by Nasoosie » Mon May 16, 2011 7:21 am
Molly has never traveled free in my truck or in any vehicle----I have her 'hut', a spacey crate with comfy cushions in it, in the back seat, wedged in there by the front seats. She not only loves it in there, but will jump in on her own if I leave the truck door open while I am packing! The confinement seems to calm her, and it certainly calms me as when I stop and open my door, (or if a passenger of mine opens a door) I never have to worry about her jumping out in anxious anticipation of a walk or fun into dangerous traffic somewhere. It has always been our routine, and it's comforting and safe for us both. She can sit up in the crae to look out when we get somewhere, but, when rolling down the road, she is a sleeper. I have to force myself to remember she is even with me. When it is time for her to get out for a walk, I tell her to STAY while I open the door and clip on her leash. I can't even begin to imagine traveling with loose dogs in my vehicle. There are too many horror stories out there of beloved pets escaping at rest stops, never to be seen again, or their bodies being found along the roadside. When my friend traveled with me with her little dog, we put another crate in the back for her, and she, too, didn't mind being in there whatsoever. To my way of thinking, confinement equals safety.
Life is about learning to dance in the rainHappy travels!