When the weather has been nice we've been taking him for walks with the other dogs and he's been riding in Buster's old Pet Gear Expedition.. if you have a dog who is weak, tires out easily or can't walk that weighs under 150 lbs... this is a MUST HAVE!!! I have gotten more use out of this cart than any other piece of equipment or dog toy I've ever purchased...
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| Max AND his bed in the pet gear stroller holds up to 150 lbs |
So.. yesterday we're walking along and Max decides he's going to start kicking and sit up (he's been sitting up and looking around while he's in the cart. He's actually watching things and will turn his head now and pay attention to one particular thing as we walk by! It's very cool to watch! He even sat up when he saw the kids playing in the street and they came over to pet him. This time however he was kicking and trying to get up so I knew what he wanted to do, and took him out of the cart and he stood up on the side of the road, by himself.. leaning against my leg and peed! He peed for the first time on a walk since July! He was so proud of himself! Then when we got back to the house he got out in the front yard and wanted to practicing his walking more and then he pooped outside standing up!!!
So proud of my pee'er and pooper!
This morning he's been a crazy man! We got up at 5AM and went swimming. Max got in a good 5 yards, but he was super active and moving those arms AND legs like crazy to get himself where he wanted to go! He flipped himself back to the side he wanted to be on if I flipped him to his other side, he sat down, stood up, kicked me, growled at me.. let me know I was in the way! Really doing great this morning!
After his swim and a quick towel dry I put him in his cart so I could dry off and he rolled across the room.. and kept on rolling around. Almost rolled over Buttercup.. It was a slow but determined roll!.. He actually rolled around in his cart for 2 hours after his swim! Super active.. Then he hate his breakfast and we rolled for another 1/2 hour and then I took him out, blow dried him and we practiced standing for another 20 minutes (until I could handle no more!- he could keep going) and he practiced taking steps... sometimes he forgets to bring either his back or front legs along with him.. We did a little practice sitting down too. He still is reluctant to bend his elbows when sitting and standing - I am not sure if that's a balance thing, or what. He will bend the top one when sitting or laying down, and will bend both if I pet the top of his head or back (I guess a "duck and cover" reflex maybe?? He'll also bend them in warm water no problem
Now he's taking a nap in the sun!
I've had to try hard and remember that it's ok for him to be uncomfortable and he's gotta try and do this stuff on his own and not to scoop him up and help him stand the second I see him struggling to sit or stand or walk.
We've been practicing balancing while standing - he'll stand on all fours and I'll be next to him with my arms on the other side of him but not touching and he can try and stand up and if he wobbles and hits my arms or my knees he will try and center himself again - sometimes he falls but he's pretty good with trying to get himself back into the center.
The other thing I've noticed over the last 2 weeks, the other dogs and the cat have been MUCH more interactive with him. They are going up to him and sitting with him, sniffing him, barking at him and hanging out with him.. Our vet's kitten even started to clean him on Monday! I think they are all sensing / seeing that he's more able to look aware and be more reactive to stuff going on around him!
I'm proud of my super Max!
More images of the Pet Gear Expedition:
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| 2 labs in a Pet Gear Expedition |
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| It's great for off roading. We take ours in the woods on the trails and to the beach all the time like these guys do. It's very rugged and we have had no break down issues at all!!! It also folds up and easily fits in your trunk or the back of your car |
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| Our rottie likes to poke her head out of the top when she rides in it, but most usually hang out - the front and top flaps zip to keep your buddy safe inside where they can see out all sides and have good ventilation. You can also Jog with this cart too and it has brakes in the back and a couple of pockets to put your keys, poop bags,cell phone and other stuff you want to carry. |
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| This is how Buttercup our Rottie likes to ride! |
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