Pet Auto Safety

When we started this pet travel photo contest, our intent was to select one photo winner. But there were so many great photos of pets on vacation that we couldn’t pick just one. So we picked three! All three of our winners received $25.

The first winner is Trina and her dog Maggie. While this photo was taken across the ocean in Tuscany. Maggie is currently in New York with a trip planned across the seas again in the spring. Here is what Maggie had to say about her photo:

“This was my favorite vacation. We drove from Geneva Switzerland to our vacation villa in Tuscany. It was absolutely dog bliss! I already know what you’re thinking, and yes I did have my harness seatbelt on for the road trip. The owner had two dogs, and was really happy to see me. She let me roam the grounds, swim in the pool, sniff out her house and even sneaked me a treat or two.
Here I am in from of the villa after a day walking through the lavender fields.
We are lucky dogs, that we get to travel.
Maggie
Wag The Dog UK
Wagging Reviews
http://www.wagthedoguk.com/blog/“

The second winner is Dirk and his three dogs. Mickey and Marley are in the winning photo on a boat. Dirk’s other dog is a Staffordshire Terrier named Mandy. We are sharing her picture too. We love the Petz On Board sign that Dirk has in his vehicle and bought one for ourselves.

Dirk has a holiday house along the river where his dogs love to swim and be on the boat with their ears flapping in the wind. Dirk says, “This was taken about a year ago. My two female dogs (the snowfox (marley), and the staffy (mandy) was adopted from our local animal welfare and at first they were very scared of the water and the boat, but slowly but surely they built confidence and today they own the boat and the water. The daschund has been babied by my girlfriend since he was a pup and thinks he is a german shepard and the pack leader! The staffy (mandy) likes to sit on the back seat putting out the vibe watching the birds flying over her head.”

The third winner is Cynthia and her dog Jack. Jack is a yellow Labrador and white Shepherd cross. He’s as light colored as our Maya. Here is what Cynthia has to say about her photo of Jack:

“This photo is of my dog, Jack, in my significant other’s parents’ backyard in GORGEOUS Miami, FL. We went on vacation there in January of this year. It was a long drive but Jack was a good boy both on the way there and on the way back. He loves to go bye-bye and this was his biggest bye-bye ever! In Miami, he especially enjoyed chasing little lizards and baby iguanas. Up here in Northern Indiana, the only thing he can chase is squirrels, so this was a treat! He also went swimming in the Ocean for the first time. My SO’s parents treated him like he was their own, and he sucked up all of the attention. They even let him lay on their “guest” couch, which even the resident dog isn’t allowed on! Jack also got to taste authentic Cuban food with me, but only a little bit. All in all, it was the. best. vacation. ever!”

Thanks, Cynthia! Get back in touch with us for your prize. I’m sure Jack would love for you to buy him some biscuits and toys.

Thank you to all who entered! On Wednesday, November 7th, we will begin another contest. The prize for the next contest is for the seat/couch cover below. This item has been discontinued by the manufacturer so this is the only one left. The winner for the very last one ever will be chosen at random on November 30th. Come visit us again on Wednesday for the contest details.

It never ceases to amaze me with how many people think it is silly to make your dog wear a seat belt in the car. This has been an especially hot topic lately since New Jersey passed the new law. Many people, including political officials, are calling it stupid. “Absolutely ridiculous…..like NJ doesn’t have other issues to deal with that are more important than SEAT BELTS FOR PETS!” or “Seriously? Do dogs really cause car accidents?” or “For a free country, we sure are losing a lot of freedoms of choice” or “Next thing you know they will make laws requiring us to strap in Kleenex boxes”.

While most people seem to be upset that New Jersey is wasting tax dollars to make such a law, it should be common sense. Unfortunately, many laws are made because people aren’t using common sense. Remember when states started making seat belt laws for people? There were nearly the same arguments. Today, I am going to give you real life examples of why dogs should wear seat belts in the car.

1. Do unrestrained dogs in cars really kill people? The answer is yes. On September 15th of this year in East Brunswick, New Jersey, it is suspected that a dog in the vehicle was a distraction which caused the driver to lose control, crash, kill two pedestrians, and injure three others. TWO people are dead. Read the article HERE.

2. Do car accidents kill dogs? Again, yes. While the answer to this question might seem obvious, consider this relatively minor accident in Lakewood, Washington where the two occupants suffered only minor injuries but the dog died. The Pomeranian was killed when it hit the windshield. This dog could have survived if he had been restrained in a pet car harness or pet carrier. Read the article HERE.

