Pet Owners Please Read!
04-28-2005, 03:38 PM
#1
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: North Dakota -- It Was Like That When I Got Here!
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pet Owners Please Read!
Hello everyone...I know I've been 'dead' for a while. (Well...because I have almost NOTHING of value to say so I just keep my yap shut around here :P) Anyway...
First of all, I urge EVERYONE with dogs to invest in car safety harnesses/seat belts for them. Use them for EVERY car ride, EVERY time...no matter how short the trip or where you're driving! I know you can find them on several websites as well as larger pet stores and pet supply catalogs....use one specifically made for use in the car. Or use a crate with the seatbelt fastened through it somehow. But above all, don't let your pet loose in the car and never tie them by their neck!
I was only driving to a neighborhood a few blocks away to walk my dog when this happened: http://www.cyoc.net/albums/northwolf/totaled1.jpg
Basically, my Outback was broadsided by an SUV going 40+ miles per hour. I was going 20 miles per hour, maybe a bit slower, as I was preparing to yield. I was coming to an intersection and blinded by the sun so bad that I didn't even realize I'd gone past the sign. I was in the intersection of a very busy four-lane street before I knew it. I had NO time to react.
It really is amazing how my deliriously-happy Saturday was absolutely SHATTERED in just one moment. The crash happened in the blink of an eye- I only had enough time to accelerate hard to get me and my passenger out of the strike zone. As a result of this action, the impact happened at the read 1/3 of my vehicle. If it had hit closer to where I was sitting, I might still be in the hospital now. As it is I got whiplash and banged my knee pretty good. I have a bruise the size of an orange on my left knee. My passenger (my best friend) was completely unhurt.
However...
Riding in the vehicle with me was my 12 year old collie. She was laying down loose in the cargo area. When we collided, my car spun several quick revolutions and she was thrown right through the side window and landed several yards (25+ feet away) from my vehicle. I absolutely cannot describe the sheer horror of spinning around and seeing my dog'* body flying through the air in front of my car. I am still having nightmares and flashbacks of the events. But I digress...
As soon as my car stopped spinning my friend and I both bolted and ran up to the body of my dog. To my shock she was still alive. She was panting and bleeding from her mouth. I just held her and cried and cried, totally oblivious to everything around me. I thought she was dying right there. People were trying to pull me away from her but I didn't move away.
I can't really remember a lot from what happened, other than that there was a lot of noise and commotion and police officers and...PLENTY of gawkers. Even people shooting pictures and video that I suspect were not from the local news crew (although apparently this did make the news).
Finally four strangers offered the help I desperately needed. A woman let me use her cell phone to call my mother (who could not leave work) and the boys ran up with a board to carry her on (like a stretcher) and some blankets. They loaded her up in their truck and my friend went with them to my vet'*.
She SURVIVED...with no fractures or internal bleeding. The blood in her mouth turned out to be from road rash on her chin. All of her x-rays were clean. However she sustained a brachial plexus injury to her left front leg which resulted in nerve damage...possibly permanent. I am rather optimistic for two reasons; she has shown marked and daily improvement, as far as feeling sensation in the leg and otherwise improving in health...and two, she is one HELL of a fighting spirit. It'* absolutely miraculous that she was not killed on impact. Right now she is doing fairly well. She has a few lacerations on her body that are healing nicely. A nasty-looking bruise on her belly. I have been doing physical therapy at home to help her regain use of her leg. Apart from not being able to move around much (she is not too strong on only three legs) she has been acting normally.
Interesting fact: Before my dog was en route to the vet'* I called my dad and asked him to come to the scene because he has a wagon he could transport her in. He never showed up and later I found out why: he got rear-ended on the way to my accident, and on the same road too. Talk about one hell of a bad day. He was okay...a little whiplash...but the rear of his Audi was crunched.
Bottom line: get a safety harness for your pet. The vet bill was $700+ dollars. A safety harness might have ran me $70 dollars and would have totally prevented my dog from flying out the window. I can't put a price on my pet'* life whatsoever. It'* just dumb luck she'* still alive. Everyone pretty much agreed that her survival was nothing short of miraculous. A safety harness is an investment you can't afford NOT to make.
By the way...My '97 Subaru Outback Limited, AKA 'Sue', was declared a total loss. I have actually been grieving over this...complete with sobbing and anger and all that. I really did love her and will miss her dearly...
...But the search for a new car is on! Now I am EXTREMELY torn...do I get another of my beloved Subaru Outbacks? Or do I indulge my darker Bonneville fantasies?
