Dog Tracker Online - Im looking for someone who can make doggy wheels

Marmalade

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Im looking for someone who can make doggy wheels
Sep 23^rd, 2009, 12:28pm

You might want to read about Scarlet, kindly click this http://theanimaldoctor.blogspot.com/2009/09/its-me-scarlet-with-some-exciting-ne ws.html .

For the past year that I took up the responsibility of caring for a special needs dog, I never lost my patience. I surprised myself. But you see, its not the difficulty of cleaning after her poop, or washing her urine soaked body that drives me scared and hopeless sometimes. Its the thought of the many things her invisible chain had deprived her of: Running, playing, racing, digging, the sort of things that dogs are born for.

The homemade wheelchair that I had designed for her was no good, I've given up on that silly contraption. I will be very, very grateful if anyone can give me information about any person, or company who can build a wheelchair for Scarlet. I figured it will be cheaper if I purchase the wheels here in the Philippines, than from abroad.

So far I have the following leads (I have already contacted them via email)
FreedomTech, Inc in Misamis Oriental
Tahanan Na Walang Hagdan

Im sure there are other handicapped dogs in our country who will benefit from the information.

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kahlua

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Re: Im looking for someone who can make doggy whee
Reply #1 - Sep 23^rd, 2009, 2:08pm

Hi Lilli, try to get in touch with Pernille Harboe of Samson & Mom.

Quote:

Dogs on wheels

The idea of making wheelchairs for dogs occurred out of a sad necessity, when Pernille’s beloved Samson had an accident. He had a cataract and was operated on one of his eyes. "The operation went well, but unfortunately he could no longer judge distances," Pernille explains.
"So one day he was on the balcony and he saw a cat. He just took of after it and went straight over the edge of the balcony. The fall compressed his spine so he was paralyzed in both hind legs." To put Samson down was out of the question for Pernille. She only saw one option. "We just had to get a wheel chair."
Samson’s wheelchair came from the US and consisted of two small wheels that got attached to the back part of his body. With this installation Samson was able to move around almost as before. "We did go though a period where he thought he could climb the stairs again, but apart from that he could run around and do everything as before," Pernille says.
I know that this is not so common at home. In Denmark people feel pity for the dog and very quickly put them to sleep. But there was nothing wrong with him. How could I take him to the doctor and ask him to give Samson an injection? She asks.
Pernille saw Samson’s faith as an opportunity rather than a tragedy. "I kept asking my self –‘Why did this happen to us? There has to be a reason for this and there has to be a purpose," she says. "That was when I decided to start making wheel chairs for other dogs."
Together with a maker of wheelchairs Pernille develops the device to fit the individual need of every customer. "No two dogs can use the same wheel chair," she sais. After three and a half years with Samson in a wheel chair I know what it takes," she says. Today she makes around 15-20 wheelchairs for dogs a year.

Source: http://www.scandasia.com/viewNews.php?coun_code=ph&news_id=3967

http://www.wmn.ph/article/93/samson-and-mom-pet-hotel

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Marmalade Full Member dogs are friends, not food! Posts: 177 Gender:	Re: Im looking for someone who can make doggy whee Reply #2 - Sep 23^rd, 2009, 3:59pm thanks a lot marla! i sent her an email right away. paws and fingers crossed. bummer, my mail bounced. but i got her tel number. il give you an update soon.
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icy

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Re: Im looking for someone who can make doggy whee
Reply #3 - Sep 23^rd, 2009, 4:41pm

Hi Marmalade.

I made on for my dog few years back, but i used PVC pipes. Lighter and can be dismantled. Anyway, i remember someone posting here in DTO about making Wheels for dogs. I just cant remember who.

There are lots of blueprints and designs available on the net for a wheel, and its free. YOu might want to check it out too, and send your design to a welder or mechanic or someone who has the know how in making one. You can have it customized (thats a given and i guess its the only way)

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kahlua

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Re: Im looking for someone who can make doggy whee
Reply #4 - Sep 23^rd, 2009, 4:50pm

Fingers crossed for Scarlet too!

Oh! I also just remembered.. back during a doggie get together (can't remember if it was a DTO party or not), there was a little shih tzu puppy named Cyrus who couldn't walk. I know he now has a wheelchair thanks to the help of Animal Kingdom Foundation (I think it was the British head who took care of this).

EDIT: Found the article! Mig posted about Cyrus rin pala here in DTO before.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080525-138690/Cyrus -the-paraplegic-dog-now-runs-circles-round-the-pack

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Marmalade

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Re: Im looking for someone who can make doggy whee
Reply #5 - Sep 24^th, 2009, 2:58pm

thanks for you advice, marla and icy.

i did try constructing a wheelchair out of pvc pipes, but Scarlet didn't look comfortable using it. before, it used to be just her legs that were not working. she could use her front legs when I put a towel under her tummy and "walk" her. i really had high hopes that someday she'd be able to walk again because her hind legs would sometimes move ( albeit involuntarily). but our exercises got fewer in between on account of my 8-5 job. she had to lie on her stomach all the time, and her front legs got deformed. i also felt a bump in the middle of her spine. on her xray films i saw that her spine had curved like a letter C in the middle. I really ought to bring her to a bone specialist. until now we havent figured what caused her condition.

