Honda Designs Car Friendly for Dogs

Times Dispatch ^ | 10-5-2005

[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.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

[wndycndy]

**** 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.

[wndycndy]

****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 ;)

[Squeako]

On behalf of all the cat people--we DEMAND a kitty cat friendly vehicle!!! Where are the lawyers--we have all the makings of a cat-action suit against Honda!!!!!

Most cars already have engine compartments. There's really quite a selection available.

[not_apathetic_anymore]

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.

[FairOpinion]

How adorable! Thanks for the ping.

[AnAmericanMother]

[mikrofon]

Years ago, our vehicle employed the B.O.W.W.O.W. concept

(Bassett Out the Window of our Wonderful Openhearted Wagon)

[apackof2]

There's just something about a dog hanging his head out of a car window

My dog Maddie would agree with you......she don't need no stinkin' crate!

[Uncle Jaque]

I was sort of hoping that a fellow Veteran who spent some time in "The Land of the Morning Calm" would pick up on that };^)~

"Kai-Ghokki" essentially means "dog meat"; considered a delicacy, and served in many popular Korean recipes.

A couple of general observations from my tour there, which might well apply still;

You don't see any stray dogs or cats wandering around Korea - not for long, anyway.

When dining out in the community, you don't ask what you're eating.

Most of the local cuisine was pretty good, actually - although some of it took a little getting used to (like Kimshee, for instance).

"Cho-Sumnida", as best I remember, is about equivalent to the French "Magnifique".

"Mahkkalli" is a fermented rice beverage (including some other key ingredients we probably don't want to know about either) It looks like cocconut milk, tastes a little like hard cider, and will mess up your head in short order!

[HoHoeHeaux]

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!

[HoHoeHeaux]

What a cute kitty! And she matches the dog so well.....

[Slings and Arrows]

Most of the local cuisine was pretty good, actually - although some of it took a little getting used to (like Kimshee, for instance).

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.)

[Slings and Arrows]

You're quite welcome, and yes, color-coordinated pets are the way to go (sayeth the servant of two tuxedo kitties).

[Uncle Jaque]

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*~~~~~~~~~~~