Poor Snickerdoodles. His old back legs totally failed today and he got stuck 1/2 way up the deck stairs. It's a good thing Linda was home and heard him crying. She ran out to help him, but since he is almost 80 pounds, she could not pick him up to help him go up or down. Oh no, I love Snickers and hate to see him hurting. Between Snick's front legs and Linda trying to boost his backside, he got to the top of the stairs. We are researching online for some dog harnesses that she can carry him up and down stairs so he can go outside to do his business and come down to the family room. This body harness is $50, and it's the kind police and firemen use to pick up the service dogs to get them into helicopters and other high places. There are some other options too, like the rear end lift, but the harness seems like the best for big dogs. I'm donating my toy budget so she can use the money to buy the lifter-upper. It's a good thing Linda has been lifting weights because she's going to need some big muscles to carry him. He might need to go on a diet because she's not even sure if she can lift that much weight. I don't want to even think of the alternative if this doesn't work.
UPDATE: We just went for a late night walk (well, I was carried) so the Big Boy could do his "business" without having to navigate the steep deck stairs. We only went a few houses and all was well until we got home. He could hardly make it up the few steps to the living room and then his legs buckled and down he went. Linda and I kissed him and massaged his hips, gave him cookies and let him rest a little while. He was able to get back up and make it to his deck doghouse. What are we going to do?? I'm trying to cheer Linda up so she stops crying.
