What a wonderful subject! My message to kids would be that our thoughts are so powerful. I want them to know that even though we are always going to have challenges in our lives; the way we choose to deal with them will have a powerful impact on our lives. If we choose positive thoughts it truly can help us get through a situation with a bit more ease. It won’t make the problem go away, but we can move through it easier when we choose positive thoughts.

Another thing I want kids to know that vulnerability and empathy are gifts, not weaknesses. I wish I would have understood this years and years ago as I know it would have saved me much heartache, from feeling “different.” I really started to understand these lessons about seven years ago after my dachshund; Frankie became paralyzed due to diagnoses of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). I spent most of my life worrying what others thought of me and my choices, as well as lack of self-confidence, and being a very sensitive individual. I always thought that being vulnerable and sensitive were “bad “things. Frankie taught me that we all have challenges, whether others can physically see them or not.

But we can all work through these challenges by being positive– and we can each stand tall in who we are. I’m not sure what I could have done differently to change this. But I have worked hard the last six years instilling in kids that being positive will help them live better lives– Frankie helped me do this and she was such a perfect example for the kids to learn from– we were a great team sharing this message to instill in kids they always have a choice about their attitude. We also helped them understand empathy and being compassionate to all living beings. One of my favorite things to teach kids is that though Frankie was in a wheelchair she was still Frankie– she did not change. Her wheelchair was her tool to help her live the best life she could.

– Barbara Techel, Joyful Paws, Author