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.

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Camilla, Linda, Kaytlin and Doris.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Glad to hear that DH did a great job and everyone is ok.  Just this week my parents told me, as we were buckling the girls into the van that they just saw a story on TV about dog seat belts and how they were a waste of money and more dangerous.  (I think they think I'm a little overboard with my girls sometimes, but I don't care).  I said well what kind of harnesses were they talking about, and of course she said "yours"!  I guess the story was talking about the injuries they receive from the force of the harness is what was going to injure them.  My point was that in cases just like what you are talking about, that it is going to keep them from flying forward or keep them from falling to the floor and breaking a leg, etc.  If I'm in an accident bad enough that the force of their harness is going to kill them, I think I probably have bigger problems anyway.  Mine still are and will continue to be buckled up!  Thank you for reminding all of us the importance of this ... now can I add that also, please don't forget to get that Pet Insurance as well because you never know when you are going to need it!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep, the insurance is essential, too!

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks for the pet insurance reminder.  I am skeptical about the report on TV about pet restraints being dangerous.  How could that be.  A chest injury from the impact could not possibly be worse than a 75lb projectile hitting you in the head or flying through the windshield.  That makes no sense to me.  Glad that Lucy and Sophie are strapped in.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

We met a couple on our way to San Diego this summer who just had an accident. They got cut off on a highway and went into a spin that ended with them rolling over twice. The lady was bruised up and fortunately they were both okay. They had two small dogs in the back seat. Both of them were strapped and both of them were okay.

[Carol and Banjo]

Reading this brought tears to my eyes......GAHHHHH......I am so grateful you all are fine BG.   Yes, a harness is a MUST.   Banjo is always buckled in whether in the Jeep, the Bug or the Pickup.   DH is a fanatic about that (thanks to his years as a police officer)....I confess that I was once rather lax about it....but am a convert.    Again,   SO glad for the safe outcome.

[BG and Gavin]

Another thing we have in common Carol...we are both married to cops!  I appreciate your concern Carol.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am so glad that you are all okay. Thank you for the reminder.

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Laurie.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Great job of DH driving!  We also are big seatbelt harness believers, keep up spreading the word!

[BG and Gavin]

Great picture of Rooney in his car seat.  Thanks for posting it Jane.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

What a frightening experience for you and your DH, BG!  Thank goodness you are all okay.  This is a good warning.  I've not been harnessing the boys when we're driving around locally....and I know I should be.  Thanks for the reminder.