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.

[JAWs]

Dogs should not be in cars. They should be in buses. GREYHOUND BUSSES!

[Not A Snowbird]

I completely agree. My cats now travel everywhere in pet taxis, ever since Bear escaped outside the vet's office and we had to lure him out from under a dumpster in the Lucky's parking lot with a can of tuna... but that's a story for another time.

I did let my cats out when I was driving from LA to Seattle, because 11 hours per day in a carrier was just too long. Amazingly all four behaved just fine, and for the most part stayed in the back of the Jeep inside the open carriers.

[HairOfTheDog]

The big danger for pets riding along in cars is that they get thrown out during a crash.

Actually the biggest danger to people is an eighty pound dog flying around in the car with you. I put up a partition in my old Bronco when I was traveling with my ole labrador a lot... I pictured that if I ever got in a wreck, he'd break my neck.

This is a good idea for folk that travel with their pets alot, like I do! Of course - I've graduated to a pickup with a canopy in the back for the dawgs.

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

Been awhile since I doggie pinged... I think I missed a few pings in the last week - was busy posting on less important matters, and I know I ignored a few really depressing stories because I'd had enough downers... but I'm back on track now.

[Rebelbase]

If you carry your dog in a 12-pack box...........

[lewislynn]

Probably in case of "accidents" ... easier to clean up ...

I guess blood and guts would be easier to clean up off of hardwood

[evets]

Here's your sign...

[nmh]

I grew up with a dog but when I was done college and all that stuff I desperately wanted a pet and my boyfriend had a cat. Fabulous cat. So I got hooked on cats.

I'm about to get a Bengal cat. WOW! They are gorgeous. I can't decide bewtween a male or a female ... either way it will be a SBT from a breeder. A few months back after my last cat died (20.5 years old) we got a little orange tabby. He's a nut.

My daughter is eager to get a Begal since the LOVE water. She wants him/her to join her in the bath tub! I don't know about that ... but seriously they are better off in a pet taxi.

[nmh]

I was thinking ... the forgetting to use the liter box before they got in the car ... naughty.

[Beagle8U]

"A sudden stop and cat or dog in the glove compartment will go FLYING! Need I mention vet bills after the accident?"

No offence, but..What the hell do yall hunt with hounds small nuff to fit in the glove box?

[Cagey]

"Ain't that America?"

[nmh]

"No offence, but..What the hell do yall hunt with hounds small nuff to fit in the glove box?"

I don't! The last dog I had was German Shorthaired Pointer. Now way, he'd fit in that!!!! LOL!!!

Cute idea but VERY unsafe for the pet.

[w_over_w]

The big danger for pets riding along in cars is that they get thrown out during a crash.

[Rebelbase]

That would have been a great album cover for someone.

[Cagey]

LOL!!!

[Cagey]

I thought the same thing. Some highway music, maybe.

[Rebelbase]

That's the metrosexual dog carrier.

[zencat]

I'm about to get a Bengal cat. WOW! They are gorgeous. I can't decide between a male or a female...

I love my Bengal. Stunningly beautiful and he's unlike any cat I've ever been around. More codependent than a lap dog, yet almost eerily intelligent. You won't be disappointed.

[HairOfTheDog]

"Do you realize that there is increasing evidence that dogs and cats watch television? We should start programming right now so in 20 years, they could become regular viewers."

My Gidget is ~obsessed~ with the TV. Animal Planet, baseball, and any movie with a dog in it... and, just because she knows who butters her bread, she loves Lord of the Rings ;~D.

[Not A Snowbird]

I was thinking ... the forgetting to use the liter box before they got in the car ... naughty

When we moved we put the backseat down in the jeep, got a large doggie litter box (yes, they make them!), placed it in the middle of the cargo area, and positioned all four carriers around it. The cats were free to come and go as they pleased, use the box, get a snack, whatever. It worked out very well.

[alwaysconservative]

Thanks for the ping! My dog used to sit on the front passenger seat, (no, I didn't open the windows for her) but now that she is going blind, she feels much more secure in the back seat of my mini-van. I would like to get a more "dog-friendly" car, but something that I am comfortable with also.