Posted on 10/05/2005 8:06:11 AM PDT by Cagey
WAKO, Japan (AP) -- Honda Motor Co. has designed a car that's friendly for dogs - part of the Japanese automaker's ongoing effort to create vehicles that are easy to use and comfortable to ride in.
The W.O.W. Concept, which stands for "wonderful openhearted wagon," shown to reporters recently, is an exhibition model with no plans for commercial sale that will be exhibited at the Tokyo auto show later this month.
A special crate for dogs in the glove apartment allows owners to interact with their pets while driving. A bigger crate pops up from the floor in the back seat area and can be folded back into the floor when it's not needed. For even bigger dogs, just buckle them up with a special seat belt to the floor.
The big danger for pets riding along in cars is that they get thrown out during a crash. About a fifth of Japanese households have a dog, and demand is growing for cars that cater to man's best friend, according to Honda.
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The W.O.W comes with removable, washable, rollout flooring and has wide sliding doors to keep dogs happy.
"We created this vehicle from the point of view of a dog, but it turned out to be a gentler vehicle for the elderly, children and other family members," said Honda designer Katsuhito Nakamura.
**** Some kind of large, retractable, dog-proof section in the back of a minivan would be nice.****
Use Varikennel crate. Seriously that is the only safe way to travel with dogs in your vehicle.
****It's a great way to make sure your dog is well socialized. I used to leave my TV on all day and when I came home my dog would be "sitting" on the sofa watching FOX news.****
My 5 month old pups listen/watch FOXNEWS morning and evening...which is only fitting for one particularly good looking puppy girl named after non other than the spectacular miss Laurie Dhue ;)
Most cars already have engine compartments. There's really quite a selection available.
One of my kitties used to watch golf. she'd watch the ball drop in the hole then look under and behind the TV looking for where it went.
the dogs show some interest in tv, mostly animal planet large game lions and elephants.
How adorable! Thanks for the ping.
Years ago, our vehicle employed the B.O.W.W.O.W. concept
(Bassett Out the Window of our Wonderful Openhearted Wagon)
My dog Maddie would agree with you......she don't need no stinkin' crate!
My dog (a Keeshond, ah how I miss him) used to sit in the back but when my window was rolled down, he would hang his left front paw and head out, and growl if cars got too close. He was protecting me!
What a cute kitty! And she matches the dog so well.....
Mmmm, Kimchee! I've got a jar in my fridge my now! (Maybe not for long - the dog looks nervous every time I take the stuff out.)
You're quite welcome, and yes, color-coordinated pets are the way to go (sayeth the servant of two tuxedo kitties).
It's been my experience that most of the jarred stateside kimchee is pretty lame compared to the native variety.
I thought of it as sort of a Mexican Saurkraut on steroids.
..With an attitude... And lots of garlic.
Most Americans (unless they are right into ultra-spicy Mexican cuisine) might even have a tough time with the jar stuff; the Real McCoy surely takes some "working up to".
Come to think of it, so did the aroma on the breath of your YO'BO while you were... oh; never mind... };^)~
(Ahh; the memories....)
Good ol' Kimchee sure raises hell with the tapeworms, though! *xx*~~~~~~~~~~~
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