Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Who Inspired Thousands Passes Away

Elkhart Lake WI., June 2012

The beloved dachshund of author Barbara Techel and husband, John, as well as thousands of fans around the world, passed away peacefully in the loving arms of Barbara on June 21, 2012. She was two months shy of her thirteenth birthday.

Frankie suffered a spinal injury over six years ago and was fitted with a dog wheelchair.  Though devastating at first to the Techel’s,  Barbara realized the beautiful opportunity she was being given to help others through Frankie’s example. She and Frankie have taken their inspiring message of believing in yourself and staying positive throughout life’s challenges to classrooms and libraries and through their work as a volunteer certified therapy dog team since 2008. They made over 400 appearances in person, as well as via Skype. They also made over 250 visits with monthly visits to Memorial hospital, Libby’s House, and Sharon S. Richardson Hospice Community.

Techel’s passion is sharing with others what animals teach us about living in the moment and enjoying life to the fullest, and encouraging children to stay positive and make a difference no matter what their obstacles. Frankie’s story lives on in the books Techel wrote about her, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog & Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House.

Frankie’s legacy will also live on in many ways.  One of which is the special garden dedicated to her at Bookworm Gardens which is a big hit with the many children that visit each year.  Techel is also working on a special day which will be in Frankie’s honor called, “Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day.” Not only will it be in memory of Frankie, but it will honor the many dogs around the world who teach us about perseverance  and how a dog can live a long, happy, quality life in a wheelchair.

Along with “Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day”, a memorial fund has been set up in Frankie’s name through Eddie’s Wheels where Frankie’s wheelchair was custom made.  Techel said, “Many times disabled dogs in rescue can be more easily adopted out if someone is interested in adopting them,  but may not have the funds to pay for a wheelchair.  Also, families in financial need with a dog that needs a wheelchair can be helped instead of the family having to lose their beloved family member.  Disabled animals can live a good life if given a chance.”  To learn more about  the fund you can visit www.joyfulpaws.com.

Through their work, Frankie and Barbara were also able to help give hope to many whose pets were diagnosed with disc disease like Frankie had. Techel has talked with people all over the world the past five years helping guide them after their pet has been diagnosed with disc disease. Techel said, “I will continue to be available to help whoever I can to educate them that disc disease is not a death sentence. It is truly one of my greatest joys to give others hope that their dog can go on to live a quality life.”

Frankie’s last gift to Barbara was her quiet, encouraging presence as she snoozed contently in her bed as Techel wrote about her journey the past ten years and all that Frankie has taught her.  Through Frankie’s Eyes:  One Woman’s Journey to Her Authentic Self and the Dog on Wheels Who Led the Way will be released early 2012.

 

“My life will never be the same with Frankie gone… but my life will never be the same for her having been in it. She gave me, as well as left me, with some amazing gifts… not only me, but her papa, and thousands of fans.”

Barbara Techel

www.joyfulpaws.com
barb@joyfulpaws.com
920-377-1749

--END--

Frankie's Blog Has Moved - Please Join Us At Our New Home - Today!

I'm so happy to announce that our new website is up and ready for you to see and enjoy!  Even better is my blog is incorporated right into the website, along with my mom's blog, Joyful Paws.

We'd hate to lose you so please be sure to visit our site today and sign up to receive my blog posts so you don't miss out on anything. You'll need to do this soon as I'll be closing this blog down on March 15, 2012.

This is how to subscribe so my blog posts are delivered via your email in-box:

Scroll down to SUBSCRIBE TO FRANKIE'S BLOG on left hand side and under my photo you'll see where you need to enter your email.

Scroll down to SUBSCRIBE TO JOYFUL PAWS BLOG (on left hand side under Frankie's photo) and enter your email address.

You can also subscribe to our newsletter updates (if you already follow us this way, you won't need to do this step again).  You'll see subscribe button in upper left hand corner for newsletter updates.

Of course you can always follow us the following ways as well:

Barbara on Facebook

Frankie on Facebook

Barbara on Twitter

Frankie on Twitter

Barbara and Frankie on Youtube

Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog, Author & Artist Team Up to Inspire Younger Generation

(click on flyer to enlarge)

Local artist, Cassy Tully and I are very excited about our special and unique contest we are sponsoring. It is open to all third grade students in Sheboygan County school's.

