SHELBURNE FALLS — For more than 25 years, Eddie and Leslie Grinnell of Eddie's Wheels have been giving dignity and independence to special needs animals with mobility issues, while combatting prejudice against disability.
Chewy, a 95-pound, 12-year-old German shepherd, is measured for a custom cart by Leslie Grinnell of Eddie's Wheels. Chewy has been diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy and is starting to show weakness. His owner Trish Rodrigue stands at right.
GILLIAN HECK — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Leslie Grinnell measures Chewy, a 12-year-old German shepherd, for a mobility cart.
GILLIAN HECK — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
While he doesn't need one yet, Chewy, a 95-pound, 12-year-old German shepherd, tries out a mobility cart.
GILLIAN HECK — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
In 1989, the Grinnells found themselves in a difficult position when their beloved blue Dobermann, Buddha, lost the use of her rear legs due to spondylosis and disc disease. The two options presented to them by their vet were a risky, expensive surgery or euthanasia.
Declining those options, they took care of Buddha — who was neither in pain nor depressed — and looked into wheelchair options for their dog.
An array of custom dog wheelchair carts made by Eddie's Wheels in Shelburne Falls.
GILLIAN HECK — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Tyler Rock, who is a partner in Eddie's Wheels, does some adjustments on a cart based on Chewy's measurements before allowing the dog to try it out.
GILLIAN HECK — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Eddie, who was dissatisfied with the wheelchair options, decided to build her a custom wheelchair.
“A mechanical engineer by trade, he analyzed the canine skeleton and designed a cart that would support Buddha on her pelvic floor with a yoke over her shoulders. This would give her spine the support it needed to heal,” says the company's website.
Peter Sandberg, a former motorcycle mechanic who has worked in the shop at Eddie's Wheels for the last few months, measures a mobility cart that he is building for a client.
GILLIAN HECK — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Danny Risatti of Eddie's Wheels measures a mobility cart for a client. Risatti said he's always been mechanically inclined. He said he was the kid who always would take his toys apart.
GILLIAN HECK — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Buddha improved and was eventually able to walk again. When Eddie's own disabilities forced him from corporate life, he started to build wheelchairs for dogs and in 1999, Eddie's Wheels was born.
Shana Larkin manufactures the saddle on a cart she is building for a client in the shop at Eddie's Wheels in Shelburne Falls. According to Leslie Grinnell, the saddle, or padding, is what makes their carts unique. The padding is adhered to the cart and doesn't move, eliminating chaffing for the pet.
GILLIAN HECK — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Tyler Rock, who is a partner in Eddie's Wheels, does some adjustments on a cart based on Chewy's measurements before allowing the dog to try it out.
GILLIAN HECK — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Shana Larkin of Eddie's Wheels manufactures the saddle on a cart she is building for a client. According to Leslie Grinnell, the saddle, or padding, is what makes their carts unique. The padding is adhered to the cart and doesn't move, eliminating chaffing for the pet.
GILLIAN HECK — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Now all of the parts, except for the wheels, are fabricated and manufactured in their workshop. Their unique carts are sent all over the world. Every cart is warrantied for the life of the pet it was built for. Many donate the cart back to Eddie's Wheels after their pet passes away.
Tyler Rock, who is a partner in Eddie's Wheels, makes some adjustments on a cart.
GILLIAN HECK — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Danny Risatti of Eddie's Wheels measures a mobility cart for a client. Risatti said he's always been mechanically inclined. He said he was the kid who always would take his toys apart.
GILLIAN HECK — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Eddie's Wheels has manufactured mobility carts for many different animals beside dogs. According to Eddie, cats, goats, pigs, sheep, lambs, rabbits, raccoons, possums, ferrets, alpacas and even a Fennec fox have been the recipients of such mobility carts.
Neville, a 7-year-old chihuahua, was adopted by Leslie and Eddie Grinnell. Neville was born without front legs.
GILLIAN HECK — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Neville, a 7-year-old chihuahua, was adopted by Leslie and Eddie Grinnell. Neville was born without front legs.
GILLIAN HECK — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Back in 2018, an episode of Murphy Brown featured one of their mobility carts on a Boston terrier that Murphy adopted from an animal shelter. According to Leslie, the only inaccuracy in the episode was that the cart squeaked. Their carts do not squeak, but it worked in the comedy of the show.
Finch, a 7-year-old long-haired chihuahua from Tennessee, was adopted by Leslie and Eddie Grinnell. Finch has a broken back and has to have his bladder expressed every day, but took to his wheelchair easily, according to Grinnell.
