About Me

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Barbara Techel is the author of the multi-award winning Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog book series. When her dachshund, Frankie, suffered a spinal injury, Barbara had her custom-fitted for a wheelchair. Frankie persevered, and Barbara realized the beautiful opportunity she had to share Frankie and give others hope and inspiration to be the best they can be. Along with sharing Frankie’s story with children, Barbara and Frankie routinely volunteer as a therapy dog team at a local hospital, senior assisted facility, and hospice community, spreading joy wherever they go.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Please Join Me for My World Wide Web Blog Tour- You Could Win A Prize!

Please join my mom and me in June for our virtual book tour! Throughout the month of June, authors, bloggers, parents, and animal experts will share their book reviews, interviews with Barbara, and other contributions.

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. These include two Frankie t-shirts and two Frankie tote bags.

We may also have a few more great bloggers joining this tour, so stay tuned for updates!

Mon, June 1 -- Author, mom, and disability advocate Elizabeth Aquino at a moon worn as if it were a shellpublishes Barb's guest post exploring how to help siblings and friends understand kids who have disabilities.

Tue, June 2 -- Veterinarian Dr. Kim Bloomer and her mastiff Shadrach posts Shadrach's interview with Frankie at Bark 'n Blog.

Wed, June 3 -- Ellen publishes her interview with Barbara at To the Max, where she writes about parenting and life, including her beautiful son who has cerebral palsy.

Thu, June 4 -- Alicia Clarke at Welcome to My Planetposts her book review. Alicia is an author and blogger who explores many things through her writing, including parenting kids who are on the autism spectrum.

Fri, June 5 -- Book blogger Cheryl Koch posts her review at Cheryl's Book Nook.
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Mon, June 8 -- Writer and dog trainer Charlotte Mielziner posts her interview with Barbara at Children's Dog Books.

Tue, June 9 -- Dawn Kairns at Maggie, the Dog Who Saved My Lifepublishes Barb's guest post, exploring how Barbara's relationship with Frankie changed her life.

Wed, June 10 -- Author and book blogger Margay Roberge posts her review and interview at Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem.

Thu, June 11 -- Margay Roberge posts her review and guest post at Margay Leah JusticeAND Alicia Clarke at Welcome to My Planetshares Barbara's guest post.

Fri, June 12 -- Paige Visintin posts her review at Nurse Mommy.
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Mon, June 15 -- Kyra Anderson at This Momposts her review. Kyra is a mom and writer who explores the joy and challenges of motherhood and raising an amazing son with Asperger's Syndrome.

Tue, June 16 -- Yael Cohen posts a presentation at Get IEP Help, where she offers assistance with navigating the special education maze.

Wed, June 17 -- Nikki Leigh posts an interview with Frankie (the heroine of the story) at Fictional Characters in Depth.

Thu, June 18 -- Mom and book blogger Julie Peterson posts her review at Booking Mama.

Fri, June 20 -- Julie Peterson at Booking Mamapublishes a guest post by Barbara.
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Mon, June 22 -- Stephanie Ward publishes her review at Laughing Stars. Stephanie is a homeschooler, bibliophile, and mom of kids with "special needs"

Tue, June 23 -- Christine Stephan posts her review at Day Sixty-Seven, where she writes about parenting and raising a child on the autism spectrum.

Wed, June 24 -- Author and book lover Christine Verstraete at Candid Canineposts her review

Thu, June 25 -- Author Yvonne Perry shares her review with Barbara at Writers in the Sky Podcast and Blog, where she shares a wealth of information about writing, publishing and book promotion.

Fri, June 26 -- Stephanie Ward publishes Barbara and Frankie's interview with her children at Laughing Stars.
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Mon, June 29 -- Rashmi Srinivas at Mommy Reviewedshares a guest post by Barbara.

Tue, June 30 -- Barb answers questions on Nikki Leigh's radio program.

For More Information and to Order the Book:

Joyful Paws
Frankie the Walk 'n Roll Dog at Amazon.com
Also Check Out http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3381388881517319729&postID=1512021494028094059

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

What is Happiness

Question submitted by Daryl, age 11

Are you still happy even though Frankie is wearing wheels?

I'll have my mom answer this one since it seems to be for her!

Wow, what a good question, Daryl. No matter what Frankie looked like I would be happy. Frankie is so sweet and lovable. She is truly a blessing. And honestly, I think I am happier now that Frankie has wheels than I was before. Frankie has taught me so many good things about being happy. She is one smart dog!
I'm just so happy Frankie made it through her surgery when she hurt her back and that she is still Frankie. I have truly been blessed with Frankie.

