Samson is a large, hairy, heavy Newfoundland dog. He loves water and he loves travelling in a car. Life has been great for Samson, he has had a wonderful and happy life so far, but he is getting on a bit now, a doggy pensioner you might say.
Tom and Alice are Samson's owners and they too have enjoyed Samson's life with him. They have a boat that they keep moored at a lake some ten miles from their home and with Samson being a Newfoundland of course he loves water, and loves to ride in their SUV, all three are so happy just travelling up to the lake and getting on board the boat and cruising about on the water.
Ever since he was a puppy, as soon as they dropped anchor, Samson would be over the side and doggy paddling about, retrieving toys and really enjoying himself. Getting him back on board the boat was something else and quite amusing. Tom would assist Samson by helping him over the side and getting soaked everytime. This was fine while Samson was a pup but Newfoundland pups grow rapidly and he was getting bigger and bigger and Tom was finding the task evermore daunting.
Something had to be done and Alice trawled the Internet and found a device that would assist a dog to climb aboard a boat. She ordered one and with some trepidation they all went up to the lake to try it out. It was a floating ramp that could be secured to the side of the boat and enable the dog to climb aboard. On first use Tom had to get in the water himself to show Samson where the ramp was and give him a push to get him started. He soon mastered this new contraption and from then on he was able to climb aboard unaided. Problem solved.
Many doggy years have passed since Tom and Alice bought the boat ramp for Samson but he still uses it with ease and while in the water he seems little different to when he was a pup. But on dry land it's a very different story, Samson has gradually developed hip problems like many big dogs seem to do. He is being treated by a vet and is quite comfortable while slowly walking about but he can no longer jump into the SUV, he can manage to put his front paws onto the sill but that's it and Tom has to lift his back end up to get him aboard. This is very painful for Tom who has developed a bad back and also when Samson needs to get out of the car he has to be helped down for fear of hurting his hips.
Remembering all those years ago when she found the dog ramp for boats, Alice went online again and this time found several different types of pet ramps for access into vehicles and she chose a good strong extra wide telescopic dog ramp. Again she ordered one and Samson, having years of experience with the boat ramp, started using this new ramp with remarkable ease. Being telescopic the ramp would easily close up and could be stored in the SUV alongside the dog.
Now Tom's back is spared, Alice has peace of mind, and Samson's life continues in reasonable comfort, and they all continue to do what they all love doing. All thanks to two dog ramps.
Click here for Dog Ramps of every shape and size.
This article was first published on Friday 12 June, 2009.
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