DWI? No, DWC.

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

28 Aug 2006 06:27 PM

A woman in northern China was stopped by police for a DWC -- driving with canine. Apparently several vehicles were damaged, but no one was hurt.

The woman often drove with her dog in her lap, according to reports from the Xinhua News Agency. She claimed the dog liked to crouch on the steering wheel and paid close attention when she drove. It's only natural that the dog finally got a chance to drive; the woman operated the gas and brakes while the dog gave steering a try.

Needless to say, they didn't make it very far before crashing into oncoming traffic. No one was injured, and the irresponsible owner will be paying for all repairs.

Just to make this perfectly clear: you should not ever let your dog steer your car. Or push the pedals. This doesn't mean your dog can't be a perfectly good passenger on a car ride!

Here are some tips for safe travel -- long distance or short trip -- with your pets.

• Get your dog or cat used to the idea of car travel with a short ride each day leading up to your long excursion.
• Don't feed your dog for at least three hours before you leave. This gives him plenty of time to digest. Just be sure to feed him as soon as possible once you arrive at your destination.
• Take your pup for a nice long walk before you set out.
• Let your dog out to walk and have a drink whenever you take a driving break. You may want to provide a bowl with water in the car -- check your local pet store or online retailer for something that won't tip easily.
• Always put your pet on a leash before letting him out of the car! Otherwise, your pet may run off -- remember, you are putting your pet into an unfamiliar situation and they may not act predictably.
• If you are walking at night, wear reflective strips on your clothes and a reflective collar on your pet for best visibility.

The safest way for your pet to travel is in a carrier. If you have the space for a carrier, this will keep your dog (or cat) safest on the road. However, be sure to put the carrier in a shady spot in the car, not in direct sunlight. If your car is too small or your pet is too large for a carrier in the car, consider a restraining harness or seat belt for your pet. You can find harnesses in different sizes for any breed at your local pet store or through an online retailer. Just be sure to take accurate measurements before you order online!

And don't ever leave your pet in a closed car on a sunny day -- the temperatures can quickly go over a hundred degrees in a short amount of time.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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