Waffles the Pug, the king of the casita couch.
I’m babysitting my grand dog as my daughter is off to Paris and a destination wedding for a bestie in Portugal. (What’s up with all these destination weddings? A topic for another day.) She flew from SF to Phoenix to drop off the pup. Plus, we got to spend two days together.
I was looking forward to walking Waffles around the neighborhood. I miss walking a dog. But as life would have it, my daughter called me a few weeks ago and said Waffles was limping She waited to see if it would go away, but when it didn’t, the vet diagnosed Waff with a soft tissue shoulder injury. He’s taking meds for inflammation and his activity is curtailed.
FYI, my daughter has a soft tissue shoulder injury due to her career as a distance swimmer in college. My husband has the same issue with his shoulders from his school years playing football and wrestling. My daughter said she’s convinced with our family history, Waffles injury is genetic.
How I worked around Waffles shoulder injury.
I ordered a cheap pet stroller from Amazon! I’m now pushing 20 pounds of Waffles and a few pounds of stroller for two or three miles a day. I’m feeling it in my forearms, triceps and butt. It’s my sort of rucking.
If my husband was embarrassed about being seen by neighbors with his rucksack that I wrote about HERE, you should have seen his face when I unveiled the stroller with Waffles inside! We are walking separately FYI.
To be fair, hubby is walking at 5:30 a.m. and I’m going at 7 a.m. because Waffles wakes me up at midnight and 4 a.m. to go outside. I’m trading Waffles nights with hubby from now on.
Waffles seems to like it and he sits quietly taking in the sights. I let him out in the park so he can sniff, mark trees and do the rest of his business. He can spend 20 minutes with his nose buried in the grass sniffing dogs, bunnies and birds who were there before.
After Waffles leaves, do I continue with my rucking and put weights in the stroller, or will the neighbor think I’m nuts?
How do you think Olive the cat will react if I take her in the stroller for a walk?
Or, will the Waffles smells end any chance?
What do you think makes waking with dogs more enjoyable than walking alone?
My dog introduced me to some of my very dearest friends. Life would be decidedly different if Charlie had not been a part of it. 💕🐾
I think that’s so true that dogs introduce us to people.
I love walking my dog, but she can be a pain because she wants to sniff everything, jump on people, and pee one drop every five feet to distribute her scent. I envy those whose dogs just walk
I stop in the park and let Waffles out of the stroller and he acts exactly like Betty.
I have often thought that those dogs who just walk have really embraced the concept of superiority and privilege. They have dog confidence exuding from their pores, no need to be showy about it…all the others just aren’t quite there yet 🙂
Betty is never getting there…😆
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Oh, Waffles…and I’m with your daughter! Waffles is absolutely a member of the family with her shoulder injury – too coincidental! Love the pics of her in her Waffle-wagon! 🥰
I love it. Waffle Wagon!
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EA, this entire post is priceless! I have the biggest smile on my face right now. From Waffles family “genetic” issues to your husbands horror at being seen with you pushing a dog stroller… I was immediately thinking Olive gets a turn and then read your comment about how accepting a cat might be… Perhaps you can convince Olive that the stroller is luggage and you are leaving on a trip. She’s sure to hop in there thinking she gets to go along. You have to take pictures if you manage that!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Yes, that’s an idea to get Olive in the crate. I’ll pretend it’s a suitcase and pack some things in there!
Oh this made my day. 😊 Waffles is so cute and I love that you had the idea about the stroller. I think you should put weights in the stroller when Waffles leaves to see what reactions you would get. 😄
I’m so happy you enjoyed it. I have one more week to push Waffles around in the stroller. I do think I’ll try Olive the cat, at least in our yard and see how she reacts. The weights would get me some looks!
Good Luck with Olive! She may surprise you and really like it. 🙂
I will try once Waffles leaves. I have to keep them separate because Waffles likes to play chase and Olive gets anxiety.
Awh on Olive. 💕
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I’m smiling here. Waffles is about the cutest dog ever, of course, but in a stroller he’s reached a new level of fame. As for Olive, she’ll do what she darned well pleases, so no idea how she’ll react. Take a photo if it happens.
