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!!

Riding for the Animals: Motorcyclist To Complete Cross-Country Ride as Fundraiser for Rescued Animals

 
Saugerties, NY – August 13, 2011 - Avid motorcyclist David DiNicola of Middlefield, New York, will rev up his Harley Davidson from August 13-22 for The Strong in Spirit journey across the country to raise money for rescued animals.

DiNicola wanted to do something to honor the legacy of his late German Shepherd, KaDee, who brought so much joy to his life during her 16 years. “KaDee had such gumption for life – the same gumption that I see when I look into the eyes of rescued animals still waiting for their forever home,” said DiNicola who hopes to raise $100,000 to be split between two animal organizations: Catskill Animal Sanctuary and theBerkshire Humane Society. 


The Berkshire Humane Society is where KaDee was adopted as a puppy and an organization that DiNicola has been involved with ever since. Catskill Animal Sanctuary, located in Saugerties, New York, rescues 12 species of farm animals from life or death situations. DiNicola first heard of Catskill Animal Sanctuary when he picked up a book, Where the Blind Horse Sings by Kathy Stevens, the sanctuary’s founder and director – the first book, he says, he has ever read from start to finish. The book compelled him to visit the sanctuary where he met numerous animals who changed his understanding about farm animals forever.

"Everyone can do something to make a difference. I am a motorcyclist, that's what I do; and I found a way to turn that into an opportunity to help animals who I deeply care about," said DiNicola. "You don't have to devote your life to a cause, but we all need to find something that grabs at our heart and then we need to find a way to help. This is my way." The grueling trip is 4,000 miles, and DiNicola will travel 10 states in 10 days.

Check out this video of David, KaDee, and Atlas (a formerly abused and disabled goat now living happily at Catskill Animal Sanctuary) on their respective wheels at http://ow.ly/61iVB, and learn more about this extraordinary journey here http://casanctuary.org/events/strong-in-spirit/.

Special Needs Pet Feature of the Week: Truffles

What is your pets name?  

Tresa-Dee  "Truffles"

How old is your pet?   

Will be 14 yrs. old  May 3rd

Where did you get your pet?  

Thru DRNA rescue, as 'Truffles' was being taken to the vet for euthanasia b/c of spinal issues, & the young boy in the family spoke up abt. this.   Fortunately woman knew abt. rescue & referred the family to DRNA.   She was my foster dog, but I 'failed'  fostering 101, & adopted her--- making her a member of my family!

What is your pets physical challenge? 

Disk problems, of which so severe surgery not recommended.

What is your pets favorite thing to do? 

Be w/ her mommy--me!!   LOVES people, All animals, SUNBATHING!!!  She is just a good all around dog!!  Loves to go w/ her mommy! 

What is your pets favorite thing to eat?  

Truffles loves her dog food, but human food--- beef & chicken, are always great!!

What do you love most about your pet? 

Her sweet, sweet personality!   And her total willingness to embrace all.. 

What has your pet most taught you?  

Not to 'judge' by the exterior.

Anything else you’d like to share? 

Truffles is my 'heart & soul' dog.  We communicate (the 2 of us) without spoken words.  

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***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 of the Week: Gabbi

What is your pets name?  

Gabrielle (Gabbi) S. Carolina

How old is your pet? 

15 ys. this past Oct.  2010

Where did you get your pet? 

Came from shelter in South Carolina thru DRNA (rescue).  Former owner had broken her back.

What is your pets physical challenge? 

Paralyzed from abuse.

What is your pets favorite thing to do? 

'Nurse' on doggy stuffed toy, or blanket, or bedding, or whatever.   Stress reliever for her.

What is your pets favorite thing to eat?  

Chicken

What do you love most about your pet?  

Personality (tho' can be aggravating @ times!!) b/c she is going to be sure you know she is 'present & alive'!! 

What has your pet most taught you?  

Patience & deeper love for special needs.

Anything else you’d like to share?  

Gabbi was always a 'tough little cookie', which is prob. how she survived until she was rescued from prev. owner.  Now @ 15+ yrs. of age, sad to see the aging changes, as she was always so Alive & Vocal!!   Gotta love her tho'! 

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***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: Idgie

Just a special reminder to join author Barbara Techel, Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog book series and author Mary Shafer, Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them over at award winning and pet expert Darlene Arden's Facebook Fan page on the disscussion board as we discuss:  Who's Savin' Who? How Rescued Special Needs Pets Rescue Us.

What is your pet's name?

Idgie, named after the lead character in my favorite movie, "Fried Green Tomatoes," because she's a scrappy little fighter, just like Imogene Louise Threadgoode.

