Feels like I joined a club here on DK...I bought a car for the doods!

[Frannie & Callie]

About 10 days ago my car died. I had a 2004 Jeep Liberty and it was a great car. I planned on driving it for at least 3 more years (I just love when I don't have a car payment). However, the temperature gauge in my car broke and while I was unaware of this it cause overheating to my engine to the point that my head gasket cracked. If you've not had to price out this repair before, it's extremely costly. I crunched a lot of numbers, cried, sulked, got a terrible headache, and ultimately decided that it made better financial sense to sell the Liberty and get a new car (because G-d only knows how long the engine would last after that repair).

 

After doing some hasty yet thorough research, I decided that I wanted a Honda. I test drove the new Accords and the new CR-Vs. The Accord was SO nice...it really felt like a luxury car, in its ride and amenities. The CR-V was a bit more basic, but still acceptably nice. So, I did what any normal human would do...I got in the backseat of each and pretended I was Callie. That made the decision for me. If I was a tall doodle, I'd almost touch the headliner on the car. The CR-V has a super roomy  backseat.

 

Here's my real question (now that the story part is over)...if you have this car (or one like it) do you cover the backseat? What do you use?

[Sue Z. + Finley]

Wow the runner idea is a great one! We have black carpet and floor mats in our SUV and it is constantly covered in light colored doodle fur.

[Suzanne & Jack]

Congratulations on your new dog car.  I'm just waiting until next year to get a new car.  I have a Ford Escape so the backseats are always down.  I have an old blanket that I keep on the floor.

If anyone is interested Ford is coming out with a new vehicle in 2012 that looks like it would be an excellent dog car.  Its called a C-Max and is almost a cross between an SUV and a van.  It has the sliding side doors and it sits lower.  I looked at a Mazda that was their version at our auto show.  I liked the way the seats folded up and there weren't any dangerous holes in the floor.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

We have the CRV and the Accord both with leather interior and we don't cover either one.  Probably should but never really thought about it.  Now, if we are taking a long ride I put a blanket down for Murph's comfort but if the leather gets dirty I just wipe it down.

[Dori & Rua]

Congrats Frannie...a Doodlemobile!  I, too, got a Honda CR-V for Rua.  I absolutely love it.  I had been putting Rua in a small travel kennel in the back seat (seatbelted in), but now that she is mostly grown, I got a quilted SUV hammock and an American Tourister harness for her.

 

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3945023

 

She took to it right away.  Since it is just me, DH and Rua that travel, I didn't need something that allowed a person to sit.

[BG and Gavin]

We have split rear seat and I usually have the seat behind the driver folded down, with a throw on top.  Gavin wears a harness that teathers to the shoulder belt.

[Pat and Traveler]

As another CR-V owner, I can say its been great as a doodmobile.  Trav and I did a 3200 road trip last year, with the back being his domain.  I don't use any covers, though I suppose I should.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Go to www.autoanything.com and click on seat covers (Canine).  They have a variety to chose from.  I ordered the top of the line ones where they are made to the make, model and year of your car.  I had them for 4 years on my other car which had leather seat and when I sold it and took them off, the back seat looked just like new.  I ordered another set for my new car.  I love them but they are expensive.  They do have cheaper ones.  Otherwise, check our Orvis.  There are a couple of dog catalog people who carry covers.  The company who makes them is Canine Seat Covers but if you go directly to their site they don't offer the custom made ones as I recall.  Only through autoanything an you get the custom ones.  Nothing gets through these.  Water, dirt, mud, snow, sand, barf...nothing!!!  And machine washable too!  I love them!

[Frannie & Callie]

Great suggestions guys!! Thanks so much!

[Mary Kracun]

Congrats on the new car Frannie and Callie! The last car that I bought was for my 50th birthday with the goal to buy a big car to hold the big dog that I was going to get. It took 3 years to find the best dog - my current doodle Lottie - and the car has worked great. I got a Lexus RX330, and Lottie is very much at home in the back seat. The seats are leather and very easy to clean. I've had Lottie 3 1/2 years and the back seats are in great shape, important since I don't always cover them. I'm sure Callie will enjoy having the space, and especially riding with you!