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.

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.

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.

Special Needs Pet Feature: Kaylee

What is your pet's name?

Kaylee

How old is your pet?

Kaylee is about 7 years old. 

Where did you get your pet?

We adopted Kaylee from Remember Me Ranch Rescue, Baraboo, WI in June of 2011, where she had been since February 2011 

What is your pet's physical challenge?

Kaylee was hit by a car about three years ago, and her previous owners failed to seek medical treatment.  She has a spinal cord injury at her thoraco-lumbar junction resulting in severe sensory deficits and muscle wasting in her rear legs.  Her X-rays show subluxation of the left hip which could either be from the car accident, or possibly hip dysplasia.   She isn’t always quite sure where that left leg is! Happily, after a few months of rehab, her prognosis is much better than we ever expected. At the rehab clinic, Kaylee walks perfectly on an underwater treadmill and gets laser treatments to reduce inflammation and pain. She also has lots of exercises and stretches at home to build strength and decrease her sensory deficits. She has gone from crawling 90% of the time to walking 90% of the time in just four months. 

What is your pet's favorite thing to do?

Kaylee’s favorite thing is to be involved with anything her family is doing. She is delighted to go on car rides when we run errands, be in the yard while I’m gardening, or just curl up and watch TV.  It must have broken her heart to be cast outside and ignored by her previous family. 

What is your pet's favorite thing to eat?

Kaylee loves the dried liver treats she gets at her rehab clinic. They are a good distraction during exams and an excellent motivator during exercises.

What do you love most about your pet?

Just looking at Kaylee makes me smile.  Even with all of the challenges and neglect Kaylee has faced, she still embraces life to the fullest.  And that is a good lesson for all of us!

What has your pet most taught you?

Kaylee is the perfect example of how resilient rescue dogs can be.  After being tied out and ignored for three years with her crippling injury and additional medical problems (embedded collar, Lyme Disease, UTI, and rotting teeth), Kaylee radiates joy and love.  I’m so lucky to be her mom!

Anything else you’d like to share?

I’ve made it my mission to seek out senior and special needs pets to adopt from shelters and rescues.  I know these animals will wait the longest to find homes—if they ever find one at all.   And I’ve never been disappointed—being a “rescue mom” has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Visit Kaylee at her blog.

 ***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.***

Here is the replay of the interview my mom, author Barbara Techel did with Deb Scott of The Best People We Know radio show. Deb is a fantastic radio host full of energy and enthusiasm.  Pass this radio show onto those that you know may need a shot of inspiration, or those that have a special needs pet, or teachers looking for a great program to educate their kids about differences and challenges.

Also available on itunes!

Special Needs Pet Feature: Sweet Pea (Up for Adoption Soon)

When my mom and I got an email from Dona of Dachshund Resuce of North America about this dear little girl, our heart's broke for what happened to her. We are so thankful though that Dona got her out of her horrible situation so she can find a new home with people who love her. She will need lots of love and extra care, but perhaps you just might have room in your home for her?  She will be available for adoption soon!

What is your pet's name?
Sweet Pea

How old is your pet?
About 2 yrs. old.

Where did you get your pet?
She was confiscated from an abusive family.

What is your pet's physical challenge?
After being thrown down a laundry chute by some children, she sustained a ruptured disc and was paralyzed in her rear legs.

What is your pet's favorite thing to do?
She loves being held about all the time.  But she also likes playing with other dogs and with stuffed toys.

What is your pet's favorite thing to eat? 
Anything!  When rescued, she was also starved and emaciated.  So eating is a passion for her.


What do you love most about your pet? 
Her spunk and attitude.  She has Dachsitude for sure.

What has your pet most taught you?
To never give up, no matter what the circumstances.

Anything else you’d like to share? 
Sweet Pea is a foster dog of mine through Dachshund Rescue of North America.  She will be available for adoption once she finishes therapy.

 ***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.***

Adopt a Special Needs Dog!

Special Needs Pet Feature: Gus

What is your pet's name?  
Gus

How old is your pet? 
 14

Where did you get your pet?  
I was there the day he was born. Friends of mine had both of the parents on their ranch. The sire was a papered heeler and the bitch was not but she was a heeler as well. So I call Gus a pure-bred but not well-bred heeler.  All my animals are rescues so I don’t care whether he is a pure-bred or not. The dogs were bred for herding purposes but he was really shy and only liked me so I was the lucky one to get him.