A "Wheelie" Good Question

Submitted by Chloe, Age 10

What is the hardest thing about having wheels?

I try not to look at having wheels as being difficult. I am so glad companies like Eddie's Wheels make wheelchairs for dogs, so I can have my freedom. To be honest, there really is nothing hard about having my wheels. I can get around so much better and faster than if I didn't have them. Even though my legs don't work so well, I'm so happy I can get around with the help of tires.

Challenging Wheels

Question submitted by Mariah, age 10

Does Frankie have any challenges with her wheels?

Great question, Mariah! You know, at first I had a hard time figuring out how to get around furniture. Every five minutes I would be letting out a squeaky bark for my mom to help me get unstuck. Then one day I realized if I make a really wide sweep around the furniture, I don't get stuck. I also love to back up, so that helps too. :)
I also can't seem to judge doors into buildings for some reason. It never fails, I get one wheel stuck as I try to roll through. Luckily my mom is patient with me and always helps me through. I'm one lucky dog to have her for my mom.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Take Time to Smell the Flowers


Wishing all of you a Happy Memorial Day Weekend! I will be busier than a bee helping mom plant flowers this weekend. This was our first trip to Millhome Nursery yesterday... mom makes at least two or three trips for flowers. Whew, I'll need a nap come Tuesday!... or after all our hard work I will take time to smell the flowers... and eat them. Hee Hee. Mom's gets a bit mad at me when I do that. She does not stay mad too long though. She says I'm too cute to stay mad at.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Meet Longfellow, the (almost) Flying Doxie


This is Longfellow. He is one year old. As you can see, he has wheels like me and he can go wheely fast!
Longfellow is up for adoption, so if you live in the Austin, TX area, contact Almost Home Rescue and you could be his forever home. You can also read more about this little fella on my mom's blog.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Banker Rescues Daring Ducklings!

These are the bravest ducklings (and banker) I have ever seen!!

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7618021

A Stuffed Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog


Hey friends, check this out! Mom and I had a book signing at Book World in Fond du Lac on Saturday. It was loads of fun!! Tracy, the very nice store manager, made a replica of me. Isn't it adorable? Well, err, if I do say so myself. This is a beanie baby named Frank! Tracy went to a little hobby shop, and the wheels are made out of flyer airplane tires. Then she took wire, ties, and fabric to construct the wheelchair. How creative! And if you know my mom, you guessed it, she instantly got tears in her eyes.
I met lots of new fans and sold lots of books. Thank you to everyone who came to see me and an especially big tail wag and woof to Tracy for all she did to promote our book signing. ARF-A-ROO!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Pre-order Your Frankie Activity Book TODAY!


Hey friends! You can pre-order my activity book and it will be here just in time for summer fun! You can take this 28-page book everywhere you go! It is filled with crossword puzzles, word searches, mazes, coloring pages and MORE! It goes hand in hand with my book, Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog and teaches you to:

Always be positive!
Never give up hope!
Be compassionate!
Follow your heart!
Treat others with kindness!
Believe in yourself!
Be an inspiration to others!
Choose happiness!

So pre-order your copy today! Will ship on or around June 6th, 2009. And remember, always be positive and keep on rolling!


Monday, May 11, 2009

Sneak Peak at Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog Activity Book



Hot-diggity dog! My activity book is almost done!! Then it will go to the printer. Arf-a-roo! Here is a sneak peak of the cover and the back. I hope you like it. It will be 28 pages of crossword puzzles, mazes, coloring pages, etc. It will be loads of fun! Stay tuned for details onwhen you can order it. You can click on each image above to make it bigger.














Friday, May 8, 2009

World's Oldest Dog

Wow, I just found out about a dog that is 21 years old! That is 147 in human years. She is a dachshund, which is very, very cool, and her name is Chanel. She used to be red, but as you can imagine, being 147 has your hair turning a bit white. The New York Post has her photo's and story. Keep on rolling, Chanel! I hope to live at least as long as you did!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Frankie Donates $500 to Rolling Dog Ranch


ARF-A-ROO!!!!! I did it! I donated $500 to Rolling Dog Ranch this morning! Thank you to everyone who helped me out with either a donation or the purchase of a copy of my book. Mom did a happy dance in her studio, while I did wheelie's in my wheelchair (don't worry I didn't hurt myself). What a great way to start the day!!