|
|
|
Eddie’s Wheels
Handicapped Pet Carts
By Rhonda Withington
Ad Resource Co. offering Promotional Products for the Pet Industry
About eighteen months ago I was in Greenfield, MA for the day, just having fun. In an abandoned store window I noticed a pottery display. In that window were some beautiful pots handmade by a talented artist. There was one pitcher that I thought would be perfect on my vanity, it was very unusual… I had to have it! I could not find any identification for the artist. I started asking around town. One person in a local food store did give me a name of who he thought to be the artist. Once back in Connecticut, I proceeded to track down the artist. I found out that she lived in Shelburne Falls, MA.
My first conversation with Leslie Grinnell the artist was enjoyable; she is a warm and open person. To my disappointment she was no longer producing her pottery. She told me she was helping her husband with a business he had started called, "Eddie’s Wheels," making carts for handicapped dogs.
The name Eddie’s Wheels stuck in my memory, and when one of my Yorkies started having trouble walking due to arthritis, I once again looked up Leslie. It seems that this small business that Ed started in the basement thinking he would make a few custom carts now and then, is now a full time, full fledged undertaking. After spending six years in a rented space, Eddie’s Wheels is now in a lovely commercial building that was recently renovated. The new space gives Eddie’s Wheels room to continue to grow, as well as offering space for complementary alternative health care services such as healing touch, massage, acupuncture and chiropractic services by a variety of practitioners.
Eddie’s Wheels is not just for dogs! Carts have been made for dogs, cats, and alpacas…the possibilities are endless.
When I first arrived at Eddie’s Wheels, I was greeted by Daisy the Dachshund, she is the CEO; you should see her zip around in her cart. In spite of the fact that there were two larger dogs there with her, she is obviously the boss.
What touched me the most is when Leslie and I walked downstairs to the factory area to pick up my Yorkie’s cart, it was labeled with his name, not a number!! Leslie was looking amongst the ready orders for a small cart labeled "Watson’s cart." Every other cart there also had a name on it….not a number. Each cart is created just for your pet, with specific options fitted when needed.
While there visiting, Sally, a pug, and her owner came by to pick up Sally’s cart. After Daisy the CEO approved, Sally was put in her new cart. Sally immediately was happily sprinting around the room, she also discovered quite quickly where the treat container was. At that point, all of the dogs there lined up to receive a Liver Biscotti---yum!!
It was lovely meeting both Leslie and Ed…and of course Daisy and the crew. It is so heartwarming to see a business like this where the care and comfort of animals is the first priority. The moral of the story? Good people with good intentions do not finish last, and our pets with physical limitations deserve nothing but the best!!
For more info on Eddie’s Wheels visit their web site at www.eddieswheels.com or call 413-625-0033.
For more info on Ad Resource Co./ Promotional Items for the Pet Industry visit www.web.mac.com/whitecrane1/iWeb/Pets or call 860-423-3373.
|
|
|
|
|
|
