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Driving Miss Doggy

How to make every ride a bow-WOW experience!

" The No. 1 thing that you have to do when you transport your pet is have them restrained," said Lisa Peterson, spokeswoman for the American Kennel Club.

That is excellent advice since an unsecured dog can easily become a projectile during a panic stop, even to the point of smashing through the windshield. But what about airbags, you ask? A dog riding in the front passenger’s seat would be as vulnerable as a small child would and probably be injured during the deployment of an airbag. That’s why it’s best to secure your dog in the backseat using a harness designed to work with the seatbelt. Here are just a few reasons:

1. Your dog can be a distraction. Distractions cause accidents. Stephen King was hit by a car, as the driver was trying to keep his Rottweiler under control.
2. Pets without seatbelts are just like people without seatbelts. Buckle up for safety!
3. Even well trained dogs have been known to jump after a chipmunk, cat, or another dog. If your dog is in a seatbelt, he can't jump out the window or run into the street when you open your door.

There are many sources for dog harnesses designed to work with a car’s seatbelt system. Search the Internet and pick one you think your dog will like.

Many states are adopting so-called “doggie seatbelt laws,” but most people don’t realize that “driving while distracted,” whether by a cell phone or a pet riding unsecured in the car, is presently a citable offense in all states.

If you use a crate, you might want to rethink that practice. In an accident, a crate or cage will go flying through the air just like an unrestrained dog. If the crate itself is secured, your dog will be slammed against the walls of the crate. However you secure your pets, don’t leave them in your vehicle. In warm weather, cars turn into ovens.

Going for a ride with your dog is great fun, especially when Miss Doggy can share the sights, sounds and sniffs with you. That’s why many dog caregivers are treating their special companions to booster seats designed for dogs.

Believe it or not, a booster seat may be just the ticket for preventing travel sickness should your dog be sensitive in that way. The movement of fluid in the inner ear, which can make your dog feel off-balance, causes motion sickness. Being able to see out the window and get oriented is often the key to happy car rides.

Anyone who regularly rides with a dog knows that having a nose poking out an open window is pure ecstasy for a canine. However, dogs with their heads out the car window can receive eye injuries from dust and debris. You can prevent eye problems with a nifty item called “Doggles.” They are actually goggles for dogs, hence the name. Unlike ordinary sunglasses for dogs, Doggles actually protect a dog’s eyes from foreign objects, wind, and UV light. Doggles are modeled after sports goggles with flexible, snug-fitting, foam-padded frames, polycarbonate (shatterproof) and anti-fog lenses, and adjustable elastic head and chin straps to keep the Doggles securely on just about any size of dog. Most dogs get accustomed to wearing them quite readily. Again, an Internet search will quickly come up with a source for Doggles.

So the next time you’re driving Miss Doggy, consider your pup’s safety and comfort. Properly equipped, you’ll both say bow-WOW to car rides!