Merial Animal Health’s award could go to star of a book

Merial Animal Health’s Human Bond Award could go to a dog that “lives life with gusto”.

Frankie is a dachshund who has been custom-fitted for a canine-wheelchair after suffering from a spinal injury about three years ago.

Despite the disability, the dog still does everything it used to and now its owner Barbara Techel has written a book called Frankie, the Walk ‘n’ Roll Dog to encourage children to think positively and look on the bright side of life.

As well as being nominated for Merial Animal Health’s Human Bond Award, the canine has been entered into the 2009 Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame.

Merial Animal Health provides products, solutions and advice to improve the health and wellbeing of a number of creatures, including pets, horses and livestock.

On its website, the organisation has a number of pages offering guidance to dog owners about how to look after their pet effectively.

Topics it covers include what to do when the puppy has arrived, feeding, emergencies and responsible canine ownership.