What is your pet's physical challenge? 
He went blind at age 11 from cataracts so I had surgery done on one eye which brought his sight back. Then two years later when he was 13 he got glaucoma in his good eye and went blind again. There wasn’t anything further we could do surgically due to his age so we control pain management with four eye drops twice a day.

What is your pet's favorite thing to do? 
Hang out with me; go to the park and car rides.  He would play tennis ball for hours until he went blind.

What is your pet's favorite thing to eat? 
He loves his premium dog food and biscuit snacks and the occasional meat scraps. Of course, we would eat most anything tasty if I would let him.

What do you love most about your pet? 
He is loyal and smart and has put all his trust in me since he went blind.  He never questions my voice commands and will even step off a curb without hesitation when we are walking.  He has no idea whether it’s a 100 foot drop or just a few inches. He doesn’t fear the unknown because he trusts me so much. I am his “seeing-eye person”.

What has your pet most taught you?
Un-conditional love.

Anything else you’d like to share?
I cherish every day that I have with Gus because at 14 I know I probably don’t have a lot of time left with him.  I love the breed and will go to a local heeler rescue organization to adopt when Gus crosses the rainbow bridge.

 ***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.***


A Message from Frankie's Mom on Why We Feature Special Needs Pets


My life changed for the better and my heart grew ten times it size when my dog, Frankie ruptured a disk and ended up in a doggie wheelchair.  That may sound odd, but it lead me to a calling that has brought me so much joy.
I love being an advocate for pets with special neeeds educating others that disabled pets are just as lovable as any other pet. I also feel so blessed to help kids of all ages see their challenges in a positive way through Frankie's example. Frankie is an incredbile gift not only in my life, but she has helped thousands of children through the book series about her, as well as the visits we do to schools in WI and schools across the US and Canada via Skype.
Sharing other pets with special needs expands on the message that all animals deserve a chance. Sharing these pets helps to spread a positive message and every time I meet a new special needs pet I feel my heart grow even bigger.  I hope it does the same for you and you pass on the love.
Learn more about Barbara and her love of special needs pets
Learn more about Barbara's special needs pet, Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog

Special Needs Pet Feature: Lilly Anna

What is your pet's name?
Lilly Anna Story

How old is your pet?
2

Where did you get your pet?
Odessa Humane Society, Texas

What is your pet's physical challenge?
Deaf, visually impaired, mentally challenged, dysplasia in her back knees.  Does spoiled rotten count!?

What is your pet's favorite thing to do?
Snuggle with mommy, chase around her older brothers and sisters


What is your pet's favorite thing to eat?
Anything she can get!

What do you love most about your pet?
Her sweet innocence and adorable personality

What has your pet most taught you? 
She has taught me that the rewards of adopting a special needs pet are far greater than the difficulties.  And their ability to love is not affected.

Anything else you’d like to share? 
All my pets are adopted and they have been so good to "teach" Lilly.  They are so patient with her and they don't seem to mind her following them around.  The vet said she needed her own hearing/seeing dogs to teach her and that has been so helpful.


 ***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.***



A Message From Frankie's Mom, Barbara Techel



My life changed for the better and my heart grew ten times it size when my dog, Frankie ruptured a disk and ended up in a doggie wheelchair.  That may sound odd, but it lead me to a calling that has brought me so much joy.

I love being an advocate for pets with special neeeds educating others that disabled pets are just as lovable as any other pet. I also feel so blessed to help kids of all ages see their challenges in a positive way through Frankie's example. Frankie is an incredbile gift not only in my life, but she has helped thousands of children through the book series about her, as well as the visits we do to schools in WI and schools across the US and Canada via Skype.

Sharing other pets with special needs expands on the message that all animals deserve a chance. Sharing these pets helps to spread a positive message and every time I meet a new special needs pet I feel my heart grow even bigger.  I hope it does the same for you and you pass on the love.

Learn more about Barbara and her love of special needs pets


Learn more about Barbara's special needs pet, Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog

Special Needs Pet Feature: Squeaky

Note:  Be sure to read all the way to end and then listen to a special audio recording my mom did. Squeaky's mom, Sussie wrote to us about Squeaky's first time in wheels and it was so cute we asked we could record and share with you, our readers.


What is your pet's name?
Squeaky. Actualy his name is Colt. But he gets these high pitched squeaky whines when he wants something. I started out saying to him “Thats my squeaky boy” but he seemed to like being called Squeaky. The only time I call him Colt is when he is in trouble. Kinda like when your mother called you by your full name. Oh boy...you knew you were in for it. LOL

How old is your pet?
5

Where did you get your pet?
He was a rescue. He was going to be put down.

