Nineteen Years and Counting on a Dog Wheelchair

Nineteen years and counting on a
dog wheelchair.  Can you help Micki
with a donation?

UPDATE - Micki has received enough donations, combined with a rescue discount from HandicappedPets.com, to fully pay for her Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair!  Also, her friend Bailey has received a donated Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair from the family of a dog named Apollo who crossed over to Rainbow Bridge earlier this week.  Stay tuned for more updates on their progress.   Thank you for your support!

Nineteen year old Micki will not be adopted into a new home.  This lovely Golden retriever will spend her days in the care of a permanent foster home made possible by GRREAT, Inc. - a non-profit, volunteer organization that is dedicated to the rescue, foster care and placement of Golden retrievers in Maryland, northern Virginia, D.C., Delaware, south central Pennsylvania and eastern West Virginia. 

Micki is comfortable and enjoying her permanent foster home, but after nineteen long years, her legs are in need of some all around support.  Golden Retriever Rescue Education and Training - GRREAT contacted us for a rescue discount towards purchasing a Walkin' Wheels with front wheel attachment for Micki to enjoy some mobility in her golden years.  GRREAT has been rescuing and rehoming Golden retrievers since 1983, and they frequently assist with special needs cases, including a number of dogs who are having trouble walking on their own.

In addition to Micki, they have a younger gentleman by the name of Bailey who is also in need of a Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair.  Bailey is ten years old and is receiving rehabilitative therapy in the hopes of recovering his mobility.  However, there is no guarantee that Bailey will fully recover, and a wheelchair can provide him with immediate mobility while he continues treatment.

Since custom made dog wheelchairs cannot be adjusted to fit different sizes of dogs, HandicappedPets.com suggested that the rescue accept our significant discount towards the purchase of Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchairs for both Micki and Bailey.  In future years, as the need arises, these Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchairs can be resized in height, length and width to fit other Golden retriever rescue dogs.  We hope that you will join us in supporting the GRREAT efforts to help these dogs by making a contribution to their Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair fund by clicking here - select check box other on the form and indicate that your donation is for "Walkin' Wheels Fund".

On behalf of HandicappedPets.com and GRREAT, Inc., thank you for your support of rescue dogs in need of Walkin' Wheels!

Surprise! We got your dog a wheelchair

Click here to see how Guinness got a surprise
dog wheelchair!

We learned of this heartwarming story out of Canada which was featured on CTV News earlier this month.

Guinness, a disabled cocker spaniel, recently spent some time at Paw and Order boarding kennel while his family was away on vacation.

When his family returned to pick Guinness up, he had a surprise for them - a brand new Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair from our Canadian dealer, Dog Wheelchairs Rentals and Sales, located in Calgary. 

We would like to congratulate Stephanie Shipley and the staff of Paw and Order kennel on their Maritimer of the Week award and for making such a positive difference in the life of a handicapped pet!

Specially Abled Pets Worldwide

Coke from Thailand is all smiles in his
 new Walkin' Wheels

Following our previous post about today's celebration of National Specially Abled Pets Day, we received some suggestions from our friends in Australia who thought it appropriate that today should be an international event.  Since Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchairs and other products from HandicappedPets.com are proudly assisting pets around the world, we couldn't agree more.

Whether your pet has a handicap, has suffered an injury or is recovering from an illness, wherever you are, we invite you to celebrate with us today.  If you prefer the term disabled, specially abled, handicapped or special needs, we welcome whatever terminology you are most comfortable using and hope that you will share a photo and/or tell us about your pet on our social networks - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or You Tube.

Our profile pet of the week on Facebook is Coke from Thailand pictured above and seen in the video below.  Coke's recent rescue and adoption from a cruel life on the streets in Thailand has inspired his owner Michael Baines to bring greater awareness to the plight of these dogs through a documentary film.  See the filmmaking promo below or click here to watch.

