Two legged JRT needs creative equipment ideas

[honeyrock]

I am caretaking a JRT that was born with no front legs. He has a wheeled cart for walks and does fine playing with other dogs. He even has a mono-ski for snow season. He is a certified therapy dog and visits hospitals and nursing homes.

The problem we have is making/buying a padded "thing" that will protect his chest when he is running around the house sans cart. He can't wear the cart all the time, but his current garment (the last in a series of attempts), is way too hot for him and he doesn't like it a bit.

Any ideas?

[CarolC]

I would absolutely love to see pictures and know much more about your special dog. Could you do something simple with a baby bib?

Don't miss this thread and the links in it:

http://www.handicappedpets.com/help/vie ... php?t=5840

[honeyrock]

The bib idea is along the lines that I have been thinking...

I found a saddlemaker today who I think will build the "skidplate" design that I came up with using a scrap of saddle skirting and fleece lining with just two straps with velcro or buckles. If leather can be used for shoe soles, it should hold up well in this application and it isn't too heavy. The fleece will breathe better than synthetics and willl also cushion his chest.

I should note that Kandu is able to go up stairs with his cart and able to jump onto the couch, etc without it. Down is still a problem. He has spent most of today playing with my JRT puppy.

We have to deal with mostly non-paved terrain, so anything we do for him must hold up to cross country situations. I will get pictures this week... it is snowing and raining today so everyone is inside.

I was quite interested to see the cart made for the Chihuahua. It is tackling the problem from a totally different angle than we have been doing.

[CarolC]

Updating this thread because a friend sent me this video link. Wow! They have done so much!

http://www.dogwork.com/kan6/
[EDIT: If you don't see the video, be sure your browser does not block audio or video for the site. The video is there.]

EDIT: Same video on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1w1XDrhrVE

Here are still photos from the above CBS 4 video, because I have seen wonderful things like this vanish from the web in the past. The words below are quoted from the video also:

This Jack Russell terrier weighs 10 1/2 lbs. His device is 6 1/2 lbs. Ken took plastic, molded it to fit Kandu's body, and added roller blade wheels.

Here's his monoski, great little device, weighs less than 2 lbs, wax up the bottom of it, he flies down the hillls.

Inside Kandu wears a sleeve from an old sweatshirt to protect his chest.

Here is Kandu's website, with a contact link if you would like to contact Ken.

http://www.kandu.us/