A Lesson in Physics

A Lesson in Physics

Catapults. That's what a moving car is to a dog in the driver's seat, or between the seats, or up in the back window. My sister and I found out the hard way one day, while driving with her tiny pug, Sukie. We came up to a winding turn, and surprised by a line of waiting cars around the bend, the brakes were slammed down ... and little Sukie flew right out the window.

At the time, my sister hysterically ran into traffic stopping oncoming cars (giving me a heart attack in the process). We rushed the Sukester to the vet. Her organs, thankfully, had been spared, but her left leg and hip were all but demolished. Several hundreds of dollars, a new hip and splinted leg, and several thousand lectures later, and Sukie came home.

I wouldn't be telling the truth in saying she was just the same. The once carefree puppy became so cautious, and dealt with constant pain from her leg. Her irritable personality made her a danger to my infant niece, and unfortunately, Sukie had to relocate to the farm of a very nice, elderly family.

Today, whether we're traveling with our dachshund, Ole (Ol' Dom Tailwaglia, the Dogfather) or either of our cats, Ruthie or Nightmare, we keep them in their pet carriers. It's not as carefree as leaning at the window with the wind blowing through their ears, but it is safer ... and I believe they are more comfortable because they feel more secure.

Next Pet Story: Ruby at the Beach