National Specially Abled Pets Day

Ellie and her dog Kaya enjoying
 a walk in their orchard

While living with an elderly, injured, disabled or otherwise specially abled pet can be challenging, it is also a cause for celebration.  Injuries and illnesses in our pets that were once considered incurable or unmanageable now have a wide range of treatment options.  Advances in surgery, physical rehabilitation and assistive devices such as dog wheelchairs are providing pets with a high quality of life while extending the human-animal bond.

HandicappedPets.com offers products, services and support to assist caretakers of pets with special needs.  We join with our caretakers around the world in celebrating National Specially Abled Pets Day on May 3rd. 

If you are in the Los Angeles area, please stop by and visit Two Hands Four Paws Canine Physical Rehabilitation for their First Ever National Specially Abled Pets Day Event.  HandicappedPets.com is a sponsor for the event that is scheduled from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2013.  For more details and to RSVP, click here.

Run Forest Run with Pet Splints

"Run, Forest, Run" with your pet splint!

HandicappedPets.com  supports rescue dogs in need, and we have donated and/or discounted a number of items to help our homeless pets get the equipment to keep moving and get adopted!  Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchairs are a favorite of many rescue groups and animal shelters because the wheelchair ships the same day that it is ordered online, and it fully adjusts in height, length and width to accommodate different sizes of dogs and various levels of paralysis.  There is no waiting for your dog wheelchair to be built and no complex measurements required.

Recently, we had the privilege of a assisting a young rescue dog in need of support for his weakened front legs while he regained strength to walk and run on his own.  Walkin' Wheels pet splints provided the aptly named Forest with the additional support he needed to get back on his feet!  We enjoyed following Forest in his before and after videos posted below.  If the videos below do not appear properly in your browser, please click here for link to before video and here for link to the after video.  Learn more about Forest at the Local Dog Rescue Thunder Bay page on Facebook.

As Forrest Gump said, "Mama says they was magic shoes. They could take me anywhere."

Forest tests out his pet splints from HandicappedPets.com



Run, Forest, Run!

Project Joy Ride and Walkin Wheels

Project Joy Ride Complete

When Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota contacted HandicappedPets.com recently to request assistance with their Project Joy Ride, we could not wait to see the result! Joy had a dog wheelchair that did not fit her properly, and it would often lock up and tip over when she went out for walks.  After offering a rescue discount towards the purchase of a new Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair for this lovely Golden retriever and sharing her story with our thousands of supporters online, Joy now has her new ride, and it's pink!

Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchairs and other products for safety, support, mobility and incontinence needs of elderly, disabled and injured pets are available online at HandicappedPets.com. 

Like us on Facebook to save $50 off a Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair!

Celebrating National Pig Day

In honor of National Pig Day on March 1st, we wanted to make special mention of our new friend Chris P. Bacon - the pig in a wheelchair.  The adorable Chris P. Bacon has won the hearts of millions since making his debut appearance on You Tube in late January.

Most recently, Chris P. Bacon appeared on ABC Action News in Tampa, Florida to provide an update on his first month of fame.  The video can be seen below or by clicking here.  You can also follow Chris P. Bacon, see the his You Tube video and locate him on social networks at http://chrispbaconpig.com/

Pet Hospice and Palliative Care Options Expanding

As the availability of products to support elderly, disabled and injured pets at HandicappedPets.com continues to expand, pet owners are increasingly inquiring about the end of life veterinary care options available for their pets.  Recently, HandicappedPets.com had the privilege of sponsoring the Second Annual International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Conference in Denver, Colorado. 

The conference provided us with the opportunity to showcase our products to veterinarians who specialize in end of life care for pets while also allowing us to learn more about the full complement of services that a veterinarian who specializes in hospice and palliative care can provide for pet owners. 

Dr. Edwina LeMay of A Friend's Farewell is one of many veterinarians we had the pleasure of meeting at the IAAHPC conference.  In the news video below, Dr. LeMay explains more about pet hospice options and how to reach out for assistance with end of life care.  Link available here if video does not display in your browser.

