HEY DOG MOMS & DADS,

Hopping in the car with my dog has been the norm since day one of Piper's puppyhood.

I carried her in my lap on the way home. She hopped around the footwell of the front passenger seat on our first trip to the vet. I had her in one of those pop up crates in the back for a little bit too, as she and her littermate played together during the whole ride anywhere (her little brother lived with us for a few months).

When she was bigger, I had her sit in the front seat next to me, but Piper was too big, and uncomfortable. As time went on, she settled in the back seat of the little Honda Civic. All windows rolled down, she would sit and sniff the wind, stand up and stick her head out the window, stand on the center console and peer out the windshield, or lay with her back end on the back seat, front paws on the floor, and head on the console under my arm.

I can still feel the freedom and delight of me and my BFF on the road, off to whatever adventure I had planned (or not planned) for us that day. The road was our home away from home.

Thinking back, there were hints about buckling her up, but I didn't see or hear them. Her brother jumped out of the car window at one point. Piper fell forward multiple times when I had come to a sudden stop. A couple of people mentioned that maybe she needed to be buckled up, and I said why? "Nothing will happen. I'm a good driver. She's fine. "

See, I get it.

When you first get a dog, all you want to do is cuddle with your new furry friend all the way home. You want your dog to be your co-pilot up front. You're very concerned about your dog's happiness and freedom to move around. You're a good driver, and would never cause an accident. Life is good, nothing will happen to you. Gosh, I get it. That was me.

But I was so wrong. Crashes do happen, and you don't have to be at fault for it to occur.

The day the teenager decided to go on a speeding frenzy affected my entire world. (If you haven't heard Piper's story, click here.) And yes, grief, depression, PTSD...it all still hits me in waves, even 4 years later. With the holiday season coming up, that's when it's at the worst for me.

Growing up, all I ever wanted was a dog, but I couldn't have one. So obviously, the first thing I did when I got my own place, was get Piper! I didn't know much about dogs at the time so she didn't have all the right things, but the thing she did have, was all my heart.

You know what it's like to love a dog. That's why you're here. And I don't want you to ever lose your dog - your best friend, in a car crash like I did. That's why it's so important that you buckle up your pup in a certified seatbelt, and encourage your friends and family to do the same.

As we roll into cooler weather and holiday trips, it's time to really dive in to dog seatbelt safety. I promise, having your dog properly secured is actually a great thing! Both you and your dog can feel good about it. My spunky, nothing-like-Piper, "new" dog, River, doesn't just tolerate being buckled in. She expects and prefers it.

Whether you're learning about certified seatbelts for the first time, have been thinking about it for a while, have a non-certified seatbelt and need to switch, have a certified seatbelt but aren't using it, or travel in a certified seatbelt every day, I encourage you to embrace and continue the Riding Certified life this fall!

May you and your dog enjoy countless adventures together this season - here's to staying safe in the car!

Love,

-P. Suanpan

Dog Seatbelt Lady & Founder of Dogs Ride Certified