[Lina]

Henrietta is getting old. I think she must be 9 or 10 years how. She can't walk too far anymore. We just walked for 2 blocks, and I could tell her hips starting to bother her. I gave her baby aspirin (per vets recomendation). She is an old lady with a teenager spirirt! So I can't left her behind, while we took Winston out for a walk.

This upcoming 4th of July and sometime by late summer, we are planning for a Basset Waddle. Usually, it's 5-6 blocks of walking. So I'm thinking to get her a wagon or a push cart, so whenever she is too tired, she could get in. And she could still be in the "action".

So my question is, does anyone has a good suggestion what type of wagon or push cart will be good for Basset?
I'm trying to avoid the garden wagon. They are too big, storing space will be an issue.

Thanks for your input!!

[ February 09, 2006, 05:31 PM: Message edited by: Lina ]

 

[joanr]

A child's red wagon. The only thing is you have to boost them in. I've found the wheels tend to wear out, but you can replace them with lawn mower wheels. If you get one that is a little bigger it is deep enough to fold up a blanet for the bottom.
Also you can stand them on end to store.

 

[Guest]

A good old Radio Flyer - The best!

 

[Oliver Twist]

My daughter received a Radio Flyer for her birthday in January(1 yr) It has the all terrain tires(inflatable) and the wooden slats on the sides to hold her in. They also sell them without sides but I think it is nice with them. It is wonderful. Goes over the yard and pulls very easy. I haven't tried to put Oliver in it yet but he would fit. It is one of the bigger ones but for storage it is a second toy box or in the garage, the handle flips under the wagon for easy and smaller storage or in the car. I love it.

 

[Choni]

Hi Lina!
I don't have wagon advice, but I'm glad to hear that you're going to the Novato Waddle this year.
Nothing beats a day spent with 60-or-so Basset Hounds!
I hope George doesn't pull a 'flat Basset' in the middle of the parade route again!

 

[PiedmontBassetlover]

C'mon...could anything be cuter than a Basset in a red Radio Flyer? Maybe with the wood sideboards?
Might talk to your vet, my 13 year old was really decrepit three months ago with onset of cold weather, have her on some arthritis medicine, not sure what it is other than about a dollar a day, and it has completely restored her. But, she's blind so doesn't get around a whole lot anyway. It's amazing to see the trust she has if you walk her on a short lead, gallops right along knowing I'll steer her. Of course, one time I ran her right into a fire hydrant and felt terrible! When she lost her sight in her second eye (glaucoma) I had no idea how adaptable a dog could be to this. Now, if I could just convince my wife she DOESN'T need to turn the light on in backyard for her at night!

 

[Lina]

Yeah, I love that Radio Flyer with wood sideboard. It goes so well with Bassets. But they are sooo expensive! Perhaps, I could find one with a good price at craigslist or flea market.

The search is on....
Thanks for the input!

Choni = yeah, we definately have to go to Novato this year because the queen this year is Sadie, one friend's basset!

 

[Mikey T]

Before investing in a wagon borrow one first and see if Henrietta will willingly ride. I haave had bassets love to be carted around and others that hated it and would do anything including jumping out to avoid it. Of course my experience is with a child carrier attached to a bicycle so the speeds are higher but I don't think a walking pace would change much about how the dog feels about it.

 

[Jersey Girls plus]

Friends have a wagon for their basset, but the husband got such a sore back from bending because the handle isn't long enough. Their basset, however, is very happy to ride in it.

 

[Guest]

We have a radio flyer(plastic) wagaon. Maggie loves to go on walks with my daughter and ride in it. She just sits there until it is time to get out and she'll stand up and we'll pick her up. All my neighbors must think we are nuts pulling a 60lb basset in the wagon with kids! And BOY IS IT HEAVY!!! We get a lot of people stopping to talk to us because of her, which is a great way to meet some neighbors.

Great idea and it does work. Ours has the tall sides on it. Maggie props her head up there so she can see and get the breeze(I guess) I feel like she is laughing at me...

 

[dean wickwire]

If you haven't yet, start her on glucosamine --- After 8 years as a field trial hound and 3 litters, Critter suffered with arthritis. Very stiff in the morning and limited mobility. After about one week, there was a marked improvement. After about a month, she was acting like a 5 year old not 8-9. It's a natural product with no side effects. It works!!

 

[Valerie and George]

Now I don't feel so silly. I keep threatening to buy George a wagon because he loves to walk far, far away but never wants to walk BACK and sometimes it's a real battle to get him home. Yes, I've carried him short distances but he's HEAVY.

 

[Guest]

Dean, are you using just glucosimine or glucosimine/chondritin? Ruby is having problems with her back.

 

[Guest]

I used to think when I went walking with my son in the stroller and the dogs. I always thought before we got back Maggie would be in the stroller and my son in my arms. He's much lighter than Maggie to carry. But then we started walking with the wagon and it wasn't a problem!

 

[Guest]

Lina, your pup is the same age as Opus, and last year we noticed he was slowing down a little and-as per conversation with our vet- we changed his food, less carbs and more protein(chicken and fish) and a large increase in vegetables(carrots, cauliflower and mostly peas) As a result he has lost 3 kilos in weight, but the difference in his gait and stamina is huge. Less pressure on his limbs and joints and he seems in excellent health with the few pounds gone-he sleeps more but that is natural for his age. It is just a suggestion, and obviouly not for every dog, but I was very impressed with the his reaction to the change, the fish added to his diet has made his coat shine too!

 

[Marcia]

We use the glucosamine/chondroitin from Costco - it is the most economical. We noticed a big improvement in Daisy's arthritis a couple of months after starting the supplement.

 

[flyinbufie]

Hi-

We used a Radio Flyer ATW for our Lady Bea (ATB). Arnold also fit in it. They both absolutely loved it. We practiced a lot in the living room to make sure they were comfortable in it before taking it out to the "real world"

 

[Lina]

Thanks for all your suggestion!

We used to live up in the mountain, redwood forest. It was wet and damp the whole year. She limps everyday! We tried glucosamine but didn't work? Perhaps, the damp environment affect her more.

We move to San Jose about 2 years ago, which is a lot more sunnier and drier. She only limps when we take her for a long walk (more than 3 blocks).

The vet said her weight is normal, just don't let her gain anymore weight. He also suggested baby aspirin before and after the walk.

I think I found a good wagon on the internet. I should get it. I think at this point, price isn't an issue for me.

Waddle, here we comes!!!

 

[copsmom]

Purina One has a dog food that has glucosamine in it. Copper takes glucosamine/chondroitin two times a day and it seems to help his stiffness some.

 

[Oliver Twist]

Oliver's food is Nutro large breed that has the glucosamine/chondroitin it also and is one of the few foods we've found that he will eat. Have fun at the waddle!