Students Designing and Fundraising for Dogs in Wheelchairs

 Fritz the Dachshund, pictured above in his drag bag for paralyzed pets, inspired a Texas fourth grade class Fritz the dachshund knows how to get around East Texas. Splitting his time between the Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair and the Drag Bag for Paralyzed Pets, Fritz is always on the move. Fritz needs to move quickly in order to keep pace with his owner Teresa Roe, an innovative fourth grade science teacher who is inspiring the future of product design for handicapped pets. One of several design drawings received from the students When Roe discovered that the drag bag was a bit too warm for some of the hottest summer days in Texas, she decided to challenge her students to develop a cooler version of the popular handicapped pet product. As a company that is committed to turning customer concerns into product improvements, HandicappedPets.com was honored to receive the students' designs and scheduled a Skype session to further discuss their ideas. The question and answer session was broadcast on the local ABC news channel - click here to watch the news video of the story. To acknowledge the students' design efforts, Mark Robinson, President of HandicappedPets.com, presented each of them with wind up Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair toys. When the students realized that profits from the sale of the toys are donated to the Handicapped Pets Foundation, they wanted to help raise money so another pet in need could get a wheelchair this holiday season. Here is a video version of a PowerPoint presentation that the students sent HandicappedPets.com to inform us of their fundraising success!  We have provided their powerpoint presentation in a video available below and at this link if your browser does not show the video.

Help Weeble Stop Wobbling

Weeble rescued as a puppy six months ago

Ever since Weeble was rescued from a puppy mill in Missouri, he has been a bit wobbly.  Thanks to the support of the rescue group Hands, Hearts and Paws, Weeble is getting plenty of assistance to help with his wobble. 

Getting treats and treatment!

The now six month old Rottweiler has been receiving a full range of canine rehabilitative therapy as well as acupuncture, chiropractic and cold laser treatments to help him walk on his own again.  The one very important item that Weeble still needed was a dog wheelchair that could adjust to accommodate his growth while also providing support for his front legs.

A growing boy needs a Walkin' Wheels
dog wheelchair

As soon as we saw Weeble, we knew that a Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair with a front wheel attachment would be the ideal solution for this growing puppy's mobility dilemma.

HandicappedPets.com has provided a significant discount for Weeble's Walkin' Wheels, and we hope that you will be able to support his rescue group with contributions towards the remaining cost of his wheelchair and ongoing veterinary care. 

To support Weeble, please make a donation here.

Second Chance with Second Hand Dog Wheelchair

Lurlene has a second chance thanks to her
second hand Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair

This year as we reflect on what we are most inspires our gratitude, the caring and generosity of our customers is at the top of our list.  Our profile pet of the week is the lovely Lurlene, a rescued pit bull puppy who has been given a second chance thanks to the efforts of Mayday Pit Bull Rescue and Advocacy. 

Grrty's Walkin' Wheels are now
helping rescue dog Lurlene

Miss Lurlene also has a set of wheels thanks to the generosity of Grrty's family.  They donated to Lurlene the Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair that Grrty used for over three years before she passed away a few months ago. 

As we enter the season of giving, we would like to give thanks to all of our customers and supporters who help us make the mobility dreams come true for dogs like Grrty and Lurlene. 

Happy Thanksgiving from HandicappedPets.com!

Walkin' Wheels Dog in the Halloween Parade

Oscar dressed as the Grinch's dog Max

We were so thrilled to see our good friend Oscar Madison NYC marching proudly in his Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair during the annual Tompkins Square Park Halloween Costume Parade.  Rescue dog Oscar was dressed as Max from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" while his rescue sibling Tiki looked stunning in her "Game of Thrones" outfit depicting Drogon the dragon.



Tiki dressed as Drogon from "Game of Thrones"

Both Oscar and Tiki ranked in the Top 25 Best Costumes as reported here in the slideshow from Yahoo News.  To see how both costumes were made view the video below.  Whether your pet is handicapped or not, please remember to post his or her Halloween costume photo on our Facebook page so that we can include it in our online album.  Handicapped or not, we want to see your pet in his or her trick or treating best!

