My Baby Dog

me too




the wheels sound a great idea

me too, i always get a pang in my stomach when this thread jumps up. i think wheelchair is great - you can always sell it on ebay or craigslist later, so don't look at it as such a huge investment. I'm sure there will be other people in similar situations who will be happy to find a used one.

me three.
i also think you should get the wheelchair -- if it'll improve boots' lifestyle without cramping your's...

Aw, Boots is such a good dog, I, too, was worried to see it bumped up.

Ask the aunts.
Best place to start.

Resale on something like craigslist - or through a posting at a vet clinic would be likely - and fantastic - for the next person facing something like this.

<did you ever check out any of the local tech schools to see if they'd build one as a project? - that sort of thing's huge as a desired assignment here>

Sorry to scare you all. I wish there way to have that not happen.

I dunno about resale. I may be able to sell it someday, but the odds that someone with a dog of Boo's dimensions needs a wheelie thing when I want to sell it..... well, the odds seem slim.

MsOlga, thanks. I do try to consider me. During one of the few dates I had with the last guy I dated I mentioned that I had to consider myself and my life in that final decision. I think I used the words: where does my convenience enter into the equation? We were discussing the last thing that made me cry. It was a joke topic that took a serious turn.

I have to say that I am miserable about it.

My sister had a good point about the device. If I could get it (again, I doubt the aunts would cover the whole cost), it';d take weeks to make and then winter would be upon us. She spends an hour or two outside now. We'd spend more time outside with the device. But, it wouldn't likely work too well in the winter, in the city.

Had the aunts and I had this chat a year ago, I prolly would have jumped on the chance, but I now I'm not sure. And being not sure also makes me cry.

LittleK,Crying is actually good in cases such as this. I had a Rottweiller who developed epilepsy at the age of 4. It was horrible. He had walking seizures, so I had to lay on top of him to keep him from hurting himself. He would pee and foam at the mouth. It took all my strength to hold him in place. I loved him and did everything I thought would help. I put him on an organic diet and tried alternative and conventional medicines. I kept him with me constantly, including bringing him to work with me. I was afraid to leave him alone. At first the drugs kept the seizures to about 2 or 3 per month, but he got used to them and he started to seizure weekly and somtimes twice a day. I cried often, it seemed to help me cope. As time went on (2 years) he would come out of a seizure and not know who I was. When a 150lb rotty looks at you with confusion and distrust it should make anyone nervous. I knew I couldn't continue for my sake or the sake of the dog who was now seizuring daily.

Putting him down was one of the toughest thing I have done, but when it was over the relief eventually replaced the grief. Soon after I had a wonderful dream where my dog came running to me across a wide wildflower meadow, he ran around and around and I could understand that he wanted me to know that he was free of his illness and understood why I couldn't keep him. The dream lasted moments, but I still remember him running off and at one point he stopped and looked back at me, tail wagging, tongue hanging out and I swear he sent the message "thank you for letting me go".

Many pet lovers have to go through this, it's part of the responsibility of loving a animal. I can't say "you will know when it's time" because I have seen many owners never able to take that step. I guess I just want you to know that many of us understand what you are going through. Many of us have been there and in the words of Clinton "we feel your pain" - you and Boots are truly not alone.

I have no advice for you littlek, just empathy. I dont' look forward to having to make choices like this if this ever happens to my pet. I just wanted to tell you that I loved that frickin' dog. Hey, littlek, not to change the subject, but how's that crazy wide-eyed cat doing? What a face.

More empathy/ sympathy.

I don't know about Boston, but in comparable places I've lived there isn't snow on the ground ALL the time. I know that the aunts probably wouldn't be able to cover the whole cost, but maybe it would be reasonable after they've chipped in. Heck, I'd be willing to chip in $10 or something.

And do you know for a fact how long it will take to get the device once ordered? Maybe something else to find out for sure before making any decisions.

(Your sis seems to often be the voice of gloom and doom -- realism is good, fatalism not so much.)

Thanks Greenie. I have feelings of general inadequacy and dread having been through the death of my cat (wide-eyed kitty's sister). She, it turns out, had pancreatitis. But, the vet misdiagnosed and while I was forcing her to let me IV her with liquids, she was getting sicker. She ended up in an emergency vet hospital (one of the best in the world).

After spending a week there, she died, the vet called and asked if I wanted to bring her back - it was my choice. I was standing in a playground, crying hysterically, trying to keep an eye out for the kid I was caring for, and having to decide what to do. He told me over and over that cats don't come back well. She won't be the same. I told him to do it anyway. She was alive, if you could call it life, for a couple more days and then I had her put down.

I wanted to fight for her, I felt guilty for torturing her for her last weeks at home. I felt so much worse after it was all over. So, chalk it up as a learning experience.



Kicky, thanks, Bootsie loved meeting you too. The wide-eyed kitty is good.


Soz, the last couple winters here have been brutally messy. With either ice or snow covering the ground for much of the winter. Yes, I'll look into the details again. And, then, maybe I'll talk to Boo's vet about it.

A big hug to you, k. Things will not be easy for you & for Bootsie come winter. Of course you are miserable. It's a terribly sad situation.

Maybe you can get a used wheelchair?

Would eBay or craigslist have them? Does Angell Memorial have any kind of a swap bulletin board (if not, they should)?

Hugs to you and Bootsie, both fine folks.

Thanks MsOlga.

Jespah, I looked for used wheelies a while back. i didn't find any, but I don't remember looking too hard.

aww k.

I just took another look around - it seems that a great many people are out there looking for used or donated type carts (you are not alone!)
I did however do a search on ebay....you might be able to get one cheaper - I sent it to you. Not sure where Bootsie gal falls in the weight catagory right now though.

BIG HUG for all of you

http://cgi.ebay.com/Doggon-Wheels-Dog-Wheelchair-Cart-Large_W0QQitemZ7720004183QQcategoryZ1283QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

found some on ebay, starting bid $150. but it's for large dogs (80 to 100 pounds). is boo that big?
there are more, i haven't looked closely, as i don't really know what would work and what wouldn't.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Doggon-Wheels-Dog-Wheelchair-Cart-Large_W0QQitemZ7720004183QQcategoryZ1283QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

found some on ebay, starting bid $150. but it's for large dogs (80 to 100 pounds). is boo that big?
there are more, i haven't looked closely, as i don't really know what would work and what wouldn't. this one is in CT. so you could possibly even drive down to pick it up. zero bids on most doggie wheelchairs - maybe you could even shoot the guy an email and talk him down a little... dunno.

hmmm, strange. how did it post that first part of the post without my knowledge...?

LittleK, call up your local ASPCA and Humane Society. It recently came to my attention that many people donate these carts to such groups after their pet dies to help others and to get a tax break. You might have to give a donation, but it would be nowhere near the cost of a new wheelie. Boston is a big place so chances are good, but these groups also network with all their branches and if one does not have it another might.

great idea, Great Witch. (uh-oh, i nearly typed bitch, but on a doggie thread that isn't such an insult, right?)

I've been called worse.