Be positive, make a difference, and be creatively you!

I love the idea of an author and artist coming together in this way to help inspire and encourage our younger generation. We have mailed out 64 letters to area third grade teachers and hope they will be as excited as we are to present this contest to their students.

We are encouraging students to use colors, paint, chalk, markers, or colored pencil to design an outfit for Frankie with template will we provide. Cassy and I will personally judge the entries in April. Winners will be announced shortly thereafter.

Grand prize winner will receive a presentation for their classroom from Cassy and I. Cassy will share her art process and I will share my writing process. They will also receive a special visit from Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog.  Winner will also have their winning artwork framed by Cassy Tully-Fine Art. It will be displayed in Cassy's gallery/shop until time of our school presentation. They will also receive a bundle of Frankie books, tote bag, magnets, and Frankie greeting card designed by Cassy.

We hope this will be so well embraced that we can do it again for next year... and who knows, maybe take it bigger at some time in the future.

Valentine's Day Gift Giveaway!

Valentine's Gift Giveaway at Joyful Paws blog today (my mom's blog!) so be sure to stop on by!!  Ends at midnight today.  Good luck!

Valentine Gift Giveaway Tomorrow- Don't Miss It!

Be sure to stop by Joyful Paws blog tomorrow on Valentine's Day... the day of love... and sharing love with a special Gift Giveaway my Mom and I are doing! Time sensitive so don't miss out!

Teaching Kids About Special Needs Pets & How to Be Positive Despite Challenges

It's hard to believe it is has been since 2008 that Frankie and I have been teaching kids about special needs pets, while also encouraging them to see their own challenges in a positive way. This is such rewarding work. Each visit we now do seems even more precious since Frankie is semi-retired.

Recently we visited a small catholic school, Shepherd of the Hills. It was such a delightful school and the kids were oober crazy to meet Frankie! I'm so excited to share these photos with you that the school took and granted me permission to share.  Each photo describes what Frankie and I teach the kids during our presentation.  Side note:  It was catholic school week, so today's theme was tropical, so that is why the students are all dressed so colorfully.  :)


This student is learning how to put Frankie in her wheelchair with a little help from me.


Student learning how Frankie's wheelchair all fits together.


A big round of applause for this student doing such a great job in helping Frankie into her wheelchair


Explaining to the students how I have to express Frankie's bladder since she can't do that on her own because of her Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). I then show them a photo of how I hold Frankie over the toilet as I express her bladder. As you can imagine, this gets lots of giggles!


I ask for three volunteers to come up and learn how to do physical therapy on Frankie. This student is getting ready to do one of the exercises I did for Frankie when she was recovering and healing.


This student is learning how to do a range of motion exercise for Frankie


This student learned how to move Frankie's leg and pretend like Frankie was pedaling a bicycle in this exercise


Showing Frankie's dog wheelchair to the students so they can see what it looks like without her in it


The grand finale is showing the students how I trained Frankie to walk in her wheelchair. I hold a treat in my hand and as soon as I start to walk, Frankie follows me.  The students cheer and clap and this always warms my heart... right down to my toes.

My Recent Visit to Notre Dame Elementary School

Elementary students from Notre Dame School of De Pere were treated to a visit from author Barbara Techel, right, and her inspirational pet — Frankie, the Walk ‘n Roll Dog — on Jan. 19. / Submitted


Reprinted from the Green Bay Gazette:

Notre Dame School of De Pere
The elementary students were treated to a visit by Frankie, the Walk 'n Roll Dog, on Thursday, Jan. 19. Frankie and her owner, author Barbara Techel, shared their touching story with the students.
When Frankie, a dachshund, suffered a spinal injury, Ms. Techel had her fitted with a custom wheelchair. Frankie persevered and now volunteers as a therapy dog at local hospitals and nursing homes, spreading joy and hope wherever they go.
Their message to the Notre Dame students was threefold: think positive, make a difference and keep on rolling.
Students were able to purchase books about Frankie and have them signed by both Barbara and Frankie — with her paw print. A portion of all book proceeds is donated to various disabled animal charities

Life As a Semi-Retired Inspirational Dog Begins

Yesterday I announced the official beginning of my semi-retirement, so as you can see today I jumped right into my new part time "job." It's tough being a dog lounging around in my mom's writing studio as she clicks away on the keyboard. But I do think I'm up for the challenge. ARF!

