The Frankie Wheelchair Fund

A Cause Near and Dear to My Heart. Giving the Gift of Mobility to Paralyzed Dogs.

Posted by Barbara Techel
Your purchase will help grant a wheelchair to a paralyzed dog in need.

It’s that special time of year again! My annual fundraiser to raise money for The Frankie Wheelchair Fund which grant wheelchairs to paralyzed dogs in need.

My dachshund, Frankie, who was in a wheelchair for six years, profoundly changed my life for the better over ten years ago. It’s why I founded National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day & The Frankie Wheelchair Fund to not only pay tribute to her, but to honor ALL dogs in wheelchairs around the world.

Frankie

I’m so excited about this years design which was created by artist, Brianna Brunsell of Silly Dog Magnets.  She was so very kind in donating her time and talent.  Mary Shafer won the contest I recently ran coming up with this years slogan “Enjoying a Wheelie Good Life!”

When Frankie was first paralyzed I sometimes heard from others that they felt a dog couldn’t live a quality life in a wheelchair. But I was witness to a little dog with a huge spirit and who didn’t seem to mind having wheels as back legs and went on with life like it was no big deal. She truly inspired me…and so many others.

While dachshunds are most commonly afflicted with a disc disease that can leave them paralyzed, there are other breeds also affected. Whether it’s Degenerative Mylopathy, severe arthritis, missing limbs, or old age, a wheelchair can certainly give a pet the gift of mobility and help them live a longer, quality of life.

I saw a need for funding for paralyzed dogs in rescues, and for families in financial stress and it’s why I started this fund to try and help.

To date, the Frankie Fund has helped 44 paralyzed dogs get a wheelchair who may never have been able to have one.

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National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day was founded in 2012 as a way in which to bring positive awareness that dogs can indeed live a quality life even if in a wheelchair. It is celebrated every September 22.

Every time I have the opportunity to see a dog regain their mobility through learning how to use a wheelchair, it is a beautiful moment. I never tire of it and I’m so grateful we have this option for our dear animal friends.

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My goal is to sell 100 t-shirts and/or sweatshirts this year which would enable me to help 4-5 small dogs. But of course, I’d love to exceed this goal as it will only mean more dogs that will benefit.

Thank you for your consideration of supporting this cause that is near and dear to my heart. You can purchase a t-shirt or sweatshirt by visiting the campaign here.

Thank you for visiting!

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It’s a Contest for 2015 National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day!

Posted by Barbara Techel

Contest for National Walk 'N Roll Dog Day 2015!

In August 2012 I founded National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day. As many of you may know, I founded this day in memory of my dachshund, Frankie who was in a wheelchair due to paralysis from disc disease.

Frankie rolled for six years touching the lives of many through visits to schools and many facilities as a therapy dog. Her life is chronicled in two children’s books I wrote about her and my memoir, Through Frankie’s Eyes.

I wanted her legacy to live on after she passed away on June 22, 2012.  And I also wanted a way in which to honor ALL dogs in wheelchairs around the world.

You know why?

Because they deeply inspire me and still do to this day!

The official day of celebration is September 22.  Along with this day and bringing positive awareness to the public that dogs in wheelchair can and DO live quality lives, I have a campaign to raise money for The Frankie Wheelchair Fund.

This fund, in Frankie’s name, has granted 43 wheelchairs to date to paralyzed dogs in need.

Yup! That is worth a Yahoo, don’t you think?

And this year to celebrate, artist Brianna Brunsell of Silly Dog Magnets has generously donated her time and talent in creating a illustration for the special day which will be available for sale as t-shirts coming soon!

And here is where I need your help!

We need a slogan for this year so I’m running a contest and have created a Facebook page just for the contest which you can check out here. This is where you can also leave your idea for a slogan!  And I welcome all ideas!

Winner will receive a t-shirt with their slogan on and the illustration Brianna is working on to celebrate National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day 2015. I will also include a signed copy of my memoir, Through Frankie’s Eyes to the winner.

Funds raised from the sale of t-shirts will benefit the Frankie Wheelchair Fund to help more paralyzed dogs in need. Yup, we need another yahoo!

The average cost of a wheelchair is $385 so as you can see we hope to raise a nice chunk of change to help as many deserving disabled dogs in need as we can.

So head on over to our Facebook page for the contest, give it a “like,” leave your idea, and please help spread the word.

Thank you!

Please note that contest is open to US residents only due to shipping costs.

Contest ends August 1, 2015.

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Meet Pepper Who Will Soon Have a New Lease on Life

Posted by Barbara Techel
Meet Pepper Who Will Soon Have a New Lease on Life
Lily (pomeranian) and Pepper

Let me first say that all dachshunds tug on my heart when I see them. But this dachshund named Pepper, tugged at my heart strings even more.

She reminds me so much of my Joie who passed away in August 2013. Pepper was diagnosed with IVDD in April and is paralyzed, along with other issues that need to be dealt with. But the issues are easy enough to remedy with the right care which she is being helped with right now.

I heard of her story through Hearts 4 Doxie’s and asked if she was in need of a wheelchair. She is. The Frankie Wheelchair Fund will provide the funding so this sweet girl can regain mobility when she is well enough.

This is extra special because a few weeks ago I received a generous donation from Skippy Johnston’s mom, Angela in memory of Skippy for the Frankie Wheelchair Fund.  That money received I’ve decided needs to go to Pepper. I think Angela and Skippy will approve.

Pepper’s wheelchair will be custom made by the fine folks at Eddie’s Wheels.

Once Pepper is up and running in her wheels I’ll be sure to post an update here, so stay tuned.

If you’d like to help me with my mission of helping disabled dogs in need of a wheelchair, please consider a donation to The Frankie Wheelchair Fund. To date, the fund has granted 43 wheelchairs to dogs in needs. Thank you!!