PetSugar

Car Decals With a Purpose: Bark Buckle Up Safety Kit

PetSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:00:59 -0700

Summer usually is the time for family road trips and, for most, this includes your four-legged family members as well. I hate to put this out there, but if by chance you get into an accident with your pet in the car (knock on wood, this hasn't happened), first responders can have a heck of a time trying to get you out of a mangled car safely, which can become even more difficult if they have a scared or injured pet on their hands.

First off, pets should always be belted in for their (and your) own good, but adding this Pet Safety Kit into the mix can help even more. Just by signing up and creating a free profile on Bark Buckle Up, you'll get an alert decal, a pet ID card, a subscription to their helpful newsletter, as well as full access to their website.

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What to do then? Find out when you read more.

By attaching the decal to your driver's side door, help will know that you may have a pet riding along with you. These are very much like the fire safety decals I told you about before, but are made to be used in your car. In conjunction with the decal, keep the Pet ID card in the glove box, so responders know where to take Fido if he's been hurt, too. And the best part is, all of this is free, so you really have no reason not to sign up before your next outing!

Pampered Pals: Zip Line Dog Car Harnesses

PetSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:00:10 -0700

I can't stress enough the need of securing a pet during car travel but I know many people don't have a crate or belt to strap in a large pooch. So that's where the Zip Line Dog Car Harness ($40) comes in. This new product from Brookstone (makers of North's seat) will let your pooch roam freely in the backseat or rear of an SUV but still securely holds him in case of sudden stops.

Operating like a zip line between rear seatbelt handles, your dog can move back and forth but not climb out the window or fly forward into the front seats. And, for furry families on the go, the included, padded harness can be detached from the zip line and added to a seat belt (for a more secure fit) or even straight to the normal leash for walkies!

Protect Your Interior With Canine Covers

PetSugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:30:56 -0700

With the weather getting warmer, I'm sure you'll be headed outdoors to get some play time in at local beaches, lakes, rivers, and maybe even doing some camping with your four-legged friends. North especially loves the beach, but I don't love what the sand and salt water do to my car's interior! Try as I might, putting towels down in the car and in North's car seat doesn't always do the trick. Sometimes they even end up as toys before he even gets in! So when I saw this car Canine Cover ($200), made just for these types of situations, I immediately put it on my Summer wish list.

To hear more about what makes it so necessary, read more.

Made from a water repellent top and nylon bottom, this cover is primed to stop claw marks, pet hair, and wetness from seeping into your leather or cloth seats. Plus, they come in a number of sizes, so it's bound to fit my Mini Cooper, all the way up to a big 'ole SUV. What's better, it securely straps behind your headrests and has openings for seatbelts so you can still strap your pooch into his car seat. Which, of course, is a necessity for all road trips!

Source

Road Trip in a . . . ?

PetSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:15:17 -0800

Because I clearly can't say it enough, riding in a car with unsecured pets is dangerous for both of you! I've shared my love for North's carseat, but this clip takes it one step further, explaining some of the risks of tackling the open road with free-roaming pups.

I'd like to add that airbags can severely injure dogs riding shotgun, so please, please, please think twice before allowing a pup to ride in the front seat (or, worse yet, on your lap). Although I don't know the exact details, I do know that cutie pie Ruby lost her legs in a car accident (before she was rescued). Now it's time to 'fess up – when your pet goes bye-bye in the car, how does he travel?

Pampered Pals: Doggies Stylin' Car Seat

PetSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 09:03:55 -0700

North spent all of his early life in New York City, accompanying me legally (and quasi-legally) on many adventures in one of his seven dog bags. We traveled on buses, subways, ferries, and airplanes but, for nearly four years, his only car experience involved taxicabs. When we moved to California last August and got a car, I invested in a monogrammed car pet seat from Brookstone (from $89.95). Not only is he secure and able to see out the window, I feel better knowing that he can’t get his claws into my leather interior. Secured with a seatbelt behind the passenger seat keeps him safe from front seat airbags, and makes mischief checks easy. The seat comes with a pull-out drawer perfect to stash adventure essentials (like his leash, dog waste bags, antibacterial hand gel, emergency food/treat supply, portable bowls, and a bottle of water). Car seats come in two sizes for dogs up to 30 pounds; if your dog is larger consider a harness and car seat cover instead. Now that we have this seat, North can safely come along on all my adventures and peek-and-greet at new friends from afar!

How Often Do Your Pets Take Car Trips?

PetSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:00:40 -0700

Well they're usually not behind the wheel - don't worry, this car is parked - but how often do your pets travel via car?

CarTatt: Spoiled Sweet or Spoiled Rotten?

PetSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 04:00:17 -0700

These aren't stickers for tweens' Trapper Keepers - do those still exist? - they're for adults 16 and up. Why, you may wonder? Since they go on your automobiles!

CarTatts offers a kennel full of dog breeds for you to decorate your ride - This premade design is about eight bucks but you can upload your pet's actual picture into several frame options for just a few dollars more. Will I be driving by your puppy love while cruisin' down the highway?

It's Not Just a Car Seat or a Suitcase . . . It's Both!

PetSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:45:59 -0700

Road trip! This ordinary-looking suitcase has a secret pop-up compartment on top turning it into a perfect car seat for your lil pet. Either use the three-sided mesh feature to keep kitties secure (and the bugs out) or roll down the top and front to secure a pup with a fresh air peek out. When you arrive, you'll have your precious pet and his goodies all in one.

The Auto Cruiser ($130) has an easy side pocket to access his yumyums during the ride and has two detachable kits to hold all his essentials with extra room to fold in some sweaters and tees for both of you!

Flashback to 2005: Where Is the Honda Dog Car?

PetSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:00:39 -0700

Back in 2005, Honda featured a minivan that was made for you and your best friends - furry and non-furry alike. With passenger seating for up to six people, you'd think there would be plenty of room for Fido to ride along without any problems. But Honda thought that having an abundance of room wasn't enough. The "Dog Car," based on Honda's "Wonderful Open-Hearted Wagon" (or W.O.W) concept, had a spot for your pooch either right up front in the dash or in the second row seat in a popup dog crate that folds down into the floorboards when not in use.

Even better, the "Dog Car" offered wider doors and a floor-mounted seat belt to secure your larger breeds. My question is: where are you, Dog Car!? Although this was a concept in Japan four years ago, it would be amazing to check this out now. I'm sure there are plenty of dog owners that could benefit from the car's safety features and the convenience of having a builtin crate for your dog to ride easy. If the "Dog Car" were real, would you consider driving it?

TGIF and For This Adorable Baby Otter Video

PetSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:20 -0800

TGIF! If you're already in need of some cute to get you through the day, here's Sidney to the rescue. This lil otter was temporarily living with a professional animal caretaker and enjoyed a wide range of dog toys. But, the best part comes when he finds the car keys - watch and enjoy!