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Showing posts with label handicapped dog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handicapped dog. Show all posts
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Friday, October 15, 2010
Friday, June 26, 2009
Rebuilt Doggon Wheels
After struggling for months with the Eddies Wheels cart and customer service, I was pleasantly surprised (thrilled, ecstatic) when we tried out the new Doggon Wheels. The toppling issues that were ever present with the Eddies didn't exist with the Doggon. Finally, a cart that could handle the speed of Popeye's energy.
So when I showed the Doggon people some pictures of Popeye in the cart, I was very surprised when they told me they would build him a completely new frame. At no extra charge. Apparently they weren't happy with the how the rear of the cart fit his narrow lower body.
They explained that the leg openings in the saddle were too big and the width of the frame was too wide back there. A week later and just 2.5 weeks from the day we got the original Doggon cart, the new frame arrived.
(Note: Doggon did not actually send us a 2nd set of tires--those were taken off the Eddies cart.)
As you can see from the picture above, the saddle harness was customized for Popeye's smaller frame in the rear, with the leg openings sewn smaller.
The top frame itself was also made smaller, with the width decreased as well as the length in the back.
As Doggon explained to me, by making the harness and rear frame more snug, it minimizes the swinging action that occurs with Popeye's (and most dogs') natural gait. The less Popeye's butt swings, the less the cart will weave side to side as he walks.
However, the narrower frame would leave less room for Popeye's extremely muscular front body. To prevent his front body from hitting the sides of the frame, they splayed the front part of the frame (called the sidearms) out.
New pictures submitted to Doggon for fitting advice.
Height +0
Length +3
Per Doggon, front harness is perfect in this picture.
Per Doggon, front harness looks high in both "Buckles detached" pictures, but probably because Tyler is holding it up.
Doggon Recommendation:
Move clamps on sidearms down approx 1-3/4cm to lessen tightness in back strap. This will cause the frame to lean backwards a little when Popeye is at standing position. Per Mel at Doggon, this is ok. Backward leaning frame takes weight off spine and puts it at ribcage. See pic below of Lori's (of Doggon Wheels) dogs.
Kozmo's cart leans back a lot. Per Mel at Doggon, this is ideal for his arthritis. Benny's cart leans back a little (Benny was hit by a car at age 6 months). I don't totally understand the significance of the leaning, but whatever. I want the red powder coated cart!! ($100 extra & 1.5 weeks longer to make though. Damn.)
Mel also suggested making sure that sidearms do not hit Popeye's legs as he runs. If they do, shorten length to +2 and loosen front strap. Do not change anything else. UPDATE 6/27/09: Tried this and resulted in too much side-to-side weaving. Ask Mel.
Other notes: If you are trying to make the top frame level, it should be level when the dog is at standing position. Frame will shift forward as dog moves forward.
It's too early to say whether these changes make any significant improvement, but I can say that the customer service I've received so far from Doggon has been top-notch. I don't see how it could possibly be any better. Not just the best out of the few cart companies I've communicated with but among the best of any company in any industry I have ever dealt with.
So when I showed the Doggon people some pictures of Popeye in the cart, I was very surprised when they told me they would build him a completely new frame. At no extra charge. Apparently they weren't happy with the how the rear of the cart fit his narrow lower body.
They explained that the leg openings in the saddle were too big and the width of the frame was too wide back there. A week later and just 2.5 weeks from the day we got the original Doggon cart, the new frame arrived.
(Note: Doggon did not actually send us a 2nd set of tires--those were taken off the Eddies cart.)
As you can see from the picture above, the saddle harness was customized for Popeye's smaller frame in the rear, with the leg openings sewn smaller.
The top frame itself was also made smaller, with the width decreased as well as the length in the back.
As Doggon explained to me, by making the harness and rear frame more snug, it minimizes the swinging action that occurs with Popeye's (and most dogs') natural gait. The less Popeye's butt swings, the less the cart will weave side to side as he walks.
However, the narrower frame would leave less room for Popeye's extremely muscular front body. To prevent his front body from hitting the sides of the frame, they splayed the front part of the frame (called the sidearms) out.
New pictures submitted to Doggon for fitting advice.
Height +0
Length +3
Per Doggon, front harness is perfect in this picture.
Per Doggon, front harness looks high in both "Buckles detached" pictures, but probably because Tyler is holding it up.
Doggon Recommendation:
Move clamps on sidearms down approx 1-3/4cm to lessen tightness in back strap. This will cause the frame to lean backwards a little when Popeye is at standing position. Per Mel at Doggon, this is ok. Backward leaning frame takes weight off spine and puts it at ribcage. See pic below of Lori's (of Doggon Wheels) dogs.