Bear the Two Legged Dog without a Wheelchair

Meet Bear the Two Legged Dog without wheels

We are always pleased to welcome new caretakers from around the world to the HandicappedPets.com help and advice forum.  Recently, we welcomed Bear the Two Legged Dog and his caretaker Sandie all the way from Australia.  Bear is rather unusual in his ability to walk on his hind legs after having his front legs amputated only a few weeks ago.

Sandie described Bear's remarkable recovery from the surgery in a recent post as follows:

"I just wanted to let anyone know who is contemplating euthanizing their animal because of this to just stop and think a moment about the age, health and personality of their dog. One week after his final surgery, Bear is now walking all over the house on his back legs. He doesn't walk like other dogs I have seen on the net (right up on his back legs), instead his back is almost parallel to the floor as if his front legs were still there."

Seeing Bear reminded us of Faith the Two Legged Dog that we had the opportunity to meet during  a visit with our friends at the Velma-Alma School in Oklahoma.

Watch a video of Bear below or by clicking here.  To learn more about Bear and to follow his progress, join in on the discussion here.

Wheelchair Dogs at Play with other Dogs

Scooter in his Runnin' Wheels

We frequently remind our customers and supporters that dogs in wheelchairs can live happy, healthy and active lives.  Wheelchair dogs can run and play fetch and even enjoy wading in the lake, river or ocean while using their Walkin' Wheels.

Of course, the real proof of just how happy and active wheelchair dogs can be comes in the form of videos submitted by our customers.  This week, we had the opportunity to watch our customers Calypso the Doberman Pinscher and Scooter the Border Collie playing with other dogs in their wheelchairs. 

The videos are posted below or you can follow these links to watch Calypso and Scooter online.  Please enjoy and share the message that, "Life doesn't have to be a drag for a handicapped pet!"

Wheelchair Dog Will Be Calendar Girl

Reba in the holiday spirit as Santa's reindeer

HandicappedPets.com was honored to receive news that a Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair user has been selected to appear in the 2013 Caring Canines Calendar - a publication of the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) Foundation.  This is the 4th year that the organization has produced the 12-month calendar, the proceeds of which fund long term care research and provide educational programs for geriatricians and other professionals who practice in this care setting.

Reba, the wheelchair bound boxer, appears in the calendar with others to show the roles dogs play as companions, mood elevators, physical therapy aids, memory triggers, and friends for millions of Americans residing in long term care facilities nationwide.  Reba has visited at Golden LivingCenter William Penn located in Lewiston, PA since she was a puppy. In July 2011, Reba was diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy. DM is a condition that is similar to MS that initially affects the back legs and causes muscle weakness and loss of coordination. By October, she completely lost the use of her back legs, but she still has great spirit. Reba's family purchased her a Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair from Handicappedpets.com in hopes of giving her some independence and mobility back.

Reba was having trouble adjusting to her cart until she came to Golden LivingCenter William Penn for "rehab." After being strapped in, she immediately trotted through the Foyer looking for her friends. She stopped in the offices to check on the staff, and then she was off to the Rehab Department. Whether it was the inspiration of the residents working so hard at their own rehab, or just the pure joy of seeing so many new people, Reba did not even seem to notice that she was in her dog wheelchair. She made her usual rounds through the facility visiting with her regulars and meeting and greeting many new residents.  She loves roaming the wide open spaces and visiting with friends. Reba, the residents and staff all benefit from the interaction.

According to her owner Missy Kinzer, Reba is an inspiration to the new residents often just learning to adapt to wheel chairs themselves. It is so much fun to watch the residents light up when she trots down the hall in her Walkin' Wheels. 

The 2013 Caring Canine Calendar will be available for purchase online at the AMDA Foundation website and at the Golden LivingCenter William Penn beginning in mid-October.

A Working Dog in a Wheelchair

Cowboy and Shari Facchine, MS PT, CCRT

Cowboy's owner Hope Stewart contacted us recently to extend a "big thank you" for helping her working dog lead an active life again.  All throughout his first 10 years, Cowboy had a job to do, whether it was working sheep, obedience training or hitting the trails for a hike, he was constantly on the move.  He is also a real people schmoozer!