First of all, I urge EVERYONE with dogs to invest in car safety harnesses/seat belts for them. Use them for EVERY car ride, EVERY time...no matter how short the trip or where you're driving! I know you can find them on several websites as well as larger pet stores and pet supply catalogs....use one specifically made for use in the car. Or use a crate with the seatbelt fastened through it somehow. But above all, don't let your pet loose in the car and never tie them by their neck!
I was only driving to a neighborhood a few blocks away to walk my dog when this happened: http://www.cyoc.net/albums/northwolf/totaled1.jpg
Basically, my Outback was broadsided by an SUV going 40+ miles per hour. I was going 20 miles per hour, maybe a bit slower, as I was preparing to yield. I was coming to an intersection and blinded by the sun so bad that I didn't even realize I'd gone past the sign. I was in the intersection of a very busy four-lane street before I knew it. I had NO time to react.
It really is amazing how my deliriously-happy Saturday was absolutely SHATTERED in just one moment. The crash happened in the blink of an eye- I only had enough time to accelerate hard to get me and my passenger out of the strike zone. As a result of this action, the impact happened at the read 1/3 of my vehicle. If it had hit closer to where I was sitting, I might still be in the hospital now. As it is I got whiplash and banged my knee pretty good. I have a bruise the size of an orange on my left knee. My passenger (my best friend) was completely unhurt.
However...
Riding in the vehicle with me was my 12 year old collie. She was laying down loose in the cargo area. When we collided, my car spun several quick revolutions and she was thrown right through the side window and landed several yards (25+ feet away) from my vehicle. I absolutely cannot describe the sheer horror of spinning around and seeing my dog'* body flying through the air in front of my car. I am still having nightmares and flashbacks of the events. But I digress...
As soon as my car stopped spinning my friend and I both bolted and ran up to the body of my dog. To my shock she was still alive. She was panting and bleeding from her mouth. I just held her and cried and cried, totally oblivious to everything around me. I thought she was dying right there. People were trying to pull me away from her but I didn't move away.
I can't really remember a lot from what happened, other than that there was a lot of noise and commotion and police officers and...PLENTY of gawkers. Even people shooting pictures and video that I suspect were not from the local news crew (although apparently this did make the news).
Finally four strangers offered the help I desperately needed. A woman let me use her cell phone to call my mother (who could not leave work) and the boys ran up with a board to carry her on (like a stretcher) and some blankets. They loaded her up in their truck and my friend went with them to my vet'*.
She SURVIVED...with no fractures or internal bleeding. The blood in her mouth turned out to be from road rash on her chin. All of her x-rays were clean. However she sustained a brachial plexus injury to her left front leg which resulted in nerve damage...possibly permanent. I am rather optimistic for two reasons; she has shown marked and daily improvement, as far as feeling sensation in the leg and otherwise improving in health...and two, she is one HELL of a fighting spirit. It'* absolutely miraculous that she was not killed on impact. Right now she is doing fairly well. She has a few lacerations on her body that are healing nicely. A nasty-looking bruise on her belly. I have been doing physical therapy at home to help her regain use of her leg. Apart from not being able to move around much (she is not too strong on only three legs) she has been acting normally.
Interesting fact: Before my dog was en route to the vet'* I called my dad and asked him to come to the scene because he has a wagon he could transport her in. He never showed up and later I found out why: he got rear-ended on the way to my accident, and on the same road too. Talk about one hell of a bad day. He was okay...a little whiplash...but the rear of his Audi was crunched.
Bottom line: get a safety harness for your pet. The vet bill was $700+ dollars. A safety harness might have ran me $70 dollars and would have totally prevented my dog from flying out the window. I can't put a price on my pet'* life whatsoever. It'* just dumb luck she'* still alive. Everyone pretty much agreed that her survival was nothing short of miraculous. A safety harness is an investment you can't afford NOT to make.
By the way...My '97 Subaru Outback Limited, AKA 'Sue', was declared a total loss. I have actually been grieving over this...complete with sobbing and anger and all that. I really did love her and will miss her dearly...
...But the search for a new car is on! Now I am EXTREMELY torn...do I get another of my beloved Subaru Outbacks? Or do I indulge my darker Bonneville fantasies?
04-28-2005, 03:44 PM
#3
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,910
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow.
I'm glad to hear that everyone came out with no major injuries. That'* terrible what happened.
My dog is very little, and she always sits on someone'* lap when in the car. I never really thought about what would happen to her in case of an accident.