Have no fear though, I am still doing appearances and would love to visit your school or library- just be sure to get on my calendar early as my mom is making sure I live a balanced life. Good Mom.

Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog Announces Her Semi-Retirement

Happy 2012! As the New Year kicks off I am finding more time for rest and relaxation and officially announce my semi-retirement. Here I am below in the big wicker chair in my mom's writing studio... snoozing and catching glimpses out the window. How I love to watch the world go by...

I'm grateful to my mom for understanding I wish to slow down a little bit now that I am twelve. Can you believe it has been five years since I began sharing my story?  How time flies! But I look forward to meeting new kids this year too. Be sure to get on my calendar early in you'd like me to visit your school is Wisconsin because I'll be doing limited visits. I am also still doing Skype visits and booking now for those as well, so please contact us to book an in-person or Skype visit.

My therapy dog work will continue visiting Libby's House and Hospice, as long as I am comfortable in doing so my mom says. So far so good, so will look forward to seeing all my friends when I visit.

Stay tuned also to the announcement of my mom's new book about her journey and what she learned about life from me (her first adult nonfiction book!)... if you'd like updates about her new book coming later this year or early in 2013, be sure to follow along on her Joyful Paws Blog.

Silly Dog Magnets a Booming Business for Artist, Brianna Lennox Brunsell

Congratulations to our friend, Brianna Lennox Brunsell for her feature story about her Silly Dog Magnets business and it's success. Brianna has done Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog magnets for us and we love them. We have them for sale on our Joyful Paws website if you'd like to check them out.

Photo and story reprinted from Salina online journal

Salinan finds niche in making dog magnets

12/29/2011
By ERIN MATHEWS Salina Journal
For Salinan Brianna Lennox, the attraction to dogs is magnetic.Lennox, 26, has successfully combined her whimsical artistic style and love of dogs into a home-based business that ensures her creature creations are on refrigerator doors and other metal surfaces all over the world.
In Salina, the magnets are for sale at two locations downtown -- the Toy Parade, 119 S. Santa Fe, and Ad Astra Books and Coffee House, 141 N. Santa Fe.
"It turns out people really love dogs," Lennox said Wednesday. "Everybody has a big soft spot in their heart right where that pet is."
The creator of Silly Dog Magnets, Lennox made her first set of magnets out of pictures she drew of Chinese Crested dogs in 2008.
At the time, she was managing CD TradePost and, in her spare time, had begun experimentally offering an array of handmade items for sale online at a website called etsy.com, which bills itself as the world's handmade marketplace.
Swedish not selling
Lennox said her Dala horses, Viking finger puppets and other items weren't finding enough buyers to replace the income from her day job.
It wasn't until she posted the Chinese Crested dog magnets that she found she had something that would sell.
"I started making random things until I found my niche," she said. "My niche turned out to be dog magnets."
A Lindsborg native, Lennox attended Salina Area Technical College for training in commercial art. She also worked previously as a gallery attendant for the Salina Art Center. She said she learned her love of dogs from her mother, who worked as a dog groomer.
Lennox started to draw more dog breeds, and the colorful magnets quickly took off online. She developed her own Web site at sillydogmagnets.com, and the business continues to grow. In the past couple of years, her magnets have been featured in the magazines Modern Dog, City Dog and Tails.
This spring, she left CD TradePost to devote herself full-time to her magnetic canine creations -- and to her real canine, Billie Bumbler, her 2-year-old dapple dachshund.
"I love it," Lennox said. "It's so fantastic. It frees me up a lot of time for me to spoil my dog rotten, which is what I do in my spare time."
Billie, who can weave through Lennox's legs and leap into the air on cue, has learned an impressive array of tricks now that Lennox is home more. Lennox calls Billie her "inspiration and quality control."
"I refer to myself as the CEO and her as the DOL, which stands for 'Dog on Lap'," Lennox said. "You can't have a dog magnet business without a mascot."
Lennox may not be a Salinan much longer. She has her house on the market and plans to relocate to Omaha, Neb. Her business is portable, she said.
Lennox creates her drawings with artist-quality markers, then has them professionally copied. She cuts the copies into a circle with a press in her office, then presses the picture into a button maker.
Instead of a pin, she glues a magnet on the back, mounts her creations on a display card, and they are ready to ship.
On Wednesday, 100 freshly glued magnets were drying on the counter. They had been ordered by a couple of dog lovers who were getting married and planned to give any cash wedding gifts to a dog charity, Lennox said. The couple ordered the magnets to give to wedding guests.
Lennox said she has had the opportunity to work on projects for several breed rescue organizations, and she has created custom work for various fundraising projects -- including magnets of Sparkles the fire safety dog and Frankie, the walk 'n' roll dog, a dog who makes presentations about living with disabilities. She has even created ribbons for wiener dog races.
"That's the beauty of a handmade product," she said. "A lot of times it's customizable, too."
Lennox's boyfriend, Candy Pacheco, helps with the magnet production process and fulfillment of online orders, which are usually shipped within 48 hours.
"You know business is good when the guys at the post office know you by name," she said.
Lennox said that in 2011 she sold more than 5,000 sets of six dog magnets, which easily doubled the amount she sold the previous year.
She has about 50 different dog breeds represented in her collections, and she said she intends to keep adding a new breed every couple of weeks, "just to keep things fresh."
She also has one cat set.
"It's not that we don't like cats; it's just that my business is silly dogs," she said.
She said she doesn't think she'll do a "mutt" collection, but she does custom work. She charges $34.99 for one customized portrait of a dog and a set of six magnets, which can be ordered through her Web site.
Of course, her favorite -- and her best seller -- is the dachshund, which takes two magnets to depict -- one for the front half and one for the hind quarters. She has dachshunds dressed in Halloween costumes, wearing sweaters and party attire, and riding in wheelchairs.
Lennox said that with most of her business being online, she doesn't get a lot of feedback, which makes the contacts she does receive special. She said the biggest fan she is aware of is a 10-year-old girl in Colorado who asks for her magnets for birthdays and Christmases and has sent her letters and her own dog drawings.
"I love getting letters from people who say I captured one of their dogs in my drawings," she said. "It makes my day."

