Dogbook art & culture
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Psted by
Fitank , on 12th Nov 2008 Location: In Book stores.
Writer and animal lover Barbara Techel lives in Wisconsin, USA. Her children’s book about her handicapped miniature dachshund called Frankie the Walk ‘n Roll Dog has recently been awarded National Best Book 2008 award by USA Book News. Barbara has had dogs for about 15 years and they mean the world to her. “I truly believe God gave us animals to teach us what really matters in life. I will always share their messages of hope and inspiration. I would not be who I am today if it were not for my dogs.” She currently has two – three-year-old yellow Lab Kylie and Frankie. It was through her first dog, a chocolate Lab called Cassie, that she first uncovered her passion for writing about animals. Cassie was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer and Barbara says “she really taught me about unconditional love and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. If it was not for her I would probably not be on the beautiful journey that I am.” Barbara got Frankie the dachshund in 2000 but on Easter Sunday 2006, while trying to jump onto a container, the little dog fell, rupturing a disk in her lower back. The vet said that removing the ruptured disk would give Frankie a 30 – 40 percent chance of walking again, but after surgery she was still paralyzed. And so Frankie got a dog cart - a kind of wheelchair for dogs - which she has been using happily ever since. Barbara describes her on her website as looking like “a cute seal”, her front paws turned outwards and her paralyzed back legs like a seal’s tail. Having a paralyzed dog is hard work and Barbara describes how she copes. “At the beginning it seemed daunting and overwhelming, but now it is my routine. I did intense physical therapy with her at the beginning (for three months), but then when nothing changed we got her the dog cart. The trickiest part is expressing her bladder and bowels. Keeping her on a regular feeding schedule and only giving water when she eats help avoid accidents. I have it pretty much timed now so she rarely has an accident. She won't wear a diaper. Hates them and will chew them off. Little stinker. Now everything is so routine and it really does not seem like extra work to me. I'd do anything for her.” The story of how Barbara came to write her award-winning book is a fascinating one. “I'm a big believer in God and my faith, “ she says candidly. “I had been considering writing a book about my spiritual journey with my first dog, my journey with Frankie and the life lessons I learned from them. But then when I first started taking Frankie out in our little town children (and adults) were so fascinated by the little dog in the tires and wanted to know her story. Children were especially curious. I then had attended a writing conference and learned about self publishing which got me really excited! The morning after the conference I woke up, sat straight up in bed and said out loud, ‘I'm going to write a children's book and it is going to be about Frankie.’ It is the honest truth. I truly believe God sent me that message. I have no doubt I was meant to write her story and I knew if I didn't, I would have regretted it.” Since the book’s publication life has been an exciting ride for Barbara. Apart from the Best Book prize, Frankie has had more honours heaped upon her. “She has been nominated to the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame for her work with children, the elderly and hospital and hospice patients (she became a therapy dog to do this work and we also visit our local schools sharing our message of hope),” says Barbara. There is another award in the offing but “I am sworn to secrecy until February 2009 about that one.” Barbara is convinced that dogs do well in a dog cart, no matter their size. This may well give hope to people reading this whose own dogs are similarly handicapped. “Dogs don't have the same emotions as humans and don't feel sorry for themselves, “ she says. “ I often tell people Frankie really does not even realize she has wheels. She just goes!” Barbara’s vet was also impressed. “He said he wouldn't have believed a dog could live a quality life in a dog cart if he had not seen it with his own eyes with Frankie. He now wants others to know what a viable option it is. This means the world to me. I see it as human who does not have use of their legs, we would not put them down. It should be the same for an animal. They deserve a chance and it is likely they will adapt very well.” Check out the website that makes dog carts, www.eddiewheels.com and Also Barbara's site www.joyfulpaws.com Fiona Tankard
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