By Crystal Childs
Should we buckle up our canines in the backseat of our vehicles? We often refer to our dogs as another child or at the very least a member of the family. Most of the time they get treated BETTER than members of our family. Well lets face it, they don’t talk back and they love us no matter what we do!
So if that’s the case, should Fido be buckled up in the backseat in the middle of your two children? Bark Buckle UP seems to think so. According to them, when driving 35 mph, a 60-pound unrestrained dog can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, windshield, or passenger. Even if the animal survives, it can impede the progress of rescue workers who need every moment possible to safely care for accident victims. Bark Buckle UP suggests using the Doggie Seat Belt (as seen on TV).
This year, the founder of Bark Buckle UP, Christina Selter, awarded “Top Dog” Pet Safe Vehicle of Choice to the Ford Fusion.
The registered vehicles are evaluated on a variety of pet-related aspects, including how easily the vehicle accommodates animals and kennels of various sizes, ease of access to pet from within the vehicle, ease of pet entry and exit, ventilation for animals in the rear, as well as whether the vehicle has pet-friendly surfaces, adaptability for third party pet travel or safety gear. Ford received four out of the top ten honors for 2010 Pet Safe Vehicles of Choice List, including the Ford Transit Connect, Edge and Flex and the Lincoln MKT.
However, if buckling up your dog just doesn’t seem right to you then maybe you should try the Honda “Dog Friendly Element“.
This vehicle is definitely for the dog enthusiast, including a stowable ramp, pet bed, water bowl, electrical fan, rear car kennel (where Fido can travel safely), kennel organizer, dog pattern seat covers, all-season dog bone floor mats, spill resistant water bowl, electric fan, tote bag, leash collar and dog tag, and a nifty bag dispenser for when Fido does his business.
It’s a fact that we do love our dogs and want them to be safe, I think we can all agree on that. So instead of letting Fido hang out the window with his tongue flapping in the wind buckle him up or have him travel safely in a kennel. This may not only save his life, but could save your life and possibly others as well.