-- Reporter Erin Mathews can be reached at 822-1415 or by email at emathews@salina.com.

Casting Call! Special Needs Pets for American Dog Magazine

American Dog Magazine is working hard to promote the blessings and joy that special needs pets bring to our lives. Do you have a special needs pet?  If so, let them know!  Your pet might be featured in the spring 2012 issue to help bring positive awareness and more adoptions of these special pets.

Email them directly with your pets name, age, and info, plus picture in high-res and 300 dpi.

Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog Coloring & Paper Doll Activity Book a Hit with Young Kids

Thank you, Susan for sending my mom and me these delightful photos (below) of your grandkids, Ally and Nathan (8 and 9), enjoying Frankie's coloring and paper doll activity book. As you can see, dear readers, the "doll" is actually me!  Complete with my wheelchair and many outfits you can dress me in.

To purchase your copy of my new coloring and paper doll activity book visit our website, Joyful Paws today. It's on special through Dec. 24th, 2011!

Here I am in my train costume that I won 1st place for in a contest!  Good job Ally and Nathan!

Decked out in my pink bandana and doggie sunglasses! Love it, Ally!

Here I am as a Packer dog!  Thanks, Nathan!

Me as Mrs. Claus!  Merry Christmas Nathan, Susan and Ally!

1st grader got Frankie's Positive Message in a Beautiful Way

Recently I visited first graders at Longfellow Elementary school in Wisconsin. As many of you know part of my story is to help encourage children to be positive even when facing challenges.

After my mom was done sharing my story and the kids settled in for reading time, as we packed up, one little girl asked the teacher if she could go to her locker. She said she had something for me. She ran to her locker and came bounding back in the room with a big smile, handed it to my mom and said, "This is for Frankie!"

The teacher noticed what she gave me and told my mom and me that the kids get these "passes" when they do good things. They then get to turn those in for chances at prizes each month. To think she gave up a chance to share her positive pass with me that would mean she might not win a prize is so special for so many reasons. It's one of the bestest gifts I have ever gotten!

