wheelchair dogs

How My Dog Joie & Joan Anderson’s memoir, “The Second Journey” Taught Me about the Importance of Learning to Pause.

Posted by Barbara Techel

joie 1200I was so exciting to read on Facebook today that one of my favorite authors books is being made into a motion picture. Well, actually, three of Joan Anderson’s memoirs are being rolled into one for the movie, A Year by the Sea which is also the name of her first book.  I’ve read all her books twice, with the exception of The Second Journey which I’ve read three times.

I actually got tears in my eyes when I saw the announcement because Joan’s books mean that much to me. They’ve helped me in countless ways.

I’ll be quoting Joan in my upcoming book, Joie’s Gift: Finding Purpose in the Pause. I actually may end up quoting her more than once, though I’m not that far along in my manuscript to know for sure. But the journal I kept during my sabbatical has many of her quotes that spoke to me during that time. Her books were the one’s I turned to once again seeking answers to my many unanswered questions.

At the time, which was last fall, I felt completely empty and spent after Joie passed away. I just didn’t know where my life was headed. Joan’s memoirs helped me to see once again, that pause’s in ones life are necessary to move forward.

I’ve written about this before, but with this announcement of the movie, it brought it all back for me again and the utterly amazing moment that happened to me a few weeks after Joie died.

Reading from The Second Journey, I came across the following passage which resonated with me deeply, which I read out loud to John and my friend Cassy who were with me at the time:

“Nothing happens overnight. Developing a relationship with the unknown takes time. In doing so, the seeker is granted the greatest gift of all—clarity.

I have come full circle yet again. I must always be willing to journey forward — spiral into the center and then back out again. Then and only then will I be whole, in touch with all that I am.” second_journeyI felt lost and no sense of direction as I headed into my sabbatical. Grieving yet for Joie, I also felt restless some days trying to just take this pause in my life, while at the same time wanting answers now. I was also questioning if what seemed like doing nothing was the right thing to do.

After I read that passage, I reached down to take a sip from my drink that was resting on the arm of the Adirondack chair.  Drips of condensation fell from the glass.  When I glanced down, this is what I saw:

water paw print 1200Always one open to signs, there it was right in front of me. I was in complete awe. To me, it was Joie’s affirmation, and her gift to me, that I was exactly right where I needed to be at that time in my life. No question about it what-so-ever.

I’ll be writing more about my sabbatical and what I learned from it in my book, Joie’s Gift- Finding Purpose in the Pause. But I sit here five months later with more clarity than I had then—Joie and Joan were right. Though I don’t always have a definitive path set like I felt I did the days I did with my work with Frankie, I learn more and more to trust that what needs to be revealed will continue to show itself to me.

I also feel a sense of new excitement for my manuscript which I’ve been working on for three months now. Some days I think it’s crap, some days I wonder if there really is a story here, and some days I just want to quit. But for the most part I keep showing up for a date with my laptop to write each day. And today I can’t help but think that hearing about A Year by the Sea in a small way is a message of clarity for me to keep going.  Thanks Joie and Joan— I needed to hear this today.

I really can’t recommend Joan’s books enough. Truly, a must read for every woman!  You can learn more about Joan and her books on her 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!

The Right Thing to Do for Frankie. Joie’s Tire Tracks Now Lead the Way. Come Follow.

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1459[1] 1200My heart is full up with love and joy today!  It is in the 60’s and finally feels like spring. Joie was out in the yard for a good part of the morning exploring our backyard. We have about 3/4 of an acre, so lots for her to check out.  This is really the first time she has been able to do that since she arrived mid-October last fall. See more photos of her outside on my Facebook wall.

I can’t stop smiling and my heart oozes with happiness watching her outside. Reflecting back on last summer and how empty I felt without Frankie, having my new wheelie side kick with me to do outdoor things feels so good.

I’ve had a few people upset that I will be taking Frankie’s Facebook page down in June. While they respect my decision, they were sad to hear this. I’m so glad so many loved that little dog, and as you know, I loved her so very dearly. I would likely not have Joie, if it were not for Frankie.  She gave me the gift of opening my heart to another disabled doxie.

It is time to keep moving forward though, and I’ve felt that strongly with Frankie lately. I’d actually been ignoring the thoughts that kept popping in my head about her page. I wasn’t ready for that step yet.  But after receiving the beautiful shadow box of Frankie’s things from my friend, Cassy, it all made sense, that yes, it was time.

I’ve moved all her photos and created two albums on my Facebook page, as well as on National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day page, so she will always be there for anyone who wants to visit her there. She is not going away… but I just feel this is a new place for her to rest more at peace.

Some have suggested a page for Joie, but that does not feel right to me. Joyful Paws is what I am about, so it seems fitting to carry on the mission Frankie helped me begin via my Facebook page, etc.

The other interesting part to it all, is I needed to do this for Frankie. For me. She taught me not to worry so much what others thought of my choices, to define my own path, and to follow my heart. It is exactly what I am doing. If I’d do anything other than this, I feel like I would be letting her down. And so it is. The right thing to do. I rest easy in my decision and I know Frankie moves lighter in spirit.

It is time for Joie to fill a new place in our hearts and leave tire tracks to a new path… whatever that path may be is yet to be determined. But I feel strongly that letting go as completely as possible– without ever forgetting– is the way to new life and new possibilities. I can’t imagine Frankie would want that any other way.