Save Your Dog’s Life — Buckle Up!
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| Skyy wears a seat belt harness while riding in the car to stay safe. Making sure your dog wears a seat belt harness could save his or her life. (Photo provided) |
So I just finished my first time taking traffic school that was assigned to me by the judge after a minor fender bender in January.
The class was actually really informative with some new things I didn’t know, and a good review of things I thought I remembered learning way back when.
One of the things discussed was what happens in an accident and what happens to people who are not wearing their seat belt. We all know wearing seat belts saves lives, but I got to thinking, what about my dog? I have several clients who have seat belt harnesses for their dogs, but many of us just have them hop into the back seat with free roam of the back of the car.
“We’re only running five minutes away. It’s not that far. What could happen?”
Well, we all know what could happen. Most accidents happen within a small radius of your home, because you do most of your driving in that small radius around your home. Statistics reveal you will be involved in six accidents in your lifetime.
When you crash, anyone or anything not strapped into the vehicle is still traveling at the same distance the car was going before impact. That sounds like common sense, but think if you are going 55 mph with your dog hangin’ out in the back seat and whamo, you rear end someone. Your dog is still going 55 mph. Yep, 55 mph, likely through the front windshield, or possibly into you!
I just got back from buying a seat belt harness for my dog. I know a girl who lost her dog in a horrible car crash (thankfully she survived), but never got over the fact that her dog died in that crash. I can’t even imagine what she went through.
One of the things taught in a drivers safety course is that most accidents are preventable, if we just follow the rules of the road. In the event you do have an accident, you could prevent severe injury or even death by wearing your seat belt. Same goes for your dog. We don’t let our kids flop all over the back seat of the car. Our dogs deserve the same consideration. It takes only a few seconds to buckle up after you get in the car. Why wouldn’t you?
Have a Dog Gone Great and Safe Day!
Kari