anyway, on some lighter news, an organization in the States responded to my application for financial assistance to buy a wheelchair costing between 800-1200 US dollars. they are currently processing my eligibility, and if we are lucky they will shoulder 75% of the cost and i have to shoulder the remaining 25% plus shipment. if i get feeback from pernille ( samson and mom) regarding her wheelchairs, i will ask the organization to allow me to purchase a wheelchair here in the philippines. I just dont know which is superior in quality though. you are right icy, there a lot of free designs in the internet, its just a matter of finding the right people to execute this, and finding the right materials to use. i was hoping i could contact Tahanan ng Walang Hagdan coz these are the pros when it comes to constructing wheelchairs for humans. ugh. so many ideas so little time.

pee-esss: cyrus is one lucky doggy. he looks handsome in his own set of wheels. thanks to Animal Kingdom Foundation. how i wish other handicapped dogs would get help too. recently two aspins were featured on tv. due to some congenital abnormality, they were missing a pair of legs ( i forgot if its in front or rear). they were bought to a vet and had their measurements taken. i hope they get wheels soon.

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« Last Edit: Sep 24^th, 2009, 3:15pm by Marmalade »

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Marmalade

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Re: UPDATE on Scarlet's Wheels
Reply #6 - Dec 14^th, 2009, 2:37pm

Scarlet will soon get her wheels, let me share our journey towards that goal.

After readings feedback here, I did try to locate Pernille Harboe but when my efforts failed, I started looking for US made wheelchairs. My heart sank when I found out that a heavy duty full quad cart could cost up to 1,300 US$. Out of wishful thinking, or maybe plain desperation, I filled out an application for financial assistance and sent them to three non profit organizations in the US that cater to handicapped animals. I wasn't expecting it, but I got a reply from one! Somehow they were touched with Scarlet's story( from our blog) and before long we got an approval for a 500US$ assistance to purchase the wheels. The deal was for me to shoulder the remaining cost plus shipping.

It was daunting, but I launched a fund raising campaign in our blog (pls see link below). At first, only a few people paid attention. It was at this point when I finally got an appointment to see Pernille( note to Marla, thanks for mentioning Pernille). I was prepared to get the wheelchair from her if I could not raised the funds to purchase the US made wheels.

However, with the help of fellow dog bloggers locally and around the world, donations started trickling in. As of date, I was able to raise 800US$+, not including the financial assistance that we will get. I told Pernille that we will proceed with the purchase of the wheels from the US but will just collaborate with her for future projects.

It took me several attempts to finalize Scarlet's measurements. I finally got it right and sent it to Eddie's Wheels ( the maker). They gave me 100US$ discount on account of Scarlet being a rescue dog. Another great thing, we were able to solve the problem of shipping the wheels. Original idea was for the wheels to be shipped to my friend in California, who will then ship the wheels to me via sea. This means that Scarlet will have to wait 1 to 2 months while her wheels is in transit. But luck was on our side again. Eddie's Wheels went out of their way to look for a shipping company that will ship the wheels for around 100US$ only. Scarlet might get her wheels before end of December or early January ( note to Icy: thanks a lot for your earlier offer to bring Scarlet's wheels)

This is truly an amazing experience. I must admit that I've harboring bitterness towards Scarlet's original owners for giving up on her. But I will set aside those negative thoughts and just find comfort in the many people that have shown tremendous kindness to her.

We will be definitely paying forward the donations that Scarlet received. You might want to check future updates in our blog.

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kahlua God Member Posts: 846 Gender:	Re: Im looking for someone who can make doggy whee Reply #7 - Dec 18^th, 2009, 12:47pm That's great news! Were you ever able to find out the cause of Scarlet's disability?
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Marmalade Full Member dogs are friends, not food! Posts: 177 Gender:	Re: Im looking for someone who can make doggy whee Reply #8 - Dec 18^th, 2009, 4:40pm hi marla, we never got to that point. to establish the cause of the disability, scarlet has to see a specialist and undergo a battery of tests, which is not within my financial capabilities at this point. im doing everything to make her comfortable though.
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kahlua God Member Posts: 846 Gender:	Re: Im looking for someone who can make doggy whee Reply #9 - Dec 21^st, 2009, 10:02am She's lucky to be with you.
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Marmalade Full Member dogs are friends, not food! Posts: 177 Gender:	Re: Im looking for someone who can make doggy whee Reply #10 - Dec 21^st, 2009, 2:26pm she's a lucky charm to us too. ive met new friends here and abroad during the fund raising. and best of all, i am learning a lot from this dog: perseverance, hope, acceptance, patience. she's been through a lot, and yet she manages to put a smile on her pretty face.
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Marmalade Full Member dogs are friends, not food! Posts: 177 Gender:	Update: Scarlet's wheely dream has come true! Reply #11 - Mar 2^nd, 2010, 12:31pm
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kahlua God Member Posts: 846 Gender:	Re: Im looking for someone who can make doggy whee Reply #12 - Mar 2^nd, 2010, 12:57pm Yey for Scarlet! How is she on it?
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Happywillows God Member Like sunshine dancing on water... Posts: 2229 Gender:	Re: Im looking for someone who can make doggy whee Reply #13 - Mar 2^nd, 2010, 6:27pm Happy day!
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Kitty God Member I love DTO! Posts: 584	Re: Im looking for someone who can make doggy whee Reply #14 - Mar 2^nd, 2010, 8:28pm That's really wonderful!
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