What is your pet's physical challenge?
He is down in the back and it is inoperable (IVDD). Very powerful from the mid section forward though. Since I got him, he has regained a tiny bit of movement in the back. But not enough to stand.

What is your pet's favorite thing to do?
Chew on rawhide bones. Bark. Be held. Explore. Sleep.

What is your pet's favorite thing to eat? 
um...what doesn't he like to eat. LOL

What do you love most about your pet?
His attitude. He has never been bothered by the fact that he can't walk. He's always happy.

What has your pet most taught you?
Don't worry...be happy.

Anything else you’d like to share?
Thank you to Eddie's Wheels for making a perfectly custom made cart. It fits him like a glove! Because of them, Squeaky has wings to fly.

Listen to audio of Squeaky trying out his wheels for the first time!!

Squeaky got his wheels audio

 ***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.***

For help with your IVDD dog please visit an organization called Dodgerslist that is dedicated to saving lives of IVDD dogs.



A Message From Frankie's Mom, Barbara Techel



My life changed for the better and my heart grew ten times it size when my dog, Frankie ruptured a disk and ended up in a doggie wheelchair.  That may sound odd, but it lead me to a calling that has brought me so much joy.

I love being an advocate for pets with special neeeds educating others that disabled pets are just as lovable as any other pet. I also feel so blessed to help kids of all ages see their challenges in a positive way through Frankie's example. Frankie is an incredbile gift not only in my life, but she has helped thousands of children through the book series about her, as well as the visits we do to schools in WI and schools across the US and Canada via Skype.

Sharing other pets with special needs expands on the message that all animals deserve a chance. Sharing these pets helps to spread a positive message and every time I meet a new special needs pet I feel my heart grow even bigger.  I hope it does the same for you and you pass on the love.

Learn more about Barbara and her love of special needs pets


Learn more about Barbara's special needs pet, Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog

Special Needs Pet Feature: Shoshone

What is your pet's name? 
Shoshone.

How old is your pet? 
One year old.

Where did you get your pet? 
A breeder.

What is your pet's physical challenge? 
Born with multiple eye deformities that can cause glaucoma.  At the age of 4 months old, she got glaucoma in her left eye and it had to be removed to eliminate the pain she was having due to high eye pressure.  No eye pressure eye drops would bring down the eye pressure so the eye had to be removed.  She has the same problem in the right eye and at 6 months old she had a retinaplexy surgery done the the right eye to try to keep her retina from detaching.  She will probably lose the right eye in the future.  I am so devastated about this.

What is your pet's favorite thing to do? 
She loves to play with her sisters, play with her toys and take long naps on her daddy or my recliner.

What is your pet's favorite thing to eat? 
She loves her Benefil Chicken and Rice dog food, Milk Bone and chicken jerky treats.


What do you love most about your pet? 
She is precious, with a wonderful zest for life and is so gentle and loving toward people and other animals.

What has your pet most taught you? 
With all she has gone through, she is happy and full of life.  She has taught me that even though she has disabilities she makes the most out of life and enjoy it to the fullest.

Anything else you’d like to share? 
I just want to say that I love her with all my heart and will do anything I can for her to have a normal life, with some sight, for as long as I can.

 ***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.***


A Message From Frankie's Mom, Barbara Techel



My life changed for the better and my heart grew ten times it size when my dog, Frankie ruptured a disk and ended up in a doggie wheelchair.  That may sound odd, but it lead me to a calling that has brought me so much joy.

I love being an advocate for pets with special neeeds educating others that disabled pets are just as lovable as any other pet. I also feel so blessed to help kids of all ages see their challenges in a positive way through Frankie's example. Frankie is an incredbile gift not only in my life, but she has helped thousands of children through the book series about her, as well as the visits we do to schools in WI and schools across the US and Canada via Skype.

Sharing other pets with special needs expands on the message that all animals deserve a chance. Sharing these pets helps to spread a positive message and every time I meet a new special needs pet I feel my heart grow even bigger.  I hope it does the same for you and you pass on the love.