Kozmo's cart leans back a lot. Per Mel at Doggon, this is ideal for his arthritis. Benny's cart leans back a little (Benny was hit by a car at age 6 months). I don't totally understand the significance of the leaning, but whatever. I want the red powder coated cart!! ($100 extra & 1.5 weeks longer to make though. Damn.)
Mel also suggested making sure that sidearms do not hit Popeye's legs as he runs. If they do, shorten length to +2 and loosen front strap. Do not change anything else. UPDATE 6/27/09: Tried this and resulted in too much side-to-side weaving. Ask Mel.
Other notes: If you are trying to make the top frame level, it should be level when the dog is at standing position. Frame will shift forward as dog moves forward.
It's too early to say whether these changes make any significant improvement, but I can say that the customer service I've received so far from Doggon has been top-notch. I don't see how it could possibly be any better. Not just the best out of the few cart companies I've communicated with but among the best of any company in any industry I have ever dealt with.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The Power of a Dog in a Wheelchair
The idea of a dog in a wheelchair is nothing new to me. One of my 2 first dogs had a wheelchair, and although he never got to the point where he actually needed to use it, I had "met" many others online whose dogs were wheelchair-assisted.
But it's no surprise that Popeye in his wheelchair gets a lot of notice. It's kind of nice to know I can wear any old thing and look like a total slob and nobody's going to take notice because they'll be so focused on Popeye. He's actually literally stopped traffic. Good thing we live in the suburbs.
Tyler says there are generally 3 reactions people have when they see Popeye. The first is, "Aw, what a cute dog." Second, "Aw, poor dog." And third is just plain jaw dropping. Mostly it's the jaw dropping.
A few times people have approached me and asked me about the wheels. One time a group of young women ran after us to ask where I got it. Another time I came across a woman walking her 3 dogs--2 were walking, the 3rd was in a baby stroller (where have I seen that before?). In both cases, they said they didn't know such things existed, and it made me feel very good to spread that knowledge. I have no doubt that lives would be spared and quality of living vastly improved if more pet owners knew about the existence of doggie wheelchairs.
Sometimes we walk past the local elementary school while the kids are at recess and they see us through the fence. Lots of "aw, poor doggie" and "I'm sorry, doggie" there. A little part of me huffs whenever I hear pity towards Popeye. Yes, a bit of poor doggie, but he's gotten beyond that. He's amazing doggie now. To see just the poor doggie part doesn't give Popeye his due. It just boxes him up as a victim, when in reality, he's a conquerer. Can't really explain that to elementary kids though.
There's one other reaction that I get every once in a while. It's the same reaction I would have if I saw another dog in a wheelchair (aside from, "Hey, another dog in a wheelchair!"). It is a hodgepodge of things, gratitude, love, and hope among them, that begins to well up inside you. Commonly it's expressed as "Thank you for doing this for him" or "He's lucky to have someone to care for him," but it's more than that really.
It's a realization that you are witnessing something special and kind of rare. Not just a dog in a wheelchair, not even just somebody devoted enough to get him to that point or a dog who has overcome a disability that many people would assume he'd have to die for. It's all those things and more. It's a breaking of stereotypes, a lesson in the power of love and friendship and opportunity, an inspiration, a zest for life, a glimpse of hope and a better place. On so many different levels, it's a wonderful sight and a blessing to the seer for having been lucky enough to witness it.
I have been lucky enough to experience it.
Maybe one day somebody else will be as lucky as I have been and guide Popeye farther down his journey to teach people, to touch them in some intangible way, and to change them just a little for the better.
But it's no surprise that Popeye in his wheelchair gets a lot of notice. It's kind of nice to know I can wear any old thing and look like a total slob and nobody's going to take notice because they'll be so focused on Popeye. He's actually literally stopped traffic. Good thing we live in the suburbs.
Tyler says there are generally 3 reactions people have when they see Popeye. The first is, "Aw, what a cute dog." Second, "Aw, poor dog." And third is just plain jaw dropping. Mostly it's the jaw dropping.
A few times people have approached me and asked me about the wheels. One time a group of young women ran after us to ask where I got it. Another time I came across a woman walking her 3 dogs--2 were walking, the 3rd was in a baby stroller (where have I seen that before?). In both cases, they said they didn't know such things existed, and it made me feel very good to spread that knowledge. I have no doubt that lives would be spared and quality of living vastly improved if more pet owners knew about the existence of doggie wheelchairs.
