Title: Through
Frankie’s Eyes: One woman’s journey to her authentic self, and the dog on wheels
who led the way
Author: Barbara
TechelWeb site: www.joyfulpaws.com
Genre or category: Inspirational memoir
ISBN: 978-0-9800052-9-5
Five star review
While
reading Through Frankie's Eyes, I was frequently reminded of Harold Kushner's
now classic essay, When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Frankie the dachshund
became disabled through no fault of her own, much less of her guardian Barbara
Techel's. But as Kushner points out in his book, we humans seem to have a need
to view such events either as punishment for something we have done (or failed
to do) or as destiny's cruel way of letting us know that our faith in God and in
ourselves is being tested. Although Techel experienced the full impact of these
feelings at first, she was able to transcend them through her determination to
help Frankie overcome her disability, and through Frankie's own example in
retaining the will to live the life of a happy and loving dog no matter what. In
the process of adjusting to Frankie's new circumstances and to the changes
brought about by them in her own life, Barbara Techel found her own calling in
helping others through her work with special needs children, the elderly and the
terminally ill, always with Frankie at her side as a therapy
dog.
These may sound like the ingredients for a sad story, but this is definitely not the case. In fact, Through Frankie's Eyes is a celebration of the power to overcome and of the sheer joy of being alive. Techel's heartfelt and readable prose conveys a sense of forward motion, from the uncertainties in her own life and in Frankie's initial prognosis to a newfound serenity and an enduring sense of purpose. Read this book, and you will not fail to be moved and inspired by it.
These may sound like the ingredients for a sad story, but this is definitely not the case. In fact, Through Frankie's Eyes is a celebration of the power to overcome and of the sheer joy of being alive. Techel's heartfelt and readable prose conveys a sense of forward motion, from the uncertainties in her own life and in Frankie's initial prognosis to a newfound serenity and an enduring sense of purpose. Read this book, and you will not fail to be moved and inspired by it.
Barbara Techel is an award-winning author and advocate for dogs with IVDD and dogs in wheelchairs. Her book was an Indie Excellence Finalist Award 2013! Sign up for her newsletter and receive her e-book free: For the Love of Animals, A Collection of Short Stories
Become a fan on Facebook of National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day & help her honor and celebrate all dogs in wheelchairs and the lessons of love, hope and joy they teach us.
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