04-28-2005, 06:26 PM
#4
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow.
I am glad to hear you and your passegers (human and canine), are in relatively good shape. I've heard that collies are resilient dogs, so hopefully your friend will recover quickly.
An endorsement: As a life-long cat person, I whole-heartedly encourage all pet-owners to buy the appropriate safety gear for their vehicle-loving pets. For dogs, a harness is an absolute must. Cats, ferrets, and smaller dogs, however, are much better off in a carrier with a seat tether. Both options are inexpensive, and can save your pet'* life in the event of an incident like this one. [/PublicServiceAnnouncement]
I am glad to hear you and your passegers (human and canine), are in relatively good shape. I've heard that collies are resilient dogs, so hopefully your friend will recover quickly.
An endorsement: As a life-long cat person, I whole-heartedly encourage all pet-owners to buy the appropriate safety gear for their vehicle-loving pets. For dogs, a harness is an absolute must. Cats, ferrets, and smaller dogs, however, are much better off in a carrier with a seat tether. Both options are inexpensive, and can save your pet'* life in the event of an incident like this one. [/PublicServiceAnnouncement]
04-28-2005, 09:58 PM
#5
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Right in front of you
Posts: 7,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Glad to hear everyone is okay. My heart sank when I thought your dog died. I am so relieved. When I travel I keep my dog in his dog carrier for safety.
04-28-2005, 11:47 PM
#6
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nice to see/hear you and your dog are alive.
Also nice to hear from you after long silences
Go Bonneville.. fill all your deepest desires
PS. I was checking out your artwork.. amazing!
Best of luck with insurance claims with you your dad and i wish you the best of luck for NO MORE WRECKS!
Also nice to hear from you after long silences
Go Bonneville.. fill all your deepest desires
PS. I was checking out your artwork.. amazing!
Best of luck with insurance claims with you your dad and i wish you the best of luck for NO MORE WRECKS!
04-29-2005, 12:50 AM
#7
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That is one reason why we actually use dog crates when going anywhere with one two or more of the dogs, (my parents anyhow). Have always had the dogs in the crates when traveling. It is rare that they are loose in the vehicle, I can remember a handful of times( over the last 20 years that is) but mostly they use the crates.
Yes the harness is the bare minimum that should be used, I like the crate idea cause it is an added protection Adan there is no harness that will put pressure against them like a seatbelt does to us, and possibly cause internal injuries.
WTF is a crate you ask.
THis
They come in sizes all the way from a hamster size way up to the BIG dog size. well worth the investment. Funny thing is that the dogs find it their home. you can have them loose in the house but you look for them and they are in the crate sleeping, their own private bed I guess.
Yes the harness is the bare minimum that should be used, I like the crate idea cause it is an added protection Adan there is no harness that will put pressure against them like a seatbelt does to us, and possibly cause internal injuries.
WTF is a crate you ask.
THis
They come in sizes all the way from a hamster size way up to the BIG dog size. well worth the investment. Funny thing is that the dogs find it their home. you can have them loose in the house but you look for them and they are in the crate sleeping, their own private bed I guess.
04-29-2005, 09:18 PM
#9
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Right in front of you
Posts: 7,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by sse1990
That is one reason why we actually use dog crates when going anywhere with one two or more of the dogs, (my parents anyhow). Have always had the dogs in the crates when traveling. It is rare that they are loose in the vehicle, I can remember a handful of times( over the last 20 years that is) but mostly they use the crates.
Yes the harness is the bare minimum that should be used, I like the crate idea cause it is an added protection Adan there is no harness that will put pressure against them like a seatbelt does to us, and possibly cause internal injuries.
WTF is a crate you ask.
THis
They come in sizes all the way from a hamster size way up to the BIG dog size. well worth the investment. Funny thing is that the dogs find it their home. you can have them loose in the house but you look for them and they are in the crate sleeping, their own private bed I guess.
Yes the harness is the bare minimum that should be used, I like the crate idea cause it is an added protection Adan there is no harness that will put pressure against them like a seatbelt does to us, and possibly cause internal injuries.
WTF is a crate you ask.
THis
They come in sizes all the way from a hamster size way up to the BIG dog size. well worth the investment. Funny thing is that the dogs find it their home. you can have them loose in the house but you look for them and they are in the crate sleeping, their own private bed I guess.
05-01-2005, 06:32 AM
#10
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Mankato MN.
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
sorry to hear about the accident, sounds like everything is going to be ok tho and thats good .
Don't dream it do it 
do I indulge my darker Bonneville fantasies?