Here's hoping all the ideas helped fragrancehound.
I nearly know what it's like. We owned a bigger than usual, fat senior Sheltie, whose nickname was 'Horse' (as in, 'as big as').
It was like carrying a baby elephant up the stairs.

Hi, Cinder & Smoke, I saw your name in this thread...& that's why I started reading it. Always led somewhere good.
The Australians are baaaaaaaaaaaack.