Frankie the walk 'n roll dog

Today I have the privilege of introducing Barbara Gail Techel and her little dog, Frankie as a guest blogger. You can read more introduction notes HERE and then enjoy!

Thank you Elizabeth for having me as a guest on your blog today! I’m excited to be here, and share my thoughts about how my book, Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog can help friends and siblings of kids with disabilities.

One of the biggest lessons I learned from my wheelchair-bound dog, Frankie is that she never changed through her whole ordeal. She looks a little different now with the tires that help her to walk after suffering a spinal injury in 2006, but she is still the same dog.

It is a lesson I repeat often to elementary children during my presentation about Frankie at schools and libraries in my area. I share my favorite photo of Frankie with the kids, which is of her rolling in the clover and I say, “This picture was taken one year after Frankie’s accident. Even though Frankie can’t use her back legs like she used to, she is still happy. She still loves to play, chase bunnies and squirrels, bark at other dogs, hang out with her Labrador sister, Kylie, and roll in the clover. She is still the same dog as before she hurt herself. She is still Frankie.”

So often we judge people and animals by what we see. We forget that we all have feelings and emotions (and yes, I believe animals have feelings and emotions too). We forget we really are all the same on the inside. We all want to be accepted and loved. We each look different on the outside, but that does not mean we are so different on the inside.

When I first talked with the surgeon after Frankie’s accident, she told me Frankie had only a 10-30% chance of walking again. I was devastated. I thought my only option was to put her to sleep. I thought if she can’t walk again, she would be depressed and not want to go on with life. I could not have been more wrong.

Thankfully the surgeon told me about wheelchairs which I had never heard of for dogs before. She assured me if Frankie did not walk on her own again, the wheelchair would help her to walk, and she could lead a long, happy life.

We all need help in some aspect of our lives. Frankie showed me that even though she now had to use a wheelchair, she still wanted to do all the things she did before. There was not one day that Frankie felt sorry for herself. Yes, she now has to rely on me to help her go potty, and get in and out of her wheelchair, but she still runs and plays just like any other dog.

What really hit home for me with Frankie after she was custom-fitted for her cart was her zest to keep on doing all the things she did before. It seems it would be no different than a child with special needs. They just want to fit in, to be a part of life, to feel loved, to be a part of a circle of friends, to just be accepted. Those of us who have a special needs child in our lives have a beautiful opportunity to learn from them, to be their friend, to encourage their strengths, and embrace who they are. By doing so, I know from my experience with Frankie, the blessings and rewards of that friendship can enrich and change lives.

Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog has taught me to not judge by outside appearances, and to look for the bright light in every person no matter what their challenges may be.

Thank you for reading about Barbara Techel and Frankie the Walk 'n Roll Dog. To learn more, and to order a copy of this multi-award winning picture book, please visit http://www.joyfulpaws.com/

Other Sites to Check Out:

Barbara's Blog: http://joyfulpaws.typepad.com/

Frankie's Blog: http://frankiethewalknrolldog.blogspot.com/

To See the Tour Schedule: http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2009/05/frankie-walk-n-roll-dog-virtual-book.html

There will be a SPECIAL OFFER FOR VISITORS TO THE VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR. Each guest who comments on a post in Barbara and Frankie's tour will be entered in a drawing for some fun, unique gifts that will especially appeal to Frankie fans and other dog lovers. We will give away several items from Frankie's store -- http://www.cafepress.com/Joyfulpaws. These include two Frankie t-shirts and two Frankie tote bags.