The developer of the DogzUp® ramps and a retired engineer, was inspired by his then Newfoundland dog Caesar to build a better dog ramp. 

Caesar was adopted in 2020, aged 8 years, from Newf Friends. Caesar weighed 185 pounds at the time he was surrendered and couldn't walk. Caesar’s weight came down to 160 pounds during the 4 months he was in foster care.

When picking up Caesar from his foster home, the ramp that Patrick used for his other Newfs Isabel and Rona, weighing between 54 kg (120 lbs.) and 64 kg (140 lbs.) sagged under Caesar's weight. A new dog ramp design was needed.

A post-adoption wellness exam revealed he had ruptured the CCL ligaments in both knees, most probably due to his extreme obesity prior to being surrendered. Caesar eventually had bilateral TPLO surgeries.

Caesar's orthopaedic surgeon was located 150 km from home--a 300 km round trip. Between both of his surgeries, at least 10 trips were required. The new ramp design proved indispensable: he entered and exited the vehicle effortlessly making sure his knees were able to heal.

Sadly, about one year after his first surgery, he began exhibiting symptoms of medical distress. He passed away peacefully on 14 April 2022 from stomach cancer. He was only with Patrick's family for 18 months...a very short time. He will always be loved and cherished.