News: Blanche / wheelchair to donate *PIC*

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CarolC
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Carts on a budget (repost)

Post by CarolC »

Hi S.,

Those soft ears and that soft white head just beg to be petted!

I hope the arrangement with Eddie's works out, but if not, here is the standard information I continue to repost for everyone looking for a cart on a budget. (It was originally posted for someone with a german shepherd, ignore that part.)

Please take special note of DOGS TO GO. Their carts begin at $55 and people have given them good reports.

* * * * *

Many people come to this message board in need of free carts, but only very rarely is there anyone who has a cart to donate. I do not speak for this website but only myself when I say, if I could I would encourage each one to seek other sources as well. I worry that people will pin their hopes on this message board as a source and be disappointed, and their dog will suffer as a result. I do not have a cart to donate, but here are some suggestions that I hope may help:

There are several places you can get used wheelchairs. They have secondhand wheelchairs
through Doggon' Wheels at:

<a href="http://www.doggon.com/products.html#3">Doggon' Wheels</a>

Also through Eddie's Wheels at:

<a href="http://www.eddieswheels.com/html/used_c ... l">Eddie's Wheels</a>

I also see them all the time on eBay. The search words are:

dog wheelchair

K-9 Carts has a new design through their east coast division and I have no idea if this is worth pursuing, but they offer to connect people with used carts at:

<a href="http://www.mri.jhu.edu/~dara/free_carts.php">K-9 Carts</a>

The easiest carts for a single person to get a big dog into are Eddie's or Doggon'. Doggon' is good because they have a saddle support sling the dog can wear all day and you can use the saddle support for a walking harness for short trips from room to room or to get in the car and then hitch the very same harness he is already wearing to the chair when you want to put your dog in the chair. This would be good if you have to walk your dog down the back steps before hitching him to the cart. Otherwise you are putting on a harness, walking him downstairs, then putting him into the cart while he is wearing the harness, or else having to take the other harness off and putting him into the cart. Simple would be good when you're doing this several times a day. Eddie's has yoke design that makes getting the dog in very simple.

You can read the Eddie's and Doggon' websites to learn about the designs--carts are not all created equal.

There is a condition called degenerative myelopathy that affects german shepherds, and there is a DM website that offers used carts for sale. They would probably be a good size for your dog. The DM website that has used carts in their Classifieds at this address:

DM Classifieds

Look at their left sidebar near the bottom.

There are a number of patterns and instructions to make a homemade dog wheelchair. You can see them at:

<a href="http://www.handicappedpets.com/HomemadeCarts.htm">How to make a homemade cart</a>

Also, there are a number of financial aid organizations that may pay for all or part of the cost of a cart. One is:

<a href="http://www.imom.org">IMOM.org</a>

Here is a list of others:

<a href="http://www.imom.org/fa/others.htm">Other sources of financial aid</a>

And one more:

<a href="http://www.oslf.org/index.htm">Orthodogs</a>

You could also check with any breed rescues in your area.

For $1.99 you can post an ad to buy a wheelchair, or search ads of people selling wheelchairs on the HandicappedPets Classified page. It is at:

<a href="http://www.handicappedpets.com/class/in ... cappedPets Classifieds</a>

In addition, Dogs to Go makes very affordable wheelchairs starting at $55.

<a href="http://www.dogstogo.net/">Dogs to Go</a>

Dogs to Go also offers secondhand carts even more cheaply at:

<a href="http://dogstogo.net/_wsn/page3.html">Dpgs to Go Used Carts</a>

Finally, the HandicappedPets website offers a cart rental program with different sizes of carts:

<a href="http://www.handicappedpets.com/dogkart/ ... x.htm">Dog Carts Rental</a>

I hope this information is helpful. If you want any tips on caring for a big dog with mobility problems, this message board is a good place to ask. Best wishes to your dog and his family!
Sbee
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Re: News: Blanche / wheelchair to donate

Post by Sbee »

Winnie,

I understand why you'd want to donate the cart in your hometown, but if that doesn't go through, I hope that you'll be comfortable giving it to us. I contacted Leslie, we'll see what she says. Thank you SO MUCH for considering us.

