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.
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.
He lived to be just a few months shy of 13 years old.
Where did you get your pet?
From a family in Hawaii whose two doxies had puppies
What is your pets physical challenge?
He had IVDD…lost the use of his back legs at age 6
What is your pets favorite thing to do?
Cagney LOVED laying on the patio in the sun…just tanning and looking around.
What is your pets favorite thing to eat?
Rawhide bones with the jerky on the outside
What do you love most about your pet?
That he was always so sweet and loving…even when he was in pain.
What has your pet most taught you?
That you really can do anything in the name of love.
Anything else you’d like to share?
When Cagney was 6 years old he lost the use of his back legs suddenly. One minute he was trotting behind me to the mail box outside our house and the next minute he was yelping in pain and I had no idea why. The following days, nights, & weeks were one long blur as Cagney had to stay at the Vet's Hospital for IVs and Xrays and all sorts of things. Sadly he did not regain the use of his legs and surgery was not an option due to the expense and the fact that the doctor only gave him a 50 - 50 chance for walking again. That never bothered Cagney though and didn't slow his pace one bit. In no time he was able to scoot all over the house using just his front legs to get from place to place. He could scoot faster than some dogs could run! I eventually got him his own set of wheels from "Doggone Wheels" and that afforded him the opportunity to go outside on the sidewalks, the patio, and even to the beach. Cagney was such a good boy and was always upbeat and happy....wanting to snuggle and give kisses or play with anyone he came into contact with.
I cared for him and tended to his special needs, which was quite diffficult initially and heartbreaking at times....but I did it out of sheer love for that little angel. A lot of adjustments had to be made but he was worth every one of them! When I moved from Hawaii to Portland, OR in 2007 Cagney flew with me. It was his first time on a plane but he took it like a brave boy....even when the airline baggage handlers "lost" him at one point. About 2 hours after my flight landed I finally caught up with him going round and round on another baggage claim carousel. He was peering out of his cage as if to say, "This has been fun but I'd like to get off now, please." I was a complete wreck not knowing what had happened to him or where he was but as soon as I tracked him down and opened his kennel door he smothered me with kisses saying, "It's ok....there's nothing to worry about....I'm HERE!"
For the next 2 years I continued to love & take care of that darling boy until, on the morning of March 31st, 2009, just as suddenly as he lost the use of his back legs, Cagney woke up and was unable to use his front legs. I took him to the Vet pretty much knowing what the outcome was going to be. There was nothing they could really do for him...and no "cure". So I had to make that VERY difficult decision and help him get to the Rainbow Bridge. I held him for so very long and just sobbed telling him I was so sorry for what I had to do....it was extremely hard and still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it. But Cagney lived a very good life and brought lots of happiness to me. His "disability" taught me so very much and I thank the Lord that I had him and all the experiences that having him brought into my life.
Thank you so much, Chops, Cagney's dedicated Mom who took such good care of Cagney. Your store resonated on so many levels for my mom and me... tears... laughter... love. Thank you. PS: The picture of the two of you on the beach is absolutely priceless and needs no words as it speaks volumes.
If you care for a special needs pet and would like your pet featured, please email me through my website contact. Send a photo and I will forward the questionnaire for your pet to be featured in an upcoming post.
Today I share with you the special post my mom wrote about me on her blog.
Today marks the 5th anniversary since my little Frankie “went down” as it is referred to when a dog can no longer walk and is diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).
And so began a mission I became so passionate about that I knew if I didn’t pursue it, I would regret it at the end of my life- my mission to educate others that animals with disabilities deserve a chance at living a quality life. From that mission, sprang another unexpected purpose which was to help children and adult’s see their challenges more positively because it was one of many lessons I learned from Frankie.
For me, the day that call came that Frankie went down, was one of the most devastating moments I ever had. I still recall very vividly in my mind trying to picture what Frankie’s life would look like not being able to use her hind legs. I was 1,400 miles from home vacationing at my mom’s winter house with my husband, John when I received the call that spun my world upside down.
The surgeon gave me the news that Frankie had only a 10-30% chance of walking again even with surgery. After careful consideration, much crying, and consoling from John and my mom, I made the decision to proceed with the surgery.
Frankie when I brought her home after her surgery
You know how they say “life happens while you are busy making other plans?” That is exactly what happened. My dream of having my new lab puppy become a therapy dog and writing about those experiences was all put on hold. I was uncertain of my future because of the care I would need to now do for my handicapped dog. I was also angry and could not understand why this was happening when I had my whole life planned out, when my mom gently said to me, “Well maybe God meant for Frankie to be your therapy dog.” That one line of wisdom has unfolded into countless blessings since that fateful day five years ago.
One of my greatest lessons learned from Frankie through her healing and recovery is that it does not pay to sit too long in pity for yourself or for your dog. It is up to each of us to look for the good in the bad, find the lesson in a tough situation, and be open to a new path ahead. I realized one day that I had a choice. I could continue to be sad and negative, or I could choose to be happy and positive, and be open to the blessings that may reveal themselves. Oh, how glad I am that I got that message and changed my attitude, because you see, once I did, everything fell right into place.
Photeo taken one year after Frankie's IVDD diagnoses- joyful and full of life rolling in the grass!
Frankie has also taught me patience, which I am still learning, and still need to be reminded of now and then. But I’m happy to say I seem to be catching on quite well to that lesson. My life is much calmer because of it.
One of Frankie’s biggest teachings was to follow my heart and not be afraid. She has taught me to push past the fear. Watching her fly about in her wheelchair, carefree and content, is a constant reminder to me to be who I am without worry what others think. Frankie does not care that her back legs don’t work so well, nor does she mind being a dog in a wheelchair.
I still get incredibly sad when someone puts their pet to sleep because they can’t bear to see their pet “like that.” I’ve gotten stronger in expressing to others that pets don’t take pity on themselves, and really it is not any different than if a human loses the loss of their limbs. The difference is that we humans have a much harder time accepting the reality of that loss, where pets accept, and move forward, and we would never give one thought to putting a human to sleep because they became paralyzed. So changing the mindset of others in the same way for animals is something I strive to do with compassion, patience, understanding, and love.
Today I don’t grieve for the past of what have might have been. Instead I celebrate the gift of that fateful day that opened me up, and through Frankie’s eyes I saw life in full bloom with opportunities and blessings growing in every direction. I don’t know how I will ever thank Frankie for all she has taught me, but giving her at least one thousand kisses and hugs a day, I have a feeling she just may know.
I love you my little dog on wheels… my ambassador of inspiration… my constant shining light as my reminder to see the world with compassion and love. XO
Should your dog ever be diagnosed with IVDD or you know of a dog that has, please let others know about these wonderful resources:
Dodgerslist is an organization dedicated to helping people whose pets have been diagnosed with IVDD. They have a DVD for only $3.00 that is a must to buy and educate yourself should your dog ever be faced with this diagnoses. I encourage you to get it NOW and know your options, as there are many options to help your dog live a long, happy, and quality life.
Eddie’s Wheels is a dog wheelchair company that truly live their life’s work and mission. Their motto is: We test our products on Animals – speaks to the over 20 years of sharing their lives with disabled pets. They continue to take each order individually with careful attention to making sure the cart will serve each pet’s level of disability. Their well-trained and experienced staff still design and build each cart by hand with the dog’s name on it. They continue to be moved by the stories from their customers who tell them about their soul companions and feel privileged to be part of their lives.
And if Frankie could talk I have no doubt her motto is this to us:
Always be positive, make a difference, and keep on rolling!!
