Norm Mort - Dogs on Wheels: Travelling With Your Canine Companion

Dogs on wheels

Travelling with your canine companion

Norm Mort

First published in paperback format in September 2012

First published in eBook format in September 2013

Veloce Publishing Limited, Veloce House, Parkway Farm Business Park, Middle Farm Way, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 3AR, England. Fax 01305 250479 e-mail

Print ISBN: 978-1-845843-79-3

eBook ISBN: 978-1-845846-62-6

Norm Mort & Veloce Publishing Ltd 2013. All rights reserved. With the exception of quoting brief passages for the purpose of review, no part of this publication may be recorded, reproduced or transmitted by any means, including photocopying, without the written permission of Veloce Publishing Ltd. Throughout this book logos, model names and designations, etc, have been used for the purposes of identification, illustration and decoration. Such names are the property of the trademark holder as this is not an official publication.

Readers with ideas for books about animals, or animal-related topics, are invited to write to the editorial director of Veloce Publishing at the above address. Typesetting, design and page make-up all by Veloce Publishing Ltd on Apple Mac. eBook code and design produced in-house by Veloce Publishing Ltd.

www.hubbleandhattie.com

The Hubble & Hattie imprint was launched in 2009 and is named in memory of two very special Westies owned by Veloces proprietors.

Since the first book, many more have been added to the list, all with the same underlying objective: to be of real benefit to the species they cover, at the same time promoting compassion, understanding and co-operation between all animals (including human ones!)

Hubble & Hattie is the home of a range of books that cover all-things animal, produced to the same high quality of content and presentation as our motoring books, and offering the same great value for money.

Contents

Acknowledgements

As with any book, the author is but an accumulator of the facts and information; acquired knowledge of others, and his own knowledge and experiences: all bound between two covers for the enjoyment and interest of those who read it.

Many highly regarded people in their respective areas of expertise as well as a host of dedicated organisations helped with the writing process of this volume. Many thanks to the Canadian Veterinarian Medical Association, the Ontario Veterinarian Medical Association, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and particularly veterinarians Doctor Laurel Arvidson, Doctor Cindy Nowle, Doctor Stephen Avery, and Doctor Vince Politi. Without the help of the first two individuals, in both the field of promoting the safety of dogs when travelling in vehicles, and their important input in this book, many more dogs would continue to lose their lives in vehicular accidents.

Safety is of the utmost importance when transporting your dog. (Courtesy Fiona Walker, Camp in a VDub.co.uk)

Special thanks to Rupert Whyte of Historic Car Art/Automotive Fine Art and Vintage Posters, and British artist Roy Putt who allowed us to feature some of his fine paintings. As well, there were many dog and car enthusiasts such as, Ryan, Laura and Rebecca Randall, and their dog, Hazel; Rob Riley of a Toronto-based pet store and his Black Lab, Sam; Wag on the Danforth; Josh Hayter and his dogs, Bauer and Tucker; Roger Murchie and his Duck Tolling Retriever and Lab-cross, Maddie, and Henri and Liz David and their dog, Woodie: all of whom kindly offered us the use of their photographs.

A number of dog lovers and business owners provided information on the many products specifically designed for canine wheeled transportation. This includes the public relations people of Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Chrysler, Subaru, BMW and Honda who provided corporate information on available options throughout the world. Also, numerous smaller businesses provided help, photos and information, such as Fiona Walker of Camp in a VDub in Britain, and Lorraine Walston of Woodrow Wear (Power Paws),USA.

Very special thanks must also go to Professor Gerald Vise, formerly of the Social Sciences division of York University, Toronto, Canada, for his greatly appreciated knowledge regarding the interaction of human beings and animals. As a York University professor, Vise created his own course entitled Animals and People, which delved into the attitudes and behaviours of people toward animals.

And thanks also go to Jude Brooks of Hubble & Hattie for her encouragement and support in this project.

And, of course, much love and gratitude to my son, Andrew, photographer and co-collaborator in this book, his patient wife, Catherine, baby Penelope Mort, and rescue dog Riley, who all share in the doggy enthusiasm. Andrew is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) in Toronto. As well as being a freelance photographer, his carefully crafted images have been published in nine other books on various topics over the past three years.

An added appreciation and love to my wife, Sandy, who not only encourages both me and our son, but also acts as preliminary proof reader.

Finally, thanks to perhaps the most important contributors in this publication: the many loving and lovely dogs. Included in the pack was our Golden Retriever, Austin, and Andrews rescue pooch, Riley, as well as all the other dogs that joyfully helped us illustrate the important points we are trying to make in Dogs on Wheels .

British artist Ray Putt has not only captured the sporting character of the car and the driver in this picture, but also that of the dashing four-legged passenger. (Courtesy Roy Putt/Rupert Whyte-Historic Car Art)

Foreword

Dogs on Wheels takes an in-depth look at the multitude of considerations and decisions a dog-lover must contend with when taking their dog in a vehicle, be it a trip to the grocery store or on a lengthy family vacation.

In the UK, it is not law that dogs travelling in vehicles must be restrained in a crate or by wearing a harness, though it should be. While no UK statistics exist regarding dog deaths in vehicles, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that unrestrained pets in a vehicle cause 30,000 accidents a year in the United States. The same source notes that unrestrained dog deaths exceed six thousand per annum.

Although no self-respecting dog-lover would allow their beloved canine to travel like this in an open sports car, both Golden Retriever Austin and Husky-mix Riley look like they would enjoy the experience. (Andrew Mort)

But, perhaps the most unbelievable statistic is that in the United States a shocking 98 per cent of owners do not restrain their beloved canines when driving, even though 82 per cent of pets travel on holiday with them.

As well as professional transportation and industry advice, and the authors personal insight and research, this book is supported by sound information based on the teaching and lectures of a former York University professor who taught a course on animals in society, as well as information and documentation from expert veterinarians.