Today when I was out on a walk with my younger dog on a leash and my senior dog in his stroller, I was reminded of how amazing a dog stroller can be. If you are like me and have one dog who can walk without issue, and another who can only walk for a few minutes then you will appreciate what I am saying.

Having the ability to take both dogs out for the walks they both enjoy so much is so rewarding I don’t know what I ever did without one

For those of you who are new to the concept, here are the top 10 reasons to use a dog stroller.

1. Allows your senior dog to come on long walks again.

2. Older dogs can walk when able and ride when they need a rest, allowing them to continue to get the exercise they need to stay healthy.

3. Getting your older dog out and about helps to keep their minds stimulated, contributing to better mental health.

4. You no longer have to look into the disappointed face of your senior dog as you tell them they can’t come with you because now they can!

5. Dog strollers are easy to transport so you can bring them anywhere.

6. The right dog stroller can last years giving you extreme value for your dollar.

7. Older dogs love the view from the dog stroller. It keeps them young at heart and can breathe new life into your senior dog.

8. Not only can a dog stroller help to keep your elderly dog active, but you might find yourself shedding a few pounds as well with all the walking or jogging.

9. If your dog has arthritis, is injured or disabled, a dog stroller is a great way to help them travel safely whether it’s to the vet, groomer or to the park.

10. Many dog strollers can fit two dogs comfortably so even if you have two older dogs, you can all get back to walking again.

Can you think of some reasons I missed? Share your thoughts or experiences with your dog stroller.

When the idea of a wheel chair for dogs was first mentioned to me I immediately saw the sense in it. In fact, most mobility devices designed to assist humans can be adapted in some way or form to dogs, i.e. dog strollers, wheelchairs, harnesses, carriers etc…The selling point for me in any of these products has always been its functionality. In other words, its purpose must be practical not some superficial reason.

To me, carrying a healthy dog in a front baby carrier is not only confusing but also serves to undermine to intention of the product and subsequently prevents potential buyers from considering it as a useful tool for dogs with mobility issues. It’s easy to understand why a pet owner might consider these products for their aging dogs and nothing drives the point home more than actually seeing one being used properly.

Just yesterday I saw an older dog using a wheel chair and while it saddened me to see that it had lost the use of its hind legs it was really uplifting to see how excited it was to be outside actively engaging with other dogs.

I believe that it is our responsibility to provide the best quality of life for our dogs and denying them there natural right to an active life is not only unfair but also abusive.

This is why it is important that these devices be marketed in a manner that promotes practicality rather than as an extension of someone eccentric personality.

The Guinness Book of World Records claims “Chanel”, a 21 year dachshund owned by Denice and Karl Shaugnessey, became the oldest dog alive after a 28 year old beagle passed away in the spring of last year.

Despite having to wear special goggles for her cataract eyes and being limited to a strict diet Chanel is a very healthy and happy dog. I know that for any dog to live this long there has to be a lot of love between the owner and pet.

This is something that I feel should be promoted more when selling the idea of owning a pet. Not to sound like a financial advisor here but in order to maximize your investment you want to create an optimal environment in which it will prosper. I know in our family, in addition to proper exercise, diet, and regular trips to the vet, we have always shown a lot of love towards our pets and each one has gone on to live beyond their expected lifespan.

So while it may be an obvious statement it is still worth reiterating if for nothing else but to get your dog in the record books! Hahaha. Remember….health and happiness are intimately linked and best sustained in loving environments.

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Watching our 13 year old pug – Mackenzie – hobble out into the yard for his daily outdoor exercise has often made me wonder if there was a cure for some of his ailments. Stem cell research for humans represents a promising new field of “regenerative medicine” but how about for animals? According to ABC news and their article A Dog’s Stem Cell Life “stem cell therapy for animals is ahead of treatment for humans because it is not so strictly regulated. It’s not experimental — it’s here!” In addition to embryonic stem cell research, doctors can now use adult stem cells recovered from body fat. The advantage here is that there are no side effects and rejection issues are non-existent as the patient is also the cell donor. Ailments such as hip dysplasia are now being treated by taking body fat from anywhere on the body, separating its stem cells and then re-injecting them into the hip in greater concentrations than normal. Since the stem cells come from the host there is little controversy over how they are harvested and subsequently no red tape hindering its growth potential. “Stem cells show great promise for healing animal joints, hearts, livers and kidneys and also have the potential to regenerate damaged spinal cords within hours of injury”. This is exciting news as there is now hope for dogs like Mackenzie whose age related injuries can now be relieved.

I watched a touching video today where a family shared their memories of their two cocker spaniels. I felt moved by being able to share in these moments, but also saddened because it made me think about my own dogs and the heart break I still feel over the loss of Churchill my French Bulldog who left us last summer after 12 wonderful years. Inspired by the video I saw and swimming in my own memories, I decided to create my own tribute to honour Churchill and the love that he and Mackenzie (my Pug) shared.

This video shares with you some special moments I was fortunate to have had with my boys. It will never be the same without Churchill, but I feel comfort in knowing that his memories will carry on and I am able to share some of them with you in this video.

Thanks for watching.