Frankie the Walk N' Roll Dog

www.joyfulpaws.com
joyfulpaws.typepad.com
www.facebook.com/frankiethewalknrolldog
www.facebook.com/Frankiesdisabledanimalrescue



I ran across the blog of this amazing animal and she has become one of the reasons I am so passionate about putting the word about disabled animals.

On Easter Sunday 2006 Frankie ruptured a disk in her spine while staying at a kennel during a family vacation. The little dachshund had fallen and her back legs were not moving. She was rushed to the vet as her loving owner Barbara Techel rushed back across the country. Frankie underwent surgery to remove the ruptured disk. Initially daunted and discouraged, Barb and Frankie pushed through the challenges of early home care together, Frankie pushing on with the stubborn determination of a dachshund.

The greatest improvement made to her life was when they ordered a custom made cart for her back legs. The company Eddie's Wheels is a wonderful company that makes assistive devices for animals. Their ironic slogan "We Test Our Products On Animals" says says something about the humor and ingenuity they bring to their craft. While initially resistant to the new system Frankie quickly built up the strength and ingenuity to use the wheels full time.



Her owner and friend Barb has come out of this experience changed and inspired. She began to write about Frankie for various animal related periodicals telling of her transformational experience. After attending a writing seminar in the following March she was inspired to write a children's book about Frankie: Frankie the Walk N' Roll Dog

The book and its sequel Frankie the Rock and Roll Therapy Dog tells her story so that Children everywhere can benefit from her experience.


Frankie is still wheeling around, showing people everywhere that though her mode of locomotion may have changed, her joy for life hasn't altered a bit. She visits classrooms and other venues to teach people of all ages what it is possible to achieve. She is even now available to visit classrooms over Skype! We could all learn a lesson from Frankie and remember that no matter what life has thrown our way there's always something exciting waiting for us around the bend.