No Car Go, Dog, Go!
Ah, the Suess memories.
I’ve been thinking a lot about dogs lately.
Mostly, I’ve been thinking about dogs, because my boyfriend just adopted one from the Denver Dumb Friends League. He’s a black lab/pointer mix, and we’re convinced he was sent from the dog gods to train us how be good dog parents.
When we’re most clueless, it feels almost like he’s talking to us, coaching us through:
- “Mornings are for walks, afternoons are for naps, and evenings are for cuddles.”
- “If you let me eat grass, odds are good I’m going to puke on your carpet.”
- “Saying goodbye when you leave for work is probably more difficult for you, you old softie, than it is for me.”
Anyway, all this dog-fulness got me thinking about the role cars play in a modern dog’s life.
Cars take dogs to the vet, the groomer, the grandparents’ house at the holidays. People load their dogs in the car to go to the park, for a hike, even out to eat. Dogs ride in cars about anywhere their owners want to go that’s farther than a mile or so from their homes.
I’m beginning to think if I ever want a dog of my own, I’ll have to get a car too.
You might say, “But, Amy, people have children without having cars.”
The big difference is: You can take human children on the bus. As far as I know, most public transit systems only allow service animals to ride.
I guess I could get a bike trailer for them to ride in or use a carshare every now and then.
Any car-free dog owners out there? I’d sure love to hear how you do it!
Car-freely,
Amy
Ok, so I am no expert seeing as how addicted I am to my four wheeled vehicle, but I must say DON’T GIVE IN! Is there really no vet within walking distance? When you want to go to the park or on a hike, call up a friend to join you (and who has a car). I think you’re overestimating how often dogs need a car because you are looking at people who use their car for everything, and why not bring the dog. Stay strong, and call me if you want to go to the park (we’re missing a dog in our life).
Thanks for the encouragement, Melody! You make good points. I’m not in a place (as far as housing) where I can get a dog yet, but these are great ideas for the future.
I think the size of the dog is important. I can’t imagine hauling a Great Dane around in taxis, but a little terrier wouldn’t be a problem. You could probably even get a small dog onto a bike. And I don’t know what kind of area you live in, but there has to be parks and maybe even a vet within walking distance.
Or learn to like cats. Cats are awesome. ^-^
Hey Erica – Thanks for your input! I’m a dog-lover at heart, but I’ll try to give cats a chance too.
Ever run across any cool dog-carriers for your bike? I bet they’re out there.
I own a quite large dog and run into similar situations. Here are a couple of suggestions.
1. find a park close to you for your dog. walking there is good for both of you.
2. When I have to go to the vet I either get a taxi (they take dogs), rent a car from Enterprise (good Friday thru Monday rates), or I have friends who will take us in their cars for gas money.
3. I would like to use eGo car share, but they also don’t allow dogs in the cars near me.
Thank you SO much for the suggestions, Ramona – very helpful! Too bad eGo doesn’t accept them. I understand that there could be allergy issues though.
Google ‘service animal patch.’ Order one to fit your dog.
Viola, on the bus.
You don’t need a special permit for a service animal patch, but most people don’t know that. Might help to get a weird leash too.
If you get on the bus and someone’s all whatever about your dog, make strange moaning sounds and start shaking your hands very rapidly. Do this for about 10 seconds, then hug your dog, take a deep breath and act normal again. No more questions asked.
Jus sayin’
I suspect that, most times, when people type “lol,” they’re lying. Laughing out loud doesn’t happen as often as texts and other digital messages would have us believe. But believe me when I say that I totally lol-ed at your comment, Pawl.
Pawl I came here looking for advice on the issue because I too take the bus everyday. I am wondering if I can get away with your plan (very sneaky by the way). I don’t want to act handicapped, but maybe say I have to take the dog to her owner when I do need to use the bus and what not. Do you think this would really be an option?
Thanks !