How old is your pet?

Almost 9

Where did you get your pet?

We adopted her from a PetSmart store, where she was the last of her litter that had been rescued from the streets of Philly after their mom had been killed.

What is your pet's physical challenge?

Idgie was born with anophthalmia -- no eyes. She is completely blind and has never seen.

What is your pet's favorite thing to do?

Idgie loves to lay in my lap while I'm working, half on the  keyboard tray, purring.

What is your pet's favorite thing to eat?

I know I'm gonna have so many people yell at me about this: She absolutely ADORES pizza-flavored Goldfish Crackers from Pepperidge Farm. I don't give her a lot of them, but I can't open the bag without her flying into my office from wherever she is in the house.

What do you love most about your pet?

She is just the best little pal I've ever had. Perhaps because of her own trials, she's very sensitive to the emotions of others. But I also love how incredibly intelligent she is. You can almost see her thinking sometimes.

What has your pet most taught you?

That there is always a way. If she wants something bad enough, she figures out a way to make it happen or get it. I don't think she's even aware she lacks what so many of us consider a vital sense, so she doesn't allow it to limit her. That makes me realize I never have any excuse not to try.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I'd like to think Idgie was brought into my life to help me become a better person, more self-sufficient yet sensitive to others, and to be strong. But I must admit that I have no dread like that of the day she will leave me. It's something I cannot even bear to think about. I hope when that day comes, I prove myself worthy of having been blessed with her love and the gift of her in my life.

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***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.***

Five Years and Still Going Strong Living With IVDD

Today I share with you the special post my mom wrote about me on her blog.

Today marks the 5^th 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!!

Finding Frankie: Author Mary Shafer Interviews Author Barbara Techel

When Mary Shafer, freelance writer, marketing consultant, and author of Almost Perfect, Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them traveled from Pennsylvania and stayed with me and my mom in Wisconsin for two days, she did an impromptu interview with my mom and how she found me.  I hope you will enjoy the video as much as my mom enjoyed finding me and the journey we have been on.... and stay tuned in the future for more segments of Mary's interview with my mom where she will also talk about marketing and sharing your message/book with others.

Special Needs Pet Feature: Willie

There are so many caring pet parents out there who take care of special needs pets. To bring more attention to these joyful animals, and extraordinary people, this is a new feature to my blog. If you care for a special needs pet and would like your pet featured, please email my mom through her website contact.  Send a photo and she will forward the questionnaire for your pet to be featured in an upcoming post.

What is your pets name? 

Willie Kanieski

How old is your pet?

About 7 years old     

Where did you get your pet? 

He’s a rescue dog we adopted from the DRNA (Dachshund Rescue of North America)

What is your pets physical challenge? 

He is almost entirely blind – he seems to sense movement but that’s it (he even walks into walls now, poor thing)

What is your pets favorite thing to do? 

Napping in the Big Bed is by far his favorite pastime.  He also loves to watch the tv show Simon & Simon with his Auntie Debbie.  He dances around when he hears the theme song on the television & happily snuggles up next to her for an hour. 

What is your pets favorite thing to eat?

He loves carrots & cottage cheese for treats.  In summer, he loves fresh green beans, too.  Quite a healthy little guy!

What do you love most about your pet? 

I love everything about Willie.  He’s my best friend, my protector, my walking partner & my snuggle-dog.  He’s the snuggliest little guy around!

What has your pet most taught you? 

My pet has taught me that I have more patience than I thought.  I put his needs before mine – if he needs to go outside at 3 am in a blizzard, I’m more than happy to go out with him.  He’s also taught me unconditional love more than I thought possible.  He’s just always happy to see me, which makes me appreciate those in my life more, by applying that same principle to my loved ones, in addition to him!

Anything else you’d like to share? 

Willie is an amazing little guy that was abused quite badly & kept outside in a small cage with a Rottweiler before we got him.  He didn’t get to eat everyday & from the sounds of it, never got snuggles.  I am so glad he was brought into our lives and taught us to forget the bad of the past…he’s adapted so well to everything and is so affectionate and snuggly.  I couldn’t ask for a better friend!

My mom and I had the pleasure of meeting Willie, his Mom, Jenny and his Aunt Deb last summer.  Willie and I hit it off well!  We would like to ask you, our readers, to please keep Willie's Aunt Deb in your prayers as she is fighting cancer right now.  We believe in the power of prayer and hope, so please keep her in your prayers.