Yes, Waffles is so cute. He loves the stroller and getting outside to smell and see the sights. There are always birds and bunnies that I know he wants to chase, but he seems content. I’ll see with Olive. It will wait until Waffles is gone. Waffles stresses her out so much that on prior visits she’d get a UTI!
In Seattle I saw many people, mostly women, walking their dogs in strollers. I think it’s a good solution.
I’m enjoying it and Waffles is too!
How lovely Elizabeth. Perhaps your cat will want to try it too.
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I totally get your husband’s reaction but as a dog person and since Waffles is in pain and loves a walk, I’m with ya. How did he do on the plane? Was he a carry-on?
My husband walked with us today. We’re making progress. Waffles is in a carryon soft crate for flights.
So he rides under the seat. I have a 20lb Frenchie
Yes. Waffles and your Frenchie are the same weight.
I love it, Elizabeth! Still chuckling about the genetic nature of Waffle’s injury. 🙂 I think dogs get us to slow down and notice other things. You are such a good mama to take care of your grandpup!
My daughter is taking stand up comedy class. I do enjoy the walks with Waffles. You’re right how dogs add to walks and life.
How cute! Lucky Waffles, getting all the perks of the park without hurting his shoulder further.
Plus, I’m getting a better workout too!
What do you think makes waking with dogs more enjoyable than walking alone? That’s easy. Sorrow shared is sorrow halved. Joy shared is joy doubled.
That’s well said!
Oh but how’s it feel to be in the presence of Internet Star, Waffles the famous pup. The injury must be from all the paw autographs he has to give!!!!
Ha! He is a delight, but demanding little star.
Demanding! Hey, every star has their lil preferences. At least you don’t have to separate the green m&ms from the red ones like some rock bands. Ha ha. Waffles, very cute dog!
Thanks! That’s true about the M&M’s. But every time I enter the room, Waffles demands a treat. My husband was happily giving out treats, but now we have a pup with a rock star attitude on our hands.
Given how well he’s acclimated to the stroller, maybe it’s time to introduce him to a litter box so you can get some sleep! 😉
Ha! Actually he’s had quite a few litter box episodes throughout his six years of life. It ends up with litter everywhere in the room. He thinks it’s fun to dig and spray.
Love the dogs name, and could imagine my husband would abandon me on walks if I bought a stroller too! Linda xox
You know what’s funny? I’ve learned of several pugs named for food this week including Sushi. Husbands are funny that way.
Maybe we could expand the tradition and start naming our husbands after food too… mine would be named after his favorite Sunday dinner; “baked pasta”…!
Ha! I already named my husband Rib King 😊
🤣love it – enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Linda xox
You too!
What a sweet pup! I love that you found a way to still take Waffles on walks.
I am too! Every morning we’re both so excited to get out.
Aww, Waffles s adorable! Some cats like stroller rides and if I only had one cat, I would probably take her. But, I don’t need any more jealousy, at present. I think if you clean the Stroller after Waffles, you should try taking the cat.
I will try taking the cat around my backyard first — after cleaning the stroller. I’m afraid Olive the cat will freak out if we see neighborhood dogs out on the streets.
This is such a fun post, Elizabeth, and I’m laughing at the genetic element! I think you should put weights in the stroller and maybe a toy dog, one that looks kind of real. 🙂 The fact that you and hubby walk separately cracks me up, but I can see my hubby and I doing the same thing in this situation!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! He finally walked with us and is getting used to the stroller idea. I’m not sure that would continue with weights!
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Waffles looks like a beekeeper. Waffles wants to go to Paris!
My daughter went to Paris and left Waffles with me! She figured out that he’d be in quarantine the entire time she was there.
You may have to get a dog!
After we lost Angus our yellow lab, we can’t go through the heartbreak again.
It is heartbreaking. We have loved and lost several dogs.
We have too and can’t do it again.
My little guy is snuggled on my lap right now.
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