Jon Katz: A Good Dog: The Story of Orson, Who Changed My Life
Caroline Knapp: Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs
Jon Katz: The New Work of Dogs: Tending to Life, Love, and Family
Jon Katz: Katz on Dogs: A Commonsense Guide to Training and Living with Dogs
John Grogan: Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog
Brenda Ueland: If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit
Judy Reeves: A Writer's Book of Days: A Spirited Companion and Lively Muse for the Writing Life
Anne Lamott: Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Julia Cameron: The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life
Cynthia Morris: Create Your Writer's Life: A Guide to Writing With Joy and Ease
Natalie Goldberg: Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within (Shambhala Pocket Classics)
Wednesday, June 11th I will be a guest on the hour long internet radio show, http://www.artistfirst.com/. Check your time zone and join us! Feel free to call in if you have a question for me. I would love to hear from you! See you on the air!
Wahoo! I just received notification that "Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog" was a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards. http://www.indieexcellence.com/ From their site, this is what they offer:
"The National Indie Excellence 2008 Book Awards competition presents a wonderful opportunity for all independent, small press and self publishers seeking more recognition within the publishing industry.
Winners and finalists will receive national media & industry exposure! We will issue a news release announcing the results to our list of national media, print and radio contacts. We also will promote the results within the publishing industry and have a presence at Book Expo America in Los Angeles in 2008."
Day Poynter who is huge in the Self-Publishing arena has this to say about the Indie Excellence Awards:
"The Indie Excellence Book Awards are dedicated to celebrating and promoting the
outstanding work of independent publishers and authors."
-Dan Poynter, author of The Self Publishing Manual and 100 other books
I am very honored to have been chosen as a finialst. Even though not the "winner," being a finialist entitles my book to national exposure just as the winner will receive. I consider that a winner!!
Boy, oh boy, was that fun!! I just completed doing an audio recording of "Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog!" So as a special gift, feel free to click on the link I provided to give a listen. We hope you will enjoy!
A recent story from The Associated Press, "Dealing with devastating pet injuries"(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24258707/) stirred within me deep emotions of the day I almost made a fatal mistake. My first initial thought when I was told Frankie might be permanently paralyzed is that I would have to put her down. The MSNBC story talks about how historically when an animal becomes severely injured we put that animal to sleep. We believe they can’t possibly overcome adversity. That thought is changing and changing rapidly.
I believe what is most important to remember is when an animal becomes paralyzed or loses a limb they don't deal with emotions as humans do. They don't feel sorry for themselves or wonder why this happened to them. They simply adapt, and quite quickly most of the time. As humans, we must let them continue to be dogs and do what they do best. We must also instill in ourselves the value our animal is teaching us, which is to accept what is, and continue on with life.
There is not a day goes by that I wish I had done things differently for Frankie. She taught me to put on my patience hat, roll with the punches and face it all with grace and dignity. Frankie does just that as she climbs aboard her little cart each morning and rolls through the day as if this was the way it always was. Roll on!
I had the great privilege of seeing Dr. Maya Angelo recently. A friend of mine had an extra ticket and asked if I would like to go. I jumped at the chance!
Dr. Angelo's message really moved me. Her theme was "looking for the rainbows in your clouds." It really made me think about all the people in my life who have been my rainbows. And of course, not only people, but animals as well.
Her story really struck me when she said there was a time when she was quite young when she did not speak for quite some time. She was raped by her mother's boyfriend and told an adult what had happened. The man served one day in jail, was released and was found kicked to death. Dr. Angelo, at the age of seven believed her voice caused this man's death. All I could think is that if she had never spoken the rest of her life, the immense and amazing wisdom of Dr. Angelo would have never been shared. But she had many rainbows in her clouds that helped her and thank goodness she did speak again.
We truly all do have rainbows in our clouds. And when the clouds are the darkest, those rainbows are always there. We have to believe with all our heart and have hope those magnificent colors will shine forth. As Frankie and I have visited schools this month the rainbow is quite spectacular for me. As I drive home from a school presentation, Frankie next to me in her doggie car seat, my heart feels full of a love I cannot really describe. All I know is she is my rainbow and always has been, even when the clouds were heavy when she was first hurt from her accident. God's plan was for me to meet many more rainbows. And those have been all the children we share our story with. Now those are some pretty spectacular rainbows! Who are the rainbows in your clouds?
Frankie was featured on Dachshunds Delights website in February and we were so pleased with the story. This wonderful site gave Frankie another plug and we say a BIG THANK YOU to Jerry! We appreciate the extra plug and are happy it is about Frankie in her vest/harness bringing attention to these awesome vests. Also thank you for mentioning Joyful Paws (http://www.joyfulpaws.com new look and design.
There is a very funny and cute video on the site also that you must check out! The song is so cute and the pictures will make you smile and laugh. Be sure to scroll down on the page and the video is under Frankie's picture http://www.doxidelight.com/newslett.htm. It is a DELIGHT!
