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off12.26.09 A Word About Pet Strollers

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When I first saw a pet stroller, I thought we have gone completely mad.

Why would anyone deny their pet the pleasure of walking down the street with them? After all, your pet is so proud to be seen with you in public. The connection and bond between you and your pet is unbreakable. It is forever. And forever means forever. No games; no conditions; total commitment.

My second thought was this is just another way to make spectacles of ourselves. After all we have turned ourselves into spectacles. Complete fools. Just turn the television on. “News” such as a run away hot air balloon with a child in it, reality shows, etc.

 

Here is the profile of pet stroller users:

 

100% pet strollers are used by women. Why? A man would never be caught pushing a pet sitting inside a stroller. Men are more likely to have a parrot perched on their shoulder. But a little Shih Tzu in a stroller?? Eh… no.

Most of these women have over-active maternal hormones. Guys, if you are looking for a Mommy, you may get lucky when you see her pushing little fido in this:

jogging-pet-stroller

You can make a move, but you have to know that little fido will always take precedence over you.

 

Then I thouhgt that I was too hard on the subject of pet strollers. Here are the attributes of the pet strollers which you should be aware of:

1.   Strollers are not just for dogs. I’ve seen people take their rabbits, ferrets, cats in addition to dogs, for a walk or a jog in their pet stroller.

2.   You can choose between single pet stroller and double pet stroller. Most single strollers have a weight limit of 20 lbs.

 

pet stroller

 

3.    Always consider the size of your pet, and make sure it has enough room.

4.     Prices run between $70 and $250.

 

Why would anyone use a pet stroller?

- Aside from the “I want attention” syndrome, there are justifiable reasons for using a pet stroller.

 
- Your pet is injured, unable to walk but being in the fresh air will do him a world of good.

- You are going into a crowded area such as an airport or a festival and need to have the pet contained.

- You are an apartment dweller and would like to give your pets a safe environment to experience the outside.

Pet stroller

Pet stroller

Just remember your dog needs exercise, walking, and running. It is essential that he gets it. It is more important than promenading around with your dog inside a pet stroller.

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off12.16.09 Pet Strollers – Not Your Usual Stroller

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Okay, okay, this is not exactly what a pet stroller is. And surely this is not what you expected to see or read. But you gotta to admit, it’s the cutest clip evah. Someone sent me this cutie and I just had to look up Jenny the pug in more detail.

This will be a short diversion and unashamedly, I am going to write a plug for this pug. You can see more of Jenny at this site dedicated to this wonderful pet with a penchant for strolling with her dolls, called puglets. I am really interested in the Pet Stroller category, but I was blown away with Jenny’s disposition, her owners who trained and supervise her, the creativitiy of putting it all together. Jenny is truly special. If you ask me, instead of strolling, she needs to be bred. We need more pugs like her.

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off12.05.09 The Jogging Stroller

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single baby jogging stroller

single baby jogging stroller

You like to keep fit, you want your girlish figure back, and having a baby is not stopping you.  So you jog, run, and walk. 

Now, the best of all worlds….you take your sweetie with you.  The jogging stroller was made for you. Don’t leave your babies behind.  

This stroller is designed to navigate in the tightest of spaces, durable, safe, and comfortable. 

Because the jogging stroller is used more rigorously than a regular stroller, special features are put into the stroller.  They are: 

- Extra cushioning for support, especially the head.
- Extra harness points for safety.
- A choice of single or double jogging stroller.
- Very sturdy.
- Larger wheels for better maneuverability.
- Better suspension.
- They can be used on city streets or park jogging trails. 

All strollers allow you to take you and the baby outdoors.  Some strollers specialized in certain functions such as the special needs stroller.  The jogging stroller is a dream come true for the avid runner who values his/her exercise and together time with the baby or toddler.  If you think there is little interaction between you and the baby, you are wrong.  The quantity of time your baby spends with you is what counts.  

Remember, you can’t retrieve or replay the time you spent away from your baby.  Your presence counts and the jogging stroller helps you and your babies!

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off11.24.09 The Double Stroller

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The double stroller is a necessity for a young family that has twins or a toddler and a baby.

 

Double strollers come in a variety of models, with a myriad of features. As I point out the different features, I shall incorporate some of the testimonials and opinions rendered by parents.

 

As I said before, when you have a baby, you have to have a stroller. Like day and night, summer and winter. A stroller will be one of the purchases that will stay with you and the baby for a while. Sorta like a crib. Furthermore, if you have your first baby, and you know that you will have more fairly close to each other, you would be wise to invest in a double stroller from the start.

 

Instead of just reviewing the strollers’ manufacturers’ write-ups and regurgitating the same thing, I scoured the internet for reviews that plain people did, not in a lab, not in a controlled environment, but as I said, real people, real reviews.