Sometimes we walk past the local elementary school while the kids are at recess and they see us through the fence. Lots of "aw, poor doggie" and "I'm sorry, doggie" there. A little part of me huffs whenever I hear pity towards Popeye. Yes, a bit of poor doggie, but he's gotten beyond that. He's amazing doggie now. To see just the poor doggie part doesn't give Popeye his due. It just boxes him up as a victim, when in reality, he's a conquerer. Can't really explain that to elementary kids though.
There's one other reaction that I get every once in a while. It's the same reaction I would have if I saw another dog in a wheelchair (aside from, "Hey, another dog in a wheelchair!"). It is a hodgepodge of things, gratitude, love, and hope among them, that begins to well up inside you. Commonly it's expressed as "Thank you for doing this for him" or "He's lucky to have someone to care for him," but it's more than that really.
It's a realization that you are witnessing something special and kind of rare. Not just a dog in a wheelchair, not even just somebody devoted enough to get him to that point or a dog who has overcome a disability that many people would assume he'd have to die for. It's all those things and more. It's a breaking of stereotypes, a lesson in the power of love and friendship and opportunity, an inspiration, a zest for life, a glimpse of hope and a better place. On so many different levels, it's a wonderful sight and a blessing to the seer for having been lucky enough to witness it.
I have been lucky enough to experience it.
Maybe one day somebody else will be as lucky as I have been and guide Popeye farther down his journey to teach people, to touch them in some intangible way, and to change them just a little for the better.
Sneak Peek at the Doggon Wheels
I'm still figuring it out and need to get some advice from the Doggon people, so it's not perfectly fitted yet.
Specifications:
Tires in bottom, farthest back holes.
Vertical tubing at shortest height.
Rear harness at shortest length.
Horizontal tubing at longest length.
Questions for Doggon:
1) The horizontal frame is not above back but rather level with back. But if height increased, cart will tip forward.
2) Cart leans forward slightly.
3) Is back strap supposed to sit on shoulders or lay just behind shoulders?
4) Horizontal tubing at already at longest length. Will not be able to increase length any further.
5) There is slight swaying of the cart when Popeye walks. Most likely if he were to run, swaying would be even more pronounced. Is this normal?
6) Is front harness adjusted properly?
7) Leg openings in rear harness a lot wider than thighs.
8) Shoulder strap seems tight, especially when he bends down.
9) He sometimes lifts his butt up from the rear harness. Any way to force him to remain seated?
Specifications:
Tires in bottom, farthest back holes.
Vertical tubing at shortest height.
Rear harness at shortest length.
Horizontal tubing at longest length.
Questions for Doggon:
1) The horizontal frame is not above back but rather level with back. But if height increased, cart will tip forward.
2) Cart leans forward slightly.
3) Is back strap supposed to sit on shoulders or lay just behind shoulders?
4) Horizontal tubing at already at longest length. Will not be able to increase length any further.
5) There is slight swaying of the cart when Popeye walks. Most likely if he were to run, swaying would be even more pronounced. Is this normal?
6) Is front harness adjusted properly?
7) Leg openings in rear harness a lot wider than thighs.
8) Shoulder strap seems tight, especially when he bends down.
9) He sometimes lifts his butt up from the rear harness. Any way to force him to remain seated?
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Zooming in the Cart
You'll remember that we have continually had tipping problems with Popeye's cart since day 1, something that been driving me crazy. Quite unexpectedly though, the cart now seems a lot more stable since Popeye had his legs amputated. I guess the weight of his hind legs hanging forward on either side of the cart was causing most of the problems.
Previously, I would not even allow Popeye to walk too fast in his cart because the wheels would hop up and increase the risk of the cart falling over to its side (which it did several times). Running was out of the question because the cart was guaranteed to tip over, even if he was just running in a straight line. And while the cart still isn't perfect, moderate zooming is now allowed.
"Race you!"
"Hey, where'd you go slowpokes?"
"There you are!"
"Wheee!"
Previously, I would not even allow Popeye to walk too fast in his cart because the wheels would hop up and increase the risk of the cart falling over to its side (which it did several times). Running was out of the question because the cart was guaranteed to tip over, even if he was just running in a straight line. And while the cart still isn't perfect, moderate zooming is now allowed.
"Race you!"
"Hey, where'd you go slowpokes?"
"There you are!"
"Wheee!"
Monday, May 11, 2009
Popeye's First Walk as a Bipod
One thing I can say emphatically is that it is a hundred times easier putting Popeye in his cart without those hind legs!!
Can you read what his collar says?
I Chase Cats! Donated by Spiffy Dog.
Can you read what his collar says?
I Chase Cats! Donated by Spiffy Dog.
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