To learn more about Frankie's books that help teach children to be positive and make a difference check out the right hand side of her blog. Or check out the books on our Joyful Paws website (we have a really good special running now through Christmas!)  All books ordered through our website are autographed with inscription and pawtographed by Frankie.

Meet Digby Who Has IVDD and a Doggie Wheelchair Just Like Me

Digby's mom, Emily emailed my mom asking if she would be upset if she shared a video she made of Digby her dachshund with IVDD to help bring positive awareness to this disease to those to in the UK where she and Digby live. She told my mom she used the same music and was inspired by Frankie and the video about me. Emily didn't want my mom to be upset that the video is similar... stay tuned until end for Digby's touching video.

It was so nice of Emily to be concerned, but of course not, my mom was not upset at all. Wow- the more of us who share our stories, she told Emily, the more dogs we can save who are diagnosed with IVDD. This is a beautiful thing!

So my mom told Emily, "Send the video on over and I'll share with Frankie's fans!"  So check out Digby, living a quality life despite an IVDD diagnoses. Could he be any happier?  Thank you, Emily and Digby for this video that will be another extension of our work that will no doubt save more lives.

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d6a67304d6a51304d6a52384e6a51304d7a49314e7a633d0d0a&sb=1

Bella A Disabled Dog with Special Bailey's Chair

What an amazing dog who does not let her special needs slow her down!  Love this video of Bella and her Bailey's Chair!!

Another Wheelie Dog in Town!

There's a new wheelie dog in town!  Well at least in the town over from me. Her name is Kahlua or a.k.a. Miss Lu or Tink.  She was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor August 25th. She was given two months to live. Yup, count it out on your fingers, Christmas Day will be four months since her diagnoses.  She is still pretty much the same, though her mom feels somewhat improved. Hot diggity dog!

Because of the brain tumor this has affected her back legs and walking. Kahlua's mom knows me and my mom well since she makes all our Frankie t-shirts and tote bags. So she knew getting Miss Lu a wheelchair was a viable option. 

Miss Lu stopped over today to show us her new wheels from Eddie's Wheels! Weeeeeeee..... she is still adjusting to them, but we hope in no time she will be buzzing around fast as a speeding bullet.

As far as her brain tumor, well we continue to pray for her and ask if you could send a little prayer to the big guy upstairs too. She's a miracle so far with almost outliving her 2 month prognosis.  We love you, Kahlua!

Frankie Giveaways! Just Because We Like to Give & It's the Holidays!

Okay, it's super easy to do!! All you have to do is email us your full name and we will enter you into our giveaway. In subject line please put: Frankie's Holiday Giveaway! Yup, it's that easy to do! Tell all your friends too!! Email us by midnight on Friday, December 9th to be eligible (US and Canada residents only). We will choose one winner at random per product!

We are giving away:

• One Be PAWSitive Tshirt with bracelet
• One Be PAWSitive Tote bag
• One Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog book
• One Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House book
• One Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog Coloring and Paper Doll Activity Book
• One Frankie Dress Up Magnet Set (6-pack)
• One Frankie Magnet Set (6-pack)

We will contact each winner by email no later than Monday, December 13th. GOOD LUCK!!

Please Help Sweet Doxie Win Photo Contest

Tulsa is hanging on to the lead by a very slim margin in a photo contest. Tulsa's Mom, Karen recently lost one of her dachshunds (13 yrs old) to 2 types of cancer. Tulsa's winning photo will win her mom some much-need funds towards the vet bills. The contest ends Monday. We need to rally the dachshund troops!


Just click on this link and then click on vote for Tulsa- that easy (you'll need to scroll down a bit!  Thanks Frankie fans for helping us out!

Letter from 8-year old Meghan- She Loves Frankie and the Frankie Books!

There is nothing sweeter in this world then getting a handwritten letter from a child whose life I've affected... makes this little dog's heart wanna burst right out of my chest.  So in the spirit of the holiday season and all things that matter I share the letter, along with a picture that Meghan drew of the cover of my second book, Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House. Thank you, Meghan for making not only my day, but my mom's as well!!