 

It seems that the most important things to consider are:

 

1. After you fold the stroller, can you lift it and put it in your trunk? Make sure you know the measurements.

2. Do you want to buy a tandem or side by side double stroller. A tandem looks like this with variations:

 Double stroller, tandem style.

 Consider what view the child in the back will have? Every dog on the sled pulling team knows that all the dogs on the team which are not the front dogs, have only one view. An elevated rear seat has better views. Can you turn the seats around so the kids face each other?

3. Check what kind of storage the stroller has? This is even more important when you have two kids on your hands.

4. Folding the stroller. Do you need one or two hands?

5. Stroller accessories. Does it have cup holders? Does it have a tray on the handle for the parents to keep cell phone, keys, drinks, and canopy?

6. How much weight can the stroller hold?

7. With side by side strollers, is it too wide to navigate through doors, isles, hallways?

8. Are parts easily replaceable?

9. And of course, check the recalls on any model you are considering.

 

This is an important, expensive purchase. Is it durable? Opinions of whether to get side-by-side, or tandem vary greatly. The bottom line is that most people prefer the side-by-side, however they caution regarding the ability to pass through doorways, etc.

Here is a side-by-side double stroller:

Double stroller, side-by-side.

Double stroller, side-by-side.

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off11.14.09 Special Needs Strollers

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Special needs strollers are designed to help the family with handicapped child.

 

 

Here’s my soap box. But before I get on it, let me explain: One of my children was a special needs child, although, she was mobile for the most part. She since passed. I have a special place in my heart for children and families that were dealt really bad set of cards.

 

 

Those of you that have healthy, physically fit and active toddlers, yet you complain and kvetch about how difficult, demanding, laborious, and tough life is for you, I got news for you: Any parent of a physically challenged child would trade spaces with you in a New York minute.

 

 

The construction of special needs strollers is extremely light weight, super strong, very easy to maneuver, and in many cases supports anywhere between 65 to 200 lbs.

 

They are built with special pelvic and back support, have special positioning, fold and unfold easily.

 

 

Amazingly, for the most part, these chairs have features, beyond the weight and strength, that alleviate the care for the child. They are:

 

 

- Accommodate children as they grow up to 8 years old

- Easy folding

- Lots of storage which can be used for both parent and child.

- Stylish look, moving away from the “medical” label. Strong colors.

- Special support for weak muscles.

- Multitude of positioning.

- Extra harnesses for security.

- Extra large canopies

- And much much more.

 

 

 

In many cases you can get funding help from Medicaid/Medicare or your insurance for these chairs. If you do not have someone who can guide you on the available programs, you need to do your own research since each one of us has different circumstances.

 

 

I scour the internet a lot, and websites are windows into the soul of a company, the following is not an endorsement; however, you should look at some sites for more information about special needs strollers. I do not work for them, do not know them personally, but I am impressed with the clarity, simplicity, and information provided by these companies. For your research, these are good places to start: convaid.com, and especialneeds.com.

 

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off11.09.09 About BabyStrollers

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Here I am, writing about baby strollers. I’m thinking to myself, What’s there to write about? A product review? A promotion for one stroller or another? Do strollers warrant their own article? What’s going to be angle? What can I bring to the table that others haven’t? In addition, I don’t want to insult your intelligence by writing the obvious. If you read this article, it means that you do you have done some research about strollers, and I don’t want to waste your time.

I researched for material that was available online, I observed babies, mothers, and strollers intensely, in the hopes of finding an anthropological (my undergraduate degree in anthropology might come handy) angle in preparation for this article.

I became aware of many things regarding strollers that I didn’t know before. So this will become a series of “Did you know?” points.

Did you know about this?

Studies about strollers:

The Los Angeles Times recited a study about the adverse affects the stroller has on the babies. Because of the convenience of the stroller, parents keep the babies and toddlers in the stroller too long, therefore, it adds to the obesity factor.

Another study from the U.K. suggests that toddlers spend a lot of time in the strollers and Mommies don’t talk to them as much; and they grow up to be children with social issues, don’t bond as well.

Special Needs strollers:

We have strollers specializing and accommodating babies with special needs; with extra support because of poor muscle tone. One of my children was a “special needs” child. In those days, strollers were of the very basic pram or umbrella. Gosh, it would’ve helped so much having a stroller with pockets which medicine could have been stored.

Double or Triple strollers:

This specialty stroller is designed for families with more than one child in the toddler/baby stage. The seats are arranged either side by side or one behind the other fashion.

Travel Systems:

Strollers are so much more sophisticated today than ever before, with the incorporation of functionality which transforms the stroller from tram (baby carriage) to a sitting stroller to a car seat. Hence the label “travel systems”.

Safety Features:

Today, the safety features are more stringent than ever and include better cushions, better safety belts, bumpers, air filled tires, swivel wheels, brakes, and more. Speaking of brakes, it is a huge improvement over the brick masquerading as brakes. If I would use my first stroller today, surely CPS would decent on me in a New York minute.

