I’ve had dogs my entire life, but it didn’t sink in how significant they were until I had my own dog. Sure, we have dogs that are family dogs, but there are definitely pups that have their favorites. My first dog was Jelly Dog. Thankfully, he’s still with me today, but he’s getting there. They’re such massive parts of our lives, and until Jelly started getting a little more grey and a lot slower, it didn’t even occur to me that he wouldn’t be with me forever. Much like dealing with any aging family member, caring for them gets complicated. That brings me to the title, getting a grip; I want to talk to you about something I thought would be a stupid gimmick product that eventually made my dog’s life 100x better in his old age.

Doggy Door Dilemma

It shames me to admit this, but it’s important to paint the picture. I sent my boy away earlier this year for his own good. Even if it wasn’t that far and I get to see him 3-4 times a week, I had to take my pup back to my parents.

He just reached the point where he needed access to a doggy door, or he’d have accidents. Unfortunately, as a broke 20-something, I couldn’t swing that in an apartment since, you know, we don’t have a yard. (I even tried to give him access to a re-usable pee pad on our porch temporarily, but you can’t leave that open 24/7) It was that or put him in dog diapers, which I have been vehemently and stubbornly against. (It’s probably a symptom of my inability to admit he’s getting closer to going to Doghalla.)

It wasn’t easy to send him back to my parents for the doggy door, but I wanted him to have a better quality of life. It definitely bothered him when he had accidents if I didn’t notice him asking, or he couldn’t quite make it, even if I didn’t scold him for it. It just sucked, plain and simple.

(I also wanted it to smell less like piss in my apartment, plus side, I have gotten really good at shampooing carpet now.)

Actually Getting a Grip

But you’re probably wondering, what the hell does literally any of that have to do with getting a grip or dog socks? When Jelly moved in, it was apparent the yard made him a happy boy. He’s some hound dog and loves pacing and sniffing. The problem with that is hardwood and tile floors. He can’t balance himself to save his life with his old-ass legs. I honestly thought I would have to take him back just because he had a hell of a time navigating in their home.

I have to thank my Mom for being a professional Mom here because never in 1,000 years would I have thought to get my dog socks. Even if I did, it would probably fall under the same umbrella as the stubborn dog diaper situation. Specifically, she chose “DOK Tiger Toes” on Amazon. They’re just these little Velcro-tightened socks with rubber grip. I think they’re mostly for protecting dog paws on asphalt or bad terrain, but I think Jelly’s usage takes the case.

They’re advertised as “Extra-Thick Grip That Works Even When Twisted – Prevents Licking, Slipping, and Great for Dog Paw Protection.” I can’t attest to many of the other features as much (although they seem pretty sturdy so far; I can update this later with more), but I can not understate how much of a massive difference it’s made in his life. He can move, sniff, play to a certain extent, and even catch himself if he loses balance. Again, it just seemed like a bullshit product to make people feel better; I was so happy to be wrong. He tends to walk a little bit like a drunk, I assume because of hip pain, so his being able to recover and not wipe out makes me unbelievably happy.

Here are the product specs list on their product page for those curious:

• “3x More Grip: Performance grip is engineered to provide reliable traction even if the sock twists while dog is using them, making them the ideal anti-slip dog socks for both senior dogs and active dogs alike.
• Senior Dogs: Specifically created with senior pet owners in mind. Maximum traction on hardwood floors and other slippery surfaces make them the perfect socks for dogs with joint and mobility issues.
• Patent-Pending Design: Revolutionary product designed in USA to provide comfort, stability, and mobility support. Buttonless strap design prevents dog sores and allows for comfortable, unrestricted movement.
• Multi-Functional: Suitable for large dogs, small dogs, and senior dogs, these socks provide paw protection for summer, keeping your dog’s paws safe from hot pavement, heat, and other potential hazards.”

*Small addendum to that last bit: they do come in XX-Small, through XX-Large. Jelly is about 50lbs, and we got him the Large pair. Make sure you order the right size! I’ll link their size chat below.

I guess the moral of my story is don’t be so damn stubborn that you wouldn’t buy your dog socks just because you think they might be a gag product. I should have been willing to try to make my best friend’s life just a little better. Don’t be like me; get a grip.

More Jelly Throughout The Years