Hope described Cowboy's recent transformation as follows:

"Due to a congenital abnormality in his spine and spondylosis, he began having serious problems a little over a year ago. With the help and encourgement of a wonderful canine rehabilitation therapist, Shari Facchine, we were able to get him walking again for a while but then he relapsed, and Shari convinced me to try Walkin' Wheels. Cowboy adjusted immediately - once he was hooked in, he was off and running. I can't tell you what this has done for his quality of life. While chasing deer is out (bummer he says!) he can now hike with me the more level trails and enjoy the outdoors with relative freedom. While working stock is no longer an option, he is working on nosework, so he has a job to keep him happy."

Click here or see below for a video of 11-year old Cowboy doing some nosework in his Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair.

 

Helping Paralyzed Dogs Defy the Odds

Calypso smiling in her Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair

"All the vets have said, no, no movement, she will never get it back, she doesn’t have reflexes, but that’s typical of what’s in your veterinary books," Andrea said. "We’ve defied the odds."   ~ Andrea Stewart in an interview about her dog Calypso with The Redstone Rocket


When we read the story of our friend Calypso Stewart in The Redstone Rocket today, it reminded us how important a Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair can be to a dog that has suddenly become paralyzed.  In Calypso's case, the availability of a Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair made it possible for her family to provide care for her immediately, and it also allowed them time to seek second opinions and become familiar with canine rehabilitation options.

Help My Dog Cannot Get Up and Walk

In addition to dog wheelchairs, such as Walkin' Wheels for Handicapped Pets, there are a variety of other lift and assist devices that pet owners can use to help a dog get to his or her feet.  When a pet suffers from a sudden onset of paralysis and it is unclear whether or not a dog wheelchair will be needed, items such as the Walkin' Support Sling can be used to assist in transporting a dog whose mobility is limited. 

With her midsection supported, Nico can walk

Nico did recover her mobility after suffering from an illness that required treatment over the course of a few weeks.  The Walkin' Support Sling provided a safe and reliable method of assisting her during the time that she was unable to get up and walk on her own.

In addition to the Walkin' Support Sling, HandicappedPets.com offers a wide range of harnesses designed for supporting a dog's front and rear limbs.

Hell on Wheels with Dog is My Copilot

Chance is "Hell on Wheels" in the new book
Dog is My Copilot

We were so proud to see our friend Chance and his story of rescue featured in the new book, "Dog is My Copilot: Rescue Tales of Flying Dogs, Second Chances, and the Hero Who Might Live Next Door" written by Patrick Regan.  Chance's chapter titled 'Hell on Wheels' is one of 24 rescue stories featured in this wonderful book that chronicles the founding of the non-profit organization Pilots N Paws. 

The organization first took flight in 2008 when Debi Boies' friend Jon Wehrenberg offered to use his private plane to transport a rescue dog that had been pulled from a high kill animal shelter nearly 500 miles away.  Since that first rescue mission, volunteers with Pilots N Paws have flown tens of thousands of "death row dogs" like Chance from high kill animal shelters or from situations of abuse and neglect to new adoptive homes.

In the book, Boies recalls a conversation she had with Wehrenberg shortly after the initial flight in which Jon said,  "You know, Debi, we really have to do something about this.  If we can connect these transport needs with general-aviation pilots, I really think we could make a difference." 

And what a difference they have made in lives of so many dogs in need of rescue.

Freedom for Chained and Paralyzed Dogs

Duke was adopted by Susan after he was rescued
from being found shot and dumped in a river

The freedom of movement that a dog in a wheelchair experiences the first time he or she returns to walking after being unable to move for a period of time is similar to the freedom that chained dogs experience the first time they are unleashed and allowed to run free. 