Strollers and Sports:

Today you can take your baby on your jogging trail with you, or go cycling. Yes, there are specialized, durable strollers for the runner, the skater, and the cyclist. I am waiting for the swimmer to have floating strollers.

Pet Strollers:

Yes, that’s right. If you are tired of carrying your pooch in a carrying bag, you can always get that special pet stroller. Actually the only convincing argument for a pet stroller that I found was for handicapped pet use.

Prices:

Strollers can go from $20 for a used one to a staggering $1,000.

Recalls:

Folks, I think I covered most of the stuff I uncovered regarding strollers, and avoided giving any advice. Until now. I strongly suggest that you do your market research when you are ready to buy a stroller, which will be as soon as you have your baby. In addition, I implore upon you the Consumer Product Safety Commission for any recall details regarding your stroller. It’s easy to do, just visit cpsc.gov.

God bless,

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off11.05.09 The Antique Stroller

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The antique stroller is one of the very few things that evoke warm and pleasant memories of our childhood.  Subconsciously, we remember our babyhood, the innocence of life, and  simpler times.

 

The antique strollers are referred to as prams or baby carriages.

 

The origin of the word pram:

 

For the linguist in you, you should know that pram is used primarily in Europe.  The word is a permutation  of the original “perambulator”.    In the 1550, it was a Slavic term for a boat or a raft used to carry cargo.  Around the 1880, it became shorter.

 

Good thing too.  Perambulator is just not a “baby” word.  Americans use baby carriage or baby buggy.

 

The baby carriages of old were bulky, heavy, and difficult to maneuver.  Basically it looked like a bassinet on wheels with awnings.  Here is a gorgeous  example of a vintage stroller.  The baby can either lie down or sit and smile like this darling one.

 

 

Today’s baby carriages have the nostalgic look but with all the bells and whistles.

 

 

Most of the antique strollers today are bought by collectors.  A great source for these is found in eBay.com.

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off11.01.09 On Selecting Strollers

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Selecting strollers is very important when preparing for your life with a baby.  The stroller may be with you for few years, therefore, it is a considerably important decision. 

When you do your market research for a proper stroller, you consider the following things:

1. Cost

2. Functionality and Specs

3. Life Style

Regarding Costs -
Strollers can range from below $40 for a used one to $600+ for a top of the line stroller.  “You get what you pay for” is true when it comes to strollers costing $100 or $400.

Regarding functionality and specs –
If you travel a lot, you could get a stroller which the seat can be removed and convert to a car seat.  By the way, don’t forget to measure the car seat and the space you have in the car. Also inspect to see if the stroller fits in you trunk easily. Consider a stroller which collapses quickly and easily put in the car.
If you jog, you might want to get a jogging stroller which you can take on the run. They are made with very strong but lightweight material that is easy to maneuver and absorbs shocks on the road.

If you have more than one child and both are “stroller age”, you need to get a double or triple stroller.
If you have a special needs child, you need to get a special needs stroller.

As far as accessorizing the stroller, the possibilities are endless.  Cup holders, trays, side bags, sun visors, rain shields, padding, and more.

Regarding Lifestyle –

If you are sports minded and active jogger, consider stroller specifically designed for you and your baby.  Shock absorbers and suspension are important, the baby’s safety should be paramount, therefore make sure the baby’s head is secured, and the baby is protected from the elements.
If you are a cyclist, you can get a trailer designed to hitch the stroller to the bicycle. 
If you are in the sun a lot, get a stroller with a canopy that protects your baby.

 The bottom line is that strollers come in a myriad of shapes, colors, and features.  When you research the strollers online, you have the advantage of checking unbiased reviews given by consumers for each model.  Do your homework.

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off10.26.09 The Evolution of Strollers

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The basic function of strollers is to carry the baby easily from point A to point B. 

 

The evolution of strollers

 

 In developing countries, babies are carried by women.  Take a look at this picture. 

 

  

 

  There are many benefits to this “stroller system”. 

 

      - It is quick to assemble and dissemble,

  

      - Extremely functional in difficult terrain.

 

      - It leaves the hands free.

 

      - It enforces the bond between mothers and babies.

 

 

In Western/modern societies the stroller started as baby carriage or pram (Outside the U.S.).  Here is a typical baby carriage:

 

 

 This is used when the infant is too young to sit up.  Basically, it’s a traveling bassinet.

 

As soon as the baby is able to sit, he graduates to the stroller. They used to be very simple, like this antique stroller:

 

 

It didn’t take long, to evolve to a complex “transportation system” which incorporates the needs of the baby and the parent’s lifestyle.  For example, a stroller can be specialized for the jogger, or the cyclist that now have the ability to take the baby with her.  The stroller can be equipped with food trays, can functions as a car seat, can have special covers for protection from the elements.  Like this one:  

 

 

With some variations, most strollers today look like the above.

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