Update: Seat Belt~ A Good News Story and another plea to get you to use one

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We have had many posts here on DK about Seat Belt issues.  I think I've finally found our answer to this very debated topic.  Last week, a very long week, the last straw for me was when Spud’s seat belt broke as I used the brakes.   The next moment, Spud was roaming about the van.  How safe is that?  So, I found this incident to get on my last nerve and to throw a fit about and release all my other troubles.  Yes, I was going to go to the top government agency and complain!

On Facebook, I found an agency to complain to about the poor quality of my seat belt.  I placed pictures and some comments to the Pet Auto Safety Commission!  

Well, DUH ME.  Really, did I think there was such an Agency?   Give me a break on my stupidity.  Not that there should be one, but there really isn’t such a agency.

I placed my frustration on an innocent business on Facebook who sells Pet Auto Safety products.  That's when I met Dawn.

It was then that I realized I had posted my complaints to a business trying to encourage us to use Pet Safety Belts.   I felt terrible and offered to take my post down.  Dawn said no, I am so happy you realize the issue of Pet Safety and could she send me a REAL SEAT BELT to try?   In just three days, Spud's  Bergan Seat Belt arrived.  Free of Charge, Dawn wanted to help us out.

There really are blessings in disguise.  First, I met a person/business who actually cares about the consumer!   Second, I discovered a great product that my dog and I are both so happy with. 

PLEASE~ I AM ASKING ALL MY DK FRIENDS to buckle up the dogs and  TO 'LIKE' DAWN'S FACEBOOK PAGE. 

https://www.facebook.com/PetAutoTravelSafety

ANOTHER PLEA TO USE THE BELTS FOR YOUR DOODLES

About ten years ago, I was driving at a high rate of speed down the interstate when two tires were erratically rolling at a high rate of speed back towards me.  Another few feet, I see two dogs running petrified into me also. Head On.  I swerve and miss them as traffic behind me began to brake and snake around the pups.  Then I see the mangled car smoking just ahead.  Sadly, I have no idea what happened to the dogs as I was stuck inside a mangled mess of cars.   A month ago, I read a sad plea for any information about a Boxer who had been ejected on that same highway in another auto crash.  The dog had been missing a week.  The post says, " We have not given up hope, but we know the chances are no longer good"

My husband tells a story of his beagle mix being slammed into the dash as he was hit from behind.  The dogs jaw mangled and bloodied.

Today on Facebook, another post asking everyone to share information regarding a missing Sheltie Mix missing after another serious crash. The dog was ejected and missing.

Without posting any photos, please do a simple search ( images ) with the words dogs ejected from cars after accidents.

Buckle Up Doodlers

If you need help, Dawn can  help you with what will work for you and your doodles.  Please ask her where you can get started.  Ask for suggestions.  Tell her about your auto, your dog, how much it weighs, and the best product to use. There are several different products.

It is great to find a Good Business.  Rarely do I promote anything, but this time, I truly believe in the product and her business!

Dawn, Thank You.  Thanks for helping me and Thanks for keeping my Best Friend Safe

Again, Like her on FB for me please.  She sent a crazy old lady like me a Free Seat Belt ( Note~ don't try this as you will not be getting a free seat belt. I was not trying to do this either. It just happened. Maybe she felt sorry for me for being stupid about a dog government agency and so frustrated with my situation)

You really can't get better than a business who cares, helps some silly crazy woman like me, and she wants to keep us safe.

 

 

 

[Camilla and Darwin]

Has this harness been crash tested? Spud looks adorable in his seat belt.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I just looked at the website and the video is very useful. It looks very good.  I just tried to order but they only ship to the States so I've sent a message and asked if they can ship here.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Lucy and Sophies Mom

To answer your questions:

1) What broke on Spud's original harness?  (2) what is it about the Bergen that makes it so wonderful  (3) I'm not sure what the purpose of the FB page is.  Is she just advocating keep your pets safe in the car?  (4)  How does the Bergen fasten to the car? 

1) You answered me in my original post several weeks ago.  In that post I attached several pictures of the fracture seat belt attachment.  Here is the link again  Did We Ever Resolve the Unsafe Seat Belt Issues?   In that discussion I did post a link to a previous and lengthy discussion from Jennifer and Jack about unsafe seat belts.   Dog Seat Belt Failures  2)  The Bergan, to me, seems to be a much better quality in both materials and concept design compared to the one we were previously using ( again, I posted pics in my last discussion for comparison) 3)  The purpose of the FB page is to like a distributor ( she is not a manufacturer just a business woman) ,  good quality of business relationships, and person who took the time to work with our problem on this issue to try and find a solution.  That is much more than I am getting in many businesses today. I am the first to complain, but I would also like to be the first to take notice and compliment a job well done.

4) the Bergan fastens to the car with a Carabiner.  I can attach it to many brackets in my van~ the infant seat belt attachements on the seats, the brackets on the floor if the seats are folded into the interior, or a seat belt itself.  He can also lay down or ride in the seat.

Here is Spud on the floor when the seats are down.  There are different manufacturers and different styles. Again, she is a distributor.  She worked with me on what I wanted and needed and suggested this product to try.  

I waited a week to post this to try it out.  I'm so much happier.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Leslie~ the harness is a light weight fabric.  Neoprene? It breathes. Ya, Spud is a hottie and we just got home. He seemed just fine.

[Leslie and Halas]

Thanks for the information.  I've seen systems like the one in your photo, but I worry Halas would be too hot in something covering his chest like that.  Does Spud seem hot in his?  I like the system we use now, and it seems secure, but I'm always keeping my eye open for something better, especially if Halas will like it more.  He hates getting his seat belt on now, and he doesn't seem to care for my explanations as to why he has to wear one.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Ok, I'm not sure if I just didn't take the time to read enough on the site to figure it out, or if I'm stupid, but here are my questions.  1) What broke on Spud's original harness?  (2) what is it about the Bergen that makes it so wonderful  (3) I'm not sure what the purpose of the FB page is.  Is she just advocating keep your pets safe in the car?  (4)  How does the Bergen fasten to the car?  Does it use the seatbelt?  Has it somehow been crash tested or something?   I'm not trying to be difficult I'm just trying to understand where what you had went wrong and how this fixes it?  You know I'm a huge fan of belting them in, so I'm just trying to figure out if there is something I need to fix about my current set up.

[Becka]

Spud is an excellent seat belt model! Thanks for posting this reminder. Sadie and I are about to take a long road trip, and getting her a seat belt is on the list of must-do things before we leave.