Special Needs Pet Feature: Dumplin'

There are so many caring pet parents out there who take care of special needs pets. To bring more attention to these joyful animals, and extraordinary people, this is a new feature to my blog. If you care for a special needs pet and would like your pet featured, please email my mom through her website contact.  Send a photo and she will forward the questionnaire for your pet to be featured in an upcoming post.

What is your pets name?

Dumplin’

How old is your pet?

10

Where did you get your pet?

Waggytail Rescue in NYC (www.waggytailrescue.com)

What is your pets physical challenge?

Blindness.

What is your pets favorite thing to do?

Eat!

What is your pets favorite thing to eat?

Almost anything, but if I had to pick one thing I’d say Bully Sticks.

What do you love most about your pet?

She is just the absolute sweetest.  She always has the sweetest look in her eyes.  Her eyes make me melt every time.  Yes, even though she’s blind now they still do.  Ironic isn’t it?

What has your pet most taught you?

To be a trooper.  Don’t let anything stop you or get you down -- just keep on truckin’.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Dumplin’ became blind from SARDs (Sudden Acute Retinal Degeneration), which causes dogs to become blind within 5-10 days.  It is due to a thinning of the retina.  There is no know cause or cure.  I want to raise awareness about SARDs and funding for research (http://www.sardsresearch.org/).

Thank you so much for sharing Dumplin' with us!  What I love is that you are trying to bring more awareness to SARD's by sharing Dumplin' with us. 

Special Needs Pet Feature: Elke

There are so many caring pet parents out there who take care of special needs pets. To bring more attention to these joyful animals, and extraordinary people, this is a new feature to my blog. If you care for a special needs pet and would like your pet featured, please email my mom through her website contact.  Send a photo and we will forward the questionnaire for your pet to be featured in an upcoming post.

What is your pets name?
Elke
How old is your pet?
2.5 yrs
Where did you get your pet?
Fayette Co. Humane Society
What is your pet’s physical challenge?
Paralysis in rear legs.
What is your pets favorite thing to do?
She loves to get toys and scoot around the floor with them.  She also loves belly rubs in the morning, when she first wakes up.
What is your pet’s favorite thing to eat?
Well, she is on a frozen raw diet, which she loves.  And she also loves to get Bully bits to chew on.
What do you love most about your pet?
That she is a survivor. Elke was hit by a car and sustained a crushed pelvis and two broken vertebrae in her lumbar region.  She was determined to get better, and right now, she sees herself as a normal little dog.
What has your pet most taught you?
Patience and to never give up. Even when several vets told us to euthanize her, I just took one look into those eyes, and I knew she was not ready to give up.
Anything else you’d like to share? 
With all that Elke has been through, she is still a loving sweet girl.  And in her condition, she is still enjoying life.  She makes each day count, even when she is having a bad day and not feeling the best, she always has a kiss for me.  
Elke's mom, Dona serves on the board for Dachshund of North America as well as foster mom for many animals.  Please check out DRNA's website for pets needing a loving, forever home.
Thank you Elke for stopping by and a big thank you to your mom for all she does to help the animals!

Special Needs Pet Feature: Skye

There are so many caring pet parents out there who take care of special needs pets. To bring more attention to these joyful animals, and extraordinary people, this is a new feature to my blog. If you care for a special needs pet and would like your pet featured, please email my mom through her website contact.  Send a photo and we will forward the questionnaire for your pet to be featured in an upcoming post.

What is your pets name?
Skye
How old is your pet?
3 ½  years
Where did you get your pet?
Rainbow Rescue in Prior Lake MN
What is your pets physical challenge?
She is blind. She was born blind
What is your pets favorite thing to do?
Eat and destroy frisbees
What is your pets favorite thing to eat?
Peanut Butter
What do you love most about your pet?
She doesn’t know she is blind and is fun to play with
What has your pet most taught you?
That disabilities are abilities and not to treat anyone differently
Anything else you’d like to share?
She is an animal ambassador for Minnesota Valley Humane Society is Burnsville MN. She attends book club where kids read to her that are below their grade level. She loves the attention and the kids can relate since she has a disability but it doesn’t slow her down.

Bravo Skye for helping kids read!  You are truly a beautiful ambassador and we are so happy you stopped by to share your story.

Special Needs Pet Feature: Rainbow Diamond

There are so many caring pet parents out there who take care of special needs pets. To bring more attention to these joyful animals, and extraordinary people, this is a new feature to my blog. If you care for a special needs pet and would like your pet featured, please email my mom through her  website contact.  Send a photo and she will forward the questionnaire for your pet to be featured in an upcoming post.

What is your pets name?  

Rainbow Diamond.

How old is your pet?  

We think she is between 3-5 years old.