3. What happens to a dog after an accident? Consider the terror a dog feels after the car that it is in goes out of control. The instinct of a dog in a traumatic experience is to run. And if given half they chance, dogs WILL try to run away from the accident – even if it is just a fender-bender. Consider Bella in Clinton, Montana on August 5th of this year. She and her family were in a terrible accident, a fatal accident. Bella survived. But when someone opened the car door, Bella bolted. She was so scared that no amount of calling for her or looking for her would bring her out. She ran and hid for several days, only coming out at dusk or dawn. It took a community coming together and a live trap to capture Bella. She was finally caught on August 31st… 25 days later. Imagine her fate if the community hadn’t helped. Read her story HERE.

All these stories happened within the past couple of months. And these are just a few of the stories we have come across. Multiply these three by at least 10 more recent stories we’ve found. Then multiply that by how many stories we didn’t find and how many stories never made it to the web. I bet the number goes into the hundreds. Then multiply that again by several months and I bet you have well over a thousand per year. Since there is no formal reporting system for dogs in car accidents, this is just a guess.

We all think it will never happen to us. But if it does, let’s be prepared. Consider the many well-tested dog seat belt brands. If you don’t think your dog will tolerate a seat belt, consider training him to get used to it or consider a secured pet crate or pet vehicle barrier. Your pet is family. Treat him/her like family.

Tanner from All Things Dog Blog in his Pet Buckle Dog Seatbelt

It seems like everyone is talking about pet car safety nowadays. Check out this great article on All Things Dog Blog regarding the safety of pet safety seat belts by clicking HERE. Then check out other great articles on this wonderful blog.

It is now the law in New Jersey to keep your pet restrained in your vehicle. They have passed this law for a number of reasons but the primary reason is for the safety of people. As important as it is to protect our pets, New Jersey was able to enact the law in order to protect people. How does restraining your dog in the car protect people?

1. Dogs can be a distraction in the car just as much, if not more, than a cell phone.

2. Too many drivers allow their little dogs to sit in their lap which is even more of a distraction.

3. An unrestrained dog in the car can cause a person serious injury in the event of a car accident because the dog becomes a dangerous projectile.

4. In the event of a car accident, an unrestrained dog in the car might be able to get out of the car and run into the road causing another accident.

5. A dog who hangs their head out the window could jump out or accidentally fall out of the car and cause an accident to other drivers on the road.

New Jersey didn’t just enact these laws to protect people, they felt compelled to enact these laws because too many people were not using common sense when traveling with their dog in the car. Too many people allowed their dog to sit in their lap when they drive, allowed their dog to hang out the window, or got into a car accident because their dog was a distraction.

If you think the new laws in New Jersey are too harsh, use common sense when you drive with your pet. If your dog won’t wear a dog car harness, at least consider a pet car barrier. Other pet travel safety products include the BreezeGuard window screens, car seats for dogs, pet car barriers, and pet travel crates. For a variety of pet travel safety products to choose from, click HERE to visit our pet car safety website.

Our source for the info on the New Jersey law is PetSide.com.

We were recently invited to join this new website for animal rescue. It is called www.PetCommando.com. And I have just had the wonderful opportunity to speak to the Pet Commando himself.

Louis Pollaro is the Pet Commando and he works with a team of other dog lovers including Jana Arnold and Damir Perge of Madman Interactive (producers of Pet Commando), Robert Lucian the groomer, and Dale Butler who provides discounted veterinary service for rescued animals.

When I had spoken to Louis Pollaro, he and some other team members had just rescued a lost dog who was wandering and heading towards the highway. The dog was nervous and kept running away from him and the others. But eventually Robert was able to entice the dog with Chicken McNuggets. A home was found for him almost immediately after his rescue. Perhaps this will be on the next Pet Commando episode.

Louis Pollaro has been rescuing animals for years. He is also a professional videographer. But it wasn’t until recently that he combined his talents and made episode 1 on Cleo the cat. Louis’ aim for making the video wasn’t to gain publicity, but to inspire others to rescue animals. Instead of driving by that poor dog wandering the streets and hoping someone else rescues him before he gets hit by a car, stop and do something. Instead of ignoring the sick or injured cat, take a moment to get him help. Our society does too much looking away and hoping someone else takes care of it. Is it really too much trouble to help a dog or cat and be a little late to work? I don’t think so and neither does Louis.

Most of the pets that Louis has owned over the years have been rescues. This includes his co-star Yoshi. Yoshi is an adorable and well-mannered Shih-Tzu who sometimes accompanies him on his missions. Louis also told me about his Poodle, Babette, who he had from when he was a teenager to adulthood (Babette lived to be 18). Babette was not a rescue but she was the runt of the litter and had to be bottle fed in order to survive.

As Babette got older, she also gradually lost her sight. Louis had rescued a cat sometime during Babette’s lifetime and the two became inseparable. This cat, by the way, was rescued and was first named Pandora – that is until Louis discovered she was a he and changed his name to Winston. Louis told me about a time when Babette had accidentally gotten outside. She could have wandered off and been lost or killed. But Winston somehow sensed the danger and kept Babette in the yard. Aren’t animals amazing! Just imagine poor Babette’s fate if Louis hadn’t stopped to rescue a cat.

