Posts Tagged ‘dog stroller’
Charlie’s Chair Needs A Home
I have written about Charlie before, but I wanted to elaborate further on what his condition is and the wonderful people, besides my family, that helped me through it. Let me first tell you about Charlie. He was a bouncy, furry, loveable little boy. He was always up for chasing a ball or, of course, the squirrels. He would always squeak with joy when you came home. When he turned 8 we noticed that he was dragging his back paws. Then he started tripping over nothing. When we took him to vet he was, basically, “diagnosed” with something call Degenerative Myeolopathy (DM for short). It is a condition that affects the spinal column and basically breaks down the body and systems of the body. We were told that there was no cure. He would gradually deteriorate. The vet gave him a few months until he would have to be “put down”.
Well, I found the best website, www.mzjf.com, that contained a lot of information for me and everyone else going through this. I never realized that it was happening to so many. Their forums were wonderful support and had recipes and medicine (through a Pharmaceutical company) to help slow down the progression.
We bought him a wheelchair in February 2008. That was about 6 months after he was diagnosed. He was in doggie diapers and we used a sling to move him around in the house. He happily used the wheelchair for a year before it was his time to cross the rainbow bridge. I wanted to share this information in case you thought you were alone in this. Feel free to contact me through my website to get information on Charlie’s wheelchair as I have it sitting in my garage waiting for someone who may need it.
I have already found homes for his dog harnesses, orthopedic dog bed and other supplies and his dog toys have been handed down to his sister and “cousins”.
A stroll in the park with your dog…or anywhere else
Many think that dog strollers are an unnecessary and costly pet accessory. I would say that those that make that statement are not pet owners or more specifically, dog owners. Strollers are not just for the rich and famous or simply for esthetic purposes. There is more to them than meets the eye, especially, if you have a pet that is restricted due to surgery or injury or possibly some other health issues. My dog was stricken with a condition that took away his ability to walk for any period of time and it was the only way to be able to take him to the park. He loved to be outside.
What some do not realize is that some dogs are not able to walk a long distance or cannot for a very long time. Some walking will put undue stress on joints and muscles that cannot withstand it. While it may seem extreme, to some, strollers allowed me and my pet to make a trip to the park or down the road in a comfortable way without the need to stop and rest. I still wanted to get exercise and have him along with me. There are choices of strollers such as the Jogger Stroller, a regular push stroller and those that can be pulled in back of your bicycle.
Dog lovers and owners are purchasing dog clothes, coats, and shoes for their friends to keep them warm, dry, safe and in style. They are our companion, friend and, at times, protector. Why not treat them with the best intentions? Many manufacturers of pet products have come up with innovative ways to keep owners and pets together. There are a variety of different pet strollers available now in great colors and styles.