Freddie, Abhi, and I go for two daily walks. When Freddie could still walk, he wasn’t really super excited about going for strolls. I asked if he wanted to go for a walk and grabbed his leash, but he was pretty indifferent. We lived close to a busy street we had to pass to get to some quieter roads, and the loud delivery trucks seemed to scare him. But, even when I drove us somewhere quieter, he just wasn’t one of those dogs that love going out.
Everything changed when I got him a stroller. Initially, the stroller was to help us get him to and from doctor’s appointments. Fred is about 22 pounds and believes that laps are where he belongs. Sit on the floor? Not Fred. He’s always been like this, but once he stopped being able to walk, aka move away from big scary things like other dogs and human feet, I knew I needed a resting spot that was more comfy and safer for him and me.
The stroller also allowed me to keep my hands free for tasks like paying for vet visits and it made getting in and out of the car much easier. Most importantly, it opened up new possibilities for both Freddie and me. We could now easily stroll through our neighborhood, take the stroller in the car to visit places where Freddie is allowed and navigate waiting rooms comfortably.
It has been a little over two years since we first purchased Freddie’s ride, and I have made several additions that help me stay organized and ensure Freddie is comfortable. Here’s a list of everything you need to make your stroller just as sweet as Fred’s!
Stroller
I searched around for a while to find the perfect set of wheels. Many of them seemed like they would fall apart within a year. The wheels and the frame were often plastic and didn’t seem like an option for a dog the size of Freddie. A smooth ride is also essential to me because Freddie can’t shift himself or sit up/stand and reposition himself if he’s uncomfortable. I figured smaller, plastic wheels would have Fred’s poor little body feeling every bump.
The HPZ Pet Rover XL has rubber, no-pump wheels, a long compartment that accommodates both a tucked and sploot position for Freddie, a sturdy aluminum frame, a padded hand grip, and it has a safety strap that I can wrap around my wrist on hills.
Rain Cover
Though the stroller has a UV protective shade, half has holes, making it not great in a rain storm. This rain cover is easy to put on and keeps little Fred totally dry!
Clip-On Fan
For warmer days, this rechargeable fan is a must-have!
Crate Pad
The depth of the stroller compartment would be perfect if Fred could sit up and look out the front. I need something to get him a little higher, with Freddie being prone. What works well is a two-pillow option. The top pillow is this cooling orthopedic crate mat I found at Petco.
Diapers
Freddie is generally continent, but the bumps and vibrations of the stroller sometimes cause him to have accidents during our walks. I used to place a pee pad underneath him, but I’ve found that diapers work better for us. The diaper keeps his poo enclosed so it doesn’t get all over any blankets below or above him. Plus, they’re more breathable than the pee pads, as Freddie’s skin was getting irritated when he lay on the pee pad. This brand has also worked well for him.
For extra protection, I also place a male wrap under his diaper. When Fred first started leaking, these worked great. But once #2 entered the chat, we needed some rear protection, and that’s when we swapped to a diaper.
Blankets
Alright, here’s where we splurge a bit. Freddie uses two blankets in cooler weather–one under his body and one to cover him. This sherpa blanket provides a little extra padding as well as warmth. His chamois blanket that covers him is super soft and features two layers of fabric that keep him nice and cozy. Yes, of course, we pay extra for personalization and be on the lookout for sales. These two products can often be found at a reduced price.
Organizer
This Momcozy Universal Stroller Organizer has been my favorite addition to Freddie’s ride. It features two insulated cup holders (I use one for my keys/pepper spray and one for my fave YETI cup that fits perfectly), a hook and loop secured center storage space, a zipper-attached phone holder, and it can be attached using the hook and loop flaps or carabiners. The carabiners are also great for hooking on my treat bag. It’s also waterproof and comes in lots of fun colors.
Side Mirror
Sometimes, I get nervous about people coming up behind us. Several times now, I’ve been startled by someone silently speed-walking past us, prompting me to get a side mirror to see who might be following us. It’s also helpful for me to get eyes on things that Abhi might want to chase, like people on bicycles or skateboards.
Personalized License Plate
I couldn’t resist. Is this necessary? Haha, no. I do love seeing people smile as they see his personalized plate!
Waist Leash
When Abhi first joined our walks, I used a regular handheld leash. However, my access to Freddie became limited with one wrist through the end loop. For example, I usually need to clean some poo from Fred during our walk, and having a big dog moving/pulling on the other end of the leash made my efforts challenging to say the least! This waist leash is a game-changer for me.
Lights
With it getting dark earlier, I wanted to get something that would help Freddie’s stroller be more visible. These LED lights are on a wire that I easily wrapped around the stroller frame. A remote with multiple colors and a flashing option for even greater visibility is included.
What are we missing? If you have any additions, please let me know!!
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