National Pet Week- There is Hope Campaign Continues- Video Message

My mom tells me and others all the time how much she has learned from me.  Just because I'm physcially challenged does not mean I am not happy.  I'm dog-gone happy!  So in continuing our "There is Hope" campaign to bring positive awareness to all animals with disabilites we put together this special little video for you.  Please sure to visit our previous post and let us know if you are sharing our message with others by leaving a comment.  Your name will be entered into a drawing to win some GREAT, FUN prizes!!  But hurry, ends May 8th!

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 Book Series

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

Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog T-shirt

Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog pin- EXCLUSIVE!

Dachshund magnet set

Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog Tote Bag

Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog Poster

Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog Stickers

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!

Flat Frankie Friend!

Remember when I was at the library and had the kids decorate large cut-outs of me (Flat Frankie's)? It was so fun watching the kids! Well, one young boy couldn't be there for this class, so we sent his flat Frankie via mail... all the way to Alaska!! His name is Koya and my mom and I loved having him in our class... he is so nice and sweet. Here he is with his flat Frankie. Job well done, Koya!!

Oh the Places Frankie Goes!

My friends at a school in Canada are one of the best things that has ever happened to me! They love to follow my journey, and I in turn, love to watch all the things they learn because of me. It truly humbles a little dog on wheels I tell ya!
Their awesome teacher, Karen started a Wiki sight with all their Frankie stories and drawings. I'm not real up on what a Wiki is, but I can tell you one thing... I LOVE ALL the pictures and stories and everything these kids are doing!! See for yourself!

Update on Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Activity Workbook

First update is that the book is in stock and ready to ship!!

Second, my mom has never been very good at math (writing is her thing!) so she miscalculated the price. NEW price is $11.95 (down from $14.95).

Third there will be FREE SHIPPING now through July 15th! Book will be shipped via media mail, so be sure and take advantage of this offer.

And last but not least, receive a FREE hot pink pencil with every workbook order!! Everything has to be pink you know, to remind you that I am a girl, even though my name sounds like a boy!

So order your Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Activity Workbook TODAY!

A "Wheelie" Good Question

Submitted by Chloe, Age 10

What is the hardest thing about having wheels?

I try not to look at having wheels as being difficult. I am so glad companies like Eddie's Wheels make wheelchairs for dogs, so I can have my freedom. To be honest, there really is nothing hard about having my wheels. I can get around so much better and faster than if I didn't have them. Even though my legs don't work so well, I'm so happy I can get around with the help of tires.

Lilli is Five and Alive!

Meet special little Lilli! She recently celebrated her 5th birthday and was able to do so because of a special lady. Read more about lilli on my mom's blog!

A Popular Question

Question submitted by Emma, Age 9

How does Frankie sleep?

This is one of the most popular questions I get asked. I can actually sleep in my wheelchair. That is the advantage of being so short. I can lay the front part of my body down (like in the photo) and then my little butt sticks in the air. My mom always has to pat my butt when I do this. She thinks it is so cute. Oh brother!

At night mom takes me out of my wheels and I have a little crate I sleep in, which you can see in the photo above too. It is filled with lots of cozy blankie's to keep me warm.

And most of the time when we are home and I am in my mom's writing room with her, I snuggle in my little bed as you can see in the other photo. I LOVE TO NAP!!

Frankie Navagating her Wheels

Question submitted by Katie and Selena, Age 9

Does Frankie get stuck sometimes because of her wheels in small places?

Boy-oh-boy, did I ever at the beginning when I first got my wheels! Whew! I would get stuck all the time on the sofa, the chair, the bed, and going around corners. Sometimes I couldn't get unstuck, so I'd whimper and my mom would come rescue me. About a week after I had my wheels I learned how to back up. Well, then I learned that trick would also work when I got stuck! So if I got stuck, I would simply back up (kind of like putting the car in reverse), then put my wheels back in drive and away I'd go again! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

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!

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!

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.

Thank You Elkhart Lake Elementary and Middle School!

Between last week and this week Frankie and I visited our community school and did a total of six presentations! We had a ball!

The staff and the students and especially Mrs. Nevin's the librarian extraordinaire were so good to us. Frankie and I now feel like a part of the school family! I felt today feeling so good about all the new friends we made. I have always loved Elkhart Lake, but now I love it even more. My community has been so supportive of Frankie and now being at school has made us feel even more a part of wonderful Elkhart Lake.

The teachers just started putting together websites for their classrooms. They took pictures of our visits and I want to thank Mrs. Reineking and Mrs. Matthias for posting pictures of our visit (please be patient as they do take a bit to download).

Thank you again, especially to all the students for their enthusiasm, kindness and compassion for Frankie. We will never forget our three very special days with all of you!!