Wheelchair gives Noodles a new lease on life
Posted: 08.14.2009 at 6:49 PM

Dog wheelchairs: an option for disabled dogs

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Euthanasia is no longer the only option for dogs with disabilities. A handful of companies in the U.S. are now making doggie wheelchairs.

Noodles is a seven-year-old Dachshund living in the Springs. Three years ago, he lost the use of his back legs after herniating a disc.

Now Noodles gets around with this doggie wheelchair.

"He got so used to it. He's so mobile he'll back up, he'll go under stuff and turn around and spin. He goes out there and chases cats in the neighborhood," said George Bauer, Noodles' owner.

Before finding a new ride, the Bauers thought they may have to put Noodles down.

"It's just like a herniated disc in a human being. In a person you can fuse them but a dog, because of his movement, you really can't," Bauer said.

Despite a surgery costing more than $3,000, their veterinarian told them nothing would make Noodles walk normally again.

Instead, they found Doggon Wheels in Montana, a company specializing in doggie wheelchairs.

The device costs about $400, a small price to pay to save Noodles' life.

"So he lives a normal life. We really love him. He's like a child in our family," Bauer said.

So, Noodles may waddle a bit now, but he and George make it on about three hour-long walks a day.

"The only problem is he wears our the wheels," Bauer said.

A dog who gives a bit of inspiration to just about any disabled pup out there.

Herniated discs are a common problem for Dachshunds.

Bauer said so many people stop him and ask about the wheelchair for their disabled dogs he just carries fliers now.

Those who own dogs that have trouble walking can ask their veterinarians about these chairs.