Old dog and buggy

[ShadowQuartz]

My old boy, only a small dog 5kg, is coming up to 14 years old and is slowing down on walks etc. I bought a cheap dog pram from Amazon a few years ago and have used it a handful of times on uk holidays/local beach walks etc.

My question is.. What do you honestly think when you see someone pushing a small dog in a dog pram? Do you think it's ridiculous and said person is mad and is treating the dog like a baby? Or do you recognise that the dog is old and gets tired quickly??

We have a large dog also and I often have to take both for their walks separately which as you can imagine can be very time consuming in evenings after work etc - can take up to 2 hours to get them both out. I have recently bought a more expensive dog pram (rubber wheels for different terrain - is better for old dogs joints etc) but I am wondering whether I'd feel embarrassed taking the little one in that so that he still gets to come with rather than me leaving him at home to take my big dog out!! I don't want to look like a crazy dog lady but what would you think if you saw me walking down the road with large dog and tiny dog in pram?

There is still time to return the pricey new dog pram!!

Interested on hearing others thoughts - I get mixed reactions from strangers when out walking!

I carry my admittedly tiny cocker in a sling for her evening walk. Refuse to leave her at home simply because she’s old. I must look like a right loon walking four dogs and one strapped to my chest like a baby…but I couldn’t care less tbf.

If I saw you, I’d just think ‘oh that’s someone who really loves their dog’. I think pushing your dog in a pram is lovely 😊I’d put my cocker in one but the other dogs would just knock it flying tbh…

Thank you. He also has a doggy sling but after a while my shoulders are in tatters even at his tiny size. You definitely have your hands full with 4!!

FYI - If I saw you I would know the one in the sling was either old or very very young

I have one too. Used it a lot for my little old lady who I sadly lost last year. She had arthritis so couldn’t walk far. I also had a sling for her but I struggled with that as I have mobility problems due to a damaged spine so even her slight extra weight was difficult but the pram was great as it took the place of the walking stick I need to keep my balance. Didn’t care what anyone thought though most people who commented thought it was great that it enabled her to come along with my other bigger dogs. So I always assume it’s to enable an old or infirm dog to be out & about with the person who loves it.

I have a buggy for my old girl. I don't know and don't care what anyone thinks, but I've only ever had positive comments /looks from people. My DH said he wouldn't push it when we got it as he was embarrassed, but he does, and I think he quite likes the attention it attracts. It also works well for grandchildren......

I would think that you like your dog and dont want to leave him at home, feeling left out.

Yes this is my exact reason he's like my shadow. It makes me feel so guilty taking him as far as he can go (sometimes only a slow walk half way down our road before he wants to turn back) and then dropping him off to take the big one for a long walk. He sits at the door as if to say 'please stay here with me!'

I’d assume the dog is old or injured and that you’re a very caring dog owner to accommodate their changing needs and still bring them out for as much of a walk as they can do.

There’s someone near me who has a special dog carrier cart in front of his bike because his border collie is old. I find it really moving because the dog clearly appreciates being out and about and to get to move at speed.

Dogs live for fresh air and outdoors. Its lovely to let them have it for as long as possible.

My cousin uses one for her elderly dog. He gets out for a sniff and a wee and a few steps, then gets back in and enjoys the ride. He gets his pleasure, we can go for longer walks and he's happy.

If I saw you I would think you were a caring owner with an aging dog trying to give him the best life right to the end 🥰🥰

I was out in a seaside town yesterday where there were lots of people with dogs in little trollies or prams.

Some of the bigger dogs were obviously very old and needed help to get around. The others were the smaller breeds who looked like they could be in danger of getting accidentally trodden on in the crowds.

I thought they looked like such a good idea and the dogs themselves seemed very happy.

@ShadowQuartz My question is.. What do you honestly think when you see someone pushing a small dog in a dog pram? Do you think it's ridiculous and said person is mad and is treating the dog like a baby? Or do you recognise that the dog is old and gets tired quickly??

It wouldn't occur to me to be judgy about anyone with a dog in a pram or whatever. I wouldn't think it's a mad person.

I use a dog pram to take our tiny old dog to the park or nearby open spaces- she knows more people than I do now!- people know dog prams are for older dogs and often say it is nice she can still go out, ask about her etc. Amazingly our other dog (both are rescues) walks alongside the pram ( always on a lead) far better than he does on other walks.

I'd think you were a lovely owner of an old or sick or recuperating dog and wouldn't give it another thought. But, you know, everyone has an opinion. My dog has arthritis and a spine issue and has an (admittedly hilarious) weird gait, people* comment on it all the time. Depending on my mood they either get an explanation or a killer glare, so you do need to be prepared.

*rarely other dog walkers now I think about it, more people walking past us.

I'd think you cared for your lovely dog and were doing the best for him so he could still come on your walks 🥰

I do think it's ridiculous. If a dog is so infirm that it can't walk then put the poor thing out of its misery. Wherever I go I see dogs being treated like humans and talked to like humans - it's pathetic.

He can walk.. he has good days and bad days. He is no where near that time where I would even consider 'putting the poor thing out of his misery'. He is just slowing down and I would like him to still enjoy his time outside

Like others I'd think you were a kind & caring owner. Our old Nofolk hated to be left out of anything but at 14 was slow and often didn't want to walk far. He certainly enjoyed being trundled around taking in the sniffs and walking as far as he fancied or wanted. And it meant we could go on longer walks taking him along.

I have been the same on walks .. they will either get a glare or a smile I did have a couple walk past yesterday - husband commented about dog in buggy and gave eye roll .. Wife tutted and corrected him realising my dog was an oldie!!

So glad you posted and now I know I'm not alone in feeling a bit....
I dont know...foolish almost. My first grandchild was born 3 weeks ago and I worry people will think I'm pushing the dog in a buggy because I won't see my distant grand baby much! Also DBIL works in a dog friendly shop and ridicules people who baby their dogs by pushing them in a buggy!

I have an arthritic old lady who can manage a 15 min walk before needing a rest and a year old who needs to run! I bought an all terrain buggy and it's been fantastic when testing further from home.. I just need to use it locally and regularly!

I think they're a great idea. People often use them so their dog can have a short walk (and then a lot of extra sniffing the air) somewhere nice and the humans and other dogs can have a longer one - win-win. I wish we'd got one for our old boy.

Yes, I'm more than happy using it further away from home but locally I do feel a bit silly which is putting me off!! but I'm hoping with the large dog by our side people will realise I'm not just babying the little one - he is simply old and joining in on our walk!

It's often when DH is working late and it just makes my evenings easier taking them both at the same time

I couldn't care less what people think, I'd do what's best for my dog and if they dared to say anything to me about it they'd wish they hadn't.

Aww she sounds like a sweet lady.. There is nothing worse than having to leave some or one behind!

I just wish I could take my cats out and about in one! But seriously, I would think there was a good reason for it.