A gate kept Arden Moore’s dogs Chipper (left)
and Cleo from possibly hurtling through the windshield when
she was rear-ended in traffic. Photo by Arden Moore
By Arden Moore
My dogs, Chipper and Cleo, love to ride in the back of my Saturn SUV for long road trips and even for short errands. I created a “canine condo” in the back that includes a floor-to-ceiling metal gate to keep them from accessing the middle seats or, worse, trying to grab my steering wheel. I’ve equipped my vehicle with battery-operated fans, extra leashes and collars, a pet first-aid kit, collapsible water bowls, a small bag of food and more canine amenities.
With them in the back, I am free from doggy distractions and able to focus on driving.
Recently, we were in line waiting for the light to change from red to green. I looked into my rearview mirror and spotted a white Toyota Tundra 4-by-4 truck barreling our way. Bam! This giant white truck collided with the rear of my SUV, propelling it forward. Fortunately, there was enough of a gap that I did not hit the vehicle in front of me.
My first thought: my dogs. As I opened my door, I fell onto the pavement, picked myself up and hurried to the passenger side to open the door leading into the middle row of seats. “Chipper! Cleo! Are you OK?” I cried out.
As I opened the door, I saw my two dogs shaking violently, cowering and lip licking. I then went to the back hatch that was miraculously able to open despite the more than $3,500 in damage done to the vehicle.
Chipper and Cleo know the “stay” command — which they heeded as I quickly put their leashes on and assessed them. They were clearly scared, but uninjured. Whew. The gate kept them from propelling forward in my car and, possibly, through the windshield.
I was not so lucky. A three-hour visit to urgent care later revealed I had whiplash, soft tissue damage to my neck and shoulders and a swollen left shin — not to mention a rattled state of mind.
As the driver of the truck and I began to exchange information at the scene, we spotted a police squad car. Naturally, the officer was a K-9 officer with his trained German shepherd, Ranger, in his squad car. Call it pet karma.
The driver readily took full responsibility for the collision. Chipper and Cleo were able to walk on leashes with no signs of injury. Each wears collars with their names and my phone number embroidered on them. They also have microchip IDs. My cell phone identifies three people on my “in case of emergency” list and all three know my pets, my veterinarian’s information and have access to my house.
Accidents can happen to anyone at any time. I share this as a reminder of keeping our pets as safe as possible when they ride with us in our vehicles. It saddens — and frustrates — me when I see little dogs riding on the laps of drivers with their heads and sometimes, front legs dangling out the car window. Or big dogs pacing loose in the back of truck beds. Or dogs racing back and forth in the middle seats with no harnesses or restraints.
Seriously, folks — show how much you really love your dogs — and other traveling pets — by keeping them safe when you drive.
Christina Selter, known as the “Pet Safety Lady,” is waging the Bark Buckle Up campaign. She shares these facts:
• A 60-pound pet becomes a 2,700-pound projectile, at just 35 miles per hour.
• Pet travel has increased 300 percent since 2005.
• Unrestrained pets delay emergency workers’ access to human occupants. Injured pets may bite first responders and rescue workers.
• Pets escaping post-accident pose many dangers, including catching the loose pet. They may escape through a window or open door and cause a second accident.
• Driver distraction is common when unrestrained pets are rambunctious.
I encourage you to get size-appropriate harnesses for pets who travel in the middle seats and to never allow your pet to ride in the front passenger seat due to driver distraction and airbag deployment injuries.
I learned a valuable lesson, too. Chipper and Cleo are now wearing harnesses with zip lines tethered to hooks in the back of my SUV so if an accident occurs and the back of my vehicle opens, they will not be able to panic, leap out and be struck by oncoming traffic.
I hope you check out the Bark Buckle Up site (www.barkbuckleup.com) for more helpful info, including how to obtain a pet safety kit you can keep in your vehicle.
As I type this, I am wearing a neck brace and taking medication to relieve the pain in my neck and back muscles. I am extremely grateful that Chipper and Cleo escaped physical harm and are cuddled up next to me.
Let’s be safe on the roads — for the sake of ourselves, others and our pets.
Arden Moore, founder of Four Legged Life.com, is an animal behavior consultant, editor, author and professional speaker. She happily shares her home with two dogs, two cats and one overworked vacuum cleaner. Tune in to her Oh Behave show on Pet Life Radio.com and learn more by visiting www.fourleggedlife.com.
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