Photo courtesy of ww1.webanswers.com
When traveling by plane with a pet, most likely you’ll be renting a car at some point. Which brings us to the next question:
Do you seat belt your dog?
Should we do it?
Agreed, it would help protect a dog if there was an accident, or if the brakes were slammed suddenly. It also keeps them in one location so you aren’t distracted while driving (many drivers admit to being very distracted when their dog is wallowing around poking their head out the window or sitting in their lap).
Legislators are even getting on board. In Rhode Island, Dem. Rep. Peter Palumbo has proposed legislation to make driving with a dog on your lap a violation–a “distracted-driving” citation. New Jersey, Hawaii, Arizona, Connecticut, and Maine all have variations of the “distracted-while-dog-in-lap” violation.
There’s also a website: http://www.canineauto.com. CLICK HERE for information about how to protect your dog when driving. They advocate crates, safety seats, or dog restraints that can clip into the car’s seat belt. Supporters also state your dog should be in the back seat, NEVER the front seat.
Photo courtesy of celiasue.com
Or, is this just another marketing scam?
Photo courtesy of www.nowyouretalking.com
If we really need legislators to focus on “Dog Transport” when there are MUCH more important items, for (ahem) people, that need covered, a part of me thinks we’ve lost our minds and common sense has just flung itself right out the window. (That being said, we’re the first to admit we’re part of that Super Dog Loving group!)
Send us your thoughts!
(Note: The above commentary was inspired by reading an article in USA Today by Jim Walsh, Phil Dunn, and Alesha Williams Boyd.)
I really can’t imagine why anyone would want to run the risk of their beloved K9 being flung through a window in a crash etc rather than restrain them safely – even if they don’t like it. Children mostly dislike being restrained in seat belts and plenty of adults too but most of us would prefer to stay alive in time of need! Children on knees in front seats isn’t to be recommended either for the same reason as for dogs so why are people so hung up on the idea of safe restraints? If it’s a major issue surely the answer is simply not to travel with your dog and ensure it is left comfortably in a safe environment till your return? Correct training will eliminate any K9 issues and many are brought about by stress and anxiety that training can relatively easily eliminate if coupled with a little time and patience
By: europasicewolf on September 11, 2012
at 3:10 pm
Hoooowlo, Wolfie! Very good thoughts, all. I don’t have kids, so, in essence my dog is my kid. So I’d better get with the program here! Just because (I think) I’m a good driver, doesn’t make up for those crazy drivers!! Thanks for your points. (Sad eyes and paws tucked under.)
we’ll talk again soon! By the way, my husband thought your alien post waa hilarious. 
By: AirportsMadeSimple on September 13, 2012
at 9:04 am
Would your husband like to join the resistance movement and help to defend the Earth?!!
You can both sign up in fact on the side of the blog post 
(I’ll let you do the driving lol! )
By: europasicewolf on September 20, 2012
at 5:43 pm
I will stop by later! (He would, definitely. But unfortunately he works about 70 hours/week – so he barely has time to shower!)
By: AirportsMadeSimple on September 21, 2012
at 1:04 pm
He will be absolutely fine
We’re talking apocalypses so he wouldn’t get any rest anyway and would be working at least 70hrs and certainly wouldn’t want to risk a shower considering what nasty slimy hungry hostile alien might be hanging around in the bathroom!!! 
By: europasicewolf on September 23, 2012
at 5:51 pm
Ha! You are too funny!
By: AirportsMadeSimple on September 24, 2012
at 4:14 pm
Dogs are treated better than us on flights as they are the last to get on the plane and the first ones off! Keeping your dog restrained in the car though is a good idea as it protects your dog as well as stops them from becoming a distraction while driving.
By: designerdoginfo on September 11, 2012
at 7:26 am
Hi there, designerdoginfo! Thanks for stopping by. As I told CoastalCrone, I guess I’ll have to look into it. I would love to see a dog on a flight.
Haven’t yet, but have seen plenty in airports. It would be a welcome distraction (and make me miss my pup even more, but she LOVES her outdoor “Pet Resort” and has many friends there). Talk soon!
By: AirportsMadeSimple on September 11, 2012
at 8:57 am
The big question is, what makes us think that when we elect stupid people we will get smart legislation???
I know my old dog was considerably smarter than 99% of the law maker we have today.
By: fasab on September 11, 2012
at 6:04 am
That is surely the truth! Most dogs are, I think. They keep things simple.
By: AirportsMadeSimple on September 11, 2012
at 8:55 am
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By: BBOOKS - Blog Books on September 10, 2012
at 11:44 pm
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By: AirportsMadeSimple on September 11, 2012
at 9:01 am
My son uses a “safety harness” when he travels with his dog just because he feels better doing so and he is a responsible pet owner. I think governments have better things to worry about than new laws that are often hard to enforce. I have a cat and she goes in a pet carrier to the vet – which she hates! Cheers!
By: coastalcrone on September 10, 2012
at 3:02 pm
I may have to look into a harness. She just doesn’t like it at all, but it’s probably the best thing. My cat? Whew! She howls like she’s being tortured, and the pet carrier is the only way to go!
By: AirportsMadeSimple on September 11, 2012
at 8:53 am