iN VIDEO: Wiener dogs on wheels bring cheer to Kamloops and beyond

A couple of wiener dogs in Kamloops are bringing cheer everywhere they wiggle, as they speed around on sets of wheels.

Murphy and Fergus don’t have the use of their back legs but that isn’t slowing the pair down as they zip around town meeting new people with their tongues out and long ears flapping.

“They get a lot of attention and everyone in our neighbourhood knows who we are,” said the dogs’ owner, Lisa Mackenzie.

iNFOnews.ca met up with her at a beach in Kamloops, Oct. 9, to find out more about the pups while they frolicked on the beach and wheeled into the water to fetch sticks.

“They look related but they’re not and they have very different personalities” Mackenzie said. “Murphy is a suck, we call him our Velcro dog, he has to be on your lap all the time where Fergus is more independent but less wise around roads and traffic.”

The smallest of the pair, Fergus is almost 13 years old and has been using a wheelchair for six years. Murphy is four and got his wheels two months ago following a recent injury.

Both the dachshunds are disabled from intervertebral disc disease, a spinal condition common for the breed that causes pain, nerve damage and sometimes paralysis.

“Their bodies are so long that calcium builds up on their spines and they get injured when they jump off of things,” Mackenzie said. “The reason why you don’t see them in wheelchairs often is because surgery for the injuries is $15,000 and no one can afford it. We were fortunate enough to pay the cost and would have no problem taking in another one.”

Mackenzie said the dogs wear diapers at home and have to have their wheelchairs replaced every so often when the wheels wear out, but caring for them isn’t that difficult and she takes them everywhere with her.

“It’s not as hard as people think. The wheelchairs are lightweight and easy to hook up,” she said. “When at home, the dogs drag themselves around on their bums and honestly, they’re very fast.”

The pups even travel on planes with Mackenzie and her husband, where they attract lots of attention.

“They ride with us in their little travel bag,” she said. “They’ll come running and jump into the bags, they love to fly. Going through the airport is tricky if you’re in a hurry, people want to see the dogs and take videos of them.”

Both dogs love the beach, swimming and running, and can often be spotted at Hello Toast café in downtown Kamloops where dogs are allowed on the patio.

“They visit with people and when someone’s food comes out, they’ll wheel over and just watch them, begging.”

Numerous people walking along the beach paused to watch the funny little pair and chuckle during the interview.   

“I’m so glad they’re enjoying life,” said a dog walker passing by.

Done with swimming, the pups wheeled up the sandy beach to go for a zip along a pathway in the park.

“They bring me so much joy,” Mackenzie said. “I’m happy to share that with others.”

If you want more of Murphy and Fergus’ adorable antics check out their Instagram account. They have more than 3,400 followers.