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Harley McGuire Talks Pets and Distracted Driving

Harley McGuire, SedonaEye.com Star Four Paws Up Pet Columnist

Harley McGuire, SedonaEye.com Star Four Paws Up Pet Columnist

Sedona AZ (June 24, 2015)Hey there folks, it’s me, your adorable and handsome Harley McGuire, SedonaEye.com Star Four Paws Up Pet Columnist!

With the busy summer travel season upon us, many families are hitting the road with their families – and that, of course, means their four-legged family members too. To ensure safe travels for everyone, it’s important to take heed of very real pet travel safety issues – pets and distracted driving.

Mom and I talked it over and decided, after that horrible Sedona accident recently which injured one of my four paws up pals, we had to talk to everybody about protecting handsome guys and gals like me and my pals in vehicles. So here goes!

Harley McGuire pal, Tila, loves her trees

Harley McGuire pal, Tila, loves her trees

When we think of distracted driving, the typical “culprits” that come to mind include texting, eating, applying makeup, chatting on the phone, or even daydreaming. However, seldom considered is that traveling with an unsecured pal o’ mine can be a very real and dangerous distraction.

A respected survey of people who drive with pets showed that a whopping 64 percent of pet parents partake in unsafe distracted driving habits – as they pertain to their pet. Additionally, 29 percent of respondents admitted to being distracted by their four-legged travel companions, and 84 percent indicate they do not secure their pet in their vehicles. According to the survey, drivers were petting their dogs, seating them in their laps in front of steering wheels, and offering treats while driving.

We four legged types love treats, but we love arriving at the park safely more!

My mom read the survey to me and it said that some drivers (3%) even photographed their dogs while driving! Please don’t do that to my pals, it’s BEYOND NOT SAFE!

Harley McGuire and pals chillin' at the dog park

Harley McGuire and pals

As beautiful and handsome as I am, oooppsss I meant to write WE are, I’d rather pose while lying on a grassy knoll at the park! Then I’ll know for sure you got my good side! My four paws up pals think just the same. (Check my pals and I in the park a summer ago in this cute picture of us. See what I mean? Better than inside a stuffy car picture!)

It’s pretty easy to understand how an unsecured pal can be a distraction while driving. Some of us become anxious or excited and want to jump around or bark while in the car. Or, we just want to be happy and loving by snuggling close to you or get in your lap to help you drive. Oftentimes, we can be frightened and there is always an element of unpredictability with some of my pals. When we need comfort, we opt to be near you, and that can add to the possible perils caused by us distracting you.

Properly securing Four Paws Up pals in a vehicle is not only about alleviating this potential driving distraction that can cause an accident, it’s also a proactive approach should there be an accident or sudden stop – even a fender bender can injure an unsecured pet!

Pals Mojo Nikki and Fabian relaxing at home

Pals Mojo Nikki and Fabian relaxing at home

You wear seat belts for your safety in case of an accident and we should be secured too. Be creative how you do it, no one size fits all just like we come in all shapes and sizes and personalities, but remember safety first!

Now about accidents…a pal can be seriously harmed or even killed if thrown in or from a vehicle. Airbags can go off and injure a pal in your lap. In the event of an accident, frightened pets can easily escape from a vehicle and run off. Further, a pet that is not properly secured may not only be harmed, but could also put others in danger through the shear force of any impact from an accident.

My poor pal was severely injured in that fatal Sedona traffic accident last week. He wasn’t secured, which may have kept him from being killed, but luckily, whatever the miracle, my Cottonwood pal survived the crash that killed all four of the people involved. Thankfully, it wasn’t my Four Paws Up pal’s time to go over the Rainbow Bridge, and all his Sedona pals and well wishers are rooting for a full recovery and a speedy return to a loving family.

Happy Harley Mcguire fourth of july 4 dogs

Happy Fourth of July and keep your pets safe, reminds Harley McGuire, Four Paw Up Star SedonaEye.com columnist

Take the time to find or create a pet safety restraint that is right for your pal! Remember, every pal doesn’t require the same approach! Options mom and I’ve seen include pet seat belts, pet car seats, travel crates, and vehicle pet barriers. Some pals only need their favorite blankie or cushion laid across the back seat or on the floorboard, and some like to snuggle under a seat. A net or homemade barrier can work wonders too!

Planning to have the right pet plan for your trip will not only keep you and your pet safe, but also offer peace of mind and take one more distraction away.

Check out Kim Salerno’s TripsWithPets site for detailed, up-to-date information for pet travel. Kim’s site features airline and car rental pet policies, pet friendly activities, a user-friendly search-by-route option, as well as pet travel gear. We want to look good while traveling too!

Mom and me, yours truly Harley McGuire, want to ensure that pets are welcome, happy and safe in their travels. Here’s to happy Four Paws Up travels!

Happy birthday, America! Drive safely this Fourth of July and remember – my pet pals aren’t typically fond of fireworks, so leave all of us at home like mom does me! We’ll celebrate July 4 in our own happy way – lounging on the couch and watching for squirrels out the window.

paw prints for harley mcguire column Lovingly,
Harley McGuire

Read www.SedonaEye.com for daily news and interactive views!

Read www.SedonaEye.com for daily news and interactive views!

15 Comments

  1. Buster says:

    Oh Harley McGuire, you sure do know how to brighten a dull time. With all the daily conflicts you manage to bring a smile to my people-parents faces which, in turn, causes them to offer loving pats and maybe even a special treat. Thank you for that.

    There is sumthin else, tho, that we all needs to remember which is to NOT LEAVE PETS IN HOT CARS!

    Now more than anything my jaw sags and tail droops when “they” go out the door and leave me home. But Mom explains that when they go to dog-unfriendly places then I must sit in the car and with the heat being what it is – well – I could DIE in a very short time.

