When I read the title of this post all I could think of was the lady in my neighborhood who always walks her dog in a stroller. The dog in my opinion could really use the benefits of a good walk if you know what I mean. I won’t lie that I have a perplexed expression each time I pass. This lady is so serious about pushing her “baby,” checking on him, and just walking with such pride.

First, I would like to commend Nicole on her "who cares" attitude. Not too many people could take the stares or remarks from others. I am not one of the people who would ever put my dog in a stroller. They are dogs and thus should be treated like so. I don’t think I love my dog any less and feel I am doing what’s best for her by treating her like a dog; giving her proper exercise, training, boundaries, etc. I also do not understand the need to have your dog with you at all times, ie. grocery store and old navy?!? I miss my dog too after a long day of errands or work, but you won’t see me pushing her in a stroller just to sneak her in with me. Many parents at the grocery store look as if they would rather have left their own children at home if they could. Since I admire the audacity in others I will end by saying Nicole, if you want to push your little Tig in a stroller you go ahead. I will never be one to stop you.

I am curious if anyone has ever mistaken the stroller for a baby stroller and their reaction after they saw Tig?

I considered purchasing one these 'strollers' for our housecat, Oscar, who would love to walk around the block/neighborhood. They are great for pets who want to 'get out there' a little.

I have the same stroller pictured for my indoor cat! It is great, and he absolutely loves it. He sleeps in it now, even when we are inside!

Hi Amelia,
Thanks for reading!
Let me start off by saying that Tig gets plenty of exercise. I walk Tig twice before I leave for work in the mornings and he has a dog walker that tends to him during the day. And almost every day after work, Tig runs around at an enclosed dog park in our neighborhood.
The reason I take Tig with me everywhere is twofold. I really, really love Tig and feel bad leaving him all alone in the house. And Tig is a rescue dog that came to me at the end of May with a number of problems. He's improved immensely, thanks to all the love and care I've given him, not to mention the money for private training classes. Taking him lots of places in his stroller helps with his socialization.
And sadly, no, I'm not embarrassed at all to push Tig around -- even when people sneer and laugh. I'm a pretty confident person.
And yes, Tig has been mistaken several times for a baby. When people realize he's a dog, they usually just chuckle.
Thanks again for reading and commenting on my son!

This seems pretty logical to me, especially for disabled and special needs pets.

What is weird: carrying around a cat in a baby bjorn with its legs sticking straight out and looking terrified at the farmer's market. You fellow marketers KNOW who I am talking about ;)

Love it! So, the store employees know he's in there? It's not a secret? My dog gets exercise, too, but it'd be nice to bring him with us when we're doing a few errands that normally wouldn't accommodate dogs. (Such as stopping at the grocery store on the way home from a dog-friendly outing.)

To each his own - I see nothing wrong with it, especially if the dog is well mannered. After all the animal cruelty cases in Baltimore in the past year, it is nice to see someone so passionate about their furbaby.

On a side note, it's so annoying how all the Dining @ Large commenters complain about animals at the JFX market. I recently went to a fabulous farmer's market in Michigan, and people happily brought their dogs. I don't know why it's so taboo in Baltimore.

Nicole,

You are too funny! Glad you're enjoying your new doggy.

Have you seen the video of the pug pushing a stroller? It's creepy/mesmerizing.

http://bit.ly/gcXzt

Hi Nicole,
I’ve considered buying a stroller for my 2 cats, particularly for transport to the vet since I do not have a car. Lugging two cats in a plastic carrier is a killer on the upper body! I’ve seen strollers on eBay but can never quite figure out if they would hold 2 cats comfortably. Do you know if your stroller could hold two cats? My cats are between 10-11 pounds. Thanks.

Oops, I mean my cats are 10-11 pounds each.

WOW! I can't even begin to say how I feel about the attitude displayed here. She's taking the dog places where it's clearly now allowed, disregarding the rules of the establishment. If I was sitting next to Nicole and Tig in the Silver Diner or Starbucks or Whole Foods, I would be pretty unhappy about having a dog near me.

I am a dog owner, and he's a rescue dog, too. But really, dear... he's not your son. He's your pet, or companion.

Think about what would happen if everyone blythely flaunted the rules the way you are.

It's very self-centered of you to do this. Total disregard of everyone else for your own happiness.

Hey Etan Horowitz,

I have the stroller pictured above for my cat... although he has extra room, I don't think it would fit two cats comfortably. They would probably be a little squished... also, I know that the stroller is only meant for a certain amount of weight.

I know they make pet strollers in larger sizes as well for larger animals, and that would probably work better. Just check out amazon!

I would rather have a dog in a stroller sitting near me that some screaming brat.

Hey Pigtown,

Thanks for reading. Actually, he is my son! I certainly understand your concerns and if someone complained or pointed me to the door, I would certainly comply. But meanwhile, I'm enjoying spending lots of time with MY SON!

Hey tdonline,

Tig weighs 13 lbs. and I think his stroller only holds a pet up to 15 lbs. The strollers usually indicate how much weight it can hold. Good luck! Would love to see a picture of your kitties in their stroller!

Thats kinda nice that you are able to bring your dog in because it is in a stroller. That seems very convienient!

Ms. Nicole,

I look forward to getting a complaint from a law-abiding member of the public about you and "your son" in an eating establishment because I will gladly write citations for you both.

-PoPo

ahhh, now that the BPD I know. going after dogs in strollers, ignoring the dealers on my corner...