Where did you get your pet?  

Diamond Dachshund Rescue of Texas. She was rescued in a puppymill raid. We were her foster parents. Now, she is a permanent member of our family.

What is your pets physical challenge?  

Rainbow came into Diamond Dachshund Rescue of Texas with 27 fractures in her back and a disintegrating spine. She was paralyzed. Miraculously, her fractures healed and her bones regenerated. She can walk now, and is starting to be able to move her tail.

What is your pets favorite thing to do?

She loves to run around in the back yard! She is super fast! She also enjoys yelling at the local wildlife and neighbors.

What is your pets favorite thing to eat?

Roast chicken!!! We even have a special recipe called Yummy in Rainbow’s Tummy Roast Chicken! It is in the notes on RBD’s FB page if you want it.

What do you love most about your pet?

I love it that Rainbow is very goofy. She makes me laugh every day.

What has your pet most taught you?

Believe in miracles because they happen all the time. No one thought Rainbow would live, no one thought she would ever walk or be pain free. Now she is alive, walking, and pain free. Never give up hope!

Anything else you’d like to share? 

Rainbow is on the Bissell Spot Bot Box. She also has a fun and family friendly live webchat on Thursday nights at 7pm at http://www.momtv.com/rainbows-rescue-romp

Thank you, Rainbow for stopping by and sharing your story!  You are an inspiration and all your hard work, along with your parents, and all they do to help pets is so admirable.

Valentine Special on Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog Book Series

Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog book series is great for the young and old in your life to give the gift of love, hope, and inspiration.  In honor of the day devoted to love, Valentine's Day, we are running a special on our book series.
Regularly $14.95, they are now $10.00 each along with shipping reduced to half!  But hurry, this offer will end Feb. 14th, 2011, but the gift of Frankie's stories will live on in the hearts of your loved ones for a long time to come.
PS:  Even if you don't give as a Valentine gift, Frankie books make great birthday gifts or for upcoming holidays such as Easter so this is a great time to stock up!  Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House also makes a great gift for the elderly in your lives.

Each copy ordered will be autographed by author Barbara Techel and pawtographed by Frankie!

Order your copies today!


A true, inspirational story about a dachshund whose life started out just like any other dog walking on all four paws until a spinal injury leaves her paralyzed. Frankie is custom-fitted for a wheelchair and learns to keep on rolling. Her zest for life will have you cheering and she will give you hope that all things are possible. Frankie will leave an everlasting and loving paw print on your heart. A book for all ages to teach overcoming challenges and also compassion for the physically challenged.

Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog keeps rolling along in her doggie wheelchair. This paralyzed dachshund' unabashed healing, exuberant spirit, and spunky personality is a blessed gift to everyone she befriends. In this true, inspirational story, Frankie tells how she became a registered therapy dog and shares her visits to Libby's House, a senior facility where many residents have Alzheimer's or dementia. Frankie teaches us that patience, listening, and understanding opens our hearts to what matters most-love.

Frankie's Disabled Animal Rescue & Resource Page

So fellow dog author, Dayna Hilton told me about a wonderful thing SurfDog Ricochet started in helping bring awareness to animals in need with a special Facebook page dedicated to just that... and it got me thinking.


Because my mission, along with the help of my rolling dog, Frankie, is to bring positive awareness to animals with special needs, especially those with IVDD (Intevertebral Disc Disease), I thought, wow, I could start a page for Frankie to try and help disabled animals find forever, loving homes.  Now that just made my heart sing, so I jumped right on it!

This Facebook page, Frankie's Disabled Animal Rescue and Resource Page is for all rescuers who help special needs pets to find forever and loving homes to post those pets that need just that.  We also want this page to be a helpful resource page for those living with disabled pets.  Because of the attention Frankie has gotten and continues to gain, I felt this would be a wonderful way to try and help more animals!
Please share with rescuers you know!  Each of us can help make a difference in these special needs pets lives and the many blessings they bring, just by passing this information along.  Thank you so much!

Reminder Free Teleseminar Tonight: The Rewards and Challenges of Living with Disabled Pets

Since my mom is going to share my story, I said she could post information about this super dooper teleseminar she will be doing.  So take it away, Mom!!....

Thank you, my dear little Frankie for allowing me to post this on your blog.  You're a good dog.

I'm very excited about this upcoming teleseminar (press release below) I will be taking part in! I've been following Ingrid King, author of Buckley's Story for quite sometime and had the honor of doing Garden of the Soul radio show with her talking about animals as spiritual teachers. We connected so easily because of our love for animals.


