New News About An Old Friend

Just sharing a great article that appeared in today's edition of the Green Bay Packers' hometown newspaper about our friends Frankie and Barb over at Joyful Paws. Way to go, you two!!

Who's Savin' Who?

Starting this Sunday morning, I'll be pleased to share facilitator duties with my great friend and author colleague, Barbara Techel, leading the discussion about special needs pets and the wonderful and unexpected ways they change our lives, on the Facebook fan page of bestselling author and pet expert Darlene Arden!

Darlene is a respected animal behavior expert, whose new book, The Complete Cat's Meow: Everything You Need to Know About Caring For Your Cat, just hit the shelves from Howell Book House. She's been hosting these weekly chats about all things pets for years now on her Facebook page. Thanks to FB's recent changes, she's moved the discussion to her fan page, which unfortunately cost her the rich archives of previous discussions. But let's help her populate her new forum with a lively discussion of our own, shall we? Like any gray cloud, this one has a silver lining: It'll make it REAL easy to find the link to our discussion, since ours will be the second one listed!

So, what's it all about?

Well, Barb -- author of the popular and insanely well-selling Frankie, the Walk 'n Roll Dog book series, which chronicles the real-life story of her dachshund who became partially paralyzed from the effects of IVDD -- and I will be facilitating an open, week-long conversation about the challenges of living with and caring for special needs pets, and the incredible and often surprising ways their presence in our lives can uplift, fulfill and inspire us.

The title of our discussion comes from the common experience of the humans, who adopt or rescue these special needs critters from shelters or from being thrown away because they're no longer "whole" or "perfect," that while we thought we were rescuing the animals, in the end we learn that they have somehow rescued us. And it's all being hosted by Darlene, on her Facebook Discussion Page.

So join us, won't you? All you need do is join Facebook, and "Like" Darlene's fan page, then you're all set and ready to post your questions, comments and resources to share with others like us who really care about giving special needs pets the quality of life and love they so richly deserve. Looking forward to "seeing" you there!

Idgie Has A New Pal

Barb Techel and her little girl, Frankie the Walk 'n Roll Dog, have become Skype pals of Idgie's and mine. Wanted to share Barb's blog post over at Joyful Paws on the subject with you.

I never would have believed how creating Almost Perfect has changed my life, especially through all the wonderful people and their pets I've met since then. What a blessing this has been in my life. Thanks, everyone. Just...thanks.

Fame Finds Frankie!

Frankie has an important new job!

Woot! Woot!

Guess what, folks? Everybody's favorite dachsie-on-wheels, Frankie the Walk n' Roll Dog, has been named the official mascot of National Disabled Pets Day, the newly minted observation by the Animal Miracle Network! Check out their website, where you'll see an absolutely ADORABLE photo of Frankie and her mom, Barbara Techel.

We covered Frankie a while back and have since come to be friends with Barb (who has also become a frequent commenter here at Almost Perfect Pets). You just knew then that it wouldn't be long till this furry little tube of cuteness with the sweetest face on earth would be recognized as the stunning creature she is.

We are so proud, and we know Frankie will do a great job in her new role as NDPD spokesdog. We know Barb will help Frankie with all her new responsibilities, and I'll let Frankie tell you the rest.

Congratulations, little wonderdog!

Ivan - A Love Story

Every once in a while, Barb Techel over at Joyful Paws lets loose with one of her "Occasional Paws" feature stories. I just had to share this recent one about Ivan the Beagle, because it so perfectly embodies what we're about here at Almost Perfect Pets.

Those of you who've been following for a while might recognize Barb's name - we featured her blog a bit ago: You know, the one about Frankie, the Walk & Roll Dog. Frankie's another example of the absolute best that can be brought out of a difficult situation. Barb wrote about her wheeled dachsie in her own book, too!

You know, when I started this blog, I wondered how I was going to keep up with it among all my other obligations. But I've come to realize that I look forward to coming here and sharing with you all the beauty of what can happen when humans learn to look past the disabilities to the shining, pulsing vibe of pure love and, yes, joy that just emanates from special needs pets. It's such a balm against all the bad news that threatens to beat us all down each day, and I'm happy to be able to spread some of the good stuff around this place.

When I got the idea for Almost Perfect, I never dreamed how it would change my life. I just thought it was a neat idea for a book. But through this project, I've met some of the most incredible, dedicated, loving and just downright decent human beings I will ever know. And you know who you are. :)

Frankie, the face of inspiration

I feel truly blessed to have stumbled upon the wonderful community that has arisen around this topic. Barb was right on when she named her blog and her website "Joyful Paws." Thanks for sharing all the wonderful stories with us all, and for being part of the solution, Barb!