Woman Beats Gas Prices by Getting Dogs to Pull Her Around Town

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When prices increase, some people may look for alternative ways to save dollars, like one woman who has found a way to beat gas prices.

TikTok user @fancy_pie28 has shared a video of her unusual mode of transport: a cart with four wheels being pulled by her two dogs.

The poster lives in California, one of the most expensive states for gas, according to AAA. The national average price of gas is $3.408, but Californian residents can expect to pay around $5.138. In September, gas prices shot up to $7 a gallon in the state, so it's no wonder some other TikTok users want to invest in a dog cart too.

Sled dogs
Screenshots from a TikTok video show two dogs pulling their owner in a cart to the store and waiting patiently in a parking spot. @fancy_pie28/TikTok/@fancy_pie28

The viral clip, which was shared on October 23, has racked up 115,300 views and many comments, including some from the owner. She pointed out that the secondhand Sacco dog cart is great fun for both humans and canines.

During the clip, she can be heard directing her dogs to turn left or right as they navigate their way through empty streets. At the journey's end, they pull into a parking space and patiently wait for her while she goes into the store. This is followed by a short clip of the dogs bringing their owner home.

The on-screen text says: "These two have a much safer and comfortable pace, but sometimes it's almost too slow."

The poster told Newsweek: "My other dogs pull the cart much faster."

One TikTok user expressed concern about the dog's safety, but the owner confirmed that there aren't any theft risks.

She wrote: "The stores are so small, and I am in and out so quick. Unhooking the dogs to steal them would take a minute and the cart is too big to throw in a car and drive off with."

Another user said: "I don't trust cars on the road enough to do this."

The owner responded: "We usually stick to trails, but occasionally I will run to the store. It's a very low-traffic route. No cars on this trip at all."

While social media users were amazed by the cart, sledding with dogs isn't anything new. In fact, it has been around for 30,000 to 35,000 years, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).

"Sled dogs probably evolved in Mongolia," says the AKC website, which explains how this type of transport was once essential.

The late 1800s and early 1900s were even nicknamed the "Era of the Sled Dog." The canines were used to transport everything from supplies to mail. Even an antitoxin was brought to ailing members of Nome, Alaska, during the 1925 diphtheria outbreak.

According to the AKC, the best breeds for sledding are the Samoyed, Alaskan malamute, Siberian husky and Chinooks. The owner said the smaller dog on the right is one-quarter husky.

The original poster said she taught the dogs by getting them to pull her while riding a bike.

So far, the clip has 11,500 likes and 380 comments. One user said: "Me soon since gas prices at $7."

"My dogs would see a squirrel and I'd be toast," said another.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.

About the writer

Lucy Notarantonio is Newsweek's Senior Lifestyle and Trends Reporter, based in Birmingham, UK. Her focus is trending stories and human interest features ranging from health, pets and travel. Lucy joined Newsweek in August 2022 and previously worked at Mercury Press and Media and other UK national newspapers, the Australian Women Magazines and The New York Post. My focus is human-interest stories ranging from relationships to health, fitness, travel, and home. I am always on the lookout for relationships that go against the "norm" such as age-gap ones along with incredible weight loss stories aimed to inspire and motivate others. Languages: English She is a Derby University graduate You can get in touch with l.notarantonio@newsweek.com.


Lucy Notarantonio is Newsweek's Senior Lifestyle and Trends Reporter, based in Birmingham, UK. Her focus is trending stories and human ... Read more