The Brooklyn Paper
Photos/ The Brooklyn Paper / Gregory P. Mango / Aaron Greenhood
Anne Carnes has Shadow in tow while she gets her nails done. Because her dog is in a stroller, stores are more likely to let her pooch inside.
It isn’t enough that we save them a spot at the bottom of the bed, wrap our restaurant leftovers for them as a late-night snack, or wake up early to follow them around in the rain with a pooper-scooper, but today some pampered pooches now need wheels.
“It is unbelievable how many people stop me and think I am pushing a baby,” said Annie Carnes, who strollers “Shadow,” her Toy Yorkie, around Bay Ridge in her customized puppy stroller.
“People stop me every five minutes — sometimes they even stop their car and get out to look for themselves at my dog stroller.”
Carnes, who paid $200 for the stroller, wasn’t planning on purchasing the canine cruiser until Shadow jumped into a display model at Posh Pets at 9540 Fourth Ave., and has barely jumped out since.
“It was worth every penny,” Carnes said. “Shadow lets me know when he has to do his business and he jumps right out. He also lets me know when he gets tired and he jumps back in, he is a very smart dog.”
Carnes, who walks Shadow a few miles a day, believes that the doggy carriage trend is something that will catch on in New York. After all, having the stroller allows her to bring Shadow into stores, restaurants and other places with “No dogs allowed” signs — not to mention the miles of wear and tear it takes off of her precious Shadow.
“I am starting to see a lot more people strolling their dogs,” Carnes said. “My good friend has a stroller and now my niece has one, too.”
Most dog strollers work much like the traditional baby strollers, with a comfort lining, colorful toys to keep the pups stimulated, and even some storage room for groceries or pooch supplies, according to Beth Deprado, the owner of Posh Pets.
“This has really become a phenomenon,” said Deprado. “They are becoming more popular, especially for senior dogs who don’t want to walk anymore.”
Deprado’s store sells six different models ranging in prices from the Happy Trails model at $65, to the $200 luxury Jeep model. Most accommodate dogs in the 20-pound range and the strollers come in all colors.
“I admit that it may be a little ridiculous, but we do love to spoil our pets,” Deprado added.
One dog enthusiast believes that there is a fine line between man’s best friend and man’s master.
“What’s next? Are we going to be buying dog toilet paper?” asked Ridge resident Andrew Dula, who was walking his Golden Retriever, Gunther, along Shore Road. “The day you find me pushing my dog in a stroller is the day he becomes my master.”
Dutifully, however, Dula later picked up Gunther’s poop.
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