pet connection

There are a variety of ways people bring pets along with them in a car. Some are poor choices (dog unrestrained in back of pickup truck bed), and some are safe (seat belts and crates).

Driving around South Florida, I see it all. Dogs are either hanging out the window as their owners let them stick their head out in the fresh air, or a dog is romping around the back of a pickup. Both are just accidents waiting to happen. Sometimes people drive with the dog in their lap. Airbags, anyone?

All of these scenarios make me want to pull up to the negligent pet owner and share a few choice words about cars and pet safety.

So, how can pet owners still bring their pet in the car but use products to ramp up safety benefits?

I’d like to share a few with you a few products I found which increase pet travel safety. These are the good ways for your pet to travel via car with you.

Carseat and Harness. Everyday I pick up my two children in ‘car line’ at their school. I used to bring Roxi with me and she just sat in the passenger seat. Once I have stopped the car and I roll down the passenger side window, she greets my children. The thing is, Roxi is too small to see out the window so I usually lift her up to give kisses to the children. Now we have a new routine. Roxi sits atop a pink plush car seat which gives her a booster seat view out the window. The padded harness with seat belt attachment is $27,  and there is a safety strap attached to the seat belt. G.W. Little, the fabulous little dog product catalog, allowed me to test this pink car seat and harness ($179 retail). Here is a video demonstrating the safety as well as over-the-top P-I-N-K cuteness. (Yes, it comes in tan for non-diva pet owners).

I liked this car seat for the following reasons:

• Attached easily with my current seat belt into car. No attachments needed
• Foam siding is firm and supportive so Roxi can see out the window
• Harness allows Roxi to move about just enough to stay comfortable, yet restrained
• Pull-out storage tray for water, treats, or leash.

Solvit Car Barriers For big dog owners the choices are allowing your pet to roam freely about the back seat, or place them in a crate. Roaming free is not the safest of choices, but since many pet owners do it, I wanted to share a product that at least keeps you focused on driving safely. The Solvit Cargo Area Net Pet Barrier and Front Seat Net Pet Barrier attaches to the back of seats and creates a barricade to prevent your dog from jumping up front and sitting on your lap, or trying to shift gears for you. It’s made of mesh and attaches using Velcro. The two pound, lightweight material barrier is easy to handle. It is relatively inexpensive at $39. The barrier stores compactly and offers a good level of driver safety. I also want to make a quick point that 99 % of the dog bites treated by my husband (a plastic surgeon) are from dogs who bite their owners while sitting in cars. Travel is stressful and confined spaces are prime locations for a seemingly docile dog to lash out and bite.

Sleepypod travel crate. Moving again to smaller pets, Sleepypod makes wonderfully designed products. I was drawn to this carrier/ bed simply for its aesthetic appeal. After using it inside as a safe place for my new puppy, I decided to bring Dino to the vet in the pod. Now I am even more impressed with the Sleepypod, retailing for $179. The safety features on this product are top-notch. There are two places to secure the seat belt. The seat lap band velcros under loop on side and the shoulder belt loops through the top handle on the pod. Once secured in place, this pod does not move.

I also like that the mesh top is soft, the inside is a cushy bed, and the sides are strong and supportive. The Sleepypod comes in many colors. My favorite is the vibrant red.  On the right is a photo with the top off and my puppy Dino is just using it as a bed. The mesh cap, or top, zips off and on. The inner plush bed zips out for washing. There is a plastic lining to protect the bottom outer core. This is a very well thought out product.

Crate/ Carrier A tried and true safe option is to use your metal crate or plastic carrier. Place it in the back of your SUV or hatchback. You might even be able to fit it into your back seat. I like the Double Door Deluxe from PetMate. It is has a top opening as well as the traditional side opening. The medium version, for up to 15 lbs, is $34 at Petco.

Which method do you currently use to transport your furry best friend?

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