Bo and Brute now unchained and running free
in a fenced in yard

Recently, we learned of an organization in Iowa that is coordinating fence building projects for chained dogs.  One of the volunteers who participated in a recent project is our friend Susan whose canine companion Duke uses a Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair. 

We wanted to share this wonderful video of dogs Bo and Brute being unchained in the hopes that it will inspire your support to help more dogs become unchained and run free.

Mobility Before and After Dog Wheelchair for Duchess

VIDEO: Duchess Regains Her Mobility
with Walkin' Wheels - See Before and After

HandicappedPets.com is always honored to be able to share video testimonials of our customers using dog wheelchairs and other pet mobility products.  We are especially excited to show the before and after results of the Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair. 

If your dog is suffering from a condition such as degenerative myelopathy, arthritis, invertebral disc disease ("IVDD") or any illness or injury in which his or her mobility is steadily decreasing, it is advisable to purchase a Walkin' Wheels at the early stages of mobility loss.  This will allow your dog to continue exercising while also maintaining muscle tone in his or her rear legs and becoming accustomed to using a dog wheelchair.

The Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair can be adjusted in height, length and width to accommodate changes in your dog's health and is suitable for all levels of mobility ranging from partial to complete paralysis of the rear legs.  It is also an ideal dog wheelchair for rehabilitative use, and many canine companions have successfully recovered their mobility by using Walkin' Wheels as a part of their therapy programs.

Below is a video of German shepherd Duchess demonstrating her newly acquired mobility during the early stages of progressive paralysis.  If you would like to submit your own product testimonial for inclusion on our website, blog or social networks, please click here.

Keeping Handicapped Pets Cool

Pet boots provide protection from hot pavement

As rising temperatures continue to plaque most parts of the country, HandicappedPets.com would like to remind pet owners to keep their companions cool and well hydrated.  Do not leave dogs or cats in hot cars, and be sure to protect their paws from the scorching temperatures of hot pavement when they are out for walks.  Provide plenty of cool water for your pets to enjoy and refrain from long walks or excessive exercise during the heat wave.

Dogs in wheelchairs frequently wade in the water from beaches alongside lakes and oceans.  While we encourage keeping your elderly, disabled or injured pets cool, we want to be certain that they are always under direct supervision.  A sudden increase in the depth of the water or the effect of a wave crashing to the shore could quickly put your handicapped pet in water over his or her head.  Please carefully monitor your dog in a wheelchair at all times. 

Denali wades in Walkin' Wheels in Squam Lake

The Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair was designed to be easily transportable so that your disabled companion could always go along for the ride.  However, during periods of extreme heat, it is best to leave your dog at home unless he or she will be exiting the vehicle immediately upon arrival at your destination.  If you will be parking the car with your dog in it or stopping for some errands along the way, it would be best to leave your pet at home in the hot weather.

To see just how quickly the temperature can rise in a parked car, even with windows cracked open, please view the following video provided by veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward. 

Stay cool out there!

Help Dogs in Need Get Wheelchairs

Dog Wheelchair Wind Up Toy
Supports Handicapped Pets in Need

HandicappedPets.com has two unique ways that you can support efforts to provide wheelchairs to paralyzed dogs in need.  Families who are experiencing financial difficulties and are unable to afford the cost of mobility equipment for their pets will often turn to the non-profit Handicapped Pets Foundation for assistance.  The Handicapped Pets Foundation provides mobility equipment grants to pets in need. 

HandicappedPets.com donates proceeds from the sales of its Dog Wheelchair Wind Up Toys and Dog Wheelchair License Plates to the Handicapped Pets Foundation in support of its charitable efforts. 

Dog Wheelchair License Plate to
Benefit Handicapped Pets Foundation

Please consider supporting the Handicapped Pets Foundation by purchasing one of these items for you and/or a friend.  We are also hosting an online photo and video album where supporters can Show us Where Your Dog Wheelchair Toy Unwinds.

