Seat belts for dogs and cheers for Checkers

David Dallman of Santa Rosa calls it his “best gift ever.” Dallman is referring to finding his Standard Poodle Checkers, who went missing last week. Checkers was found Saturday running in a vineyard along Guerneville Road. They received a tip that a black and white-colored poodle dog had been seen running in the vineyard earlier in the morning. Dallman and friends found the dog around mid-day, without tags, filthy and tired.

Dallman called me last week, in a frantic, saying his dog disappeared after a car accident in front of Piner High School, December 22. His friends at the Airport Club in Santa Rosa gathered forces, made up fliers and posted them throughout the area where the dog went missing. The heartbreak was palpable as Dallman relayed the accident, the airbags deploying, the car’s doors all opening and watching helplessly as Checkers darted out of the back of the car.

Dallman says his dog is back home, bathed and resting and he tells friends on his Facebook that he is forever grateful for the support.

But the incident prompted another writer to comment about pet safety in vehicles. A dog safety belt is a very wise investment. Yes, they are a pain to use, but most people can relay an incident in which a quick stop caused items in their car to shift forward quickly, let alone a loose dog.

Most Sonoma County pet stores have some version of a seat belt for dogs. For the first year I have a dog, I crate them in the car and tie down the crate.