Learn more about Barbara and her love of special needs pets


Learn more about Barbara's special needs pet, Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog

Special Needs Pet Feature: Rosie

What is your pet's name?
Rosabelle  Degli Angeli Neri, but we simly call her Rosie, (pet names Rosie posie or Ruskuss)

How old is your pet?
She is almost 3.5 years old


Where did you get your pet?
From a well known Newfoundland breeder (Emmy Bruno)

What is your pet's physical challenge?
She was born with a miniature front paw which was later reabsorbed into the wrist

What is your pet's favorite thing to do?
Laying on the fountain step with her sister Nana and watch people pass and bark at them if they get too near the gates, or  sleeping on her back

What is your pet's favorite thing to eat? 
Fish (she gets cod once or twice a week) and “cosine buone” (little treats)

What do you love most about your pet?
Her determination not to be left behind or excluded from anything, her courage and attachment to me and her sis.

What has your pet most taught you?
To be strong and fight when things get rough, never to give in, to love unconditionally.

Anything else you’d like to share?
She thinks she is a lap dog and now and then she half jumps on my knees when I am seated, wrap her only front paw around me and lays her head on my breast and just stays there, looking at me as if saying “I love you, Mom”
Half jumps means that she keeps her hind paws on the floor and only her trunk and big big head are resting on me.

 ***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.***

Special Needs Pet: Maggie

What is your pet's name?
Maggie

How old is your pet?
She will be 2 years old on Sept. 21st

Where did you get your pet?
She was born here at my home from a littler of pups. I have both parents.

What is your pet's physical challenge?
Maggie is blind. I think some days (rarely) she can see shapes. It scares her terribly on days like that and she doesn't leave my side. But most days she sees nothing.


What is your pet's favorite thing to do?
Maggie's favorite thing to do is play in the water sprinkler when its hot. She also loves to cuddle and oh, belly rubs- can't forgot those.

What do you love most about your pet?
What I love about Maggie's is she is so sweet and ready to go and do anything with me despite her blindness. She's incredibly smart. She also gives the best kisses!


What has your pet most taught you?
I don't know if she has really taught me this but... Special needs dogs are just that, special. Everyone show open their home to a special dog. Her blindness has taught me to see things differently and how she adapts to things is amazing. She's always happy.


Anything else you'd like to share?

It took awhile to figure out that Maggie couldn't see. She was in a swarm of little black puppies. All rolling around and falling over etc. But it started to show when she would bump into the walls or fall in the food dishes as she got a little older.

I took her to the vet and they did a quick look and said "yup shes blind. Will you be putting her down?" NO! I WILL NOT!

My EX vet didn't even want to discuss what was wrong... They just dismissed her. ( I still do not know why shes blind, it really doesn't matter)

Maggie does perfectly well here with me and her parents and brother. She knows this house and yard, every inch of it. I keep the chairs pushed in and stuff out of the middle of the floor.... She has no problems. Her food and water are in the same place all the time, she goes right to it.

When we go outside she runs like the rest of the pack. Most people don't believe she is blind, and they wouldn't have known if I didn't tell them. If I think shes going to run into something I yell "CAREFUL" and she stops. "EASY" means slow down. I can direct her through the woods (we walk on the hill everyday) By telling her easy, over, wait for me etc.

If we are on a strange trail she stays next to me, Mica, Timber or One Ton.They all look out for her and will get between her and a bank or tree. Its truly amazing to watch those dogs watch out for her. 

We do have a few issues we had to work around... (its not all easy) I have to watch out in the yard when the dogs are running. The others will swerve around me but Maggie has ran me over a couple times (clipped my legs as she goes by) Down I go. Then she comes back and kisses me cause shes sorry.

I wrapped my clothes line posts in snow fence in case she hits them. Its not pretty but it keeps her from getting hurt too much. We still get bumps and bruises some days but as she ages it doesn't happen so much anymore.

She is slow to make up to strangers. She does best if they don't try to touch her right away. But if given time to listen to them and be around them soon shes laying on the ground belly up "Rub my belly!"

Maggie with mommy, Mica, daddy, one ton, and brother, Timber

 ***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.***

Special Needs Pet Feature: Junior

What is your pet's name?
Junior(also lovingly nicknamed My Lil’ Speed Racer)

How old is your pet?
11-12

Where did you get your pet?
Southern California Pomeranian Rescue

What is your pet's physical challenge?
Canine Cognitive Syndrome, or Doggy Dementia, Doggy Alzheimer’s


What is your pet's favorite thing to do?
Eat, and follow his new daddy on short walks

What is your pet's favorite thing to eat?
Anything YUMMY!!!

