so so much!

I realized then that Frankie and Joie could be together,  side by side. That made me a bit teary eyed as I thought about how great it would have been to have them both at one time.   Though I understand life unfolds as it does, and I’m grateful to have had Frankie, and now Joie, their sculpture’s will be together for as long as I can help it.

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As a reminder Grace graciously donates 10% of sales of the custom made sculptures to The Frankie Wheelchair Fund and 10% to Dodgerslist.  She will also be donating a “rolling dog on a mission” sculpture in 2013 with 100% of the proceeds to go to The Frankie Wheelchair Fund.  There are many angels among us and a special thank you once again to Kim, Linda and Grace.

Update 12/22/2012:

I feel so blessed to be a part of such a loving and kind community.  Many days my heart just smiles because of  the caring and wonderful friends I have because of Frankie and now Joie.  After I shared this post above, Kim sent me a message and gave me permission to share with all of you, as I said I felt it was important.  I share my response to her as well.

Kim:  Please know that so many people that have been touched by you and Frankie and now Joie that and we all wanted you to have the Frankie sculpture. All the folks at Dodger’s List included. Grace asked me if I was going to have it sent to you cause many others contacted her to say if this was not going to you they wanted to order one for you. Grace decided to customize it and that made it even more special. Please know that many many other people wanted to do this for you and would have if they had been the first to click to purchase it. So Frankie’s sculpture is from all of us who have been inspired by you and Frankie and the work you have done. It was our way to say thanks and to honor Frankie’s memory. Your work with Frankie and now the Frankie Fund are the real heros here. Thank you for your kindness and your work.

Barbara: I am very honored by you sharing this with me. Thank you. It has, and will always be an honor for me to share what I know about IVDD and give others hope… just like so many others do, like you, and everyone at Dodgerslist. If it were not for Dodgerslist I would have not had hope when it looked like Frankie would not gain use of her hind legs– I’m forever indebted to them and their hard work. Being an extension in my own way of their work, makes me feel good to do so. There are so many heroes out there… and yes, I agree, Frankie is one of them… but there are many, many more. And I continue to be inspired by those stories and love sharing them.

Rolling Dog on a Mission Sculpture. Proceeds Benefit Dodgerslist & The Frankie Wheelchair Fund

Posted by Barbara Techel

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Earlier this month a friend who is a team member of Dodgerslist tagged me in a post about this “Rolling Dog on a Mission” sculpture.  The sculpture was for sale with the proceeds benefiting Dodgerslist to help continue educating others about IVDD. She mentioned in the post that she and the other Dodgerslist team members thought this really looked like Frankie.  Of course, that brought a tear to my eye.  As much as I wanted to purchase the sculpture, I had to watch my pennies right now. But was happy to share on my other Facebook pages so hopefully someone would purchase it.

The sculpture sold almost immediately!  About ten minutes later I received a message from another Facebook follower, Kim.  She needed me to send my mailing address to Grace Liesa, who made this lovely sculpture.  Well, I had my hunch that an angel was about to grace me with one of these sculptures.  Not only did I receive this sweet sculpture, but it is customized, which was a a total surprise. I was very, very touched and…. it gets even better!

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After corresponding with Grace, I told her about National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day inviting her to follow along on Facebook if she would like. I shared with her my mission of helping raise funds  for families in financial stress or dogs in rescue who may need a wheelchair and that to date we had helped eight small dogs.

The surprise then got even better as Grace told me she would donate 10% of sales from the sculpture’s not only to Dodgerslist, but also to The Frankie Wheelchair Fund.  She will also donate all the proceeds of one of the sculpture’s to The Frankie Wheelchair Fund sometime in 2013.  So stay tuned for that!

You can order one today though if you’d like.  Grace will customize it for you. Be sure to visit her Etsy shop for all the details.  And if you don’t personally have a dachshund with IVDD, but know of a friend who does, what a great gift it would make.

I can’t thank Kim enough for her big heart in giving me this special gift. It has a special place on Frankie’s altar.  Also, what a wonderful thing Grace is doing to make a difference and I especially love what she says about downed dachshund’s on her Etsy website:

Remember that a disabled dog is not aware of their limitations; they just continue to live their lives as any normal dog would. It is our responsibility to give them a life full of quality, fun, and love. IVDD is not a death sentence, it’s just a bump on the road. With proper care and nutrition, a ‘down’ dog can live through their life expectancy just as a normal dog would. It’s never too early to learn about IVDD. Go to www.dodgerslist.com for a wealth of information, referrals, support, and success stories.