~S
Sbee
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Re: Carts on a budget (repost)

Post by Sbee »

great info! thanks so much!
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critters
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TailWagon *LINK*

Post by critters »

is another cheaper resource, and, in the past, people have reported being pleased. http://www.tailwagon.com/


http://www.tailwagon.com/
Sbee
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Re: TailWagon

Post by Sbee »

you guys are all so awesome! thanks for your help!
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Winnie
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Re: News: Blanche / wheelchair to donate

Post by Winnie »

Dear S,

Has Leslie come back to you yet? If not, I will send her an email. Or you will go for the cheaper one that CarolC recommended?

Please let me know how I can further assist.

If necessary, you can contact me direct at cms33@netvigator.com

Winnie
Sbee
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Re: News: Blanche / wheelchair to donate

Post by Sbee »

Winnie,

I haven't heard from her. It would be great if you wanted to contact her. I can't believe how generous you've been.

~S
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Winnie
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Re: News: Blanche / wheelchair to donate

Post by Winnie »

Dear S,

Will sned Leslie an email later today. Did you give her your dog's measurements?

Winnie
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Winnie
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Re: News: Blanche / wheelchair to donate

Post by Winnie »

Dear S,

Just sent an email to Leslie.
Hope that she will come back to me soon.

How's your doggie doing?
Winnie
Sbee
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Re: News: Blanche / wheelchair to donate

Post by Sbee »

Winnie,

I was waiting to see if it was possible before I sent measurements...but I can get them tonight.

It's so hard to tell exactly how she's doing. Some days I'm convinced that she's regaining muscle strength, some days I think it might never happen. She's really learned how to scootch where she wants to go, lately, and that helps. My mom had a similar accident, and I know that recovery takes a really really long time...

Mostly we're just trying to keep her spirits up. She's always been a sweet happy girl, and this has really been difficult for her.

~S
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Winnie
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Re: News: Blanche / wheelchair to donate

Post by Winnie »

Dear S,

Got a prompt reply from Leslie which I quote as follows:-

"Hi Winnie,

Tell S to submit measurements for his dog and we'll apply your payments to his order. This is really very good of you to help another dog in Blanche's memory.

Leslie"

Some good news, huh? So the arrangement is they will apply the 30% that I paid to make a new cart for your dog and I will pay the 70% balance.

As you might have read from Beth's messages, people at Eddies Wheels are really nice persons. You may want to call them and tell them more about your dog's conditions so that they know which type of cart suits your dog. It's very important that you get the measurements right, they might give you some tips on that as well.

Don't lose hope !!

Winnie
Sbee
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Re: News: Blanche / wheelchair to donate

Post by Sbee »

Winnie,

When Ellie had her accident, we had to make a lot of decisions quickly. She had a 50/50 chance of walking again. We had some pressure to put her down, mainly because of the cost. I've questioned our decision ever since.

Your kindness? And the help that you're giving us in restoring her mobility means the world. It means that, although she may not ever walk again, she will have the mobility that she needs to be a happy healthy dog.

Thanks again,
Sarabeth
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Winnie
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Re: News: Blanche / wheelchair to donate

Post by Winnie »

Dear Sarabeth,

It's been a week since I last heard from you. Did you send the measurements to Leslie? and how's Ellie?

Winnie
Sbee
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Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2011 10:49 am

Re: News: Blanche / wheelchair to donate

Post by Sbee »

Winnie,

Sorry that I haven't gotten back to you. I've been ill, and I have no internet at the house. I'll call Leslie today.

Ellie is doing okay. She's able to balance on her legs for very short periods of time. We're a little over half way done with the window of time that we were given.

~S
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Winnie
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Re: News: Blanche / wheelchair to donate

Post by Winnie »

Hey Sarabeth,

Am so happy to hear that Ellie is doing ok :)

I look forward to hearing from you on the order of the wheelchair. If this can be materialised, that would be the best gift that I've ever made thus far !

Good luck and take care!!
Winnie
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