A close call and another plea...

[BG and Gavin]

We were making our regular Sunday night drive home from the cottage.  It was dark, Gavin was contently stretched out on the back seat of the pick-up truck (after happily finishing the last bites of each of our cheeseburgers) and DH and I were singing along to a classic rock tune on the radio.  We were cruising along about 80 km/h (that’s about 50 mph US) on a two lane highway that was widened to four lanes to provide a turning lane on each side (along an area with a number of businesses).  The person in front of us merged to the right lane to turn into one of those businesses.  At the same time a person came out of the business and was attempting to make a left hand turn right in front of us.  Everything happened very quickly.  Our half ton truck was about to broadside a compact car in the driver’s door.  I let out a gasp, my husband hit the brakes hard, then steered hard to the left swerving into the furthest on-coming lane.  “Ok,” I though, “we are not going to broadside this car, but when we tag the front end of it, we are going to spin.”  But miraculously (and thanks to some nifty driving from DH) we missed the car!  But believe me when I say the momentum was intense – first forward and then sideways.  Gavin and his seat cover shifted slightly, but thanks to being harnessed and strapped into the seat belt, he was not propelled forward and onto the floor of the back seat.  And God knows what kind of damage he would have suffered if that happened!

Some people on this site will warn you about feeding food from China.  Others will educate you about puppy mills.  Some will advise you to get pet insurance.  I am the one that has and will continue to urge you to strap your doodles into the car when you are travelling.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

I am so glad that everyone is ok. That was a real scare and those scary moments make us stop and think what if and then by the grace of god..... Cassie always wore a safety harness tethered in the car. Insurance, well that was another story with Cas. Experience makes you smarter. Lily Grace comes home on Saturday and I have insurance bought for her already.

[BG and Gavin]

Thank you Sue.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Just saw your post & thanks for the reminder!  You are so right, it just happens in a heartbeat!  Glad you are all safe!

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Linda!

[Diane Margetts]

I truly know that you are right. My nagging concern is that we could get out of our seatbelts quickly if we needed to but our doggie passenges are trapped in theirs . . . I know the positives outweigh the negatives . . .

[BG and Gavin]

Yes Diane the positive do outweigh the negatives.  We strap babies in and they cannot get themselves out without our help so it makes sense to do it for dogs too.  Thanks for responding :)

[Diane Margetts]

Good point . . .!

[Stella]

I have to admit that I rarely harness Chase into the car, even though I know I should.  We have really struggled to get a harness that fits him, and that he can't get off.  He is the houdini of dogs when it comes to a car harness, he always manages to get them off.  He has this trick where he lies down and scoots backwards, dragging the harness off over his shoulders and head!  I then found one that stays on reasonably well, and it attches into the seatbelt buckle.  Well, he learnt to stand on the buckle release and undo it!!  So, I gave up!  I'd welcome ideas about harnesses that are escape proof!!

[BG and Gavin]

Stella, that Chase is just too smart for his own good.  The only thing I can think of is practice some obedience commands in the car with him or maybe give him a chew to work on so that he dosen't feel the need to practice his escape artist routine?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am soooooo glad that you had only a close call and frightening experience rather than an accident. Give your DH a hug for being such a good driver.

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Nancy!

[Lynette Main]

Glad no one was hurt,esp. your doodle.Shea likes to stand up close to me and now I have a harness for all three.You never know when that SomeOne Else is going to hit you..I also have a convertible,and I'm always scared they could fly out if someone ever hit me. Its so much fon to harness them all in,but it will save their lives.To heck with me,I don't want my dogs getting hurt!!!!