It has been a busy month for Frankie and I! Full of more joy than I think I can even begin to express. We visited Pigeon River school and Kohler school so far, and next week we will be visiting Longfellow school. Every school has been so incredibly warm and welcoming to Frankie and I.
Today we visited with K-5th grade at St. John the Baptist school. The school that looms large on top of the hill. A picture of Frankie, drawn and colored, hung on the school doors as Frankie and I entered. I couldn't help but smile. As everyone welcomed us, we rolled/walked down the hallway to where we were to do our presentation. Lined up on the wall were more pictures of Frankie drawn by the 1st graders. My heart did a leap and I was touched beyond words. I expressed to the teacher I had wished I had brought my camera to take a picture of all the drawings. She said, "Oh, those are for you to take home!" Really? I felt like I was just handed a million bucks.
It was hard to pick just one drawing to share, but I share this one. Pretty sweet, I think. They were all great! Just great.
A small table covered in a lace tablecloth was at the front of the room with a bouquet of Daffodils. Also a pink gift bag with a card that read to "Mrs. Techel and Frankie." A rocking chair sat next to the table so I could read Frankie's story. Who could not help but feel welcome with all those wonderful touches?
As each child made their way out of the doors today, they each patted Frankie on the head and thanked us for visiting. I feel like it is me who should thank them. I don't know who gets more out of this. And now for the icing on the cake... one little boy said, "You know that one picture of you in your slide show? You look just like Vanna White!" WOW! Really??? The teacher and I laughed and I told the young man how he made my day. Vanna White, huh? Indeed it is a wonderful comment... and I will treasure it. But I must say, I'm pretty happy these days being me and being known as Frankie's mom. It is an honor, an absolute honor.
I have a feeling some of you are mumbling under your breath with the title of this post! Not to worry, I don't want Christmas yet either! Spring is FINALLY here and I am soaking up the sun and relishing in the warm winds. But, I received a wonderful poem today from Olive's Mom, Jill and simply did not want to wait until Christmas to post it. It is just too special.
Frankie has been making many new friends via cyberspace and her favorite friends are other dachshunds in dog carts she is meeting. Olive's Dad, Eric wrote the most beautiful poem about Olive and we asked if we could reprint it here on our blog. So, here it is: (thank you Jill & Eric!)
Some things we take for granted, in a life that moves so fast
The simple things we have aren’t always meant to last To walk the beach at sunset, to run and jump and play
Can be taken in a moment, and forever locked away For someone sweet as you are I can’t believe it’s true
To simply walk and stand is impossible for you I pray for my "little girl" a miracle might come
To bring back all the feeling in your limbs so weak and numb We really truly love you more than you could ever know
Your image fills our minds every single place we go You are whole in our eyes Olive, you are perfect and complete.
Not an inch of sweet has left you from your head down to your feet Our beautiful girl, shiny treasure from the sea
She’s our "Belle of Sanibel", Our little sweet "Olive B" If given just one wish for Christmas do you know what it would be?
To see our "Sweet Pea" run and play Underneath our Christmas tree.
By Eric Watson
Pete (http://home.maine.rr.com/thevervilles/photos.html), the adorable, blind and deaf dog of Linda Verville, made his journey to heaven on April 7th, 2008. He lived to the ripe old age of 15. Pete was a beautiful example of not letting blindness or deafness get in the way of living his dog life to the fullest. For more on Pete and his book visit, http://home.maine.rr.com/thevervilles/home.html.
I met Linda when I was doing research on my children’s book about Frankie. Linda was instrumental in providing feedback about her knowledge and experience in taking Pete to schools to share his positive message. Linda gave of her time freely to me and encouraged and guided me at the beginning of my book about Frankie. We had this kindred connection for animals. She loved Pete so much and truly believed he could make a difference in the lives of others. And that he did, most brilliantly. I can just imagine the pain of her loss of Pete. He worked at her side, sharing a message of hope and inspiration to all those they met. They brought many smiles and touched many, many hearts deeply.
Even though Pete has moved to another realm on his journey, I believe he will be with Linda always. He will travel in spirit next to her. Linda and all the lives Pete touched will never be the same again… their lives are better and stronger because of the lesson of compassion Pete taught. He will live on in the hearts of many… including mine. Thank you, Linda for sharing Pete with others and thank you, Pete for teaching us that life is about living it to the fullest, no matter what.
I have shared this ranch with you in an earlier post. They are simply the most amazing and inspiring ranch!! Steve & Alayne Smith recently had a story done about their ranch of handicapped animals. The slide show and them talking about their life and why they do what they do is so incredibly moving. It will definitely pull at your heart strings in the most beautiful way: http://rollingdogranch.typepad.com/rolling_dog_ranch_animal_/2008/04/aarp-writes-abo.html?cid=110968674#comments
