Frankie and Puppies

Question submitted by Dawson, Age 9

Can Frankie have puppies?

Awww, wouldn't that be cool? Little Frankie's with little wheels? Hee Hee. Actually, no, I won't ever have puppies. That is okay with me because I am very busy going to schools and working on my blog that I just wouldn't have time to tend to little puppies.

Challenges verses Problems

Question submitted by Tyler, Age 9

Do you have any more problems?

Hey Tyler! Well, I first want to share that I like the word challenge instead of problem. I try to be a positive little dog, so problem sounds bad to me, while challenge sounds like something new and fun to try!

I really don't have any challenges right now.. well except for my big sister Kylie always trying to chew on my ears. She loves to do that. I don't mind for a few minutes, but then that is enough. Luckily my mom usually comes to the rescue and asks Kylie to stop and then she dries my ears.

Visiting Canada

Question submitted by Jordan, age 10

Can you and your mom come to our school one day?

Well, Jordan, you never do know! We certainly won't rule it out. Visiting schools is very fun for me and I hope to do more Skype sessions like I did with your school. That was way cool! I got to see all of you in Canada via the computer, but then I got to take a nap right afterwards. Dosen't get any better than that!

Frankie Raising Money for Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary

Hot-diggity dog! I am so excited to announce that a portion of my book sales for the month of April will be donated to Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary. This is one of my favorite organizations! Why, you ask? Well because they take in disabled animals and love them their whole very long life. Isn't that the greatest?
My mom and I really want to support their efforts so that is why we have decided to donate a portion of my books sales to them. So if you were holding off on buying a book, now is the time! It also makes a great gift for another and teaches the valuable lessons of compassion and tolerance.
To read the swell press release my mom did about this donating event, please read here.
If you can't buy a book, but can help with a donation, we'd love that too. Just tell Rolling Dog Ranch that Frankie sent you!

Meet Lucy, the Tri-Pod Dachshund

You just HAVE to meet Lucy! My mom wrote her story on her blog, so be and sure to check it out. March 26th post at Joyful Paws Blog. Lucy, I think you absolutely ROCK!!

Create Your Own Doggie T-shirt at Pawfun.com!

My mom loves finding fun, new websites and blogs to follow! She recently found a super fantastic one! If you have a dog of your own, you can have him or her put on your very own T-shirt. My mom is still thinking about what she wants for hers and hopes to order one soon! It better be me on the shirt. Arf-a-roo! But check it out, it is called Pawfun. Their blog is full of animal loving stories, ideas, suggestions and tips. You just might notice someone familiar there today. Hint: Cute red dog with fancy set of wheels.
While there check out BennyBix Ochman Labradoodle Puppy to BL Ochman. BennyBix is working hard to become a therapy dog so he can visit school and hospitals. Hot-diggity dog, BennyBix I think that is awesome!

Happy First Day of Spring!

It may be the first day of spring, but it is dog-gone cold here in Wisconsin...I guess a dog will just has to resort to warmin' her belly to the gas stove...

The Dachshund Book Review Website

Hey everyone, check this out! My pal, Roo, who happens to be a full fledged doxie himself has reviewed my book, Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog. His mom, Deb started the site to give all those crazy lovin' doxie people out there one central location to go to and find books all about dachshunds. Roo reviewed my book and I think he did a dog-gone good job, so check it out yourself on his site, The Dachshund Book Review. Thanks, Roo! Arf-a-roo!

Dog and Duck Love Story

Aww, this is so sweet, http://video.yahoo.com/network/100000086?v=4551366&l=100000085

Frankie goes to Ice Cream Island

Hope you will enjoy this video my mom and I did for you... sorry for all the yawning I did, but she woke me up from my morning nap!!

Last Chance to Win Frankie T-shirt or a copy of her book!

Be sure and head on over to my mom's blog, Joyful Paws for your chance at winning a T-shirt with me on the front or a copy of my book, Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog! All you have to do is comment on any of her posts and your name will be entered into the drawing. Two lucky winners will be chosen tomorrow. GOOD LUCK!!

Did Frankie's Mom get Frankie as a Puppy?

Question submitted by Matthew, age 10

You'd think with ALL the photo's my mom has of me, she'd have a photo from when I was a pup! She can't find one...but I'll hand over the key board to her to answer this question.

