31/01/2024
I love pet strollers. I mean, I LOVE them! Iām seeing how more dogs and cats get to join their people outside of the house, thanks to strollers.
People use pet strollers for all kinds of reasons.
Some dogs arenāt allowed on restaurant terracesā¦ unless they donāt touch the ground. My momās retirement home allows dogsā¦ as long as they donāt walk in common areas like hallways. So residents use strollers, and they get to live with their dog.
Elderly, injured, or dogs healing from an injury get to continue getting āout thereā.
In our case, Benni often runs out of fuel before we do, when weāre out and about. Heās just a wee guy, so we pick him up and keep going. But thatās not always easy. Itās still over 7kg of canine cargo, and, wellā¦ he gets heavy.
So I got a stroller, and Iāve been gradually getting Benni used to it. Keeping in mind that Benni doesnāt like heights, I got one that sits low to the ground.
Heās also claustrophobic, so I chose one with mesh on all sides, and a very large front opening. Heās suspicious of things over his head, so this opening is perfect because of its angle.
I started the process by just having it in the house, folded. After various steps meant to gradually desensitize Benni to its presence, weāve reached a stage where I set it up next to the kitchen table, make my lunch, and before I have a chance to sit down, Benni has jumped into his ābuggyā, without me asking, and has settled in.
From the start, I never asked him to sit or lie down. Thatās always been his choice. Allowing him this freedom also helps me gauge his comfort level.
He gets his lunch, piece by piece, as I eat mine. I turn on music, Tom moves around, sometimes we both just look outside. Iām aiming to graduate to eating out in public.
Iāve moved the stroller around gently with him in it. Heās gotten used to the sensation and accepts it calmly. Next step will be moving around outside.
Will people judge and criticize the sight of my dog in a stroller? Oh god yes. Do I care? Pfftā¦ Not even a little bit.
This is totally worth it to me. All of it. The time and effort to desensitize, the comments that may be less than positive, the expense. All worth it! Because later, when Benni is older and less mobile, weāll be ready. And heāll continue to join us in our activities and adventures. ā¤ļø
(Iāve added commercial pics of the stroller so you can see what it looks like. I love it!)