What do you love most about your pet?
I love his amazing spirit most of all. I’ve had him almost 2 weeks, and he has struck me deep in my heart with his amazing spirit. When he goes outside he is a changed man. He does everything a normal dog does, or at least he tries. He gets stuck sometimes, but a wave of the hand in front of his eyes and say come on My Lil’ Speed Racer and voila he’s off again. He makes me smile every time I take him outside to walk. I take him on a separate walk from the others cause he is slow, but the others don’t seem to mind when it’s his turn for his walk.

What has your pet most taught you?
It’s a toss up between patience, perseverance, and bravery.

Anything else you’d like to share?
Just that I am blessed to have him. I thought to myself after I committed to him “What have I gotten myself into?” thinking I was going to be spending all my time watching him to make sure he didn’t have potty accidents, etc…, but I couldn’t have been more wrong with the picture in my mind. He is easy to tell when he has to go potty, and if I happen to not catch his cue, that he needs to go he has yet to miss a potty pad since I’ve had him. He is an astounding baby, and I just wish everyone could experience the smiles he puts on my face every day watching him accomplish thing, after thing, after thing. He makes me so proud of him. I could go on forever here, so I will stop now before I just end up babbling.

 ***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.***

Thank you to the Green Bay Gazette for the wonderful write up of our recent visit to Kress Family Library in DePere, Wisconsin.

Reprinted from Green Bay Gazette

Author Barbara Techel's wheelchair-bound miniature dachshund Frankie rests her head on the table as Techel reads one of her award-winning books at the Kress Family Library Branch in De Pere on Friday. / Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette

Author Barbara Techel simply wants to uplift children through her books.

The self-proclaimed animal lover spent time on Friday at the Kress Family Branch Library in De Pere doing just that with her words — and with an adorable assist from her canine companion.

Frankie, an 11-year-old miniature dachshund, is the inspiration for Techel's series of children's books that promote positive attitudes. "Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog'' and "Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House,'' tell how the dog overcame a major medical challenge and has been spreading joy to others ever since.
"Frankie's story is so uplifting," said Techel, who lives in Elkhart Lake. "Even faced with a hardship, she has remained positive."
Five years ago, Frankie ruptured a disk in her back, leaving her confined to a dog cart. Not knowing how her dog was going to respond to being unable to walk on all four paws, Techel was pleasantly surprised at Frankie's willingness to continue as if nothing had happened.

"Frankie was really challenged as she was put into a wheelchair. Despite that, her spirits remained positive,'' she said.

Already an author by the time Frankie began to have medical problems, Techel was inspired by the dog to share her story through children's books. The two of them have made more than 300 visits to schools, libraries and organizations in Wisconsin to help encourage children and adults to overcome adversity.
After the reading at the library, there was a long line of children waiting to talk with Techel, purchase books, and of course, pet Frankie.

"I wanted to take Frankie home with me," said 7-year-old Venna VanRemortr. "It was really good."

VanRemortr and her older sister, Athena, come to the summer readings at the library with their grandmother Sybil Warner. This time, they say they were happy to be able to interact with the dog.

"We loved it," Warner said. "She was so articulate when reading, and it all flowed nicely."

— kmccrae@greenbaypressgazette .com and follow her on Twitter @PGKelcieMcCrae

Special Needs Pet Feature of the Week: Benny

 
How old is your pet?
6 years old

Where did you get your pet?
Nextdaypets.com (I got him for a discounted price he was the runt of the liter)


What is your pets physical challenge?
Benny is now paralyzed from about the waste down. He uses a wheel chair to run around in and he also has a drag bag for when he is not in his wheels. His wheels I got from Eddie's Wheels. The Drag Bag was from Handicappedpets.com.


What is your pets favorite thing to do?
Play with his brother Canoli and his family.

What is your pets favorite thing to eat?
Pasta! Hey were Italian =)

What do you love most about your pet?
His will to live. He motovates me.


What has your pet most taught you?
How to be strong. That no matter what happens in your life that disables you. To keep going. Try harder. Never give up faith.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Alot of Dachshunds suffer from IVDD. They do not have homes or people to take care of them. Its very sad to see most people will just put the dog down when really they can live a happy healthy life. Just like anything its tuff at first but after you learn how to take care of them properly it's just like having a normal dog. The only difference is you have to assist them going to the bathroom which takes 5 minutes out of your time. With a normal dog you would still need to take those 5 minutes by walking him/her outside if not longer. The last thing would be putting him in his wheels to run around. For all you Doxie lovers out there give a Doxie with IVDD some care. =)
 ***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.***