About Me

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Barbara Techel is the author of the multi-award winning Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog book series. When her dachshund, Frankie, suffered a spinal injury, Barbara had her custom-fitted for a wheelchair. Frankie persevered, and Barbara realized the beautiful opportunity she had to share Frankie and give others hope and inspiration to be the best they can be. Along with sharing Frankie’s story with children, Barbara and Frankie routinely volunteer as a therapy dog team at a local hospital, senior assisted facility, and hospice community, spreading joy wherever they go.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

National Dog Week- Help Us Celebrate Disabled Pets & You Could Win

Don't you think we should have National Dog Year?  ARF!
 I need your help... so please read below... and then at the end see what you could win for helping!

Campaign:
THERE IS HOPE!

My passion (along with the help of my mom) is bringing positive awareness to animals with disabilities, especially dachshunds diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). There are still so many that are not aware of the hope there is for this breed when diagnosed with IVDD. So many are told there is no hope and their dog must be put to sleep. We are here to tell you that a doxie with this diagnoses CAN live a quality life. I am living proof, along with oodles of others.

Sadly many are still being put down. Mom and I just learned of another doxie needlessly put to sleep last night because they were told there was no hope. It broke our hearts beyond any words I can say. Please, during this week of National Dog Week help educate other dachshund owners, vets, vet clinics, etc. that there is HOPE. Please share with them the resource of Dodgerslist which is a website dedicated to helping educate others on the options available. You can print out brochures to give to your local vet clinics or to those you know have a doxie.


If your doxie is diagnosed with IVDD it is imperative that they have IMMEDIATEcrate rest and get to a vet specializing in IVDD asap. See Dodgerslist for more Emergency FAQ's and please pass along.


The cost for surgery may not be an option for many due to various reasons but there is conservative treatment which often times works. I had the surgery, followed by physical therapy and now in my wheelchair. I have made leaps and bounds since being fitted for my wheelchair from Eddie's Wheels four years ago. My wheelchair has helped maintain my muscle tone and I can spinal walk at times without my wheels- this is huge!! I'm so happy my mom gave me a chance at life!

So what's in it for you? How can you help? It is easy! Just forward this post to any dachshund owner, vet, or vet clinic you know to help educate others that IVDD is not a death sentenceand that there are many options available ( I don't need proof as I will just trust that you do). Post it on your Facebook or Twitter about it or if you have a blog post a link back to this information. Or print out the brochure from Dodgerslist website and give to your vet or doxie owner you may know. Just let me know that you did in the comment section and I will enter your name into a drawing to win:

(Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog, Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House, Frankie Activity Workbook)







Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog book (thank you to Sparkles for donating your book- you are a great friend!)

Donation made in your name to Dodgerslist

$150 value!! Drawing will be held Sunday, May 9th.

Thank you, during this week of National Dog Week, in helping to save the lives of dachshunds whose lives are often cut short due to a diagnoses of IVDD.

With your help we can make a difference and save their lives.

Thank you so much for passing this on!


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15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks Frankie and Barbara for spearheading this campaign. I've promoted your project on my Facebook page, my webpage and emailed my friends.

Paula Milner and Clark
http://snipurl.com/sm5hw [Clark's Story]

Anonymous said...

Thanks Frankie and Barbara for spearheading this campaign. I've promoted your project on my Facebook page, my webpage and emailed my friends.

Paula Milner and Clark
http://snipurl.com/sm5hw [Clark's Story]

Chops said...

Frankie...I posted this on my Facebook page and will post it on the Oregon Dachshund Rescue site as well. Keep on rollin'!

*hugs*

Brandon - The dog with a blog said...

Hey Frankie, I sent this info out to my whole email contact list!

We are happy your mom chose to let you live!

For the Love of Dogs said...

Oh my goodness I am sooo happy I found this blog. I have fit dog's with wheel chairs at the hospital before but there are still some doxies that are put down. I printed out info and gave it to the vets I work for! Great information and great blog!

Barbara Techel said...

Thank you everyone for helping us with our campaign! Together we can all make a difference-- dosen't that make your heart feel all warm and fuzzy inside? If I was a kitty, I'd purr!

For the love of dogs, we are glad you found us too! Where do you work that you have helped fit dogs with wheelchairs? I bet that is very rewarding! And thank you so very much for printing off the brochure and sharing it with the vets! Arf-a-roo!

Frankie

Barbara Techel said...

My little paw accidentally hit the reject button instead of accept for these two great comments. Iam so sorry, so reposting here in the comments. Thank you Chelle and Alex so much for helping spread the message!! We so appreciate it!

Please check out my post on http://bit.ly/dmgOHs
Hope this helps.

Chelle
http://ChelleCordero.com


Hi Barbara!

I just put all of the info for your campaign on my facebook and I will be putting it on my blog next! It is such a great thing that yall are doing! I also have a little dachshund, and while he has been luck enough to be healthy so far, I know that it is always a possibility!!!

Alex Taylor
http://sugartreegirl.blogspot.com/

Chelle Cordero said...

Hey Frankie, thanks for reposting the comment - and don't worry, I make typos all the time (usually 'cause my cat Tigger decides to help). Be well.

Chelle
http://ChelleCordero.com

Anonymous said...

Just re-shared the message about IVDD on my facebook. I now have TWO in carts and they are just as happy as can be!

cszookpr@yahoo.com

XICA BIEGA said...

Hello Frankie!!! Here I am Xica !!! i will Share this in Brasil ok ! Thanks!!!

Kareen M King said...

I have distributed brochures to vets, pet stores and my groomer for a while. My wh dachshund, Graham, lived for 7 1/2 years with his disability and I always want every one to know how special having a handicapped dog can be.
Kareen M King

Anonymous said...

Thank-You for working so hard on this campaign. I have spread the word to my friends on Facebook and from my email list. My Chickie is a living testament to how a disabled dog can have a good quality of life and spread happiness to others that see her.

Barbara Techel said...

Thank you once again for all the help from everyone! It made me do a wheelie in my wheelchair to know of all the kind people in the world helping me!

Arf-a-roo!!

Frankie

Christine Rangnow said...

Total commitment to an animal/pet is a beautiful thing. Hopefully your story will open some minds to other choices for dogs with disc problems.

Lubna said...

Hi Frankie,
You are lucky to have such a wonderful Mum and you are one little brave doggie. I love you.
In fact, you show how thinking positively can throw up alternative solutions that work.
I am passing this on to groups I know in India. Perhaps, there is another Frankie here waiting for some hope.