It is obvious that Louis loves animals. If you love animals too, join the Pet Commando and take a stand in helping homeless and/or neglected animals. You too can be a Pet Commando. Do you have to be a videographer too? No. Do you have to have a team of vets and groomers? No. Do you have to keep the animal you rescue? No, but you should be responsible for getting him to a rescue group or a good home. To be a Pet Commando, all you have to do is stop and do the right thing.

Below is episode 3 of the Pet Commando. To view episode 1 and 2 and any future videos, be sure to check out the Pet Commando website. Sign up and be a member too! I did.

Check out our interview with Edie Jarolim at Animal Cafe.co regarding why Pet Auto Safety.com was started and what types of products we have. Read Edie’s article and listen to the podcast interview. Let us know if you have any questions about Pet Auto Safety.com or its products.

Photo credit from SC Now.com 

Help Find Cooper

Driving with your dog unrestrained in the car is extremely dangerous, as your dog, the driver and any passengers can get hurt if there’s an accident, but here’s a sorry tail from last Sunday and we are hoping you can help find Cooper the silver Yorkie.

Deborah Gandy was driving in the car on her way to a business appointment with her two dogs Cooper and Ricky, both loose in the car in Hartsville. Ricky was in the front passengers seat (very dangerous as if air bags are fitted and an accident happens and they come into action, a dog could be severely injured) and Cooper was in the back.  Was in the back until he decided to jump out of the open car window…he’s been missing since Sunday.  Cooper jumped out near the First Baptist Church in Hartsville.

The owner had taken his dog collar off and had it with her in the car but Cooper not only jumped out of the car, but is also unidentifiable regards ownership, without collar and dog ID tags or chipped. Sadly Cooper is also blind, on meds and has food allergies so it is imperative he is reunited with his owner and medications asap.

Sightings have reported that a woman was seen picking him up and put Cooper in her car, probably concerned for his welfare, as he appeared to be limping – this was reported happening near the Sonic Drive In on last Sunday, the same day Cooper jumped from the car.

A good friend of Deborah’s kindly made flyers which are posted up all over Hartsville and other friends have posted Cooper’s pic on Facebook in the hope that someone can help find him and get him back home. Facebook people are doing their utmostin the bid to find Cooper and bring him back home.

Deborah Gandy is certain her little dog is still alive and has pleaded for help to have her dog home safe.

“He’s my baby, and I want him back,” Deborah Gandy said.

If anyone knows anything about his whereabouts, Deborah asks that they call 843-229-9736 or they can drop him off at Coldwell Banker on E. Carolina Avenue or Allstate Insurance Company on S. Fifth Street in downtown Hartsville.

Make certain your dog has a collar and ID at all times and keep your dog safely restrained in the car.

Gandy is optimistic that Cooper is alive. She is offering a reward for his safe return. She said she feels like it was someone who cares about animals that stopped and picked him up, but they just don’t know how to reunite him with his owner. She is worried because he is overdue for his medicine, and she and Ricky miss him terribly.

Dogs are amazing. Not only do they make our lives better by giving us unconditional love, they eagerly and loyally serve our country, contribute to law enforcement, provide therapy and guidance for special needs, assist in search and rescue, and more.

The American Humane Association is honoring these incredible animals with the Hero Dog Awards. You can watch this powerful celebration on the Hallmark Channel on Friday, November 11th at 8/7 central.

Eight remarkable dogs will be honored for their bravery and devotion in eight different service categories. These categories are military, guide, therapy, law enforcement, search and rescue, service, hearing, and an emerging hero award for an ordinary dog who accomplished a courageous feat.

Don’t miss the Hero Dog Awards extraordinary ceremony on the Hallmark Channel.

If you are in the Westport, Wisconsin area, be on the lookout for a black and white pit bull dog missing after a car crash. Her name is Pepper. Both her and her owner were injured in a car accident but Pepper got out of the car and ran off. Sorry, no photos available. The accident occurred on Sunday, September 18th on County M at Corner Court. This information comes from a Madison, Wisconsin news article at http://host.madison.com/article_671a1280-e2b3-11e0-acd9-001cc4c002e0.html. If you live in this area and have found this dog, please contact the information provided on this article.

Pepper was probably terrified from the accident and ran as far and as fast as she could in order to get away from it. This is a common reaction for dogs and happens all too frequently after a car accident. Pepper is hurt, confused, and frightened so if you see her, contact someone right away. If you choose to approach her yourself, be cautious. We are not certain of Pepper’s personality but a hurt dog, no matter how sweet, may be inclined to bite out of fear.