Family pet? Or part of the family...?

Want to go to the park, but afraid that your elderly or otherwise ill or injured pet can't go? Never fear, just put them in a stroller! One company has come up with a solution that allows a pet owner to take their dog with them when the pet can't make it on their own.

While it's possible to take the cynical route and proclaim this a silly extravagance, we see every day how much people love their pets. Why shouldn't an elderly dog, who loves the park, get a little help getting to and fro? Once there, he or she can romp or walk or lay in the sun, then get an assist back to the domicile. Like people, many dogs and cats can live for a long time with a chronic condition (heart disease, arthritis, back injury, etc) that may prohibit a long walk, but doesn't interfere with their ability to enjoy the outdoors. Don't people take their elderly family members out for a walk in a wheelchair? Pets are family, too! It's not just about this product, it's interesting how pets have become so firmly intertwined in the fabric of our lives.

If you want to see this item ($223 on amazon.com as of 4/21/09) or more like it , go to this website. I'm sure there are other companies with similar products, but I just ran across this one.

Neat idea. My silly Lab would have to be seriously debilitated to let me push her around in this, though...