Mary Shafer, author of Almost Perfect Pets: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them is someone I also greatly admire for all the positive work she is doing to bring a special light to animals with disabilities. Being connected with her brings me great joy.

This is going to be one VERY SPECIAL HOUR and I know the time is going to fly by way too fast. Hope you can join us!

Inspired and Inspiring: The Rewards and Challenges of Living with Disabled Pets

On Tuesday, May 11, at 8pm Eastern Daylight Time, we will host authors Mary Shafer and Barbara Techel for a free teleseminar titled Inspired and Inspiring – The Rewards and Challenges of Living with Disabled Pets.

Barbara Techel is the author of the multi-award-winning book Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog. When her dachshund, Frankie, suffered a spinal injury, Techel had her custom-fitted for a wheelchair. Frankie’s strong spirit had her back into the swing of life very soon, and Techel realized the beautiful opportunity she had to share Frankie’s story. Together, they give others who may be struggling with obstacles the hope and inspiration to be the best they can be. Techel’s newest book, Frankie, the Walk ’N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House, chronicles the twosome’s work as a therapy dog team at local hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice centers, spreading joy wherever they go.

Mary Shafer is a freelance writer, author and publisher of Word Forge Books, a small, independent publisher located near Philadelphia. She’s a member of the Cat Writers Association and is co-mom to four special needs cats. One of those cats, Idgie, is the subject of Shafer’s story in the company’s latest book, Almost Perfect: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them.

Join us for what is sure to be an inspirational hour of discussing the challenges and rewards of living with disabled pets. You'll also get a chance to ask questions.

The seminar is free, but long distance phone charges may apply. To participate in the conference, dial 1-712-432-3100. When prompted, enter conference code 674470. Registration is not required, but if you'd like to be entered in the drawing of an autographed copy of Barbara and Mary's books, you'll need to pre-register by clicking here: http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=0016ynqZbqgszFlq0ccP81zqg%3D%3D

Woman's World Magazine to Feature Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dogs Story!

(this is not the actual cover for the issue we will be in- just used this as reference)

My mom and I are so dog-gone excited to announce that my story will be in Woman's World magazine!  I will be in issue #29 which will be on stands July 12th.  This is a premiere weekly magazine with 8.2 million readership.  Holy cats, that is alot of people!  We hope you will grab your issue that week and share with your friends and family... together, along with Woman's World feature story, we can all make a difference spreading the message that animals with disabilities can and do live quality lives if given a chance.  Hot-Diggity Dog!

Chicago Examiner Helps Spread Positive Message about Special Needs Pets

Arf-a-roo to writer, Kathy Williams of Chicago Examiner for sharing my story to help others understand all that special needs pets can bring into our lives.

Here's the start of the story-

Barbara Techel works as an educator and author; her favorite topic to write about is animals. She partners with her Dachshund, Frankie, who lives with a spinal cord injury.


Barbara described, "We work to spread our positive message about animals with disabilities; we share a very close bond. When I watch her with kids at local schools or as a therapy dog visiting the elderly, hospital or hospice patients, I truly get the sense that this is her purpose in life!" Read More...

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!

Wheely Willy Parapeligic Celebrity Dog Passes Away at Age of 22

Frankie and I wish to express our deepest sympathy to Deborah Turner and the passing of her celebrity dog, Wheely Willy, the tiny parapeligic dog that brought immense hope and joy to the world. My heart aches greatly for Deborah, but I know Willy is safely in God's arms and an angel like no other. God Bless Willy and Deborah for all their amazing work. Rest in peace little one.

This portion below is from Wheely Willy's website. Please visit his website to read more about all the beautiful work he and his Mom, Deborah did.

Wheely Willy, the tiny paraplegic dog passed away in his sleep this morning, December 22, 2009. Best known for his inspirational story of hope and courage, this 22 year old miracle lived one of the most amazing lives of any companion animal. Many years ago Willy was abandoned in a cardboard box having sustained serious back and neck injuries. His story was chronicled on many television shows including Animal Planet. Today, the facts surrounding Willy's birth, prior life, and injuries, still remain a mystery. Following his adoption by Deborah, and acclimation to his new family of rescued animals, Willy found ways of conquering his challenges, becoming a symbol for many, of strength and willpower. He became enabled by a K-9 Cart, which changed his life, allowing him to get around on his own by propelling himself with his front legs. His humanitarian endeavors of comforting patients of every age in hospitals, and giving people hope for their own lives gave him notoriety. The small dog's many visits to convalescent homes, civic groups and schools turned him into a teaching tool for children and adults that our actions are very important, because our lives are what we make of it.