Hello Tripawd friends! My pawrents are looking for some ideas for stairs that I can do.  The problem is that we have a house that is up on poles. It is raised off of the ground for flooding reasons.  My mom is wondering if I will get stong enough to go up and down a large flight of steps. Going down sounds scarey!! Do you think that we should invest in a permanent ramp? What have you all found to be helpful?

Wags and licks,

Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown & family,

My mom and dad thought I might stay confined to our first floor of our two-story house after my amputation.  Boy, did they have lots to learn!  I got tired of seeing everyone going up and down without me and started following them just like the old days.  That's not to say I haven't taken a fall or two at the bottom of the stairs because, like Jerry, I have one front leg missing so going down is the hardest part.  The Roughwear Harness has really helped Mom to get me out of her 4WD truck though, so I'd highly recommend that.

Love,

Barney B 

If it was me, I might build a ramp if that is an option. However, tripawds on this forum seem to be doing pretty well with the stairs. My main concern would be a tripawd might fall and hurt the one leg in front or back, and then could not get around at all. That seems like too high a price to pay for me.

Charlie Brown, I would say that if you can easily build a ramp that would be the safest solution if you want to go in/out without assistance. It may also be better in the long run since dogs on 3 legs get tired faster and it would be easier on him unless you are always going to be accompanied.

I always walked beside my Timber when she was going up more than 2 steps because I was afraid she would fall. She did fine every time never needing any assistance, but that was not a daily task for her. When we did need an extra boost we used a towel because she had a very sensitive belly and hated to be lifted. The towel worked for us, But a Ruffwear harness would be easier to hold!

Buster's first day home, and unable to navigate the steps as well. Looking for a ramp at the local pet stores but not long enough or sturdy enough, or the surface not slip resistant enough for my peace of mind. Yes, if you can build a ramp.( Not too steep.)… Yes, we all have to look out for their other good legs. Why take a chance???? Wish i was a carpenter , i would try to build  a custom fit ramp myself…. (harness too soon after surgery) besides the new one Jerry tested seems better anyway, waiting for lighter material for my Siberian.

KIM & BUSTER

I'm not a carpenter either, but it seems like a ramp would not be that hard.  All you should need to do is measure the area, and buy a piece (or pieces) of sturdy plywood that could be placed onto the stairs and secured there.  Then you could just buy some carpeting and staple, nail or screw it to the plywood.  It might not be the most attractive ramp, but it should serve its purpose. 

The only problem I see is that humans do better on stairs than ramps, so the humans would have to be careful going down the ramp.

I still cannot go up the stairs without help, let alone going down. Inside the house, I am pretty much limited to only the main floor.

It sounds like Charlie's place is the similar to my Mom's place. A neat little ramp was built for me to go the backyard from the deck, or anywhere out of the house.

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You can see that there is a little gap between the ramp and the railings, that is the part of stairs my Mom takes when she guards me hopping down.

If you need more close-up shots, my Mom can always snapshots and post them here.

Love, Genie.