Hehe, Lesley is sooo right! Going after the real lawbreakers in Baltimore - you know - the heathens that let their dogs run off-leash. LAWBREAKERS!!!!

would love to have one for my elderly pooch!

I have to say that I think being able to take your dog with you everywhere is wonderful! I hate leaving mine at home. I feel horrible every day when I leave them and listen to them whine and cry as I walk out the door to go to work. I think more places should be pet friendly. If the dog is well behaved, what is the big deal? I have taken mine to a local home improvement store. I take a box with me and put them in the cart while I walk around the store. This isn't a big name store, and all of the employees really enjoy seeing the dogs and it brings a smile to their faces. They have treats for them everytime we go in. Animals are said to lower blood pressure and to make people happier.. What's wrong with the world being a happier place!

I wish to echo the comments of pigtown and PoPo. People who somehow think that the rules just don't apply to them are one of MY pet peeves. The fact that you think the BPD should be going after more violent criminals doesn't make what you're doing any more legal. When your animal (that's right, Nicole; it's an ANIMAL, not a baby!) causes someone's child (a CHILD, not an ANIMAL) to have a possibly life-threatening allergic reaction, to feel fearful or to cry (as you seem to not be comfortable with your ANIMAL feeling) then perhaps you will realize that there are reasons for the laws that are in place. Unfortunately, this particular blog is likely to draw far more of those who applaud you or would do the same, because it is a pet-lovers blog. Do not take the support shown you here as some kind of mandate....not that you feel you need one; apparently you don't think you have to obey laws you don't like. My perception is that you enjoy flaunting authority and the law as much as you enjoy your pet's company. To the poster (and those he/she represents) who says that he/she would rather have an animal in a stroller near his/her table in a restaurant because so many animals behave better than children.....most animals I know behave better than most adults I know too...They're SUPPOSED to. They're PETS.

I wish to add that you are not unlikely to become one of the many folks who pervert laws intended to help the truly disabled by having your PET fraudulently designated a "service animal" or "emotional support animal" in order to take him "everywhere" with utter impunity. This is truly disgusting behavior, even more so when, in YOUR mind, the creature requiring "emotional service" is the ANIMAL!

I feel like we are missing a really big benefit of dog strollers - they are so amazing for older dogs who have trouble getting around. Rather than leaving your dog behind you can take your older dog on walks using the stroller. What I always recommend is to let them walk when they can and use the stroller for when they need the rest. I can't tell you how much they love being able to get around. It can make a huge difference for your senior dog. I'd prefer to see these used in parks and neighborhoods more so than in department stores, but as long as your dog gets some excitement in their lives i'm happy :)

Just would like to comment. I use a dog stroller for my almost 16 year old dog. I love to walk for exercise and he can no longer walk as fast or as long as I can, so the stroller is the way to go. He seems to really enjoy being out and about. He also is blind. (due to a genetic problem) At some points during the walk, he wants to get out and walk as well, which I let him. He walks almost a mile at a very slow pace but nevertheless, it's a mile. What really gets me is when people make comments like "what a lazy dog","what a spoiled dog"or my favorite... "is this a substitute for you for a baby, couldn't you have children?" I don't know why, but I am always shocked by the assumptions people make about others. I'm also surprised that somehow people seem to think it is their business. I'm just trying to get some exercise and have my dog along with me. And as a side note, I have no problem with people bringing their well behaved dogs with them to stores or eating establishments. I'd rather a spoiled dog next to me than a spoiled,whining, crying, screaming child.

I am so glad to have read this story. I just came into the office after walking my dog in his stroller. My dog is disabled, paralyzed in the rear legs, and goes to work with me everyday. Instead of carrying him (he is almost 30 lbs) around the office buildig to the back where he can go to the bathroom, I purchased the stroller to wheel him there. He loves it so much & just sits in his stroller sniffing in the fresh air. I get so many people from other neighboring businesses who give me the craizest looks. I get the comments about how he is spoiled, but mostly I just have people look directly at me and laugh in my face. There are so many people that find it hilarious that I am pushing my dog in a stroller. They treat me like I am a complete idiot. I can't lie and say it doesn't bother me. It boils my blood. I cannot imagine having a disabled child to care for and the sneers and looks you would receive. But, then again, I guess people assume that a child in a wheelchair is disabled, but a dog in a stroller has a completely crazy owner. I just wish people would think & consider all options before judging others....but, I guess that would be a perfect world:)

People love to criticize NO matter what! I plan on using my stroller and don't care whether others approve. They don't pay my bills so it is NOT any of their business. My dog goes where it is allowed but it is priceless in the airport for safety and convenience (and yes, dogs are allowed there)! Sidewalks are too hot in South Florida during the summer for my feet and my dogs feet. I have 3 adult children and a grandchild. I do know the difference between baby and dog strollers. However, both serve a purpose. Convenience and safety to my dog rules every time! People need to tend to their own affairs and get a life.

Hi my name is Callie and I read your article and the comments. I just bought a dog stroller and can not wait to use it. I got it because I want to be able to take my baby Mikey he is a puppy to do my earrans like go to the stores and everywhere with me I do not like leaving him at home. I think it is a great idea. To Melissa babies allergic to dogs? there are tons of other stuff that babies can be allergic to as to perfume someone is wearing or anything. Breaking laws?! come on I have brought my puppy into walmart and target and no one has said anything to me except awww can I pet him. I think the stroller is a great idea!