They say there’s nothing sweeter than the love of an old dog, and we’re finding out just how true that is. With Buster turning 10 in May and Ty’s 13th birthday just around the corner, we’re doubly blessed. But when Ty started having mobility issues, we knew a pet stroller would be our answer.
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Time Marches On
Traveling with senior dogs means adjusting for their changing needs. Planning shorter walks, choosing flatter hikes, and allowing more time to rest between outings are some of the small modifications we’ve made over the years to keep Ty and Buster comfortable and happy.
At some point, though, the small changes aren’t enough. You’re faced with a decision: make some major modifications to your active lifestyle, or invest in gear that will allow your dog to continue to enjoy your adventures. That moment arrived for us this spring when Ty wasn’t able to match his brother’s speed and endurance on walks.
At the time, we’d just started the Ultimate Pet Friendly Road Trip, and we had some big adventures lined up that none of us wanted to miss! And even with his mobility challenges, it was clear that Ty still enjoyed being out and about. So it was up to us to find a way to make that happen.
Researching the Options
We considered all the options … except leaving Ty behind. That was never an alternative. Comparing backpacks, a wagon, and several pet strollers, we decided that a pet stroller was the best solution for us.
After consulting family and friends for input on the ins-and-outs of strollers, we chose the ibiyaya Turbo Pet Jogger pet stroller for Ty. And he seems quite pleased with our selection.
ibiyaya Pet Stroller
The long wheel base and rubber tires on this stroller allow it to go everywhere we want to take it. A few weeks ago we even pushed it to the top of Seneca Rocks in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest! It’s sturdy, but not too heavy for me to lift into our rooftop cargo carrier, and it has a basket underneath to carry the dogs’ water bottles and collapsable bowl.
At about 35 pounds, Ty just fits in the bed, and the zippered panel on the front gives him a little more room to stretch his paws when he lays down. The design makes it comfortable for me (at 5 feet, 2 inches) to push. I’m not bending over putting stress on my lower back or hitting my shins on the bar that sets the brake. And the rubberized handlebar and beverage tray are added touches that we appreciate.
My only complaint is that when Ty is sitting at the back of the bed, the stroller feels like it might tip backwards. Fortunately, he prefers to lay down when he’s riding, so it hasn’t been much of an issue.
Assembly was easy, but we needed to fill the tires before we could use it and on occasion since then. Most people probably have a bicycle tire pump, but we didn’t. Luckily, we found a mini bike pump that works well and stows in the cargo carrier with the stroller.
Ready to Roll
Getting Ty acclimated to his new wheels took no time at all! The stroller has two short straps with clips that attach perfectly to his No Pull Freedom Harness from 2 Hounds Design and keep him from jumping or falling out. With his well-earned reputation as a couch potato, Ty quickly came to the conclusion that having a stroller was the best thing that ever happened to him and settled down to enjoy the ride.
We’ve put a lot of miles on Ty’s stroller since it arrived in mid-April. From the Florida beach, to Acadia National Park in Maine, it’s made all the difference for us! We’re no longer trying to guess how far Ty will be comfortable walking before we take off on a trail or set out to explore a city. Ty simply walks until he’s tired, then we put him in the stroller and continue on.
At first I felt a little ridiculous pushing our dog around in a stroller. But I’ve since realized that it’s allowing us to continue enjoying the sights together.
And Ty’s so happy! He loves going out for walks now. Probably more than he did when he was actually walking. And we’re constantly getting comments about how cute he is in his stroller.
Given the distance his little legs have covered over the past 12+ years, he’s earned the right to ride in style. Perhaps your pup or kitty would like an Ibiyaya pet stroller, too!
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Hi Sandy! Thanks so much – I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying the book. =)And we’ve found this strolle to be great for us. We certainly gave it a work out on the road trip last year – covering many miles and different terrains. I will say that it does not go very well in sand, but the large rubber tires are great on trails, paths, and sidewalks (which is where we spend most of our time). And Ty is very comfortable in the stroller. His favorite part is that he can now combine walks with naptime! I hope it works out well for you, too. Waggin’ trails!
I have a French bulldog who stretches out as far as possibe. He’s 2 yoa but can overheat quickly. We need a stroller for trails, sand and streets of all kinds. We want him with us as much as possible. Is the suspension good? And comfy for our boy? Love the book Amy!!Sandy [email protected]
Yeah, Ty’s kind of a little peanut, Angela. And I’m so glad the website is helping you plan your pet friendly travels – it’s never as much fun without the furry ones along. Waggin’ trails to you and Laney!
Ty is only 30lbs?! Wow, my Laney is a chunk. I wondered how he transitioned to the stroller – so glad he loves it! I’ve enjoyed reading about your pet friendly travels! I try to always plan my vacations so my dogs can go as well. After all, they are my family!
Thanks Maggie! We’d do anything for these dogs. <3
I really love this. He’s so cute and happy, so it’s worth it through and through! In hindsight, I wish we would’ve done something similar for Emmett. I’m so glad this is working so well for everyone!
Exactly, Tracie! I don’t care how silly I look as long as Ty’s happy. And we get so many comments about how cute he is in his stroller – apparently people care more about him enjoying his stroll than how goofy I look pushing him around. =)
Oh Barbara, I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s always so difficult when they pass, and I hope the memories of the happy times you had together help to heal your broken heart. It truly is a love story – a beautiful one that makes us into better people, and takes a piece of us when they go. Thank you for your wishes – we’re doing our best to enjoy every day we have with our boys.
Honestly, I think Ty’s wondering why we didn’t do this YEARS ago, Edie. He would have been more than happy to be strolled around his whole life! ;-)
You’re so welcome, Pauline! It’s my pleasure to share what we’re learning as we go, and we’re pretty darn lucky to have Ty, too. <3
Yes! It’s the perfect thing for cats that love adventures, too, Vic. Waggin’ trails to you guys. =)
It’s the best investment we’ve made in a long time, Cheri. We are certainly getting our money’s worth. =)
So true, Suzy! If it allows us to keep exploring together, we don’t care how ridiculous we look.
I LOVE the video!! Ty is adorable and he clearly has adjusted to the stroller. A few years ago I had an older cocker spaniel with heart issues and she could no longer enjoy our daily walks. I had just been given a 4 year old cocker spaniel with tons of energy. Leaving my old girl at home was never an option for me either so I bought a stroller as well. I felt pretty silly until I saw how happy my little girl was that she could still go with us.
This breaks my heart. We just lost our elder dog a few months ago. At first she became lame in her rear and we talked about getting a wagon and fitting it out so we could take her out and about with us, but before we could get everything lined out, she lost her front mobility, too. Shortly after that it became apparent that her blood levels were bad and she was shutting down. We never had the chance to take her in the wagon, but I commend you for going forward and making the best out of your years together. It’s a love story, really. Our devotion to our pets. God bless you as you continue on your journey. I hope you have many more years and memories to create!
Ty does indeed look very stylish in his stroller, and it’s a ride that befits his elderly statesman status. I’m so glad you arrived at this excellent solution to keep you all adventuring together — but I never would have doubted that you would!
Love our strollers for our cats. Oh, the places we can go!
LOVE LOVE LOVE our doggie limo/stroller! Can’t agree more with every sentiment in your article!!
We are so happy to hear how well this worked for you guys! We, too, felt a stroller was ridiculous-until we tried one. We are on our second one now. �