“Tashi Delek” was a Maltese puppy.
“Tashi Delek” was a Maltese puppy. The name means “Blessings and Good Fortune” and it was what they whispered to the Dali Lama when he was making his escape from Tibet to India after the Chinese invaded. When I first met Tashi he was just a puppy; a little white ball of animated fluff, he would race around the room, slide across the tile floor, and roll around joyfully in the hands of whomever would cradle him.
He was my mother’s dog, acquired when she was in her late 50’s, as a best friend and someone for her to care for. The way she cared for the dog; the songs she sang him, her ‘scolding face’, her laugh, and other caring mannerisms were all familiar to me. I had heard them all 40 years ago when I was her ‘pup.’ It made me feel like Tashi was my brother.
He was truly an amazing dog. My mom would carry him around in a shoulder bag. She would bring him into stores and restaurants where animals were strictly forbidden. Before entering those sacred places, though, she would whisper the words “You’re Contraband” into her bag. That was Tashi’s cue to be still and silent. He understood completely.
Ten years went by, as it usually does, in no time at all. My own son graduated high school, I developed a line or two on my brow, but Tashi, my brother, grew very old and extremely wise.
You could see it in his eyes. He seemed to understand things that look a lifetime to learn; his lifetime. And he was old. His breath was coming harder. Rather than jumping up into my arms, he would stand, sometimes shakily on weakening and arthritic back legs, and wait for me to pick him up. Accidents would happen and he would look up with a helpless apology.
“There will soon come a time,” I thought, “when we’ll need to say ‘goodbye…’ but not yet.”
When I built the website, HandicappedPets.com, I studied the needs of caretakers of elderly, disabled, and special needs pets. I spoke with hundreds of caretakers, veterinarians, and pet-care professionals to learn what was needed and how to present it. It quickly became obvious that there were three areas to focus on; Products, Services, and Support.
Products.
When caring for a handicapped pet, the simplest of products can make life so much easier and more comfortable for the caretakers and the pet.
Disposable Pet Diapers, called “Peepers” are one of the basics. When an animal has ‘accidents’ it can be devastating. Often they are no longer allowed on the bed, on the couch, or in carpeted areas of the house. Where they used to have free run of the home when the caretaker was away, now they’re often locked in the laundry room or kitchen. Peepers Disposable Pet Diapers are specially designed for animals with comfortable elastic gathers, odor resistant materials, and a specially designed tail hole.
Peepers ™ Disposable Pet diapers can be seen at HandicappedPets.com, PetDiapers.com, and other quality websites.
Helping them walk is an important part of caring for an elderly or injured pet. There are numerous products to this end. They include Carts and Wheelchairs, Rear Support Leashes and Harnesses, and Boots and splints for leg and paw protection.
Rear Support Leash
Wheelchair
Rear Harness and Boots
There are hundreds of products that range from custom prosthetics for amputee animals to educational books and videos, supplements, travel aids, doggie helmets, and more. Every day people come to us with new products and ideas which we add to the site.
Services
Caretakers of special needs pets often need the help of professionals. To this end, the site has vet and rehab center listings, educational links and resources, a user-supported resource guide where caretakers add the benefit of their own experience, and veterinary pet insurance resources. In addition, our free classified ads allow caretakers to buy and sell used equipment.
Support
Perhaps the most important message that the website brings to caretakers is that “You are Not Alone.” At HandicappedPets.net we host a discussion area that currently contains over 35,000 messages of help and support from caretaker to caretaker. Hundreds of people each day sign on to the board to ask for, or offer help. Specific forum areas are devoted to the primary areas of concern for caretakers around the world.
In conjunction with the Discussion Area, we have our own photo gallery where people post photos and stories about their personal experiences.
Caretakers are often judged harshly. They are told by friends and relatives that they are being cruel by keeping their elderly pet alive. Even though the caretaker may know differently, having spent a lifetime with the animal, they often feel alone. This community gives them a forum where they can discuss their needs and feelings.
“I can see the love in his eyes. There’s occasional discomfort, I know, but he loves life, and loves being alive. I know it’s not time now. I trust that he’ll tell me when the time comes…”
Tashi Delek has since gone to the ‘rainbow bridge.’ His ashes sit on the mantelpiece, his photos look back at us, and his spirit blesses us. He left when the time was right.
Sites with Products for Handicapped Pets
HandicappedPets.com (All products for Elderly, Disabled, and Injured pets)
DogKarts.com (Carts and Wheelchairs)
BottumsUpLeash.com (Holds a dog up from the rear end)
SeniorPetSupply.com (Products for Elderly Pets)
PetDiapers.com (Disposable and Washable Dog Diapers)
PetBoots.com (Various brands of boots for pets)
K9Brace.com (Orthotics and Prosthetics for Animals)
SleePeeTimeBed.com (Special bed for Incontinent Pets)
HandicappedPets.Net (Pet Care Discussion Board)
Mark C. Robinson is the creator of HandicappedPets.com, a website for the caretakers of elderly, disabled, and injured pets. The website includes all the products, services, and support that a family needs. Mark is a noted speaker and an advisor to the board of directors of the National Cancer Society for Animals.