Hi there, Frankie's mom here... yes, I got Frankie as a pup. She was about 12-weeks when I brought her home. She was the size of a Guinea pig! I held her ALL the time. She lived on a wiener dog farm with oodles of other wiener dogs... there were wiener dogs everywhere! On the sofa, on the chairs, on the beds, on the pillows on the floor, hanging from the chandelier... err, scratch that last one. Just kidding. But believe me, there were oodles and oodles of wiener dogs everywhere I looked!

Does Frankie Inspire Kids?

Photo of Frankie with a thank you booklet she received from 2nd grade class in PA

Question submitted by Maxwell, age 10

What a wonderful questions, Maxwell. Well, I have to believe that I do. I know for sure I have inspired you and all the kids at the school in Canada!! That really makes me very happy. I know many kids love me when they meet me and they tell all their friends about me. That makes my heart feel all mushy inside... mushy is a good feeling, just so you know.

We each have the ability and opportunity to always inspire those around us just by being good human beings... and err, in my case, a good dog. It is not that hard to do. Just be kind to everyone you meet. And do something nice for someone everyday without expecting anything in return. Now that is inspiring!! Arf-a-roo!

How Long Did it Take to get your Wheels?

Question submitted by Phil, age 10 and Bita, age 9

It seemed like forever... but forever really is a very long time if you seriously think about it. So when I think realistically about when my wheels arrived it really was not that long. They took about 3-weeks to arrive. My cart was custom made in a darling little factory and then shipped to me by the big brown UPS truck. See our story and scroll down on the page to see picture of the factory where my wheels where made. And where other wheels are still made today for other animals too!

Is it Hard to Take Care of Frankie?

Question submitted by Josh, age 11

My mom said I could answer this question cause I have heard her tell other lots of times that it really is not hard to take care of me. I do require a little more care than other dogs, but mom says she does not mind. She hugs me close and tells me how she loves taking care of me. Aren't I a lucky dog?
What I really need help with is going to the bathroom. My mom trained me to balance my front feet on the end of the toilet. Then she feels towards the back of my tummy where my bladder is. When it is full it feels like a balloon with lots of water in it. She squeezes real gentle and out comes the potty... right into the toilet... then FLUSH! Hee Hee.
Other than that I get a bath once a week in the sink which I really love. And I need help getting in and out of my wheelchair which takes about 1 minute or less. Mom says, yes, it was an adjustment, but now it is just part of our days and our routine and is no big deal at all.
I'm so glad my mom loves me so much! I love her too. Arf-a-roo!

Do You Wish You Never went on Vacation?

Question submitted by Harpal, age 9

Wow, such profound questions. My mom and papa were on vacation in Florida when I hurt myself, so they came right home after they heard I was hurt. I sure am glad they were here with me after my surgery. I'll let mom answer your question, Harpal...

Even if we had not gone on vacation the likelihood of Frankie hurting herself was great. Frankie suffers from IVDD which stands for Intervertebral Disc Disease. This is considered a genetic disease, meaning she had the disease and the chances of her rupturing a disk were great. It just happened to happen while we were on vacation. So no, I don't wish we had never gone on vacation. I do wish though this had happened while we were home and Frankie was not at the kennel. The nice lady, Yvonne at the kennel where Frankie stayed was so sad it happened there and thought it was her fault. I have told her many times it is not her fault and I never blamed her. I still don't blame her nor will I ever blame her.

How Do You Feel About Frankie's Injuries?

Question submitted by Tom, age 11

Before I hand this question over to my mom, I thought I'd say something. Even though I was injured I am still me. I think sometimes humans think that just because I can't use my legs (or any other animal for that matter who can't) that it is just too sad. For me that is not true. I am the same happy dog. Here's my mom's answer...

I was sad, of course, when Frankie was hurt. If I could I would wish that she would walk again on all four paws. But I don't dwell on that. Instead I am grateful Frankie is so happy. I'm grateful God has chosen me to be Frankie's mom and to help spread a positive message about animals with disabilities. If I felt sad the rest of Frankie's life that would not do anything good. It wouldn't change the fact Frankie can't walk. But finding a way to bring good to her injuries is what it is all about. So all in all, even though initially sad and hard, Frankie's injuries and her recovery have been a big blessing.

Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog Inducted into Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame

Hey everyone! Wow, did I have an exciting day this past Saturday, Feb. 28th. I was officially inducted into the 2009 WI Pet Hall of Fame! What an honor! My mom wrote all about it, along with photo's for your viewing pleasure on her blog, so be sure and check out March 2, post at Joyful Paws Blog! While there be sure and check out the Feb. 27th post for a give-away for a FREE T-Shirt and Frankie book!!