These days, it's pretty great to have a dog's life.

People are spending an ever growing amount of money on their pets.

Some pet owners are spending that money not because they want to, but because they have to.

It seems some are willing to do anything to take care of their pets. When once euthanasia was the only option, more people are opting not to put down their pets.

That's true for one Madison woman whose dog is one, you won't likely forget.

From pet massage to doggy daycare. No bones about it, our four legged friends have it made.

Pet owners spent nearly $36 billion on products for their pets last year.

But not every accessory is a fashion statement.

Pet Owner Paula Rogge says, "The moment I get him outside his ears perk up and he is alive."

Paula Rogge's pooch Poly Wog had a brush with death two years ago, after a hit and run accident.

Rogge says, "I knew it was serious and as it turns out he had a ruptured disc in the spine and that basically severed or damaged the spinal cord and he couldn't use his back legs."

Paula prepared for life with a paraplegic and she found helping hands, but surprisingly, not much expert advice.

Rogge says, "Not a lot of vets had experience with dogs like this. But, a lot of it was kind of trial by fire, just kind of trying it out."

She taught herself how to help Poly Wog go to the bathroom.

After a month of carrying him everywhere Rooge says, "My arms were really getting tired and a friend gave me the cart."

This past summer, Paula moved from Texas to Madison and noticed the abundance of animals.

Rogge says, "Yes, I think it is a very dog friendly city what I love are the dog parks."

The cart doesn't work on the stairs at Paula's apartment and Poly Wog will never run and fetch like other dogs. But, Paula says he's happy, he's not in pain and he's only enriched her life by being in it.

Rogge says, "It's work but it's worth it."

A dog cart can cost anywhere from $200 to $400. The cart costs more if it has special features.

Paula says Poly is no longer on any special medication. His vet visits cost no more than a dog with 4 working legs.