DON'T let your dog travel unsecured in an open pickup
truck bed. Dogs can't "hold on" the way humans can, and any sudden
start, stop, or turn can toss your pet onto the highway. If the impact
of hitting the road at a high speed doesn't kill him/her, oncoming
traffic probably will.
There are other hazards to consider. Most dogs love the
feeling of wind blowing past their ears at 60 mph, but that wind can
seriously irritate mucous membranes and blow pieces of grit into the
animal's eye, which could cause permanent damage to the eye. Insects or
flying debris can also lodge in the nasal passages or get sucked up into
the windpipe.
It is safest to allow your dog to ride inside the truck
cab, or leave him/her at home. If he/she must ride in the back of the
truck, put the dog inside a crate that will give it some protection from
the wind and weather, and tie the crate securely to the walls of the
truck bed so it cannot slide or be tossed out of the truck.
Go on to How To Write
a Powerful and Influential Letter
Return to 11 August 1999 Issue
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