    So folks, don’t be foolish. Even with windows cracked or open wide, it’s just TOO DANG HOT! And of course common sense should send the message for that same rule to apply to children as well. But as too often it’s proven, some humans don’t seem to have the common sense they were borned with, that is if they had any at all.

    Thanks, Harley McGuire, for the reminder. Stay cool and don’t be skeered of those thunder storms that will soon be rumbling around. It’s just that time of year.

  2. Skipper says:

    I am very safe in my cozy condo in the back seat of the car. We go out early early before it gets too hot and sometimes Mom just lets me sit in the car to watch out for strange people walking past. I have my carseat and a water dish, good treats and a bed to nap in if I want.
    When it gets too hot, Mom just says, “See ya later”. I whine, but Mother knows best.
    Staying cool,
    Your pal Skipper

  3. Harley, once again, you’ve hit the nail on the head with practical and very important advice. Our mom often sees mommies driving around with their dogs “hanging loose” in the car and she cringes, thinking that if they suddenly stop, the poor doggy will get injured. Dog restraints are for sure the way to go. No animal should be loose in a car, but if they won’t be restrained, then a bed on the floorboard is a good idea. Our mom puts us in a shared cat carrier & we hate it, but we know its for our own good. So be safe and sane next weekend!

  4. Chip'n Dale says:

    Harley, thank you for the advise for your friends. When we travel mom keeps us “caged” and seat belted. Mom gets so upset when she sees cars driving down the road with “dogs” hanging out open windows. Would you travel with your child hanging out the window? You would be arrested for sure! Treat your pouch the same way.

    Love your wisdom Harley, Hugs and Hisses from C’n D .

  5. Oh indeed, it’s been a happy day to learn my dear and true friends still take time to let me know they are out there.

    Buster, Skipper – Bonne & Clyde – you never let me down. And by sharing your thoughts let’s hope it will inspire other moms & pops of furry offsprings to take heed and follow up.

    A special treat it was to know my kitty-kat friends are alive and well after their relocation to Caleeforneya. It’s been a while since Chip’n Dale tossed in their two cents worth and their suggestions mean far more than any dollar or cents value.

    Bee safe, all of ya, during the summer months & ‘specially and for sure bark, meow, or whatever is necessary to let your moms & pops know about how skeery it can be on that four number in July coming up in just another week. Kay?

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

  6. VOC fans says:

    Dear Harley McGuire,
    I am writing to tell you that our dear friend, Bob Witkoff, lost his Four Paws Up pal, Meshugnah, this past week. He is very sad. He tried to save her by feeding her with a syringe, but she was too ill and it was her time to go over the Rainbow Bridge.
    Bob is broken hearted over her loss. So is Bob’s other half, Jan, who is broken hearted too.
    We wanted you to know because you are a special kind of guy and would understand.
    Lovingly to you and your mom,
    We are Bob and Jan and dearly departed Meshugnah’s Sedona friends

  7. Bob and Jan, my heart is very sad about the news of the loss of your precious Meshugnah. There aren’t any woofs here that can take away the pain but knowing others care might lighten your burden. It’s too soon, of course, but in a while maybe, just maybe you will feel the connection and have an itch and an urge to consider not a replacement of Meshugnah, that’s for sure, but another homeless furry friend who in its own way has suffered a similar loss. Never say never. (My mother told me to tell you that. ‘cuz that’s how we found each other.)

    With loving sympathy,
    Harley McGuire

  8. Good advice, don’t like seeing people with dogs hanging out the window, smarten up.

  9. Nikki & Mojo says:

    We are talking to our Mom & Dad about securing us in our SUV ’cause we love to go for rides & they agree. We will soon be shopping for restraints. We are excellent pups in the car and lie down, but we realize one “jam on the breaks” could send us to see our “maker.” Thanks for the good advice. PS, At least Mom & Pops don’t take our picture while driving…we have enough of that “posing” in the house.
    Love n’ stuff, Nikki & Mojo

  10. Howdy doody, Nikki & Mojo. It’s good to know you’re still on board. We’ze havin’ thunder fits over here in Sedonya and I don’t like it one bit and I even spit out the nerve pill Mom tried to sneak in a pill pocket! Ha!

    It you guys behave so well it’s tuff to think ’bout restraints but jamming on breaks, yep, I took a couple of jolts before we found a better way.

    Stay safe on this 4th of July day. I don’t like noise poppers n’ stuff like that. No way.

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

  11. Sometime between 6-7 pm in front of the median near schoolhouse restaurant in VOC an accident happened. Anyone know what caused it or particulars ?

  12. Abe K says:

    I understand that it was a two-car accident between the driver of a Ford sedan who pulled out into 179 and was struck by the driver of a Nissan sedan. The drivers of both cars were transported to the Verde Valley Medical Center. The driver of the Ford later died at the VVMC.

  13. Sunday, July 19th.

    Join the Verde Valley Humane Society to celebrate all the animals birthdays and 29 years of caring at our free Birthday Bash from 3 to 6p.m. at the shelter. Food, live music, games, raffle and silent auction. 1520 W. Mingus Ave., Cottonwood. For more info, call 634-7387.

  14. A Dog’s Day Out in the Park- CANCELLED – A Play Date for Dog Owners – 7/18/2015 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
    Cost: Free
    Location: Multiuse Field at Posse Grounds Park
    525 Posse Ground Road
    Sedona, Arizona 86336

    THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR 2015. PLEASE JOIN US AT YAPPY HOUR! Yappy Hour is every Thursday morning from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

  15. Buster says:

    Dang it Harley McGuire. I was hopin’ to see you there!

    WOOF!

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