Barbara Techel

Wisdom Found in the Pause is a poignant and bittersweet story of the author’s journey through the short but memorable life of her beloved dachshund, Joie. As is characteristic of Techel’s writing, her deep compassion and openness to what her pets can teach her are evident in this story. Her writing is reminiscent of James Herriot’s heartwarming stories of animals.

Techel’s ability to explore her own vulnerability and motivations invited me into her world of caring for disable dachshunds. The love and joy she derives from her work are palpable and I found myself connecting to my own beloved pet, Max, in a deeper way.

When Joie suffers a catastrophic and terminal condition, it forces her to step back and reevaluate her life and her work. Still recovering from the loss of Frankie, a dachshund who was the impetus for her work with disabled pets, she takes us through her grieving process and gently leads us through her growing awareness of her need to slow down. In the process, Joie’s role in her spiritual growth unfolds.

This memoir reads like a meditative guide to life. The challenges faced and the lessons learned from Joie made a lasting impression on me. I feel enriched and inspired for having read it.

A heartwarming memoir with a powerful message about the lessons our pets can teach us.… (mer)