A War Dog Gets His Wheels Still Needs Your Votes

MWD Emir H323 today in his Walkin' Wheels

When HandicappedPets.com was contacted on Monday with a request to assist a retired military working dog, we considered it a privilege to be able to provide MWD Emir H323 with a Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair.  We are extremely grateful for the sacrifices that MWD Emir and so many other canine military heroes have made in service to our country.  Providing MWD Emir with a dog wheelchair that would allow him to remain mobile in his retirement was the least we could do to honor him, his former handlers and all those who have served and continue to serve in the armed forces.

MWD Emir served four tours in Iraq

We were also extremely grateful for the opportunity to make this donation because we know that it is only within the last decade that the Department of Defense policies regarding the military working dogs were changed to allow these canine heroes to be adopted instead of being euthanized after retiring from military service.  It is our sincere hope that MWD Emir's Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair will significantly enhance the quality of his retirement and also inspire others to provide support for military working dog adoption programs. 

Click here to watch a video of Emir earlier today as he took right off in his Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair!

Vote for MWD Emir in the Hero Dog Awards

Now that MWD Emir is back on his feet, he soon will be returning to the campaign trail seeking support in the 2012 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards.  You can vote for MWD Emir H323 once each day at this link. 

Thank you in advance for your support of our canine military heroes.  To learn more about military working dogs and their record of service throughout history, visit MWD Emir's charity partner - the United States War Dog Association, Inc.

Seeing Dog Wheelchair Double

Lucy is all smiles in her Walkin' Wheels dog wheeelchair

It's Walkin' Wheels Wednesday!  That means we are in search of our profile pet of the week to be posted on our Facebook page.  Each week we feature a different pet modeling one of the many pet products available at HandicappedPets.com. 

As we began searching for recent submissions from among e-mails and posts on our timeline, we couldn't resist the happy hound smile of Lucy looking up at us with a gleeful grin.  Lucy's photo was too good not to share immediately, and we quickly posted it for all of our fans to see and share.

Gracie May is similarly stunning in her Walkin' Wheels

Earlier today as we were about to select Lucy as our profile pet of the week, it suddenly seemed as though we were seeing double. 

There on our Facebook page timeline was a photo and video of Gracie May - a similarly stunning Basset hound who could pass as Lucy's twin!

So, while Lucy is our profile pet this week, we wanted to share both of these beautiful Basset hounds with everyone.  Look for Gracie May as a future profile pet of the week and enjoy this exciting video of her in her Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair!

Tank the Unstoppable Pit Bull

Tank the Unstoppable

Meet Tank the Unstoppable - a pit bull from Arkansas with a lot of love to give and endless determination to overcome a paralyzing injury.  Tank was a stray wandering the streets in search of a home to call his own.  Before Tank could settle in permanently with some kind folks who had begun feeding and looking after him, he was cruelly shot in the back and lost his ability to walk on all fours. 

Tank has made his way into the hearts and home of a family who cares for him, but he needs a little assistance in paying for his Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair because he has had a number of other veterinary expenses lately.

In the true spirit of paying it forward, 50% of the cost of Tank's new Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair already has been donated. 

Onassis had his dog wheelchair stolen then recovered

HandicappedPets.com offered a 50% discount on the purchase of a Walkin' Wheels to another dog named Onassis who recently lost his dog wheelchair when it vanished along with his owner's stolen car.  Onassis's wheelchair has since been recovered. 

However, his owner is keeping the replacement Walkin' Wheels dog wheechair as a backup for Onassis and a loaner wheelchair for other dogs in their local area.  Robert McKee, the generous friend who purchased the replacement Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair for Onassis, has requested that we extend our discount to another dog in financial need. 

As requested, we have passed this discount along to Tank the Unstoppable, and he will be up and running soon!

If you would like to make a contribution towards the remaining balance of Tank's wheelchair and veterinary expenses, please click here for his chipin account.

Iraq Veterans and Paralyzed Dog Reunite

JZ Galindo, Jon Cordova and Hurley - full story here.

JZ Galindo was en route to visit his army buddy Jon Cordova last December when he and his dog Hurley were both seriously injured in a car accident. 

