Cookie's story, traveling with a dog wheelchair

20.12.2021

Cookie's story, traveling with a dog wheelchair

We'd like to introduce Miss Cookie the dog. What is interesting about Cookie compared to other dogs? She is paralyzed on her hind legs and explores the world on wheels. We met Cookie in July 2019, when we took her into temporary care from the shelter after her former owner hurt her so much that she could no longer stand on her hind legs. Cookie was only two months old at the time. Still, she proved to everyone that she wants to be here with all of us on this planet, even if on wheels. Cookies
the story was so unique that it appeared in a number of media outlets, and flashed in a well-known music video and movie about Gump the dog...

Cookie and I went through a lot during our temporary care, the post-surgery state of the spine, her puppyhood, demanding rehabilitation, but also her crazy nature. Cookie needed to show everyone that she is not a poor person, but a self-confident dog who enjoys every moment. It was her wonderful nature that led us to the decision to adopt her. Cookie is an extraordinary dog who, despite fate, has overcome an unfortunate start to life and now just wants to be happy. Cookie turned 2 in May.

Just like a disabled person moving in a wheelchair, Cookie also has to overcome the barriers of demanding outdoor terrain every day. Even inside, Cookie's household is arranged so that she can move around easily.

However, the most difficult thing for us, Cookie owners, is not only Cookie's handicap itself, but her excretion, which she does not control. This includes constant grooming, changing diapers, Cookie has baby diapers, he's basically a constant dog toddler ☺.

Perhaps someone may wonder why so much energy is devoted to a dog that requires such demanding care. However, anyone who knows Cookie knows that she can compensate for all the demands of her care with her wonderful cheerful nature.

On walks that Cookie manages even 10 kilometers long, we also meet people in wheelchairs, whom Cookie can also brighten up their day.

In the garden, Cookie moves a lot on the grass even without a stroller - because she can't lie down comfortably in the stroller, so she simply pushes her rear behind her like at home. It does not prevent her from moving at all, on the contrary. If she could, she would prefer to run everywhere without a wheelchair, but she understands its importance.

 

Taking care of Cookie also includes wiping her hind legs, which she pees on when she is in the garden without a stroller, and taking care of the abrasions she gets as a result. We also go regularly every other week for rehabilitation, which includes walking on a belt in water, where she relaxes the front overloaded part of her body, and then for a massage, where the lady from the rehabilitation massages her whole body. Cookie is enjoying the rehab a lot.

We are happy that thanks to the rescue from the shelter and our care, Cookie can be here in the world and celebrate her second birthday.

Cookie is very grateful, smiling, actually every day she rejoices in life and we with her. We would also like to thank all the people from whom we receive support.

Follow Cookie's story on Instagram - Příběh Cookie (@pribehcookie)

 

SPECIAL INTERVIEW

Did you have a stroller made for you, did you have to make it bigger during Cookie's puppyhood?
Yes, we have a specially made stroller from America. Cookie tried out the stroller several times during its development. Thanks to her energy when she broke the strollers, we were looking for the most suitable one. This became a stroller from America, which is also constantly adjustable (growing) for dogs.


How did Cookie learn with the stroller, won't she tip over?
Cookie was afraid of bikes and scooters as a puppy, so she was understandably afraid of the stroller, we also had to learn how to handle it. But she took her first really fast steps in 3 days, the dogs in the park helped her a lot when she ran after them. The biggest difficulties were big bollards, stairs, fitting in doors, turning around in the elevator, but she learned everything.
Cookie sometimes topples over in the stroller because she's playing with the dogs or a dog knocks her over on a bend. When she flips over, she doesn't panic and waits for us to flip her back over and then immediately flies again. Once she even flipped over so fast that she rolled over her back onto the wheels, and without batting an eye she kept running again. Due to the stroller itself, it is not necessary to look after her in any way. She already knows how to move in it and is very handy.


How does Cookie overcome more difficult terrain in a wheelchair?
We have already taken trips to the Kokořínsko region with the stroller, so we would say that it copes well with the terrain. I lift her stroller up the stairs and she walks forward and down the stairs. Cookie has muscular front legs, so nothing is too difficult for her..

What are the reactions of the neighborhood to a dog in a wheelchair, both people and dogs?
People's reaction to a dog in a wheelchair is mixed. Actually we attract attention from everyone, unfortunately we come across opinions that it is abuse of the dog and people shake their heads in disbelief, luckily these cases are really exceptional. On the contrary, we often encounter support, for which we thank everyone very much.
The reactions of dogs are actually very similar to those of humans. Few dogs are not able to try the wheels. On the contrary, more dogs have absolutely no problem with it, we even come across that dog owners are surprised that their Havan is suddenly nicer, less violent and simply more tolerant and understanding.


Kristina Černická Hájková, owner of Cookie