Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog

Hey y'all!
After my last post about the Vicktory Dogs, I realized we could all use a little more positive news in our lives. With all the distressing things going on, sometimes you just need a reminder that there are good people doing good things in the world. So, i'm going to add a "positive news" page to my blog (coming soon), & start collecting them there. Some may view this as a denial of how urgent the world situation is, but I disagree. IMHO, it's encouragement for sensitive, empathetic people to keep trying rather than giving up on the world--for example, hiding in bed all day eating Cheetos & watching Jerry Springer, waiting for the eventual demise of humanity (okay, that is a slight exaggeration, but believe me, some of the news stories from Rwanda made me want to do exactly that). So if you see a hopeful, encouraging story to share, please feel free to email it to me at layla.fowler@gmail.com! Then, when we need a little boost, they'll be there.

Now, here' s a great story I came across just by serendipity. It's about Frankie, a wiener dog (oops, I mean Daschund) from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. After Frankie's back legs were paralyzed in an accident, owner Barb Techel helped her learn to walk with a wheeled dog cart. Not only is Frankie back to doing almost everything she did on four legs, she is sharing the love as a therapy dog. She visits schools, giving kids a chance to talk about disabilities & overcoming obstacles. She visits senior homes and hospice patients, & in her stylish get-ups i'm sure she is a BIG hit (is there ANYTHING cuter than dogs in costumes? Not in my book!).

Frankie has her own book ghost-written by Barb (Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog, available on Amazon), blog, website (www.joyfulpaws.com), & a tour schedule worthy of the Rolling Stones. Here is an adorable slideshow on YouTube showing before & after her accident, you may need a hanky though!

How great for a change to read about a kind, responsible pet owner. Also, I love hearing stories about someone taking what seems like a handicap or obstacle & making something good out of it. My fav life coach Martha Beck said it best: life is a benevolent process where bad things are always meant to create good things. You can argue with that if you wish, but it is really no more arbitrary than believing the worst. Which would you prefer?

Rock on, Frankie and Barb!!!

A Truly Happy Ending for Michael Vick's Dogs

Howdy y'all!!
I just happened to pass by a magazine rack yesterday, & was surprised to see a dog on the cover of Sports Illustrated. It's the December 29th, 2008 issue, & there is a nice long article by Jim Gorant about the real-life happy ending for alot of these dogs. You can read the entire text of the article online here (skip page 1 if you don't want to read again about the bad situation these dogs were rescued from). There are also some really heart-warming pictures of these dogs w/their new families. Seeing them in their new lives, it's hard to imagine them in their old ones.

The amazingly good news is, 47 of the 51 dogs seized from Vick's estate were saved from euthanasia. Even after the horrendous conditions & training they were kept in, 14 were friendly enough to be adopted into forever homes. Around 11 are in foster care being groomed for adoption, & 22 are staying at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah (a wonderful place where they are receiving the best in rehabilition & round-the-clock care). Of the 22 dogs at Best Friends, another 17 should eventually be adopted. Even more amazingly, several of the dogs have been certified as therapy dogs, & are bringing comfort to cancer patients, adolescents and troubled teens. I have no qualms whatsoever about saying that is a miracle.

I am still moved by how many people & organizations rallied to help these dogs. And in a better world, every stray, abandoned or abused pet deserves the same kind of attention, care & resources these dogs got. On behalf of the dogs, i'd like to thank Vick's cousin who used his address, indirectly helping lead to the kennel being shut down. As for the future of Michael Vick, I think it would be a travesty if he ever plays in the NFL again, & I will vehemently object to any team that signs him. On a happier note, you can follow the progress of the Vick dogs at Best Friends on their Vicktory Dogs page, watch videos, or sponsor one of the dogs(or, another Best Friends critter, they have all kinds) for $25 . You can also see them on the "Dogtown" TV show on National Geographic.

Wishing you peace, love & furry critters!

Layla