[NAGDU] Using Rolling Suitcase with Guide Dog

Mon Oct 2 23:13:20 UTC 2023

The brand is Easy Wheel. We ordered this online a few years ago but I don't know from where. I highly recommend the liners if you walk in any kind of wet weather as we do here in the Portland Oregon area. Also, It makes it easier to manage the contents of the cart if you have to carry laundry or other items that don't fit nicely in a grocery bag or which you'd rather not leave behind. There is also a hook on it which latches across the opposite of the cart when it is folded for easier storage behind a door, in the garage, or in the closet. 

In the meantime, I have a couple of questions for you.

What kind of a rolling suit case do you use? There are some that have a pull-out lever on the narrow side that you can use to pull the suit case beside or behind you. In my opinion, these are not practical or functional for your purposes. The rolling suit case that we just bought is a big one which I can pull but cheerfully let my husband pull because it is wide and not as manageable as I think is practical. I have a smaller suit case which has zippers on the sides which you can unzip and expand the suit case to hold those extra three outfits I always think that I need. It has a couple of zipper pockets on the front side which work well for my premeasured dog food, grooming gear and the like.  Most importantly the handle on the top has a button which you depress and a longer handle pulls out which  you can turn the suit case so that it pulls behind you and the wide side is facing your backside. The "handle" is a U-shaped and is housed inside the wall of the suit case which makes it less susceptible to bending and breaking as well as affording you better control.  The wheels turn nicely for going around corners and afford you much better control over the weight of the bag. The wheels actually spin in directions as well as forward and back so that they are on, a caster-like structure which will help you corner better.   I set the suit case on the step behind me on the escalators and then simply lift it and pull it behind me as we step off of the escalator. Mine is compact enough to fit under the seat in the airplane or up  in the overhead compartment. This is obviously what I do so that Vicky tucks under the seat in front of me. 

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Richard via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 3:17 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Richard <richard.petty at earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Using Rolling Suitcase with Guide Dog

Joy,

Please check the manufacturer name for us. 

I imagine a cart will be better than a rolling suitcase in our situation. We live in an area with terrible sidewalks. I'm doubtful about how well a rolling suitcase will work--at least a 4-wheel case.

Thanks very much.

Richard Petty
Richard.petty at earthlink.net

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Joy Relton via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 1:15 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Joy Relton <joy.relton at icloud.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Using Rolling Suitcase with Guide Dog

Hi Al,

I have a four-wheel cart which folds up nicely when I get home. It will hold, I think four standards paper grocery bags in two rows of two. I simply stand in front of the cart with the handle at my back and tip the cart up with my right hand so that it pulls nicely behind me. The advantage of the four-wheel over the two-wheel is that you can tip is up and have it rest in an upright position which wasn't really possible with the two-wheelers. So, for example, when you have to wait for the light to change you can sit the cart upright on all four wheels and rest your right hand on it so that you can tilt it down to go down the curb when the light changes. I can't remember where I got the cart. I can find the maker if you want. I know that I ordered it online. I also ordered a liner from Amazon which helps keep things dry and clean. It fits down into the cart and there is a top which folds over and velcroes into place. There are tabs which you wrap around various parts of the cart to hold it in place. Since Garry and I usually shop together for groceries I haven't used it as much for grocerys shopping. I do use it to pull my swimming clothes, water bottle etc to the pool as well and it works beautifully. Also, If you take a bus with it it will slide in between the rows of seats and out of the isle.  

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Al Sten-Clanton via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 10:27 AM
To: Joy Relton via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Al Sten-Clanton <albert.e.sten_clanton at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Using Rolling Suitcase with Guide Dog

Hi, Joy!

What do you recommend for grocery carts?  I had a two-wheeler a long time ago, but it didn't carry a lot and it broke after just a few uses. My ideal would be something the size of a good store carriage, but I haven't yet found out where to get one and I figure I'd have to modify or extend the handle in some way in order to pull it behind me.  What do you think?

Thanks!

Al

On 10/2/23 12:52, Joy Relton via NAGDU wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Chiming in on rolling suit cases. I absolutely love using them with my dog. I find it much easier to maneuver the suit case when navigating the airport including escalators. I also love using two and four wheel carts with my dogs. I makes carrying groceries so much easier. Curb cuts improved the ability to cross streets but I'm now telling my age. I also used strollers behind me. IF you get the kind with the handle that flips forward your child can watch you as you walk.  I caution you to take care on controlling the speed of the cart or it can creep up on you. You should try to practice with you dog a little before you go so that they are not phreaked by this thing following them.
>
> ENJOY!!!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Justin Heard via 
> NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 7:53 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Justin Heard <braillemasterjustin at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Using Rolling Suitcase with Guide Dog
>
> Thank you all for the prompt feedback.
>
> I thought it would be much more complicated than it is. I was worried about needing to use touch commands or reward my dog while carrying around a suitcase. It sounds like that is not a problem.
>
> Thank you very much.
>
>
> On 10/2/2023 10:29 AM, Janell via NAGDU wrote:
>> Traveling with a roller suit case is super easy.  I have a backpack as my carry on.  Has my items and a few cups of dog food in case my luggage gets lost.
>>
>> Good luck, Janell and Dash
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Justin Heard via 
>> NAGDU
>> Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 9:14 AM
>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> Cc: Justin Heard <braillemasterjustin at gmail.com>
>> Subject: [NAGDU] Using Rolling Suitcase with Guide Dog
>>
>> Good morning everyone.
>> This weekend, I am traveling by myself. I need to bring a rolling suitcase, but I won’t have anyone to help me carry it while I work with my dog. Do you have any suggestions for what I should do? Anything that will make this easier?
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
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