Cordova cared for Hurley while Galindo recovered from his own injuries.  Part of that care included outfitting Hurley with a Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair so that she could be mobile in spite of the paralyzing injury that she sustained in the accident. 

The two Iraq war veterans recently spoke about their reunion in a report written by Mark Hansel for Cincinnati.com.

“I just can’t believe that so many people I don’t know have chipped in to help,” Galindo said.

Swerving to Save a Dog Left Her Paralyzed

Lezlie Lemar (Photo contributed to The Muscatine Journal

A split second decision to swerve the car and avoid hitting a dog in the middle of the road left Lezlie Lemar paralyzed. 

In a recent interview with The Muscatine Journal, Leslie said spoke about the accident that occurred in 1982 when she was only 18 years old.

"I think it’s an automatic reaction to swerve to miss hitting someone’s pet. After the accident, someone told me I could sue the woman who owned the dog. I would never sue someone over their pet and I’d live with nightmares if I’d hit that dog. It was just something that happened. I’ve never regretted it," Leslie explained. 

The complete article in The Muscatine Journal is available here.

Now, after 23 years with the same computerized van that allows Lezlie to maintain her independence, she is really in need of some new wheels.  

Everyone can help Lezlie by simply casting a vote online here.  Be sure to enter the code 953 the first time you vote for an additional five votes to be cast for Lezlie.  Thereafter, you can return to vote once every 24 hours until the contest ends on May 13th.

We hope that the community at HandicappedPets.com will help Lezlie get a new set of wheels by voting every day. 

Our thanks to the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association for their sponsorship of this program.

Please cast a vote for Lezlie in honor of National Mobility Awareness Month.

Life is No Longer a Drag for Vex

Vex was dragging herself on the streets for nearly two years.

Donation Inspired by Retired Police K-9 Helps Paralyzed Street Dogs of Romania Regain Mobility

The effort to assist a paralyzed stray dog on the streets in Romania began long before anyone took this photo or began recruiting volunteers to rescue and rehabilitate the dog now named Vex.

The effort to get Vex a wheelchair began with one woman's determination to make it possible for injured dogs on the streets in Romania to achieve the same level of mobility as her own dog did through the use of a Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair.

Retired police K-9 Casey using Walkin' wheels dog wheelchair.

Stephanie Michaud, a K-9 police officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was so inspired by the success that her retired partner Casey had with using the Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair that she purchased and donated one for use by the street dogs of Romania.  

In the letter accompanying Stephanie's donation to Ortovet in Bucharest, Romania, she wrote, "My heart breaks into a thousand pieces when I look at the photos of dogs and cats that have been so brutally and intentionally tortured or accidentally hit by cars and left helpless at the side of the road as people disregard helping them as they lay there to suffer and die a slow agonizing death."

Stephanie furthered explained that she hoped her donation of a Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair could be used as a means of assisting paralyzed dogs in need of rescue.

"It is my hope that once the dog gets adopted the dog's adoptive family would obtain for the dog a new set of wheels and the wheel chair will be returned to Ortovet to be used by the next dog in need ... as there always will be another dog in need!"  

Read the complete letter from Stephanie to Ortovet here.

Vex in her borrowed Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair

When Ortovet learned that their colleagues at Praxis Vetlife were assisting with the rescue and rehabilitation of Vex, they immediately offered to lend the Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair.  In a few weeks, Vex will leave her borrowed dog wheelchair behind for another paralyzed dog to use as she heads for her adoptive home in New York where her very own Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair is waiting for her.

We will continue to follow Vex's progress, and we always remember the generous spirit and caring vision of Stephanie Michaud whose commitment to honoring her former K-9 partner Casey made it possible for so many people to contribute their time, talents and treasure to help Vex to start a new life.

Dog Wheelchairs in the News

Diesel the dachshund in his Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair

We were thrilled to see Walkin' Wheels dogs Hunter and Diesel featured in a recent news story in the Boston Herald. 

Both dogs continue to thrive and live life to the fullest thanks to the Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair available from HandicappedPets.com.